Photography 

Along with writing, cooking/baking, and makeup, another  passion of mine is photography. I just love the essence that a photograph can capture in an image. I like being able to look at something and think "hey that could make a cool photo," and then add a little bit of editing to it and it can become a masterpiece to the eye. 

Family Recipes 

I think that family recipes are always amazing to have lying around. Which is why I wanted to share some family favorites that are worth trying out and the history behind them.

Apple Cranberry Crumble:

by Peggy McCabe 

The first recipe I wanted to share is a holiday classic in the family. My mothers homemade apple cranberry crumble is a staple recipe around the holiday times. It is tangy, tart, and sweet, and don't forget one of my favorite side dishes of all time. There is not a time when I cannot remember this dish being at the table during a holiday meal, and I hope that will never change. This particular dish can be used as a side dish during a meal or for dessert time, but my family always has it as a side dish especially during Thanksgiving. Although I believe that this dish could be used for any occasion as it is so delicious.  

Filling:

3/4 to 1 cup sugar

1 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch

2 Tablespoon Water

1 3/4 cup fresh or frozen Cranberries

2 1/2 lbs. (6 cups) sweet apples, peeled and thinly sliced

1 Tablespoon lemon peel, grated

3/4 Teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon ground ginger and nutmag

Topping:

1 1/2 Cup old fashioned oats

3/4 Cup (3 oz.) chopped pecans

1/2 Cup light brown sugar, packed 

1/3 Cup flour

1/2 Cup butter or margarine, melted completely 

Directions: 

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Grease 12 x 8 1/2- inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

3. Stir 3/4 cup of sugar and cornstarch in saucepan to blend.

4. Add cranberries and 2 Tablespoons of water.

5. Stir over a medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil.

6. Cook for another 6-8 minutes, stir occasionally until cranberries start to burst open.

7. Remove from heat.

8. Add apples, grated lemon peel, ginger and nutmeg to cranberries,  stir to mix well.

9. Pour into greased baking dish.

10. For the filling, mix oats, pecans, brown sugar and flour together in a bowl.

11. Stir in butter until blended.

12. Crumble filling over top of filling, press slightly.

13. Bake for 45 minutes or until filling is soft and the top is golden brown. 

14. Makes about 15-20 servings. 

Italian Tortellini Soup:  

by Peggy McCabe 

Another mom favorite recipe is this amazing hearty soup. I love this soup during the cold months where you just want to curl up with a warm blanket, watch some cheesy holiday Hallmark movies and eat some yummy hearty soup. I would recommend this soup because it is easy to make and makes a lot as well.

1 lb. mild Italian sausage, casing removed

1 Cup onion, chopped

2 Large cloves garlic, chopped

6 Cups beef stock

1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes, drained and chopped

1 ( 8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 large zucchini, sliced

1 large carrot, sliced

1 medium green pepper, diced

1/2 Cup dry red wine 

1 Teaspoon basil

2 Teaspoon oregano

8 ounces Cheese tortellini

Parmesan cheese to top

Directions: 

1. Brown sausage and remove from skillet.

2. Drain Drippings

3. Add onions to the same pan and saute in a teaspoon of oil for 5 minutes.

4. Combine meat, onion, garlic, beef stock, tomatoes, tomato sauce, zucchini, carrot, green pepper, wine, and spices into a large pot. 

5. Simmer about 90 minutes or until vegetables are fully tender.

6. Add tortellini and cook until tender.

7. Serve with cheese of choice.  

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

by: Maureen Warren

A main dish that I have loved my whole life that is from my aunt on my mothers side is this delicious Mexican chicken enchilada casserole. Again, easy to make and makes a lot of food. I would recommend this for people who love creamy cheesy dishes. 

Chicken, cooked and shredded (using pre-cooked chicken from the grocery store is an easier way)

2 large cans green enchilada sauce, brown also works as well

2 cans of cream chicken soup

2-3 cups shredded Mexican style cheese

1 big bag of tortilla chips

1/3 cup of diced onions

1 tomato, diced

2 stalks green onion, diced

1 Tablespoon of oil

Directions:

1. Saute onions, tomato, and oil until tender.

2. Add enchilada sauce and cream of chicken soup.

3. Stir until creamy, and make sure not to boil.

4. Take a 9x13-inch pan and put a layer of sauce on the bottom.

5. Layer with chips and press down, layer with shredded chicken, layer with sauce, then layer the top with cheese.

6. Repeat steps beginning with a layer of chips. 

7. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until completely heated through.

8. Serve with sour cream, if  so desired. 

Golabki (Cabbage Rolls) 

by Irene Kangas

One of my favorite Polish delicacies is the ever in our family famous, Golabki (pronounced Guam-kee.) Literally all it is is meat wrapped in cabbage but it is so dang good, and easy to make, that that is the last thing on my mind when I eat them. My grandmother taught my father to make them and now I love eating them when my father makes them. They really are a special treat when I get to eat them. 

1 head of cabbage

1 medium onion

1 Tablespoon of butter

2 lbs. of ground beef

1 egg (beaten) 

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup water

2 Cups of beef broth

Directions: 

1. Remove core from cabbage.

2. Place whole head in a large pot filled with boiling water.

3. Cover and cook for 5-10  minutes.

4. Remove softened outer leaves and repeat until all leaves are softened and removed.

5. Cut thick stem from each leave.

6. Saute medium onion in butter.

7. Add ground beef, egg, salt, pepper, and water.

8. Mix and cook thoroughly.

9. Place about a 1/4 cup of hamburg mixture at stem end of each leaf.

10. Roll each leaf, tucking ends towards center.

11. place cabbage rolls seam side down in an un greased baking dish.

12. Pour 2 cups beef broth over cabbage rolls.

13. Cover with foil for 30 minutes.

14. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 1/2 hours.

15. Makes 4-6 servings.

Irish Bread

by Judy McCabe

Another holiday favorite for St. Patrick's Day is the ever famous Irish Bread, and this recipe is the best. Soda bread is one of the best things on earth, it's melt in your mouth, sweet from the raisin, with a beautiful golden crust. It really is a holiday favorite and pairs best with the ever famous corned beef and steamed vegetables.

2 1/2 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg beaten

1 1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup dark raisins 

1/2 cup golden raisins

1 Tablespoon caraway seeds

2 Tablespoons melted butter

sugar to sprinkle on top

Directions: 

1. Grease a 1 1/2-qt. round, glass casserole dish.

2. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

3. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl.

4. Cream butter and sugar together in a separate bowl, then add beaten egg and buttermilk.

5. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. 

6. Then add in both raisins and caraway seeds as well.

7. Spoon into casserole dish, top with melted butter.

8. Sprinkle with sugar.

9. Bake for 30 minutes, then lower heat to 325 degrees F and bake until toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes more. 

10. Allow to cool slightly, then remove from bowl. 

Bailey's Irish Cream Fudge

by Peggy McCabe

If you love fudge and you live Bailey's, then you will absolutely love this fudge. It is perfect for holiday time, or any other occasion, but I love this for the bailey's during Christmas time. Whenever my mother makes this I always make sure I have the first bite. 

2 packages of milk chocolate chips

1 (12 oz) package of semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 (7 oz) jars of marshmallow cream

2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2/3 cup of Bailey's Irish cream  

3 cups chopped nuts, optional

4 1/2 cup sugar

1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

1/2 lbs. butter

Directions: 

1. In a very large bowl, combine milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, marshmallow cream, bailey's and nuts (optional). 

2. Set aside.

3. Line a 10x15-inch pan with foil and spread a light layer of butter over top. 

4. In a saucepan, combine sugar, evaporated cream and butter.

5. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

6. Cook slowly, stir constantly for 11 minutes. 

7. Pour milk mixture over chocolate chip mixture.

8. Stir slowly by hand to blend.

9. Don Not Use Mixer!!

10. Pour into prepared pan.

11. Chill until set or over night. 

Cookies and Cream Truffles

by Peggy McCabe

Probably the most easiest recipe on this list of favorites and discovered early on by my mother years and years ago are the cookies and cream truffles. So soft and delicious and super fun to make for any occasion, I would highly recommend this recipe to anyone. 

1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese

4 cups of crushed Oreo cookies 

Melting candy Wafers 

Directions:

1. With an electric mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese.

2. When light and fluffy add in crushed Oreo's.

3. Beat until well combined.

4. Refrigerate till completely cool enough to roll into balls.

5. Roll into 1 inch balls.

6. Melt 2 cups of candy wafers in microwave.

7. Dip Oreo balls into candy and place on wax paper to harden.

8. keep cool in fridge before serving.  

Makeup Tips, Tricks and Recommendations 

by Megan Kangas 

Step 1: Moisturize... Always 

Start your look with moisturizing your face. It makes all the difference when you add foundation on top, helps to make it last all day while protecting  your skin. I use the elf daily hydration moisturizer, which works wonders for my skin and the state of it. It isn't oily and works well for all skin types, I would highly recommend. (Also consider because it is only is $8.)

Step 2: Prime for success
Primer is as a base product for all of the makeup that will be applied over the top of. Think of a house being  built, in order to have a good foundation structure you need a good base. My favorite example of a primer that I have been using lately is the Dirty Works Touch and Glow Radiance Cream. It has moisturizer qualities while also giving a beautiful glow to the skin. Another good primer is the Smash box primers for high end and a dupe from the drugstore being the Maybelline Baby Skin Primer. Primer isn't a necessary step, but I believe it helps the wear time of all the products layered on top.

Step 3: Foundation

Of course, everyone has their own idea of what a good foundation is since everyone has a different skin type. I  thought I could give some good foundations that would work for multiple types of skin. The first being the Wet and Wild PhotoFocus foundation. This foundation is good for all skin types, I have combination and it sits well for hours on my oily areas. It gives a blurred, photo ready, full coverage effect to the skin. And the best thing is that it is only $5. Another foundation that I love for my combination skin is the Covergirl Trueblend Matte foundation. I did a wear test for 10 hours with this foundation and usually my foundation wears off throughout the day, this one definitely did not. It may be matte but if you use an illuminating primer, I believe someone with dry skin could still get away with this foundation. Lastly, and my most favorite foundation to date, is the Maybelline Superstay 24 hour full coverage foundation. This foundation works for any skin type and lasts so long throughout the day, I even wore this to my summer job working in a bakery, sweating all day, and it lasted the whole day through. These foundations are in my top 3 favorite foundations and would highly recommend to any skin types. 

Step 4: Concealer 

Concealer has two main purposes, to cover dark circles and to highlight under the eyes. I love a bright under eye with my everyday look, I think dimension on the face is a good thing. One out  of three concealers that I would recommend are the Colourpop No Filter Concealer. I wear the shades 04 and 02 to complete a perfect bright under eye. It is full coverage, high pigment, and lasts all day for a perfectly covered face. The second I would recommend is the the Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer which is a dupe for the last concealer I will be talking about. It lasts all day and looks great while not creasing. The only thing I would warn people about it that it is highly perfumed and might give you a headache if you are sensitive to smell. Lastly I would recommend the Tarte Shape, a full coverage beauty. It is mighty expensive at $27 is why I will buy and use it as sparely as possible. 

Step 5: Setting Powder: Another must

Setting powder is another must in my makeup routine because it is another way to give your makeup a lasting power all day. My 2 favorite loose powders of all time are the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder in 05 Fair, and the Coty Airspun powder in the shade Naturally Neutral. Both powders are the same finely spun powders that work like a dream for any skin type. Powder can be used to bake under the eye to keep your concealer from creasing or to use all over the face to set the rest of your foundation. I highly recommend these two powders and they are both $5 at Walmart. 

Step 6: Brows 

Brows are not exactly a necessary step, but I believe that it brings any look together in the end. If I am doing a simple everyday makeup I use an eye shadow that matches my eyebrow color and fill it in with an angled brush. If I want a more layed down brow I use brow gels like the Essence Make Me Brow or the Elf Clear Eyebrow Gel. They are both extremely affordable and work as well as any other expensive brow gel. To clean up brows just take some concealer and clean up any mistakes with it. 

Step 7: Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow is a personal preference among people, some people like simplistic looks and some people love colorful and more glam style looks. I am in the middle I love simplistic for everyday, but I also love to test new ways to try doing my eyeshadow everyday. One of my favorite palettes is the Colourpop Yes, Please Palette, it is full of  warm toned beautifully creamy and pigmented shadows. I love creating sunset looks with the palette. The next palette I love is the Too Faced Sweet Peach, a combination of warm and cool tones. The palette is a little more expensive, but the colors are beautiful and blend like a dream. The last Palette I am loving at the moment is the Makeup Revolution Re-loaded palette in Velvet Rose, which is a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette. The colors are beautiful for everyday looks, the shades are pigmented as well and blend amazingly. As I said before eyeshadow is a personal thing and you should wear what ever makes you happy and comfertable.

Step 8: Bronzer
Bronzer is used to help warm up the face and give it nice dimensions. I love the Butter Bronzer form Physicians Formula because it is a build able and creamy formula. It also doesn't hurt that it smells like a tropical vacation and that it is pretty inexpensive. I love to build it up or do a light layer for everyday use.

Step 9: Blush
Blush is a recent love for me, I never used to wear it, but I love the nice flush it can give the cheeks. At the moment I am loving a shimmer blush or a peachy looking blush. Two Favorites have been the Wet and Wild Baked Blush in Hummingbird Hype and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in Pool Party. For the Wet and Wild blush it is very shimmery and has a peach gold shimmer reflex that looks gorgeous on the skin and gives a nice glowing affect. The Anastasia blush is great because the blush called blank can be used as a contour since it is so cool toned and the other two are beautiful flushes on the skin.

Step 10: Highlighter
I love highlighter, it is one of my favorite steps in a makeup look, I just love the glow that it can give the face. One of my favorite highlighters right now is the Jeffree Star Skin Frost in Ice cold. It is perfect for  fair skin and gives an amazing icy glow to the face, you can use the tiniest touch of it for everyday looks or a load of it for a beautiful glam look. Two really affordable options are the Wet and Wild Megaglow Highlighter in Blossom Glow and the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter. Both are more subtle but can be built up to get the amount of glow you want depending on the look, they are both beautiful.

Step 11: Lips
Everyone has an idea of what a good lipstick is for them, and for me I love the classic lipstick bullet. The one thing I hate is buying a liquid lipstick and it sucks the life out of my lips no matter how much I moisturize them. Which is why I love a creamy lipstick formula that will not dry my lips out to hell. My three favorites right now are Flower beauty in Bare Pout, Makeup Revolution in Wishful, and Milani in Nude Creme. All of these formulas are beautiful on the lips and last for quite a while. Although if I had to pick a liquid lip that doesn't dry too badly for me I would say it is the Anastasia Beverly Hills formula or the Maybelline formula if you are looking to go drugstore prices.

Lastly Here are some looks that I have put together from everyday wear to a little bit more...

Do what makes you happy with your makeup and what makes you most comfortable and not what other people think you should do. Go out of your comfort zone sometimes and be creative or just do everyday looks for the rest of your life, it doesn't matter as long as you do what you live for yourself.