Elzie's Photography

I recently started a Facebook page with all of my photos on there. I am hoping to someday turn it into an actual business. Check it out and "like" it! 

Click HERE 

(for the link to my Facebook page) 

I hope you enjoy!

Sweet Pickle Relish

 If you are new to the world of canning this is a great starter project. It is easy, uses only a few ingredients and super yummy!

There are a few things you will need to make this process easier. Stainless steel bowls, measuring cups, knife, chopper, and a food mill. Luckily my sis-in-law had one that I could borrow. The food mill makes chopping the cucumbers much easier. It preserves the juices and texture of the cucumber.

The consistency your cucumbers should be

Yield about 8 half pints

• 4 cups chopped cucumbers (about 4 medium)

• 2 cups chopped onions (about 2 medium)

• 1 cup chopped sweet green pepper (about 1 medium)

• 1 cup chopped sweet red pepper (about 1 medium)

• 1/4 cup canning salt

• 3 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tablespoon celery seed

• 1 tablespoon mustard seed

• 2 cups cider vinegar

         

Combine chopped cucumbers, onions, green and red peppers in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and cover with cold water. Let stand 2 hours. 

Then start to prepare your jars. After washing them thoroughly with hot soapy water, put in water bath canner and bring to a boil to sterilize. Leave them in covered canner till ready to use. Or you can use another separate pot to boil the jars and the lids in, I found this method easier. If you are so blessed to have a dishwasher, you can put them in the dishwasher as well. You need them hot when you put the relish in them. Never put hot liquid in a cold jar. 

While you are waiting the 2 hrs for your ingredients to soak, you can prepare your second batch by chopping up more vegetables. This way you keep the ball rolling and there is no down time. 

Once the two hours is up:

• Drain; rinse and drain thoroughly. 

• Combine sugar, spices and vinegar in a large sauce pot. Bring to a boil. 

• Add drained vegetables; simmer 10 minutes. 

• Remove sterilized jars from the water bath canner and place on counter

• Bring that water back to a boil, you can add a little bit of vinegar to the water in your water bath canner to keep the mineral deposits off the jars. 

• Pack hot relish into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. 

A batch will typically be 8 half-pints. My 2nd and 3rd batch I was able to get 9 jars. It just depends on how accurately you measure out your ingredients. 

• Remove air bubbles by tapping side of jar or using a knife along the inside of the jar
• Wipe off rim of the jars with a damp paper towel to ensure a tight seal
• Adjust two-piece caps securely, don't tighten the rings too tight, you need the air in the jars to be able to escape. 
• Process 10 minutes in a boiling water-canner. 

After the 10 minutes of processing:

• Turn off the range
• Using a jar lifter, remove the jars from the canner and place on a kitchen towel
• When you hear a popping sound, that is the jars sealing. If they don't seal you can add the relish in with the next batch recook and try to process again, or you can put that jar in the fridge and eat in the near future. 

• Leave the jars to cool 
• You will need to wash off the jars after they are completely cool. Mineral deposits from your water can leave a film on your jars making them look cloudy. 

"We are indeed much more than what we

eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help 

us to be much more than what we are."

Adelle Davis

Stuffed Cherry Bomb Poppers

I recently discovered a new pepper at our local farmers market. We were after jalapeños for salsa and the vendor cut us a deal on Cherry Bombs. They look like mini red peppers but have a little more of a kick. I love the combination of the sweet and spicy. Now the dilemma was how to use them. Since they are small, only about the size of a quarter, there is only so much you can do with them. I didn't want to just chop them up, so I decided to stuff them. 

Recipe:

•   15 cherry peppers

•   3 tablespoon of water (to put in bottom of baking dish)

•   1/2 cup chopped onion or 1/2 small onion

•   1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

•   1 clove garlic, crushed or 3 tsp of garlic powder

•   Oregano

•   Chili Powder

•   Curry Powder

•   1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

•   1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey

•   1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice

(shredded mild Cheddar cheese, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, optional)

First brown up your meat. I used 1/2 lb. of ground turkey. I try to avoid excess red meat since I don't have a gallbladder.

 Dice up 1/2 of an onion. I really like onions, so we didn't hold back with them. Once the meat is browned add them to your meat. 

Then add a small can of mushroom and two small cans of tomato sauce. You may only need one can of sauce depending on how much meet you have. Just make sure it is coated well. Then add your spices. Oregano, Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, and Curry Powder. 

I didn't really measure these out I just did them to taste. 

While your meat mixture is simmering, prepare your peppers. Slice off the tops and scoop out the seeds and membrane with a spoon. Rinse and set aside. 

 If you would like your peppers thoroughly cooked, then boil them in water for two minutes then rinse. We like our peppers crunchy so we skipped this step. 

In a baking dish, add a layer of rice. Then using a spoon fill the peppers and place on the bed of rice. I had a leftover green pepper that I sliced up and used to add some more color to the dish. I love colorful dishes! 

 Sprinkle on a bit of cheese and red pepper flakes and bake till cheese is melted. Then Enjoy!

I know I made a good meal when my husband says "oooh that looks good" or "ya know? adding something to this would actually ruin it" lol...he adds bbq sauce and ketchup to anything and everything. 

No Nonsense Defense

It really takes a lot to shake me up and brake me down. I like to think that I have always been a tough, independent girl. I rarely cry, don't take crap from anyone and try not to let things get to me. If I am having a rough time, I'd basically keep it to myself and in time, sort through it. I guess you could say I am not your typical girl. I don't like being all emotional and needy. I am good about keeping a level head and doing what needs to be done.

That being said, I would be lying if I said our recent experience of an attempted break-in didn't get to me. For some reason it really shook me up, messed with my head, and took me a while to get rid of the feeling of being violated. A week later I am still jumping at every little noise and investigating the house to ensure that all is well and locked up tight. I am just a little paranoid. (I know, I know, they didn't get in, they caught the guy it could've been much worse, trust me I know.) I have played through every scenario in my head and I realize that Jon and I were extremely lucky to have been spared an actual break-in. But, that doesn't make it less scary.

This past week I have been pondering what I would do if it were to happen again, or if the intruder got in. I honestly don't know. I don't think anyone can be exactly sure how they would react to such a situation. Some may cower and hide or try to talk it out, while others go in fighting. All I have to say is it depends on the situation. If I was up against an un-armed girl or guy who tried to physically hurt me I can most definitely say I would do everything in my power to fight back and win. Now if they are armed or the size of king kong, thats another story. Life is not the movies, not all victims get out alive or unharmed. This is real life, people are unpredictable and situations can resolve and flair back up in an instant.

So, don't do something stupid...think. Survival and self defense are not all about strength, muscles and who has the biggest gun. It's about who has the ability to rationalize the situation and find a way to resolve it without bringing more harm upon themselves or their attacker. Yes, the attacker. Don't go shooting anything that moves just because you feel threatened. If they are armed, that is another story. Do what you need to do, but don't get trigger happy at every bump or the sight of a creepy person. There are lots of creepy people out there who don't mean you any harm, their mother just didn't teach them good hygiene.

Disclaimer: (I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL!) ...no really, I am not. This is just some friendly advice from a girl who is determined to keep herself safe. The fact is, there are more of us "average joes" than there are professional fighters and defenders. 

You Do Not Have to Be One of These:

Or one of these

Or one of these

And You Do Not Have to Have One of These:

Or one of these

Or one of these

TO DO THIS!

Now that I have ranted a little bit, lets get back to self defense. Self defense can be armed or un-armed. If you are un-armed here are a few steps you can keep in mind. I am not a trained professional, but I do know the "Sweet Spots" to aim for in both men and women. Yes the groan kick works against both genders. Ladies wish to protect that area just as much as the gentlemen.

Picture retrieved from: here on August 15, 2012

The point of these moves is to defend yourself. Not teach the attacker a "lesson." Leave that to the judge. I have heard it called the "Bash and Dash" method. It is merely a means of escape. Distract your attacker long enough to get away and call for help. Let the trained professionals deal with the psycho that just tried to attack you. Your main goal should be survival. Thats it.

When in doubt, go take a class and I firmly believe that everyone should know how to handle a gun and the proper way to use it. That includes checking it to see if it is loaded and how to actually shoot it. 

Again, be prepared. You never know what a day may hold. You may actually have to use it to defend yourself or someone you love. 

INTRUDER ALERT!!!

Shock, anger, disgust, shame, distress, panic...violated. So many different emotions come flooding all at once making it hard to focus, to think, to react. Before you know it, training sets in, survival instincts take over and your will to protect what is yours surpasses all. Silent prayers being said. Numb fingers dialing 911... your husband perched on the stairs with a loaded gun.... ready to take down anyone who might come barging through that front door.  Another prayer, thank you Lord for letting him be home right now, Lord help us...

Rewind

I fly up the stairs behind my husband, cell phone in hand. I look down at him as he is loading the gun my dad gave me for my 13th birthday...(thank you daddy for always looking out for me.)
I look up at my husband as he is standing at the top of our stairs, "Do I call?"
He smiles at me, "No not yet, lets see what he does."
(THUD<THUD<THUD)
We both jump looking down the stairs at the front door...the dreadful sound like he is slamming his body against our front door...in an instant Jon is down, gun level, ready to shoot...I hit call, I had already had 911 dialed in...
"911 What is your emergency"
"Y-yes, someone is trying to break into our house"
"Okay Ma'am, what is your address"
Another loud noise coming from our front door, (THUD< THUD)
He is still trying to get in!
I sputter out the address so quickly I am glad this message is probably being recorded right now, I don't think I could repeat it....ok Lizzy, deep breath.
"Okay Ma'am, I am going to put you on hold while I send someone over"
(THUD)
Thoughts flying through my head, ("THEY PUT ME ON HOLD? WHAT! Lord keep us safe... is this really happening...Wow my husband looks hot right now armed and ready, perched on the stairs...how is he so calm, I'm shaking like a leaf... Thank you U.S. Army for teaching him to be ready.)
Dispatcher back on the line.
"Okay Ma'am I have two deputies in route. What does your house look like?"
I get myself together and describe our house as best as I can, "Two story, grayish blue, American flag hanging outside"
"Garage? Attached? Cars visible"
"Yes, attached garage, green mercedes, purple jeep grand cherokee"
"Okay, Im going to put you on hold again"
I stammer out a quick thank you, while inside I'm thinking really "On Hold Again!" Do you realize someone is trying to break in!" Im nauseous, shaking, praying, someone please get here. Then the  "what if thoughts"....what if they make it through the door....what if they are armed? Lord keep my husband safe. (thoughts pushed away, focus, think!) Panic, dread, hate.
Dispatcher back on the line.
"Ma'am? We have officers there, tell your husband to disarm his weapon and stay up stairs till the officers give the clear, they have your house surrounded."
"Oh, thank you!" I am back on hold.
More thoughts "Who....why, I hope they catch the idiot."
Jon goes downstairs and peeks out the window, "They got him, they got someone in cuffs."
(Thank you Lord, its over, they got him.)
Its over...sigh.

A police officer comes in to question us while others are monitoring the perp. We give a thorough recollection of the evening from the moment we heard a gentle knock to the gut wrenching moment he was trying to break in, the the feeling of utter relief seeing the police pull up. The officer asks us if we have ever seen this guy, and neither of us had. To our surprise he is our next door neighbor. After another brief conversation with a second officer they ensure us he will be going to jail and if we need anything we can call. He also recommends that we get a restraining order on the guy due to the close proximity we will have. We gladly agreed.

All I can say to the events of this evening is "I am so thankful we were prepared. From the dead bolts on our doors to the gun upstairs...we were ready." If we weren't just renting we would have invested in an alarm system. I must also thank the local police officers who quickly came to our rescue. Only Lord knows what would have happened had they taken any longer. I am positive though that the perp would have gotten the business end of the gun. Thank you to my hubby who protected me from harm and for all those times I have been told what to do in this case. You think how could this happen? You may even think this will never happen to me, but it does. Many times it happens when you least expect it. Even though he didn't make it in the house, he sure tried and might have succeeded had he had a little more effort and time.

Lord thank you for keeping us safe from harm tonight, and please continue to watch over our house. We are trusting you in all things and know that you mighty hand will guide us and protect us. Let this be a lesson to those around us in our neighborhood...don't mess with the Wagner's, we are armed and ready.

And we will be posting this sign in our front window in the very near future. To all those reading... sleep tight, be safe, and please please have a plan.

One Proud Pappy

My dad. Where do I begin. He is not only an amazing father and husband but can do pretty much anything he sets his mind to. He is definitely a "Jack" of all trades. He has owned his own frame and body shop for as long as I can remember. His body shop was attached to our house and frankly, probably bigger than our house was, if not the same size. Growing up it was great always having my dad so close to home. I can remember as a kid following him everywhere. I would sit out in the garage for hours just watching him work, handing him tools and hanging out. My secret childhood dream was to be a mechanic like my dad. :) I loved climbing up in his truck with him and riding along on errands. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. To this day I absolutely LOVE the smell of a body shop or hardware store. Smells like home. There were so many great memories. Watching him with his new grandson, my nephew, has brought so many of those memories flooding back. Seeing how he loves to hold him and play with him is absolutely adorable. 

I can't wait to watch the two of them as Noah grows up and I hope that someday my kids will get to experience a little bit of my childhood by following their Pappy around and watching him work. For now, it is a great opportunity for constant photo shoots. Tying together two of my passions, family and photography.

Along with the many talents of my father, he is a biker. Not one of those gang related, hard core, rude, bikers but a giving, supportive fun-loving biker. He is a member of a local legion that does many rides to support different charities and kids with needs. He recently did a ride for Susie's Place that raised $7,000. Here is the link to the article that made the Hendricks County Flyer. I am so proud of my dad and couldn't ask for a more supportive father. He has taught my sister and I how to stand on our own two feet and do what we believe in. My husband says I am too stubborn, but "I am my father's daughter." I get my head wrapped around an idea and I can't just let it go. Below are some of the pictures I took while Noah and his parents (my sister and bro-in-law) were home. 

Noah and Pappy on his Harley

Noah and Pappy, love that lil face

Noah looking at his reflection in the bike

Noah and Grandma Jo, our neighbor down the road from my parents

Noah and Pappy

Don't Stand Still, MOVE!

Sometimes life gets in the way and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. This time, the reason I was MIA was all good. Well, Great! I didn't fall off the wagon, give up on GF eating or anything depressing like that. Last week I got to throw a reception for my new nephew in Indy where my parents live. Between party planning, working, and trying to keep my house from looking like a war zone I have been crazy busy and blogging got put on the back burner. But, alas, I am back. Hopefully things will slow down a little bit now, but ya know how it goes. Life sure keeps you on your toes.

Noah Eli at his Reception 

I am proud to say I have gone 9 weeks of GF eating! I am surprised at how easy it has been. Unfortunately there have been some instances of cross contamination. When we went out of town we ate out at quite a few restaurants. Even though they claimed the dish would be GF, I definitely don't think they were. I definitely didn't feel good for a couple days. Now I am back on track and feeling myself again and loving every minute of eating healthy.


With all of this craziness going on lately, its time to get back on track. Time to get my workout routines in on a daily basis and keep losing this weight! Its okay when life gets in the way, whether good or bad. You just have to get back up and move on. Looking and feeling good is something you have to work on daily. It's a constant choice to be healthy. From what you put in your mouth to what you do after work. Do you choose to sit on the couch and watch t.v. or get up off your bum and go for a walk. Do what you can. Just because you aren't running marathons doesn't mean you aren't as good as those who are. It just means you are at a different level. Stop trying to kill yourself and work on moving.


A friend of mine also has a blog and this last weekend she posted that she lost 50 lbs! I am so proud of her and what a motivation to me to get going again. I desperately want to be fit and healthy, but I also know that it isn't something that will happen over night. It will take hard work, determination, and lots of support from loved ones. She spoke of how supportive her husband is and if you are married and trying to lose weight, you can relate to that statement. Having a supportive spouse can make or break you. This doesn't mean saying "go workout, don't eat that, you don't look any different." Keep those negative comments to yourself. As she said, nobody wants a baby-sitter. No one needs to hear that. Instead, try complementing and encouraging them by your actions, not your words. Offer to workout with them, be excited about healthy meals, and do your best to stay positive.

My husband (Jon) and I at the reception for my nephew Noah Eli

Here is the link to my friends blog!

I am so lucky to have a husband that was willing to go GF. I couldn't imagine trying to cook two different meals. I would probably go insane and it would make going GF nearly impossible. I am truly blessed with an amazing man who will support me in all of my endeavors.

So, on to working out, eating right, and being healthy. Your body will thank you and so will the new girl in the mirror. Someday, I will get to the point where I love every bit of me, right now, I am not content with where I am at. Its a start, but I still have a long way to go. For now, all I can do is my best.