*Challenge 29, Snappy

[snapapple]

Just grabbed this shot while we were all at the park yesterday. I wish I knew a way to get both hand and boy in focus. I guess that would have to be done in photoshop. But, this was fun for the grandkids too. They got a big kick out of it.

How tall is my grandson?
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13587306-L.jpg

[snapapple]

My other grandson
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13587309-L.jpg

[snapapple]

This one is not "First person" but the boys got into the idea and wanted to try this. They had so much fun.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13587301-L.jpg

[ginger_55]

Snappy, that is kind of cool, however, there is always next week.

Just wanted to mention that Andy's hand wasn't in focus with the moon shot, not that I remember. I think some of these people have gone way beyond Andy. Of course, reaching for the moon is a worthy goal. Especially when you are Andy Williams and your photography is Moon River.
And your little boy adores the whole thing.
In the poker shot, that is different, and only one hand, too. All these other people are doing both hands.

ginger

[Head in the Clouds]

Hi Snappy!
Great ideas. I really love the third one - works perfectly!.
You're probably right that it isn't 1st person, but it is still a really great shot. :D

[rainforest1155]

Wonderful ideas. Not being 1st person, but I also like the 3rd one best. Quite a weightlifter. :thumb
Getting both the hand and kids sharp would have been a whole lot of work while shooting and I guess it's very hard to get this looking good in PS.

Bye,
Sebastian

[John Mueller]

3rd shot with your hand under the fg little guy:thumb

[snapapple]

3rd shot with your hand under the fg little guy:thumb
Good idea MHJS. I can still try that.

Thanks for stopping by, Ginger, Kate, Sebastian. I'm glad you enjoyed my shots. My son took one of a boy in his hand. His hand was not blurry. He said he just had the camera on "program". I think my arm is too short.:rofl

I'll have more time to work on this next week. I have a few ideas for first person shots. I've just been so busy with family visiting this week. We had a good time with this one though. Thanks again for your kind comments.

[lynnma]

Hi snappy.. happy and healthy new year!

Looks like a funday with the kids! did you try using the auto timer on your camera? might work for this one.. just a thought...:D

[snapapple]

Hi snappy.. happy and healthy new year!

Looks like a funday with the kids! did you try using the auto timer on your camera? might work for this one.. just a thought...:D
Thanks for the suggestion. I did not have my tripod with me, so no autotimer. I have one more day with the kids before they head for home. Maybe I can try this idea in another location. I'm not sure how you meant to use the timer. It's real hard to line up the two people exactly, so I don't know how to do it with the timer. If I put my hand out there far enough to be in focus there will be no one behind the camera to see if I'm lined up.:huh

[snapapple]

Special memories to treasure
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13675679-L.jpg

[snapapple]

Check! - January 3, 2005
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13675678-L.jpg

[ginger_55]

I actually like the holiday one best, Snappy, and I don't like holiday photos for contests, but in this case, there is something nice about the way your hand is turned.

I would use that direction for your hand, I just like it better. And I like the ornament, smile.

ginger

[GREAPER]

Checkmate - January 3, 2005
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13675678-S.jpg

For the record, this is only Check. By moving the rook forward the check can be blocked...


:D

[Andy]

nice work, snappy. you could also enter these types of shots (the kids) in our "illusions" challenge which we'll be having in the spring time :D

i dig the chess game, too...

keep up the good work!

[snapapple]

For the record, this is only Check. By moving the rook forward the check can be blocked...


:D I noticed that as I was posting the shot. I was hoping no one would notice before I had a chance to set it up again. But, then I *knew* one of you guys would be on the ball. I'll have to retitle this "Check". :rofl

My grandsons are in a chess club. They have been playing chess for a year or so. They just turned 8 in December. They can beat the pants off me. Deven was playing some chess games on the computer today. He beat one guy, but he had to concede when he tried to play Bobby Fisher.:D

Thanks for the comment. I'll reshoot this one.

[GREAPER]

It's a very nice shot regardless and a great idea...

Just change the title to "Check". I like the shot a lot.

I will say that I think Lynnma is going to be tough to beat.

[snapapple]

I actually like the holiday one best, Snappy, and I don't like holiday photos for contests, but in this case, there is something nice about the way your hand is turned.

I would use that direction for your hand, I just like it better. And I like the ornament, smile.

ginger
I didn't have high hopes for that one. With the bright white tissue paper, I was worried about blowing out the white. But, it actually turned out pretty well. I think it needs something though. It seems a little plain.

[snapapple]

It's a very nice shot regardless and a great idea...

Just change the title to "Check". I like the shot a lot.

I will say that I think Lynnma is going to be tough to beat.
I'm wracking my brain trying to think of something that can equal Lynma's great shot. Gonna have to st-r-e-a-t-c-h again. :D I got my work cut out for me this week.

[snapapple]

nice work, snappy. you could also enter these types of shots (the kids) in our "illusions" challenge which we'll be having in the spring time :D

i dig the chess game, too...

keep up the good work!
Thanks! I'll be looking forward to the illusions challenge. I hope my grandkids are around at the time. If not, I'll have to find some other subjects.

Glad you liked the chess game. I would enter that, but I don't think it would be a winner. Hmmm, need something with some real sizzle. ???

Thanks for the comments. Really appreciate it.

[snapapple]

I did say sizzle didn't I? Meatballs! Mmmmm - January 4, 2005
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13701387-L.jpg

[snapapple]

Ravioli. Mmmmm. - January 4, 2005
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13700770-L.jpg

[ginger_55]

I would say the chess, even though I like these better. I don't like them enough better that they tug at my heartstrings. Kind of sterile actually for a family gathering.

Now that just may be me, so listen for chatter. I really liked that family kitchen shot from Nir, I think, it made the finals, but it didn't win or get many votes....might not have made the finals. I could be on left field here.

But the chess seems to have pulled people in, could you play with it a bit, come in tighter maybe, play with the focus.

Sorry if that goes beyond anything I should say, if it does, please disregard, as the judge tells the jury.

ginger

I want to eat something. Am not hungry, just want to eat. I love the spaghetti and the pasta, technically I think they are superb.

I just saw the chess again, I know what bothers me, and everyone else loves it, it is once again the sterility. The white wall distracts me.

[judyfuess]

I like this one the best so far. It is simple, not too much going on, but still tells a story. Great job!

Special memories to treasure
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13675679-L.jpg

[landrum]

I like the ornament the best. I had the same idea while putting away Christmas.

[snapapple]

"Blood Orange" Juice
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13845819-L.jpg

[lynnma]

"Blood Orange" Juice
Hi snappy.. this one is very colorful, I like the ornament, I liked the chess but I think it needed another person as the "other player".. I'm having a hard time with this challenge.. all feels contrived and sterile to me.. I'm struggling with it, nearly pulled my entry completely and then thought.. what the heck. I'ts a great learning tool is'nt it.. being pushed like this. I love it really even if it does drive me to distraction, as It does you too :rofl

[cletus]

Snappy,

I like the oranges and the ornament... can't decide between the two.

[landrum]

I like the ornament still, but I like the oranges too...I can't decide!

[snapapple]

Lynn, Cletus, Laurie, thanks - I can't decide either. So far my thinking goes like this: The ornament has good focus and good light. The French ornament and tag sort of tell the story. I used window light and spent a couple minutes on the shot. I like it a lot for it's simplicity, great detail, and great light.

The orange juice shot, on the other hand, took hours to shoot. I set up white poster board on the kitchen table. Used pole lamps in addition to the kitchen lighting. Used the flash set on a low level. I shot the thing every which way from Sunday. The time is a big factor in my mind and, of course, colors my thinking. :wink

But, back to the picture... The most important thing, I think, is the "first person" aspect. It really shows me doing something. It catches the action. The composition seems good. It's clean and simple. The repitition of the oranges is a good thing. I caught the motion of the juicer. I caught the juice going into the glass. (some tries had no juice flowing) I got lots of nice bubbles in the glass of juice. The lighting is good. There is just a lot more to this shot than the ornament shot. (but is it too much?) When I moved the cut orange, it left two drips on the white-board. At first I was bothered by this, but later I decided that it made the shot a little less sterile. A like it for it's bright, crisp, colorful look and the life shown in the action going on.
For now, I picked the oranges because it's a more unique entry. Great reason, huh? :huh

This challenge has really been tough. I know we've all been wracking our brains for ideas. It's the first time I've used a "studio" set-up. A great learning experience. St-r-e-a-c-h-e-d again!! I've put in all the time I can spare on this. I do have a day job, too. :rofl

Thanks again for your input. If you have any other nits about either shot, please let me know.

[fish]

For the record, this is only Check. By moving the rook forward the check can be blocked...


:D

yep, and you're going to have to get that other rook in the game to knock out some of the pawns to mate.

[fish]

Meatballs! Mmmmm - January 4, 2005
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13701387-L.jpg
oh snappy...that looks GOOOD! :lust Can I have your recipe? Is that a Calphalon pan? Nice manicure too.

oh wait...we're talking about the image, huh? Sorry, it's hard to separate the image from the content when it's about food for me. :1drink

[ginger_55]

This is not an opinion......... I went to the beach, then collapsed asleep. I have no opinions on anything right now.

I just noticed this thread and read it, my daughter is so excited that it is the weekend, after work tonight, uh, Snappy, you do have ALL weekend. 24 hrs a day, all weekend, do we not live for this? Is this not our life?

Etc, etc,.................just joking, I know exactly how you feel! Both are nice shots, IMHO. After awhile, it is time to say 'til the next time.

ginger (I wonder why Andy, and anyone with him, gets all that time to eat?) Actually the person with him has to spend time taking a picture of Andy eating.
doG, love the shot of the ribs, haven't had any in a few years.

I was too tired to look at the shots in my camera, bye

[snapapple]

oh snappy...that looks GOOOD! :lust Can I have your recipe? Is that a Calphalon pan? Nice manicure too.

oh wait...we're talking about the image, huh? Sorry, it's hard to separate the image from the content when it's about food for me. :1drink
:roflOh Fish.... so funny. The recipe? ... a pinch of this, a dab of that, and a handful of the other. The way my mama taught me. :wink
Yes, that's a Calphalon pan. The one on special last year.
The manicure.... Well, gee thanks.
Now about the picture. Seeeeee.... that's why I took that shot. It brings you right there. Want a taste? So "first person"!! Colorful too! Nice steam! That's why I can't decide. I think any one would be an OK entry, but which is best? Which would people vote for? :scratch

[snapapple]

This is not an opinion......... I went to the beach, then collapsed asleep. I have no opinions on anything right now.

I just noticed this thread and read it, my daughter is so excited that it is the weekend, after work tonight, uh, Snappy, you do have ALL weekend. 24 hrs a day, all weekend, do we not live for this? Is this not our life?

Etc, etc,.................just joking, I know exactly how you feel! Both are nice shots, IMHO. After awhile, it is time to say 'til the next time.

ginger (I wonder why Andy, and anyone with him, gets all that time to eat?) Actually the person with him has to spend time taking a picture of Andy eating.
doG, love the shot of the ribs, haven't had any in a few years.

I was too tired to look at the shots in my camera, bye
Look who's talking about time to say "till next time". You never quit! :D
The ribs? Did I see them? Where are they? I remember the crabs at Fisherman's Warf, mmmmm! :andy
My guests just left. I feel like I've been cooking and doing dishes for a month. Whew, has it only been a week?:huh Love the grandkids though.

This weekend I have to change the 3 guest beds, wash all the sheets and towels. Oh, did I tell you, the grandkids put too much paper in the toilet and it overflowed all over the floor. Carpeted floor, no less. More towels used to mop it up. :humungus
Then I have to put away all the Christmas decorations. Exchange some gifts. Respond to some Christmas notes. (I never did send any cards, no time.) Put the living room back in order. Still have the table and chairs in the middle of the room from the chess shot. Go grocery shopping - we're out of food....again! :yikes
No more pictures for me. I have to use one of these. I tried to reshoot the chess game shot. Spent hours figuring out the moves to set up a checkmate. Then, messed up all the photos. Gave up! :splat

[fish]

:roflOh Fish.... so funny. The recipe? ... a pinch of this, a dab of that, and a handful of the other. The way my mama taught me. :wink
Could you be just a little more specific?

Yes, that's a Calphalon pan. The one on special last year. I thought I recognized the flared edge. Fishwife just got a set yesterday for her bday.

The manicure.... Well, gee thanks.
You're welcome...it looks much nicer than waxy's.

Want a taste?
YES!

So "first person"!! Colorful too! Nice steam! That's why I can't decide. I think any one would be an OK entry, but which is best? Which would people vote for? :scratch
I'd vote for the food...in fact, I can SMELL it! I'll vote for you if you send me the recipe :deal

[fish]

Look who's talking about time to say "till next time". You never quit! :D
The ribs? Did I see them? Where are they? I remember the crabs at Fisherman's Warf, mmmmm! :andy
My guests just left. I feel like I've been cooking and doing dishes for a month. Whew, has it only been a week?:huh Love the grandkids though.

This weekend I have to change the 3 guest beds, wash all the sheets and towels. Oh, did I tell you, the grandkids put too much paper in the toilet and it overflowed all over the floor. Carpeted floor, no less. More towels used to mop it up. :humungus
Then I have to put away all the Christmas decorations. Exchange some gifts. Respond to some Christmas notes. (I never did send any cards, no time.) Put the living room back in order. Still have the table and chairs in the middle of the room from the chess shot. Go grocery shopping - we're out of food....again! :yikes
No more pictures for me. I have to use one of these. I tried to reshoot the chess game shot. Spent hours figuring out the moves to set up a checkmate. Then, messed up all the photos. Gave up! :splat

Shall we change your username to "Crabapple"? :rofl

[snapapple]

Shall we change your username to "Crabapple"? :rofl Bitch, bitch, bitch. I get very cranky when I'm tired. Glad they have a big assortment of cranky smilies. :D

Now, to secure my vote, the recipe:

Disclaimer - My mama was a great cook and made her sauce from scratch. I no longer do that part. I do however follow her traditional Italian methods and measure by pinching a bit of seasonings between my fingers and pouring a small mound in the palm of my hand "until it looks right". So all amounts are approximate. I was serious about the pinches and handfulls.
--------
In a small bowl, crumble up one or two slices of bread, or substitute 1/2 cup of bread crumbs or oatmeal. Add one egg, a squirt of ketchup, about 1/4 cup milk, a little diced onion, about two tablespoons parsley (small mound in palm), a pinch of Italian seasoning or some basil and oregano, some Mrs Dash or salt and pepper to taste. Mash this all together with a fork and pour into the large bowl in which you have crumbled up about 1 1/3 pounds of ground beef (the leanest I can find, since I'm on a low fat diet). Mix together and form into balls. Brown meat balls in a skillet. Pour over a jar of Classico Pasta Sauce - any flavor. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Pour over cooked pasta. Enjoy!
Crabapple :D

[snapapple]

I just realized, I forgot to mention that. I don't have a set. Just two skillets. Wow, she got a whole set. And right after Christmas too! She must have been a very good girl. Or more likely, she has a husband who loves to eat. Hehehe:D and he knows how to get what he wants too. Clever guy. :thumb

[aero-nut]

Lynn, Cletus, Laurie, thanks - I can't decide either. So far my thinking goes like this: The ornament has good focus and good light. The French ornament and tag sort of tell the story. I used window light and spent a couple minutes on the shot. I like it a lot for it's simplicity, great detail, and great light.

The orange juice shot, on the other hand, took hours to shoot. I set up white poster board on the kitchen table. Used pole lamps in addition to the kitchen lighting. Used the flash set on a low level. I shot the thing every which way from Sunday. The time is a big factor in my mind and, of course, colors my thinking. :wink

But, back to the picture... The most important thing, I think, is the "first person" aspect. It really shows me doing something. It catches the action. The composition seems good. It's clean and simple. The repitition of the oranges is a good thing. I caught the motion of the juicer. I caught the juice going into the glass. (some tries had no juice flowing) I got lots of nice bubbles in the glass of juice. The lighting is good. There is just a lot more to this shot than the ornament shot. (but is it too much?) When I moved the cut orange, it left two drips on the white-board. At first I was bothered by this, but later I decided that it made the shot a little less sterile. A like it for it's bright, crisp, colorful look and the life shown in the action going on.
For now, I picked the oranges because it's a more unique entry. Great reason, huh? :huh

This challenge has really been tough. I know we've all been wracking our brains for ideas. It's the first time I've used a "studio" set-up. A great learning experience. St-r-e-a-c-h-e-d again!! I've put in all the time I can spare on this. I do have a day job, too. :rofl

Thanks again for your input. If you have any other nits about either shot, please let me know.

Snap,

I think you have done a fine job on all of your shots, but I also like the juice shot the best. I agree with you, I think it shows first person action very well. The colors really catch the eye to.

Yeah, these challenges never stop stretching our comfort bubbles. I have been struggling with the last few challenges, but in the process I've learned a lot more then I thought I would.

Anyway, nice job.

[fish]

Now, to secure my vote, the recipe:
Well done...THANKS! :bow you've got my vote. :D

[fish]

Wow, she got a whole set. And right after Christmas too! She must have been a very good girl. Or more likely, she has a husband who loves to eat. Hehehe:D and he knows how to get what he wants too. Clever guy. :thumb
Yes to all the above. :lust


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/13876083-S.jpg

The mounting was pretty quick and dirty. I need to make it
more permanent this weekend.

[wxwax]

"Blood Orange" Juice
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13845819-S.jpg
I like this one a lot. I like the colors, the composition and the exposure. Could be in a catalogue.

[wxwax]

--------
In a small bowl, crumble up one or two slices of bread, or substitute 1/2 cup of bread crumbs or oatmeal. Add one egg, a squirt of ketchup, about 1/4 cup milk, a little diced onion, about two tablespoons parsley (small mound in palm), a pinch of Italian seasoning or some basil and oregano, some Mrs Dash or salt and pepper to taste. Mash this all together with a fork and pour into the large bowl in which you have crumbled up about 1 1/3 pounds of ground beef (the leanest I can find, since I'm on a low fat diet). Mix together and form into balls. Brown meat balls in a skillet. Pour over a jar of Classico Pasta Sauce - any flavor. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Pour over cooked pasta. Enjoy!
Crabapple :D


Could you send me one so I can taste it?

[snapapple]

I like this one a lot. I like the colors, the composition and the exposure. Could be in a catalogue.
Thanks Sid, glad you like it. The catalogue part sounds good.

I'm really on a food kick. I tried another one this morning. What do you all think?

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13913531-L.jpg

[snapapple]

Yes to all the above. :lust


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/13876083-S.jpg

The mounting was pretty quick and dirty. I need to make it
more permanent this weekend.
Really looks great, Fish. When you have gourmet cookware, you really need to show it off.

[wxwax]

Thanks Sid, glad you like it. The catalogue part sounds good.

I'm really on a food kick. I tried another one this morning. What do you all think?

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13913531-S.jpg

I still prefer the juicer. On this one, the yolk looks a little dark and colorless.

[snapapple]

I still prefer the juicer. On this one, the yolk looks a little dark and colorless.

But, dark and colorless? I don't understand. That's the color it was, I think. Yellow.
-----
So, I went back and looked at it. Yes it was a little grey and flat. Eeeew, kind of a greenie yellow. I increased the saturation and brightness and tapped the hue slider a tad to the left. Better?

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13916472-L.jpg

But, you're probably right. The orange juice shot is more bright and colorful. I'm really glad we have those blood oranges. That red orange flesh and juice is great for photographs! :thumb

[landrum]

The last egg shot looks good, but I like the juicer best. I like the motion and color.

I've never had a red orange...do they taste better then orange ones? They are definately more beautiful to photograph!

[pathfinder]

I like this one a lot. I like the colors, the composition and the exposure. Could be in a catalogue.
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13845819-S.jpg

I'm with Sid here. I like the juicer best. It is hard to beat real saturated primary colors in a white field. And I always like a good diagonal line as well. Nicely done, Snappy :bow

[fish]

Really looks great, Fish. When you have gourmet cookware, you really need to show it off. Thanks. I did the permanent mounting today...four ea 1/4-20 x 4" eyebolts, fender washers, and toggles and it should be bombproof.

I'm nto so sure about the showing-off part. Where the hell else would you put it? We don't have a huge kitchen, so it we put it all in the cabinets, we wouldn't have room for much else. Plus, this keeps them from banging into eachother, as well as making it really easy to get to any one pan. I remember coming home from college one summer and trying to cook a mean in my mom's kitchen. I had to pull almost all her pots and pans out onto the kitchen floor to find what I was looking for. So there really are functional reasons for hanging them from the ceiling. Tonight was creamy chick breasts, pasta, and steamed veggies. I think tomorrow night will be meatball night. I'll let you know how much success we have with your recipe. Thanks again, snappy.

oh...and sorry to hijack your thread.

[snapapple]

The last egg shot looks good, but I like the juicer best. I like the motion and color.

I've never had a red orange...do they taste better then orange ones? They are definately more beautiful to photograph!

Thanks Laurie,
We have one blood orange tree. The oranges are really sweet when fully ripe, but I don't think they're any different in taste from regular oranges. They are just red on the inside. A novelty I guess.

[wxwax]

Better?

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13916472-S.jpg

Yes indeed. Now that's an egg yolk!

[snapapple]

http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13845819-S.jpg

I'm with Sid here. I like the juicer best. It is hard to beat real saturated primary colors in a white field. And I always like a good diagonal line as well. Nicely done, Snappy :bow

Thanks Pathfinder,
I like the juicer shot best too. I'm still just trying stuff. Never know what I might come up with. These food shots make me realize how important "food stylists" are. They spray the food with all kinds of inedible stuff to make it look good. I wanted to crack an egg and try to catch it just as it sizzled in the pan and the whites were still dripping from the shell. Do you know how many eggs that would have taken? Would need split second timing.

Wish we had snow to play with here. It's just rainy and miserable outside. Maybe I could do a shot of my toes squishing in the mud. No it's too cold out there. Maybe my boots splashing in a puddle. We'll see what tomorrow brings. If anything.
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the input. I like your snow shot. And, Lynn, I like your snowball shot too. I hope your camera is OK after being hit by a snowball. :D

[muddyknees]

Moot for this week, but in case you try these "boy in the hand" ones again for the future "special effects" challenge, this thought may apply:

I notice in both your boy-in-hand shots that the feet overlap he thumb. My GUESS is that you have a camera with a viewfinder that is not "through the lens" so that you were getting a "parallax offset" with your near-by hand. If your viewfinder is more-or-less directly above the lens, you could try taking this shot in portrait orientation - your thumb will then be shifted to the right a bit which may be less problematic in this case. Or use the lcd screen of course.

My other grandson
http://snapapple.smugmug.com/photos/13587309-L.jpg

[fish]

I notice in both your boy-in-hand shots that the feet overlap he thumb. My GUESS is that you have a camera with a viewfinder that is not "through the lens" so that you were getting a "parallax offset" with your near-by hand. If your viewfinder is more-or-less directly above the lens, you could try taking this shot in portrait orientation - your thumb will then be shifted to the right a bit which may be less problematic in this case. Or use the lcd screen of course.
Or...take a clear shot of your hand. Take a clear shot of the boy. Overlap them in PS. :)

[fish]

oh...hey snappy. fishwife made the meatballs tonight. next time I think we're gonna spice them up a bit more with some fresh garlic, more onion, and more of the italian herbs. I briefly thought about snapping a shot of them in the pan (that's just like yours), but there wasn't any time as I was HONGRY. :)

[snapapple]

oh...hey snappy. fishwife made the meatballs tonight. next time I think we're gonna spice them up a bit more with some fresh garlic, more onion, and more of the italian herbs. I briefly thought about snapping a shot of them in the pan (that's just like yours), but there wasn't any time as I was HONGRY. :)

You've got the idea now on these approximate measurements. When I'm in a hurry, I use a very large sprinkle of Mrs. Dash. It has lots of garlic and herbs. But, most of the time I keep a jar of minced garlic in the fridge and I have two pots of basil growing on my patio. I also have a rosemary hedge. The basil is gone now (it's an annual). I'll have more in the spring, along with Italian parsley. So, it's dried basil leaves for now and dried oregano and parsley. I get a large container of "Italian Seasonings" at Costco. It goes into sauces and over meats etc. Crush it in the palm of your hand and rub it over a pork loin roast. Mmmmm.
Don't forget to snap a picture next time. Enjoy that cookware!!