Erin Sullivan Photography Blog

This weekend we took a little weekend trip up the coast to visit Hearst Castle.  Brandon’s parents and sister flew into town from Georgia and St. Louis for a short visit.  Brandon and I had heard how breathtaking this castle and the views are, so we decided to check it out with the family.   The history of the Hearst Family’s financial success was just as impressive as the ocean views, flower gardens, and architecture.  We went on a couple of tours that tell the history and it was so interesting.  During the tour we got to see inside some of the rooms of the castle.  I especially liked seeing the time period clothing from the 1920s and 1930s set out on the beds.  The clothing was from a time when the family would entertain distinguished guests, including presidents and famous actors.  If you ever have a chance to see it, it’s definitely worth it.  Make sure that you go on the official tour where you can see inside the castle and hear the history.  I was happy with the pictures I got from my point and shoot camera.  It did a good job!

After staying the night in a cute guest house down the road in Cambria, we did some more touristy activities… including a visit to see the Elephant Seals on the beach.  They were just sleeping and soaking in the sun and they were just enormous!  In Cambria it was in the mid 60s during the day, so it was a nice break from the summer heat of Pasadena.  Can you tell how windy it was from our hair in the photos?

What a great little getaway weekend.  Thanks, family, for coming to visit us!

I love the process of cooking and baking.  It is a relaxing escape for me when I cook.  I love that you can start out with separate individual ingredients, follow a certain set of steps, combine the ingredients together in a particular way, and you end up with a wonderful, new creation.  As long as you follow the steps the same way each time, you know you can count on the same end result.  Cooking is very predicable that way, and I like that I can count on it’s certainty.

I think that most people have a deep need to create something.  Some create through writing, some through music, some through visual arts, some through decorating, and some through cooking.  I went through a phase in high school where I would bake several days a week.  I usually just baked cupcakes and brought them to school to share with my friends.  I enjoyed the element of creating something new and pretty from a bunch of separate parts.

When I married my husband, I realized that I needed to include a few new recipes into my cookbook.  His childhood favorite is Poppyseed Chicken Casserole and he just loves it!  The first time I went with him to visit his family in Georgia his mom gave me the recipe.  Although we were just dating, she gave it to me, and I quickly realized the importance of the recipe.  Cooking is not just about fulfilling a need to create something.  Cooking can be a gift that you give someone in the form of a favorite childhood meal.  The first time I had this recipe, it quickly became a favorite indulgence of mine.  It is so rich and yummy… the true definition of southern comfort food.

For those interested in creating something new, try out this amazing Poppyseed Chicken Casserole.

Ingredients:

1 pound of chicken breast tenders; boiled and shredded

2 tubes of Ritz Crackers crushed

2 sticks of margarine melted

2 tablespoons of poppyseeds

2 cans of cream of chicken soup

8 ounces sour cream

The key ingredients: poppyseeds and cream of chicken soup

Start by boiling the chicken breast tenders and shredding it once it’s done cooking.  While the chicken is cooking, crush the crackers in a ziplock bag.

Mix together the shredded chicken, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup in a bowl and set to the side.

Melt the margarine in a pan and add the poppyseeds to the melted margarine.  Once it’s mixed thoroughly, add the crushed Ritz crackers to soak up the melted margarine.  Turn off the stove and set pan to the side.

Take half of the cracker mixture and spread it over the bottom of a 9×13 glass plan.  Create another layer using all of the cream of chicken mixture.

Add the second half of the cracker mixture to top it off.  Spread it around evenly.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.  It’s done when the middle layer is bubbling up on the edges and the cracker crumbs are golden brown and look crispy.

Scoop a serving onto a plate and enjoy!  You must go back for seconds… it’s the rule with this recipe. Enjoy!

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