Tuesday, March 18, 2014

The S Family

We were able to squeeze this family's session in right before Christmas.  This Momma and I also went to high school together.  It was great to catch up and finally meet her family.  Her little guy didn't mind having his pictures taken and was pretty laid back during the session.  Little Miss Peanut, had a different idea.  She tried her hardest not to crack a smile, but I was persistent and it paid off.  By the end of the session she had warmed up to me and was happy as a clam. Thank you, S Family, for giving me the opportunity to photograph your sweet family!






Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The D Family

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to photograph The D Family this past holiday season.  Big Sister was on the hunt for the rooster that hangs out at the park and Little Man wasn't sure about having his pictures taken, but we ended up with some great images.  It's amazing what dancing, singing, sneezing, smelling flowers and acting a fool can do for kids...not to mention my leg muscles! 


 

Friday, March 7, 2014

The F Family


This family and I go way back.  Mr. F and I have been friends since high school. It was fun to hang out with him and his adorable family.  His little boy brought a pocket full of candy for me to give to my kids.  How sweet is that?!!  And just look at his little girl.  What a doll!  I am blessed to have such great people in my life.







Thursday, March 6, 2014

The B Family

These guys were so easy going.  Big sister was just the sweetest and was such a good listener.  Little brother wasn't sure what to think about things at first, but he warmed up to me.  We got some great family photos and I love that they brought their dog!  The family wouldn't be complete without their four-legged baby.






Wednesday, March 5, 2014

This Year's Valentines

This year's Valentines were easy peasy!  My daughter wanted to give her friends moustaches and my son wanted to give his friends bubbles.  To beef up the bags a bit, we also added a few Hershey's kisses.  It couldn't have been easier.  Or cheaper.  Score TWO for Mommy!!




 Rie Bonanno Photography 2014

Rie Bonanno Photography 2014

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

RBP Red Beans and Rice




RBP Red Beans & Rice


Monday's in New Orleans were traditionally the day to do laundry.  The women of the time would put a pot of red beans on the stove and leave it all day while they washed clothes.  More often than not, my Mondays are busy playing catch up from all the activities over the weekend.  This recipe is my go-to recipe for our busy Mondays.  You just dump everything into the Crockpot, turn it on, and leave it.

Ingredients:
1 large can (30 oz) Joan of Arc red beans
1 regular can (16 oz) Blue Runner cream style red beans 
diced onion*
minced garlic*
1 Hillshire Farms Turkey Kielbasa Sausage
2 bay leaves
2 dashes of Worcestershire Sauce
2 TBSP butter
handful of instant potato flakes
1 beer
salt and pepper to taste

*Use as much or as little as you like.  I like a lot of onion and garlic in most of my dishes, so naturally I put a lot of these in my red beans.

This recipe is an adaptation of my Aunt Judy's recipe.  I try to make it a bit healthier by using the turkey sausage, but I guess once I add the butter, potatoes, and beer it probably isn't. The butter and the potato flakes are used to thicken the liquid.

Chop up the onion, garlic, and sausage then put in the Crockpot.  Add both cans of beans, bay leaves, Worchestershire sauce, butter, potato flakes, salt, pepper, and beer.  Stir to mix well. Cover Crockpot and turn on low.  Cook all day.  Serve over rice.  The New Orleans way is to serve it over sticky white rice, but I use brown rice...again, to try to be healthier.

Enjoy!!