Grace - Portrait

Grace is turning 4 this weekend and so naturally she needed some pictures to mark the occasion. Grace you had me at "Knock knock who's there?"

Solomon

 A quick few minutes with Sol are never dull. You always make me smile little guy.

Love 

Aunty Liz

Pinned it - Did it!

I pinned this recipe on pintrest awhile ago and I actually made it! It just looked so delicious! I have become obsessed with Quinoa in the last year and try to substitute with it, or just plan a meal around it whenever I can! I have tried it in a few unconventional recipe's. My brother would be quick to say that banana bread is not the forum in which to use this super grain, but I would only half agree. 

This is how my Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Quinoa turned out. I think it is just a beautiful meal. The colours were so inviting and the aroma had me salivating! And of course I love how it looks all steamy in my Anthro bowls. My siblings might recognize the spoon as one from our set growing up. I get all the good stuff! I highly recommend you make this. I was generous with the chicken (big hit with the kids that way) and I also added some celery at the onion stage for a bit of colour. I''m not a big fan of parsley so I substituted with a fave, cilantro, just a bit.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded & chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

3 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 cup celery chopped (optional)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 can (14 oz) petite diced tomatoes

2/3 cup uncooked quinoa

3/4 cup pitted and quartered kalamata olives (I skipped because I didn't have any)

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley (or cilantro)

Instructions:

1. Steam the butternut squash until barely tender, about 10 minutes. Remove half of the squash pieces and set aside.
2. Steam the remaining squash until very tender, an additional 4 to 6 minutes. Mash this squash with the back of a fork. Set aside.
3. In a large saucepan set over medium-high heat, bring the chicken broth to a simmer.
4. Add chicken thighs, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
5. Transfer the chicken thighs to a plate and allow to cool. Pour broth into a medium-sized bowl.
6. Return the saucepan to the stovetop and lower heat to medium. Add olive oil.
7. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is starting to turn brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
8. Add minced garlic and oregano. Cook, stirring, for 1 additional minute.
9. To the saucepan, add tomatoes, butternut squash pieces, mashed butternut squash. Stir to combine.
10. Stir in reserved chicken broth and quinoa. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the quinoa turns translucent, about 15 minutes.
11. Shred the chicken with your fingers or a fork.
12. Stir the chicken, olives and pepper into the stew and simmer, uncovered, to heat, about 5 minutes.
13. Stir in parsley and serve.

I did find this recipe took some time to prepare, but it was well worth the wait!!

Original recipe can be found HERE

Beauty - Portraits

This was such a rewarding photo shoot to do. I admire all of these women for having the courage to sign up to be the singular subject in front of the camera. That can be scary for some. You are all so beautiful. I enjoyed capturing sides of you that I hadn't seen before. It was even more lovely to talk with you and smile with you and collaborate with each of you to create something really special...... a portrait of YOU.

You are all strong, striking, and exude character to be measured. And we were even lucky enough to have a young little beauty with us for a few minutes. 

Love for all of you

Elizabeth

 

Women are beautiful - Promo Photo shoot.

I've had an idea in my mind for awhile about women and how beautiful they are. I look at pictures of my Grandma as a newly wed, my Nana after having five kids, or my Mom when she was about my age, and I fall in awe with how beautiful they are! I only recently had some pictures taken of myself that I feel that same way about. That got me thinking. I want everyone to have the opportunity to have pictures that they feel beautiful in. Capture their real laugh, a coy moment, essentially them, in this moment, beautifully. In answer to this idea, I am offering a one on one Portrait session with......

Lizzy Anne Photography 

February 18th from 10am till 2pm

 (time slots to be determined). 

The session will include Make-up by Artist Coby Topilko (pictured below), Consult on styling, 30-45 min of shooting in a pretty studio apartment in downtown Calgary, and 15-20 edited images on disc. All for $150

The images will vary from creative shots, and beauty portrait, to simple and personal.

This is NOT a boudoir shoot. But some of you that may want a modest alluring shot or two like below can talk to me to make those arrangements. No nudity, no lingerie.

(last Picture courtesy of micmojo photography)

To sign up: for a time slot just leave a comment with the time you prefer and your info. I will contact you with the details. I am so excited to try this out. I really look forward to working with you and we can discuss what look you hope to achieve in your shoot. I of course have some ideas as well. 

Time Slots are: 10am, 10:45, 11:30, 12:15, 1pm, 1:45.


(I have Jenn, Kristy, Kim, Angela, Carly and Noelle booked in so far.)

Remember your beautiful the way you are! Let's capture it!

Variegated love - Quilts

My latest quilt project. I made this for a good friend who just had her third baby, first boy. I had this fun dotted wave fabric waiting for just such a handsome little man to be born. I loved mimicking the variegation in the blocks and details. Bright and simple. I added a little hand stiched love in one corner. It's something new for me, so I hope it stands the test of time.