Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.-- Swedish proverb

My heart is heavy. Health issues have struck my husband's family from out of the blue and knocked us all into a spiral of pain as my mother-in-law was first air-lifted from our small community to the "big city" hospital, and as things declined, transferred to hospice facilities there. It is just a matter of time, and her husband and children have gathered to be with her and share their love during her final moments. It is difficult, and it aches to the core.

However, through all of this, I have found support and kindness in a broad circle of friends. Expressions of love have poured in with kind words, deliveries of snacks, moments of respite, filling material needs, helping with medical expertize and information, offers of help in any way, shape and form, and many prayers and good thoughts. I have been blessed to have some amazing people in my life and am thankful for each and every one.

While visiting with one of those friends over a cup of coffee, he told me that he was going to work on a blog post last evening. I joked that he should do a food blog post for me, as I had planned to do more before our tragedy struck. He smiled and agreed. I thought it was just light-hearted banter and didn't really give it another thought. Later, he sent me a message with a link to his blog. That link lightened my heart and made me smile through my tears.

So...even in this time of sorrow, it is with great pleasure that I offer to you the first "guest blogging" appearance here On My Plate. Clink the link to this Sandwich of Love. Meet JG. Enjoy his beautiful photography. Follow him on Twitter, if you are so inclined. And know that (along with so many others that it is impossible to name you all), he is one of the good guys. I have amazing friends. Words cannot express how grateful I am for each and every one of you. Thank you. Thank you so very much for everything.

Try a Sandwich of Love On YOUR Plate.

(photo by Jonathan Garcia)

Thank you, Jonathan. I can't wait until you get the Guacamole Shake perfected. :-)

Dull/Not Sharp

I seem to have an issue with my food photos. Try as I may, I can't fully conquer lighting issues. I submit my images to TasteSpotting and FoodGawker only to be declined time and time again. The most frequent comments on the rejections are regarding lighting, composition, and of course, "dull/not sharp."

Just as in the kitchen, I have absolutely no formal training behind the camera. Everything I do is through trial and error. From time to time, I have bookmarked informative sites full of tips and tricks for food photography, but let's face it, my attention span isn't long enough to read them, let alone actually implement any of the advice.

My camera is also very inexpensive (Canon Powershot A550) and has been dropped a time or two. The lens was even jammed half in and half out after one unfortunate kiss of the concrete. It has seen better days, but for my limited skills and budget, it does the job...except for those pesky rejections. (Thank goodness for TasteStopping.)

It seems that it has come to the point where I have to decide if I really want to work to improve my photos, or if I am OK with being labeled as Dull/Not Sharp. While I want my photo quality to be good enough for you to want to try the recipe, I am not sure I want to invest more time/money/energy in them. It is important to me that all parts of this blog remain fun. I don't want to feel like I am tied to a ball and chain of yet more work. There is enough going on in my life that I don't enjoy; this blog and producing photos for it should never fall into that category. I think that I would rather play with the food On My Plate than with the camera.

So for now, you will have to suffer through my Dull/Not Sharp photos to accompany my tried and true recipes. I think that I have a doozy for you today. Green Beans with Garlic, Basil and Cherry Tomatoes has been in mind to share almost since the beginning of On My Plate. Its bright and crisp (not dull/not sharp) flavors have been paired as a side with many meals, but I have never managed an acceptable photo. Today was not an exception. The afternoon light glared on the beans making them appear greasy. Appetizing, huh? Sorry. Please forgive the photo and grab the recipe. You will be sorry if you decline to sample Green Beans with Garlic, Basil and Cherry Tomatoes On YOUR Plate.

Green Beans with Garlic, Basil and Cherry Tomatoes

1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans

1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sugar
2-3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (halved if large)

Bring large pot of salted water to boil and add beans; simmer until tender.
In large skillet or saute pan, melt butter.
Add garlic, sugar, basil, salt and pepper.
Add tomatoes; cook until heated, but not mushy.
Add the drained beans and toss to coat with the garlic/basil butter. (Serves 4)