central park, memphis style

Happy April! Yesterday after work I threw Maddi in the car and we headed a few blocks west to Overton Park. To me, this park is Memphis' version of Central Park. It's more than 100 years old and is home to the zoo (where there was some drama this week), Levitt Shell open air theatre where Elvis gave his first paid concert, Memphis College of Art, the Brooks Museum of Art, a veterans memorial and a golf course.

Oh, and a great little dog park too.

There's a man made pond, which means no mud and clean water. Score.

Gorgeous weather.

Even the trash cans are pretty.

Veterans' Plaza.

Love these planes from the Korean War monument.

Memphis College of Art. I took a photography class here in the winter. It's awesome.

Maddi approved of the outing.

She didn't want to get in the car.

Sunbathing under the sunroof on the way home.

I couldn't resist a cherry limeade.

Hope April brings many more days like yesterday.

blossoms at the park, or why I love my 50mm 1.4

Linking up with Blessed Moon.

There is this one tree at the park that has the best blossoms. I'm guessing it might be a Bradford Pear, but I'm not sure. Anyone know?

I love the tiny depth of field I got with the f1.4.

Love the blossom bokeh.

I had short work days Monday and Tuesday, and the weather was great, so the pups got as much park time as they could handle.

I have a dog named Lilly.

I feel like she doesn't get her share of the spotlight here, so today she's getting her own post. 

She's my rescue baby. She is a true mutt. We know she's part lab and part some kind of terrier, and I think she has some greyhound blood.

She's fast as lightning, digs up molehills at the park and is a swimmer.

She's a cuddler and much prefers people to dogs.

She's camera shy and turns her nose up to it, so I have to catch her in the right mood to get a keeper.

She has to be sedated to have her toenails trimmed, hates baths and has to take meds daily for a pancreatic disorder. Yes, she's high maintenance, and she loves it. She eats like a pig and stays thin as a rail (hence my greyhound theory).

She's one of those rescue dogs that knows she was rescued and says thank you every day with a head on the shoulder or lick on the chin.

Linking up with Sweet Shot Day at My 3 Boybarians.

weekend snaps 3/29/10

It was a weekend filled with babysitting boys.

Lots of wii playing.

traditional Sat. breakfast. After Honey ate the donuts.

Fun day at the park.

Wild wild wild.

We were happy for a pretty day and even happier Kentucky got the ax!

Second chance soup

source

I've always thought French Onion Soup sounded great. I love the French. I love carmelized onions. And I love soup. Perfect.

But the first time I tried it a few years ago at a deli, it was not what I was expecting. Don't know what I was expecting, but the strong flavor bowled me over. Ever since then, I've been cautious of the myserious brown soup.

Then I saw pioneer woman's step by step recipe, and it looked so good. But everything does when Ree makes it. I wouldn't have thought the ingredients would be so few and so familiar. In fact, all things I already had: onions, stock, butter, garlic, worcestershire, bread, cheese (I left out the wine becuase I didn't have any).

So I tried it last night, and it was a success! I guess my taste buds have changed, because I thought it was delish. Strong for sure, but very flavorful. I ate the bread on the side instead of its traditional place atop the soup, but I'm weird about soggy bread.

You should make this! Easy, affordable, and great for the last few cold nights ahead.

Sorry no photos of my own version. I love to cook, and I love to take pictures, but I just don't love doing them at the same time. It's very stressful. I meant to get a shot of the finished product, but I was so hungry I forgot. I'll do better next time!

Update:
This was even better for lunch the day after! Flavor developed and all that good stuff.

spring break bitterness

This being my first year as a working girl, it was also my first year ever with no spring break. My family and friends jetted off to Mexico, New York and Florida. Where did I go? Across town to my mom's house to dog sit.

So in lieu of the exciting photos I wish I had of my exciting spring break, I'll relive last year's spring break. Life's not all bad, though. I'll be at the beach two months from now. And it will be warm.

Hope your spring break was/is/will be fun and relaxing!

Linking up with Blessed Moon's Friday Photo Hop.

I miss this

Toward the end of the season, I went to Tigers games once or twice a week. Now we have to wait half a year to see them again. Sigh.

I miss the crowd.

I miss going with this one.

I miss bowling over kids after the game so we can be this close to the players. Me for the photo op and Hank for the high fives.

I miss walking down Beale after the game.

I miss this view from the parking garage.

And this one.

And I miss making Hank pull over so I can take a picture of the trolley and the bridge.

Guess I'll have to settle for the Redbirds, our minor league baseball team. They start their season next month. It's no Tigers game for sure, but they do have fireworks.