tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24893414438972348842024-03-05T21:32:42.695-08:00Channeling The Old Lady WithinIn today's hustle and bustle world convenience seems to be the preferred method of living; but as we are finding out, convenient isn't always good for the body or the soul. Let's do more things the way grandma experienced them: from scratch, from our own soil, with love and pride...but let's not forget to have fun, make fun of ourselves, and the booze. Always remember the booze (if you are of age, of course).Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-34975043480799539442012-06-25T15:43:00.000-07:002012-06-25T15:43:33.087-07:00Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes in a Sweet Walnut VinaigretteI had the most amazing wine tasting experience near Santa Barbara a couple weekends ago. Not only was the wine amazing, but we got a special treat when we went olive oil tasting at this cute little place in Los Olivos, called <a href="http://www.globalgardensonline.com/" target="_blank">Global Gardens</a>. Honestly, that was my favorite part! I fell in love with the <a href="http://www.globalgardensonline.com/product.php?ID=42/fig-dark-balsamic-vinegar" target="_blank">fig infused balsamic vinegar</a> and all of the first cold pressed artisan olive oils, but my heart belongs to the nutty, savory <a href="http://www.globalgardensonline.com/product.php?ID=25/roasted-walnut-oil" target="_blank">walnut oil</a>. This stuff is to die for!<br />
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When I came home that weekend to find ripe tomatoes in my garden I was excited to start experimenting with the nutty oil and sweet tomatoes! The pairing is perfect, and along with some red wine vinegar it stimulates every taste bud.<br />
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<b>Sweet Walnut Vinaigrette</b><br />
1/2 cup Walnut Oil<br />
1/4 cup red wine vinegar<br />
1 Tbsp honey<br />
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard (if you're nasty...*Janet Jackson reference, not actually nasty)<br />
1 clove garlic<br />
2 tsp parsley<br />
2 tsp thyme<br />
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Mix ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar, throw in some tomatoes and let marinade for 1 or more hours, then serve. Oh, how I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE summer.<br />
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Check out this tomato from my garden! It's of the Hillbilly heirloom variety. <3</div>
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<br />Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-64362368478012765112012-05-08T20:28:00.000-07:002012-05-08T21:05:03.652-07:00Stank Breath Mater Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgqbXJPLuXlrz7EjJ_RWYLKRMyamuyV9BxtB3mfLeO7WOTrVWtUpWRDpdN41MAOLgoLwToGMQfo1VElzlv7JxUc8HhZ57Sh9QYNfRbKeEpQFsuxRkiGWUhiaxZLzcrIpKcO1KAcysXEg/s1600/tomato.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgqbXJPLuXlrz7EjJ_RWYLKRMyamuyV9BxtB3mfLeO7WOTrVWtUpWRDpdN41MAOLgoLwToGMQfo1VElzlv7JxUc8HhZ57Sh9QYNfRbKeEpQFsuxRkiGWUhiaxZLzcrIpKcO1KAcysXEg/s320/tomato.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Introducing: Stank Breath Mater Salad; or if you're fancy: Heirloom cherry tomato and bleu cheese salad with pistachio balsamic pesto dressing. </div>
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I'm baaaaaaaaack in the saddle again! Hate to admit it because I always thought spring was my season, but apparently I'm a just summer kind of girl. Winter and spring just don't get my creative juices flowing. Weirdly, I lose my drive to cook and feel uninspired by food in general in winter. I love being able to go out to my garden, pick out flavors that compliment each other and arrange and prepare them in the kitchen. I imagine it's a pretty weird thing to watch since I rarely follow any sort of recipe and just start grabbing from every direction in the kitchen. Most likely it looks like a primitive idiotic dance...but I'm pretty happy with what the dance yields.<br />
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It's latest creation is what I like to call Stank Breath Mater Salad, because it sounds like something my dad would call it. Since my tomatoes are only just beginning to bloom, I had to have some help with grocery store tomatoes. I love intense flavors, so this salad really makes me happy. However, don't eat it by yourself, then go try to socialize! The aftermath isn't pretty for anyone on the receiving end, hence the name. Enjoy!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Stank Breath Mater Salad:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Heirloom cherry tomato and bleu cheese salad with balsamic pistachio pesto dressing</span></b></div>
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<b>1 7oz container of orange heirloom tomatoes</b></div>
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<b>1/3 cup of crumbled bleu cheese</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For the pesto:</span></b></div>
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<b>1/2 cup fresh basil</b></div>
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<b>2 tbsp fresh lemon balm</b></div>
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<b>1/2 tbsp fresh orange mint</b></div>
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<b>(if you don't have lemon balm or orange mint plants, just use basil)</b></div>
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<b>1/2 cup parm cheese</b></div>
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<b>1/3 cup Wonderful pistachio kernels</b></div>
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<b>1/4 cup olive oil</b></div>
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<b>2 cloves of garlic</b></div>
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<b>Put all pesto ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth. In a medium size bowl, cut tomatoes in half and mix in bleu cheese and pesto.</b></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheoldladyatheart.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fstank-breath-mater-salad.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Wb38s3LD-d4%2FT6nd1rjBbGI%2FAAAAAAAAATI%2FAIJmgSKywX8%2Fs1600%2Ftomato.png&description=Heirloom%20cherry%20tomato%20and%20bleu%20cheese%20salad%20with%20balsamic%20pistachio%20pesto%20dressing" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-68024291192583368092012-02-22T14:14:00.000-08:002012-02-22T21:26:42.103-08:00Octopussies...<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheoldladyatheart.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F02%2Foctopussies.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ZXY2O58qChw%2FT0VjPIi5kCI%2FAAAAAAAAAS0%2FNPGQECLDSvw%2Fs640%2F20k%2Bleagues.jpg&description=20%20Thousand%20Leagues%20Under%20The%20Sea%2C%20glam%20style%20bathroom!">Pin It</a><br />
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One day while walking through my home I've had for close to five years now, I suddenly realized the lack of decorating my lazy ass had failed to accomplish. Suddenly, I had a <a href="http://nataliedee.com/" target="_blank">Natalie Dee</a> moment and decided I MUST DECORATE ALL THE THINGS and immediately began brainstorming via Pinterest. Unfortunately, trying to simultaneously decorate every room in the house can be quite daunting so I decided to just pick one room to start with.<br />
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My bathroom has been a mish-mash of nautical dark blues, pasty white walls, and the typical beach sand and shell motif I have grown to loathe. So I decided to put a spin on a B-movie theme and do something out of the ordinary. My inspiration was the movie <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_Thousand_Leagues_Under_the_Sea" target="_blank">Twenty-thousand Leagues Under The Sea,</a> with a glam twist. What does that look like you say? well, see below:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLI475zeXZVrj-CbRmPhtgydDtnkPsvAiEwve9NCXt8xQ1Li3Zy349kZs-Eivh1SGofRndl3qn3or-yE_wQAb40hoqe1l-g1TNqRZGQPl0b-ToLCHPsjBROrz-AP5OQh6OtCOJYVFeiI/s1600/20k+leagues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLI475zeXZVrj-CbRmPhtgydDtnkPsvAiEwve9NCXt8xQ1Li3Zy349kZs-Eivh1SGofRndl3qn3or-yE_wQAb40hoqe1l-g1TNqRZGQPl0b-ToLCHPsjBROrz-AP5OQh6OtCOJYVFeiI/s640/20k+leagues.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I started off by perusing Etsy for some ideas, and used the search terms: Squid, octopus, 20k leagues...etc. I found this really great art print of an octopus (granted it's not a squid like the actual movie depicts, but it's still really damn cool.). I went to a local home decor store and picked out some really gnarly silver decorations. My favorite pieces are the tentacle-like vase, the sparkly shower curtain with sequins in a double helix pattern from Bed Bath and Beyond (fuck yeah), and the crazy looking silver coral that is also quite tentacle-esque.<br />
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For the colors scheme I knew I wanted three walls to be iridescent pearl , but the focal wall was a little harder. I went back and forth between lavender and blue-green, but finally chose blue-green which I really love. However, I will NEVER buy iridescent paint for a large surface EVER again. What a pain in the ass. Not only did I have to do two coats of primer, but also three coats of the shiny glaze...five coats altogether; which is still streaky in areas. Even though it's pretty up close, overall the color is a little too taupe for my liking. Eventually, I will repaint it but for know my stubborn ass is hoping it will grow on me after all that hard work. :)<br />
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My absolute favorite elements in this bathroom are the silver painted octopuses...(is this a word, or are they called octopii? haha) and squid. I found these little toys for pretty cheap at Michael's, spray painted them silver, and arranged a few of them in a hurricane vase; which really adds an interesting element to the mix. I had some old frames laying around so I painted them to match my focal wall and hung my Etsy print in one, then took out the glass of the other two frames, hung them on the wall and stuck a scuba diver and octopus to the inside with velcro tape. These are also really cool and definitely add to the story (if bathrooms could tell stories).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/kitchen/2011-01-30-Barbacoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/kitchen/2011-01-30-Barbacoa.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-for-a-crowd-big-game-day-barbacoa-165301" target="_blank">Delicious Barbacoa Tacos</a><br />
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</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="http://www.marthastewart.com/sites/files/marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/generic/cs_xd103293_brulee_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.marthastewart.com/sites/files/marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/generic/cs_xd103293_brulee_l.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/339077/creme-brulee" target="_blank">Creme Brulee</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO-xGXez3yfypALbVeXo9nOYQWFhdTX8Le97FwoULqkgj7lpCRiaUw75wMJshLtcTQar-QwYK_DppxoG4f7WS-TDkcskajXfsjTKksZLAfKK5XNBmgpCHQ1jS0dRJsDVXN8aj1pLsK5fV/s400/DSC_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO-xGXez3yfypALbVeXo9nOYQWFhdTX8Le97FwoULqkgj7lpCRiaUw75wMJshLtcTQar-QwYK_DppxoG4f7WS-TDkcskajXfsjTKksZLAfKK5XNBmgpCHQ1jS0dRJsDVXN8aj1pLsK5fV/s320/DSC_0211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beyerbeware.net/2011/04/hunk-of-meat-monday-game-time-favorites.html" target="_blank">OMG Hawaiian Bread Ham and Cheese Sliders...SO GOOD</a></td></tr>
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</div><div>Even though I've been putting the blogging on the back burner, I am still practicing my "old lady at heart" skills. I started sewing a little more. Now, I can wind bobbins, and thread my machine like a pro! Last weekend I turned this big ugly shirt into a form fitting dolman style shirt, thanks to an amazing seamstress with a YouTube channel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1bi9r1Hl_KbBY10zC0bBr7ZC53fdL7JflxOfRV0-2AO2wZF_xQ_p7_XBzRcgxzBzmUC3N081c8pMK15qu0sFkvgHb0JAD7xtti4WYAolKDXOh3_7H45tHVk_mxuJicreAcfVw5bKtsQ/s1600/dolman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1bi9r1Hl_KbBY10zC0bBr7ZC53fdL7JflxOfRV0-2AO2wZF_xQ_p7_XBzRcgxzBzmUC3N081c8pMK15qu0sFkvgHb0JAD7xtti4WYAolKDXOh3_7H45tHVk_mxuJicreAcfVw5bKtsQ/s320/dolman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trashtocouture.com/2011/11/old-mens-t-shirt-sewn-into-womens.html" target="_blank">Check out the tutorial here.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>NASCAR in Vegas is coming up soon, which means lots of time on the campground...which means time to learn how to knit! I'm taking some knitting needles and plenty of yarn. Hopefully this goes well, unlike my first attempts at crochet, haha!<br />
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</div></div></div>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-20307068012548260302011-12-15T19:54:00.000-08:002011-12-15T19:54:45.027-08:00It's a Soupy Kind Of WinterThis time of the year really makes me want a piping hot bowl of soup. I've found some amazing recipes from Pinterest that I'm dying to share! My favorites have been a Rachel Ray chicken lime soup, and another yummy Mexican style soup called albondigas soup (meatball soup). Both are way simple, and only take 30-40 minutes, perfect for week-night meals.<br />
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I should also have this delicious recipe for carnitas on here, but alas it didn't get to try it. I was so excited to make this, because the recipe sounded amazing! I got up early on a Wednesday so I could brown my pork shoulder and insert slivers of garlic all over it, then added the shoulder and other ingredients to the crock pot and went to work. I thought about that damn thing all day...about how good it was going to smell when I got home, and about how amazing the slivers of garlic inside the shoulder would be...but when I got home, there was no smell. <br />
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I dropped my stuff at the door and briskly walked to the kitchen because deep down I knew something was horribly wrong...only to discover, the screen on the crock pot was black. Found out the power went off at 8AM that day...just 30 minutes after I left from work...F*&%! I was so pissed. I did get my carnitas, however because my mouth was absolutely SET on eating them...had to go to a restaurant, but they were still good.<br />
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I'm still in mourning over that hunk of destined to be delicious meat. Curse you, freak occurring power outage...<br />
Here is the recipe if anyone wants to try it and rub in my face how amazing it is---><a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/03/mexican-slow-cooked-pork-carnitas.html#more" target="_blank">Carnitas in a crock pot</a><br />
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</div>Albondigas Soup recipe from <a href="http://userealbutter.com/2011/12/01/mexican-meatball-albondigas-soup-recipe/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+userealbutter+%28use+real+butter%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" target="_blank">userealbutter.com</a> <---click there<br />
<a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/57702438945317735_tdWJXumy_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/57702438945317735_tdWJXumy_c.jpg" width="222px" /></a><br />
Chicken Lime Soup from <a href="http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/mucho-gusto-latin-recipes/mexican-chicken-lime-soup" target="_blank">RachelRay.com</a> <---Click there<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TOH/Images/Photos/61/mexicanChickenLimeSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TOH/Images/Photos/61/mexicanChickenLimeSoup.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Enjoy!Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-4413370981271545022011-11-25T19:37:00.000-08:002011-11-25T19:37:52.161-08:00Check Out My Hooters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAjxrroh6fN27FryMhaqm-aBExN5bGOFaWtKDMPfozPlcBBznvxhbO38akz3kzSJIT0_ihyphenhyphenPNujUMPzlz0bB12CY4VaWnEj7M7ph2kTeJXTokHtafOheVlZv8dvxvEvRRoUyw6CnlhdA/s1600/IMG_4915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAjxrroh6fN27FryMhaqm-aBExN5bGOFaWtKDMPfozPlcBBznvxhbO38akz3kzSJIT0_ihyphenhyphenPNujUMPzlz0bB12CY4VaWnEj7M7ph2kTeJXTokHtafOheVlZv8dvxvEvRRoUyw6CnlhdA/s320/IMG_4915.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once again<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/"> Ravelry</a> saves the day! If you crochet and haven't discovered Ravelry yet, you're totally missing out. I just made the cutest little hats for my nieces and nephew. I followed the pattern for the first one, but the last two I kinda winged.<br />
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So <a href="http://www.slugsontherefrigerator.com/home/2011/10/owl-hat-pattern.html">here</a> is the pattern, which is offered in several sizes on her site. However, if there is a size she doesn't have...or your child has a bulbous head, just measure the head, then chain one inch less (depending on the stretchyness of the yarn) and join to start the body of your hat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MIyvW8xKItyUEpJh-_t_JUV0iTodfAvJTspVkNNJcIjo1fEPnPspZfnyesxkkjVKLlGdPlsqdMMsHKP5NJGqGvH0lwnb3JG62UXCJeTVB91nAw24U0XHb7WHqKRgWXfs1w4-wkDQ1HY/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MIyvW8xKItyUEpJh-_t_JUV0iTodfAvJTspVkNNJcIjo1fEPnPspZfnyesxkkjVKLlGdPlsqdMMsHKP5NJGqGvH0lwnb3JG62UXCJeTVB91nAw24U0XHb7WHqKRgWXfs1w4-wkDQ1HY/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>By the way, I'm not sure if any of you have discovered the amazingness that is <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> yet, but I'm officially hooked...and its kind of becoming a ridiculous addiction. I spend more time looking and pinning all the damn projects than I do anything else--including housework, crafts, making dinner, and spending time with the Hubbz. Good thing he's too busy playing Angry Birds to notice :D<br />
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Seriously though, it really is making me an unproductive human being and it's starting to get embarrassing! Going to start restricting myself to 10 pins a day! haha.Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-75275582659943163882011-10-25T12:16:00.000-07:002011-10-25T14:43:23.226-07:00The Pistachio Fairy and The Crochet Hook SmugglerWow! It's been Soooooo long since my post! As some of you knew I have been involved with this year's pistachio harvest; working around the clock to bring delicious pistachios to grocery stores across the world...so that leaves no time for me to do anything but eat, sleep and breathe pistachios! I'm even going to be a pistachio fairy for Halloween, here's a picture of my magic wand to prove it:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUDb-DHkAQRnuQt1TsHPElJOU7j5KDs5uGHQlnOG7vzvEWPzMwfJ4AIWhaO4qRUMUQ_F62aQuLHuXDDNVHvvoXZG3j-6-bpk_DCwq3JoGtNF_xxyTAl13HXcJdIIzlz2eT4uubcSYgAc/s1600/pistachio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUDb-DHkAQRnuQt1TsHPElJOU7j5KDs5uGHQlnOG7vzvEWPzMwfJ4AIWhaO4qRUMUQ_F62aQuLHuXDDNVHvvoXZG3j-6-bpk_DCwq3JoGtNF_xxyTAl13HXcJdIIzlz2eT4uubcSYgAc/s320/pistachio.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
Luckily, the madness of harvest is over and I am so happy to get back to my domestic ways! I already juiced the first pomegranates of the season and will be making jelly really soon! In case you missed it <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2010/10/everything-is-better-topless.html">here</a> is a link to my <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2010/10/everything-is-better-topless.html">pomegranate jelly</a> recipe. I've also go a few new recipes to try out that I'm super excited about!<br />
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But first...I need to take a rest. The jelly-making is going to have to wait because the Hubbz and I are taking a week long vaca in Oahu next week! Woohoooo, happy end of harvest to me :) I should be coming back with tons of ideas for Spam and pineapple recipes though so stay tuned!<br />
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As exciting as a trip to Oahu sounds, surprisingly the only thing on my mind has been trying to figure out how to smuggle my crochet hooks on the plane...Obviously the metal ones are out, but I'm thinking the wooden and plastic might be okay? I don't know, I haven't been on a plane since 2003, so I'm sure a lot has changed. If any readers have any smuggling tricks, other than how criminals conceal things...no hooks are entering ANY of my orifices, thank you very much. I'm desperate...but not that desperate. Think I may try using them as hair accessories...or sticking them inside my balls of yarn.<br />
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Anyhow, thank you to all my loyal readers who didn't give up on me! I promise, an actual post is coming soon!!<br />
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Follow-Up:<br />
My friend Christa saves the day!<br />
"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Actually, having done this A LOT going back and forth to Oklahoma, I know that you actually CAN take all your knitting/crochet supplies (even metal ones) in carry-on to use during your flight -- including sharp scissors up to 4 inches in length! Here's the link: <a href="http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1252.shtm" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.tsa.gov/travele<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>rs/airtravel/assistant/edi<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>torial_1252.shtm</a> "-Christa</span><br />
xo<br />
CandiceCandicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-71462735348247853912011-09-02T15:31:00.000-07:002011-09-06T21:31:28.633-07:00Figs are not just for Newtons!Up until yesterday, the only fig I've ever eaten was mixed with sugar and chemicals in the form of a certain cookie bearing its name. So yesterday, when my massage therapist offered me some white figs from her tree(in farm country, everyone has a garden or fruit tree), I thought..okay, why not? I'm adventurous enough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-K2mlWXElZmzXBHr3DIIptgaRAXfQnxOZGt8VXkEc3yHo5BAXgDPEFagvTk_yhjRYPtRV8FhaHeMxHRJ8elU8PJMJUrEhJaPi22nb5G7-SrUWrBWiNlSnIKZDgF6Fhp66zNf4yehCZw/s1600/white+fig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-K2mlWXElZmzXBHr3DIIptgaRAXfQnxOZGt8VXkEc3yHo5BAXgDPEFagvTk_yhjRYPtRV8FhaHeMxHRJ8elU8PJMJUrEhJaPi22nb5G7-SrUWrBWiNlSnIKZDgF6Fhp66zNf4yehCZw/s1600/white+fig.jpg" xaa="true" /></a></div>
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I always give new fruits and veggies the "raw" test, by giving it a quick smell, cutting it open, and taking a small bite. My first impression of this fig was "Cool! Looks like a sea anemone!" It's green and squishy and has tentacle like insides. That was the science geek in me talking. Then my rational self took over...I would never eat a sea anemone. <br />
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I knew from the Fig Newtons, you were supposed to eat the seeds, since that is really the only thing in a fig newton that looks like it came from a fig; so I cut open this creature-like fruit and drug my teeth along the inside to scrape out the seeds and pulp. Not bad! Great texture! Then I ate the skin...also not bad! So why hadn't I ever thought about picking these up at the store before?<br />
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Got home from work early today (rare occurrence) so I thought I would play around with these figs a bit and wound up making one of the best things I've ever had. I made the most delicious fig jelly ever...Seriously, suck it Nabisco. It's really versatile too, right now I'm eating it with homemade tortilla chips and cream cheese, but it would also be good on toast, served with Brie and crackers, topping for Greek yogurt or ice cream, and probably 50 bazillion other options. I wish I had my own tree though because I only had enough to make about 1/2 pints worth...so not enough to can. :(<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRYzt562AK9wcBlMoo5wM_NV789GV6qviOA5gLIh8ms33oK-1heUHmxLHtdfjBH8_DUWJl8kScPtGBCgGAjj248EgC8SaKJQKK2n-nAeSPPHSbgZ-khoAd4j-ov_Hwwwg3de7gF4XI8g/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRYzt562AK9wcBlMoo5wM_NV789GV6qviOA5gLIh8ms33oK-1heUHmxLHtdfjBH8_DUWJl8kScPtGBCgGAjj248EgC8SaKJQKK2n-nAeSPPHSbgZ-khoAd4j-ov_Hwwwg3de7gF4XI8g/s320/IMG_4649.JPG" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div>
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Here's the simple recipe:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDo67XE-ilwRGhoc6GXEnm9YkQlBelg-ZRIbyjuxU2dMfyMdi6P9b6ewRq87kIFq8hLxVU6j2aVKDwnd8VplYwBPPnu9a4mErqg3WGT3ASp07K40u-sHE7G05DRC4lPhKKCme3Nv4FDY/s1600/IMG_4651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDo67XE-ilwRGhoc6GXEnm9YkQlBelg-ZRIbyjuxU2dMfyMdi6P9b6ewRq87kIFq8hLxVU6j2aVKDwnd8VplYwBPPnu9a4mErqg3WGT3ASp07K40u-sHE7G05DRC4lPhKKCme3Nv4FDY/s320/IMG_4651.JPG" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Decadent White Fig Jam</span>-Makes about 1/2 pint<br />
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12 white figs- finely chopped<br />
1/2 cup of sugar<br />
1/2Tbsp butter<br />
Juice from 1/2 a lemon<br />
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Throw your figs in a food processor, or chop really fine. Meanwhile melt some butter in a pan. Add pureed fig, lemon juice and sugar to pan and cook on medium heat until it achieves a golden color (about 15 minutes) Let cool. and serve with cream cheese and homemade flour tortilla chips.Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-39224258575556766512011-08-08T11:01:00.000-07:002011-08-08T11:01:55.649-07:00Zucchini Recipes and Crafty Drool-Fest.My crochet projects have been going at a snail's pace these days; for one it's freakin' hot here and the last thing I want is for the wool shrug I've been working on to lay across my sweaty lap; Ew! Two, my poor little garden has needed much TLC this year, I think it's all the late season rain making the fungus, aphids, and worms go crazy and keeps me on guard every minute. I can't seem to get ahead! So, I have been longingly perusing the inter-web and dreaming of all the cool things I could be doing, rather than picking worms from my tomatoes and spraying the crap out of those asshole aphids. One thing that has seemed to develop immunity to the craziness, is my squash plants! Getting bored with the standard, sauteed or grilled zucchini rounds, I've gotten pretty creative to break up the monotony.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Have squash coming out of your ears (figuratively of course)? Try these simple recipes</b></span><br />
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At about 5 zucchini a week, my squash plants have given me the desire to add variation to the standard squash recipes out there! I still love the taste of squash, so I like minimal recipes that just enhance the flavor and texture of a good piece of squash.<br />
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My favorite way too cook it is by first, cutting the squash into thin little shoestrings, adding a little bacon grease to a skillet and sauteing with garlic salt, onion, and chili powder until browned on all sides. Makes a great side dish!<br />
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Another thing I love is grating the zucchini, sauteing with some diced tomato in some butter, then adding a a couple eggs and a little milk and scrambling. Great for breakfast, but also makes a great healthy side dish too.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Craft projects I'm dying to do</b></span><br />
Check out this adorable recycled masterpiece! Introducing the <a href="http://www.auntpeaches.com/2011/08/ruffled-jellyfish-explosion-aka-plastic.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+auntpeaches%2FHxHT+%28Aunt+Peaches%29">Ruffled Jellyfish Explosion</a>, Courtesy of <a href="http://www.auntpeaches.com/">Aunt Peaches</a>. Click<a href="http://www.auntpeaches.com/2011/08/ruffled-jellyfish-explosion-aka-plastic.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+auntpeaches%2FHxHT+%28Aunt+Peaches%29"> here</a> for tutorial.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trash bag chandelier!<br />
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</b></span>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-594133366163424272011-07-18T14:05:00.000-07:002011-07-18T14:05:52.322-07:00Things I'm Lusting Over...So, I've been a busy little bee making some pretty cute crocheted items, but I'm waiting for the time and energy to take proper pictures of them for the blog...so in the meantime, here are a few things that are definitely on my to-craft/to-make list!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/2011/06/bit-of-lo-and-beholdness-continued.html">Dottie Angel</a>'s <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 30px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">'lo and beholdness' Stool Cover</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/5845770776_8940b33e65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/5845770776_8940b33e65.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 30px;">This is so adorable, and turns any lame stool into a cute little masterpiece. Love this chick<3 </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wearenotmartha.com/2011/07/cinnamon-toast-crunch-ice-cream/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wearenotmartha+%28We+are+not+Martha%29">We Are Not Martha</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'s Cinnamon Toast Crunch Homemade Ice Cream.</span><br />
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For real! I'm totally making this this week.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://abitchinkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-oreos.html">A Bitchin' Kitchen</a>'s Homemade Oreos! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnXoVqlKYxG-CYHbZsS1dOJH52wjmgQdC5PfjydmnmJoI25Z2Ct1f1XF_jyCm263h3JkCQf1iw7NEScnD2-b2gVs_J8wtHEErgnhGYKluuMmu6e2dJ6gcdkYD_ye2s-6lEtvYrj4dRV8/s1600/homemade+oreos+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnXoVqlKYxG-CYHbZsS1dOJH52wjmgQdC5PfjydmnmJoI25Z2Ct1f1XF_jyCm263h3JkCQf1iw7NEScnD2-b2gVs_J8wtHEErgnhGYKluuMmu6e2dJ6gcdkYD_ye2s-6lEtvYrj4dRV8/s320/homemade+oreos+2.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><br />
Yes please! These look amazing.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Enjoy!</i></span>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-7407840562103357252011-07-08T20:18:00.000-07:002011-08-13T07:28:32.092-07:00Holy Homemade Frijoles!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSW7hLnRYBpSKcskaxRPkRR5KhG-HcZWq0NZR8BBow6db142-sQ-p_c20NA32QbC5CzX3hGYribjG0RCj3sj0YnoKW5jcvZt_wiuMFl8oxKvc7UtLMGmM_eZHnGUiTePzs_ZWPn0WO_w/s1600/IMG_4557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSW7hLnRYBpSKcskaxRPkRR5KhG-HcZWq0NZR8BBow6db142-sQ-p_c20NA32QbC5CzX3hGYribjG0RCj3sj0YnoKW5jcvZt_wiuMFl8oxKvc7UtLMGmM_eZHnGUiTePzs_ZWPn0WO_w/s320/IMG_4557.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>The other day I tried some refried beans at a baby shower at work...then I tried some more...and some more...until I was ashamed of myself. I asked my coworker why her beans were so amazing because mine are always...well...not this good! She said her secret was instead of pinto beans, she uses Peruano ( Ped-U-wano) beans. <br />
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Native to South America, Peruano beans, also called canary beans, are one of the most common beans sold in Mexico City today and are a staple in traditional Mexican cooking. They are rich and buttery and more yellow in color than pinto beans. Her English is about as good as my Spanish, so through a translator I was able to get some sort of recipe, because of course, amazing cooks don't use recipes, they just know what it should look and taste like. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TouujnD4aEvDrMXb5gBwAShr99QVGALQaa4uniK1bJURwHnHmpUGGEbeczobQkMuNK7HllahSVEBPCU7u7FWYP39gqZJmt9AVNxTqFRhLetNTNM_E4kwKCmThPhHbCpKXacArIR2NaI/s1600/IMG_4548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TouujnD4aEvDrMXb5gBwAShr99QVGALQaa4uniK1bJURwHnHmpUGGEbeczobQkMuNK7HllahSVEBPCU7u7FWYP39gqZJmt9AVNxTqFRhLetNTNM_E4kwKCmThPhHbCpKXacArIR2NaI/s320/IMG_4548.JPG" width="320px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbv9tGf72rdfDcQZxftUixR4h51kfncNaC-nzCNPu9gmE0d1e5YCInVfu7M0BGv715cTlswFuc_5K8tH4vHe12K-_V369BaKlPxugc-yO1hjUfHOcvt2qJtXHQWmh_e2Zgmjla_InJd4/s1600/IMG_4551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbv9tGf72rdfDcQZxftUixR4h51kfncNaC-nzCNPu9gmE0d1e5YCInVfu7M0BGv715cTlswFuc_5K8tH4vHe12K-_V369BaKlPxugc-yO1hjUfHOcvt2qJtXHQWmh_e2Zgmjla_InJd4/s320/IMG_4551.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>So, I'm trying these beans out for the first time and seeing how they stack up to my normal pinto refried beans--if your grocery store doesn't have these beans, you can use Northern beans, which are equally as yummy. The key, according to Maria, is to boil your beans with a whole onion and a few cloves of garlic, then flavor your oil with dried <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile_de_%C3%A1rbol">Arbol chiles</a>...Gawd, my mouth is watering just typing this! Seriously, these beans will make you ooze back into your chair while your eyes roll to the back of your head. Anyone remember watching the show "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Matters">Family Matters</a>"? One of my favorite moments from that show is when Urkel is eating something delicious and Laura tries to ask him something; then he exclaims "Shhhhh! ...Not while I'm chewing!" This will inevitably be how you react when eating these beans and someone tries to get your attention. Okay, you've waited long enough! Here's the recipe:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Holy Frijoles</strong></span><br />
<strong>1 pkg dried Peruano beans (or Northern Beans)</strong><br />
<strong>1 Onion, cut in half</strong><br />
<strong>4 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in halves</strong><br />
<strong>2 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil</strong><br />
<strong>1 dried Chile de Arbol, or 2-3 dried serrano peppers</strong><br />
<strong>salt to taste</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Rinse beans and pick out any deformed ones or rocks...yes rocks, it happens. Put in a large pan and cover with water, add onion and garlic and about a tbsp salt. Cover and boil for 2 hours, until beans are soft.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Meanwhile add the oil and your chile to a large skillet and heat on medium high for about 10-15 minutes. Be sure to turn on your vent fan as your chiles will start to smoke--this is where the flavor comes in! turn to low heat.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Once your beans are soft, drain excess water, you will need some water in your beans, but if it looks like more than a cup, best drain it. Now it's time to transfer your beans to the skillet. Make sure your oil is not scalding-hot by spritzing a little water in. if it pops and splatters, then wait for your oil to cool a little longer. You want your beans to simmer in the oil, but not burn and smoke.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Add your beans and everything else that was in the pot (onion/garlic) to the oil and begin mashing with a potato masher until beans are nice and smooth, add a little water if your beans look lumpy. Enjoy!</strong><br />
<br />
If you really want to go all out, make my <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2011/04/you-me-and-this-pork.html">Arroz De La Weda</a> and <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2010/11/love-peace-and-bacon-grease.html">Bacon Tortillas</a> and I guarantee you'll be in a food coma!Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-70229947545218595712011-07-06T11:26:00.000-07:002011-07-06T11:26:31.957-07:00Retro Glama...and Retro WTF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCiFnHjXnT_MuEVY_Mg-1-_tr6v9xSLDtccaxP81j5mXmfLSf0wS7LYCECNst2EsstgH98zgzEUshoWkbFYtteEfBKZotB5H8vf7hFr4bOt1Y_-MAwQJKk-QUT5-y0dRqi-qG4bFmpeI/s1600/IMG_4380-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCiFnHjXnT_MuEVY_Mg-1-_tr6v9xSLDtccaxP81j5mXmfLSf0wS7LYCECNst2EsstgH98zgzEUshoWkbFYtteEfBKZotB5H8vf7hFr4bOt1Y_-MAwQJKk-QUT5-y0dRqi-qG4bFmpeI/s640/IMG_4380-horz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Imagine a time of innocence, a time of naivety, where women wore heels in the kitchen with made-up faces and A-line dresses. Imagine a world where political correctness was never necessary and where people kept their problems behind shut doors, a world before Entertainment Television and tabloid drama. Thoughts like this stream through my head as I flip through articles from the past stashed away in a file box and left for decades. The above pictures were my favorite <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTF">WTF</a> treasures I found, along with my absolute creepy fav on the right. Seriously, I think I saw this guy in the<a href="http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/"> Megan's Law website</a>! Oh! And Ken, with the crocheted outfit, including socks...you sure are dreamy too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T_Z982oD6p1a_s2GMZWlaW2B5RIRxLRbzeHQ2roOc6LKHWIgtHYnhdcnRQOH7r6h3jpoAhARMvpKQW-ej9e70P3dMeo4a2DarPumzgSnucwWyxUchciDKnlmUMoFl_orULoJfaT4kFM/s1600/IMG_4377-vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T_Z982oD6p1a_s2GMZWlaW2B5RIRxLRbzeHQ2roOc6LKHWIgtHYnhdcnRQOH7r6h3jpoAhARMvpKQW-ej9e70P3dMeo4a2DarPumzgSnucwWyxUchciDKnlmUMoFl_orULoJfaT4kFM/s400/IMG_4377-vert.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3iiXO7onGStNEiw5LH1xXhgzQZReQxUC6kj99Tud7tqvcejRL9wKvgL1sJaMNgiGwbtrF95emVy7i79hiNl8lqfbAGBwp2Ii3DT9ysd4vEBeZRmEwsCNHMAt5MEqrPjrzVJ4NZPQ-Lw/s1600/IMG_4384-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3iiXO7onGStNEiw5LH1xXhgzQZReQxUC6kj99Tud7tqvcejRL9wKvgL1sJaMNgiGwbtrF95emVy7i79hiNl8lqfbAGBwp2Ii3DT9ysd4vEBeZRmEwsCNHMAt5MEqrPjrzVJ4NZPQ-Lw/s400/IMG_4384-horz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>First, I have to thank my hubbz' grandma for giving me some pretty amazing treasures! I was given a box full of crochet magazines and patterns dating back from the 1940's to 1980's. It was so much fun looking through all of these treasures. Just to think some of these patterns haven't been made or even glanced at since the Forties just boggles my mind!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvXpMy-B34bEIOKudfFhndl4VBmDDqRoOqXkhScVY1A5egdgZdqUCewlE4GkBKKwYkULahuy51t98PDd89XK1cAa4Zpr1jCOBbEHy1K52hiA0Ab0h_aLV7w_w_EpOvrv-1VNjrHoSvXw/s1600/IMG_4392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvXpMy-B34bEIOKudfFhndl4VBmDDqRoOqXkhScVY1A5egdgZdqUCewlE4GkBKKwYkULahuy51t98PDd89XK1cAa4Zpr1jCOBbEHy1K52hiA0Ab0h_aLV7w_w_EpOvrv-1VNjrHoSvXw/s320/IMG_4392.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Oh, and the ads! You should see the ads in these pamphlets, hilarious! So many, work at home selling greeting card ads, "Learn Shorthand!", "Become a Christian Writer!", and my favorite "Reduce! Keep slim...use Electric Spot Reducer!"- yeah, nice cover, this is like the retro version of the "back massager" shaped like a rod we all see in the back of Women's magazines today. Yeah honey, we know what you're going to do with that, and it's not being used for your belly...Wink, wink.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjc7dZf0gQzLT9ByI2EbYZT0FlHTSvlzxiIqCFMDSO0sIXSGJROQNwuNRd24CJpgE4axw-i9xH1qEZYyi3LuShxnB0x-5wI-DT49uC3hWSkrLfo-6-lJl_2ToxmuEwsBzrw26tKwTlmE/s1600/IMG_4388-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjc7dZf0gQzLT9ByI2EbYZT0FlHTSvlzxiIqCFMDSO0sIXSGJROQNwuNRd24CJpgE4axw-i9xH1qEZYyi3LuShxnB0x-5wI-DT49uC3hWSkrLfo-6-lJl_2ToxmuEwsBzrw26tKwTlmE/s320/IMG_4388-horz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmp8Izokt-39s03LmPfwtKxbISMp3c1JpjC4gUe4GSIOErVLHgtAzHr9YvW7grASBnLJxRBP1GN-2E5Ek3bTDsK_t5IU08jcpT3SY4bkD1UwXvI7mXUR3O8VWZ5CSNzcyK3PF_UGYfxg/s1600/politically+incorrect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmp8Izokt-39s03LmPfwtKxbISMp3c1JpjC4gUe4GSIOErVLHgtAzHr9YvW7grASBnLJxRBP1GN-2E5Ek3bTDsK_t5IU08jcpT3SY4bkD1UwXvI7mXUR3O8VWZ5CSNzcyK3PF_UGYfxg/s640/politically+incorrect.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh dear, here are a couple examples of the lack of political incorrectness I referred to!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPO0raOzp4mx4sh1P0kyOlKhX2rSTHx5gcEtX_HqqOuvQe8QPzNsYUjUiHlQdgtrKg8ayVIcf-sz9jH_KygHMVumF5FjLRx6_OSzJHHelds1Em_yfhw9fMp6-I_WTylAY5KFS_OjbI6_U/s1600/IMG_4369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPO0raOzp4mx4sh1P0kyOlKhX2rSTHx5gcEtX_HqqOuvQe8QPzNsYUjUiHlQdgtrKg8ayVIcf-sz9jH_KygHMVumF5FjLRx6_OSzJHHelds1Em_yfhw9fMp6-I_WTylAY5KFS_OjbI6_U/s320/IMG_4369.JPG" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"> Lucy was in heaven as soon as she pried<br />
the lid of the musty old box from my hands. <br />
She has a weird addiction to musty things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Above are some of my favorite ads. Besides laughing at ads all day, I found so many cool patterns! Once I figure my way around a video camera, I may post a tutorial for a few of these, they are WAY too cool not to share.Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-15403308980059810832011-06-24T07:36:00.000-07:002011-06-24T07:36:39.043-07:00Instant Girlification<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp2JOZQR8iR5pLWVJxblqP4-oeTM4Nk_1Ckg1yfMaj3qI0SE-sUBfDqm9cTaaxwqRrue7PWL10SwXuqB7Ez6CEeYhMiQYZZmGMSmNDSdJXrZpSuK9FXSUODlYpbRSLw7JGkfK4cDiTH4/s1600/baby+cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp2JOZQR8iR5pLWVJxblqP4-oeTM4Nk_1Ckg1yfMaj3qI0SE-sUBfDqm9cTaaxwqRrue7PWL10SwXuqB7Ez6CEeYhMiQYZZmGMSmNDSdJXrZpSuK9FXSUODlYpbRSLw7JGkfK4cDiTH4/s320/baby+cakes.jpg" width="238px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhCufCTR5vg-I4nevhxRpsCSiBonfsEBVvw6Rp5SdxZrG9TWMz3ocXjWVCt1yVwLW903ie4UpDAz9mD5shyaHiqudlhLNc3LZsxAepvj2pkvLpqQvbYFpMxJy-3Ry7eyC0HZg_2vFPzM/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhCufCTR5vg-I4nevhxRpsCSiBonfsEBVvw6Rp5SdxZrG9TWMz3ocXjWVCt1yVwLW903ie4UpDAz9mD5shyaHiqudlhLNc3LZsxAepvj2pkvLpqQvbYFpMxJy-3Ry7eyC0HZg_2vFPzM/s320/IMG_4332.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>Instead of randomly making crocheted scarfs and purses for nobody in particular, I decided to start concentrating my efforts on specific people...mostly so I don't have a lot of shit sitting in my closet, leaving me racking my brain wondering who to give it too.<br />
<br />
I made <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/turdy-turtle.html">Turdy the Turtle</a> for my sweet nephew, and some random amigurumi strawberries for my crazy 9 year old niece (per request) and now I get to girly-up my littlest niece with some cute little headbands.<br />
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My Sister-In-Law has made it her personal quest to make her youngest daughter into a girly-girl; whether she likes it or not, damnit. ;) Since she has lost all hope for her older daughter (I believe I may have had a slight hand in facilitating her tomboyish, dirt-loving, anti-girly-girl persona) Emily is her only hope at having an actual girl to dress up in ruffles and lace.<br />
<br />
So, I made it my mission to help girlify her; the best part is I can do it practically for free since I'm using nothing but yarn scraps! Plus I have the most adorable model ever created, which makes the job a lot easier. Presenting Miss Emily, pronounced "Em-A-Yee" if you are gangsta like my three year old nephew :D.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvCTyPl95_FN8t4qmaZuoXbXTFhZQeEoK91SaVG0fERrdUcwd_ZyGAXG7H4fK09Kdamf_YzgCJWKockwF3rFopQYExa0eJVibcPWdUyoqipgEoq8M1MRcUbMXba_ImEJd0UDmBihvBl8/s1600/IMG_4297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvCTyPl95_FN8t4qmaZuoXbXTFhZQeEoK91SaVG0fERrdUcwd_ZyGAXG7H4fK09Kdamf_YzgCJWKockwF3rFopQYExa0eJVibcPWdUyoqipgEoq8M1MRcUbMXba_ImEJd0UDmBihvBl8/s320/IMG_4297.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
Making headbands for my adorable neice is a breeze. Seriously, doesn't this little head scream for some sort of giant bow? I've found some really cute little patterns for crochet flowers and butterflies and thought I would share since they are SOOOO easy to make. If you have 10-20 minutes, you can make one of these. Don't know how to crochet? Niether did I four months ago. <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/p/crochet.html">Here</a> are some tutorials.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZpqPpV1HSlumAtateLBBpOUV_3RDTgkjw1M10YkMzSl85CILMrS4yvnDrROl87zTrx_MW5aBbQ3_aYBUKSRbdiDUJfOtdWspiLt6Y8VW5EJvWU4ZMLj0Qi69vu58q84MgJ7rgUcdfdM/s1600/IMG_4298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZpqPpV1HSlumAtateLBBpOUV_3RDTgkjw1M10YkMzSl85CILMrS4yvnDrROl87zTrx_MW5aBbQ3_aYBUKSRbdiDUJfOtdWspiLt6Y8VW5EJvWU4ZMLj0Qi69vu58q84MgJ7rgUcdfdM/s320/IMG_4298.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div>I found free patterns for small butterflies, flowers, etc. and then just stitched them to the crocheted band that I made from chain stiches, or single crochet stitches. You can also just hot glue them to a hair clip...but for babies with little hair, the headband works best. Bald is beautiful ;)<br />
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To make the headband, just measure the head, make that many chains or stitches, and fasten ends together. After I made a few of them I decided to get creative, I made up my own baby cupcake and flower designs (I put links to similar ones below) and bought rhinestones and cute little buttons (or as the hubbz says "cute, little, baby choking hazards") to ebellish with! <br />
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I made up the cherry pattern (seen up top) on my own. So to do it, just follow the "<a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2011/05/rocket-ship-lip-balm-cozy.html">testicle</a>" pattern I used for making the <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2011/05/rocket-ship-lip-balm-cozy.html">"wocket ship"</a> lip balm cozy with red yarn, then make the stem from chain stitches in green yarn. Seems wrong...but nobody will ever know they were made from a testicle pattern :D<br />
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Here are the links to my favorite little designs:<br />
<a href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-crochet-butterfly.html">Butterfly </a><br />
<a href="http://faeryfaysflowersknits.blogspot.com/p/pretty-crochet-flowers.html">Flower 1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80214AD.html?r=1">Flower 2</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0134AD.html?noImages=0">Flower 3</a><br />
<a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/category/free-crochet-patterns/page/2/">Flower 4</a><br />
<a href="http://mamas2hands.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/happy-little-hearts/">Little heart</a><br />
<a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-cupcake-applique/">Cupcake</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQk6AJex4uDvx49bfb5BZnfTnt4YNmWPYWoqgh_ijI8RiqUvT1kVgqMjJvNUUBkyBSk_A4BlkTynJXOFauBCGG79BxlKmX_FvXMhzl1E4NBtA2WpqELXMNI2xHV3bq6ZkKchsvGcScQo/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQk6AJex4uDvx49bfb5BZnfTnt4YNmWPYWoqgh_ijI8RiqUvT1kVgqMjJvNUUBkyBSk_A4BlkTynJXOFauBCGG79BxlKmX_FvXMhzl1E4NBtA2WpqELXMNI2xHV3bq6ZkKchsvGcScQo/s320/IMG_4333.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Ag!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-10576172660072020162011-06-17T09:47:00.000-07:002011-06-17T09:47:17.731-07:00So you think you can craft?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.117368443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.117368443.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>I stumbled upon this amazing find when I was checking out pistachio pictures on Google for a presentation I've been working on. At first I was like, "how does this have anything to do with pistachios?" Then, I took a closer look and was amazed that this entire flower was made out of pistachio shells! How freaking cool, not to mention resourceful! I love me some pistachios and always thought it seemed like a waste to just throw the shells away, they have this really cool shape and hard texture...but I of course am not creative enough to think of something like this.<br />
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So I clicked on the photo to find Rebecca Douglas of <a href="http://reloveddesigns.blogspot.com/">ReLoved Designs</a> cute little blog. She is one crafty chick and what makes her cooler is that everything she makes has been recycled! From the pistachio broaches (That I bought 3 of) to her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/reloveddesigns?ref=pr_shop_more">jewelry </a>made from buttons and bottle caps, this is a girl after my own heart. Yay for environmentally chic!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUseCpOdMrZPIPQWdx3qWPtQ6kqv2XuFlPAF4qL23kM8tM2l9zvUt0fSwPFGcvr_16Hgr-72HzRItc_jWUveYJw1HJrXSc4bHWEhAhYyRYfzyuFa-7EMYyrC_cQvbIly6ndb77AvgxhjY/s1600/IMG_4407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUseCpOdMrZPIPQWdx3qWPtQ6kqv2XuFlPAF4qL23kM8tM2l9zvUt0fSwPFGcvr_16Hgr-72HzRItc_jWUveYJw1HJrXSc4bHWEhAhYyRYfzyuFa-7EMYyrC_cQvbIly6ndb77AvgxhjY/s320/IMG_4407.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div>I was so excited when I got my broaches in the mail, especially since EVERYTHING had been recycled! seriously, the broaches came in these cute little boxes crafted from cereal boxes, it was filled with shredded paper, undoubtedly from her own home. She even included a cute little handwritten note from a nutrition facts cut-out. So please, go check out, and patronize this chicky, she's pretty bad ass. And, if you want a pistachio broach tutorial, check out her <a href="http://www.reloveddesigns.com/2010/03/behind-scenes-of-pistachio-shell-flower.html">blog</a>!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCHX9oBzqxAE6e0Ap80n9eH9BUnnBxrXpTmY37eP0dwQfsYqT70O3DlwzwhjhvtwyNiH_caG66KLXjHMSO96_ft03zFuhUHwE99o1pZAbN-6Z1RyTus6hUYe07kqVaHvIZC5SoXD-q7o/s1600/IMG_4414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCHX9oBzqxAE6e0Ap80n9eH9BUnnBxrXpTmY37eP0dwQfsYqT70O3DlwzwhjhvtwyNiH_caG66KLXjHMSO96_ft03zFuhUHwE99o1pZAbN-6Z1RyTus6hUYe07kqVaHvIZC5SoXD-q7o/s320/IMG_4414.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucy even approved...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7XPe6xHxjrhLDHX07DdGbszk7M7wGNq-ibaRB7ypjDFf_aJeKSSdhdomFVCp4jnt_jxYnul5uzqkjbzuaAy6U1UgFEFl7M64BrKkFzfarxUsDP6tf5fBEg3bojqvMTeghEscpQjanW8/s1600/IMG_4431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7XPe6xHxjrhLDHX07DdGbszk7M7wGNq-ibaRB7ypjDFf_aJeKSSdhdomFVCp4jnt_jxYnul5uzqkjbzuaAy6U1UgFEFl7M64BrKkFzfarxUsDP6tf5fBEg3bojqvMTeghEscpQjanW8/s320/IMG_4431.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay for cute cubicle decorations!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfTSY8XXi7xcguGjtPWlyC1sdRzvcSqWnmKYq4cmXkq_ka1GBDYqVvBKtEjm9PKuDUiWYrBga9Bs3PMxiThNz_8M7SyF516SzwQMI5GEpZHKyyakimgHJQEs5ha5P2d9rGdp9u9RaDCk/s1600/IMG_4422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfTSY8XXi7xcguGjtPWlyC1sdRzvcSqWnmKYq4cmXkq_ka1GBDYqVvBKtEjm9PKuDUiWYrBga9Bs3PMxiThNz_8M7SyF516SzwQMI5GEpZHKyyakimgHJQEs5ha5P2d9rGdp9u9RaDCk/s320/IMG_4422.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-84194829088444281022011-06-07T20:44:00.000-07:002011-06-07T20:51:59.816-07:00Killer Mango CevicheSummer is right around the corner! Even though the weather has been crazy, my brain has convinced my tongue it's time for Summer food. I LOVE ceviche, which is a lovely, fresh Mexican dish consisting of chopped tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and marinated fish or shrimp; served cold and eaten with tortilla chips or on a tostada...I also love Mango salsa, something about the tart and mildly sweet mango co-mingling with tomato, cucumber, onion, and jalapeno just brings a smile to my face. So I figured, why not combine my two loves to form this amazing conglomeration of flavors! And yes, it is wonderful, and healthy too! I don't know about you, but all the dark beer and creamy, fattening dishes I've been savoring all Winter long are starting to make my pants fit a little tighter...I keep blaming the dryer for shrinking them, but my denial phase has reached it's end; time to start eating better!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Tips before you get started</strong></span><br />
<ul><li>Make sure you buy a mango that isn't over-ripe. Mangoes should be slightly soft, but not mushy. Firm mangoes are easy to cut and shouldn't become completely obliterated when you work with them. If you've never cut a mango before the seed is a long, flat, surf-board shaped thing in the middle that runs the entire length of the fruit. You will have to cut around that seed to get the flesh. Easiest thing to do is peel it first, then holding it long-ways, cut downward starting a few centimeters from the middle. Or check out this <a href="http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/03/16/mango-kitchen-basics/?sem=1&ncid=aolfod00170000000001&s_kwcid=TC|15221|learn%20to%20cut%20mango||S|b|10672054186">video tutorial</a> for everything you could possibly want to know about how to choose and cut a mango :)</li>
<li>If you have never made ceviche before, the idea of marinating your fish in lemon juice over night, then eating the next day without it touching heat may seem a little...unsafe. However, the acidity completely "cooks" your fish for you and the acidity breaks down the fishes' rubbery texture so it's a lot more smooth to your tongue. Just make sure you marinate your fish in nothing but lemon or lime juice! Don't add any water, spices, or salt, otherwise your acidity will be altered and your fish will not "cook" properly. Make sure you submerse your chopped fish with juice. Here is the recipe:</li>
<li>You can use any white fish you like, or shrimp. I prefer both Tilapia and shrimp</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Killer Mango Ceviche</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQL32tESctKLXfvamcpmpiEokr1kXdJNR7tFvM_S9gy_n4OhOrrvE5PbP0-GJAuxRdFn6wSGWL68LQkxiHUZEqyujySd6mwZ_yvbolXr9su6wCuhhfzq06kVsQxwX-QQnBCO1FXUtNmQ/s1600/civiche.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQL32tESctKLXfvamcpmpiEokr1kXdJNR7tFvM_S9gy_n4OhOrrvE5PbP0-GJAuxRdFn6wSGWL68LQkxiHUZEqyujySd6mwZ_yvbolXr9su6wCuhhfzq06kVsQxwX-QQnBCO1FXUtNmQ/s320/civiche.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>1 Mango, chopped<br />
1/2 Cup chopped onion<br />
1 Roma tomato, chopped<br />
1 Cucumber, chopped<br />
1 Cup of chopped, lemon/lime marinated white fish/shrimp (see note below)<br />
1-2 Jalapenos finely chopped<br />
1 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro, chopped<br />
Lemon/Lime juice to cover fish (see below)<br />
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Cut up our fish or shrimp into 1/4 inch pieces, place in a Tupperware container. Add lemon or lime juice and cover. I use lemon, but my mom uses lime, both are great! Make sure you add enough juice to completely cover fish or shrimp. Remember, don't add any salt, water, or spices of you will alter acidity levels! Put lid on, refrigerate for 24 hours. Drain completely in a colander and lightly salt.<br />
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Cut up all the other ingredients and add with fish to a large bowl. Combine and enjoy on top of tostadas, eat with chips, or just enjoy on its own. <br />
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Provecho!<br />
(Means Enjoy in Spanish)Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-43578517854262781502011-06-02T18:04:00.000-07:002011-06-02T18:08:39.299-07:00Turdy The Turtle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5IhU2mtmDgQX0aQwA-dNanEMDCIBN3u7DfEyfzZtJpOuG6ZZW8uEsP17LJQwbqyjN_KgXfuYjD0ecdkQCnDKRlWf-3qjXFh2cTNDfxkauCRCNIrVCEAT-VbxaxPPGieMmgcmVYqieqs/s1600/turdy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5IhU2mtmDgQX0aQwA-dNanEMDCIBN3u7DfEyfzZtJpOuG6ZZW8uEsP17LJQwbqyjN_KgXfuYjD0ecdkQCnDKRlWf-3qjXFh2cTNDfxkauCRCNIrVCEAT-VbxaxPPGieMmgcmVYqieqs/s640/turdy.jpg" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
I made this little dude for my sweet nephew; I can just see his cute, sugary, sticky widdle smile now. This style of crochet is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amigurumi">Amigurumi;</a> it's a Japanese art of making crochet animals. Amigurumi literally translates to crocheted/knitted, stuffed doll. The pattern was really easy to follow too which was great! I made it in less than three hours. I got my pattern from Crochet magazine.<a href="http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Home/Crafts/Cuddly-Crochet-Creatures-Turtle.html"> Here</a> is a similar pattern that you can have fun with and customize all your own! Happy hooking!<br />
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<a href="http://www.womansday.com/content/search?SearchText=%22Tiny+Yarn+Animals%3A+Amigurumi+Friends+to+Make+and+Enjoy%22&SourceLink=1">Here</a> are some more patterns for an Amigurumi Penguin and Koala <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, keeping my eyes on the <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/p/mission-statement.html">mission</a>:</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGayEDWx_aht3Ci2eqjQ8Om3Lt8f1t7jsohXJGkcduCQEQZyrgy_ARZk9CDdGIKWfBett5FxVd1kth16xSCvn68D6g4XPBCVgzO5NQtySzoLK-iH6fGYmozZHs5Me-Ssn1-wftS4-CVc/s1600/maryfitch6cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGayEDWx_aht3Ci2eqjQ8Om3Lt8f1t7jsohXJGkcduCQEQZyrgy_ARZk9CDdGIKWfBett5FxVd1kth16xSCvn68D6g4XPBCVgzO5NQtySzoLK-iH6fGYmozZHs5Me-Ssn1-wftS4-CVc/s320/maryfitch6cover.jpg" t8="true" width="229px" /></a></div>My newest project is only in the research phase. Ever heard of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatting"> tatting</a>? No, not the kind with a needle and ink. Tatting is a really old needlework technique used to make intricate laces....and haven't you heard, lace is "in" this year. Whatever that means ;) All I know is, my great grandma used to be an amazing tatter, but the tradition stopped with her...I will be attempting to resurrect it!<br />
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So far I've found <a href="http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/resource.htm">this</a> incredible site that has antique crochet and needlework patterns. Suck it Martha Stewart, once I learn to tat, I will be infinitely cooler than you.<br />
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Wanna learn along with me?<a href="http://www.georgiaseitz.com/public/corticelli/page01.pdf"> Here</a> is what I am looking at at the moment.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-25918220145545140062011-05-28T22:45:00.000-07:002011-05-30T21:20:30.908-07:00Sew What? When The Yarn Meets The Thread<strong>Favorite phrase of the night: "That's what seam rippers are for."-Grammy</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANG623_IoeJ2z5FVzTJi0zLV5dceZ3QA5pLkjsD52s3D1lMXw9HLOnW6B2kVd_rUkVDhcZr8sLsoqonR0LxvmyOuEQNDMftA9PyUwPdLUJ1hbCV4fanj7b5Lvl_2iam0eXnD_Mma0FOM/s1600/IMG_4331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANG623_IoeJ2z5FVzTJi0zLV5dceZ3QA5pLkjsD52s3D1lMXw9HLOnW6B2kVd_rUkVDhcZr8sLsoqonR0LxvmyOuEQNDMftA9PyUwPdLUJ1hbCV4fanj7b5Lvl_2iam0eXnD_Mma0FOM/s400/IMG_4331.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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I decided it would be really cool to put a lining in the crochet purses I made last month which I modeled after <a href="http://tangledhappy.blogspot.com/2011/04/spring-inspired-boutique-bags.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TangledHappy+%28tangled+happy%29">this</a> crochet purse from one of my favorite crochet blogs, <a href="http://tangledhappy.blogspot.com/">Tangled Happy</a>. Only problem was...I can't sew for shit. My awesome Mother In-law bought me a sewing machine two years ago for xmas and after reading the manual I could thread a bobbin, thread the top, and do a basic, crooked as hell, stitch. But I still couldn't "sew".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfp9iVWKN2x3MUPBJV_LCeJXqPvPxZ_Z3SdmfD9qu64kUqdIij-mMzP2n6yZ7-m6KgmEWDl4PZX5uDbI6yrbso21o110FlmKtWULlvrx-xY_6Qo385GOQ71_PB6k6KOeXnkin-8AStYw/s1600/IMG_4302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfp9iVWKN2x3MUPBJV_LCeJXqPvPxZ_Z3SdmfD9qu64kUqdIij-mMzP2n6yZ7-m6KgmEWDl4PZX5uDbI6yrbso21o110FlmKtWULlvrx-xY_6Qo385GOQ71_PB6k6KOeXnkin-8AStYw/s320/IMG_4302.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>I knew I couldn't do this alone so luckily my grammy was there to save the day! She and my grandpa drove over 400 miles just to come visit and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to break out the sewing machine and have the master seamstress show me a thing or two. Not only did I learn how to sew, I was also shown how to properly do a <a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_4940669_sew-whip-stitch.html">whip stitch</a> by hand, since what I was calling a whip stitch was actually a <a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_4940667_sew-basting-stitches.html">basting stitch</a>...who would have thunk ;). Good thing too because a whip stitch kicks a basting stitch's ass any day. According to grammy, the basting stitch was around before the use of pins, but now that we have pins to secure fabric before sewing, we don't need that stitch anymore. Be sure to click on the links above for the video tutorials!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaFp4xtPf01GYWW-bAmgR9vShI7tGb6PrL7csf6FiCWetyd3-WbsiawrjJPHnHuoBTBd_ACIv8CbYRANyJItLeulCx1FhRRmooyj38HIscXeK_Yhye-d5z5cKMkL8BcJqi0EsKwPq5WI/s1600/IMG_4301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaFp4xtPf01GYWW-bAmgR9vShI7tGb6PrL7csf6FiCWetyd3-WbsiawrjJPHnHuoBTBd_ACIv8CbYRANyJItLeulCx1FhRRmooyj38HIscXeK_Yhye-d5z5cKMkL8BcJqi0EsKwPq5WI/s320/IMG_4301.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div>We had such a great time too! We talked and sewed and grammy reminisced about her "learning to sew days" back in high school where her sewing teacher was also her sex ed teacher; apparently they were a little short staffed. It was hilarious listening to my grammy recount learning about the birds and the bees from this spinster cat-lady of a teacher who never had a boyfriend--let alone sex. Good thing she had such a strict sewing teacher, who wasn't distracted by men or sex, because she was able to concentrate her frustrations into her sewing. This teacher may not have ever had sex, but it seems she was anal about her sewing. She made her pupils sew paper until they could create a perfectly straight stitch before they were allowed to move on to fabric. Thanks spinster, sexually frustrated teacher, because of you my grammy is pretty amazing.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">So here's how to make a lining for your <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-prefer-to-wear-my-sushi.html">crochet bag</a>: Find some non stretchy material for your lining, like cotton or satin for example. Fold fabric in half and measure your bag. Cut fabric so that it is 1 inch bigger than your bag on the top and sides. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MJZFal70lcWQ8__BItCAlFEs83nA2QyuR_cZTWxrhDT8tCZprCd9HJamWwKur9BTruZvSXR1yxwBZLSkMzf0YrFDnLlLxzxKS7yp1uuasjBqEGxFJK0TCtuQH0TOxFv8VK0pDppUBoQ/s1600/IMG_4303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MJZFal70lcWQ8__BItCAlFEs83nA2QyuR_cZTWxrhDT8tCZprCd9HJamWwKur9BTruZvSXR1yxwBZLSkMzf0YrFDnLlLxzxKS7yp1uuasjBqEGxFJK0TCtuQH0TOxFv8VK0pDppUBoQ/s320/IMG_4303.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once you have your lining sized, cut out a pocket from another piece of material. Fold in the edges so it's nice and pretty, make sure you iron as you go. it's really important to iron down your folds. It makes it sew much easier! Sorry, couldn't resist :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZqHQU8imvuaqAqCBVwzywD8lCHcG3q8JJo4xliidQPNiWp40uLeJxGPODlbgDKlag7DK_ls3IAksjIko0DuIJjQFIzrF8Kklrp1HIbPPtgYSxbnWQOK4uCC-gzclUN5rHKkH31NJxRY/s1600/IMG_4300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZqHQU8imvuaqAqCBVwzywD8lCHcG3q8JJo4xliidQPNiWp40uLeJxGPODlbgDKlag7DK_ls3IAksjIko0DuIJjQFIzrF8Kklrp1HIbPPtgYSxbnWQOK4uCC-gzclUN5rHKkH31NJxRY/s320/IMG_4300.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grammy, showing me how to iron the edges of the fabric under. I used this lining for a pretty sea-foam green bag I made. Pictured above.<br />
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<div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;">Now position your pocket and pin to the printed side of your fabric! Then sew the bottom and sides to your lining.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6HLi3oM9cdBA8NSqDgqyUBQh56NvPxDff8y9nsM5dxG3eXan9fKTC_DnJMT4WxOg12l19f-0lpFip6yZfuUKm11Xqeu-LpGXYN3k7LEen8iVJSXm16UnfmJVwrLQf46dWaE0U_1VwCY/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6HLi3oM9cdBA8NSqDgqyUBQh56NvPxDff8y9nsM5dxG3eXan9fKTC_DnJMT4WxOg12l19f-0lpFip6yZfuUKm11Xqeu-LpGXYN3k7LEen8iVJSXm16UnfmJVwrLQf46dWaE0U_1VwCY/s320/IMG_4305.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="left"></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Fold your lining so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing you and your pocket is on the inside. Position over your bag and place your pins where your bag meets your work surface. Then sew the sides of your lining.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnZbql6TYDLAG6yaNAiEhtdsxwZaBHne0nvAC-pIxyAHDXV3hGmgIeZLjMJEs0ajkSNGMHzbAsFLeoyfo2p_Tavg11jD-OouaFDOdAHJPR5m4ojTPXul6we_lk_YFob_aat48rA6cE0g/s1600/IMG_4309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnZbql6TYDLAG6yaNAiEhtdsxwZaBHne0nvAC-pIxyAHDXV3hGmgIeZLjMJEs0ajkSNGMHzbAsFLeoyfo2p_Tavg11jD-OouaFDOdAHJPR5m4ojTPXul6we_lk_YFob_aat48rA6cE0g/s320/IMG_4309.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Now, fold down the top about an inch and iron it flat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR10sQcpqrjq-hPsw86LFO8sqYw-JTNI24CZ0BtNub8mz0K647fUEOVoBaK1XrZ7UkkfQioi8f1xm1z__6-iNYEIUtpcCsTIaaOvv9tHEPYb4c6wpb-VRb2IfWxWTIhGp8wsDEs72xBo/s1600/IMG_4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR10sQcpqrjq-hPsw86LFO8sqYw-JTNI24CZ0BtNub8mz0K647fUEOVoBaK1XrZ7UkkfQioi8f1xm1z__6-iNYEIUtpcCsTIaaOvv9tHEPYb4c6wpb-VRb2IfWxWTIhGp8wsDEs72xBo/s320/IMG_4310.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>Slip your liner inside of your bag and whip stitch to the crochet part all the way around. So easy, even this tomboy could do it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTSBQBWZuZVbTEDEgOLvplglc5QQcbJG_EMhsiMynymUQCgMcJlAj4k9wMY3hNGkvGIjnCqOvzqz_4J0g6IStSwU9-3gnuAfQTzF6saF4uj_-fst12kn_WGbXRQConCnXiHGnS4yJ7hU/s1600/IMG_4311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTSBQBWZuZVbTEDEgOLvplglc5QQcbJG_EMhsiMynymUQCgMcJlAj4k9wMY3hNGkvGIjnCqOvzqz_4J0g6IStSwU9-3gnuAfQTzF6saF4uj_-fst12kn_WGbXRQConCnXiHGnS4yJ7hU/s320/IMG_4311.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thanks Grammy!!</strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLDPmKqpUZCn6tdOJfexc7f6QSflmbvQn9KuNo8AlEqnCxYPvZyLRftGNCYy78VDRXpmHzav_txRE6VBYH8txKPW4Ng3rA_R3WrXYvo8DcJw0L5YiHaDp9Nwan_9bZbzd2y8dlYYwqyQ/s1600/IMG_4312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLDPmKqpUZCn6tdOJfexc7f6QSflmbvQn9KuNo8AlEqnCxYPvZyLRftGNCYy78VDRXpmHzav_txRE6VBYH8txKPW4Ng3rA_R3WrXYvo8DcJw0L5YiHaDp9Nwan_9bZbzd2y8dlYYwqyQ/s320/IMG_4312.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-28384868648969983682011-05-11T12:20:00.002-07:002011-05-13T13:34:34.337-07:00ABC's, a little about me.<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So hopefully you are enjoying your delicious </span><a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2011/05/lick-bowl-kind-of-good.html"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">balsamic strawberry Mouthgasm</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, that was ridiculously easy to make, and giggling while you apply your lip balm in an </span><a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2011/05/lick-bowl-kind-of-good.html"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">interesting shaped lip balm cozy</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. In the meantime, however, I have a little game for you. I stole this post idea from Becky from </span><a href="http://strumpetscrumpets.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Strumpet's and Crumpets</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, who stole it from Olivia from </span><a href="http://www.secretlylovespink.com/"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Secretly Loves Pink</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, who stole it from someone else, because I think it's cute! Here are My ABC's and I'd LOVE to see my readers (you!) copy and paste this into the comments section and give me your ABC's. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41qCo_1r75JyfU0dYlu0GEvfcXR83gLrpmAF_hrNc8RiQnLClBLDaklQfQk7UG3HHC1BeEyCJbHh8BZbE49KEYbBfNuAhirXMHOj1jL8g68B2GFLJpM3b5fVSB4KkIt8yuFKzAWmRLmc/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41qCo_1r75JyfU0dYlu0GEvfcXR83gLrpmAF_hrNc8RiQnLClBLDaklQfQk7UG3HHC1BeEyCJbHh8BZbE49KEYbBfNuAhirXMHOj1jL8g68B2GFLJpM3b5fVSB4KkIt8yuFKzAWmRLmc/s320/IMG_2153.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I insisted on the bubble necklace. Yeah...I never had much fashion sense...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Age: 26</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSS1-J9CE-afnSDuNN-HDK5kyejzCddPtceiAkBaFMkprA7LzGjULYMWW4wZV3PedtSYJEHZ9ARu_XxD46nmVO2buTYm0Ptyz8aVLpJzcmdeEEvhhlfI3UvZ_pksKB8S6JLqtlh-AYF4/s1600/IMG_2242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSS1-J9CE-afnSDuNN-HDK5kyejzCddPtceiAkBaFMkprA7LzGjULYMWW4wZV3PedtSYJEHZ9ARu_XxD46nmVO2buTYm0Ptyz8aVLpJzcmdeEEvhhlfI3UvZ_pksKB8S6JLqtlh-AYF4/s200/IMG_2242.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">B. Bed size: Queen</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">C. Chore that you hate: all</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">D. Dogs: none...yet! only an evil little kitty</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">E. Essential start to your day: Sugary, kid cereal. Must satisfy my zombie-like "id" state in the morning!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">F. Favorite color: lavender</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">G. Gold or Silver: White Gold...Silver's more expensive, snobby cousin</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">H. Height: 5'3.75"...Yes, us shorties count EVERY decimal place :D</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I. Instruments you play: None...unless you count the recorder in 5th grade. Didn't everyone play those?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">J. Job title: Is about to change, very soon. Yay for moving up and getting more paper to fluff the nest. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokqYhr4hn6Ilp8zlYZY5DGzmvjDVInhlSzU1CJ8Ox3I2hd4I_uRgiRiy80GSLM4JqXOP15ydksAoccRywP2wKFBQqNbMVuZKbVb1E2JwskapWDGkjO40Eour79iWAjp3rsH3ySSl8D2U/s1600/idiot+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokqYhr4hn6Ilp8zlYZY5DGzmvjDVInhlSzU1CJ8Ox3I2hd4I_uRgiRiy80GSLM4JqXOP15ydksAoccRywP2wKFBQqNbMVuZKbVb1E2JwskapWDGkjO40Eour79iWAjp3rsH3ySSl8D2U/s200/idiot+003.JPG" width="150px" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">K. Kids: does my kitty count? How about my lizards? No? meh...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">L. Live: California</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">M. Mother's name: means "Beautiful" en Espanol</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">N. Nicknames: candy, candy cane, candy ass, candy(insert noun here), wifey(<span style="font-size: xx-small;">thanks bestie Ri</span>), candy kisses(<span style="font-size: xx-small;">thanks mom</span>), sunshine girl(<span style="font-size: xx-small;">thanks dad</span>), La weda (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">thanks work buddies</span>), Dulce...I'm sure there are more, and probably evil ones I don't know about...haha</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">O</span><span style="color: #444444;">. Overnight hospital stays: appendectomy when I was 10 </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">P. Pet peeve: Smacking when you eat - drives me to the brink of insanity. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Q. Quote from a movie: "Pardon me for being rude, it was not me it was my food. It just popped up to say hello, but now it's gone back down below"- Austin Powers, after he passed gas in front of Alotta Fagina. I'm ashamed to admit it now, but I was OBSESSED with all the Austin Powers films(should they even be called films??) when I was a kid. </span><br />
<div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">R. Right or left handed: Both! I'm one of those oddballs who writes with my left, and does most everything else with either. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGkpkovH-ngRCkRSPCxrzPgpa1POrDKcnYpxVLYvZAFaCIdr3HZgZV7irRNp4_KbIjB-wDGmgaixcj7ZzRd4N_Mry2E1vkGICW0JsiNr9ikO94H4sfEdk1PzfYnVX70-OQk81Ta410zM/s1600/IMG_2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGkpkovH-ngRCkRSPCxrzPgpa1POrDKcnYpxVLYvZAFaCIdr3HZgZV7irRNp4_KbIjB-wDGmgaixcj7ZzRd4N_Mry2E1vkGICW0JsiNr9ikO94H4sfEdk1PzfYnVX70-OQk81Ta410zM/s200/IMG_2578.JPG" width="181px" /></a></div><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">S. Siblings: Cassy 19, Kristin 14. Love my little sissies (who are now both taller than me) <3</div><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">T. Time you wake up: 5:25AM...on weekdays. 8-9AM on most weekends.</div><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">U. Underwear: I've always had a panty fetish, I've tried all kinds, but pretty and cotton is my go-to :D</div><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">V. Vegetable you hate: Turnips...Seriously turnips, why are you so horrible. </div><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">W. What makes you run late: My dad always taught me that being late was one of the worst traits a person can have....but I admit, it does happen once in a while. If this does occur, I will undoubtedly show up looking disheveled and sweaty due to the fact that my ass has just moved at a record-breaking pace and I will also be suffering from a severe feeling of shame which will cause my face to turn beat red. If I am late it's because of the following: Wardrobe malfunction, forgot to set my alarm on my phone correctly, lost keys, forgot </div><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">X. X-Rays you've had: Back...my back is effed up.</div><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Y. Yummy food that you make: I LOVE cooking, so LOTS of things. My favorite go-to meal though is Spaghetti.</div><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Z. Zoo animal: I'm more interested in the bugs crawling around me...however, hippo's are pretty damn cute. Thanks Disney's Fantasia for making me picture all, potentially murderous hippos as happy, fat, tutu-wearing ballerinas. </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/AVvXsEhF9xLiY_vVbDfuO1iFyMkg_e7ERWZe7VQ0GBvm9JetROrK7N8y2Dcl4bmoYilc3n0EQZLMiaawZvkowJhj3FEaNAN4Z1ObB4zKOZXXbjz9SBCGMl0Ee2RlwwsBAiHDE9pxhl4kmxQdKY8/s1600/IMG_2270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9xLiY_vVbDfuO1iFyMkg_e7ERWZe7VQ0GBvm9JetROrK7N8y2Dcl4bmoYilc3n0EQZLMiaawZvkowJhj3FEaNAN4Z1ObB4zKOZXXbjz9SBCGMl0Ee2RlwwsBAiHDE9pxhl4kmxQdKY8/s320/IMG_2270.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We go together like Bob Ross and happy little trees <3 </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #484848; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></div>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-61834825992141239642011-05-06T18:40:00.000-07:002012-02-10T14:24:59.833-08:00Lick The Bowl Kind Of GoodSummer is almost here! Time to get your mouth ready for all the lovely little gems of Summer. Soon it will be time to grub on fresh tomato and basil bruschetta, sauteed squash, and grilled corn on the cob. My little garden is in full bloom and is just teasing me with the promise of robbing them of their goodies. All except my strawberries...they are kind of the whore of my garden right now.<br />
<br />
I have strawberries galore from my little strawberry patch in the backyard. So much so that I am forced to get creative...which in this case has resulted in the most perfect, easy, fast dessert/snack imaginable! Ok, this may sound weird for some who have never thought of pairing sweet with sour, but I made balsamic syrup and drizzled it over ripe, sliced strawberries. It's a party in your mouth, an orgy of flavor, a mouthgasm...I should stop. But really, it's a slightly tangy, almost citrusy syrup that compliments strawberries so very well. Here's what you do for the syrup:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju61Vh4aAXfuJv4ssBRwL_smT27ErqFcfrk4UfSurRbmY07zRCrFI-dLNk2u5aIaLX1L8L2VXejB_aLM9VhX6C3kDIHXyozY3gGqN3L3QtDZoCNZLDgx_OEO1B2yq-Baq4SRn8YwOsWU/s1600/IMG_4273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju61Vh4aAXfuJv4ssBRwL_smT27ErqFcfrk4UfSurRbmY07zRCrFI-dLNk2u5aIaLX1L8L2VXejB_aLM9VhX6C3kDIHXyozY3gGqN3L3QtDZoCNZLDgx_OEO1B2yq-Baq4SRn8YwOsWU/s320/IMG_4273.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Mouthgasm:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Sliced Strawberries </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>& Sweet Balsamic Syrup </strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong>2 cups sliced strawberries</strong><br />
<strong>1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (use the cheap stuff!)</strong><br />
<strong>1/4 cup sugar</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Add vinegar and sugar to a small pan on high heat. Bring to boil. Boil and stir for 3 minutes, your liquid should start looking syrupy and should coat the back of your spoon. If it doesn't, boil for a little longer. Let cool, then drizzle over sliced strawberries. Enjoy!</strong><br />
<br />
Ridiculously easy, and so good. You're welcome :DCandicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-74186288746542178972011-05-03T21:43:00.000-07:002011-05-05T09:57:25.056-07:00Rocket Ship Lip Balm Cozy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPYFkUhxkaUI9HW6ZYrYOs9PiH8y4Bm0JFBhXln8PQI7u6bz1eMh3zGT5DZAkoY1smRrBnYZIAhcSFVi1ZlKy4yatr4goKb2sJJi6VyGjI7GRxAysAxhj8hA02yUz_lcVRMxG1ZF1TfI/s1600/IMG_4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPYFkUhxkaUI9HW6ZYrYOs9PiH8y4Bm0JFBhXln8PQI7u6bz1eMh3zGT5DZAkoY1smRrBnYZIAhcSFVi1ZlKy4yatr4goKb2sJJi6VyGjI7GRxAysAxhj8hA02yUz_lcVRMxG1ZF1TfI/s400/IMG_4259.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>...Well that's at least what my three year-old nephew said it was...so let's go with that :D <br />
<br />
"Cool! It's a wocket ship!" Awe, kids are so adorable. :]<br />
Such a simple pattern, and really hilarious to crochet; I was giggling the whole time I was making it. If you have any family or friends who would appreciate this, I highly recommend you check out <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=174111.0">this free pattern</a>. Don't leave your chapstick out in the cold! My grandma even wants one, I think I may make her a pretty, little pink one. Make sure you use a pretty thin yarn and a size 4 hook, otherwise you will have a pretty big...rocket ship :)<br />
<br />
New to crochet? Check out my <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/p/crochet.html">older posts</a>!<br />
<br />
Appalled? Yeah, I have that effect on some. ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/bZdrvb_YSIg/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bZdrvb_YSIg&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bZdrvb_YSIg&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-14979947199006294182011-04-28T17:56:00.000-07:002011-04-28T17:56:28.759-07:00I Prefer To Wear My Sushi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTQ2A9gF2_CqYIucOlfTS0iYh226HkBdAoFALUMb_pwTECnEmySOK1k9r9BFblREbVH8X8v0eE98wsXYCnMeMoS7ru2SR841bc1c2Z6rRv8tx72IB_s8kfhEWnbABwURd5YWXW7VZ3Bc/s1600/IMG_4187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTQ2A9gF2_CqYIucOlfTS0iYh226HkBdAoFALUMb_pwTECnEmySOK1k9r9BFblREbVH8X8v0eE98wsXYCnMeMoS7ru2SR841bc1c2Z6rRv8tx72IB_s8kfhEWnbABwURd5YWXW7VZ3Bc/s320/IMG_4187.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>I did it! I finished the sushi scarf from Twinkie Chan's Book, <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twinkie-Crochet-Goodies-Fashion-Foodies/dp/0740797581/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1303853637&sr=8-1">Crochet Goodies For Fashion Foodies</a></u>. I'm so excited! It definitely is a lot of work weaving in all of the yarn tails from the individual pieces, but it was worth it. It's definitely a conversation piece. Plus you can take some of the patterns for the pieces and make all sorts of stuff. For example, I'm going to take the Maki pattern (the round roll) and make a rug or a purse entirely out of those pieces. The shrimp pattern could double as little whales, so with a few googly eyes and blue yarn, I may try to do something with those. The instructions are really easy to follow, and if you get stuck (like I did), get on <a href="http://www.twinkiechan.com/blog/">Twinkie's blog</a>, you may even get help from the Goody Master herself! Plus, I'm always here if you have questions. So what are you waiting for, go buy this book!<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/AVvXsEh7cS-lY5zJI7efwKPAL2gp2aO2kABAibfPKj9n0VMuvMsayftwhQwgXMHYeH9SX_1mhhftzp78dLu3zBkI6HbIb9OnZ3G6ctcrhbrVk8xU9Lj5RpZH6qUOhPvsUqRu6wPmj4SAdkykSZk/s1600/page2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cS-lY5zJI7efwKPAL2gp2aO2kABAibfPKj9n0VMuvMsayftwhQwgXMHYeH9SX_1mhhftzp78dLu3zBkI6HbIb9OnZ3G6ctcrhbrVk8xU9Lj5RpZH6qUOhPvsUqRu6wPmj4SAdkykSZk/s400/page2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi Scarf! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!...and so does Lucy :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Jq5e9fUGbiay9LtDIYET4dwNfc6GR0uKViWqm92y4d3nmWq93_slLddzVHwjbrKlVyxyP3oI_qOyYeM1SyjHu57Bnx9WvTKEndUkftWNjVU_SdNllbqhMD5-yUl8DM84Aj5V8AIu7QQ/s1600/IMG_4226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Jq5e9fUGbiay9LtDIYET4dwNfc6GR0uKViWqm92y4d3nmWq93_slLddzVHwjbrKlVyxyP3oI_qOyYeM1SyjHu57Bnx9WvTKEndUkftWNjVU_SdNllbqhMD5-yUl8DM84Aj5V8AIu7QQ/s320/IMG_4226.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>I found this other really cute pattern for a little clutch, it's super easy! Plus you can adorn it with whatever you like or just leave it plain. I added a flower to mine. Pretty versatile little bag that only took about 2 hours total to make. You can find the pattern <a href="http://tangledhappy.blogspot.com/2011/04/spring-inspired-boutique-bags.html">here</a>. I think the next one I make will have a few little sushi pieces as decoration to go with the scarf I made. <br />
<br />
I'm not entirely sure what I will crochet next; but I found some really cute patterns on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry.com</a> (it's free)! All you have to do is create a login, plus most of the cute patterns are free. <br />
<br />
New to crochet, or wanting to learn? <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/p/crochet.html">Here</a> are links to my previous posts on learning to crochet.<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/AVvXsEgiRzSllA1Atzg6_9lLoBHtg3yUDkLuZkt3HXFKqxgsfypPEIZ_1VzvMrzbiCtPeHLMjZei0-XKIclcKy-vKQ2t0PfJPZVY0C0dBMxYKbzxa2Pj-FqxsESZrnK_r_bGC0qGGE-ob6SDj9g/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRzSllA1Atzg6_9lLoBHtg3yUDkLuZkt3HXFKqxgsfypPEIZ_1VzvMrzbiCtPeHLMjZei0-XKIclcKy-vKQ2t0PfJPZVY0C0dBMxYKbzxa2Pj-FqxsESZrnK_r_bGC0qGGE-ob6SDj9g/s640/IMG_4235.JPG" width="480px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to add a modely shot! Although I think I sunburned my eyeballs taking this picture...OUCH! What an idiota ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-38218997405025649922011-04-19T20:38:00.000-07:002011-04-28T20:09:54.725-07:00...You, Me, And Some Of This Pork <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9M2CTcGvNtb1C8NIhHu1by6XqUy3e_9y9li_uXhyphenhyphenWhD-WibB_VvH59ehi2G_4d0KzbG7x78Om7ldrTueT-C3pXwYV4ezdew7zF7rVGs879eXq59kC7kw2VbG2fLgIZ1mVuvWgDQ10iY/s1600/IMG_4140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9M2CTcGvNtb1C8NIhHu1by6XqUy3e_9y9li_uXhyphenhyphenWhD-WibB_VvH59ehi2G_4d0KzbG7x78Om7ldrTueT-C3pXwYV4ezdew7zF7rVGs879eXq59kC7kw2VbG2fLgIZ1mVuvWgDQ10iY/s320/IMG_4140.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginnings of a happy relationship</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I've been cooking a lot with tequila lately, it really brings a nice, <br />
bold flavor into the mix...and you can take a little swig to take the edge off if need be ;) Tonight I made some Tequila Citrus Pork Tacos and what I like to call Arroz De La Weda (White Girl Rice). The pork was great, although I was pissed because I ran out of corn tortillas and had to use flour instead. I prefer the corn, although the taco was pretty tasty wrapped up in the flour tortilla. The whole thing start to finish took 30 minutes, but I was dragging ass since I just got back from the gym...and it's a weeknight. Blah Blah. Next time I'm making some <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2010/11/love-peace-and-bacon-grease.html">homemade tortillas</a> on the weekend and freezing them raw until I need them...homemade is ALWAYS better than store-bought. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A few tips before you get started: </span></div><ul><li>Freeze your pork chops for about 30 minutes before you start, they will be so much easier to cube!</li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydyWxwVSKOVB1aNiVGkEZISdbKEdBMO5IHPioHTZPp4l7j_xRp29jdHRbgT9rRGLJdf237LaUZcyq5svkpIqkYnoOykC_m0loIHtaEjFNGuGJvfK6nNs-KFMKPSVwmNX5RD_C-5tt80w/s1600/IMG_4244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydyWxwVSKOVB1aNiVGkEZISdbKEdBMO5IHPioHTZPp4l7j_xRp29jdHRbgT9rRGLJdf237LaUZcyq5svkpIqkYnoOykC_m0loIHtaEjFNGuGJvfK6nNs-KFMKPSVwmNX5RD_C-5tt80w/s320/IMG_4244.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><li>Fry some cheese on your tortilla to make a nice crispy, cheesy crust on the inside of your tortilla. On high heat, sprinkle a nice layer of cheese on a non-stick skillet, place your tortilla on top of the melting cheese, let cheese melt and stick onto tortilla, then press down on your tortilla making sure it sticks and catches all the cheesy goodness. Let your cheese brown, if cheese is being stubborn, just use a spatula to un-stick it from the skillet, then lift it out with a wooden or plastic spatula and set aside. Then spread your pork and other toppings on top of the cheese crust. Delicioso!</li>
<li>Don't use a <a href="http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-cast-iron-skillet-hates-me.html">cast iron skillet</a> to fry your cheese. Yes, I did this... this is why my cast iron skillet still hates me :/</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsnjdA5vRr-MPUdxcjWLxtRaEwn_F25g0-PElGRAtJeq1w9ceL7lOjD3H2raS79Zkc3O8sIqJiMJqvudcscWy_YS6d2LZU8sl6w5HRvS5EX8skiv4Tze2BbyfWUyO6I_DKPLHTs_9HEg/s1600/IMG_4251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsnjdA5vRr-MPUdxcjWLxtRaEwn_F25g0-PElGRAtJeq1w9ceL7lOjD3H2raS79Zkc3O8sIqJiMJqvudcscWy_YS6d2LZU8sl6w5HRvS5EX8skiv4Tze2BbyfWUyO6I_DKPLHTs_9HEg/s320/IMG_4251.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Tequila Citrus Pork Tacos</span></strong><br />
<strong>Serves 3-4</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>2 lbs boneless pork chops, cut in tiny pieces</strong><br />
<strong>1/4 cup of chopped pancetta</strong><br />
<strong>1/2 cup onion, chopped</strong><br />
<strong>1/4 cup tequila</strong><br />
<strong>Juice from 1/2 of a lemon</strong><br />
<strong>1 clove garlic, smashed</strong><br />
<strong>2 tsp chili powder</strong><br />
<strong>Salt and pepper to taste</strong><br />
<strong>Your choice of toppings, bring on the avocado!</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T0aIKK8B5S760EksSPRmzyM-WzHNqMNVKHQ9SiWGEWkseo60VAiBQNRR-LPE7ap0azatGqnoZfaBP-ceaaTQRuy9R_BSFd4pBrqzVJ7qmzFwEqtHLkncpcw6S_SeRoN9MlZERp1a9x8/s1600/IMG_4143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T0aIKK8B5S760EksSPRmzyM-WzHNqMNVKHQ9SiWGEWkseo60VAiBQNRR-LPE7ap0azatGqnoZfaBP-ceaaTQRuy9R_BSFd4pBrqzVJ7qmzFwEqtHLkncpcw6S_SeRoN9MlZERp1a9x8/s320/IMG_4143.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Add pancetta to pan on high heat and cook until juices start to run out. Add onion and tequila letting onions sweat for about 2 minutes. Add pork, garlic, lemon juice, and chili powder and cook until pork is no longer pink in the middle. Add salt and pepper to taste.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Make your fried cheese tortillas as explained above using whatever kind of cheese you prefer. I have tried just about everything but the best is Cheddar, mozzarella, or a "Mexican cheese blend".</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Now add your toppings! I usually cut up some cabbage and top with sour cream and avocado. Enjoy!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Arroz De La Weda (White Girl Rice)</span></strong><br />
<strong>Serves 4</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>1 1/2 cup Jasmine rice</strong><br />
<strong>1 Tbsp olive oil</strong><br />
<strong>1 garlic clove, smashed</strong><br />
<strong>1 cup green tomato or tomatillo salsa</strong><br />
<strong>1 1/2 cup chicken broth</strong><br />
<strong>1/2 cup water</strong><br />
<strong>1 Tbsp chicken bullion or tomato/chicken bullion</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Add oil to skillet on high heat, add rice and brown until grains are nice and toasty on all sides. Avoid burning by stirring around every 30 seconds. Add the rest of your ingredients and stir around. Bring to a boil, then turn down to medium heat, you can throw a jalapeno in the middle of your cooking rice to add a little heat if desired. Cover, and simmer until rice is done. Check periodically and add water if needed. Don't stir your rice around until it's done or it will get gummy.</strong>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-82374430676249835972011-04-05T16:23:00.000-07:002011-04-11T16:32:26.643-07:00The Saga Of The Neverending Marmalade Monster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi624vNr8mFmwv7Pc8ssxcV9cFAh6OAPbQj_sh73UiUbFQshJAxGGVKmoERlt-7lsxYCR7geyD9nZxqUH8WbXimi4VZ4LOr2GqCzkZdFMHEf7YBHs8ePv13DLsQW8qvFdHq2VXZVzwiCCw/s1600/orange+zombie.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi624vNr8mFmwv7Pc8ssxcV9cFAh6OAPbQj_sh73UiUbFQshJAxGGVKmoERlt-7lsxYCR7geyD9nZxqUH8WbXimi4VZ4LOr2GqCzkZdFMHEf7YBHs8ePv13DLsQW8qvFdHq2VXZVzwiCCw/s320/orange+zombie.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>I'm just going to come out and say it. Orange marmalade is a BITCH to make! Anyone who happens to get some as an Xmas present from me better enjoy it, damnit. Seriously though, Orange marmalade...wtf? This is definitely not something someone with a full time job should attempt on a week night!<br />
<br />
Since I don't have 8 full hours to dedicate to this project (kay, maybe I'm exaggerating), I've been peicemealing it day by day. Two hours here, two hours there. The first night I cut up all my oranges, thinly sliced. This is where a mandolin would be handy! Apparently I have one somewhere, according to the Hubbz, but it is buried under the mountain of shiny kitchen gadgets we got for our wedding. Too lazy to look, plus I had all but 2 out of the 12 oranges cut when my husband made the proclamation...so I BETTER not have one, or I'll be pissed. Too lazy to look anyway :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6Jx1j35bbUC0sSRQ53vCe7EI235OxOHJRAKrnnygwu9pBb3maRQlCV5QVPxXbOTekpuI7RgD94ckQTW616iMYDeuTi5CQflHMI9lWWXmspFQfsI83r8NNfmMlVeGWR7g4_lXlSnN9-E/s1600/marmalade3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6Jx1j35bbUC0sSRQ53vCe7EI235OxOHJRAKrnnygwu9pBb3maRQlCV5QVPxXbOTekpuI7RgD94ckQTW616iMYDeuTi5CQflHMI9lWWXmspFQfsI83r8NNfmMlVeGWR7g4_lXlSnN9-E/s320/marmalade3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I then added the 12 sliced oranges and 3 sliced lemons into a ginourmous pot (The one I usually use as my water bath canner) and added water to cover. Heated that to boil, turned off heat and let sit overnight. This is what releases the pectin from the rind and softens the peel.<br />
<br />
Day two, Brought to boil again for 5 minutes, let simmer. Cooled, then put it in the fridge over night since the hubby and I were packing and getting ready for our <em>Anniversary Extravaganza</em> we had planned that weekend.<br />
<br />
Day three, got back from our weekend trip to LA and measured the cooked fruit and added 2/3 of that amount of sugar. I added the sugar to my orange/water mixture and brought that to a boil and began waiting for it to reduce down to syrup. Two and a half hours later...it still wasn't syrup! Or at least I didn't think it was syrup. Left it on the stove since it was 10pm and didn't have time for it to cool. Woke up the next morning and threw the pot in the fridge since I had to go to work. Blasted work, always getting in the way of my projects. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscwLscx7bTdS8JX-yt_GGVcn6JnEGhcXpTl0JLFgNNSEcUOFyMnGB6Tf2lMkvVYp9El2cmpSJ19SrFGuMnVfzZd94ZhBrWDzB2K7jp5rw3_rRIb2OXNF96EtUTfE_3IwiZwyCAs21ehY/s1600/marmalade2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscwLscx7bTdS8JX-yt_GGVcn6JnEGhcXpTl0JLFgNNSEcUOFyMnGB6Tf2lMkvVYp9El2cmpSJ19SrFGuMnVfzZd94ZhBrWDzB2K7jp5rw3_rRIb2OXNF96EtUTfE_3IwiZwyCAs21ehY/s320/marmalade2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snooki Orange Marmalade (because it has a tan)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Day four, brought to boil (again) and reduced some more. Finally...after 3.5 hours, I had syrup! Only thing is...in the last 45 minutes, my pretty bright orange liquid turned to amber syrup. This definitely doesn't look like store-bought orange marmalade. Hmmm, it still tastes good though! So using my pressure canner for the very first time (Thanks Grammy!) I canned 8 pints of this stuff. It may be ugly, off-color, and the rind is a little thick, but it's mine damnit, I'm proud. Just not planning to make another batch anytime soon!<br />
<br />
Oh!! Be sure to use a cutting board with wells when slicing your oranges or at least do it over the sink. I did not and was punished mercilessly for it. Those things spew and seep juice everywhere! I thought I had cleaned up all the left over pools of orange juice from my counter (still finding sticky spots on the floor), until days later when the Hubbz reached into the utensil drawer to get some tongs. There it was, a sticky river of putrid orange juice that had snuck from the counter into one of the dark drawers below. There was SOO much juice that got trapped in that drawer...by the time we realized it it was five days old and moldy. Joy...I had to take everything out of the drawer and disinfect it. Good times. Don't make the same mistake, inspect your shiznit thoroughly!<br />
<br />
For all my masochists out there, here is an orange marmalade recipe for you to try. If anyone has any tips on making pretty, bright orange marmalade, please share!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Orange Marmalade</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 1em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck6vDOUszhUzpb215TMxzzP1aQ8Rp8lJpDDgmk17uOrMFy0Hc7Je9d97BPQ1oRBsebcf7oc6tDDZgxp_9Hips490u_o1ARD_IKCpPyGLXDe9RnVJ_2Wf-Sdx4w_v_mz2oqhZKQ-eWhK4/s1600/marmalade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck6vDOUszhUzpb215TMxzzP1aQ8Rp8lJpDDgmk17uOrMFy0Hc7Je9d97BPQ1oRBsebcf7oc6tDDZgxp_9Hips490u_o1ARD_IKCpPyGLXDe9RnVJ_2Wf-Sdx4w_v_mz2oqhZKQ-eWhK4/s320/marmalade.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 80%; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Lucy is such a ham! She literally jumped up there and took her position as I was taking this shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>makes 8 pints<br />
<br />
12 large oranges<br />
3 lemons<br />
sugar<br />
water<br />
<br />
Slice oranges and lemons very thin. Measure raw fruit, add the same amount of water. Bring to a boil (you're gonna need a big pot!). Boil for 5 minutes. Cover, then let sit, covered over night. The next day, measure the cooked fruit. Then add 2/3 of that amount of sugar to your pot. Bring to a boil and reduce your liquid to a syrup, stirring frequently. Seriously...frequently, I was hovering over my pot and still managed to scorch the bottom of my pot! you will know it's a syrup when it sticks to the back of your spoon and is about the consistency of maple syrup, this will take HOURS. ladle hot syrup into sterilized jars, wipe rims, then can or refridgerate immediately after cooling. You can use either a water bath canner with a processing time of 10 minutes(depending on your elevation). Or use a pressure canner at 5lbs for 20 minutes. REMEMBER KIDDIES, ALWAYS BE SAFE WHEN CANNING, YOU COULD LITERALLY KILL SOMEONE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. IF YOU ARE NEW TO CANNING, I SUGGEST YOU CHECK OUT THE <a href="http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/publications_usda.html">USDA GUIDELINES</a> BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING AT HOME.Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-71767978121903732012011-03-29T21:41:00.000-07:002011-04-20T19:50:53.406-07:00bock bock bock (sound a chicken makes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx7A66l2QzQvC3z9TYhs1eM_FEiOwIk-_ORqJhoadtLwxtCqJ1uAIhtE1Hiw7yLaZ6ZnFLCJc1pCpMw9MuGIictdtE9eWQZVvdiV2RcGw1AWrrAtq_lCNSA7aUNImLpX2jBXuhBXpd1c/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx7A66l2QzQvC3z9TYhs1eM_FEiOwIk-_ORqJhoadtLwxtCqJ1uAIhtE1Hiw7yLaZ6ZnFLCJc1pCpMw9MuGIictdtE9eWQZVvdiV2RcGw1AWrrAtq_lCNSA7aUNImLpX2jBXuhBXpd1c/s320/chicken.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div>One thing I admire the most about old ladies is their ability to stretch a dollar and really make their food last! They are multifaceted task masters that can turn one yard bird into 50 different meals and make use of all leftovers. These are traits everyone should learn! Not only is it good for your wallet, but you are also cutting your household waste and using your creative mind at the same time. I have become quite good at this in the past three years of marriage; since I'm often too lazy to go to the store after my usual 9-10 hr work day. I often have to improvise and make due with what's in the fridge. Recently I have discovered these Buy One Get One Free chub packs of chicken breasts at my local grocery store. They come pre-seasoned too, which adds another interesting variable to the mix. I bought one pack of Garlic & Peppercorn seasoned blend, and got the pack of Malibu seasoned chicken for free. These are great because the seasonings are pretty basic and you can use them for just about any purpose your heart desires. <strong>Below are three different, easy recipes for chicken that are winners in my household. The first two are made in under 30 minutes...suck it, Rachel Ray ;)</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Day 1</strong></span><br />
<br />
Using the Garlic & Peppercorn seasoned breasts, I made Chicken Tortilla soup. The whole thing took about 30 minutes from start to finish. I just kind of winged the recipe, but glad I still remember it, because it's pretty great, if I do say so myself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHaJVxWsQnVYIlDy_yvT-9EYyG7FWunVF99z2mfkPJEkLP9HuZ2KNJ-21TYv2eq8DHgudcBLeVWnREMovWpxNpmpzZE9Xo2VOzz97UItXbWgsvpek1lMH6iL9izXG6z-UPf1dxbIHpOI/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Chicken Tortilla Soup</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHaJVxWsQnVYIlDy_yvT-9EYyG7FWunVF99z2mfkPJEkLP9HuZ2KNJ-21TYv2eq8DHgudcBLeVWnREMovWpxNpmpzZE9Xo2VOzz97UItXbWgsvpek1lMH6iL9izXG6z-UPf1dxbIHpOI/s320/IMG_3959.JPG" width="240px" /></span><strong></strong><br />
1-2 lb chicken breasts, cut into 1" cubes<br />
1/2 cup onion, chopped to desired thickness<br />
1 clove of garlic, pressed<br />
2 tbsp cumin<br />
1 tbsp chili powder<br />
1 tbsp parsley<br />
1 qt chicken broth <br />
1 small can of tomato paste<br />
2 tbsp masa or corn meal<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
<strong>Ingredients for Toppings (optional)</strong><br />
avocados<br />
corn tortillas<br />
tomatoes<br />
cilantro<br />
onion<br />
sour cream<br />
shredded cheese<br />
<br />
In a large pot add onions and olive oil, saute onions on high heat until translucent. Add chicken and garlic, brown chicken until no pink is visible. add cumin, chili powder, and parsely, stir around. Add chicken broth, 1 can of tomato paste and masa or corn meal. Add salt and pepper to taste and let simmer for about 20 minutes. Next chop up your avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, onion and cut up some corn tortillas into strips. You can either fry up your tortilla strips or bake them in the oven until crispy. I fried mine in about 1tbsp of olive oil and let them drain on a paper towel. Now you can set up a Topping Station with your chopped avocado, cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips, diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. This way everyone can add whatever toppings they feel like :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Day 2</strong></span><br />
<br />
The next day, with my left over chicken (I had about 1.5 lbs of chicken left over) I made Chicken Alfredo with a really easy Alfredo sauce that is ridiculously yummy. That took about 20 minutes. If you have leftover sauce you can always make cheesy Alfredo bread or a broccoli in Alfredo sauce....trust me you will want to makes a lot of this sauce, it's pretty damn amazing.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Fettuccine de Chicken Alfredo</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Sauteed Chicken</strong><br />
1 tbsp olive oil<br />
1/4 cup chopped onion<br />
1-2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1" cubes<br />
1 clove of garlic, pressed<br />
1/2 cup shitty white wine you would never drink<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMFOuWXSIZZ0nOQLJMpbOW3kMxFCcweFzzdKPGpzRQcyM11R_VfMwT-Z6dEB6m0HU7rB1PE4H66_PNTi6s1pgJ0cfpUgbsr_KGkqDOTkszCidwuU9rbKn3c1fo_7HeaG-i_q3y3Xghfc/s1600/IMG_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMFOuWXSIZZ0nOQLJMpbOW3kMxFCcweFzzdKPGpzRQcyM11R_VfMwT-Z6dEB6m0HU7rB1PE4H66_PNTi6s1pgJ0cfpUgbsr_KGkqDOTkszCidwuU9rbKn3c1fo_7HeaG-i_q3y3Xghfc/s320/IMG_3961.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Salt and Pepper to taste<br />
<br />
<strong>Creamy Alfredo Sauce</strong><br />
1 pint heavy whipping cream (Waistline unapproved)<br />
2 tbsp cream cheese<br />
1/2 cup butter<br />
1 tsp garlic powder<br />
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese<br />
1 tbsp of parsley<br />
Salt and Pepper to taste. <br />
<strong><br />
</strong>Start your pot of boiling water for your noodles. <br />
<br />
Heat olive oil over high heat in a medium sized skillet and add onion. Saute until translucent. Add chicken and garlic and white wine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook on high heat until chicken is done. To avoid over cooking your chicken, cook until you can see no pink on the outside of any of your chicken pieces, every couple of minutes after that break open the largest piece and check for pink. When the middle is white, but still juicy, remove from heat. Don't want rubbery chicken!<br />
<br />
In a saucepan add cream, cream cheese, butter, garlic, Parmesan cheese and parsley, constantly stir over medium-high heat until cream cheese dissolves and the parm cheese starts to melt. Add salt and pepper to taste (I usually don't add salt since the parm cheese adds enough salt for my taste).Turn down heat to medium, stir frequently for 20 minutes or until your sauce thickens. At ten minutes, add dry fettuccine noodles to your pot of boiling water. Cook to preferred doneness(is that a word?). If you use the fresh fettuccine noodles that you get in the refrigerator section at the store (which I highly recommend) start at 2 minutes. <br />
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**<strong> don't cook sauce too long after it thickens or your butter will separate from your cream, leaving a curdled looking, greasy mess. I did this once when trying to replicate the Rice a Roni Alfredo noodles. I added my dry noodles to the cooking cream sauce, cooked until noodles were soft, and had the above mentioned grease fest...not pretty or appetizing whatsoever</strong>.**<br />
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Now you can assemble your plates. I like to keep everything separate, that way I can add more or less chicken to my pasta depending on my mood. Then if I have leftover chicken, I can use it for a salad the next day, and I can use the leftover sauce to put on garlic bread or over broccoli.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Day 3</strong></span><br />
<br />
A few days later, had some extra cream left over so I made another batch of Alfredo sauce, bought some pizza dough, and made Smokey Alfredo Shrimp/Chicken Calazones. You can use a pizza stone, which works best, or just use a regular baking sheet. Just be careful to line the bottom rack on your stove with tin foil or another baking sheet so the cheese and juices from the calazones don't drip onto the heating element. (this is from experience in case you were wondering:/)<br />
<br />
You don't have to do both chicken and shrimp, I happen to love the little crustaceans, but my hubby can't stand them; which is why I made him a chicken calazone.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Smokey Alfredo Shrimp/Chicken Calazones</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Sauteed chicken/shrimp</strong><br />
1/2 cup chopped uncooked bacon or pancetta<br />
1/4 cup chopped onion<br />
1 clove garlic, pressed<br />
1-2lbs chicken or shrimp<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKvnln4jmSS0PwG-TNRUrboCeE8eEmNDuU5NeKeLIAANeT1kMUJ7FiTLlGlsl4DcY6zbAkxwess7hdqEAp3b34e4jj3ygBtnzrFNBPWiRb3hkWnsyEDZL9K-WPB7UPIyekHg2PAoR1Cc/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKvnln4jmSS0PwG-TNRUrboCeE8eEmNDuU5NeKeLIAANeT1kMUJ7FiTLlGlsl4DcY6zbAkxwess7hdqEAp3b34e4jj3ygBtnzrFNBPWiRb3hkWnsyEDZL9K-WPB7UPIyekHg2PAoR1Cc/s320/IMG_3997.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Salt and Pepper to taste<br />
<br />
<strong>Alfredo sauce</strong><br />
See above<br />
<br />
<strong>Other ingredients</strong><br />
Pizza dough/Pizza crust<br />
1 egg (see below)<br />
Shredded Parmesan cheese<br />
<br />
<strong>Toppings</strong><br />
Shredded mozzarella<br />
Chopped, fresh parsley<br />
<br />
Cut up your bacon or pancetta into tiny pieces. Saute in your skillet on high heat until juices are running out. If you are using bacon, you may want to pour out the majority of your grease (Save this for your bacon tortillas!). Prosciutto doesn't make much grease, so no need to drain if you are using it. Then add your onions, garlic, and chicken or shrimp. Sprinkle on a light dusting of salt and pepper. Cook chicken until still slightly pink, cook shrimp until almost all the way pink on the outside. Remove from heat. DON'T EAT, IT'S STILL "RAW"! Cooking your calazone will finish up the cooking process.<br />
<br />
I am lucky enough to have a grocery store nearby that sells fresh, raw pizza dough, but if you don't have this luxury and don't have time or energy to make it from scratch, you can buy the pre-made pizza rounds and just make a Smokey Alfredo Chicken/Shrimp Pizza (I won't judge).<br />
<br />
On a lightly floured pizza stone or baking sheet shape pizza dough to desired thickness. I usually do this by rolling it into a ball than then pinching in the middle and rotating it while pinching, pretty soon I get a nice circle going. One stretched to desired thickness, center one half on the stone/sheet, so 1/2 of your circle will be hanging over. Arrange toppings on the half of your circle centered on the stone/sheet. Layer cheese, sauce, meat, then another layer of cheese making sure to leave a 1 inch edge for sealing. Top with a light sprinkling of fresh parsley.<br />
<br />
Beat one egg in a small bowl. With basting brush, spread egg on entire edge of dough, this will stick your edges together so cheese and sauce doesn't go every where. Fold naked side of dough over the topping side; just over the toppings. Now take your overlapping edge and fold it over and roll tight, and crimp so all edges are sealed. Stab entire length of calazone with a fork multiple times (Good stress reliever). Then baste entire top with egg. This will make a pretty, glossy top to your calazone once it's done baking. Sprinkle with Parsley and Parmesan cheese.<br />
<br />
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, or until crust is done. You can cut off a tiny piece of the edge at 30 minutes to test if it's done if you made a pretty thin crust.<br />
<br />
If you are just popping in your pizza on your pre-made crust, just cook for about 10-20 minutes until your cheese is nice and melted and starting to brown at its highest peaks.<br />
<strong>Bon appetit</strong>! <strong></strong>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489341443897234884.post-39196954361181036142011-03-21T21:18:00.000-07:002011-03-22T07:46:17.634-07:00Cuteness OverloadThanks to my new favorite book by Twinkie Chan (What a name right?), my head might just explode. Never have I seen more original, adorable crocheted little trinkets as I have in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twinkie-Crochet-Goodies-Fashion-Foodies/dp/0740797581/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300758647&sr=8-1">"Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies."</a> I decided I must make EVERYTHING in this book, but first I had to make this adorable cuppycake scarf shown below by the Author herself, <a href="http://www.twinkiechan.com/">Twinkie Chan</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2715513327_408f8b1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" r6="true" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2715513327_408f8b1897.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAotq6BfIdXVphvgQc37dcyFkl0tLeRKOuZnSjsUc6-MYX2E9drU4k_vaZxUyuFzEIGppTexi7ODMv4DrNIBPq3cnVJAHC206iItnHt1GXXoRDlRYsPM4HOWAvQe1a_gF3B2113lJpdlA/s1600/cuppycake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAotq6BfIdXVphvgQc37dcyFkl0tLeRKOuZnSjsUc6-MYX2E9drU4k_vaZxUyuFzEIGppTexi7ODMv4DrNIBPq3cnVJAHC206iItnHt1GXXoRDlRYsPM4HOWAvQe1a_gF3B2113lJpdlA/s320/cuppycake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was a lot easier than I expected, however I found myself having to improvise as I had this gorgeous yarn I was dying to use and knew it wouldn't be enough to make a full, normal scarf. So instead of making the scarf with all pink cupcakes as the pattern suggested, I alternated making the rainbow cupcakes out of my bad ass, cool yarn I got from <a href="http://beadandyarnstudio.com/">The Bead and Yarn Studio</a>, and pink cupcakes out of a really soft cottony pink yarn I found. I am so excited and actually in disbelief that I actually made something so damn cute! It's definitely not perfect as I kind of had to guess on a few parts, not knowing, and too lazy to look up what a "whip stitch" was, etc; but overall I think it looks great! The beauty of crochet is that you can easily hide most of your mistakes. The instructions are pretty easy to follow for this pattern, especially for those like me who are just learning to read patterns.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarY0LkzVFW6kVEzKRBDHsiEEUHs626c-6bkmlPU16UIGj0IivZalr20ThM2SjxnByfPpFhKLWOcWgGIUSeCIrAh4k0q3OGBoXNhlDCUGBjFy3vpLd-Geq_wdCw33ErCpykkfiBec4QXQ/s1600/cuppycake2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarY0LkzVFW6kVEzKRBDHsiEEUHs626c-6bkmlPU16UIGj0IivZalr20ThM2SjxnByfPpFhKLWOcWgGIUSeCIrAh4k0q3OGBoXNhlDCUGBjFy3vpLd-Geq_wdCw33ErCpykkfiBec4QXQ/s320/cuppycake2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2CGZtY6IxGpTi9RKJSu6JU2VXLr89TfRGiUTxNyAs238fofO5pAJtD5ly4zzmx3-qVMYeoikBo5HYfAiusoBC9f_XoFloxj-8-PpD5SfUiXko1Ua04mXwSQQUpGAcxrpUTdPjwss5OI/s1600/gollum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2CGZtY6IxGpTi9RKJSu6JU2VXLr89TfRGiUTxNyAs238fofO5pAJtD5ly4zzmx3-qVMYeoikBo5HYfAiusoBC9f_XoFloxj-8-PpD5SfUiXko1Ua04mXwSQQUpGAcxrpUTdPjwss5OI/s1600/gollum.jpg" /></a></div>The only bad thing I have noticed about me learning to crochet is my good intentions slowly start to unravel as my project draws to an end and then my greedy nature begins to take hold. As a result, the scarf I start making for a friend or family member quickly becomes <strong>mine</strong>. I think I really have a problem. I'm starting to feel like Gollum from Lord Of The Rings...all of my creations thus far have become "The Precious." Maybe if I make a dozen more I will finally be able to let one go, haha! What a selfish bitch, huh?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54A63u6c3sq_dq_YznSyAMNriHRA7q_FRwSEYjfuCuMyN4rpFjuvGiGiL8cHM59ps2T8rPb6wI7a2mmhwHwYCV5FgUcvqFkWcXMHcIxrZzHZxIJ4ZlfgKbZZEEOSMa6x2DlzdAYxsklo/s1600/cuppycake3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54A63u6c3sq_dq_YznSyAMNriHRA7q_FRwSEYjfuCuMyN4rpFjuvGiGiL8cHM59ps2T8rPb6wI7a2mmhwHwYCV5FgUcvqFkWcXMHcIxrZzHZxIJ4ZlfgKbZZEEOSMa6x2DlzdAYxsklo/s640/cuppycake3.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Precious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Candicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332289970216292382noreply@blogger.com13