My favorite recipes

Meet Misty Zornacki, Endicott

Misty Zornacki with children Isaac, Ali and Gage.

Misty Zornacki is having a wonderful time developing her photography business. Without any classes or working for a photographer, she has studied on her own and watched a multitude of YouTube videos, observed professional photographers’ work and methods, spent many late nights editing and taken literally tons of photographs. She began in earnest when her son Gage was born. Her drawing pencils get little use now, as photography is her major interest.

As for specializing, Misty is finding she likes all sorts of photo shoots. She does weddings, school photos, short videos, senior pictures and landscapes. Children’s photos, family groups and infant photo shoots are also fun, she said.

Recently she stepped into something really new. She photographed Keith and Julie Niehenke and their band, Keith and the Hankers, at one of their fair engagements, where she also shot the rodeo. Julie invited her to take photos of them at the Hillyard Harvest Fest and at the club they played that weekend. Many of these photos have appeared on Facebook, and Misty had a great time.

What did she learn from this? First, she said, she needs a faster camera. Shooting action shots instead of poses, especially a band while it is playing, takes faster shutter speeds. She has also had contacts from other bands who have seen her work, so there is the possibility of more fun action photography.

Misty took fire photographs this summer and was involved in fundraising for Kamiah fire victims in Idaho. She donates her images for local events, usually for silent auctions. Watching the fires progress this summer and observing the impact and timing of fire evacuations really grabbed her attention. Wishing to help them, she is making contacts in the Okanogan area to provide images if that would be helpful.

Living in Endicott the last five years, Misty and Matt have three busy kids. Isaac, nearly eleven, is in fifth grade, Gage is six and in first grade, while Alianah is three and in preschool. Misty grew up in Benge, and her grandparents live in Endicott. Her mother drove truck, so she has lived in and visited many places. Her dream home is out in the country with a sweeping view and room for animals.

Matt works as a truck driver for Union Cattle Company, LaCrosse. A recent cattle truck accident near Winona made her nervous, but Matt answered his phone, and he and his truck were upright and doing fine.

Isaac doesn’t care for livestock, so no 4-H for him. He likes baseball, and football looks interesting to him, and he will soon get a chance to try it. Gage is a busy first grader. Ali insists that horses need her, so horses are on the list for the future. Misty empathizes, since she grew up on a horse.

Farm work is a favorite, and Misty worked for a farmer near Sprague for three years, driving tractor and combine and all other sorts of farm work. The farmer calls occasionally when he needs her to drive for a week, so she arranges child care and enjoys farming for a while.

Misty learned to cook by doing and said that Matt is the more adventurous cook and does most of the cooking for the family. He uses online videos to learn new techniques, occasionally delaying dinner while he tries to find the perfect recipe. Misty and Matt love dishes with garlic, but the kids prefer blander fare. Those nights the adults have something exciting, while the children have their mac and cheese.

Recipes:

Penne Pasta

cooked chicken, cut in bite-size pieces

fresh parmesan cheese, grated

cooked bacon, cut into small pieces

red grapes

white garlic sauce

All ingredients except grapes should be heated and stirred together; add grapes last. (I always add something new each time.)

One Dish Chicken and Stuffing Bake

4 cups Pepperidge Farms herbed seasoned stuffing (could probably use your favorite stuffing mix)

4 to 6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves

paprika

1 can Campbell’s cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup milk

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Prepare stuffing mix, which usually includes boiling water, butter or margarine, and an herb packet. For lower fat stuffing, reduce butter by a Tablespoon and add one Tablespoon water.

Spoon stuffing across center of a three-quart greased shallow baking or casserole dish. Place chicken breast pieces on each side of the stuffing. Season chicken pieces with paprika.

Mix cream of chicken soup, milk and parsley. Pour over chicken.

Bake covered at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6.

Runza Casserole

The easy way to enjoy the flavor

of kraut runza

2 pounds hamburger

2 onions, chopped (or to taste)

4 cups shredded cabbage

salt and pepper to taste

2 tubes refrigerated crescent rolls

1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

salt and pepper

Brown hamburger and onion; drain. Place cabbage on top of meat-onion mixture and let steam for a few minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Using a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, open one tube of crescent rolls and spread on bottom of pan. Spread cabbage-meat-onion mixture evenly over layer of dough. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top.

Using the second tube of refrigerated crescent roll dough, unroll and spread over top of cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes, covering top with foil for the last 10 minutes to soften the crust.

Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.