The photography blog of Carissa Uribe, an international wedding photographer based out of Park City, Utah and Conroe, Texas.

Buttermilk 101

If you’ve been following my blog for any span of time, it’s no secret that I’m horrible in the kitchen.You know it, I know it, everyone knows it.

Here’s the thing. I didn’t know I was THIS horrible…

Last night I was making some yummy chocolate cupcakes for my small group, complete with wintery sprinkles. I gathered all the ingredients I would need: the gluten free cake mix, eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, etc. I’ve found that a lot of gluten free recipes call for buttermilk. So I pulled out my handy dandy can of buttermilk that I had already purchased for prior cooking endeavors. Then I followed the directions to a T, carefully adding and mixing all the ingredients together in a specific order, adding the buttermilk last. But when I added it, the mix was just too dry. Not anything like cake mix should be. And I was so confused.

This is where you have to promise not to laugh at me. It was at that point, after I had added an entire cup of buttermilk to the mix, that I looked at the can and realized I had a can of buttermilk blend. Meaning I had to add water to the powder in order for it to be buttermilk. Meaning I had actually added about 4 times as much of the powdery buttermilk to the cake mix than was called for. (This would explain why those scones I made the other week were so crumbly and, well, tangy.) I banged my head on the counter at my stupidity.

But I mean, how was I supposed to know?! I’ve never used buttermilk in my life except these passed couple months. It’s not like there’s a Buttermilk 101 class in high school. (Horrible excuse, I know.) Anyhow, I added a bunch of water and finally got a cake batter consistency.

They weren’t so bad. In fact, they were actually pretty decent. At least, the girls enjoyed them. They just had a bit of an extra tang….

And after random draw the winner of the free Starbucks gift card is SAMANTHA!!!!! Yay Samantha!!! Email me your address and I’ll get that holiday cheer in the mail :) But thank you to all who entered!! I loved hearing all your Christmas faves and definitely added some to my playlist. Hope everyone’s Monday has a little extra tang :)

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Janey - December 5, 2011 - 12:14 pm

Tee hee! I probably would’ve done the same thing, so basically I’m laughing at myself. ;)

Park City Birth Story: Knox Henry

To say it is an honor is an understatement. Being present at the birth of a human life is, quite simply, one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had the privilege of being a part of. The Keens welcomed little Knox Henry into the world, and I was there to witness it. What a gift.

Eric and Macy, thank you for your trust and allowing me to document this intimate time. I hope that you and little Knox will cherish these pictures for years to come.

Enjoy Knox’s birth story.

Thinking about having your own birth story? Let’s chat. I’d truly love to be there.

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Lindsey Fether - December 3, 2011 - 1:56 pm

Awesome job Carissa! Absolutely beautiful!

Molly - December 5, 2011 - 8:45 pm

really amazing pictures. macy is my sister and these make me feel more apart of that special day!! :) thank you for posting these!

Marjorie - December 7, 2011 - 8:17 pm

These photos are are amazing!! They capture all of the stages of the event!! I love Eric and Macy spooning on the bed before the birth! And I cried at that shot of Macy crying as she is handed baby Knox. What a great story these photos tell. At a thousand words a picture, you’ve got a lot of words covered!!

Kathi Eteaki - December 10, 2011 - 4:41 pm

Congratulations Carissa on telling a beautiful story in pictures! You are very talented. I hope you are there when I have my first baby!

Erin Wuthrich - February 25, 2012 - 11:56 am

These are so beautiful. You did an outstanding job of capturing my little nephew’s arrival. :) Felt like I was there! And, I have tears streaming down my face. :)

Celia Lutz - October 20, 2012 - 4:18 pm

Wow!! I, too, have tears looking at these pictures and I don’t even know them!! What a wonderful job and blessings to the family!

A Cup of Holiday Cheer

Happy December First! It’s officially time to start counting down Christmas!!!! (For anyone new to my blog, I’m sorry in advance. I’m a bit of a Christmas nut for the next few weeks.) Time to put up the tree, hang the lights, drink lots of hot chocolate, blare Christmas music, shop for presents, and soak in the most wonderful time of the year! (Yes, I might have already been doing all those things for the past month, but now no one can judge me for it.) (Although if you’ve already been doing those things, too, we might be best friends.) So, in honor of the season, I’ve decided to spread a little holiday cheer!

How am I going to do this? Quite simply, with a cup of holiday cheer! Gingerbread lattes, caramel macchiattos, hot chocolate, white peppermint mochas… Ah yes, anyone want a $20 Starbucks gift card?

If you want it, all you have to do is a leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas album! Easy as that. You have until Sunday night. Then I’ll randomly pick from the commenters and announce the winner on Monday.

So tell me, what are you listening to during the holidays? I’m looking for some new tunes to add to my Christmas collection : )

Happy Holidays!

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John Whirledge - December 1, 2011 - 12:17 pm

A Green River Ordinance Christmas by GRO! They are one of my favorite groups! Awesome stuff!

Amy Borstad - December 1, 2011 - 2:28 pm

I love Christmas time :) We just put up our tree and Weston had a blast hanging the ornaments and Whitley loves watching the lights.

My fav Christmas album has got to be ‘The Lost Christmas Eve’ by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra…even better is the dance that Weston does to go along with the music!

Emily Headings - December 1, 2011 - 5:03 pm

Oh gosh. I LOOOOVE Christmas music! I enjoy Straight No Chaser, along with many others! :)

Lyss - December 1, 2011 - 5:04 pm

Justin bieber…duh, shawty!!

Lindsey Wachter - December 1, 2011 - 5:50 pm

I’m not sure you’re ready for this, but I am about to give you the best Christmas present ever… http://8tracks.com/sunsets-silhouettes/vintage-christmas <– That is a link to the BEST holiday playlist, and what I love to listen to right now. (Pretty much all day while making your photo album!) Also 8tracks.com is the best music website in the whole world. Merry Christmas :)

Samantha Benson - December 1, 2011 - 7:06 pm

I looove Michael Buble’s christmas stuff :)

Witney - December 1, 2011 - 8:16 pm

Chev, I’m totally with you–been listening to Christmas music for the past month and loving every minute of it. My husband told me the other day that he thinks we’ve got a serious problem on our hands. Amy Grant is a classic, but I’m going to pridefully admit I love Justin Bieber’s new Christmas CD.

Gerry McIntyre - December 2, 2011 - 9:03 am

Bing Crosby’s album/CD White Christmas (with the Andrew sisters, Vic Schoen and his orchestra, John Scott Trotters and his orchestra, and Carol Richards)has always been, by far, the best. I have fond memories,growing up, of listening to it on the stereo-record player- phonograph…33’s called record albums. We still listen to the same…only now its a CD with, obviously, much better sound. Enjoying passing the memories on.

Rooms - December 2, 2011 - 10:52 am

You know how I feel about Christmas music. But I like this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXC0WD6agnk

Lauren - December 2, 2011 - 12:49 pm

The classics, of course: N’Sync and Christina Aguilera’s Christmas albums ;)

Merry Christmas!!!

Mom - December 4, 2011 - 9:18 pm

An Acapella Christmas by GLAD is one of my all-time favorites! Merry Christmas!!

Your family in Appleton, Wisconsin - December 5, 2011 - 4:31 pm

Veggie Tales Christmas ! Check it out !

Featuring: Distinctive Inscriptions Calligraphy

Today I have a little something special to share. Future brides, this is for you! Meet Ashantai Yungai, owner of Distinctive Inscriptions Calligraphy.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ashantai at WedSmith in October, and it truly was a pleasure! He is honestly one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. He cares about people. The people he works with, the brides and weddings he’s working for. He invests in the stories and lives of his clients, as well as other vendors. I am firsthand proof of that.

He is also extremely passionate about his craft. Formerly a chemist, it wasn’t until just a few years ago that he realized his penmanship could be something greater than simply notes in his laboratory notebook. He decided to pour into studying the art of calligraphy, and, in my humble opinion, it has paid off. Big time. His work is phenomenal!

Here are just a few examples of the type of script he can create.

So brides, whatever your needs, from place cards to full invitations, this is your man! Be sure to check out his website for more information, and become a fan on facebook : )

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Mary Marantz - November 29, 2011 - 3:28 pm

LOVE these! Especially the wide shot of him at the desk!

xoxo
M:)

Shelly - November 30, 2011 - 7:41 pm

Wow…what beautiful writing! He’s very talented. Wish I would have known about him when I was getting married. I’ll pass his info onto my soon-to-be-wed friends :)

Ashantai Yungai - December 1, 2011 - 11:46 pm

First, A HUUUGGGEEE ‘Thank Yoo’ to Carisse for making me look, in the words of Billy Crystal’s Fernando, “…MAHVELOUS” I still can’t believe I look that good on camera!

Shelly, Thank you for your compliment. Thanks also for your recommendation. It is greatly appreciated.

Mary, I like the wide shot too but I am moreso “partial” to the one of me smiling widely and wildly! That said, for some reason your name seems familiar to me. I am not sure why, but I get the feeling we have crossed paths somehow.

Thank you all again! =) & <3

Ashantai

Blessed

So, I had two Thanksgiving’s this year. And looking back on the passed two days, my heart is so full. (Even more full than my stomach, although that might be hard for some to believe.) I honestly can’t help but be overwhelmed with all the blessings in my life.

Take away the salad, the cranberry sauce and olives. Take away the stuffing and the green bean casserole. Take away the turkey, the mashed potatoes and gravy. Even take away the ice cream and pie. I’m still left with a room full of family and friends. A room full of laughter, tears of joy, and thankfulness. Oh so much thankfulness. I could go on and on, but I’ll just say this: I’m so grateful God has blessed me with such wonderful family, wonderful friends, and a wonderful husband. That right there is enough to fill my heart to the brim. And then some.