tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87982619125746086992024-03-05T03:40:18.218-05:00Do It Yourself DitdersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-80950104595659088992013-05-22T23:44:00.000-04:002013-05-22T23:44:11.096-04:00Contemporary Kitchen - Cheesy Smoked Sausage & Vegetable Soup<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHNPyVx5DL0cDI31frZn95AJQY34W-BJ_Nafi88I8bK8p3ppFWb6YeOZPog99l_5ODxZx5PPG5shZYOK0oTSrFwNR8-WFAoSFIMjjep225hH9xnu5vN9nuIrTEjDRpb6FLsXsN6lUYN4/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHNPyVx5DL0cDI31frZn95AJQY34W-BJ_Nafi88I8bK8p3ppFWb6YeOZPog99l_5ODxZx5PPG5shZYOK0oTSrFwNR8-WFAoSFIMjjep225hH9xnu5vN9nuIrTEjDRpb6FLsXsN6lUYN4/s400/027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This recipe is completely my own. Long story made short, My niece was heading overseas and sent me the contents of her refrigerator vegetable drawer. I had no idea what to do with all of those vegetables! Vegetables, mind you, that I had never or rarely used before. A head of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, parsnips. OK, broccoli and cauliflower I could handle, but the rest had my head spinning. I had made cabbage soup very early in my married life (remember hubby doesn't eat soup, or stew or anything of that sort), so I decided to just make some vegetable stock with most of it and make some California blend soup out of the rest... I had grown up with mom's California blend soup, granted I didn't have her recipe, but it seemed like something that I could do without a recipe. So, I threw most of the veggies in the pot to make stock. I had never even tasted turnips and parsnips before so I sampled a bit as I diced them. I loved the parsnips, the turnips were just OK. So then, using the completed stock as a base, I started on the soup. As it was nearing completion, I said to myself, what is Hubby going to eat for dinner tonight, he won't eat this... What goes with cheese? Smoked Sausage (which I always have plenty of on hand). It smelled so good as it was cooking that I decided to add some to the soup for the rest of us, leaving Hubby's out so he could eat it separately. At one point he walked by, said it smelled good and that he would eat the soup, so I tossed the rest of the sausage in. Needless to say, it was such a hit that Hubby at two...yes, TWO bowls of soup! I was floored! Having just thrown things in the pot, I attempted to recreate it a few months later, so I could write the recipe down, I also played with the technique and which I will discuss in the directions. So, without further ado, here is the recipe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IL4Ws2VJgMq3YXXVTI5qg02LBuKNSAS8QAB26pO0vL56WiSRWsTO4JVTIKPQrjjZkrncjARJ6mpiF9-71bZ7mXo7Ehpo3B7GEtkFEPXFBaJiQLuCtHGTKtWpIrZ5VrjVQ7gmzevD4To/s1600/Cheesy+Sausage+n+veg+soup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IL4Ws2VJgMq3YXXVTI5qg02LBuKNSAS8QAB26pO0vL56WiSRWsTO4JVTIKPQrjjZkrncjARJ6mpiF9-71bZ7mXo7Ehpo3B7GEtkFEPXFBaJiQLuCtHGTKtWpIrZ5VrjVQ7gmzevD4To/s640/Cheesy+Sausage+n+veg+soup.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I usually have just about everything for this recipe in my pantry or freezer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi_Xgm_sxS_kHBAbZmjYVjB6kvUgYqU-sLh-vb3aTgjUQV0VB4HSIch90bdnigGvQfiQkzbGkGNJ79rjl0pV2z3EZgFAOv4eyftpCjhq7odvHwT-8uT6w_fYa8a4tHfto7lDynE-TGkA/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi_Xgm_sxS_kHBAbZmjYVjB6kvUgYqU-sLh-vb3aTgjUQV0VB4HSIch90bdnigGvQfiQkzbGkGNJ79rjl0pV2z3EZgFAOv4eyftpCjhq7odvHwT-8uT6w_fYa8a4tHfto7lDynE-TGkA/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Saute onion, celery, carrot and parsnip in a large pot or dutch oven
until it starts to become tender. Just an aside, I keep a lot of veggies in my freezer, for example, if I
dice 1/2 an onion for hot dogs, or slice 1/2 an onion for burgers, I
dice or slice or chunk up the rest, measure it and vacuum seal it, label
it and throw it in the freezer for future use, mostly in soups,
although the onions I do saute for just about everything. Same for
carrots an celery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm_uOgRDXJJ5tCFBqBIPBZ4rv2HcHGtaztIbvv8oL-Fk2tEoGJxfiyNdWN-r9kUhBhWWilKIvu9CIww0p28vxYX0IEruWwdUt4uB1c_sfX_QzT1rc42KGkUw_f8e7AzTbn2mOvXuyfiM/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm_uOgRDXJJ5tCFBqBIPBZ4rv2HcHGtaztIbvv8oL-Fk2tEoGJxfiyNdWN-r9kUhBhWWilKIvu9CIww0p28vxYX0IEruWwdUt4uB1c_sfX_QzT1rc42KGkUw_f8e7AzTbn2mOvXuyfiM/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Add the stock and simmer. Add salt, bay leaves, thyme and rosemary. Simmer 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7TVugG4HRRoOqTIU5D7hx7Me4MjnADYI1LDcsWeVNIirepMzflMSO9miJcUtEzLZFaJyuepv1M2y3Kf_SrEozqGydYlM4TFgT8Y5Q039C4ds7LcF9pqCeF8WeQdPnqttn1HSFD_YmuI/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7TVugG4HRRoOqTIU5D7hx7Me4MjnADYI1LDcsWeVNIirepMzflMSO9miJcUtEzLZFaJyuepv1M2y3Kf_SrEozqGydYlM4TFgT8Y5Q039C4ds7LcF9pqCeF8WeQdPnqttn1HSFD_YmuI/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Add the Broccoli (and Cauliflower if desired). <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tSVBtxQRg8XTHToqbKVvylfjPmvnt_dCWyQuljBXvvGCYp5wzSz6_QlLyc0odtwVEKti5R8ZpXXv2VEeHZuvGXSxvr_6r7_BdSErqG4iTIiRSl0LO2xvFivG69z2Eid-AXmR1seJx7M/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tSVBtxQRg8XTHToqbKVvylfjPmvnt_dCWyQuljBXvvGCYp5wzSz6_QlLyc0odtwVEKti5R8ZpXXv2VEeHZuvGXSxvr_6r7_BdSErqG4iTIiRSl0LO2xvFivG69z2Eid-AXmR1seJx7M/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Cut the smoked sausage into bite sized pieces and saute in a frying pan. You really do need to fry the sausage first. The second time I made this I tried just tossing the sausage in the soup without frying it first and the flavor just wasn't there, the flavor seemed to boil right out of the meat. When browned, remove to paper towel to drain. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlomyTZ7W9uRcmjpTRMZtyvLTNQx4DLxSq-1CgDGK00L1Ehw9BTSBOdyJ2we22YOdhetGOPPFZLnH_mkJLRcEYyiALV8QpdFsz8D1tH_QngRTR6jqnPG5e1X0iEiSgJNi4m5YSe3opcrA/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlomyTZ7W9uRcmjpTRMZtyvLTNQx4DLxSq-1CgDGK00L1Ehw9BTSBOdyJ2we22YOdhetGOPPFZLnH_mkJLRcEYyiALV8QpdFsz8D1tH_QngRTR6jqnPG5e1X0iEiSgJNi4m5YSe3opcrA/s400/018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When the vegetables are tender, Add the Velveeta (remember, this recipe uses 1 lb of Velveeta, which is 1/2 of the loaf). Dice it into large chunks and toss it in, stir frequently to help it melt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4X2rX3Vaq9f1LbQoz3Z0Y7sxi_Rb5rYHwdGLl5feJuL1jAIejqGKCsIGLgmyNNwm3bW35DFZvsSbrUE0nNTt6LQFO8VVNA2UKQyabXk6pG11jg_ag-DB4f-3pihhopk1_DR5u1kX-EE/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4X2rX3Vaq9f1LbQoz3Z0Y7sxi_Rb5rYHwdGLl5feJuL1jAIejqGKCsIGLgmyNNwm3bW35DFZvsSbrUE0nNTt6LQFO8VVNA2UKQyabXk6pG11jg_ag-DB4f-3pihhopk1_DR5u1kX-EE/s400/021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Once the cheese is melted, add sausage and allow to simmer for 10 minutes for the flavors to meld. Remove the bay leaves and serve.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ0kEaxOryx_mQE7X2sOP2IfzUm8PjlRLeoIzjdWKLzvlgy-eaK0woCoV5Nzxqck0XBTX7iewlhhUF-gVpfhjg9l6HRO7bLpKc-O0Ftl6XzTdn6aFe2LrqaYtClce2OSZ3qnIpsENdUA/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ0kEaxOryx_mQE7X2sOP2IfzUm8PjlRLeoIzjdWKLzvlgy-eaK0woCoV5Nzxqck0XBTX7iewlhhUF-gVpfhjg9l6HRO7bLpKc-O0Ftl6XzTdn6aFe2LrqaYtClce2OSZ3qnIpsENdUA/s400/024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I hope you enjoy this recipe. Please be sure to comment and let me know what you
think and/or if you try it!<br />
<br />
Love and God's peace to you,<br />
Christine<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" />Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-66910711535486221472013-04-23T22:26:00.002-04:002013-07-11T21:33:35.330-04:00Contemporary Kitchen - Real Amish Cinnamon BreadLast week, I posted the <a href="http://diyditders.blogspot.com/2013/04/contemporary-kitchen-cinnamon-bread.html">knock off version</a> of Amish Cinnamon Bread...today, the real thing! <br />
<br />
You may have heard of this recipe before, perhaps you've even tried it. There are two major complaints that people often have about this bread starter. First is that you have to maintain it, which includes adding ingredients on certain days and mushing the bag contents together each day. The second complaint, and often the biggest is that every ten days you have 3-4 bags of starter to get rid of.<br />
<br />
In my opinion, maintaining the starter is not that big of a deal. My concern is more that the bread has to be baked on specific days, and not necessarily on the days when I want it. I'm researching ideas of how to manipulate that...but so far, I haven't figured it out. <br />
<br />
And as for the hassle of getting rid of the starter every ten days, I followed the advice of <a href="http://makeitfromscratch.blogspot.com/2009/01/take-control-of-your-amish-friendship.html">Make It From Scratch</a> and put it on a diet. In essence, just cut back the ingredient quantities you add so the starter doesn't get as big. This gives me one starter to keep going, and enough to bake 2 loaves of bread. So far, its working great!<br />
<br />
So, here's the recipe to maintain the starter.<br />
<br />
Day 1 - Receive the bag, mush the bag.<br />
Day 2 - Mush the bag.<br />
Day 3 - Mush the bag.<br />
Day 4 - Mush the bag.<br />
Day 5 - Mush the bag.<br />
Day 6 - Add 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar and milk.<br />
Day 7 - Mush the bag.<br />
Day 8 - Mush the bag.<br />
Day 9 - Mush the bag.<br />
Day 10 - Add 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar and milk. Into 4 gallon sized Ziploc bags, pour 1 cup of starter. Use the remaining starter to bake the bread. Give away 3 starters and keep one for yourself. This becomes Day 1 to start over.<br />
<br />
So to put the starter on a diet, I only add 1/2 cup of each of the ingredients on both days 6 & 10.<br />
<br />
Now, onto the good stuff...baking the bread!<br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to 325°. Pour the remaining batter into a bowl. They make a really big deal about not using any metallic bowls or spoons with these recipes. Who knows if its really as important as they say, but I used a glass bowl and plastic spatula, just in case.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnI5O-rUN9M33X2fsMYsL_v1PHOZ5HxxFCXUf8UxwyH2-Ado05-K3VBT2t9iwmtREOAamN7MibN0fJs-ScAnPlPjhlDgy-_dckhW0HMAbEmuGqMzO_-GLm_tWB0r3vVlPYArgdIfnJ2U4/s1600/DSCN0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnI5O-rUN9M33X2fsMYsL_v1PHOZ5HxxFCXUf8UxwyH2-Ado05-K3VBT2t9iwmtREOAamN7MibN0fJs-ScAnPlPjhlDgy-_dckhW0HMAbEmuGqMzO_-GLm_tWB0r3vVlPYArgdIfnJ2U4/s320/DSCN0554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Add 3 eggs, 1 cup of oil, 1/2 cup of milk, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt and stir together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnYX9uWgBFyE9qPGz-YdKCcKMZ5LP5NpIFTfgNRLnrVUjxSu5v9QNOfSgp2DLJAQK6flWXcFD-JL0ggHMil4AFhkYJwkiKYoUQzN-hK8NumArUCYWyXMEJLNoDLVAfeTjiVOOX4ZlEBo/s1600/DSCN0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnYX9uWgBFyE9qPGz-YdKCcKMZ5LP5NpIFTfgNRLnrVUjxSu5v9QNOfSgp2DLJAQK6flWXcFD-JL0ggHMil4AFhkYJwkiKYoUQzN-hK8NumArUCYWyXMEJLNoDLVAfeTjiVOOX4ZlEBo/s320/DSCN0555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Also add 2 cups of flour and 1 large box instant vanilla pudding. There is no special order here, but I add everything except the flour and pudding and mix together first to make it a little easier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yKrQ-GHbT594yoQ3AVvtHeaUFCkfvKR6ORFZFtJGfN6okW4MErfF5vD4rp3oRV1Wu9dSEvhhyphenhyphens5hecgTaaYyOo0dEj1yE1YyXpVj9uJdwmJiu_w8QMRKobpEr6aP9o329zGhLpSTcUw/s1600/DSCN0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yKrQ-GHbT594yoQ3AVvtHeaUFCkfvKR6ORFZFtJGfN6okW4MErfF5vD4rp3oRV1Wu9dSEvhhyphenhyphens5hecgTaaYyOo0dEj1yE1YyXpVj9uJdwmJiu_w8QMRKobpEr6aP9o329zGhLpSTcUw/s320/DSCN0556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The batter may be slightly lumpy, because you're mixing with a spatula...it doesn't seem to matter in the final product.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ht33EdWVs1hiCkN3zoR6l7ZEthLpAXluNhoQAKjeLruguh2EgzOZZMqwPM_QlHqb8t32nX7AM3q7TsMG0nRz-sGriCw3WAZ0rxFH_hk8JyVEz8ggWu-S_BEOTPBb6EGFtcsapT1ueHc/s1600/DSCN0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ht33EdWVs1hiCkN3zoR6l7ZEthLpAXluNhoQAKjeLruguh2EgzOZZMqwPM_QlHqb8t32nX7AM3q7TsMG0nRz-sGriCw3WAZ0rxFH_hk8JyVEz8ggWu-S_BEOTPBb6EGFtcsapT1ueHc/s320/DSCN0557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Grease two loaf pans. Alternately, this can be used to make muffins as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9xwMUON4wjQCE0L7bfAKNMmGLjANaeR7gwNrKtWkEvIdxtSlcp8mKQHkKGPv-kJl5p0KcWN8iR25uMJ8GeMXlvxvtNgPpl9mHav79wRQXPmvB7WWnZLTU0aHOU4jGRvmZSY4L5T1me4/s1600/DSCN0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9xwMUON4wjQCE0L7bfAKNMmGLjANaeR7gwNrKtWkEvIdxtSlcp8mKQHkKGPv-kJl5p0KcWN8iR25uMJ8GeMXlvxvtNgPpl9mHav79wRQXPmvB7WWnZLTU0aHOU4jGRvmZSY4L5T1me4/s320/DSCN0558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In a separate bowl, mix together 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon. I actually think this is more than you need, so I just use my regular cinnamon/sugar mixture that I use for toast so I don't have so much extra.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGxZtlWCH_nSLXjFe_ioJtOFRvduLkHe9n17B-gR29X2liaYlhODJfnWp4bJv-1UJxq7qY2aoZwcpgqEGOphiLLAvlypYGTcaav-R9wVN_Ep0mAn2JlfqTWykATotEQDVvSw6aN_6Vuw/s1600/DSCN0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGxZtlWCH_nSLXjFe_ioJtOFRvduLkHe9n17B-gR29X2liaYlhODJfnWp4bJv-1UJxq7qY2aoZwcpgqEGOphiLLAvlypYGTcaav-R9wVN_Ep0mAn2JlfqTWykATotEQDVvSw6aN_6Vuw/s320/DSCN0560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dust the pans with this mixture (these are liberally dusted because I knew I would have so much).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSchEM1qH8r-6aeE-UWrrkz0c9C4WeLEz_sHnxRogNgK8HoiEM-sseGCCUAmmtkfok9g-203X2v6pX9N3HmQRVdWVkEHcQ16fgfF8d7bmDEZw-2mq051DzjYRZRA_Bejz6RUOh3Qr8R4o/s1600/DSCN0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSchEM1qH8r-6aeE-UWrrkz0c9C4WeLEz_sHnxRogNgK8HoiEM-sseGCCUAmmtkfok9g-203X2v6pX9N3HmQRVdWVkEHcQ16fgfF8d7bmDEZw-2mq051DzjYRZRA_Bejz6RUOh3Qr8R4o/s320/DSCN0561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Pour the batter into the loaf pans.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hxejLnyeP_voSeP22kVendUPi0s7cTtVsdLnBd-Kwm44wIMH05EG8t3B3T60ZmPzy4-vCe3mXftPsQN1h6VqV0yssE0Sh6MNynpVw7BsNsXVLDV6iu3tgcn-9yQT1kZ2tXTVaKdg2Fk/s1600/DSCN0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hxejLnyeP_voSeP22kVendUPi0s7cTtVsdLnBd-Kwm44wIMH05EG8t3B3T60ZmPzy4-vCe3mXftPsQN1h6VqV0yssE0Sh6MNynpVw7BsNsXVLDV6iu3tgcn-9yQT1kZ2tXTVaKdg2Fk/s320/DSCN0562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And top with remaining cinnamon/sugar mixture. The first time I thought the extra would be fine because it would absorb into the bread while it baked or melt and get caramelly...it doesn't.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuw26-_67A6rxIe7qi-tnjOmSfL3rZa_BNg9BnzFu178Bj5fRiuAFdMgry2jNOKW0DnbsXMmPI-nAeIDspAYATuJY3-muzaOqcsZO-BXF486T92WqeNHu5-kjY2B4j5lYztzYQeqrwWg/s1600/DSCN0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuw26-_67A6rxIe7qi-tnjOmSfL3rZa_BNg9BnzFu178Bj5fRiuAFdMgry2jNOKW0DnbsXMmPI-nAeIDspAYATuJY3-muzaOqcsZO-BXF486T92WqeNHu5-kjY2B4j5lYztzYQeqrwWg/s320/DSCN0563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The finished product! (see what I mean about the extra cinnamon sugar?) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPWQzC5dUwL2Re_rss6pAjBF6FVJY8g3salo5ChqWkiPM20CMgxDUznqOXoH713th2YPT4DOzBEsdi0DDIkL6T-2Sf8jNaxxMwM-qRWPqw0rvCpotj7eHvYJLJzo1_hzBDw4O0Jvbm54/s1600/DSCN0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPWQzC5dUwL2Re_rss6pAjBF6FVJY8g3salo5ChqWkiPM20CMgxDUznqOXoH713th2YPT4DOzBEsdi0DDIkL6T-2Sf8jNaxxMwM-qRWPqw0rvCpotj7eHvYJLJzo1_hzBDw4O0Jvbm54/s320/DSCN0566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So the real question...is it worth all the extra effort? <br />
<br />
This stuff is good...really good! And one nice thing about the starter is that it forces me to bake once a week or so, which has pros and cons. But to be honest, the other bread is really just as good. So if you don't want the hassle, it's a good option.<br />
<br />
I'm probably going to play with this for a while and try some variations. Just google Amish Friendship Bread and you will see that there are tons of different things to do with the starter. On my list are using chocolate pudding & chocolate chips, using banana cream pudding & fresh bananas and turning it into sourdough. So, stick around because I'm sure I'll post those as well. <br />
<br />
When I get bored with this, I may switch to a regular sourdough starter, just to see if I like it. I have a friend who has one that is sort of famous, so when I can get my hands on it, I'll let you know.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, if you want a starter of this, I'd be happy to grow mine a little fatter and share with you! (assuming of course that you live near me :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwi-La4YtuOblp8qzOgZTu7STD8ez_f8PwkgLIsweznweYT8ZQDMhibtCQQ4aPZVVbVPFoZtJqsEYY5u0vEjEPepMQ5ILwU1sIPQaJBJe-6UwFdhsWVX9grr5GOzdXY_nKFEmMl3KKWQ/s1600/cinnamon+bread+recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwi-La4YtuOblp8qzOgZTu7STD8ez_f8PwkgLIsweznweYT8ZQDMhibtCQQ4aPZVVbVPFoZtJqsEYY5u0vEjEPepMQ5ILwU1sIPQaJBJe-6UwFdhsWVX9grr5GOzdXY_nKFEmMl3KKWQ/s640/cinnamon+bread+recipe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-40084631926590555432013-04-17T01:03:00.001-04:002013-04-18T00:40:01.317-04:00Sweet Christine's favorites - Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ccchPuB-4PS0WFWffZsE_z7QLdLPvJ-2gzrQr6N49hNF3zAXorNsRkhxYMtPATZvmn1nv8wuz96YwIEZYmBqb4ABkXail4h3DjCzBcJfb1QiDMSDd3N2UZtDQp8tEcZjDEUzNP-Sz6E/s1600/Business+Card+8.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ccchPuB-4PS0WFWffZsE_z7QLdLPvJ-2gzrQr6N49hNF3zAXorNsRkhxYMtPATZvmn1nv8wuz96YwIEZYmBqb4ABkXail4h3DjCzBcJfb1QiDMSDd3N2UZtDQp8tEcZjDEUzNP-Sz6E/s320/Business+Card+8.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Another new series here... Recipes from my business <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SweetChristinesDesserts?ref=hl" target="_blank">Sweet Christine's Specialty Cakes & Desserts. </a> I'm currently operating under the Michigan Cottage Foods Laws, and cannot sell this item until I get a liquor license, which I am in the process of doing, but they are so good that I just have to share this recipe with you. I had originally planned to bake these for St. Patrick's Day, but had so much going on at the time that I wasn't able to do it. So I made them a few weeks later for my birthday and, my oh my.... they weren't kidding when they called these the BOMB! If you love dark chocolate, this is the cake for you... if you like Bailey's Irish Creme, you won't be disappointed either. This recipe came from Pinterest and I have noted my changes... Here is the link to the original recipe on <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/03/14/irish-car-bomb-cupcakes/" target="_blank">Brown Eyed Baker.</a><br />
<br />
The premise behind this cupcake is the drink with the same name in which you put 3/4 pint of Guinness in a glass, put 1/2 shot of Baileys Irish Creme in the bottom of a shot glass and 1/2 shot of Jamesons Irish Whiskey in the top of the shot glass. You then drop the shot glass into the Guinness and drink it... the faster the better to keep the beer from curdling. I think the cupcakes sound much more appetizing.<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/AVvXsEiv3zm9NO1cty41EAgkL1FuiFRLdhlrKJXYF0nN0LvZ8FxU16WStOeGaxd5DdIt_sdapqTDnUMC-Z4vP0y-HLrMy7mMzr35p1JE7kC-WRAX_5qEuMKuB9kFgUPEBU8fJ_BsvbOF7eIb7fM/s1600/irish-car-bomb-cupcakes-2-550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3zm9NO1cty41EAgkL1FuiFRLdhlrKJXYF0nN0LvZ8FxU16WStOeGaxd5DdIt_sdapqTDnUMC-Z4vP0y-HLrMy7mMzr35p1JE7kC-WRAX_5qEuMKuB9kFgUPEBU8fJ_BsvbOF7eIb7fM/s320/irish-car-bomb-cupcakes-2-550.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of browneyedbaker.com</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Cupcakes....<br />
In a heavy saucepan, over medium heat, combine the Guinness and butter and bring to a simmer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInKlD-97M4_4yqbVdQy8Cl4V6STIj7hyhZQ0-hvr7xeRrIPnU5Bl9wGzU0XvONJYbW3c3IprST9rL7h7o56cIw5c9Jh6zZqEJO7ec7spJo8RIHTBIbN3GGoG8O4qmzSCGOHIl4Tn3Kbo/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInKlD-97M4_4yqbVdQy8Cl4V6STIj7hyhZQ0-hvr7xeRrIPnU5Bl9wGzU0XvONJYbW3c3IprST9rL7h7o56cIw5c9Jh6zZqEJO7ec7spJo8RIHTBIbN3GGoG8O4qmzSCGOHIl4Tn3Kbo/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Add the cocoa powder and whisk until the mixture is
smooth. Cool slightly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrqC4RigtfuRWawYHVWqqZhcIrgw8xEvwHx3cBmsl8TbORcHnkfF-D5NCpggHhgyQUDRCTAlZogVc-e1scV6VOlzIpNnfI9TH3gjpMOHA1tUVtiiuGHg7zSNC2hi3HlEghKpTXQKkIxA/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrqC4RigtfuRWawYHVWqqZhcIrgw8xEvwHx3cBmsl8TbORcHnkfF-D5NCpggHhgyQUDRCTAlZogVc-e1scV6VOlzIpNnfI9TH3gjpMOHA1tUVtiiuGHg7zSNC2hi3HlEghKpTXQKkIxA/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A note on cocoa powder. The original recipe calls for dutch process cocoa... impossible to find in my neck of the woods, the best I could do was Hershey's Special Dark which is a combination of Dutch Process and Natural Cocoa. I also could not find bittersweet chocolate... I guess that comes from living in the sticks 'cause I know it is out there, but I used dark chocolate chips and I liked the results so much that I've rewritten the recipe using the above mentioned ingredients.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJaS4u62gBzAub49EVGCL3jd1bEFvP5pUCKmzmeeS9KGRyGruBZNuZPe3LNIeCyZO5uIem2Fs19c8scz-BPipWuL7qNiuoU7tgYJhIOXfVlBtr5mUxkWwI8NLtIPSGS2exH5L9n68mdg/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJaS4u62gBzAub49EVGCL3jd1bEFvP5pUCKmzmeeS9KGRyGruBZNuZPe3LNIeCyZO5uIem2Fs19c8scz-BPipWuL7qNiuoU7tgYJhIOXfVlBtr5mUxkWwI8NLtIPSGS2exH5L9n68mdg/s320/088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl to combine.
Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sour cream on medium speed
until combined.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX8LSwqKWgDn4oWj-6E0nTMWwel6LnkpQQZRgBTi9S3dH5wV2A4QEkD3GPAvxC0EzLInq8sepFyvGX_WSNXP1SXlZNJI6IF21SOXuIEcFllySzZj6mnvxRzf7q2Cc4nfw4WbJ5X2wrHM/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX8LSwqKWgDn4oWj-6E0nTMWwel6LnkpQQZRgBTi9S3dH5wV2A4QEkD3GPAvxC0EzLInq8sepFyvGX_WSNXP1SXlZNJI6IF21SOXuIEcFllySzZj6mnvxRzf7q2Cc4nfw4WbJ5X2wrHM/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Add the Guinness-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture
and beat just to combine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYooLA_WFS3gIde3y8jXSxAV9aC0a4z-uGxfcFGdopZAbVben4eM3WlkOkxXSobPeO1EXL_VStR684r9DoRVVgyCtpxM-19e1u6nEC7GRzio5ccoMTKsTFeqr7XBixIEOK3kpBGqcdNI/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYooLA_WFS3gIde3y8jXSxAV9aC0a4z-uGxfcFGdopZAbVben4eM3WlkOkxXSobPeO1EXL_VStR684r9DoRVVgyCtpxM-19e1u6nEC7GRzio5ccoMTKsTFeqr7XBixIEOK3kpBGqcdNI/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture
and beat briefly. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until
completely combined.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWTBP8XaoDWSXE6Eu5xV7agcAKCZBXzbKQIyZNI4iKmuil0xhuVZG_g-UTTEReFKZ_hwRoR8MsoMkx2UTUNp99_15-_dzS-OMq5_PBbhGdiHRCJDuPaf55hl6ThoCzdHMS664VD4EqPo/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWTBP8XaoDWSXE6Eu5xV7agcAKCZBXzbKQIyZNI4iKmuil0xhuVZG_g-UTTEReFKZ_hwRoR8MsoMkx2UTUNp99_15-_dzS-OMq5_PBbhGdiHRCJDuPaf55hl6ThoCzdHMS664VD4EqPo/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Divide the batter among the cupcake liners. I used a "Texas Muffin" sized pan. <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/AVvXsEjAo8cVgzMu4mvKrmC-oGUC8dYm_Gg5L8TFZfKHLVv6lUbUllQOjxGnm087LndavBhgezZo0LfbbKQt19JveFhyrbAdSlDhlt9vkL0uUaZfPQVaXCiEAoO_qynUtO_Fbu5uu3qOx8Woupw/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo8cVgzMu4mvKrmC-oGUC8dYm_Gg5L8TFZfKHLVv6lUbUllQOjxGnm087LndavBhgezZo0LfbbKQt19JveFhyrbAdSlDhlt9vkL0uUaZfPQVaXCiEAoO_qynUtO_Fbu5uu3qOx8Woupw/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling the Texas Muffin cups takes two large (3Tbs) Scoops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Bake
until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out
clean, about 17
minutes for regular size, I think I baked the large ones for 20 minutes,
but I didn't write it down, so be sure to test at 17 minutes. Cool the
cupcakes on a rack.<br />
<br />
<br />
Dark Chocolate Jamesons Ganache Filling:<br />
Put the chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate. <br />
<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/AVvXsEjr0LiMqsMZbNaJnV5QyDjXhwV0QoDjCjSOMHHiliABThO5NtbcsVgd0fZACGo8dqvOA5rCKZTjKjv2tt4vDTQ8266DjWYTt2864zaXoM_tGUAUOMKsR02YyDc3hJWw70m6hh4bxL5kwxY/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0LiMqsMZbNaJnV5QyDjXhwV0QoDjCjSOMHHiliABThO5NtbcsVgd0fZACGo8dqvOA5rCKZTjKjv2tt4vDTQ8266DjWYTt2864zaXoM_tGUAUOMKsR02YyDc3hJWw70m6hh4bxL5kwxY/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Let it sit for one minute and then, using a rubber spatula, stir it from
the center outward until smooth. Add the butter and whiskey and stir
until combined.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHMUWRVGWuGwsF1hUOyigPL0sakCE0SMCmHpGbCT4YUAaX3i_QE8zMZqz2OAjR-A6UE92lfl0mdjZlk5mqPqUx7cYcdp7hkgtazQ6pH1A-UZMt79xJTfsDrCltDKwSJ82eBljr6IKfnc/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHMUWRVGWuGwsF1hUOyigPL0sakCE0SMCmHpGbCT4YUAaX3i_QE8zMZqz2OAjR-A6UE92lfl0mdjZlk5mqPqUx7cYcdp7hkgtazQ6pH1A-UZMt79xJTfsDrCltDKwSJ82eBljr6IKfnc/s320/035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Let the ganache cool until thick but still soft enough
to be piped. (Next time, I will let it thicken just a tad more than this, which was about pudding consistency)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5wmBgJR7dD0wMxCQySFkgS_LOWkyl3UlF_c6osQkEEyoupNXHquoKZodCCb9TxAqgrp50brqk6uhQIlrbNOZEqqWG2_tpBbKSM6bgwHh3TkE_1pSk2_NdDqfutqYGIayjD4bo95KwVw/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5wmBgJR7dD0wMxCQySFkgS_LOWkyl3UlF_c6osQkEEyoupNXHquoKZodCCb9TxAqgrp50brqk6uhQIlrbNOZEqqWG2_tpBbKSM6bgwHh3TkE_1pSk2_NdDqfutqYGIayjD4bo95KwVw/s320/051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, we will fill the cupcakes. I bought this handy little cupcake corer, but you could also use a large decorator tip or a 1" round cookie cutter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMD1iQSm_fIDpYs17GayJ0HdmWHfrfmwXx76EAvtyI287Yv-FvSFAajBBRX30Sv-AlH2_pXNyDBi8_27kYJGMGhnEwCvltO3eXkqfK9W1QtH0ao-CF8PEMQ6V8Vd1ytzvDFM8hdv06s4/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMD1iQSm_fIDpYs17GayJ0HdmWHfrfmwXx76EAvtyI287Yv-FvSFAajBBRX30Sv-AlH2_pXNyDBi8_27kYJGMGhnEwCvltO3eXkqfK9W1QtH0ao-CF8PEMQ6V8Vd1ytzvDFM8hdv06s4/s320/045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you don't have a cake decorating tools, you can pick up the above cupcake decorating set at Walmart or any other craft type store. It comes with a few basic tips and even some disposable decorator bags. I bought it for the bismark (used to fill jelly donuts etc) tip. <br />
<br />
Cut the centers out of the cupcakes (be sure to save the centers... I'll show you why at the end... but really, who throws away cake?)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAGfSrGKWLB7AY0_EAyt_5v0jw9na0BClyhwB7jqYPaClfnou1pdG6Gz16RnEsWoW2TZtOGZRWNZMDuJuASfIge1tk6rF2JWQUw3miBm6UjXNr9bzbOOFyLhoH5kPlurzhk6RoyEbOw0/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAGfSrGKWLB7AY0_EAyt_5v0jw9na0BClyhwB7jqYPaClfnou1pdG6Gz16RnEsWoW2TZtOGZRWNZMDuJuASfIge1tk6rF2JWQUw3miBm6UjXNr9bzbOOFyLhoH5kPlurzhk6RoyEbOw0/s320/049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTda5CEaw0-lJ9a_1bycSQ7oHY0cQK-DLKn6JJgILPkena5qR5cp8KndQ0ZCO4vkecSfIKCGyehcMNUxzcpJQSlDD47VEsooqsEOUTqvpjLDUlUGtrUPwt7CSHowsJFaoM1AWfvddpua8/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTda5CEaw0-lJ9a_1bycSQ7oHY0cQK-DLKn6JJgILPkena5qR5cp8KndQ0ZCO4vkecSfIKCGyehcMNUxzcpJQSlDD47VEsooqsEOUTqvpjLDUlUGtrUPwt7CSHowsJFaoM1AWfvddpua8/s320/050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Fit your decorator (piping) bag with a large round tip. I used the size 12 tip that came in the cupcake kit. Fill your decorator bag, about 1/2 full with ganache. If you are new to filling piping bags, be sure to fold the top over, it gives you a place to hold, and keeps the outside from getting messy. Shake the bag so the filling falls to the bottom, unfold the top, and twist above the filling/icing. You will hold the bag where the twist is, placing it between your thumb and first finger. <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/AVvXsEgLqFZaoESTJHYIYKaI02_-U0GwKFhL0083X1WWhapfu57OB_cEr8zRaBUlcsYAcj8AR3BzzNxZbxVOSLjO5EysDXdVeUjbG2MK3K0vXzig5MLo0mCU0FXQRYRRq-TapU9GelTTE6L2VLI/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqFZaoESTJHYIYKaI02_-U0GwKFhL0083X1WWhapfu57OB_cEr8zRaBUlcsYAcj8AR3BzzNxZbxVOSLjO5EysDXdVeUjbG2MK3K0vXzig5MLo0mCU0FXQRYRRq-TapU9GelTTE6L2VLI/s320/052.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fold the top of your piping bag over, and place your hand under the fold to fill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgfIiGN_gzI9B_DyFRwz9jIAVfvXPIPe5h1wB6S1VGSrbhb0N6Ub5id28dbBcu2qcl9DHXL4YMuLzJPYWHpdaCfvt2Oi3vLDlzVt6vybAn2nxp7h9yMVXwFeN9iH6P0CELKVIMPDDDLv0k/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIiGN_gzI9B_DyFRwz9jIAVfvXPIPe5h1wB6S1VGSrbhb0N6Ub5id28dbBcu2qcl9DHXL4YMuLzJPYWHpdaCfvt2Oi3vLDlzVt6vybAn2nxp7h9yMVXwFeN9iH6P0CELKVIMPDDDLv0k/s320/053.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shake the filling to the bottom of the bag and unfold the top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM8W1AsJrlMxN7xyQHp0KLADfCL9q7G0kIZcstPICkg82uO366d5nBatssqGRc_5WLa1CHPulFRpfdbCQAea5NVs99IaxYOqfapRaSX9RGuCz3uD9MmsWINvIV_Dig5AjCAYJIc-wo1s/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM8W1AsJrlMxN7xyQHp0KLADfCL9q7G0kIZcstPICkg82uO366d5nBatssqGRc_5WLa1CHPulFRpfdbCQAea5NVs99IaxYOqfapRaSX9RGuCz3uD9MmsWINvIV_Dig5AjCAYJIc-wo1s/s320/054.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">twist above the filling and place the bag between your thumb and first finger. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next, fill the cupcakes to the top of the cake.<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/AVvXsEimDJbVo3T51KaGbwIbpuhS4-I-asUNBAbfokFKlk2MxwFlEziJqCrikMgnt5g9ulaiSvI1quWHHwlqmgLRA5w0QU7w1mYudC7cWEStVcbAk3xvkFLcm3VW3DcoVTA7sDrmKRdPx8ny5fw/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDJbVo3T51KaGbwIbpuhS4-I-asUNBAbfokFKlk2MxwFlEziJqCrikMgnt5g9ulaiSvI1quWHHwlqmgLRA5w0QU7w1mYudC7cWEStVcbAk3xvkFLcm3VW3DcoVTA7sDrmKRdPx8ny5fw/s320/057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fill the center with ganache; all the way to the top.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now we will make the Baileys buttercream... and it is oh so good!<br />
Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium high for 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Reduce the speed to medium low and gradually (I used a 2Tbs scoop) add the powdered sugar until it is all incorporated. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMN7525EXeF1ryEiez4GH7l28naWp3gKR0ObAwgmJtRAQlzKH8YpeNsI54WpiMMFkhb67kEYb46sONdEDfwAUqu1dTBtX0mQ97lGJeHhAwQkMumv56ixWRLuCGA4Zt5jd_hjsFaoH9iw/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMN7525EXeF1ryEiez4GH7l28naWp3gKR0ObAwgmJtRAQlzKH8YpeNsI54WpiMMFkhb67kEYb46sONdEDfwAUqu1dTBtX0mQ97lGJeHhAwQkMumv56ixWRLuCGA4Zt5jd_hjsFaoH9iw/s320/042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Add the Baileys, increase the speed to medium high and whip for another 2-3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOp-5cTiNnAxEKc9hnEDxM_yUkop5QXds0Y6txceiQat_W-Fgdy0L93Zfzk1GjWU5uWjxrw4-330dIwc1JO6ZX8DOss3lUcZVIm6ta0wRKh6OyHffyelpm06-lQaF5sjSAhwFbMcU90E/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOp-5cTiNnAxEKc9hnEDxM_yUkop5QXds0Y6txceiQat_W-Fgdy0L93Zfzk1GjWU5uWjxrw4-330dIwc1JO6ZX8DOss3lUcZVIm6ta0wRKh6OyHffyelpm06-lQaF5sjSAhwFbMcU90E/s320/043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Using your favorite decorating tip, or an offset spatula, frost the cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles if desired. Store in a covered container. <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;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmKbgiKJQDjWbIKKIfFgOF8qe6TJxpgR6Wffl6C_MeTF9wUDVxtkjtk_np8yEnRW0BDCFm63ypmS01SEL5E_2OFasbJIy6AxNfxpiDaRN_ZNlS0YTnG1ttoo8Ew7eZbh4BS0UGz_M5ZU/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmKbgiKJQDjWbIKKIfFgOF8qe6TJxpgR6Wffl6C_MeTF9wUDVxtkjtk_np8yEnRW0BDCFm63ypmS01SEL5E_2OFasbJIy6AxNfxpiDaRN_ZNlS0YTnG1ttoo8Ew7eZbh4BS0UGz_M5ZU/s320/061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was able to locate these two bottles of sprinkles at Walmart that I felt were appropriate for St. Patricks day. I think the gold looked better, but was a little gritty when eating the cake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYEKwkuRBTpPnPTuwpwrSBtYdAg_F1vUeXOBbnZe-wqRJhTyJwiZ85SSjEY41ICoBrw5A7AV6jtfN1zJq8NqHX519cY0epCie8W0GakH5dNCJS_iJF9BDe8cyCwpg60WWPiOLuiC7DMA/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYEKwkuRBTpPnPTuwpwrSBtYdAg_F1vUeXOBbnZe-wqRJhTyJwiZ85SSjEY41ICoBrw5A7AV6jtfN1zJq8NqHX519cY0epCie8W0GakH5dNCJS_iJF9BDe8cyCwpg60WWPiOLuiC7DMA/s320/064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXDWdelh32neD0FYDIqApuzUq0f7ECOnvnCTS2v8s5QXYOvt5F2lXQCJrLfXkA1orjYEk9GxMLJHwXfthSHPO0bL9Xt4ktu9TO0cHY2RtlALLXpTSTKFuQhWDrCBnAu8PT0hOu2cGu08/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXDWdelh32neD0FYDIqApuzUq0f7ECOnvnCTS2v8s5QXYOvt5F2lXQCJrLfXkA1orjYEk9GxMLJHwXfthSHPO0bL9Xt4ktu9TO0cHY2RtlALLXpTSTKFuQhWDrCBnAu8PT0hOu2cGu08/s320/067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The finished product... Yum!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jM-uLhCdyX4gBefxS5-l-hEI7LhWT7hFn54xs0r2dh6WSQdDfKi_6Fk96v8gvvf8Kob2r7FfndrFyqd7RZQSZXsPBDbbnD_r7-y-E55njgS0wYNcq18K1zt9ICvQcEAzbbohoByNh-k/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jM-uLhCdyX4gBefxS5-l-hEI7LhWT7hFn54xs0r2dh6WSQdDfKi_6Fk96v8gvvf8Kob2r7FfndrFyqd7RZQSZXsPBDbbnD_r7-y-E55njgS0wYNcq18K1zt9ICvQcEAzbbohoByNh-k/s320/080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBZQJsygq2kt0522MCZ1N9Pk578vMc0-R4N6klwm1y6BVZMOtRULSM_mh-Hz1UgdNf8L3RY-yHC18e2KwzYmZSDHtJTlxP1Nh5NerrhUnsE2zFu8KYYtFRJgBcGWjG5Rnxoxr_hmiyv4/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBZQJsygq2kt0522MCZ1N9Pk578vMc0-R4N6klwm1y6BVZMOtRULSM_mh-Hz1UgdNf8L3RY-yHC18e2KwzYmZSDHtJTlxP1Nh5NerrhUnsE2zFu8KYYtFRJgBcGWjG5Rnxoxr_hmiyv4/s320/082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, what to do with those yummy cake scraps... Toss a few in a small pudding bowl, add some ganache, add some more cake etc. Fill in around the cake with ganache, then top it with some icing... and enjoy. You worked hard, you deserve a treat without breaking into your masterpieces...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSy2VaZX6h0CKRn0jWSf1t4S91DiSvbcZBHA7x2h0kK5i_scOXQRO8Kqh0Ah0P_hBHdSSpzsaAYYG8R12Wz7USc0rKc2csH7pSqGbGORbySKcYAhj5ZjJ3eg9WHLapeEBFnlrsMeSofo/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSy2VaZX6h0CKRn0jWSf1t4S91DiSvbcZBHA7x2h0kK5i_scOXQRO8Kqh0Ah0P_hBHdSSpzsaAYYG8R12Wz7USc0rKc2csH7pSqGbGORbySKcYAhj5ZjJ3eg9WHLapeEBFnlrsMeSofo/s320/086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHWslGjV8FW3AmC28TmvstJkENvNhwdMKTNxOPspBcy-EX1kHjX5zDQLIP1dpR1hz3WDjTvbNcXAH56pbmKjB653rKqO1V5Ff5FvlxhaLjWh3YXf63I62KW2E22XlJxHIU5w67SMjVxE/s1600/Guinness+Chocolate+Cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHWslGjV8FW3AmC28TmvstJkENvNhwdMKTNxOPspBcy-EX1kHjX5zDQLIP1dpR1hz3WDjTvbNcXAH56pbmKjB653rKqO1V5Ff5FvlxhaLjWh3YXf63I62KW2E22XlJxHIU5w67SMjVxE/s400/Guinness+Chocolate+Cupcakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXFYWHYMUzD7mmrv9DKQ_zlZ9peyeh9hFnNBM7pWPEwGROwTNDJ2d3bpVJjvvHy_l2YRpgBPVF2u3ATEqO9prw3cvuEExZeN-FlEmuxIwBmbxh9qOKEDSjzWkOCLEKXbuJljfbre_lFw/s1600/Jamesons+Whiskey+Ganache+recipe+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXFYWHYMUzD7mmrv9DKQ_zlZ9peyeh9hFnNBM7pWPEwGROwTNDJ2d3bpVJjvvHy_l2YRpgBPVF2u3ATEqO9prw3cvuEExZeN-FlEmuxIwBmbxh9qOKEDSjzWkOCLEKXbuJljfbre_lFw/s400/Jamesons+Whiskey+Ganache+recipe+card.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-QgPxnDo0zFdu04TPZ86jsYdQ9JsUI1WJ292sKh7J8BVOTp9HzBA8frXTbxj95WZaXBypu0FYkMk6AwxX_S55kYwn60sKK5SPA_EFIrQxYlhtcMGhsonHjfBUipFnmZh_KFTICEHDyY/s1600/Baileys+buttercream+recipe+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-QgPxnDo0zFdu04TPZ86jsYdQ9JsUI1WJ292sKh7J8BVOTp9HzBA8frXTbxj95WZaXBypu0FYkMk6AwxX_S55kYwn60sKK5SPA_EFIrQxYlhtcMGhsonHjfBUipFnmZh_KFTICEHDyY/s400/Baileys+buttercream+recipe+card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy this recipe. Please don't wait until St. Patrick's day to try them out. Please be sure to comment and let me know what you think and/or if you try it!<br />
<br />
Love and God's peace to you,<br />
Christine<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" />Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-33536146614333336282013-04-12T20:13:00.001-04:002013-04-12T20:13:37.063-04:00Contemporary Kitchen - Cinnamon BreadA while ago, I pinned some knock-off "Amish Cinnamon Bread" on pinterest. Basically just a quick bread version of the starter kind that gets passed around. So, one Sunday morning, I needed to make something to take to lunch with friends, and this seemed easy with simple ingredients. So I threw it together. A-ma-zing! Seriously, this stuff was really good! <br />
<br />
So, it got me thinking. Is it really as good as the Amish Friendship Bread that requires the waiting and bag mushing and all that?? So, I embarked on a very scientific, highly regulated study to see if this was all it claimed to be. (Disclaimer: this study was neither scientific or regulated...)<br />
<br />
So, today you get the knock-off version from <a href="http://www.redflycreations.com/2012/10/the-amazing-amish-cinnamon-bread.html">Redfly Creations</a>.<br />
<br />
First, cream together butter, sugar and eggs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KZsRSyYxBM58-17bsReFeWVYKt9kl26DMWzk5cECSOip8bG09va9Zc1zFyZ4w-NinLJeSBUVqz2MprQVpKYZ7_z6Yg-v6MKLG3DSqpGGS8KpqhET8EP5X-zhzr38AT62mAKbN8cxAB8/s1600/DSCN0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KZsRSyYxBM58-17bsReFeWVYKt9kl26DMWzk5cECSOip8bG09va9Zc1zFyZ4w-NinLJeSBUVqz2MprQVpKYZ7_z6Yg-v6MKLG3DSqpGGS8KpqhET8EP5X-zhzr38AT62mAKbN8cxAB8/s320/DSCN0428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Add milk (either use buttermilk, or regular milk plus 2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar), flour and baking soda and mix together.<br />
<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/AVvXsEjwETVeOnqERuhGE9kG9Dc3UESJj9kejM-RXsZkfckvs6pFUlvWJ-GV-vuILE9Hu7aDkpPYhxUgoENruIUf4Yx86rphoP0ffDwmFE2qp_7GFPJ62nuEodDzw5fH7aZeazahDUWayk1vbeI/s1600/DSCN0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwETVeOnqERuhGE9kG9Dc3UESJj9kejM-RXsZkfckvs6pFUlvWJ-GV-vuILE9Hu7aDkpPYhxUgoENruIUf4Yx86rphoP0ffDwmFE2qp_7GFPJ62nuEodDzw5fH7aZeazahDUWayk1vbeI/s320/DSCN0431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So far, super simple!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS7OHGmlOJ9CB1zrsS_WNQF2Y2VG_NpTpXG0ipVfJwTdzeAwAwImbM6iSreBGx3Hxv2TJpuFZ2_NhadayX0mWA6UyChl0yOLQwumJlajDzuYWbgEmAdbh1ujZ8tJhQUdo6HE6Vy1axOM/s1600/DSCN0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS7OHGmlOJ9CB1zrsS_WNQF2Y2VG_NpTpXG0ipVfJwTdzeAwAwImbM6iSreBGx3Hxv2TJpuFZ2_NhadayX0mWA6UyChl0yOLQwumJlajDzuYWbgEmAdbh1ujZ8tJhQUdo6HE6Vy1axOM/s320/DSCN0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Divide the batter into two loaf pans.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIEC8NZ2ICYVnIinlOkGzm57AKLebPJnwnaHQOs-eEOR_OLkLq4kHiRvy6rAEXk3d0LRRIgPTjS6HZr3rfe6Zkgp7fBNDc-o69VUJE6u5SC7SMn1FlYUVTWScTyv0Dq-tere6c4T2q5E/s1600/DSCN0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIEC8NZ2ICYVnIinlOkGzm57AKLebPJnwnaHQOs-eEOR_OLkLq4kHiRvy6rAEXk3d0LRRIgPTjS6HZr3rfe6Zkgp7fBNDc-o69VUJE6u5SC7SMn1FlYUVTWScTyv0Dq-tere6c4T2q5E/s320/DSCN0434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Mix together sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over top of batter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0DBqB2E5sv-ZXeYSAmqbQ6r_5Gl9hZq7EL8nok-wfTve6Ug0ld9WOmzU0gXyRNtAp_Zf174S2ZDaxrE6y4EL6rUoNwwhMudaeVXpWsvWp1Xu3bpL_8b2PjE6xI8xm_m5cdUx0GLxizo/s1600/DSCN0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0DBqB2E5sv-ZXeYSAmqbQ6r_5Gl9hZq7EL8nok-wfTve6Ug0ld9WOmzU0gXyRNtAp_Zf174S2ZDaxrE6y4EL6rUoNwwhMudaeVXpWsvWp1Xu3bpL_8b2PjE6xI8xm_m5cdUx0GLxizo/s320/DSCN0435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Swirl the mixture into the batter with a knife.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo6HwLgYzmr4PQS4BgubGh7qlOeYhVKJ_f8o8hFMMEE_tonG9jg69b5-UOsuoPzLcUIckjp9NTfZmW6zixNyaVfVGRaQFD8oouswrdPKwsMztkPuiMA95Tmpxz_6XE3KJdUS0Nry_GGE/s1600/DSCN0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo6HwLgYzmr4PQS4BgubGh7qlOeYhVKJ_f8o8hFMMEE_tonG9jg69b5-UOsuoPzLcUIckjp9NTfZmW6zixNyaVfVGRaQFD8oouswrdPKwsMztkPuiMA95Tmpxz_6XE3KJdUS0Nry_GGE/s320/DSCN0436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.<br />
<br />
I forgot to take pictures of it when it was done, but take my word that it looked good...and like I said, it was delicious!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2hMYaaveWItqNSLAsap5wFktVPfQ12Ejvh1tt9KuR3ExM0HD0_dWAZXp1ooU902DCBsTe5dw-2bz32RxF0JkEtLk2-DKY8RPRKqhPo9XhPzg1n-oTGaRTpdtSnoX51JaEvzR7gdDMt4/s1600/Cinnamon+Bread+Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2hMYaaveWItqNSLAsap5wFktVPfQ12Ejvh1tt9KuR3ExM0HD0_dWAZXp1ooU902DCBsTe5dw-2bz32RxF0JkEtLk2-DKY8RPRKqhPo9XhPzg1n-oTGaRTpdtSnoX51JaEvzR7gdDMt4/s640/Cinnamon+Bread+Recipe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
But, the question remains...is it really as good as the traditional Amish Friendship bread? Stay tuned to find out...<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-27678352789740291322013-04-10T18:01:00.000-04:002013-04-10T18:01:27.332-04:00Be Uplifting - A Box of Sunshine<div class="_kso fsm direction_ltr" data-jsid="message">
This new series is simply titled Be Uplifting. Some definitions of uplift are: to spiritually
lift somebody: to help somebody attain a higher intellectual, moral, or
spiritual level, or improve the living conditions of somebody. To raise spirits of somebody: to make somebody feel happier. </div>
<div class="_kso fsm direction_ltr" data-jsid="message">
</div>
<div class="_kso fsm direction_ltr" data-jsid="message">
I'm sure you've seen or heard about "Random Acts of Kindness." This is
along those lines, but not necessarily "Random". These ideas will work
well for Secret Sisters or just to send a little pick me up to someone
who you know is down, or just because they are on your mind. </div>
<div class="_kso fsm direction_ltr" data-jsid="message">
<br /></div>
<div class="_kso fsm direction_ltr" data-jsid="message">
This project is entitled A Box of Sunshine, I'm hoping to lift the spirits of a couple of my friends, they may not necessarily down, but they often lift me up and I thought this was a nice way to return the gift. </div>
<br />
The idea for this little goody came from Pinterest you can see the original blog at <a href="http://happymoneysaver.com/send-a-box-of-sunshine-to-brighten-someones-day/" target="_blank">happymoneysaver.com</a> (she has some cute printables that I forgot all about when putting my own boxes together) . This project is so versatile, It's simply a box full of yellow goodies... I made it my own of course by including not only a handmade card (I must admit, that I had a friend make them for me as I just didn't have the time and I knew she had the stamp set) as well as a package of sunny blank cards so they could "pay it forward". I have recently rediscovered how much a hand written note can mean in this day of texting and email.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-m_IDn1A-Ltbo0dmaywkBQowfRegvdJXdw3iATHlMm0wZstoOWmRVf6QhoawYeATVPjq4IAhzrqJCMeyKe4imBTes9Nilr4Mbe2OVGuu8L7f0Kjl8OfVzKtqB_RSfELLiRgPjb4IDcY/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-m_IDn1A-Ltbo0dmaywkBQowfRegvdJXdw3iATHlMm0wZstoOWmRVf6QhoawYeATVPjq4IAhzrqJCMeyKe4imBTes9Nilr4Mbe2OVGuu8L7f0Kjl8OfVzKtqB_RSfELLiRgPjb4IDcY/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had so many people I wanted to send this too, but the first item I picked up was so awesome, and there were only two, so that set the number of boxes this time around. I do plan to continue to pick up yellow goodies as I find them, so I can do this again soon. Of course the price range on this will vary. I tried to keep it under $1 per item, but I did splurge on a few items that were just too awesome to pass up.<br />
<br />
Here is a rundown of the yellow goodies included in this box of sunshine:<br />
Yellow Pinwheel $0.99<br />
Yellow Nail Polish $0.99<br />
Mani/Pedi Kit $1.00<br />
Bubbles in Yellow Bottle $0.59<br />
Juicy Fruit Gum $0.39<br />
Lemon Drops $0.50<br />
Lemon Meringue Sucker $0.99<br />
Daileys Frozen Lemonade $1.99 <br />
Countrytime on the Go $1.50 (5 pouches)<br />
Rose Tote $3.99<br />
Bath Pouf $1.00 <br />
Scrubby Soap $5.00<br />
Blank Cards <u>$1.10</u><br />
Total Cost of goodies $20.53 <br />
<br />
I did not include the cost of the hand stamped card or shipping in this cost.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPi-tGusuFGb6Vjp2IQO7OievGCSGqf__6mNGGL30bR1mWvkVqE7nYtNU7V2GNpCi_jnnwCCUGXBG7k0lGbLcyYv4WdH3AvTXVHE5dOJBaWuhpTlmeVD59RjQUOtaOIIQJ6XRoILAoWQ/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPi-tGusuFGb6Vjp2IQO7OievGCSGqf__6mNGGL30bR1mWvkVqE7nYtNU7V2GNpCi_jnnwCCUGXBG7k0lGbLcyYv4WdH3AvTXVHE5dOJBaWuhpTlmeVD59RjQUOtaOIIQJ6XRoILAoWQ/s320/032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The two items I splurged on need some special attention here... The very first thing I found was this rose tote. When cinched up it is a flower, when you open it up, you have a tote bag, for shopping or carrying whatever you may need. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwk4nmE7hytyjU2UAVkz2tlw2TTkYJZVb7zx0doGpgYv1sKulm50gLouaEh7CiiTJLMNkiByCTKndck6m3Pfvvwj1v5_CC2-e5viIPjnLj8SG_Pk3Cxe9j9gsndsgn79Kc35wwDFMegs/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwk4nmE7hytyjU2UAVkz2tlw2TTkYJZVb7zx0doGpgYv1sKulm50gLouaEh7CiiTJLMNkiByCTKndck6m3Pfvvwj1v5_CC2-e5viIPjnLj8SG_Pk3Cxe9j9gsndsgn79Kc35wwDFMegs/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My Aunt Pam makes these awesome Shea Butter Scrubby Soaps (in just about any scent you could want). I received one for Christmas and it worked so well, not only on my dry feet, but to remove the contact cement that I often get on my fingers when helping hubby in the shop. Hubby even had her send one to him in a more "manly" scent. So when I ordered these sunflower scented ones for the sunshine box, I also ordered another for myself (Lavender Chamomile is my favorite) as mine was almost gone, and I don't want to be without one! She's working on revamping her website, but you can check out her awesome products at <a href="http://soyd-lights.com/index.html" target="_blank">Soy D-Lights & Scentsations</a>. Just give her a call to order.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV-md7Ly10Rh7DpxITILgK8gIYwXWscRmrgbxZ6ju53qV7OgoNF6gs1C-2CUDiPXpKmYEmP7pUNUWGSAEP_XYRpts1sjGpFPX5J1FIdFROD_DDZBIvMd5pdnszynBHvTtfXp17lLoC2g/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV-md7Ly10Rh7DpxITILgK8gIYwXWscRmrgbxZ6ju53qV7OgoNF6gs1C-2CUDiPXpKmYEmP7pUNUWGSAEP_XYRpts1sjGpFPX5J1FIdFROD_DDZBIvMd5pdnszynBHvTtfXp17lLoC2g/s320/030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
This card turned out so cute that I wanted to show it off a bit... Thanks Darla! In case you can't read it clearly it says, "Those who bring Sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsOrSeeXQrrj8RKpsnZw5d9SbFN7svqjuyb08ZxYMYASr0AbZkebo0ZrDFu20bB9IdOWBTzk_pREQz98sfL188gUm-XX3sn0s98Qar42narZ6-sKJYPBD4QqWuaW9vSgAXEJKhpuVS9M/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsOrSeeXQrrj8RKpsnZw5d9SbFN7svqjuyb08ZxYMYASr0AbZkebo0ZrDFu20bB9IdOWBTzk_pREQz98sfL188gUm-XX3sn0s98Qar42narZ6-sKJYPBD4QqWuaW9vSgAXEJKhpuVS9M/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
All packed up and ready to go! I know these are really going to brighten the day for their recipients... <br />
<br />
Please let me know what you think of this project or our blog by leaving a comment. Don't forget to follow our blog as well!<br />
<br />
Love and God's peace to you,<br />
Christine<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-7232142444458050002013-04-08T14:00:00.000-04:002013-04-08T14:00:00.760-04:00Contemporary Kitchen - Mexican Fire RiceThis is another one of my go to recipes. The ingredients are basic and almost always on hand and it makes great leftovers. I've used a couple of different recipes for this, but the inspiration for this version is one I found on pinterest, from <a href="http://www.southernplate.com/2011/09/mexican-chicken-casserole.html">Southern Plate</a>.<br />
<br />
Of course, change number one is to take out the chicken and replace it with black beans. The second change was to use quinoa (pronounced Keen-WAH) instead of rice.<br />
<br />
So, we begin by cooking the quinoa. Quinoa is easy to cook, especially if you buy it pre-rinsed. It can be a little pricey to buy in the grocery store, as a small box can run you $5-6. But you can get 4 lbs at Costco for $8 - the best deal I've found so far. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAVpjsQlPCgUtlRgTzYIHarUvTjFtITH4bb_SgOePsG9DN19sxNisJWZwN_eCFqHFiOqnGqGOjKbdB_E3fiw_YtDGp4gj7p7kktpsdlYZ6pD4sttnR5McZ8QScuf7hGBRqrPV2z8n2i8/s1600/DSCN0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAVpjsQlPCgUtlRgTzYIHarUvTjFtITH4bb_SgOePsG9DN19sxNisJWZwN_eCFqHFiOqnGqGOjKbdB_E3fiw_YtDGp4gj7p7kktpsdlYZ6pD4sttnR5McZ8QScuf7hGBRqrPV2z8n2i8/s320/DSCN0480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Combine 1 part quinoa and 2 parts water in a pan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. If there is any water left, drain it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZYZ44q5id9JzMqCzCRddNgxfrzy8QhclOGaSwdp9VDi7CPDxyL4kpcaBi8fUnNxCGf50NGQaBz061hLaazKAlkBcxbLeE0hj3ViD-aocgp1yiprePuGgve2Zl4QOybsv3H7b8ASECTs/s1600/DSCN0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZYZ44q5id9JzMqCzCRddNgxfrzy8QhclOGaSwdp9VDi7CPDxyL4kpcaBi8fUnNxCGf50NGQaBz061hLaazKAlkBcxbLeE0hj3ViD-aocgp1yiprePuGgve2Zl4QOybsv3H7b8ASECTs/s320/DSCN0481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Return it to the pan and fluff with a fork. Quinoa is a seed, and so when it is cooked it "sprouts". And it has a sort of crunch to it, with a nutty flavor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RGzCFMudx3_Ljvc385zjQHNUF3wGFrNnCqwxmNXNOmG5eY16Cipln_EP2-VsRnSsOCIIxWA0fF2LncEDC2klhOwQ-UJdltRCJI1HdqIWw_PgNU7UhTXmFkrY2EpIIkho-0w69gir4rg/s1600/DSCN0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RGzCFMudx3_Ljvc385zjQHNUF3wGFrNnCqwxmNXNOmG5eY16Cipln_EP2-VsRnSsOCIIxWA0fF2LncEDC2klhOwQ-UJdltRCJI1HdqIWw_PgNU7UhTXmFkrY2EpIIkho-0w69gir4rg/s320/DSCN0482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Ro-tel tomatoes, onion, black beans, seasonings & half of the cheese. The original recipe called for instant rice, hence the need for the liquid (chicken broth) to cook it. Since the quinoa has already been cooked, I omitted it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJSFnSqcQRwmqK3apZsFC5RMbR0yVhtzww-QR_DVWKEMAIrDT6_jdBwCSiZ4A7tVJrHk6sgHUeCsDLbxKhl-pCwdtjUDEQhP5coKe_7lcK_qgqBOuOs5JBMahrDFWZIVASlbrmDRzRoY/s1600/DSCN0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJSFnSqcQRwmqK3apZsFC5RMbR0yVhtzww-QR_DVWKEMAIrDT6_jdBwCSiZ4A7tVJrHk6sgHUeCsDLbxKhl-pCwdtjUDEQhP5coKe_7lcK_qgqBOuOs5JBMahrDFWZIVASlbrmDRzRoY/s320/DSCN0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Mix all of the ingredients together and pour into a greased baking dish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafBnBjenTl77nNkWkVtpkJ6eB-u3cwV3vxd0ypHWPUKyIChEfqqpLbv-_kbbObwqFirN5C3owRk1kBVhD5kuWC446lviITVB4vAY9aIMvZT5yDolEl5VJIspvApAB09-O5bYhKChiyn0/s1600/DSCN0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafBnBjenTl77nNkWkVtpkJ6eB-u3cwV3vxd0ypHWPUKyIChEfqqpLbv-_kbbObwqFirN5C3owRk1kBVhD5kuWC446lviITVB4vAY9aIMvZT5yDolEl5VJIspvApAB09-O5bYhKChiyn0/s320/DSCN0489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cover with a layer of cheese.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqSsvOSwPy0tIco8h1qivSPWe_qyvfToSVQf54AhpMyBSWXZJu1oROTSyoATuZ9uf9DscNUrDzaWc8Wzmh1pljajdfHi9fmqd5nqWEkM4KcbNbLpNTySwOo_D_kbGXqQcCiX3A8AsULQ/s1600/DSCN0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqSsvOSwPy0tIco8h1qivSPWe_qyvfToSVQf54AhpMyBSWXZJu1oROTSyoATuZ9uf9DscNUrDzaWc8Wzmh1pljajdfHi9fmqd5nqWEkM4KcbNbLpNTySwOo_D_kbGXqQcCiX3A8AsULQ/s320/DSCN0490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Bake at 350°. The recipe says 30 minutes, but that was to account for cooking the Instant rice. It just needs to cook long enough to get hot and bubbly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYEl4PTecm_njpuMS4_7OLsVC6gcNTiPuFWHbjyRLF7el_j3u3yX_GHim-mTBVmxju4iEvPmq8ecie6goFjLKIbdqi5J_c9cqI2XJTnkpH10vKVeECyV9BjNa7rjgMqkdQoNVni1_xjs/s1600/DSCN0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYEl4PTecm_njpuMS4_7OLsVC6gcNTiPuFWHbjyRLF7el_j3u3yX_GHim-mTBVmxju4iEvPmq8ecie6goFjLKIbdqi5J_c9cqI2XJTnkpH10vKVeECyV9BjNa7rjgMqkdQoNVni1_xjs/s320/DSCN0491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yummy! This recipe makes a lot for one person (I was eating it for almost 2 weeks for lunch!), but it should freeze well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmZSG0d27Xy2cej_2ouvOr1I0Y0WSXbPMb9ZhrvcXyb9i2pHkGvfLoqNJcIaMiXTf4RHsbP35HoqVYTLKAvcWauYIU7dpftBb_lacSIoKormKaZO66cJI6W0yptLjbmEoWZVuCsUfNHA/s1600/DSCN0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmZSG0d27Xy2cej_2ouvOr1I0Y0WSXbPMb9ZhrvcXyb9i2pHkGvfLoqNJcIaMiXTf4RHsbP35HoqVYTLKAvcWauYIU7dpftBb_lacSIoKormKaZO66cJI6W0yptLjbmEoWZVuCsUfNHA/s320/DSCN0493.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the recipe as I made it, but it leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Try adding veggies like corn, and of course you can use chicken if you and your family prefer that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwQbbXN5BbBJke0c2QGEY7Q9duk9BuQf0fi7L37YawjnifTYNhopCxdLcvN0glwDGtH1LWGpVNR266zcJCyILUsSQXESc-wL3wNQsXJyLQg3Rnw0yDzh9KGLpumuk-K8nHfQI0Ux9zmY/s1600/mexican+fire+rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwQbbXN5BbBJke0c2QGEY7Q9duk9BuQf0fi7L37YawjnifTYNhopCxdLcvN0glwDGtH1LWGpVNR266zcJCyILUsSQXESc-wL3wNQsXJyLQg3Rnw0yDzh9KGLpumuk-K8nHfQI0Ux9zmY/s640/mexican+fire+rice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Please comment and let me know what you think. And don't forget to share this posts with your friends!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Grace and love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jenn</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-35793687515079456122013-04-04T00:04:00.002-04:002013-04-04T00:05:34.680-04:00Kitchen Traditions - Peggy's Macaroni Salad<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the most loved dish in my Husband’s family; it is
present at every holiday and family gathering. When we got married, Hubby
told his mother that he wasn't coming if she didn't make macaroni salad for the
reception. When my husband and I moved away from home so he could finish
his degree, I simply had to get this recipe from my mother in law. I'd
helped her make it several times (When you cook for large family gatherings,
sometimes it takes extra hands - and this can get kind of messy when you do it
yourself) and of course, like most cherished family recipes, this one was never
written down. The first time I made this, the family was skeptical that I
could pull it off… but of course it turned out perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this year for Easter, I took over the
helm and made the macaroni salad, with roaring success and compliments from the
family.</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsOVmVK28y0UW3nhEMNlGg-L0xjqYKHVSLlHmOxwsc2RCSeHsND3pwTFqVdNjWijpqzssxpJNeO_hEoVrGaMZZO21HwJptPajlm9bQPS8yHFJq1Jwd07TfihmXTwaYixTO-Tj_i1mUYY/s1600/2662_1118578477417_2913215_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsOVmVK28y0UW3nhEMNlGg-L0xjqYKHVSLlHmOxwsc2RCSeHsND3pwTFqVdNjWijpqzssxpJNeO_hEoVrGaMZZO21HwJptPajlm9bQPS8yHFJq1Jwd07TfihmXTwaYixTO-Tj_i1mUYY/s320/2662_1118578477417_2913215_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mother in Law and Best Friend, Peggy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This recipe is for what I would consider a double batch, believe
it or not, it is not even the full recipe we used to make for family gatherings
when I first learned the recipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQl9NAB3E8WWQx_0b9F5wHRJPrRrvTG3uLjtHACleFs6WQcVEdGJcpQQhNgK0EdOVTykhlZg3lZpd_HXKWRLhKwy8SuMBGL388bXkXAMZTr83akq5tDAQdB8E7mZaF2jUFcc_MJUsg3ec/s1600/141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQl9NAB3E8WWQx_0b9F5wHRJPrRrvTG3uLjtHACleFs6WQcVEdGJcpQQhNgK0EdOVTykhlZg3lZpd_HXKWRLhKwy8SuMBGL388bXkXAMZTr83akq5tDAQdB8E7mZaF2jUFcc_MJUsg3ec/s320/141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is one recipe that I don’t recommend omitting or
changing ingredients; the flavors meld perfectly. Even people in our family who
don’t care for celery don’t mind it in this recipe, same with the green pepper.
We prefer shell macaroni, all the yummy goodness fills the shells, it just doesn’t
seem the same with different macaroni, you definitely need miracle whip here
not mayonnaise. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSVQU9W09otVhQrma6QH7Jc6sxukEgLMVDx9qPCy9URdwOiJ5SZHnLdc3D2rReRCqQwGUw3ahE1Xqt9XfYDXHkn4-jEm81dyJeuc92oM3KYEvWRQFkpq2V4_sxlCA8yb1LO_BxiIJF60/s1600/127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSVQU9W09otVhQrma6QH7Jc6sxukEgLMVDx9qPCy9URdwOiJ5SZHnLdc3D2rReRCqQwGUw3ahE1Xqt9XfYDXHkn4-jEm81dyJeuc92oM3KYEvWRQFkpq2V4_sxlCA8yb1LO_BxiIJF60/s320/127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Boil your macaroni in heavily salted water (taste your water
as it warms, you need to be able to taste the salt) Boil it until soft, you don’t want any “bite” in the macaroni as undercooked macaroni
will absorb more dressing and make the salad too dry (although, we do have a
step to remedy that). While the macaroni is cooking, chop your onion, celery and
green pepper and dice your hard boiled eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you don’t have an egg slicer, I highly recommend one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>As a lover of egg salad, and
of course this dish, I find it irreplaceable, I also use it to slice
strawberries and mushrooms. Another tip,
slice the egg one way then turn it 90 degrees and slice the other way to get a
diced egg. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Way back when, we use to hand chop the onion, celery and
green pepper, then Peggy decided to start using a food processor, it saves so
much time, especially when making a triple or quadruple batch, which is what
she typically makes. When she first did it, I thought it would have awful
results on the end product, but it didn’t make much, if any difference that I
can recall; we’ve been doing it this way for so long now that I honestly don’t
remember. LOL.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFz9PwUdlV-kUWiPZQ8vG_3FKJ08rMNmUFl4pEIwq4gLmUmhjVo5BUWoufGf6_dGx78ZT7V6ATgbD3PdOnqrsg77ERSJyUhPITryauxnxT4QM6RoMiu9zl3XHt8_Musnj1UZn4Q9-KMo/s1600/128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFz9PwUdlV-kUWiPZQ8vG_3FKJ08rMNmUFl4pEIwq4gLmUmhjVo5BUWoufGf6_dGx78ZT7V6ATgbD3PdOnqrsg77ERSJyUhPITryauxnxT4QM6RoMiu9zl3XHt8_Musnj1UZn4Q9-KMo/s320/128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You will need a very large bowl, pan or bucket depending on
the amount you are making… yes, we have made this in a 5 gallon bucket before!
Put your veggies in your bowl of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Drain your macaroni and rinse with cool water. Put the macaroni, diced veggies
and diced hardboiled eggs in the bowl of choice. Take a minute and salt your
eggs. Mix them together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuqcB_985c-GAGfF64xG4lA3Llo9EBbT-n-dcqA9hhZvHerSwXkg2PZd9YGRqgrOt5RoOIaRs8YZYN7TfSH58sMTghl6olS91msU8Q_BJpJ4hlEwqYJZKsF0hssmuv64Tg1lR1BuMuug/s1600/130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuqcB_985c-GAGfF64xG4lA3Llo9EBbT-n-dcqA9hhZvHerSwXkg2PZd9YGRqgrOt5RoOIaRs8YZYN7TfSH58sMTghl6olS91msU8Q_BJpJ4hlEwqYJZKsF0hssmuv64Tg1lR1BuMuug/s320/130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Add the miracle whip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the double batch you are going to want one full jar to start with,
for a half batch start with ½ a jar and add more if you think it’s needed. Mix
it in. You are definitely going to need to use your hands for this. (I highly recommend removing rings and bracelets first).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Qqb9rg8EnWad64FMFyxKxbAuO6ysJOhZ5vUujA6Ai6ifD71AYGnciQjLHzgJNFzWRQFuY708GuhuzT3iprRli1QNsTkz3RwlYZbVz_xJ_rosi82WdF8jyqUctZHLxTHNFJjuQkJMXiY/s1600/132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Qqb9rg8EnWad64FMFyxKxbAuO6ysJOhZ5vUujA6Ai6ifD71AYGnciQjLHzgJNFzWRQFuY708GuhuzT3iprRli1QNsTkz3RwlYZbVz_xJ_rosi82WdF8jyqUctZHLxTHNFJjuQkJMXiY/s320/132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mix well, taste, add more salt to taste, mix again, cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, taste again, you will more than likely need to add more Miracle Whip, this is a real moist salad. In my 20+ years of helping Peggy make this salad, and making it on my own, I've only ever seen one time when we didn't have to add more Miracle Whip the next day. In this case I added another half of a jar of Miracle whip. (Total used was 1 1/2 30 oz jars) Taste it again and add more salt if needed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Fdx6ktDaSTkZY-FOEelLY7lNzgt8o1RPLc0HqWAj0NSMzk8lPPF-mcMO9rKr1xw312mFuOSl2gRCYw9hpCkWF-_nvuEPqCaQyqKXAUMiFFvlP96S-v45SsUQ_BnKsIKWtlO74meUdMo/s1600/135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Fdx6ktDaSTkZY-FOEelLY7lNzgt8o1RPLc0HqWAj0NSMzk8lPPF-mcMO9rKr1xw312mFuOSl2gRCYw9hpCkWF-_nvuEPqCaQyqKXAUMiFFvlP96S-v45SsUQ_BnKsIKWtlO74meUdMo/s320/135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WI_AYyXJZ2rdXgxMNoiaR-BPC51iWp_7sl4b0XETnEk-94RD97JCYts1kk436HPYMWXM8u7yjjGNe8m2_9eEPGYr4PFUIFiwxDnihB1JscSQBljBAtaiKGFoeXSr5Ha_wWxJliNBrkI/s1600/Macaroni+salad+Recipe+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WI_AYyXJZ2rdXgxMNoiaR-BPC51iWp_7sl4b0XETnEk-94RD97JCYts1kk436HPYMWXM8u7yjjGNe8m2_9eEPGYr4PFUIFiwxDnihB1JscSQBljBAtaiKGFoeXSr5Ha_wWxJliNBrkI/s640/Macaroni+salad+Recipe+Card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope you enjoy this recipe... Please be sure to comment and let me know what you think and/or if you try it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love and God's peace to you,<br />
Christine<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-10272985710297039202013-03-26T20:37:00.000-04:002013-03-26T20:37:58.050-04:00Contemporary Kitchen - Guacamole<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
One of my favorite
dips/sauces is guacamole! It gets a bad
rep for being high in fat, but I always argue that while fat is fat and
moderation is always important, avocado fat is a better fat than animal fat. You can disagree with me...I'm okay with
that. So while I don't recommend eating
the whole bowl in one sitting, you're better off adding a dollop of guac to
your burritos than you are sour cream!</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
And bonus, its
really easy to make and not "terribly" expensive...especially if you
can get a good deal on the avocados. My
best suggestion is to go to a Mexican grocery store...they know better than to
sell yucky ones and they go through them quickly enough that they can bring
them in ripe - not the green crap you get at regular grocery stores. Although, if your grocery store has a section
where they sell the "past its prime" produce, keep your eye out for
avocados...I often find them there and they are practically perfect for making
guac! This is the recipe I've been using
for about 5 years...I never wrote it down, so I have no idea where I got
it. Therefore, I'm claiming it as my own
:D</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03YJj3IOTlHUeQwioMNK1ilm50F5M4sX93vz_jddGe56qvgvOe_RIm-0JZDVLk__ZKD3CCmwXqFRJpIxNsgXgwxV-6h9yI5vKLEqvNX8k8ON7Sydexsew3L7LOYpcj_cRcvaE4CHKvlY/s1600/DSCN0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03YJj3IOTlHUeQwioMNK1ilm50F5M4sX93vz_jddGe56qvgvOe_RIm-0JZDVLk__ZKD3CCmwXqFRJpIxNsgXgwxV-6h9yI5vKLEqvNX8k8ON7Sydexsew3L7LOYpcj_cRcvaE4CHKvlY/s320/DSCN0495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
So to begin, choose
ripe to overripe avocados. How many
avocados you use will dictate how much guac you're making and how much of the
other ingredients you need. For this
example, (and the amount you need for a small group or party), I used 4
avocados.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Start by cutting
them in half, removing the pit (carefully!
I once ended up with a knife in my finger and a trip to the emergency
room because I was careless with this task!) and removing the flesh from the
skin. They sell fancy knives to get them
out of the skin, but a large metal serving spoon does the job just as
well. Then dice the avocado into
smallish pieces. One unitasker, that I
don't currently own but have used before and love for this task is an egg
slicer. Put the avocado in it, slice,
turn 180 degrees, slice again and flip on its side to slice a 3rd time -
perfection!</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr3kFgEcnsmhG7-iEi9ZviUOGJ2GedTPC3FgA66iIlT8_Q2CTyrWNWIuQ-tS0bD2-9Vc268d6zgDQYw6aDy5x-QfFM9xNeAD-ynFB-feHdNjin4ib_DPuY8MmI5LbvhT_GGObD0BRbgc/s1600/DSCN0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr3kFgEcnsmhG7-iEi9ZviUOGJ2GedTPC3FgA66iIlT8_Q2CTyrWNWIuQ-tS0bD2-9Vc268d6zgDQYw6aDy5x-QfFM9xNeAD-ynFB-feHdNjin4ib_DPuY8MmI5LbvhT_GGObD0BRbgc/s320/DSCN0496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Then dice up some
tomato.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For 4 avocados I used 2 roma
tomatoes.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This is definitely a place for
ripe tomatoes, not the grocery store winter crap!</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Add it to the bowl with the avocado.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjollUTsDuFmID_JYC-CaAL99nQAxAi8DJ6zVSSCkR_twQC1IYSHcmzOpaGFGlW-1KH75QoD8wbat2Gij1fmg2PL6d0ByknQLzqju8aX84ExoaZ8qrWawgYwURjKgAer88LhGYVjSmmNNM/s1600/DSCN0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjollUTsDuFmID_JYC-CaAL99nQAxAi8DJ6zVSSCkR_twQC1IYSHcmzOpaGFGlW-1KH75QoD8wbat2Gij1fmg2PL6d0ByknQLzqju8aX84ExoaZ8qrWawgYwURjKgAer88LhGYVjSmmNNM/s320/DSCN0501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Next, dice up some
onions. I had a large onion, and used
maybe 1/6 of it? This also depends on
what you like. You can always add more
or less. I dice it up into smallish
chunks and prefer not to use a food chopper (one less thing to wash and they're
less mushy too). Add it to the bowl.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mmye3LlGOtdVmVGXB81fiefUPMVcPR3tOa3HiJhpDYwFQGpcLp0_7AO_mkLZKnecGNFU7ZPQIO1LyE1MXroWU9LCIx46nJnwFc0zrEOeH77vK-xhMfaHQLydMrk9EPgndhfHoVmUnhI/s1600/DSCN0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mmye3LlGOtdVmVGXB81fiefUPMVcPR3tOa3HiJhpDYwFQGpcLp0_7AO_mkLZKnecGNFU7ZPQIO1LyE1MXroWU9LCIx46nJnwFc0zrEOeH77vK-xhMfaHQLydMrk9EPgndhfHoVmUnhI/s320/DSCN0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Then you want to add
some cilantro, again to your own taste.
I really like cilantro, and appreciate how inexpensive it is. I don't appreciate how quickly it goes bad. If you're a once a week or less grocery
shopper, you may have issues here. More
than 2-3 days in the fridge and it starts to wilt. So buy it right before you need it. A typical bunch of cilantro will be WAY more
than you need, so plan some other meals you can use it in, or just get over it
because it's so cheap to begin with. I
snip the leaves off the stems (with my fingers, no fancy tool required),
and pile it on a cutting board. I've never measure this, but its probably
about 1/8 cup if you firmly packed it in.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUy8M-nRd0LN7mnHtXlk-7U6gOwQHk4u0epYbZ_dehbeBxqO-rW6cz7Ap2VOsnnHr58xzNPAEbY-DKFMOQHxE7Yc0w1NJJm81DsmtmBy8BDPcm8sfySGfWczP4lIo7Q7Bpi2_75TBx-c/s1600/DSCN0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUy8M-nRd0LN7mnHtXlk-7U6gOwQHk4u0epYbZ_dehbeBxqO-rW6cz7Ap2VOsnnHr58xzNPAEbY-DKFMOQHxE7Yc0w1NJJm81DsmtmBy8BDPcm8sfySGfWczP4lIo7Q7Bpi2_75TBx-c/s320/DSCN0498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
My favorite tool for
this next part is a pizza cutter. You
want the cilantro leaves chopped into small pieces, so just run a pizza cutter
through it a couple of times. I find this
to be easier than using a knife.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadMYplSSWv8RWOK-BHuFaXiAvfU5KszqhpOc-1lBJP3AoK2IV3OpeLbBWHwfFbebB9O503kg44CAC1bJcLy5pXtikxzQHSfEqIfT2rXum_gkKutgG5R1nxSPKIs9MQqWxbls7tFjTAO4/s1600/DSCN0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadMYplSSWv8RWOK-BHuFaXiAvfU5KszqhpOc-1lBJP3AoK2IV3OpeLbBWHwfFbebB9O503kg44CAC1bJcLy5pXtikxzQHSfEqIfT2rXum_gkKutgG5R1nxSPKIs9MQqWxbls7tFjTAO4/s320/DSCN0500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
You may notice that I had
to switch to a bigger bowl at this point because I miscalculated, but next,
begin to mix up these first ingredients.
The riper your avocado the easier it is to smash. However, I prefer mine to still have some
chunks, so don't mix it quite as much.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFi2uK5G9eyP-xef27YeCqyeylAOpF3uH5cIyEt3Y-OdyPaYc9j_cyVymQ0bZsv7GdfTgIGZ6WdTM7IXIVtegWCA9w7bqhONjr67cAxaOB2S8-lLX5DKA5_1o2nFsifGGrrlcGLmNspI/s1600/DSCN0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFi2uK5G9eyP-xef27YeCqyeylAOpF3uH5cIyEt3Y-OdyPaYc9j_cyVymQ0bZsv7GdfTgIGZ6WdTM7IXIVtegWCA9w7bqhONjr67cAxaOB2S8-lLX5DKA5_1o2nFsifGGrrlcGLmNspI/s320/DSCN0504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
After it is mixed,
add the juice of one lime and some salt.
Again, I rarely measure but I would guess I use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of salt, but
you can adjust to your taste. Another
worthwhile unitasker for this is a citrus juicer. Before cutting the lime, I roll it against
the counter a few times because it makes it easier to juice. Then cut it in half and place one half at a
time in the juicer and squeeze. If you
don't have a juicer, you can do it by hand (and the step of rolling it becomes
even more important!), you just won't get as much juice from the lime.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_CG-rHdahUs6s1X6IY4tQR2sr2cdb2k7OT0zkgEamXVy_4UEG96SV3U7_OupAVF9ApjgjH0cDDUJS5u9HcEo8-OJXiLSs41gDVBak_UlayN1sVAgI-5SQ9gxTz5SDE6B5MEBahVsfRY/s1600/DSCN0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_CG-rHdahUs6s1X6IY4tQR2sr2cdb2k7OT0zkgEamXVy_4UEG96SV3U7_OupAVF9ApjgjH0cDDUJS5u9HcEo8-OJXiLSs41gDVBak_UlayN1sVAgI-5SQ9gxTz5SDE6B5MEBahVsfRY/s320/DSCN0505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Mix everything
again. The juice helps to smash the
avocados a little more and makes it saucier and less chunky. Its primarily purpose, however, is to keep it
from turning brown.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwhnCpcSuKKsDjBqFZOMN1liIzlLyZ6dJu1eHOfkTbBWOlf067y765eIjl4Ilt_4x5NGVS60Bd_Y_Gh_XrpBGt_wCeAdrBR19c8dKdFvtkqSyiglulnVp6B8P_J0PotdXkGsXW2EW7_8/s1600/DSCN0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwhnCpcSuKKsDjBqFZOMN1liIzlLyZ6dJu1eHOfkTbBWOlf067y765eIjl4Ilt_4x5NGVS60Bd_Y_Gh_XrpBGt_wCeAdrBR19c8dKdFvtkqSyiglulnVp6B8P_J0PotdXkGsXW2EW7_8/s320/DSCN0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
A tip from
little old Mexican ladies to keep the guacamole from turning brown is to store it
with the avocado pits still in it. I
have no idea what the science behind such a suggestion is, but I do it, it
seems to work and they swear by it. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EzU_O3vJfhU23l5BvUf9E42xzFR-PNsuW0M2KkFGxTvqVn4idc4Pfpo43N-ahyS2RKnJVDaFS4UgMx5seguXSlkognqubMTHOof-abWbiMUPafsouIWC7PYG1KIZoX3ZvHYViW4jjb0/s1600/DSCN0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EzU_O3vJfhU23l5BvUf9E42xzFR-PNsuW0M2KkFGxTvqVn4idc4Pfpo43N-ahyS2RKnJVDaFS4UgMx5seguXSlkognqubMTHOof-abWbiMUPafsouIWC7PYG1KIZoX3ZvHYViW4jjb0/s320/DSCN0507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
So, try this out and
leave a comment to let me know what you think.
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Grace and love,</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Jenn</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-80581363898841820182013-03-20T21:02:00.000-04:002013-03-20T21:02:22.454-04:00Contemporary Kitchen - Pesto Ranch ChickenI have a busy schedule, and we have fallen into the very bad habit of eating out practically every night... No Joke. I'm trying to save some extra money and this is the most obvious place to start. I have tons of recipes pinned on pinterest that I would like to try but I have one major problem. My Dear Hubby hates casseroles and anything that comes out of a crockpot... purely psychological, I think. I mean, if you choose the right recipes, what is the difference between a pot roast cooked in the oven and a pot roast cooked in a crockpot, other than you can put it in the crockpot before you leave for work and eat it when you get home? So you may see a few more of recipes like this from me... crockpot recipes revamped for the oven. I know, completely opposite of what most people want, but I will also include or link to the crock pot recipe for the normal people out there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Olgr4I2V6sxlELtnnOA1AvfigrN5Mx-GjA1zKJbKD5eMjx8H5hhTjOmsjv-Xq0NeD0Fx5nZvTp4MJ5JIr3ZitFOXHSLKNX32Ui29cDiy5Gk4Z0unFEh4nFtgNHGxw5oKMtSHwcbv9mc/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Olgr4I2V6sxlELtnnOA1AvfigrN5Mx-GjA1zKJbKD5eMjx8H5hhTjOmsjv-Xq0NeD0Fx5nZvTp4MJ5JIr3ZitFOXHSLKNX32Ui29cDiy5Gk4Z0unFEh4nFtgNHGxw5oKMtSHwcbv9mc/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Another aside... we are a family of three that eat small portion sizes and do not eat leftovers... so even if I am following a recipe for 8 servings, I usually cut it down at some point so we have just enough for dinner. Therefore, my pictures will not necessarily reflect the recipes serving size, but I will post the recipe for the larger size.<br />
<br />
The idea for this recipe is <a href="http://picky-palate.com/2012/09/20/pesto-ranch-crock-pot-chicken-thighs/" target="_blank">Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken</a> from Picky Palate and appears very simple as most crockpot recipes are... just dump it all in. This does make a creamier sauce, and I may play with my recipe in the future to make a creamier sauce as well. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rGFhxcYI_5qEZx8I-j6MQMvbFd8k1DlW5_0AForJac23I1AlufW_LGOo_rpIHdBt8Ta0qOdo3TzXmHblCow7ALTi4zz_oqM2VMk_3UtCkNxl9Rp9eycUJnipFei7QnTMO2UQgL3RCR4/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rGFhxcYI_5qEZx8I-j6MQMvbFd8k1DlW5_0AForJac23I1AlufW_LGOo_rpIHdBt8Ta0qOdo3TzXmHblCow7ALTi4zz_oqM2VMk_3UtCkNxl9Rp9eycUJnipFei7QnTMO2UQgL3RCR4/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There are only four ingredients and nothing out of the ordinary. Chicken; I used boneless skinless breasts. I happened to have thin cut on hand (I only used 1/3 of the package shown and froze the rest), 1 packet of ranch dressing mix (I have a jar, 3Tbs = 1 Packet), I also added granulated garlic, and a jar of pesto sauce.<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEiGPs9yV-REBvPw1Ksz40A4FcWLBSrj8TAWq2J9G4uengIBJzhoiOyYXXkdEJq_6BRA0OXe8ZSuwKg2OoBN8J7VB9NLtoquXoWZgFkjqeM3GJw-F_Di8iFx2hURxxQrBK-B_M2Gnqy2Ou4/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPs9yV-REBvPw1Ksz40A4FcWLBSrj8TAWq2J9G4uengIBJzhoiOyYXXkdEJq_6BRA0OXe8ZSuwKg2OoBN8J7VB9NLtoquXoWZgFkjqeM3GJw-F_Di8iFx2hURxxQrBK-B_M2Gnqy2Ou4/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Mix the ranch and the granulated garlic, coat both sides of the chicken and place it in a 9 x 13 baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIBuUk0GFVfqFPB056olpiQGJWHvbseoyhxQa87Pl8WKeUh_K5tTd2uWcYGbLkbkFAgoqOzviNetygj3zbctz-wF0xr9VQtZ6y7EERcPjvpeBo-5P1V9yy3s5YHYfR78_yji29_DQ2EU/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIBuUk0GFVfqFPB056olpiQGJWHvbseoyhxQa87Pl8WKeUh_K5tTd2uWcYGbLkbkFAgoqOzviNetygj3zbctz-wF0xr9VQtZ6y7EERcPjvpeBo-5P1V9yy3s5YHYfR78_yji29_DQ2EU/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Stir the prepared pesto and spoon some over the top of each piece of chicken. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake. These thin cut breasts took 30 minutes. I would probably cook regular breasts 45 minutes.<br />
<br />
Guess what? Dear Hubby loved it! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEJGRCfxnk1J0wvOWfn68ZvdCH23iNwNR-NaBZvpJWvjqGMaOoW9LTguKv4dQbO_K65ntrk7w2hN2fnfAVYoRnfALPpGDWeI9hFYGkLO_eTfybHaB3aehB8GcFkmrBXthXW1lQJvtoQc/s1600/Pesto+Ranch+Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEJGRCfxnk1J0wvOWfn68ZvdCH23iNwNR-NaBZvpJWvjqGMaOoW9LTguKv4dQbO_K65ntrk7w2hN2fnfAVYoRnfALPpGDWeI9hFYGkLO_eTfybHaB3aehB8GcFkmrBXthXW1lQJvtoQc/s640/Pesto+Ranch+Chicken.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I hope you enjoy this recipe... Please be sure to comment and let me know what you think and/or if you try it!<br />
<br />
Love and God's peace to you,<br />
Christine<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-9428957744045221192013-03-18T14:00:00.000-04:002013-03-18T18:53:03.549-04:00Redecorating 2013 - Fabric Flower WreathMy latest project from my redecorating kick (so close to being done...which my checkbook will greatly appreciate!) was to make a new wreath for my front door. For the last few years I had been using a simple berry wreath, but alas, the sun has finally damaged it to a point that I can no longer stomach looking at it.<br />
<br />
So I found a couple of ideas on pinterest that I liked. These are from<a href="http://littlepageturners.blogspot.com/2011/08/because-kids-shouldnt-have-all-fun.html" target="_blank"> Little Page Turners</a> & <a href="http://teachcraftlove.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-page-wreaths.html">Teach.Craft.Love.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRRC1WI8mrSUN4PsKB1cszxjEBEEtzghUlzsKP3k-XGL6JyMD3n6bg0PXmAozxwq4fvepSQZkYvvaRMgGlXJG_qB9znXNpeqzeGe-6s492UAxfWpkPOxOdQKkCeXzotspejRM_qznuO8/s1600/wreath+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRRC1WI8mrSUN4PsKB1cszxjEBEEtzghUlzsKP3k-XGL6JyMD3n6bg0PXmAozxwq4fvepSQZkYvvaRMgGlXJG_qB9znXNpeqzeGe-6s492UAxfWpkPOxOdQKkCeXzotspejRM_qznuO8/s320/wreath+ideas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What I love about this project is that I only had to buy one thing...everything else I had! Here's what I scrounged up or bought - an old wreath, some fabric scraps leftover from other projects and some simple 4" house numbers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX2NyzfCWfVDADf6bRJNNgMUIXlzlwF1ANPR0IbUnWht-jfBZPTS5lXrsK45GIpf5bswtK_cYAT4RlXq022TmX87zHfMfnlaatdiNxzLq0ix2mTVx54cCT82cuIqSWGNqzjZVIEWtnL8/s1600/DSCN0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX2NyzfCWfVDADf6bRJNNgMUIXlzlwF1ANPR0IbUnWht-jfBZPTS5lXrsK45GIpf5bswtK_cYAT4RlXq022TmX87zHfMfnlaatdiNxzLq0ix2mTVx54cCT82cuIqSWGNqzjZVIEWtnL8/s320/DSCN0444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This was an old Christmas wreath that, like my last door wreath, had faded from the sun and weather. So I removed all the berries, leaves & pine cones, leaving a basic grapevine wreath. (I made that sound easy, but it definitely required the use of some wire cutters...they were not messing around when they put this together!) I also remove a couple of the brown wires that were holding the wreath together, so it looked a little better.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPxFd-xfdtLIZwDeQn2VgkozSzqEwK9CSN_AgNqlkgmjaRujsJRy2m8sAHSKEt3Tws4ce8wcxoj-4gYKzGVmlYh6QLHhWYJ3QPja-miBaLxj9fVWJNcfcxEM-QsC83ZEvmbpQUt26P4U/s1600/DSCN0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPxFd-xfdtLIZwDeQn2VgkozSzqEwK9CSN_AgNqlkgmjaRujsJRy2m8sAHSKEt3Tws4ce8wcxoj-4gYKzGVmlYh6QLHhWYJ3QPja-miBaLxj9fVWJNcfcxEM-QsC83ZEvmbpQUt26P4U/s320/DSCN0446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, I made some fabric flowers. I'll show you how, but if you still don't get it, check out <a href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/09/fabric-rosette-tutorial-extravaganza.html">Little Birdie Secrets</a> - this is where I learned how and she has a video tutorial if the pictures aren't making enough sense.<br />
<br />
Start with a 1" strip of fabric. Depending on how long it is will determine how big your flower turns out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmeVoKsYxTUAlGrkMPl6XCVBrVzxSC9nZvCbLZjU_sJbpDqrQu3YwHiO-rAIiJk5a0VI3AvWARhOqkUsB2endvVcgbV1c4U3da2c-FcgR8ohdkk-D6VnTXBTVE2WmQnjW8k7BYN88KDo/s1600/DSCN0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmeVoKsYxTUAlGrkMPl6XCVBrVzxSC9nZvCbLZjU_sJbpDqrQu3YwHiO-rAIiJk5a0VI3AvWARhOqkUsB2endvVcgbV1c4U3da2c-FcgR8ohdkk-D6VnTXBTVE2WmQnjW8k7BYN88KDo/s320/DSCN0449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Fold it in half lengthwise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX04qaMRR-3jFRqcs_HCZpJOlppfeuZO2om45LNLEHYLgaQuVPiGi145Zi-GPTb2bUhErVEG9SL8kohmEtWpNm0aRuYRVqCSIx5bEGuzIuyllbUAshMCoR13J_ZCHYhbpvKplazq14Htc/s1600/DSCN0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX04qaMRR-3jFRqcs_HCZpJOlppfeuZO2om45LNLEHYLgaQuVPiGi145Zi-GPTb2bUhErVEG9SL8kohmEtWpNm0aRuYRVqCSIx5bEGuzIuyllbUAshMCoR13J_ZCHYhbpvKplazq14Htc/s320/DSCN0451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tie a knot in the end.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJGpCfVhX1-1W4ZRVHxqVo_5tMvpoBAtlNa9H-DbHU1uLg4SgQeiB98SoOprOz6YNvxEkbD8xEm0CfljByeSr4-kNwCZlYD5LQ1lkGRP_QUCVUl6OMUoZ59sNw1CJnPrbcLKf7zvPbms/s1600/DSCN0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJGpCfVhX1-1W4ZRVHxqVo_5tMvpoBAtlNa9H-DbHU1uLg4SgQeiB98SoOprOz6YNvxEkbD8xEm0CfljByeSr4-kNwCZlYD5LQ1lkGRP_QUCVUl6OMUoZ59sNw1CJnPrbcLKf7zvPbms/s320/DSCN0452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Fold the short end of the knot back towards the long end and start wrapping and twisting the long end in a coil. You can play with this to see what works, but I found that one twist for every 1/4-1/3 of a revolution was good. So at the beginning you are twisting more often, but as the flower gets bigger, there is more distance between the twists. This is good as it will help it stay together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiww2jQB3h0-93OkPh2XvI_V_v6Da9TDC-1Ju-a7GK2MzSqBax7SPQNI9jqN326SRWwsmHpN_ncLL8ws4Vjdha1z0fTuvsS_pVJZQcsrX03f-htlD9c8J03HvjeaJJsKl9d64Q9K-wyXk/s1600/DSCN0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiww2jQB3h0-93OkPh2XvI_V_v6Da9TDC-1Ju-a7GK2MzSqBax7SPQNI9jqN326SRWwsmHpN_ncLL8ws4Vjdha1z0fTuvsS_pVJZQcsrX03f-htlD9c8J03HvjeaJJsKl9d64Q9K-wyXk/s320/DSCN0453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The tutorial I mentioned used a LOT of glue, she said every 1/4-1/2 revolution to use a spot of glue. I didn't find this to be necessary, but I also wasn't using shiny or slippery fabrics. So do what works. If I noticed the flower starting to slip and come apart, I added glue to keep it together. I used Aleene's Fabric Fusion and it worked well. (As a side note, its a good thing that it's non-toxic because I got more than I ever hoped for in my mouth! I kept taking the cap off with my teeth because my hands were full - flower in one hand, bottle in the other...when I went to put the cap, which was between my teeth, back on...I missed. More than once. Gross!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OdRmk0Wk2m-4OpI6WNyTOVU_9bAiOgNBzPDm0ZJBwO7QtMw_d54usLdByoliK8SpzBxsVPkcUB24VkA1w9VHLpIPB0gj_tAcZdP6AONJMrFVIgo0HD-ilo_7VnzR27Vjw_lBoJl_EIs/s1600/DSCN0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OdRmk0Wk2m-4OpI6WNyTOVU_9bAiOgNBzPDm0ZJBwO7QtMw_d54usLdByoliK8SpzBxsVPkcUB24VkA1w9VHLpIPB0gj_tAcZdP6AONJMrFVIgo0HD-ilo_7VnzR27Vjw_lBoJl_EIs/s320/DSCN0457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
When you get to the end, you have two choices. If this flower is as big as you want it, skip the next step and glue it in place. If not, you can work in another piece of fabric to make the flower larger.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPwRJ-nc6LscLIdAaqtznOZ_6gMU0ejw5TSqx7nI_5nmB7ThlaR5ZmM3hxnSqAJZYmYsdhFcgJiSOfJm4yk24FMLL_G-UtKxo_gunSwEw57SiKlGVTDEPmpq-g5gaFNfcu0a7TOOYpT4/s1600/DSCN0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPwRJ-nc6LscLIdAaqtznOZ_6gMU0ejw5TSqx7nI_5nmB7ThlaR5ZmM3hxnSqAJZYmYsdhFcgJiSOfJm4yk24FMLL_G-UtKxo_gunSwEw57SiKlGVTDEPmpq-g5gaFNfcu0a7TOOYpT4/s320/DSCN0460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Put a bit of glue about 2 inches from the end so you can let go of the flower without it falling apart. Then take a second strip that is the same size and lay it inside the first strip and fold them together. The first fabric should be on top. You may need to glue them together.<br />
<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/AVvXsEi03oj6P8XoQkKoFnc9wVu0pGAKy6WRwrANSbju3XR3ldIT0RUzr2CWG9BTFy1he6wDbNl-FXbQOf9y-Q2oM-srXzWdSrVTsQUqrjG6yTJV357MUNLfx1VFH1eSm4NXFf86yRDvbYdz8FI/s1600/DSCN0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03oj6P8XoQkKoFnc9wVu0pGAKy6WRwrANSbju3XR3ldIT0RUzr2CWG9BTFy1he6wDbNl-FXbQOf9y-Q2oM-srXzWdSrVTsQUqrjG6yTJV357MUNLfx1VFH1eSm4NXFf86yRDvbYdz8FI/s320/DSCN0462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then, continue to twist the fabric together until the flower is done. Secure the end with glue. You may want to stick a straight pin in it to hold it together until the glue dries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZgeENzv4F1UWa8ZVVzmPApfg8kxSAQhne-tg0wgutuQc6yvmEC0Mo23HqJikkQqcPsGzsYlWyky580sFBjXpnz_8GbvfpiEpVRPeVn2oBFzecQBZMYCPgESx3hDfCf-CqaMN2O-pMDQ/s1600/DSCN0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZgeENzv4F1UWa8ZVVzmPApfg8kxSAQhne-tg0wgutuQc6yvmEC0Mo23HqJikkQqcPsGzsYlWyky580sFBjXpnz_8GbvfpiEpVRPeVn2oBFzecQBZMYCPgESx3hDfCf-CqaMN2O-pMDQ/s320/DSCN0463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tada! A fabric rose! Well, one anyways...you will need many...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtx6UyT0mqO3o89eTOKWMZfXto_vDYDQcwB5xZgsVJUrR69fJgunqtIOB2YtnhmLQRI97bDR-zMdcub1b6zGP95A8-riPCOC_uYraRGFkoTs_r6-QdKS40Cp3Dlqd6XJZSovc-ZrV_bio/s1600/DSCN0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtx6UyT0mqO3o89eTOKWMZfXto_vDYDQcwB5xZgsVJUrR69fJgunqtIOB2YtnhmLQRI97bDR-zMdcub1b6zGP95A8-riPCOC_uYraRGFkoTs_r6-QdKS40Cp3Dlqd6XJZSovc-ZrV_bio/s320/DSCN0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I made a total of 13 flowers...always use odd numbers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXZCFDYAqkpWY7eZHbBlYC8eN_YdlaY0xe7VFUFGPhYjoRPsSBugayISJ2HkZZe_27AQN3FXwzDiWhuo920Pz91OUwh_m0DL6IGv5T1DUZyjDQXKNMNta4mf1Bmt6BDbJCEHoAEHwdr8/s1600/DSCN0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXZCFDYAqkpWY7eZHbBlYC8eN_YdlaY0xe7VFUFGPhYjoRPsSBugayISJ2HkZZe_27AQN3FXwzDiWhuo920Pz91OUwh_m0DL6IGv5T1DUZyjDQXKNMNta4mf1Bmt6BDbJCEHoAEHwdr8/s320/DSCN0465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Starting with the large flowers, I hot glued them onto the grapevine wreath.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwknCeVctsW4jpeb2-Kty5-Ho0uygHjrP3F-l_gsD5_ZshLZB5zOc9Fw8HcbtfEeyqwoX2we486ApAY7vVI3ba8PjMlnnpcjDC17DE1TkzHFDGAHvUC04zkQSo488BFLopO0Iq6oQQDrc/s1600/DSCN0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwknCeVctsW4jpeb2-Kty5-Ho0uygHjrP3F-l_gsD5_ZshLZB5zOc9Fw8HcbtfEeyqwoX2we486ApAY7vVI3ba8PjMlnnpcjDC17DE1TkzHFDGAHvUC04zkQSo488BFLopO0Iq6oQQDrc/s320/DSCN0467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I alternated the two colors and made it so the smaller ones were at the end. It's more "natural" looking that way, as that's how flowers grow :).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf18rF2vVulmXiK-YG7YnkD4m9KxBq4CEvN6U-UK2QgV7VKFzV7L9wfMM_MElwY-RC7COmYzSgH5wvCGa4qQ6RsREj-MISPJu1RvkJKOuJO6HbcRwEuyM0f9pINg8m8AR3UVFwJIloI64/s1600/DSCN0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf18rF2vVulmXiK-YG7YnkD4m9KxBq4CEvN6U-UK2QgV7VKFzV7L9wfMM_MElwY-RC7COmYzSgH5wvCGa4qQ6RsREj-MISPJu1RvkJKOuJO6HbcRwEuyM0f9pINg8m8AR3UVFwJIloI64/s320/DSCN0470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I laid the house numbers on the wreath. On another side note, cut out wooden numbers are ridiculously hard to find! I went to two craft stores and only found 3 options...one was too big, the others too small. Letters come in every size and font you could imagine, but none of them had matching numbers...does that seem weird to you?? Anybody know of a good place to buy them? I ended up with metal house numbers from the hardware store, which worked great...and truth be told are probably more durable. I just thought it was weird how hard it was to find wooden numbers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ojigczl3EMsmykNXW_MztwJZiEKzOESyCduQ8EysI1ApjlqLRy3-MU1DrML6FWrfXT4ihKJ06a2pxss-_UQcV-oR1F53tMvW9OcFUc3hZLlU8XeY5eIvUVpy9_IfmRmP9kB1n8mt6Q8/s1600/DSCN0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ojigczl3EMsmykNXW_MztwJZiEKzOESyCduQ8EysI1ApjlqLRy3-MU1DrML6FWrfXT4ihKJ06a2pxss-_UQcV-oR1F53tMvW9OcFUc3hZLlU8XeY5eIvUVpy9_IfmRmP9kB1n8mt6Q8/s320/DSCN0471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, since the black numbers didn't stand out against the brown wreath, I spray painted them. I started with a yellow paint, that I knew would be way to bright...but it was a good start.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCkDAbfzWV5zbI9c13fUT4fOe4IlvpTxECs45da4BFjSE538nPoRj38giVYke6MHRuAAYKshV0bi4dz2CKH3n6cXnnYvdxZzm-s6ekjRwtA0FEH1HYjD_e_1Ii4cvG5yN_NRJglGVxyM/s1600/DSCN0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCkDAbfzWV5zbI9c13fUT4fOe4IlvpTxECs45da4BFjSE538nPoRj38giVYke6MHRuAAYKshV0bi4dz2CKH3n6cXnnYvdxZzm-s6ekjRwtA0FEH1HYjD_e_1Ii4cvG5yN_NRJglGVxyM/s320/DSCN0472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I went back over the numbers lightly with gray spray paint. It gave it more of a speckled appearance when you look up close. From far away, it just toned the color down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M3SZIQwxBa-u9lN8EpX418mfBgpQ5_gNrDobQKAD6aVEJZoxgHnDeWxiq7fIGKvbeIoOrbKYFfODXx-EPVPu6WdVy3bVnDY8z0JejfgzK5ZanH8S9RY40mcrSHnp-rNktBcEX1ALR-w/s1600/DSCN0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M3SZIQwxBa-u9lN8EpX418mfBgpQ5_gNrDobQKAD6aVEJZoxgHnDeWxiq7fIGKvbeIoOrbKYFfODXx-EPVPu6WdVy3bVnDY8z0JejfgzK5ZanH8S9RY40mcrSHnp-rNktBcEX1ALR-w/s320/DSCN0477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These were ridiculously difficult to get to stay on the wreath...I have no idea why. The bottom two was first and went on easily. The rest were a pain - literally - I burnt myself multiple times with the hot glue gun! But eventually I got them to stay. <br />
<br />
I also added some little sparkly gems to the middle of the yellow flowers...who doesn't love a little bling? And they were left over from another project...maybe I'll tell you about that project sometime...its a good story :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRK7oPMd5kOMso8F-QzEP9Ei0OUA41Gw91xr9h0ELfl4Rx-g6LGf0Ts3rviL7Osrt1Fjzi0wRWbFisodaZ8SxtgaJtYC4dU8xBvHrX1p7aCmQxHrg3fCVtSriEBhwaTwdFjTcy0xlMvc/s1600/DSCN0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRK7oPMd5kOMso8F-QzEP9Ei0OUA41Gw91xr9h0ELfl4Rx-g6LGf0Ts3rviL7Osrt1Fjzi0wRWbFisodaZ8SxtgaJtYC4dU8xBvHrX1p7aCmQxHrg3fCVtSriEBhwaTwdFjTcy0xlMvc/s320/DSCN0478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A view of the front door with the new wreath. I'm thinking about painting this door, but think if I do that I will have to paint the rest of the trim on the house. Not a project I want to tackle - at least not in March.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy55HnCvc4IAj75hvaxhggs0j9m6NQKLX9ZjQ1m5x_OhcVLK4Mx55yBQI7q_7BVw_prkezwaBYpDfJ-7P_AKJ_-yEnCssaUeJ_dXH7yG1nWR6EnyQJTwLs7CMCiweof4hRUTuK5l502rI/s1600/DSCN0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy55HnCvc4IAj75hvaxhggs0j9m6NQKLX9ZjQ1m5x_OhcVLK4Mx55yBQI7q_7BVw_prkezwaBYpDfJ-7P_AKJ_-yEnCssaUeJ_dXH7yG1nWR6EnyQJTwLs7CMCiweof4hRUTuK5l502rI/s320/DSCN0479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Total cost of this project? $6! I had everything except the numbers. And, just so there is no confusion...2002 is my address. I made a wreath for Christmas that had numbers on it and everyone thought I put the wrong year on the wreath...including my roommate....<br />
<br />
Be sure and comment and let me know what you think. And help us spread the word about our blog. You can follow us here, share this post on Facebook or pin it to Pinterest! We appreciate the help!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-49204615444494045912013-03-15T14:00:00.000-04:002013-03-15T21:46:30.293-04:00Hair Bow Organizer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A friend of mine saw this idea and asked me to make one for her niece, who turned 3 last weekend. Here is the original post from <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2009/07/girls-barettes-and-hair-bow-holder.html" target="_blank">The Idea Room</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll45/huntleygang/baretteholderfinal-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll45/huntleygang/baretteholderfinal-2.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />
So we set off to the craft store to get what we needed. A picture frame, foam core, batting, fabric & ribbon. Pretty simple. (Actually, it wasn't because we went to Michael's, where they don't sell fabric or batting...I had to make a second trip to Hobby Lobby and ended up buying a second frame and she returned the first one...today's lesson? go to Hobby Lobby first and save yourself time :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-k06piDRv1Q1dhZgOdVltN8YHGQPrSkNGdVJTkH0SzQafI8N00sHgD1InwIeHkacYJA8lieAz9lUv2-0dT4AfQ_J15BD3POe2NICMJDwMjZryGt6RY0Zg4AvrpxPCpMza3iZGoz9rKs/s1600/DSCN0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-k06piDRv1Q1dhZgOdVltN8YHGQPrSkNGdVJTkH0SzQafI8N00sHgD1InwIeHkacYJA8lieAz9lUv2-0dT4AfQ_J15BD3POe2NICMJDwMjZryGt6RY0Zg4AvrpxPCpMza3iZGoz9rKs/s320/DSCN0413.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First, cut the foam core to the size of the opening, or ever so slightly smaller (batting is coming and its rather thick!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_6A4D_0tvstUdBjU7eHAM5-Bq8-JyPQYi589x6OF2og9ArnvayM2J5nAfIQvmviKMQ7EL_0KslHjvMSQgBWZbKvWbq6eCJjzGwv8NCZlYMJ8b_op_2ss_soJbZlUiBPnxfz99g9cEZs/s1600/DSCN0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_6A4D_0tvstUdBjU7eHAM5-Bq8-JyPQYi589x6OF2og9ArnvayM2J5nAfIQvmviKMQ7EL_0KslHjvMSQgBWZbKvWbq6eCJjzGwv8NCZlYMJ8b_op_2ss_soJbZlUiBPnxfz99g9cEZs/s320/DSCN0414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cut a layer or two of batting, a little bigger than the foam core. (I used two layers of the high loft batting - very fluffy!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hWSEqAOn560M3fZGjMZg6vUyWVX6SGeGVnzYviPvamcD6rxuugTmXm4SPXjqgH_m6RH7pAdIB3wPPOVB8xfQ207G1ECyWc9tzbO8wwdl2S8Vru3rJok_fqzubWshWRbJOETME23DUbY/s1600/DSCN0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hWSEqAOn560M3fZGjMZg6vUyWVX6SGeGVnzYviPvamcD6rxuugTmXm4SPXjqgH_m6RH7pAdIB3wPPOVB8xfQ207G1ECyWc9tzbO8wwdl2S8Vru3rJok_fqzubWshWRbJOETME23DUbY/s320/DSCN0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, cut the fabric to about the same size as the batting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLbSWNVAAiUBDHwXgRe7xu5IG71PA5-pNlBMe0x5Uuauu9CPCn-fwQQYsoIcXkmCEOSJ0mYe3ko7pe4co1SQy2XjT6jlyy2DI7Q4Kvl3Cucti8sxjezORFN4mWADax7oTp5x1PBoI-VI/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLbSWNVAAiUBDHwXgRe7xu5IG71PA5-pNlBMe0x5Uuauu9CPCn-fwQQYsoIcXkmCEOSJ0mYe3ko7pe4co1SQy2XjT6jlyy2DI7Q4Kvl3Cucti8sxjezORFN4mWADax7oTp5x1PBoI-VI/s320/DSCN0418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Begin by stapling one edge of the batting & fabric in place. This gets tricky with foam core because it doesn't hold staples super firmly, but this is a light duty sort of piece, so just push them into place if necessary and you should be fine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqRsCXKXXa5ueflaOe8ReJwJRAipoYY1i7tjc02ARXIcj_c2ZDjnrlJXdT-_2STrOIHPdQId7syTiHX2HljV0wCxG59XOYeoWFaJ_f1IkNHwOoHs_hfOVdKsy2lA-A8izV78tqkOKebI/s1600/DSCN0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqRsCXKXXa5ueflaOe8ReJwJRAipoYY1i7tjc02ARXIcj_c2ZDjnrlJXdT-_2STrOIHPdQId7syTiHX2HljV0wCxG59XOYeoWFaJ_f1IkNHwOoHs_hfOVdKsy2lA-A8izV78tqkOKebI/s320/DSCN0419.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next, staple the other side. There is sort of an art to making this look good. Too loose, and the fabric will look wrinkly - too tight and the fabric will pull. Take your time and play with it a little. As mentioned, the staples are easy to remove, so if you don't get it right the first time, just try again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv_7F4XLF_hMWpY_QSIcEvmfkubr4Fr_8h6SP43SCKFT95Ews0MlpOjWKGAZs5zKJv4Utlzt-lKwDZkgWvzXOcgr9Qo1YHmhP_A0_t8FCY1INF5qPp3vir_d0qbQSFXmtNVlTYfuRDfE/s1600/DSCN0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv_7F4XLF_hMWpY_QSIcEvmfkubr4Fr_8h6SP43SCKFT95Ews0MlpOjWKGAZs5zKJv4Utlzt-lKwDZkgWvzXOcgr9Qo1YHmhP_A0_t8FCY1INF5qPp3vir_d0qbQSFXmtNVlTYfuRDfE/s320/DSCN0420.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Do yourself a favor and clip the corners of the fabric and batting so that there is less bulk to staple through. I started in the middle of the board and did the corners last. After everything was tacked in place and looked good, I went back and added a few more staples to make sure everything was secure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ3VAdoLFcxodUrd5rQh1zPtgAolev8_uE0zJUYJMlLq_U5OxOzYReRC06jLMMFlEv-nzGEIsa_koGh3TXEV7Y_I8aETOq9CYA3p33wvAPiGOWlDat0DT2Ib2Ia7Rh2grWi9bqHadpR0/s1600/DSCN0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ3VAdoLFcxodUrd5rQh1zPtgAolev8_uE0zJUYJMlLq_U5OxOzYReRC06jLMMFlEv-nzGEIsa_koGh3TXEV7Y_I8aETOq9CYA3p33wvAPiGOWlDat0DT2Ib2Ia7Rh2grWi9bqHadpR0/s320/DSCN0421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It should look something like this. Smooth, no wrinkles, no areas pulled too tightly or stretched. (Although, if its not perfect, don't sweat it. You're going to add ribbon, frame and bows. It will hide a lot of your mistakes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEyz1_9Tb5xxjmyCCua84F0NGE2mfaMMZS9Z4BgdZsEuVGobXPenrEiDTwXSTsfs7iNASkoSBBA-TdSlaeK48h3x7ZhNcW7i1KhUgpZvZINo4Fv1LVvEoj5dUQkH6XGwtLKjqp7qOq-w/s1600/DSCN0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEyz1_9Tb5xxjmyCCua84F0NGE2mfaMMZS9Z4BgdZsEuVGobXPenrEiDTwXSTsfs7iNASkoSBBA-TdSlaeK48h3x7ZhNcW7i1KhUgpZvZINo4Fv1LVvEoj5dUQkH6XGwtLKjqp7qOq-w/s320/DSCN0422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Staple ribbon vertically across the board. You OCD perfectionists should measure (like I did), otherwise just eyeball it until it looks good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgJaU3X2jOtIN3QAna6bw6zAN_BfkCckSKifcyfqWoa0AYpyB51rSghHJOvIzb74ck0FMCGqszQU4vhjB-RFei_rH3H2lW3Fm5V3xyc63pS0It_tukpKn-5NzWDUExyohXOSivZhxsfY/s1600/DSCN0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgJaU3X2jOtIN3QAna6bw6zAN_BfkCckSKifcyfqWoa0AYpyB51rSghHJOvIzb74ck0FMCGqszQU4vhjB-RFei_rH3H2lW3Fm5V3xyc63pS0It_tukpKn-5NzWDUExyohXOSivZhxsfY/s320/DSCN0423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Place it in the frame and staple it in place. Be careful and staple at sort of an angle so the staples go into the frame, and not through the front.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDtWkLy0q8L1hvIAcqANSyjMDSkA29ZKsmKUaEiskf04uL3A-EQyKvdeyGGfpi9XSoUQUPc3KUDfKGlQXGRZ2g06tmlCKQB6czMBNicQTvZI0gPqhyphenhyphen7is-iemw3OR9nbysKbx6L23OBs/s1600/DSCN0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDtWkLy0q8L1hvIAcqANSyjMDSkA29ZKsmKUaEiskf04uL3A-EQyKvdeyGGfpi9XSoUQUPc3KUDfKGlQXGRZ2g06tmlCKQB6czMBNicQTvZI0gPqhyphenhyphen7is-iemw3OR9nbysKbx6L23OBs/s320/DSCN0425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Because this was a gift, I wanted to cover up all the messiness. Had I realized that I wanted to do this when I was buying supplies, I would have bought some felt the size of the whole frame. It was a last minute decision, so I used poster board. And because the picture frame had pre-attached hangers, I just put it on the inside part, leaving those exposed. (It would look better to take the felt to the edges of the frame, glue instead of staple and put the hangers over the felt...oh well, yours will look better than mine on the back...where no one sees it.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79jV-ENh00s_0nqNKbw7QFGYE7Cg2e24kYFCl_HZzkrpoiP4tb7ymQAZ8ytV2cCMBCOgQNaDpitQPpv13zZQ8AHhypkGY9gfpGoQarJwBcspk48gsQ1xuyX-XK74D-6T_K80HeYGTzkA/s1600/DSCN0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79jV-ENh00s_0nqNKbw7QFGYE7Cg2e24kYFCl_HZzkrpoiP4tb7ymQAZ8ytV2cCMBCOgQNaDpitQPpv13zZQ8AHhypkGY9gfpGoQarJwBcspk48gsQ1xuyX-XK74D-6T_K80HeYGTzkA/s320/DSCN0426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tada! The finished product...Soooo cute! Complete with her two hair bows :). (She only recently got to the point where she had enough hair to use bows...so her collection is small...I'm sure it will grow now that she has so much space to store them!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZtCyOM_4Q8u5fqN37VbNVXcJ5_AezHEnFNoBkCEV_7cZniuJtppuLaQjhqAIaNZC8pZW-nNRN3Tt6-Oce233oCnK7Qyav1R48sXQwZA5rTf9Q8TgnZz8U1rRfZXYRHeN4g4xqX__jFk/s1600/IMG_20130309_141423_492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZtCyOM_4Q8u5fqN37VbNVXcJ5_AezHEnFNoBkCEV_7cZniuJtppuLaQjhqAIaNZC8pZW-nNRN3Tt6-Oce233oCnK7Qyav1R48sXQwZA5rTf9Q8TgnZz8U1rRfZXYRHeN4g4xqX__jFk/s320/IMG_20130309_141423_492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A little dark, but here is Princess Madeline and her new bow organizer!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaby-ai8UnvbMSgaJBU69hKHR650IBzjT7ky1w8WZ_mP-nEDNJBFHCygu5fq3DmwkMYYRVzTjiTQBI8vQ4fAc9g8C08CUsh28OhiQLOjHIXn0dtYoErgU3z4GSzSw4bXDXBd7B4D9p2M/s1600/IMG_20130309_142422_931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaby-ai8UnvbMSgaJBU69hKHR650IBzjT7ky1w8WZ_mP-nEDNJBFHCygu5fq3DmwkMYYRVzTjiTQBI8vQ4fAc9g8C08CUsh28OhiQLOjHIXn0dtYoErgU3z4GSzSw4bXDXBd7B4D9p2M/s320/IMG_20130309_142422_931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Comment below to let me know what you think and/or if you try this for yourself! And don't forget to "follow" us on blogger on the right side of the page.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Grace and love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jenn</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-15751141523955202582013-03-13T00:36:00.000-04:002013-03-13T00:36:00.260-04:00Kitchen Traditions - Italian Beef SandwichesHere is another recipe from our Grandma Carper. This was a frequently served for Sunday Dinner at Grandma's house. Little did we know just how easy it was! I don't make this nearly as often as I should, it is very well received with my picky eaters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6ZOnS5NydMOhUCgOFOSODEpvwr5qQS1kw9EHET9J10CbYMrfdezgIaBuDK3EpqY1LnJLlk2HYV2WLM1ULH0RnuVE3jwcsRt20uWfHYf5VXIKPJMv5QjKkrgdg6Ad0HNAYnlFJv8BJIE/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6ZOnS5NydMOhUCgOFOSODEpvwr5qQS1kw9EHET9J10CbYMrfdezgIaBuDK3EpqY1LnJLlk2HYV2WLM1ULH0RnuVE3jwcsRt20uWfHYf5VXIKPJMv5QjKkrgdg6Ad0HNAYnlFJv8BJIE/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, again. basic ingredients here, the recipe calls for a 3-4 lb rump roast... we don't eat that much so I used a 2 lb roast. I did not adjust the rest of the recipe (I love Au Jus and figured the extra would not go to waste) water, beef bouillon cubes, Italian seasoning, granulated garlic, and red pepper flakes.<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjm8gXCs4FXapylw0s0yZFUMAl4u-hn4YNH7AF16g1MvQGvVQZgSqdG9tX6TWiNBUFGOKnnY6cZNgD7G3ANEkwIFMot5mh1-MgeFEUuTOWDsruIRdgZ61CckhwdUOJ3gMF96-aoj_fE0CU/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8gXCs4FXapylw0s0yZFUMAl4u-hn4YNH7AF16g1MvQGvVQZgSqdG9tX6TWiNBUFGOKnnY6cZNgD7G3ANEkwIFMot5mh1-MgeFEUuTOWDsruIRdgZ61CckhwdUOJ3gMF96-aoj_fE0CU/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A little aside here... I am a wimp when it comes to heat, this is the
only recipe I ever use red pepper flakes in. Therefore, I do not buy
them in the store... Whenever we order pizza, I get a couple of little
pouches that they give with their to go/delivery orders so I always
have a tiny bit on hand. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste; I only use a pinch of red pepper flakes, Grandmas written recipe called for "a sprinkle" of red pepper flakes and had no measurements for the Italian seasoning and garlic.<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEi5QehBwrPoVT5Hs5NRn1McFsKZKN79Dy98lJcpyufQEQUyhWJgD582Qc3hlJfHtQg_c2oQ54lMZ0MJRGc0sgWOI7_tfS57eoMdssIksnQpvLvhvE5cPV9fZp3_y_0DfliONiyRNO4Wl_0/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QehBwrPoVT5Hs5NRn1McFsKZKN79Dy98lJcpyufQEQUyhWJgD582Qc3hlJfHtQg_c2oQ54lMZ0MJRGc0sgWOI7_tfS57eoMdssIksnQpvLvhvE5cPV9fZp3_y_0DfliONiyRNO4Wl_0/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Be sure to spray your Crockpot with non-stick cooking spray to make clean up easier. I put the water and the bouillon in the crock pot first, then add the roast. Sprinkle the seasonings on top. Put the lid on, turn the Crockpot on low and cook for 10-12 hours. Yes, 10-12 hrs. I am sure you could adjust the heat to high and cook for less time, but I've never tried it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cGecNqS8sMy3-SSw1r9l7BlnVd4Pzd_BIGdDnq4rQ36fCSP5XTNWZ9VGX1a-dxlYZSheSFOXJGqJQ2ZkS1ZIivnil2ovLDNQXyMZtLKeBim7KprWnDDQGlcK2adibTSMsBz5Lmt9tIg/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cGecNqS8sMy3-SSw1r9l7BlnVd4Pzd_BIGdDnq4rQ36fCSP5XTNWZ9VGX1a-dxlYZSheSFOXJGqJQ2ZkS1ZIivnil2ovLDNQXyMZtLKeBim7KprWnDDQGlcK2adibTSMsBz5Lmt9tIg/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After the allotted cooking time has expired, remove the roast from the juice and slice/shred. Grandma's recipe says slice, but I can never get it to slice, it always just kind of shreds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1zorUn6Lo9yo1hx2sdrSK7LPFr_VlN8RPontI1OmldUtL_zCSP18D7sjaPWkFytOpJFWowduY3ftod1Y2BDUV4cIN0eSr0NeFGFok88Pq7bxii2uVCJLem7z1SHffrLLnHK_mSIEtoE/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1zorUn6Lo9yo1hx2sdrSK7LPFr_VlN8RPontI1OmldUtL_zCSP18D7sjaPWkFytOpJFWowduY3ftod1Y2BDUV4cIN0eSr0NeFGFok88Pq7bxii2uVCJLem7z1SHffrLLnHK_mSIEtoE/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Place the beef on a hoagie bun and serve with Au Jus. Alternately, you can place it back in the Au Jus and place it in the refrigerator to reheat and serve tomorrow. This is how I do it as it takes so long to cook. I make it the day before and then warm it to serve for lunch/dinner the next day. You can also jazz this up by adding some cheese and/or some sauteed onions and peppers to your sandwich. Yum! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DAPCTzterXmIelU5t2sg8t35waJWKZHdZKvAwqxO5fAiT4y5qoDDvlkjQII-2fQ8AApyQxVuseaZi6o4JVOaxd8mN1cFYs5x_Cc_GqMEyGK49fYF9g8d8mRk6oLijdL8wL-V3XEitrE/s1600/Italian+Beef+Recipe+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DAPCTzterXmIelU5t2sg8t35waJWKZHdZKvAwqxO5fAiT4y5qoDDvlkjQII-2fQ8AApyQxVuseaZi6o4JVOaxd8mN1cFYs5x_Cc_GqMEyGK49fYF9g8d8mRk6oLijdL8wL-V3XEitrE/s640/Italian+Beef+Recipe+Card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I hope you enjoy this recipe... Please be sure to comment and let me know what you think and/or if you try it!<br />
<br />
Love and God's peace to you, <br />
Christine<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" />Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-37825896648473388422013-03-11T14:00:00.000-04:002013-03-11T14:00:04.433-04:00Kitchen Traditions - Chicken a la KingThis recipe is from our mom, JoAnne. I love this recipe because it is quick & easy, and also makes great leftovers! <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/AVvXsEh6V-LQxI9mbOviudmyUzYUNG8UNRdJcOGsmQ_aFNIQVWLImknSYx7fP0wjRb5gMiGVCy9ymONJKzz3K_iNo0ODadoC8LaQfAe52DMEb3Mf0g0fYWMEPfpiK7shlWv_9HjKkrffeTuM2jc/s1600/63530_1692031613387_5090198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6V-LQxI9mbOviudmyUzYUNG8UNRdJcOGsmQ_aFNIQVWLImknSYx7fP0wjRb5gMiGVCy9ymONJKzz3K_iNo0ODadoC8LaQfAe52DMEb3Mf0g0fYWMEPfpiK7shlWv_9HjKkrffeTuM2jc/s320/63530_1692031613387_5090198_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mom and Dominic baking cookies - Christmas 2010</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You'll notice that the recipe is called "Chicken" a la king, but I don't actually add chicken. That's the other reason I love this recipe...it was really easy for me to substitute beans for meat and still have it be delicious! And, as if I haven't raved about it enough, the list of ingredients is all things I usually have on hand.<br />
<br />
Start by melting the butter in a large pan. (Not like stock pot large, just a dutch oven or so.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI98cF9ziYpI7pYnZywR0KRstHWcl7dA8hcgOVZFlbNGhwINxcZJvDKk3Z0vK-lnv-NaD15naO_QOHZpX1oRSm95FeSjmoBN6LG0j9MsKLoIWte0g8UpeDWXgJX68r4czmzURnR20FLtU/s1600/DSCN0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI98cF9ziYpI7pYnZywR0KRstHWcl7dA8hcgOVZFlbNGhwINxcZJvDKk3Z0vK-lnv-NaD15naO_QOHZpX1oRSm95FeSjmoBN6LG0j9MsKLoIWte0g8UpeDWXgJX68r4czmzURnR20FLtU/s320/DSCN0383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Whisk in flour, salt & pepper and bring to a boil.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL7WFlhJR9T4Iy_n2pCTi_p2K7JP7S0MO_enqLvke2iuTnVSDusLzi9YNkr2rCCPQGrjWa_drCEQz1K8-7PNrk9aE927c-8rzU3BJOj-T775OLhsBv5NSBpWr0Wucoo7k3WncdIBZdQg/s1600/DSCN0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL7WFlhJR9T4Iy_n2pCTi_p2K7JP7S0MO_enqLvke2iuTnVSDusLzi9YNkr2rCCPQGrjWa_drCEQz1K8-7PNrk9aE927c-8rzU3BJOj-T775OLhsBv5NSBpWr0Wucoo7k3WncdIBZdQg/s320/DSCN0386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Add chicken broth (or vegetable broth, or water) & milk and whisk together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0XsqFFOW5UOY6m2AKqT7_48FWWuvAYfT2jfwK40hKOrClAeel9t-xAA4_hFHXngIL4gjY0fzlWhSGx3r1hcQktkGBNl7Uq1ob1rDb2DrpI5UhzBNhZYTdifHDdZXUn6DLbAG0XxwzEc/s1600/DSCN0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0XsqFFOW5UOY6m2AKqT7_48FWWuvAYfT2jfwK40hKOrClAeel9t-xAA4_hFHXngIL4gjY0fzlWhSGx3r1hcQktkGBNl7Uq1ob1rDb2DrpI5UhzBNhZYTdifHDdZXUn6DLbAG0XxwzEc/s320/DSCN0387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Set on low heat and stir occasionally while it comes to a boil.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbJNKbSu2WZBx7V-fc45mu1pRvf-yLxrQcj5I0YDJ7sT6Z5yHx62SyYne2b7g_D0fF5UoZv6uyK3tJpMwnGzqa-ergEu-1IjXDfv2phIfXc3kDxaj5GQXJLGRIOQqVfSzXPwl_Qsy0x8/s1600/DSCN0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbJNKbSu2WZBx7V-fc45mu1pRvf-yLxrQcj5I0YDJ7sT6Z5yHx62SyYne2b7g_D0fF5UoZv6uyK3tJpMwnGzqa-ergEu-1IjXDfv2phIfXc3kDxaj5GQXJLGRIOQqVfSzXPwl_Qsy0x8/s320/DSCN0392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Drain the peas & beans. (If you are using chicken, just drain the peas.) I usually use 2 cans of Northern or White Kidney beans. And the recipe calls for 1/2 can peas, but I like peas so I add the whole can!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfEZc5rzjyBXfe_7EseKy4d9-DY1sQphBHwkaczYIhLY5lM0hnmyDwzPNwihrZCYVW6Y6siCvZY4clwwa4MOIbwtkUKI2pB_M-KmHsbzifsyz-H_SP48gAjZt7qLJsAUCZoIda-o5YPQ/s1600/DSCN0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfEZc5rzjyBXfe_7EseKy4d9-DY1sQphBHwkaczYIhLY5lM0hnmyDwzPNwihrZCYVW6Y6siCvZY4clwwa4MOIbwtkUKI2pB_M-KmHsbzifsyz-H_SP48gAjZt7qLJsAUCZoIda-o5YPQ/s320/DSCN0396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Let the gravy come to a boil and boil for one minute.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc08CYkIqfygz2zH4medJ5Mm3GZSaZbWtMtvoXQLo3HNOiHSWbE6C3VmJDZ6qzFkPu0Xa0YtRiZClCcxeTqqw9HH1sXpcA3oVo_1NL7uTW8c9DznNW4lqco9xpuFX2gbQ-cgLu28kWkuw/s1600/DSCN0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc08CYkIqfygz2zH4medJ5Mm3GZSaZbWtMtvoXQLo3HNOiHSWbE6C3VmJDZ6qzFkPu0Xa0YtRiZClCcxeTqqw9HH1sXpcA3oVo_1NL7uTW8c9DznNW4lqco9xpuFX2gbQ-cgLu28kWkuw/s320/DSCN0406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Add the peas & beans (or chicken) and allow to heat through.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswGhIjK4r09ghVKRaJPtk7bE1f3uyc58u8gwLJljSrVX1aky-RzbFaOC5Ai3LfWFe-1FuW4_b60SaFdywx2K2rPifM9SzrZYCEP9V-VO1LaUDDbURuFvvyhsNHd9w62vbbIuh9JhcrUA/s1600/DSCN0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswGhIjK4r09ghVKRaJPtk7bE1f3uyc58u8gwLJljSrVX1aky-RzbFaOC5Ai3LfWFe-1FuW4_b60SaFdywx2K2rPifM9SzrZYCEP9V-VO1LaUDDbURuFvvyhsNHd9w62vbbIuh9JhcrUA/s320/DSCN0407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yummy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm3sIL1b0HedyzUzJ3r5Rj-uezJ2_wFMvlfJ1lBwCUB_2ck91eTh-lb0AlfKnp2KTON8bxqMUIz8i9PcdmZZv2AN4BurXs-kZIVnQD3kWQCWSMeSgAxAzFY-pMQnwikZb6rxBd1EynSI/s1600/DSCN0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm3sIL1b0HedyzUzJ3r5Rj-uezJ2_wFMvlfJ1lBwCUB_2ck91eTh-lb0AlfKnp2KTON8bxqMUIz8i9PcdmZZv2AN4BurXs-kZIVnQD3kWQCWSMeSgAxAzFY-pMQnwikZb6rxBd1EynSI/s320/DSCN0408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Serve over biscuits. It's like biscuits & gravy for dinner!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdMAmylJshqux64T7WpeoxSY6zE5MSdbPGbQwdQG1pYY0w6xIUgurVBM57qvyejT3S75vQ55aTTVxH5vFMpgt84SNjSuUFDX2Z4J0sjsfLNaClVaWNYPdwEXlOHAh82Nx4XBw1oRoTPo/s1600/DSCN0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdMAmylJshqux64T7WpeoxSY6zE5MSdbPGbQwdQG1pYY0w6xIUgurVBM57qvyejT3S75vQ55aTTVxH5vFMpgt84SNjSuUFDX2Z4J0sjsfLNaClVaWNYPdwEXlOHAh82Nx4XBw1oRoTPo/s320/DSCN0411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you're a carcass eater, you can cook and cube the chicken first (cook it in the chicken broth), and use that instead of the beans.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqGHd5clpHdcrT5Ily7NpEC1foLiQhr-Cznuem9bxIeLxf75_c4atsMttiuLvC9IQnModvNl88Um69GKH2qfcjOzaMNBqQsknr7KK0Jfwpg7VAXidsq7lqQX07Na9QPlzgz44-7PmJFw/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqGHd5clpHdcrT5Ily7NpEC1foLiQhr-Cznuem9bxIeLxf75_c4atsMttiuLvC9IQnModvNl88Um69GKH2qfcjOzaMNBqQsknr7KK0Jfwpg7VAXidsq7lqQX07Na9QPlzgz44-7PmJFw/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Be sure and comment to let me know what you think and/or if you try this for yourself! Also, now you can follow us on blogger...check it out on the right side of the screen :D<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-25322042512021102272013-03-08T14:00:00.000-05:002013-03-08T14:00:02.218-05:00Theme Parties - Board Game Party Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last weekend I threw a shower for some good friends who are getting married at the end of this month. My best advice for keeping a shower from being lame and boring? Add a theme! This was a coed shower for our group of friends who like to play board games - so we chose that as the theme. I already posted an overview of the party with some of the activities, so check that out <a href="http://diyditders.blogspot.com/2013/03/theme-parties-board-game-shower.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2SNwNCK6jziYTFJbEYti1X_JY7JQi40bmypM7jKhfGJzazYHVdWWZwGrpiIAW3oiddHSwdvwyO_nV9KLrgiR3-zk2sZdl052flwkRCyYMnnt9daImFPZLN1twCe9Nc1dvz3JTcZjwGQ/s1600/DSCN0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2SNwNCK6jziYTFJbEYti1X_JY7JQi40bmypM7jKhfGJzazYHVdWWZwGrpiIAW3oiddHSwdvwyO_nV9KLrgiR3-zk2sZdl052flwkRCyYMnnt9daImFPZLN1twCe9Nc1dvz3JTcZjwGQ/s320/DSCN0340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had lots of help with the food, which was a huge blessing! My contribution was the sandwiches - chicken salad and tuna salad on two different kinds of bread (rye & wheat).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGQFaYBZwlqLr0dvMjbMFtR2Vbu9i2_PlhKo9DuKvhgha_0toSkHEdHHLHzFpCxWpIFZNuJM5wAwh6UEAPr7LeoKh-VlG6J__Dtw6kjYfJS4ioR3oKZW6HW-5X2JGwYdHfDoHuZc3iJU/s1600/DSCN0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGQFaYBZwlqLr0dvMjbMFtR2Vbu9i2_PlhKo9DuKvhgha_0toSkHEdHHLHzFpCxWpIFZNuJM5wAwh6UEAPr7LeoKh-VlG6J__Dtw6kjYfJS4ioR3oKZW6HW-5X2JGwYdHfDoHuZc3iJU/s320/DSCN0322.JPG" title="Board Game Food Chess" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I cut the crusts off and arranged them in a checkerboard pattern. The morning of the party, I came up with another idea that I didn't have time to execute, but thought that instead of the two types of bread, you could use two types of cheese on top. Just another idea of how to make this work!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfJM4ztpEysE0Bv_MKgY_d7fAtCbYIAfuGj0zaTRcmnLHupZnnEamQOLlwHM18tsaMl88tLkDQRtBo4NBM2m0KBDhDrKNTwX_Tdy8O7nrsOzQ4_1Wnxpx96sn8l6CcED-J7ZtBlG4JAc/s1600/DSCN0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfJM4ztpEysE0Bv_MKgY_d7fAtCbYIAfuGj0zaTRcmnLHupZnnEamQOLlwHM18tsaMl88tLkDQRtBo4NBM2m0KBDhDrKNTwX_Tdy8O7nrsOzQ4_1Wnxpx96sn8l6CcED-J7ZtBlG4JAc/s320/DSCN0324.JPG" title="Board Game Food Chess" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To garnish the sandwiches, I made "chess pieces" out of pickles, olives, tomatoes & celery. They turned out super cute!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI1mDrnzJ5mY7GxNeK-TUykL1Sb1ttBLsZ9At8V6BmkMkI7rxQiCvnoSJSJLT5v3vN_7ScHCuZFIuM6YR-Etw8ATYFHXvNl7tkTQj5MNUHYWHmmYWuHtAKlgKkGjoDXRUAVnwmTQdTsc/s1600/DSCN0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI1mDrnzJ5mY7GxNeK-TUykL1Sb1ttBLsZ9At8V6BmkMkI7rxQiCvnoSJSJLT5v3vN_7ScHCuZFIuM6YR-Etw8ATYFHXvNl7tkTQj5MNUHYWHmmYWuHtAKlgKkGjoDXRUAVnwmTQdTsc/s320/DSCN0326.JPG" title="Board game Food Trivial Pursuit" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
My friend Erica brought a fruit tray, arranged to look like a Trivial Pursuit pie, which she labeled "Trivial Purfruit". Love it!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mITzHlI-5FSCG9SOvCVrmkX2q8wjJja0UCIxgFLEkHnK2zqtUFWiKTOg0Wwa_GxKkteuKA297yc7b4WgDYJKmIR0suVmVjsCRp26Di1mGClRNKQA6egOihq-65_YPu9UNj2RIJppCaU/s1600/DSCN0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mITzHlI-5FSCG9SOvCVrmkX2q8wjJja0UCIxgFLEkHnK2zqtUFWiKTOg0Wwa_GxKkteuKA297yc7b4WgDYJKmIR0suVmVjsCRp26Di1mGClRNKQA6egOihq-65_YPu9UNj2RIJppCaU/s320/DSCN0327.JPG" title="Board Game Food Settlers Catan" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Karen brought a Veggie Tray with each of the veggies coordinating with Settlers of Catan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgwqxZXkbJz3OHBpFPzxPnZ65alF-nqL2Quxhg87ex6Hoy-SauHIRU8SQQBsLFJBPnY_uPilslnJx7k4PEXa6OrDq0yAqU8FAXkZxvuwqmeyi67Ooc72m1SPl_cphLlFig9bcUkRiytE/s1600/DSCN0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgwqxZXkbJz3OHBpFPzxPnZ65alF-nqL2Quxhg87ex6Hoy-SauHIRU8SQQBsLFJBPnY_uPilslnJx7k4PEXa6OrDq0yAqU8FAXkZxvuwqmeyi67Ooc72m1SPl_cphLlFig9bcUkRiytE/s320/DSCN0329.JPG" title="Board Game Food Scrabble" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Meredith made a scrabble board using crackers, cheese spread & letter pretzels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5BDC-s8sXuy-5sf1Snjb_nfj2ciwFAA3zi4O_k3HZTw3NteoXbjuAq7bzPu3bE94yKzCX68fPR7mTO6_ZXpA3nptKx8HYtQQVE9bPHBHB2UjjjNXOxYbBOdDTXMSb2ifgcK6Dpj7T0c/s1600/DSCN0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5BDC-s8sXuy-5sf1Snjb_nfj2ciwFAA3zi4O_k3HZTw3NteoXbjuAq7bzPu3bE94yKzCX68fPR7mTO6_ZXpA3nptKx8HYtQQVE9bPHBHB2UjjjNXOxYbBOdDTXMSb2ifgcK6Dpj7T0c/s320/DSCN0332.JPG" title="Board Game Food Spoons " width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Shiffra made fun "Spoons" themed cupcakes. Some had spoons sticking out of them, the rest had Playing card suits drawn on the top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKEOAQuS7qie7JmPRf8-9sfS725VzEm_L3FMHWRNpYZw0gp77xK60dxeK9Gvy6lOjUVfiicEOajBxn7wNzT0Y_sf7P9waytUzMLHZIJ-HxcD_xwzjUwulsa3s0uVilFV_pkNhzkLafZs/s1600/DSCN0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKEOAQuS7qie7JmPRf8-9sfS725VzEm_L3FMHWRNpYZw0gp77xK60dxeK9Gvy6lOjUVfiicEOajBxn7wNzT0Y_sf7P9waytUzMLHZIJ-HxcD_xwzjUwulsa3s0uVilFV_pkNhzkLafZs/s320/DSCN0337.JPG" title="Board Game Food Twister" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Kaleena brought Twister themed candies - M&M's, Skittles & Gum Balls arranged in a muffin pan (which was also part of her gift for the couple).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pgP5gPtIBH2YhzSxm62TK84b7CYHWxUHt6W89_m3r-17N__Vr0Jljj9KvoE3qVeiyro5hcm5Bif1tTtD6Z901aZ7cHvDLKbQfRH6qPORBv0UzGsZgf-A6vrENrj5bqTt3KomTSYZDtc/s1600/DSCN0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pgP5gPtIBH2YhzSxm62TK84b7CYHWxUHt6W89_m3r-17N__Vr0Jljj9KvoE3qVeiyro5hcm5Bif1tTtD6Z901aZ7cHvDLKbQfRH6qPORBv0UzGsZgf-A6vrENrj5bqTt3KomTSYZDtc/s320/DSCN0342.JPG" title="Board Game Food Jenga" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
Ester crafted a Jenga tower out of different flavors of cheese.<br />
<br />
I was super impressed with everyone's creativity, and it all tasted amazing!<br />
<br />
Comment and let me know what you think and/or if you try any of these ideas for yourself! Also, we made it so that you can "follow" us now...so check that out!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-76038494347063108112013-03-06T21:06:00.000-05:002013-03-06T21:06:06.183-05:00Contemporary Kitchen - All Natural Strawberry Fruit Pops<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>
<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>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This will be another series of favorite recipes. However, these will be our "original" ideas. Things we've created or found and tweaked to our liking. Some will require giving credit to others, some are truly original. So we'll try to give credit where credit is due. But if we accidentally infringe on any copyrights, again, we're sorry. We hope that you like them and try them (or tweak them) for yourself!<br />
<br />
First up is a recipe I created a few summers ago when my nephew was visiting. All natural strawberry fruit popsicles. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopu1OXdT4NqsG35uKLYjT_OHO2g_HV4r5JbYSrOj8U21N83NlWNLaGL4-pGGwd6yMNKmJN-b_FfZOZdwSvDQRJbhY1AX_cjxTNRsTkmACIWUioQxal4NZBTsHl9wJ60H_rxec9DrVsy0/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopu1OXdT4NqsG35uKLYjT_OHO2g_HV4r5JbYSrOj8U21N83NlWNLaGL4-pGGwd6yMNKmJN-b_FfZOZdwSvDQRJbhY1AX_cjxTNRsTkmACIWUioQxal4NZBTsHl9wJ60H_rxec9DrVsy0/s320/043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I decided to start with this recipe as my son's little friend, we'll call her Miss M, is having her tonsils out this week. The two share a love of strawberries, so I decided that these would be a perfect pick me up to take over to her as she recuperates. These are so simple to make and so much better than what you can buy in the store.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvV7ScLthLv5Oya7ukhb9dkqaaBzyhtDoGiK7Bf9zraPBMcedmj7pzCTXX7GpV2XWGqcu5gQN6EutocbTkzF70TzQk46eIl9n9C6ZcSNz4HePGHJlEijqjW9t1jPdhpGOt6hC-fBGHMo/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvV7ScLthLv5Oya7ukhb9dkqaaBzyhtDoGiK7Bf9zraPBMcedmj7pzCTXX7GpV2XWGqcu5gQN6EutocbTkzF70TzQk46eIl9n9C6ZcSNz4HePGHJlEijqjW9t1jPdhpGOt6hC-fBGHMo/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Ingredients are simple. Strawberries, water, sugar and something to freeze them in. Here I have used 1lb of Strawberries. Remove the tops from the strawberries and place them in the blender and blend until liquified. I added 1/4 C. of water to help them along. Next you will want to taste the puree to see if you need to add sugar and how much. Add sugar to your taste. Mine were pretty sweet so I added 1/4 C. of sugar. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOd11IUuSyKv2PZu7kDmANK8_ZKAp7LkolBEfnzecLgnFTIYdjm1I4Lh1ce4f4Doc5wer4aZuwvdopf-DSw-SZr1yc8LAPN7qjCYq2k6INet1gk-bouiWzpag1OnjwTjDJ58iQQXRE9bM/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOd11IUuSyKv2PZu7kDmANK8_ZKAp7LkolBEfnzecLgnFTIYdjm1I4Lh1ce4f4Doc5wer4aZuwvdopf-DSw-SZr1yc8LAPN7qjCYq2k6INet1gk-bouiWzpag1OnjwTjDJ58iQQXRE9bM/s320/026.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Then simply pour them into your popsicle maker of choice.<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhKYyTlawirxtibZwB2HcDpddgMEYpG1dUzeplb5SAvGvSaFM3HX6A1qzGbYcRkWhmhF8aRuTvufv8MPs4D-8G5pwneRbsWZ0_9b529IJs7w2j963GTtX_-Z4qFCN0cB0QdYbW4Yr9mE6U/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYyTlawirxtibZwB2HcDpddgMEYpG1dUzeplb5SAvGvSaFM3HX6A1qzGbYcRkWhmhF8aRuTvufv8MPs4D-8G5pwneRbsWZ0_9b529IJs7w2j963GTtX_-Z4qFCN0cB0QdYbW4Yr9mE6U/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Don't forget to to leave some room for expansion at the top!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_52nU7Lxtl6GpOCMd0wIh59SGaL7OI-no9p9XyBzwXifVxImQYmwFH-YQ3tTegZk968p8n8_LbbFgliNrW8XHGUfxPWd3zepkHwsrCNgTLNhCYsn4yDWndBMoCHuIoR-sCpk8sqf84Ug/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_52nU7Lxtl6GpOCMd0wIh59SGaL7OI-no9p9XyBzwXifVxImQYmwFH-YQ3tTegZk968p8n8_LbbFgliNrW8XHGUfxPWd3zepkHwsrCNgTLNhCYsn4yDWndBMoCHuIoR-sCpk8sqf84Ug/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These Tupperware popsicle makers are so handy, but at my house they are hard to keep track of. I was surprised I was only missing one! In the summer you can often find popsicle makers at the dollar store, but right now, they are a bit hard to find. But, why buy them... here is another simple trick. Use dixie cups and popsicle sticks! (And I didn't have regular popsicle sticks so I cut large craft sticks in half - hey, whatever works!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06isGn6O9aeVAh541kB955fIBxkPkkL-U4xZalVgbBDXQmXglyCl8j0kvOIXP7Z1Hl0UCD0QVDERS-EWRFJtyH7P84gIlxf7yXkqJ1VDbloN8r_M2Od-8b1J9AMWi634DjBoVQCyaFO4/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06isGn6O9aeVAh541kB955fIBxkPkkL-U4xZalVgbBDXQmXglyCl8j0kvOIXP7Z1Hl0UCD0QVDERS-EWRFJtyH7P84gIlxf7yXkqJ1VDbloN8r_M2Od-8b1J9AMWi634DjBoVQCyaFO4/s320/032.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I put a piece of plastic wrap on the top and poked the sticks through. Aluminum foil would have been my first choice, but I was out. Now, place in the freezer.... I froze mine overnight, about 6 hours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ7our1uRqX2aqb7dqZJtAXVYMzb6MUEvKgVwSpyEAflHRigWtoKTyLePc1Heo-jy0nVkpBZfJv9o9WbjnXzhmqbs5MGslB0o0j2ABNjn2g5vlVJD1FXFtUuGy54lGFKRTobn-_iI-IA/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ7our1uRqX2aqb7dqZJtAXVYMzb6MUEvKgVwSpyEAflHRigWtoKTyLePc1Heo-jy0nVkpBZfJv9o9WbjnXzhmqbs5MGslB0o0j2ABNjn2g5vlVJD1FXFtUuGy54lGFKRTobn-_iI-IA/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To serve the dixie cup pops, simply peel the paper off. You can have spare cups handy to put the pops back in if needed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2qq9khbLNpUjlccorvi2y9juhqJ2sAQhd4KTmR_Ynoxfp5yA7FmhzTbu20xgDy_9eSnBl1RfK63nRYCc0fXUgEMK8ZJiu180qdseB8oVGC_lxtFXqf_BTJJokFzRWQPOgS8DQHtqW2A/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2qq9khbLNpUjlccorvi2y9juhqJ2sAQhd4KTmR_Ynoxfp5yA7FmhzTbu20xgDy_9eSnBl1RfK63nRYCc0fXUgEMK8ZJiu180qdseB8oVGC_lxtFXqf_BTJJokFzRWQPOgS8DQHtqW2A/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Enjoy! I know these will help Miss M. feel better so much faster!<br />
<br />
Love and God's peace to you, <br />
Christine<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-51920463207346766852013-03-04T14:00:00.000-05:002013-03-04T14:00:01.133-05:00Theme Parties - Board Game ShowerThis past weekend I threw a co-ed shower for some good friends who are getting married at the end of this month. I pride myself on original showers that are not boring...so, because they love board games, I chose that for the theme. I'll break this into two posts, an overview of the shower and activities, and then a little more in depth on the food.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D5jvMw-R3Isk3iJeUx2xur7uC-L_CFBAX0BWQ1qoBi740iva97pHTVOs4mBCn4sYxfW5axrIljvGot8JrNXPxM3hg_gl6bg9A6Q88i78a24gmn4Tg81TwvGwIwryZ5MKFn0YYuNxvew/s1600/DSCN0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D5jvMw-R3Isk3iJeUx2xur7uC-L_CFBAX0BWQ1qoBi740iva97pHTVOs4mBCn4sYxfW5axrIljvGot8JrNXPxM3hg_gl6bg9A6Q88i78a24gmn4Tg81TwvGwIwryZ5MKFn0YYuNxvew/s320/DSCN0318.JPG" title="Candyland Board Game Party" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A colorful "Candyland" Path went throughout the house. Super simple, just sheets of construction paper taped to the floor.<br />
<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/AVvXsEjZUIO1NV0VElizB41qgQXX232KTDpwbbBvC9p-isC09V900MG2QT6eFjqSZFkXbJLAiCAPuKE3frqNTNA8_94S_hS-TmkvwJJMlIfZkz3s5afF12MAjN22fhV1bvKlG580PsNIOHTps40/s1600/544521_10101290867073952_1676665564_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUIO1NV0VElizB41qgQXX232KTDpwbbBvC9p-isC09V900MG2QT6eFjqSZFkXbJLAiCAPuKE3frqNTNA8_94S_hS-TmkvwJJMlIfZkz3s5afF12MAjN22fhV1bvKlG580PsNIOHTps40/s320/544521_10101290867073952_1676665564_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The rest of the house had a "Monopoly" theme. By the front door, we had "jail", a good place for the guys when they got out of hand! Again, pretty simple...I got carpet tubes and propped them up by our front door. These were easy to get because I work at a carpet store, but if you ask nicely, most carpet stores will give them to you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsi5m_wsEdtXz8b5Z7Joc0_fzew8SxwSqR8yv6T1E7MvPgNsYnfbMDD0KkeCFfzoUKlvDLrgKbgyYySxt4nt0noH5wsWf2TEqinQeQkOeGQS0Ps6wZ6nm79y3ToQ7WJo_oPDPiNDq4y6o/s1600/DSCN0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsi5m_wsEdtXz8b5Z7Joc0_fzew8SxwSqR8yv6T1E7MvPgNsYnfbMDD0KkeCFfzoUKlvDLrgKbgyYySxt4nt0noH5wsWf2TEqinQeQkOeGQS0Ps6wZ6nm79y3ToQ7WJo_oPDPiNDq4y6o/s320/DSCN0321.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I printed signs of different Monopoly spaces and taped them around the house. This sign was on the bathroom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDRT9uS74B93Mf9bJfYy9ktzoNp2nfP7JnydPJrkngeyBIJH7D_yphHa07rsR9bTcVgCIMk1eBphyTjosDkV3PB-dxEg1o6P9NAvLzXuNuZkK6mOTIGihbACONAKBQXQbS9wKzmhzqkU/s1600/DSCN0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDRT9uS74B93Mf9bJfYy9ktzoNp2nfP7JnydPJrkngeyBIJH7D_yphHa07rsR9bTcVgCIMk1eBphyTjosDkV3PB-dxEg1o6P9NAvLzXuNuZkK6mOTIGihbACONAKBQXQbS9wKzmhzqkU/s320/DSCN0340.JPG" title="Food Board Game Party" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A little teaser for the next post, the amazing food table! I used a twister board for the tablecloth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFTo0vru8tM6B2Eg7Doahj7CdyFGZ-w7VXvFIdQ9HcrBBBSQqmlPPjRGrvCNK2gHAeWU6jjMg_Q8KB1Jdfp7b6Q-Oxo8Wiv9GMQi_A7vmXPBS1tPsTiFSz8pKssABg7q43meAHsIF4J8/s1600/DSCN0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFTo0vru8tM6B2Eg7Doahj7CdyFGZ-w7VXvFIdQ9HcrBBBSQqmlPPjRGrvCNK2gHAeWU6jjMg_Q8KB1Jdfp7b6Q-Oxo8Wiv9GMQi_A7vmXPBS1tPsTiFSz8pKssABg7q43meAHsIF4J8/s320/DSCN0336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The guys attempted to play chess with the sandwich chess board.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpf9X-xAe2VeDhsxDso7vhZBAVfb44iFPXRX2yIPKN1Fx3QTcW19h05FOHCIZhM6m7RNa4trQqULvC5b2EKbXwKMTxXl2zuRndZnFuv32glGs7P6ACmfvBUiN3yUuUxkQm-J6UzWNrj8/s1600/DSCN0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpf9X-xAe2VeDhsxDso7vhZBAVfb44iFPXRX2yIPKN1Fx3QTcW19h05FOHCIZhM6m7RNa4trQqULvC5b2EKbXwKMTxXl2zuRndZnFuv32glGs7P6ACmfvBUiN3yUuUxkQm-J6UzWNrj8/s320/DSCN0348.JPG" title="Scattegories Board Game Party" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We played a couple of fun wedding theme games. The first was our own version of Scattegories, using the couple's last name. Each category was wedding related and they had 6 minutes to work in a team of 3 and fill out as many squares as they could. I gave them extra points for every "W" and "Z" word because they were extra hard!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eaSDGFpnlD5F1kGGJzWzTHLodK_Oc1nqe76Oyeg3d_eCuxU7GHmAJtmqDjdERmObzghPYGzBFQzRXtl2sPEFPmlOQHkZ2zKf2eTE0Hc60EiwBGx0E5YBVOk_HusCQhmFkw84-nxn8Iw/s1600/DSCN0380%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eaSDGFpnlD5F1kGGJzWzTHLodK_Oc1nqe76Oyeg3d_eCuxU7GHmAJtmqDjdERmObzghPYGzBFQzRXtl2sPEFPmlOQHkZ2zKf2eTE0Hc60EiwBGx0E5YBVOk_HusCQhmFkw84-nxn8Iw/s320/DSCN0380%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My gift for them and our second game was "The Bowl Game". This is a favorite with our group of friends. The great thing about this game is that all you need is a bowl and slips of paper. So as a fun gift I bought them a pretty bowl and a fancy paper cube.<br />
<br />
To start the game, everyone writes 3 words on separate slips of paper, usually to go with the theme of your party. Of course, our theme was weddings. The game is made up of 4 rounds - Catch Phrase, Password, Charades & Puppeteering. Split your group into two teams, and then take turns giving clues to your own team. We usually pick a random amount of time, between 30-60 seconds for each turn<br />
<br />
The first round is Catch Phrase, so you can give as many clues as you want (short of saying the word or any part of it) to get your team to guess the word. When time is up, play passes to the other team. Continue until the bowl is empty and count up your team's total. When the last clue is given, stop the timer and that person will pick up with the remaining time for the next round.<br />
<br />
The second round is Password, so the clue giver can only say one word to get their team to guess the answer. If the first word out of your mouth is "ummm", that's your word! And your team has to try to guess the word. This is easier than it seems because you've already guessed all of the words once.<br />
<br />
The third round is charades, so basic charades rules apply.<br />
<br />
The final round is Puppeteering - so it's like charades, but you have to use another person as your puppet. Get your camera ready for this round...it's hilarious!<br />
<br />
This game is a lot of fun, and always a little bit different since you are making up new clues every time you play.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for the next post on Friday where I'll explain all the fun food that we made for this party!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-78657475089869827072013-03-01T15:43:00.001-05:002013-03-01T15:46:13.557-05:00Kitchen Traditions - Grandma Hess' Sugar CookiesThis next recipe is a family favorite at Christmas time. My Aunt Elsie always makes a cut out version of this recipe that are delicious. They are the highly sought after "soft" sugar cookie with yummy frosting. I was recently given a bunch of recipes from my Grandma Hess (my dad's Grandmother) to include in a family cookbook. (ok, technically they gave me the recipes 5 years ago, but they sat in a file drawer waiting until I had time to put the cookbook together and I forgot they were in there.)<br />
<br />
So, here is a picture of my Great Grandma Doris Hess (my Grandpa's mother) and Aunt Avis (my Grandpa's sister)...I really should stop putting up pictures like this, but its the only one I can find right now, and I like that they are in the kitchen :D<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXE5rTFxbGRYK2-UZ1JL0wXyi4ytzbXOQqbZq8zpEb5gpNtTYVzoHfKbjoldfH3H0aBecV78XPb49y4H5RtfxRDZ_MppNumBQH0SywOETQS3SCA7Nl49yOfeMRPX_Mowkr1fA3A9z664/s1600/DorisAvis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXE5rTFxbGRYK2-UZ1JL0wXyi4ytzbXOQqbZq8zpEb5gpNtTYVzoHfKbjoldfH3H0aBecV78XPb49y4H5RtfxRDZ_MppNumBQH0SywOETQS3SCA7Nl49yOfeMRPX_Mowkr1fA3A9z664/s320/DorisAvis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What I love about this recipe is how versatile it is. Because it's a basic sugar cookie, you can do just about anything you want with it. Which is really great if you want to make one batch of cookies, but make a couple of different kinds (which I did!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Also, it's made of simple ingredients that I usually have on hand...Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda, Shortening, Salt, Sour Cream, Eggs & Baking Powder. You also need some sort of flavoring (vanilla, lemon or orange are suggested).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ-M-lDftuMcUbp1jyGowqAf3bRVkUQsNwoeD7mC-XjrqqgEZnWDvslxxh1X_cByTUly8oW9PUEaH8sZhDS79V9qsvzwHBSVBpCglA94J-dGiNvRX15eSa_oYIHN4Jhh7vYKn8tEqWPQ/s1600/DSCN0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ-M-lDftuMcUbp1jyGowqAf3bRVkUQsNwoeD7mC-XjrqqgEZnWDvslxxh1X_cByTUly8oW9PUEaH8sZhDS79V9qsvzwHBSVBpCglA94J-dGiNvRX15eSa_oYIHN4Jhh7vYKn8tEqWPQ/s320/DSCN0294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Preheat your oven. The recipe said 425°, My oven runs hot, so I didn't go that high. I set it at 350° and most of the time, I ended up around 400°, which worked well.<br />
<br />
Next, measure out 1 cup of shortening. I love to use my Pampered Chef measure all cup for shortening, it just works so well!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yz2KGi2HVJDgHuGh5B1CkpkYMXaPXMxPhNEs6BZJVpRJoHvPddgT7GmbimQuAFCTuOxXB-AoDb5gCjdxJZ2PcumTg5pXZPx0blCKToxkoB_Ufaz1JJKXzhVw4Qny4eL-7gMw2iIwsAE/s1600/DSCN0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yz2KGi2HVJDgHuGh5B1CkpkYMXaPXMxPhNEs6BZJVpRJoHvPddgT7GmbimQuAFCTuOxXB-AoDb5gCjdxJZ2PcumTg5pXZPx0blCKToxkoB_Ufaz1JJKXzhVw4Qny4eL-7gMw2iIwsAE/s320/DSCN0295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Add sugar and eggs and cream together. This is also a good time to add whatever flavoring you choose (I forgot until later, but now would be easiest!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU0rVOzzo_VobmmjVHQgpii-hQpXGZvMCYJqlxtt6JlUddBEiMpP-_gBsrLz7aKE8NUKVrQyXteKhHWQR09DzVy1Cy1iaRigBo0lnMWEmu3hkyrj1qaVQjBZX4O-3s8huhhLrsOxyEOg/s1600/DSCN0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU0rVOzzo_VobmmjVHQgpii-hQpXGZvMCYJqlxtt6JlUddBEiMpP-_gBsrLz7aKE8NUKVrQyXteKhHWQR09DzVy1Cy1iaRigBo0lnMWEmu3hkyrj1qaVQjBZX4O-3s8huhhLrsOxyEOg/s320/DSCN0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In a separate bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the sour cream.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqd6Y1mYcl1dZxkVMAbfpA235uKPOm7_DNs2L2RAhAuR4QyNmslRvwH93rFoqjBiRx-iYOi8umoibcVeVmPNJgQw5QPrcWo0fidMKilaaG9npTHcPy9JLaz4Uno7PkzD0-aEZFEZRxjhM/s1600/DSCN0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqd6Y1mYcl1dZxkVMAbfpA235uKPOm7_DNs2L2RAhAuR4QyNmslRvwH93rFoqjBiRx-iYOi8umoibcVeVmPNJgQw5QPrcWo0fidMKilaaG9npTHcPy9JLaz4Uno7PkzD0-aEZFEZRxjhM/s320/DSCN0300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In yet another bowl (oh the dishes this recipe creates :/ ), combine the flour, baking powder and salt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJvl9bJXewds-6NDIyykqg7iJfz4bwIO-_rIWkSrcK9uKeB1S6lOHHsJLZ7mVVUBMOfnYUAdk2GWfD-Vo1Fmqq-pTYIxMSbGAztu2mPcFbvl1_SyVgnVT8lH4dDLVIaxG1_uwZpkU9Yg/s1600/DSCN0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJvl9bJXewds-6NDIyykqg7iJfz4bwIO-_rIWkSrcK9uKeB1S6lOHHsJLZ7mVVUBMOfnYUAdk2GWfD-Vo1Fmqq-pTYIxMSbGAztu2mPcFbvl1_SyVgnVT8lH4dDLVIaxG1_uwZpkU9Yg/s320/DSCN0301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Alternately add the sour cream mixture and the flour mixture to the egg/sugar/shortening.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG1X0jwOkqllwMyRTdKprNO5V_2DQ8_8t_f150nYZLCwpK9X7tmUj7efSfmtMqsimCeRioDgamwcU183Jk5LWJ13VKeft5Mbzd5S5TXOpTd4PO5ZkxMz5dral0KGELAKg5EDXfkbklWE/s1600/DSCN0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG1X0jwOkqllwMyRTdKprNO5V_2DQ8_8t_f150nYZLCwpK9X7tmUj7efSfmtMqsimCeRioDgamwcU183Jk5LWJ13VKeft5Mbzd5S5TXOpTd4PO5ZkxMz5dral0KGELAKg5EDXfkbklWE/s320/DSCN0303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here you have your basic sugar cookie dough...Now you have some choices to make. I find the dough to still be a little wet at this point, so I added some more flour, but that really depends on what you want to do with it. For cut out cookies, you'll need to add about another 3-4 cups of flour until it's workable. Or, you can add just about anything you want at this point.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCAbk5VrAsVYjSALm6ax8PPJm1eMmFNzOMVtVLhM_9zn-BxWKISkHJQWnAGzeHljQk1-9F49VpJbsKmpA4NonpDred_v9KU1iWlG2aqw0UM20BEco7rDZtrLynbsKVgiHjFf93h0K2QA/s1600/DSCN0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCAbk5VrAsVYjSALm6ax8PPJm1eMmFNzOMVtVLhM_9zn-BxWKISkHJQWnAGzeHljQk1-9F49VpJbsKmpA4NonpDred_v9KU1iWlG2aqw0UM20BEco7rDZtrLynbsKVgiHjFf93h0K2QA/s320/DSCN0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These were just going to Bible Study, so I wanted something simple. I started out with basic drop cookies rolled in colored sugar. Using my smallest cookie scoop, I measured out balls of dough and dropped them into a separate bowl of colored sugar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWWyh5Q7Q1TQXSTd0MFk4Rh3ZGpFD2hiT6qcLr6HdNfOdVHhXLNxXntNvonD1zkuScp9XwXH952u6ZoDVTMgCVuofpl1HYQJBQsIIpEdsJWq0pgKU62FjW_V8e2417hplzKdojER1od4/s1600/DSCN0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWWyh5Q7Q1TQXSTd0MFk4Rh3ZGpFD2hiT6qcLr6HdNfOdVHhXLNxXntNvonD1zkuScp9XwXH952u6ZoDVTMgCVuofpl1HYQJBQsIIpEdsJWq0pgKU62FjW_V8e2417hplzKdojER1od4/s320/DSCN0308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have a bunch of crazy sugar colors that I never really have a reason to use (I usually only bake around Christmas, so red, green and maybe some blue are all I usually have use for). So I decided to use those up...they are a little spring-y too, so that's nice on a cold winter day. :) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7hETehBjKMFsIOeTC5KE1Wqep30Wxy8lc9bOaiEqCRTZqvF572dJmN_kdRH2zpyFLKX2Ow5AOpTmZnNIWJtue-cd9cuIteTokwu5kIdEfmd3RCT2GIscn-NxY5ub6U6oXbtrrLSIoio/s1600/DSCN0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7hETehBjKMFsIOeTC5KE1Wqep30Wxy8lc9bOaiEqCRTZqvF572dJmN_kdRH2zpyFLKX2Ow5AOpTmZnNIWJtue-cd9cuIteTokwu5kIdEfmd3RCT2GIscn-NxY5ub6U6oXbtrrLSIoio/s320/DSCN0309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Roll it around in the sugar until its covered. Then place on a greased cookie sheet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjxwKjPjR4YRMRkaD9OWZlMzkoBXiJverKbDaZkwxyd9TCflYYLNpisJMpzj9xl9AWmNYcgQP6SK5DaBYB6jiKBBJ4ze8CwGJ-31MHi39fItdGPrOJCRNk22ER4x-qk20vykCrqR2-1s/s1600/DSCN0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjxwKjPjR4YRMRkaD9OWZlMzkoBXiJverKbDaZkwxyd9TCflYYLNpisJMpzj9xl9AWmNYcgQP6SK5DaBYB6jiKBBJ4ze8CwGJ-31MHi39fItdGPrOJCRNk22ER4x-qk20vykCrqR2-1s/s320/DSCN0311.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The original recipe didn't have a baking time, probably because there were so many options of different cookies. For these, I started with 6 minutes (again, fearing the super hot oven), and then added another 2 minutes. 8 minutes worked perfectly for the second batch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeLGz2U8hwbemiAGXVmga2-MzyWV4YAP0NXmADwt7YNwvluVAdMQHQIUTjsZhzpwfteC6YoIUa8ZCe1Lj3qti9EvJ0OssyUhRTIIMxcAwf5Q3u2UfqqJHvPXAM9qgvWBT0LqZ0rHshu8/s1600/DSCN0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeLGz2U8hwbemiAGXVmga2-MzyWV4YAP0NXmADwt7YNwvluVAdMQHQIUTjsZhzpwfteC6YoIUa8ZCe1Lj3qti9EvJ0OssyUhRTIIMxcAwf5Q3u2UfqqJHvPXAM9qgvWBT0LqZ0rHshu8/s320/DSCN0312.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After two trays of these, I was running out of patience and it was getting late, so I decided to make the rest of the dough into bar cookies. I added some mini chocolate chips, some toffee bits and some coconut to the dough and spread it into a pan. I didn't measure, but maybe 1 cup of each?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2VINKENEghhjhpgLdEM613y2_yiyMU2eYAzSWQ34-skL57H4UOejQ_bJGYps41lJQ1zjshD6FY0m-V4_rQFuShER8ViKsd3Epz7crpujtNVNxrtPfo0ld6zE9L2xXRILKYc0wJx9Ctk/s1600/DSCN0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2VINKENEghhjhpgLdEM613y2_yiyMU2eYAzSWQ34-skL57H4UOejQ_bJGYps41lJQ1zjshD6FY0m-V4_rQFuShER8ViKsd3Epz7crpujtNVNxrtPfo0ld6zE9L2xXRILKYc0wJx9Ctk/s320/DSCN0314.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I left the oven at about 400° for this, and all told baked them for about 14 minutes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkZazG1doE752P-_qhKyJ4z4r8_jUG0loyY8w9F1jINhoGMoZRaKTrYJ2lUudAkVy0kbWxrxYi0jCo5lfnQgenwQiXBTQbzAyK2axo19AXxQVr722wkPJL9yAen_A_Ida7qVikzdmUdE/s1600/DSCN0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkZazG1doE752P-_qhKyJ4z4r8_jUG0loyY8w9F1jINhoGMoZRaKTrYJ2lUudAkVy0kbWxrxYi0jCo5lfnQgenwQiXBTQbzAyK2axo19AXxQVr722wkPJL9yAen_A_Ida7qVikzdmUdE/s320/DSCN0317.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
They turned out pretty good. I wasn't crazy about the flavor of the bar cookies, but everyone else seemed to like them. Maybe some butterscotch chips, or a different flavor would have made them interesting. Although, this is coming from the girl who doesn't love chocolate chips because they are plain and boring. Also, I had a coupon for free donuts that was expiring, so had already eaten 2 donuts that day. So maybe I had just overloaded my taste buds with sugar and they couldn't appreciate these cookies. I think I'll go eat one of the leftovers now to run a little experiment! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcrbVAr5lIjlTu24PBKls7jgiUD3YHz5q0uMwGoSEfn7NKQ2YEyezT4XieLjqpUY1h5utT2PlTQdqqmMajPz4LXUkblxAJgcCZ-iDOptbWeekBUMjvF31nuO6dnlzLlS7uMj_u0XvBPs/s1600/sugar+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcrbVAr5lIjlTu24PBKls7jgiUD3YHz5q0uMwGoSEfn7NKQ2YEyezT4XieLjqpUY1h5utT2PlTQdqqmMajPz4LXUkblxAJgcCZ-iDOptbWeekBUMjvF31nuO6dnlzLlS7uMj_u0XvBPs/s640/sugar+cookies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Please be sure and comment to let me know what you think and/or if you try these for yourself!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-41745093240916321572013-02-18T14:00:00.000-05:002013-02-18T14:00:01.001-05:00Kitchen Traditions - Grandma's browniesThis series will feature many of our favorite family recipes from our mom, grandmas and aunts. The beauty of this series is we don't have to credit any other internet sources for our ideas, these are as good as original as we're going to get. The downside is that some of these recipes aren't actually original, but we don't know really know where they originated. Case in point, as we were brainstorming a list of recipes, I suggested my mom's cheesecake recipe, which is one of my favorites. Ditder quickly pointed out that its the same recipe printed inside every box of Philadelphia cream cheese.......who knew?? So if we infringe on any copyrights, we're sorry. It will have been an honest mistake.<br />
<br />
Up first is a recipe from our Grandma Carper, our mom's mom. I was 10 when she died, so my perception may be a little warped, but I remember her as the epitome of fashion and style. All of my fashion genes were passed directly from her, and she is also where I get my love of shopping, shoes & coats (hate wearing them, love buying them!). The picture below was taken about a month before she died, on a vacation to Orlando. The dress and shoes I'm wearing were hers, but I remember feeling so grown up and sophisticated in that outfit. A fun fact, my Grandma wore a 7 1/2 shoe...at 10, I was wearing a size 10 (and my feet were not done growing :/ ). I wore the shoes despite how much they hurt my feet!<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/AVvXsEhPwZkqtLKqDlvkiMi_8LBRpARwoPHGNDDgAdPG7G4v6_e4BwTqSrC4eWCI1jnskoAfwT8xRNTjF1OH4oqHZ06rheVspTJ9aOjkEWc1dkh8CCQh1SNYQOV1G1gtRmvraywymddLkR9FRTs/s1600/grandmajennie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwZkqtLKqDlvkiMi_8LBRpARwoPHGNDDgAdPG7G4v6_e4BwTqSrC4eWCI1jnskoAfwT8xRNTjF1OH4oqHZ06rheVspTJ9aOjkEWc1dkh8CCQh1SNYQOV1G1gtRmvraywymddLkR9FRTs/s320/grandmajennie.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I had this picture in mind while writing this post, but when I actually found it, I realized it's not a </span></i></span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">great picture of her (and I'm in about 4th grade here, so no good pictures exist). Oh well,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I'll be sure to post a better picture of her in another post. I still love the story it tells :)</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These brownies are great because the ingredients are simple and I always have them on hand. It's a simple recipe that is easy to throw together last minute, and also serves as an excellent base for many different brownie desserts (Brownie pizzas for example). Eat them plain or frost them...either way they are delicious. I should note, though, that this is more of a "cake" brownie, not a "fudge" brownie. So keep that in mind.<br />
<br />
Like I said, simple ingredients...Butter, cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs & salt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr2VhyphenhyphenhiCpM5Ahf9ioVs2MI8Bb8pEF8H3-T_377RPZLetdES7P4gFeossUJEeFvUrg5e5CJcdacToudpaiOu4Ze3H3Wb_hKu55eKWNREHBiAycdLnG0_EThda4flltSjB0G6JtXOpqFI/s1600/DSCN0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr2VhyphenhyphenhiCpM5Ahf9ioVs2MI8Bb8pEF8H3-T_377RPZLetdES7P4gFeossUJEeFvUrg5e5CJcdacToudpaiOu4Ze3H3Wb_hKu55eKWNREHBiAycdLnG0_EThda4flltSjB0G6JtXOpqFI/s320/DSCN0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
First, preheat your oven to 350°. No seriously, go do it now. I always forget which slows down the baking process an extra 10-15 minutes.<br />
<br />
In a small saucepan, melt the butter. One great thing about this recipe is that the butter does not have to be thawed. If you have it stored in the freezer, just take it out and throw it in the pan!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoducce4J4CyWac6sz5yKyxCI5cPF5027jRQ9OV56iEuWYRBe5YmMVGHe6NkHJmDg8mb3agrQL9d0V66nxrmvJCcfL3U1b93GvYWmGYBrJWI2WOgtBAir-MIt-DM8yUsrnDPIyrJLNpk/s1600/DSCN0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoducce4J4CyWac6sz5yKyxCI5cPF5027jRQ9OV56iEuWYRBe5YmMVGHe6NkHJmDg8mb3agrQL9d0V66nxrmvJCcfL3U1b93GvYWmGYBrJWI2WOgtBAir-MIt-DM8yUsrnDPIyrJLNpk/s320/DSCN0268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Once it has melted, add the cocoa powder and stir it together. Set the mixture aside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtmaXiAGPQzZ2P9OQ_lvNXaDZSWwR2gJBEs9mUjz9jIB4lY7j9FNKYjoNg5w30gYS-YhhrvHLNpC_BvNQl6syvDye78-TdMrTH2_G5lAgYWKLJtEbpjYJjGw1VhnOhFWstZk-sYgPFkY/s1600/DSCN0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtmaXiAGPQzZ2P9OQ_lvNXaDZSWwR2gJBEs9mUjz9jIB4lY7j9FNKYjoNg5w30gYS-YhhrvHLNpC_BvNQl6syvDye78-TdMrTH2_G5lAgYWKLJtEbpjYJjGw1VhnOhFWstZk-sYgPFkY/s320/DSCN0273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In a medium-large bowl, cream together eggs and sugar. You could use an electric hand mixer for this or just a whisk. It's not a labor intensive process, so I usually go for the whisk (especially when the beaters for the mixer are in the dishwasher, which mine were :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4j6bFPIoJ7qJEbASaEIsRJPryRZo8-w-k0-NB3r9RDBO2mNO2TFdB4uMSNriyjdxLX1DpxIVN01Gr2qiG3_detRMzmpNeNM75KlfCScaMR81Dq3VbnWVYJ-joe0qClVGTxJMrOXlObs/s1600/DSCN0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4j6bFPIoJ7qJEbASaEIsRJPryRZo8-w-k0-NB3r9RDBO2mNO2TFdB4uMSNriyjdxLX1DpxIVN01Gr2qiG3_detRMzmpNeNM75KlfCScaMR81Dq3VbnWVYJ-joe0qClVGTxJMrOXlObs/s320/DSCN0274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Add the flour and salt and mix together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGMUd6l2Yk0nZDvKGBL2KMjjqrLrljo-DFSpwR5k2iCEo97qXGXacKZuihlw3s88EasIi-Yl0Jgsv4ojvkveQAvjm75WzD2VuXGsBT89IB5k8zRcWk-Tkb3ogrvgnUP7XlYiszIwU-Ts/s1600/DSCN0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGMUd6l2Yk0nZDvKGBL2KMjjqrLrljo-DFSpwR5k2iCEo97qXGXacKZuihlw3s88EasIi-Yl0Jgsv4ojvkveQAvjm75WzD2VuXGsBT89IB5k8zRcWk-Tkb3ogrvgnUP7XlYiszIwU-Ts/s320/DSCN0278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Carefully beat in the chocolate/butter mixture. This can get a little messy if you aren't careful. I also like to use a glass bowl for this so I make sure the chocolate is mixed all the way through the batter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z7PaFOh8pUB0FYo8ac6T2SmtMtNww_VqcB-VSMzANn5rCmBYly2p15Vp1ARDnuoDSaoILNQgkT4BaGO7Lge3ts0OjYPHwVUwUMh0pP9wBx1Y6uU33if4Fwp4UksiYSYMWfrp5TgVME0/s1600/DSCN0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z7PaFOh8pUB0FYo8ac6T2SmtMtNww_VqcB-VSMzANn5rCmBYly2p15Vp1ARDnuoDSaoILNQgkT4BaGO7Lge3ts0OjYPHwVUwUMh0pP9wBx1Y6uU33if4Fwp4UksiYSYMWfrp5TgVME0/s320/DSCN0282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Mmmm...yummy! This is the hardest part of this recipe. You have to get the batter from the bowl, to the pan, without eating it all first. Good luck to you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkot9XCI-Nq0TEtONPfHPcKzdvnxfNmzDUkLAkstXVBpiMre9rPgclXAjO88UMJQQeDRTE9QuH8jre3u7LXPvIZt2W-9X6-n5F3s3H51dJD4DjqjjoLziTVsicBVY7-c4fTU2btWOg5Y/s1600/DSCN0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkot9XCI-Nq0TEtONPfHPcKzdvnxfNmzDUkLAkstXVBpiMre9rPgclXAjO88UMJQQeDRTE9QuH8jre3u7LXPvIZt2W-9X6-n5F3s3H51dJD4DjqjjoLziTVsicBVY7-c4fTU2btWOg5Y/s320/DSCN0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Pour it into a greased pan. The recipe says 9x13, but it depends on what you want to use it for. If I'm just making plain or frosted brownies, I prefer a smaller pan so that they are thicker. But, if you want to add other deliciousness on top of it, you might want them thinner. You could also use muffin or mini muffin pans (just be sure to adjust the baking time).<br />
<br />
Bake for 40 minutes (or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-SIvWPhLdwL8FL_zoQvM7KjjFvXcVQvZAj3U0QQoRRP2O5Z7SJqTHqivSC3Heimc3zIS-n17sBj2Vg0l7YONiK20QoGJ1vN4l3FbwmyLbS9Rw81v7urArs4-DAE4Ef6PW2E6TYeTI7c/s1600/DSCN0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-SIvWPhLdwL8FL_zoQvM7KjjFvXcVQvZAj3U0QQoRRP2O5Z7SJqTHqivSC3Heimc3zIS-n17sBj2Vg0l7YONiK20QoGJ1vN4l3FbwmyLbS9Rw81v7urArs4-DAE4Ef6PW2E6TYeTI7c/s320/DSCN0287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The finished result! Remove from the oven and let them cool. (Oh, who am I kidding? Eat them straight out of the oven and burn your friggin' mouth off - like I did!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4krdMlEHlXATpkhL4xkLiEFU5mCthhhP2i3_YIZW0o78j1A9r2ZhW4avbQM-4Yri6EpsTDwigs2p6z9xh-nGAF53Gi0bB1q95D8Y3zzl2B1XhTJziRoe79k4h0Wi0cPVmg5moQR8mXI/s1600/DSCN0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4krdMlEHlXATpkhL4xkLiEFU5mCthhhP2i3_YIZW0o78j1A9r2ZhW4avbQM-4Yri6EpsTDwigs2p6z9xh-nGAF53Gi0bB1q95D8Y3zzl2B1XhTJziRoe79k4h0Wi0cPVmg5moQR8mXI/s320/DSCN0289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhnrAf3JaGsnzk4xAwSgwthk55x_ZSFkKLiJCa_QdszwX1e480LG4t6Sx0ZHNyJMYQfawivcg3-31VwZDeSvLnBUXygIpgssSAErfKM97yM7SZpGbJo-GwpG4UeOM8Kw-WgJAU6jZ7T9E0/s1600/brownie+recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrAf3JaGsnzk4xAwSgwthk55x_ZSFkKLiJCa_QdszwX1e480LG4t6Sx0ZHNyJMYQfawivcg3-31VwZDeSvLnBUXygIpgssSAErfKM97yM7SZpGbJo-GwpG4UeOM8Kw-WgJAU6jZ7T9E0/s640/brownie+recipe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Comment and let me know what you think and/or if you try these yourself!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-61430193838033950702013-02-15T14:19:00.000-05:002013-02-15T14:19:02.288-05:002013 Redecorating - Fixing Floppy Pillow FlangeAs part of my redecorating project, I bought new bedding. The set came with a duvet cover and 2 standard pillow shams. Generally speaking, pillow shams are of the devil. No, seriously...I don't like them. I prefer pre-made pillows. Why? Because you can never get inserts for pillow shams that actually fit. It seems like in the day and age of EVERYTHING being standardized, they would be able to get this one thing right. But, no. So my choices were to stuff the shams in a closet and buy something else, or make them work. And, being generally cheap and at the time unemployed (I did recently start a new job...yay!!), I channeled my inner Tim Gunn and made them work. <br />
<br />
First, I stuffed them with two pillow inserts, instead of one. It makes them slightly awkwardly shaped, but workable and not looking sad and pathetic. However, the flange on the pillows was still not good. Sometimes I wish my style were less contemporary and a little more traditional, because one way to avoid this problem is to use a ruffle instead of a flange. But ruffles would have looked ridiculous on this bedding set, so I'm stuck with a flange. Here's how I made it work...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkPKR3AIK2lzQSs3Z-yVsY5hcurdz-AhnOTfDkCMYvj3TV_pUoc_rIaPwlCbL56tjCIWU1-sgHPYqMyioEnNEG4RbRGK3TmfaBbNvdPkwL89uBO-xrwvwIozikh3HZiBvx7je3ajfQC0/s1600/DSCN0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkPKR3AIK2lzQSs3Z-yVsY5hcurdz-AhnOTfDkCMYvj3TV_pUoc_rIaPwlCbL56tjCIWU1-sgHPYqMyioEnNEG4RbRGK3TmfaBbNvdPkwL89uBO-xrwvwIozikh3HZiBvx7je3ajfQC0/s320/DSCN0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
First, I ripped out the stitching that created the flange with a seam ripper. This is very easy to do because the only thing creating the flange is a row of running stitches.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQDb7zeOwx-X3RI6Aq6TElfVYwr0qhGgIPWxmFPq3rnUBlMADLaKBi8jUu6BgLxqRtSGLhC56keOtVDLhNPqzKsNzJyzYCdRrcvPL6qWpmRqfA5ZwALupDkBkOBGKzUTxiHaCvLA35Dg/s1600/DSCN0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQDb7zeOwx-X3RI6Aq6TElfVYwr0qhGgIPWxmFPq3rnUBlMADLaKBi8jUu6BgLxqRtSGLhC56keOtVDLhNPqzKsNzJyzYCdRrcvPL6qWpmRqfA5ZwALupDkBkOBGKzUTxiHaCvLA35Dg/s320/DSCN0235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I flipped the sham inside out and ironed it so it would be flat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH591yTMhKitpvNaWqX87B_g261rulqZnkIIxsz_l0vQgOaEaoKyWfmchmZYL2cRmDndm9k5-wnvD6ZZeRqsStDM2kZMLHU0qiB7xmCmdRnJLROI91YEiNWjPfUd5eMQT9G38wdqALqbw/s1600/DSCN0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH591yTMhKitpvNaWqX87B_g261rulqZnkIIxsz_l0vQgOaEaoKyWfmchmZYL2cRmDndm9k5-wnvD6ZZeRqsStDM2kZMLHU0qiB7xmCmdRnJLROI91YEiNWjPfUd5eMQT9G38wdqALqbw/s320/DSCN0236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The flange on these shams was about 1 3/4" so I cut a 2 1/2" wide strip of buckrum. I cut it so it was about 1/4" shorter than the length of the seam (you will see why later). Buckrum is a stiffener often used to make curtains. You can find it at JoAnn's for about $5 yard. A yard was more than enough for both shams. I pinned it in place so that the outer edge was along the seam (not the raw edge, you want it to lay flat, not be folded over when you invert the sham).<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgglcEVwTkolHfiIFMNhN5vlvzKWjj-Zl9dSiXAKMGJE__G8RAHPjFr8HYF2hzy1cILPC4AhWYYyps7CwfKGIL896_DkWXzoPKNFejnhuOgb5JdWrSk9y6lem8vwGaU6rwBwfMcl3WagXM/s1600/DSCN0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglcEVwTkolHfiIFMNhN5vlvzKWjj-Zl9dSiXAKMGJE__G8RAHPjFr8HYF2hzy1cILPC4AhWYYyps7CwfKGIL896_DkWXzoPKNFejnhuOgb5JdWrSk9y6lem8vwGaU6rwBwfMcl3WagXM/s320/DSCN0241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had to redo this about 3 times because I kept messing it up. So here's what I learned (the hard way). First, pin on the front of the sham, not the back (where the overlap is). Second, pin along the outer edge first. At this point, it's okay if you go through both layers of fabric. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteAHonnP5tYHTddWtQY5CCjBr-fmCj0T4oGWjz0XUPem_5uVvYw1_1DMY8vPwjELkYl-SQZa-uBT9XWNPPcdyx_v_27wvMHv3eexByGoCXlagEeNFQmCoT571zgXNZFlwhkJbP0I_Cq4/s1600/DSCN0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteAHonnP5tYHTddWtQY5CCjBr-fmCj0T4oGWjz0XUPem_5uVvYw1_1DMY8vPwjELkYl-SQZa-uBT9XWNPPcdyx_v_27wvMHv3eexByGoCXlagEeNFQmCoT571zgXNZFlwhkJbP0I_Cq4/s320/DSCN0244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next, put something hard that you can't push a pin into inside the pillow sham (I used a random piece of plexi-glas I had laying around). Then using the plexi-glas as a barrier, pin along the inside of the buckrum, but only go through the front layer of fabric. Why? Because you're going to sew from the outside, so you can't have pins along the outer edge, or you'll never get them back out. And if your pins go through both layers of fabric, you won't be able to invert it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggXJikHoiaWmlcRr2kvtBXGUCUg3x2MHoUbT-UNjWVQfms4lLDV2wG_SnoLXkyT1Hm-89n7iEM4vyK8D4PHgIDmVuj3kA3qlaYMB4B5umjfI-oP0BHmMA0z2OZjKDocRrNptnDtzYsvc/s1600/DSCN0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggXJikHoiaWmlcRr2kvtBXGUCUg3x2MHoUbT-UNjWVQfms4lLDV2wG_SnoLXkyT1Hm-89n7iEM4vyK8D4PHgIDmVuj3kA3qlaYMB4B5umjfI-oP0BHmMA0z2OZjKDocRrNptnDtzYsvc/s320/DSCN0247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Once you've pinned the buckrum in place, invert the pillow case. You will need to fuss with it a little to get it back in place (because its only pinned on one side). This is also why you need it a little shorter than the length. If it is even slightly longer than the inside length, it will not fit inside the sham and lay flat. (Yet another thing I had to do twice...) Once its in place and flat, iron your seams so they are smooth. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-lSQtADA83giZn72ndn8GhoV8DW7beyH2N1FUYiO98mSlHMLT5ZnrS0KTBhq_o3ORiSdbHsWbP3S5TXvH335Othor_leveS73eQCx9_0td0HSVgGYCD2JfvQhNd5KysEsnHMLNuYT_c/s1600/DSCN0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-lSQtADA83giZn72ndn8GhoV8DW7beyH2N1FUYiO98mSlHMLT5ZnrS0KTBhq_o3ORiSdbHsWbP3S5TXvH335Othor_leveS73eQCx9_0td0HSVgGYCD2JfvQhNd5KysEsnHMLNuYT_c/s320/DSCN0246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You may need to pin the corners together (from the outside) so it doesn't move.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixz50rkJHm5SYZJ5f94RiYnaEYGjiO1NxH5wahhRxrjN-QCr4xSfMwYlrjfxFRtUId9K6qa1-KVt_RWnHAVQDYBuMSQQXJgOElsG9AAagWmWXVS6Kh0z-0EytAsCsECL9BCcWQoEBTEzo/s1600/DSCN0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixz50rkJHm5SYZJ5f94RiYnaEYGjiO1NxH5wahhRxrjN-QCr4xSfMwYlrjfxFRtUId9K6qa1-KVt_RWnHAVQDYBuMSQQXJgOElsG9AAagWmWXVS6Kh0z-0EytAsCsECL9BCcWQoEBTEzo/s320/DSCN0248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally, using a matching thread, restitch the flange. You should be able to see the needle holes from the original stitching, so use that as a guide. You should notice that the buckrum now fills the entire flange, and extends into the body of the pillow about 3/4". This is critical! If the buckrum were only the width of the flange, it would not help it stand up, it would be stiff, but still falling over. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl8soxkymsjIj3n4jMDwF7OVoW7kXN3v_LGIItNH23VbEq9oMxpoCb6FZh5H-OvAUccF_nW78nawIvjIbaj4CtJsETDct4GZWAO1bRvXAMoIrQsJnxWgNrq99U6RsElcH82dwgMW6OKQ/s1600/DSCN0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl8soxkymsjIj3n4jMDwF7OVoW7kXN3v_LGIItNH23VbEq9oMxpoCb6FZh5H-OvAUccF_nW78nawIvjIbaj4CtJsETDct4GZWAO1bRvXAMoIrQsJnxWgNrq99U6RsElcH82dwgMW6OKQ/s320/DSCN0251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The finished product...Flange that stands up nicely!<br />
<br />
Total cost of project<br />
<br />
Shams part of the $40 bedding set I bought...not counting it in project cost.<br />
Buckrum $4 (it was on sale!)<br />
<u>Thread $2</u><br />
Total $6<br />
<br />
Let me know what you think and/or if you try this project for yourself!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-24309802453711930662013-02-14T21:37:00.004-05:002013-02-14T21:40:41.155-05:00DIY Drawer OrganizerFollowers of my other blog may recognize this project, but I thought I should post it to this blog as well so all of little ditders friends can see it too!<br />
<br />
One of my biggest goals for this year is to get my house organized. It
seems I've been moving from house to house for 6 years, never staying in
one place long enough to get truly unpacked and organized and I'm tired
of living out of boxes. <br />
<br />
I found a cleaning agenda on
the Internet (sorry I can't find the blog now) that helps you get/keep
your house clean, even deep cleaned, by doing a small project every
day... Here's a synopsis of the agenda. The actual print out has more
detail. Let me know if you would like a copy and I can email it to you
(I downloaded it from the blog).<br />
<br />
Monday - Laundry Day (This doesn't work for me, I have to do laundry every day)<br />
Tidy the House<br />
Vacuum main room (I sweep as I have hardwood floors)<br />
<br />
Tuesday - Bathrooms<br />
<br />
Wednesday - Surfaces (dusting, wiping things down etc)<br />
<br />
Thursday - Organize/Clean out something. <br />
<br />
Friday - Tidy the house<br />
Vacuum all rooms including stairs. <br />
<br />
This
seems to work pretty well, I've only been doing it for a couple of
weeks and don't hit it all every week, but at least I have a goal. Now,
back to organization. Last Thursday I started an organization project
that has taken me all week to complete (mainly due to my work schedule
and other obligations), but I finished it this evening and I want to
share it with you. Not only is it something everyone can probably
utilize somewhere, it is very inexpensive too!<br />
<br />
Now,
this is not the first time I've used this concept, (I will show you some
other examples at the end) but it is the first time I've utilized it to
this extent... You see I have this kitchen drawer; it is huge 28" wide
by 20" deep. You can't find organizers for something that size, which
makes it impossible to find the utensil you need when you need it. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhNbEaBKbp5SLjwzVBde3mTRggPepxIH1Q44ghWr09KR4Bbfrxk98c3-X54ZbYyUrl_wIyF39fdK7f2xQonJrLF8O1TOf8bX9oUNCCdnrvqBjEtaDZGoCeuo226v_nu5EMgtPEWktIYQ/s1600/004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhNbEaBKbp5SLjwzVBde3mTRggPepxIH1Q44ghWr09KR4Bbfrxk98c3-X54ZbYyUrl_wIyF39fdK7f2xQonJrLF8O1TOf8bX9oUNCCdnrvqBjEtaDZGoCeuo226v_nu5EMgtPEWktIYQ/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
was discussing the problem with my 8 year old, running an idea by him
that I had come up with. A quite complicated idea that involved buying
wood and building a divider. He said "Mom, why don't you just use boxes
like you did for my desk?" Thank goodness children think simply. I
couldn't believe I didn't think of that myself! So I dug through the
pantry and searched the house for boxes, and even found a box at work
that would work for some of the bigger items. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxfR4la46OlGXep73NWRGFSB_Zk8u28ZUQUG1Gzp_upl1YPu8BY-iSfUtwMZTCSYHGudWmdhREqQ9Oh2CkkEoxz-LhhRPSeq5BVbLDsbaDZWvzEDPacQDkYE5dSJk2_jdLNBqlTFcUg8/s1600/012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxfR4la46OlGXep73NWRGFSB_Zk8u28ZUQUG1Gzp_upl1YPu8BY-iSfUtwMZTCSYHGudWmdhREqQ9Oh2CkkEoxz-LhhRPSeq5BVbLDsbaDZWvzEDPacQDkYE5dSJk2_jdLNBqlTFcUg8/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
placed each box in the drawer and drew lines around it with a sharpie.
(Please excuse the dye mark on my hand, I had been helping my husband
in the shop that day).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BJ4g3mUhBCZx5Jbo1BPzG1EFqKs2zP7aTzxBLWCSvLPJXrrvT2Nu-dKuWcZfa47d0O1db950dCyyrFygXyMkpOfywv-xega9GAnDigM_9Z0teT0eIFK-ekVYFrQZKpra69bfAyyngyo/s1600/016.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BJ4g3mUhBCZx5Jbo1BPzG1EFqKs2zP7aTzxBLWCSvLPJXrrvT2Nu-dKuWcZfa47d0O1db950dCyyrFygXyMkpOfywv-xega9GAnDigM_9Z0teT0eIFK-ekVYFrQZKpra69bfAyyngyo/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next, using a box cutter (you could also use a Stanley knife) I cut along the lines. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFml0ns04RdQiWf3CuGgLoYbCDcnGSnVmGVthv7rp0Kw3J8C0bkHDGSnRfmDI7neeX04iE9VrI0gKLbZSHwQkU8i5UeVp8aoq5pTwAJUQdwWUH0XpOGL6_pDigvKELGO4ynzZwa-nBMg/s1600/014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFml0ns04RdQiWf3CuGgLoYbCDcnGSnVmGVthv7rp0Kw3J8C0bkHDGSnRfmDI7neeX04iE9VrI0gKLbZSHwQkU8i5UeVp8aoq5pTwAJUQdwWUH0XpOGL6_pDigvKELGO4ynzZwa-nBMg/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Then I test fit the boxes in the drawer and went looking for more boxes to fill in the holes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNCZYKNjZmCEzFCSSfS8VEma0v8QzGEJptWhWrNdIcNzr5xc9bqoVvqtVCZM1OXpKTJ_krA2Pc3MfH5TKdAFgKXuehD_zJMu5HIzv3JsRXhQqsD_6uXHxRBhPvJoOGvpQG63l6m0WfZo/s1600/021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNCZYKNjZmCEzFCSSfS8VEma0v8QzGEJptWhWrNdIcNzr5xc9bqoVvqtVCZM1OXpKTJ_krA2Pc3MfH5TKdAFgKXuehD_zJMu5HIzv3JsRXhQqsD_6uXHxRBhPvJoOGvpQG63l6m0WfZo/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In
most cases you can stop at this point, but since this is a heavily used
kitchen drawer, I decided it needed a little more attention. So I
wrapped each box in contact paper. This step will make the boxes
sturdier and make it easy to wipe them out and keep the drawer clean. If
you are planning to cover your boxes in contact paper, I highly
recommend and abstract pattern, I used the "granite" pattern and it
worked great because I didn't have to worry about lining things up and
could patch any mistakes with scraps. It took two 9 foot rolls of
contact paper to complete this project. That was the only expense. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqgngYrV3zlbtelGWgUWjHZP1_dKKwjb1xZ_4V1gweobLv14Mxd1cw_MVWHKf8TSM_Fopk96fkM9hLH9wpwKfVY8zcm2A9-yN9yfw94i3EUTEhCV1dWGFF0C77pJu1HZkT-YXXnh-gdw/s1600/025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqgngYrV3zlbtelGWgUWjHZP1_dKKwjb1xZ_4V1gweobLv14Mxd1cw_MVWHKf8TSM_Fopk96fkM9hLH9wpwKfVY8zcm2A9-yN9yfw94i3EUTEhCV1dWGFF0C77pJu1HZkT-YXXnh-gdw/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Viola!
The finished project. Now, I said I've done this before, The following
drawers need a little attention as they haven't been redone since the
last move and some of the boxes are missing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgTvMg2QrNb5iAkGQfjxOJ2xSQ-y8j8RgWeAXelnc0FXXiOtidy6y5mQzN8ODOeo9ONhma2zlPYzxBmCqfeO_rI0THl-9GQqTawuOIDyCmgCn_T2vP_qJ2kGtkpQQJIRdHXo62KY2lZc/s1600/029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgTvMg2QrNb5iAkGQfjxOJ2xSQ-y8j8RgWeAXelnc0FXXiOtidy6y5mQzN8ODOeo9ONhma2zlPYzxBmCqfeO_rI0THl-9GQqTawuOIDyCmgCn_T2vP_qJ2kGtkpQQJIRdHXo62KY2lZc/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dominic's
desk is actually a computer desk without a drawer, we utilized boxes on
the keyboard tray to make cubbies for all his school supplies. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgZqcxD8h_9ydH7qjxI9tCp1TS477tqqd4hBHtcBiM2Xy71UkVI-tnw0ONPnbyasR6wJWXoxLmksri4BfBebUq7OX1pqzWvyKAZXG22Q_n7WplndAbwkr9Aq88ZAHKdAplZ0j_neRHTk/s1600/026.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgZqcxD8h_9ydH7qjxI9tCp1TS477tqqd4hBHtcBiM2Xy71UkVI-tnw0ONPnbyasR6wJWXoxLmksri4BfBebUq7OX1pqzWvyKAZXG22Q_n7WplndAbwkr9Aq88ZAHKdAplZ0j_neRHTk/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We
also have a hutch that has been utilized as a catch-all and TV stand in
the past but now holds the vivarium for Dominic's bearded dragon,
Dexter. In the past this drawer held mostly batteries and candles, and
I'm thinking the batteries will again call this drawer home once I begin
to organize the drawers in the laundry room. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
hope you found this idea helpful. Stay tuned to follow me on more
organizational adventures as I work toward my whole house organization
goal this year! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Love and God's peace to you, <br />
Christine<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-15071392309075395282013-02-11T14:00:00.000-05:002013-02-11T18:22:28.695-05:00Redecorating 2013 - DIY StencilingThe next project for my master bedroom was to paint a single strip of stenciling on one of the walls...an idea I found on pinterest from <a href="http://www.mysisterandiinc.com/Decorative-Painting.html" target="_blank">My Sister & I, Inc.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjper3YhjAktdPVwj9zeZuLNJBoIWpJ3EwMyWTh-iGX0J0eNg5AvUJZM47sFKdfK3ADWi0iUqxT7LYplh-VMXsW0lj0S5Y0GXfwhhbAbyJQUlD5bhuPpvbq4G4XZJiywH-wKzDWoETfStg/s1600/oversized+stencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjper3YhjAktdPVwj9zeZuLNJBoIWpJ3EwMyWTh-iGX0J0eNg5AvUJZM47sFKdfK3ADWi0iUqxT7LYplh-VMXsW0lj0S5Y0GXfwhhbAbyJQUlD5bhuPpvbq4G4XZJiywH-wKzDWoETfStg/s320/oversized+stencil.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
So I started looking for a stencil that would work with the other patterns going on in the room. But it turns out, stencils (especially the large patterns like this one) are expensive! Most of the ones I found were between $40-90! If I were doing the whole wall, that expense might be justifiable, but when you're unemployed and only painting a small amount of the stencil...nope, not happening.<br />
<br />
Instead, I borrowed a trick I had just learned from making the <a href="http://www.mysisterandiinc.com/Decorative-Painting.html" target="_blank">Subway Art</a> for the other wall in the room. I found a picture of a pattern that I liked, and enlarged it with an "engineering print" from Staples. It only cost $2 for the print!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauTAdTcKHetCCq2QNDSUVNS4PNti6eSzD1OmxSjeE3vhz2y0dJ6sfAe1iHyVyt7HM9FLGFUd-9B4VgRikWGzSrRIGG80M5C3PXrMD9HVrjd5ZCmYw6c2UITZnr9pgVH-SLHREcDR_Www/s1600/DSCN0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauTAdTcKHetCCq2QNDSUVNS4PNti6eSzD1OmxSjeE3vhz2y0dJ6sfAe1iHyVyt7HM9FLGFUd-9B4VgRikWGzSrRIGG80M5C3PXrMD9HVrjd5ZCmYw6c2UITZnr9pgVH-SLHREcDR_Www/s320/DSCN0140.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the interest of full disclosure, this is probably not a "beginner" project, nor is it a good project for a perfectionist. BUT, if you want to add an accent like this, need to save some money and have some time to kill (probably 4-5 hours) - the effect is amazing!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I forgot to take a picture, but there are a couple of options for transferring the outline of the image to the wall. You could use an overhead projector (assuming you have access to one), but I'd be concerned about the pattern getting distorted. Any form of tracing paper or carbon paper will work. But, of course, I didn't have any of these, so I went old school. I used a piece of charcoal (you could also use a pencil, but it would take a long time) to color all over the pack of the sheet of paper. Then, when I put it on the wall and traced over the pattern, the charcoal transferred the pattern to the wall.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8UC2rqysbfZ5cEEeC8xWwUtJdU5ulUheiOiuXZoogsUXUG9qfpHX73h3nOoco9j6Hi1FcCTG2sg3t64InAFa2PmnNiCaJv_SQpmbbKPFdOOstS6lLVFaWwnMwz1flwWRCS4cCYR-gfk/s1600/DSCN0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8UC2rqysbfZ5cEEeC8xWwUtJdU5ulUheiOiuXZoogsUXUG9qfpHX73h3nOoco9j6Hi1FcCTG2sg3t64InAFa2PmnNiCaJv_SQpmbbKPFdOOstS6lLVFaWwnMwz1flwWRCS4cCYR-gfk/s320/DSCN0141.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Once you've traced the pattern, move the paper and realign it so you can continue the pattern. You'll see that the pattern is designed as an all over pattern, so I had to select the portion that I wanted to use and only trace that.<br />
<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/AVvXsEiFfaVGxVErcXOfffyZ_onGg4_IJqLZjp8ZSbbCRwf0QPfJW5XHkOtw91vG2y6bjmqhsTUhcC0oLLyIvlw4W8M5Kjkws1sI-BTHrnPORMyh1_cqU2D-L0h4RAgeou-jgOyLq_WcZ1J3eD0/s1600/DSCN0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfaVGxVErcXOfffyZ_onGg4_IJqLZjp8ZSbbCRwf0QPfJW5XHkOtw91vG2y6bjmqhsTUhcC0oLLyIvlw4W8M5Kjkws1sI-BTHrnPORMyh1_cqU2D-L0h4RAgeou-jgOyLq_WcZ1J3eD0/s320/DSCN0145.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Hard to photograph, but this is what it looked like once I was finished tracing the pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsc71LQvDVQvWU-hVaMcU88Roh6FcTo3eD3PoeuxsOeD1nxW_jNIna8VeS-z74ITmdug1h0rk67gD7UtsVypqFsZIQPj4xBK6jPNRJK91GSvSsiFoHTe8VDee5wkT1yOLKRVMxy6Lwxk/s1600/DSCN0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsc71LQvDVQvWU-hVaMcU88Roh6FcTo3eD3PoeuxsOeD1nxW_jNIna8VeS-z74ITmdug1h0rk67gD7UtsVypqFsZIQPj4xBK6jPNRJK91GSvSsiFoHTe8VDee5wkT1yOLKRVMxy6Lwxk/s320/DSCN0166.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, using an artist's brush, fill in the pattern with paint. I used a 1/2" angled brush and it worked perfectly! This part is the reason that beginners and perfectionists should spend the money on a stencil. You need a very steady hand, and even still, when you look up close, the lines aren't perfectly crisp like they would be with a stencil. From just a couple of feet away though, you can hardly tell that its not perfect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQXyYA8iwCKcNk58ybZqhoQjL0GeBlbFqbE8cY0BTfl6AX_f2IlL0CG6zjMyXWssAYhHbmEe4fSo-bFcFao5Fr8xNxq1t9kbCvXeYF-EZGSNsAjQ6RU0jm7qQQGVLen7FZJUd4AStrsI/s1600/DSCN0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQXyYA8iwCKcNk58ybZqhoQjL0GeBlbFqbE8cY0BTfl6AX_f2IlL0CG6zjMyXWssAYhHbmEe4fSo-bFcFao5Fr8xNxq1t9kbCvXeYF-EZGSNsAjQ6RU0jm7qQQGVLen7FZJUd4AStrsI/s320/DSCN0173.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
The finished product! I liked this pattern because it's a softer version of the print on my bed. Eventually, I'm going to mount a long mirror over this, but who knows when I'll get around to that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Total Project Cost</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Engineering Print" from Staples $2</div>
<div>
Paint (left over from another project) FREE </div>
<div>
<u>Paint Brush $3</u></div>
<div>
Total $5<br />
<br />
Take that $50 stencil!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For a more subtle look, you could use polycrylic, or the same color paint in a different finish (gloss paint on a matte wall). The effect would be beautiful!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Post your comments to let me know what you think and/or if you try this for yourself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Grace and love,</div>
<div>
Jenn</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-13332538966420490182013-02-08T14:00:00.000-05:002013-02-08T14:00:01.677-05:00Redecorating 2013 - How to update laminate countertopsMy house has the most hideous counter tops you have seen...No, seriously...they're really awful. I don't even know why they make laminate in this color. When we first moved in, I toyed with a lot of ideas about how I could disguise them - unattached ceramic tiles , paint, just never walking into the kitchen...and finally found the idea of using Contact Paper. It was 3 years ago, so I have no idea where I found the idea, but I'm sure it was the result of a Google search.<br />
<br />
Since then, I have had to redo them about once a year. It costs less than $10 and takes about 2 hours - not bad! This year, I had to redo the whole thing (usually I just do the flat surfaces, and leave the back splash) because they discontinued the color I was using. So you get to see the process from start to finish. First, a few before pictures...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchkPxrVM0Y7mUbsYn18xO_CUDQD-XmaoJkGlRaDUAcCeYrps8uXWG8rEOD9nX9H2OlR3EM0pWuSzcPJ3pOjca-WztLjAWUGvDCD8SNLlPn0NCCFWS-2hiPIXIEYFKlrW4cNFVTtpLDDo/s1600/DSCN0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchkPxrVM0Y7mUbsYn18xO_CUDQD-XmaoJkGlRaDUAcCeYrps8uXWG8rEOD9nX9H2OlR3EM0pWuSzcPJ3pOjca-WztLjAWUGvDCD8SNLlPn0NCCFWS-2hiPIXIEYFKlrW4cNFVTtpLDDo/s320/DSCN0201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Why? Just Why?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i62wtudxhbreZCmdaYT9qsnIHOizbimXVPNxuZdWohyhwrvY1hFXOokvwOH6waQ3Wef9ino-UbT8LFhIID8_1JBLubiW6f1Vcv6SbthmdSH1sqeoZG5a5q18di11BxgWc-YotYXcq9c/s1600/DSCN0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i62wtudxhbreZCmdaYT9qsnIHOizbimXVPNxuZdWohyhwrvY1hFXOokvwOH6waQ3Wef9ino-UbT8LFhIID8_1JBLubiW6f1Vcv6SbthmdSH1sqeoZG5a5q18di11BxgWc-YotYXcq9c/s320/DSCN0211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This side is even worse because of the matching back splash...<br />
<br />
So for this project I needed contact paper, scissors, a utility knife and something to smooth out the paper. I use my Pampered Chef Handy Scraper because of the rubber edge, but a piece of stiff cardboard will do the same thing.<br />
<br />
First, cut the Contact paper into pieces that are big enough to cover from the back over the front edge of the counter top with plenty of extra (1-2"). Then, starting on one end, peel off the backing and lay the first sheet as straight as possible. If the end of the counter is exposed, make sure you can cover that edge as well. It's a big piece of paper to work with, so I only peel off 6-8" of the backing paper so that it doesn't get stuck together. Use your scraper (or cardboard) to press it into place and remove any bubbles. Start from the middle and work towards the edges.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP67ZF1mLK8SKd45-Z7T1xCsfBBf76PeDrFqEZkfo9o3NEAYuLxzk2eQkVNSrMO3lhkjRy49C3oL2GvuTqva7JypfXYEkcIUuOhFRKnqop8TE8ujo4aNBXjwJWtycEfc55LEvPDQjyOG4/s1600/DSCN0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP67ZF1mLK8SKd45-Z7T1xCsfBBf76PeDrFqEZkfo9o3NEAYuLxzk2eQkVNSrMO3lhkjRy49C3oL2GvuTqva7JypfXYEkcIUuOhFRKnqop8TE8ujo4aNBXjwJWtycEfc55LEvPDQjyOG4/s320/DSCN0202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Slowly peel off the backing paper as you press the paper into place, until the whole sheet is stuck down and bubble free.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJfM3wMJFHaT4UaVqI_dxmaHoMHvkrMshGm3dPJPQA9ObdizlQAqTC9NbPRweklngaNkiOevndsEDF4sEVM86OwgqTGdhodqmOFQXHOlXxF74has6WfP4bHqevHyKR5A2IzBFYvC9-8Y/s1600/DSCN0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJfM3wMJFHaT4UaVqI_dxmaHoMHvkrMshGm3dPJPQA9ObdizlQAqTC9NbPRweklngaNkiOevndsEDF4sEVM86OwgqTGdhodqmOFQXHOlXxF74has6WfP4bHqevHyKR5A2IzBFYvC9-8Y/s320/DSCN0203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then take your *sharp* utility knife and trim along the edges. Be careful so you don't cut off areas you wanted to cover. On the corners, you will need to cut along the edges so you can overlap the pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hZmf3H5ueEXlerOG2RhQIVdiSn_rOQU1I5sLtXAzoReQK81lcbwnRbidu-mz-a5TGEjEwCgw5gAUA-RA6C726yEt8I2z-fnhFmLglTDmVxyRyUIjvSJVh73kupbLkNBQMjSJVs-n11E/s1600/DSCN0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hZmf3H5ueEXlerOG2RhQIVdiSn_rOQU1I5sLtXAzoReQK81lcbwnRbidu-mz-a5TGEjEwCgw5gAUA-RA6C726yEt8I2z-fnhFmLglTDmVxyRyUIjvSJVh73kupbLkNBQMjSJVs-n11E/s320/DSCN0204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then go on to the next piece. You will want to lay it carefully, and may need to re-position it a couple of times to get it right. You'll want a small overlap, probably less than 1/4". Then continue as you did with the first one until the whole section is covered.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBA5-ZRWsix6R3BCoGRDTG1xVS5QmwbNhiHFVWvxD6mBZ5u1J5hYoKY2sYGZS4jfdWGGzF6g-5xm6ZwWi7c_DJIkP2D0WmRKajqmAFCN2_hvUYZxwZLc7EIm_7702qzbp1WfHN97LM_c/s1600/DSCN0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBA5-ZRWsix6R3BCoGRDTG1xVS5QmwbNhiHFVWvxD6mBZ5u1J5hYoKY2sYGZS4jfdWGGzF6g-5xm6ZwWi7c_DJIkP2D0WmRKajqmAFCN2_hvUYZxwZLc7EIm_7702qzbp1WfHN97LM_c/s320/DSCN0205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Take extra care around the sink to make sure it fits well. I also do extra overlap because of the extra water that always seems to be on the counter. I don't have many problems with it peeling, but just be extra careful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmcduONOLajy7WYdoCfU-G73KO71LR5-_L2UiVDFzf7sawa7iNCiZMLdQpjEY6Qt6O1PW5ikez7nj1vbhMZtcQhyphenhyphenbkMm7bLuSYvHnC541lZaFSVZohiTyxBbm0KrmHWv4aNbpPmEQ26M/s1600/DSCN0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmcduONOLajy7WYdoCfU-G73KO71LR5-_L2UiVDFzf7sawa7iNCiZMLdQpjEY6Qt6O1PW5ikez7nj1vbhMZtcQhyphenhyphenbkMm7bLuSYvHnC541lZaFSVZohiTyxBbm0KrmHWv4aNbpPmEQ26M/s320/DSCN0220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So much better looking once its done!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPbao1B-K6SveGzIz49dWxZ9SRm1t-6bdRV6fitAaF6pzC4wRXuNVDn3_iZfPBMwd6vcH15JVdxic3oasuYMEGWyEMRKov-omBBFs5u2YDOyJ8RSi9lgIF8uAfeasRMTtG4W-XPXxXug/s1600/DSCN0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPbao1B-K6SveGzIz49dWxZ9SRm1t-6bdRV6fitAaF6pzC4wRXuNVDn3_iZfPBMwd6vcH15JVdxic3oasuYMEGWyEMRKov-omBBFs5u2YDOyJ8RSi9lgIF8uAfeasRMTtG4W-XPXxXug/s320/DSCN0214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Contact paper will hold up with light to medium use. Always use cutting boards as it can be cut easily, even with dull knives. I find that the surface holds up for about a year (I usually replace it after canning season, which is when it gets the most damaged - I was a little behind this year!) This is only the second time I've done the back splash (It lasted 3 years), and if I hadn't been changing colors I wouldn't have changed it...it easily could have lasted a few more years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg2AJ_qprcPbLplG1TVbWuGDb7-S8fKYyrSvK9WWvgYfpSonhy8vCjrjtEH9GVdfMgigr8KvsyvFhHc1vDAuH-2hLm4aOxm9ajjoKeT1jQBDSoK2UhuG-tT22o465va0lJDD-AVaPvfI/s1600/DSCN0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg2AJ_qprcPbLplG1TVbWuGDb7-S8fKYyrSvK9WWvgYfpSonhy8vCjrjtEH9GVdfMgigr8KvsyvFhHc1vDAuH-2hLm4aOxm9ajjoKeT1jQBDSoK2UhuG-tT22o465va0lJDD-AVaPvfI/s320/DSCN0221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Total cost of project<br />
<br />
Contact Paper (2 rolls) $12<br />
<u>Tools Already had</u><br />
<br />
Total $12<br />
<br />
Comment and let me know what you think and also let me know if you try this for yourself!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-16817472047603019702013-02-06T18:00:00.000-05:002013-02-07T20:12:45.142-05:00DIY disinfecting wipes I have been using homemade disinfecting wipes for about a year now... and as is usually the case after you start something new, you hear many reasons why what you are doing is wrong... In this case, <a href="http://lisa.drbronner.com/?p=292">an article</a> surfaced as to why you should not combine Castile soap with vinegar (the acid of the vinegar and the base of the soap negate each other) So after consulting a few other blogs, I came up with my own recipe.<br />
<br />
I am going to include my complete directions below, but I am crediting the originating blogs here... I used the paper towel idea from <a href="http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/homemade-organic-baby-wipes/" target="_blank">Home Made Baby Wipes from the White House Black Shutters Blog</a> and was directed to my original disinfecting wipe recipe (using Castile soap and vinegar) via <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/11/homemade-clorox-wipes.html#more" target="_blank">One Good Thing By Jillee - Homemade disinfecting wipes</a> (original recipe via <a href="http://www.liverenewed.com/2012/10/31-days-to-green-clean-homemade-disinfecting-wipes-updated.html" target="_blank">LiveRenewed.com</a>). Originally, I was not interested in the whole going paperless thing, but, from a purely frugal standpoint, I was quickly won over after reading this blog post by <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/01/throwing-in-paper-towel.html#more" target="_blank">Jillee - Throwing in the Towel</a>. I have included the instructions for using paper towels (disposable wipes) and using cloth (reusable) wipes below. <br />
<br />
The original recipe is no longer online so I can't even link to it or remember it correclty, but it basically had vinegar, water, Castile soap and tea tree oil. So without further ado.... here are some recipes for the disinfecting solution....<br />
<br />
<b>Live Renewed Disinfecting Wipes Recipe #1</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup water</li>
<li>2 Tbsp vinegar</li>
<li>1/2 Tbsp Natural Dish Soap</li>
<li>8-10 drops lemon essential oil</li>
</ul>
The vinegar and lemon have disinfecting properties and the lemon also
gives it a pleasant scent. The dish soap is for extra cleaning power.
The combined scent of the dish soap and lemon essential oil smells
really fresh and clean, and covers up any smell of the vinegar in this
recipe.<br />
<br />
<b>Live Renewed Disinfecting Wipes Recipe #2</b><br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup water</li>
<li>2 Tbsp Castile soap</li>
<li>8-10 drops tea tree oil</li>
</ul>
The <a href="http://greencleaning.about.com/od/GreenCleaningResources/g/Castile-Soap-What-It-Is-How-It-S-Used-In-Green-Cleaning-And-More.htm">Castile soap</a> is a vegetable based soap (cleanser) and the <a href="http://greencleaning.about.com/od/GreenCleaningResources/g/Castile-Soap-What-It-Is-How-It-S-Used-In-Green-Cleaning-And-More.htm">Tea Tree Oil</a> is a natural oil with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. <br />
<ul>
</ul>
<b>Christine's Disinfecting Wipes Recipe</b><br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup water</li>
<li>2 Tbs vinegar</li>
<li>8-10 drops tea tree oil</li>
</ul>
I prefer to clean with vinegar, and while I don't find the scent of vinegar bothersome, the tea tree oil does have a fragrance that dilutes the scent of the vinegar. Basically, I have adapted recipe #1, but since I have castille soap on hand, I may also make some of recipe #2 just to compare... I'll keep you posted.... <br />
<br />
Here are some pics and directions from the first time I made the "original" recipe... I
basically want you to see how the paper towel thing works to make disposable wipes... <br />
<br />
Assemble and combine ingredients. Push a full roll of paper towels into an empty disinfecting wipes container. Then, using a funnel, pour your solution down the center of the paper towel tube.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5KIoPfM9dDJLtEp_woDjUkHf64PgpWW-xB-HwvUmU3MF4d9gwg3-XzXK6KVcIlvnu3Mb8uOFUzFRtzCpOFIYFNka6SA8m3Wa81IUNTzIM4l8buWpMXdb1z8djk8b0_uLFwV0ZoLo9ig/s1600/026+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5KIoPfM9dDJLtEp_woDjUkHf64PgpWW-xB-HwvUmU3MF4d9gwg3-XzXK6KVcIlvnu3Mb8uOFUzFRtzCpOFIYFNka6SA8m3Wa81IUNTzIM4l8buWpMXdb1z8djk8b0_uLFwV0ZoLo9ig/s320/026+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As the paper towels begin to absorb the solution you can push the towels completely into the container, let it sit awhile and then you can pull the tube out from the middle of the paper towel roll. You will then be able to pull the first paper towel up from the center of the roll. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtgkj6o9FR7bw-s98BxFuBsRLpH-zlifRKYmuMNjFeLWQpPi8EkKaUw1l4gdsAjU3d5qYVEkQuDPMhyR3wnOwyy17cdh_mATlIeV3zVHn3Tv_5MqR4C1hdCFZcWwZnBai9iBI9RVXAWs/s1600/033+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtgkj6o9FR7bw-s98BxFuBsRLpH-zlifRKYmuMNjFeLWQpPi8EkKaUw1l4gdsAjU3d5qYVEkQuDPMhyR3wnOwyy17cdh_mATlIeV3zVHn3Tv_5MqR4C1hdCFZcWwZnBai9iBI9RVXAWs/s320/033+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Put the lid on the container and voila! Your homemade, disposable disinfecting wipes. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqn-PlQYWOHvXwyJpAkKLW4CWsIIrD7PcWyDR-ToYOXdDn3eDuvGyidLkKAjChDkUVhMjnh83gbFCa8lkjI27pjuyKM6kJUhJlU3mTpWgdUQD18geAVTofxww2gFGY8Pr4VTZI3zyEfM/s1600/036+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqn-PlQYWOHvXwyJpAkKLW4CWsIIrD7PcWyDR-ToYOXdDn3eDuvGyidLkKAjChDkUVhMjnh83gbFCa8lkjI27pjuyKM6kJUhJlU3mTpWgdUQD18geAVTofxww2gFGY8Pr4VTZI3zyEfM/s320/036+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Reusable Wipes </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Start by purchasing a pack of flour sack towels (about 6.00 at Wal-Mart). Cut the towels into 4 to 6 pieces, depending on the size of the wipes you prefer... you can hem the edges if desired, or just leave them raw - completely up to you. Since I am continuing to reuse my old "Clorox" wipes container, I have rolled my towels so that they overlap slightly. Hopefully when I pull one, the next one pulls up.... Line them up with the overlap, then roll them up and pull the inside towel up to use as your first towel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3EPg5OSHhXMzJGDBgDdZxfPcSH7HLm-QjujysaIRIsaa09rs-7QC1Ry78spItQk_nZCvFtui4Vy8Od1Y_0OSRXQPyQIyYCK3QUDFkzDbkac00ixVPrW9lPjStSZWJBooa5960TtABOc/s1600/033+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3EPg5OSHhXMzJGDBgDdZxfPcSH7HLm-QjujysaIRIsaa09rs-7QC1Ry78spItQk_nZCvFtui4Vy8Od1Y_0OSRXQPyQIyYCK3QUDFkzDbkac00ixVPrW9lPjStSZWJBooa5960TtABOc/s320/033+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrVBPPkjEq9VZX-qkTZzMvvSK0JU0gtN54CJ8cyhfnjsBZlfgfVCaGd4W2DXpcZloChiFGFqGK-oQ8y4GU15qUbc3Jh8Ai6ttahuj2-01u5cIDIfKjWH2BZjKgRrY4S_WiunFuzKu4mQ/s1600/034+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrVBPPkjEq9VZX-qkTZzMvvSK0JU0gtN54CJ8cyhfnjsBZlfgfVCaGd4W2DXpcZloChiFGFqGK-oQ8y4GU15qUbc3Jh8Ai6ttahuj2-01u5cIDIfKjWH2BZjKgRrY4S_WiunFuzKu4mQ/s320/034+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Pour the solution into your container and add your towels...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdC2hRb6u2n8YZStfKi7UgNxwOOUHS91MW4PW-4rIbNAfxYZ9PWNJzRaouqFaCvGtm444BU288ybPIAgkh06FCSbPKosBV4J5PM0MIBoFgd8r7lt9o8zadz3YK9Mt6iuXmybNSYdyjJM/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdC2hRb6u2n8YZStfKi7UgNxwOOUHS91MW4PW-4rIbNAfxYZ9PWNJzRaouqFaCvGtm444BU288ybPIAgkh06FCSbPKosBV4J5PM0MIBoFgd8r7lt9o8zadz3YK9Mt6iuXmybNSYdyjJM/s320/039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkujx7X2isnmNxs3Yfn2HWRnx_bT6CKIO2tSOahh-ra50ZGXg5Gh1BcNrCi44apgCTsWBv6GJbuBQaqcI-V3qH8R9pGC4jOEY6U0T66iHSjUuJliSZzqpM3EdYKw17P9OxHOuAHO6Nnk/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkujx7X2isnmNxs3Yfn2HWRnx_bT6CKIO2tSOahh-ra50ZGXg5Gh1BcNrCi44apgCTsWBv6GJbuBQaqcI-V3qH8R9pGC4jOEY6U0T66iHSjUuJliSZzqpM3EdYKw17P9OxHOuAHO6Nnk/s320/040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And voila! My reusable disinfecting wipes! Now I have to go clean my bathroom...Until next time...<br />
<br />
Love and God's peace to you, <br />
Christine<br />
<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/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT5wH8NETqBPiT5V9dteDTd2fPuU-VIqZPCNV8Vq7DC_FYYkQrxyhEz1tfO8EsiTvXcsjm4uhQCWU9HkWXmu_AmFnYQTJh72TOjhp4O4kNAGtBiAy1z9qLUaiBrlJ88TYcFxms1b0QLw/s1600/chris+profile.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Christine Clamenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03050646261691089537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-7484762199003444632013-02-05T14:00:00.000-05:002013-02-05T14:00:00.935-05:00Redecorating 2013 - Jewelry OrganizationMy next project in this series was for my Master Bedroom. When I started to bring everything back in to the room after painting, I was really appreciating how clean and uncluttered everything was. The problem was, the bedroom was clean and uncluttered, the dining room was a different story...all my junk was still in there. So I started clearing some things out and decided I didn't want my jewelry on top of my dresser anymore. Here's what it looked like before...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9QivkvR32wejFe3qyHmo4HkFxJwVhHAtFcfR5c0W80OJx1Zaw7xcIOgvk-TZdfkrAdR-64a_wrZo3cvj7W1etLIt_rM98Uss6-nL9ZnYRNh4dw9ytI-iw_cAI2P8sGaS40FAqbijNLs/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9QivkvR32wejFe3qyHmo4HkFxJwVhHAtFcfR5c0W80OJx1Zaw7xcIOgvk-TZdfkrAdR-64a_wrZo3cvj7W1etLIt_rM98Uss6-nL9ZnYRNh4dw9ytI-iw_cAI2P8sGaS40FAqbijNLs/s320/DSCN0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Not the worst system ever, and also the cleanest my dresser has EVER looked...I always end up piling other things there too. Also, my necklaces often got tangled and taking the earrings off that rack was annoying because it was hard to reach around and put the backs off them. So I scoured the internet for some ideas. I found this idea on <a href="http://wherebeautymeetsfunction.blogspot.com/2010/08/jewelry-organization.html" target="_blank">Where Beauty Meets Functions</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7xJ5gsLygIc9DfHMtWebqN5gQ5_JfI5xnH1qypyIgWFuwlo_8Vlbug3enXHcZC883FaDSk4LcVst81qsUzSFNf3wpoTWQg2T35htYfSXKkIx1WtEglPBGMbSIrB4S6LkQvRzr1QouuQ/s1600/Jewelry+Organizing+Idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7xJ5gsLygIc9DfHMtWebqN5gQ5_JfI5xnH1qypyIgWFuwlo_8Vlbug3enXHcZC883FaDSk4LcVst81qsUzSFNf3wpoTWQg2T35htYfSXKkIx1WtEglPBGMbSIrB4S6LkQvRzr1QouuQ/s320/Jewelry+Organizing+Idea.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
So, I set off to Hobby Lobby and Lowe's to see how I could recreate this idea. Here's what I bought...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cUDsL9EwgZ_oUVo_bcfGuJ9KikiK8YgJkvS0SehCNWd0tTz2vqsY_XqbBqXz6KsgtBFhyphenhyphenmfTVu6JZzb76sXpe3jb42hOCUuLVszfwQ6Ud5nRbgn0XibrYOrf6Lfd-yOpte89OQNUsn0/s1600/DSCN0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cUDsL9EwgZ_oUVo_bcfGuJ9KikiK8YgJkvS0SehCNWd0tTz2vqsY_XqbBqXz6KsgtBFhyphenhyphenmfTVu6JZzb76sXpe3jb42hOCUuLVszfwQ6Ud5nRbgn0XibrYOrf6Lfd-yOpte89OQNUsn0/s320/DSCN0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3 open pictures frames (2-9x12, 1 12x24), A roll of cork, Foam core, fabric, galvanized steel wire, eyelet screws, picture hangers (for the back of the frame, because they weren't included). You'll also need tools like a staple gun, wire cutters, pliers and a utility knife.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First, I cut the foam core to the size of the frame, and cut sheets of cork to match. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX6ahjUkpqLtx5vhalugqgGL7rQnZUgk0kc-ACtlp0e1Hoekmz_AMaNuyaS3eRLTbwityknBo8ZFjKqQ4IB41_iQttzN8fSfKQdFMqlQ_npqWSKfio6bJ_T21in9R-iTavrtxGH4s8Bs/s1600/DSCN0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX6ahjUkpqLtx5vhalugqgGL7rQnZUgk0kc-ACtlp0e1Hoekmz_AMaNuyaS3eRLTbwityknBo8ZFjKqQ4IB41_iQttzN8fSfKQdFMqlQ_npqWSKfio6bJ_T21in9R-iTavrtxGH4s8Bs/s320/DSCN0120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Then I stapled the cork onto the foam core (I just needed an office stapler for this) and trimmed everything to size (cork is stretchy, so you'll probably have to trim it). I tried gluing it, but it wasn't working...so I switched to stapling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WnzgF-_dFPHI7vnVsWKTb1wMqRJkMYLlei_ir-OjIr1S57u3mE7v8t_OW70hA-GInEP_EXdz0NJBrwp3v7-oLif2aK8gkI53cXV_8lXqpUZjhFGctfBhwP1DEadDeqk0MtA7HnIrCqk/s1600/DSCN0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WnzgF-_dFPHI7vnVsWKTb1wMqRJkMYLlei_ir-OjIr1S57u3mE7v8t_OW70hA-GInEP_EXdz0NJBrwp3v7-oLif2aK8gkI53cXV_8lXqpUZjhFGctfBhwP1DEadDeqk0MtA7HnIrCqk/s320/DSCN0122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You could skip the fabric step and just put it in the frame this way, if you like this look. If you do, be careful of where you staple, they might show (mine did).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GtE6jxYSI0GFG3y6nO5Y2vE8MZBZDrfhfqXK9c6iNsDF23XX6xtNy2u9sw5NSfxBqDagl88bSeCSlqXPfnaj9DTzQQDxBn1BLyAtRdc7EwsBF1e-gdpB9k1ywn9XJPqaMdBHsyX3TOs/s1600/DSCN0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GtE6jxYSI0GFG3y6nO5Y2vE8MZBZDrfhfqXK9c6iNsDF23XX6xtNy2u9sw5NSfxBqDagl88bSeCSlqXPfnaj9DTzQQDxBn1BLyAtRdc7EwsBF1e-gdpB9k1ywn9XJPqaMdBHsyX3TOs/s320/DSCN0123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had planned to cover the cork in fabric to go with my bedroom color scheme. So I cut the fabric so I could wrap it around the cork/foam core.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1MDNHHj_HlMbRu-Fk-Ip1IZX1NGujneZG9z1VkjuOpxLogg65DOUmCQgC_13xN49K54XbBCxiiRKrDkX0TKrGIte9TbwKS7I1M1G71MwN1V79UTM8oTLWXjaoc1C5oXwKPEbW-6gNIQ/s1600/DSCN0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1MDNHHj_HlMbRu-Fk-Ip1IZX1NGujneZG9z1VkjuOpxLogg65DOUmCQgC_13xN49K54XbBCxiiRKrDkX0TKrGIte9TbwKS7I1M1G71MwN1V79UTM8oTLWXjaoc1C5oXwKPEbW-6gNIQ/s320/DSCN0124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Do yourself a favor and clip the corners so you have less bulk to wrap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv0JTTj2Sdekm5Vr7_zlXi01U4JZi04u7ZgVFC9f1ZGF2Mb3NdtsejxsAw3p_kQhb6az4ezRa6HzU_EMmQkigSE1LhsZMk5qkzdPMblCDuR8GxkuxfzNhj4pVp_Wc-AI1fb8TCtjKDTA/s1600/DSCN0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv0JTTj2Sdekm5Vr7_zlXi01U4JZi04u7ZgVFC9f1ZGF2Mb3NdtsejxsAw3p_kQhb6az4ezRa6HzU_EMmQkigSE1LhsZMk5qkzdPMblCDuR8GxkuxfzNhj4pVp_Wc-AI1fb8TCtjKDTA/s320/DSCN0132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Again, I used an office stapler to secure it in place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTMCCatFkkv03v_lNUnMBebcNZN4CdOlJmC9cz8o6npyykP92-PgyyYegyjgZ826jd9SuKT50QKlVvJbuG4BwK8-hA6XvO5XMBaInx3s-K-hxwdJ5euoeS9qiy9bzXK5B0PPi_dPEhq8/s1600/DSCN0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTMCCatFkkv03v_lNUnMBebcNZN4CdOlJmC9cz8o6npyykP92-PgyyYegyjgZ826jd9SuKT50QKlVvJbuG4BwK8-hA6XvO5XMBaInx3s-K-hxwdJ5euoeS9qiy9bzXK5B0PPi_dPEhq8/s320/DSCN0133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the 3 holders was going to be used for earrings, so I attached the wire and eyelet screws so the earrings could hang on them. Skip this step for the other frames.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0AoZxmJSwoLCl3ekzl-B6HBp1hct873M7jK15wb3NmS9FEMiW11oDb2z9I-gbBnflMk4wvTjQmYjl-KVAG6-SVcJzlfNdvCkpk_AwTQUj7zB_hbwyFA4BeVreIs14u75lfrxko70NfM/s1600/DSCN0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0AoZxmJSwoLCl3ekzl-B6HBp1hct873M7jK15wb3NmS9FEMiW11oDb2z9I-gbBnflMk4wvTjQmYjl-KVAG6-SVcJzlfNdvCkpk_AwTQUj7zB_hbwyFA4BeVreIs14u75lfrxko70NfM/s320/DSCN0135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Some tips, attach the eyelets on both sides then thread the wire through and pull it as tightly as possible and secure it. Then, to get it tighter, try turn the eyelets tighter to increase the tension.<br />
<br />
Next place the fabric wrapped foam core in the back and secure with a staple gun. Be careful that you don't staple all the way through the frame!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8TCSe-f3NkBJnPwbIzYZcaEd5A8bddO_kqYbI5TlJsD7g8dopImrvYO8e_dKQylgimbQV7iz22Vu9XLKWdJmEV8LzZT3gWjgurAQfGUSCWFYRjPxz2ilSSpDcYG8DlX6grB_iw11iOU/s1600/DSCN0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8TCSe-f3NkBJnPwbIzYZcaEd5A8bddO_kqYbI5TlJsD7g8dopImrvYO8e_dKQylgimbQV7iz22Vu9XLKWdJmEV8LzZT3gWjgurAQfGUSCWFYRjPxz2ilSSpDcYG8DlX6grB_iw11iOU/s320/DSCN0137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, attach the sawtooth hangers to the back of the frame (if necessary).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPdG2c8dY7VgUUBGra0gqWk0r1lqz9eQ5OcwfGy7lbEXzNb5XCLveW4oHNGxPm95A6-337chJW2zXkaMh6ThrldYV1QIZ_1A2Xx-uEeFm2-5SNvyjdrhFJ1X5Y2jyibA7SeXR_I1ocH0/s1600/DSCN0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPdG2c8dY7VgUUBGra0gqWk0r1lqz9eQ5OcwfGy7lbEXzNb5XCLveW4oHNGxPm95A6-337chJW2zXkaMh6ThrldYV1QIZ_1A2Xx-uEeFm2-5SNvyjdrhFJ1X5Y2jyibA7SeXR_I1ocH0/s320/DSCN0138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And...tada! Repeat process for the other frames, minus the wire.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGtEHBLBK5QxQt2Cm594hpJp0oJAGNAgAgeRGtDH14qkR0zl0YzU4SVCw4sgRjQTCnyLM89Y2JHedyjH1-siIrlja9Jgsl2w4zY1KbRYzuiL7_C9oD7CXL5xoRfGPoQXuq-o18jEOWAg/s1600/DSCN0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGtEHBLBK5QxQt2Cm594hpJp0oJAGNAgAgeRGtDH14qkR0zl0YzU4SVCw4sgRjQTCnyLM89Y2JHedyjH1-siIrlja9Jgsl2w4zY1KbRYzuiL7_C9oD7CXL5xoRfGPoQXuq-o18jEOWAg/s320/DSCN0139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And here's what I ended up with! To attach necklaces, I just used straight pins. I used plain ones, but at some point I might upgrade to the ones with the pearl balls on the end. For a more fun, colorful look you could use the ones with the colored balls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1hCh2Ay_mAw8PGUdRtdY5eghI3i_7Qjwmyz6vQg87-gzV4ZF6yC6RSsbuvyyA_OmkY7tkr7yeChG_fVoJPdSk96QTasU7_82kFhmqug9ONyEUgAToA1xXPbdKMvpYtcJa9BI4AkA9S8/s1600/DSCN0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1hCh2Ay_mAw8PGUdRtdY5eghI3i_7Qjwmyz6vQg87-gzV4ZF6yC6RSsbuvyyA_OmkY7tkr7yeChG_fVoJPdSk96QTasU7_82kFhmqug9ONyEUgAToA1xXPbdKMvpYtcJa9BI4AkA9S8/s320/DSCN0147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And here is how it looked once I put all of my jewelry on it. The necklace boards are a little more crowded than I anticipated (turns out I have a LOT of jewelry), but I still like it. And, I love that things don't get tangled, its easy to remove and rehang everything and I can see everything at once.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfA_stnEYyWdys3M0ic0XFuBqkRZgMfFXW_BxwXBcw8VZ-oAVx5eY7-P3RsIxAj1wDiEXSh0sk_CSRKhQLkSFG4AipK_9OuL52NFb07e3W2yDGA1eEusALC-Tcztoa9ui7AkN7-asNXo/s1600/DSCN0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfA_stnEYyWdys3M0ic0XFuBqkRZgMfFXW_BxwXBcw8VZ-oAVx5eY7-P3RsIxAj1wDiEXSh0sk_CSRKhQLkSFG4AipK_9OuL52NFb07e3W2yDGA1eEusALC-Tcztoa9ui7AkN7-asNXo/s320/DSCN0155.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWbfhiLkRdIstbtJ4njjpNCytMCZLtHTR_T97GXqemHhwk7F25g1TkRdqRs7ExaEoM57iYvIQal3LYbfbGW7ex2_AMJ3Be9keoHECxcupHL7RY0ppBAyjdstcrz3f5o0Nv7y4vkHoSEY/s1600/DSCN0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWbfhiLkRdIstbtJ4njjpNCytMCZLtHTR_T97GXqemHhwk7F25g1TkRdqRs7ExaEoM57iYvIQal3LYbfbGW7ex2_AMJ3Be9keoHECxcupHL7RY0ppBAyjdstcrz3f5o0Nv7y4vkHoSEY/s320/DSCN0159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The only downside to this system for earrings is that it won't hold anything with a post back. So those are all in my jewelry box.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXhbFlExVrXKMYIjkqdTq6m96VSGX5LLLV-RgPuMKlaThRLqJAa6YkwId4QUtMkTcRoJEEwyQaa-a3qHI7CjMlOTpvgN_M2g6QxZhUVJh6iXiSEZiSmTU_BoLbcrulCe0F_Kkb_DJCcE/s1600/DSCN0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXhbFlExVrXKMYIjkqdTq6m96VSGX5LLLV-RgPuMKlaThRLqJAa6YkwId4QUtMkTcRoJEEwyQaa-a3qHI7CjMlOTpvgN_M2g6QxZhUVJh6iXiSEZiSmTU_BoLbcrulCe0F_Kkb_DJCcE/s320/DSCN0162.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Total cost of project.<br />
<br />Open Back Frames $49<br />
Foam Core FREE (already had it)<br />
Cork $11 (with lots left over for another project)<br />
Fabric $4<br />
<u>Wire & Hardware $5 </u><br />
Total $69<br />
<br />
The frames really upped the cost of this project. If you wanted a more vintage or eclectic feel, you could probably hunt up some thrift store frames and save a little money. That look wouldn't have worked in this space, so I spent a little more. But I really love it, so its worth the extra cost to me!<br />
<br />
Be sure and comment to let me know what you think or if you make something like this for yourself...I'd love to see it!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<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/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798261912574608699.post-58125282135213414022013-02-02T10:00:00.000-05:002013-02-02T10:00:01.789-05:00Redecorating 2013 - Subway ArtBecause I am between jobs right now, I'm using this time to do some projects around my house. Things I never seem to make time for when I'm working. So this series will include a variety of DIY projects that I completed for my Master Bedroom, Dining Room, Living Room & Kitchen. The house is really starting to come together!<br />
<br />
Up first is two different DIY Subway Art projects I did, one for the Master Bedroom, one for the Living Room. The first one, for the Master Bedroom, was surprisingly easy and designed at 3 am one night when I inadvertently drank coffee too late in the day! The idea came from <a href="http://withywindle.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/diy-subway-art/" target="_blank">Withywindle</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://withywindle.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/img_9402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://withywindle.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/img_9402.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />
Traditional Subway Art is usually a list of places, often ones that have some meaning for you. I decided to take the concept and use a Bible verse that has a lot of meaning for me. I did the formatting in Microsoft Word, which limits the design capability, but because I'm familiar with the program and already have it, it was the best option for me. I made a custom size page that was 12 x 18, so that it would easily expand to a 24 x 36 when I sent it to Staples. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcSQYweoWDaGzH_Px8m1tMa-lvH15UxTH_owBPnkPXIL86SHooXVtRDbWhYGYA81yKF9Wdp-rfBO87x5I0kFMPuMGIwRj-5JrFA3GzdRpILEZmuQvyDEKugYzLU_eRFPxV49QPdAsBa8/s1600/DSCN0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcSQYweoWDaGzH_Px8m1tMa-lvH15UxTH_owBPnkPXIL86SHooXVtRDbWhYGYA81yKF9Wdp-rfBO87x5I0kFMPuMGIwRj-5JrFA3GzdRpILEZmuQvyDEKugYzLU_eRFPxV49QPdAsBa8/s320/DSCN0196.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Staples charges about $25-30 for poster prints, but black and white "engineering prints" are about $4 for a 24x36 sheet! It's a simple process to upload a pdf to the staples copy & print site and send it to them for printing. After I picked it up, I spray glued it to a piece of foam core. Simple. Easy. Cheap!<br />
<br />
Cost of Project.<br />
Print from Staples $4<br />
<u>Foam Core $8</u> (7 for the board, 1 for them to cut it)<br />
Total $12<br />
<br />
Project #2 was for my living room and was a little more involved. The idea came from <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2011/08/song-lyric-wall-art-diy-project.html?cid=6a00d8358081ff69e2016763c34a53970b#comment-6a00d8358081ff69e2016763c34a53970b" target="_blank">A Beautiful Mess.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8358081ff69e201676123bec8970b" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8358081ff69e201676123bec8970b" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The suggestion was to use an old painting from a thrift store as the background. So I set off to a couple of thrift stores, but couldn't find a painting. I found a few on craigslist, but they were upwards of $50...a lot to pay for something you're going to paint over. So my twist on the idea was to use a jigsaw puzzle! Puzzles are one of our favorite family activities, especially in the winter, so I had a lot to choose from. <br />
<br />
I forgot to take pictures of the first steps, but I think you can figure out how to put the puzzle together, and then glue it together (I used mod podge). I glued it directly to the back piece of cardboard from the frame I planned to use. <br />
<br />
Then I cut out letters from vinyl using my Cricut and laid them out on top of the puzzle. Go ahead and draw some lines to make sure the words go across straight...they won't be visible when you're done. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4CVKmHZOH5k/UQheEN40uzI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/Ha_WQfSIy2E/s1600/DSCN0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4CVKmHZOH5k/UQheEN40uzI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/Ha_WQfSIy2E/s320/DSCN0176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
When you have it laid out, make sure the vinyl letters are sealed on the edges to prevent bleeding - it won't be 100% effective, but you want to prevent as much as possible. Then paint over the the entire surface. I used spray paint, but acrylic would probably work better. The letters curled and the spray paint bled.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWpAYoqcDWw/UQheEhKxEfI/AAAAAAAAA2g/YDLlKs9pyIQ/s1600/DSCN0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWpAYoqcDWw/UQheEhKxEfI/AAAAAAAAA2g/YDLlKs9pyIQ/s320/DSCN0180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Once the paint is dry, peel off the vinyl letters. You may need to use an exacto knife or razor blade to keep the paint from coming off where you don't want it to, or to get the letters up off the picture. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdZPnygOOak/UQheFxUPgmI/AAAAAAAAA2o/adCxFTS2uA8/s1600/DSCN0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdZPnygOOak/UQheFxUPgmI/AAAAAAAAA2o/adCxFTS2uA8/s320/DSCN0181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Frame and hang! (I decided that the paint color I spray painted was too dark, there wasn't enough contrast between the puzzle and the paint, making it hard to read. So I actually went over it again with some latex paint and a brush...it was a pain, but the result was pretty good. The moral of the story is to choose your paint color carefully....)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGQv3RUBoCbTefKnwD36A6g_ggtlzA760UQ1RWSUpl5teYR7ejIZbZgKjYMkhT4UzZvnXPU9B2cT1JfVQvERwad1aj5NMJGR1SH__h5gHz8XAH8kyfl0aJg3YSGo3b2DpULUOdLJRHx0/s1600/DSCN0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGQv3RUBoCbTefKnwD36A6g_ggtlzA760UQ1RWSUpl5teYR7ejIZbZgKjYMkhT4UzZvnXPU9B2cT1JfVQvERwad1aj5NMJGR1SH__h5gHz8XAH8kyfl0aJg3YSGo3b2DpULUOdLJRHx0/s320/DSCN0195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Cost of Project<br />
Puzzle FREE (already had it)<br />
Frame $23 (Clearance at Michael's!)<br />
Vinyl for letters FREE (already had it - it'll run you about $10 at Hobby Lobby)<br />
<u>Spray Paint $4</u><br />
Total Cost $27<br />
<br />
Comment and let me know what you think or if you try one of these for yourself!<br />
<br />
Grace and love,<br />
Jenn<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-STxAlTbv-iffwT57fcz-4yLLrRwGx9n5XOo78fBP-0X7f2qv9TpY0cthWDE8VqSJt_NVxxzWlcoW0sGPa7NAmVBlgywiRhlPF_rcL8F-QqoAQhvyf66FfsfMy3UoDxtKTCksw38ZR4/s1600/profile+pic+small.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04450891257944091298noreply@blogger.com0