tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25764966146540304752024-03-05T20:27:37.519-08:00kru4lifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-73870151318768413242012-12-01T17:46:00.000-08:002012-12-01T17:46:28.112-08:00Pruning the bush<div style="text-align: left;">
I made a goal of completing my porch decor for Christmas - in time for December 1st.</div>
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I was the house on the street that still had the pumpkins out - GASP! - I know right?! Brutal!<br />
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Oh well - the pumpkins have moved ti the side of the house (and are till waiting to be placed at the curb for garbage)<br />
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Hey my job is done - planters, wreath, lights - check.<br />
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Now Mr. Mom needs to toodle those pumpkins to the curb on Tuesday.<br />
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I am fortunate to have a friend and colleague who lives on a farm. For the past few years she's let me <b>'<i>prune her bush</i></b>'.....<i>(giggle)</i><br />
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We plan a date and I head over there in with my pruning shears.<br />
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She has such wonderful things like dogwood, spruce, milk weed, tall grass with fluffy stuff on top, and many other shrubs that could use a trim.<br />
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The best part about this year was the Missy Z was able to experience snow for the first time. She wasn't too sure what to think - but enjoyed being carried though the property.<br />
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Mr. O always has a ball because he can run up and down the path, and though the brush.<br />
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My friend always has cats on her farm as well - and being such an animal lover, Missy Z. was right in there checking them out.<br />
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SO without further ado - here is the final product!<br />
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Nice bush eh?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-37354750293861367232012-11-21T14:35:00.000-08:002012-11-21T14:35:30.058-08:00Maybe there is such a thing as November BlahsA few posts back I mentioned that November flies by - and how as a kid the month of November seemed to take forever to complete..<br />
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Well I'm feeling a bit of the November Blahs...<br />
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The month is flying by - and yet there hasn't been anything that has inspired me to discuss on the blog.
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The kids are well - having fun with one another.<br />
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Mr. O is doing well at school and telling us about some inside jokes him and his friends have developed. I don't quite grasp the concept, but he is buckled over in laughter - so maybe the jokes on me? (I'm guessing this is just the beginning of that)<br />
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Mr. Mom and I have been able to spend more evenings together- which is SO nice. We have somewhat figured out a good evening routine for the kids (finally)... but guaranteed - someone comes down with a cold or flu and we'll be at square one again... sigh.<br />
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I am debating on outdoor planter decor - but really have been unmotivated. (random squash and pumpkins are still on the porch)
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Not sure what my deal is - since December is just around the corner....
Oh well.<br />
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Mr. O and I did a craft together at the beginning of the month - we gave it to one of his friends who really enjoyed it!
Other than that - not too much new here.<br />
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Once I find my motivation, I'll definitely report back... until then..... enjoy a lovely Pintrest inspired craft....
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-13053426084447231232012-11-11T11:32:00.000-08:002012-11-11T11:32:00.533-08:00Mini Muffins with Baby Food<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wanted to use up ripe bananas - and I am not a huge Banana bread fan.... until I found this recipe. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I totally forgot to pick up applesauce when I was getting groceries... so I improvised. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had baby food in the pantry - apples and carrots - how convenient.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What a great way to add the pureed fruits and veggies..... and the prep was non existent. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Double Awesome.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Mini Banana Muffins - A Kid Favourite</span></div>
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Ingredients<br />
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4 ripe bananas<br />
1 1/4 all purpose flour<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/4 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp sea salt<br />
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
pinch of ground nutmeg<br />
1/2 tsp vanilla<br />
2 egg whites<br />
1/4 cup agave nectar<br />
1/4 sunflower oil<br />
1/2 cup carrot puree<br />
1/2 cup un-sweetened apple sauce<br />
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Preheat oven to 350.<br />
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Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray.<br />
In a medium bowl combine dry ingredients.<br />
In another bowl mash bananas until soft. Then add all other wet ingredients to bananas.<br />
Add dry ingredients to wet - do not over mix.<br />
Scoop batter into tins.<br />
Bake for 50- 55 minutes.<br />
Let cool.<br />
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The Original recipe is from "The Eat Clean Diet - For Family & Friends" cookbook. Find the Eat Clean site <a href="http://www.eatcleandiet.com/">here</a>.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-75566985230153108722012-11-09T06:30:00.000-08:002012-11-09T06:30:03.733-08:00Grocery GameWhen Missy Z goes down for a nap or to bed - Mr. O and I play board games.<br />
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He loves them. And he catches on quick.<br />
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Some of his favourites:<br />
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<i>Chutes and Ladders</i><br />
<i>Trouble</i><br />
<i>Ninja Turtle Trouble</i><br />
<i>Elephants Never Forget (this is played at Gramma's house)</i><br />
<i>Ziggy (..also played at Gramma's)</i><br />
<i>Memory (it's amazing how good he is at this game)</i><br />
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Then one day I decided to introduce him to LIFE.<br />
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Well he just loved it!<br />
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Especially the Red Car and the spinning wheel.<br />
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What's hilarious is when he says <i>"I'd like to buy Stock and I'll play the market" </i>matter-o-factly.<br />
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He always buys Fire Insurance and Auto insurance - good boy.<br />
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Since the reception to LIFE was good - I brought out my beloved MALL MADNESS.<br />
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This was on the top of my Christmas list for years!<br />
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Finally - Sana brought it for me. Talk about excitement. <i>**sigh**</i><br />
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I had some hesitations (being a boy and already having a distaste for retail therapy).....<br />
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<br />
..... but he totally enjoyed it.<br />
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He loves to arrange the <b><i>clearance</i></b> and <b><i>sale signs</i></b> when the computer prompts it.<br />
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He knows where the credit card goes when you need to <b>buy</b> or go to the <b>bank.</b><br />
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But his favourite part is the small staircase that takes you to the upper level.<br />
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I absolutely LOVE the Baby Stage, and playing games like Peek-a-boo - but this stage he's entering is awesome too.</div>
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Playing games with him is fun.</div>
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I have to admit that my inner child giggles with excitement when my son asks to play Mall Madness....</div>
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or in his words "the Grocery Game".</div>
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Who would have thought I'd be playing this exact game (that I swooned over as a child) - with my son.</div>
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<i>**Sigh**</i></div>
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Then I get thinking .... maybe it's tolerable to him because he thinks it's grocery shopping rather than marathon retail shopping?</div>
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.... hmmm</div>
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No matter. </div>
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Ignorance is bliss ;)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-86916092968476322102012-11-07T05:00:00.000-08:002012-11-07T05:00:10.694-08:00Soup This past weekend was productive -<br />
<br />
Week night menu plan + groceries- check<br />
Use up extremely ripe fruit - check<br />
Use up fridge items that were taking up space - check<br />
Laundry - check<br />
Clean bathrooms - check<br />
Finish up on Sons of Anarchy season 4 - check (yes I know we're behind!)<br />
Spend time with the the kids and especially Mr. Mom - double check<br />
<br />
This may not have been possible without gaining 1 hour sleep.....<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Sweet Potato Soup with Coconut and Quinoa</span><br />
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<br />
2 Large Sweet Potatoes - peeled and cubed<br />
1/2 medium onion, chopped<br />
2 tbsp water<br />
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa<br />
3 cups chicken broth<br />
1 cup coconut milk<br />
1/4 tsp chili powder<br />
1/4 tsp cayenne powder<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
1) Steam your sweet potatoes - add 2 cups of water and prepped sweet potatoes to a pot with a lid. Steam potatoes by turing stove top to medium high. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until softened (poke with a fork). Set aside. *Or steam/soften any way you prefer<br />
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2) Add the 2 tbsp of water to a pot - add onion and soften (3 minutes)<br />
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3) Add qunioa and broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low then simmer for 15 minutes.<br />
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4) Add drained sweet potatoes, and puree with a hand held blender.<br />
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5) Add coconut milk and spices, sir, and increase heat to medium. Warm it to your preferred temperature,<br />
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This would be tasty served with cilantro.<br />
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The Original recipe is from "Quinoa 365 - The Everyday Superfood". It recommends serving with yogurt as well.<br />
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Can you tell this is my favourite cook book?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-83166479142486719302012-11-04T10:17:00.002-08:002012-11-04T10:17:26.634-08:00Another October is DoneNovember blahs? Nah - Does November fly by for anyone else now?<br />
<br />
As a kid - November seemed to drag on! - Christmas was such an anticipation! The first day to open your advent calendar seemed so far away on November 1st.<br />
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November for me is a great month - Remembrance day for one - and the cool crisp days - (hopefully not so wet as last month). And all the planning for the Christmas Season - yes I said Christmas Planning.<br />
<br />
I totally saw a Pot of Gold Christmas <i><strike>(a.k.a 'Holiday')</strike> </i>commercial on October 29th.<br />
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(We will <u>never </u>refer to it as the "Holiday Season" - It's Christmas - always has been and always will be. Period.)<br />
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Moving on....<br />
<br />
We've survived Halloween - a better turnout of 'trick or treaters' than predicted that's for sure!<br />
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The Pumpkin carving was a success - however the attention span was minimal - and I was left to conquer it myself.... pretty sure I re-aggravated my 'tennis elbow symptoms'.<br />
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So Our little 'goblins' were Dressed as:</div>
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Raphael (TMNT)<br />
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Bumble Bee<br />
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Cute as a button! Mr. O was SO excited to have his face painted green. </div>
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Missy Z was very warm and cosy in her bee costume - and LOVED standing at every door and <strike>meeting</strike> flirting <i>(batting her eyes and giving the 'infectious' giggle/grin combo)</i> with all the neighbours.</div>
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The bubble bath post 'trick or treating' was a welcomed event, let me tell you..... that's after we scraped them of the ceiling......</div>
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Is it bad that I loving taking the kids around - because I then reap the benefits of their 'Treats'?<br />
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I do try to buy candy that I wont necessarily enjoy (I try to pass along to others November 1st)-<br />
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But when the kids buckets are filled with crispy crunch, heresy, jersey milk, butter finger ....<br />
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<i>mmmmmm....</i><br />
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SO GOOD.......<br />
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who says staring your day with a butter finger is bad? <br />
They're <i>SO</i> tiny now!!.... (internal justification)<br />
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<br />
To pay homage to the Harvest Season that is wrapping up - I have a cookie recipe that was well received:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Pumpkin Ginger Quinoa Cookies</span><br />
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Ingredients</div>
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1/4 cup butter</div>
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1 cup packed brown sugar</div>
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1 large egg</div>
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1/4 cup fancy molasses</div>
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1cup pumpkin puree</div>
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1 cup quinoa flour</div>
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1 1/4 cup all purpose flour</div>
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2 tsp baking soda</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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1 tsp ground ginger</div>
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2 tsp ground cinnamon</div>
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1/2 tsp ground cloves</div>
1/4 c white sugar<br />
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Pre-heat oven to 350<br />
In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and molasses. Fold in pumpkin puree. Set aside.<br />
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Mix flour, baking soda, salt, spices in a bowl - blend well, set aside.<br />
<br />
Add wet and dry ingredients together - mix until dough is smooth.<br />
<br />
Roll dough in to 1 1/2" balls.<br />
<br />
Put the white sugar into a small bowl - roll each dough ball in the sugar.<br />
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Place the balls 2" apart on a baking sheet. Bake on the center oven rack for 8-10* minutes.<br />
<br />
*Cookies will be soft - but harden as they cool. If you want then a bit more crispy, bake a few minutes longer.<br />
<br />
Let them cool for 1 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.<br />
<br />
This Recipe was modified slightly and the original one can be found in "Quinoa 365 - the Every Day Superfood" cookbook.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuESm5x69dsbzt0y_4odNAkQZNJPepHnAq95H9C4FuqxMVsMXE5-TFaOpipvPbEn7S-8605Zlcfr53j3G2eO0GmoRJZ-JxNoOr-za36oBRKLv3HDN8-08J2CeDGxw_HaIJPHehaS3rjUe/s1600/IMG_5839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuESm5x69dsbzt0y_4odNAkQZNJPepHnAq95H9C4FuqxMVsMXE5-TFaOpipvPbEn7S-8605Zlcfr53j3G2eO0GmoRJZ-JxNoOr-za36oBRKLv3HDN8-08J2CeDGxw_HaIJPHehaS3rjUe/s1600/IMG_5839.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-78108006479215312332012-11-02T07:00:00.000-07:002012-11-02T07:00:05.983-07:00Mr. Mom UpdateMr. Mom is doing well.<br />
<br />
Besides the busy days and nights, things are working out well. One of my worries returning to work was meals. Making nutritious meals that:<br />
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1) Mr. Mom approves of (tonnes of criteria - too extensive to list for you)<br />
2) tasty <br />
3) easy enough for Mr. Mom to tackle before I get home<br />
<br />
You guessed it - Slow Cooker. We aren't 'saucy' people. We enjoy a glaze, but nothing too sweet and it's ingredient list must be low in fat, sugar and sodium - but high in protein and fibre .. and not full of pasta or rice (as per Mr. Mom).<br />
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This criteria is hard to find. This one is a winner!<br />
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Thank-you Pinterest!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRJwxCVw0ivM3zNJzY4peJchhR1PZew7d90YGvJJ9Nnfjs2f3BKd0f6v5lPH_Wh7mMT_4fYQpENS_eNMI3EVi-kaYt9gDuAkYPs_jnLbXQs6exVoxSBVXuTyTI0roTbTvGPdBZTHpd3-G/s1600/IMG_6114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRJwxCVw0ivM3zNJzY4peJchhR1PZew7d90YGvJJ9Nnfjs2f3BKd0f6v5lPH_Wh7mMT_4fYQpENS_eNMI3EVi-kaYt9gDuAkYPs_jnLbXQs6exVoxSBVXuTyTI0roTbTvGPdBZTHpd3-G/s1600/IMG_6114.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Slow Cooker Chops</span></div>
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Ingredients</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6 boneless butterflied</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pork Chops (1-inch Thick is nice</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Tablespoons</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">EVOO</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2 clove</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Garlic, Minced</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 cup</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Soy Sauce</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 cup</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Red Wine</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Tablespoons</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brown Sugar</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">¼ teaspoons</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Red Pepper Flakes</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1 1/2 Tablespoons</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cornstarch</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1 1/2 Tablespoons</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cold Water</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2 cups</span> <span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hot Cooked Basmatti Rice, For Serving</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a skillet, brown pork chops on both sides in oil; transfer to a slow cooker. Add garlic to the drippings in your skillet; cook and stir until aromatic or golden. Stir in soy sauce, wine, brown sugar and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour over chops in the slow cooker.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or until meat is tender. Remove chops – they will probably be falling apart by this time. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into slow cooker. Return chops to slow cooker. Cover and cook for at least 30 minutes or until slightly thickened.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serve over rice.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5f6161; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0.125em; padding-right: 0.125em; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">** I did change the original recipe a bit so <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/slow-cooker-san-francisco-chops/">here is the link</a> to the original one. I did use the exact instructions though :)</span></span></div>
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<ul class="ingredients" id="ingredients-102044" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 11px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-53950267642566419642012-10-30T07:00:00.000-07:002012-10-30T07:00:03.287-07:004 Years Old<br />
We celebrated a birthday last week.<br />
<br />
It marked the beginning of Big-Boy Birthdays.<br />
<br />
Mr. O got to select his birthday dinner and cake flavour.<br />
<br />
Growing up these choices were awesome. Mom would make your favourite meal, and you got to have your favourite cake. Now at my Mom's (aka Gaga) house - this still applies. Bless her heart. So naturally this tradition will be passed down to my children. <br />
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Mr. O decided he wanted:<br />
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1) Chocolate cupcakes - oops sorry - Ninja turtle cupcakes.<br />
2) Ice cream<br />
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Naturally he waned this as the main course, but was directed to another option.<br />
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He didn't like the 'roast chicken + quinoa + broccoli option' endorsed by his father.<br />
So Mr. O and I came up with a solution:<br />
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Homemade Panko coated Chicken tenders and ketchup, french fries and broccoli.<br />
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Yes - our children like broccoli.<br />
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Especially Missy Z..... not to fond of the cake.... definitely Daddy's girl there.<br />
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This menu satisfied all, and was personalised enough to give Mr. O 'his favourites'.<br />
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It was a low key evening and just perfect for him. <br />
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Now, it wasn't just the personal selections that made this a big-boy birthday it was him - and his appreciation for his Grandparents (guests) and the gifts he received.<br />
I have never seen a child be more thankful for little things than this boy. It brought tears to my eyes to hear him express his gratitude. He was never once prompted or reminded - it was all him.<br />
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What a Big-boy.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-17297542908687921622012-10-28T08:59:00.002-07:002012-11-05T10:21:38.684-08:00It's not you - it's me.<em><span style="font-size: large;">It's not you - it's me.</span></em><br />
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Truthfully - it's me.<br />
<br />
I am neglectful and can be quite selfish at times to my....<br />
<br />
...email account and now blog. They have not seen me in a few weeks...it seems. <br />
<br />
And with my neglect - comes the ripple effect of not keeping in touch (as fast as I should) with family and friends. <br />
<br />
But I know most of you feel the same way - where does time go? <br />
I have plans to make our life more efficient. <br />
I love efficiency. <br />
I need efficiency - things seem to become neglected with out it. Do you agree?<br />
Efficiency in all aspects of life is important. <br />
<br />
Efficiency with me returning emails would be appreciated by those who send them to me, I know.<br />
<br />
<div>
My Mother and Father-in law gave me this document they picked up from a talk they attended at a local community centre. The document was entitled <em><u>"The Keys To Maintaining Your Sanity".</u></em> There are only 8 statements listed, but number 8 is my favourite. </div>
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It reads:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"Good intentions are not good enough."</em></span></blockquote>
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How true?! <br />
<br />
This is what I'm working on - turning good intentions into actions.<br />
And at the moment it's implementing efficiency. <br />
It's starting small but hey, at least it's starting. <br />
<br />
... now all of this I've discussed is able to happen because of number 3 on the list:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"The first hour of the morning is the most important time of your day."</em></span></blockquote>
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This is what I did in the first hour of the morning .....(x3)....</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-72704769667562251062012-10-16T09:53:00.000-07:002012-10-16T09:53:00.251-07:00It begins - hockey that is....Yep - you guessed it - Mr. O. is signed up for Hockey.<br />
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A Canadian <strike>past time</strike> rite of passage when a child is capable to stand on skates and hold a stick (hopefully at the same time).<br />
<br />
This was a proud moment for Mr. Mom. (<i>tear) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Just Kidding!</i> He was proud though!<br />
<br />
Thank-you to a friend who recommended KMHA for Hockey Beginnings. Mr. O had a ball.<br />
<br />
It was the cutest thing too see such a small guy all dressed up (they have to wear full equipment). And thank -you to the "ABC's of the Detroit Red Wings Hockey" book - he knew exactly where and what each piece was and went.<br />
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**He made sure to show me the 'cup' post practice..... right before dinner actually..... "Daddy says this is <i>very</i> important" I had myself a little chuckle... that's not in the book.<br />
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So 1 day a week you'll find us at the rink - for now.</div>
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Our dear little Z be-lined it for the ice when the door along the boards opened. </div>
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She knew where and what she wanted....</div>
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...it's just a matter of time - you can bet Daddy will have her on skates this winter.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-2930665313352961472012-10-14T09:37:00.000-07:002012-10-14T09:37:58.353-07:001st Birthday and the return to workThat's it - here and gone - SO quick.<br />
<br />
Missy Lou turned <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b>one</b></span> and I have returned to full time work. Where does the time go?<br />
<br />
Thank-you for all the Birthday wishes - and thank-you for a wonderful weekend filled with cake, laughter and love!<br />
<br />
I was chatting with a girlfriend who's 1st born turned 1 this summer - she hit the nail on the head when explaining the size of the Birthday party- "it was pretty much a small wedding".<br />
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Yep - inevitable - 1st Born, 1st grandchild, 1st - 1st Birthday - it will be huge.<br />
<br />
Mr. O's 1st Birthday took place over the course of 3 days - WAY too much! So we tried to scale back...<br />
<br />
Missy Lou's Birthday was a two day event - 2 parties which co-incided with Thanksgiving.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><i>Party #1</i></span> was a Dora theme - complete with A 'map' for a scavenger hunt, purple 'backpack' (or buckets) to hold all scavenger items, a Pinata (of Dora... slightly creepy - yet hilarious as the kids loved to smack the crap out of it), and of course the cake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the hunt....</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>Party #2</i></span> was what I'll call the <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">PINTREST</span></i> party - everything was inspired by Pintrest.<br />
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The Pintrest inspired decorations worked out really good!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">embroidery hoop + fabric+ "1"+ ribbon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tissue paper + pipe-cleaner <a href="http://designdazzle.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/how-to-make-tissue-pom-flowers.html">(click here for tutorial)</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'clothes line' of pictures documenting each month</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">balloon weight - small glass jar + 4 boxes smarties + #1 candle</td></tr>
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But I think my most TRIUMPHANT Pintrest inspired idea was the Zebra Cake....<br />
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she was <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Marvellous</span></i>!<br />
SO Delicious too:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileiOI2F_fyKnI3atvZokJn4HqJ_V38uddx3DC_fLb7oWE7hyphenhyphendVQkHcSVfNi6MJbYkHTslSQPPl48e0gmp9mDP46er8eoHgprc1MzoxIYN3VJruYvY50uq2jCybLHM1C_xUsvXfiU2lmV-/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileiOI2F_fyKnI3atvZokJn4HqJ_V38uddx3DC_fLb7oWE7hyphenhyphendVQkHcSVfNi6MJbYkHTslSQPPl48e0gmp9mDP46er8eoHgprc1MzoxIYN3VJruYvY50uq2jCybLHM1C_xUsvXfiU2lmV-/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piped with reverse shell technique - you tubed it that morning! (Icing took about 1/2 hour)</td></tr>
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Now Missy Z - didn't want to get her hands dirty - and actually didn't eat/smear/wear her cake (which was too bad as that is probably the best part of the 1st Birthday) - However she did enjoy her cake the next day :)</div>
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Here is the <a href="http://www.mycakeschool.com/blog/how-to-make-a-cake-with-zebra-stripes-on-the-inside/">Zebra Cake Tutorial</a>. I <i>did </i>use the Betty crocker mixes - as they were on sale for 88 cents that week - The cake was moist and quite enjoyable!!</div>
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We all had a ball - and slept REALLY well that night.....</div>
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... and then bright and early the next morning - my alarm went off and that was it - Mat leave over - 1st Birthday came and went.... and I was off to the clinic.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-79227075226656202362012-10-06T07:59:00.002-07:002012-10-06T08:29:53.181-07:00The Return of Mr. MomThanks Giving Weekend is here -<br />
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That means my Mat leave/Parental leave is officially over....<br />
Missy Z. is turning 1<br />
.....and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Mr. Mom </i></span>returns!<br />
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I'm extremely fortunate to have had a year off, and am even more<i> fortunate</i> to have a husband with flexible work hours that child care isn't an issue.<br />
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Not only that, he is the <u><b>best</b></u> person to step into the "Mom" role.<br />
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He's the best <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Mr. Mom</i></span> I know.<br />
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As Mr. Mom settles in - I too have to adjust my new <i>'hat'.</i> Organizing meals and cleaning schedules around a full time work schedule has me be a bit worried. I feel I've just found my routine - and now have to completely change it - <i>sigh.</i><br />
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The thought of the "back to work routine" is a bit daunting - I have to remember that I <i>have</i> done it before - and all the encouragement from friends (who have little ones) who returned to work sooner than me makes me feel better. Thank-you to all of you!<br />
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The return to work date also co-incides with Mr. O taking the bus to and from school. We started him <i>to </i>school last week, but next week will be <i>from</i> school as well. The only reason he didn't do it right from the beginning was that we had the luxury of taking him - and <u><i>I wanted</i></u> to drive him.<br />
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Boy was he exited for the bus though!!<br />
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He was a bit shy - but the driver was so great. She had him sit right at the front the first ride - and the rest is history.<br />
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He got home from school and the first thing he said was - "Mom, when I ride the bus I <i>DIDN'T</i> have to wear a seat belt... or sit in a car seat!"<br />
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This was followed by - "...does the police man say I have to wear a seat belt and sit in a car seat on the bus?"<br />
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(my answers to many questions about safety is "... the policeman says you have to" or "...the policeman says you can't do that".)<br />
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So I said "no, just in the car".<br />
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Then I hear "..... I like the bus".<br />
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A boy who <i><u>already</u> </i>knows when the rules can be bent - Oh dear.<br />
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I will definitely update about the Birthday Celebrations - but for now here is a recipe that I wanted to share that the whole family likes.<br />
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Roasted Kale (can you believe it!)<br />
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...actually - we like to call it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>Kale Chips.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
They're very yummy and if baked well - can be very crispy and salty - like chips.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><u>KRU Kale Chips</u></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></i>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 bunch of Kale - cut out the main stem of each leaf as this is too firm to eat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Sea salt - to taste (I probably use 1 tsp...sometimes more)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Fresh ground pepper - to taste (I probably use 1 tsp... sometimes more)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b>Directions</b></span></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Pre-heat oven to 425 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Wash/Rinse and dry the leaves once all the stems are removed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">*feel free to rip the larger leaves smaller if you like</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Arrange on a baking sheet (the leaves will be piled up)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Drizzle EVOO, sprinkle salt/pepper over top of the leaves.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Toss with your hands to coat all the leaves.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Bake for 13-15 minutes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">**While in the oven make sure to flip/toss with a flipper occasionally to reduce the chances of 'soggy' spots. The Kale will shrink so this makes it easier to move around.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Kale should brown slightly - be careful not to "over crisp".</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Enjoy!!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-10229234903158006662012-09-26T19:20:00.000-07:002012-09-26T19:20:33.242-07:00Meet the Teacher and "rocks"Our first "Meet the Teacher" night was a success.<br />
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It was completely nostalgic for me.<br />
All the memories came back in a flash - going to school "after hours",<br />
walking to the class room,<br />
and seeing your teacher (and the slight awkwardness of 2 different authority figures in your life...in the same room).<br />
I totally remember those days.<br />
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The report on Mr. O was great.<br />
He's a very contentious and meticulous - (he gets that from his mother..tee-he wink).<br />
He has the attention span to school work like his father (...moves through it quickly - or 'tires' easily...tee-he ..wink).<br />
It's hilarious to see these qualities reveal themselves at such a young age.<br />
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Missy Z. quite enjoyed the classroom as well. Making friends where ever she goes - definitely not an overly shy child when faced with other kids - especially those with stuffed animals. She was chasing a boy (who's a student in the class) around the room because she wanted to go "awe" (which includes a snuggle and kisses) to the stuffed puppie. He was a bit freaked out - but eventually allowed her to touch the toy. She had a ball - and made her self at home in the class.<br />
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I think the last hilarious moment today was when Mr. O told me that his teacher had a house.<br />
Can you remember those days when the realization that your teacher actually left the school - was an actual event?!<br />
They actually had a home - and didn't live at the school...<br />
....I'm pretty sure I was way past JK when that concept actually materialized in my mind.<br />
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Lastly I wanted to share a small project that was created for Missy Z. She loves sparkly things. Right out of the womb the girl gravitated to credit cards and diamonds. I'm pretty sure it's apart of her genetic blueprint. I can truthfully say - nothing was directed to her to 'like' these things, she found them all on her own.<br />
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Missy Z's grandma found a sewing notion that was a strip of 'faux diamonds'. Z. went nuts for it - giggled and smiled every time she saw it. So, with further ado - here is Z's first tennis bracelet:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaCOqueLfW8uZjpfiA2MFhex7QfcKRE0UZ8dRdCfRj9STlHQIBqKo8jux7nOAb__uqlstlM6tQhg9UgfEIXwxx6Kp28tmLaHcSjt13CQY3XWA0DU5V6LyWHYS17ehQFChUF46ufsel2az/s1600/IMG_5723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaCOqueLfW8uZjpfiA2MFhex7QfcKRE0UZ8dRdCfRj9STlHQIBqKo8jux7nOAb__uqlstlM6tQhg9UgfEIXwxx6Kp28tmLaHcSjt13CQY3XWA0DU5V6LyWHYS17ehQFChUF46ufsel2az/s320/IMG_5723.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small piece of elastic hand stitched to diamond strip</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGKVkZ-yJkwEDWV5JTtk7U3FW-BRMTovBH5ZlQBwqvv_fIv1VshYEGB_v4K4TNhb8G0K0izD2nm-Hsdbv3zUgE8AxKwjQmrYP-SDimIubF2FKU3vmc1CyPX0oyA4QH1tnNO-X7-oJFEa3/s1600/IMG_5727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGKVkZ-yJkwEDWV5JTtk7U3FW-BRMTovBH5ZlQBwqvv_fIv1VshYEGB_v4K4TNhb8G0K0izD2nm-Hsdbv3zUgE8AxKwjQmrYP-SDimIubF2FKU3vmc1CyPX0oyA4QH1tnNO-X7-oJFEa3/s320/IMG_5727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no worries - it's not tight - those are just adorable wrist rolls</td></tr>
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...But don't be fooled by the rocks that she's got - she's still Zoomer from the block.<br />
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Eat your heart out J-Lo.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-33511170234040490482012-09-24T05:00:00.000-07:002012-09-24T05:00:09.550-07:00Fall Porch Decor - as promisedOver the weekend I thought I'd tackle my fall planter/porch decor.<br />
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I asked Mr. O - but all he said was "..hmm not sure mom... can I watch Ninja Turtles?"<br />
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It's a pretty tough decision. Maybe I should consult Donnie, Mikey, Raph and Leo?<br />
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With the TMNT's blessing I got down to work.<br />
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I have to walk past it every day, see it as I approach the house, and also catch a glimpse of it from inside....<br />
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That being said - I'm not at the point where I can or even <i>want to</i> spend a small fortune on this 'seasonal decor'.<br />
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All I know is that I wanted to create something that will transition into (deep breath)... <i>winter</i>.<br />
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1) I love my birch branches in the winter - I have done it for the past 3 winters, but still love them.<br />
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2) I also enjoy how hearty mums are (I tend to neglect living plants.. the varieties that can survive with out water for a bit is perfect fro me). I have also planted mums after, and to my surprise (see comment above) have enjoyed them yet again, for another season.<br />
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3) Burlap - totally screams fall and ..... winter<br />
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4) Pumpkins - gotta use them anyways! (hopefully they aren't liquid by Halloween)<br />
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5) Glitter balls and autumn pics - those are left over from season past<br />
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Voila!<br />
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Thanks TMNT!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-46537862575224377812012-09-22T18:34:00.002-07:002012-09-22T18:35:10.396-07:00PJ party and Chocolate Chip CookiesFall arrived just before 11am today.<br />
<br />
I have <u><i>no</i></u> idea where the time goes.<br />
<br />
Today (as promised) we had a PJ party. Mr. O was <i>SO</i> excited he could stay in his PJs all morning.... and requested wearing them while he ate lunch. So we did.<br />
<br />
Gotta love those lazy mornings.<br />
<br />
His only other request this morning was that we make cookies... while <i>still </i>wearing our PJs.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><u><i>Chocolate Chip Cookies a la Anna Olson</i></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"></span></div>
<div class="EditorialText RecipeIngredients" style="display: inline; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1em; position: relative; width: 460px;">
<h3 class="SectionHeading-SM" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.01px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.35em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ingredients</span></h3>
<ul class="RecipeIngredientList NoBullet ingredients" style="list-style-image: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px !important; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3/4 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl0_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">cup</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> unsalted butter, softened</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl1_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">cup</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> brown sugar</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/4 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl2_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">cup</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> granulated sugar</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl3_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">egg</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl4_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">teaspoons</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> vanilla extract</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl5_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">cups</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> all purpose flour</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl6_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">teaspoons</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> cornstarch</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl7_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">teaspoon</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> baking soda</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 </span><span class="type" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl8_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">teaspoon</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> salt</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="value" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">8 </span><span class="type" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ctl00_MainContent_cphCenterColumn_RecipeTabsDetail_ListIngredients_ctrl0_lstIngredientsInner_ctrl9_measure" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">ounces</span></span><span class="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> bittersweet chocolate, cut into chunks </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #134f5c;">**We used mini chocolate chips</span></i></span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Directions</span></span></h3>
<ol class="RecipeDirectionsList instructions" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, sans-serif; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 60px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Preheat oven to 350 F.</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Stir in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.3em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Drop by tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">For our 1st Anniversary I received the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><i>'Sugar' </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">cookbook by <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Eggs/Dairy/recipe.html?dishid=2633">Anna Olson.</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This is the most amazing cookbook for desserts. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I would definitely recommend it!!</span></span></span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-39456848724168694552012-09-21T13:42:00.000-07:002012-09-21T13:46:32.114-07:00Mini MuffinsSo we made it through the school week -<br />
<br />
All except the 'hot beaver' day.<br />
<br />
School pictures were taken, and Miss Z's 1st Birthday photo shoot was a success. Her birthday isn't for 2 weeks - but I thought I'd be prepared to hand out pictures for the birthday weekend.<br />
<br />
Mr. O is quite excited to stay in his PJ's tomorrow. He wanted to stay in them today - "can I wear my balls today?" (his pj's are covered in sport balls - basket, tennis, baseball, volley balls)<br />
<br />
Honestly where does this kid come up with these things?<br />
<br />
I love that he says exactly what he's thinking - no filter... but I'm sure in a few years that what I find <i>'cute' </i>won't be so cute..... <i>sigh</i>.<br />
<br />
For those who don't know we are amidst a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b>'Great Canadian Basement Reno'. </b></span>{As it's been coined by our old neighbour who the building mastermind aka the <i>'old fart in the basement' </i>(actual quote)}<br />
<br />
Hubby is doing a great job and is loving all the teaching and <strike>correction</strike> advice along the way.<br />
<br />
How can you not love power tools?<br />
Or just the fact that you are the creator of such a structure?<br />
Gotta love DIY.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ReZoE8fgA0aDbACE_6YrfCGxwdae1d1Un34whWzwBFNYmQqK70MbKAdGpPBFAghpEQDtCgxev7uvtX3AePP_dLbZZCABMHGlD4jehyTZ1hau9dhef4gRBNDK3AO5hLTNchcBm9_RaYRX/s1600/IMG_5840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ReZoE8fgA0aDbACE_6YrfCGxwdae1d1Un34whWzwBFNYmQqK70MbKAdGpPBFAghpEQDtCgxev7uvtX3AePP_dLbZZCABMHGlD4jehyTZ1hau9dhef4gRBNDK3AO5hLTNchcBm9_RaYRX/s400/IMG_5840.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Man Cave"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There is a timeline factor involved, and the reno may not be completed right away as I'm headed back to work very soon. Oh well we've lived in an on going reno before - it will be done... someday....<br />
<br />
I wanted to share a recipe I found and made this past week called <a href="http://www.redtri.com/apple-stuffin-muffins#">apple stuffin muffins</a>. The whole family devoured them, so I know I'll have to double the recipe next time. I added a few extra ingredients to mine:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ojF_eoQNaCZGvplwn3TNKhP4zg7f0xq6y_Z6k_04x7Wiq95kZR9qfsEJ8ac9VzA1V3y4CRED9Twcny2jV1JZLRMtQRSU6loFuGD2yRTOzCijxSJG8ynbviJQ2UlV838UE4BA3MZnoNcg/s1600/IMG_5830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ojF_eoQNaCZGvplwn3TNKhP4zg7f0xq6y_Z6k_04x7Wiq95kZR9qfsEJ8ac9VzA1V3y4CRED9Twcny2jV1JZLRMtQRSU6loFuGD2yRTOzCijxSJG8ynbviJQ2UlV838UE4BA3MZnoNcg/s400/IMG_5830.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Apple and Carrot Stuffed Muffins</span></span><br />
<br />
**makes 12 mini muffins or 6 regular muffins<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3/4 cups all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 tsp baking soda</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 tbs vegan margarine (it's all I had - you can use butter though)</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/8 cup brown sugar</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3/4 cup applesauce (I used 1 motts lunchsize apple sauce cup)</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 egg</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/8 tsp salt </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">/2 apple peeled and chopped very small</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup shredded carrot</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup raisins</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Method:</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a small mixing bowl, set aside.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the margarine on high for about 20 seconds; add sugar, applesauce, egg and salt to bowl. Mix well.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Pour the apple mixture over the flour mixture. Gently fold in the flour until mixed in, add carrots and raisins, make sure not to over mix.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. Fill the muffin tins about half full with batter. Bake for 8-9 minutes for mini muffins. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**Note: For 6 standard size muffins bake 15 minutes</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-50784085412981733942012-09-16T08:00:00.000-07:002012-09-17T07:14:26.490-07:00P.P's Quinoa Salad<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P.P you make one <i>mean <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">quinoa</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span>salad.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From the first time she brought it to a family dinner - to the many requests for it - P.P's salad has been a hit. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally I asked for the recipe and since then, have reproduced it <i>many</i> times. The whole family enjoys it - even the 3 year old and the 11 month old!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's original name is "Quinoa Spring Salad" and <a href="http://www.alive.com/recipes/view/197/quinoa_spring_salad_with_simple_cider_vinaigrette?cpage=1">here</a> is the site it was found on. The original recipe is very delicious. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've modified it slightly to satisfy our tastes and to reflect common items that are found in our fridge and pantry.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's my interpretation - I think I'll name you </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fresh Quinoa Salad</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">,</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABZCX7RPg-uQuZUkVmJq97ZnEJ0VyR-BZo6chihLOzlcrnOdJEfylELZTW87W0thUecC74Z4bTp_voQY0_-BTaL2wYzhCaPldd0yvF1lguZ-5q9p5wEsk6mJhdbfaoYgD9KH8Ecjeevm9/s1600/IMG_5716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABZCX7RPg-uQuZUkVmJq97ZnEJ0VyR-BZo6chihLOzlcrnOdJEfylELZTW87W0thUecC74Z4bTp_voQY0_-BTaL2wYzhCaPldd0yvF1lguZ-5q9p5wEsk6mJhdbfaoYgD9KH8Ecjeevm9/s400/IMG_5716.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*no sunflower seeds in this batch because it was being consumed by a child with gums of steel and 2 bottom teeth**</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><u><i>Fresh Quinoa Salad</i></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup frozen shelled soybeans (Edamame)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">2 cups cooked* tri-coloured quinoa, cooled </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(I use 1 cup white, 1/2 cup red, and 1/2 cup black, but you can use one colour if you choose)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">1 cup orange bell peppers, chopped </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">4 green onions, thinly sliced </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 an english cucumber, seeds removed, diced </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup sunflower seeds, unsalted </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup cilantro, chopped</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vinaigrette Dressing (see below)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*cook quinoa according to package - this can be done ahead - let it cool slightly</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cook edamame beans according to their package. Drain and/or let cool. In large bowl, combine edamame with remaining ingredients. Toss to mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Approximately 5 to 6 servings.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><i>Vinaigrette Dressing</i></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup cider vinegar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp Dijon mustard</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp sea salt</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Freshly ground black pepper to taste</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup (pure is best!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whisk all ingredients together - blend well. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>yum Yum YUM!</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-60869102045425484062012-09-14T12:44:00.004-07:002012-09-14T12:44:26.960-07:00At home with a 'hot beaver'Friday of the first week of school - and my big guy's at home with a <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a hot beaver</span>... </i>or better known as a <i>high</i> <i>fever</i>.<br />
<br />
He's a pretty smart kid - and has discovered that if he's "not feeling well" he doesn't have to go to school. Which, by the way, he announced at breakfast this morning "Maybe next week I'll stay home because I won't be feeling good".<br />
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Oh really?! (insert internal chuckle)<br />
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Not a chance - said his father.<br />
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Honestly he's not even 4 yet - and he's figured out how to stay home from school.<br />
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Sigh -<br />
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He really does have a <i>fever</i>. It's downgraded to 101 from 103, and to be honest, I think the 'relaxed' day is good for him. All day every day kindergarten has been great - except that the <i>'staggered entry' </i>they described is not really <i>'staggered'</i>.<br />
<br />
This first week was all week.<br />
Last week was 1 1/2 days.<br />
Not so much of a <i>staggered entry</i> to me...<br />
<br />
Oh well...<br />
Hot beavers aside - a 4 day week was enough.<br />
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Should you wake up one morning and not be feeling well - make sure to call in and say "I won't be in today - I'm in bed with<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> a hot beaver</span></i>."<br />
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...<i>(I'll be marking that down for his wedding)</i><br />
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In other thoughts - here is something that I'd thought I'd share. This maybe something that is completely obvious to some - but to others - hopefully I've sparked an idea...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAlHNqA9ImrCaLt4E6BW8Y-W4FRUOUYbzfFT37J9HQ9SRPnxQCYzSbHMRc7IIIsstmoFX_M9QYZVeq6Y9NmX4B0PmQ8Kq88dxQoD3osY9pkJpIVXS5BR5mkztPv7pVtiMX-yUU_6_0w_u/s1600/IMG_5244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAlHNqA9ImrCaLt4E6BW8Y-W4FRUOUYbzfFT37J9HQ9SRPnxQCYzSbHMRc7IIIsstmoFX_M9QYZVeq6Y9NmX4B0PmQ8Kq88dxQoD3osY9pkJpIVXS5BR5mkztPv7pVtiMX-yUU_6_0w_u/s320/IMG_5244.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is me preserving the life of a bouquet. They <i>(meaning fresh cut flowers)</i> are a rarity in this house, so the longer they're round the better. All I do is trim, discard wilted ones and transfer to a smaller vase. I do try to save the 'plant food' that they come with, so I can add some each time I change the water. For me the more hardier the flower the longer they last. Here is a "left over" arrangement.</div>
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Nothing like fresh flowers.....</div>
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and <i>hot beavers</i>.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-82485714617132981122012-09-13T10:43:00.000-07:002012-09-14T13:06:17.347-07:00Who doesn't like balls?September 13th and the <i>sun</i> is shining.<br />
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<div>
Today I finished my morning cup of coffee...while it was still warm.... it's a great day.<br />
<br />
Nap time was successful - I continued projects that had been on 'pause' and I was able to edit items (what my husband deems 'clutter') from the kitchen. All this before noon - Can you believe it?<br />
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Sigh. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The house still remains quiet(ish)... one child is at school the other is (now awake) ripping apart the grocery flyers that arrived this morning. I'm not sure how this is so funny, but she finds it hystarical. Gleeful bursts of noise fill the air as I'm typing this - but hey - she's entertained - and lets face it - the less sale flyers there are.. the better.</div>
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Today I wanted to share a project that I did at the beginning of the summer (before the blog actually became a reality). </div>
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I am obsessed with balls.</div>
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(tee hee - wink)</div>
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Ok - more specifically, I'm obsessed with garden orbs, <i>globes</i> a.k.a balls. I love contemporary garden 'pretties' and porch decor. I especially like when the same one can be transformed depending on the season.<br />
That being said - usually those items can be quite pricey.<br />
<br />
Pintrest has been a great resource for DIY's. Thus generating my desire to create a DIY garden <i>globe</i>.<br />
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I know fall is literally around the corner but I'm still deciding on the 'fall look'. I'll update once I've decided - but here's my current porch decor.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPli1J6WL0lh8w3IoQQ5lWXZg4heC_Rx9mSj7eeycTaVaLKg1lOSsQI7HwTW7FxoCXDHksvYL9P0_2_IfTkmvIrgsxapW6OPkfxjflBouUeTloyDxl7ELJ9ijO0nA9HPf297Lbwm8GlwPr/s1600/IMG_5214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPli1J6WL0lh8w3IoQQ5lWXZg4heC_Rx9mSj7eeycTaVaLKg1lOSsQI7HwTW7FxoCXDHksvYL9P0_2_IfTkmvIrgsxapW6OPkfxjflBouUeTloyDxl7ELJ9ijO0nA9HPf297Lbwm8GlwPr/s320/IMG_5214.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>DIY Grapevine Globe</i><br />
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Yes - the <i>globe</i> is a DIY - it honestly cost $1.00!!<br />
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Here's what I used:</div>
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2 - wire - hanging basket holders found at a local thrift store for $0.50 each.</div>
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Zip ties (I had a bag of small ones and maybe used 40?) -found in the garage</div>
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Vines - Grapevine that was overgrown on a colleague's farm - free - thank you SO much!</div>
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Here are the steps:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkZAIksHstr1fypPuMpd5Ms5f7o5SGTShk0k0p9YzIzveTJ5ouNqo_wYOireaODNRRYExbBf4zW86Rzleh0old-dwchTWaDAprma3VKYT2NKw5MElK-8m2EtsYy_Z2ucYM06OKGcI2zjr/s1600/IMG_5198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkZAIksHstr1fypPuMpd5Ms5f7o5SGTShk0k0p9YzIzveTJ5ouNqo_wYOireaODNRRYExbBf4zW86Rzleh0old-dwchTWaDAprma3VKYT2NKw5MElK-8m2EtsYy_Z2ucYM06OKGcI2zjr/s320/IMG_5198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Attach both baskets with zip ties</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsg_Dh6vyc_dLRsZvL4vQW5vK1NMTNbQxmPqjOknXRsmYO_2KnB3lYBYjLgCpw60ZR4mZeB4Fut6t0UZtpWQzu3JguspO2v2Bs_4qF8OZprKn_o0Yc2U7NaLPCibT78h6s9tRToGAq5Cyd/s1600/IMG_5200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsg_Dh6vyc_dLRsZvL4vQW5vK1NMTNbQxmPqjOknXRsmYO_2KnB3lYBYjLgCpw60ZR4mZeB4Fut6t0UZtpWQzu3JguspO2v2Bs_4qF8OZprKn_o0Yc2U7NaLPCibT78h6s9tRToGAq5Cyd/s320/IMG_5200.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can trim the ties once they're all secure.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1puju_u2R69OFisWfoCMg8SJjYU06Fi5LKJ18e4FX-4bL_aNgMHp132EvYiuTLp1QeqqxmdxirBXsKuOeeoKBVtmFEz1VOptIKvoPkWwET_htbBRzY6swCCRDtvs1KQ-D5W6MFcfRk1l/s1600/IMG_5201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1puju_u2R69OFisWfoCMg8SJjYU06Fi5LKJ18e4FX-4bL_aNgMHp132EvYiuTLp1QeqqxmdxirBXsKuOeeoKBVtmFEz1VOptIKvoPkWwET_htbBRzY6swCCRDtvs1KQ-D5W6MFcfRk1l/s320/IMG_5201.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
De-tangele the vines. I also separated thick and thin vines this stage.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8XmtEyA9zj11rvqas1JiIOxE9cwV_gfhODL1loXsbYm8RMQv2oEVwyYT-wNX38n9uIlxksujcu8Nl3d4wDA_xN2u4JxjWuEyZEGhssZgRr0gzm5oqAFvrJNFMcUOnvcN9BhIauwz7lzE/s1600/IMG_5202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8XmtEyA9zj11rvqas1JiIOxE9cwV_gfhODL1loXsbYm8RMQv2oEVwyYT-wNX38n9uIlxksujcu8Nl3d4wDA_xN2u4JxjWuEyZEGhssZgRr0gzm5oqAFvrJNFMcUOnvcN9BhIauwz7lzE/s320/IMG_5202.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgd5blQRESckA6Bp7Bnv_8Vl48TyNArtK8M-hmWBFMWwrg_KWIsstrtnygxurRVeI8EgfRBF9pRK5RyV1HYKi6R-Yen3yKuxAcVmJXwoTgFCkXBVuWN1seXactBkp3FLxpuv81A4lPdDW/s1600/IMG_5203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgd5blQRESckA6Bp7Bnv_8Vl48TyNArtK8M-hmWBFMWwrg_KWIsstrtnygxurRVeI8EgfRBF9pRK5RyV1HYKi6R-Yen3yKuxAcVmJXwoTgFCkXBVuWN1seXactBkp3FLxpuv81A4lPdDW/s320/IMG_5203.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Trim off the broken or split ends.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6rpsFq1FBw_m7Zp05K1CeY8qKr6H0c5TjUcjdH3ya2nxQRk85JSDzbT5gb8_iaezs5O3fsr5L9aZ0aoyoSS5erssh792nbubba-NLsBzcu7j76TQL_reMw8AO1ocxEdOcTEAmHeEiHqc/s1600/IMG_5204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6rpsFq1FBw_m7Zp05K1CeY8qKr6H0c5TjUcjdH3ya2nxQRk85JSDzbT5gb8_iaezs5O3fsr5L9aZ0aoyoSS5erssh792nbubba-NLsBzcu7j76TQL_reMw8AO1ocxEdOcTEAmHeEiHqc/s320/IMG_5204.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Start by wrapping the thicker vines around the globe first - creating a 'base' </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wr2Zp4bwX7xjrLFzflIIPlQHtKMe8Y5OipW1WWd6R0xOxp8KmentrBfWdGoEDNuZg2m9VtOqVt0r3Q1xZM_lrFdoZMmtFAg4Z0cvdyiT2SrQVvSI8TZ2lIPW8wsO8cKWawCgQbpDyBtW/s1600/IMG_5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wr2Zp4bwX7xjrLFzflIIPlQHtKMe8Y5OipW1WWd6R0xOxp8KmentrBfWdGoEDNuZg2m9VtOqVt0r3Q1xZM_lrFdoZMmtFAg4Z0cvdyiT2SrQVvSI8TZ2lIPW8wsO8cKWawCgQbpDyBtW/s320/IMG_5206.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*patience is a great skill at this point - some vines may not cooperate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Secure the ends of a piece of vine by tucking them under the basket wires (a few times if needed).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPaOhu3vZqF7Y_MXJDFvE0QqAmznAzd3p0lVClF-sGFuWgVPTKpnGpD1xgqIW-3pOvDQusDCgF4BwWOeDgGye2IT6gYTb_i9yNjds2JqtHJrbYZl9sxIq8DAwAVLbwDvYpa1JPurnbMwH/s1600/IMG_5207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPaOhu3vZqF7Y_MXJDFvE0QqAmznAzd3p0lVClF-sGFuWgVPTKpnGpD1xgqIW-3pOvDQusDCgF4BwWOeDgGye2IT6gYTb_i9yNjds2JqtHJrbYZl9sxIq8DAwAVLbwDvYpa1JPurnbMwH/s320/IMG_5207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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**I used some of the zip ties to secure some of the 'disobedient' vines. I had to secure them in a few places so the globe would resemble a sphere - not an oval.</div>
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Start to see the 'globe' taking shape</div>
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**I did use about 4 thick vines that tapered on the end for the base**<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgdEChH2lmworLoPzl_0vwXSKVXYlP9VWxx1YKK7aeozQTKZtv5bRTywr8TOi1r4zE2-DYAOHUd8Nv5Jp2LUeJmDj78zqeQfVYGWakN81_8U2VqmqHgawMHCmX_9sYLZtZKzdpudxNZ52/s1600/IMG_5208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgdEChH2lmworLoPzl_0vwXSKVXYlP9VWxx1YKK7aeozQTKZtv5bRTywr8TOi1r4zE2-DYAOHUd8Nv5Jp2LUeJmDj78zqeQfVYGWakN81_8U2VqmqHgawMHCmX_9sYLZtZKzdpudxNZ52/s320/IMG_5208.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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I left an opening through the vines so that if I wanted to place a strand of mini lights inside I could.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52tfkJjtAQvhMxkd_Xs6ukgHfV95_ZwsC_gGf4XWlTg7e3VP4uIJJQvIxl74ZgjC9MKIfVWDaGHqlv9UEV8yUZEOOZswAdUc_lWet0xhhdJbKvO3Q6koRhqcSwNbYwqvkVYxcaUfs9nZq/s1600/IMG_5210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52tfkJjtAQvhMxkd_Xs6ukgHfV95_ZwsC_gGf4XWlTg7e3VP4uIJJQvIxl74ZgjC9MKIfVWDaGHqlv9UEV8yUZEOOZswAdUc_lWet0xhhdJbKvO3Q6koRhqcSwNbYwqvkVYxcaUfs9nZq/s320/IMG_5210.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
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Now use the thinner vines to give texture and density to the globe.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocx7avyn0exGy_pNYZKiMgnkZxDh5kEKn4pux5a6OedGSMe87uAvwL-wViAD_LE_3TRx-35iG5dN0fYlMozmQbCwTv0LsyK7mALrEzCO6Oa2PnImw0Sx_faWvqbZscVxJeW8GhH_bQqqJ/s1600/IMG_5211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocx7avyn0exGy_pNYZKiMgnkZxDh5kEKn4pux5a6OedGSMe87uAvwL-wViAD_LE_3TRx-35iG5dN0fYlMozmQbCwTv0LsyK7mALrEzCO6Oa2PnImw0Sx_faWvqbZscVxJeW8GhH_bQqqJ/s320/IMG_5211.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">**if you are leaving a hole for lights - make sure not to cover it up too much**<br />
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All Done! Time to Admire!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPli1J6WL0lh8w3IoQQ5lWXZg4heC_Rx9mSj7eeycTaVaLKg1lOSsQI7HwTW7FxoCXDHksvYL9P0_2_IfTkmvIrgsxapW6OPkfxjflBouUeTloyDxl7ELJ9ijO0nA9HPf297Lbwm8GlwPr/s1600/IMG_5214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPli1J6WL0lh8w3IoQQ5lWXZg4heC_Rx9mSj7eeycTaVaLKg1lOSsQI7HwTW7FxoCXDHksvYL9P0_2_IfTkmvIrgsxapW6OPkfxjflBouUeTloyDxl7ELJ9ijO0nA9HPf297Lbwm8GlwPr/s320/IMG_5214.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Hmm - now what to do for fall? </div>
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Suggestions?</div>
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To be continued...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-32729988977065689692012-09-09T10:15:00.000-07:002012-09-09T11:32:23.028-07:00Friday Night Chilli - on SundayThe first week in September has gone in a flash - and with the week, the warm weather seemed to follow.<br />
I'm definitely enjoying the <i>'fall' </i>weather and the need for long pants and socks... anyone else's pedi and leg hair looking - shall we say 'less than stellar'?<br />
<br />
Scuffed up polish and thistle like lower extremities aside - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Autumn</i></span> is wonderful.<br />
<br />
This time of year my favourite things are: driving though the country side, seeing the signs advertising fall fairs, orange leaves appearing on the trees and the 'crispness' in the air. All these things definitely get me in the mood for soups, stews, and chilli. Yummy.<br />
<br />
Ask and ye shall receive - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Chilli</i></span> for dinner.<br />
<br />
Not just any chilli, the chilli that Mark and I swooned over.<br />
<br />
The chilli that our wonderful neighbour brought to us a few days after our daughter was born.<br />
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She was generous enough to pass along the recipe for us to enjoy over and over.<br />
<br />
I'm not a chilli expert, nor do I claim to be a chilli connoisseur (if there's such a thing - probably) but this chilli has proven to be the <i>go-to</i> recipe for us.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reason #1</span>: </span>the 4 of us like it.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reason #2:</span> does <u>not</u> make you crap like a goose or provide a symphony of 'sound and smell' for those within 3 feet of you (Mom - I do love your cooking, but WAY too many beans for me)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reason #3:</span> great consistency + flavour combo for dipping toast and crackers<br />
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With further ado here's the recipe:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Chilli</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAWODEHy5goDJUzR-bliSAVFVZdc0hcx29UUXu_eh0v_Lf38uKb6l8JPd_Uc15pkWXOc2GEhvSn_T4uZTZaANSbbol917SDFhx8rOS0Ket_4KdUhRwM8QuccMdLl74WuTNULV0lnnTLCZ/s1600/IMG_5711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAWODEHy5goDJUzR-bliSAVFVZdc0hcx29UUXu_eh0v_Lf38uKb6l8JPd_Uc15pkWXOc2GEhvSn_T4uZTZaANSbbol917SDFhx8rOS0Ket_4KdUhRwM8QuccMdLl74WuTNULV0lnnTLCZ/s320/IMG_5711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrN2AR4q3rql8nfapmosfW-yoxOrNJfNf0ELkhheigNXmqOYHM9VIlbCnZ_sxegc2HAJF3_Ok4EI5PhHCn7NtA5JqUD-ngLnNreCWOl_2NczrbFYmhV9ZfXVuxsNrn9TW_I5wsBiCtG9e6/s1600/IMG_5714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrN2AR4q3rql8nfapmosfW-yoxOrNJfNf0ELkhheigNXmqOYHM9VIlbCnZ_sxegc2HAJF3_Ok4EI5PhHCn7NtA5JqUD-ngLnNreCWOl_2NczrbFYmhV9ZfXVuxsNrn9TW_I5wsBiCtG9e6/s320/IMG_5714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 36pt; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="display: list-item;">2 lg cans of diced tomatoes (28oz each)</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">4 tablespoons catsup</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">4 tablespoons brown sugar</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">4 tablespoons lemon juice</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">3 teaspoons white vinegar</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">Sprinkle of salt</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">3 teaspoons Wortchester sauce</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">4 teaspoons chili powder</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">1/2 teaspoon mustard</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">2 lbs ground beef (extra lean)</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">1 cooking onion chopped</li>
<li style="display: list-item;">2 can beans in tomato sauce (or one large one)</li>
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<br />
Brown beef then add onion and sauté for 5 minutes (or until onions soften).</div>
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Mix in all other ingredients and simmer (on medium) for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.</div>
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**Should you enjoy beans and want to up the fibre - black beans and kidney beans are a great addition. I would say one can of each (rinsed).</div>
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"Ryvita Sunflower seeds & Oats" rye crispbread are accompanying this.</div>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; padding-left: 18pt;">
Bon-Appite! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-8770162332327772182012-09-04T13:03:00.001-07:002012-09-17T07:14:55.422-07:00"Do I get to come back?""Do I get to come back?"<br />
<br />
You heard it right here folks - He'd like to return to Kindergarten!<br />
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As we were walking up the staircase to the school doors, O was hanging on pretty tight to my hand. He was peering around me to sneak a peek at his new school. He was nervous to go into the class to meet the teacher, so we all sat for a minute outside the door to look around and become acquainted with the surroundings. From his perch he could see our church windows - which he immediately said "I didn't know they were brown?!" (meaning the window casings) then Mommy added "isn't that a nice contrast to the brick? - and then Daddy pointed to the cross that was fastened to the wall above O's seat and said "look who's here"... O looked up, smiled and said "Jesus..... that's good". Then we entered the class room.<br />
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Along with his teacher a sea of toys, tiny hooks, cubbies, colours and letters filled the room. We chatted with his teacher - found out which bus he'd take (when the time comes) and finally had a look at all the toys.<br />
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Z and Daddy were ready to leave (as per Z's loud exclamations from the corridor) - so I told O we had to go. Then I heard it...<br />
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"Do I get to come back?"<br />
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You sure do big guy - you sure do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxogZeKCLB_Vlc0Ji5p4rmEuJiHdDV9iZGleUIMKBivl7fGA_L8l0Ls2Kqqmw9iIFRhlhR7IG6DPJxgbs98afJHiuwoxZu8NzfSSXjlq1E0Sb-Decl_U13iszi0Qtt9mlx_ynjC0LKVch/s320/IMG_5676.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st day of Kindergarten</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-9812832113120632932012-09-03T08:01:00.004-07:002012-09-09T11:56:48.824-07:00One more BIG sleep<div style="text-align: justify;">
One more <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BIG </span>sleep -</div>
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Our son is headed to JK tomorrow - yes it's only a 15-20 minute "see the class room, meet the teacher" but it's a huge day. Last night my O was asking what my Kindergarten class was like. Through a foggy memory I was able to recollect painting, singing along to the teachers guitar, climbing the jungle gym at recess, and the most prominent memory - the smell of sandwiches and lunch meat. Yeah you know the smell - it always seems to accompany new a new plastic, fresh waxed floors and fresh off the press photocopy smell. Ah - the first day of school.</div>
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Thank-you to O's "Gaga" (aka Gramma) this is the book we are currently reading:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfV8vjXX2CaARb2W-7JD8FNI0xGdODpu-XbvluNIKCTMrUkt3tqvKxyZsV_xk2kkA5SN_FWLa_PfVQd2l7AgQUyr0beAEfbBNAw_fRsm1oE_UxDNHmD6RYHK90h6MFD5FK7mEPxqov_gT/s1600/61CvKxb0uhL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU15_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfV8vjXX2CaARb2W-7JD8FNI0xGdODpu-XbvluNIKCTMrUkt3tqvKxyZsV_xk2kkA5SN_FWLa_PfVQd2l7AgQUyr0beAEfbBNAw_fRsm1oE_UxDNHmD6RYHK90h6MFD5FK7mEPxqov_gT/s1600/61CvKxb0uhL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU15_.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_23895833"></span><span id="goog_23895834"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Night-Before-Kindergarten-Natasha-Wing/dp/0448425009">Here's</a> a link to amazon</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>Pintrest </i></span>inspired project #1</div>
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A few months ago I re-pinned a DIY project to do prior to the first day of school. See it <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/1337074859747964/">here</a>. I have completed the project and it's ready for tomorrow. What it is - is a art canvas, painted with chalk board paint. Here's what I used:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbZUA9HhFx-Egwlb8VL09McPf6dYPmfkW9KkPJoOHCUxkeHS_1nSn6C-IuEv49JCZSZucYHjZV1eIpHd5zcHeNTxwAhDmxgw5MtRYTnH30VFIKpbmpmk1DfmKYust0XrndjBtFAxFyGcO/s1600/IMG_5487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbZUA9HhFx-Egwlb8VL09McPf6dYPmfkW9KkPJoOHCUxkeHS_1nSn6C-IuEv49JCZSZucYHjZV1eIpHd5zcHeNTxwAhDmxgw5MtRYTnH30VFIKpbmpmk1DfmKYust0XrndjBtFAxFyGcO/s320/IMG_5487.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Canvas, sponge applicators, chalk board paint<br />
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Here is the finished project :<br />
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I can't wait to show you this project in action in the "first day of school picture" ..... one more <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">BIG</span> </span>sleep...<span id="goog_23895836"></span><span id="goog_23895837"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576496614654030475.post-74431831191293799352012-09-02T07:56:00.000-07:002012-09-04T17:47:34.323-07:00End of an Era - so to speak<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Well it's Labour Day Weekend and for us here in Ontario - that means the end of summer... or the <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">End of an Era</span></i> in our house. Our <strike>baby</strike> big guy is headed into JK. I can't even fathom how fast this day arrived. It seemed like yesterday he was just a little guy with a tuft of hair and 2 bottom teeth. Now he's transformed into this adventurous, comical, and brilliant boy. He has no concept of what to expect - and that's probably a good thing. He knows there will be games and a sand table - but as for a regimented routine.. not a clue. This will be so good for him. Here in SW Ontario, this is the first year of "everyday all day Kindergarten". Owen is definitely ready, but I'm sure going to miss him (and so will baby sister!). I'm in my last month of Maternity/parental leave and feel blessed to have shared all this time with him. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>End of an Era</i></span> has come, but the starting of this blog and September 4th truly marks the beginning of a new one.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339702701315116175noreply@blogger.com0