We seem to have a short list of meals that we make all the time, and I'm sure we aren't the only ones. If you have a good recipe then please email it to me. I'm looking for some new meal ideas, but I'm not very adventurous with food. My requirements are that it be easy and have few ingredients. In exchange, here's one of my regular dinners that will feed 4. You may want to add some cooked onions and green peppers, but I'm not a big fan of either.

Sweet & Sour Pork

1. Cook white or brown rice (If you have a rice cooker then use 2 cups dry rice and 4 cups water. If you don't have one then think about buying one. It makes perfect rice super easy.)

2. Fry cubed chicken or pork in a little oil over medium-high heat until cooked through. (we use one package of 3 chicken breasts OR 3 pork chops. I find the pork easier to cut into cubes but go with what's on special.)

3. When the meat is ready, lower the heat. Pour in two small (8-10oz) jars of sweet and sour sauce. (Kroger carries their own brand as well as LaChoy brand, and either work well.) Add one can of drained pineapple chunks. Heat over low heat until warmed through.

4. The chicken and sauce can simmer (covered) over low heat until the rice is ready. Serve and enjoy!

Lacey and Jonah were married in an outdoor ceremony at Twin Cedar Farm on Saturday,  a typical sunny but windy summer day. Twin Cedar is located in rural Rockford and has an air-conditioned pavilion on a hill overlooking a pond and gazebo. The wedding party was carried to/from the ceremony site in a horse-drawn wagon while the couple rode in a carriage.



Lacey and Jonah included their dog Grady in the ceremony, and the kids had fun walking him the rest of the day. The wedding colors were black and a rosey pink as shown with the flower girls' sashes.


everyone got a kick out of the groom's cake ...




Just after sunset, the guests lined up for a bubble exit. The sun had already gone down, but the light was reflecting off of the clouds above. It was a beautiful ending to a great day.



Sunday morning, Lacey and Jonah were up early so that we could do their couple photos in Knoxville before they left for their honeymoon, a cruise to the Bahamas. The morning was cool and overcast, much more comfortable than the day before. I was so glad that we did the photos early in the day as it ended up storming off and on for the rest of the day. An employee at Volunteer Landing was kind enough to let us through the gate so that we could get a few shots with the caboose of the Three Rivers Rambler.

I will normally only schedule one wedding per weekend, but this past weekend I photographed Lindsey & Aaron on Saturday and then helped Tara Kneiser of Dixie Pixel Photography with another wedding on Sunday. It makes for a very long weekend, but it's fun to shoot with other photographers on occasion.  The couple, Amanda and Shayne, had their wedding at The Emporium on Gay Street.

Being the second shooter on a wedding is a different experience from being the primary shooter. While the primary shooter has the responsibility of getting "the shot", the second shooter can focus more on candid moments, details, and different angles. The downside is that the primary shooter usually has the subjects' attention and the best vantage point. For instance, during the ceremony Tara was in the aisle in front of the couple. I was at the side shooting over people's heads, but I think it gives the photos a sort of intimate feel.




During the group formals, I was able to focus more on individuals like this without having to worry about getting the whole group.



Both brides last weekend did something really cool. They wore veils for the ceremony and then switched to a large flower in their hair. Lindsey on Saturday had a beautiful, long veil while Amanda on Sunday wore a hip, birdcage veil.





The wedding colors were pink and black with lots of pink flowers everywhere. The groomsmen had pink ties, and the bridesmaids wore black dresses.

I need to come up with a summer vacation destination ASAP so PLEASE help me.

My main requirement is that it not be too hot/humid in July which knocks out Boston, Charleston, New Orleans, Savannah, Arizona etc. Requirement number two is that it not be too very far away because I don't want to waste all my time traveling. That knocks out Japan and Australia. Marcus insists that it be somewhere safe and modernized so Russia and Peru are out of the question (although I would love to see Machu Picchu some day).

I'm not a huge fan of hanging out on beaches, but I do like to snorkel so Hawaii is one idea. We just took a cruise in the Caribbean a few months ago though. My ideal vacation spot is somewhere that's beautiful, not too very crowded or expensive, and has some historic, geological, architectural, or cultural sites to visit. Any ideas??

Lindsey and Aaron's wedding day was exceptional, and they deserved every minute of it. They're such a kind, loving couple, and I'm so happy to have been a part of their big day. The weather was perfect, and Lindsey was gorgeous. I may be biased since I was married there, but Whitestone Inn really is a wonderful wedding venue. The couple chose to have a private meeting in the chapel and then complete the group formals before the ceremony. After their ceremony, they took a private carriage ride around the grounds while guests made their way across the courtyard to the reception. All of the food is made on-site and is truly some of the best tasting (and best looking) wedding food I've ever had. The cake, done by Magpies, was also delicious.

a shot of Lindsey's gown in the chapel entrance and Lindsey walking to Aaron for their first meeting



the flowers were lovely and Lindsey & Aaron were so relaxed and happy



I love french bustles, and they always stay in much better when the seamstress uses color-coded ribbons that tie together.








and finally a very traditional but necessary photo in the gazebo... just check out the view!