If you just want the recipe, scroll down and skip the food photography lesson.

I’ve been meaning to share this recipe for a while now. It’s one of my favorites. I even photographed last year, but the photos weren’t great, and I kept putting off the post. Luckily, my job forces me to write about and/or photograph things that have been on my “need to” and “want to” lists. Since we were going to use asparagus as our “In Season” food, it was the perfect excuse to try to get some better shots of this dish.

Below is one of the photos I took last year. It’s fine for my blog, but definitely not magazine worthy. It was taken in our kitchen using only artificial (tungsten) light. I did some color correcting, but I never could get the light to look natural. The square plate (which I love) also bothered me. It was really hard to get an angle that looked good for the plate and the food, and I reminded myself to not try to use those plates for food pics again.

ISO 1250    85mm     f/1.8    1/100 sec

So, for round two, I knew I needed natural light and a round plate.

By the time I was finished cooking and plating, it was already too dark in our kitchen to get a natural light shot, so I grabbed a white dish towel and took the food out to our back porch. I really wish I had taken a pull-back shot where you could see the actual setting–the food is on top of Harper’s cooler right nest to the gas grill–it’s not beautiful! But that’s where the light was, so that’s where I set up.

Here is a shot I was happy with…

ISO 1250    85mm     f/2    1/100 sec

…until I got back to the kitchen and realized that I had forgotten to put the grated Parmesan on top! I might have cursed at that point. The light was changing every second, and I was about to lose the opportunity to have enough natural light. I added the cheese and reset the shot as quickly as I could.

Below is one of the best shots with the cheese on top. It’s fine, but you can see that the shadows are deeper and the color isn’t quite as pretty when compared to the shot above. Another thing is the weird reflection of gold light you can see on the asparagus. It’s from the motion flood light on our porch, and I didn’t notice that it had turned on (because it was getting dark). When you mix types of lighting (natural and tungsten) you can get weird results–especially when it comes to food or any type of photography where accurate color is important. Oh, well. I’m definitely still learning.

ISO 640    50mm     f/1.8    1/160 sec

The asparagus shot that we used was also shot on my porch (in a different spot at a different time of day). I replaced the blue rubber bands with jute twine for a more natural look. The bright blue would have been too striking against the greens and browns.

ISO 400    50mm     f/2    1/250 sec

I tried a lot of different angles for the asparagus and my position.

Okay, enough about photography, let’s get to the food! This recipe was originally inspired by Giada’s Fresh Fettuccine with Roasted Chicken and Broccoli Rabe recipe. I never could find Broccoli Rabe at our grocery store, so I read about its flavor and decided asparagus would be a good substitute, and I never looked back. I also like the smaller noodle-size of linguini since there isn’t a heavy sauce. The other main difference is that I usually roast the chicken myself instead of buying the rotisserie chicken.

Let me know if you try it–or the photography tips!

Linguini with Roasted Chicken and Sautéed Asparagus

Serves 4

• 1 bunch asparagus
• 1 (9-ounce) container fresh linguini pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 roasted chicken breasts, sliced
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Add butter and 1 tablespoon of oil to a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook asparagus until tender (about 5 minutes). Be careful to not overcook, as asparagus continues to cook when removed from the pan. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguini and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain, reserving ½-cup of cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, bring the broth and lemon juice to a boil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Boil until the broth reduces by half, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken and simmer just until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add the pasta, ½-cup of Parmesan, pine nuts, parsley, remaining oil, and lemon zest. Toss to coat, adding some of the reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Mound the pasta into the serving dish and top with sautéed asparagus. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and serve.

One of my favorite details was the “family tree.”

To see the rest of the photos and read about the amazing details that Holly thought of, check out her posts about the party here.

–Natalie

Can we please push the “pause” button? Why is time in such a hurry?

I told Harper this might be the perfect time, although my sister and friends with older kids assure me that each new stage is their favorite.

Some of the reasons I love this age:

-Little man is becoming more independent, but not in a “leave-me-alone” kind of way. He can climb into chairs on his own, and he can climb and ride/rock his wooden motorcycle all by himself. It seems like there is something new every day or two. The best part is how he looks up with pride to make sure we saw what he just did.

-He can say the most important words (“Mama” and “Dada”)! But he doesn’t talk enough to have to worry about back-talk. He can shake his head “no” (usually in answer to the question, “Are you full?”), but he doesn’t say “no,” which is kind of nice. I’m sure he’ll learn that word all too soon.

-He holds out his hands to say the blessing before each meal, and he’s started saying “A-men” at the end of the prayers. It’s pretty darn cute.

-He’s obsessive about a few things. I think ceiling fans are the biggest–upon entering any room, he immediately assesses the light and fan status. He likes them all to be on, and he will let everyone know if there is one that is not on. He’s been doing this for a while, but I don’t think I have written about it yet.

Another one that he has been doing for a while is pointing out any bird and/or chicken poop on the porch. I really need a video of this whole process, because there’s no way I could describe it to do it justice. This winter, a little bird decided its favorite perch was one of our chairs on the porch, and there are several places where the white poop stained the floor boards. Tice makes the funniest noises (I guess mimicking us saying “nasty” or “gross”) and points out every little spot. Then he does it again. And again.

His newest obsession is making sure everything is in its place, which is great for me (ha). He points out any cabinet that is left ajar or drawer that is left open. The drawer for our trash can sticks a little, so as soon as he comes in the kitchen, he makes sure it’s all the way closed. He says, “Uh-oh” if notices anything awry.

-He started helping me empty the dish washer a few months ago, and it’s still one of his favorite ways to help around the house. He hands me each plate and bowl with a smile, so it makes the chore much more enjoyable. He also goes to open the dishwasher to put our dirty dishes as soon as he gets down from his chair. I sure hope this helpful attitude sticks. I’m definitely encouraging it!

I found another old wagon at Round Top last month, and he just can’t figure out why there are always plants in it. I bought it to use as a planter, but it hasn’t stopped him from trying to take it for a spin.

I’ve cut the back of his hair twice, but looking at these pictures makes me realize that we’re overdue for another trim. The first cut (on Valentine’s Day) was a lot harder than I thought it would be. His chair made it hard to reach the back of his head, and he kept turning his head to try to see the action. The hair on top isn’t growing as fast, so we have some natural mullet action going on.

I love how he runs to us to show us his latest discovery. This time, it was a crinum lily seed that he couldn’t wait to share.

His schedule hasn’t changed a lot. He still goes to bed around 7:00 and gets up the next morning around 7:00. He still takes a good morning nap 9:30ish to 11:30ish. His afternoon nap is trickier–that’s the one that he sometimes fights. Sometimes he just stays in there and plays for an hour, and sometimes he eventually falls asleep, usually for another hour and half. He’s always in a better mood if he’s had both naps. If he skips the afternoon nap, he’ll usually be ready for bed closer to 6:30. I’m surprised that his morning nap still seems to be the one he needs/wants the most.

My favorite part about getting ready for nap time is how he’ll wave goodbye to Sargent and his toys on the way to his bedroom. He does this without prompting, and it starts when I ask him if he’s tired or ready for a nap. If the answer is yes, he’ll start waving.

When I started this post (yesterday), I was thinking that I couldn’t even remember the last time that he woke up and needed me in the middle of the night. It was probably two months ago–until last night! Go figure. Maybe he just wanted to be the first to wish me a happy Mother’s Day. How thoughtful of him…

He absolutely loves playing hide-and-seek. Whether I hide and he seeks or vice versa, he can’t get enough. This time, he was hiding.

I still have a lot to catch up on, but I wanted to at least post this while it was still current.

Happy Mother’s Day! And thank you to the guys in my life that make me a happy mama!

–Natalie

Front yard, March 2007

Front yard, April 2008

Before T was born, my garden was my muse, my therapy, and my creative outlet. Often, I would come home from work, change shoes, let the dog out, and immediately get my hands dirty–sometimes planting, sometimes weeding, sometimes pruning, but always refreshing my soul. There were always pots to water and vases begging to be filled with fresh flowers. But I wasn’t always working–I also spent plenty of time just sitting and enjoying the view.

Back yard and new back porch, April 2008

Back yard, October 2008

September 2008

Last spring when he was a newborn, part of me would have given anything to spend hours out in the yard. Forget a day at the spa—my hands in the dirt would have been my indulgence of choice! But it never failed, as soon as I would start something outside, it would be time to feed him or change him or try to get him to nap. So, again, I worked in short spurts.

April 2011

As I’ve been able to do so much more this spring, it’s still not enough. I’ve done a lot of planting, but the weeds are still out of control in the back flowerbed. My vegetable garden was never tilled, and I’ve had tomatoes and peppers waiting to get in the ground for two months now. We’re outside all the time, but little man likes having my attention. He’ll bring me something he’s found with a smile so big I can barely see his eyes, or he’ll climb into the wagon and beg for a ride. So, I’ll put down my shovel and turn my focus to him. Right now, he’s my garden. I’m planting different kinds of seeds. I’m still nurturing, pruning, and watching amazing growth, but the fruits of my labor are even more rewarding and tangible.

These plants are beautiful, but they can wait. I will get help when I need it (even when it hurts my pride), and sometimes I might have weeds and overgrown beds, and that’s just fine because this other little garden can’t wait. Every day matters, and once the day is over, I can never have it back. It’s already going so quickly I can hardly stand it. One day (much too soon), he won’t need me as much, and he won’t be bringing me precious handfuls of sand. I’ll have more time to tend my flowerbeds than I know what to do with, and I will miss the days when I was needed more that anything or anyone in his world. But the dirt will be there for me. My muse, my therapy, my creative outlet—my garden.

May you (and your gardens) be blessed this Mother’s Day!

–Natalie

Okay, the thyme photograph really had nothing to do with this post, but I had to include a picture that was prettier to look at than what you’re about to see. But hopefully the following pics will make you smile–it just won’t be because of my photographic skills.

Matt Damon was rolling around with some dried leaves like they were catnip. He looked ridiculous. He’s half-bald (bless his heart), due to some allergies that have really kicked his tail this year. His beautiful blond coat looks like Edward Scissor-hands’ drunk cousin went after him.

The guys that were here installing an alarm system a few weeks ago asked if something got a hold of our cat. “No,” Harper replied, “He’s just ugly.”

Poor Matt Damon. I still love him, but his momma doesn’t. Queso (his mom) was done with her son as soon as he was weaned. Actually, she was finished with him before he was truly weaned–I remember her box-kicking him when he would try to nurse when she thought he was too big for that. I thought, Ah, what a beautiful portrait of motherhood… I think Queso was just too young to appreciate motherhood. She had places to go and didn’t need a spunky (suckling) kitten tagging along.

But that was a long time ago. You would think that six years was enough time for her to  eventually get over her resentment. But she has not. Matt Damon is so laid back and carefree, and she does not tolerate his blithe outlook on life. She does not want to share us with him, and she especially does not want to share Sargent with him.

And it doesn’t bother him a bit. (Or maybe he’s just really good at concealing his feelings of rejection by being the clown in the group.) But when she saunters up–giving him the stink-eye, it just means it’s time to play.

They both like to be around us (and especially Sargent), but I guess they just don’t think there’s room for both of them. Queso gets angry and tries to intimidate him into leaving; Matt Damon just tries to irritate her till she can’t handle it anymore.

In this case, he was there first.

(I know my background is busy and unattractive, but I’m about to distract you with something worse…)

Yikes! It’s hard to be offended by the the alarm guys insensitive comment when I see Matty-D from this angle. It does look like something got a hold of him–like a lawn mower!

He’s playing, but Mommy ain’t playin’!

Stank-eye.

Normally, I’m not taking lessons on motherhood from this girl, but if that look wouldn’t stop a kid dead in his tracks, I don’t know what would.

But, for Matt Damon, it’s just an invitation. Bad kitty.

Luckily, our referee caught wind of this little confrontation, and he jumped right in.

He does not like that nonsense in his yard, not one bit. Whether it’s the cats or the chickens or a couple of squirrels, he will intervene if the peace is not kept.

In this case, the referee must have sided with Matt Damon–a rare occurrence.

And the spectators concurred.

But I have to share these photos of one of the few times he wasn’t smiling or performing–they just crack me up. Tice woke up early, so after stalling in our room as long as possible (so everyone else could sleep), we started thinking about breakfast. I carried him outside to get his seat out of my mom’s car, and the sun was just coming up over my grandad’s old Chevy.

I put Tice down on the sidewalk and grabbed my camera out of the car to snap a few photos. Tice was barefoot, and once he realized that the ground was too hard to attempt without shoes, he started “voicing” his concern. This is what I saw when I finished taking pictures of the truck.

Bless his heart!

Won’t he love these when he’s older? Hey, I’m just keepin’ it real around here. He’s usually so easy and laid back, but he does have his moments.

I have more pictures from the weekend, but I’m still processing.

–Natalie

P.S.  The post title is a line from Tice’s new favorite nursery rhyme, “To Market, To Market.”  When my Aunt Elaine heard me reading it to Tice (multiple times), she told me that my granny used to always say that line when they would get home, and my aunt continued the tradition with her kids. Now, I’ll think of them every time we read it!

I am very happy to report that Sargent has been doing much better with his anxiety issues. I take him walking with Tice four or five times a week, so he’s getting a bit more exercise. He’s even lost a few pounds, which is kind-of annoying because it isn’t that easy for me. I also bought him a new brush that I’ve been using on him daily, and he loves it. I don’t know for sure if those things are making the difference, but I think they are. They are good for him either way.

Other ramblings…

The few weeks leading up to press at the magazine are always hectic. I have so many pictures of life around here that I haven’t had time to post, so I have some catching up to do.

The chickens are all happy it’s spring. They are laying in full force again, so we have lots of fresh eggs–when I can find them. Sometimes they like to make a random nest under a shrub instead of laying the nesting boxes, so we have to go on a real egg hunt.

And speaking of egg hunts, I never posted Easter pictures. I’ll include those in a post about Tice, but here’s one of him with his Friedel cousins on the Lacy side.

The gardens are loving the warm weather. I planted several large pots that have been needing a home for several years, including this one that we bought at The Great Outdoors in Austin. I used foxtail fern, red mandevilla, and a huge sweet potato. The sweet potato vine is already trying to take over, so it will require some pruning. Sweet potato vine would be beautiful in our backyard flowerbeds, but Ava is OCD about pecking the leaves off the vine for some reason. She doesn’t even eat them–just plucks them off until the vine is bare. Hopefully this one is high enough off the ground to keep her at bay.

I took the picture below at the Antique Rose Emporium in Independence. It spoke to me.

To be more specific, it told me to build a rock border around all our flowerbeds. We did that at our other house, and I loved it. One day we’ll get around to doing it here.

The crinum lilies, snapdragons, and ligustrum have just about finished blooming. I enjoyed them while they lasted and even brought a few inside.

I better get back to work and packing. Tice and I are going with my parent to West Texas to visit my grandparents and family this weekend. I’ll post my favorite pics and memories of Tice’s 14th and 15th months when I get back.

We have a little pen set up for them that’s not too far from Tice’s sand table, so they’ll still get a lot of attention when we’re outside. We have been taking them outside to play for a little bit everyday since we got them, so they are already used to the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. However, they are very spoiled by all the human attention they receive, and they become very vocal when we’re out of sight. That’s one of the reasons it’s time for them to go outside…

The chicks had their first field trip outside and met Ava, the boss, a couple of days after we got them. 4/7/2012

4/16/2012 One of our daily trips outside with the chicks

The last two times I bought chicks, I poured over the catalog from McMurray Hatchery for hours trying to decide which breeds to select. There are so many characteristics to consider–temperament, size, colors, egg colors, broodiness (if they’ll try to sit/hatch eggs). It’s hard to narrow it down, so I ended up getting more than I originally planned both times.

(In case you’re curious, McMurray Hatchery mails the day-old chicks to customers. Their minimum order is 25, so I combined orders with friends or family to meet the minimum. If you want a smaller amount of chicks, I recommend ordering them through your local feed store or MyPetChicken.)

This time, I didn’t know what breeds I was buying. I know they are (supposed to be) pullets (females). I looked for just a few things when I chose them: I really wanted an Americana or Araucana (because I miss the blue-green eggs), I didn’t want any white birds (easier for hawks to spot), and I wanted them to be curious about us when we were peering in the cage (the ones that are skittish and shy as chicks are usually skittish and shy as grown chickens).

Now, I know with certainty that one of the chicks is a Golden Polish.

Her little mohawk is growing more each day. This was taken earlier this week, and now there’s at least another 1/2-inch of black feathers sticking straight up.

I think this one might be an Americana or Araucana. I’m hoping. She’s small but full of energy. She likes to fly and perch someplace high more than the others.

I’m still waiting to see what the black and white chick will be. It looks like her feathers are going to be solid black instead of black and white. She might end up being the same breed as Mary, which is Black Australorp, I think. I’m not sure, because I didn’t order a Black Australorp–I ordered a Dominique and got her instead. I’ve also received a rooster when I ordered a hen. Originally, I was very disappointed about the rooster, but he ended up being one of my favorites. You can see more about Fatty the rooster here, and here.

Fatty, our black Cochin rooster in 2007

I guess there’s always a surprise in the flock, so I figured I just take my chances with these little sweethearts.

As much as Tice and I enjoyed having the chicks inside, I know someone who won’t be missing them tonight…

I’m sure he loved it when he realized I was collecting all the little pieces for a photo.

I guess to him, it looks something like this…

I’ll have to remember to be careful about red toys from now on!

I got really lucky.

When I first parked, the sun had slipped behind the clouds, and the light was really flat. This is what I got…

I kept hoping the sun would just come back out before it dipped below the horizon, and then it did. You should have seen me running through the ditch with my camera trying to find the perfect spot. The only thing that kept me from looking completely like a tourist was that I was driving one-ton diesel.

Since it was a weeknight, there wasn’t another car in sight. It was so peaceful (except for me).

Photography Note:

For most of my photography, I use a pretty shallow depth of field (f/2.8 – f/5). In my first field-of-bluebonnets attempt, I didn’t like how that looked very much. I knew that I would do it differently if I got another chance. For these, I went up to f/8 and f/10 so more of the scene would be in focus. I would have gone higher, but with the setting sun, that was all I could do without a tripod. The light changes so fast at that time of day–especially with the clouds.

P.S. I did not climb any fences, but I did balance my camera on one.