Love Emails

So during the course of my day, I sit and count the hours before I get to go home. Today is one of those days!! I have a bad case of the Monday's with all the beautiful weather we have had... who want's to be sitting inside an office!! NOT ME!!! But, you know what makes my day go by? My hubby and his sweet emails, 5 minutes into the day, I get an email. I love you :)from my hubby!! Every day without failure, and in between as well. Thought I would share how sweet he is read below ;)

From: Brandon Richards (Enrollment Counselor)
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 1:32 PM
To: Yadira Richards
Subject: RE:


my lower back is really hurting, I might need a little massage when we get home.

Brandon Richards, Enrollment Counselor
University of Phoenix | Axia College


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Yadira Richards
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 1:33 PM
To: Brandon Richards (Enrollment Counselor)
Subject: RE:


ok baby :) or you can take my heating pad. I can take a break and take it to you :)

Yadira Richards, MTN Plains Division Specialist Enrollment Counselor
University of Phoenix, Online Campus | Axia College


I will be ok. I miss you already!

Brandon Richards, Enrollment Counselor
University of Phoenix | Axia College
3157 E Elwood St.| MS-CF-M508 | Phoenix, AZ 85034


Pretty sweet and short, but I love all those small details. and I can not help but feel like the luckiest girl in the world :)

Hormones......

Dear Blogger friends sorry for not posting anything in a while. Trust me nothing really exciting has happened: 0 Well some good things here and there, come may I will be making an announcement... no I am not pregnant. Some of you may already know :) Now, if I can only make it until May without going insane. I am a very private person and really do not share many personal stuff on my blog, but I am beyond that now. As some of you may already know, Brandon and I have been trying to have a baby. It has been an emotional roller coaster ride, last year was the worst. Watching all my friends, my sister get pregnant while I remained... not even close to being pregnant was really difficult for me. There were a lot of days that I cried out of the blue because all I wanted was a baby. So at the end of 2009 I made a new year’s resolution, I was going to go with the flow. Not concentrate on why my prayers were not answered right then and there, rather I would concentrate on things that made me happy. January was a little tough, but after that I can honestly say it has been smooth sailing until this month. I was put on birth control to help with my regulation. I have been moody, sensitive, depressed.... oh and the horrors it has done to me physically. I sometimes feel pregnant but I am assured by my doctor that it is perfectly normal and those are the side effects.... OK so the side effects are similar to pregnancy..... hmmmm So I apologize, it I have been cranky, brushed you off.... One thing it has done it has made me appreciate my hubby even more each day. If I cry, he lets me cry, if I am cranky he takes it (most of the time). Most importantly he is so compassionate and loves me on those days were I am a monster. Now and then he has to remind me that it is for the best and it is a process, and it makes me happy because I know all those bad days will give me happier days when I hold my baby. I don't want any sympathy, as I am beyond that point. I just needed to vent.

On happier news: 0 my business has been booming: 0 I have 4 weddings booked, and have my months booked before they even begin. God has been good to me, and for it I am very grateful. I think he answered my prayers, he said ... hey there silly girl, it's not your turn yet to get pregnant, I have other plans for you :) Yes, in my conversations with God he has a sense of humor :) Everything I have asked for God has granted me :) and my business booming is probably a little additional gift. I did not ask for it, I asked to be distracted from not being pregnant and that is what I got :0 I am still learning and I make mistakes with my photography, but I have made some progress.

Ok, so that pretty much sums it up folks, I am happy today as can be feeling nauseas but happy :)

Because I cannot post without a picture, here is a picture of my hubby and I that was recently taken.

Zuppa Tuscana

I love Italian food just as much as I love my mexican food. Every time I go to Olive garden I order the Zuppa Tuscana. What is not to love about this soup, it has bacon,potaoes, sausauge and some greens. The best part is, you can make it at home on cloudy, rainy days like today. Bon apetite!!

3/4 cup onions, dices 1/8 inc
1 slice of bacon 1/2 inch diced
1 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1 ounce chicken bouillon
1 quart water
2 medium potatoes, cut in 1/2 lengthwise, then cut in 1/4 inch strips
2 cups kale cut in 1/2 then sliced 1/4 inch strips
1 1/2 cup of cooked italian mild sausage
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

cook sausage and set aside.
In a 3 to 4 quart sauce pan cook the onions and the bacon, for about 5 minutes or until the onion is clear. add garlic and cook for about 1 minute.

Add the water and chicken boillon. simmer for 15 minutes uncovered.
Then add the remaining ingridients and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes.

Walla :) you have your self your own Zuppa Tuscana and it is so much more delicious when you cook it at home :)

Dreams do come true

When I was a little girl I dreamed of becoming anything I wanted to be. As I got older I realized those dreams would take hard work and there would be people who would discourage you from that dream. I was always fascinated with the camera even at a young age, I would save my pennies and wash the dishes all to save money to buy a disposable camera. Sometimes it would take months before I had enought money to buy one, and in 10 minutes the film was all used. I would often be seen at the family gathering with my parents camera snapping away.

Then when I was in high school, my dream got pushed to the side as I became involved in dance. Finally senior year snuck up on me so I gave in and signed up for a photography class. Only to quite my second week because of how insecure I was, to think I would be in a class with peers who to say the least were immature.

I always regreted that decision because I wondered what would have happened if I would have stayed in the class. I took the road less traveled when I went against following my dreams, and everything has brought me to this point in my life.

For my 24th birthday my husband reminded me of that dream and suprised me with my first SLR digital camera. It was not new but hey I knew it had potential and the user (me) was rustic on the edges. I took my camera and began to shoot, using my cousins as my models then asking friends if I could take their pictures. Before I knew it I had people asking me if I could take their picture and asking how much I charged. "REALLY", you want me to take your picture?, and you want to pay me?!!" I thought these people are crazy, I thought am not at the level where I feel comfortable charging. I doubted my self, but everytime I would post my pictures, I had another stranger calling me saying, I saw your pics you did for.... or hey your that girl that takes pictures. As much as I hated people knowing me at work as the girl who takes pictures, deep inside I was a little flattered.

My wonderful husband, family and friends would always give me kudos, but again I let my humble side get the best of me. I though their suppose to say that, never really believing it.

Until one day, I had lunch with a friend and she said Ya (that's what friends call me at work) Guess what some girls on my team where talking about a photographer and admirring this photographers work, when she got a closer look it was my photoblog :) She said that's my friend Ya she's the best :) I will admit it I was so ESTATIC :)!!!

So I am coming up to a year, and I will for ever be in debt to my loving husband for encouraging to follow my dreams. He always finds the most sencere words to ecourage me and understands my passion for photography.

I may not be a pro, but I can honestly say that I don't feel as rustic. Photography has become an addiction, I think about it when I am at work, school, home and even when I am sleeping. I get dreams at night wake up and write things about my dreams, that is where I get some of my ideas from.

I hope that when I grow up, I become a famous photographer :) One can only dream, and if there is something I have learned in mt 25 years of life is that dreams do come true, they just some take a longer time to come true :)

Chicken Fontina

Who doesn't love Chicken!! Especially when it it smother in tomatoe sauce, and stuffed with basil and cheese. This recipe is not only easy but delicious. Here you go:

What you need:
4 chicken cutlets. ( you can buy them already made that way at the grocerie store or you may just get 2 chicken breast, slice it down the middle and ounf it out until it is thin)

1 clove of garlic
1 TBS of olive oil
1 20oz can of whole tomatoes in italian sauce
2 cups of shredded fontina cheese
8 fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup of white whine
salt and pepper for taste
1 TSP crushed pepper
toothpiks

What you do:
In a large skillet add the olive oil and the chopped garlic
Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
Add basil and cheese. start at the ends and roll. Secure with a tootpick you may need more then one. Repeat with all the other cutlets.

Place the chicken in the skillet. Make sure the skillet is medium hot. While it browns.

Add the can of whole tomatoes to blender or processor, add the crushed pepper and puree.

Once the chicken had been browned on all sides. Set aside. Add the 1/2 cup of white whine to the skillet to diglaze all those goodies (chicken flavors the chicken released)

Add the tomatoe puree to the skillet in which the chicken was cooked. Add the chiken and simmer the chicken in the sauce for 9 minutes. Turn chicken over and cook for an additional 9 minutes.

Bow-Chikiti-Bow!!

To make it complete and pretty looking. Once the chicken is cooked add the sauce on a display platter and place the chicken over it. I like to use the sauce and cook some anagel hair pasta :)


Enjoy!!

New year new recipes :0

So I have been neglecting my family blog because lets face it, I have been a busy bee :) From work to my second job better known as my passion for photography, and a little room for school, I have little time to update my blog. When I first started my blog it would consist of mainly recipes, but as I began my new hobby, my recipes declined. So I would need some reminders here and their to post a recipe ( Thanks Audrey for keeping me on my recipe toes) :) So here is a new low calorie recipe that I will share with you. It is beyond delicios and I loe it!! has all my favorites!!!

What you need:
1 cup zuchini cut into moons
1 cup julienned carrots
1 cup julienned red peppers
3 tomatoes
1/2 cup of shredded mozarella
2 1/2 cups of stuffed rigatoni ( you can find this item at any local grocery in the frozen section)*** you may also use your favorite stuffed ravaolis
1 tea spoon of dried rosemarry
1 tea spoon of chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped basil
1/2 tea spoon of salt

* what you need to know:
roast peppers over a grill or if you want to cut your time in 1/2 put them in the oven and cook under the broil setting.
** So you are probably wondering what the heck are Jullened carrots and red pepppers. Julienned is just another way to cut your veggies, I think it adds sophistication to a meal. To achive this Juliened cut click here: http://www.ehow.com/video_2346576_julienne-carrots.html

** after you have roasted your tomatoes and have let them cool, Peel under cool water and place inside a blender. Add the rosemarry, and salt, with 1/2 cup of water. Puree for 2 minutes.

In a pan add 1 table spoon of olive oil, and add the chopped garlic, julienned carrots and red peppers cook for about 3 minutes add the tomatoe puree and chopped basil,simmer for 5 minutes. ( you may add salt for taste)

In the mean while cook the stuffed rigatoni in boiling water. Cook the rigatoni according to the package usually 7 minutes.

Once the rigatoni is cooked, draine, and add to the tomatoe sauce. Once served sprinkle mozarella cheese on top.

pss I love to make this with some grilled chicken to help please those who have a bigger appetite :0

Enjoy

Love is all you need

Our story began November 12,2009
I don't remember if the sun was shinning
or who was there, all I remember was you. Wonderful you, How I couldn't keep my eyes off you. How you promised to be mine. How much I loved you
and I couldn't possibly love you more than I did at that moment. ...
Imagine to my surprise when I found out I could. I love you more today than I did yesterday.
Yours forever


Awww one of my first weddings. I have come a long long way. Still learing the rules of the game but I sure do LOVE playing this game and gift God has given me. Now if only I can take pictures like this of Brandon and I... well hey I said I am still learning!! :) So what do you think? I am not too shabby? LOL