Iron Chef - Round 2!

Secret Ingredient: Horse Radish!

Competitors: Rick Gruntz Vs. Michelle Riach

All the food was done beautifully and deliciously - I couldn't even taste the horse radish in them because the flavors blended in so well. And since I still didn't know what horse radish tasted at the end of the meal - they gave me a spoonful of it to try. Quite interesting I say.

I could've done a better job documenting this event now that I look at my pictures - but here are some picks of the ones I took!

Horse radish and parsnip mashed potatoes in steamed artichoke

Coconut Macaroons for Michelle's dessert - sadly, I did not get a picture of Rick's. I think I was too occupied eating all the yumminess and goodness o_O

Michelle's Presentation: Malbec and horseradish braised beef with malbec horseradish and thyme gravy, Steamed artichoke w/ hose radish butter, horse radish and parsnip mashed potatoes, Jicama, apple, carrot, walnut, and green bean salad with horseradish carrot manischewitz and red wine vinegar dressing.

Rick's Presentation: Apple Spinach side, Risotto with Saffron, Horse radish - mustard - mascarpone dressing atop salmon, Horse Radish - basil and tomatoes Bruschetta.

Free

Taken way back on the ski trip to Wisp - my friend from Mariel came to visit from Florida. She was having fun w/ the snow  =) Weeee! I miss winter season already.

Gunpowder - Boom!

Went to Gunpowder Park this Sunday - it was quite a gloomy day, and cloudy, but pictures still came out alright. Found some rocks to go rock climbing on -  but the edges were really sharp and cut into our hands - not the ideal rocks to be climbing in; somehow I made it up to the 20 foot jut though. But I really love the 18-200 mm Lens - very versatile - you can get climbing pics like this and far away shots w/ the 200 mm zoom. This blue heron was about 150 yards away. 

Top of the World

Another hike today at Catoctin Mountain park - except this time our main objective was to do some bouldering at Wolf Rock and Chimney Peak. With our climbing shoes, we were able to get to some steep spots. Here's Lizz at the top of Chimney Peak. Don't know if pointing the camera directly at the sun is bad for the camera - need to get some filters. I kinda like the glare and silhouette effect though.

Cascades

It was a beautiful day to go hiking on Tuesday! No school - and sunny w/ 60 degree weather all day. We went to Patapsco state park to do some hiking - this was taken on the Cascades trail with handheld extended shutter speed. Fun stuff!

Iz A Cat!

As I was studying for SPTC or Operative (those nights blended together), I had this fuzzy lil fur ball keep me company all night. Princess is her name, and she would spend all night sleeping on me or next to me. In the end, it just made me fall asleep too, hah. I wonder how Oscar would get along with Princess. Anyways - I think I took this w/ Kuan's 50 mm just based on the shallow-er depth of field. I need to get me one!

Last Hold

All the pictures I have so far of people shots! I find myself using my camera as more of a point and shoot almost - sadly. But the more pictures I take, the more I realize I want - next on the list, 105 Micro w/ Ring flash. Here's Chris on the last hold of a bouldering course at Colombia. The one shot I wanted, but didn't get was a closeup shot focused on the hands with the remaining picture out of focus. The gym was closing though, so, next time!