tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21438915549937671392024-03-05T09:48:36.273-08:00Craft-erina: Ballerina by day, Craftster by nightcrafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-19601357928525066082014-02-22T04:52:00.001-08:002014-02-22T04:52:03.044-08:00Wrong Turns Turned Right<br />
This blog is not really a truth of my life any longer but it is still a place for me to write so maybe I'll revamp it to be "valid" or maybe I won't? Maybe it will just be a place where my old thoughts and memories lay and I can revisit those times if I please. It is a bit eery looking back on some of these posts. It feels like a weird kind of porthole back in to my head. <br />
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With each new day of this adventure I am beginning to see the shifts and changes of what this might be exactly about. I went into this thing not knowing what I was really doing with myself but instead following an intuition. I knew there were many reasons for me to make drastic changes in my life but I couldn’t put a finger on any single one of them. It was as if I was not able to see things. Day by day, month by month I was finding myself turning in to a deeper and darker human. And with time I felt like I completely lost a sense of self. I was no longer me. I was no longer the Jordan people knew. I was no longer the Jordan I used to know. I was angry. I was depressed. I was unstable mentally and emotionally. I was so unhappy. I was so unhappy with my life. And it took several beatings from what felt like the world for me to finally break. I felt like the world was going against me. I felt like my luck was turned and I was somehow taking on all of these bad energies and I couldn’t get myself away from them. I felt like I was climbing a mountain and a boulder would hit me and send me tumbling back down to the bottom and I would pick myself up and climb the mountain again until I got hit by a second boulder, and a third and a forth and then finally... I broke. I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t take the set backs any longer. I couldn’t take being unhappy. I couldn’t be the Jordan I didn’t know anymore. So I quit. I quit my job because it wasn’t worth it anymore. The heartache, the struggle, the dread, the abuse was not worth it anymore. I was so far gone that something this dramatic really had no consequence to me. I could not have cared less. I just wanted to be through. Whatever hard times were ahead, I would figure them out. I just knew I would. On my 25th birthday I decided I could never go back. I knew I could never go back to work and I was even unsure of whether I could ever dance again. I wasn’t sure if it was the art form that just wasn’t right for me any longer or if it was the environment. The day I made my final decision I wondered if I would be alright. How am I going to do this, WHAT am I going to do? Pilates? School? Sew? What would it be? How will I live? But in all of those questions I never felt completely lost. I always felt like there was someone there. The moment I would begin to feel doubt or worry something would happen to bring me up. A reassurance of some sort. Like an offer from an open class to be a part of an upcoming production that would pay $3000. Or a bulk order from my leotard company that would earn me $2000. I began to realize that everything was going to be okay as long as I kept my head up and stayed positive and was listening to myself and what I needed. Where was I hurt? What needed to be healed? Overtime I realized that I did indeed want to dance still. I just needed to heal my heart and my love for ballet from the root. Why did I even dance? It was a feeling. It was a love. It was something that was for me and my soul. I needed to find that love and bring it back. The next couple months were not easy but it was a time where I had to spend A LOT of time in the studio alone. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done. I had to approach the inner demons that I have been fighting because of the environmental stress that was put on me for the past 7 years. In two months I was not able to obviously heal fully but I made some major progress. There were times that were extremely hard to walk in to the studio and give myself class but I knew that I had a goal that I was working towards and that was to audition in New York for as many companies as I could. Put myself out there again and see what happens. I really had nothing to lose but everything to gain. The day before I left for New York I got a random text stating that there was a possibility there was need for dancers in a company in NYC. I showed up to the rehearsal after a ridiculous day of travel and immediately began learning choreography. I came back the following day and then the day after and then I was asked to stay and be a dancer with the company. It all happened so fast that I can only look back on it now and realize what an amazing thing had happened to me. My stars were finally aligning and my energies were finally turning. With each day something brilliant happens and I honestly think it is because I finally opened the doors to let it all in. I am finally getting back to me and clearing my conscience. I spent so many years shutting myself off and being dishonest with myself and others. So much so that I was lost. I felt lonely and felt that I had no friends and it was all because of a mindset. Each day seems a little brighter and my heart feels a little lighter with it. There is a long way I need to go and there is a lot I need to sort out, but the most important thing is there is progress. And progress feels good. <br /><br />The thing that led me to write today was a certain “wrong” turn that ultimately was so “right”. I took an odd train after work and I realized shortly after boarding that it was the wrong train. I got off the train a good 15 blocks from my apartment and was so tired after not only a long day, but a long week. I didn’t feel like I had the energy to walk in the gloom. After stomping up the stairs it took me a few blocks to start realizing and taking in how beautiful it was. There was a mist over central park that was so beautiful and calming. It felt quite in the city.. a very rare feeling. I felt alone with my thoughts and it was extremely cathartic. 8 blocks later I arrived at the most beautiful cathedral and initially walked right passed it. I stopped and turned around and went back because the door caught my eye. I stood and starred at the door for a few minutes and took a picture and then I began to look at the structure and how unbelievable it was. So ornate, so intricate. Displayed on one of the sides of the cathedral was the quote “Freedom of the mind is the beginning of all freedoms”. It rang in my head the entire way home. Sometimes taking the wrong turn is exactly what one needs at the end of a hard week. You never know where it is going to take you and what you will get out of it.crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-24884621232561286942013-06-20T19:29:00.000-07:002013-06-20T19:29:02.159-07:00JUNK and punks. <div style="text-align: center;">
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Oh wow.. It's real weird on here. That senior picture HAS TO GO ---> </div>
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Oh hey! Remember me? I'm that weirdo ballerina who calls herself the craft-erina.. Get it? Craftster + Ballerina = crafterina. Har. Har. Har... Well by now that "craft" part has evolved in to a slew of different crafts. In the beginning it was a very literal statement.. Like legit craft time.. Whip out your Elmer's glue and your sequins and lets make some shit! Now, it ranges from sewing elaborate leotards and swimsuits for my very own ETSY shop to baking to knitting to writing to whatever the next obsession is in my current state of mind.</div>
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So my last post was in the very end of October, huh? I haven't even read through it but I am sure it is gushing about some city called "New York"?? Yeah.. I have to say it is pretty wonderful city and luckily I will be making an adventure back soon. But that's now why I'm here today.</div>
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I don't want to bore you (or myself) with the in's and out's of my life since October, but lets just say it's been like a wild monster roller coaster through the gates of hell and the stained glass windows of heaven. (Dramatic? Never.) I made it through "The Nutcracker" with only a few bumps and bruises and powered though "La Bayadere" like a champ. I even made it through half the mixed rep thennnn <span style="font-size: x-large;">BOOM</span> tore a hammie. (By hammie I mean "Hamstring" for all you normal folk reading this crap). I was off for the second weekend of shows and recovered through the layoff to come back only at 80% for the staging of the final two reps. I worked and worked through the past couple months and felt like I was holding on for dear life. I did not want to be off again. It is the absolute worst thing. I had dealt with it for the entirety of the year prior and then the stint a couple months before.. The second to last mixed rep came along with vigor and I got through the first weekend of shows. In the tornado of it all my world was blowing up around me. I came in on Tuesday and worked through Peter Pan rehearsals and woke up Wednesday and knew my hammie was injured again. So my worst nightmare came true yet again and just like that I am off for the rest of the season.</div>
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This lovely little fairy tale brings me to the reason for this blog post! When I get injured, I need other creative outlets to fill my time. Luckily, I have my sewing to go absolutely ape-wild with and every once in a while (I SAID ONCE IN A WHILE OR ELSE I'LL GET FAT FAT FAT FROM ALL THE DOUGH CONSUMED IN THE PROCESS) I will put my baking skills to test.. So after the royal day from hell at the hospital getting all sorts of tests done today (magnets, white coffins, lasers, x-rays, scans, tears don't forget the tears......) and feeling like I was about to explode from stress and anxiety, I knew I needed some "Suzie homemaker" rehab therapy time in my life and decided to make straight up junk food comfort cookies. I'm talking "tomorrow someone is going to have a heart attack while performing in Peter Pan" from the amount of butter, sugar... whatever. Never mind. Just eat the damn cookie.</div>
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First up: Buttered Popcorn Chocolate Chunk Cookies</div>
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This cookie makes you thirstier than all get out. Like crawling around in the desert of New Mexico seeing mirages and shit.. All that buttery popcorn melting into your brown sugary cookie batter with a couple choco chunks dribbling all around... Boom. Thirst. Just be prepared with icy milk and you'll be fine.</div>
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Caught this recipe on the good ole' Pintrest. That fancy gal "Joy The Baker" altered it from the "Smitten Kitchen" cookbook. She was the smart cookie who added the chocolate.. High five, Joy. High five. </div>
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Be prepared to drool...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOLUdUyLd3e9YBWpRHtEvEk9rgM7jwKR8U8PSkH5YzoTzIJ9dtIsDRjuxZCcgLvZFs-jKbnN7QbiqmsMyR4EoxroLc9dYIVbS1xXjkwbMO1n8lDz4zKOOQvQ7oIQsmFy0SrCqxfWVrGGp/s1600/IMG_5835.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOLUdUyLd3e9YBWpRHtEvEk9rgM7jwKR8U8PSkH5YzoTzIJ9dtIsDRjuxZCcgLvZFs-jKbnN7QbiqmsMyR4EoxroLc9dYIVbS1xXjkwbMO1n8lDz4zKOOQvQ7oIQsmFy0SrCqxfWVrGGp/s400/IMG_5835.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><strong>Deb’s (</strong><--who deb="" s="" strong="">) Buttered Popcorn Chocolate Chip Cookies</--who></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">makes 24 cookies</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">adapted slightly from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030759565X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=030759565X&linkCode=as2&tag=joythebak00-20" target="_blank">The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 tablespoon vegetable oil</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/4 cup yellow corn kernels</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/3 cup granulated sugar</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 large egg</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/2 teaspoon baking soda</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1/2 cup coarsely chopped dark chocolate</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">coarse sea salt for sprinkling</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Let’s make the popcorn first. Place oil in the bottom of a medium
saucepan. Heat over medium heat. When oil is hot, add corn kernels in a
single layer across the bottom of the pan. Cover the pot but keep the
lid ajar to let a bit of steam out. Listen to the popcorn as it pops.
Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the burner once the popping
has subsided. Sprinkle with salt and drizzle with butter. Toss to coat
all of the popcorn in a bit of butter. Piece through the popcorn to
remove any unpopped kernels. Set aside to cool. You’ll have about 4
cups of popcorn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Next we’ll make the dough. Place a rack in the center and upper
third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking
sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream
together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cream until butter
is pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla extract
for one more minute. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and beat on
low until just combined. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and use a
spatula to fold in the popcorn. It might seem like a disproportionate
amount of popcorn considering the cookie batter. Keep folding. The
popcorn will break down a bit as it’s folded in. Fold in dark
chocolate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Scoop dough by the heaping tablespoonful onto the prepared baking
sheet. Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with coarse sea salt. Bake for
10 to 13 minutes or until the edges and tops are golden brown. Remove
from the oven, allow to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then
transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWjDzD1oQEoIQlkt_umEEiACaQFIpQBGLkDPaE0a28VzLJSC9yY50hdqRR-Di-4gb1gR-AlTbv49utF_y4TKItoxblc-aInwiIZ96XsWa3dgx4pHoWJ0j6rVW7N8h4PPorxV7B44zzOUx/s1600/IMG_5832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWjDzD1oQEoIQlkt_umEEiACaQFIpQBGLkDPaE0a28VzLJSC9yY50hdqRR-Di-4gb1gR-AlTbv49utF_y4TKItoxblc-aInwiIZ96XsWa3dgx4pHoWJ0j6rVW7N8h4PPorxV7B44zzOUx/s400/IMG_5832.jpg" width="266" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhesTHuIBrU3O0cvNOdD80RMD1TVlGFaKas-Cs8Y8SoaV7fBmLxEnX99am_TbkgiEodyqMBKYvrRwsVO4lpThyq9kn37YDAK8CPgQ-OUYnz7DBRl6RHIeowuReTvTrZHXeauLiXU3cIo7/s1600/IMG_5842.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhesTHuIBrU3O0cvNOdD80RMD1TVlGFaKas-Cs8Y8SoaV7fBmLxEnX99am_TbkgiEodyqMBKYvrRwsVO4lpThyq9kn37YDAK8CPgQ-OUYnz7DBRl6RHIeowuReTvTrZHXeauLiXU3cIo7/s400/IMG_5842.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now just because the double buttered popcorn cookie with brown sugar, chocolate and extra salt didn't calm my anxiety and stress from earlier enough to allow me to move on with my life.. I had to create a JUNKYARD cookie derived from the oh so famous "Jordan's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies" (FOUND FOR SALE ON MY ETSY SHOP, hint, hint..... WINK. Smooch.. Love ya, mean it). So I whipped up the secret batter and threw in some junk food favorites: Potato chips, chocolate chips, and salty ass pretzels. The top secret amped up batter might have won a gold metal in the cookie dough Olympics, if it were a thing. Which why isn't it??? And instead of giving you the recipe (because I'd have to kill you or keep you as a slave in my non existent dungeon).. I am going to torture you with pictures that you will have a hard time controlling the drool that is now dripping on to your beloved social media devise that is controlling your life. (---> Insert evil laugh here <--- p=""><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2hYn0Qf6WyHtfmAZXZ7V9ibSQjvX18V4g_tsAE2iO0a7jpDeAKI_nSXTqBnmZAM9-_d6SU0yOouF2tk6xMgE0198MkxEKitJ15qE4q3NiC6jEn_eAbVL4jki0gz6CZfY6TjjcFuOOFJb/s1600/IMG_5841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2hYn0Qf6WyHtfmAZXZ7V9ibSQjvX18V4g_tsAE2iO0a7jpDeAKI_nSXTqBnmZAM9-_d6SU0yOouF2tk6xMgE0198MkxEKitJ15qE4q3NiC6jEn_eAbVL4jki0gz6CZfY6TjjcFuOOFJb/s400/IMG_5841.jpg" width="265" /> </a></div>
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Hey! Nice writing to you again... (Yes, all thirty of you little stalkers..) Talk to you again in, oh...... 8 months???? ;)</div>
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ALL MY LOVE,</div>
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Jordan</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Read the fine print:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY ME, Jordan Reed. If you steal them, you are a punk. And you have to live with your sorry little punk butt. Which everyone knows is way worse than me writing my name all over my photos so people like YOU don't steal them and call them their own.. PUNK.</span></div>
</---></div>
crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-10681770850425776312012-10-30T04:16:00.001-07:002012-10-30T04:17:33.356-07:00A city that steals my heart: New York City<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju6eMWeuq3TRAkAPeaAhH-D9CDcL4YVUnquCCKyBahq2r_RvteU57ezmyjijYUHThgsVE54G_ZtgSeCbff1gFTPk1eCRiR1bBnUeeEd1ido5qMQ9InUnvCR_tnFMSM1RyzLhAspwTDEmd/s1600/550112_4357624335436_1446905635_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju6eMWeuq3TRAkAPeaAhH-D9CDcL4YVUnquCCKyBahq2r_RvteU57ezmyjijYUHThgsVE54G_ZtgSeCbff1gFTPk1eCRiR1bBnUeeEd1ido5qMQ9InUnvCR_tnFMSM1RyzLhAspwTDEmd/s320/550112_4357624335436_1446905635_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye Bye, New York. I love you.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful fall day in Central Park <3 class="goog-spellcheck-word" data-blogger-escaped-="data-blogger-escaped-" span="span" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;">br</3></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7cYTcGikobsZmWR1IQypPnZ0s4fDQgM7GCrsEaTHdkOsuUhsQyfOQS0tLDsizq1SD9xtS8RQnAXk3sgIWyJ3IIrrkcvFk0s1KcnKJaHruTYW4ji3anr1zBs0yK7OKCIQHAKB9EPBk6Zk/s1600/autumn+in+nyc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7cYTcGikobsZmWR1IQypPnZ0s4fDQgM7GCrsEaTHdkOsuUhsQyfOQS0tLDsizq1SD9xtS8RQnAXk3sgIWyJ3IIrrkcvFk0s1KcnKJaHruTYW4ji3anr1zBs0yK7OKCIQHAKB9EPBk6Zk/s320/autumn+in+nyc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love equals fall in New York</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a>My
heart aches for a city that I have all the love in the world for. I
left 24 hours before this terrible storm, leaving behind a city that
takes a chunk of my heart every time I visit. I hope there is less
damage than expected and New York will be back on it's feet soon. I have
faith. It might be the most resilient city in the world. I love you,
New York.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My
blog posts are few and far between, but the time has not been wasted.
Fall is among us, well some of us. I feel very lucky to have spent the
past two weeks in an area of the world where autumn was reaching it's
peak. There are so many things I love about fall, the fashion, the food,
the colors, the weather, the approaching holidays.. all heart warming
things. The tones to wear are what I live for. They all verge on the
edge of potentially being the grossest most pukey colors but for some
unknown reason those colors are what look the best on me... (hmmm. maybe
that's not such a great thing?!) Give me a baby poop green, a mustard
pukey yellow, a burnt sienna any day all day and I will wear it until
it's dead. The fall season of foods is a major obsession too. Throw me
anything pumpkin and a spice and I will eat it until I glow orange. The
perfect weather comes in fall. A kind of heavy cool that makes you
tickle inside with the thought of pulling out your favorite cuddly
sweater. One of my favorite feelings is holding out to use the heat
because it's just that tiny bit off, and in turn you have to pull out
your blanket and walk around the house with it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New
York in the fall is like nothing else. I think I have made an effort to
go there on my fall layoff 5 out of the 7 seasons I have been with the
Houston Ballet. It sets me off on the right foot for the Nutcracker
season ahead. The cool crisp air reminds me of what is about to come..
If I were to stay in Houston and sweat in the 90 degree weather until
the opening of Nutcracker, I would be a total debby downer.. "THIS ISN'T
WINTER, THIS ISN'T EVEN FALL WEATHER.. WHY ARE THERE FLOWERS BLOOMING?!
SHOULDN'T THERE BE A FROST!? WHY AM I SWEATING? BAH HUMBUG."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This
trip in particular was something uniquely magical. My week felt like a
month from the number of activities and the amount of inspiration I
received. The week was laid out perfectly for everything I needed to
accomplish. Every morning started off with a Double Barre that Richard
Marsden created for himself when he was a dancer with New York City
Ballet. He made it to build strength, maintain technique and for injury
prevention. Each element is exactly what I need at this time in my
recovery. I can take everything I have learned from him into my everyday
life as a ballet dancer and keep me on my path back to a full and
healthy recovery. The class is an hour and is exactly what it states, a
double barre. You go through a very very simple basic barre set to music
by Freddy Tumakaka. Richard explained the importance of timing with
music during barre. Timing is everything. It allows the body to get a
rhythm and build proper muscle memory. It is absolutely true. The
teachers who are the most prolific in the ballet world pay attention to
timing. They are VERY particular with the pianists in class and it makes
all the difference in the world. After the first half of the class and
you have finished your first barre, he gives you a few minutes to
stretch before you begin right back at the beginning with plies through
grand battements once again. The second barre is more difficult and is
done at a faster pace. The first class I took I thought I was going to
die. It worked me to the max but in the HEALTHIEST way. Nothing hurts,
your body is warmed up in the proper way. I can't rave about it enough. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since
that was only a barre, I needed to have another class on my agenda for
the week. I was sent to Lisa Lockwood's class at Steps because of her
complete attention to placement. This could not be a better thing for
me. Because of my late start to ballet, I had come to the awareness that
I was mimicking and faking a lot of what ballet technique actually is.
And in the end is a guaranteed reason why I developed a chronic ankle
injury. I feel so lucky to have had people in New York who had such a
great awareness and care for me at a time that I needed it more than
anything. The amount of willingness to help me in every way possible
couldn't have been more apparent. They really wanted give me as much
information as they could to assure I was going to be on a proper path
of recovery. I have not felt this anywhere else and it feels amazing.
That is what life should be. People giving other people any and all the
helpful information they have. Why hold knowledge that is going to
benefit someone? Wouldn't you want that for yourself? I know I do. With
the proper warm up I was able to complete the entire class start to
finish for the first time in nearly 8 months. I was still in flat shoes,
but the fact that I got to move through space in a grande allegro was
the most rewarding feelings I have had in a long time. There is finally a
consistent progress that keeps me going through this insanely difficult
recovery. I have hope again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another
very supportive person in my life was in New York at the same time as
me. He is constantly inspiring me to be a better happier human with his
passion for music. I feel he has the same burning passion towards music
as I do ballet. He invited me to go to a few shows that happened to line
up perfectly with my schedule this week. The first was a CD release
party for a group named Barnaby Bright. Their music was just beautifully
inspired and written. They were accompanied onstage by some renowned
musicians such as Ward Williams and Martin Rivas who really made the
show special. It was held at Joe's Pub on Lafayette, a lovely space that
feels very intimate. We got to meet the musicians after the show and
they were so lovely and sweet. The following night was the second
concert. It was held at the glorious Beacon Theater down the street from
where I was staying on the Upper West Side. That theater is pretty mind
blowing. The decor is super extravagant and not really what you would
expect in an old theater. It was particularly special because it was
Regina Spektor's hometown. She kept saying "HOME!". Pretty neat. You
could really feel the love... She is absolutely amazing live. I sat next
to an American Idol contestant, Jeffrey, whom Micheal sold the ticket
to out front ;). Super fun corky dude.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The
third show I got to see was without a doubt one of the most amazing
performances I have ever seen. It was Pina Bausch's company at the BAM
in Brooklyn. The tickets had been sold out for about a month but during
my gyrotonics session earlier that morning Hilary asked me if I would
like to be her date! I about passed out. Go to see the Pina Bausch
company with my idol???! Yes please. Pina Bausch was a genius in her
lifetime and I am confident that her legacy will live on forever. Her
ability to create a two hour and forty minute ballet with only one short
intermission and not lose my attention once is mind blowing. She had
this ability to make the most diverse evening of movement that flowed in
the most liquid way. It took you through all emotions. Bouts of
hysterical laughter, moments of uncomfortable tension, lighthearted
silliness, and mind blowing solo's from every person in the company. She
has impeccable taste in design, costumes and music. The women wear the
most feminine beautiful flowy dresses ranging from silk to velvet, each
one complimenting the dancers own personality, style and complexion. The
men were often dressed in slacks and suits which worked brilliantly.
The music itself could have been an evening to enjoy. One fascinating
element was the stage design. They were able to create a floor that
throughout the ballet cracked like the earth on a fault line. The first
time it happened was during a solo of Thai woman in a stunning white
dress. I was so mesmerized by her movement that I didn't even notice the
"Earth" had shifted into a cracked stage until nearly the end of it.
The women all dance with their hair down which gives another very human
and feminine quality that is quite effective. It is as if their hair
acts as a visual that makes you see the circles of movement that she has
created with her choreography. The company also has a perfect balance
of diversity. There is an older dancer who I just felt so much love for.
He did a gorgeous solo that brought tears to my eyes, there is
something so warming about his complete loyalty to Pina and her company
to remain dancing for that long. After seeing this performance and also
the film "Pina" (which if you haven't seen yet, RUN DON'T WALK TO SEE IT
NOW) you can see the devotion her dancers have to her and her legacy.
So special. So beautiful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The
whole week was made even better by the place I stayed. I lucked out
with the offer to stay with a Pilates instructor and her husband on the
Upper West Side. It was the perfect setup, a private room with bathroom
and the option of using her beautiful renovated kitchen. I even got some
animal time with her three hilarious cats and 4 turtles. Another
location with views of the Hudson. It also allowed me to hop straight on the metro and travel anywhere at ease. I'll miss it. Sighhhhh.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-64632898156020085482012-09-11T05:31:00.000-07:002012-09-11T05:31:39.709-07:00BAHN MI'S AND PEACH PIE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bahn Mi’s have taken over my life.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLs7kOP1MySpjaMjA92-mTioFuJvzG0dUf6dblD_DUIE5AVbzn9F46YeiIyvoz2XxXGV3gU6PMITT2HR7Jd3rGjwjBnd1noVRM77_qlut70xtiKiCx1varN8EmWjuIdnx1uh3dYFDnJm2/s1600/IMG_1987.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLs7kOP1MySpjaMjA92-mTioFuJvzG0dUf6dblD_DUIE5AVbzn9F46YeiIyvoz2XxXGV3gU6PMITT2HR7Jd3rGjwjBnd1noVRM77_qlut70xtiKiCx1varN8EmWjuIdnx1uh3dYFDnJm2/s320/IMG_1987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DROOL.</td></tr>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is the food that consistently takes over my mind, BAHN
MI. There is a very dangerous addictive quality to these mysterious
little Vietnamese sandwiches. I'm constantly peer pressuring my friends
to have the same addiction as me, so I can have Bahn Mi buddies. The result is somewhat selfish. I mean you can't blame me!? I don't want to be the Bahn Mi loner girl in all the local Vietnamese joints.. While in New York I tried my fair share of Bahn Mi’s. The most popular Bahn
Mi shop was not nearly as tasty as the one I stumbled upon one day
while wondering aimlessly around Chinatown... (Which happens everytime
I'm in Chinatown... Aimless wonder..) I don’t even have an idea about
what the name of this little tiny shop was called, but they also had
some BOSS bubble tea.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Components to a BOMB DOT COM Bahn Mi:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Fresh French Bread<br />
Homemade Mayo (SO GROOVY GOOD)<br />
Sriracha<br />
Pickled Daikon and Carrots with Jalapeno<br />
cucumber <br />
cilantro<br />
Whatever Vietnamese Meat you shall please: shredded pork, pate, tofu,
Vietnamese meatball, shredded chicken.. (We did an nontraditional ELK
meatball with Vietnamese flavors)<br />
<br />
After my brother and Kristi's fairytale wedding in Idaho, we all
traveled to their new home town of Livingston Montana. I was staying
there with them for a few days before my flight out of
Bozeman to FINALLY head back to Houston to get back DANCING. (*INSERT
HAPPY DANCE HERE.) I couldn’t ask for a more lovely sister and companion
for my brother. I
feel so lucky to have the two of them in my life. They are good people,
with great souls. They inspire me everyday. So after an exhausting
weekend, Greg and I decided to spend our day in the kitchen. It was the
perfect day to be adventurous and make all the grand Bahn
Mi components from scratch. Early in the day I headed into the small
little town of 6,000 and found the local gym. It was built in an old
firehouse. Luckily there was a studio at the top of the firehouse that I
was able to use for my self barre class. Afterwards I walked over to
the adorable "Gilly Goods" for a delicious cappicino. (Believe it or not
they have a pretty decent roaster and espresso machine to make some
tasty coffee...) The end of the day resulted in a dinner invitation to
their landlords house for the most epic dinner I’ve had in a long while.
Local rack of lamb done perfectly on the grill, mouthwatering mashed
taters, garden fresh kale salad with garden tomatoes, pickled beets, and
grilled eggplant (and a little red wine....)! Once we received the
invite we decided to make our Bahn
Mi ingredients anyway and we would just enjoy them for lunch the
following day. Also with the invite, I felt the need to test out my
pastry skills with a fresh peach pie...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My macarons and
cookies on the dessert table (Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Macarons with
Lemon Buttercream and Espresso chocolate ganache and PB&J Macarons
with Huckleberry Jam..)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grooms CARROT CAKE<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1jNYk_Fda6WHk3aM2tzaMfs_kggXWqKLjUeoZ23hfITiGihPxIcgpZfQhBoQ1e9AGImfPeyGfYUUVNhiF6dcT8gje7RlpX2VNiRh4DnjP8tDYo2ipHG7DELDISL42_gnKxw7hhgo2nLC/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1jNYk_Fda6WHk3aM2tzaMfs_kggXWqKLjUeoZ23hfITiGihPxIcgpZfQhBoQ1e9AGImfPeyGfYUUVNhiF6dcT8gje7RlpX2VNiRh4DnjP8tDYo2ipHG7DELDISL42_gnKxw7hhgo2nLC/s320/IMG_1891.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Favors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLuD_zIZ2guEsOAQOjz1XK5RQd6gi6o12Fxy_ZJj4V-31lhA4AjPnG4Be_rlYTd0Dvxm2esHpjyERkjfGJ4LiTq0qEEQnv-XiMOOjLQQhYWXW4zdMg-5CV1joCP0HuKrN0EQu_C34nRVX/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLuD_zIZ2guEsOAQOjz1XK5RQd6gi6o12Fxy_ZJj4V-31lhA4AjPnG4Be_rlYTd0Dvxm2esHpjyERkjfGJ4LiTq0qEEQnv-XiMOOjLQQhYWXW4zdMg-5CV1joCP0HuKrN0EQu_C34nRVX/s320/IMG_1947.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDqHiZ0I3fgrf1KgedakSl3IpOE97IjZyuCyzGCHnOnP_wFXihWTj_ThSI0p4XTZxCG9qiOykwBPeIxUyNzA4z8AvLtPhHVg609CqIJSpviftqjOMU64lR5c29qsaVjCdmAQDRKU8hnGc/s1600/IMG_1973.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDqHiZ0I3fgrf1KgedakSl3IpOE97IjZyuCyzGCHnOnP_wFXihWTj_ThSI0p4XTZxCG9qiOykwBPeIxUyNzA4z8AvLtPhHVg609CqIJSpviftqjOMU64lR5c29qsaVjCdmAQDRKU8hnGc/s320/IMG_1973.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Dance<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe50DT7i9VNP-29r5C8xgR_0YHGzIbWTweD7zRF1-IcSycgwEQ8wWC5rBzwnwI3HYLnEmdThac-UDYohelXyRTjIrP67iFFhDMpHcPTMacdVi7GF02ScD7MYpSXogERWpJr4CtY9vB0Ip/s1600/IMG_1976.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe50DT7i9VNP-29r5C8xgR_0YHGzIbWTweD7zRF1-IcSycgwEQ8wWC5rBzwnwI3HYLnEmdThac-UDYohelXyRTjIrP67iFFhDMpHcPTMacdVi7GF02ScD7MYpSXogERWpJr4CtY9vB0Ip/s320/IMG_1976.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXe2hO4wOPNdMhRHneKZg_NjhFIL-nYn69tyPfypbV9NClN7N11kqZKnrHhuXjqR7UjQlunoku9XvJyJCErR7pGh6em7AK12Yi_IbtMteTwlZoiuSu4BFhOBOQuq-M6tZVVZklVsZYyPS/s1600/IMG_1918.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXe2hO4wOPNdMhRHneKZg_NjhFIL-nYn69tyPfypbV9NClN7N11kqZKnrHhuXjqR7UjQlunoku9XvJyJCErR7pGh6em7AK12Yi_IbtMteTwlZoiuSu4BFhOBOQuq-M6tZVVZklVsZYyPS/s320/IMG_1918.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SISTER (in law)<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
Now back to the Bahn Mi. Starting with the very important baguette...<br />
The whole baguette thing is super interesting to me, especially in
Vietnamese cuisine. Like why the hell would they have a sandwich with
mayo built on a french baguette. Well, the french baguette was
introduced to Vietnam by the French during the colonial period and it
made love with their local ingredients to make the best drool fest
sandwich. I guess that solves the mayo question too. <br />
I read up on the process of making a proper baguette on this site:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2007/05/vietnamese_bagu.html" target="_blank">Bahn Mi</a><a href="http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2007/05/vietnamese_bagu.html" target="_blank"> Baguette</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
This was SOO helpful and informative. Check it out and make your own baguettes for life! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNn6B7lpTDegH889TpkoYySsHgwtAz3Y3odD8ADsNhn97QwNLyUeCnvSEaDF-O4teYRleERfnk3sGoe4q9DRfr55TBz-QQdcTkZRv78fPuzRyvPAF0uzoNFAEIL5n8xbyNN_NsQ-TawmY/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNn6B7lpTDegH889TpkoYySsHgwtAz3Y3odD8ADsNhn97QwNLyUeCnvSEaDF-O4teYRleERfnk3sGoe4q9DRfr55TBz-QQdcTkZRv78fPuzRyvPAF0uzoNFAEIL5n8xbyNN_NsQ-TawmY/s320/IMG_1974.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first baguettes EVER.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
Next up were the meatballs. We ended up doing our own thing with a mix
and match of different flavor ideas we found on the Internet. Greg had
some local elk meat that we used. In the traditional Vietnamese meatball
pork is used. We through in a combination of soy sauce, sriracha,
chopped basil, green onion, garlic, an egg for binding and a little
sprinkle of corn starch. I never thought to use corn starch in a
meatball, we have always used bread crumbs, but the corn starch makes a
lot of sense. The flavor and texture of the meat isn’t altered with
cornstarch but works as a binder in conjunction with the egg.<br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><a href="http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2009/01/vietnamese-meatball-xiu-mai-sandwich-.html" target="_blank">"VIETNAMEATBALL" <br />
</a></strong></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Meatballs:</strong><br />
1 pound ground elk (use pork if you can't find elk ;) )<br />
1 large egg <br />
3 cloves garlic, minced <br />
½ cup minced green onion <br />
½ cup minced jicama </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">chopped fresh basil<br />
½ tablespoon cornstarch <br />
½ tablespoon Wondra flour<br />
½ tablespoon fish sauce <br />
½ tablespoon soy sauce <br />
½ tablespoon sugar <br />
½ teaspoon salt <br />
1/4 teaspoon whole black pepper </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">sriracha sauce (to taste)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1.Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix well
with your hands. Use your hands to form meat balls, putting each in a
glass or metal bowl, put it in a steamer and steam over boiling water
until cooked, about 40 minutes. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Heat 1 tbls sesame oil in a skillet. Brown meatballs in pan before assembling sandwiches. <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3. To make a sandwich, slice the meatballs in half and put inside the
French bread. Spoon the tomato sauce atop the meatballs. Finish with
some pickled daikon and carrot and a few sprigs of cilantro. </span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
As for the pickled vegetables, it couldn’t be more simple. Slice or shred some carrots and daikon
and then do a quick pickle in rice vinegar and sugar. We threw in a
jalapeno from the garden as well for heat. They turned out lovely!<br />
<br />
OHHHH
and last but definitely not least.. THE MAYO. Now I am the ultimate
mayo hater. Have been since a child. That jiggly, nasty, cellulite
looking blob of white death?!<br />
YEAH. NASTY.<br />
Homemade Mayo? Nothing like white death. Quite the opposite! Delicious,
tangy, SANDWICH MOIST MAKER. It’s the bomb dot com and will have you
hooked for life. It isn’t the lowest calorie treat, but it’s far better
than that crap you buy at the food store. YUCK. You can whip up this
homemade version in like 5 mins. It’s SOOOO worth it. Dip it in everything, (like the Germans)!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GPqsL87WV77568UWzwQ2rhqEssT2iyl8_GzI2d2iRcrQ63n7owHTXNsRH212XTgv_dyCzN_WOKrtJC1VT7ji9UwsmJTkNZwiHWEAabJkhL3sISzRvZhUmZvLmLaaSMB5GB3Ih0tN1K2i/s1600/IMG_1964.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GPqsL87WV77568UWzwQ2rhqEssT2iyl8_GzI2d2iRcrQ63n7owHTXNsRH212XTgv_dyCzN_WOKrtJC1VT7ji9UwsmJTkNZwiHWEAabJkhL3sISzRvZhUmZvLmLaaSMB5GB3Ih0tN1K2i/s320/IMG_1964.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 min Mayo!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzeAg2OegIO5X-tL-UoJz16_yjFhA88aUL-mLX0NxkJ-A24bek8uyBUDBGjFddionoPyKpiziJJbTm-tP3Vi6D90DezDJLnLUW0pQU3hBNh757rrOnE-Epof5sEaGK4p_29jQXLlOPo0L/s1600/IMG_1965.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzeAg2OegIO5X-tL-UoJz16_yjFhA88aUL-mLX0NxkJ-A24bek8uyBUDBGjFddionoPyKpiziJJbTm-tP3Vi6D90DezDJLnLUW0pQU3hBNh757rrOnE-Epof5sEaGK4p_29jQXLlOPo0L/s320/IMG_1965.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yard eggs gave the mayo this gorgeous yellow tint.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Recipes!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2009/03/easy-homemade-mayonnaise.html" target="_blank">MAYO RECIPE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2009/05/daikon-and-carrot-pickle-recipe-do-chua.html" target="_blank">Carrot and Daikon Pickles </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1LrmCPPSxZwbfZM25zKz-ci9WkZFQBK5aDharNDYoLPwwfRF3uJVnPsWkCYcNRgIAzya2qdpYxhXrhvGwj1TurjupyT7gfXymAEoCDrivFq9g4tnhmHLQUnesGgwAEpwQI7ZCMnFVNqd/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1LrmCPPSxZwbfZM25zKz-ci9WkZFQBK5aDharNDYoLPwwfRF3uJVnPsWkCYcNRgIAzya2qdpYxhXrhvGwj1TurjupyT7gfXymAEoCDrivFq9g4tnhmHLQUnesGgwAEpwQI7ZCMnFVNqd/s320/IMG_1983.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bahn Mi fixings<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
As for the peach pie, I might as well throw that one in this post as well...!<br />
I took my sweet ass time and made the most flaky, delicious pastry dough
I’ve ever made. (And got the greatest compliment of all from my
non-sweet loving brother that is was the best pie he has ever had!!!) It
really did turn out magically delicious and it had a lot to do with the
flaky crust and fresh Washington peaches. For the pastry, I like to amp
up my recipes with different flavor profiles so it’s not just a boring
old pie or treat. With this one I decided to throw a little lemon zest,
cinnamon and nutmeg. And to pair the filling, I added a bunch of lemon
juice and cinnamon and nutmeg to it as well. The key to a flaky pastry
dough is patience and proper temperature of the butter and water. If you
allow the butter to get too warm all your ingredients kind of just mush
together and won’t give you that flaky crust. Also ice water is very
important for the same reason. I cut mine up in a bowl, switching
between knives and forks until it crumbled and then added the ice water
in small increments until the dough was right. We did an old traditional
double crust (with the full crust on top and bottom). It was so perfect
with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream at the end of our delicious
garden and farm fresh meal in the quite quaint town of Livingston
Montana.<br />
Bliss.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9trw-HyiMfslZB_0O-zaJdAlgI2V5znXaUHserPKcl6ze7ZJHsehpNkR3YBcbeDQVzKvb99abHI_7F3GgmKweozSR9sm8Ym86WI9To-fUqOgAeg2rXxzIpAOQmVR2ZcC-05V9GLvooZeV/s1600/IMG_1968.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9trw-HyiMfslZB_0O-zaJdAlgI2V5znXaUHserPKcl6ze7ZJHsehpNkR3YBcbeDQVzKvb99abHI_7F3GgmKweozSR9sm8Ym86WI9To-fUqOgAeg2rXxzIpAOQmVR2ZcC-05V9GLvooZeV/s320/IMG_1968.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaches for pie<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Txr3XQnRxTPYeiQEW0woey59pCdMgHeAQWYqXHQPMTQWDGg8Sk27EcbK04xugJGV_F4FXbmExKHCcFvYHoir2hwgt-wJe4ztyw72UC6E6kvR8om3eTuaHlT9EFq2pdYPx4ZgGKCVoyec/s1600/IMG_1971.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Txr3XQnRxTPYeiQEW0woey59pCdMgHeAQWYqXHQPMTQWDGg8Sk27EcbK04xugJGV_F4FXbmExKHCcFvYHoir2hwgt-wJe4ztyw72UC6E6kvR8om3eTuaHlT9EFq2pdYPx4ZgGKCVoyec/s320/IMG_1971.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peach pie fixings<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXd4n_yl5wj1DdsUpapJTRu9QKfzqH891v68J-ghPl05cXoT6gjwdSBNK7p00ZOB9uxVhbrLQ-spni1oKLRv974pi1vJcTBolKh_M65IeCjjbgz52SaxCHuxbWh-CAgO3w-Cr181X130X/s1600/IMG_1973.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXd4n_yl5wj1DdsUpapJTRu9QKfzqH891v68J-ghPl05cXoT6gjwdSBNK7p00ZOB9uxVhbrLQ-spni1oKLRv974pi1vJcTBolKh_M65IeCjjbgz52SaxCHuxbWh-CAgO3w-Cr181X130X/s320/IMG_1973.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach pie<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pastry Dough<br />
</span> </div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/butter-flaky-pie-crust/" target="_blank">Adapted from All Recipes</a><br />
</span></div>
<div class="ingredients" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ingredients</span></h3>
<ul>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
1 1/4 cups all-purpose <a class="itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook" href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/butter-flaky-pie-crust/#" id="itxthook0" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0pt none ! important; color: darkgreen; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px; text-decoration: none ! important;"><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxthookspan" id="itxthook0w0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: darkgreen; font-weight: inherit;">flour</span></a></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
1/4 teaspoon <a class="itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook" href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/butter-flaky-pie-crust/#" id="itxthook1" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0pt none ! important; color: darkgreen; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px; text-decoration: none ! important;"><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxthookspan" id="itxthook1w0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: darkgreen; font-weight: inherit;">salt</span></a></span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
1/2 cup <a class="itxtrst itxtrsta itxthookactive" href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/butter-flaky-pie-crust/#" id="itxthook2" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0pt none ! important; color: darkgreen; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px; text-decoration: none ! important;"><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxthookspan" id="itxthook2w0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: darkgreen; font-weight: inherit;">butter</span></a>, chilled and diced</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
1/4 cup ice water</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 tsp Lemon Zest</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 tsp Cinnamon </span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1/4 tsp nutmeg<br />
</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="directions" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; margin-top: 10px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
Directions</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: center;">
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">
In a large bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest and salt. Cut in
butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water, a
tablespoon at a time, until mixture forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and
refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">
Roll dough out to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Place
crust in pie plate. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and sides of
the pie plate.
</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peach Pie</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/simple-peach-pie-128494" target="_blank">adapted </a>from food.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> * 5 cups fresh peaches, sliced<br />
* 1 cup sugar<br />
* 1/3-1/2 cup all-purpose flour<br />
* 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">* lemon zest</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> * 2 tablespoons butter</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> * 2 tablespoons sugar</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Directions:</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 2.Stir together flour, 1 cup sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon and nutmeg and set aside.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 3.Wash, peel, and slice fresh peaches.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 4.Mix together peaches with the combined dry ingredients.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 5.Turn into pastry-lined pie pan and dot with butter.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 6.Cover with top crust, cut slits in it, seal the edges.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 7.Sprinkle top with 2 tablespoons of sugar.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 8.Cover the edges with foil to prevent over browning; remove foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 9.Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits in the crust.</span><br style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;" />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 10.Pie may be frozen for future use.</span></span><br />
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlTKrVGumCFHCBUPV_eablkX31p1_LdLBSRMDDpd5s3xMRtSJPEsDB67jMSkd0Zn7FcOYVSFRNOAZMb5hWbkuhtx4tU60UL7puFI7tE75KXD52xccOec0Psx3zqbaTnuY_-r-cKdtcpTv/s1600/IMG_1952.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlTKrVGumCFHCBUPV_eablkX31p1_LdLBSRMDDpd5s3xMRtSJPEsDB67jMSkd0Zn7FcOYVSFRNOAZMb5hWbkuhtx4tU60UL7puFI7tE75KXD52xccOec0Psx3zqbaTnuY_-r-cKdtcpTv/s320/IMG_1952.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitched MO-bile<br />
</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed to Livingston after my brother and Kristi's wedding<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmokRvkPSb10v1PVF7r-wTIRtA8_WUlbkGxB7qAAHEB3n2iMYvvoeWqGgUIt72qL-kV_O_YHijvEDW0Di2mDZ2M9Qd5BO_C5ta_MbfKGtaF9JI7Iv6BGtenYA-Ls23Ddv8AM_dPlSgrZi/s1600/IMG_1958.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmokRvkPSb10v1PVF7r-wTIRtA8_WUlbkGxB7qAAHEB3n2iMYvvoeWqGgUIt72qL-kV_O_YHijvEDW0Di2mDZ2M9Qd5BO_C5ta_MbfKGtaF9JI7Iv6BGtenYA-Ls23Ddv8AM_dPlSgrZi/s320/IMG_1958.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clyde</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers in the SUNshine<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XYE0MW0URHnglubmeiktguBKBLgafXBGDij67vDrq-mYC-IPViRJI1YOSxTPK48odATLyfGy0nh1bnrU7sdv1O6NK6T4M4UCGDX6FX1czWUS0J1niPFA7gSRp6VT6EjszlV_s1SnS5PI/s1600/IMG_1957.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XYE0MW0URHnglubmeiktguBKBLgafXBGDij67vDrq-mYC-IPViRJI1YOSxTPK48odATLyfGy0nh1bnrU7sdv1O6NK6T4M4UCGDX6FX1czWUS0J1niPFA7gSRp6VT6EjszlV_s1SnS5PI/s320/IMG_1957.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Heading to the dog park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTAjlFz5Hf2xwMVdcghnsYG1qAYbuedA1qqXwsUHyOG_XBv_AdVoWHsoVkSYXVoYRVWw-IqtBI8N4U7YMz8CpqZFflNjWInMb30h11XKx9vnR1sZhZpk-UV_FREtozjBvwaxXJEbeH_YU/s1600/IMG_1962.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTAjlFz5Hf2xwMVdcghnsYG1qAYbuedA1qqXwsUHyOG_XBv_AdVoWHsoVkSYXVoYRVWw-IqtBI8N4U7YMz8CpqZFflNjWInMb30h11XKx9vnR1sZhZpk-UV_FREtozjBvwaxXJEbeH_YU/s320/IMG_1962.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning piano playing<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0exHrPiRjOZZGMQDrH5hs8jsQ_3MuLL_AOOt8cf-BhC4yRQFQTWnMSqm5HlzjU4Hdc39t11Jm9gqhYGo6T_Itu7tXXz0Kh7lbfQRouFArA5Y73rjiOy_sZs_GGDn1DZeLCZ8TOj-D-3hh/s1600/IMG_1975.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0exHrPiRjOZZGMQDrH5hs8jsQ_3MuLL_AOOt8cf-BhC4yRQFQTWnMSqm5HlzjU4Hdc39t11Jm9gqhYGo6T_Itu7tXXz0Kh7lbfQRouFArA5Y73rjiOy_sZs_GGDn1DZeLCZ8TOj-D-3hh/s320/IMG_1975.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden tomatoes<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rcXhLjH3aDyZFCiph8CwKK7JU9sZAZKVAmWWZUXrSJ8MHrmOXiNhLMIBb02nBnO_j6pvsOlJwXUMjN5kGBYlqLPDdH9fk8AQSAlTGTcMuOqGjSU7FqU8gxa0fqL_6Zzj8MRym2KgE6xn/s1600/IMG_1977.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rcXhLjH3aDyZFCiph8CwKK7JU9sZAZKVAmWWZUXrSJ8MHrmOXiNhLMIBb02nBnO_j6pvsOlJwXUMjN5kGBYlqLPDdH9fk8AQSAlTGTcMuOqGjSU7FqU8gxa0fqL_6Zzj8MRym2KgE6xn/s320/IMG_1977.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Lamb Rack, Mashed Potatoes, Kale Salad and Grilled Eggplant</td></tr>
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<br /><br /><br />crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-71864181844684523942012-08-09T04:42:00.000-07:002012-08-09T04:42:29.483-07:00My Life as of Lately..<br />
<div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">My 24th birthday is creeping up on me like a sly little fox. Now let me remind you, this was a special year. It was my GOLDEN birthday year, 23 on the 23rd. AND just to make me a little more obsessive about this birthday in particular, my favorite number is 23 and my favorite color (at the time) was gold... You can only imagine how I built things up in my mind about how the year would play out.</span></div>
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"This is going to be the best year EVER!" </div>
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It's debatable.. Some of the "best" things have happened to me and some of the "worst" things have happened to me. In the least, it has been an EXTREMELY eventful year. </div>
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Looking back to the beginning of last season, I started off on a high note. I had one of the greatest and most inspiring experiences with Hilary Cartwright setting "Les Patineurs". I was originally supposed to be one of the "Brown couples". They were the corps of the ballet, the backbones per say. But early on in the process, one of the first cast "Red Girls" got injured and I was bumped up to a second cast "Red Girl". I had an absolute blast with this ballet. The two Red Girls are hilarious pretentious little debutant's who couldn't care less about what is going on in the world. They are just happy as buttons even as they slip and fall on their butts on the ice. They just get right up, brush themselves off, and move on with their skating. I also had a great partner who enjoyed the process as much as I did. I know I have spoken of Hilary Cartwright before, but just to reiterate.. she is one of my favorite humans on the planet. She is such a bright light and an intelligent inspiring woman. If I am half the human she is when I grow up, I'll be just fine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa60bo3joQTY2QWp36T6hhcYFPfq0-e986vy7et5So0Q436k1tUGtDXjrcEnCRV9siMKZmv5ppSUcgsWospE0vCVDQklvD0wI8TQWSRbWTyQxsqVVnPfJoYLRrEUjtnwPUD7zVnAy1SEy/s1600/307054_1520183980001_479179430_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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A few months later in October, my injuries began with a series of ankle sprains. Unfortunately, I didn't take the time off in the beginning that I should have and am paying for chronic issues now, 9 months later. Because of my obsessive work ethic, I fought my body to come back too soon. I have been told numerous times throughout my career to slow down, take it easy, listen to your body but it had never REALLY sunk in. To me it was always "The harder I work the better. Must catch up. Must improve." And if I was not working that way then I wasn't working hard enough. I cannot even begin to explain the pain it causes me to be away from ballet. But these months off have been completely necessary for me. I needed (and still need) to pull things back and learn something about myself and my body. If I have learned anything I hope it is to trust what my body is telling me and to treat my body as if it is the most precious tool I have. Which in ballet, IT IS.</div>
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During this time off I have tried to do my best to take advantage of other opportunities that have come my way. If this hadn't happened to me I may have never been able to do some of the things I have done over the past 9 months. These things were very very good for my sanity. If I didn't have other outlets I would have driven myself to the grave 60 years too early... In April, I decided to open an ETSY shop. ETSY is a place where people can buy and sell handmade items as well all sorts of supplies, vintage clothing, patterns and so forth... It was something I was looking to do for a while but needed to wait for the right time. I didn't want to stress myself out and feel like I couldn't keep it up the way I wanted to. My shop idea was to have dancewear that was made more accessible to other dancers around the united states and the world. A place where they could browse designs, make custom orders, and pay all in the same place. I also wanted a place to be able to sell whatever random creation I had going in my brain at that time. Whether it was a headband adorned with vintage accessories or a pair of legwarmers I knitted on an airplane.. My shop opened in April and did very very well in the first month. Now I have expanded into vintage inspired swimwear as well. Which brings me into my next opportunity that came up out of the blue... My swimwear showcase/ runway show.</div>
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In May, I decided to make a roadtrip back home to Idaho to have a bit of R&R with my family. I was not in a good frame of mind. I was having a very hard time dealing with my injury and the way I felt when I was unable to have any sort of real activity. (Nothing, I mean NOTHING does what ballet does for the body...) I was browsing online for different retreats I might be able to stay at along the way. I knew I wanted to be in Denver at some point to visit my childhood friends so was trying to find a route to get there. I stumbled upon a retreat in Santa Fe at a Zen Center called Upaya. It couldn't have been more perfect. It was the following week and labeled as a "Zen Mind, Yoga Body" retreat. Three days in the serene hills of Santa Fe. I packed up my car that week with my serger and bike and I was off. The first day of travel was amazing for me. I drove all the way to Amarillo with the windows down and desert air blowing in the hair until I got to Amarillo in the craziest torrential downpour. I woke up bright and early the next day and headed to Santa Fe. I arrived in Santa Fe with a few extra hours to spare so I pulled out my bike and went for a ride to get a feel for the city and to enjoy it's amazingly unique vibe. The lilacs were in full bloom, dried peppers were hanging from the adobe style houses the temperature was a PERFECT 74 degrees. I was in heaven. I was finishing my ride along the old railway bike path that winds through the city when I saw a sign that said "RAIL TRACKS CATCH BIKE WHEELS". OHHH and you guessed it, I BUSTED it in the gravel in the middle of the busiest intersection in Santa Fe. Had some serious gravel burn and a couple of pebbles in my palm. I got up, brushed myself off and went into Whole Foods to wash up. I took this as a real "SLOW DOWN JORDAN" moment... I didn't bike for the rest of the trip.... I made my way up to Upaya and checked in. The center was tucked in between the rolling hills just outside the city. UNBELIEVABLY beautiful. There was a garden that grew the vegetables we ate each day. The monks rotated cooking our all organic vegetarian meals. Some of the best food I have ever ate came from this retreat. Absolutely phenomenal. The Upaya retreat was an enlightening experience for me. I learned so so much in those three days about my mind and body and I hope I can take those things with me throughout my life. From there I began my 7.5 hour drive to Denver. I decided to take the scenic route that rode right along the most majestic mountain ranges. I was getting my mind blown. Leaving New Mexico and entering Colorado was fantastic. The landscape was soooo beautiful with plateaus standing infront of these ginormous snowcapped mountains who were peaking out from behind. I made it to about 2 hours outside Denver when I was cruising along the most beautiful meadow. I was COMPLETELY distracted as the colors in nature were blowing my mind (as they often do) and totally missed my turn to head west to Denver. Instead I went over the rockies and was heading to Gunnison. I received a phone call from (who as a child was) my second mother asking "WHERE ARE YOU?! Can't wait to see you!" </div>
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"I'm almost to Gunnison!!" I exclaimed.</div>
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"You better not be almost in Gunnison. If you are planning to come to Denver you better turn around RIGHT NOW."</div>
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MOTHER OF GOD!</div>
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I quickly get my car turned around and
going back over the pass (meanwhile praying there are no cops
around...!) Fortunately, I still made good time.. And the mind blowing
scenery was TOTALLY worth the extra 50 miles! I got to my best friends
house and couldn't have felt more at home. Literally nothing had changed
(EXCEPT a bonus pilates reformer in the sunroom?! WHAT?! SCORE!!!) I was supposed to leave the next day... Uhhhh. That didn't happen.. I stayed a week! It was AWESOME. One of the days stands out in my mind the most... Sarah and I decided to drive up to the Rockies and go do a train mine tour in Georgetown. The weather was INSANE and we had a helluva time. The train rode through the mountains and over the river. Just the fresh mountain air was enough for make me the happiest girl alive. Midway through the train ride we got off and got to hunt through a mine. It was a so fun for me to see what my great grandfather spent his life doing! Absolutely fascinating. From there we iced my janky ankle in the icy glacier water and then made our way to Estes Park to bring back some memories of a 6th grade field trip we took way back when... we saw a couple elk chillin like villains on the golf course saw a moose hanging out in some chicks yard.. you know the usual... Then we continues winding through the Rockies in the BRIGHT YELLOW SLUGBUG until we ended up way down in Loveland. After that to make things even better we met up with my childhood crush and he fed us the most delicious Cuban food we had ever eaten. I crave those plantains daily...YUMMMMO. We finished the night in Boulder where we met some more friends for classic margarita's at the Rio. SUCH A GREAT DAY. One of my favorites out of the entire roadtrip. </div>
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A week in Denver and I set off for Idaho. Spent a few weeks there, got my wisdom teeth out (NOT COOL), had another medical procedure (ALSO NOT COOL) and pretty much tried to give myself dry sockets by doing pilates the day after I got my wisdom teeth out... (really Jordan?! Idiot.) I also baked up a storm and sewed some new creations... From there the family took a trip up to Spokane and northern Idaho for Memorial Day and got to stop in Livingston Montana to see my brothers new setup. I tell you what, if you want to see some mind blowing mountains. GO TO MONTANA. FREAKY DEAKY MOUNTAINS. I left my car there so I could make my way back down to Houston from Livingston. I wanted to take a different route back home so after the adventure up north I decided to do the Kansas thing. I LOVED driving through Kansas. I don't care what anyone says. It ruled. I got to watch the biggest storm I've ever seen develop for two hours prior to getting to Wichita. Once I was about 10 miles away from my hotel the hail began. TENNIS BALL SIZED HAIL. I just knew that my car was going to be damaged but I just had to keep driving (meanwhile people were piling up under the overpasses to protect their cars). On the radio they were saying this was the biggest storm they had seen in years. I got to my hotel safely and listened to what was now just a soothing thunderstorm. That evening was when I got a message on ETSY. It was from the organization RAW artist and they were asking me if I was interested in doing a runway showcase of my swimsuits in July! I was so excited and couldn't believe the opportunity that had come up. After getting all the details I told her that I felt that this couldn't have come at a better time and said I would love to be apart of it. So the wheels in my brain started turning and I got to designing what I wanted to show... But I still had one more important pitstop before making it back to Houston and that was one of my best childhood friends (and 1st grade loves) wedding in Dallas! And to make it better, my best friend Sarah was flying in to Dallas to go as well! We had an absolute ball. There was major dancing involved and also some very unique and creative ways of getting cider caps off without a bottle opener... It involved a hubcap.... nuff said... The next day I was headed home to Houston and was so so so ready to be back in my apartment and to see my doctor to see what he thought about the progress of my ankle... When I went to my appointment I knew that the ankle wasn't healing on it's own and had come to terms with the fact that there was a chance that the next step my be surgery. But there was something in me that told be I shouldn't go that route yet. Not until I had done everything in my power to get this healed on it's own or through other non surgical ways. He suggested a second opinion and after an extensive search I finally made the decision to go to New York and see the best in the business, Dr. Hamilton. I flew out to New York for the first appointment in June. Got a diagnosis of chronic FHL tendonitis and a chronic high ankle sprain. He recommended I find somewhere to live in New York while I have a sonogram guided injection of the FHL and the sight of the ankle sprain and then if that reacts well, move on to therapy with Westside Dance Therapy. As I waited for approval for these things, I found a place to stay and planned my move to New York all while getting together my runway show that was coming up in July... The showcase approached rapidly and ultimately went really well. It was highly stressful but was a blast. I'm so thankful for my beautiful ballerina models too! After the showcase I had 4 days to pack up my life and move to New York. And I did. And now I'm here! As most of you already know, I had my injections two weeks ago and my ankle is reacting extremely well. I am now doing my own forms of therapy while my actual therapy goes through the dreaded pre-authorization process with workers comp. (Comparable to death... Just saying..) <br />
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But for now I am in New York surrounded by a wealth of inspiration and information that I am trying to use to the best of my ability. I am so lucky to be getting treatment from some of the best doctors and instructors in the business. If I don't absorb everything that is around me during this time it would be an absolute sin. I feel like I am doing a pretty good job of it and am going try my best to stay on this positive track. The good news is, I have people who are supporting my until the death and I am grateful for every single on of them.</div>
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Keep the well wishes and positive thoughts flowing this direction. They keep me going :)</div>
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Love you all.</div>
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Jordan</div>
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Here are some visuals of that very un-detailed bashout of the past year.... HA!</div>
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On the road to Amarillo..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ45G7QBKcnH-LKZX8PA3iWLl7b-ecen1bcDFvV-8yIq3C8CHAWb6iwDsRjPDxmwpKQJRfV4rQCF3at4zM9VwNTIzG3ectZSAiH7PQIc-hilz8H6Bv2pPrOb4XV-qowZgXyIchmj0M9s_U/s1600/305663_3482872347183_1428467784_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ45G7QBKcnH-LKZX8PA3iWLl7b-ecen1bcDFvV-8yIq3C8CHAWb6iwDsRjPDxmwpKQJRfV4rQCF3at4zM9VwNTIzG3ectZSAiH7PQIc-hilz8H6Bv2pPrOb4XV-qowZgXyIchmj0M9s_U/s400/305663_3482872347183_1428467784_n.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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To Santa Fe </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiethFAf3BiBhP4dfNLXZ1VrlOgHL6W9zeCCFdL8Em8TyI30kHUre6Eaw445F_dnoqTBWswIcYSZ4PeoqXTU-vf4-T8MoHBchu6AK55nNNCdwPuXDS9dbrfwo8RwfWvHe7JtmDhUFSeJBAl/s1600/464581_3508099937857_1132560020_3945798_812272766_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiethFAf3BiBhP4dfNLXZ1VrlOgHL6W9zeCCFdL8Em8TyI30kHUre6Eaw445F_dnoqTBWswIcYSZ4PeoqXTU-vf4-T8MoHBchu6AK55nNNCdwPuXDS9dbrfwo8RwfWvHe7JtmDhUFSeJBAl/s400/464581_3508099937857_1132560020_3945798_812272766_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lilac's in Santa Fe</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1kjEuyOgY7UmQpJq4OYFkLAYIvWifj0YKuVgavZpp5krMEPwLhIQ0gV8M_zQI2jCXkvbaWhGpa85nK9F1CUG6XHxBPWKwrJHnkZGo4seDNnJXxMbjXQB5IYyezbECd0dXP4FRya39NQj/s1600/464581_3508099977858_1132560020_3945799_232511401_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1kjEuyOgY7UmQpJq4OYFkLAYIvWifj0YKuVgavZpp5krMEPwLhIQ0gV8M_zQI2jCXkvbaWhGpa85nK9F1CUG6XHxBPWKwrJHnkZGo4seDNnJXxMbjXQB5IYyezbECd0dXP4FRya39NQj/s400/464581_3508099977858_1132560020_3945799_232511401_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Lady Guadalupe in Santa Fe</div>
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Peppers drying in Santa Fe</div>
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Beautiful guitar player in the Square in Santa Fe</div>
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Upaya Zen Center</div>
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Upaya </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCeR_VdtBfProoZj39q3GvGXcS_2lBdw8vgwDRDDW3wIDa03JS69qtmmxSRQr0WJ3XtWSwPZS1NEJcGYAugCJWm1IHKoUwTdiUYIEoor1-tCh_ivJB-cU-aA-LRhYCTsuQ9by0Hc6behD/s1600/562440_3496343923964_176442704_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCeR_VdtBfProoZj39q3GvGXcS_2lBdw8vgwDRDDW3wIDa03JS69qtmmxSRQr0WJ3XtWSwPZS1NEJcGYAugCJWm1IHKoUwTdiUYIEoor1-tCh_ivJB-cU-aA-LRhYCTsuQ9by0Hc6behD/s400/562440_3496343923964_176442704_n.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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One of the MANY delicious beautiful meals at Upaya. </div>
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Sarah and I on our adventure in Georgetown</div>
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Getting our minds blown all day long..</div>
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Mine Tour</div>
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Georgetown Train</div>
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Looking at "Green speckled butt trout"</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRZ2UITgGb46m6DSE8HYwnYeNp2n8PJBLQ4TC-Dk_f6e93aUbDMaEfIZ9gclMTp6C_SGghZHZZd5e366_u5xFVXDRJR7jD39AMyD81yMpslqZfoRYj0FnA5x9jiP5m5NQDHI6DzZY0ryt/s1600/150194_3544048476548_1392975885_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRZ2UITgGb46m6DSE8HYwnYeNp2n8PJBLQ4TC-Dk_f6e93aUbDMaEfIZ9gclMTp6C_SGghZHZZd5e366_u5xFVXDRJR7jD39AMyD81yMpslqZfoRYj0FnA5x9jiP5m5NQDHI6DzZY0ryt/s400/150194_3544048476548_1392975885_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Speckled BUTT trout</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk7ApLaxP9MElMbuHCtV-SLiQAngLpb4ATnzRu7a5I7LiKA49HgIwECii13PW1QjZw86zqQDBfaRGrLKO8TW7XQjcNvXe7EUT7l9YeERw8gfsrX_pEvaO0UA7NjIUNCZ0kvn4PRjun5rp/s1600/IMG_4501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk7ApLaxP9MElMbuHCtV-SLiQAngLpb4ATnzRu7a5I7LiKA49HgIwECii13PW1QjZw86zqQDBfaRGrLKO8TW7XQjcNvXe7EUT7l9YeERw8gfsrX_pEvaO0UA7NjIUNCZ0kvn4PRjun5rp/s400/IMG_4501.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatirons with Angie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_d33xuK0NFqlc-GLNYo-iXsWmMCKLwM9ytFtKqB0bRmkVnY04ug9gM3A39xdBwHgXJDZHb-_vsPMaqFZgeA2GDZdEcyFVfmYg9G_s9_IdqSF3zc6IT0lpHJA34gisaocQxD_Cdr2XzEH/s1600/532818_3521622555914_317088498_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_d33xuK0NFqlc-GLNYo-iXsWmMCKLwM9ytFtKqB0bRmkVnY04ug9gM3A39xdBwHgXJDZHb-_vsPMaqFZgeA2GDZdEcyFVfmYg9G_s9_IdqSF3zc6IT0lpHJA34gisaocQxD_Cdr2XzEH/s400/532818_3521622555914_317088498_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ontop of the Flatirons</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQBOXzC_N4xXss9-fHiivNgz0avqvR2WRAcssRhAN-NtsHSqZjEvU7ODkv5D63qoeXo4CR3YrOL_rgSkDG73NjDyjfAreyYuryBI5osdOPXZZttXajBzpHFkWBZeobvZ8tlcql86hEKmb/s1600/473063_3519958394311_1132560020_3949479_969494389_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQBOXzC_N4xXss9-fHiivNgz0avqvR2WRAcssRhAN-NtsHSqZjEvU7ODkv5D63qoeXo4CR3YrOL_rgSkDG73NjDyjfAreyYuryBI5osdOPXZZttXajBzpHFkWBZeobvZ8tlcql86hEKmb/s400/473063_3519958394311_1132560020_3949479_969494389_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YSL exhibit at the Denver Art Museum</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu6qC68PIlTTKuAnUfVOJM8jJdEkCW64_vuYxXlMluwYtkB3LRcPR-Y5cD8_TWOP6MVcXhYUnwJZH0X1YWa2YFb2nkMwZgftfeabYt2FF7ApsOLSELyKoSYK6JmGg-BKu8lRUxpyXa6Wj/s1600/575017_3539775249720_275470667_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu6qC68PIlTTKuAnUfVOJM8jJdEkCW64_vuYxXlMluwYtkB3LRcPR-Y5cD8_TWOP6MVcXhYUnwJZH0X1YWa2YFb2nkMwZgftfeabYt2FF7ApsOLSELyKoSYK6JmGg-BKu8lRUxpyXa6Wj/s320/575017_3539775249720_275470667_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the funniest nights of my life. Mary Kay party...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="225" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/392420_3540273862185_1897754004_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE THEM.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI8sEKZHLumYZaEF1wMyOMhQmMLlbg39aPexmN2_14wQnjSTL1qnMVlSd8UqeB18VOcAic8aIUQbTAgqctgf2EVKnSvCWkNgIXrKW0zKy_g3pVUauBusBwMiF06ZGp5ixMW_gTnpZvlma/s1600/581467_3520052876673_1377330573_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI8sEKZHLumYZaEF1wMyOMhQmMLlbg39aPexmN2_14wQnjSTL1qnMVlSd8UqeB18VOcAic8aIUQbTAgqctgf2EVKnSvCWkNgIXrKW0zKy_g3pVUauBusBwMiF06ZGp5ixMW_gTnpZvlma/s320/581467_3520052876673_1377330573_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilates Reformer in Sarah's house... So happy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6flLySv09bIPCvoY_22ypvJyafgmZgBG5UFopGGO2Y2-L93uxgbq7eW0XmbM-M0W8Hpb5JN6dr9PTtVbJPrCOpSkn8snu7GiooalPa1bS2U1dyvWTplxMdKj_KEw-KTeFwLgNBbKJUWc/s1600/IMG_4695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6flLySv09bIPCvoY_22ypvJyafgmZgBG5UFopGGO2Y2-L93uxgbq7eW0XmbM-M0W8Hpb5JN6dr9PTtVbJPrCOpSkn8snu7GiooalPa1bS2U1dyvWTplxMdKj_KEw-KTeFwLgNBbKJUWc/s400/IMG_4695.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idaho I go</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWLBaN59WIzEqKNjeFWMjsNiGxqhn7QSNRZv2-vezIimlV9yCUMR0WPZm4Ewqkm4CIX2IDai5t9eLA_dTSrmO8yl5S-LQZdRndsFnnfoetLgbTrv47XxDarwMTcLFlOBcZsVqFnFxq6Wb/s1600/IMG_4720.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWLBaN59WIzEqKNjeFWMjsNiGxqhn7QSNRZv2-vezIimlV9yCUMR0WPZm4Ewqkm4CIX2IDai5t9eLA_dTSrmO8yl5S-LQZdRndsFnnfoetLgbTrv47XxDarwMTcLFlOBcZsVqFnFxq6Wb/s320/IMG_4720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing my POOR BABY for the first time after being shaved!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjv5-ZBX41_J269-p3r8T5OWt_7Nqz82z0p3L9YoWi3rc_sYzwMdJ0NNKtJaboAaW78Wvf2yUJ-dqNbBU-jcR2czTdvedo2KJPjnVcKFO4ZN2nhCG6WH3JnO6ETipNCKUvG05tM_FNW19/s1600/148975_3520418965825_1542924675_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjv5-ZBX41_J269-p3r8T5OWt_7Nqz82z0p3L9YoWi3rc_sYzwMdJ0NNKtJaboAaW78Wvf2yUJ-dqNbBU-jcR2czTdvedo2KJPjnVcKFO4ZN2nhCG6WH3JnO6ETipNCKUvG05tM_FNW19/s320/148975_3520418965825_1542924675_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite pictures of all time. People sending me hugs via text message.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding Motorcycles in the hills</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8elLf75yxYTJgeQRreYvnZ6WsmU9NTMHbYVtXVZepSSvDyvP3CSrRFVIrQ-whI8QQOJRUmVuYFQJjtjArb3VvYXDj4SJ3Ub9GYRZbbTGn3rO6846C3MU6Ndvukl9UMnx5fWCAU-EdeJM/s1600/577748_3574259551806_1844918464_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8elLf75yxYTJgeQRreYvnZ6WsmU9NTMHbYVtXVZepSSvDyvP3CSrRFVIrQ-whI8QQOJRUmVuYFQJjtjArb3VvYXDj4SJ3Ub9GYRZbbTGn3rO6846C3MU6Ndvukl9UMnx5fWCAU-EdeJM/s320/577748_3574259551806_1844918464_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridin Partner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhAd4P4bDWfVTuReRy1PBJt1S6bheKU4wcIuKx8cjM4oqf5OUyjQd4-hpUQxiR-gIpIsM2xc21oS2hsRJ5a8aqwdf4a6_icXZ2jUyS6z2yBqMQ18_iQxLLAYHy2-89t9axcgMorQbjIx5/s1600/IMG_4891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhAd4P4bDWfVTuReRy1PBJt1S6bheKU4wcIuKx8cjM4oqf5OUyjQd4-hpUQxiR-gIpIsM2xc21oS2hsRJ5a8aqwdf4a6_icXZ2jUyS6z2yBqMQ18_iQxLLAYHy2-89t9axcgMorQbjIx5/s320/IMG_4891.JPG" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BABY CLOTHES in Idaho<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaO-kfzLE08_Eld6bpv1O5K5nQWBbha6HWrzEYQ1cItjliU5dh2f2fdtYVYR5k1K8oVOzoB2IjkuLAYdgAPCMhWCtmkreHaMWFqoaK6kDrLR7qty4677hv9c2I_NPF97VM-vlYeh9b9PU/s1600/179528_3609639876292_914099563_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaO-kfzLE08_Eld6bpv1O5K5nQWBbha6HWrzEYQ1cItjliU5dh2f2fdtYVYR5k1K8oVOzoB2IjkuLAYdgAPCMhWCtmkreHaMWFqoaK6kDrLR7qty4677hv9c2I_NPF97VM-vlYeh9b9PU/s320/179528_3609639876292_914099563_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisdom Tooth?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHiru4Cn7sUN1KxXhsPOGhwszCblDSQ4itP7qgrAfRPTj4hDHa24Kz1ogSKY-e2yrcO85HPsHKrwAsTzumwAreteW4ADJnl8SjBaoBopkV7BZUzUWb9Eq_v2JDKEdpJXUwCiqH3LmXCbN/s1600/542101_3606370954571_427904950_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHiru4Cn7sUN1KxXhsPOGhwszCblDSQ4itP7qgrAfRPTj4hDHa24Kz1ogSKY-e2yrcO85HPsHKrwAsTzumwAreteW4ADJnl8SjBaoBopkV7BZUzUWb9Eq_v2JDKEdpJXUwCiqH3LmXCbN/s1600/542101_3606370954571_427904950_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHiru4Cn7sUN1KxXhsPOGhwszCblDSQ4itP7qgrAfRPTj4hDHa24Kz1ogSKY-e2yrcO85HPsHKrwAsTzumwAreteW4ADJnl8SjBaoBopkV7BZUzUWb9Eq_v2JDKEdpJXUwCiqH3LmXCbN/s320/542101_3606370954571_427904950_n.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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PAIN. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes0CFVeAT2wXqYHqlSQ1BEgdiBGv0uIledDELOBvoTXJ-0hx-r1YsW3NH0WfaF_bXii5rM-fUeblCxrM4bAtkkDrMrIEqvpgQ7XdJmV0eOdmjDdzdUgBExYou4HU7J_v57Ud-ejPuR8N7/s1600/577926_3594037846251_1673941403_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes0CFVeAT2wXqYHqlSQ1BEgdiBGv0uIledDELOBvoTXJ-0hx-r1YsW3NH0WfaF_bXii5rM-fUeblCxrM4bAtkkDrMrIEqvpgQ7XdJmV0eOdmjDdzdUgBExYou4HU7J_v57Ud-ejPuR8N7/s320/577926_3594037846251_1673941403_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad enjoying MOTHER'S DAY breakfast :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdAO6ySBwVGD1bgMkRvwrQTMigFgYz49nzjl-Z2AyJ3wbfc09gjDCWhYhh517zq7eN-MBJArEEtj4JZmEbjphDpSWs0wyMmMHjV8s_qkeXXGHrwsuSkGQ9ExwKvYI77W-NbXARNQKQq9b/s1600/IMG_4881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdAO6ySBwVGD1bgMkRvwrQTMigFgYz49nzjl-Z2AyJ3wbfc09gjDCWhYhh517zq7eN-MBJArEEtj4JZmEbjphDpSWs0wyMmMHjV8s_qkeXXGHrwsuSkGQ9ExwKvYI77W-NbXARNQKQq9b/s400/IMG_4881.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of my brothers wedding :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eVs4XgP6CND8rEvSonKv9CkJy4s_T96XEra8DgZqYArH4PZ1WEugk-ExygqAw_IKqjfdMIaYHebFZrRQ0__wzLlcKBcApJm74HBHU7i9kv7MD05mYANSuL2um71fE7i0cKE_uUdfGXgd/s1600/532745_3585211185590_831353847_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eVs4XgP6CND8rEvSonKv9CkJy4s_T96XEra8DgZqYArH4PZ1WEugk-ExygqAw_IKqjfdMIaYHebFZrRQ0__wzLlcKBcApJm74HBHU7i9kv7MD05mYANSuL2um71fE7i0cKE_uUdfGXgd/s320/532745_3585211185590_831353847_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLASSIC idaho falls....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkO2tbcQZEWCv21egQ0zhaFF_g1XyYmh9dRmIOwKmbT5YIGpthV7xrqwJDtAEXRt7UMc6UciDC6JJc9PkJYodYfPc8_tOboCPzQLnCndAjdXVVdhp-anCyZZS7exK-G01CGwivpfRLn0q/s1600/IMG_4772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkO2tbcQZEWCv21egQ0zhaFF_g1XyYmh9dRmIOwKmbT5YIGpthV7xrqwJDtAEXRt7UMc6UciDC6JJc9PkJYodYfPc8_tOboCPzQLnCndAjdXVVdhp-anCyZZS7exK-G01CGwivpfRLn0q/s320/IMG_4772.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baking up a storm at home sweet home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotJ948BXo5OBQHl9hcnrPU4DQz3pE9DyEVsrn1ptcNAAWicZkVkVhLY4R-t66J0hFU7tDkLnu5w_94AVfdFdxgzuMBkgqh8oUIxc1MibhtiEINwtr6dwaDbb2YKGQaohtB1bLOJera4w1/s1600/IMG_4906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotJ948BXo5OBQHl9hcnrPU4DQz3pE9DyEVsrn1ptcNAAWicZkVkVhLY4R-t66J0hFU7tDkLnu5w_94AVfdFdxgzuMBkgqh8oUIxc1MibhtiEINwtr6dwaDbb2YKGQaohtB1bLOJera4w1/s320/IMG_4906.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brothers house in Livingston MT :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7CcBZvm2LnzJgE022LW6wow9XWDafOu_sF2ljqMvODsUUy6-cID1Hv73Y5PCGqZk3O0pi5Uwp3jd9krkifpVhLl_evcbgm1omzFFA7UYDnax0Qo7Kma5jA8xdVUeDYcrVfiC_D3niJnE/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7CcBZvm2LnzJgE022LW6wow9XWDafOu_sF2ljqMvODsUUy6-cID1Hv73Y5PCGqZk3O0pi5Uwp3jd9krkifpVhLl_evcbgm1omzFFA7UYDnax0Qo7Kma5jA8xdVUeDYcrVfiC_D3niJnE/s320/IMG_4911.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Clyde for the first time</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWLBaN59WIzEqKNjeFWMjsNiGxqhn7QSNRZv2-vezIimlV9yCUMR0WPZm4Ewqkm4CIX2IDai5t9eLA_dTSrmO8yl5S-LQZdRndsFnnfoetLgbTrv47XxDarwMTcLFlOBcZsVqFnFxq6Wb/s1600/IMG_4720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75S6uCP8o0Ax5SFkvZHFq4qkLi_ocdkxih7FJgRKUjkJCGM0Va5tOvodr2Lolww4huQdDXfrqI_62kbgqb94qZ8p9BT4yjp67BwOWlx4J8vala5-kVHLE0hxmRBEoH2d0c28GpHWX4-qJ/s1600/IMG_4940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75S6uCP8o0Ax5SFkvZHFq4qkLi_ocdkxih7FJgRKUjkJCGM0Va5tOvodr2Lolww4huQdDXfrqI_62kbgqb94qZ8p9BT4yjp67BwOWlx4J8vala5-kVHLE0hxmRBEoH2d0c28GpHWX4-qJ/s320/IMG_4940.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Livingston Montana.. GORGEOUS.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8SgLLLQKrc3Ep51Q6zLcha0LRpkr1dustuBq6GCnqfAMSTxhPwHHwxTsl_paGGIJ5XhSfXdoOCWAzmzwAh0dRbHZWDw1Jva6FCOYBQzafVCbw1Z_sJORcxQRdpjJQ6StkWqlv6DMayBE/s1600/IMG_4921.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8SgLLLQKrc3Ep51Q6zLcha0LRpkr1dustuBq6GCnqfAMSTxhPwHHwxTsl_paGGIJ5XhSfXdoOCWAzmzwAh0dRbHZWDw1Jva6FCOYBQzafVCbw1Z_sJORcxQRdpjJQ6StkWqlv6DMayBE/s320/IMG_4921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE DOG PARK. Livingston Montana.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="400" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/385657_3691946813914_1322163058_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kansas storm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/550707_3700387064915_695542951_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wedding in Dallas</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="400" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/578105_3703070411997_1067406963_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to texas...!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQS9RWrWSAlvfD2IyJViugBRkTCeupiZfoIK6cSjByFLcAAV4s3Gx52PWgfifh6U8yXr1BXR8HU9a9PtXNzhU1Ju8m6WNDArHlhFDqZy_b8w755V6JOD5FkEnQrNeve_pxTMIpDjpYQw7c/s1600/IMG_5011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQS9RWrWSAlvfD2IyJViugBRkTCeupiZfoIK6cSjByFLcAAV4s3Gx52PWgfifh6U8yXr1BXR8HU9a9PtXNzhU1Ju8m6WNDArHlhFDqZy_b8w755V6JOD5FkEnQrNeve_pxTMIpDjpYQw7c/s320/IMG_5011.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAIRCUT back in Houston</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/395972_10151134292523319_1406384418_n.jpg" style="height: 480px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 640px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RAW artists SHOWCASE!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="400" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/251983_3952535128459_416910850_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jersey Shore while testing one of my swimsuit creations... ;)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approved for "Baby Barre" in New York</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-51280356558129428062012-06-28T06:18:00.002-07:002012-06-28T22:40:27.545-07:00Blueberry Picking in Amereica..<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Blueberry Picking in America.<br />
<br />
Not quite trout fishing in America, but i’ll take it... I was invited
for a crap of dawn early morning blueberry picking adventure. Without
fail, any time I have to wake up stupid early, I will 9 times out of 10
stay out far too late the night before and feel like I am going to die
when my alarm goes off in the morning... It’s like an early morning
flight, there seems to be no other option than to stay out until 2:30 or
if it’s a nut-so hardcore ballerina house party sometimes 5 or 6am...
Who ever told you ballet dancers weren’t party animals was lying to you.
Anywho, back to the story. We had a lovely little drive up to the
blueberry farm that was one exit passed the woodlands, so about an hour
outside of town. Made you feel like you were going on a little mini
vacation. We arrived early for two reasons. One, so that we didn’t have
to sweat BALLS in the Texas heat that was just beginning to blast. And
two, so we didn’t have to compete for our buckets or our secret fruity
pebbles blueberry bush.... We got there, I felt absolutely in-human but I
managed to put my big girl panties on and my game face to match... Next
up is the bucket. Small or large? LARGE. DUH. If I am coming all the
way up here at 5:45 am, I’m not going to mess around. We began walking
and snatching blueberries off the bushes straight away.. Oh, P.S.....
those weren’t going in my bucket. They were going straight into my
mouth. By the end of it, I definitely had consumed close to 2 pounds of
blueberries. That’s 4 dollars in blueberries. And all the antioxidants I
need for a year. I don’t know how my toxic waste wasn’t smelling of
blueberries... or my pee wasn’t a purple tint.... Because I dominated
them blueberry bushes with my mouth. It was unreal how different every
bush tasted (that’s what he said?) Some were large fat plump texas
blueberries (hmmm a texas theme?) and some were tiny little gems that
packed major flavor. I’m a huge fan of the little guys. Bigger is
definitely not better in this case (among others...) I hit a jackpot
bush that literally tasted like fruity pebbles. One for the bucket, one
for me, one for the bucket, one for me. At this point, as I am sure you
can tell, I wasn’t making much progress on my bucket filling but I was
doing some serious damage on my belly and the rawness level of my
mouth.... I started getting burned out and turned the engine to full
throttle. I had a hard time picking blueberries off a bush that I hadn’t
eaten off of! WHAT IF IT WAS BAD TASTING??! I eventually gave up and
came to the conclusion that once they were all a lovely mixing pot of
tiny, fat, tart, and sweet that I wouldn’t give a shit what the one
tasted like on it’s own.. I bailed out with the 12 gallon bucket over
3/4’s full. I got home with 6 pounds of blueberries. That’s a shitload
of blueberries. And now the REAL torture began because with my brain, I
can’t just leave them in their natural state.. I mean I ate about 3-4
cups in their natural glorious beauty, but the rest I had to bake and
preserve into delicious little masterpieces. I made a lemon blueberry
preserve that was pretty delicious to bake with. I am still on the hunt
for a preserves recipe that I LOVE. This one was still too sweet for my
taste buds and wasn’t balanced enough... I thought the lemon would aid
with that. I love a little tart with my sweet. Makes groovy flavors. I
also dehydrated some in the oven and then processed them into my
lemon-blueberry macaron shells. Ms. Karen from Oxheart Houston told me
to take some egg whites off her hands, so of course I did with ultimate
excitement! I GET OXHEARTS EGGWHITES?! Kid in a candy store people. Kid
in a candy store. So of course I had to find ways to use up the two huge
cartons of egg whites. I ended making two huge batches of angel food
cake (as a test for one of the cakes I am going to be making for my
brothers wedding).. Like 13 egg whites each huge. That’s 26 egg whites
already used... and then THREE batches of different macarons, two with 3
egg whites and one with a different macaron recipe to experiment with
that used 5 egg whites. I LOVED the texture of this new macaron recipe.
They came out a little taller than mine normally do and they had the
BEST texture. The flavor wasn’t half bad either.. Texas Pecan with
Montana Whiskey Pastry cream and Malt Whiskey glazed pecans..... TO DIE
FOR... The blueberry-lemon macarons were filled with a heavenly salted
cream cheese blueberry buttercream and a little dollop of preserves
smashed between two pretty little purple macaron shells. I thought they
were pretty groovy. As for the angel food cake. I really think I have a
winner winner chicken dinner recipe. I made Martha Stewart’s original
angel food cake recipe and of course put a little twist or 5 on.... I
decided to swirl in some of the blueberry preserves into the little
angel food cake cupcake batter before baking along with some lemon
oil... When they came out of the oven and straight into my mouth, they
had the potential to burn me with third degree burns but honey badger
doesn’t give a shit about a hot cupcake... it needs to be tested
IMMEDIATELY. THEY WERE DEFINITELY WORTHY OF CONSUMPTION BY ANGELS, just
saying. SO SO SO SO GOOD. And do you know what really blasted them out
of the universe and into heaven? The salted cream cheese blueberry
buttercream that was piped on top. Yummmmmm.<br />
<br />
I have a few more weeks to go back up before they all burn up and turn
into fruit leather on the bushes.. But do I really want to put myself
through this cycle again?!?!?!?! I’m on the fence....<br />
<br />
And now I am going to attempt to teach you how to make a macaron..... Here goes nothing....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Pecan Macarons with Malt Whiskey Pastry Cream</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">
Texas Pecan Macarons with Whiskey Pastry Cream and Malt Whiskey Glazed Pecans:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
Ingredients:<br />
1/2 cup egg whites<br />
1/4 cup white sugar<br />
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar<br />
1 1/2 cups pecan flour (processed pecans)<br />
salt<br /><br />
Begin with sifting pecan flour with powdered sugar in a large bowl. Set
aside. In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment beat
egg whites with a pinch of salt until frothy. Slowly and gradually add
the white sugar to egg whites while beating on medium high speed until
soft peaks form. Fold half of the egg whites into the pecan and powdered
sugar until somewhat incorporated. Then “macaronage” the rest of the
egg whites into the mixture. At this point the mixture should resemble
lava... Once you get to this point, it is time to transfer to a zip lock
or piping bag. (A helpful little trick I LOVE is put the bag into a
tall glass and scoop your batter into the bag... It helps hold
everything together and prevents a macaron batter mess.... that lava
like to spread and have a mind of its own..) Now it is time to set up
your parchment. Cut 4 squares of parchment that are the same size as
your baking sheets. DO NOT GREASE THE PARCHMENT. Cut a 1/4 inch hole
into the corner of the baggie. Now you are ready to pipe that shells.
Once you have tried making macarons a couple times, you’ll start to get
what works for you and what you need to do to get your shells perfectly
circular. If you have the right consistency of the batter they should
pool into circles themselves. It’s usually when you can tell if your
macarons are going to bake properly or not... Once you have piped all
the circle shells on your parchment let them sit out for about a half
hour before baking them. This allows the shells to harden a bit so they
form the proper top in the oven and get the classic macaron “feet”. Bake
the macarons at 325 for 14 mins. Take out of the oven and cool
COMPLETELY on the parchment. Before you put the next batch of macarons
in the oven, our baking sheet must be completely cool or else your
macaron shells will crack....</span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />
Whiskey Pastry Cream:</span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><a href="http://www.thesweetart.com/2012/05/bourbon-pecan-macarons.html">The Sweet Art</a></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />
For the filling:</span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
3 egg yolks<br />
½ cup sugar<br />
¼ cup water<br />
1½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into small chunks<br />
2 to 3 Tbsp. GOOD QUALITY Malt Whiskey<br /><br />
• Make the filling: Whisk the egg yolks gently in a bowl.</span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
• In a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and water to 230 degrees, using a candy thermometer.<br />
• Slowly add this hot syrup to the egg yolks, whisking briskly until combined. Whisk well until the yolk mixture has cooled.<br />
• Using a whisk or hand mixer, beat in the butter and then the bourbon.
Once combined, chill in the fridge until firm and ready to use.<br />
• Now, assemble the macarons: Using a small spoon, scoop some of the
filling into the center of 1 shell and then top with another shell,
gently pushing down and twisting to spread the filling out.<br /><br />
Malt Whiskey Glazed Pecans: AKA CRACK... </span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />
1/2 cup brown sugar</span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
1/2 stick butter<br />
1 tablespoon molasses<br />
fleur de sel<br />
1/4 cup Good Quality Malt Whiskey<br />
1 cup pecans<br /><br />
Melt butter, brown sugar and molasses in a small saucepan over
low-medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved. Turn heat to medium
and add whiskey and continue to cook for several minutes to cook off
some of the alcohol. Take off heat and stir in pecans and pinch of fluer
de sel. Arrange on a baking sheet and toast for 8 mins at 400.. Be sure
not to burn them!</span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Martha Stewart’s Angel Food Cake: AMPED UP WITH BLUEBERRY PRESERVES!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/336344/classic-angel-food-cake">adapted from Martha's Recipe</a><br /><br />
For the Cake</span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
For the Cake<br />
1 cup sifted cake flour<br />
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar<br />
14 large egg whites (1 3/4 cups), room temperature<br />
1 tablespoon warm water<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar<br />
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1/4 teaspoon Lemon oil<br />
Blueberry Preserves<br /><br />
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. With a fine sieve, sift together flour and 3/4 cups sugar four times.</span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed, beat together egg whites
and water until foamy. Add salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla; beat
until soft peaks form. Increase speed to medium-high and sprinkle in
remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until stiff but not dry.<br />
Transfer to a large bowl. In six additions, sift dry ingredients over meringue, folding in quickly but gently.<br />
Pour batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan with removable bottom.
Dollop large spoonfulls of blueberry preserves around the pan. Swirl
through with a spatula to make ribbons through the batter. Smooth top
with an offset spatula. Run a knife through batter to release air
bubbles. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and springy to
touch.<br />
Invert pan on its legs or over the neck of a glass bottle and let cool
completely, about 1 hour. Carefully run a long offset spatula or knife
around the inner and outer perimeter of the pan to release cake. Place
on a plate, bottom side up; cover with plastic wrap until ready to use.<br /><br />
(Alternatively, bake as cupcakes for 18 mins!)</span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry Angel Food Cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1_7tn0Y13Ba2Bfol4mvyWUuIAKHinm7ZQT3hYb4mpeAnbVMosIWV7NoGmwhftgJYQL8OCLfpfmauK7AqchdEiPkc51gNVLFMboJcSWhZfa6F7j-J-uz0e_75n7y2iMSXYJuerIMl4gl5/s1600/IMG_4987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1_7tn0Y13Ba2Bfol4mvyWUuIAKHinm7ZQT3hYb4mpeAnbVMosIWV7NoGmwhftgJYQL8OCLfpfmauK7AqchdEiPkc51gNVLFMboJcSWhZfa6F7j-J-uz0e_75n7y2iMSXYJuerIMl4gl5/s320/IMG_4987.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Blueberry</td></tr>
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<br />crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-31256214243449209352012-05-20T14:29:00.001-07:002012-05-20T14:29:20.820-07:00ACTUALLY Healthy Zucchini Bread or Muffins...<div style="text-align: center;">
I would first like to start off by thanking my mother for allowing me to mess up her beautifully clean kitchen... DAILY..... Sometimes twice daily. </div>
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Thanks Mom.</div>
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(Oh yeah, and cleaning my car....)</div>
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God I'm worthless, I blame it on the pain and the pain murderers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnhcjnU7dRyuiJ-x2Y-I4Rovv0aZcQK_Mae3A_7GFR4VxoX14jWmNvhvGIoJrjOyTqUijW4g6GfEOlJ-pAuJsUVwgqVySzNnQGeVjVEZ2NI0q6lHmDwKBrJ1K5GtokQZPjGH47vr8nRgY/s1600/IMG_4859.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnhcjnU7dRyuiJ-x2Y-I4Rovv0aZcQK_Mae3A_7GFR4VxoX14jWmNvhvGIoJrjOyTqUijW4g6GfEOlJ-pAuJsUVwgqVySzNnQGeVjVEZ2NI0q6lHmDwKBrJ1K5GtokQZPjGH47vr8nRgY/s320/IMG_4859.JPG" width="320" /> </a><br />
Speaking of worthless.... Check out this cat.... ;)<br />
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This week I got my wisdom teeth out. It should be against the law. I'm just saying. I slept the whole day of the surgery and the next day decided to go with my mom to the ballet studio and did floor barre. I think I was still sedated when I did floor barre because I have no idea how I even got through even half of it. I felt GREAT until after and hit pain level 22... Day three I was in a pretty significant amount of pain but somehow talked my mother into dropping me off for a Pilates class. I walked in and they were like,</div>
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"I thought you were getting your wisdom teeth out?!" </div>
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Me, "I, did." </div>
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"Umm...good luck with that. Let me know how that goes for you."</div>
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Once again. I don't remember much of that class.. which probably means I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DOING THAT.</div>
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The next day my mom wanted me to go into the dentist to make sure I wasn't on the fast track to a dry socket. I met with the dentist and he was like </div>
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"WHAT?! You did WHAT?!"</div>
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<br />"I took pilates."</div>
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"Pilates is the fastest way to a dry socket."</div>
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Really are you sure? Because I can think of faster. JUST SAYIN'.</div>
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So after that, I have been keeping all of my activities to baking and sewing and sleeping and take pain killers every two hours. Those little buggers just murder that pain away.</div>
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The first time I really got out of the house was yesterday to go to the annual SHAMROCK PARK NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE. We were there by 8:30 and I can guarantee 90% of the good stuff was gone. Now, we are in a town of what 50,000? I think 49.501 people we log-jammed in this tiny neighborhood. And everyone felt the need to drive of course. We biked. (You biked on pain killers?! Yes. I. did.) We ditched our bikes about 2.5 seconds into the mission because the chances of us DYING were about 110%. Jeff hit the motherload of vinyl records. Pretty hilarious collection from Bobby Brown to Oingo Boingo.... I found a pottery mug (which I have a small obsession with) and some super nice brand new skeins of alpaca and cashmere yarn for 4 skeins for a buck! I also got really close to buying an Emerald Green convertible Jag with CAMEL top.. but was soon talked out of it because it would be more to keep up than by sewing addiction.... (which is a hefty penny.)</div>
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Today I woke up later than I have woke up in...Oh let's see.... forever. 10 am. (do I hear a round of applause?!) Yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. (with bows.) And there was some grated zucchini that had been pulled out of the freezer from last season. So I started my hunt for a groovy healthy zucchini recipe. One after the other, No. No. No. Definitely not. NO. NO. NOOOOOO. What is wrong with these recipes?! I thought zucchini bread was supposed to be healthy! 2 cups of oil, 4 cups of sugar. REALLY?! Jesus. Might as well make brown butter brownies. (Oh wait I did....) Oops... ANYWAYS... Moving on. </div>
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I decided to craft my own ACTUAL HEALTHY Zucchini bread recipe. And it turned out yummy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnhFNaGw8dXenObDCiu-zAvvvXBb6V4FTFSN_iLDCCQlUGX5Y8XBHue_im233MgYLEU0ZTKlnPmhHHzsgeE3u9Bjst2JFXWWyYp-BBUwILzaDE3_Yt0xwVEDr6NzZAspHAoe3BC1fLKOV/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDuUXT5sP-ANHymNu3cZfzfTh_4w_5c3izFOrWZ48n_DnBMe0JF8qWhtMyjmpiv466NV3TQJaCaL7PVtuYK-eP7Z6kfvaiZrbJkaG3b-qQfsc6xFbCecgSmv7q757ybjgfJ_BkB69RWte/s1600/IMG_4862.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDuUXT5sP-ANHymNu3cZfzfTh_4w_5c3izFOrWZ48n_DnBMe0JF8qWhtMyjmpiv466NV3TQJaCaL7PVtuYK-eP7Z6kfvaiZrbJkaG3b-qQfsc6xFbCecgSmv7q757ybjgfJ_BkB69RWte/s400/IMG_4862.JPG" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDuUXT5sP-ANHymNu3cZfzfTh_4w_5c3izFOrWZ48n_DnBMe0JF8qWhtMyjmpiv466NV3TQJaCaL7PVtuYK-eP7Z6kfvaiZrbJkaG3b-qQfsc6xFbCecgSmv7q757ybjgfJ_BkB69RWte/s1600/IMG_4862.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">ZUCCHINI- APPLE BREAD (or muffins)</span></div>
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3 large eggs</div>
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1 cup sugar</div>
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1/4 cup honey </div>
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1/4 cup canola oil</div>
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1/4 cup plain yogurt </div>
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1/4 cup apple juice</div>
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1½ teaspoons vanilla</div>
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1 3/4 cups A/P flour</div>
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1 cup Whole Wheat Flour</div>
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1½ teaspoons cinnamon</div>
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2 ¼ teaspoons baking soda</div>
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1½ teaspoons salt</div>
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¼ teaspoons baking powder</div>
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grated lemon zest </div>
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1 cup grated apple</div>
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2 cups grated fresh zucchini, loosely packed</div>
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<li>Set rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 375º.</li>
<li>Using a flat beater, beat eggs until frothy. Beat in the sugar. Add
oil, yogurt, honey, apple juice and vanilla and beat several minutes.</li>
<li>Mix together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and baking
powder and lemon zest in a bowl. Add along with the zucchini and apples to the egg and oil
mixture and beat until blended.</li>
<li>Pour evenly into 2 buttered and lightly floured glass loaf pans. (Or muffin tin if using)</li>
<li>Bake for 10 minutes at 375º. Lower heat to 350º degrees and bake for
1 hour longer. The loaves should have a dark skin with splits along
the top, and a toothpick inserted into one of the splits should be
nearly clean, with no batter buildup.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Cool in pans on rack for 15 minutes. Gently remove from pans, using
a sharp knife if necessary, and then cool for an hour or more before
serving</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">(If using muffin tins bake 12 mins for mini muffins and 25-28 mins for large muffins)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAuWgcgSZ3N-kkzPRd8W97MKMOWbvm8fnJacqciMcJyLVBbwiE78Bjge4mJNFaHk91ZBHH2YpInGjGyRWPNNP6Y5XatsN2lJUfEwoFIKiotJ5j2p2ks1AyC1kmtwdZ2VHQUBIFdyIAbCP/s1600/IMG_4866.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAuWgcgSZ3N-kkzPRd8W97MKMOWbvm8fnJacqciMcJyLVBbwiE78Bjge4mJNFaHk91ZBHH2YpInGjGyRWPNNP6Y5XatsN2lJUfEwoFIKiotJ5j2p2ks1AyC1kmtwdZ2VHQUBIFdyIAbCP/s400/IMG_4866.JPG" width="400" /> </a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-nO0FJMgjEVaE-z4cPdJHbu39wrZtrPf3x0vceIcPbUFUCFRQLhSHyIUikFUJrf3YqIxkWIr3CI8RgbF2S1RfPk8vv4AkedfLTARRYWvoim4S1YJA79MzXFpIOxCCg8DRDqIM0tmibcy/s1600/IMG_4863.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-nO0FJMgjEVaE-z4cPdJHbu39wrZtrPf3x0vceIcPbUFUCFRQLhSHyIUikFUJrf3YqIxkWIr3CI8RgbF2S1RfPk8vv4AkedfLTARRYWvoim4S1YJA79MzXFpIOxCCg8DRDqIM0tmibcy/s400/IMG_4863.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnhFNaGw8dXenObDCiu-zAvvvXBb6V4FTFSN_iLDCCQlUGX5Y8XBHue_im233MgYLEU0ZTKlnPmhHHzsgeE3u9Bjst2JFXWWyYp-BBUwILzaDE3_Yt0xwVEDr6NzZAspHAoe3BC1fLKOV/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnhFNaGw8dXenObDCiu-zAvvvXBb6V4FTFSN_iLDCCQlUGX5Y8XBHue_im233MgYLEU0ZTKlnPmhHHzsgeE3u9Bjst2JFXWWyYp-BBUwILzaDE3_Yt0xwVEDr6NzZAspHAoe3BC1fLKOV/s400/IMG_4869.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> I made the loaf as well as muffins with the extra batter instead of making two loaves of bread. To the muffins I made a lemon glaze to make for a sweet dessert treat.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t17JO7a0bp_K1kY70YbPpgG9aOQj-ZuzbpONK70BkQh4_l6azIbZvazeoUttdT7lxNxtaR4toiqPfklnRWWC0-sdjIUcEc8KzYeTVHwLktJ3pmlN7I5r14wdTSg7rFXotCCNZZu1IMVA/s1600/IMG_4871.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t17JO7a0bp_K1kY70YbPpgG9aOQj-ZuzbpONK70BkQh4_l6azIbZvazeoUttdT7lxNxtaR4toiqPfklnRWWC0-sdjIUcEc8KzYeTVHwLktJ3pmlN7I5r14wdTSg7rFXotCCNZZu1IMVA/s400/IMG_4871.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lemon Glaze:</span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Juice of half a lemon</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/3 cup powdered sugar (or more to taste) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">dash of cinnamon</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 tbls melted butter</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth. Then drizzle over the tops warm muffins. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></div>
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Hey you! In the back! <br />
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One more note: Garage sales are the new bake sales. Enchanting. People will go up to the garage sale and grab a plate for 75 cents and ask the poor people to sell it for a quarter. BUT THEN they will go to the little "bake stand" (which is filled with freaking nasty ass doughnuts from the sunbeam discount bread store on Amon Road) and buy one for 2 bucks a piece! HILARIOUS. Next time I'm bringing my table and setting up camp in front of a misc. home and making an ass load of cash from baked goods.<br />
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</div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-60610170358279352742012-05-12T20:09:00.000-07:002012-05-12T20:09:47.792-07:00Oreo Pudding Cookies<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsBEPQrL768hcMk04h5L82Ssasuyd7MPKp1soxLOH6tnzP8w71kBzhhMh8hrRHZ_nuOoK1ak1EnDS1OrBzfnzCv5jHWd1fIscdOh3nZkXlHiPnWRqMj-XvlBg0afKIfEwcIGIs3LuglhC/s1600/IMG_4770.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsBEPQrL768hcMk04h5L82Ssasuyd7MPKp1soxLOH6tnzP8w71kBzhhMh8hrRHZ_nuOoK1ak1EnDS1OrBzfnzCv5jHWd1fIscdOh3nZkXlHiPnWRqMj-XvlBg0afKIfEwcIGIs3LuglhC/s400/IMG_4770.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Two posts in one week?! </div>
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This must be a record.</div>
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The weather in Idaho had been groovy. Chilly nights, incredible sunsets, wonderful motorcycle rides... what more could I ask for?! </div>
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Oh, I know. </div>
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Some Oreo Pudding Cookies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LyCTHxR1U9ecE3_zYQ-aWfCn6i4slcnwqWRB9kRqpKAwurgNUDcYr3edrnocc5Hu0JloChEiFo8M-amv8OSzKM-I4Y7LOLiTvcO9hSDt4wouLtbM_zWp2tn13bYffvUbbFVZkOmwsm7k/s1600/IMG_4773.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LyCTHxR1U9ecE3_zYQ-aWfCn6i4slcnwqWRB9kRqpKAwurgNUDcYr3edrnocc5Hu0JloChEiFo8M-amv8OSzKM-I4Y7LOLiTvcO9hSDt4wouLtbM_zWp2tn13bYffvUbbFVZkOmwsm7k/s400/IMG_4773.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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It's good to be home. I'm constantly reminded by my loving father, "R.I.C.E. JORDAN R.I.C.E!" If you knew my dad, you could hear his tone while yelling this. It's a sort of a sarcastic stern goofball tone with a giggle at the end. That makes no sense unless you know him... Great guy. I'm going to be just like him when I grow up. </div>
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Mother's day is tomorrow. I have already given my mother her main gift. A lovely handmade mug from the same guy that makes the dishes for the amazing new restaurant in Houston, Oxheart. I ran into him by accident at iFest Houston (which was a complete waste of money shit show in my opinion. WHO PAY'S FOR CUSTARD IN TICKETS?!) This guy KINDA RULED. I got three beautiful mugs and let her choose her favorite. Tomorrow we are doing breakfast in bed for her and we're contemplating a picnic... we'll see, it may turn into a pajama day... nothing wrong with that!</div>
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I was getting my hairs did the other day, because it is a NECESSITY when I am in town. Even if I had my hair done a week before I came, I HAVE TO DO IT WHEN I AM IN TOWN. There is something wrong with me. I think I am superstitious or something. Or maybe I just like showing Marci a Mary Kate picture of what color I want, since I have brought her one every year since I was 13. Don't ask. She told me about these pudding cookies that she made that rivaled my famous chocolate chip cookie recipe. SO naturally I had to make them to see what the excitement was about and to see if they came close to my recipe.... </div>
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They aren't like mine, but good try.</div>
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I went for the Oreo version, but they also do a vanilla or chocolate versions...</div>
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OREO PUDDING COOKIES</div>
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<a href="http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/05/oreo-pudding-cookies.html">Source</a> </div>
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1 cup butter, room temperature</div>
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3/4 cup brown sugar</div>
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1/4 cup white sugar<br />
1 (4.2 ounce) package instant Oreo Pudding mix <br />
2 1/4 cups flour <br />
1 teaspoon baking soda <br />
2 eggs<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
2 Hershey's Cookies N Cream Candy Bars broken into small pieces (I used 2.6 ounce King Sized bars)<br />
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips</div>
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<b>Directions:</b><br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. <br />
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Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
Cream together butter and sugars. Beat in pudding mix until blended. Add
the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour mixture and mix to
combine. Stir in cookies n' cream pieces and chocolate chips. Batter
will be thick.<br />
<br />
Using a cookie dough scooper, place golf ball sized dough balls on a
baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8
minutes. You do not want to overbake these! Let cookies cool for 5
minutes on baking sheet before moving to a cooking rack. Store in
air-tight container. Makes two dozen. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOH1QFicxem2LV_wPX8P2yDaaj0UvpOSehcbBekbAGW2kYqo5yU6YU_qqSLEQnMZ0auEha-6d-7EP9cZtDUs-xhqWT-ltejqD30jNrxKTb-rQ4B34OxzK6yq-Zy9htSaUX_xvRyekf0rb/s1600/IMG_4771.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOH1QFicxem2LV_wPX8P2yDaaj0UvpOSehcbBekbAGW2kYqo5yU6YU_qqSLEQnMZ0auEha-6d-7EP9cZtDUs-xhqWT-ltejqD30jNrxKTb-rQ4B34OxzK6yq-Zy9htSaUX_xvRyekf0rb/s400/IMG_4771.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-20709036684269029802012-05-09T07:17:00.000-07:002012-05-09T07:17:13.629-07:00Kale and Quinoa Cakes: Super Duper Food.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh hey there! I guess my last post was hmmmmmmmm ST PATTY'S DAY. Opps.
I have been very busy and need about 5 days to write up a whole blog
about it. To tell you the truth it probably won't happen, but at least
if I throw it out there it might push me to do it. In short, I am
injured and currently trying to heal myself while road tripping home to
Idaho while visiting friends along the way. Started off by driving to
Santa Fe for a Zen Buddhist Yoga retreat that lasted 3 days. One of the
best things I have ever done, must write a blog on it.... Then I shot up
to Denver and was supposed to only stay one day but ended up staying 6!
Needless to say, I enjoyed my time there TOO MUCH. Never wanted to
leave. Great, great city with some of my favorite people in the whole
world. After that I came up to Idaho to visit with my family and get
some unfortunate things done like get my wisdom teeth out.. DUN DUN DUNNNNN. </div>
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So while in town, I made my family dinner. I'm sure my dad took one look at the Kale and Quinoa cakes and was like "Kale and WHO?" But they are DELICIOUS. I assure you. I'm sure, by now, most of you have heard of Quinoa.
It's supposed to be a "Super Grain" and it is INSANELY good for you.
Believe it or not it is related to the beet, spinach and TUMBLEWEED
families. And naturally because we have so much tumbleweed in Idaho and I
starred at tumbleweed for 8 hours on my way through Wyoming, I decided
to make something with quinoa
for dinner just as a tribute to this lovely native plant..... The
nutritional value is pretty groovy for athletes (and all you normal
folks as well!) Per 100 grams (3.5oz) there is 369 calories. At first I
thought this was high in calorie when I looked at the serving size, but
when it cooks up it expands like crazy and it is SO unbelievably
filling. It has 7 grams of fiber and 14 grams of protein per serving.
It's also high in phosphorous, magnesium, and iron. The components it is
comprised of make it a complete protein which is wonderful all around.</div>
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Roasted some eggplant as well....</div>
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I found this recipe on "Joy The Baker", where I find all things wonderful. She is a sweet lady, I wish I could grow up and be JUST LIKE HER. I changed the recipe a bit so here is a link to the original and I will put mine up as well. <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2012/04/kale-and-quinoa-cakes/#more-8295">Kale and Quinoa Cakes.</a></div>
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<div class="printable" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Kale and Quinoa Cakes</strong><br />
makes about 2 dozen small cakes<br />
<a href="http://joythebaker.com/2012/04/kale-and-quinoa-cakes/#more-8295">recipe adapted from Joy the Baker</a><br />
1 1/2 cups raw quinoa (I used Red Quinoa)<br />
2 1/4 cups water<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
4 large eggs, beaten<br />
1 tablespoon olive oil<br />
1 medium white onion, finely chopped<br />
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped<br />
1/2 bunch (about 3 cups) chopped dino kale<br />
splash of apple cider vinegar<br />
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese<br />
1/3 cup red peppers chopped<br />
1 cup panko bread crumbs<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)<br />
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes<br />
1 tablespoon water<br />
2 tablespoon olive oil for frying, add a bit more as necessary<br />
<br />
Place dry quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Wash under cool water for a
few minutes. Quinoa needs to be rinsed or it tastes dirty.<br />
In a medium saucepan place rinsed quinoa, water, and 1/2 teaspoon
salt. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cover, decrease the
heat, and simmer for about 25 t0 30 minutes, until the quinoa is tender.
Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. We’ll need
about 3 cups of cooked quinoa for the recipe.<br />
In a small bowl, whisk eggs and set aside.<br />
In a medium sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions
and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 1
minute. Throw in red bell peppers and cook for an additional 3 mins. Add kale and toss until just slightly wilted, about 1 minute.
Remove from heat and add a splash of vinegar. Place kale mixture in a
large bowl with prepared quinoa. Allow to cool to room temperature.
You can speed up this process in the fridge for 30 minutes.<br />
Add cheese, break crumbs, salt, and
pepper. Add beaten eggs and stir until all of the quinoa mixture is
moistened. Add water to thoroughly moisten mixture. Quinoa should be
slightly wet so it doesn’t dry out during cooking.<br />
Scoop out mixture by the 2 tablespoonful. (I used a small ice cream
scoop to scoop the mixture right into the hot pan.) Use clean, moist
fingers to form into a patty. Create as many patties as you’d like.
(Rinse your hands after every few patties… it makes making patties
easier.)<br />
In a large skillet over medium low heat, heat olive oil. If you pan
is large enough, add four to six patties to the hot pan. You’ll need a
bit of room to successfully flip them.<br />
Cook on each side until beautifully browned, about 4 to 5 minutes on
each side. Low heat helps the quinoa cakes cook slowly. Brown on each
side then remove to a paper towel lined plate.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S70pBv40tuSGwoCqK1EIHd7JkKQWH5VvWEcOnedrYJSJZSWtzHdFfZ2MCjEhiNqgy0aBP0dMpLMWKU8ZeQf2zMCEAP51WBZIiNGhOxf4-Z6CUlix92lLgZqAeZ75i6x5uKWu-hQ99HNK/s1600/IMG_4707.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S70pBv40tuSGwoCqK1EIHd7JkKQWH5VvWEcOnedrYJSJZSWtzHdFfZ2MCjEhiNqgy0aBP0dMpLMWKU8ZeQf2zMCEAP51WBZIiNGhOxf4-Z6CUlix92lLgZqAeZ75i6x5uKWu-hQ99HNK/s320/IMG_4707.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<br /></div>
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I served mine with this cool and refreshing Yogurt Garlic Sauce.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Yogurt Garlic Sauce</b></div>
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1/2 cup plain yogurt</div>
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2 garlic cloves pressed through a garlic press</div>
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1 tablespoon lemon juice (or more to taste)</div>
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salt to taste</div>
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<br /></div>
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Stir and combine all the ingredients together in a small bowl, serve immediately.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Another delicious recipe for kale is Kale Chips. They are super duper simple and I LOVE THEM. </div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnfW3dzp5gGH2RlJSV70Uc3AKN2buI4gdWLnOmFjZQ98UMsoIUmCyN1er2nGjzyBlzrKln9EVezWxj_CIe58IddGkrWi8XQG3WxWsSY2UpWYZLRA1jQ4Omp01v48yyBeZvN9ehyphenhyphentj3_gL/s1600/IMG_4713.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnfW3dzp5gGH2RlJSV70Uc3AKN2buI4gdWLnOmFjZQ98UMsoIUmCyN1er2nGjzyBlzrKln9EVezWxj_CIe58IddGkrWi8XQG3WxWsSY2UpWYZLRA1jQ4Omp01v48yyBeZvN9ehyphenhyphentj3_gL/s320/IMG_4713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX-lJjExPVCk8ZKoBa2ssqCNy95BJcOd3AAzMMt9FahWImAMUwvxmm9rFSfDH0hYlrkHkJ_hxadjlfKAFH3dbPxqRkx3fMXQgd4unH4hOxfW9iPwCIkovLVHr5PPsikUhkXhdWlS4Bfvp/s1600/IMG_4715.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX-lJjExPVCk8ZKoBa2ssqCNy95BJcOd3AAzMMt9FahWImAMUwvxmm9rFSfDH0hYlrkHkJ_hxadjlfKAFH3dbPxqRkx3fMXQgd4unH4hOxfW9iPwCIkovLVHr5PPsikUhkXhdWlS4Bfvp/s320/IMG_4715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Kale Chips</b></div>
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2 bunches of kale, chopped into 3 inch pieces</div>
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olive oil</div>
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lemon juice</div>
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red pepper flakes</div>
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Chop the kale into about 3 inch pieces. Spread onto a large baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the kale and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Toss around and throw in the oven at 275 for an hour. </div>
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The kale will crisp right up into delicious little chips that disintegrate in your mouth. You can use any flavor you like, plain sea salt and black pepper is delicious, you could do a take on Salt and Vinegar tossing the kale in a bit of white vinegar and sea salt... the options are endless and HEALTHY AS CAN BE. </div>
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Good luck and enjoy your super food. </div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-33899094551604063942012-03-18T07:53:00.006-07:002012-03-18T08:56:21.142-07:00Where'd the Leprechauns go?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ887Z475P7ufnCwqTD3hEruPxHcTc-29FVqJ7l_1Hs1rlwhafIuBQq40dzJC7OoRbV_A4M6C_S_WAAVI_YUU9aUIcoak8jQPpDxeKrStfP4f1mpWV7jXXRZA4Fl-ERWb2__pJ2yL3eN-2/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUKe3LohCbDpY1sl2rKuX-wxNiU70MSI9mTuLEsu6aXXbCqBX9d8vlIk0ezw5FzYTcoqJ3K3t_4_fldhyhFrz69IvQEXF9Ymsa9UUTZy5dIoR0pGozBfQmlhJLT6gL8d7EuJmaU7GFsu7/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUKe3LohCbDpY1sl2rKuX-wxNiU70MSI9mTuLEsu6aXXbCqBX9d8vlIk0ezw5FzYTcoqJ3K3t_4_fldhyhFrz69IvQEXF9Ymsa9UUTZy5dIoR0pGozBfQmlhJLT6gL8d7EuJmaU7GFsu7/s400/IMG_0725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721263134528642674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I used to LOVE St. Patty's Day.<br />It was the BEST.<br />Leprechauns would trash my room with gold chocolate coins.<br />I would wake up in the morning with a 4 leaf clover tattoo on my face.<br />My diet was always entirely green... green eggs, green cookies, green pancakes.<br /><br />WHAT HAPPENED?! Where'd the Leprechauns go?!<br /><br />Instead the city turns into a kelly green shit show. People driving like CRAZIES. People frolicking around pretending to be Irish. People DRUNK ALL DAY. Not pretty. Not pretty at all.<br /><br />On a lighter less negative note, I made some very delicious green inspired macarons with no green dyes. They were Mojito inspired. Key Lime, Mint and Juniper berries were all used and abused to make the most delicious fresh tart macaron.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >"Mojito" Macarons</span> <ul style="font-family: courier new;"><li>Key Lime-Juniper Macaron Shells</li><li>Key Lime-mint Curd</li><li>Juniper, Fresh Mint and Lime Buttercream</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEVtBCWw_EOQGMYQl701rnFhh2Dko5qiTzSvNtZv1wwciNRsDBUpRp2Lehl7Cu6dgQm78NoGJ43GAu5f0hIbb6btpjK2ueYoo2XpXewUUjHQI9-xZI8iaUxXZ8-dJ2DcbItxVvHlzNBDE/s1600/IMG_0724.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEVtBCWw_EOQGMYQl701rnFhh2Dko5qiTzSvNtZv1wwciNRsDBUpRp2Lehl7Cu6dgQm78NoGJ43GAu5f0hIbb6btpjK2ueYoo2XpXewUUjHQI9-xZI8iaUxXZ8-dJ2DcbItxVvHlzNBDE/s400/IMG_0724.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721264899221055346" border="0" /></a> <br />These macarons were crafted at midnight. It might be when I am most creative.<br />It's that free flow brain wave length thing. It happens when I am super relaxed and just let these ideas pop into my head. The juniper is unreal in the shells. It is not overpowering at all but it gives it this delicious herbal note that lingers in the background. It also pull that Gin flavor through! I just trusted the classic Mojito flavors and new it would taste good. The buttercream came together with some keylime simple syrup, muddled mint and ground juniper berries. And for the key lime-mint curd, I used a classic lime curd recipe and folded the muddles mint in at the end.<br /><br /><br />Another groovy recipe I knocked out this morning will knock your socks off.<br /><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br />BROWN BUTTER BREAD PUDDING CUPS WITH APPLES</span><br /><a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/muffins/BreadPuddingMuffins.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">adapted from Joy the Baker</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ887Z475P7ufnCwqTD3hEruPxHcTc-29FVqJ7l_1Hs1rlwhafIuBQq40dzJC7OoRbV_A4M6C_S_WAAVI_YUU9aUIcoak8jQPpDxeKrStfP4f1mpWV7jXXRZA4Fl-ERWb2__pJ2yL3eN-2/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ887Z475P7ufnCwqTD3hEruPxHcTc-29FVqJ7l_1Hs1rlwhafIuBQq40dzJC7OoRbV_A4M6C_S_WAAVI_YUU9aUIcoak8jQPpDxeKrStfP4f1mpWV7jXXRZA4Fl-ERWb2__pJ2yL3eN-2/s400/IMG_0726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721263139206813378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">God they are good.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I don't know what else to say.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Just look and contain your drool...</span><br /><br /><small style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></small><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > </span> <p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:courier new;" class="ingredient"><span class="bod"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="value">8 cups bread cubes</span>, cut into bite sized pieces</span></span></p><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:courier new;"><b><span class="bod"><span style="font-size:85%;">Fruit:<br /></span></span></b></p><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="ingredient"><span class="bod"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="value"> 1 large peeled and cored apple</span>, diced</span></span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><b><span class="bod"><span style="font-size:85%;">Custard:</span></span></b></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="ingredient"><span class="bod"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="value">4 large eggs<br /></span></span></span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="ingredient"><span class="bod"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="value"> 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar</span></span> </span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="ingredient"><span class="bod"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="value">1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span></span></span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="ingredient"><span class="bod"><span class="value"><span style="font-size:85%;">4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted and browned<br /></span></span></span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="ingredient"><span class="bod"><small> <span style="font-size:85%;"> <span class="value">1 1/2 cups (480 ml) 2 percent milk</span></span></small></span></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="ingredient"><span class="bod"><small><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="value">1/2 cup Half and Half<br /></span></span></small></span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> <small> </small> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"> <span style="font-size:85%;">1/4 cup (35 grams) all purpose flour</span></span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"> <span style="font-size:85%;">1/2 teaspoon baking powder</span></span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"> <span style="font-size:85%;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></span></p><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span class="value">1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></span><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: courier new; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"><small><span style="font-size:85%;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Place rack in the center of the oven. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.</span></small></span></p><div style="font-family: courier new; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left;font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"><small> <span style="font-size:85%;">Place the bread cubes in a large bowl.</span></small></span></p><div style="font-family: courier new; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left;font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"><small> <span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Custard</b>: In an electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the eggs and sugar until thick (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Then stir in the melted and cooled brown butter and milk. Stir the custard into the bread cubes and let stand for five to ten minutes.</span></small></span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: courier new; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left;font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"><small> <span style="font-size:85%;">In a separate bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir the flour mixture into the bread cube mixture and then fold in apple chunks. </span></small> </span> </p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: courier new; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left;font-family:courier new;"><span class="bod"><span style="font-size:85%;">Evenly divide the mixture among the 12 muffins cups, using two spoons or an ice cream scoop. Gently press the bread cubes to compact. </span> <small><span style="font-size:85%;">Place the muffin tin on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.</span></small></span></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0udBJpUmunlyHybKnFloFyP_eZfMxkA1jOQGOtqJywhvYV61ALoFdKJnJ_urq6XQsBddC7CZQib3U_9Uk4iAYWyal5lg88PuMGmunrGykcFYJSsRRM0DHJYMcuQjwisxn_iqQqQ-uJ2b/s1600/IMG_0721.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0udBJpUmunlyHybKnFloFyP_eZfMxkA1jOQGOtqJywhvYV61ALoFdKJnJ_urq6XQsBddC7CZQib3U_9Uk4iAYWyal5lg88PuMGmunrGykcFYJSsRRM0DHJYMcuQjwisxn_iqQqQ-uJ2b/s400/IMG_0721.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721263160822978562" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnvhGzsYrJe7ncYFbhTOtL0Z4ksabSgL-nzoAPDzRyXa5yAjHpCQVfgW_523NV4Sp9pYNPCfeBe27HRFUKmLwAysbXhPrKPA_AcuL2p9Z9ojqVbGv-Ggz9QT-T1epmJXmSHjwyFUranyz/s1600/IMG_0722.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnvhGzsYrJe7ncYFbhTOtL0Z4ksabSgL-nzoAPDzRyXa5yAjHpCQVfgW_523NV4Sp9pYNPCfeBe27HRFUKmLwAysbXhPrKPA_AcuL2p9Z9ojqVbGv-Ggz9QT-T1epmJXmSHjwyFUranyz/s400/IMG_0722.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721263155356749154" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwONUFvrUjEdzl94ebVtSK8QSxV5wSyuIe5UhknYDVypZKwb9BgKFeCUNUGCFVeF2tuFyBYuN5qAZ4qWmtoOwrukPNBWe4Z3fBSIwgoNrZYYFch-j-xQqnmJIONjU4OJmZP42_yVDJfQv3/s1600/IMG_0723.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwONUFvrUjEdzl94ebVtSK8QSxV5wSyuIe5UhknYDVypZKwb9BgKFeCUNUGCFVeF2tuFyBYuN5qAZ4qWmtoOwrukPNBWe4Z3fBSIwgoNrZYYFch-j-xQqnmJIONjU4OJmZP42_yVDJfQv3/s400/IMG_0723.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721263150283200802" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ887Z475P7ufnCwqTD3hEruPxHcTc-29FVqJ7l_1Hs1rlwhafIuBQq40dzJC7OoRbV_A4M6C_S_WAAVI_YUU9aUIcoak8jQPpDxeKrStfP4f1mpWV7jXXRZA4Fl-ERWb2__pJ2yL3eN-2/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG"><br /></a><br /></div><br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-46672955633598949372012-02-09T18:55:00.000-08:002012-02-09T19:49:10.975-08:00For the love of Grapefruit.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnoaqQ_rdpfBtkOIUZ123_4ymWpQ6ty6MeK6-FMIVzB1y51bsHka10xBUe55dGNT0RUuJJDQEAxwjo70GiHou9uVtMxsB4yxwaXrvceqh-I86AZubjRY4Y_W5wZGE4gh1F8W03Brg-38C/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnoaqQ_rdpfBtkOIUZ123_4ymWpQ6ty6MeK6-FMIVzB1y51bsHka10xBUe55dGNT0RUuJJDQEAxwjo70GiHou9uVtMxsB4yxwaXrvceqh-I86AZubjRY4Y_W5wZGE4gh1F8W03Brg-38C/s400/IMG_0543.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707336132964876754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXjqg6YvDK6CjLYPubxNE_2sZAdwVy9HEhLwhHniIwrEWwjV1fhcCN_kHAMDJt3dog0SuU7UQLFe9DbwgJBGN1aOpAQ1uwN_on828VtPoMsM-tvg4gCBPfF3OIIBdXy_irwPIVmzKF2TP/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I know this lovely couple.<br />My favorite in the world actually.<br />They are the epitome of perfect in my book.<br />Since love is in the air and valentine's day is close, I dedicate this blog post to them.<br />I wish you two the happiest life-long relationship.<br />:)<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuEe3mZ5Yw-uIX08WCRwe5CRb1XP9xKQ6IsfT0lJ4XwoZwBvJR2XVonAVQaugBESYhloSkI5WO9u4xamy75rtCPLz64CauXT22uen0_cOpE3Zl7JAdUwwtnIZw90cpX0so0ZtV1Nm3qdd/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuEe3mZ5Yw-uIX08WCRwe5CRb1XP9xKQ6IsfT0lJ4XwoZwBvJR2XVonAVQaugBESYhloSkI5WO9u4xamy75rtCPLz64CauXT22uen0_cOpE3Zl7JAdUwwtnIZw90cpX0so0ZtV1Nm3qdd/s400/IMG_0511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707335471928546706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35UmZOsTwTjuicSTWA1Y1Q053FXAA_R8y-QHayvj8kPvsgvVdZ0CCiLz3aYr1fDJRUIM2LvrupttX4UCKRJXR5pPiyGlyXJRCt_vwMY5mBkNQ-Ztg4h145CEh0QCMS6cTd1YhXwFYtE-P/s1600/IMG_0508.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So this all started months ago when it was a gorgeous warm day and the lovely couple invited me over for a swim in their lovely pool. It is surrounded by different plants, complete with a finger lime, grapefruit and calamondin orange tree. They told me once they were ripe I could steal a few and create something delicious! And here it is!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJaVPJV9pRzR87QPg2mvhyphenhyphennkxG-ash9rCSLk3eEKvF4iMR2WuIAGsgutqLFZE7h4nAnr79E5Y_Ilp8ASckGv86aQ-w7FFB55L11kF1vyvNLid-DoHCxAhUoHQ6QRDpViidxDdjSLhJRx8/s1600/IMG_0510.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJaVPJV9pRzR87QPg2mvhyphenhyphennkxG-ash9rCSLk3eEKvF4iMR2WuIAGsgutqLFZE7h4nAnr79E5Y_Ilp8ASckGv86aQ-w7FFB55L11kF1vyvNLid-DoHCxAhUoHQ6QRDpViidxDdjSLhJRx8/s400/IMG_0510.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707335467595175298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The great thing about this recipe is you use the entire fruit. And with how delicious these homegrown texas grapefruits were, I couldn't waste ANYTHING. TOO GOOD.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Grapefruit-Yogurt Tea Cakes</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FnDnM8-pQr2-39X7A53O_iq9e7hiZ23KH0QksJW9Emvi8MBpAfooU5-b4CY0ZLZf8386EufaUjI36tvMXyC854qDsfy7kR78pODgv-Q7vIjxrlT36Hs8KbHswqJ-Z39vcg3QR8GOuB3W/s1600/IMG_0537.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FnDnM8-pQr2-39X7A53O_iq9e7hiZ23KH0QksJW9Emvi8MBpAfooU5-b4CY0ZLZf8386EufaUjI36tvMXyC854qDsfy7kR78pODgv-Q7vIjxrlT36Hs8KbHswqJ-Z39vcg3QR8GOuB3W/s400/IMG_0537.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707335885844025106" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />2 teaspoons baking powder<br />1/2 teaspoon kosher salt<br />1 cup plain yogurt<br />1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar<br />3 extra-large eggs<br />3 teaspoons grated grapefruit zest (approximately one large grapefruit)<br />1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<br />1/2 cup vegetable oil<br />1/3 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice</span></p> <p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">For the glaze:<br />1 cup confectioners’ sugar<br />2 tablespoons freshly squeezed grapefruit juice</span></p> <p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare cupcake pan and liners.<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, grapefruit zest, grapefruit juice and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it’s all incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 23-25mins or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.</span></p> <p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Meanwhile, cook 1/3 cup grapefruit juice and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.</span></p> <p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">When the cakes are done, allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. pour a spoonful of the grapefruit-sugar mixture over each of the cakes and allow them to soak in. Cool.</span></p> <p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">For the glaze, combine the confectioners’ sugar and grapefruit juice and pour over the cakes.</span></p><p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ctu6w3z2HybxSeNsqBLEntfqeA46oeTsOSzkAM7Pn3g_B4iivCrZQj-PrW3WRP-yvPvkuK27gDNMMeChNRfiwyMYooQ_T8rgOQROkbBLoexPBKAfXoMaUEaOTygYKi4ag1efKpytEf8R/s1600/IMG_0506.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ctu6w3z2HybxSeNsqBLEntfqeA46oeTsOSzkAM7Pn3g_B4iivCrZQj-PrW3WRP-yvPvkuK27gDNMMeChNRfiwyMYooQ_T8rgOQROkbBLoexPBKAfXoMaUEaOTygYKi4ag1efKpytEf8R/s400/IMG_0506.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707335453783948930" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35UmZOsTwTjuicSTWA1Y1Q053FXAA_R8y-QHayvj8kPvsgvVdZ0CCiLz3aYr1fDJRUIM2LvrupttX4UCKRJXR5pPiyGlyXJRCt_vwMY5mBkNQ-Ztg4h145CEh0QCMS6cTd1YhXwFYtE-P/s1600/IMG_0508.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35UmZOsTwTjuicSTWA1Y1Q053FXAA_R8y-QHayvj8kPvsgvVdZ0CCiLz3aYr1fDJRUIM2LvrupttX4UCKRJXR5pPiyGlyXJRCt_vwMY5mBkNQ-Ztg4h145CEh0QCMS6cTd1YhXwFYtE-P/s400/IMG_0508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707335457942187634" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXjqg6YvDK6CjLYPubxNE_2sZAdwVy9HEhLwhHniIwrEWwjV1fhcCN_kHAMDJt3dog0SuU7UQLFe9DbwgJBGN1aOpAQ1uwN_on828VtPoMsM-tvg4gCBPfF3OIIBdXy_irwPIVmzKF2TP/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXjqg6YvDK6CjLYPubxNE_2sZAdwVy9HEhLwhHniIwrEWwjV1fhcCN_kHAMDJt3dog0SuU7UQLFe9DbwgJBGN1aOpAQ1uwN_on828VtPoMsM-tvg4gCBPfF3OIIBdXy_irwPIVmzKF2TP/s400/IMG_0522.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707335857538931522" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />Candied Grapefruit Rinds</span>:<br /><a style="font-family: courier new;" href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Candied-Grapefruit-Peel-104425">from Epicurious</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvqRxpSAoRoaIt-ktRH8X64yejStepxhQxOi438H2MosXSMm9h-IEMalhs6Qzn3DQ0778PUueEKBSPw7hJsf4gAzlN-0zb9Ar4xj-LmlrbItq1EY5U6zgD3mmMpqiL2LVrVuT_WIkhVI3/s1600/IMG_0521.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvqRxpSAoRoaIt-ktRH8X64yejStepxhQxOi438H2MosXSMm9h-IEMalhs6Qzn3DQ0778PUueEKBSPw7hJsf4gAzlN-0zb9Ar4xj-LmlrbItq1EY5U6zgD3mmMpqiL2LVrVuT_WIkhVI3/s400/IMG_0521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707335854944314770" border="0" /></a><br /><h2 style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ingredients</span></h2> <ul class="ingredientsList" style="font-family:courier new;"><li class="ingredient"><span style="font-size:85%;">2 small grapefruits</span></li><li class="ingredient"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 cup granulated sugar</span></li><li class="ingredient"><span style="font-size:85%;">1/2 cup water</span></li><li class="ingredient"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 cup superfine granulated sugar</span></li><li class="ingredient"><p style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="instruction"><span style="font-size:85%;"> With peel still on fruit, quarter peel lengthwise then remove, keeping pieces of peel intact. Reserve fruit for another use. Diagonally cut pieces of peel into 1/3-inch-wide strips. </span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="instruction"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Put peel in a 3-quart saucepan filled with cold water and bring slowly to a boil over moderate heat. Boil 1 minute and drain. Repeat procedure 4 times to remove bitterness. </span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="instruction"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Have ready a lightly oiled large rack set in a shallow baking pan. </span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="instruction"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Bring regular granulated sugar and water to a boil in a large heavy skillet, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add peel and boil, stirring, until most of syrup is absorbed, about 10 minutes. </span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;" class="instruction"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Turn out peel onto rack, separating pieces. Dry candied peel, uncovered, at room temperature until only slightly sticky, 4 to 8 hours. Toss, a few pieces at a time, in superfine sugar, shaking off excess. </span></p></li></ul>Top your cakes with these delicious candies or just snack on them! They are so yummy. Try dipping half in dark chocolate for an extra special treat for your special someone on valentine's day :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cRqEII2ygcFsW8uhwb0hXGowJg4JupFJbyi5WCWupEbE-49V2VyZ_a_fRia4rRHKznb6Gbo5EjVB1ni739HitrSI6frjvSzBpZIlLJ2kM-KKUHPwFuJ05pAvpjdTXb58xcwqCfq4E_uQ/s1600/IMG_0534.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cRqEII2ygcFsW8uhwb0hXGowJg4JupFJbyi5WCWupEbE-49V2VyZ_a_fRia4rRHKznb6Gbo5EjVB1ni739HitrSI6frjvSzBpZIlLJ2kM-KKUHPwFuJ05pAvpjdTXb58xcwqCfq4E_uQ/s400/IMG_0534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707348930518237938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now, the perfect ending to this blog post: BOOZE.<br />Here is a treat for you after all your hard work with baking!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">The Big Texas Bourbon a<span style="font-family:courier new;">nd Grapefruit Cocktail</span></span></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">:</span> <ol style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;" ><li> <span itemprop="ingredients"> 2 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice </span> </li><li> <span itemprop="ingredients"> 1 1/2 ounces bourbon </span> </li><li> <span itemprop="ingredients"> 1/2 tablespoon grapefruit simple syrup (leftover from the grapefruit rinds!!)<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span> </li><li> <span itemprop="ingredients"> 2 basil leaves </span> </li><li> <span itemprop="ingredients"> Ice </span> </li><li> <span itemprop="ingredients"> 1 candied grapefruit rind (for garnish)</span></li></ol><span style="font-family:courier new;">In a cocktail shaker, combine the grapefruit juice, bourbon, simple syrup and basil. Fill a chilled rocks glass with ice. Add 5 ice cubes to the shaker and shake well. Strain the drink into the ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with the grapefruit rind.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-6206623354572848062012-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:002012-01-18T05:25:55.331-08:00SINGLE-HANDEDLY KILLING AMERICA: Paula Dean<div style="text-align: center;">Have you heard?!<br />Paula Dean has diabetes.<br />Absolute shocker.<br /><br />Leave it to this news to inspire me to do a blog post...<br /><br />I claimed years ago that she would single-handedly send America into a complete state of obesity; with arteries clogged with butter, heavy cream and sugar.<br />I mean the woman had a freaking statue sculpted out of BUTTER to look like her face.<br />That's just wrong.<br /><br />I mean, I don't want to look like a hypocrite or anything. Because I have to admit, I am here blogging about sweets constantly.. but for gods sake I'm not making <span style="font-size:180%;">THIS</span>:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8myLUgrxd3Y&feature=player_embedded"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8myLUgrxd3Y" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></a><br /><br />This is the recipe that absolutely sent me over the edge. Ask my mother, I was walking around the house pacing for a couple hours screaming, asking how they can even allow a recipe like that to be aired on television. I mean, that is ASKING.. no not even asking.. PLEADING PRAYING HOPING for a heart attack. Why why WHY would you do something like that to yourself and your body!? I don't understand.<br />Explanations anyone?!<br />ANYONE?!<br />NO?<br />That's what I thought.<br />Because there is no explanation.<br />It's just plainly wrong.<br />And asking to die.<br /><br />WOOF!<br /><br />On that note.<br />Here is a DELICIOUS and healthy recipe that will warm your soul and do your body right.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_6A8JTIzYQhrXTsIAr9rmdN1ZQcHYVruskg6E2Rn78hq_1t5nM9gTl9yxU_aTQQ58Nsg9e6i5pzwWtjdGhYYGUt1niDtkR98tzMQgzDvpzkBZ2TV4NoBdYoydY5sAhsbzXU1ySRMuyjS/s1600/10e36416334911e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_6A8JTIzYQhrXTsIAr9rmdN1ZQcHYVruskg6E2Rn78hq_1t5nM9gTl9yxU_aTQQ58Nsg9e6i5pzwWtjdGhYYGUt1niDtkR98tzMQgzDvpzkBZ2TV4NoBdYoydY5sAhsbzXU1ySRMuyjS/s400/10e36416334911e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698961650791122882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new; font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Cabbage-Vegetable Soup</span><br /><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/343492/cabbage-vegetable-soup">from Martha Stewart</a> <div style="font-family: courier new;" class="item-list"><ul class="content-multigroup-group-ingredient"><li class="ingredient first"> 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts only</li><li class="ingredient"> 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil</li><li class="ingredient"> 1 medium yellow onion, diced small</li><li class="ingredient"> 2 medium carrots, diced small</li><li class="ingredient"> 2 celery stalks, diced small</li><li class="ingredient"> 2 garlic cloves, minced</li><li class="ingredient"> 1 medium Yukon Gold potato, peeled and diced small</li><li class="ingredient"> 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth</li><li class="ingredient"> 2 bay leaves</li><li class="ingredient"> 1/2 head (1 1/2 pounds) green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced</li><li class="ingredient"> Coarse salt and ground pepper</li><li class="ingredient"> 2 teaspoons white vinegar</li><li class="ingredient last"> 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves</li></ul></div> <div style="font-family: courier new;" class="recipe-section instructions"> <h2>Directions</h2> <div class="item-list"><ol class="content-multigroup-group-steps"><li class="step first"> Halve leeks lengthwise; rinse thoroughly, pat dry, and cut into 1/2-inch slices. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add leeks and garlic and cook, stirring, until leeks begin to soften, 2 minutes. Add potato, broth, and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Stir in cabbage and season generously with salt and pepper.</li><li class="step last"> Return soup to a boil, then reduce to a rapid simmer. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vinegar and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.</li></ol><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">We served ours with delicious Jalapeno Cornbread. It was divine!</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">ENJOY!</span><br /></div> </div><br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-78062166319585328252011-12-15T06:09:00.001-08:002012-03-11T23:58:46.772-07:00crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-17805712723702175892011-12-06T05:18:00.000-08:002011-12-06T05:45:19.347-08:00Holidays Smolidays<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWZrd9hyphenhyphen5HbUhlN6ABvxHU3UwtCKE3f1FWI233sMoWGqubakUfDVkFctxBdjuH2KBYhyphenhyphennJDb65XPKaXPvf_Aeg-bcENdsVuWvS808_bxyqqbgs_dpl7sXiOSpw2rakTnNrs3vxQ0N3bEs/s1600/IMG_3934.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2tjDQBQvOtf0xFcY8HMTj5JyJvKbchFgHEi5sVdGvSdZK_bei8Q4veeXDx_eHqoWuEgyPap8QyT5DxN8unpN83LGctWYSw1aM7jTNKLKnf52DhkSHKmGLBlW8DLIJDSopTL66nYP1b3V/s1600/IMG_3929.jpg"><img style="width: 540px; height: 540px;" class="photo" src="http://distilleryimage9.instagram.com/9574ea321f9011e19896123138142014_7.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Oh the joy of the holidays.<br />It's just so jolly, it makes me want to barf.<br />Actually the thing that really makes me want to barf is the traffic and people that are driving like absolute maniacs trying to get all their holiday chores done. Why don't we all just take a couple deep breaths, bake some cookies, and drink some hot toddy's. It would be a lot less stressful world with much happier people in it.<br />Anywoodle! Enough Bah Humbug for now... here are some delicious recipes to enjoy!<br /><br /><strong>Salted Chocolate Shortbread Cookies<br /><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRRSOo7VupI9LniHjKGe5O4tdHvk4H3B557DH6Vi28qCKEdVLWdhK-JXuGZJyaJWoJ0n1pQMpIWVqu3tlQ9T35tOamYvEybhEeEbrSraZwbUpnnN4xfheCCOb0KjSyi8txS4gZ-l7Lvnz/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRRSOo7VupI9LniHjKGe5O4tdHvk4H3B557DH6Vi28qCKEdVLWdhK-JXuGZJyaJWoJ0n1pQMpIWVqu3tlQ9T35tOamYvEybhEeEbrSraZwbUpnnN4xfheCCOb0KjSyi8txS4gZ-l7Lvnz/s400/IMG_3911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682809231956525538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Yield</span>: 3 dozen cookies</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Prep</span>: 10 minutes | <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Chill Time</span>: 3 hours | <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bake Time</span>: 12 minutes</p> <p>1¼ cups all-purpose flour<br />1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder<br />½ teaspoon baking soda<br />1 stick plus 3 tablespoons (11 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature<br />2/3 cup light brown sugar<br />¼ granulated sugar<br />½ teaspoon fleur de sel <span style="text-decoration: underline;">or</span> ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract</p> <p>1. Whisk together the flour, cocoa and baking soda in a small bowl; set aside.</p> <p>2. Beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add both sugars, the salt and vanilla extract and beat for 2 minutes more.</p> <p>3. With the mixer off, add the dry ingredients. Turn the mixer on and off low speed (pulse) for a second or two about 5 times so that the flour mixture gets incorporated. Then mix on low speed for about 30 seconds, just until the flour disappears into the dough (the dough will look crumbly).</p> <p>4. Turn the dough out onto a work surface and divide it in two. Shape each half into a 9-inch log. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. (The dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If you’ve frozen the dough, you don’t need to defrost before baking – just slice the logs into cookies and baking the cookies 1 minute longer.)</p> <p>5. Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.</p> <p>6. Using a sharp thin knife, slice the logs into rounds that are ½-inch thick. Arrange the rounds on the baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them. Sprinkle a small amount of extra salt on top of each round.</p> <p>7. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12 minutes – they won’t look done, and won’t be firm, but that’s how they should be. Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack and let the cookies rest until they are only just warm, at which point you can serve them or let them reach room temperature. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-ryxpE0fLj5Lc2jfuo5u3Tp2XWCn6O8IvjZj8ceHxDCJYJEkZ-8qdfPgd70bO3vIRmnCZoY_6796nLjVaR7YNE11nPwiRy8M-xPFkUbpb64Bb2lPsbxUr2mYnE8V1B4IN9Pnc7EtZ1gF/s1600/IMG_3879.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-ryxpE0fLj5Lc2jfuo5u3Tp2XWCn6O8IvjZj8ceHxDCJYJEkZ-8qdfPgd70bO3vIRmnCZoY_6796nLjVaR7YNE11nPwiRy8M-xPFkUbpb64Bb2lPsbxUr2mYnE8V1B4IN9Pnc7EtZ1gF/s400/IMG_3879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682809230527670370" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13uGV7GFbK3OEcoWwFFsoFjrx2kWD-tZKhp2r_pz9CyiQwgZ-jLVQlPlw-JHi4pArj9QLtnv-N0RmmLFW8AUE8ghZ04AalXPbItDxU6gIoL_jQ-LgYaSoPE8KiHtdbQH0r5uqD_VMn_kJ/s1600/IMG_3892.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgAOdJ1uNtYsuHBdaWPWBQ0Ffvk8mn9hDoyXqA1ydATaxaaOFd46F6lPS-nwmttnsLsVjkzUNx31dJhmGexmP3cJQhjIPhLV0QSOQpbCjlJ2deQQ0KALfDs_izFA76rNwfpFi8B0A4uR0/s1600/IMG_3895.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgAOdJ1uNtYsuHBdaWPWBQ0Ffvk8mn9hDoyXqA1ydATaxaaOFd46F6lPS-nwmttnsLsVjkzUNx31dJhmGexmP3cJQhjIPhLV0QSOQpbCjlJ2deQQ0KALfDs_izFA76rNwfpFi8B0A4uR0/s400/IMG_3895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682809235420967106" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRRSOo7VupI9LniHjKGe5O4tdHvk4H3B557DH6Vi28qCKEdVLWdhK-JXuGZJyaJWoJ0n1pQMpIWVqu3tlQ9T35tOamYvEybhEeEbrSraZwbUpnnN4xfheCCOb0KjSyi8txS4gZ-l7Lvnz/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG"><br /></a>Homemade Peppermint Patties<br />from: <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Peppermint-Patties-240935">Epicurious</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj99q50P2Lzb8rBwvXzhPXo0fjXuHcy4YyGxIBM2EUZmqyzAnMirUwaWmR1mPkV-hHmFzsS-fFhnENteDJKfB162M0QS9xGD-v3BTsUWHcOlLa_iYYeKFIAdktvXthc5OW8PwzF87xZKM/s1600/IMG_3921.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj99q50P2Lzb8rBwvXzhPXo0fjXuHcy4YyGxIBM2EUZmqyzAnMirUwaWmR1mPkV-hHmFzsS-fFhnENteDJKfB162M0QS9xGD-v3BTsUWHcOlLa_iYYeKFIAdktvXthc5OW8PwzF87xZKM/s400/IMG_3921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682809603839916594" border="0" /></a><br />Ingredients:<br /><ul class="ingredientsList"><li class="ingredient">2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar (less than 1 pound), divided</li><li class="ingredient">1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup</li><li class="ingredient">1 1/2 tablespoons water</li><li class="ingredient">1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract</li><li class="ingredient">1 tablespoon vegetable shortening (preferably trans-fat-free)</li><li class="ingredient">10 ounces 70%-cacao bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped</li></ul><br /> <p class="instruction"> <strong>Make filling:</strong><br /> Beat 2 1/4 cups confectioners sugar with corn syrup, water, peppermint extract, shortening, and a pinch of salt using an electric mixer (with paddle attachment if using a stand mixer) at medium speed until just combined. Knead on a work surface dusted with remaining 1/4 cup confectioners sugar until smooth. Roll out between sheets of parchment paper on a large baking sheet into a 7- to 8-inch round (less than 1/4 inch thick). Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Remove top sheet of paper and sprinkle round with confectioners sugar. Replace top sheet, then flip round over and repeat sprinkling on other side. </p> <p class="instruction"> Cut out as many rounds as possible with cutter, transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, gather scraps, reroll, and freeze, then cut out more rounds, freezing them. </p> <p class="instruction"> <strong>Temper chocolate and coat filling:</strong><br /> Melt three fourths of chocolate in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Remove bowl from pan and add remaining chocolate, stirring until smooth. Cool until thermometer inserted at least 1/2 inch into chocolate registers 80°F. </p> <p class="instruction"> Return water in pan to a boil and remove from heat. Set bowl with cooled chocolate over pan and reheat, stirring, until thermometer registers 88 to 91°F. Remove bowl from pan. </p> <p class="instruction"> Balance 1 peppermint round on a fork and submerge in melted chocolate, letting excess drip off and scraping back of fork against rim of bowl if necessary, then return patty to sheet (to make decorative ridges on patty, immediately set bottom of fork briefly on top of patty, then lift fork straight up). Coat remaining rounds, rewarming chocolate to 88 to 91°F as necessary. Let patties stand until chocolate is set, about 1 hour.<br /></p><p class="instruction"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpO5-Cf5Pl2JE2jlcrBJVlfwY_5ZpT5LsW2JFC1Ahho03ep-bAIwHn0fiPN7BOnC6dcol-NEWxlkup5vw29SOTA6Q6HzpgAkVBh_g2Xdv0i_IHdrygbKjZNvATaBkbrWMPa13nDwdrJad/s1600/IMG_3936.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpO5-Cf5Pl2JE2jlcrBJVlfwY_5ZpT5LsW2JFC1Ahho03ep-bAIwHn0fiPN7BOnC6dcol-NEWxlkup5vw29SOTA6Q6HzpgAkVBh_g2Xdv0i_IHdrygbKjZNvATaBkbrWMPa13nDwdrJad/s400/IMG_3936.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682812634870777474" border="0" /></a></p><p id="chefNotes"> </p><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And finally:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Peppermint Patty Macarons</span><br /></div><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Chocolate-Peppermint Shells</li><li>Peppermint Patty Filling from above</li><li>Chocolate Ganache</li></ul><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8Gm6_-v9c0PLb4_geQVg6S_4MCJDfhCS8pPRPmFNbFnJv7Zv4ziKKDtDX5MapRujccCO3zghPV0T3GH_TTy6_rhjBjwHVsedwMD6Z_cURE_N3sXXGCUOAE4nhA1RWt5_LCv7mjYV_1Xc/s1600/IMG_3924.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8Gm6_-v9c0PLb4_geQVg6S_4MCJDfhCS8pPRPmFNbFnJv7Zv4ziKKDtDX5MapRujccCO3zghPV0T3GH_TTy6_rhjBjwHVsedwMD6Z_cURE_N3sXXGCUOAE4nhA1RWt5_LCv7mjYV_1Xc/s400/IMG_3924.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682809611154208498" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_gHYJewa85J0nLhSZwDQBJXFh9J6yoKc4Np-_GNbyqR6dpIq0-ajVx3iLOdW_4T8Azkl-Uyppm8emhsZ7gTsJ-FpjWyzP9d01vksGLeUggpEzlmeSVAGpx_eRU5H0so7qMQmCcabnJvn/s1600/IMG_3931.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_gHYJewa85J0nLhSZwDQBJXFh9J6yoKc4Np-_GNbyqR6dpIq0-ajVx3iLOdW_4T8Azkl-Uyppm8emhsZ7gTsJ-FpjWyzP9d01vksGLeUggpEzlmeSVAGpx_eRU5H0so7qMQmCcabnJvn/s400/IMG_3931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683002286607166578" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2tjDQBQvOtf0xFcY8HMTj5JyJvKbchFgHEi5sVdGvSdZK_bei8Q4veeXDx_eHqoWuEgyPap8QyT5DxN8unpN83LGctWYSw1aM7jTNKLKnf52DhkSHKmGLBlW8DLIJDSopTL66nYP1b3V/s1600/IMG_3929.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2tjDQBQvOtf0xFcY8HMTj5JyJvKbchFgHEi5sVdGvSdZK_bei8Q4veeXDx_eHqoWuEgyPap8QyT5DxN8unpN83LGctWYSw1aM7jTNKLKnf52DhkSHKmGLBlW8DLIJDSopTL66nYP1b3V/s400/IMG_3929.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683002291696714258" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWZrd9hyphenhyphen5HbUhlN6ABvxHU3UwtCKE3f1FWI233sMoWGqubakUfDVkFctxBdjuH2KBYhyphenhyphennJDb65XPKaXPvf_Aeg-bcENdsVuWvS808_bxyqqbgs_dpl7sXiOSpw2rakTnNrs3vxQ0N3bEs/s1600/IMG_3934.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWZrd9hyphenhyphen5HbUhlN6ABvxHU3UwtCKE3f1FWI233sMoWGqubakUfDVkFctxBdjuH2KBYhyphenhyphennJDb65XPKaXPvf_Aeg-bcENdsVuWvS808_bxyqqbgs_dpl7sXiOSpw2rakTnNrs3vxQ0N3bEs/s400/IMG_3934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682812641492357522" border="0" /></a></div></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-71775966653598574952011-11-11T05:30:00.000-08:002011-11-11T05:32:00.745-08:00HALLOWEEN<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEggbiIrnsCysLvWoKsiU6uhBE4mbuU1H3UkLgsTC9MenULMY_NZbkOP6WcX2n4ekIx1QxwCbNqO-5i1UpqXxhkm4Q-FkDOy2QYwidgxVGyltSw8s4ztCmKabYDq3p2UrvkFJPdYA4H7S5/s1600/IMG_3283.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEggbiIrnsCysLvWoKsiU6uhBE4mbuU1H3UkLgsTC9MenULMY_NZbkOP6WcX2n4ekIx1QxwCbNqO-5i1UpqXxhkm4Q-FkDOy2QYwidgxVGyltSw8s4ztCmKabYDq3p2UrvkFJPdYA4H7S5/s400/IMG_3283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673727456709717826" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">UGH!!! Worst two days of my whole life. Went to the doctor and found out that I don't have the flu but instead I have STREP! What the eff. It's the worst.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Now for something on a much lighter note.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;" >HALLOWEEN</span><br /><br />I've decided that Halloween is my favorite holiday. It's all my favorite things. Fall, pumpkin flavors, costumes... pretty much you can get away with looking absolutely ridiculous for a whole day and no one can question it. This year was pretty epic because it was my first year being able to sew my own costume. I made it my mom's job to brainstorm ideas for me. She ended up sending me this adorable baby costume where he was a bowl of spaghetti. The wheels started turning in my head and I got so excited! I went to Joannes and bought some large red check gingham (inspired by a napkin you'd find at a classic Italian restaurant), lace table cloth fabric that had that plastic finish on it for the skirt, and a ball of noodle looking yarn for the head piece.<br /><br />Spaghetti Costume<br /><ul><li>Red Check Gingham Corset and matching bloomers</li><li>Lace table cloth skirt</li><li>black tights</li><li>large plastic bowl</li><li>cream chunky yarn</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb08rKjHqe6X_ou5Y4mol7Jj5cXIEI7RGz02pHDK63QQTm51z-StaGg9ZDGQGNinrlBLLDbgyTm0pW9Ve_86vTvLxI5FIVQFcJqQM9vwEAEVVgy0wgv-ILbuGTzecsMVOAiNIV2iUuxE3R/s1600/IMG_3168.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb08rKjHqe6X_ou5Y4mol7Jj5cXIEI7RGz02pHDK63QQTm51z-StaGg9ZDGQGNinrlBLLDbgyTm0pW9Ve_86vTvLxI5FIVQFcJqQM9vwEAEVVgy0wgv-ILbuGTzecsMVOAiNIV2iUuxE3R/s400/IMG_3168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673470584133200754" border="0" /></a><br />Noodle headpiece with one meatball<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshsM2F2F4wVCtyHBY1RwS9daGZ09ioimXGEoLQLJuWcJXhKCeJCF5RXK8msl8Yk7K1WhkPULZHOUvqSKhRhGUxUcw3nA0G0eaDSTQVkBqzgneVjuy8eFPkS7wquDLEgECvPcEgvCHypn_/s1600/IMG_3162.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshsM2F2F4wVCtyHBY1RwS9daGZ09ioimXGEoLQLJuWcJXhKCeJCF5RXK8msl8Yk7K1WhkPULZHOUvqSKhRhGUxUcw3nA0G0eaDSTQVkBqzgneVjuy8eFPkS7wquDLEgECvPcEgvCHypn_/s400/IMG_3162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673470586465033618" border="0" /></a><br />Gingham Corset<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzqjuIi8hbLHSR5Sg49KU8zK4l_oTeKTM7CIaF8-jeAmHdlFsyNKV8mNRi_yWzpjrw_915P43aLgnYYpF_MaFLQVd3p6doFOa8RWu_89yacOz62U5luFtzEy9p5YcyFWTnn5Og9E0QbQv/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5mfrrWlzyBuaJaco3jtJZkX0sOnEzWQkaHaqhCY-G1vuth2fEv5D_8LHRFFILvdSy0vl7LpvHwLstrq93iM5DWu_QhOZUyl2uYU4h5UDAAyCDbfi1zKVw2pfKYajO_ZK8BYeULhzN48s/s1600/IMG_3210.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5mfrrWlzyBuaJaco3jtJZkX0sOnEzWQkaHaqhCY-G1vuth2fEv5D_8LHRFFILvdSy0vl7LpvHwLstrq93iM5DWu_QhOZUyl2uYU4h5UDAAyCDbfi1zKVw2pfKYajO_ZK8BYeULhzN48s/s400/IMG_3210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673474572644276770" border="0" /></a>gingham bloomers<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzqjuIi8hbLHSR5Sg49KU8zK4l_oTeKTM7CIaF8-jeAmHdlFsyNKV8mNRi_yWzpjrw_915P43aLgnYYpF_MaFLQVd3p6doFOa8RWu_89yacOz62U5luFtzEy9p5YcyFWTnn5Og9E0QbQv/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzqjuIi8hbLHSR5Sg49KU8zK4l_oTeKTM7CIaF8-jeAmHdlFsyNKV8mNRi_yWzpjrw_915P43aLgnYYpF_MaFLQVd3p6doFOa8RWu_89yacOz62U5luFtzEy9p5YcyFWTnn5Og9E0QbQv/s400/IMG_3317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673474574807047042" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh16kdmcUGZVumxYTcZ1Mo4qGEmcRGjL23Gc1DJLCJxtocLvFFd7QWmAt1C7WDgOaJSPZXFx33P-Zqgt7bZg1Fi_zelQzdKcf2If7nSW_HyUT0J-Q5OX303bXcf9OTMqzbCO6kq42ABel/s1600/IMG_3355.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh16kdmcUGZVumxYTcZ1Mo4qGEmcRGjL23Gc1DJLCJxtocLvFFd7QWmAt1C7WDgOaJSPZXFx33P-Zqgt7bZg1Fi_zelQzdKcf2If7nSW_HyUT0J-Q5OX303bXcf9OTMqzbCO6kq42ABel/s400/IMG_3355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673728252923083250" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZATpzPgdEq1gJzMXTgVmSQeKU-T5oA7MotNlHsXZoMOtx-hKMUlVTENhYZn5fe_byi4BihFHeFKT1wQTD98DYnm6fGcQ083w5eFkT7VjvR2hYMptmFZColzxZtQ10KEdjfX1RkGqD7zYs/s1600/IMG_3348.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZATpzPgdEq1gJzMXTgVmSQeKU-T5oA7MotNlHsXZoMOtx-hKMUlVTENhYZn5fe_byi4BihFHeFKT1wQTD98DYnm6fGcQ083w5eFkT7VjvR2hYMptmFZColzxZtQ10KEdjfX1RkGqD7zYs/s400/IMG_3348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673484262116587298" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzqjuIi8hbLHSR5Sg49KU8zK4l_oTeKTM7CIaF8-jeAmHdlFsyNKV8mNRi_yWzpjrw_915P43aLgnYYpF_MaFLQVd3p6doFOa8RWu_89yacOz62U5luFtzEy9p5YcyFWTnn5Og9E0QbQv/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG"><br /></a><br />As for the treats.. they were equally as awesome! I made some pumpkin cream cheese truffles, homemade salted carmelos, and caramel corn macarons. So so so tasty.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;" ><br />HOMEMADE CARMELOS</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOuMi9rO3ceJ1ILOqhtikJeKrK4gxyvOHOt4XLtA9GjboySAFHVB9Kmjc8VDMV463lN0MA5khQO0VLiRNB72LWpYyDg4huqizQvpWOUSVEWboVVszJwo21BZ7vegTPWH9SCEga2ToRwMj/s1600/IMG_3298.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqctjfBOcFup1tQ2HpocxIIhE-VO27fjHhRXg4Mrhzhs9RUeQ2_PFIE7Nv2rPGkGnYxFeCk8ZYlTkX1y9PgXj3K84l16TXqZHa6RMepNBvSIgzW2K2g4L0is44xeHSJF3u00p8jh8BOSY/s1600/IMG_3294.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqctjfBOcFup1tQ2HpocxIIhE-VO27fjHhRXg4Mrhzhs9RUeQ2_PFIE7Nv2rPGkGnYxFeCk8ZYlTkX1y9PgXj3K84l16TXqZHa6RMepNBvSIgzW2K2g4L0is44xeHSJF3u00p8jh8BOSY/s400/IMG_3294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673726520549287218" border="0" /></a><br />For the carmelos and the filling in the macarons I used this <a href="http://klutzychef.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/salted-caramel-sauce/">"Salted Caramel Sauce" from Klutzy Chef</a> . It's delicious. The process is very simple to make your own filled candies. You can make anything you want! I've made homemade reeses peanut butter cups too and they are DELISH.<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><ul><li>Whatever type chocolate you like, I used 60% dark.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Salted Caramel sauce</li></ul><br />Melt chocolate in 30 second intervals until smooth. Do not over heat. Spoon melted chocolate into either mini or regular cup cake liners brushing the chocolate halfway up around all sides. Put in the freezer until the chocolate sets. When the chocolate is set, spoon you choice of filling into the center of the cups. Put in the freezer for another couple minutes. Use remaining melted chocolate to cover the filling. At this point sometimes it is easier to put your melted chocolate into a ziplock, that way you can control the piping easier. Put back into the freezer until set.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOuMi9rO3ceJ1ILOqhtikJeKrK4gxyvOHOt4XLtA9GjboySAFHVB9Kmjc8VDMV463lN0MA5khQO0VLiRNB72LWpYyDg4huqizQvpWOUSVEWboVVszJwo21BZ7vegTPWH9SCEga2ToRwMj/s1600/IMG_3298.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOuMi9rO3ceJ1ILOqhtikJeKrK4gxyvOHOt4XLtA9GjboySAFHVB9Kmjc8VDMV463lN0MA5khQO0VLiRNB72LWpYyDg4huqizQvpWOUSVEWboVVszJwo21BZ7vegTPWH9SCEga2ToRwMj/s400/IMG_3298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673726522333886610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkOpGWI1NW9xabCMUiqoBlaoJFQosKPD33Rny7XKZvXTBAVvjc15wgBdfvJSezOvATAkEXJiuX-6Tm3ms2rZREtsMm6K861GCVYlddoTA-Plk8toEX7hoxmxZHzyGSu7xr45oKhmCzHGC/s1600/IMG_3273.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Tdp1fpsXKeW7FpnUQ6I88Gt8nER6Hj4Y-Daa4lcUEDnE0tPQAq8LMHUa2C8ZRStwXi_m4-KITo9K6toT9BxLSxqWxmPS6sqhPGGg9YVHWgyQkt0Kd96cPkqulFYCZ3-TERDJO6etF-FJ/s1600/IMG_3275.JPG"><br /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:courier new;">PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE TRUFFLES</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">RECIPE FROM <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2341">WHOLE FOODS</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Makes about 30<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Tdp1fpsXKeW7FpnUQ6I88Gt8nER6Hj4Y-Daa4lcUEDnE0tPQAq8LMHUa2C8ZRStwXi_m4-KITo9K6toT9BxLSxqWxmPS6sqhPGGg9YVHWgyQkt0Kd96cPkqulFYCZ3-TERDJO6etF-FJ/s1600/IMG_3275.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Tdp1fpsXKeW7FpnUQ6I88Gt8nER6Hj4Y-Daa4lcUEDnE0tPQAq8LMHUa2C8ZRStwXi_m4-KITo9K6toT9BxLSxqWxmPS6sqhPGGg9YVHWgyQkt0Kd96cPkqulFYCZ3-TERDJO6etF-FJ/s400/IMG_3275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673494004636317298" border="0" /></a><p class="headnote"><span>These truffles pair pumpkin with gingersnap and graham cracker crumbs. For the best results, chill truffles until you're ready to serve them.</span></p> <h4 class="ingredients">Ingredients</h4> <p class="ingredients">2½ cups white chocolate chunks<br />1/3 cup gingersnap cookie crumbs, plus more for garnish<br />1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée<br />1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs, plus more for garnish<br />1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar<br />1/2 teaspoon orange zest<br />1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />Pinch of fine salt<br />2 ounces cream cheese, softened</p> <h4 class="method">Method</h4> Melt 1/2 cup of the chocolate in a double boiler over medium-low heat or in the microwave for about 1 minute. Stir often to keep the chocolate from burning. Transfer to a large bowl. Add gingersnap crumbs, pumpkin, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, zest, cinnamon, salt and cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Transfer to a shallow bowl, cover and chill until just solid enough to roll into balls, about 2 hours.<br /><br />Line a large sheet tray with parchment paper. Melt remaining 2 cups chocolate and transfer to a small, deep bowl. Roll 1 heaping teaspoon of the pumpkin mixture into a ball in your hands, then drop into the chocolate. Working quickly, gently spoon chocolate over to coat. Using a small spoon or fork, lift the truffle out of the chocolate, shake off excess and transfer to prepared sheet tray. Dollop a bit of extra chocolate on any parts that remain exposed, then sprinkle a few gingersnap or graham cracker crumbs over the top, if you like. Repeat process with remaining pumpkin mixture and chocolate, then chill truffles until chocolate is completely set, about 1 hour.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1yOsoycPrtatwzp35eIgzNgPihGedR2-dlLIBAq1N8DfufDIhZNzZn09amvow_NI3ybwmk54oDBmFkWDk6p9Wq1N6fTyAWULT5VTLIO2EMUId2DduY3vmpJ0zLBeAyGKN9mHQI_ckdES/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1yOsoycPrtatwzp35eIgzNgPihGedR2-dlLIBAq1N8DfufDIhZNzZn09amvow_NI3ybwmk54oDBmFkWDk6p9Wq1N6fTyAWULT5VTLIO2EMUId2DduY3vmpJ0zLBeAyGKN9mHQI_ckdES/s400/IMG_3280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673729328005072754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:webdings;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:courier new;">CARAMEL CORN MACARONS</span></span><br /><ul><li>Pecan Shells</li><li>salted popped corn</li><li>caramel sauce</li><li>chocolate ganache</li></ul><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYqdlWFlblcsWZd65mbA5Ltm9-TlQWLOBFumu_AT85KKb6lnehECde6SRi1l-maJs20ovuR1KvM_HD34Que-xakh4G_sJ2XikmRxWBJa9DGU865kiw0gZTpZ-5b0zq7lQ2lFKc5S36RMS/s1600/IMG_3262.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYqdlWFlblcsWZd65mbA5Ltm9-TlQWLOBFumu_AT85KKb6lnehECde6SRi1l-maJs20ovuR1KvM_HD34Que-xakh4G_sJ2XikmRxWBJa9DGU865kiw0gZTpZ-5b0zq7lQ2lFKc5S36RMS/s400/IMG_3262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673727989791397746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mTkOyPmvZkzouUNk4SRBI_LaDJJRot99OL8z2K-Ey_seY-nMb4TWZ_L3oFLApKDCFNnh6wXeiVTobYjziEfjo_3BL4AoCff8hVMwAeA-UxhRXH1uRxf7MZ0holLtenaGYAa9it6iVsE9/s1600/IMG_3239.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mTkOyPmvZkzouUNk4SRBI_LaDJJRot99OL8z2K-Ey_seY-nMb4TWZ_L3oFLApKDCFNnh6wXeiVTobYjziEfjo_3BL4AoCff8hVMwAeA-UxhRXH1uRxf7MZ0holLtenaGYAa9it6iVsE9/s400/IMG_3239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673727980981038322" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1yOsoycPrtatwzp35eIgzNgPihGedR2-dlLIBAq1N8DfufDIhZNzZn09amvow_NI3ybwmk54oDBmFkWDk6p9Wq1N6fTyAWULT5VTLIO2EMUId2DduY3vmpJ0zLBeAyGKN9mHQI_ckdES/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVGipGDUlVL3dhHawy4E_07v48GK8_8NorQ0qPjtMyRaPnzLntrt-2MkKngBc-KEPIeMusvwCvOvVFYSXFv1N6Vq_Bm1gtblkK1K3jKiAt0AYhir-l_UgrCYwjnDT8udsw5vPip6wCSSx/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVGipGDUlVL3dhHawy4E_07v48GK8_8NorQ0qPjtMyRaPnzLntrt-2MkKngBc-KEPIeMusvwCvOvVFYSXFv1N6Vq_Bm1gtblkK1K3jKiAt0AYhir-l_UgrCYwjnDT8udsw5vPip6wCSSx/s400/IMG_3255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673729318323681250" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkOpGWI1NW9xabCMUiqoBlaoJFQosKPD33Rny7XKZvXTBAVvjc15wgBdfvJSezOvATAkEXJiuX-6Tm3ms2rZREtsMm6K861GCVYlddoTA-Plk8toEX7hoxmxZHzyGSu7xr45oKhmCzHGC/s1600/IMG_3273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkOpGWI1NW9xabCMUiqoBlaoJFQosKPD33Rny7XKZvXTBAVvjc15wgBdfvJSezOvATAkEXJiuX-6Tm3ms2rZREtsMm6K861GCVYlddoTA-Plk8toEX7hoxmxZHzyGSu7xr45oKhmCzHGC/s400/IMG_3273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673494006282267378" border="0" /></a></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-21661786217387629242011-11-09T14:13:00.000-08:002011-11-09T14:36:30.519-08:00Ascot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan7MsrsLk-trWBsyOpZKLfZFTXBxVGovDSPHfnMUikNlWdp9_DWvcZ_JT0SxzfWPWwA9lPNTxzJf3qBVtWYIexCPeSmw2xe-dBEObVI63Vkx0eS4t1QdNNU-R9nP4wscEdDBQ1YkTExJT/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan7MsrsLk-trWBsyOpZKLfZFTXBxVGovDSPHfnMUikNlWdp9_DWvcZ_JT0SxzfWPWwA9lPNTxzJf3qBVtWYIexCPeSmw2xe-dBEObVI63Vkx0eS4t1QdNNU-R9nP4wscEdDBQ1YkTExJT/s400/IMG_2988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673128212078321298" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As I lay in bed, sicker than I've been in my life, my mind begins to wander and think of things that could be completely unattainable.<br />Would I, for instance, be able to sell baked goods and clothing items on the side?<br />Can I deliver Macarons to an adorable coffee shop on a Monday so they can have "Macaron Monday"?<br />It sounds totally possible to me. I mean there is the legality of it too. I would have to get a membership to this place called the "Kitchen Incubator". And who knows how much that is... Any sponsors out there??? It's a kitchen that makes it possible for people who don't own or have access to a legal kitchen, to go in there and bake their little hearts out and then sell their goods.<br /><br />Or what about clothing? There is a place down the street that you can get a little section of their store and sell your clothes in it. There is always etsy too, but I would rather not deal with how easy it is to steal designs on there or keeping up with tracking orders...<br /><br />Maybe it's all far fetched and it just seems possible because I'm sick as a dog. Maybe this is all one big hallucination????!<br /><br />Just some thoughts....<br /><br />Now onto some cool things I've been making.<br />I had a little bit of free time a couple weeks ago when I traveled home for my mother's surgery. It was perfect fall weather and it totally got me in the mood for fall. When I feel that crisp cold air in my lungs for the first time of the season, I immediately want to knit or crochet something. I found this adorable <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/knitted-neck-scarf?autonomy_kw=knit%20scarf&rsc=header_6">Ascot pattern</a> on Martha's website and I thought I would give it a try.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5P7dPIwWuuclI188XykZEXmRDA05clMxFOFgfE55YaT9k_GuKV_6H7QzbKg4rZH4_CL9wT8NWEwjowcpG9ZcYA4dRTh2AlwYJ-yor7cJPmCXG7ofY41HbNPU-SGuEiz5x5ilVofmYYiG/s1600/IMG_3148.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5P7dPIwWuuclI188XykZEXmRDA05clMxFOFgfE55YaT9k_GuKV_6H7QzbKg4rZH4_CL9wT8NWEwjowcpG9ZcYA4dRTh2AlwYJ-yor7cJPmCXG7ofY41HbNPU-SGuEiz5x5ilVofmYYiG/s400/IMG_3148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673127268074930818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsyxzK150OiPJvNP0H64quVARCw-D1Un_nZLPoIL2Ql9itfq8Sd_yogmzZkYUZ3w91uB9cBXyjEbZ-ArvasHq3GfkhRsQfyZqQLiMG_xGxRFYJkhMJqfN960nIxK07Pof6iLkvC4o2QoU/s1600/IMG_3155.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsyxzK150OiPJvNP0H64quVARCw-D1Un_nZLPoIL2Ql9itfq8Sd_yogmzZkYUZ3w91uB9cBXyjEbZ-ArvasHq3GfkhRsQfyZqQLiMG_xGxRFYJkhMJqfN960nIxK07Pof6iLkvC4o2QoU/s400/IMG_3155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673127271231767202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-72006715925239700782011-10-24T16:33:00.000-07:002011-10-24T17:05:13.095-07:00The Love Child of Pumpkin and Snickerdoodle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxuKHSZqBcy60tDFE5t47MkCfP0qdsU0g975dAGZYiALAIldeifZp_xtlKOIvW4XSZImSDhtukvo7IfD1FRNFhycPMPgRlTZ8uV4IdysFd5wBeXO7lZBR8HfOIy7tRFG9SaBRQOLa0u93/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zz2grhXbbU9x1Q8sBGNmsdL2GnzpOMcwACSGojFRK2ZlTi7pzK-jHOGarI2fs97cQo7BkdhN7RtPuEYLTJDSYrf2HzYqjnAGWwfKw1Fm8-_Kd2LRyCjjNR2nFUvvameG-g1d_Ky1LPm7/s1600/IMG_0083.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zz2grhXbbU9x1Q8sBGNmsdL2GnzpOMcwACSGojFRK2ZlTi7pzK-jHOGarI2fs97cQo7BkdhN7RtPuEYLTJDSYrf2HzYqjnAGWwfKw1Fm8-_Kd2LRyCjjNR2nFUvvameG-g1d_Ky1LPm7/s400/IMG_0083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667211191544770306" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Once upon a time there was a beautiful cookie named <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Snickerdoodle</span>. She was a great cookie. Not too sweet. But <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">debate-ably</span> plain to some. All men loved her simplicity and classic style. She liked to roll herself in cinnamon and spice, to make everything nice. One day a fancy little guy named Pumpkin stumbled into her life. She had never thought she would be the type of girl to go for such an "out there" flavor... (Especially with all her plain Jane morals.) Pumpkin was more the type of Miss Butterscotch or Miss Double Chocolate Chunk... (He really likes the Chunk... She's got more to love.) But on this special fall day, the leaves were turning and the air was fresh and she was feeling festive. He took her on a stroll. Mr. Pumpkin said all the right things. And was even nice to her plain friend, Mrs. Shortbread. Before she knew it she was one fat cookie, with a middle that was about to blow. A love child was born. The little goddess was called, PUMPKIN <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">SNICKERDOODLE</span>. She was perfect. A soft, tender, gentle little cookie with a pecan squished on her head. She took after her mother and enjoyed rolling herself in sugar and spice. But took a bit of her fathers characteristics and got a little crazy with some pretty "out there" spices like, Nutmeg, Cloves and Ginger. It made her special. They lived happily ever after in a place that was forever fall.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrMvBystsNiXrUP79C1BHH-jV_H-N-kJPM2lprZ6KHm1LO8DMcIAg5BdbRXiCPLIp7GOMSMjZr851C0BnwvSSqo2GTkUroYtJKMTp0dmHjqekyIr_CxOzkvM3ttgkJ9sKpqezpDxtMJ-G/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGB54qW_u4ZdGU5v65R69gZe3k8GnsnmGbMkVr76BeSx4o46IBxZtvRH7ZvecnnSDd_DUfXFNLFLVB-D5G2bgKnNNouBp4IP2uzLc3FZYNKUdJYrP5hNLcampObmCOa7wbUnd8Xdt_wA7/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGB54qW_u4ZdGU5v65R69gZe3k8GnsnmGbMkVr76BeSx4o46IBxZtvRH7ZvecnnSDd_DUfXFNLFLVB-D5G2bgKnNNouBp4IP2uzLc3FZYNKUdJYrP5hNLcampObmCOa7wbUnd8Xdt_wA7/s400/IMG_0076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667211606009353330" border="0" /></a><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(153, 204, 0);">Pumpkin Pecan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Snickerdoodles</span></span></strong><br /><em>Adapted from <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/">Annie’s Eats</a></em><br />Makes about 3 to 4 dozen cookies</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><strong>For the cookies:</strong></p> <ul><li>3¾ cups all-purpose flour</li><li>1½ tsp. baking powder</li><li>½ tsp. salt</li><li>½ tsp. ground cinnamon</li><li>¼ tsp. ground nutmeg</li><li>1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature</li><li>1 cup granulated sugar</li><li>½ cup light brown sugar</li><li>¾ cup pumpkin puree</li><li>1 large egg</li><li>2 tsp. vanilla extract</li></ul> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><strong>For the coating:</strong></p> <ul><li>½ cup granulated sugar</li><li>1 tsp. ground cinnamon</li><li>½ tsp. ground ginger</li><li>Dash of allspice</li></ul> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><strong>Topping (optional):</strong></p> <ul><li> Approximately 48 pecan halves (one for each cookie)</li></ul> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">. </span></p> <p><strong>Directions:</strong></p> <p>In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk to blend and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugars on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Blend in the pumpkin puree. Beat in the egg and vanilla until incorporated. With the mixer on low speed add in the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Cover and chill the dough for at least 1 hour.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYgzgatr8fDIw4hQVGKbz7JSINLEXZE7g8Z2dnsWJlRqYwYGA-aHC9UNEC_BA1QyMw0Ey7EFMtzfn5mgJ4xA0S_Zut4FSnjSHI8KhXhpW34CvaUjGihWDO6-TrCiLyBCpdShombrD2xPP/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG"><br /></a><br />Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Combine the sugar and spices for the coating in a bowl and mix to blend. Scoop the dough (about 2½ tablespoons) and roll into a ball. Coat the dough ball in the sugar-spice mixture and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough to fill the sheets, spacing the dough balls 2-3 inches apart. Place a pecan on top of each dough ball. Dip the bottom of a flat, heavy-bottomed drinking glass in water, then in the sugar-spice mixture, and use the bottom to gently flatten the dough balls slightly. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Recoat</span> the bottom of the glass in the sugar-spice mixture as needed.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br />Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until just set and baked through. Let cool on the baking sheets about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough. Store in an airtight container.</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYgzgatr8fDIw4hQVGKbz7JSINLEXZE7g8Z2dnsWJlRqYwYGA-aHC9UNEC_BA1QyMw0Ey7EFMtzfn5mgJ4xA0S_Zut4FSnjSHI8KhXhpW34CvaUjGihWDO6-TrCiLyBCpdShombrD2xPP/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYgzgatr8fDIw4hQVGKbz7JSINLEXZE7g8Z2dnsWJlRqYwYGA-aHC9UNEC_BA1QyMw0Ey7EFMtzfn5mgJ4xA0S_Zut4FSnjSHI8KhXhpW34CvaUjGihWDO6-TrCiLyBCpdShombrD2xPP/s400/IMG_3221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667211606260248034" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrMvBystsNiXrUP79C1BHH-jV_H-N-kJPM2lprZ6KHm1LO8DMcIAg5BdbRXiCPLIp7GOMSMjZr851C0BnwvSSqo2GTkUroYtJKMTp0dmHjqekyIr_CxOzkvM3ttgkJ9sKpqezpDxtMJ-G/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrMvBystsNiXrUP79C1BHH-jV_H-N-kJPM2lprZ6KHm1LO8DMcIAg5BdbRXiCPLIp7GOMSMjZr851C0BnwvSSqo2GTkUroYtJKMTp0dmHjqekyIr_CxOzkvM3ttgkJ9sKpqezpDxtMJ-G/s400/IMG_0078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667211599336335234" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGB54qW_u4ZdGU5v65R69gZe3k8GnsnmGbMkVr76BeSx4o46IBxZtvRH7ZvecnnSDd_DUfXFNLFLVB-D5G2bgKnNNouBp4IP2uzLc3FZYNKUdJYrP5hNLcampObmCOa7wbUnd8Xdt_wA7/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXWfald_IORtF27ApLZgI70fzbDYyENjHWw5icrwo55WIORZrtNVpX0xHrQZIxDG5wbM2EInL90kl-VKna7unn1xdxQ7YxUGY2SU6dZJMgzqgPihK0dzOjbcqXgyV8-yYjxqEvz1jigfD/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXWfald_IORtF27ApLZgI70fzbDYyENjHWw5icrwo55WIORZrtNVpX0xHrQZIxDG5wbM2EInL90kl-VKna7unn1xdxQ7YxUGY2SU6dZJMgzqgPihK0dzOjbcqXgyV8-yYjxqEvz1jigfD/s400/IMG_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667211188930391090" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxuKHSZqBcy60tDFE5t47MkCfP0qdsU0g975dAGZYiALAIldeifZp_xtlKOIvW4XSZImSDhtukvo7IfD1FRNFhycPMPgRlTZ8uV4IdysFd5wBeXO7lZBR8HfOIy7tRFG9SaBRQOLa0u93/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxuKHSZqBcy60tDFE5t47MkCfP0qdsU0g975dAGZYiALAIldeifZp_xtlKOIvW4XSZImSDhtukvo7IfD1FRNFhycPMPgRlTZ8uV4IdysFd5wBeXO7lZBR8HfOIy7tRFG9SaBRQOLa0u93/s400/IMG_0082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667211227093585250" border="0" /></a>ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-87838512925898230292011-10-15T05:31:00.000-07:002011-10-15T15:15:01.886-07:00FALL LOVE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOa2rl2oRm9_KtBDOIAEixn8CWYJOuduq9IFtO9QI2h7G3DPW0RlK8rdu3odfB6wLb6E-q8c-5BvZBkE-aEu1uhrHjD3C2Esd_REShjABzlbXiyZemZAP2g9fww2Dmuj8vCRos29FwNC2/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxt0XZ6OoITLU5-hakzi7kxV52O5wYgVZ5jqMPa6PWbPQvso5Pr6hFLwTVhCk-F8QkoL6-Va4sg2OxNibD9Y2O1q393r25N1ab0GVS0ZfplxgDD6ix8QDdRo-lAQPt2VANsFWk-b8Desgz/s1600/IMG_3037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxt0XZ6OoITLU5-hakzi7kxV52O5wYgVZ5jqMPa6PWbPQvso5Pr6hFLwTVhCk-F8QkoL6-Va4sg2OxNibD9Y2O1q393r25N1ab0GVS0ZfplxgDD6ix8QDdRo-lAQPt2VANsFWk-b8Desgz/s400/IMG_3037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663698105637219186" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">HOLD ON A MINUTE...<br />*Looks at the calender<br />WHAT?! It's OCTOBER?!<br />I don't even remember living through September... Yikes! I better get on it.<br />By "get on it" it I mean enjoy my favorite season of the year! Not that we get a whole lot of the real fall weather down here in the strangest city in the world, but I can still enjoy the flavors and colors of fall. No, not the fall colors like everyone else in the United States gets to enjoy with the fall foliage, but for me in the inspiration of let's say.... a leotard or a fall dress!<br /><br />Fall is wonderful. My favorite colors, tastes and smells dazzle my senses. Gold, rust, dark green, deep red, for colors... PUMPKIN, apple, roasted root vegetables for flavors and the wonderful smell of autumn spices.<br /><br />I go to New York on a week layoff in a couple weeks and I CANNOT wait. I hope that the colors are changing and I still get to get my fill of fall. For now, I'll just make some Pumpkin Cupcakes and sew some fall inspired clothes!<br /><br />These cupcakes are delicious... They are insanely easy to adapt and make your own favorite recipe. I added mini chocolate chips to the batter because today is the Saturday of a very long week and we just need that BOOST to push us into our weekend... I think next time I would leave them out JUST because pumpkin can dominate as a flavor on it's own. It don't need no freakin' chocolate to steal the spotlight. The cream cheese frosting I made was SUPER DUPER DELICIOUS and I kind want to eat it on everything... Including steak and pizza. I threw in some freshly ground nutmeg and cinnamon to the frosting and it tasted like a spoonful of fall.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTwdt9M-Ta6EnC-jX6FIHCTGIMVWLODMagmyNn2uohIUrlFu4KOv6IYI4XYpObyT6OewDJux1q5gnfNhM7DVP8faBj2p545qyFRz4mf5cHvOne-F8Ix4STEBR2qO5MgFNpE0Kpi2QYH77/s1600/IMG_3035.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdakUo76tjFSWOW4rZDNFXEBsoBBlQjVB8VHpUfPx7EKbCDQqARLU5ERqiSUmx2OL5xtyUMkCf5dN9nrm0i7NtxdN4dkHez63owiUwAcXnzxq_nIzP33GVg8ca6VQzyx0zPN7UKOkVkWR/s1600/IMG_3030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdakUo76tjFSWOW4rZDNFXEBsoBBlQjVB8VHpUfPx7EKbCDQqARLU5ERqiSUmx2OL5xtyUMkCf5dN9nrm0i7NtxdN4dkHez63owiUwAcXnzxq_nIzP33GVg8ca6VQzyx0zPN7UKOkVkWR/s400/IMG_3030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663708745604440338" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes:</strong><div>Makes 24</div><div>3/4 cup butter softened (1 1/2 sticks)<br />1 3/4 cups sugar<br />3 eggs<br />1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin<br />1 cup milk<br />2 1/4 cups flour<br />1 tsp cinnamon<br />1/2 tsp ground cloves<br />1/4 tsp ground ginger<br /></div><div>1/4 tsp ground nutmeg<br />2 tsp baking powder<br />1 1/2 tsp baking soda </div><div>2 tsp. vanilla extract</div><div>1/4 tsp salt</div><br /><div>Preheat oven to 350°F. Place baking cups in muffin pan. </div><div>Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine pumpkin, vanilla extract and milk in a separate bowl. Mix flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Add to butter/sugar mixture alternately with pumpkin/milk batter, mixing thoroughly after each addition. </div><div>Divide evenly among the cupcake liners and bake 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.</div><br />Fall Cream Cheese Frosting:<br />1/2 block cream cheese<br />1 stick of butter<br />1-2 cups powdered sugar (to taste)<br />1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg<br />1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br /><br />In an electric mixer, Cream together cream cheese and butter until combined. Slowly add powdered sugar and the rest of the ingredients. Beat until combined.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOa2rl2oRm9_KtBDOIAEixn8CWYJOuduq9IFtO9QI2h7G3DPW0RlK8rdu3odfB6wLb6E-q8c-5BvZBkE-aEu1uhrHjD3C2Esd_REShjABzlbXiyZemZAP2g9fww2Dmuj8vCRos29FwNC2/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOa2rl2oRm9_KtBDOIAEixn8CWYJOuduq9IFtO9QI2h7G3DPW0RlK8rdu3odfB6wLb6E-q8c-5BvZBkE-aEu1uhrHjD3C2Esd_REShjABzlbXiyZemZAP2g9fww2Dmuj8vCRos29FwNC2/s400/IMG_3036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663708761273873522" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTwdt9M-Ta6EnC-jX6FIHCTGIMVWLODMagmyNn2uohIUrlFu4KOv6IYI4XYpObyT6OewDJux1q5gnfNhM7DVP8faBj2p545qyFRz4mf5cHvOne-F8Ix4STEBR2qO5MgFNpE0Kpi2QYH77/s1600/IMG_3035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTwdt9M-Ta6EnC-jX6FIHCTGIMVWLODMagmyNn2uohIUrlFu4KOv6IYI4XYpObyT6OewDJux1q5gnfNhM7DVP8faBj2p545qyFRz4mf5cHvOne-F8Ix4STEBR2qO5MgFNpE0Kpi2QYH77/s400/IMG_3035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663708753512631138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As for the wardrobe, the biggest change for fall may be switching my shorts from a denim to corduroy... I'll take what I can get down here...You can't win em' all!<br /><br />These are a pair of corduroy shorts I made from a vintage pattern.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxuE8A8ZvK4BmrY5XWH5ThjNn8QodKQ86jlkT544Iena916qewYXZdgvGhZMIcjBYt9Zm2XMfGdbfbYaujJvZHwFmBmbmPzxXy4f3q3wsAzgTKWzECYblliXCuqVqpklIqvXNC5zOiDAW/s1600/IMG_2955.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxuE8A8ZvK4BmrY5XWH5ThjNn8QodKQ86jlkT544Iena916qewYXZdgvGhZMIcjBYt9Zm2XMfGdbfbYaujJvZHwFmBmbmPzxXy4f3q3wsAzgTKWzECYblliXCuqVqpklIqvXNC5zOiDAW/s400/IMG_2955.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663712879524623266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As for the leo, a beautiful sweetheart neck line in a chocolate and rust color pallet. I LOVE IT. So Fall and feminine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpiT9zyDLYhUZLrK6SueSgpL3qHV93k4IeTmRsXlEtQVu7tR710T27zuRWqUssnfUAY1_sI_3TW4YVInWkqWiA2tX5TzclPhGJg65Cz3P5TS0UcJKV_KkqcBMUK1QI5NW-7PhGe6F2Y6S/s1600/IMG_3040.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpiT9zyDLYhUZLrK6SueSgpL3qHV93k4IeTmRsXlEtQVu7tR710T27zuRWqUssnfUAY1_sI_3TW4YVInWkqWiA2tX5TzclPhGJg65Cz3P5TS0UcJKV_KkqcBMUK1QI5NW-7PhGe6F2Y6S/s400/IMG_3040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663698089484709090" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM33xY6iH3hgnZJK9sym41R0lY5UJdKQhxtofu3HdquHjkEx73CRunmm3PYs9f-C6YaTNuL0lwkZYc-VllNHKqh_fZHG2Yl6rOSnEwjXyu_7mkKZaA2-0hMwMuy17AQe9xKaJJhCp-DfYq/s1600/IMG_3042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM33xY6iH3hgnZJK9sym41R0lY5UJdKQhxtofu3HdquHjkEx73CRunmm3PYs9f-C6YaTNuL0lwkZYc-VllNHKqh_fZHG2Yl6rOSnEwjXyu_7mkKZaA2-0hMwMuy17AQe9xKaJJhCp-DfYq/s400/IMG_3042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663698083969891282" border="0" /></a><br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-30084847631080252462011-09-19T17:29:00.000-07:002011-09-19T18:41:17.382-07:00Peanut Butter and Jelly Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TvGtER4r8eWvWX8AFDmHVkRc6A4TqSznO02Z9Gnr5h51ZIpIpwo4Qq31ACDudFtHo85WBqNaZPxPhFAzputXmhYSoRRsql4AL3ddqDVzu0Wt8z6bR57TP40wb41d7PZWSpt3Xd4HH44I/s1600/IMG_2898.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TvGtER4r8eWvWX8AFDmHVkRc6A4TqSznO02Z9Gnr5h51ZIpIpwo4Qq31ACDudFtHo85WBqNaZPxPhFAzputXmhYSoRRsql4AL3ddqDVzu0Wt8z6bR57TP40wb41d7PZWSpt3Xd4HH44I/s400/IMG_2898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654241426386626242" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">See?<br />I knew I shoulda stayed away from the kitchen and stuck with the sewing machine.<br />Now I've got myself addicted to baking again.<br />I foresee many more sugar overdoses in my future.<br />OH WELL, TOO LATE NOW.<br /><br />My dad came to visit over the weekend to "see my shows" but I know the real reason he came down was to see his beloved VANDAL football team get their buts kicked against the AGGIES.<br />(Sorry Billy Boy but it's the truth, ain't it?!)<br />I'm just happy as a clam with the fact he was able to visit... no matter the reason!<br />We always have a great time.<br />Mostly spent laughing.<br />Or telling childish jokes.<br />And as for the Huckleberry Macarons??<br />They were a hit.<br />He also brought me a carry on full of garden grown veggies... zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, garlic, potatoes, and carrots... HOORAY!<br /><br /><br />Now for a couple days on my own and then the next batch of family flies in for Giselle!<br />I can't wait for them to see Giselle.<br />They are going to love it.<br />You know what else they are going to love?<br />PB&J Macarons.<br /><br />I got the inspiration for these little buggers from this adorable new place that opened a couple weeks ago.<br /> It's called "Petite Sweets".<br />They serve tasty little one bite sweets like macarons, cake balls and mini cupcakes and also have really really yummy frozen custard!<br />I go like 4 times a week..<br />I'm not gunna lie.<br />They also serve coffee from the best roaster in the universe, Amaya Roasting Co.<br />It's a happy place....<br /><br />One day they had a pb&j mini cupcake.<br />It was soooooooo tasty.<br />I got the urge to make it into macaron form.<br />So I did.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UOKsJhKV_G9J2oCaR4_O3Xa5GTs3aP15ZNbJuVh972-mFgChRNR8s2kPhOzrV6vu3symHwGzbfr4l3qZQH1iESqnMzksSvsMwSsHbZ94-V8oXrZ5O0h2hBZcLKY0cTTV2UoCGgMiOBFu/s1600/IMG_2883.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UOKsJhKV_G9J2oCaR4_O3Xa5GTs3aP15ZNbJuVh972-mFgChRNR8s2kPhOzrV6vu3symHwGzbfr4l3qZQH1iESqnMzksSvsMwSsHbZ94-V8oXrZ5O0h2hBZcLKY0cTTV2UoCGgMiOBFu/s400/IMG_2883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654243218826629282" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9wNrunXMz2OwW4AL1xFxfVIRgDHzQ6JaFahyphenhyphenMgR_k9nJUWjO4e2Vfk2xnofOEHYJ5XEeHggspJmg5frfrpFmGDLGgK9SQvyjaANE69W8zTpzTWcsnKOhFu7ZTRNaIzXwcC_SLf_fdP2b/s1600/IMG_2896.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9wNrunXMz2OwW4AL1xFxfVIRgDHzQ6JaFahyphenhyphenMgR_k9nJUWjO4e2Vfk2xnofOEHYJ5XEeHggspJmg5frfrpFmGDLGgK9SQvyjaANE69W8zTpzTWcsnKOhFu7ZTRNaIzXwcC_SLf_fdP2b/s400/IMG_2896.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654248593292357090" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiuVxNkh1aSHpY7f0-119bWwkvxW03c_BAv80FChJn3CNsM8SuTvEt3nD2ZM2rgUMKa_Qq7jzRv3dvF1iZ4L_ocWuerJB0pPo4h42cEIQ8xItZT4yCnUo7FXFUSMR7XD_UjzyYr9c5Uxe/s1600/IMG_2879.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQhr5bUFdJlO5wXYRGlz6hFOOhyphenhyphenaE4pMaVzF-e3dq4h7JzmIHh4QxBsD5L9Akz1RMWjjvITy6c3mvR-8fCdxWc20yvIQBF634ras8qD9SecSD7-cTHz5c7onCIJhKDCWFC-F2im1PT1cR/s1600/IMG_2889.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQhr5bUFdJlO5wXYRGlz6hFOOhyphenhyphenaE4pMaVzF-e3dq4h7JzmIHh4QxBsD5L9Akz1RMWjjvITy6c3mvR-8fCdxWc20yvIQBF634ras8qD9SecSD7-cTHz5c7onCIJhKDCWFC-F2im1PT1cR/s400/IMG_2889.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654245670885466418" border="0" /></a><br />Half I made with:<br />Peanut shells<br />Peanut Butter Buttercream<br />Huckleberry Buttercream<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQhr5bUFdJlO5wXYRGlz6hFOOhyphenhyphenaE4pMaVzF-e3dq4h7JzmIHh4QxBsD5L9Akz1RMWjjvITy6c3mvR-8fCdxWc20yvIQBF634ras8qD9SecSD7-cTHz5c7onCIJhKDCWFC-F2im1PT1cR/s1600/IMG_2889.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi067PSlYq7pn0za6HWODkUPZwoh49szzpAl9dyNktbcuXmybLtGCrpgJfgunpwrJo5RxJPzlskNfROHeL9cOIf3w9MkjaX6A1X1BARWKYkaf0_NoIkAS5t6iaSdWuTiV5c3KyE70DV9qbd/s1600/IMG_2885.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi067PSlYq7pn0za6HWODkUPZwoh49szzpAl9dyNktbcuXmybLtGCrpgJfgunpwrJo5RxJPzlskNfROHeL9cOIf3w9MkjaX6A1X1BARWKYkaf0_NoIkAS5t6iaSdWuTiV5c3KyE70DV9qbd/s400/IMG_2885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654245658249380306" border="0" /></a><br />The others:<br />Peanut shells<br />Mom's garden fresh rhubarb- strawberry jam<br />Peanut Butter Buttercream<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2tPhFYaIvwdHO3a-62i7MvkAl2pqG48MfhgjRFEEixjLiv_12E4mQh0sBo6F84GrIL1AKywL7oq2NB0xypUE1WmF1x_8fDiOFOqV2O0fmYM_gNHizqslUEwjAArblDaCAuzURA_sZvz8/s1600/IMG_2886.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2tPhFYaIvwdHO3a-62i7MvkAl2pqG48MfhgjRFEEixjLiv_12E4mQh0sBo6F84GrIL1AKywL7oq2NB0xypUE1WmF1x_8fDiOFOqV2O0fmYM_gNHizqslUEwjAArblDaCAuzURA_sZvz8/s400/IMG_2886.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654245663043787666" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJyjP8rINKe20qMUe8vYlKZy5aShnip94jnl-7jr1241BJ4_H672YxqYdcD3ppkKqbWwux4SLVTcvzIpfXgPzgQfyhnf7R2v8S7LRmh_Qp7YiDg8XD1HRRGQoA0oxvWe56F7TQCauTSnZ/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5AFSV_t5SXpfX88xxJWbE-hDyIpK74XZ3j92sh5KJusvkwGjMagxozcntGDSUkUtyGBf9CUoeUHGHlgNxNTUAsHwQ4e_bJtYIKo51E_Wf6AQD64l8bmHEi50jamtM8mHbAkD58JavQG3/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG"><br /></a><br />As for the Zucchini...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJyjP8rINKe20qMUe8vYlKZy5aShnip94jnl-7jr1241BJ4_H672YxqYdcD3ppkKqbWwux4SLVTcvzIpfXgPzgQfyhnf7R2v8S7LRmh_Qp7YiDg8XD1HRRGQoA0oxvWe56F7TQCauTSnZ/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJyjP8rINKe20qMUe8vYlKZy5aShnip94jnl-7jr1241BJ4_H672YxqYdcD3ppkKqbWwux4SLVTcvzIpfXgPzgQfyhnf7R2v8S7LRmh_Qp7YiDg8XD1HRRGQoA0oxvWe56F7TQCauTSnZ/s400/IMG_2877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654241413077370466" border="0" /></a><br />It was made into a glorious little cupcake/muffin.<br /><br />Adapted by Martha Stewart's <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/317832/sweet-zucchini-cupcakes">Sweet Zucchini Cupcake</a><br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><ul class="content-multigroup-group-ingredient"><li class="ingredient first"> 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)</li><li class="ingredient"> 1 cup packed dark-brown sugar</li><li class="ingredient"> 2 teaspoons baking powder</li><li class="ingredient"> 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon</li><li class="ingredient"> 1/2 teaspoon salt</li><li class="ingredient"> 1 zucchini (10 ounces), coarsely grated (1 1/2 cups)</li><li class="ingredient"> 1/3 cup vegetable oil</li><li class="ingredient"> 2 large eggs, lightly beaten</li><li class="ingredient"> 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</li></ul>Streusel Topping:<br /><ul><li>1/4 cup flour</li><li>1 tablespoon brown sugar</li><li>1 tablespoon granulated sugar</li><li>2 tablespoon butter</li><li>1/2 tsp cinnamon</li></ul><br /><h2>Directions</h2> <ol class="content-multigroup-group-steps"><li class="step first"> <p>Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cups of a standard (12-cup) muffin tin with paper or foil liners. Set aside.</p> </li><li class="step"> <p>In a medium bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. .</p> </li><li class="step"> <p>In another bowl, combine zucchini, oil, eggs, and vanilla; add to flour mixture, and mix just until combined (do not overmix).</p> </li><li class="step"> <p>Divide batter evenly among cups. Combine all the <span class="st"><em>Streusel</em></span> ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle over tops of the cupcake batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. (MINE DID NOT TAKE 40 MINS! More like 25 so keep your eyes peeled!!!)<br /></p></li></ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJyjP8rINKe20qMUe8vYlKZy5aShnip94jnl-7jr1241BJ4_H672YxqYdcD3ppkKqbWwux4SLVTcvzIpfXgPzgQfyhnf7R2v8S7LRmh_Qp7YiDg8XD1HRRGQoA0oxvWe56F7TQCauTSnZ/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghie9WgvFPcZizMB_g2XWnbb34jqx8ZCuifN4Xn1m7d_e966Ib1E3M5akav7d91-nuJP8SCI5W9F7BuQqlovB-oNN0UqmpcvHsR1A-e2Y2Xmq3eqfpmprZIqhgZ_P-spPmP-IYWOz9V_QL/s1600/IMG_2897.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghie9WgvFPcZizMB_g2XWnbb34jqx8ZCuifN4Xn1m7d_e966Ib1E3M5akav7d91-nuJP8SCI5W9F7BuQqlovB-oNN0UqmpcvHsR1A-e2Y2Xmq3eqfpmprZIqhgZ_P-spPmP-IYWOz9V_QL/s400/IMG_2897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654241417108664466" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5AFSV_t5SXpfX88xxJWbE-hDyIpK74XZ3j92sh5KJusvkwGjMagxozcntGDSUkUtyGBf9CUoeUHGHlgNxNTUAsHwQ4e_bJtYIKo51E_Wf6AQD64l8bmHEi50jamtM8mHbAkD58JavQG3/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5AFSV_t5SXpfX88xxJWbE-hDyIpK74XZ3j92sh5KJusvkwGjMagxozcntGDSUkUtyGBf9CUoeUHGHlgNxNTUAsHwQ4e_bJtYIKo51E_Wf6AQD64l8bmHEi50jamtM8mHbAkD58JavQG3/s400/IMG_2907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654243206929718786" border="0" /></a></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-50893880716315631712011-09-13T17:14:00.001-07:002011-09-13T19:07:12.996-07:00Huckleberry Macarons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9xo3yJFL0zxlzhhf1gczlkW4m5MAsZSIg8qvz-aMnp4CNdYFCMKL4rYx5CSPsSOOWdv9vKLTmZ33Uhh4QCgTNmsUgRdECetOuSFi_Eyey7_QZb3YyLavWghnYbH3nrDV0nOHm01nh5vZ/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfvoSp8sS42ytd-yJCi01-SdBBD0vGaOuTSimoPMp2Xh2ar7vUEOlf4uMDa6Hz-XOV4SnPlQjOYVNkJ37zpyHAusDOW1tPGvjhl-W52zRNpq3GfxbpxDUvq_3ooyp3dzFuNZLlQ1UNUjp/s1600/IMG_2871.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfvoSp8sS42ytd-yJCi01-SdBBD0vGaOuTSimoPMp2Xh2ar7vUEOlf4uMDa6Hz-XOV4SnPlQjOYVNkJ37zpyHAusDOW1tPGvjhl-W52zRNpq3GfxbpxDUvq_3ooyp3dzFuNZLlQ1UNUjp/s400/IMG_2871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652024698379661986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I would like to start off by saying thanks to my mother.<br />ONE: For giving birth to me<br />and TWO: For picking huckleberries for me.<br />(and of course for a gazillion other things)<br /><br />I think I've professed my love for huckleberries on here before.<br />But just in case I have not said enough....<br /><br />Huckleberries are the god of all berries.<br />They are perfection.<br />Sweet, tart, tiny purple balls of perfection.<br />(Double dog dare you to try to say that 3 times fast.)<br /><br />When huckleberry season comes around, I go mental.<br />I, for some unknown reason, act like it is the very last.<br />"MOM, DID YOU PICK ENOUGH HUCKLEBERRIES??"<br />"MOM CAN YOU SEND ME A SUITCASE OF HUCKLEBERRIES?"<br />"MOM, CAN YOU PUT AN IV OF HUCKLEBERRIES TO MY VEINS?!"<br />Great. Thanks.<br /><br />Every time the word "Huckleberry" comes up outside of Idaho, I immediately get super defensive.<br />"What do you know about huckleberries!?"<br />If it's at a restaurant,<br />"Who got these and how did they get them?"<br />Someone tells me they had something huckleberry and they thought of me,<br />"WHERE and HOW did they get their hands on them?!"<br />Or I just accuse them of lying.<br />I know, I know. It's not nice.<br />But I love my huckleberries.<br />And they deserve some respect.<br /><br /><br />Now, I have to admit.<br />I've cheated on my oven with my sewing machine.<br />So after a brief hiatus from the kitchen, I was a little nervous to test out me rusty baking skills...<br />But have no fear. I made some huckleberry macarons.<br />And they are BOMB diggity.<br />Yes. I just said diggity.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENBZGiOFRVXwdFXy6wP4VKhCFvJz2mDVGlGXNzgxWejSyDyjh9q-xFUYwMhzimWAt-vTjYNKEcv6yZZccbZVi6sQVhbiIabxV2creZHKACHegpScdvK0Hxm9f9qlhIyePGMagHy0dTqQj/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENBZGiOFRVXwdFXy6wP4VKhCFvJz2mDVGlGXNzgxWejSyDyjh9q-xFUYwMhzimWAt-vTjYNKEcv6yZZccbZVi6sQVhbiIabxV2creZHKACHegpScdvK0Hxm9f9qlhIyePGMagHy0dTqQj/s400/IMG_2859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652026197093937474" border="0" /></a>Happy little shells waiting to be baked.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2p2H12BwtQiLALoC2rDz_bX9A2P82riexAmZJTaUxOcsnbCscluwlGtiZ5O6BN6kp6gUIhRib3wMF4KmQcnXD8yC2Wm5EjpmChyphenhypheniVzAQvywc4sMIkI5knfwvhGnqtbl8MUH-51pQfu8N/s1600/IMG_2864.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2p2H12BwtQiLALoC2rDz_bX9A2P82riexAmZJTaUxOcsnbCscluwlGtiZ5O6BN6kp6gUIhRib3wMF4KmQcnXD8yC2Wm5EjpmChyphenhypheniVzAQvywc4sMIkI5knfwvhGnqtbl8MUH-51pQfu8N/s400/IMG_2864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652024703707130258" border="0" /></a><br />Huckleberry Macaron Components :<br /><br /><ul><li>Huckleberry Shells</li></ul> <ul><li>Huckleberry Buttercream</li></ul> <ul><li>Dark Chocolate Ganache</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcohHB3gauUz56Ljfx7js4omKfOyB3FOaerM1ThNy-mPGkCcv9apFKupssmC7akCWCu3GW_Co4ao-NQnl6vf8s48Gp33UrWM0seDgFyrBik1Q5jsU9pHGM6KH7QtDVK6hnW-PPrOgFtKoY/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcohHB3gauUz56Ljfx7js4omKfOyB3FOaerM1ThNy-mPGkCcv9apFKupssmC7akCWCu3GW_Co4ao-NQnl6vf8s48Gp33UrWM0seDgFyrBik1Q5jsU9pHGM6KH7QtDVK6hnW-PPrOgFtKoY/s400/IMG_2870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652026200612550562" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGiktqQY3MCXk4xYo6zhKUWamvmt0HaZF2ouSjd-FhhhscvqDbTfkP3U2j58L1YjgRnV6K_NVkF97b07N0mJW4ZcTS7G5M7ERPF-SZ3dqZ18s18vPATJ993CZc3Og2sDZyNwOSM_GZctM/s1600/IMG_2874.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGiktqQY3MCXk4xYo6zhKUWamvmt0HaZF2ouSjd-FhhhscvqDbTfkP3U2j58L1YjgRnV6K_NVkF97b07N0mJW4ZcTS7G5M7ERPF-SZ3dqZ18s18vPATJ993CZc3Og2sDZyNwOSM_GZctM/s400/IMG_2874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652024696267488930" border="0" /></a>Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!<br /><br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-22848517473146429952011-08-28T18:19:00.000-07:002011-08-28T18:32:07.494-07:00Newspaper Nails
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohdJtdPsZ4Ly0Tr_xvn0rCGSDIZCwUgZPvlGDB7IH6uABrWmfl6xq6vGHLlKVqhTdWFnLsnJ3EIdk4UOIHJaFGSAgh6Jrhk2frXcUev1cy6jwGHucTmEGgVOqvY1fUrV94YkuOH9e8iGY/s1600/IMG_2597.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohdJtdPsZ4Ly0Tr_xvn0rCGSDIZCwUgZPvlGDB7IH6uABrWmfl6xq6vGHLlKVqhTdWFnLsnJ3EIdk4UOIHJaFGSAgh6Jrhk2frXcUev1cy6jwGHucTmEGgVOqvY1fUrV94YkuOH9e8iGY/s400/IMG_2597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646083414129548402" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">So the coolest app/website in the world was introduced to me the other day.
<br />By a lovely girl named Aria.
<br />I think it has changed my life.
<br />And made me very UNPRODUCTIVE.
<br />Or maybe not,
<br />considering I did one of the COOLEST THINGS I'VE EVER DONE BECAUSE OF IT.
<br />It's called <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pintrest</a>.
<br />Check it out if you dare.
<br />
<br />This is what came of it.
<br />Rockstar Nails.
<br />
<br /><ol><li>Paint your nails a pastel base coat, allow to dry</li><li>grab some rubbing alcohol and pour it in the lid</li><li>cut up 10 strips of newspaper</li><li>dunk your nail in the rubbing alcohol and press the newspaper on it for 30 seconds and peel off</li><li>apply top coat</li></ol>Boom baby, you got some sweet nails.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcwxCAHUCDGJgpAubPEe-2Azv3DvunnWAqud0EoMrHDZpUr31lPeJOd15_QxWTVg-t1ZdWwsrtpgzZ0Q0Oy0xs6ah_hV2RKMV1gPN1vG9YGwjXwyJTp6Ia8CzRrNsHeih_Li04ngJJz76/s1600/IMG_2634.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcwxCAHUCDGJgpAubPEe-2Azv3DvunnWAqud0EoMrHDZpUr31lPeJOd15_QxWTVg-t1ZdWwsrtpgzZ0Q0Oy0xs6ah_hV2RKMV1gPN1vG9YGwjXwyJTp6Ia8CzRrNsHeih_Li04ngJJz76/s400/IMG_2634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646083423635200690" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLBVT3d0H-we64T4AnVtzyxN4E2uynzW6VyJF9eDZlQO57b4AxZZo_ETauwULCAoS9-GBv0OC7te8ybP_X03ROwkiq8t8t6QNKkUhpwR_l-OYJYtNrNpJjW9ZzGeBJGvJia4_NA-41Sdz/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLBVT3d0H-we64T4AnVtzyxN4E2uynzW6VyJF9eDZlQO57b4AxZZo_ETauwULCAoS9-GBv0OC7te8ybP_X03ROwkiq8t8t6QNKkUhpwR_l-OYJYtNrNpJjW9ZzGeBJGvJia4_NA-41Sdz/s400/IMG_2638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646083420222086594" border="0" /></a>Have fun!
<br />
<br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-70799092207747651002011-08-14T06:36:00.000-07:002011-08-14T07:56:55.402-07:00"Hotter than a goats butt in a pepper patch."<div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever read that Redneck Joke Book?
<br />It's freaking hysterical.
<br />Maybe it's delirium from the heat... But I think it's just THAT funny.
<br />It has been about 172 degrees for the past 4 weeks.
<br />I mean you can't do anything without sweating buckets of water.
<br />I wake up with a headache and wonder why... ummm yeah it's because it's hotter than a goats butt in a pepper patch.
<br />(Yeah, that's a redneck joke.)
<br /><h1 class="fn"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8fuwtI5PELzvRDyxue3Kj6WqwD98HjXX8t5N1pAQCxvbbL-TicPs4O70pse9dUlBLno9FUhkiEssGqntzeu9vQlamcn_CfKt9YFaqp2ubac8LfezsSAp0WZw17C_YfgREGlW2y5eB2KW/s1600/IMG_2478.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8fuwtI5PELzvRDyxue3Kj6WqwD98HjXX8t5N1pAQCxvbbL-TicPs4O70pse9dUlBLno9FUhkiEssGqntzeu9vQlamcn_CfKt9YFaqp2ubac8LfezsSAp0WZw17C_YfgREGlW2y5eB2KW/s400/IMG_2478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640714500145884450" border="0" /></a></h1>
<br />Poor Gemma hates it.
<br />And she doesn't drink water.
<br />She must just have raging headaches.
<br />
<br />The only thing you want to do is take a cold shower and you CAN'T because the pipes in Houston are filled with boiling water.
<br />The only thing I want to eat is something cool and refreshing so I made GAZPACHO for the first time. It was just that, COOL AND REFRESHING.
<br />From the gazpacho base I also made some homemade ceviche. It SO SO SO yummy.
<br />
<br />So I think it's a pretty great rule:
<br />When unsure, go to ALTON BROWN
<br />
<br />I can't think of a time that this rule didn't prove to be successful. The man is great for clean classic recipes. From there I like to add my own twist and the recipe always turns out on point.
<br />I used him for the Soft Pretzel recipe.. SO BOSS.
<br />I used him for croissant instructions. FLAKY HEAVINGLY GOD LIKE PASTRY.
<br />I used him for DOUGHNUTS. I was happier than a cop.
<br /><h1 class="fn">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlp4oe-l1Puvp-vlqpSxz7dg8b7EgGN0JMuXes4HWMnarNkuyCGROE8llM69U1BTdsw51989hlarPpEZPEBSwIbVoZMA_fb3vOMdRFqppQOPEM9vHRyhIBEg5FLK6RbiHLMVuKkHy5SLa/s1600/IMG_2473.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlp4oe-l1Puvp-vlqpSxz7dg8b7EgGN0JMuXes4HWMnarNkuyCGROE8llM69U1BTdsw51989hlarPpEZPEBSwIbVoZMA_fb3vOMdRFqppQOPEM9vHRyhIBEg5FLK6RbiHLMVuKkHy5SLa/s400/IMG_2473.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640714267730128658" border="0" /></a></h1><h1 class="fn"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxRM27lOf3IqC2mwuloPgAZBgyrvJB1a0_w-Oph6H9gEe7Yvd7ub5B4fiBzX1qmSY28vwhLSGWfkDrZGUr7Q_l6IEKyZZOP1SAtussPeoZ8UsKzYaUlZm4VjmVIbynuABjSdd69xItX7a/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxRM27lOf3IqC2mwuloPgAZBgyrvJB1a0_w-Oph6H9gEe7Yvd7ub5B4fiBzX1qmSY28vwhLSGWfkDrZGUr7Q_l6IEKyZZOP1SAtussPeoZ8UsKzYaUlZm4VjmVIbynuABjSdd69xItX7a/s400/IMG_2481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640714503646430178" border="0" /></a></h1><h1 style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="fn">Gazpacho</h1><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/gazpacho-recipe/index.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Alton Brown</span></a>
<br /><h2 style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="kv-ingred">Ingredients</h2> <ul style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="kv-ingred-list1"><li class="ingredient">1 1/2 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped</li><li class="ingredient">Tomato juice</li><li class="ingredient">1 cup <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/cucumber/index.html" class="crosslink">cucumber</a>, peeled, seeded and chopped</li><li class="ingredient">1/2 cup chopped <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/red-bell-pepper/index.html" class="crosslink">red bell pepper</a></li><li class="ingredient">1/2 cup chopped red onion</li><li class="ingredient">1 small <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/jalapeno-chile/index.html" class="crosslink">jalapeno</a>, seeded and minced</li><li class="ingredient">1 medium <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/garlic/index.html" class="crosslink">garlic clove</a>, minced</li><li class="ingredient">1/4 cup <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/olive-oil/index.html" class="crosslink">extra-virgin olive oil</a></li><li class="ingredient">1 lime, juiced</li><li class="ingredient">2 teaspoons <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/balsamic-vinegar/index.html" class="crosslink">balsamic vinegar</a></li><li class="ingredient">2 teaspoons <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/worcestershire-sauce/index.html" class="crosslink">Worcestershire sauce</a></li><li class="ingredient">1/2 teaspoon toasted, ground cumin</li><li class="ingredient">1 teaspoon kosher salt</li><li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper</li><li class="ingredient">2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/chiffonade/index.html" class="crosslink">chiffonade</a></li></ul> <h2 style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Directions</h2> <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="instructions"> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="instruction"> Fill a 6-quart pot halfway full of water, set over high heat and bring to a boil.</p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Make an X with a paring knife on the bottom of the tomatoes. Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 15 seconds, remove and transfer to an ice bath and allow to cool until able to handle, approximately 1 minute. Remove and pat dry. Peel, core and seed the tomatoes. When seeding the tomatoes, place the seeds and pulp into a fine mesh <a href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/strainer/index.html" class="crosslink">strainer</a> set over a bowl in order to catch the juice. Press as much of the juice through as possible and then add enough bottled tomato juice to bring the total to 1 cup.</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Place the tomatoes and juice into a large mixing bowl. Add the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, garlic clove, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, cumin, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Transfer 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to a blender and puree for 15 to 20 seconds on high speed. Return the pureed mixture to the bowl and stir to combine. Cover and chill for 2 hours and up to overnight. Serve with chiffonade of basil.</span>
<br /></p><h1 class="fn"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRssnJ1bPIOMFz1rRfsFlBcg9k6q7NIL-yBOEEppxnTEKIPZyfAZhPOkPU3tnx9mnek6Ib3d2PK3cDLEZuXN6JnlL5pl2Vfr8bo3UCgEIMWfb9FtZIZV1vsZ8aivgbn2kDdJvIXloLpIz/s1600/IMG_2474.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRssnJ1bPIOMFz1rRfsFlBcg9k6q7NIL-yBOEEppxnTEKIPZyfAZhPOkPU3tnx9mnek6Ib3d2PK3cDLEZuXN6JnlL5pl2Vfr8bo3UCgEIMWfb9FtZIZV1vsZ8aivgbn2kDdJvIXloLpIz/s400/IMG_2474.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640714271271816386" border="0" /></a></h1> </div>
<br />
<br />The only other thing you can do in this heat is go to a museum.
<br />There is a Helmut Newton exhibit at the MFAH which I went to visit last weekend.
<br />What an incredibly talented man with a beautiful vision.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrZeSg3LLfvkOPC2A9WmK_14FuahprBNYQ5UH7mULqrAE45ZOJTOR0V-7QSNjNyJrw3K6INPoRGYULPY2C2M-lvpl4fAD8K8cNEmVje_a9MC-Enffpms0L-EVRSXnOWvmq2cnS2CuTjt_/s1600/IMG_2434.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrZeSg3LLfvkOPC2A9WmK_14FuahprBNYQ5UH7mULqrAE45ZOJTOR0V-7QSNjNyJrw3K6INPoRGYULPY2C2M-lvpl4fAD8K8cNEmVje_a9MC-Enffpms0L-EVRSXnOWvmq2cnS2CuTjt_/s400/IMG_2434.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640719789965985090" border="0" /></a>I'm not going to lie. I went in pretty much knowing nothing about the man. I definitely didn't expect to see every other picture completely nude, but in the end after seeing all his work and knowing his story I found it very empowering to women. His vision was to empower women and the woman's body as well as take photos that are very complex and tell a story throughout the whole picture. There were a couple photographs that I starred at for 10 minutes a piece trying to find all the little details that were telling a story. One of my favorite collections he did was where he would take a fashion photo then replicate the exact same photo with the woman completely nude.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Isftl9UgjnFkruKqfNG_MVerrhUUodrFxi6va82qjR-3mMFdz4sORCsU4M0EmxiClGNztygWmrtXasxZgoNzOpzN5odZPUcHkW1P3ornn-uF_lOCyE6DqkeKry70wYml5wNA4M8bqL8W/s1600/dressed_nude.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Isftl9UgjnFkruKqfNG_MVerrhUUodrFxi6va82qjR-3mMFdz4sORCsU4M0EmxiClGNztygWmrtXasxZgoNzOpzN5odZPUcHkW1P3ornn-uF_lOCyE6DqkeKry70wYml5wNA4M8bqL8W/s400/dressed_nude.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640724744522228818" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />The whole exhibit was filled with stunning black and white photos and beautiful portraits. It may be too much nudity for some people but I found it quite beautiful.
<br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-77076798500234730002011-08-01T15:31:00.001-07:002011-08-01T19:09:16.984-07:00Sloppy Hoes: and the scatterbrained blog<div style="text-align: center;">I'M ALIVE AND WELL!<br /><br />(KIND OF LIKE THIS GUY):<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYOt06ez0vtzYqoF5VGjWOasx7zmPA1rFIBq8sEBe3WHBHC6w1QgbZFnSWLgDVL2xusaWnRb4TV60XmUiL_irsAk9Kz22ZjCOQbZiwG2HWzxbGsaRY5wRCzdyj84utFTOp0-ZKWPeCRY_/s1600/IMG_1706.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYOt06ez0vtzYqoF5VGjWOasx7zmPA1rFIBq8sEBe3WHBHC6w1QgbZFnSWLgDVL2xusaWnRb4TV60XmUiL_irsAk9Kz22ZjCOQbZiwG2HWzxbGsaRY5wRCzdyj84utFTOp0-ZKWPeCRY_/s400/IMG_1706.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636074619453773090" border="0" /></a>And completely re energized for another season, my SIXTH season to be exact!!<br /><br />I have so many things to say about the past 6 months of my life and I don't even know how to begin to share them. I feel like so many things have happened. I've changed and evolved more over the past 6 months than I have in the past 5 years. And whether is was something "good" or "bad" that happened, it happened and it's life. I have come to REALLY realize over the past couple months how excited I am to be alive and to be doing what I do. I mean, we always say that... "I'm so lucky to be doing what I love"... but do we really know?? Do we really know HOW lucky we are? I'm know I'm just BEGINNING to realize how lucky I am. I have so many passions in my life that keep me going and inspired EVERY SINGLE DAY. I AM lucky. Especially with the world as it is now. Sometimes, I feel like I may be the luckiest girl alive. You know, this world I'm in, the ballet world, it swallows people whole. Sometimes it is hard to see outside of it into the "real" world. We spend most of our lives cooped up in our "own" world, only talking to our "own" people, without an escape out. If I've learned anything over the past couple months it is to branch out. Branch out and talk to people I would normally never talk to. Make relationships I wouldn't normally make. Learn as MUCH as I can from as MANY people as I can. It makes me appreciate what I do that much more, and it allows me to share my story with people that often times are unable to comprehend what it is I even do for a living. "What school do you go to?" or "Soooooo, you teach?" No, I'm a professional ballet dancer. I work 40 hours a week. I perform ballets. I learn. I move. I create. I inspire. I do what every little girl wished she could do when she grew up. I tell them the work I put in, the hours I put in, the emotions I put in, the physicality I put in. They slowly start to comprehend. AND I feel happy knowing one more person outside in the "real" world may have a little insight into "our" world. What I want for myself in the end, is to love EVERY SINGLE MINUTE that I've put in. I want to be able to look back on it when I'm older and as a sane beautiful old woman and say "I really had a wonderful career as a ballet dancer. I don't regret, and I am not bitter about one part of it." I want to make it my goal to never lose my passion for the dance. Never let anyone take it away from me, no matter the battles I face. And to promise myself the second that I become un-passionate about my life and what I'm doing with it, it is time for a change. But I think the most important thing of all for me, is knowing. Knowing what I love. Knowing what I do. Knowing my goals. Knowing it all for me and no one else.<br /><br />And there is a piece of my mind lately... Take it or leave it ;)<br /><br />On Another note:<br /><br />This year I will be turning TWENTY-THREE on the TWENTY-THIRD of August. You know what that means?? GOLDEN BIRTHDAY. I have always been obsessed with golden birthdays. I don't know why... Gosh, 23 sounds so mature..... Too bad I'm the farthest thing from being any kind of mature. Especially after you read the rest of this blog.....! HA!<br /><br />AND ANOTHER NOTE:<br /><br />We have just put our second week back under our belt after a lovely 4 week layoff this summer. The first two weeks back are rough and tough and full of pain.. I'm mean like serious pain. Like hit by a mac truck pain. Like beaten with a bat pain. Like..... Likeeeeee... Likeeeeeeee thrown out of a plane and landed on jigged jagged rocks and woke up the next day and tried to walk pain. Like you've been chased by a pack of wild banchees and couldn't stop running for 3 days or else they would eat you then you finally found a safe place to sleep, and you woke up the next day and had to do it ALL OVER AGAIN...<br /><br />OR IMAGINE THIS..<br /><br />Going from:<br /><br />LOUNGING around for 4 weeks, feet free from pointe shoes, body free from leotards, mind free from drama, eating GLUTENOUS amounts of your all time favorite foods, desserts after every meal, doing WHATEVER you want, sewing a vest here, baking a cake there, getting your hair did, painting your nails, getting a massage, doing a little fishing, starring at the mountains, playing a little golf with the daddy, and just sitting, drinking and being merry....<br /><br />To:<br /><br />Being in a leotard for 7.5 hours a day, starring at yourself in a room full of floor to ceiling mirrors at the body you just spoiled to death, feet trapped in pink coffins, being in a constant state of a hot sweaty mess.....<br /><br />YEAH.<br />And you know what?<br />Honestly,<br />I couldn't be happier to be back.<br />Now does that make me mental????!!!!!<br />Probably, but I wouldn't have it any other way.<br />I. LOVE. MY. LIFE.<br />:)<br /><br />As for this 110 degree weather compared to my prefect Idaho 80 degree weather... I'm not so sure. But somethings gotta give, no??<br /><br />AND ANOTHER NOTE:<br />Finally now onto the Sloppy Hoes.<br />Sometimes I think auto text might be the most genius invention ever. And it is not for the reason you think. It's not for all the times it changes "teh" to "the" for me or so kindly throws that apostrophe in the "don't" for me... it's for changes like this:<br /><br />"SLOPPY HORS"<br /><br />I was telling my mom I was making sloppy joes for dinner and it so kindly made it sloppy hors. I couldn't have found it more hysterical, so I decided to make a meal out of it... no pun intended.<br />actually ALL PUN INTENDED.<br /><br />I made some SLOPPY HOES.<br />Take your childhood favorite Sloppy Joe and make it healthy. And, in turn, you have the SLOPPY HOE.<br />Just like your good friend Joe, only healthier.<br /><br />Start off by switching your cow for a turkey.<br /><br />Then throw in some of your favorite roughage.<br /><br />And you got a hoe.<br /><br />Here is my recipe.<br />It kind of rocks my HOE world.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHxLvmna-PQlD_wMZ38a33JsuNPNmOFVhO1hbHAK_QMSmcDmG6zwrkvGWTtIU9EwfrlkEORmAKXm3D96UrqwrOUdD0coSmcv7tCJz4gcmxaf_xoyhGTHu59uuGNYkolK6eoHQ1mv940YW/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmLGeBd4v2QwhwUeLMG3QCxAx82D3VGHU0_YDaH7xycCYv4OMqFTzT264grTCQIch_VuGHYuGb_sfYhssy7AJ06PeW9U-aaAKXGzmrI0J3INgRZLSCkYMnM-FX5RH7fpUW0atmv7WXPf_/s1600/IMG_2363.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmLGeBd4v2QwhwUeLMG3QCxAx82D3VGHU0_YDaH7xycCYv4OMqFTzT264grTCQIch_VuGHYuGb_sfYhssy7AJ06PeW9U-aaAKXGzmrI0J3INgRZLSCkYMnM-FX5RH7fpUW0atmv7WXPf_/s400/IMG_2363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636046800877836130" border="0" /></a><br />SLOPPY HOE:<br /><br />1/2 package lean ground turkey<br />1/2 package dark meat ground turkey<br />1/2 large yellow onion<br />2 roma tomatoes<br />1 jalapeno<br />1 shredded carrot<br />1.5 cups cremini mushrooms<br />1 tablespoon whole seed mustard<br />1/4 cup cider vinegar<br />1/2 cup ketchup<br /><br />Start off by browning your meat in a large skillet. Add diced onions, jalapenos, and mushrooms and cook about 8- 10 mins. The turkey meat will let off a lot of liquid.. but don't fret, It will be okay. After your meat is brown and you've broken it up add the chopped romas and carrot cook another couple mins. Then add the rest of your ingredients and bring to a boil and let simmer for another 20 or so mins. until it has thickened up into your SLOPPY HOE! Serve on whatever bun or bread you want!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHxLvmna-PQlD_wMZ38a33JsuNPNmOFVhO1hbHAK_QMSmcDmG6zwrkvGWTtIU9EwfrlkEORmAKXm3D96UrqwrOUdD0coSmcv7tCJz4gcmxaf_xoyhGTHu59uuGNYkolK6eoHQ1mv940YW/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHxLvmna-PQlD_wMZ38a33JsuNPNmOFVhO1hbHAK_QMSmcDmG6zwrkvGWTtIU9EwfrlkEORmAKXm3D96UrqwrOUdD0coSmcv7tCJz4gcmxaf_xoyhGTHu59uuGNYkolK6eoHQ1mv940YW/s400/IMG_2359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636046804580030338" border="0" /></a><br />On a random note:<br />Go buy a cherry pitter.<br />It is my most prized possession.<br />If you love cherry season, it will be yours too.<br /><br />Now for some VACA photos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxaYn0zwA8gn2JwBB_LSnC3R4SYgX6JrMp46E_AEKTADwEDiGhoHG_0v8bjsmRzfooPqIz0rKxEVtwjTUomVskT080u3D1i1DDT3LaoPn-INr9xLXFFdJ0_OsNLN6O9JiNjRFSHA_aD_z/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxaYn0zwA8gn2JwBB_LSnC3R4SYgX6JrMp46E_AEKTADwEDiGhoHG_0v8bjsmRzfooPqIz0rKxEVtwjTUomVskT080u3D1i1DDT3LaoPn-INr9xLXFFdJ0_OsNLN6O9JiNjRFSHA_aD_z/s400/IMG_1671.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636060413825357026" border="0" /></a>The Palouse<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5GOGe8t0Jtca538kUtmOGMtcyhKbEV81sCCtAS2D2Bqh8tlv-s7BqEv0J1f-wUFnKXuzbtCEHePmfDpRoiN0nDd6r_uumMrHt1FQIXT7qL4vvdLQNqc5XpYKHBNRYN_Lu5Z-adcj2nEd/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5GOGe8t0Jtca538kUtmOGMtcyhKbEV81sCCtAS2D2Bqh8tlv-s7BqEv0J1f-wUFnKXuzbtCEHePmfDpRoiN0nDd6r_uumMrHt1FQIXT7qL4vvdLQNqc5XpYKHBNRYN_Lu5Z-adcj2nEd/s400/IMG_1815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636054815659294770" border="0" /></a>"The cabin"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcVTIgSuu_9mrY02roLqkvgA_e8MiT9K-PmG8AYY-u8K7RIX7L-ftb3Utcdw2aw_RCs9Z3GdRDe9ZNZy-VWIbTpN5B4_JrfjWLcPynDj8FnaUBtJKgs-ig0QmSBtaZLVRLHPr47ksrFNl/s1600/IMG_2344.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcVTIgSuu_9mrY02roLqkvgA_e8MiT9K-PmG8AYY-u8K7RIX7L-ftb3Utcdw2aw_RCs9Z3GdRDe9ZNZy-VWIbTpN5B4_JrfjWLcPynDj8FnaUBtJKgs-ig0QmSBtaZLVRLHPr47ksrFNl/s400/IMG_2344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636054811668751058" border="0" /></a>Double rainbow all the way over my back yard.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaxahI7n4EfzGTPva_XMXonhuMMJrWU9oIC2_XvE6ORv5GI2ixi0b2nY3Nth34RNaDPuqWtNI7ypG8ICBBWO9xm8iZTAbpGa5oob2xY-zugtJPF1tanrk2bAsGngqw0MrfI_OLfinV1lQ/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaxahI7n4EfzGTPva_XMXonhuMMJrWU9oIC2_XvE6ORv5GI2ixi0b2nY3Nth34RNaDPuqWtNI7ypG8ICBBWO9xm8iZTAbpGa5oob2xY-zugtJPF1tanrk2bAsGngqw0MrfI_OLfinV1lQ/s400/IMG_1929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636068934414358834" border="0" /></a>It was my dad's 50th birthday.. I made him a Guinness chocolate cake with homemade farmers market fresh milk, heavy cream and eggs. It was to die for.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tXMrW4jGrKMbWGsgvGlE0bU-91PubqWKgXjZjj38l6h6phE2a7WlJ2H8507090q8lTGsFlgxkciaaIdNhUwUuL8ltIqx7wtaSZV5kqK6rypUO5iFIMEzV0ISRHu7xpXOt8ot3wdmbKh9/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tXMrW4jGrKMbWGsgvGlE0bU-91PubqWKgXjZjj38l6h6phE2a7WlJ2H8507090q8lTGsFlgxkciaaIdNhUwUuL8ltIqx7wtaSZV5kqK6rypUO5iFIMEzV0ISRHu7xpXOt8ot3wdmbKh9/s400/IMG_1779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636068928460492994" border="0" /></a>The Cabin<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A-EX8EOm8d8vkhBIlJkJ4vStcikT1X6n66O372uz8iPtYottsD1mCgJhVgCAm8MM6CiecClF6h8HDbucO0zCz_Gxcbf1w8LEH07x3v6XZKd5Uqfr7ibQRFx741VqQrqTWiWw74LE1Jsu/s1600/IMG_1777.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A-EX8EOm8d8vkhBIlJkJ4vStcikT1X6n66O372uz8iPtYottsD1mCgJhVgCAm8MM6CiecClF6h8HDbucO0zCz_Gxcbf1w8LEH07x3v6XZKd5Uqfr7ibQRFx741VqQrqTWiWw74LE1Jsu/s400/IMG_1777.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636068923189683202" border="0" /></a>The Cabin<br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-79236447753963058232011-06-14T11:56:00.000-07:002011-06-14T14:00:09.309-07:00Manning The Grill: A dinner Party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3RKWhOdQBFUALbg43K0zOFzMnt3sD4N_1vacf1KjYEVIzR9jBohgRiysJcTfaRKqdWuAO9yTnk9qkcDPajxqJSMkwarIvqriX6vRApceu4-nnxXGl5ocyHguEfaFI5NM16pymhmFSHDB/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhoHVhq_bNhp4HX2RaU-cVRODh847LYgnRgerT0Zriazq9c-LeWNjhSRHBhnsyc61vUXmp3bUbo0NZl6AfX-IiTV8DSpws8QIs905wzcglDIMRD1GrqyBxpdNpneMhQmZ8MvCfMbOE_Md/s1600/IMG_1524.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 452px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhoHVhq_bNhp4HX2RaU-cVRODh847LYgnRgerT0Zriazq9c-LeWNjhSRHBhnsyc61vUXmp3bUbo0NZl6AfX-IiTV8DSpws8QIs905wzcglDIMRD1GrqyBxpdNpneMhQmZ8MvCfMbOE_Md/s400/IMG_1524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618179358794877458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">SOOOOOOOOO I finally had a dinner party...<br />Something I've been meaning to do for about two years..<br />It was raging....<br />The food as well as the people.<br /><br /><br />On the Menu:<br /><br />APPETIZER:<br /><ul><li>Garrett's Bacon wrapped Water-Chestnuts</li></ul>MEAL:<br /></div><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese Mayonnaise </li><li>Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Feta, Mint, and Thai Basil</li><li>Emily's Grilled Asparagus with drizzled Balsamic</li><li>Ceriah's Sweet Potato Fries with A homemade Barbecue Sauce and a Chipotle Sauce</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">DRINKS:<br /></div><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Fresh Watermelon Sangria</li><li>Ceriah's freshly squeezed raspberry juice</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">DESSERT:<br /><ul><li>Grilled Peaches with Home-churned Butter-Rum Pecan Ice Cream<br /></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everything was phenomenal.<br />AND refreshing for the gazillion degree heat.<br />Good people, good food.<br />What's better?!<br /><br />Our Family's FAVORITE Turkey Burgers (they'll make you drool.. I'm just sayin'):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85Joh7PUXpPIzQn6Usv4CB7ono9oNJAwBm_NyMb2qHmxNTfUgYF53Cp6BOH2nhQtJKvjAQTWOhkmgzx3CGmj29B2IYXsjlv8ExrZngSwJuW8FDhvfdvKw2xU7hb6wKx_gtuRxpVffTxT_/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85Joh7PUXpPIzQn6Usv4CB7ono9oNJAwBm_NyMb2qHmxNTfUgYF53Cp6BOH2nhQtJKvjAQTWOhkmgzx3CGmj29B2IYXsjlv8ExrZngSwJuW8FDhvfdvKw2xU7hb6wKx_gtuRxpVffTxT_/s400/IMG_1500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618165784319142002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAl3PecHAVEl9nOHW9bRVbsM5hl6LnFxEjZ0UpUZvSCHhEdI96LNw3H7RXuf3zqMS_MiHGViKV-6HuuyschOom5z-Usw5xWvuWzP6d08DLSodnjmF9uHwK9ln9xWF2rG-CxHprpKu-UyT/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAl3PecHAVEl9nOHW9bRVbsM5hl6LnFxEjZ0UpUZvSCHhEdI96LNw3H7RXuf3zqMS_MiHGViKV-6HuuyschOom5z-Usw5xWvuWzP6d08DLSodnjmF9uHwK9ln9xWF2rG-CxHprpKu-UyT/s400/IMG_1548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618179380308426658" border="0" /></a><br />Your favorite Buns (I used fresh baked rolls so it was more like a little slider)<br />1 package 85/15 Ground Turkey (DON'T GO FOR THE LEAN, If you do they won't be epic.)<br />1/2 cup part skim Ricotta cheese<br />1 3/4 teaspoon Dijon Mustard<br />1 3/4 Worcestershire Sauce<br />Salt and Pepper<br /><br />Mix all the ingredients together and form patties.<br /><br />Toppings:<br /><br />Caramelize a large onion in a skillet with a tablespoon of butter.<br /><br />Blue Cheese Mayonnaise:<br />1/4 cup mayonnaise<br />less than 1/4 cup of blue cheese crumbles<br /><br />Combine and Congeal.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3RKWhOdQBFUALbg43K0zOFzMnt3sD4N_1vacf1KjYEVIzR9jBohgRiysJcTfaRKqdWuAO9yTnk9qkcDPajxqJSMkwarIvqriX6vRApceu4-nnxXGl5ocyHguEfaFI5NM16pymhmFSHDB/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3RKWhOdQBFUALbg43K0zOFzMnt3sD4N_1vacf1KjYEVIzR9jBohgRiysJcTfaRKqdWuAO9yTnk9qkcDPajxqJSMkwarIvqriX6vRApceu4-nnxXGl5ocyHguEfaFI5NM16pymhmFSHDB/s400/IMG_1550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618179368544246530" border="0" /></a><br />WATERMELON-CUCUMBER SALAD:<br />This salad is SOOOO refreshing for summer. I have always been intrigued by the thought of watermelon as a savory sweet combination. This is what I came up with.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTSYr9hXSvrIiGRNlmKODoeHp-MkOQc5V6A79PrbFbtcdGL_pLCyINVjO6DyoRyXp8pW0ex7IwqOKxqV_yrKMYKK7lEsoFsTqI-lhH7kJJ1pQBJMfVxSuCdthn4DBNBYPV5I2pCB6faYI/s1600/IMG_1484.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTSYr9hXSvrIiGRNlmKODoeHp-MkOQc5V6A79PrbFbtcdGL_pLCyINVjO6DyoRyXp8pW0ex7IwqOKxqV_yrKMYKK7lEsoFsTqI-lhH7kJJ1pQBJMfVxSuCdthn4DBNBYPV5I2pCB6faYI/s400/IMG_1484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618165775523431906" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z5EmalsTPRA21YbyLCa9wbU8EvobKTa5gy2Vt-NrKTEDMTyPed-5RUCnAn1Pr96sD6-vYkQoMLnymxd0CbPCulax8_XVUJEnc1T-UN1vYk9TDp3oz1SQ9gn20JcvAs8DMkiSBZm-jXCX/s1600/IMG_1483.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z5EmalsTPRA21YbyLCa9wbU8EvobKTa5gy2Vt-NrKTEDMTyPed-5RUCnAn1Pr96sD6-vYkQoMLnymxd0CbPCulax8_XVUJEnc1T-UN1vYk9TDp3oz1SQ9gn20JcvAs8DMkiSBZm-jXCX/s400/IMG_1483.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618165765185291714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Chopped Seedless Watermelon<br />Medium Seedless Cucumber<br />Block of Feta<br />Thai Basil<br />Fresh Mint<br />Drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar<br /><br />Chop watermelon into 1/2 inch little cubes. Slice the cucumber thin on a cheese slicer. Chop feta into 1/4 inch cubes. Combine watermelon, cucumber and feta. Tear a handful of fresh basil and mint leaves into the salad. Drizzle a tablespoon of Balsamic over the salad and gently toss. Use salt and pepper to taste.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6aWkhQCCE9hE_qhoOfaTXH2_pXe8L2OjoQeyhIg23kTzQEIcVeGP-iux717jj9rReALFoSNo2lw-swmcPf_LUNK0rxe25SS0XmqsB1C4aeo5hW6ALwcJ1Ox9D6ZTYZX9vLZBc0dP4SlP/s1600/IMG_1501.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6aWkhQCCE9hE_qhoOfaTXH2_pXe8L2OjoQeyhIg23kTzQEIcVeGP-iux717jj9rReALFoSNo2lw-swmcPf_LUNK0rxe25SS0XmqsB1C4aeo5hW6ALwcJ1Ox9D6ZTYZX9vLZBc0dP4SlP/s400/IMG_1501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618163232784495570" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HNOrn2N7bdOE4fFBaEhP5vBe6An3F8eErBthsUhBPuTSMVdhwDkzG728hDAUz_5gQE0vOqEvNBScSpHWFvZbUNymGqz04Z9q8Bsaqc2124a5FicwpV1iEq0bfjuJ2FehwE_JOPs2oCMp/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG"><br /></a><br />Watermelon Sangria:<br />This sangria is DELICIOUS. I made up the recipe on the fly and it turned out delicious. I really recommend the sparkling Lemonade to give fizz and a cut sweetness with some yummy tartness! You could always squeeze in a Lemon or lime with Club Soda if you can't find the Sparkling Lemonade.<br /><br />1 bottle White Wine (I used White Haven Savignon Blanc)<br />1 bottle Sparkling Lemonade<br />2 1/2 cups fresh Watermelon Juice<br />Some Watermelon Chunks<br />Fresh Blueberries<br />1/2 Cup Lemoncello Liquer<br /><br />Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HNOrn2N7bdOE4fFBaEhP5vBe6An3F8eErBthsUhBPuTSMVdhwDkzG728hDAUz_5gQE0vOqEvNBScSpHWFvZbUNymGqz04Z9q8Bsaqc2124a5FicwpV1iEq0bfjuJ2FehwE_JOPs2oCMp/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HNOrn2N7bdOE4fFBaEhP5vBe6An3F8eErBthsUhBPuTSMVdhwDkzG728hDAUz_5gQE0vOqEvNBScSpHWFvZbUNymGqz04Z9q8Bsaqc2124a5FicwpV1iEq0bfjuJ2FehwE_JOPs2oCMp/s400/IMG_1476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618163215035747842" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6aWkhQCCE9hE_qhoOfaTXH2_pXe8L2OjoQeyhIg23kTzQEIcVeGP-iux717jj9rReALFoSNo2lw-swmcPf_LUNK0rxe25SS0XmqsB1C4aeo5hW6ALwcJ1Ox9D6ZTYZX9vLZBc0dP4SlP/s1600/IMG_1501.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZJiXxhyFZsMPrfN644zqlx6hvqqs0M3rrXdco4IJ5AjVgZCYmMvG1pLheF1l6WEpvOtUImf5N1z8ifgrJFHiMGMtDcfQOwq6CV4rb5LCxHe7Mo735q5qCR7GCR9wR7boZqe8K1zGNDXY/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZJiXxhyFZsMPrfN644zqlx6hvqqs0M3rrXdco4IJ5AjVgZCYmMvG1pLheF1l6WEpvOtUImf5N1z8ifgrJFHiMGMtDcfQOwq6CV4rb5LCxHe7Mo735q5qCR7GCR9wR7boZqe8K1zGNDXY/s400/IMG_1481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618163225580707746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />LOCAL GRILLED PEACHES WITH BUTTER-RUM PECAN ICE CREAM:<br />1 lb Local Texas Peaches<br />Local Honey<br /><br />Adapted from David Lebovitz's Butterscotch Pecan Ice Cream:<br />5 tbls butter<br />3/4 cup Brown Sugar<br />tablespoon Molasses<br />1/3 tsp. Salt<br />2 cups heavy cream<br />3/4 cup whole milk<br />6 large egg yolks<br />1 tablespoon HOMEMADE RUM VANILLA EXTRACT<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUI-r5d-nT74h33HJ1fieDAo4OREg6octJgUDAHNqb9dA-ho5VazSV-llEEOCA0di4_j9WfRsRsmj4vWxenDHBvpGqSU6T7E90NiH8OsMjELeK9gG-3-8MFuriX7UM6b_KLu42i-arRBV/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUI-r5d-nT74h33HJ1fieDAo4OREg6octJgUDAHNqb9dA-ho5VazSV-llEEOCA0di4_j9WfRsRsmj4vWxenDHBvpGqSU6T7E90NiH8OsMjELeK9gG-3-8MFuriX7UM6b_KLu42i-arRBV/s400/IMG_1470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618172776205222770" border="0" /></a><br />Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, then stir in the brown sugar, molasses and salt until well moistened. Whisk in 1 cup of the cream and the milk.<br />Warm the Brown sugar and cream mixture. Pour the remaining 1 cup cream into a large bowl and set a mesh strainer on top.<br />In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm brown sugar mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.<br />Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scrapping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. Pour the custard through the strainer and stir it into the cream. Add the rum vanilla, then stir until cool over an ice bath.<br />Chill in refrigerator, then freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufactures instructions.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsBZqY6nAQIEP13jtMu3ohQj9JVTk4Dapi05-dW4V0bVsWfY4YOyBo0BjYOmh4HT3EILgPL5TgvoPzm-7eNNQWeoBPM0-pdKQ2j68wmXZrcI-2p1joPHyRaR1dy6II6KOKDdbGH7onidm/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsBZqY6nAQIEP13jtMu3ohQj9JVTk4Dapi05-dW4V0bVsWfY4YOyBo0BjYOmh4HT3EILgPL5TgvoPzm-7eNNQWeoBPM0-pdKQ2j68wmXZrcI-2p1joPHyRaR1dy6II6KOKDdbGH7onidm/s400/IMG_1502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618172768708721858" border="0" /></a><br />Butter Pecans:<br />1 1/2 cups pecans<br />1 1/2 tbls butter<br />1/4 tsp coarse salt<br /><br />Toss pecans and salt with Melted butter.<br />Toast in an oven set to 350 degrees for 10 mins, turning once during baking.<br /><br />Peaches:<br />SLice in half and take out the seed. Grill over medium heat until soft. Drizzle with honey and cook another couple minutes.<br /><br />Serve Ice Cream over Grilled Peaches and crumble some buttered pecans over the top.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsBZqY6nAQIEP13jtMu3ohQj9JVTk4Dapi05-dW4V0bVsWfY4YOyBo0BjYOmh4HT3EILgPL5TgvoPzm-7eNNQWeoBPM0-pdKQ2j68wmXZrcI-2p1joPHyRaR1dy6II6KOKDdbGH7onidm/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCn2sAiPtRPPX5CarI5VQuoI1QcxnTzftGgljqIwieb0EeVVygg659-LvUCjkqACfYYOLRv1IDl7MzSMK2TzVGlbAh-5dRx-DdYwcw-W-zCcYd3ftiXTVb0HFOtaVhGY4sW8pZYXaha2s/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCn2sAiPtRPPX5CarI5VQuoI1QcxnTzftGgljqIwieb0EeVVygg659-LvUCjkqACfYYOLRv1IDl7MzSMK2TzVGlbAh-5dRx-DdYwcw-W-zCcYd3ftiXTVb0HFOtaVhGY4sW8pZYXaha2s/s400/IMG_1472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618172764168432658" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSPJviKCBRmOHgRSYXybQIkrx8S-kx9tJIOPRy5psqkna9S3lqT9BOoOzSzK0LxRJOTxTFTGKusp1f-x_MZO-2g6Dw6bG81NJZhMloi3yhmc8Pge2iFBbeeNSUssWUzdvwk5gHqRlFTsW/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSPJviKCBRmOHgRSYXybQIkrx8S-kx9tJIOPRy5psqkna9S3lqT9BOoOzSzK0LxRJOTxTFTGKusp1f-x_MZO-2g6Dw6bG81NJZhMloi3yhmc8Pge2iFBbeeNSUssWUzdvwk5gHqRlFTsW/s400/IMG_1530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618181774767975106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;font-size:180%;" >Beautiful People:</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpax7o6qWZLicxIsYRVIFVplPEGZS4584elTnTUU7HzWxlX9XEAUVm_cGaLPakg1Fw5j-eo2pprKQ_0qtCy4-eIKy2d1Rz2GfiaEbSKhtfG111kotGwzuVTUjg4B8M0LSzICosrSGWnjPB/s1600/IMG_1495.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpax7o6qWZLicxIsYRVIFVplPEGZS4584elTnTUU7HzWxlX9XEAUVm_cGaLPakg1Fw5j-eo2pprKQ_0qtCy4-eIKy2d1Rz2GfiaEbSKhtfG111kotGwzuVTUjg4B8M0LSzICosrSGWnjPB/s400/IMG_1495.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618176150345678578" border="0" /></a><br />EM brought the BABY WEBER. Couldn't have done it without her.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrJtRe5Mmcs_fF_J871xKUMdmqRTo6sod3M3oDqr2TSE2VMwhm0iCJkGqFkqn26W4q5f_acm7O5CiOpplWW4hsXemzAOFg0-6Bin9BDWrBSOGKI1SVOk4e171pLGaAzIoBvDveOfeVUYb/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrJtRe5Mmcs_fF_J871xKUMdmqRTo6sod3M3oDqr2TSE2VMwhm0iCJkGqFkqn26W4q5f_acm7O5CiOpplWW4hsXemzAOFg0-6Bin9BDWrBSOGKI1SVOk4e171pLGaAzIoBvDveOfeVUYb/s400/IMG_1491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618176158754475170" border="0" /></a><br />Katelyn and Garrett<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR-yi_-kfrLWkNHVKHmfls7ymbupnL1cjC8Gh3_RC-I7CEutQ8kWZVd6RN_r2FKndy_JRydVtg8MHwhFdLXwcnzrEKwn8m2rV1NUhgaBhAXVO46KlZkobbMtjMZyJLulvQV70YOyfyTIN/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR-yi_-kfrLWkNHVKHmfls7ymbupnL1cjC8Gh3_RC-I7CEutQ8kWZVd6RN_r2FKndy_JRydVtg8MHwhFdLXwcnzrEKwn8m2rV1NUhgaBhAXVO46KlZkobbMtjMZyJLulvQV70YOyfyTIN/s400/IMG_1506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618176174176915138" border="0" /></a><br />Ceriah, Cutest ever.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcVk6W0Bu2ZFtOhICpa6RMqL_4O54I1uyKwfSAatwwyiwlRSXlo9DH3Xxy7oZi6JOziLmxoh6dZMdwbHsgHTBbIBkYk5ecZBeYkcjp4ZKZItX5IKSN04T1tv0sptexcmqi4GO8TP6Ub_9/s1600/IMG_1513.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcVk6W0Bu2ZFtOhICpa6RMqL_4O54I1uyKwfSAatwwyiwlRSXlo9DH3Xxy7oZi6JOziLmxoh6dZMdwbHsgHTBbIBkYk5ecZBeYkcjp4ZKZItX5IKSN04T1tv0sptexcmqi4GO8TP6Ub_9/s400/IMG_1513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618181759355689506" border="0" /></a>"Hey why don't you just come inside and take the picture?"<br /><br />Oh yeah one more note, did I mention this was all done on the fly with little to ZERO planning?<br />Yeah. Go us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BbxmUOz3nUH1UFogEnzB3OoTaO_07NRC8Hrrd4ObWbkkmcu6xHIVKLOZyJ8qnLdzkFyfSMMf7pGwfYtPECb1imf9Ab5Os9ATO0J94w6zqXTrS5UIIfmgdMqdQYzR7EWDfOv597BRRAHq/s1600/IMG_1534.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BbxmUOz3nUH1UFogEnzB3OoTaO_07NRC8Hrrd4ObWbkkmcu6xHIVKLOZyJ8qnLdzkFyfSMMf7pGwfYtPECb1imf9Ab5Os9ATO0J94w6zqXTrS5UIIfmgdMqdQYzR7EWDfOv597BRRAHq/s400/IMG_1534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618181768430294178" border="0" /></a>This is what Gemma says about the whole thing....<br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143891554993767139.post-71192228159977669992011-06-12T06:03:00.000-07:002011-06-12T06:53:35.234-07:00Gettin' Boozy with Homemade Vanilla Extract<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUxpVG9r5QQPx36Bp4Re_pchmElT5K_ny0DW6CkkrV5s1isLZJD9ZXLatyyrvqN-Pz1cjEwaerOP_5zeap5ouDCGVoodKN-cO89TszFzN79ypuD1YLG377O4iIAOrZItT7VuaELhv93k_/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xSqQNjQw9hxLZB37fQ5xPfDfzL6C3pTFnv21etPy1_Buv2CHzAhgl4AsfKqzswqaP8z4lAGmqLvdm2EOKDbf78ccqwyU8G9jCBUkSpVqJ06Wo0cKMq6gMCxHnWijK_T0V8TZultZK7_B/s1600/IMG_1445.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xSqQNjQw9hxLZB37fQ5xPfDfzL6C3pTFnv21etPy1_Buv2CHzAhgl4AsfKqzswqaP8z4lAGmqLvdm2EOKDbf78ccqwyU8G9jCBUkSpVqJ06Wo0cKMq6gMCxHnWijK_T0V8TZultZK7_B/s400/IMG_1445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617322839474812370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So it's a thing.<br />Make your own Vanilla Extract.<br />Nothing is more simple... Or as lazy....<br /><br />First get your beans.<br />Then pick your poison. (Alcohol)<br />Grab a jar.<br />Stick it in a cabinet.<br />Shake it every once and a whoodle for 6 weeks.<br /><br />Boom.<br />Done.<br />VANILLA EXTRACT.<br /><br />I used three different types of Alcohol with the Mexican Vanilla Beans I ordered off of Amazon.com<br /><ul><li>Rum</li><li>Bourbon Whisky</li><li>Vodka</li></ul>Vodka is what is typically used if you don't want any other flavor with your vanilla bean. My favorite is the Rum. It gives a delicious flavor to all my bakes.<br /><br />The ratio:<br />1/2 Pint alcohol to per 4 vanilla beans<br /><br />I recommend ordering the vanilla beans in bulk because if you plan on going to whole foods and buying that overpriced bean in that fancy jar, you'd be better off buying their extract as well because you are going to turn yourself bankrupt.... I ordered 12 beans for 10 dollars!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUxpVG9r5QQPx36Bp4Re_pchmElT5K_ny0DW6CkkrV5s1isLZJD9ZXLatyyrvqN-Pz1cjEwaerOP_5zeap5ouDCGVoodKN-cO89TszFzN79ypuD1YLG377O4iIAOrZItT7VuaELhv93k_/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUxpVG9r5QQPx36Bp4Re_pchmElT5K_ny0DW6CkkrV5s1isLZJD9ZXLatyyrvqN-Pz1cjEwaerOP_5zeap5ouDCGVoodKN-cO89TszFzN79ypuD1YLG377O4iIAOrZItT7VuaELhv93k_/s400/IMG_1452.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617322857343509762" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbSMx-0R9Zh3qSFny3JPybrSDfjon5bCvRcZ9R7fa9eJ8mqyYVBLGiCGAZtN5gzAX1dxjiovKejGvQl44AJrUM_hM_a4ivpsh8uUUkTLMN8S71sbkROhrwFJjVFmNyZliksdbH6mE8RN7/s1600/IMG_1447.JPG"><br /></a><br />Technique:<br />Slice your beans down the center and scrape out all the little seeds. Shovel them into your jar along with your alcohol and the whole bean. Screw the lid on tight and store in a dark place for 6 weeks. Give it a good shake whenever you remember...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbSMx-0R9Zh3qSFny3JPybrSDfjon5bCvRcZ9R7fa9eJ8mqyYVBLGiCGAZtN5gzAX1dxjiovKejGvQl44AJrUM_hM_a4ivpsh8uUUkTLMN8S71sbkROhrwFJjVFmNyZliksdbH6mE8RN7/s1600/IMG_1447.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbSMx-0R9Zh3qSFny3JPybrSDfjon5bCvRcZ9R7fa9eJ8mqyYVBLGiCGAZtN5gzAX1dxjiovKejGvQl44AJrUM_hM_a4ivpsh8uUUkTLMN8S71sbkROhrwFJjVFmNyZliksdbH6mE8RN7/s400/IMG_1447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617322848449806610" border="0" /></a>As for these classic amber bottles, I ordered them on http://www.specialtybottle.com/.<br />Unfortunately you will pay more for shipping than the bottles themselves....<br /><br /><br />Makes a great gift too!<br />Enjoy!<br /></div>crafterinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500337869535286220noreply@blogger.com0