the family chef
February 6, 2010
I recently purchased this amazing cookbook, The Family Chef by Jewels and Jill Elmore and there isn’t one recipe I don’t want to make, all of which are healthy, simple and packed with flavor. The sister chefs are from New Mexico so a few of their recipes are right up my alley. Think burritos with leftover meat (yes, alot of awesome ideas for leftovers are included – love that!), tostadas, Mexican breakfast… I’m a sucker for all southwestern/Mexican/tex-mex food – anything with avocado, cheese and beans makes my heart go pitter-patter. There is also great chapter on soups. And not just plain old Jane, every day boring soups, but soups like Grilled Tomato Soup and Clean out the Crisper Vedgie Soup. Yum. Another favorite is their fish marinade which can also be used to dress quinoa salad, and that’s just to name a few highlights.
I’ve never read a cookbook from cover to cover like I did with The Family Chef. I was captivated by their history and guidance. Jewels and Jill provide many gourmet meal ideas, leftover recipes and good little tips (for example, lettuce wraps) helping you to bring healthy, clean, tasty food to your families table for every meal. The pictures are gorgeous and the recipes are easy to follow (most cookbooks lack one or the other), all of which will add more than a little flair to your recipe collection. Enjoy.
mixed bag
February 1, 2010
Since the new year I’ve started a new work out regimen which includes running in these brisk temps (yes, I invested in a bunch of cold weather running gear), a cardio class I’m in love with at my gym and also attending a semi-private training session once a week with a few of my girlfriends. Actually, my friend Blake is my main motivation. We’ve been doing almost all of this together. I’ve lost a few pounds and feel like a new person. It’s amazing the impact exercise has on your overall attitude and motivation. A little music from me to you. Slightly obsessed with P!nk when it comes to working out lately.
Did anyone see the recent Oprah with Michael Pollan of Food Inc.? I found it very interesting and am focusing more on eating organic, antibiotic and hormone free, local, seasonal food. I’m usually pretty good when it comes to our diet but occasionally get lazy and go to the closer and CHEAPER supermarket. Watch the trailer, if you haven’t seen the movie already. I find it criminal that fast food is cheaper than fresh produce and we have no one to blame but ourselves. This is the problem with our country. We have made it impossible for many families to be able to afford to eat healthy which in the end is only adding to the obesity epidemic. It’s the domino affect. Tonight – turkey tacos – all ingredients organic, farm raised…
I’m also back to reading for my book club. We just finished The Help by Kathryn Stockett and Half Broken Horses by Jeanette Walls. I loved The Help and thought Half Broken Horses was good but not great.
Working on getting caught up on alot of stuff for B. Waters Photography and trying to get my life back in order. Why do the holidays always throw things so out of whack? I’ve been trying to get our family photos in order from last year, working on an Ibook from 2009, putting a wall of my vintage family photos together in our dining room (I’ll post photos once it’s complete) and looking forward to exploring film again once it gets warmer out. I invested in quite a few new and fun little cameras, gadgets, etc. and will share my explorations here.
I will leave you with a photo of Conner today, drawing after school. He is very into coloring, painting and drawing which makes me very happy. My dad told me I would sit for hours coloring when I was little. It’s an amazing thing to see hints of yourself in your child. Nothing is more gratifying.
bruno’s arrival, new york, ny
January 28, 2010
I photographed Bruno’s mom and dad before he arrived on Thanksgiving Day weekend. Those photos can be see here. It can’t be denied, Bruno looks just quite a bit like his dad. Such a sweetie. Mom seems to be settling into motherhood very nicely. I was very impressed by how calm she was, just soaking in all Bruno has to offer – lots of love. I look forward to our shoot out east this summer. Dreaming of warmer days especially after the snow we got this morning. Enjoy the bundle of joy.
I love all the wrinkles on his little arms.
caroline’s arrival, new york, ny
January 21, 2010
Caroline is the 3rd girl to arrive in the Hoh family. Her two older sisters adore her and showered her with kisses through out our shoot. She was just about two weeks old here. Such a love. Congratulations mom and dad on another beautiful girl. Looking forward to photographing all 3 on the beach this summer.
updated website
January 20, 2010
One of the many things on my To-Do list for after the New Year was to update my website. I can cross that off now. Phew. There are new photos, a “Hamptons” portfolio plus an “Intimate Affairs” portfolio. I’m looking to book a few well, intimate affairs this year. Take a look and enjoy!
angelique and mateo, new york, ny
January 14, 2010
I’m working on shoots from the end of last year, one of them being of Mateo and Angelique. Mateo called me and explained he and his wife were coming to visit New York for a few nights. It was Angelique’s birthday and one of her presents was going to be a surprise photo shoot with me. The day we met was of course one of the coldest days of December, a high of 20 degrees tops, which was fitting since they are from Florida. We shivered our way around the city, ending on the Brooklyn Bridge, just to make sure we got a real taste of the cold. They were such troopers, especially Angelique who had no idea she was going to posing out the in the cold. When we said our good-byes I sent them on their way to Otto for a warm drink and some pizza. Hope you two enjoyed it. Thank you for a great shoot!
today i’m listening to
January 7, 2010
John Mayer’s new CD – Battle Studies. Bren and I bought each other tickets to his concert, February 26th at MSG. A little something to keep us entertained this winter. My friend and I were talking about how we are going to embrace winter this year. No more complaining about the cold and snow. It is what is it, right? High heating bills, flannel pjs, movies, going to the gym to work-out inside, cooking warm yummy dinners, red vino, hanging with friends inside and well, some good tunes. We have a few road trips planned – places we want to explore, places to keep us from going crazy on the inside. I’ll be back with photos of our journeys during these bitter months. Stay warm.
2010
January 5, 2010
We are only 5 days into 2010 and I think I’m already behind. I’m trying to focus on all the things I put off over the last couple weeks. I usually spend January and February catching up on my own family photos, updating my website, Photo of the Year (which I’m debating on) and just getting organized. In the last week we celebrated my father’s birthday, Christmas, NYE, my birthday and then to top it off, held Tyler’s baptism on Sunday. Right now I’m trying to recover. Conner and Bren were both off for more than a week. Yesterday we all returned to work/school and everything went back to normal. Last night was also the first night where Ty woke up ONLY ONCE. He has been sick for nearly a month and I think we are finally out of the woods. Acid reflux, stomach bug, cold…
Have you all set your New Year resolutions? I have too many to list all of which are based around the theme of leading a healthy, balanced and fulfilling life. 2009 was one of the busiest and stressful years we’ve had so far. I’m hoping not to repeat some of 09’s craziness. One word I like to live by – simplify. It will help that we aren’t welcoming a baby into our lives this year.
I’ll leave you with a few photos of Conner playing in one of our many recent snow storms. Stay warm!
wishing you all a very merry christmas and happy new year!
December 27, 2009
We wish you all VERY MERRY Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope you are filled with warmth, peace, happiness and love this holiday season. Thank you to all of you who are part of this blog, Bentley Waters Photography and our lives.
Love,
Bentley, Brendan, Conner and Tyler
expecting a baby boy in tribeca, ny
December 22, 2009
I met and photographed Angela and her hubbie over Thanksgiving day weekend. They have been patiently waiting for a peek at their photos and finally I can deliver. The last two weeks have been full of surprises at Casa a la Gaffney/Waters (no nanny for a few days and Ty has been sick with a virus and acid reflux – good times). I’m trying to get a few final things out the door today before I take a blog break for a week or so to enjoy the holiday, because I believe someone mentioned Christmas arrives on Friday right?
These two are expecting a baby boy. They were so natural with each other, very sweet and cuddly. You could tell they are counting down the minutes until the little one arrives. I wish you two all the best and look forward to meeting your newest addition in 2010. Thank you for a wonderful shoot.
