Each picture is worth a thousand words, but every day, we choose the mental snapshots that define our lives.
Just as we carefully select which photos to display in frames, we can choose which moments in our lives to emphasize and which ones to let fade away. Life is a collection of snapshots, each capturing a moment of our story. Every experience adds another chapter to our personal narrative, from our first breath to our last, and the people we meet along the way become supporting characters, shaping our story with their voices.
Only through the lens of my own eyes can my true story be told. Each experience represents a part of my life that has left its mark on me and has brought me to where I am today. It defines who I am.
Memories give our lives meaning, defy time and transcend the years. However, they can be elusive, selective, and sometimes inaccurate. Some memories heal us, while others need healing. Memories can act as barriers between us and the lives we wish to lead. Often, what we have forgotten may hold more power than the memories we choose to remember.
The special times in our lives live on long after they are gone. They live in our memories. You give them another life—in your heart.
As the years go by and the details fade, it is those cherished photographs become invaluable tokens of our past. If you don’t think pictures are important now, wait until they’re all you have left. Once taken for granted, those simple snapshots become treasured memories frozen in time. A photograph can breathe life back into the moment and resurrect the emotions. It awakens the past, and you feel your emotions all over again. A smile, a shared laugh, a quiet moment—all captured in a frame—take on new meaning when the person is no longer there to create new ones.
In those moments, photos become more than just images; they’re a way to hold on to the love, joy, and connection that once filled your life. They remind us of the stories behind the camera, the emotions, and the bonds that endure—even when everything else fades. These precious snapshots keep our unique stories alive, preserving the richness of our experiences and the essence of our connections for generations to come.
Photography is not just an image but a magical time machine immune to the passage of time. It is a place card that preserves precious memories for generations to come.
We always remember someone for something. How we present ourselves in life is important because, for many, the image they have of us is just a brief glimpse—a small snapshot of who we are. By being intentional about how you live your life, you create a life worthy of remembering.
Creamy Roasted Asparagus Soup
INGREDIENTS
- 2 bunches of asparagus (bottom ends trimmed) cut into 2-inch pieces (about 2 1/2 pounds)
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 4 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons dried mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, plus more for topping
- Zest and juice from one lemon
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or 1 cup chicken stock)
- 1/2 cup crème fraîche (optional for thicker soup)
- Thinly sliced scallions (light green only) for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet. Toss with salt, pepper, and oil. Roast until they begin to brown (but not burn) and they pierce easily with a fork.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Do not brown; reduce the heat if necessary.
- Add the chopped asparagus to the pot (minus the reserved tips) and the chicken broth, salt, pepper, dry mustard, and dill. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn the heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender.
- Purée the soup with an immersion blender until completely smooth. (Alternatively, use a standard blender to purée the soup in batches, then return the soup to the pot.) Bring the soup to a simmer and stir in the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Once the cheese has melted, stir in the cream. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. To thicken the soup add crème fraîche, allow it to simmer, uncovered, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, then top each bowl with green onions, Parmesan cheese, dill, and freshly cracked black pepper.
Freezing Instructions: The soup can be frozen, without the cream, for up to 3 months. Defrost the soup in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. (The soup will freeze best if you add the cheese when reheating).
