You may remember last year they had an image of mine wrapped on canvas. Then they approached me wanting one of my collages and I recently hinted at the exciting announcement.

Here is a picture of my stitched collage commissioned by Urban Outfitters. The  pieces are all from photos I have taken, all of which were shot on film. I pieced it and then carefully stitched  it all together with contrasting black thread.

I did a high resolution scan and Urban had it enlarged and then mounted on wood. The piece is cut out to the outline of my actual collage. There are multiple colors in it so it will fit in just about any room in your house or office. It’s pretty neat and very affordable.

You can find it here!!! 

In honor of Valentine’s Day I thought I’d post this little heart breaker, Beau Gardner Martin.  My friend Mindy had Beau about 3 months ago, just one day after my Birthday.  I was really hoping for his arrival on my actual Birthday but he came a day later and is definitely the gift that keeps on giving!

We had a fun little afternoon session of photos and Beau’s beautiful, big, blue eyes sparkled throughout.  I get a kick out of his myriad of expressions, and how he appears so different depending on the position he is in…I’m really not sure which is my favorite!

Korduroy interviewed me back in November and now I’m so thrilled to be a part of the Makers section of the all new Korduroy 2.0!

More interviews, more videos, more cool…..more YEW!!!

We had some warm spells here lately which I find odd for January & winter no matter where you live. That said I greeted recent chilly weather and rainy days with open arms. It make me feel cozy and crave soups and stews. Real Simple magazine always has delicious recipes that are real simple.

If you have a slow cooker and eat meat, I suggest you try this one:

Spice Braised Beef with Sweet Potatoes

Chili is always perfect for chilly weather. This recipe was tweeted by the Martha Stewart Everyday Food Blog (also easy recipes) Black beans are a staple in our house and luckily I had everything else I needed for this recipe as well. If you are Vegetarian and want something that is quick and makes plenty of leftovers try this.

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

A go-to meal when I don’t feel like cooking (yes, that does happen) is always pasta.  I cooked up some Spaghetti and thawed some sauce from our freezer. Last summer when our garden was booming with tomatoes, so many we couldn’t eat them fast enough,  I made a huge batch homemade sauce. It made about 2 pints that I froze and didn’t use until the other night. It was delicious!

Tomato Sauce with Basil & Garlic  (basil also from our garden)  I’m not entirely sure where the recipe was from but this one is very similar.

Let’s talk about Kimchi. I never used to like it – now I LOVE it!  I had a recipe for Kimchi Fried Rice bookmarked since last November and I kick myself for not trying it until now…sooo goood!

Kimchi Fried Rice

(*it’s not a coincidence that a super skilled food photographer (one of my favorites!) and super talented food stylist create such masterpiece recipes –everything on their blog is amazing.  I have made and loved at least 7 recipes from them)

I’ve got a lot of Kale in my refrigerator these days. This is just one of the reasons. Enough said.

Baked Kale Chips

I made Manicotti for the first time and I cannot wait to make it again. This one was real rich and as a request by Rob, I split the sauce and used my homemade sauce I mentioned earlier. Yum!

I actually got this recipe from my cookbook “Giada’s Kitchen” by Giada DeLaurentis but this will link you to her recipe as well.

Swiss Chard & Sweet Pea Manicotti

Of course I didn’t forget dessert! I have been on a cookie baking craze since Christmas, but when I saw this recipe, I had to make it.

yeah, guess who?! Salted Nutella Tart.

Let me know if you enjoy this post as I may start to do “Miscellaneous Eats” monthly. If you aren’t already following me on Instagram, please do >>> Maggie Marsek Photo.  I post art, surf, old cars, food (often) and of course my little ones

This first post is comprised of shots from the January 6th winter swell here in San Diego.  I prefer not to shoot in the middle of the day but it was crucial that someone get in the water and get in on the swell with the rest of the local surf community   I shot some digital as well, but will post those later if I find some winners. Here is a small sample of miscellanious sights I saw- shot on 3 different films, at 3 different locations.

I’ve been mentioning this since I found out — and now my announcement about a very exciting commission for my art is just a few weeks away!!!

When they asked me to shoot their Engagement photos I was beyond excited! They are a fun, active couple who’s chemistry is undeniable.  They gave a great sense of humor, contagious energy and just look at them- they are a photographer’s dream subject

I suggested we shoot in two locations that they had a connection with, places that were important to their relationship. We first went downtown to Seaport Village, for a nicer, Urban look- Kelsey says they decided to officially become a couple while on a date there. We finished at Cardiff Reef State Beach, for a fun and more casual feel-the two often picnic there and have enjoyed many long, hot, sandy beach days over the past couple years.

I hope you don’t mind my long post, I have so many favorites

I’m so excited for 2012– it’s going to be a BIG year!
Big changes, big adventures and over all, big fun. I’ll be pursuing more Wedding and Portrait work and I’m real excited about a new direction for my art and endless list of art ideas.

I plan on spending less time in front of my computer and more time behind my cameras. I had my first great mat session in the water today and am eager to spend more time in the water this year.

There will be more food and recipe posts as I am all about more for the new year. More shooting, more art, more water time…more more more!

Happy 2012 everyone!

As much as I love baking, there are certain baked goods, I have yet to master. I can now safely say I’ve mastered cookies, and am doing just fine in the pie department.  I’m getting better at cakes, need to work on cupcakes but over Halloween I had an utter FAIL at my first attempt at Cake Pops   I’m hoping to explore more pastries…. scones are not my strength–yet!

The perfect compliment to a tea or coffee, you may recognize pumpkin scones from the corporate coffee giant, Starbucks. I enjoy theirs and really wanted to make my own. I adapted a recipe by Brown Eyed Baker, which I found after a quick Google search.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
7 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg*
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
6 Tablespoons cold  (salted) butter
½ cup canned pumpkin, I used canned Organic
3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1 large egg

Powdered Sugar Glaze:
1 cup plus 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk

Spiced Glaze:
1 cup plus 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg*
1 pinch ground ginger
1 pinch ground cloves

* I really can’t resist fresh nutmeg, but using already ground nutmeg works just as well here

Directions:

Preheat  oven to 425 degrees,  line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Whisk together  flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger in a large bowl. Use a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is crumbly and forms pea size lumps.

In bowl of an electric mixer, mix together the pumpkin, whipping cream and egg. Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients; roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form into a 1-inch thick rectangle about 4 inches by 12 inches. Use a large knife to slice the dough making three equal portions. Cut each of the portions in an X pattern (four pieces) so you end up with 12 triangular slices of dough. (Mine ended up pretty small, which is fine- it minimizes the guilt!) Place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 14-16 minutes, or until light brown. Place on wire rack to cool.

While the scones cool, prepare the glaze. Mix the powdered sugar and milk together until smooth. When scones are cool, drizzle glaze, generously, over the scones.

While the powdered sugar glaze is firming, combine all of the ingredients for the spiced glaze. Drizzle over each scone and allow the icing to dry before serving, about an hour.

If you try these, let me know what you think!

I’ve got a few more jobs to finish editing, but I’ll do my best to get going on some Christmas-y recipes, lord knows- if I don’t start my usual holiday baking & crafting I might implode!

I am also thrilled to be among the following, very talented, female surf photographers.  Erin Kunkle, Laura Flippen, Kassia Meador -  a fellow cross-process shooter, talented in the water and behind the lens. The multi-talented artist/photographer Serena Mitnik-Miller and  Liz Lantz who recently left the West Coast (I miss you Liz!)

My photos accompany the months of January and August…. Not a bad way to start your 2012!

The calendar is available with their current issue- the last issue of 2011, so if you see it- pick it up!