I’ve decided it might be fun to write occasional non-food posts here. This is a blog after all, and I want to connect with you beyond recipes and food photos. We’ll still talk about comfort food and pasta, but it’s nice to slow down sometimes and share a little life stuff.
Hello everyone — a few updates and thoughts today. Most of this isn’t about my pets, although they do manage to be ridiculous and entertaining on a daily basis.
As September approaches, we’re settling into the school routine again. My daughter is already in eighth grade (how did that happen?), and since we’re both night owls, mornings can be a challenge. I’m working on creating interesting lunches, and she’s working on getting up when her alarm goes off instead of five minutes before the bus.
So far the plan is working better than last year, when mornings were rushed and we ended up buying lunch more often than we wanted. Fingers crossed this year continues to improve.
Three Year Blog Anniversary
It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since I started this blogging experiment. I’ve learned a lot about writing clear recipes, taking mouthwatering photos, and putting together posts that give you everything you need to recreate a dish at home. There’s always more to learn — new ingredients, photography techniques, and kitchen tools keep popping up. I’m still figuring out the Instant Pot and have made a few good things in it, even if I don’t yet fully understand the hype.
Some early recipes have stayed favorites, like chocolate chip butterscotch bars. I’m also revisiting and refreshing older recipes that deserve better photos and clearer instructions — things like buttermilk blue cheese dressing, green bean salad with goat cheese and almonds, and tomato burrata caprese salad. It’s fun to compare old photos to new ones and see how much my technique and styling have evolved.
Photography Backdrops
Food photography is mostly about light — finding the right amount, choosing flattering angles, and sometimes using a tripod to steady the camera. Another part of the craft is building a collection of props: glassware, plates, napkins, flatware, wooden boards, and fabric. Those little details give a photo personality.
Earlier this year I got bored with my existing props and went on a collecting spree. That refreshed things a lot, but my backdrops were still the same and felt stale. While my daughter was doing a summer internship and earning money toward a phone repair, we tried a DIY backdrop project together. We picked sample paints, experimented with textures, and painted a couple of wooden boards. The result: two new, versatile backdrops that have already improved my shots.
We’ll make more as soon as I get additional boards. Trying different tutorials and techniques is part of the fun — it’s an easy way to expand the visual options for food photos without buying expensive gear.
Cold Brew Coffee
I finally joined the cold brew bandwagon and did a little photo session with my glass of cold brew. For people who are sensitive to caffeine, cold brew offers a different experience and can be easier to enjoy when diluted with milk or water. I made a simple large-batch cold brew using a coarse grind — the basic ratio is easy and forgiving — and then discovered a supply challenge: decaf coarse ground coffee isn’t always available locally.
I ordered a few bags of decaf coarse grind online and now keep a jar in the fridge for quick cold brew. One note for anyone sensitive to caffeine: cold brew’s long steeping time can extract more of the remaining caffeine from decaf beans than a quick drip, so I limit myself to a few ounces and stretch the drink with milk or water. I actually enjoy a coffee-flavored milk drink, so a little goes a long way for me.
Ginny With Her New Toy
Pets always find a way into these posts. Ginny wanted to show off her new toy, so here we are. She tends to destroy stuffed toys quickly, ripping out stuffing and chewing squeakers, so I picked up a no-stuffing, all-squeaker, highly durable toy designed for strong chewers. The toy is from a brand made for tough dogs, and Ginny hasn’t managed to destroy it yet.
She’s never been happier with a new plaything — tail wagging so fast it’s a blur. Other than bones, this is the longest-lasting toy we’ve had in a while.
And Here is a Question for You
I’d love to hear what you want to see more of on the blog. Your feedback helps shape future posts and recipes.
- Italian comfort food?
- Other comfort classics?
- Quick family dinners?
- Holiday recipes and menus?
- Tapas and appetizers?
- Recipe roundups or themed menus?
- Something else you’re curious about?
Please share specific recipes or general topics you’d like to see. Your suggestions help me plan new content and refresh old favorites.
Also — the “bacon bits” title: is it too cute, or just the right amount of cute?