When buying lenses, it is crucial that you actual know what you are buying. A great deal isn’t great if you can’t use the lens at all or if you can’t use the lens the way you want or need to. In addition to everything above, each lens model has its own unique characteristics which is what gives photos a certain look/character. Lenses are tools to help the photographer achieve a specific goal.

Being in a dry spell, photographically speaking, my wife asked if I’d like to visit a local art exhibit where a coworker’s husband was exhibiting his art. Eager to take photos of something and get out of the funk I was in, we visited St. Matthew Cathedral Arts in East Dallas this weekend for their Sundermann Gallery Third Invitational Multi-Media Exhibition Opening Reception.

For having lived in the state of Texas for over 35 years, this was my first time in Austin, and even now, it was only a half day stop on the way to somewhere else. Having only the late afternoon and evening hours with two of my kids, I tried to make the most of the time, and hopefully make a photo or two along the way.

Photos from a day trip to Corpus Christi, TX.

Having been raised in Texas and southern US, I’m no stranger to bread pudding; it’s a great way to turn stale bread and bread ends into a great breakfast or dessert. So, when I saw Jamie Oliver’s take on bread pudding using an Italian panettone, I had to give it a try.

Flipping through Simple Cast Iron Cooking, I found a good number of recipes that I am ready to try, but one recipe stood out more than the others. When I turned to page 139 and saw a recipe for Stuffed Peppers, I was immediately reminded of my mom who passed away this year. Mom was an excellent cook, and it was her who inspired me to learn how to cook and take pleasure in providing good food for my family.