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Home, Knoxville, TN

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Categories:
This isn't photography related, but I've been sick with a migraine this week. I'll get pics of from Saturday's wedding as soon as I can.

Brrr...  I haven't actually had to go out into the cold, but the weather men say that it's darn chilly out there so yesterday I made chili. I'm not a fancy cook, and my main requirement for a meal is that it is simple. Here's my simple chili in case anyone else is in the mood for a warm and easy meal.

Main ingredients from the pantry (Bet you'll never guess which grocery store I use):
It's Chilly Outside

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (most of a 29oz can)
  • 1 (16 oz) jar salsa (choose the spiciness you prefer)
  • 4 tablespoons chili seasoning mix
  • 1 (15 oz) can light red kidney beans
  • 1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans

    DIRECTIONS

    1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and saute for 10 minutes, or until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired.
    2. Add the ground black pepper, garlic salt, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning mix and kidney beans. Mix well, reduce heat to low and simmer for at least an hour.

    NOTES

    • I don't like cutting up onions so I often leave it out and just use the chunky salsa with onions.
    • No you do not have to drain the cans of beans. Just dump them in.
    • We buy a 3lb package of ground turkey and brown it all at once over medium/high heat (stirring constantly). I then use one pound to make something (like spaghetti or hamburger helper) and keep the other 2 pounds in the fridge for chili the next day.
    • Dump the meat and remaining ingredients in a spaghetti pot, cover, and bring it to a boil before turning the heat down to low (2/10). Stir the chili after ten minutes. If it starts to stick to the pot then the heat is too high. If it isn't bubbling then the heat is a little low. Just be sure to stir regularly during cooking or it can stick and burn on the bottom.

      Chili is also really good served over tortilla chips with cheddar cheese, tomato, and sour cream on top, but this is what I had available.
      It's Chilly Outside

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    Beach, Tampa, FL

    Friday, January 11, 2008
    Categories: ,
    We mainly sat in seminars all day at the convention, but I did work in some time to do a quick photography session. The plan was to have the girls trash their dresses, but the bay turned out to be too cold to really get in, and our time was limited. The girls did a great job though, and we ended up with some really nice photos.

    Special thanks to my friend Alecia (Alecia Lauren Photography in Atlanta) and her mother who set up the shoot for us. It was fun working with you again!
    Tampa Bridal Portrait Photographs
    Tampa Bridal Portrait Photographs
    Tampa Bridal Portrait Photographs

    Tampa Bridal Portrait Photographs

    Tampa Bridal Portrait Photographs
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    On Location, Knoxville, TN

    Thursday, January 10, 2008
    Categories: ,
    Happy 2008, and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! After a few weeks away, I am finally back sleeping in my own bed!

    So where have I been? I first went on a Christmas cruise to the Caribbean with my brother, my husband, and his family. Then we spent New Years in Miami before I flew to Tampa for a photography convention where I was inspired and educated by some of the best photographers in the world.

    I'll try to post photos from my trip later, but here are a few portraits that I did of my convention roommate who recently started her own business in Texas - Jennifer Kelly Fine Photography.

    I'm Back!
    I'm Back!
    I'm Back!

    I'm Back!
    I'm Back!
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    Farragut, Knoxville, TN

    Wednesday, December 19, 2007
    Categories:
    Office Closed December 20 - January 8


    Today is my last working day before the holiday, and I'm happy to say that I finally caught up with everything. By the end of the day, I will have finished proofing all of this year's sessions and mailed all print orders that were received before December 16.

    Now I will be taking a much-needed break which means NO work! All emails and phone calls will be returned after I return to work January 9th.

    I sometimes receive dozens of emails in just one day so it may take a few days to reply to everything in January. I will also be working on albums and print orders in the order that they are received. The sooner I get your photo lists, the sooner you will get your album.

    Thank you to those who have included me on their Christmas card lists. I didn't send out Christmas cards this year, but I appreciated getting a few.

    I hope you all have a happy holiday with your families!
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    Maryville, TN

    Wednesday, December 19, 2007
    Categories:

    This anniversary post is a bit early, but today is my last working day before the holiday so...

    Lois and Laramy had a candle-lit winter wedding service at the First Baptist Church of Maryville in 2005. The couple chose to meet alone in the sanctuary before the service so that we would have a chance to do photos outdoors before the sun went down. We were blessed with a sunny day (warm for late December) and got some great shots of the two of them at the little park across the street from the church.

    Lois was teaching elementary school and had invited all of her students and their families to the wedding. The kids were obviously excited to participate in the wedding and had a blast dancing at the reception held at Butterfly Gap.

    I'm hoping that things will slow down during the "off" season this winter, and I'll have time to go back and blog some of the engagement sessions for these couples. For now, here are some album pages from the wedding.

    Gray/Gregory Wedding Anniversary December 30

    Gray/Gregory Wedding Anniversary December 30

    Gray/Gregory Wedding Anniversary December 30

    Gray/Gregory Wedding Anniversary December 30

    Gray/Gregory Wedding Anniversary December 30

    Gray/Gregory Wedding Anniversary December 30

    Gray/Gregory Wedding Anniversary December 30

    Gray/Gregory Wedding Anniversary December 30

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    Welcome to the Nancy Hellsten Photography blog! This is the place to be if you’re looking for wedding ideas and photography promotions or if you just want to view some great photos and see what I’ve been up to. If you or someone you know are getting married, having a baby, or just want some relaxed portraits with the family, please visit my website or contact me for more information. I would love to hear from you. Thanks for visiting and check back often to see what’s new.
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