tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39098480070175257282024-03-12T19:45:09.845-07:00Follow Your BlissA Journey Towards SimplicityJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-57735076776760153872013-11-19T06:17:00.003-08:002013-11-19T06:17:56.476-08:00Red Snapper<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I grew up on Florida's Gulf Coast, so fresh seafood was a regular part of my diet, and I miss having access to it. As a teenager, I'd drive over to Hubbard's Pier at Pass-A-Grille and wait for the deep sea fishing boats to come in. Tourists would arrive with their fresh catches in tow. They'd have their photos taken with the fish while smiling broadly. Then wouldn't know what to do with the fish. They couldn't take it back to their hotel rooms. As a result they often just gave the fish away. And, for a small fee--about 50 cents--one of the deck hands would clean the fish for you. Those days are long gone, but my vivid memories of having fresh fish to eat often come to mind. Lately, in efforts to improve my diet, I've decided to eat fish once or twice every week. Here in the mountains of Virginia, the only available salt water fish are found in the seafood case of our grocery store. I try not to think about the fish having been frozen and thawed and just buy it as quickly as I can. The other day I saw red snapper and it brought back so many memories I had to have it. When I got home I decided to bake it. Here's the recipe I used:</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baked Red Snapper with Garlic</b></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Ingredients:</span></b></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 red snapper fillets, about 6 to 8 ounces each</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4 tablespoons butter</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1 medium clove garlic, pressed or minced</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3 or 4 drops Worcestershire sauce</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1/2 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning, or your own favorite
seasoning blend, with salt</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1 to 2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1 teaspoon snipped fresh or frozen chives, optional</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3 to 4 tablespoons plain or seasoned bread crumbs</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional</span></li>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Preparation:</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Place
snapper fillets in a baking dish, which has been sprayed with a butter-flavored
baking spray.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">In a
skillet, melt butter with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Creole seasoning blend,
pepper, parsley, and chives, if using. Cook on low for 2 minutes, just to blend
flavors. Brush both sides of fish fillets with the butter and herb mixture.
Toss bread crumbs in the remaining butter mixture; sprinkle over the fillets.
Bake at 400° for about 12 minutes, depending on thickness of fillets, until
fish flakes easily and is no longer translucent.<br />
Serves 2. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-29686309139654209642013-08-01T14:35:00.003-07:002013-08-01T14:35:32.370-07:00Summer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm happy to report that my extreme lack of attention to the garden this summer has seemed to not matter at all. Thank goodness for early spring mulching, drip irrigation on a timer, low-maintenance perennials and regular rainfall! </div>
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My front beds are always a work in progress - I wonder if I'll ever be happy with what is planted there and how it all goes together. I've decided I really don't like veronica and will be removing the 7 plants the builder put in this fall. I think I've been too cheap and guilt-ridden to get rid of them before now but enough is enough. They are spiky, ugly plants which only look good for a short time before they need to be cut back and I just don't like them! </div>
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The Cityline Rio Hydrangeas bloomed! I was hoping for purple but I've not checked the pH of the front beds for a few years and I guess all the compost I've amended with has taken care of the crazy acidity our sod had when we first moved in. These ladies are pink, pink, pink and have made my 3 year old daughter very happy! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvaAhP_BPtGYIh_WOW8cq286BiHEO2lZY0OLtsTt7nEGi1G5ir6Dgxwx5Yskw4vsXSLUFrX_6Vf34BHp0UfSLWwbEJ_l-8IHmasC13bU-NDydFImSUD10CTV-YwSQAqcmHtko5UFLBneZ/s1600/july13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvaAhP_BPtGYIh_WOW8cq286BiHEO2lZY0OLtsTt7nEGi1G5ir6Dgxwx5Yskw4vsXSLUFrX_6Vf34BHp0UfSLWwbEJ_l-8IHmasC13bU-NDydFImSUD10CTV-YwSQAqcmHtko5UFLBneZ/s320/july13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm still really happy with the window boxes - thank goodness for petunias who always have a happy face and grow prolifically no matter what. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAZ84o3IVsRPu-q8628UBoReNK9lk9D2-WUH3jaSZVhDEY9d_dsCyOHxM1f3226TP1g8uhN3PsvtTdVMHCBdstFOsqxNV80tDvtpyMWgTspguX8fgBqiLFFiPSAmmaT8AdR9zAb-kF0ej/s1600/july13a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAZ84o3IVsRPu-q8628UBoReNK9lk9D2-WUH3jaSZVhDEY9d_dsCyOHxM1f3226TP1g8uhN3PsvtTdVMHCBdstFOsqxNV80tDvtpyMWgTspguX8fgBqiLFFiPSAmmaT8AdR9zAb-kF0ej/s320/july13a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wanted to move this Vitex/Chastetree this spring and we didn't get around to putting in the new bed where it needs to be transplanted. It is pretty but totally masking the South Seas daylilies and catmint. Hopefully we'll have the time and money this fall to move her. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpxmir0ZlSJFICpGgLLychzludR4Dt0XhBbeQ1TfRdraXnCZ5MrZMy9O6808AdcHvYx6GSjuuLaCNl0q5b6gvMc6NSXSWmR5RiGNe3YBgR1pkdWA08eg2bBFzugQZnMsHoPmccUswOxlo/s1600/july13c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpxmir0ZlSJFICpGgLLychzludR4Dt0XhBbeQ1TfRdraXnCZ5MrZMy9O6808AdcHvYx6GSjuuLaCNl0q5b6gvMc6NSXSWmR5RiGNe3YBgR1pkdWA08eg2bBFzugQZnMsHoPmccUswOxlo/s320/july13c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This island in the back yard makes me so, so, so, so happy! We have total privacy now with the trees and shrubs being in their 4th year. The Nashiki Willow is apparently very happy as I've cut her back hard twice this spring/summer and she is still as tall as the Japanese Maple to her left! The "sleep, creep, leap" adage is very true! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMGOM7NhumQrvnWcJy1zfZHjFqrlMwrvbsIav71tTAv7KVYhYs82IF8H3PCmfeKDfdQ4q752Z563jCsK8bgL3xxJnrFId7tHGqYFWY3g3flI8U_7SzWQmjUDWi66lZymH71bif3yhT4tL/s1600/july13b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMGOM7NhumQrvnWcJy1zfZHjFqrlMwrvbsIav71tTAv7KVYhYs82IF8H3PCmfeKDfdQ4q752Z563jCsK8bgL3xxJnrFId7tHGqYFWY3g3flI8U_7SzWQmjUDWi66lZymH71bif3yhT4tL/s320/july13b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Books that are rocking my world:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Summer-World-Season-Bounty-P-S/dp/0060742186">Summer World by Bernd Heinrich</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceBeyNdsHWqzufVyGKtXz-kxf9EeiyUhOIQ5SoqlvZJzRUjQc9qiSjZ-Zcqq0Tl4PmAdY7txehDvJ7hYxIrDyX0ab9jJHz_dW1kose3iOte9HJBDEa0ApLhOzRrK8uHUSbG0WaZg_CMB0/s1600/summerworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceBeyNdsHWqzufVyGKtXz-kxf9EeiyUhOIQ5SoqlvZJzRUjQc9qiSjZ-Zcqq0Tl4PmAdY7txehDvJ7hYxIrDyX0ab9jJHz_dW1kose3iOte9HJBDEa0ApLhOzRrK8uHUSbG0WaZg_CMB0/s1600/summerworld.jpg" /></a></div>
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Bernd Heinrich is curious about the natural world in the most fascinating way. Who knew that frogs and bugs could be so unbelievably interesting! </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0867163968">To Live as Francis Lived by Leonard Foley, O.F.M.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpeCE1KUvgLAcUN0gFzUbjW6udKy0Prgl8XuN4a20OijtXXMx0Le4qa0XLsbxVpZVP1YSaCwRlvCbvWoV7mexyt_iI-AfqMU70bhzoKgoBWqPXnZRqn4SpSj8QRmb1L4MVoj8VjI5uM_M/s1600/francislived.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpeCE1KUvgLAcUN0gFzUbjW6udKy0Prgl8XuN4a20OijtXXMx0Le4qa0XLsbxVpZVP1YSaCwRlvCbvWoV7mexyt_iI-AfqMU70bhzoKgoBWqPXnZRqn4SpSj8QRmb1L4MVoj8VjI5uM_M/s320/francislived.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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This is a study guide - it is both inspiring and humbling. I know that I need to be more humble and not so intent on being right or understood. I need to focus on doing the right thing no matter what. I can't think of a better role model than St. Francis. </div>
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<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."</div>
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<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis.html" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153) !important; text-decoration: none;">C. S. Lewis</a></div>
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</span>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-53896144067805518542013-05-16T11:30:00.001-07:002013-05-16T11:30:38.262-07:00Blooms So many things are blooming now - I'm thrilled! <br />
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Zepherine Drouhin rose </div>
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Spiderwort </div>
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Foxglove</div>
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Teeny tiny apples (!!!)</div>
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Zepherine Drouhin rose with clematis </div>
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Westerland, first bloom of 2013</div>
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Christopher Marlowe buds</div>
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Alliums</div>
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Pyracantha </div>
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-23323716929813512362013-04-27T20:54:00.000-07:002013-04-27T20:54:11.599-07:002013It's been awhile since I've said hello around here.<br />
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Advent was busy, Christmastide was even busier and then Lent came and seemed to last a very, very long time this year. It also happened early and during the most horrible time in the homeschooling world... February and March. I suppose it is fitting that homeschooling is the biggest slog during a penitential season. My husband has also been traveling an extraordinary amount for work and my kids are in a zillion activities because they all sounded so great until we actually had to get to each of them on time and participate in a good mood. I also pretty much hate winter. It is cold, bleak and dark. I like cold, snowy weather during Advent and that is it! Virginia is as far north as I ever intend to live. All this to say - I didn't care about blogging or gardening or anything other than making sure the kids were fed and our house was not falling down into an episode of Hoarders all around us these last few months. <br />
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But spring is here and with it miserable seasonal allergies! My husband watched me struggling to use steroid nasal spray and commented that I would be a terrible drug addict. Yes, I believe I would. I'm totally aggravated that I have to use a medication that requires entry into my body via my nose. Ugh. I've been taking so many medications so I can see out of my eyes and not cough and sneeze constantly that I am worried about my liver. This is no joke! Pollen makes me want to avoid being outside so that has also put a damper on my otherwise hearty welcome of spring.<br />
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I do have some pride so I have ventured outside on occasion to see what is springing up out of the dirt, what is blooming and what needs pruning. I'm actually pretty pleased with the progress of our garden as of now, our 4th spring in this house. I can dig a little here and there while getting weeds out and almost always find worms. To think that worms would thrill me to the tips of my toes is pretty crazy, but thrill me they do as I know they are indicating that our soil is finally a survivable place for them to live and thrive. Let me assure you that there were zero worms anywhere to be found on our property when we moved in here December of 2009. <br />
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The crocus, hyacinth and daffodils came up and gave a cheerful face to the otherwise boring landscape. Some many other perennials began peeping up through the mulch and to me they really are like little tiny babies being born, crowning as they poke up after a long gestation period. The roses that I thought were pruned enough are now looking alarmingly vigorous and leafy. This is the best time for these ladies as they days are cool enough that black spot hasn't starting affecting them yet. The Westerlands on my trellis on the south side of my house look monstrous and a little terrifying right now. I know just enough about growing roses to keep them alive but I think a bit more reading is in order so I can learn better how to keep these over-acheivers in line!<br />
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I planted 3 bare root peonies last fall and only one came up. She is tiny and has one flower bud. I am anxious to see her bloom. The alliums are all getting ready to pop open. The bearded iris, woodland phlox, creeping phlox and tulips are all gorgeous right now. My rosemary is even blooming and I have never seen it do so before. The pansies are also perking back up and looking very purple and vibrant. <br />
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Here are a few pics:<br />
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Bearded Iris</div>
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Westerland Roses </div>
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Apple trees flowering in their third year - maybe some fruit this year?</div>
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Cytherea Peony </div>
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Alliums</div>
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Tulips </div>
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-1812053057425860142012-12-23T18:59:00.003-08:002012-12-24T08:55:50.845-08:00Advent Children's Books Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! We will trim our tree, bake <a href="http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2009/12/speculatius-german-spice-cookies.html">St. Nicholas gingerbread cookies</a> to leave out for Santa and light candles and the fireplace and say our prayers before bedtime. It has been a quiet and blessed Advent for us this year. I am so looking forward to Christmastide! <br />
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Here are some books our children have especially enjoyed this Advent:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucys-Christmas-Donald-Hall/dp/1567923429">Lucy's Christmas </a>features a Victorian era girl who enjoys preparing gifts for her friend's and family as much as she's looking forward to the Christmas celebration and gift sharing at her church. It is a sweet, gentle book full of beautiful illustrations. <br />
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Tasha Tudor's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Corgiville-Christmas-Tasha-Tudor/dp/1932425004">Corgiville Christmas</a>. My 7 year old especially found the idea of dogs and cats having skating and snow picnic parties to be particularly funny!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTC8kYZlP0kqqZxn4Ci8FBDppcJkYeZSi6HtFwLhc30xLgtkAGavmAOpjJhIZy7PO62gCzHd3oztI5m0sWZmdPlu9yFYgu_jCMDTIBqRoMfCwcDOQ6K2LTglhIOIVLuSfS42eogajNgai/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTC8kYZlP0kqqZxn4Ci8FBDppcJkYeZSi6HtFwLhc30xLgtkAGavmAOpjJhIZy7PO62gCzHd3oztI5m0sWZmdPlu9yFYgu_jCMDTIBqRoMfCwcDOQ6K2LTglhIOIVLuSfS42eogajNgai/s320/book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucia-Saint-Light-Katherine-Bolger/dp/0982277040/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356317819&sr=1-1&keywords=saint+lucia">St. Lucia, Saint of Light</a>. St. Lucy, with a crown of candles on her head. She is the saint associated with light and she is an inspiration for generosity during a season in which the focus should be on just that. She gave away her entire dowry to the poor. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzc4rXgyrhKeUIfY0R4AKhoQ74E6Tw06Db2WNDSMp2qQBZCAm_VSnJL9-9j4JC02luxhlQ0JvkRL8Ha_D-myk5fQr_8T07FXpodCjFHyjaejJRXTjMd4yNSMUWafG1wvV8mb4Orpsniu1/s1600/book1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzc4rXgyrhKeUIfY0R4AKhoQ74E6Tw06Db2WNDSMp2qQBZCAm_VSnJL9-9j4JC02luxhlQ0JvkRL8Ha_D-myk5fQr_8T07FXpodCjFHyjaejJRXTjMd4yNSMUWafG1wvV8mb4Orpsniu1/s320/book1.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Dozen-Nicholas-Anniversary-Christmas/dp/0938497480/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356317854&sr=1-1&keywords=the+baker%27s+dozen">The Baker's Dozen. </a> This is the story of baker, so careful and precise that he became cheap and miserly. This is the legend of how the Baker's Dozen of 13 came about. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nGMrYEeoviAMUoE0xikVQD2GLCiOXygjgJekrA0UYcPdzQpHTqVLw8xm07Poz-2p5_cy19-eGHC0XJXPD6bFp6xvxeQ6WsxSCfJs-kKFLH0EMP-qFXOeZ_vz_sRdvDi9C8mVS_HH8h8y/s1600/book2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nGMrYEeoviAMUoE0xikVQD2GLCiOXygjgJekrA0UYcPdzQpHTqVLw8xm07Poz-2p5_cy19-eGHC0XJXPD6bFp6xvxeQ6WsxSCfJs-kKFLH0EMP-qFXOeZ_vz_sRdvDi9C8mVS_HH8h8y/s1600/book2.jpg" /></a></div>
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In the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Poinsettia-Tomie-dePaola/dp/0698115678/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356317883&sr=1-1&keywords=legend+of+the+poinsettia">Legend of the Poinsettia</a> a young Mexican girl is devastated that she is unable to complete a new woven blanket for the Baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve procession because her mother has grown too ill to help her. Worried for her mother and ashamed that she has no gift she is inspired to pick some weeds to offer at the Nativity by an old woman. Those weeds miraculously bloom into bright red flowers as she places them by the baby Jesus. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LfKZsLMjBlSX0rXGxKD77AbSSulrIQMG3EpLD9bzJOcaSSnCppteOuZbQGzLXVQdYlkUH0QN4wvKKr4avAcOi41ZZePgY_UGPZLOWP3YszGTUd6TYY2iAs2BgY_784pf3Jir1WLez_hI/s1600/book3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LfKZsLMjBlSX0rXGxKD77AbSSulrIQMG3EpLD9bzJOcaSSnCppteOuZbQGzLXVQdYlkUH0QN4wvKKr4avAcOi41ZZePgY_UGPZLOWP3YszGTUd6TYY2iAs2BgY_784pf3Jir1WLez_hI/s1600/book3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Look-Find-Merry-Christmas-Charlie/dp/1450823351/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356317920&sr=1-1&keywords=merry+christmas+charlie+brown">Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown</a>. Just simple good fun from a classic Christmas story. My 2 year old is obsessed with Look and Find books and this one has been fun and kept her attention through the last few weeks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiOF0TXiLDuAUplQbmSvwb_cNYiHiI6SS4NCo_85VUAl9jutVl3rrPvh76M5lV43vfKafO7JqSm0WWE6aT490G9B2TMdPVi0tp2sYsEQ0QquBr1_17Z6AAsbHqgaD71ZOnSedSnyfMbxX/s1600/book4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiOF0TXiLDuAUplQbmSvwb_cNYiHiI6SS4NCo_85VUAl9jutVl3rrPvh76M5lV43vfKafO7JqSm0WWE6aT490G9B2TMdPVi0tp2sYsEQ0QquBr1_17Z6AAsbHqgaD71ZOnSedSnyfMbxX/s1600/book4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Christmas-Changing-Picture-Book/dp/0763650137/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356317951&sr=1-4&keywords=the+first+Christmas">The First Christmas.</a> This book tells the Christmas story. It has moving pictures that change when a tab is pulled. The story is simple and the pictures are captivating for young children. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEier3bIR7gE4vIN6WEylB4WdBBfD4A7TqFGcLY_EezfKLwKYs0ETN5kdJE6FzsJh4GjbBe8t69lGH2Og25HqVj7CzsZ9B2UPGxiyS2i9cR0724x5AgL0sMV8wMhSUPOvPjfkkO_xLAn4MA8/s1600/book5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEier3bIR7gE4vIN6WEylB4WdBBfD4A7TqFGcLY_EezfKLwKYs0ETN5kdJE6FzsJh4GjbBe8t69lGH2Og25HqVj7CzsZ9B2UPGxiyS2i9cR0724x5AgL0sMV8wMhSUPOvPjfkkO_xLAn4MA8/s320/book5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Merry Christmas to you! </div>
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-Jess</div>
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Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-3417901245432443502012-11-29T14:01:00.001-08:002012-11-30T18:26:03.496-08:00The Grammar of Happiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6UEUx5bvtxCRLmUSVKKlgj8xIqRkunE1NzXEq5ylm7S5PNWN9n6CkgIhnzREWK76NuZCFwVILYvg5VzZuqK42AAyG8cGKT0sq_8iNpAMgw8f7798mX6drT0z_ac4yQcykrxzskC9C6LA/s1600/everett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6UEUx5bvtxCRLmUSVKKlgj8xIqRkunE1NzXEq5ylm7S5PNWN9n6CkgIhnzREWK76NuZCFwVILYvg5VzZuqK42AAyG8cGKT0sq_8iNpAMgw8f7798mX6drT0z_ac4yQcykrxzskC9C6LA/s320/everett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I watched a very interesting documentary recently. It featured an American man who went into Brazil in 1977 as a missionary with the hopes of converting an indigenous tribe, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirah%C3%A3_people">Piraha</a>. His goal was to learn their language well enough that he could translate the New Testament into their language so they could receive the Gospel. Over the course of 25 years he learned their unique language, became a linguist by degree and lost his faith in Christianity. The American, <a href="http://daneverettbooks.com/">Daniel Everett</a>, has<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/04/16/070416fa_fact_colapinto"> challenged the prevailing view</a> of expert linguists about how and why human beings acquire language based on his research of the Pirahan people. </div>
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I had no idea linguistics could be so thrilling! Even more interesting is the transformation of this man over the course of a few decades and where he is now both professionally and spiritually. I find any conversion extremely interesting, especially if very strong beliefs were present before the conversion happened - even if that conversion is one that takes a person from belief in God to atheism. I admire people who are fully engaged to the point that they come to some sort of personal conclusion, even if their conclusions about God are far different from my own. I guess having experienced a religious conversion myself I have empathy for the staggering changes it brings to one's life. </div>
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This documentary is very watchable, very thought-provoking and even entertaining. I highly recommend it and I will be reading Dr. Everett's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Sleep-There-Are-Snakes/dp/0307386120/ref=la_B003ON7YI6_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354226455&sr=1-1">book</a> soon. You can watch the documentary, <a href="http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/show.do?show=141519">The Grammar of Happiness</a> on Smithsonian's website. <br />
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-Jess</div>
Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-87961829827592340572012-11-24T20:21:00.000-08:002012-11-25T07:44:22.207-08:00Fall Planting Yes. I'm still planting. It sure as heck was cold today with the wind blowing, though!<br />
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Advent is upon us and I've finally gotten the final gardening jobs finished that must occur. There are still some shabby looking daylilies out there that need trimming back but I am just not going to look at them and pretend they do not look pathetic and sad and in need of trimming.<br />
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I've planted peonies, alliums, transplanted some dwarf hydrangeas, moved nandina and catmint, planted potted mums in places that didn't need anything new but I couldn't stand to toss them as their blooms began to fade and spruced up my window boxes with some more euonymus to fill in. I planted (with help!) 500 Dutch Master daffodils around the sign of my church last weekend and went back out today with my husband and added some compost to the bed and then mulched. The Knights of Columbus were out there selling Christmas trees and well, I am just not ready for that yet. Too early for me! I'd wait until Christmas Eve if my children did not give me pleading Bambi eyes about the whole thing. <br />
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Back to the alliums. I planted some and I'm not sure why. I had a Groupon for my favorite nursery and no idea what to buy (for the first time ever). I don't have a lot of space left but I had an area in the back of a bed that could use a bit of drama and height so I planted some alliums to perk it up. I'm not even sure I really like them as they look like a plant right out of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Huge lollipop flowers is what they are. <br />
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I also transplanted <a href="http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/hydrangea/cityline-rio-hydrangea-macrophylla">Cityline Rio hydrangeas</a> into the front bed where they will get a bit of sun but mostly shade. I bought these plants on a whim a couple years ago and I've not yet seen a single bloom. They were in pots, I haven't pruned them at all and no idea what to do with them. Hopefully they will be happier in the ground than they were in their pots. </div>
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I also planted Cytherea peonies - 3 of them. I've never planted peonies before, I hear they are a bit picky and will not bloom if not planted correctly so I pored over the instructions and I'm hoping for the best. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RuqMjAsQkffaZcYlbVyWs-JocVe0ucivFWPOGXdxpKqCjYFKt-tAEkKahCpsdkx-3xzKEy_CVb4tzd573xtgFZ7-VbMX943XSV2f9wcT2TZ2bPaD5kCziXKCgQOj51TeF_TW8wdWV4Eg/s1600/cytherea+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RuqMjAsQkffaZcYlbVyWs-JocVe0ucivFWPOGXdxpKqCjYFKt-tAEkKahCpsdkx-3xzKEy_CVb4tzd573xtgFZ7-VbMX943XSV2f9wcT2TZ2bPaD5kCziXKCgQOj51TeF_TW8wdWV4Eg/s320/cytherea+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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-Jess</div>
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-28198666937766785052012-11-20T13:56:00.001-08:002012-11-20T13:56:54.006-08:00Chocolate Fudge Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgMfwaoCs17nLqGGcETWfcW7stNspX2W4ViA-zgeoGfOtK_cJIfVsQw29CyOIy9AIGoNjdqnS9FSVsk-B8APyzuOS1gbaO-SnklDYjmLDcWG8215WWnDDepfe1pgKRKnFoiO82fPXNH55/s1600/P1030389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgMfwaoCs17nLqGGcETWfcW7stNspX2W4ViA-zgeoGfOtK_cJIfVsQw29CyOIy9AIGoNjdqnS9FSVsk-B8APyzuOS1gbaO-SnklDYjmLDcWG8215WWnDDepfe1pgKRKnFoiO82fPXNH55/s400/P1030389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ah, chocolate fudge pie...:sigh: It's rich, chocolatey deliciousness, and Jessie inevitably asks for the recipe around this time of year so I thought I would go ahead and post and share (that, and <a href="http://hitherecupcake.blogspot.com/">Jori</a> asked for it too ;oP).<br />
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This is a pie whose recipe doesn't call for a crust. However, I like crust with my pie, so I'll use either a regular pie crust or a graham cracker crust (and as I was feeling lazy today, graham it was). <br />
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Ingredients:</h3>
<ul>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 cup butter</li>
<li class="ingredient">3 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 1/4 cups sugar</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup flour</li>
<li class="ingredient">pinch salt</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon vanilla</li>
<li class="ingredient">3 large eggs</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup chopped pecans</li>
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Preparation:</h3>
Directions for Chocolate Pie <br />
Melt butter and chocolate in double boiler; beat in sugar. Fold in flour
and salt. Add vanilla. Beat eggs; fold into chocolate mixture with
pecans. Turn into a greased 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350° for 20 to 30
minutes. Center of the chocolate pie should still be moist when done.<br />
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This pie is incredibly fudgy and is wonderful when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. :o)<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!<br />
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--Rach<br />
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Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09317328366288947798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-82001746053740007862012-11-12T20:18:00.000-08:002012-11-12T20:34:18.434-08:00Recommend <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCAyqhoOx4uwnTPX2PApyZ6hfzm9yusi9LFwwzVUckpzf-IOAC8DguFlBrxp-AhtjN2hSSvdAcRQSy_S5WSGkjJAgmuykqLnU6GgeOhjtn9YxWoPNVYFZxLYyhyphenhyphenQG5h9z1fvh5FcpMHKc/s1600/niall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCAyqhoOx4uwnTPX2PApyZ6hfzm9yusi9LFwwzVUckpzf-IOAC8DguFlBrxp-AhtjN2hSSvdAcRQSy_S5WSGkjJAgmuykqLnU6GgeOhjtn9YxWoPNVYFZxLYyhyphenhyphenQG5h9z1fvh5FcpMHKc/s1600/niall.jpg" /></a></div>
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I have a dear friend who also happens to be my neighbor and she always finds the perfect gifts to give to me. These gifts are personal and particular as she understands what I like. She gave me the book <a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Curious_Gardener_s_Almanac.html?id=Qo0jH420dCAC">The Curious Gardener's Almanac by Niall Edworthy</a> for my last birthday. It sat on my bedside table for months, patiently waiting its turn, and finally I picked it up and it has been one fun delight after another as I've browsed through it. This is not a "how to" gardening book and it isn't a book that needs to be read in linear fashion. It has all sorts of weird and engaging tidbits. </div>
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For instance:</div>
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<i>"It is estimated that one third of human food supplies depends on pollination by insects, mostly bees. It is not known exactly how many bee species there are in the world but the number is thought to be around 30,000. Bees are particularly attracted to blue, white, yellow, and purple colors for their ultraviolet properties. It is no use planting red flowers in your garden to attract bees because bees cannot see red." </i></div>
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And honestly, with an author named Niall Edworthy, how can this be a bad gardening book? Does that name not scream rural England to you, land of Gertrude Jekyll-esque gardens? He claims to be a novice in the beginning of the book but it must be kismet that he has <i>the</i> name in the world that screams "Gardening Authority". </div>
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I watched the documentary, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2122381/">"Last Will. & Testament"</a> about William Shakespeare recently. Apparently, most people know that it isn't a done deal that William Shakespeare of Stratford was THE William Shakespeare of literature fame. He may have just been a dude with the same name as the pen name of another person. I did not know this. Lots of famous writers and thinkers have questioned the legitimacy of Shakespeare actually being Shakespeare (Freud, Mark Twain, to name two). I watched this documentary on a whim and I'm so glad I did because it was so interesting! </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Will-Testament/dp/B009VB7XM2/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1352780022&sr=1-1&keywords=last+will.+%26+testament">You can watch it here</a>.</div>
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Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-83450657708638901372012-11-11T12:30:00.000-08:002012-11-11T12:30:01.756-08:00Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Cassis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday was Nana's birthday. I wanted to make a cake she would enjoy, something decadent, rich and utterly delicious. <br />
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Knowing Nana's love of chocolate and raspberries, I thought I had hit upon perfection after a skeg through my pinboards. <br />
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Lil took one look at this cake and said, "It sure is flat!" Why yes, yes it is. Flat and full of <a href="http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/flourless-chocolate-cake-chocolate-glaze.aspx">dense, chocolatey goodness</a>. <br />
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<span rel="v:ingredient">
<span>
<span>12 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (2-1/4 cups)</span>
</span>
</span>
<br />
<span rel="v:ingredient">
<span>
<span>6 oz. (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into six pieces; more for the pan</span>
</span>
</span>
<br />
<span rel="v:ingredient">
<span>
<span>5 large eggs</span>
</span>
</span>
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<span rel="v:ingredient">
<span>
<span>1 cup granulated sugar</span>
</span>
</span>
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<span rel="v:ingredient">
<span>
<span>1-1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract</span>
</span>
</span>
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<span rel="v:ingredient">
<span>
<span>1/4 tsp. table salt</span>
</span>
</span>
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<span rel="v:ingredient">
<span>
<span>3/4 oz. (1/4 cup) unsweetened natural cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy; more for the pan</span></span></span><br />
<br />
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 300°F.
Lightly butter the bottom of a 9x2-inch round cake pan and line it with
a round of parchment. Lightly butter the parchment and the sides of the
pan and dust with cocoa powder. Tap out any excess.<br />
<br />
Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave or in a medium metal
bowl set in a skillet of barely simmering water, stirring with a rubber
spatula until smooth. Remove the bowl from the water bath and set aside
to cool slightly. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk
attachment, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and 2 Tbs. water.
Beat on mediumhigh speed until the mixture is very foamy, pale in color,
and doubled in volume, 2 min. Reduce the mixer speed to low and
gradually pour in the chocolate mixture. Increase the speed to medium
high and continue beating until well blended, about 30 seconds. Add the
cocoa powder and mix on medium low just until blended, about 30 seconds.<br />
<br />
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a pick inserted
in the center comes out looking wet with small gooey clumps, 40 to 45
min. Don’t overcook. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 30 min. If
necessary, gently push the edges down with your fingertips until the
layer is even. Run a small knife around the edge of the pan to loosen
the cake. Cover the cake pan with a wire rack and invert. Remove the pan
and parchment and let the cake cool completely. The cake may look
cinched in around its sides, which is fine. Transfer to a cake plate.
Cover and refrigerate the cake until it’s very cold, at least 6 hours or
overnight.<br />
<br />
(Also, a helpful tip: To slice this cake (or any dense, sticky cake), heat the knife first,
either by dipping it in a tall container of very hot water or by holding
it under hot running water for a few seconds. Then wipe it dry before
cutting the cake. The knife will cool quickly, and the cake will start
sticking, so expect to rinse and repeat several times. A crème brûlée
torch, if you have one, is also handy for heating up a knife.) <br />
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</span>
</span>
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<span id="goog_2053022984"></span><span id="goog_2053022985"></span>I modified <a href="http://www.dessertsforbreakfast.com/2010/01/david-lebovitzs-chocolate-orbit-cake.html">this</a> blackberry cassis recipe to make the raspberry cassis. I'd never made one before, and I have to say, this sauce hit the perfect note of sweet and tangy and was an unbelievable complement to the richness of the cake.<br />
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1 bag of frozen raspberries<br />
1-2 baskets of fresh raspberries<br />
1/3 cup creme de cassis<br />
1/4 cup sugar, approx.<br />
juice of 1/2 lemon<br />
zest of 1 lemon<br />
1 tspn cornstarch<br />
pinch of salt<br />
<br />
1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat the raspberries, frozen and fresh, until they begin to release their juices.<br />
2. Add in the creme de cassis, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice and bring to a simmer.<br />
3. When the liquid begins to simmer, spoon about 1/4 cup of the liquid
into a small bowl. Add the cornstarch to the liquid in the bowl and
whisk thoroughly until the cornstarch is dissolved. Return the
cornstarch mixture to the berries cooking in the saucepan.<br />
4. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow to boil for about a minute.<br />
5. Reduce heat to a simmer until the liquid begins to be syrupy. Remove
from heat--serve warm immediately or reheat in microwave before serving
(if you are freezing the sauce for later use).<br />
<br />
This cake wasn't that hard, nor did it take that long to put together. I made the raspberry sauce while the cake was baking and simply reheated it when it was time for birthday cake. If you're looking for an easy, yet undeniably decadent dessert, this is it. :o)<br />
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--Rach Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09317328366288947798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-22897333553799234652012-11-04T19:54:00.000-08:002012-11-04T19:54:13.825-08:00Pumpkin Carving My husband is a very detail oriented, methodical, disciplined kind of guy. It is nice to have him around because we balance each other out. He is always our pumpkin carver as the kids like to choose their favorite character and see it lit up on the face of their pumpkin. If it were up to me the pumpkins would have triangle eyes, a round nose and a lopsided mouth with a tooth or two stuck back in with toothpicks. Absolutely nothing wrong with those kind of pumpkins as those were the jack-o-laterns that made up my childhood and I have nothing but fond memories of them.<br />
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Bob spent all morning last Sunday outside on our back porch as the wind began to whip (Sandy was on her way) carving these pumpkins. Ella wanted to create her own design and she made a charming jagged grin with a nice "Boo" at the top. I like her pumpkin a lot as it is very "her". She is moving father away from commercial characters and she is very creative and likes to draw, write stories and so on. I wasn't surprised that she wanted to go her own way with her pumpkin design. Gabriel has left Thomas the Train behind and has become a huge super hero fan. I either read or make up stories for the kids at bedtime and the other day I was scolded by him when SpiderMan began to fly in my story. Apparently he only swings from webs he throws. OK, now I know! So, SpiderMan was his must have for his pumpkin. Grace is very partial to Princess Aurora as she has long hair, a crown and wears a pink dress. She liked the design that Bob carved into her pumpkin because Aurora's hair looks fancy and long. Grace wants nothing more than long "princess" hair right now.<br />
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All three pumpkins turned out so well! <br />
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-Jess</div>
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-68864202774784225792012-10-23T18:57:00.001-07:002012-11-29T20:03:21.297-08:00Blackberry Farm <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bob and I took a 4 day trip to <a href="http://www.blackberryfarm.com/">Blackberry Farm</a> in Walland, TN last week. It was wonderful! The weather was perfect with crisp air and blue skies. The air smelled of falling leaves with a hint of woodsmoke. The Smokey Mountains were a riot of color and just magnificent. It was a magical trip.<br />
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I first learned of Blackberry Farm years ago. I don't even remember when or where but I did live in Knoxville, TN for a year with my aunt while I was in high school and perhaps I heard about it back then. Anyway, I've always wanted to visit as the service was supposed to be excellent, the food out of this world (it was) and just a relaxing place to stay. The place has a very genteel southern feel and it is peaceful and quiet.<br />
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Sometime in early spring I was reading my favorite magazine, Southern Living, and they had a best places to stay in the South article. In it was featured Blackberry Farm. I decided that this was the year we would make the trip. I began doing more research about the place and I discovered that their <a href="http://www.blackberryfarm.com/farm/produce-gardens">farm/garden to table program</a> is pretty top-notch. I was curious about how the garden was run on property and what is supplemented in the way of produce and supplies. <br />
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I chose to take a tour of the garden with the gardening manager. He was very nice and informative. Most people are hearing now about heirloom seeds and organic gardening. I am particularly interested in heirloom seeds and the work of some specific <a href="http://rareseeds.com/">seed companies</a> because I am concerned about companies like Monsanto compromising the integrity of agriculture as a whole. Patents <a href="http://rareseeds.com/blog/gardening/a-conversation-with-percy-schmeiser/"> on seeds, seeds then cross-pollinating onto small farms and farmers, who never intentionally "stole" that genetic material being sued by huge, monstrous companies for damages is just outrageous.</a> I buy products that contain GMO crops - but I try to make informed choices, especially when I choose to plant veggie seeds in my own garden. It is tough to find the right balance, but I don't think perfecting avoidance is the goal, I think balance and awareness is key. <br />
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Anyway, I discovered that Blackberry Farm, like the <a href="http://rareseeds.com/about">Gettles</a> of Baker Creek Seed, <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/">Seed Savers Exchange</a>, <a href="http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/monsanto.htm">FedCo</a> and other farmers and seed suppliers is working hard to find and preserve heirloom seeds from extinction. I respect that Blackberry Farm sends out their gardeners on seed finding trips, supports seed trials in their gardens and then outsources that seed to local farmers to help grow produce to support their resort's restaurants. <br />
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I was very surprised to learn that Blackberry Farm is attempting to grow truffles - in East Tennessee! How neat is that?! The gardener I spent time with was especially proud of their truffle experiment. Apparently they are on year 6 and should know within a couple years if it worked or not. Several years ago a UT PhD student successfully grew truffles for his dissertation work, researched local places to sell them to and found Blackberry Farm. BF then in turn decided if the student made it work then maybe they could too. The truffle industry in France is about as corrupt as the tulip trade was in the 16th and 17th centuries. It will be interesting to see if Blackberry Farm and their gardeners are successful with this experiment. <br />
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I'm happy to financially support via my patronage a company that chooses to fund work that I think is important for our collective good. I had a great time there, felt very relaxed and loved every minute of our fall trip and even better I felt like in some teeny-tiny way I was helping support work that is meaningful and important. Bravo, Blackberry Farm for supporting small, local, organic farms and striving to save heirlooms varieties from extinction. <br />
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-Jess </div>
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-19791371765519359282012-10-16T20:08:00.000-07:002012-10-23T19:18:03.383-07:00We Made A Cake Ella is participating in <a href="http://www.ahgonline.org/">American Heritage Girls</a> and is desperate to earn as many badges as she can so her vest is full and pretty like the girls who have been in the group for a while. I really like the program and I appreciate the clarity and consistency of the badge program. She chose a few different projects that she wanted to pursue and we got started with the Cake Decorating badge-work this week. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshcq1Q-XnO5sNDuTDhyRt6UCv6ubps176P7i6p9YOnuUWBxvlanW54jJKcUT2c36FcI_Mu0vlNxGpv0CpUMzn4iicAn4iPYePSI7e12gheDKwq8QysHrEOpeumkLgPh8PxPUZKmIJTkXO/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshcq1Q-XnO5sNDuTDhyRt6UCv6ubps176P7i6p9YOnuUWBxvlanW54jJKcUT2c36FcI_Mu0vlNxGpv0CpUMzn4iicAn4iPYePSI7e12gheDKwq8QysHrEOpeumkLgPh8PxPUZKmIJTkXO/s320/cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She needs to dye frosting various colors for part of the badge-work so she selected a cake with pink frosting (I know, you're totally shocked). This particular cake was featured in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Cakes-Timeless-Recipes-Cupcakes/dp/1607741024">Vintage Cakes by Julie Richardson.</a> I'd love to write out the recipe but it's a newish book and I have no idea about the copyright restrictions. As it happens, the cake we made is featured on the cover below. Not that ours looked like that!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E9pnvE15J6TJCchZcAv3duGYOhTk3fwDtnTY8KOPY9twJf66WqEvzFj6pCTGHs9T11bsNFtG3RSC73kLlD8ythA5jX43nSye0bmAzeLZ-zSeKL3_dlf1NP73pCb0O04ofHuaJF6xR4eG/s1600/vintagecakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E9pnvE15J6TJCchZcAv3duGYOhTk3fwDtnTY8KOPY9twJf66WqEvzFj6pCTGHs9T11bsNFtG3RSC73kLlD8ythA5jX43nSye0bmAzeLZ-zSeKL3_dlf1NP73pCb0O04ofHuaJF6xR4eG/s1600/vintagecakes.jpg" /></a></div>
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This cake required hard to find ingredients like Dutch processed cocoa, so much butter that my heart is still palpitating and I had to actually take a bowl of egg whites and heat them up over a simmering pot of water. Never again, I say.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5CYk4D2I16ydfKmZkxcBXqwzwzB40N8OtOdOJ1htmMGKvu_surh7BErZSvMjEwIFQCZAgSv7ljkbJ0o8dP6BaNr1rAEQO2228z4Tf1cVuPXtEJAAdecPeYpjSWhN4IWhqlRqedjgT4i5/s1600/cake1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5CYk4D2I16ydfKmZkxcBXqwzwzB40N8OtOdOJ1htmMGKvu_surh7BErZSvMjEwIFQCZAgSv7ljkbJ0o8dP6BaNr1rAEQO2228z4Tf1cVuPXtEJAAdecPeYpjSWhN4IWhqlRqedjgT4i5/s320/cake1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We made raspberry buttercream frosting to go on top and it took longer to make than a Betty Crocker cake takes to mix and bake. I kid you not. My four year old son got particularly animated when it was time to mush the raspberries through a strainer and get all the juice but none of the pulp out. I am still finding raspberry juice splatters all over the kitchen. He definitely had a great time. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Heating egg whites over a pot of simmering water.</span></div>
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This cake turned out to be amazingly tasty and light and fluffy and the frosting was to-die-for good. I just wish the author's bakery was close to my house so I could buy one of these cakes the next time I get a craving for it rather than having to slave over for hours myself.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We made the cake on the cover of the book pictured above. Doesn't quite look the same, does it?! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQitugb47CxHcmNEOWmkScP-KOaMAE6k_v4uERA7Rq0T1t_thvP9SYV9mAC_JMuhaaTm-s1zQq0Q24xSeEJNZ6IlQ5dftdJYoC8hu9_iuHriXZZvuDF2uKFK6P4puPvQfErEFI7Qscb8Y/s1600/cake3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQitugb47CxHcmNEOWmkScP-KOaMAE6k_v4uERA7Rq0T1t_thvP9SYV9mAC_JMuhaaTm-s1zQq0Q24xSeEJNZ6IlQ5dftdJYoC8hu9_iuHriXZZvuDF2uKFK6P4puPvQfErEFI7Qscb8Y/s320/cake3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ella is halfway to earning her badge with the making of this cake and I earned a nice glass of wine. This book is great, even for a non-baker like me. If you like making cakes, this is a book to have on your shelf! Even as a non-baker, I'm glad I've got it handy as this cake was literally the best cake I've ever made. Yum.Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-5607253156506549882012-10-08T10:01:00.000-07:002012-10-08T17:44:43.387-07:00John Fullbright<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm always happy to find a new-to-me musician who I think writes and plays amazing music. I recently discovered <a href="http://www.johnfullbrightmusic.com/">John Fullbright</a>, a guy in his early 20s from Oklahoma who plays good old Americana music. He's an interesting blend of folk, blues and rock. His album <a href="http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-John-Fullbright/dp/B007MMS21S">From The Ground Up</a> is probably going to be my most-played album this autumn. It is just really awesome!
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-Jess</div>
Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-72557360658357547042012-10-06T19:40:00.000-07:002012-10-06T19:40:49.936-07:00Fire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dIeUD5os60m8M72l3gH77o4Xit6yqjowd24w9QdeiUy14iqmsQy6enkgSktDFhb60_kyQmjmc6MyOOmKqcOoyrNTqoSmgU3r5sgCyYj4Eh3sv10gTaRcUgmJ_Z_cmRd024A7rVfbRL9k/s1600/fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dIeUD5os60m8M72l3gH77o4Xit6yqjowd24w9QdeiUy14iqmsQy6enkgSktDFhb60_kyQmjmc6MyOOmKqcOoyrNTqoSmgU3r5sgCyYj4Eh3sv10gTaRcUgmJ_Z_cmRd024A7rVfbRL9k/s320/fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's been cool in the evening the last few weekends so we've put the kids to bed and built a little fire in our fire bowl. No marshmallows or hot dogs or anything of that nature to be seen, just a fire and chairs and some wine or beer to take the edge of the cool night. </div>
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I've found it remarkable that we've had friends and neighbors stop over to sit awhile, to talk and drink and laugh. This is so much better than plopping in front of the computer or TV to waste the evening hours. Company with talk of politics, kids, sports, and other various odds and ends to fill our evenings with instead of thoughtless activities that are entertaining but shallow. </div>
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I like this fire bowl. My husband and I sit outside and talk. We talk all the time when we are together but it is usually about the children, or what I am doing with Ella in our homeschool, or about his job or bills, or something else not related to <i>us</i>. This little fire feels primal and participatory in a way that sitting on the couch inside does not facilitate. We talk, we laugh, we share. These are all so important and get left behind in the busyness of life. </div>
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I have to smile at how the guys who sit around the fire like to poke and prod it, "build" it up to make more heat. I don't know - maybe they are actually doing something productive. What makes me laugh is that I, and none of the other women, seem to feel the same need to attack the fire every five minutes. But the process of building and keeping the fire warm seems to be a bonding experience of sorts, which I can appreciate. Women talk and men poke at the fire with iron prongs. This is good. </div>
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We've priced out some small square pavers to make an official spot in our yard for this little fire pit. I'm sure the grass will be glad to finally be dug out instead of succumbing to the heat and torture every weekend. Bob should finish the project tomorrow. </div>
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The men talk of cold winter nights under the stars outside with this fire and a beer. The women smile and think they are crazy. We'll see what happens! </div>
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-Jess</div>
Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-78866208573209833572012-09-24T17:00:00.001-07:002012-09-24T17:00:57.197-07:00Boneless Pork Chop Bake<style>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">I've been cooking for </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">50 years. I'm so tired of all the recipes I've made again and again that I need to find new ones. Now that I am retired, I have the time to research recipes, and every once in a while I find a winner. The one that follows is easy to make and delicious. I think you could use any kind of meat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Boneless
pork chops are baked with a flavorful sauce, delicious with rice or potatoes.</span></span></div>
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1 hour, 15 minutes</span></b></span></div>
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15 minutes</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Ingredients:</span></b></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 teaspoons paprika</span></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1/4 teaspoon pepper</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 pounds boneless pork chops</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1/2 cup butter or margarine</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1/2 cup chopped onion</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1/2 cup chopped celery </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 cups milk</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Salt and pepper to taste</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 tablespoons lemon juice</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Preparation:</span></b></span><br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">In a pie
plate or wide, shallow bowl, combine 1/4 cup flour, paprika, salt and pepper.
Lightly dredge chops in flour mixture. In a heavy skillet, melt butter or
margarine over medium heat. Brown chops on both sides; transfer to a shallow
baking dish. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, and
chopped celery until onion is tender; add mushrooms and continue cooking until
onion lightly browns; add remaining 1/4 cup of flour, blending in well. Add
milk slowly, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened. Taste and season to
taste; add lemon juice. Pour sauce over chops in baking pan. Cover with foil
and bake at 350° for 1 hour.<br /> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Serves 4 to 6. </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-79392832544819502472012-09-22T13:29:00.001-07:002012-09-23T19:05:45.277-07:00Hello, Fall <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cool evenings = fun with friends </div>
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Mums</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ62rJ32OeP8HMx4BJywCAlSgNgfX0O9In8GD_fsAT2v5evSJgn8f6sP6RI0n4SgGMbsFYTUP9b8mK5m66oFn9IbKQEINLtIfJNHkt7zu3WkY0cG_h_MlfS740fMESx7pJGzkCldb9jwbh/s1600/sept1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ62rJ32OeP8HMx4BJywCAlSgNgfX0O9In8GD_fsAT2v5evSJgn8f6sP6RI0n4SgGMbsFYTUP9b8mK5m66oFn9IbKQEINLtIfJNHkt7zu3WkY0cG_h_MlfS740fMESx7pJGzkCldb9jwbh/s320/sept1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Coral Flower Carpet rose opening</div>
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New plants in the window boxes</div>
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Carding Mill </div>
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Carding Mill up close</div>
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Tamora</div>
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Late volunteer tomato nestled in the leeks</div>
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Pepper plants that are still going strong</div>
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Zepherine Drouhin that I gave up on a couple months ago, has put on 3 feet of growth in the last few weeks. I think it must have been too hot for her without an established root system to grow well this summer.</div>
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Pansies and gentian violet </div>
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All pink Pinky Winkies</div>
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Pyracantha berries are cheerfully orange!</div>
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-Jess</div>
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-68556518834117016292012-09-10T19:18:00.000-07:002012-09-17T23:10:32.855-07:00Quiet This poor blog is probably going to be quieter (at least from me) over the next several months. Summer is ending and once I get a few cool weather annuals in I think I'll be happy to say goodbye to gardening maintenance for a few months. I had a pretty large landscaping project planned for this fall but I think there is just not enough time to do it justice right now and honestly, I am not up to it. It will have to wait until spring.<br />
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I did put in some fall veggies including broccoli, leeks, chard, spinach, bok choi and I think it is finally cool enough to go ahead with some lettuce seed. We've still been getting lots of peppers off the plants and our beans are finally finishing up. The kids are out there daily snapping them off the vines and crunching away on them as they run around and play. Ella is especially looking forward to fresh spinach and broccoli!<br />
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<a href="http://alofthomeschool.blogspot.com/">We are fully back in the swing of homeschooling again</a> and all our activities are up and running now too. I've got a pretty hectic schedule due to our choice to participate in a myriad of activities for the kids. The killer is swim team practice four nights per week! I haven't even had a chance to sit down with either of those shirt patterns and cut out pieces and get to work. However, I helped my daughter and one of her friend make doll pillows with a (simple) pattern we found in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-School-Projects-Kids-Will/dp/1603425780">Sewing School</a>, so a little sewing has happened around here even if I wasn't the one doing much of the stitching!<br />
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All this is to say that my crockpot has been pressed into service and so far I've made one recipe that is really worth blogging about. I am not one to follow a recipe. I'll find something that looks good and easy to make I'll see if I have what I need on hand. If not, I change the recipe to work with what I've got. I used the Apple and Onion Beef Pot Roast recipe from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fix-It-Forget-It-Cookbook-Feasting-Cooker/dp/1561483176">Fix It and Forget It</a> cookbook as my inspiration. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Apple and Onion Beef Pot Roast </span></div>
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3 lbs. boneless beef roast</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
2 apples, cored and sliced </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
1 onion sliced</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Tbls. of soy sauce</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Tbls. Worcestershire sauce</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup of water</div>
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<br /></div>
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3 cloves of garlic chopped</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
1 tsp. sea salt</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Directions: Brown the roast in a pan before putting into crockpot. Mix salt and chopped garlic into the water and sauces. Pour over roast. Layer on apple and onion slices on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. </div>
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I served this with mashed potatoes - yum! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Jess</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-26421651777760200092012-08-26T11:39:00.000-07:002012-08-26T21:11:11.267-07:00Two Patterns I've got two patterns I've been itching to get out and try my hand at making. I am pretty sure both are above my skill level but not trying means I won't ever figure out how to sew well. I've got the<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Sewing-Readers-Digest/dp/0762104201"> Reader's Digest Book Of Sewing</a> that has helped me quite a bit when I've been stuck while working on other small projects so I hope that will keep me going with these patterns. <br />
<br />
The first I am going to try is the <a href="http://sewliberated.com/products/schoolhouse-tunic-sewing-pattern">Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic</a> pattern. It has pleats (!!) and sleeves so will be more challenging than I've tried on my own before. I will probably make a mock up version in cheap muslin first to get a bit of wind in my sails before I cut nicer (expensive) fabric for the real deal. I found this tutorial on the blog, <a href="http://dontfeartheripper.blogspot.com/2011/03/schoolhouse-tunic-tutorial.html">Don't Fear the Ripper</a>, and let me tell you, I'll be using it!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cS8QCNmVSLcOJuLuEjE4k2Y9mQZr-H8AAoqawxhXVRshv7pqUXt14md-lLvkuG-_2rFFcKzsBe_FU2VG-HBPYtM772HgGET74gIggw4ZtuW1qiuMyy_MWhxV-KPNifV1O9OgykgGIOXJ/s1600/schoolhouse+tunic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cS8QCNmVSLcOJuLuEjE4k2Y9mQZr-H8AAoqawxhXVRshv7pqUXt14md-lLvkuG-_2rFFcKzsBe_FU2VG-HBPYtM772HgGET74gIggw4ZtuW1qiuMyy_MWhxV-KPNifV1O9OgykgGIOXJ/s1600/schoolhouse+tunic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I found another pattern I like really well, the <a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tova-shirt-sewing-pattern">Tova pattern</a> by Wiksten. It is similar to the Schoolhouse Tunic but has a bit more structure. It is definitely an Intermediate level pattern which makes me nervous but we'll see how brave I feel after I've given the Sew Liberated pattern a whirl. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO_0wJu2Qxf_S1JdWM3x6Brc_aYCg9PSpTl1ZA3nowXAv9SrlI08Zd_PeCetvi9FQVrrjQSu-MPvJEI870uQVrFlpG2yGprvbuCLkMLVp1HYTT-6iDVTXhELOt205KcvxNS2L4-1FdOsz/s1600/tova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO_0wJu2Qxf_S1JdWM3x6Brc_aYCg9PSpTl1ZA3nowXAv9SrlI08Zd_PeCetvi9FQVrrjQSu-MPvJEI870uQVrFlpG2yGprvbuCLkMLVp1HYTT-6iDVTXhELOt205KcvxNS2L4-1FdOsz/s1600/tova.jpg" /></a></div>
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If I become totally flummoxed I may call my former <a href="http://novasewingstudio.com/">sewing teacher</a> in Ashburn at the NOVA Sewing Studio and see if she'll let me come and receive help for a few of the trickier parts of assembling the garments. Ella has made a few things from her children's sewing book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-School-Projects-Kids-Will/dp/1603425780/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346006175&sr=1-1&keywords=sewing+for+kids">Sewing School</a>, that we got during last school year and she loves to stitch while listening to me read aloud or while listening to audio books in her room. She's old enough now to attend classes so if we can carve out time in the old schedule maybe I'll look into going bi-weekly for lessons again. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-Jess</div>
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-6948417701045647992012-08-17T11:30:00.000-07:002012-08-17T11:30:58.815-07:00Gaudy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuuh1FWl4bQG02eDA3ij0AOkC4-Z1Zt5YRhLH7-GelB_PMXXs80w-dfkAukSC12MGZaNKNgt-GnSzIahVf8HBWzn87vNEOWB0RVcsv_mtmlKsxWidV7ycZu61q2HRyjuDtEWgsI6G_szX/s1600/CoralSunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuuh1FWl4bQG02eDA3ij0AOkC4-Z1Zt5YRhLH7-GelB_PMXXs80w-dfkAukSC12MGZaNKNgt-GnSzIahVf8HBWzn87vNEOWB0RVcsv_mtmlKsxWidV7ycZu61q2HRyjuDtEWgsI6G_szX/s320/CoralSunset.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
I find that I prefer really fluffy, ruffly, gaudy flowers. I find this puzzling because I am not typically a ruffly, fancy girl. My wardrobe is pretty sedate as I spent a good chunk of my adulthood in solid black during my years working as a hairstylist in a salon. It has taken me years to comfortably wear colored or print clothing and I still typically favor very neutral colors and classic styles. My home has some strong color but nothing is particularly fancy or "shabby chic" or anything along those lines.<br />
<br />
So why do I like such outrageously gaudy flowers? I love roses, puffy phlox, hydrangeas, peonies and dahlias. I love zinnias and petunias and verbena. I always plant geraniums, euphorbia and sweet potato vine that creeps everywhere. I adore larkspur, double hollyhocks and showy daylilies. I could keep going but you get the idea.<br />
<br />
I've been planning for two new beds that we will be putting in and planting this fall. One will have a crape myrtle as the anchor and then have a mix of peonies and roses. I've been pleasantly surprised at how much I really like the single blooms on Coral Flower Carpet roses, so I will be sticking with those. I am most certainly going with <a href="http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/35413-product.html">Coral Sunset</a> peonies because they are pretty and apparently have strong stems to hold up the flower heads. I am trying to focus on structure over blooms and it is very hard for me. I need to find some solid evergreen plants to anchor the beds. Maybe I should explore ornamental grasses a bit more. I'm not really sure at this point, I just know that I need to continue to think and plan and consider plants that I wouldn't typically be drawn to.<br />
<br />
Suggestions are appreciated!<br />
<br />
-Jess<br />
<br />
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-20106088276214185232012-08-15T17:20:00.000-07:002012-08-15T17:29:46.805-07:00Bœuf Bourguignon<style>
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This recipe is easy to make and tastes oh, so good.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Ingredients:</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1/4
lb mushrooms, sliced </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">6
small pearl onions cut into fourths </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">3
Tbs butter </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1/4
lb bacon, diced </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1
lb Top Sirloin steak, cut into 1" cubes </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1
Tbs flour </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1/2
cup Burgundy wine </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">3/4
cup beef broth </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1
bay leaf </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">2
cloves garlic, minced </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1/2
tsp ground thyme </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1
1/2 cups carrots, diagonally sliced Salt Pepper hot buttered noodles </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">1
1/2 Tbs parsley chopped</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">In a large skillet, sauté mushrooms and onions in hot butter until
golden brown. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Remove from skillet and set aside. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Add bacon to skillet and fry until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon
and reserve. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Add Top Sirloin steak to skillet and fry in bacon fat, stirring
frequently, until well browned. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Return mushroom and onion mixture to skillet and add flour; toss until
flour disappears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Add wine, beef broth, bay leaf, garlic and thyme. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring frequently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Add carrots and cooked bacon, and cook covered, for 15 minutes longer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Season with salt and pepper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Before serving, remove bay leaf. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Serve over hot buttered noodles. Sprinkle with parsley.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">--Lissie </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-47584171324291561792012-08-12T17:54:00.000-07:002012-08-12T17:54:03.640-07:00August GardenAs always, the garden is starting to look tired due to the heat, and frankly I am also getting rather tired of going out in the blazing sun to care for it. I've been watering, pinching back here and there but for the most part we've definitely entered the wild and wooly days of late summer. The catmint and agastache are desperate to be cut back hard and my Westerland roses are out of control. It is going to take a ladder at this point to prune and when I get around to it in late September, I am going to prune them back significantly. <br />
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There are a few plants that are still putting on a pretty good show and they are always troopers for me. <br />
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Sedum, it is just coming into its own right now. </div>
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<a href="http://endlesssummerblooms.com/en/consumer/plants/blushingbride">Blushing Bride Hydrangea</a>, I prefer the soft blue so I keep it more acidic. The contrast between the blooms that are drying out and those that are newly blooming is very pretty. </div>
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Gold Flame Honeysuckle. This is my last year for her to live in my garden as she needs more sun and room to grow well. She's going to my neighbor's house in October but right now she's very lovely and sweet with some pretty blossoms. </div>
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Thank goodness for crape myrtles. I know they are probably as ubiquitous as Knock Out roses but they are so reliable for being pretty in late summer. I have all Natchez as I thought white blooms on the trees would be a better neutral backdrop longterm. </div>
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<a href="http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2993/blue-chip-dwarf-butterfly-bush.php">Blue Chip Dwarf Buddleia</a>. This has been a big surprise for me this year. Last year I planted them and they did OK but this year has been amazing. They required just a tiny bit of pruning in May and they have pumped out pretty purple blooms all summer long with zero maintenance other than being on the drip system. The hummingbirds, bees, butterflies have loved them and my kids have been fascinated getting a view of all the critters at their eye level. I got these from <a href="http://www.lazyssfarm.com/">Lazy S Farm</a>, they ship plants about as perfectly as one can and they were $9 per quart which is much cheaper than I've seen them anywhere else. They grow so fast that it doesn't matter if you start with a quart sized in April. </div>
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We have small kids so these pots, which I love, block off a long fall down the cement stairs to the basement. The coleus, lemongrass and sweet potato vine all love the heat. </div>
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Very pretty purple shade for the drying Blushing Bride blooms. </div>
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-20204046899929061062012-08-08T16:41:00.001-07:002012-08-08T16:41:55.193-07:00Buddha Board<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwAE9yOwpM06KyDZBVFTm9at7Ffv7IY5SNPyQYEyxuSNbOqmz8o_J4HCK_-b2aUe80uzE6uhDiBKfkD9980E2KDh0YnFkEehDG1737iIH5wJzZ_61xXKVz93Uo93hMzfFlc3ton6tayiS/s1600/buddhaboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwAE9yOwpM06KyDZBVFTm9at7Ffv7IY5SNPyQYEyxuSNbOqmz8o_J4HCK_-b2aUe80uzE6uhDiBKfkD9980E2KDh0YnFkEehDG1737iIH5wJzZ_61xXKVz93Uo93hMzfFlc3ton6tayiS/s320/buddhaboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found a small <a href="http://www.buddhaboard.com/">Buddha Board</a> in a tiny eastern themed shop somewhere in North Carolina when my mother was still a professor at ECU. I am pretty sure I only had Ella at the time and I may or may not have been pregnant with Gabriel yet. My point is that this little toy was under $20 and has survived three kids and lots of play time over the last 5 years. This is one toy that I can highly recommend as being worth the money and space to store it. It has given my kids countless hours of fun and entertainment and they all are still as entranced watching the board dry so they can start over again as they were the first time they used it. Best of all the only added materials you need are a paint brush and water so it is virtually mess free.<br />
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This is one perfect toy for young toddlers and up. <br />
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-Jess</div>
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-47913024120749760722012-07-30T18:03:00.000-07:002012-07-30T18:17:38.829-07:00Soft Kitty<img border="0" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzNDM2OTY*ODY1NzImcHQ9MTM*MzY5NjQ5MDM*NiZwPTEyNTIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPTJiOTYyNjc2NjVkZTQ5OGU5ZDQy/OWYyYjY*YmM4OGJmJm9mPTA=.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><br />
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My sister and I both love <a href="http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_bang_theory/">The Big Bang Theory</a>. Fans of the show will recognize "Soft Kitty" and understand why G is singing it for her Aunt Rachael with the broken ankle!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264059472790843992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909848007017525728.post-24471629865329099572012-07-29T16:44:00.000-07:002012-07-29T16:44:02.724-07:00Making Progress on the Snowman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXK5LhHYEiYzEFg3QXl9np6ytvQQ0GEnlXfWJF-dfpT5oy1gqeouibZ3k3d8pV-1Lco9QqyL0d8LD8srNcdoVn0q8p91tFmOYk6ySAttHz2GObeFaoM_F-kppsaCl4jq56PluNcyUq6zT0/s1600/IMG_3719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXK5LhHYEiYzEFg3QXl9np6ytvQQ0GEnlXfWJF-dfpT5oy1gqeouibZ3k3d8pV-1Lco9QqyL0d8LD8srNcdoVn0q8p91tFmOYk6ySAttHz2GObeFaoM_F-kppsaCl4jq56PluNcyUq6zT0/s400/IMG_3719.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I'm such a huge Olympics junkie I've been spending my time sitting in front of the TV surfing between the channels covering the Olympics, cross stitching to keep my hands busy. By the time I went to bed Friday evening, I have finished this much of my snowman. I was quite distracted by the Opening Ceremony (tell me Mr. Bean wasn't hysterical) but managed to get quite a bit completed. The white is <i>so</i> hard on my eyes...Ugh.<br />
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I pretty much worked the day away yesterday and by yesterday afternoon, I had this much finished. I was more than happy to have all the white FINISHED...or so I thought. Drat. I still need to put in some snowflakes. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2-Cn4-cFydvnhsEr4mLKRM_OL1hfTEFMeVYlrR9UYDroqLHGHn3prRBRKfIabOoL0WmIRp78FZpYis_7naGM8xy9NgEn4rEpxpUGKkvob_jlq8Wzcj0hamvcifbF3eCLJm5AyClWNoB8/s1600/IMG_3735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2-Cn4-cFydvnhsEr4mLKRM_OL1hfTEFMeVYlrR9UYDroqLHGHn3prRBRKfIabOoL0WmIRp78FZpYis_7naGM8xy9NgEn4rEpxpUGKkvob_jlq8Wzcj0hamvcifbF3eCLJm5AyClWNoB8/s400/IMG_3735.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
And, here it was as of noon today. :o) There are still things that need to be done (and I quite forgot just how much time it takes to cross stitch) but I'm pretty pleased with my progress. That's quite a bit of work for a weekend.<br />
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--RachRachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09317328366288947798noreply@blogger.com1