tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45134172560209672092024-02-07T10:14:09.396-07:00Cracked Eggs & Spilled MilkUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-135345199961190782019-07-26T14:00:00.000-07:002019-07-26T14:09:00.853-07:00A Blue Jay, a Reminder & an Honor<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is believed by
some that seeing a certain bird is a sign from a loved one passed, reminding
you of them being near and sending love.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4513417256020967209#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">[i]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
This is exactly what had happened the day I got the call that my dad passed
away.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">After gaining composure at work, I
made the tearful drive home to share the news with my family.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">We went and sat outside to talk and console
one another when suddenly out of nowhere appeared two bright colored blue jays
and a cardinal among several other birds in our yard.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">They kept hopping around on the fence, going
from branch to branch and flying around.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">At this moment, we all had an overwhelming sense of calm. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">It felt like the ones we needed at that very
moment to let us know it was ok, were with us, not only my father, but my Grandmother
and husband’s mom.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">It was as if we were
being told to not be sad but to rejoice that my Dad was not alone and no longer
in pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
father’s pain had been for years, over 25 years of back pain because of a
bicycle accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An accident that
changed his life forever, creating a question I feel so many people who loved
him would ask forever, “why do these things happen, why can such things occur
that will ultimately change life for people forever”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father was my hero before the accident and
even more so afterward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a
registered nurse by career and a compassionate, giving man by heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you think of a man born to make a
difference in others and be a healer than my Dad was that person. He was one to
give his last dime and the shirt off his back to someone. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I still think of my father’s kindness
and ability to not judge someone by his or her outside exterior “don’t judge a
book by its cover”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the last few years,
he had come up with a closing signature and even statement “Walk in Beauty”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would remind me to keep gentle thoughts and
not allow myself to be pressured by the demands of every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Dad was a lover of the beauty of nature,
before his accident he was an avid outdoorsman (not hunter) gardener, hiker, and
camper. When one thinks of peace, love, happiness you think of tie-dye and Woodstock,
I think of my Dad. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
the day I got that call, I was not prepared, even though deep down I knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been on the outs the last few months
of his life. We had seen him the weekend before his passing and while it was
not the amends I would have wished for because I feel so much was left unsaid
it was still an amends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have
never thought that was the last time I would see him if I had known I would
not have left that weekend. A continued internal challenge is that I hope he
knew how much I loved him and hope he knew he was my hero, people assure me he
knew. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times I can still hear
his voice and infectious laugh and other times I cannot believe I will never
hear his voice again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many
times I struggle and wish he was a phone call away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could share with him the struggles
since our move to Flagstaff so he could remind me of the beauty of being here
will outweigh the struggle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition,
I am sure he would have a joke to lighten the situation at work and then some
ways to cope that only he would have. Moreover, I wish he were here to watch me
make the accomplishment of getting my NAU degree; something he always
encouraged me to do was get an education. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pain changes people, it can take away their
abilities to enjoy life to the fullest and even I am sure to feel animosity to
those doing even the littlest of things they can no longer do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure my father didn’t try to have this
but at times I know it was his own internal battle. I believe he hung on to
life as long as he did for his only child and his grandchildren. Grandchildren
that loved him and admired him dearly, for the dragon and magical wizard that
he was. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a true lover of life and
a storyteller, but he had a tale to tell. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still cannot help but think of him like the
movie “BIG FISH” and I still have not been able to watch it since his passing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why do I write
this all in a blog post, like a diary entry for all to read?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, my father always had me write my
feelings and when I think of my feelings I am sure I am not alone in them for
someone who has lost a parent or loved one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think many of us are never ready for that
phone call, we wish we could have one more conversation, hear their voice and
laugh, one more hug and not let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
may even have the internal struggle and sadness of hoping the person knew how much
they were loved, asking themselves if they told them enough or showed
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe some even have blame or hurt
or questions of why? I write this blog because it is a way of healing and a way
to let others know they are not alone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
also write it as a way to honor a man who was my hero. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> B</span>lue jays have returned at times, not frequently but at times which seem when I have needed the reminder the
most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even one time I watched a video on
our Ring camera and there a blue jay was on the deck right in front of the
camera. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, when I got home from
work, my son told me excitedly that he found a Papa feather in the back
yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, a feather, serving as
a reminder to my son that his Papa is with him, where he loved to be the most, outside watching him be a young boy. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiato8XOvgWKLjP-FcSeelP2i_a_FP-n0yzjkjaN0Vjcl77NsCKP4YY736OtJT2TuLEjLKjfhIUkGCFLSU5chyphenhyphenQwasbtfYLRY84J4zMAcp5Ch2O7x-eWf-zSGjmZpQWuii7lBTQX59SupU/s1600/20190726_105646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiato8XOvgWKLjP-FcSeelP2i_a_FP-n0yzjkjaN0Vjcl77NsCKP4YY736OtJT2TuLEjLKjfhIUkGCFLSU5chyphenhyphenQwasbtfYLRY84J4zMAcp5Ch2O7x-eWf-zSGjmZpQWuii7lBTQX59SupU/s640/20190726_105646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4513417256020967209#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[i]</span></span></span></span></a> <a href="https://www.psychic-readings-guide.com/after-death-communications/">https://www.psychic-readings-guide.com/after-death-communications/</a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-2771167759187584282012-02-23T21:22:00.002-07:002012-02-23T21:26:21.049-07:00Stationery card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 482px; padding: 0pt 6px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding: 14px 0pt 0pt 14px; width: 105px;"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: medium none; padding: 0pt;" /></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AatG7ls5ZOGjqg&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AatG7ls5ZOGjA/0AatG7ls5ZOGjOhg/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1330057309000/0/" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: medium none; padding: 0pt;" /></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding: 15px 0pt; text-align: center;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">Storytime Boy Birth Announcement</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">Birth announcements & <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">graduation announcements</a> by Shutterfly.</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div><img border="0" height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: medium none; padding: 0pt;" width="1" /></div></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif); height: 6px;">Introducing my precious baby boy. One day before my 10th Wedding Anniversary me and my husband found out we were expecting this precious baby- one we thought we'd never have. Aiden Paul completes our family joining his two brothers and two sisters. We're all in love with this little bundle of joy and feel extremely blessed. Now with a new baby time will be short on top of my job, but I will find time to bake and blog again- hopefully sometime soon.</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif); height: 6px;"><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-87576712281649543962011-03-30T22:32:00.003-07:002011-03-30T23:17:49.452-07:00Supporting a cause and giving tribute to a survivor!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: small;">I am extremely honored and excited for this post. It is honestly a very short blog this time, even if I have been absent lately. I do promise for some new recipes soon. And already have one in mind~ the fresh grapefruits on my tree are awaiting their purpose.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">However, please go to <a href="http://www.frostingforthecause.com/" style="color: #ea9999;">Frosting for a Cause</a> were I am being featured as a guest blogger on this wonderful site where as they say "Together we are Baking a Difference". This is a cause near and dear to my heart and I feel so honored to join 365 other bloggers from across the US and Canada with hopes of bringing awareness and a cure to the fight against cancer. It is with efforts and talents of wonderful people and organizations like <span style="color: #e06666;">Frosting for a Cause</span> that adds hope and light to our future.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">My tribute was to a dear friend and even as I type this I know many others who deserve the same tributes, wonderful brave women who have faced cancer as a survivor or women who lost the battle to this horrendous disease. Families faced with the emotions of seeing loved ones battle or living with memories of loved ones lost. We must not forget that together we can make a difference. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A great quote: </i></span></div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little. ~Edmund Burke</i></span></div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;">Every little bit adds up to the greater picture.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span>And <span style="color: #e06666;">Frosting for a Cause</span> is a </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">wonderful example</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #666666;">of what a difference can be made by being creative and doing what may seem little in the grand scheme of things-however it does have a mighty impact!</span></span><i><span style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"></span></i></div><div style="color: #e06666;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">Please visit <a href="http://www.frostingforthecause.com/">Frosting for a Cause</a> to see my guest post and get the recipe for the delicious cookies pictured below:</span></i></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIrbMcEE6Xoey8nebX0aE8-asQhjtFkY1qUGYIStsFNxHZ00y5rShQMK-rpgT5wjEpeUJlz6gvYbZHHnTwYIk7fBMBX9TSrVwX2HIhJ5wVv9QH9ILP3umUwz5OY1vRwSv5uRcRAISii8/s1600/pic_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIrbMcEE6Xoey8nebX0aE8-asQhjtFkY1qUGYIStsFNxHZ00y5rShQMK-rpgT5wjEpeUJlz6gvYbZHHnTwYIk7fBMBX9TSrVwX2HIhJ5wVv9QH9ILP3umUwz5OY1vRwSv5uRcRAISii8/s320/pic_8.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-6014895369250705472011-03-04T22:46:00.000-07:002011-03-04T22:46:54.756-07:00Going Bananas<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Have you ever had that moment (or moments) in your life where you just feel like you're quite possibly "going bananas"? I mean this in a relatively comical sense, as I will save going insane & crazy for another post. If anyone answers "NO" to this question, please send me a comment to explain how you keep such a calm existence. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">However,I still wouldn't be convinced, but that then could be misinterpreted to "jealousy". Ha!!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Now I believe I have a pretty good balance in my life, my children remind me daily of how lucky I am & also how quickly time goes by, for the most part my husband keeps me grounded & offers that strength I sometimes find I need & my parents have given me the many roots & values I've carried through my life. All of them including a handful of wonderful & true friends (you know who you are) have given encouragement & support for well just about everything. To all of the before mentioned I am forever thankful. So with all that said, one could ask "how could you be going bananas"? Remember, its used loosely, I'm not going crazy yet. . . Ask me in a week though!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I have felt rather busy, not overwhelmed, but out of my realm of every day comfort. I guess I could blame it on being at home for awhile & not having a job per-say however, it is not lazy. Cause believe me I was busy than. Being a mom, housewife, blogger, baker,writer really is a full time job. Yet the schedule is quite different. Now I'm a full time worker plus a full time mom, housewife & wishing I could find time to blog, bake and write. Maybe that's part of it "I'm going bananas" because I am missing my time to blog, bake and write. But as with everything new job, once I learn I will have that ease to add things into my time. Plus, when you're packing boxes to move one can go a little bananas... or maybe that will be the blog for "going crazy".</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Whatever the day or reasoning for your funny and insane moments of going bananas I have a delicious recipe to share. I had originally wanted to share my mom's recipe for her banana bread, however it has disappeared. My mom is kind of a pinch here, dash there cook/baker, however she did write down here recipe the last time she made it, now just can't remember where she put it. So the picture is of my mom's bread~ which I will share once it is found or she gets the measurements of each ingredient again.</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/AVvXsEjVAKiTsO8kz3f_trNTj0s_fulkLvTTDhr4Jnvg6wO0cn4dDydC0v6bsaAnG5QJQ4123qywpZtbiCf0Elj0aDrbNNZbFPTkIhnSlsSrJ7GM6SGOwvl3Ys9KXmpfrEoweIFXpavHIMk_u4U/s1600/bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAKiTsO8kz3f_trNTj0s_fulkLvTTDhr4Jnvg6wO0cn4dDydC0v6bsaAnG5QJQ4123qywpZtbiCf0Elj0aDrbNNZbFPTkIhnSlsSrJ7GM6SGOwvl3Ys9KXmpfrEoweIFXpavHIMk_u4U/s400/bb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">The recipe is from this wonderful bed and breakfast in Arizona~ <a href="http://www.aravaipafarms.com/virtual_visit.htm">Aravaipa Farms Bed and Breakfast</a>, one of my all time favorite places, a true escape from the crazy busy of everyday and just unwind and relax. The hostess is ultimately delightful and the meals are delicious. Upon your arrival you are welcomed with a picnic basket and the delights don't stop throughout your stay. Now, I have had a few bites of this bread and can say it is really amazing... but I am allergic to bananas so don't like to over do eating it, although I really have a hard time because it is so yummy. But my family loves it. I believe it's been posted in a few magazines as I know the owner of the B&B has been included in different magazine articles and featured on Arizona Highways. Her dishes, meals and B&B really are a true delight to the senses, hope you enjoy the bread.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aravaipa Farms Morning Banana Cake</span></div><div class="rcpdetail" id="ingredients"><div> </div><h2 style="color: #f1c232; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #666666;">2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 1 cup pecan or walnut halves</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 1 cup dried cranberries</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 1 teaspoon baking powder</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 1 teaspoon baking soda</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 1/4 teaspoon salt</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 2 1/2 cups sugar</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 1 cup mashed ripe banana</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 2 teaspoons vanilla</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 2 large eggs</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 1 cup (1/2 lb.) melted butter or margarine</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;"> 1 cup buttermilk</span></div></div><!-- end class="rcpdetail" --> <div class="rcpdetail" id="preparation"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><h2 style="color: orange; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Preparation:</span></h2><div style="color: #666666;">1. Mix flour, pecans, cranberries, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.</div><div style="color: #666666;">2. In a large bowl, mix sugar, banana, vanilla, and eggs until well blended. Add butter and buttermilk; mix well.</div><div style="color: #666666;">3. Add flour mixture to bowl and stir until evenly moistened.</div><div style="color: #666666;">4. Butter and flour-dust a nonstick 10-inch decorative tube pan. Pour batter into pan.</div><div style="color: #666666;">5. Bake in a 350° oven until a long wood skewer, inserted in the thickest part, comes out clean, and cake pulls from pan sides, about 1 hour.</div><div style="color: #666666;">6. Cool cake in pan on a rack for 15 minutes. Lay a rack on top of pan. Holding pan and rack together, invert to release cake. Lift off pan. Serve cake warm or cool.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBva9FvcxdHZyuI5zz9y3D-rDHtkJFC_djkg-OAJ2Nai3mREVyXarEp9rIAxVt6xk1nrQ0sDNSheHVR-xYYK_WTFvaPg2Jf1pcWYqPlFSDmtEWAQ1qr1oiWu-2V_zL09R2pCgCC1IB5oM/s1600/bb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBva9FvcxdHZyuI5zz9y3D-rDHtkJFC_djkg-OAJ2Nai3mREVyXarEp9rIAxVt6xk1nrQ0sDNSheHVR-xYYK_WTFvaPg2Jf1pcWYqPlFSDmtEWAQ1qr1oiWu-2V_zL09R2pCgCC1IB5oM/s640/bb2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">My mom's bread is equally hard to resist... it is just perfectly moist and she adds some delicious ingredients, just have to resist~ one thing my family don't mind eating without sharing. They love love banana bread.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">So hopefully in a week or so I'm no longer going bananas and especially hoping to not have reason to blog about "going insane" and I can get some treats posted to share, I really do miss my blogs. Hope everyone is doing good and not part of the "going bananas club".</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">It is the weekend you know, find some "you" time or what I like to say "baking time".</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
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</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-7296282403488780302011-02-14T21:37:00.000-07:002011-02-14T21:37:06.336-07:00Key to My Heart Sugar Cookies<div style="text-align: center;">For spoken words are never as sweet as hearing a beating heart and knowing it loves you unconditionally. How is it that a four letter word has so much power over how one can make you feel? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">L</span>O<span style="color: #990000;">V</span>E </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Some say it's just a silly day and so it may be~ but call me silly for I'm in love.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's wishing you a happy heart.</div><br />
So I'll keep this short and sweet just because I'm exhausted, but wanted to post my sugar cookies I made. I've made a few different cookies, but till now haven't shared the recipe. This batch I covered with the chocolate I used for the cake pops, I thought "why not" and they really are pretty yummy this way. Not an overly sweet cookie- but just right. Many have said my sugar cookies are the best, hope you enjoy if you whip up a batch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiZdCHWGoau1CirnmjJ47sbltK_e7HkG31dH_yqjkYJMYk3ErAR-dbIXVz_drfWWpxhtAd-ViRN1vkNqm-55EPKs8-yEiVoEWPVEK9UtqPFa-n6X2Nfl4b1P_63pZwB6JBeOEuaZGd2A/s1600/key+to+my+heart+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiZdCHWGoau1CirnmjJ47sbltK_e7HkG31dH_yqjkYJMYk3ErAR-dbIXVz_drfWWpxhtAd-ViRN1vkNqm-55EPKs8-yEiVoEWPVEK9UtqPFa-n6X2Nfl4b1P_63pZwB6JBeOEuaZGd2A/s640/key+to+my+heart+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>He holds the key to my heart & in my heart he'll always have a place. ~ unknown</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Simply Sugar Cookies</span></span></div><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><u>Ingredients</u><br />
1 cup butter, softened</span><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup sugar</span></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon baking powder</span></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 egg</span></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour</span></div><div style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
<u>Directions</u><br />
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1. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Cover and chill dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 to 3 hours or until easy to handle. Can be refrigerated overnight and brought out to room temp. Divide dough in 1/2.<br />
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2. Preheat oven to 375F. Roll each half of the dough to 1/8-inch thickness, on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough with your desired cookie cutter. Place cutouts 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. (I like to use parchment paper)</span></div><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><br />
3. Bake in preheated oven about 8 minutes or until edges are set. Transfer cookies to wire racks and let cool. <br />
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4. To store: Place uniced cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen. If desired, spread and/or pipe icing on cookies.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQggF6TG6-ub6kvTI8m1T5XPNB0i5S5OqbbKn8rWWF3VDNahScaHzmda619e6NEQxCrFz8JDW7EHkOTMRdVmSlc8cyK-3eib0w24W6UtESsYjcTbgnnK3ArXRn0LwwbtXaO3jhVl4enUw/s1600/key+and+heart+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQggF6TG6-ub6kvTI8m1T5XPNB0i5S5OqbbKn8rWWF3VDNahScaHzmda619e6NEQxCrFz8JDW7EHkOTMRdVmSlc8cyK-3eib0w24W6UtESsYjcTbgnnK3ArXRn0LwwbtXaO3jhVl4enUw/s640/key+and+heart+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I really need to work on my lighting for pictures... but it was either fuss with pictures or get ready for date night. Date night won and we had lots of fun- can't pass up Chinese food and a movie. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-33188459764532937442011-02-13T23:51:00.000-07:002011-02-13T23:51:56.754-07:00The Legend of Saint Valentine<div style="color: #666666;">I think we sometimes just think of certain holidays as what I've heard some people refer to as "Hallmark holidays"- created by companies to sale cards or candy. But in all truth there is a story behind the holiday, it's more than just flowers, cards, and candy. And here it is: </div><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Legend of Saint Valentine</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once upon a time, in ancient Rome, a healer welcomed patients to his home. </div><div style="text-align: center;">His name was Valentine, and with his art, he ministered to body, mind, and heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;">One day, a jailer from the citadel said, "Can you make my little daughter well? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Though sightless, she is all the world to me! Dear Valentine, please help my daughter to see!" </div><div style="text-align: center;">With gentle herbs and, most of all, with prayer, the kindly Christian treated her with care. </div><div style="text-align: center;">With faith and trust in God, between the two a sacred bond of heartfelt feeling grew.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The emperor of Rome became aware that many Christians lived and worshiped there.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Accusing them of evil with a lie, he sentenced every one of them to die.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So in prison, Valentine was thrown, to spend his final days on earth alone.</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Let's write to him," his little patient said. </div><div style="text-align: center;">"To My Dear Valentine," her message read.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Her Christian friend departed to the Lord- </div><div style="text-align: center;">yet on that day, her eyesight was restored. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This miracle inspired the cherished sign of love and friendship called a "valentine."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><b><i>Another story is:</i></b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> He was a <b>priest</b> who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that </div><div style="text-align: center;">single men made better soldiers than those with wives, he outlawed marriage for young men. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Valentine defied Claudius and <b>continued to perform marriages</b> for young lovers. </div><div style="text-align: center;">When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered him to <b>death</b>. While imprisoned, he fell in love with the jailor's daughter and sent her the first "Valentine" greeting. He signed it, "From your Valentine."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;">Whatever be the true lore and beginning of Valentine's Day can probably be searched to many different stories and interpretations. But I believe everything comes from some beginning, I mean obviously everything does start somewhere. It's a nice thought of people doing good for others, people loving one another unconditionally and a day for things simply filled with love. Honestly every day should be filled with love, there shouldn't be just one day devoted to such a powerful thing. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">So as we go into tomorrow, I wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day. No matter how you celebrate it, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">or with whom~ may it be filled with happy things and that warm fuzzy feeling called <span style="color: #cc0000;">LOVE!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I've been busy- but I couldn't pass up another opportunity to bake. And honestly I'm not sure how I found the time- it was a pretty big weekend for our household. My beautiful daughter, my baby girl turned</div><div style="text-align: center;">13 years old on Saturday~ so needless to say it was a busy day getting ready for a household full of teenage girls, a trip to the mall, some yummy punch & pizza & ice cream cake. Guiltily I must confess I did not make the cake- she wanted an ice cream cake & that is one thing I have not attempted- but I did make the punch & it was loved by ALL. But after a late night of girls and giggles, I did find the time to make up some cake pops. The girls got to enjoy one while watching a movie & I packaged up a dozen for a bake sale at my work tomorrow, and yes I did set some aside for my loving family to enjoy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They're pretty much the basic recipe for cakepops~ with my own color scheme and sprinkles.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt4A_3Mm5SlyXPRKseV0VUAwpWqtkV9mmRfCK6IkLadL9Z8AreA6eDxA0h18mwnzlmhwd2AhWII1hiJEVB3MCeEIUqqj_0JsWwNuNwoOCnAzOW2x0VrULTURGq3Q0UADlVmQozDyQOLo/s1600/cpopp+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt4A_3Mm5SlyXPRKseV0VUAwpWqtkV9mmRfCK6IkLadL9Z8AreA6eDxA0h18mwnzlmhwd2AhWII1hiJEVB3MCeEIUqqj_0JsWwNuNwoOCnAzOW2x0VrULTURGq3Q0UADlVmQozDyQOLo/s640/cpopp+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEhPNdKLio7zJrlRxHZAIfYP-7drCTVwb9H_pO3KqQxGlwc1OTyonx6k-6fiY2DJtmYQH7P_ayWA8pkbhBirvpvWU1O2eumgNCKiCRyCS99d892v4PdczdJhVI5Rzv1rYCcaHfyoeFcxeb8/s1600/cake+pops+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNdKLio7zJrlRxHZAIfYP-7drCTVwb9H_pO3KqQxGlwc1OTyonx6k-6fiY2DJtmYQH7P_ayWA8pkbhBirvpvWU1O2eumgNCKiCRyCS99d892v4PdczdJhVI5Rzv1rYCcaHfyoeFcxeb8/s400/cake+pops+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB1-7XJtq3e141VXH1vAfJ7Y67cvEWHKIy8QeNCYblCUmRODlu8yFuosyYmfrr5y-jEwGL_GZiyIdOMltL1wYrVNhgj5J0mBw93LwXUsQ6tCvoG5omsAAml3oNn0wff3z3GPYmXt0S3o/s1600/cake+pop+close+up+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB1-7XJtq3e141VXH1vAfJ7Y67cvEWHKIy8QeNCYblCUmRODlu8yFuosyYmfrr5y-jEwGL_GZiyIdOMltL1wYrVNhgj5J0mBw93LwXUsQ6tCvoG5omsAAml3oNn0wff3z3GPYmXt0S3o/s640/cake+pop+close+up+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I also made a batch of cookies~ but I will try to blog about those tomorrow. Oh & the punch from the party.<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Happy Valentines Day!</span></i></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-59378212660717948522011-02-10T23:35:00.000-07:002011-02-10T23:35:35.852-07:00National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day & Yummy Cookies<div style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes indeed February 11th is National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day~ honestly there couldn't be a more perfect day for my blog, simply perfect and goes hand in hand with my thoughts and how I came upon my name.</span></div><div style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Funny thing is I have been searching for some ideas and pictures to create a little button/logo for my blog and that is when I stumbled upon this date and national day. Here is some information I was able to find on the meaning and origins of this day:</span></div><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af;">National Don't Cry over Spilled Milk Day is celebrated every February 11 in the United States. The origin of the holiday is unknown. It comes the day before Abraham Lincoln's birthday, which was a national holiday until it was combined with George Washington's to create President's Day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">The day represents a moment to regroup after recent hardship and push forward with a positive attitude. The phrase points to the idea that getting upset over every little problem will lead to nothing beneficial. A number of theories have emerged on the origin of the proverb itself, from fairy lore to dairy farmers during the Great Depression.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af;">National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day History</span><br style="color: #76a5af;" /><span style="color: #76a5af;">The origin of the holiday is unknown, however there are a number of theories on the origin of the phrase. "Don't cry over spilled milk" is an age-old proverb that is speculated to come from a number of sources. One is European fairy lore. The fairies would drink the spilled milk, as it was one of their favorite foods, and therefore its loss would be negligible. The other theory is that the phrase originated in America during the Great Depression in the 1930s. With an overabundance of crops and food produced by animals, farmers ended up with too much supply and not enough demand. Therefore, dairy farmers may have created the phrase because they had too much milk.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">The depression origin is unlikely, as the phrase can be traced as far back as 1659, where it was used by British historian and writer James Howell in his literary work, Paramiography.</span><br style="color: #45818e;" /><span style="color: #45818e;">National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day Celebration</span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af;">National Don't Cry over Spilled Milk Day celebrates the ability to remain optimistic through any obstacles and failures in life. It dictates that life may throw complications at people, but realizing they are just passing events that may lead to positive experiences is incredibly important. The day is meant to serve as a reminder of this concept. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;">I think the phrase isn't used quite as often today as it once was, especially with the younger generation~ if we mentioned it to them we'd likely get a funny look followed by "what?". But it is truly a concept, we as humans should not forget. I believe in the hustle and bustle of our every day busy lives we often stress and fret about things which are beyond our control and must try to remember to be optimistic during the rough patches of life. Sometimes life throws us that curve ball, but we must remember it's all about how we handle it and ultimately must enjoy and appreciate the<span style="color: #444444;"> game (aka LIFE).</span> I'm a big believer in the "simply things in life", but I have been known to not always be optimistic~ sometimes it does seems hard. But I too must remember; Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make something to celebrate this day and I had been sketching up some designs for cookies. This presented the perfect time to premier those cookie designs</span>.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> The pictures aren't the best... still working on the photography aspect, and also getting ready to invest in a new camera~ the one I have is pretty old school and tonight I was just too tired to retake. But again, not going to cry over the spilled milk~ looking forward to my 1st paycheck from my new job & getting a new camera- Yippie!<br />
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Hoping you all can remember this positive quote when times seem a little tough and that its silliness and simplicity can help to put a smile on your face & even better yet~ maybe you too could bake up a batch of your favorite cookies, what better goes with milk spilled (poured) into a glass.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-78904519665228834362011-02-05T23:53:00.001-07:002011-02-07T21:05:40.558-07:00Tale of two meals- we just couldn't choose.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I've been a little busy since my last post & I had previously said I wouldn't let so much time go between them~ opps I guess that's what happens when life happens! But I have had a wonderful day spending time with my mom, good talks, grocery shopping, present unwrapping, laughing lots of laughing & cooking!<br />
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First we started with some really good sandwiches today~ hey we went shopping when hungry so that just lead to tons of trouble, always does! However, my mom had brought over a recipe for egg rolls- she didn't necessarily bring it cause she wanted to make them (or maybe secretly she did) but for me to write down the recipe and blog it. But than I was like- I take pictures, so we'd have to make them. I also had some beautiful portobella mushrooms I had bought and was thinking of stuffing. We went back & forth thinking of what to make for dinner, no one was making any decision so we ultimately decided to make both.<br />
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Yep~ Crab Stuffed Portobella Mushrooms and Shrimp & Veggie Egg rolls. This is my first time making egg rolls, my mom has made them before and we have just never gotten around to making them together. Now that I've made them I can honestly say - WOW what took me so long, they really were easy to make & absolutely delicious. Now, I know it really isn't a balanced menu~ but it was simply delightful & well that's what happens when you can't decide.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Shrimp & Veggie Egg Rolls</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Egg roll wrappers absorb very little of the fat they are fried in, so the egg rolls remain light.</i><br />
<i><span style="color: #45818e;"><u>You Can Substitute</u> the shrimp for a different meat or minus the meat all together and add more veggies!</span> </i></div>2 Tablespoons vegetable oil<br />
8 cups finely shredded green cabbage<br />
2 cups coarsely grated carrots<br />
2 to 3 tablespoons soy sauce<br />
3 cloves garlic finely minced<br />
1 tablespoons ginger- finely minced (can substitute ground ginger)<br />
4 scallions cut into very thin slices<br />
1/2 pound cooked shrimp (shelled & deveined) cut into 1/2 inch pieces<br />
1/2 C. finely fresh basil or mint ,cilantro<br />
salt to taste<br />
12 egg roll wrappers<br />
1 egg lightly beaten<br />
1 1/2 C veg. oil<br />
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1. In a large, heavy pot, heat the 2 tbl of oil. Add the cabbage and carrots; cook over med-high heat for 3-4 mins or until cabbage is wilted and bright green. Stir in soy sauce.<br />
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2. Add the garlic and ginger; cook for 1 min. stirring. Remove from heat and stir in scallions, shrimp, cilantro, basil & if desired salt. Remove to a bowl and bring to room temperature.<br />
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3. When working with egg-roll wrappers, cover them with a damp kitchen towel so they don't dry out. Stuff wrappers one at a time: place one tip facing you like a diamond shape on a flat work surface. Place 1/3 cup of filling 1 inch from the bottom point and across the wrapper to within 1 inch of each side. <br />
Fold bottom tip up over filling and roll away from you halfway up. Brush egg over exposed edges with a pastry brush. Fold in 1-inch side tips and finish rolling tightly. Place on a plate seam-side down. Repeat procedure with the rest of the wrappers. Keep finished egg rolls covered with a damp towel. <br />
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4. Heat 1 1/2 cups of oil in a 101/2 inch skillet until it begins to bubble a bit on top. (To test for temperature , drop a cube of white bread into oil; it should brown in 1 minute.)<br />
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5. Add 3 to 4 egg rolls at a time to the oil and fry for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel. Serve immediately with soy sauce, chinese duck sauce and Chinese mustard for dipping.<br />
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Yield: 12 egg rolls.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mixture while cooking.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum Egg Roll all cooked up & ready to eat.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Crab Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Adapted from Recipe: Original Sicilian Pasta Co. Stuffed Portobellos</i></div><i><br />
</i>8 Medium Portobello Mushrooms — cleaned<br />
8 Oz. shrimp — chopped fine<i> (I used about 1/2 a pound of crab meat)</i>1 C. mushrooms — chopped fine (I just chopped up the stems & some of the insides of the mushrooms I used)<br />
1/2 C. onions — chopped fine<br />
3 Oz. Butter<br />
1 Oz. Olive Oil<br />
1 Tbsp. Garlic — minced (I used about 4 cloves)<br />
2 Medium eggs<br />
2 Tbsp. Lobster Base (didn't use)<br />
2 C. Breadcrumbs <br />
1 Tbsp. parsley (I also added basil)<br />
1 tsp. coarse ground black pepper<br />
2 Oz. white wine (didn't have any white wine)<br />
<strike>12 Oz. crabmeat — shredded</strike><br />
8 Oz. Mozzarella Cheese — shredded<br />
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Brush Portobellos with olive oil and grill until done approx 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile saute shrimp, mushrooms, and onions in butter, olive oil and garlic until shrimp turns pink. Remove from heat, add all other ingredients and mix well until mixture becomes firm. Add an additional egg or additional breadcrumbs until the mixture can easily be formed by hand into balls. Place approx 4-5 ounces into portobello mushroom, spreading so that it covers from edge to edge. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, and broil until cheese starts to brown. Serve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sauteing the onions, garlic & mushrooms...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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Now just because we couldn't make a decision- hopefully you can, and well if not it really did make a good combination... but meal suggestions could be some nice soup to accompany the egg rolls, something like sweet & sour soup or egg drop. A nice salad to accompany the mushrooms or a more filling meal could include something like pasta. We were completely satisfied and full after a mushroom a piece and a couple egg rolls. Not over full, but just enough room for dessert~ hmm wonder what that will be... <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>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-63282966472477471992011-01-23T23:05:00.001-07:002011-01-23T23:10:08.878-07:00What the morning brings. Cinnamon Rolls<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/AVvXsEiky4w9dwUwIlexBO7FoGfJuKaZvvWEFz_tEs0RGXzAxQyXfmwDfl1-LwHfndrThaf-i8XvCfBlS0DCWiZZOWXD7MMGleIMzHqMkPKErIRQ0K_aCESY-Qrqd0ANLhZx2zvHPb2Mcp4qtic/s1600/DSC02468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky4w9dwUwIlexBO7FoGfJuKaZvvWEFz_tEs0RGXzAxQyXfmwDfl1-LwHfndrThaf-i8XvCfBlS0DCWiZZOWXD7MMGleIMzHqMkPKErIRQ0K_aCESY-Qrqd0ANLhZx2zvHPb2Mcp4qtic/s640/DSC02468.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: #444444;">I guess morning means different things to different people. And as many of us know~ not everyone is a morning person. Me~ I'm a morning person. I love the quite morning hours before everyone else in the house is awake, getting the pot of coffee on, the sounds and smells as it brews, that first sip. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy an occasional morning of sleeping in, but mostly I am a morning person.</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">The day of the week and the schedule ahead might play a big part in the morning routine. I have to confess on most common week days I don't tend to make breakfast and the kids really aren't breakfast eaters, I know I know... breakfast is the most important meal of the day! We just aren't typically hungry first thing in the morning, (maybe its that we're not big cereal or quick breakfast people) but on weekends it's a whole other story. We love the weekend breakfast or should I say brunch (just because of the time) it can be anything from pancakes, biscuits & gravy, breakfast casserole the list goes on...</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">Another confession I have to make is I am notorious for eating non-breakfast food for that first meal of the day, leftovers is big on my list of breakfast foods. I know I know... with so many wonderful options, but I've always been like this- what can I say!!</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">With a new week around the corner and being pretty excited about new beginnings I'm about to venture into, I had to bake something. I love baking!! I didn't know what to bake, but than I remembered these delicious looking cinnamon rolls I had seen made on a t.v program a few nights ago. So I went searching for the recipe, checked my frig and pantry to make sure I had all the ingredients and started the cinnamon rolls. </div><span style="color: #444444;">This was a perfect recipe for today, while the dough sat to rise for 2 hours, I was able to do a few things around the house & also run a few errands. When I got home I was all excited to see my dough and start on the next steps. Cinnamon rolls...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaAH_y_o45zPiFTyL62X5g41z51DiXrJc9OWtbLohSQmkQErDZYlzZDK3FXnpl6WHW6qBbekLqWI5xl4CKK7CvFkPr5favcad60RXfTPHLHx5egn_U-qJtu0imNiU51CJ5qRRg8jXgVc/s1600/DSC02463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaAH_y_o45zPiFTyL62X5g41z51DiXrJc9OWtbLohSQmkQErDZYlzZDK3FXnpl6WHW6qBbekLqWI5xl4CKK7CvFkPr5favcad60RXfTPHLHx5egn_U-qJtu0imNiU51CJ5qRRg8jXgVc/s400/DSC02463.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All baked up & ready to ice!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #444444;">Wow they really did smell good baking in the oven. Here's a few more pictures:</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHWZNDN8UCqf3oDLBphqsfa4jnusYT2G36YBgHcX_hlOd0PshvbllzJmMzEAkk5PchCs0MNfB2gDrpX59Db3qVdU-663i-fcOw3stKSgGpTfaiaXqLVAiECyXsrOq_RzJJOu0wgiSLL0/s1600/DSC02439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHWZNDN8UCqf3oDLBphqsfa4jnusYT2G36YBgHcX_hlOd0PshvbllzJmMzEAkk5PchCs0MNfB2gDrpX59Db3qVdU-663i-fcOw3stKSgGpTfaiaXqLVAiECyXsrOq_RzJJOu0wgiSLL0/s320/DSC02439.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dough in the mixer</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTtjryML4yFYcPm-PlGPP5g6cdDHsJDd8s0drKEtQhVbNenp96l7LLWt-EbbetL5Czj5pIydZlWxInknfqwuaXyqjgY5DAEZH1xJdOA7voor-_45oxwoILGkr1uMjwh0op3aXJrdTmQg/s1600/DSC02446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTtjryML4yFYcPm-PlGPP5g6cdDHsJDd8s0drKEtQhVbNenp96l7LLWt-EbbetL5Czj5pIydZlWxInknfqwuaXyqjgY5DAEZH1xJdOA7voor-_45oxwoILGkr1uMjwh0op3aXJrdTmQg/s320/DSC02446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> rising</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeazU6MqSbX5Fz25AvGC611VNVlyoNx45di26XTX2-RqH8u-EEHZVKpKwKQkclNEjHpfEQlWshyGPDmNDdFpOqLWX9XkEXNUdEnJ3vt7XPQiTntJ_PLSYxyGMDoVfPT6N6di05_eIaus/s1600/DSC02453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeazU6MqSbX5Fz25AvGC611VNVlyoNx45di26XTX2-RqH8u-EEHZVKpKwKQkclNEjHpfEQlWshyGPDmNDdFpOqLWX9XkEXNUdEnJ3vt7XPQiTntJ_PLSYxyGMDoVfPT6N6di05_eIaus/s320/DSC02453.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rolling it out</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtXBqF739ynZKqCfukoTPi4mwvdJwC4jYC5WUWP6KqEljngwFXVUpseYAPKQh2ew3MVwA2kvg1TC-6ecYEqo0ethzZeE__PTOcVzQb4_29ACDWnWCxx4WqQkLun6Mg0o5Xk7SuhyphenhyphenkegI/s1600/DSC02456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtXBqF739ynZKqCfukoTPi4mwvdJwC4jYC5WUWP6KqEljngwFXVUpseYAPKQh2ew3MVwA2kvg1TC-6ecYEqo0ethzZeE__PTOcVzQb4_29ACDWnWCxx4WqQkLun6Mg0o5Xk7SuhyphenhyphenkegI/s320/DSC02456.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sprinkling on the sugar & spice</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXPr3tvou8nM2jbJiH2BbCZTnjm5rSgZRLow8A3fg7m46ZcmzJALFBBwswVmM8UynaNspVVF9Zs4VYwJ8MxC6t-gxaCJCNfUMV8MEr2Ch2mEm-jN7sUqyvJhgsaGx5FcjJTPxItF1tek/s1600/DSC02459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXPr3tvou8nM2jbJiH2BbCZTnjm5rSgZRLow8A3fg7m46ZcmzJALFBBwswVmM8UynaNspVVF9Zs4VYwJ8MxC6t-gxaCJCNfUMV8MEr2Ch2mEm-jN7sUqyvJhgsaGx5FcjJTPxItF1tek/s320/DSC02459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">let rise 2nd time</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSbSMp9xmdsdRoQNVdQhPjvBjN6M3xW0r2iXbn7Guu3Fz9NlZSAc66IEd6rMXVrU04Nlh8eVFUgp3EjkgoboYHtyV1HCfDiE1LT1v4OidYJjgJp8TSU_ggmI8n4kY_8PdEPOEldzrbE8/s1600/DSC02462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSbSMp9xmdsdRoQNVdQhPjvBjN6M3xW0r2iXbn7Guu3Fz9NlZSAc66IEd6rMXVrU04Nlh8eVFUgp3EjkgoboYHtyV1HCfDiE1LT1v4OidYJjgJp8TSU_ggmI8n4kY_8PdEPOEldzrbE8/s320/DSC02462.JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in the oven</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPF7F1aHYYp4Py4EQl_Ig0Kbq__sV7Slw5Q4CsciaCgmOqzndHVrEqQf_AFxxk7rqVp_ZKr0SrnEQgevTQam6TlESj6woZro05zTOvUu7ZqPnz8_Kj213nhhqmeA5d_OmfFVkIiQik1M/s1600/DSC02464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPF7F1aHYYp4Py4EQl_Ig0Kbq__sV7Slw5Q4CsciaCgmOqzndHVrEqQf_AFxxk7rqVp_ZKr0SrnEQgevTQam6TlESj6woZro05zTOvUu7ZqPnz8_Kj213nhhqmeA5d_OmfFVkIiQik1M/s320/DSC02464.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">icing the first time</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkSSUNzoLMZvPEhDvlCainao2fSD923cjd9ZYODf1Gp_LkH6VfCsjp8P4oP8PoRsShHV9ky46PBkE_iOOl8RiJDtx7BAxw18CO-1FfDTfDHFxczAlzOnSJ0CEzyhvVMWYpXZ3z1BKiJQ/s1600/DSC02472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkSSUNzoLMZvPEhDvlCainao2fSD923cjd9ZYODf1Gp_LkH6VfCsjp8P4oP8PoRsShHV9ky46PBkE_iOOl8RiJDtx7BAxw18CO-1FfDTfDHFxczAlzOnSJ0CEzyhvVMWYpXZ3z1BKiJQ/s400/DSC02472.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done.. yum look at the melted sugar & cinnamon</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="color: #444444;">So what does the morning bring? Well it's a brand new day! I know sometimes we get in to a routine and it doesn't seem so... but if you're in one of those moods; I suggest baking up a batch of these delicious cinnamon rolls. <i>(recipe below) </i> I'm excited for my week... I have a brand new adventure ahead of me and well now I have a batch of delicious cinnamon rolls waiting for me, my coffee pot is prepared to brew my coffee right before my alarm goes off... no left overs for me tomorrow & my whole family is excited for Monday morning & cinnamon rolls! We only had a 1/4 of one each... we're waiting for morning! What a great way to start a Monday.</div><div style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hope everyone has a wonderful week!! </span></div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ultimate Cinnamon Buns</span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Recipe from Cook's Country</i></span></div><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">In step 2, if after mixing for 10 minutes the dough is still wet and sticky, add up to ¼ cup flour (a tablespoon at a time) until the dough releases from the bowl. For smaller cinnamon buns, cut the dough into 12 pieces in step 3.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Makes 8 Buns. </span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b>Ingredients</b>:</div><div style="color: #444444;"><b>Dough</b><br />
3/4 cup whole milk , heated to 110 degrees<br />
1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant or rapid-rise yeast<br />
3 large eggs , room temperature<br />
4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />
1/2 cup cornstarch<br />
1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons salt<br />
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter , cut into 12 pieces and softened<br />
<b>Filling</b><br />
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar<br />
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
4 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened<br />
<b>Glaze</b><br />
4 ounces cream cheese , softened<br />
1 tablespoon whole milk<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar</div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><b>Instructions:</b></div><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> 1. For the dough: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. When oven reaches 200 degrees, shut off. Line 13- by 9-inch baking pan with foil, allowing excess foil to hang over pan edges. Grease foil and medium bowl.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> 2. Whisk milk and yeast in liquid measuring cup until yeast dissolves, then whisk in eggs. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with dough hook, mix flour, cornstarch, sugar, and salt until combined. With mixer on low, add warm milk mixture in steady stream and mix until dough comes together, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium and add butter, one piece at a time, until incorporated. Continue to mix until dough is smooth and comes away from sides of bowl, about 10 minutes. Turn dough out onto clean surface and knead to form a smooth, round ball. Transfer dough to prepared bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place in warm oven. Let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> 3. For the filling: Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in small bowl. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Following photos 1 and 2 in the related step-by-step, roll dough into 18-inch square, spread with butter, and sprinkle evenly with filling. Starting with the edge nearest you, roll dough into tight cylinder, pinch lightly to seal seam, and, following photo 3, cut into 8 pieces. Transfer pieces, cut-side up, to prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> 4. For the glaze and to bake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk cream cheese, milk, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar in medium bowl until smooth. Discard plastic wrap and bake buns until deep golden brown and filling is melted, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and top buns with ½ cup glaze; cool 30 minutes. Using foil overhang, lift buns from pan and top with remaining glaze. Serve.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> Make Ahead: After transferring pieces to prepared pan in step 3, buns can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for 24 hours. When ready to bake, let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Remove plastic wrap and continue with step 4 as directed.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: small;">My personnel suggestion after the 1/4 I had was maybe add a little more of the sugar & spice mixture to the dough before rolling... but that would have to depend on how sweet you like them. I'll have to see after the morning what I think, I'll let you know.</span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-44099766339658523472011-01-18T21:06:00.002-07:002011-01-18T21:20:01.691-07:00Bubble Gum Bubble GumOh man I have been having some serious blogging withdrawals and baking withdrawals!! My family really is on a sugar overload still coming off the holidays and the two huge batches of cupcakes we made for the contest. But I did however bake up some sugar cookies. I ran across this contest for decorated cookies and got a little excited. The cookie has to contain a heart somewhere in the design of it. So....<br />
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I started to think, hmm what can I design that will be cute, unique etc... I ran a few ideas by my family, looked through my cookie cutters and really racked my brain for some creative ideas.<br />
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I looked over to the left of me in my living room & had a complete ah hay moment!!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="color: red;">A Bubblegum Machine </i></b></div><br />
I goggled for a cookie cutter with no luck, so I broke out a pen and paper and started to sketch & may I add I am not the best at drawing. But I came up with what I think is a cute idea. Immediately I wanted to get to baking and hand cutting out the little cookies... but I waited because I wanted some baking supplies I didn't have. Luckily I had a few errands to run last week that put me in the neighborhood of a baking supply store that has tons of fun things. I was on a little of a time limit at the store due to having some other errands to run, but I could really spend all day in that store. I picked up a few new cookie cutters, sprinkles, adorable bags and really wanted some red and pearl luster dust. My creativity was ready to go... however the lady at the store was insisting that the luster dust wouldn't work on my icing (that it was only for fondant) and talked me into getting edible glitter. I still got the pearl luster dust figuring I'd give it a try.<br />
And really kicking myself in the bootie now because I really am not liking the way the red glitter looks on my cookie and loving the pearl luster dust that did indeed work beautifully just the way I had envisioned. Man why did I listen?? Oh well~ trial and error right? The more cookies I decorated the better they got. But I know I want the red luster dust and will have to bake another batch before I submit pictures for a contest.<br />
Plus, honestly I am still so novice to all this cookie decorating stuff~ some people are just absolutely artists. Amazing!! But with error and practice will come experience and beauty. And in the meantime, they are still cute cookies & if I do say so myself delicious!!<br />
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I really do love my red bubble gum machine, I picked it up at an antique store a few years ago, funny thing is I've actually never filled it up with bubble gum. I have put a few different candies in it for my nephew to put change in and get candy, he loves my bubblegum machine too. I should really fill it up with some bubblegum for him... he would be in heaven~ my sis on the other hand probably wouldn't be so happy with me. ha!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Honestly who doesn't like bubblegum? It's such a cheery thought. Bubblegum ice cream is one of my all time favorites. With this batch of cookies I also tried an experiment with putting in a little bubblegum flavoring in my icing in substitute of the vanilla~ it was pretty good. Will work on perfecting that recipe and will share it with anyone else who is a bubblegum lover too!<br />
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<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/AVvXsEh54iGihzLVFTiCzd2X1r2IHqCu4qMtucsBO-nlBSzsYrYOGOz5lDZeUT4PQPN2MB_UtRxVu7GyDRkiLfkatJrFuirvnhf-FSwY9PESy3hjwy4M2B1hTaZowtk3pc65iFbfDoqpwPPaZTs/s1600/DSC02404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54iGihzLVFTiCzd2X1r2IHqCu4qMtucsBO-nlBSzsYrYOGOz5lDZeUT4PQPN2MB_UtRxVu7GyDRkiLfkatJrFuirvnhf-FSwY9PESy3hjwy4M2B1hTaZowtk3pc65iFbfDoqpwPPaZTs/s640/DSC02404.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">And I got to use my bubblegum machine like a cookie jar :)</span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Remember the playground rhyme: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Bubblegum Bubblegum in a dish how many pieces do you wish 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Wow just had a flash back to when I was young. </span></div><br />
And I have a few more ideas running in my head with the bubblegum machine design/concept.<br />
So stay tuned!! And I promise to not go so long again between posts... I have some fabulous pictures of some bread my mom baked~ just waiting on her recipe. So come back & visit!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-78553830899702535602011-01-10T22:45:00.000-07:002011-01-10T22:45:09.512-07:00A Love Like That<div style="color: #444444;">This weekend I attended an absolutely beautiful wedding. There's just something about weddings that makes you think about love- obviously~ two people are beginning their lives together. Seeing a beautiful couple exchange vowels, dance their first dance, witnessing such love creates that warmth in your heart. </div><div style="color: #444444;"> Now I know a wedding evokes different emotions for different people. During different parts of the ceremony I thought back to my wedding day and the love I share with my husband. Words spoken during the ceremony spoke loudly to my heart. While other parts made me think of the future and hoping that my children will one day experience this kind of love. I guess that's a big wish for any parent for their child~ to find happiness & love.</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">During a part of the reception the DJ called up all married, engaged, &/or dating couples to the dance floor to dance ~ the objective of this was to see who's been married the longest. It was amazing to see so many people still remained past 10 years (me & my husband will celebrate 10 this year), 20 years, 30 years, the dance floor started to clear up a little after 30 but amazingly enough still quite a few. Ultimately 2 couples continued to dance even after the music stopped & then ONE remained. The grandparents of the bride... married 64 years (& 7 months the couple added). 64 years & 7 months!! That is absolutely inspiring.</div><div style="color: #444444;">They shared the secret with us of what makes a marriage last so long while they still continued to dance.</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">I thought to myself "how old they must of been when they married" imagine all the things a couple living during those days had gone through together. Honestly you can't think of anything else than, "I want a love like that".</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">I shared the story with my children; my daughter thought "how cute" especially when I explained how they continued to dance even after the music stopped. My son, who is a teenager, was amazed~ and said "that's the kind of love I want to find one day". That really is an everlasting love~ and it spoke volumes at the wedding. It was like the saying "all because two people fell in love". I'm sure they've been through their share of ups & downs but through it all they've been together. Knowing the family I can say I've seen how close they are- unconditional love of parents, support from family and lots of long time friends. Wonderful people. Again~ "all because two people fell in love". The power of love, giving, sharing, caring for one another and imparting those values to your family.</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">Now as I sit here and type I think to the future again and my children. As a parent there really isn't any bigger accomplishment or joy in life than having raised loving, caring, polite and successful children. To see them happy and share that happiness with them. One day (in the future) I hope to share such a beautiful day with my children and also be celebrating a big anniversary! Calculating in my head- we won't be near the 64 years like that couple~ but as long as its "a love like that"...<i> it won't matter the years but just that we're together</i>.</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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjKzev70ZSU1_ObulF_lpxfNwwBP2kxz81x6NhEp2duIQ-loxHdORqnTTJ6AffTT-i9HtLI_Bljv2begiCcxVfQZqTrXtZvwZ6igimOY3XNQdz571PVojpZM_6935w70VsywFcpx-ViU/s1600/kids+holding+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjKzev70ZSU1_ObulF_lpxfNwwBP2kxz81x6NhEp2duIQ-loxHdORqnTTJ6AffTT-i9HtLI_Bljv2begiCcxVfQZqTrXtZvwZ6igimOY3XNQdz571PVojpZM_6935w70VsywFcpx-ViU/s320/kids+holding+hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG46K4bStdH6GlFgwX97jTKT3mLKyPQbYtqT5tIyrTRUc0VZVP7aVHYc3Uy5bY9mzkXg_skPzxacSnw3RalaGwcdADC5Z9Ri75S7eYDicPUdFdgr5tGrykoeLdSUa_vdKYjJryS-giJ0/s1600/young+couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG46K4bStdH6GlFgwX97jTKT3mLKyPQbYtqT5tIyrTRUc0VZVP7aVHYc3Uy5bY9mzkXg_skPzxacSnw3RalaGwcdADC5Z9Ri75S7eYDicPUdFdgr5tGrykoeLdSUa_vdKYjJryS-giJ0/s320/young+couple.jpg" width="320" /></a></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/AVvXsEjfYUyJVI2vqGGg7E8E935ibRSLKJNSwjA-dGCYk3OJH-ghk7aJUP7BVPSQKB5nnEI3QNOz9nJEagH77MRPL2VmvBXkvZlKMpjpruzuzsEvBnWMgC1ZugCgRDPYgf25u7iDGk3GEAIcncw/s1600/old-people-holding-hands2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYUyJVI2vqGGg7E8E935ibRSLKJNSwjA-dGCYk3OJH-ghk7aJUP7BVPSQKB5nnEI3QNOz9nJEagH77MRPL2VmvBXkvZlKMpjpruzuzsEvBnWMgC1ZugCgRDPYgf25u7iDGk3GEAIcncw/s400/old-people-holding-hands2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintGEDs9rtE0y0J39c24d92dQKcDOqD230bLFZ0CY7-_YjWjo9bpZPVCULEbxNIr71D3yp9BcYzr1OAszKNgS-SHtNCcTNuY1D5r51tVC3pS1aam3T9ldpym4xf2gLzz20IdOaEUJ7yFw/s1600/love+letter+cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <span style="color: #444444;">Now with love in the air from a wedding and all the Valentines Days stuff out on display, I couldn't help but think of love, cute couples, hearts, candies & cookies!! And I wondered what type of cookie should I make... what shape?? And I realized it was obvious the first recipe & the first cookie for me to share is one of my favorites and my families. </span><i style="color: #444444;">(my friends know this as the signature cookie I bake for my holiday cookie exchange parties)</i><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintGEDs9rtE0y0J39c24d92dQKcDOqD230bLFZ0CY7-_YjWjo9bpZPVCULEbxNIr71D3yp9BcYzr1OAszKNgS-SHtNCcTNuY1D5r51tVC3pS1aam3T9ldpym4xf2gLzz20IdOaEUJ7yFw/s1600/love+letter+cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintGEDs9rtE0y0J39c24d92dQKcDOqD230bLFZ0CY7-_YjWjo9bpZPVCULEbxNIr71D3yp9BcYzr1OAszKNgS-SHtNCcTNuY1D5r51tVC3pS1aam3T9ldpym4xf2gLzz20IdOaEUJ7yFw/s400/love+letter+cookie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">White Chocolate Cherry Cookies</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(recipe adapted from Better Homes & Gardens) </span></i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><u><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients: </span></u></span></span></div><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6-10 oz jar of maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped</span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1/2 cup sugar</span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 cup cold butter</span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">12 ounces white chocolate baking chips, finely chopped</span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1/2 teaspoon orange extract</span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2 -4 drops red food coloring (optional & depending on the color you desire)</span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2 teaspoons shortening</span> <i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(you can also use white chocolate candy to dip cookie in & eliminate need for shortening)</span></i><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> White nonpareils and/or red edible glitter (optional)</span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<u style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Directions</span></u><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well. </span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 4 ounces (2/3 cup) of the chopped chocolate. Stir in orange extract and, if desired, food coloring. Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball. </span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2-inch rounds. </span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. </span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. In a small saucepan or bowl, combine remaining 8 ounces white chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. If you use white chocolate candy melts follow the directions to melt just enough in a microwavable bowl (about 1 1/2 cups). Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, sprinkle edges in nonpareils and/or edible glitter. Place cookies on waxed paper until chocolate is set. Makes about 60. </span><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. To Store: Layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. </span><br />
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</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktDOJ3b-RGyi_9VTnneV9Ea3g8hZHlV-SV-aGMcynBwcrOeI8JZszMz0YVCeHujWz8GO_G3cYevXOA9r9CzTLNfn1BXBYEvOCNTEqeLkIoaDjGOaT1sC0XH7FXtIWL7IPKkJjp4fO65E/s1600/DSC02331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEJzNLg0NHm5kiErfzBadJNxlgnCNWifAzeXAoLEFSkJrcTn1yX1FsTLVqnfZ65tJXCXR60yWeB1EdoSkTNAXx6lZ8sfXof-OQeY9S99fc_avi23pGagLRalWQISMnDrReQQfyOnoQZM/s1600/DSC02329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEJzNLg0NHm5kiErfzBadJNxlgnCNWifAzeXAoLEFSkJrcTn1yX1FsTLVqnfZ65tJXCXR60yWeB1EdoSkTNAXx6lZ8sfXof-OQeY9S99fc_avi23pGagLRalWQISMnDrReQQfyOnoQZM/s640/DSC02329.JPG" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjl5BD1quK5rzRa1kcmDkvhRZ4HmFBFhtEePT4_n1ZDDFOhh3vNEEU5-R_6yqk3jTmlUkXDMvQhxhRTy8gZm2VebsrlLNGG8e2NfNf5lbakBeTYclrR7ejhmA_f4-lAYPJf3GKg4eI6o9w/s1600/key+cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktDOJ3b-RGyi_9VTnneV9Ea3g8hZHlV-SV-aGMcynBwcrOeI8JZszMz0YVCeHujWz8GO_G3cYevXOA9r9CzTLNfn1BXBYEvOCNTEqeLkIoaDjGOaT1sC0XH7FXtIWL7IPKkJjp4fO65E/s1600/DSC02331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktDOJ3b-RGyi_9VTnneV9Ea3g8hZHlV-SV-aGMcynBwcrOeI8JZszMz0YVCeHujWz8GO_G3cYevXOA9r9CzTLNfn1BXBYEvOCNTEqeLkIoaDjGOaT1sC0XH7FXtIWL7IPKkJjp4fO65E/s640/DSC02331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;">And as I finish this post, as my husband sleeps on the couch snoring, I think to myself; years from now</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;"> if it is just like this~ it will be</span></span></div><div style="color: #ea9999; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b><i>"A Love Like That".</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktDOJ3b-RGyi_9VTnneV9Ea3g8hZHlV-SV-aGMcynBwcrOeI8JZszMz0YVCeHujWz8GO_G3cYevXOA9r9CzTLNfn1BXBYEvOCNTEqeLkIoaDjGOaT1sC0XH7FXtIWL7IPKkJjp4fO65E/s1600/DSC02331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-76052106068881285122011-01-07T21:47:00.003-07:002011-01-07T22:02:42.962-07:00Along the Way We'll Meet Some Friends<div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I often like to think of life as a journey~ sometimes we may not know which direction to go, but one thing we must always remember is that we're not alone. You never know who you'll meet along the way. </span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">You should greet everyone like they're a potential friend~ a smile can brighten up anyone's day, a single word of kindness can mean more than a long talk Be sincere, be kind ~ in these days we're often so rushed we forget that a simple act can make a huge impact.</span></div><div style="color: #76a5af; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #76a5af; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>For along the way we'll meet some friends.</i></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">With today's technology we have endless possibilities with communications & keeping in touch ~ even connecting with people we'd otherwise never have met ~ or touching base with an old friend. Infinite opportunities to share your passions and creativity~ perfect example~ my blog! Which I am absolutely loving. I have been thinking about so many ideas and things to share... this really is exciting!</span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">My fridge is currently overflowing with sweets from the holidays & cupcakes from the contest~ so I'm currently trying to be good and holding off on baking anything else~ it's killing me~ but I've been pretty good at practicing patience lately so... I'll be good. But I will be baking up something soon to share. In the meantime...</span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'd like to introduce you to another blog; <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://sweetapolita.com/blog/">Sweetapolita</a></b></span> it really is a charming site ~ I love her blogs & I must say she's got some of the cutest little girls I've ever seen. So again today I did a few clicks through my favs and came across Sweetapolita's new post including an exciting giveaway & a recipe I am dying to make. And let me say the title absolutely caught my eye: <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://sweetapolita.com/2011/01/country-vanilla-pie-icemilk-apron-giveaway/">Country Vanilla Pie & IceMilk Apron Giveaway</a></b></span> doesn't it sound delicious?? Mmm mmm Yum!! </span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;">The aprons are simple yet elegant ~ reminds me of days passed when times were much simpler ~ days of our Grandmothers, mothers or maybe even your youth. I can't say which one is on my wishlist...</span></span></div><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/AVvXsEj84reH55M4Ou4iNb7a9iS7jnBMraREi0SCjiUZ3iYnTOcR6nJDT8GLT7cYgRwCA13H6Z4SHaCNsTRnao8Yjf5kqGx0Z_B2EIL4OZUVZ_W4neMjVIwWysFOAdyoAhI0p8LIRxboZUp1W48/s1600/frosty+tin+marshmallows+apron.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84reH55M4Ou4iNb7a9iS7jnBMraREi0SCjiUZ3iYnTOcR6nJDT8GLT7cYgRwCA13H6Z4SHaCNsTRnao8Yjf5kqGx0Z_B2EIL4OZUVZ_W4neMjVIwWysFOAdyoAhI0p8LIRxboZUp1W48/s400/frosty+tin+marshmallows+apron.jpeg" width="400" /></a></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;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP7pAsWS663F_O9wAfsa6BGofM4cUiYQ4MnXMi1pQHKZISlV11nKRQNwYRTY9bJYWQWaSNfXnDGomQCAJpze_U5ybIBpC_fsbstuaTjd7EsQnocGkiy4U94LGE2wHpV5EZ6IRY8QozWg/s200/icemilk+aprons.jpg" width="200" /> </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/AVvXsEg735Vq6OA_1bwgxcZigbpBV-TUiXbg4LO23IUtnKpEVfmwno1Q_jRxoB_WlMaldJvRBm-7Gg3TwzT98a4HwKgiqweAeD8GnZEQBZgWh0XYjoYlYmo44UUAcuuN_vuAJr8smHURj-4nDEA/s1600/rollings+of+cinnamon+apron.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg735Vq6OA_1bwgxcZigbpBV-TUiXbg4LO23IUtnKpEVfmwno1Q_jRxoB_WlMaldJvRBm-7Gg3TwzT98a4HwKgiqweAeD8GnZEQBZgWh0XYjoYlYmo44UUAcuuN_vuAJr8smHURj-4nDEA/s400/rollings+of+cinnamon+apron.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #999999;">images from IceMilk Aprons website</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://sweetapolita.com/" style="color: #666666;"><b style="color: #ea9999;">Sweetapolita</b> </a><span style="color: #666666;">is giving you a chance to win a beautiful apron from </span><b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.icemilkaprons.com/Aprons.html">IceMilk Aprons</a></b><span style="color: #666666;">. I mean honestly a beautiful apron for the kitchen is like a necessity isn't it? Plus, finding new & exciting ideas can be like making a new friend. Enjoy & Good luck! Thanks </span><b style="color: #666666;"><i>Sweetapolita</i></b><span style="color: #666666;"> for all your inspiration.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-17154152295207911482011-01-05T12:23:00.004-07:002011-01-05T12:33:42.393-07:00Pick Me Pick Me!!<div style="color: #666666;">Well if you've read my 2 previous posts, you'll recall how I've made mention of having a few favorite fabulous blogs I like to take a peek at for inspiration & ideas. <i>(if you haven't read them- why not? Just kidding- glad you're here now) </i>Well yeah honestly it may not be just a peek, cause that would mean I briefly take a glance & I'll confess it is like an addiction. There are so many talented people sharing so many fun ideas & delicious recipes. You never know what you can create when you let your imagination take control. But that's a whole other post, back to the point.</div><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">One of the blogs I've come across is called </span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://sugarandmeringue.squarespace.com/">Sugar & Meringue</a></b></span><span style="color: #666666;"> it has some really cute ideas. The whole blog is just cute- I love the design & little pictures. </span><i style="color: #666666;">It's saved as one of my favorites.</i><span style="color: #666666;"> Anyhow, last night after I finished my post I decided to take a few peeks at my favs and visited Sugar & Meringue and saw that she has a fun </span><b style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://sugarandmeringue.squarespace.com/blog/2011/1/3/shabby-apple-dress-giveaway.html">giveaway</a></b><span style="color: #666666;">. Honestly who doesn't like a chance to win something free??</span> <b style="color: #ea9999;">Honestly!</b><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #666666;">I loved this for 3 reasons: <b><span style="color: #444444;"> 1: </span></b>I love the chance to win something free. <b><span style="color: #444444;">2</span>.</b> I think the dress is beautiful. <b><span style="color: #444444;"> 3.</span></b> I have been looking for new websites with vintage inspired clothing especially dresses. And now I've found one: <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/">Shabby Apple</a></b></span> <b style="color: #444444;">4.</b> I would love to win this dress. OH wait, I said 3 reasons didn't I? And I already mentioned... oh well! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://sugarandmeringue.squarespace.com/blog/2011/1/3/shabby-apple-dress-giveaway.html" style="color: #45818e;">Sugar & Meringue's Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TydZ_ioXr6fStdI7RyDPDr2aTvX_3KFw-L3dNBBB-9wOITaxXze12FxPOfLLfc27tT82D82GXbyxbkOyrhOiuSff_nd7Bc6UJL6pMxA0uKwIAngaTTtVkdJk_QQtKzkMKGuCJBJfVE8/s1600/581_1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TydZ_ioXr6fStdI7RyDPDr2aTvX_3KFw-L3dNBBB-9wOITaxXze12FxPOfLLfc27tT82D82GXbyxbkOyrhOiuSff_nd7Bc6UJL6pMxA0uKwIAngaTTtVkdJk_QQtKzkMKGuCJBJfVE8/s640/581_1_.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">The fun thing is...</span><br />
<div style="color: #666666;">You could have a chance to win this <a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-581-cortez.aspx">dress</a> too!! Just click <a href="http://sugarandmeringue.squarespace.com/blog/2011/1/3/shabby-apple-dress-giveaway.html">here</a> if you haven't already clicked on one of the other links (I know you may have gotten excited) and read how you can enter for a chance to win. </div><div style="color: #666666;">Again, honestly who doesn't like to be a winner? And even if you don't win, you've discovered a cute blog <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://sugarandmeringue.squarespace.com/">Sugar & Meringue</a></b></span> and a new store to shop at <b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/">Shabby Apple</a></span></b>. Really I just love both those names don't you? </div><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><b><i>And your already a winner in my book! </i></b></div><span style="color: #666666;">I love giveaways!! Can't wait to have my own~ oh yeah, I'll be having some giveaways~ I love giving away gifts~ the package & bows. So keep a look out for my first giveaway!! But in the meantime, GOOD LUCK with <a href="http://sugarandmeringue.squarespace.com/blog/2011/1/3/shabby-apple-dress-giveaway.html">Sugar & Meringue's Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway</a>. Sugar & Meringue PICK ME PICK ME!!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-39690663643388987192011-01-04T23:14:00.001-07:002011-01-05T10:56:48.629-07:00An Adventure in Cupcakes<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Have you ever seen </span><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/cupcake-wars/index.html" style="color: #666666;">Cupcake Wars</a><span style="color: #666666;"> on Food Network? Well let's just say that's how my Sunday felt. I love a good challenge and was already starting to feel nostalgic over the holidays ending and no more holiday baking, no more adorable snowman cookies, or gingerbread families. So what did I do to ease that sad feeling of saying goodbye to holiday sweets baking and treats? I sat down at my computer and started to look for some new inspirations. Many of the blogs still had their holiday posts, however <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/">Bakerella </a>had a post about this cupcake contest.</span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;">Yep- it caught my eye, so out of curiosity I clicked the link and read the details. At first I think I was half kidding when I mentioned it to my husband, I mean honestly it was already after 10pm and the contest deadline was the next day by 11:59pm what could I be thinking? However my husband went along with my </span><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;">ideas. Maybe he was just humoring me, but he got me excited & my wheels started to turn. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">I dreamt of cupcakes that night & in the morning I was still unsure but oh so excited at the possibilities. To be honest I had never created a cupcake recipe from scratch and especially using some very out of the ordinary ingredients. So with a list in hand of the 14 adventure ingredients and yep no solid plan still, off to the store I went. I wasn’t in a hurry I was with 2 preteen girls in a shopping center & I even peeked in Anthropologie. But once I got home & unpacked the goodies, it all started to fall into place, it was now or never. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<u style="color: #f1c232;"><b>The 14 Adventure Ingredients:</b></u><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232;">stout beer (oatmeal, chocolate, imperial or any other stout); ricotta; buttermilk; coconut butter, coconut milk or coconut cream; saffron; molasses (light, dark or blackstrap); adzuki bean; fresh beet; sweetened condensed milk; fresh or whole dried chili pepper; bee pollen; meyer lemon; almond flour; and Sumatra coffee bean</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232;"></span><br style="color: #666666;" /><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;">You were required to use at least one of the adventure ingredients. So what did I choose?? I ended up with two cupcake ideas, I couldn’t resist- but would </span><span style="color: #666666;">I have time? After a few kitchen blunders, mind you I love to bake & cook when I have time & actually find it quite calming, but I was now on crunch time. </span><br style="color: #666666;" /><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;">My husband remained calm, collective & helpful- he does insist that I flinged icing at him- however I insist it got on him when I was tossing spoons in the </span><span style="color: #666666;">sink. I was moving quickly the clock was ticking. I had to get these cupcakes baked/icing made & we had to taste them, there was no time for trial & error </span><span style="color: #666666;">& I absolutely hate to waste food. It just had to work! And we made it, the second recipe was submitted without a minute to waste. I felt like I was starring in an episode of Cupcake Wars right here in my own house & honestly I LOVED it!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="color: #666666;" /><span style="color: #666666;">So again what did I choose? Well….</span></span><br />
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<div style="color: #f1c232; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cupcake #1</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvRpjxw-uZqKYp8tf0IT1nYAwcjeQTwcFXGVVXRVElrZsH28ST50gG-_tcJM_r952vQ6jMQBti4oAK_6w9yl90DCOPOY3BM7kHrrYtC2mkGMPTg8jzZyJfu90GcZz99JyijWIA6c1oAw/s1600/2+chili+daze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvRpjxw-uZqKYp8tf0IT1nYAwcjeQTwcFXGVVXRVElrZsH28ST50gG-_tcJM_r952vQ6jMQBti4oAK_6w9yl90DCOPOY3BM7kHrrYtC2mkGMPTg8jzZyJfu90GcZz99JyijWIA6c1oAw/s640/2+chili+daze.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Chili Daze </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(my husband came up with this name)</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXxZLeIykgdntL_U-lgvOM_RzNgVkaVmvHpm2e1Kc2E5087xIesyM-3CSM6Z17IhJOzAP9w78jbGL3myovF-_n7yluCDuBXhBstdVrIN_6gnPtLW6yQGXMbfUN2uDr7kLkmi7OJhpG-Q/s1600/chili+daze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXxZLeIykgdntL_U-lgvOM_RzNgVkaVmvHpm2e1Kc2E5087xIesyM-3CSM6Z17IhJOzAP9w78jbGL3myovF-_n7yluCDuBXhBstdVrIN_6gnPtLW6yQGXMbfUN2uDr7kLkmi7OJhpG-Q/s640/chili+daze.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">In this cupcake we used the <span style="color: #f1c232;">Chili pepper</span> & <span style="color: #f1c232;">ricotta</span> in the batter while the icing had the <span style="color: #f1c232;">ricotta</span>, <span style="color: #f1c232;">meyer lemon</span> & <span style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232;">chili<span style="color: #666666;">.</span></span> It isn't hot, but has a delightfully light bite with the ricotta and delicious Scharffen Berger Chocolate lightening up any bite or spice of chili. While the icing isn't overly sweet but just simply refreshing. It's a chocolate cupcake with a twist.</span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cupcake #2 </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvxCACQO8Bd9tDZC_Z5s672GT94W61mNJOBX7cbBSO7IpU07SQ8YSHniZX4tEjsbKlLVOYVdUv5Zaau4oykRS6WWJ9sszQ_WKanmYdjxx9DKE1hYVpxe-eF_ihFhxoWUQmYDiCdihvCI/s1600/2+beets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvxCACQO8Bd9tDZC_Z5s672GT94W61mNJOBX7cbBSO7IpU07SQ8YSHniZX4tEjsbKlLVOYVdUv5Zaau4oykRS6WWJ9sszQ_WKanmYdjxx9DKE1hYVpxe-eF_ihFhxoWUQmYDiCdihvCI/s640/2+beets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> With Every Beet of my Heart</span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<span style="font-size: small;">the first name I came up with when I read beets as an ingredient) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ9TyLbvo_ZdyX3TNLCZshKPhjmvEt1K-Z88B92Ep6UHisYl__S_JQY0Ub0JZlVlowhZH72B8CSt_Xb2QSByeBcEYsP7TIkQkQ4ocQh7Ceh34BlKHO5SDAKmNZbbZD29i5U3rHZbOPg0/s1600/close+up+of+beet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ9TyLbvo_ZdyX3TNLCZshKPhjmvEt1K-Z88B92Ep6UHisYl__S_JQY0Ub0JZlVlowhZH72B8CSt_Xb2QSByeBcEYsP7TIkQkQ4ocQh7Ceh34BlKHO5SDAKmNZbbZD29i5U3rHZbOPg0/s640/close+up+of+beet.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span> Yep one of the ingredients is in the name... beets! Now I know what you're thinking, but honestly back during a time forgot, people use to grow sugar beets for well SUGAR. Amazing huh? But honestly if you tasted it you'd have absolutely NO idea that beets were an ingredient. Actually the beautiful color added almost makes it appear to be like a Red Velvet cake and again the delicious chocolate makes this another delightful cupcake. Because I know the fact that a beet is an ingredient, I didn't tell my teenage son before he ate it, while eating it I heard the sounds of a very pleased boy (m mm yum) he even told me "Mom these are delicious, these are the bees knees" (another cupcake name maybe?). Once I knew it had his seal of approval, I disclosed the ingredient, he replied that he couldn't tell. He's never had beets before now that I think of it, but I showed him the beet and he wasn't interested in eating that. He's a teenage boy so believe me he has his opinions, he loves his momma's cooking, but there is certainly things he does not eat (ie: asparagus- however we have found a way to get him to eat it- I'll post that recipe one day when I can convince my hubby to make it). Even my daughter loves the cupcakes, she likes beets actually but happens to not be a huge sweet tooth or cupcake eater. She wanted to share one last nigt, but ended up eating it all. I love it! </span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">So the ingredients in 'With Every Beet of my Heart' : mashed <span style="color: #f1c232;">beets</span> in the chocolate batter while the icing had <span style="color: #f1c232;">Chocolate Stout beer </span>and <span style="color: #f1c232;">bee pollen </span>added gently in the end. I could just eat a bowl of icing- it's yummy. Topped with a candy beet (however my picture doesn't show that, I dressed these today).</span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">This is a competition and I was not going to enter something that didn't amaze me and believe me I was amazed.</span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">So I'll be waiting patiently to see if the creations made along side my wonderful husband amazes the judges. They called for the use of adventure ingredients and a sense of adventure in the recipe, well it sure was an adventure. I will forever remember that night, no matter the results..... BUT still wish me LUCK!!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUUoTNYdbHR0L9KUF52wj-pCoMjljIpAeJaAS1E9tsx4gTBKb6qBGvkwpGdRtGbSg2bVsIb4_7RAUbRDmAen3tgzSErmQVieBt4r0XPrD7qvAJVFWT1EQ_cJDcjHK3FZJyG_mO0d577Q/s1600/+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUUoTNYdbHR0L9KUF52wj-pCoMjljIpAeJaAS1E9tsx4gTBKb6qBGvkwpGdRtGbSg2bVsIb4_7RAUbRDmAen3tgzSErmQVieBt4r0XPrD7qvAJVFWT1EQ_cJDcjHK3FZJyG_mO0d577Q/s400/+cupcakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcjeCkyXw80qD0tXzJejo7NNYTzIHh9GTcXqGKTocfhT_UmJKVh0B0i-2nMPgN6FeldD5ezmbEPJl19aU9ABgHCiMQCujwI7a9SAwXdfBezjUYQWFuTs1JO6VgZETkwrOoKLx5d3Aj30/s1600/Chili+Daze+Cupcake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcjeCkyXw80qD0tXzJejo7NNYTzIHh9GTcXqGKTocfhT_UmJKVh0B0i-2nMPgN6FeldD5ezmbEPJl19aU9ABgHCiMQCujwI7a9SAwXdfBezjUYQWFuTs1JO6VgZETkwrOoKLx5d3Aj30/s400/Chili+Daze+Cupcake+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP3uysr3EEcEyVD33RymrTIQJm08PH7aC0JF8CF5XlaPvMx8UHY-DNUmkMfja4pAmAW1DyjAhHOlv5QHzvJ-G3H3FTTW5Goa5dG5VTQ42FrouE6zQ9OTfhPoz_JLa4e1crX-RX_udM7g/s1600/With+Every+Beet+of+My+Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP3uysr3EEcEyVD33RymrTIQJm08PH7aC0JF8CF5XlaPvMx8UHY-DNUmkMfja4pAmAW1DyjAhHOlv5QHzvJ-G3H3FTTW5Goa5dG5VTQ42FrouE6zQ9OTfhPoz_JLa4e1crX-RX_udM7g/s400/With+Every+Beet+of+My+Heart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513417256020967209.post-44129513517131451712011-01-03T23:40:00.001-07:002011-01-07T09:22:13.981-07:00How Cracked Eggs & Spilled Milk Came to Be<div align="center">Let’s just say it wasn’t a sudden ayah moment it has been a moment’s thought here & there, a should I could I, do I dare. And then today with a few days into the New Year, I told myself I have nothing to fear. So here I am with just a few plans- a rhyme and a rhythm for you my friends.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />
But enough of that, I’ll just cut to the chase and give it to you straight. I have had some extra time on my hands to focus a little on a few of the things I love to do- writing & baking. Honestly I can’t tell you which I love more- guess it just depends on the moment. With the extra time I have also come across some amazing and inspirational blogs- that well inspired me. So over a course of time I played with the idea of creating a blog of my own to share some fun recipes, stories and pictures- things that inspire me & will hopefully inspire you.<br />
The name came to me after seeing a picture of cracked eggs and then I thought- life is kind of like cracked eggs and spilled milk at times. As is being in the kitchen- whether you love being in the kitchen or hate it or have a love/hate relationship- we have all had that moment of frustration, when we felt like we could cry over the cracked eggs and spilled milk. When you’re trying a new recipe and nothing seems to be going right, or you have company coming over on short notice & you’re not sure what to serve, or you drop an egg and it was the last one left, or the milk spilled all over the counter. Yeah that’s life- it happens to us all, those little blunders. But as with each bite of a delicious meal or dessert that just melts in your mouth. Life has those beautiful moments’ ones you’ll cherish forever. And we mustn’t fret over things we have no control.<br />
So with a start of a New Year I decided it was time to make some plans and stick to them- I don’t think I want to call them resolutions because well, honestly I don’t think anyone ever really sticks to those. So we’ll just call it; a list of “to-do’s”- I think I can make a list and feel accomplished when I cross a few off. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />
<strike>Create a Food Blog</strike> 1/3/11<br />
<strike>Enter a Cupcake contest </strike><i>Created 2 cupcakes recipes in less than 6 hours <span style="color: #134f5c;">whew</span></i>. 1/2/11<br />
Finish my Script & learn Final Draft<br />
Drink more water<br />
Read more<br />
Write more of my children’s story<br />
Bake More<br />
Take more pictures<br />
Start & finish a scrap book </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />
I won’t bore you with a complete list of my to-do’s- I’m sure you have your fair share. I hope one of them is to come back to my blog to check for new entries. I promise to share a combination of fun things- if it’s not completely homemade I’ll show you a few tips and tricks to dress it up pretty (honestly they’ll never know then). And if you have any suggestions or requests send them my way- life is about the adventure & I am willing to try new things and share.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2