You could be an American Express commercial.

"Congratulations Tiffany, small business owner, you could be an American Express Commercial"

It is official. I am a commercial. Let me rewind. About six months ago, I was miserable with my life, I hated my job, I hated the people I worked with, I hated my living situation, I hated everything. And then one day, I made the decision that I was going to pursue my happiness. I was not going to sacrifice my happiness for money, and all that nonsense that comes along with it. So I quit my job, and started to freelance as an assistant here in Chicago. I figured I had made enough connections, that it would work. Well, it did, kinda...and now we are here.

I have been successfully working in the photography industry as a self employed freelance assistant, and enjoying every minute of it. I have never been more happy in my life in YEARS. I work when I want to work, I don't work when I don't want to. I meet fabulous people that have the same interests, motivation, passion, and love for the industry every day. All the while learning new things about the industry and growing as an individual. I am able to pay my bills, and still live the same lifestyle that I am acustome to. Tiffany is a happy camper.

So the other day, I realized that I hit the 6 month trial period marker. I secretly told myself that if I can make it 6 months, you succeeded. I made it. So now what?

I had to think long and hard to myself, what my next move was going to be. I weighed my options...

1. The Ringling Bros. are hiring a Chef.........run away with the circus.
2. My friend is going to teach English in Korea.......run away to Korea.
3. Ask the bank for money......DIVE into DEBT.......run away with your career...and happiness.


So I chose the bank. I figured that if I can make it 6 months in the worst economy since the GREAT DEPRESSION, I can make it another 6. I decided that I am going to get a small business loan from the bank and get some new equipment, and expand my commercial one picture at a time.

The reason why I am a commercial, is because I have spent ALL day working on my business proposal to present to the bank, in the attempt to get the loan. And 15 pages later, Tiffany O'Neill Photography is an American Express commercial.

And if this doesn't work....the circus is still an option.

My Fav. Beef Stew.

While the weather is getting colder....my kitchen is getting warmer. I am a big fan of making comfort food, and I just recently made Beef Stew, and I was very pleased with it, so I wanted to share it.

Beef Stew

Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
2lbs. Beef
Salt
Pepper
4 cloves of Garlic (chopped)
2 Tbs. Flour
1 Lg. Sweet Onion (chopped)
1 Tbs. Steak Seasoning (your preference)
1 Tbs. Oregano
2 Bay leaves.
1 tsp. Thyme.
1/2 bottle RED wine. (if you drink it, use it)
4 cups. beef broth.
3 carrots
4 Lg. Potatoes.
1 bag of peas.
1 bag of egg noodles.

1. Liberally salt and pepper your beef. Line your heavy duty pot/dutch oven with olive oil, and sear your beef in the bottom of the pan on all sides. Make sure you don't touch it too much, because you want the carmelized beefy bits on the bottom of the pot. After all your beef is browned, remove and set on a plate.

2. Add your garlic and onions and seasonings (steak, oregano,thyme, bay) and saute, while scraping up all your beef bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. After your onions are a little translucent add the flour and wine, and the beef, and bring to a simmer.

3. Once the wine has simmered for about ten minutes and thickened a bit, add the beef stock. Bring it all up to a boil, and then cover, reduce to a simmer, and WALK AWAY! Let the stew simmer for at LEAST two hours.

4. After your favorite movie, return to your stew.

5. Add the carrots and potatoes, in bite size pieces. Let those cook in the simmering liquid for at least 30 minutes.

6. When the carrots are tender, not mushy, add the noodles and the peas. Wait ten minutes. and Serve with your favorite chunky bread.




This stew is one of my favorites. The real key is to let it cook at a simmer for a while, the beef will be really tender. If you try to rush it, don't. Your beef will be tough and chewy if you rush it, don't. But do try the stew. It is warm and yummy, and brings a smile to everyone's face. :)


ENJOY!

****pictures coming soon*****

Chagrin Falls, Ohio

As I sit in my father's living room next to my sister sleeping, after a long night of movie watching, I think I have never wanted to go back to Chicago more in my life. I have spent an entire week in my cute, quite, quaint, small home town of Chagrin Falls Ohio, and noticed things that I have never really seen until now.

I grew up in this town, and it will always forever hold a place in my heart, and for all I know, I will move back here, pop out a few kids, and gossip at the wine bar with my girls in the future.

I recently came home to Chagrin for the election week, because my father was running for Congress. My father has always run for office which requires me to come home every few years to play the "daughter" role. I am forever supportive, but have finally realized, I am forever tired.

I know I mentioned things I noticed. So, lets compare Chicago to Chagrin.

1. In Chagrin Falls my family leaves our cars in the driveway unlocked, with the KEYS in the ignition...In Chicago you pray your car wasn't broken into over night.

2. In Chagrin Falls "Lucky" my father's pure breed Cocker Spanial runs rampent all over the neighborhood playing with the children of the neighborhood....In Chicago, if you don't "curb yor dog" you are an asshole.

3. In Chagrin Falls (Wickliffe) when ordering Crab Legs for a catered event, you revieve a plate of sticks of imitation crab meat!!!...If that happened in Chicago that restaurant would be plastered all over metromix, yelp, The Reader, and not exist as a restaurant in one week.

4. In Chagrin Falls, you walk down the street and everybody knows your name because you went to school with their child, who went to school with your parents, who went to school with thir grandparents...and so on. That just doesn't happen in Chicago.

5. And FINALLY! In Chagrin, you can walk into the local hardware store, and the owner Mr. Shutts still thinks you are going to marry his son Jared, because you were his first "LOVE" at the ripe age of 5. In Chicago, I can barely figure out how to get to the hardware store.

I love Chagrin....but I love Chicago more right now. So I am going home to my lovely crowded, loud, impersonal,modern, busy windy city.

See you in six hours!