tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50460249014527355222024-03-12T23:37:03.927-05:00GRIP FAST: Hold on tightly!"Grip fast" was a motto given to an ancestor in Scotland over a thousand years ago. Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-83475511461481685792014-02-10T05:00:00.000-06:002014-02-11T21:49:29.683-06:00Revitalized Lamps<div abp="1268">
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<tr abp="1470"><td abp="1471" class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All this bedding from an estate sale!</td></tr>
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At an estate sale, I found a hand-made blue and cream Country French toile
bedspread set with two matching shams, curtains, two decorative pillows, a round table cover, an extra bolt of fabric, and three
lampshades.<span abp="478" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two lampshades were smaller,
so they needed a small lamp base. Since I needed a couple of small lamps for a
bedroom table, the one I use as a desk, finding the entire set with the two
smaller shades was serendipitous.<span abp="479" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span abp="479" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The photo shows the larger lamp shade. I found a cute bird base for it.</span></div>
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After searching for lamp bases in local stores with little
success, I finally found two at an on-line trading site. <span abp="484" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would need painting, but I fancied the
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gold color seems original, but the aqua looks sprayed on.</td></tr>
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The lamps had been painted an aqua color that faded to gold, probably the original color since the bottom was the same gold tone.<span abp="488" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judging by their heaviness, they could have been expensive when they were new.<span abp="489" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the gold with the painted-on aqua had to go. I found a small container of paint, Sophisticated Finishes, that can be used on many surfaces, including metal, in a blackened, oiled-bronze color.<span abp="494" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It matches the oiled bronze finish in my kitchen. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One coat on one lamp. It only took about a teaspoonful of paint!</td></tr>
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I left a few tiny areas of the aqua showing, as if it were bronze on copper. <span abp="495" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I purchased the bottle at Michael's, but you can also find the paint here: <o:p abp="500"><a abp="1698" href="http://www.misterart.com/static/images/grouppix/210x280/2000/g2175.jpg">http://www.misterart.com/static/images/grouppix/210x280/2000/g2175.jpg</a></o:p></span><o:p abp="490"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="506" style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span abp="1345" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span abp="495" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">A funny thing happened on my way to take the lamps upstairs: I did a kind of double take and noticed that one of these lamps would fit in my kitchen where I worked on my laptop. Since the original lamps came with nice quality white, but somewhat dirty shades, I gently scrubbed them with a toothbrush, using a hydrogen-peroxide and Dawn solution. They came out beautifully white, so the original plan was dashed. The lamp bases have been reunited with their original shades. So, instead of using the lamps in the blue toile bedroom, one of my new lamps has a new home in the kitchen where it matches other oiled bronze fixtures. The other one found a spot atop a guest room dresser. Perfection.</span></span></span></div>
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Now to find some lamp bases for the toile shades in the bedroom. Deja vu?</div>
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<span abp="1111" style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband, before he had his first cup of coffee this
morning, asked the question, “Being a good, practicing Catholic, are frog legs
OK to eat during Lent*?" He went on to say, “They are amphibians, but they taste
like chicken.” </span></div>
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<span abp="1111" style="font-family: Calibri;">I told him that it was too early for a
theological discussion, but then curiosity took over.<o:p abp="1113"></o:p></span></div>
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This photo is from the Froglegs.org site. See link below.</div>
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Photos and recipes, here: <a abp="1364" href="http://froglegs.org/">Frog Legs</a> </div>
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<span abp="1127" style="font-family: Calibri;">It was an interesting question that I wanted to research, but that odd
follow-up statement was in the back of my mind: Why mention that they taste like chicken? I searched the question
of whether frog legs were acceptable for Lent, and found several laymen-type sites
that said that frogs, being amphibians, were aquatic animals and therefore
permissible.<span abp="1128" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I also found a
statement that said that animal by-products were appropriate to consume, such
as butter or milk, since they did not <b abp="1129" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i abp="1130" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">taste like meat</i></b>. So now, I’m
wondering, if frog legs <i abp="1131" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">taste like
chicken</i>, are they really OK?<span abp="1132" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
turning out to be more perplexing than I first thought and will require more
investigation. For now, everything indicates frog leg approval.</span></div>
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<span abp="1137" style="font-family: Calibri;">Here in the South, frog legs may be one more answer to
“What’s for dinner?” <span abp="1138" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine them like chicken wings, the little
drumettes that are so popular with barbecue sauce, and also known as hot
wings.<span abp="1139" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frog legs are often served as
appetizers with a white sauce as well.<span abp="1140" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span abp="1151" style="font-family: Calibri;">Carnival is underway with parades in many of the Gulf Coast
cities, including Mobile, where the oldest carnival/Mardi Gras celebrations in
the US take place. Mardi Gras is still a couple of weeks away, so for now, we
can enjoy our frog legs without worrying about restrictions. <em abp="1366"><strong abp="1367">Laissez les bon
temps rouler!<o:p abp="1368"></o:p></strong></em></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/catholic-reflection-on-lenten-fasting-father-daniel-merz.cfm">catholic-reflection-on-lenten-fasting-</a></div>
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<span abp="1111" style="font-family: Calibri;">*As you know, Catholics abstain from eating mammals and fowl on Fridays during the season of Lent, from Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) until Easter. <span abp="1112" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Denying oneself of certain foods is a type of penance. The focus instead is on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, not just in giving money but also in giving of our time and talents. </span></span></div>
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<span abp="1111" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span abp="1112" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span abp="129" style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> "In the poor and outcast we see Christ's face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ." — <em abp="130">Pope Francis, Message for Lent 2014</em></span></span></span></div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-58592666766983998282014-01-24T03:30:00.000-06:002014-01-24T03:30:01.777-06:00Hot Spiced Chai Tea<div abp="1118">
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I've never met a Chai Tea I didn't like. Iced, hot, coffee shop, prepackaged mix, tea bags, or whatever form it comes in: I like it!</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 abp="1332" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fRpEwPK9RknB9UElNHzmTdwE6-44RCdUZ2lRoQ1Wz18-wjTOs1bxtMC0Je89MTGQAk99s-CDEis3oE5pzRJiUNsb6wJ8wfO7K6OlqBPbyPQhW2kyqxSvpCZ9ZDxXvS9g93I-IEXisV8/s1600/DSCN0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img abp="1333" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fRpEwPK9RknB9UElNHzmTdwE6-44RCdUZ2lRoQ1Wz18-wjTOs1bxtMC0Je89MTGQAk99s-CDEis3oE5pzRJiUNsb6wJ8wfO7K6OlqBPbyPQhW2kyqxSvpCZ9ZDxXvS9g93I-IEXisV8/s1600/DSCN0270.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Teavana teapot that I love dearly! </td></tr>
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However, I have never attempted to make my own from scratch, using spices in my pantry.</div>
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I found a recipe from Publix in <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>The Birmingham News</em></span> with all the Sunday coupons.</div>
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I have everything the recipe calls for, except the Coffee-mate. Hopefully, I can use milk. </div>
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Here is the recipe:</div>
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HOT SPICED CHAI TEA</div>
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Prep Time: 5 min / Cook Time: 15 min / Steep time: 5 min / Servings: 6</div>
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INGREDIENTS:</div>
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1 (2-inch) piece of fresh ginger, cut into thin rounds</div>
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2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks</div>
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10 whole cloves</div>
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10 cardamom pods</div>
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3/4 tsp. whole black peppercorns</div>
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7 cups water</div>
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6 bags black tea</div>
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1 1/2 cups Nestle Coffee-mate Original Liquid Coffee Creamer</div>
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2/3 cup packed light brown sugar</div>
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DIRECTIONS:</div>
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Combine ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; partially cover pan. Heat for 10 minutes.</div>
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ADD teabags; steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. Stir in Coffee-mate creamer and sugar. Heat through. Strain tea into teapot and pour into cups for serving.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a abp="1577" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QcvhDMWV-00qsPW4Cp2Y1vZ0coKy8_vSze96GQGaiBDSCOsiWR4YCaB9ya9r_igU65r3IC_jHkfhDnJU96ityd6jwA_Z5tmZzkBfjIyGc85ryxrQLNIz8u0sPForFEEz1J0rvKfN4ug/s1600/DSCN0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img abp="1578" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QcvhDMWV-00qsPW4Cp2Y1vZ0coKy8_vSze96GQGaiBDSCOsiWR4YCaB9ya9r_igU65r3IC_jHkfhDnJU96ityd6jwA_Z5tmZzkBfjIyGc85ryxrQLNIz8u0sPForFEEz1J0rvKfN4ug/s1600/DSCN0275.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have several teapots. This one from Portmeirion <br />
is one of my favorites and is a millennium edition. </td></tr>
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OK; I won't need to serve 6, but I could probably drink enough for 3 servings. So to make half, I need 1 1-inch piece of ginger, 1 cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, 5 cardamom pods, less than half a tsp peppercorns, 3 1/2 cups of water, 3 teabags, 3/4 cups of creamer and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Got it. I will use ground cardamom since that's what I have; maybe 1/2 teaspoon and we'll see how it goes. </div>
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I'll begin by using my electric tea kettle to heat the water. That saves so much time! If I am going to put this into a teapot, I'll need to temper the teapot which as you know simply means to preheat it with hot water so that the beverage stays hot longer. Thus, I'll boil additional water. While that's heating, I'll place my spices into a mesh bag. That makes it easy to remove the spices later. </div>
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<a abp="1266" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf6MqkNy4-sMa_vq9_FGCxzgCnj4AvWSsFhmlfTBPUpGj8KXF4gTxvaFvgsDGT6z6X6muiFBhfOgn9Rak0ac-YjBIoasnornvAUnU5nTJsG-m0jxJnbmZ2ydMd5YS3JZBktCf8Vwz338/s1600/DSCN0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1267" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf6MqkNy4-sMa_vq9_FGCxzgCnj4AvWSsFhmlfTBPUpGj8KXF4gTxvaFvgsDGT6z6X6muiFBhfOgn9Rak0ac-YjBIoasnornvAUnU5nTJsG-m0jxJnbmZ2ydMd5YS3JZBktCf8Vwz338/s1600/DSCN0264.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hope the ginger is the right amount of thinness. I usually grate the ginger if I want a little to go a long way.</div>
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<a abp="1351" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBaWK_9f7fEo33W6OCsEp_z8PgizCd1W40Yi-zTh-Vv1BvsCiXmds5RWL2XXOBK_yhbv40BSG26fgy-jqkqYhMqThwfdtgxIpN9MsPXLBj4Gk2j2ymkWDU43KnViK6yc66r1RzVnQ8es/s1600/DSCN0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1352" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBaWK_9f7fEo33W6OCsEp_z8PgizCd1W40Yi-zTh-Vv1BvsCiXmds5RWL2XXOBK_yhbv40BSG26fgy-jqkqYhMqThwfdtgxIpN9MsPXLBj4Gk2j2ymkWDU43KnViK6yc66r1RzVnQ8es/s1600/DSCN0267.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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The spices go into the saucepan. Since I preheated the water in my teakettle, I just pour the 3 1/2 cups into the saucepan to bring back to a boil with the spices. </div>
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After 10 minutes, the teabags are added for an additional 5 minutes on the stovetop to steep. </div>
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<a abp="1426" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAWDZzz43OY56RXGvX1E0RjTD9p2D-xvra9JLwlQgS5W3tFiJJQIa1cjcHSf011CJZvFUyEGxHdMgBk9Ofj7UwmBQ6CG2O4UXf8Fcu3lrOo6vbGoGdOuZAnfY2vQ8ZAYbkjsDspslyk8/s1600/DSCN0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1427" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAWDZzz43OY56RXGvX1E0RjTD9p2D-xvra9JLwlQgS5W3tFiJJQIa1cjcHSf011CJZvFUyEGxHdMgBk9Ofj7UwmBQ6CG2O4UXf8Fcu3lrOo6vbGoGdOuZAnfY2vQ8ZAYbkjsDspslyk8/s1600/DSCN0269.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a abp="1422" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFYB_LX68ijJ_OcOZtyOnbXyfpUjlVRJ2mxvKEkZ6HB5IayRdSCE79KPSVqIfwUT_EOHgiOidK6Fv7DzjSCGg7136SQVZkwP2-jHaIr-aqlxAqhHCdlltmkIek_WEP7pL582hg-jnZWo/s1600/DSCN0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img abp="1423" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFYB_LX68ijJ_OcOZtyOnbXyfpUjlVRJ2mxvKEkZ6HB5IayRdSCE79KPSVqIfwUT_EOHgiOidK6Fv7DzjSCGg7136SQVZkwP2-jHaIr-aqlxAqhHCdlltmkIek_WEP7pL582hg-jnZWo/s1600/DSCN0279.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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To speed things up, I preheated the milk in the microwave, so I add the warmed milk to the spice mixture and then the brown sugar, making sure it is all nice and steamy.</div>
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<a abp="1483" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJz2vgqvMtFW_6Q_WTCLDflIQJq7xc7OrItICuB1yu4x8YDnKz-yRSebMJm1LYcUudawo_XleWyvCplDPbhbOrl7-WsPjJVvT-vt_ObVAZYoHy7bU9ldfh_sZJuogC-IzqYDVf_mcrgs/s1600/DSCN0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1484" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJz2vgqvMtFW_6Q_WTCLDflIQJq7xc7OrItICuB1yu4x8YDnKz-yRSebMJm1LYcUudawo_XleWyvCplDPbhbOrl7-WsPjJVvT-vt_ObVAZYoHy7bU9ldfh_sZJuogC-IzqYDVf_mcrgs/s1600/DSCN0283.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Now to pour out the water in the teapot, and pour in the chai tea in its place and put the tea cosy on top. <span style="color: blue;">Side note</span><span style="color: blue;">: If you don't have one, a </span><span style="color: blue;">tea cosy is quite simple to make, and it keeps the beverages nice and hot during tea. Mine is made from two basically egg-shapes but flattened on the bottom, large enough to fit over the tea kettle, lined and interlined with the thinnest of foam rubber. It really holds the heat in.</span> </div>
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<a abp="1479" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGbwXlhKvzYVGBi5TpBic6arD4dkaXgmYxJrZBbHBgFUOpcoSSDAzVb22cV4HR9m3XlY-ps9aIP5PHgGoYLQNcL2ssXuHm25Q3YAMndCHg0dW46hyphenhyphenGe5ewtqczCDUbyLV0lkyfjd5LGM/s1600/DSCN0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1480" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGbwXlhKvzYVGBi5TpBic6arD4dkaXgmYxJrZBbHBgFUOpcoSSDAzVb22cV4HR9m3XlY-ps9aIP5PHgGoYLQNcL2ssXuHm25Q3YAMndCHg0dW46hyphenhyphenGe5ewtqczCDUbyLV0lkyfjd5LGM/s1600/DSCN0287.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a abp="1533" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpovBsi59dRv7NrG3WL2XOkyHfq_agNbtRMRlUw02LdKrBVlO4p9TkqcZ2TylG_KkauzR2-XBZWsSRBS0jpQWJg-6jTvkc0hjeQ0JK9wFgF5XHBlCZ9LfVSJ6BOfn2sv2-fEikctiqbZY/s1600/DSCN0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img abp="1534" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpovBsi59dRv7NrG3WL2XOkyHfq_agNbtRMRlUw02LdKrBVlO4p9TkqcZ2TylG_KkauzR2-XBZWsSRBS0jpQWJg-6jTvkc0hjeQ0JK9wFgF5XHBlCZ9LfVSJ6BOfn2sv2-fEikctiqbZY/s1600/DSCN0276.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a> </div>
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The result? A simply delicious cup of hot spiced chai tea! </div>
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<a abp="1537" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsl1ujpoULu-j5RoadOXBQw39YwFi4NahSA-kg40d1KYVTrm_pI4LIkGjOoFQGTe19EykTVBha5G0VCaSKg4O8L2dky0I2NAVT6fyjUma2RfGNDIrM0AZzHsPh9Sum4ljimMsnX4xEMU/s1600/DSCN0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1538" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsl1ujpoULu-j5RoadOXBQw39YwFi4NahSA-kg40d1KYVTrm_pI4LIkGjOoFQGTe19EykTVBha5G0VCaSKg4O8L2dky0I2NAVT6fyjUma2RfGNDIrM0AZzHsPh9Sum4ljimMsnX4xEMU/s1600/DSCN0290.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ground cardamom worked well in place of the whole pods. The Coffee-mate may make for a richer tea, but this is perfectly wonderful using 2% milk. If I changed anything, it would be to add less sugar, perhaps a quarter cup instead of a third cup, and if I were making the full batch, cut it back to 1/2 cup. As with everything sweetened, that's a matter of taste. </div>
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<a abp="1573" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M1rPw4WjmLLMyhkzE_GB85mzWwbvA0azfNu6fhp2hGKVCJY-kUFTv18LiTsqa-AlnsUply2fdHZ6GMdCtm5GD3Nr71laDME6V46BAcfr-Dpt7SOnkgRxGaGE6rayjr-OluFtbOV3S1w/s1600/DSCN0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1574" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M1rPw4WjmLLMyhkzE_GB85mzWwbvA0azfNu6fhp2hGKVCJY-kUFTv18LiTsqa-AlnsUply2fdHZ6GMdCtm5GD3Nr71laDME6V46BAcfr-Dpt7SOnkgRxGaGE6rayjr-OluFtbOV3S1w/s1600/DSCN0268.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've had my second cup, so the rest will go into the refrigerator for a quick warm-up tomorrow. </div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<a abp="1370" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5Tlk0RNvQ2DjWt7upKk5UgMZu2_HWawLiAQ3TO6ItBgTr-YxZpL5S8B2oWgSZlqRidfIfciUAYLiYZPtbd-G-pWCOKI1QBmadbMjWK-g1quu42Oll0Sf9ULGRDg326IkwMkX4KOJV34/s1600/DSCN0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com2Hoover, AL, USA33.4053867 -86.81137810000001333.1932072 -87.134101600000008 33.6175662 -86.488654600000018tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-30349668599300848962014-01-23T11:54:00.000-06:002014-01-23T11:54:00.103-06:00Feathered Friends<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cool weather has brought additional birds to the feeder in the backyard. One reason seems to be the peanuts that I added this year. My husband’s adorable family enjoys a round of Dirty Santa each Christmas. I usually won’t steal since I like to dive under the tree for an unopened gift, but if someone steals from me, then I delight in getting something fabulous in return. This year, I took a bird feeder and food. Getting home, I found that it was a bag of peanuts from Wild Birds Unlimited. True to its name, I have seen an unlimited amount of birds since then. The photos are shot through a double-pane glass, so I apologize for the translucency.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rw_gJqoATrs/Ut67qCuRduI/AAAAAAAAAx4/CL4bc0O-F9w/s1600-h/DSCN0194%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0194" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X7O1dtxNgDg/Ut67qygvtII/AAAAAAAAAx8/FpTvsAyoz2Y/DSCN0194_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0194" width="244" /></a></div>
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The Tufted Titmouse is a frequent visitor, but it doesn’t stay still very long.</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8ztzLJd8gLY/Ut67rb-JthI/AAAAAAAAAyI/03kGwXMcAmY/s1600-h/DSCN0210%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0210" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P80jSDFdZiM/Ut67r0_rEFI/AAAAAAAAAyM/EWx3x3qHgDg/DSCN0210_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0210" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h5L2zy81jSc/Ut67sSPO6CI/AAAAAAAAAyY/qLC18_PLDPA/s1600-h/DSCN0228%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0228" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nnOeBRf6cmU/Ut67s4vGuWI/AAAAAAAAAyc/-dtq-iIRgUw/DSCN0228_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0228" width="244" /></a></div>
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Robin Redbreast was an early guest this year, staying until the food is gone. I have to replenish once he’s had his fill.</div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oXz9YsCdPKA/Ut67tUFQqiI/AAAAAAAAAyo/Kog-xwhMp8E/s1600-h/DSCN0225%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0225" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qTPaYSW109k/Ut67t6pQQkI/AAAAAAAAAys/fNA_FlcPk3M/DSCN0225_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0225" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8jBRlKtV1dE/Ut67uSTZdeI/AAAAAAAAAy4/fHH5an9B8ZA/s1600-h/DSCN0232%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0232" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L1tUkmCUgSE/Ut67vKMrssI/AAAAAAAAAy8/7fA_DSGlvzY/DSCN0232_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0232" width="244" /></a><br />
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The cardinal stays year-round. He seemed comfortable hanging out near the poinsettias.</div>
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The woodpeckers are drawn to the suet and peanuts.</div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QWINSux4H2Y/Ut67wdQUuHI/AAAAAAAAAzI/WHxugn3X8sQ/s1600-h/DSCN0253%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0253" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7pH1r9tXcC4/Ut67w52sd6I/AAAAAAAAAzM/k-VSnHQn0F8/DSCN0253_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0253" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6H_2PEcQyvk/Ut67xOkC-1I/AAAAAAAAAzY/8SPPN4ZkMpc/s1600-h/DSCN0242%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0242" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sIoHfnNqLEI/Ut67xwT3xUI/AAAAAAAAAzg/KqgRpZf5Mac/DSCN0242_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0242" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IhopWCnwL-g/Ut67yVMiNEI/AAAAAAAAAzo/QwotxZQliF0/s1600-h/DSCN0258%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0258" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HmB5MNcI4wk/Ut67yy6SqlI/AAAAAAAAAzs/e3T-E9_N2-c/DSCN0258_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0258" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SpI6bgJWsGo/Ut67zeBETdI/AAAAAAAAAz4/qo7AtK9FDXE/s1600-h/DSCN0250%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0250" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UuPhv85xaSw/Ut670I4dQHI/AAAAAAAAAz8/3pdvvpj5JkQ/DSCN0250_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN0250" width="244" /></a><br />
The wren I know well and love dearly. I’m not sure what the grey and white birdie is. He has a yellow patch on his rump and under his wing. He has quite an attitude, too. Look at that expression!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-4763032524627424432014-01-22T03:00:00.000-06:002014-01-22T03:00:02.248-06:00<div abp="139">
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<span abp="143" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span abp="280" style="font-size: large;">Damask and Houndstooth Curtains</span> <o:p abp="144"></o:p></span></div>
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<a abp="294" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqZI2WsLuuPm1cuWaKEYO0m4qMsxZpTpbgm7mQhV7qmu0q1BzzU8vWLmyoscAOVIDDY-SaCpvTPz5pBr9xb8qgPCDIhj8BsXySc8FiFljVvTx9CGb-71P_3QuXh6K_T_slk-RLSekkxg/s1600/292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="295" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqZI2WsLuuPm1cuWaKEYO0m4qMsxZpTpbgm7mQhV7qmu0q1BzzU8vWLmyoscAOVIDDY-SaCpvTPz5pBr9xb8qgPCDIhj8BsXySc8FiFljVvTx9CGb-71P_3QuXh6K_T_slk-RLSekkxg/s1600/292.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span abp="147" style="font-family: Calibri;">My daughter bought a house recently that had only blinds as window treatments.<span abp="148" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She found a curtain that she
liked online, a black and white damask with under panels of Houndstooth, but it was less than half the size she needed since her windows are extremely wide. Armed with a photo of the one she wanted as inspiration, we
began searching for fabric to recreate it in a much larger size.<o:p abp="150"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="153" style="font-family: Calibri;">We found the black and white damask easily in an over-sized print, but we had to order
the black and white Houndstooth in order to get the larger size she desired.<span abp="154" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We purchased a yard of each design plus three yards of lining since the lining was not as wide. </span>We decided 6 yards of cording would be about right since the top sections wouldn't show once attached to the board, so cording is only needed for the front and inside sections of the side panels. Four inches of the top of each piece will be stapled over the board, so no need to cord those parts, either.</span></div>
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<a abp="308" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCB7Obon2yU16bl7nmxM9U-1NK9f6Zio_Gyt3f6XFPtjAP_U_jERkX-y7ok7FoWARNrDDFeLO_zbcF2BFGbBDcjews6j1bE1wUB8NWmEzwhVgDR4HmfltNaiiGJAwCzJNgsFKynbsF2w/s1600/262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="309" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCB7Obon2yU16bl7nmxM9U-1NK9f6Zio_Gyt3f6XFPtjAP_U_jERkX-y7ok7FoWARNrDDFeLO_zbcF2BFGbBDcjews6j1bE1wUB8NWmEzwhVgDR4HmfltNaiiGJAwCzJNgsFKynbsF2w/s1600/262.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span abp="158" style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> <span abp="158" style="font-family: Calibri;">I used braided trim laid over the design to get an idea of how we wanted the center panel to look. The yardstick shows the approximate width of 45 inches across the top. Gift-wrap tissue
was used to follow and trace around the main pattern, following the shape created by the cording.<span abp="159" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
T</span>his tissue pattern was used to cut the lower shape
so that it dipped in the middle, creating the center section of the window
treatment.<span abp="160" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same tissue was used to
echo this shape for the outer Houndstooth panels.<span abp="161" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span abp="287" style="font-family: Calibri;">Each piece of fabric was then trimmed with braided cording in black.<span abp="288" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cording is sewn over the fabric which is right side up, using a zipper foot.<span abp="289" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span abp="170" style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, right sides together, a lining was
attached to each piece using the zipper foot once again, leaving the top of
each section open for turning. There is no need to sew the upper edges, since these will be stapled down.</span></div>
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<span abp="170" style="font-family: Calibri;">A black tassel was added to the bottom edge of the center panel.</span></div>
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<span abp="176" style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> <span abp="176" style="font-family: Calibri;">We measured and positioned the outer panels to be four inches more than the
edge of the finished window on each side to wrap to the side, or return, making a more professional touch.</span></div>
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<span abp="181" style="font-family: Calibri;">Three L brackets were attached to a plank of 1" X 4" lumber, in the length of her window, so that a ledge of 4 inches will be created. The bottom 'L' of the brackets will be attached to the wall once the fabric is stapled to the lumber.</span></div>
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<span abp="181" style="font-family: Calibri;">First, the Houndstooth panels
were wrapped to the sides and top, beginning at each end of the wood to cover the side of the lumber and with enough excess to wrap over
the top about 4 inches, using a staple gun. Staple the short side first, then wrap the front section over the top, making a neater look. I forgot to take photos since I was so engaged with the staple gun. Attach the opposite side in the same manner.</span></div>
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<span abp="181" style="font-family: Calibri;">The damask piece was centered on the
lumber on top of the Houndstooth panels and stapled in place.<o:p abp="182"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="185" style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, the L brackets were then attached to the wall.<span abp="186" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="187"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="190" style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong abp="248">Voila! Easy, inexpensive, and beautiful window treatment.</strong></span></div>
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Summary: </div>
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1. Determine width of window plus a couple of inches longer on each side to give room for attaching brackets. Purchase 1x4 lumber in this width. In other words, if the window is 68 inches wide, add 4 inches making the lumber 72 inches long. Add height to allow space to attach 'L' brackets, probably 3 inches or so. Thus, the board will be about 3 inches higher than the window. Hint: mark the drill holes for the brackets before doing anything else: Much easier that way! At least 3 brackets are needed for a wide window to keep the center from sagging. I suggest placing the brackets a couple of inches inside the edge. (May I add that if you choose a 4 inch L bracket, it will be 4 inches higher than the window.)</div>
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2. Purchase fabric. The two outer panels will not need to touch in the middle since this will be hidden behind the center panel. I cut my fabric in half vertically for the two panels. Determine how long you want the finished panel to be and add 4 inches to the top plus bottom seam allowance. Five extra inches should be plenty. </div>
<div abp="193">
Remember when purchasing fabric to add the 3 or so inches are mentioned above for the brackets plus the 4 inches over the wood so that your finished product isn't too short. Again, I repeat, if you want your finished panel to be 15 inches from the top of your window for example, add 3 inches for the height of the top of the wood with the brackets under it <strong abp="530">plus</strong> 4 inches that will be wrapped over the top of the wood. Thus, your finished piece will be 22 inches long prior to stapling and two feet of fabric will be enough to include seam allowance. Allow for pattern repeat if needed. </div>
<div abp="193">
We purchased a yard of each design; each was 54 inches wide. The fabric for the side panels was cut in half vertically. </div>
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3. Make a tissue paper pattern for the line you wish to follow. Think bold lines. Tiny scallops are hard to sew.</div>
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4. Cut fabric, making sure patterns are lined up evenly.</div>
<div abp="193">
5. Attach cording to <strong abp="535">right side</strong> of fabric along inside and bottom edge. The cording will face inward.</div>
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6. Sew lining to fabric, right sides together with cording on the inside. Do not sew top closed. Turn fabric right side out and press. Cording will now be on outer edge. </div>
<div abp="193">
7. Lay side panels on lumber so that 4 inches extend over top of wood, adjusting as needed. Staple side first, then front, using staples to hold fabric in place or use tacks as adjustments are made. The top will not show, so it does not have to be perfectly neat.</div>
<div abp="193">
8. Place center panel over wood, ensuring the center of the panel is on center of the lumber. Wrap over top of lumber and staple.</div>
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9. Attach brackets to wall.</div>
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10. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!</div>
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<a abp="542" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqcR82C24Z67Q7pfYYw_02IzXjWM4S10IdO2tlgvqkDU1qTaxVuyHsSB8kcXRn3FYEUMrgX9D2dVyozHRE6B-uzppOQfqhMzf4foSu0AtzFzVXoxA479UYSvdOCq8RL6_LW1mK6S9Pmk/s1600/293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="543" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqcR82C24Z67Q7pfYYw_02IzXjWM4S10IdO2tlgvqkDU1qTaxVuyHsSB8kcXRn3FYEUMrgX9D2dVyozHRE6B-uzppOQfqhMzf4foSu0AtzFzVXoxA479UYSvdOCq8RL6_LW1mK6S9Pmk/s1600/293.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<o:p abp="195"><span abp="546" style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p> </div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-15408608974532984952014-01-21T03:00:00.000-06:002014-01-21T03:00:10.534-06:00A Rare and Beautiful Flower: Georgia Aster<div abp="884">
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<span abp="886" style="font-family: Calibri;">A Rare and Beautiful Flower: Georgia Aster<o:p abp="887"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="890" style="font-family: Calibri;">December 6, 2013 (I'm a little late posting, but I wrote this in December.)<o:p abp="891"></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p abp="894"><span abp="895" style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div abp="896" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span abp="895" style="font-family: Calibri;"><a abp="897" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4V0bpTBdZ8iJNz37gQLvi-hmIJKRjtPe0oZsONkDK0i27aOF91pLWM2j0E8Ndf123PPPS-j5jzFYK5JUVOPumnnOjHGzsUCyUt195aSObOArcdBzloCf7IsBYHi4pv3xNJaxA6kG6wA/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="898" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4V0bpTBdZ8iJNz37gQLvi-hmIJKRjtPe0oZsONkDK0i27aOF91pLWM2j0E8Ndf123PPPS-j5jzFYK5JUVOPumnnOjHGzsUCyUt195aSObOArcdBzloCf7IsBYHi4pv3xNJaxA6kG6wA/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span abp="895" style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<span abp="905" style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I learned a little about propagating asters.<span abp="906" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know that there were so many
varieties, ranging from 8 inches to 8 feet tall.<span abp="907" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, they come in a wide variety of colors
in white, blue, and pink.<span abp="908" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love how quickly
you can gain expertise by searching the web.<span abp="909" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One person wrote about how her blue ones turned red, and a writer from
Old Farmers’ Almanac responded that it probably reverted to its original colors
instead of remaining hybrid. <o:p abp="910"></o:p></span></div>
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<div abp="912" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span abp="913" style="font-family: Calibri;">I have one lonely plant that is a Georgia Aster
(Symphyotrichum georgianum).<span abp="914" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This perennial
wildflower is apparently endangered, or close to it, if for no other reason
than it blooms in so few places in Georgia, <span abp="915" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alabama, the Carolinas, and in only one
location on the Florida panhandle.<span abp="916" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
beautiful, violet-bluish-purple flower is happy to be ignored, which is fine by
me.<span abp="917" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering it is a low-maintenance
plant, I want it to take a prominent role in my garden.<span abp="918" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, will it grow here?<span abp="919" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I invite an endemic plant to a
non-endemic site? <o:p abp="920"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="921">
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<div abp="922" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span abp="923" style="font-family: Calibri;">A friend gave me this plant last spring when she placed two tiny
pots in my hands with the question, “Do you have time to plant this today? It
has to go in the ground now and I’m headed out of town.”<span abp="924" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking down at the bedraggled, nearly
leafless stalk, I asked what it was, and she replied, “It’s a Georgia
Aster.<span abp="925" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re endangered.”<span abp="926" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I took the two little scrawny, half-dried
up, wilted little things home and immediately placed them in the ground by my
front steps, so that I’d remember to look after them.<span abp="927" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One never revived, but the other grew and
sent up two stalks, about 2 feet high, covered with buds on the ends of the
stems.<span abp="928" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One lone little flower popped
open in late August, giving me a hint of what was to come, but the rest waited
until October when the stalks became top heavy and had to be staked.<span abp="929" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to say, the leaves are nondescript,
dry-looking and lance-shaped.<span abp="930" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, oh my
goodness, what a beautiful show when it bloomed.<o:p abp="931"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="932">
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<div abp="933" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a abp="901" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e5OUJsN8rHVDR_ojzfUrMsGKaY7KuYoGMfGe4WmySvvfVOwfbEGyeRuuK4awJCUX3M4zm5wNxNzvhpApKTdL4twkh034hlYCNOhYt-IgJ4xcIdkCxOgU3alwK8KjiCpsIg44-oLS-EI/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="902" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e5OUJsN8rHVDR_ojzfUrMsGKaY7KuYoGMfGe4WmySvvfVOwfbEGyeRuuK4awJCUX3M4zm5wNxNzvhpApKTdL4twkh034hlYCNOhYt-IgJ4xcIdkCxOgU3alwK8KjiCpsIg44-oLS-EI/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span abp="934" style="font-family: Calibri;">The deeply colored blooms opened over the course of two
months and remained lovely throughout the autumn.<span abp="935" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little by little, the flowers turned brown,
dried out, and became fuzzy little balls. This was my cue to take the seed
heads and save them.<span abp="936" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence, my curiosity
for learning how to propagate them was peaked and today seemed a good day to
see what their needs are for helping these little seeds turn into seedlings.<span abp="937" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just too lovely not to attempt to increase
my one aster into several plants.<span abp="938" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
one gardener reported that the seeds are self-sterile, so I’m keeping my
fingers crossed that my plant is not. <o:p abp="939"></o:p></span></div>
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<div abp="941" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span abp="942" style="font-family: Calibri;">Read about Georgia Aster here:<span abp="943" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a abp="944" href="http://www.nps.gov/chat/naturescience/georgia-aster.htm"><span abp="945" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.nps.gov/chat/naturescience/georgia-aster.htm</span></a><o:p abp="946"></o:p></div>
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<span abp="949" style="font-family: Calibri;">Read Florida blog here: http://hawthornhillwildflowers.blogspot.com/2010/10/georgia-aster-symphyotrichum-georgianum.html<o:p abp="950"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="953" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span abp="954" style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p abp="955"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="956">
<span abp="957" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a abp="958" href="http://myfolia.com/plants/75335-georgia-aster-symphyotrichum-georgianum"><span abp="959" style="color: blue;">http://myfolia.com/plants/75335-georgia-aster-symphyotrichum-georgianum</span></a></span></div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-11852319672809821262014-01-20T14:23:00.001-06:002014-01-20T14:23:28.127-06:00Dill Sauce<div abp="1078">
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<span abp="57" style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">Dill Sauce<o:p abp="58"></o:p></span></div>
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<h4 abp="59" align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span abp="60" style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">Recipe from Southern Lady Magazine<o:p abp="61"></o:p></span></h4>
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<span abp="63" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Delicious! Make in advance to allow
flavors to mingle when possible.<o:p abp="64"></o:p></span></div>
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<a abp="347" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ5cqWNERJHTz-bvvdyube7mVUur8LGQA8GafaJjwosPHV110CEZQ-_RJrYdjsJWbgGeTgFk29adjRSNTvuKvnf9TSvtIheY-ZcdDduBrGN0uZ7iyHbfM-HXSccMf3KfEHgNgmYNnBZk/s1600/154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="348" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ5cqWNERJHTz-bvvdyube7mVUur8LGQA8GafaJjwosPHV110CEZQ-_RJrYdjsJWbgGeTgFk29adjRSNTvuKvnf9TSvtIheY-ZcdDduBrGN0uZ7iyHbfM-HXSccMf3KfEHgNgmYNnBZk/s1600/154.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #794508; font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1/3 cup
low-fat mayonnaise (I used low-fat olive-oil mayo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1/3 cup
sour cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Tbsp
minced fresh dill <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 tsp
prepared or grated horseradish (You can also use horseradish sauce.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 tsp
fresh lemon juice (I added lemon zest and a little extra lemon juice)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1/4 tsp
garlic powder or garlic salt <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Salt
and freshly ground black pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fresh
dill sprigs for garnish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="114" style="color: #794508; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mix all ingredients
together.<span abp="115" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garnish with fresh dill sprigs
or a twist of lemon rind.<span abp="116" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="117"></o:p></span></div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-68679085438972853052012-12-06T11:58:00.000-06:002012-12-06T12:01:17.363-06:00The Angelus<br />
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I rarely watch daytime television. Today, however, as I flipped through the channels looking for something worth watching, I happened upon EWTN as one program was ending. The beautiful music that accompanied the images caught my ears and eyes, so I stopped to absorb the loveliness. Just then, Mother Angelica and the nuns began a prayer. It was The Angelus. It was short, sweet, and touching. <br />
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I did a quick search and found this website that tells about this prayer. <br />
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At the top of the page is this painting, is a 19th century work by the French painter Jean-Francois Millet, depicting a farming couple praying this prayer at dusk. I love it for it's simplicity and pureness. See the steeple in the background? <br />
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<img alt="Evening Prayer, by Jean-Francois Millet, courtesy of Wikipedia" src="http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/images/Evening-Prayer3.jpg" title="Evening Prayer, by Jean-Francois Millet, courtesy of Wikipedia" width="364" /><br />
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The Angelus is traditionally prayed at 6 AM, noon, and 6 PM. Isn't it a wonderful prayer to remind us that Mary said "Yes"? I love that the prayer is announced by the ringing of a bell in several countries as a reminder to pause in our busyness and pray. <br />
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This is taken from scripture found in the Bible, known also as The Magnificat, Luke 1:26-38, as well as other passages as mentioned in the website.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>The Angelus</strong><br />
<strong>V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.<br />R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.<br /> </strong><strong><i> Hail Mary, full of grace,<br /> The Lord is with Thee;<br /> Blessed art thou among women,<br /> And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.<br /> Holy Mary, Mother of God,<br /> Pray for us sinners,<br /> Now and at the hour of our death. Amen</i></strong><strong></strong><br />
<strong>V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.<br />R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.</strong><strong><i> Hail Mary, etc.</i></strong><br />
<strong>V. And the Word was made Flesh.<br />R. And dwelt among us.<br /> </strong><strong><i> Hail Mary, etc.</i></strong><br />
<strong>V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.<br />R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.<br />LET US PRAY<br />Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.</strong><br />
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The website concludes with this message: "When we pray the Angelus with humility and love, we are emulating Mary’s faith in His goodness. We are blessed in that we can ask both God<i> and</i> His Blessed Mother for their assistance on our journey towards Eternal Life!"<br />
<a href="http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/the-angelus.html">http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/the-angelus.html</a><br />
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May our journey during Advent bring us daily reminders to emulate Mary's faith and of the real reason for the <strong>Christ</strong>mas season. Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-72383965257008722692012-10-25T11:33:00.002-05:002012-10-30T21:10:18.783-05:00Bicycle Wheel Clothesline idea<a href="http://www.borganic.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bikewheelclotheslinewide-copy.jpg"><img alt="" height="900" src="http://www.borganic.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bikewheelclotheslinewide-copy.jpg" title="bikewheelclotheslinewide copy" width="600" /></a><br />
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Is this not the best idea?! I love the idea of reusing a bicycle wheel rim and the umbrella stand to make something useful. See directions here at <a href="http://www.borganic.net/blog/?p=4495&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bicycle-wheel-clothesline">http://www.borganic.net/blog/?p=4495&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bicycle-wheel-clothesline</a><br />
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Wish I had thought of it, but at least I can copy it. I think I would paint it all black so that it looks like a sculpture when not in use, plus this would help cover any rust. I could put my bird feeders or a couple of hanging baskets on it when it's not in use as a dryer, OR, I could just disassemble it and store it out of the way. <br />
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What a great way to dry those kitchen cloths!!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-90990674160266246242012-10-21T15:05:00.000-05:002012-10-21T15:18:30.162-05:00Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <strong>Homemade ginger ale</strong>, or as some call it, ginger beer, is delicious and refreshing. The benefits of ginger are numerable. It calms the digestive tract, eases motion sickness and relieves nausea. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">When my husband was feeling ill, a dear friend recommended that he sip on some <em><strong>real </strong></em>ginger ale. Unfortunately, none of the commercial brands that were at our local store actually contained real ginger. This led us to search for real, honest-to-goodness ginger ale. What we found was pricey, so we decided to embark upon a journey for our own recipe.</span><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/AVvXsEgDCyiGufY1cRpk2_OvVX8v_Jifi1XZXvZ4Ks8-6T7UDmjdjxcOjqn8w0zZ-9eLXVTa8LbnPHQhe2d9O1uVDVN7zCC8Q__d7IGxbekpFbkkeN8t00sDqiAdt2EofjSdddME887lXBP_E7k/s1600/October+21+2012+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCyiGufY1cRpk2_OvVX8v_Jifi1XZXvZ4Ks8-6T7UDmjdjxcOjqn8w0zZ-9eLXVTa8LbnPHQhe2d9O1uVDVN7zCC8Q__d7IGxbekpFbkkeN8t00sDqiAdt2EofjSdddME887lXBP_E7k/s320/October+21+2012+021.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be sure to purchase fresh pieces of ginger. A small sprout, if any, shows freshness, but ignore those with blackened or shriveled ends. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH5BmDvIWlIAk62ImtU-DlC7GcMDOnc8WsmixdXANJ9sL3Oplxe2xPLK7e4h7bz3NOM6SU7UWByp9wKpnbWbKhPg9S3AdbzOV1okte5vaSmguQhzbvEqIoTQY31O8uW3DjYkDrRNYxM4/s1600/October+21+2012+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH5BmDvIWlIAk62ImtU-DlC7GcMDOnc8WsmixdXANJ9sL3Oplxe2xPLK7e4h7bz3NOM6SU7UWByp9wKpnbWbKhPg9S3AdbzOV1okte5vaSmguQhzbvEqIoTQY31O8uW3DjYkDrRNYxM4/s320/October+21+2012+020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The piece at the top is old and drying out. You don't want it.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Years ago, my mother told me that her mother made ginger beer at her home in England. Since I recently received a lovely gift from my cousin in England, my grandmother’s cook book, I looked through it and found a recipe that sounded easy enough, although the measurements were from a different era; ie., “a loaf and half of sugar”. The cookbook is over a hundred years old and is a real treasure. One of my favorite parts of this "cookery" book is the section on addressing the kitchen staff. Kitchen <em>staff</em>? Really?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The ingredients are simple: fresh ginger root, sugar, lemon, yeast, and water. The only tools required are bottles and large cooking pot. Since this recipe dated to about 1900, I thought that perhaps I should look at some that are more recent to ensure consistency. None of my other cookbooks had a ginger ale recipe, so I went online and found only a few recipes. One, by <strong>Jean</strong>-<strong>Georges Vongerichten,</strong> was widely used and called for adding a chili pepper, such as here: <a href="http://www.eatologies.com/2009/06/11/homemade-ginger-ale/">http://www.eatologies.com/2009/06/11/homemade-ginger-ale/</a> the other, by Alton Brown, added yeast—and was most similar to my Nanny’s-- here: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/ginger-ale-recipe/index.html">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/ginger-ale-recipe/index.html</a>. The third was made completely different and used fruit juices, so while I didn't use the recipe, it does contain wonderful information on the benefits of ginger, so I included it here: <a href="http://drbenkim.com/ginger-health-benefits-ginger-ale-recipe.html">http://drbenkim.com/ginger-health-benefits-ginger-ale-recipe.html</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The same basic ingredients and amounts were used in most recipes, and various comments left by readers led me to see that amounts can be varied according to taste, so I felt that it was fine to use my Nanny’s version and adapt the measurements accordingly as I played with the ingredients. Sinc</span><span style="font-size: small;">e one of the online recipes used yeast and the other did not, I decided to try it both ways. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">When I made it without the chili pepper in my first attempt, it lacked the “kick” we wanted, although it did have that wonderful ginger taste we wanted. I used all white sugar, and it was too pale, so I adjusted the recipe to use more dark brown sugar the next time. The amounts of ginger stayed fairly consistent: We found that grating the ginger gave a stronger ginger presence since it released the juices, but was harder to drain with the strainer. As this version sat, it grew stronger, but my son really liked it that way, and wanted the sediment for that additional strength. I didn’t want to see it, though. The compromise was to chop it finely instead of grating it, just large enough to be captured by the strainer—and cook it a few minutes longer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FQB2MUCG1Hk/UIRECnQK-VI/AAAAAAAAAmI/2LqrwdVx3_c/s1600-h/August%2525202012%252520065%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="August 2012 065" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OoDbfpAPvWs/UIREDCykDcI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/eaUsr2iYQt4/August%2525202012%252520065_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="August 2012 065" width="184" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bottles can be boiled or rinsed with a bleach and water solution. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and air dry. Before beginning, be sure all surfaces are clean. I like to work on clean dish towels, but I admit to being a bit fastidious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Since my family likes a little “kick” and often uses peppers in recipes, it seemed natural to add a chili pepper to this drink as mentioned in one of the versions. My son heartily approves. My Nanny’s recipe sounds as if it will last for months, but we find the drink so refreshing, it hasn’t lasted nearly that long.</span> With the addition of the chili pepper and more lemon, we declared it a success.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PkRzKD2BJcE/UIREDzGCd7I/AAAAAAAAAmY/OBUdpzfzg5k/s1600-h/August%2525202012%252520067%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="August 2012 067" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jibZ9KNVV5w/UIREESlvShI/AAAAAAAAAmg/OI_jHnw0ZNw/August%2525202012%252520067_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="August 2012 067" width="184" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bonus, just for me: After I drain the ginger, lemon peel and pepper, I put them back in an empty pot and add another cup or so of boiling water and about 2 teaspoons of sugar. I cook this for about 10 minutes. It’s my “ginger tea” and reward for making the ginger ale.</span> It has a lovely, throaty, "ginger burn" in the back of the throat. You know what I mean, the kind of "burn" you get from the regular version of Coca Cola. Ahhh. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3y931m9XRvs/UIREE-O4G4I/AAAAAAAAAmo/zC7Vn6v225Y/s1600-h/August%2525202012%252520066%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="August 2012 066" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Euv-LEcxqzs/UIREFVPn00I/AAAAAAAAAmw/sV73ToLs_zM/August%2525202012%252520066_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="August 2012 066" width="184" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here’s my recipe:</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Linda’s Ginger Ale/Beer</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">· 3 oz. finely chopped ginger root</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">· 1.25 cups sugar (1/4 cup white, 1 c. brown) (Note: This may be too sweet if consumed right away. The longer it sits, the stronger it gets-especially with grated ginger sediment, and the sweetness is balanced with the strength.) Dark brown sugar makes a darker ale. You can use all white, if preferred.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">· 2 T <strong>freshly squeezed</strong> lemon juice plus 2-3 lemon peel slices. (You may use 1 tablespoon of lemon juice if you don’t like a strong presence of lemon.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">· 1 dried chili pepper, optional</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">· 6 cups water</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bring ginger, sugar, lemon juice & peel and chili pepper to boil with 1 cup water. Stir to dissolve sugar.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Add 5 cups boiling water and gently simmer 20 minutes or longer. Stir from time to time.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Drain to remove ginger, lemon and chili pepper. </span> <span style="font-size: small;"><b>Note</b>: adding yeast is optional: Skip down to “Bottle mixture” if omitting yeast</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Remove 1/4 cup of mixture. Let cool to lukewarm.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Add 1 tsp. yeast to ¼ cup lukewarm (not hot!) mixture.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Let sit 15 minutes until yeast has “bloomed”.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ouaBSzyq6UM/UIREF06GSCI/AAAAAAAAAm4/iQVxhP6NT7k/s1600-h/August%2525202012%252520064%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="August 2012 064" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Czs3vDa-WpA/UIREGY57QdI/AAAAAAAAAnA/KnN2bVh2lEI/August%2525202012%252520064_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="August 2012 064" width="184" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Add yeast mixture back to lukewarm mixture in pot (make sure mixture is cool enough). Let sit 15 minutes or longer.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bottle mixture: Add to scrupulously clean bottles. (Boil glass or wash in bleach water then soapy water. Rinse well and air dry bottles.) Makes 6 cups.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Let sit 1-2 days to ferment. Open lids or corks to let gas escape periodically. </span> <span style="font-size: small;">If you use plastic bottles, you will find that they get "hard" as they ferment. When you can no longer press them, they are ready. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Refrigerate. If no yeast was added, refrigerate once bottles have cooled. </span> Keeps at least two months. We haven’t kept any past that time, but it may last much longer. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">If preferred, add mixture to carbonated water at the ratio of ¼ - 1/2 cup ginger ale to ¾-1/2 cup ice and water. <em>This was our preferred method of serving without the addition of yeast.</em> </span> We love the fizziness of carbonated water such as Perrier or Gerolsteiner with the ginger ale. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nGTFTFVgotI/UIREHFfrpSI/AAAAAAAAAnI/DKuvaiE3xlk/s1600-h/August%2525202012%252520071%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="August 2012 071" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GIyVa7xj-ws/UIREHrTecoI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/ckP9U2o55yA/August%2525202012%252520071_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="August 2012 071" width="184" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you have a loved one who is undergoing chemo treatment or has an illness that causes nausea, a few sips of this seems to work beautifully. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Using some online pictures from The Graphics Fairy, I played around with various labels. </span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-maouQohSpqY/UIREIe8ItcI/AAAAAAAAAnY/OJ1C38a3jUE/s1600-h/August%2525202012%252520069%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="August 2012 069" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ab6xirfgLUE/UIREIzGmnMI/AAAAAAAAAng/XRMviPKXeNg/August%2525202012%252520069_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="August 2012 069" width="244" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Since I used to be a Queen Bee (lovingly called that by one of my employees—and I liked it!), I went with the crown and bee theme. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em>Aren’t the bottles lovely?</em></span><br />
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Hope you enjoy this refreshing and heathful beverage. <em><strong>To your health: Cheers!</strong></em><br />
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<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-39311158499967208872012-10-16T14:20:00.000-05:002012-10-16T14:20:44.843-05:00<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UZkWtnhyJG0A1iUr-kwac__Uog0aC2ZV1qV3qBDn7uJa8efBOe7cYjlAGuD037VgFv5bYAC0XSwrRwAj8SfSQ7ji-2yqLp3IiocD-cE_lsRxXXR9nNuqEVvs4BbZjgqqcfavAJM6MTc/s1600/Copy+(2)+of+GulfShores10.13.2012.2+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UZkWtnhyJG0A1iUr-kwac__Uog0aC2ZV1qV3qBDn7uJa8efBOe7cYjlAGuD037VgFv5bYAC0XSwrRwAj8SfSQ7ji-2yqLp3IiocD-cE_lsRxXXR9nNuqEVvs4BbZjgqqcfavAJM6MTc/s320/Copy+(2)+of+GulfShores10.13.2012.2+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sea oats and dunes at Gulf Shores, West beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Shrimp Fest at Gulf Shores, Alabama: The Perfect Getaway!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 41<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> Annual National Shrimp Festival was a blast!
The weather was <em>unbelievably</em> perfect with temps in the low to mid 80’s with a
light breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfg_mlcgkfGUZ63C9h5_go7oUAB6sioVE862BQfMqFLsUe05k6nMKZKTMZcMPX6rjaJrH0YVCLEpiGQJNZwrLlw5nj23z_RtwLG-E8iC2VZScEQ8IN-NFzPcB6CMipGvFv8MvqgZXvso/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfg_mlcgkfGUZ63C9h5_go7oUAB6sioVE862BQfMqFLsUe05k6nMKZKTMZcMPX6rjaJrH0YVCLEpiGQJNZwrLlw5nj23z_RtwLG-E8iC2VZScEQ8IN-NFzPcB6CMipGvFv8MvqgZXvso/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulf Shores, downtown, just outside the HangOut and Pink Pony Pub</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was so much to see and do! I loved looking at the arts and crafts section as well as the fine artists’ work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people are so artistic! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ1Eolpj-moHT1LZNiMnKvg6yPDnqcv5sv2F3oosG7KWgFCtGHMgsEBcs8Mo23t7aPwkHeMfSO1vx_k6EYJOp14lLAyiwSapQsgBbPwvWBQOC9VOUwKegqSSihmJda3l5LlD1xjerVBI/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ1Eolpj-moHT1LZNiMnKvg6yPDnqcv5sv2F3oosG7KWgFCtGHMgsEBcs8Mo23t7aPwkHeMfSO1vx_k6EYJOp14lLAyiwSapQsgBbPwvWBQOC9VOUwKegqSSihmJda3l5LlD1xjerVBI/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+089.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We were able to meet several artists. Steven Dark sculptures pottery figures, some of which are put in the ocean for barnacles to attach. I love this fanciful piece with the rabbit peeking out of the hat. His work earned "Best in Show." See more of his work, here: <a href="http://www.stevendark.com/index%202.htm">http://www.stevendark.com/index%202.htm</a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVUbnRHwE1bYaZLmK_Q4SVJ5X-0t9qRBBx03ZfChCi_VRhec5HtxkYellyJqzjUN_61p0PgVqPxOU5CYZNyIMZaXfsuMAGDy5VrXtUKbtd-GNyHLqFzRd4U1HS6JJRSOPGaX_mTr5zvE/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVUbnRHwE1bYaZLmK_Q4SVJ5X-0t9qRBBx03ZfChCi_VRhec5HtxkYellyJqzjUN_61p0PgVqPxOU5CYZNyIMZaXfsuMAGDy5VrXtUKbtd-GNyHLqFzRd4U1HS6JJRSOPGaX_mTr5zvE/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+095.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steven Dark</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2Qompe7IpRR92IK6oDMbTd8dbjoGHtUDoQmcy6vaaPUbUQ2BFI66lC2DLz4y8m_1jfKLnsLNaiRjvN4OZuEyHKtoyRqQ89n5g8LA2U4qXjTgR6UTW868Xj5moMrVjpplatNiUnSp2_4/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2Qompe7IpRR92IK6oDMbTd8dbjoGHtUDoQmcy6vaaPUbUQ2BFI66lC2DLz4y8m_1jfKLnsLNaiRjvN4OZuEyHKtoyRqQ89n5g8LA2U4qXjTgR6UTW868Xj5moMrVjpplatNiUnSp2_4/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+096.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Miree<br />
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Royal Miree is a sculptor from the Birmingham area who creates masterpieces in copper, stainless steel and aluminum. The photo does not do justice to his amazing work. He is holding a copper panel which was hand polished repeatedly to make these beautiful designs. If I had taken the picture in sunlight, it would have been like a myriad of sunrises and sunsets all at one time. I was literally mesmerized by his work, particularly the delicately-balanced pieces that moved ever-so-gently when touched. There was a wall piece that I couldn't take my eyes off. It was a one-of-a-kind sculpture that was calling to me. This piece would have made a statement of great design. Wow. Just wow. <a href="http://richardmiree.com/collections/21668">http://richardmiree.com/collections/21668</a> </div>
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By now, we had walked over halfway around and were getting hungry and thirsty. We slipped into The Hangout for a snack and met a charming young man who was our waiter. He is a student at The University of South Alabama and had been a medic in Afghanistan. Heroes are everywhere if we just take time to hear their stories. One of the first questions asked after a strong hurricane on the Gulf Coast is, "Is The Hangout OK?" It is a friendly restaurant right on the beach with stages for bands and three separate bar areas. I loved their collection of lunchboxes on the wall. </div>
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<a href="http://www.meyerre.com/music/hangout/">http://www.meyerre.com/music/hangout/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Foods were varied and tasty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wild gulf shrimp was the star of the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had it grilled, fried, and in a low-country boil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had teeny-tiny shrimp, medium-sized reds, and jumbo prawns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wish we had brought some home with us! (Hmm. Perhaps I could have it shipped?) Here's the website for Eat Alabama Wild Seafood: <a href="http://www.eatalabamawildseafood.com/">www.eatalabamawildseafood.com</a> The site also has some incredible recipes such as LuLu's West Indies Salad. (This is Jimmy Buffet's sister, and the second question after a major storm is, "How is LuLu's?)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="right" src="http://www.eatalabamawildseafood.com/img/recipes/westindies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
<a href="http://www.eatalabamawildseafood.com/index.cfm/recipes">http://www.eatalabamawildseafood.com/index.cfm/recipes</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="header">
LuLu's West Indies Salad (some amounts are not listed:)</div>
<ul>
<li>1 pound fresh jumbo lump blue crabmeat</li>
<li>Salt to taste (about ½ teaspoon)</li>
<li>Freshly ground black pepper to taste (about ¼ teaspoon)</li>
<li>½ medium Vidalia (or sweet) onion, sliced paper thin, in half moon shape</li>
<li> vegetable oil</li>
<li>white vinegar</li>
</ul>
ice water (with 4-5 ice cubes)<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Place half the crabmeat gently in the bottom of a glass bowl or plastic container, carefully picking out any shell. Sprinkle with just a smidgen of salt and pepper. Cover crab with a layer of onion. Repeat steps with remaining crab, salt, pepper, and onion. Pour oil and vinegar over layers. Place ice cubes in a liquid measuring cup. Fill with water until volume reaches &frac13; cup and pour over crab. Cover and marinate for at least 2 hours before serving. When ready to serve, shake bowl gently, or if using a leak-proof plastic container, turn upside down and back upright to gently mix salad. Serve in a shallow bowl with juice. Makes 4-6 servings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJOGocQOzDT8XmgGCPPDdCyOUROQF0B37AGGgGN_E63z6uoqpVlZl7RidkPvImaOK1Z2Cu4IBNT_EwnpnYZX-MmDtQ6g7tMetKo6iLvOST3Mip7QHBMLL0oaQRGfEO2X7Sn74XEWKk0Y/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJOGocQOzDT8XmgGCPPDdCyOUROQF0B37AGGgGN_E63z6uoqpVlZl7RidkPvImaOK1Z2Cu4IBNT_EwnpnYZX-MmDtQ6g7tMetKo6iLvOST3Mip7QHBMLL0oaQRGfEO2X7Sn74XEWKk0Y/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+117.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alabama Wild Seafood: Yum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB_dyHBt_H4HebaGh2lBRK_p6L1cHZuYw32T1Pyl3UzpK8wnQNt3nAUIaKlp7szGdCKVMaYOgBfiJd0WIQsywTRRtgW4Mk28R8SC-0B5RPp96n-PpsnbPLpcpLj5QyjHxjOjw8avRGsM/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB_dyHBt_H4HebaGh2lBRK_p6L1cHZuYw32T1Pyl3UzpK8wnQNt3nAUIaKlp7szGdCKVMaYOgBfiJd0WIQsywTRRtgW4Mk28R8SC-0B5RPp96n-PpsnbPLpcpLj5QyjHxjOjw8avRGsM/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+119.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sampling of wild Gulf shrimp with a delicious cocktail sauce!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xMIQ7nWzo4IRs6jDAOF_Qla2qxcS-F9t4M8OBtO2G5hkqHK4LLsclYBnwEiIa7vz-NCxtaShNg5QnwQintIIl37qQkD0hYvbroZnhVfI0qT4rrsP1xLCiU8lvtkr5eNScG0pmXcxH64/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xMIQ7nWzo4IRs6jDAOF_Qla2qxcS-F9t4M8OBtO2G5hkqHK4LLsclYBnwEiIa7vz-NCxtaShNg5QnwQintIIl37qQkD0hYvbroZnhVfI0qT4rrsP1xLCiU8lvtkr5eNScG0pmXcxH64/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Shrimp with Fried Green Tomatoes and Gruyere Cheese Grits</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sand at Gulf Shores reportedly
came down from white granite boulders higher up in the state and washed down to
the sea in ancient times, so it is beautiful, soft, and sugary-white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The combination of</span> sand, turquoise-colored water, and
brilliant blue sky produced a made-to-order kind of weekend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We stayed with the most delightful, creative couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their home was lovely, and taking in six
additional guests didn’t even faze them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sitting on their back porch, watching the sun rise and set over the gulf
while listening to the lulling, constant rolling of waves, as well as enjoying
coffee and telling tales, was a relaxing part of each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTip8fsFuniSr9P0fZFd9AiXUsBBhIaVluNA_iLuF7WA0_ZIfMbZA2OwD0R2H6vLDTny0D-Pj_yaHjYOzfgng31MsMb4q9BA6moYFCVwne8i6ux0UBeYX6eXxcSmk6M7z-bZqBrE9nxc/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTip8fsFuniSr9P0fZFd9AiXUsBBhIaVluNA_iLuF7WA0_ZIfMbZA2OwD0R2H6vLDTny0D-Pj_yaHjYOzfgng31MsMb4q9BA6moYFCVwne8i6ux0UBeYX6eXxcSmk6M7z-bZqBrE9nxc/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+165.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Gulf Shores, West Beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something that was incredibly wonderful was
the original artwork collected and created by our hosts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lighting in the dining room and over the
counter were all crafted by our host, Joe Thompson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
This photo is of a glass bowl with amazing blues and pearly colors. My camera (phone) does not do justice to this incredible work of art.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAbOtNWcbOzQaHLrXHiAYiKZwHes4J4S2bAoNlrCK8EYpeARTs_2UExZBQURRscntDd_HqeXFh7gvU0dNnjzaOecCo6AsLplTsALXpBsi08JYHSXpCEI3HPdFsp99vhzlXjPcx6Vi3io/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAbOtNWcbOzQaHLrXHiAYiKZwHes4J4S2bAoNlrCK8EYpeARTs_2UExZBQURRscntDd_HqeXFh7gvU0dNnjzaOecCo6AsLplTsALXpBsi08JYHSXpCEI3HPdFsp99vhzlXjPcx6Vi3io/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+182.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure to check out his sink vessels and chandeliers here: BEAUTIFUL! </span><a href="http://www.bearcreekglass.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.bearcreekglass.com/</span></a><br />
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As we were leaving, Joe's lovely wife gave us a pair of beautiful, hand-crafted pottery mugs. They are both obviously laden with talent and are gracious hosts.<br />
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The flora and fauna on a beach is always interesting. We saw a coyote, a fox, and of course tons of fowl. The Great Blue Heron was regal, as seen in a photo, above. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I learned about a sweet, tiny, yellow sunflower, that, once
it was pointed out, I saw in bloom all along the dunes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growing wild, it is perfect for the beach
climate where it thrives so beautifully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
Debbie plans to plant more at her beautiful home. </span></span><a href="http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/drought-tolerant-native-plants-00417000068369/page10.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/drought-tolerant-native-plants-00417000068369/page10.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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What an absolutely PERFECT trip! <br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0Gulf Shores, AL, USA30.2460361 -87.700819330.1362996 -87.8587478 30.3557726 -87.542890800000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-66489328333496819842012-10-15T15:40:00.000-05:002012-10-15T15:47:12.984-05:00The Great Mug Swap, Part II<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">The Great
Mug Swap, Part II. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><a href="http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/10/coffee-mug-swap-reveal-link-up.html">http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/10/coffee-mug-swap-reveal-link-up.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mug has arrived! I can hardly wait to open it, but I have to grab my camera!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExniVzILvDYm7olopYf_peB2tt_vRjLfC1CE8Ld7aLxgMbhmP47q-3QxrB9LTWjszDQo5WeSmg2kS6wSmOCBwxQECgGf_soE8jJ9zcYMaFWykpd_0kTgZx4_p4Ux2G2cAOFdp7yywNMg/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+218.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, look! I recognize the return address! It's from Mia! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExniVzILvDYm7olopYf_peB2tt_vRjLfC1CE8Ld7aLxgMbhmP47q-3QxrB9LTWjszDQo5WeSmg2kS6wSmOCBwxQECgGf_soE8jJ9zcYMaFWykpd_0kTgZx4_p4Ux2G2cAOFdp7yywNMg/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95f33nNs2Eesi2qBOPDmnHQYlm8zjaKh6nwaDFIixiFNweyiu9NQ4tW7MSuSfdKAvdkuKUVyF81Jb2DmnZp7PQ2WP4a0mgTtqnP9ungfD3Prx-qCAZM2TnPA-dvWSqRfc-6PYLtS2ZTA/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95f33nNs2Eesi2qBOPDmnHQYlm8zjaKh6nwaDFIixiFNweyiu9NQ4tW7MSuSfdKAvdkuKUVyF81Jb2DmnZp7PQ2WP4a0mgTtqnP9ungfD3Prx-qCAZM2TnPA-dvWSqRfc-6PYLtS2ZTA/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+222.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OOh, I see a treat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnsxyzujDOCMT3X4mjLLQZWDBVvHKO5D3w-PyIf1k4QbAc5p224DXbe36dvPdPAFXoUB7KCE8Z_a7PiLpTmdCUauCNGJYu-y0Tc5OVyc0LgAK-WDxCVu9ZFGyYhVEp0y8oY6Sgq57FWI/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnsxyzujDOCMT3X4mjLLQZWDBVvHKO5D3w-PyIf1k4QbAc5p224DXbe36dvPdPAFXoUB7KCE8Z_a7PiLpTmdCUauCNGJYu-y0Tc5OVyc0LgAK-WDxCVu9ZFGyYhVEp0y8oY6Sgq57FWI/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+224.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's well wrapped, so I can't sneak a peek too soon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17BnuHCqmzXRIVu7iuNMtAWBe9TelBiKGtrDheQvbrd_PmTj5XRHMdd7IoX4aF636lYiMr8Wk3hHCb7-i44SCSBBemS1FXNPnNI9f7q_Yl-50qj6G9DiVz_7UqnTV8M7A0xaugGgU1co/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17BnuHCqmzXRIVu7iuNMtAWBe9TelBiKGtrDheQvbrd_PmTj5XRHMdd7IoX4aF636lYiMr8Wk3hHCb7-i44SCSBBemS1FXNPnNI9f7q_Yl-50qj6G9DiVz_7UqnTV8M7A0xaugGgU1co/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+223.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also see a pink envelope.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzUXzs4LpZL7ACnns1PP6KESjbs_R6JzLOZvwkfOPfhy_vPHl-JVkmLbxmIWhB-qc2znVIfrsiLBrqQM5YIB-7oWKTVKcf7R2D3N_sO8NLllcSurQbM7VNkS4G6phuOYrOhn_nPdnTns/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzUXzs4LpZL7ACnns1PP6KESjbs_R6JzLOZvwkfOPfhy_vPHl-JVkmLbxmIWhB-qc2znVIfrsiLBrqQM5YIB-7oWKTVKcf7R2D3N_sO8NLllcSurQbM7VNkS4G6phuOYrOhn_nPdnTns/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+226.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YUM! Guess what I'm having in the morning. I doubt if I can wait, though, so it may become an afternoon delight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rF-hTVooStGJq7xIULWWNhGp3odxuw3nfxuynZc0ja0Gf0mvKyXjGa_-XT9Af1cRjTSECrijyuKAU4qVq-nSr7jpP3LLGfdhXRBIL806xFC981wIjHWoboW-LcZI6lIAixGSTrGQi3A/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rF-hTVooStGJq7xIULWWNhGp3odxuw3nfxuynZc0ja0Gf0mvKyXjGa_-XT9Af1cRjTSECrijyuKAU4qVq-nSr7jpP3LLGfdhXRBIL806xFC981wIjHWoboW-LcZI6lIAixGSTrGQi3A/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+227.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I usually underline my name the SAME WAY!! Freaky--in a good way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DvHnlgsnI2wZFDqfFvBMBQqberfqEj5YhA-LkQiGZrT7w71PPDAKOaYdPhPEDhpgpqCzRQeex6K0fCB6t3un8NEcmdayOMcPT3oo22RZxP8jEzlR2JNt2DoFTDpIVLbflQj29bQd-28/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DvHnlgsnI2wZFDqfFvBMBQqberfqEj5YhA-LkQiGZrT7w71PPDAKOaYdPhPEDhpgpqCzRQeex6K0fCB6t3un8NEcmdayOMcPT3oo22RZxP8jEzlR2JNt2DoFTDpIVLbflQj29bQd-28/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+229.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX-fAPIqUAkuzf4eajKwCsxWwfY7loVurspW85Ch8s-aImubWqyVyCegnOL2hniOPjHKEpzFrOXNlwAcGYYhikIPLdLIsc98IA7WkCUu9XXNi59KytsH1QoGZndCYrBZd6SOGAYRJd0A/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX-fAPIqUAkuzf4eajKwCsxWwfY7loVurspW85Ch8s-aImubWqyVyCegnOL2hniOPjHKEpzFrOXNlwAcGYYhikIPLdLIsc98IA7WkCUu9XXNi59KytsH1QoGZndCYrBZd6SOGAYRJd0A/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+230.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like Christmas! Wrapping, wrapping, wrapping, building up the suspense.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84UGeJdKFdlgjwnrONjljTfMHKZjUzjFbKPuDIkOeakN51qb-5o-crRys1Z1mhHeQDCeHl2xwqfkRz2hngCA5BXvhmefGsCzj04cDEl4RO6gMOF_xL9o7iJuC0gTXX4pYYjLnE3RMsBQ/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84UGeJdKFdlgjwnrONjljTfMHKZjUzjFbKPuDIkOeakN51qb-5o-crRys1Z1mhHeQDCeHl2xwqfkRz2hngCA5BXvhmefGsCzj04cDEl4RO6gMOF_xL9o7iJuC0gTXX4pYYjLnE3RMsBQ/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+231.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>BEAUTIFUL! It is soooooooooooo me.</strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3wXjrfEbLjKw1fsDWDxJbK9sktp9szXeIX5UAzen483-j5zdONh3hIMbDsVlD0FnxalD-sH5znncoi_PWy1dYtt7x8WApzvk6MnleL9RkpkAGq_ifWZMsEo3SLUN60uOJ6YHFUAh_JE/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3wXjrfEbLjKw1fsDWDxJbK9sktp9szXeIX5UAzen483-j5zdONh3hIMbDsVlD0FnxalD-sH5znncoi_PWy1dYtt7x8WApzvk6MnleL9RkpkAGq_ifWZMsEo3SLUN60uOJ6YHFUAh_JE/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+232.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sweet note, a great extra treat, and a fabulous mug in a size that I really appreciate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hNpRN9UW9jS5iPAAf-On7KK3ME0xH6oRttFULD-IN5FhICb9ig4X8ukEtwzS7YAA8zr7Mrni0rSIDTV5Dqs3SpaW3BwrKsoKU0sLkUnx_RLh0m6D_PFVR8Cv7On_IDhuQhuZvIJt5lI/s1600/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hNpRN9UW9jS5iPAAf-On7KK3ME0xH6oRttFULD-IN5FhICb9ig4X8ukEtwzS7YAA8zr7Mrni0rSIDTV5Dqs3SpaW3BwrKsoKU0sLkUnx_RLh0m6D_PFVR8Cv7On_IDhuQhuZvIJt5lI/s320/October+14+and+Gulf+Shores+233.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't it just PERFECT?!</td></tr>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I LOVE it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, Mia!</strong></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You did a great job of finding out what makes me tick!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be using it every morning as I look over
my Pins and bloggers’ posts for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
I'll also use it for my afternoon tea when I step outside to check out the backyard and plants on the deck.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I didn’t expect at all was to get a mug from the same
person that I sent one to!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both
included Starbucks Via in our packages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Great minds think alike, right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll raise this lovely mug high in the morning and send you a toast of
gratitude for choosing such a beautiful mug for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Here's to great days ahead for you!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/10/coffee-mug-swap-reveal-link-up.html">http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/10/coffee-mug-swap-reveal-link-up.html</a></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-56125576578709749672012-10-15T15:12:00.000-05:002012-10-15T15:12:16.225-05:00
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Great Mug Swap from HeatherlyLoves.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was in sixth grade, the “thing to do” was to have a
pen pal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t it great fun to get mail
from someone you’ve never met and imagine what he or she is like--and dream about whether you'll ever meet him/her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the
advance of social networks, it is so easy to meet people through a wide variety
of means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When HeatherlyLoves.com mentioned a
mug swap, I was immediately in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our mission was to scope out our assigned recipient and find
out what that person would like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
looked at the blog site of my mystery receiver as well as her Pinterest pins to find out
a little bit about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is obvious that she is a great person, one that would be fun to be around.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I went shopping and looked at dozens of mugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t see anything that seemed “right” at
one store, so I went elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, I
found what I hope will make her smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since she seems to be a busy, on-the-go creative sort, I decided on a
travel-type mug that can go places with her, even outdoors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s what I found:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2gglPO0sDXBiYdXgW70IeJIOED7wWZRNHSd4FxwXOzEp4h0eNVcFmLBGRUmzeKNLPwJ831cy93QtyPxq2j6pGOPBZwTt8MNMW4gkBh9gB2p350wKccvpFQS_u0nSaaKms-9XM_UhLX0/s1600/309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2gglPO0sDXBiYdXgW70IeJIOED7wWZRNHSd4FxwXOzEp4h0eNVcFmLBGRUmzeKNLPwJ831cy93QtyPxq2j6pGOPBZwTt8MNMW4gkBh9gB2p350wKccvpFQS_u0nSaaKms-9XM_UhLX0/s320/309.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thought the flowers seemed appropriate, and it seemed a
little “artsy,” like her. The butterflies remind me of those outdoors right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something done in the South is to give a little something
extra, or “lagniappe”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My lagniappe included
some chocolate as well as little coffee and tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hope she likes it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/10/coffee-mug-swap-reveal-link-up.html">http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/10/coffee-mug-swap-reveal-link-up.html</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cheers!</div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-6732487079233232222012-10-09T15:36:00.001-05:002012-10-09T20:01:36.540-05:00Five Recipes! Black Beans, Black and White Chicken Chili, Chicken and Dumplings (both), and Key Lime Salt<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">Five Recipes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The September 2012
issue of Cook’s Illustrated was devoted to Mexican Favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned so much from this issue,
particularly about the various types and heat of chiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can hardly wait to try <strong>every one</strong> of their
recipes, from salsa and enchiladas to quesadillas!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzQtq9nBIWuewoB7VKEJaq5MJWRaaunmzVfOMYhgHvJBA5x3f5x9kX5Fx5nL-UeSNXeu26NHQK4aq43FMRVdTTcnG_0iTwDwn7eUNOiuy6PQ4Vuuhmc7aUoUBCtLOpeEqk_oIZ5miaqI/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzQtq9nBIWuewoB7VKEJaq5MJWRaaunmzVfOMYhgHvJBA5x3f5x9kX5Fx5nL-UeSNXeu26NHQK4aq43FMRVdTTcnG_0iTwDwn7eUNOiuy6PQ4Vuuhmc7aUoUBCtLOpeEqk_oIZ5miaqI/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first thing I decided to try was the first part of their
Black Bean soup recipe, the section on preparing the beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love black beans, especially when served
Cuban style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was delighted to see that
the recipe called for cumin, my favorite spice to add to black beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They go together like Romeo and Juliet,
Bogart and Bacall, or Victoria and Albert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(You’re thinking of others,
right?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8vKx_fHreMTOdgXnsNfBDHmPYy2QIwjH6I3S9Blff2Iu7WyD-Y8zkOmTb-uVAyUUPT9qWJfkhb13W2uuKuilW_uh_0eBgv9bsWUxc9-DT9kk7jgBni_c2s6rnvm9BG047jEowK6_62k/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8vKx_fHreMTOdgXnsNfBDHmPYy2QIwjH6I3S9Blff2Iu7WyD-Y8zkOmTb-uVAyUUPT9qWJfkhb13W2uuKuilW_uh_0eBgv9bsWUxc9-DT9kk7jgBni_c2s6rnvm9BG047jEowK6_62k/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+014.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried Black Beans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I halved the recipe, so here is my version:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">BLACK BEANS from COOK’S ILLUSTRATED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 ½ cups water, plus extra as needed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ pound (1 ¼ cups) dried black beans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4 ounces ham steak,
rind removed (I used the original amount of ham instead of cutting the amount
in half.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 bay leaf<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/8 teaspoon baking soda (or less)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*lime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">** Cumin, to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No need to soak beans in advance, but rinse them and add all
ingredients to large saucepan with tight-fitting lid. Bring to boil over
medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1½ hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stir occasionally, keeping enough water to
cover beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Add more hot water and
continue to simmer if not tender by then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mine took two hours.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not
drain beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove bay leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove ham steak, cut into ¼ inch cubes, and
add back to beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The recipe continues for making soup, but I stopped here, only adding
1½ teaspoons of cumin and putting the ham back into the beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The original recipe for the soup added the
cumin in the soup portion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF9JJRCCBbjzHfZdUFZ4ZHrz7tYXnYqLWG6E4ujJERW43FB2C05eY4O2b4dTt9NuloRki72HVE77FAiC0Q-pbPFG9RrstA7r-OIT_4J0xH1NQsrN078hOIHQgDNSNLiAFU70UmnX9y2c/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF9JJRCCBbjzHfZdUFZ4ZHrz7tYXnYqLWG6E4ujJERW43FB2C05eY4O2b4dTt9NuloRki72HVE77FAiC0Q-pbPFG9RrstA7r-OIT_4J0xH1NQsrN078hOIHQgDNSNLiAFU70UmnX9y2c/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added salt and a bay leaf early in the cooking process. The ham was added after it was brought to a simmer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided that I would add a little <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">key-lime salt</b> (recipe to follow) to the top of a dollop of sour
cream on top of each dish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*I grated the lime while the beans were cooking, using about 8 tiny key
limes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also juiced the limes and saved
the juice for future dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The juicer
captured some of the limes’ flesh, so I added this flesh to the beans, about a
teaspoonful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was subtle, it
did add one more layer of flavor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">** Since I was making just the beans, and not continuing with the soup,
I added about a heaping teaspoon or so of cumin which the original recipe did
not call for when preparing the beans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found a wonderful hint in the article that a pinch of baking soda
will keep the dark color of the beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too
much, though, and the flavor is affected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These beans were perfect!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">CITRUS SALT from COOK’S ILLUSTRATed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 Tablespoons of grated lime, grapefruit, or orange zest (I used key limes)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ cup Kosher salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Combine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stores indefinitely in cool, dark place.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had teeny-tiny key limes, so I only got about one teaspoon of zest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I added this to two tablespoons of sea salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tang of the key limes is more potent than the larger limes, and this was the intensity I was looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be careful not to get the white pith, though, or it will be bitter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZPITI6kcOc3hlMok2ID2E9ItbKPXVvxTaShcbuBQqfvOAcbma5GwvGbso9MCf163Q1DLD_zhgQCjB2P4bAoAvv98jlnFmWGt-GWuBBh4UymHCpQYWW_vGe9hlyuUT1crlmhikw8a9ts/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZPITI6kcOc3hlMok2ID2E9ItbKPXVvxTaShcbuBQqfvOAcbma5GwvGbso9MCf163Q1DLD_zhgQCjB2P4bAoAvv98jlnFmWGt-GWuBBh4UymHCpQYWW_vGe9hlyuUT1crlmhikw8a9ts/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+018.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add sea salt to lime zest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBngoEltmFSoGjyHrMBqBIU8fBR-Iy7MlBVq5k5AHb1Zx2stpzAXiASJQOhlMrNPUQ4fFN2LCT7hVW2V0NsluyjUgs_vNF1trEhMAPcOb5D7R2syIUdhK9NQXqloTrG_oQWPquxwRwCY/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBngoEltmFSoGjyHrMBqBIU8fBR-Iy7MlBVq5k5AHb1Zx2stpzAXiASJQOhlMrNPUQ4fFN2LCT7hVW2V0NsluyjUgs_vNF1trEhMAPcOb5D7R2syIUdhK9NQXqloTrG_oQWPquxwRwCY/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+019.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adjust ratio of zest to salt according to taste.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sprinkled a liberal amount of my key lime-citrus salt on top of a
spoonful of sour cream and served on top of my Black and White Chicken Chili,
below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a hit! Unsolicited
comments included, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“This is a really good
topping!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The lime salt adds a great
kick and enhances the flavors,” </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Where
did you get the idea for the flavored salt? It’s great.”</i> Finally, one
asked, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Do you have more? Can you save
it?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Yum.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not done yet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Now for the "Eureka", aka " 'A-ha!' moment": </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the beans were done, I found that I had enough to use in another
dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I was also making chicken
and dumplings, I thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Oh! I could
make black and white Chicken Cordon Bleu!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i>Three delicious dishes at one time!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, the black beans had ham, so the
two combined would be perfect to make a Chicken Cordon Bleu soup, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, alas and alack, when I found that I had
no Swiss cheese on hand, I decided to just call it, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Black and White Chicken Chili.”</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I made chicken and dumplings the other day, I made a double batch
from an enormous organic hen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I froze
half of the chicken and stock mixture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
brought it out of the freezer and slowly reheated it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All those spices that I added the first time
brought up a heavenly aroma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually
cook my chicken in a pressure cooker, cooking it in water with lots of flavorful
spices that go together perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
tell you about those later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to
say that I’m glad I made so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89lc01T3JGcnJcnELpCGVa-Ds7lRZuBDnXR-Z7El2Zqfczy0WnMQwUy-FziSZQpvW7PeSO2UMI1IMo5YGEYYAjdvCJhZxPFRhqjBKd24TlDBo8Q3JX6Zi0KIoctKM42Ptad3Nfcq4nek/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89lc01T3JGcnJcnELpCGVa-Ds7lRZuBDnXR-Z7El2Zqfczy0WnMQwUy-FziSZQpvW7PeSO2UMI1IMo5YGEYYAjdvCJhZxPFRhqjBKd24TlDBo8Q3JX6Zi0KIoctKM42Ptad3Nfcq4nek/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+025.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See all those delectable herbs?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> To make the Black and White Chicken Chili, I added two cups of my
chicken and broth to one generous cup of the black beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I added cumin and a little lime for more
flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also added a few chopped
jalapeno rings to add that “zing”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I also added a can of white beans as when making "ordinary" white chicken chili. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbYLVIxs1gqR2pe6lrqF4ZMFQu2KMBZ1UyY1gVLLeJxKBAsSDha0kDxoVeSEdt35YrXnMR4v-DQRAamCEkS8jXYPkbaIeFC0mSZdEVKh7EN3aH4G6CPOgBWwKE0jINNgIcTc-kFToOtk/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbYLVIxs1gqR2pe6lrqF4ZMFQu2KMBZ1UyY1gVLLeJxKBAsSDha0kDxoVeSEdt35YrXnMR4v-DQRAamCEkS8jXYPkbaIeFC0mSZdEVKh7EN3aH4G6CPOgBWwKE0jINNgIcTc-kFToOtk/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+026.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s the recipe:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">BLACK
AND WHITE CHICKEN CHILI<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ -3/4 cup cooked chicken,
chopped or shredded<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 ½ cups chicken stock<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 15-ounce can of white beans,
drained<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup Black Beans from above
recipe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 Tablespoons chopped jalapenos <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1½ teaspoon cumin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salt and pepper to taste <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sour cream or thick yogurt <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Key lime salt (recipe above)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Combine all ingredients and heat thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Serve with a dollop of sour cream or nice, thick
yogurt and sprinkle with lime salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scream with delight as the compliments pour in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtQZyiFY-qBE-voAwX1T-3CaoPRnmPIZDMfcnV2sHPmRYEpqNMJhaRUdb_wMsEaj54e_Sd2kio2R3LZhVppCbHTXA6tRSreirMONKM_5Pio1DJlWCdQ9j4ssdh5WYreY4Gv38CbFHvAw/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtQZyiFY-qBE-voAwX1T-3CaoPRnmPIZDMfcnV2sHPmRYEpqNMJhaRUdb_wMsEaj54e_Sd2kio2R3LZhVppCbHTXA6tRSreirMONKM_5Pio1DJlWCdQ9j4ssdh5WYreY4Gv38CbFHvAw/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+028.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken and broth from the upper saucepan were added to the black beans.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-6MGcbj-cGeofzNYMrHhU3hyphenhyphen_rSIA-A0lNsMnzxrdtEX4IAzynBRcrolLo6C3bYjfss2LQm0F0or8v-NWQWwhMLAghXkpHojs9OxfBB92iIIPoSqf2daS6Hozhc4Jxq7S5y0nnFxBEI/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-6MGcbj-cGeofzNYMrHhU3hyphenhyphen_rSIA-A0lNsMnzxrdtEX4IAzynBRcrolLo6C3bYjfss2LQm0F0or8v-NWQWwhMLAghXkpHojs9OxfBB92iIIPoSqf2daS6Hozhc4Jxq7S5y0nnFxBEI/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+034.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all the chicken and ham! Mouth watering!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
We were so hungry and the aroma so inviting, I forgot to take pictures of the Black and White Chicken Chili in the dishes with the sour cream and key-lime salt! Believe me, this was so tasty, with the chicken, ham, and two kinds of beans. I will be making this again. Since I don't have photos of the dish with the sour cream on top, imagine it with this key lime salt sprinkled on top. In your mind's eye, can you see how pretty it would be?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvKcHXtdiyD9q8EwEsixBhaArK9kD4z-6ODjjmwEd5B6HJtUSnN6HRF2lmVKKazJARNUve1errishc9PxCc1P6yuTmAkD8ebMJOqOCgbNfyXDgUKa_RKOuDEt3eQwSeMG4FU3v78aF0A/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvKcHXtdiyD9q8EwEsixBhaArK9kD4z-6ODjjmwEd5B6HJtUSnN6HRF2lmVKKazJARNUve1errishc9PxCc1P6yuTmAkD8ebMJOqOCgbNfyXDgUKa_RKOuDEt3eQwSeMG4FU3v78aF0A/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+022.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaAVQNv79yjrJttCktRD_GwhI0EgCDxKZnSR2W5hLSfzct9rt45hhxoW_peyR7HZru7hyphenhyphenDNKm-kb4UFNDQk9MSqkzvSYvQphLn0u46enD83FwPvgwfeaB6MuTtP13OLqaDr5_VQAgRnY/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaAVQNv79yjrJttCktRD_GwhI0EgCDxKZnSR2W5hLSfzct9rt45hhxoW_peyR7HZru7hyphenhyphenDNKm-kb4UFNDQk9MSqkzvSYvQphLn0u46enD83FwPvgwfeaB6MuTtP13OLqaDr5_VQAgRnY/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+021.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">On to the chicken and dumplings:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><strong>Chicken
</strong>for <strong>Chicken and Dumplings</strong><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 plump hen, such as a roaster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6 cups of water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 bay leaves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A teaspoon or more of the following seasonings:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Basil,
Cilantro, Parsley flakes, Cumin, Nutmeg, Thyme, and Rosemary, or alternately
use a heaping tablespoon of Herbes de Provence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In other words, use your favorites. The more variety, the better I like
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Celery and carrots, if you have them on hand, are always a great addition.</span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cut up the hen, saving the neck and wings and bones with meat for
additional stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find it easier to
debone all except the legs and thighs prior to cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cook for 25 minutes in a pressure cooker or bring
to boil and then simmer on the stovetop in a Dutch oven for about two hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile, make additional stock by adding the same herbs to a 2-3
quart saucepan of water and adding the wings, back, necks, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring to boil and simmer for a couple of
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use this stock to add additional
broth to the chicken and dumplings as needed, or freeze for other use.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></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/AVvXsEjBUEmdNr-uluHs6LWTAPj9maK0TJkVjTzMUlKRlw09sPR10BwFW9rLGa1PQL0fSeWAnft3k9kEmOCa5aud9PWMbTkxd4OR4DVpA_jHiuHYkML_fJdl7A_rAq0VdQ4Y4SwaU6weYS0GJxM/s1600/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUEmdNr-uluHs6LWTAPj9maK0TJkVjTzMUlKRlw09sPR10BwFW9rLGa1PQL0fSeWAnft3k9kEmOCa5aud9PWMbTkxd4OR4DVpA_jHiuHYkML_fJdl7A_rAq0VdQ4Y4SwaU6weYS0GJxM/s320/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+032.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shred or chop the chicken. Remove any fatty pieces or skin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dumplings are easy, tender, and have a fluffy texture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These seasoned little orbs complement the flavors in the chicken perfectly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">BEST
DUMPLINGS ever! for Chicken and Dumplings</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 ½ cups of Pioneer
Baking Mix (or make your own with flour, salt, and baking powder as if making
biscuit but without any shortening)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/2
cup Sour Cream</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/3 cup milk; adding
more as needed</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1-2 teaspoons
pepper, to taste</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">½-1 teaspoon
Old Bay seasoning or pinches of the same seasonings as used in the broth</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salt, to taste, if
desired<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Combine baking mix and seasonings with sour cream and milk, making a
moist dough that holds its shape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPdpx0DrJKgQRhdk22mNIQHjEl8C5_ABT1lDyBHbc0tCxEI8irWS0mUsDuDtpzFni3KpOc_huoLe4qBcZunWg6Coxvhp5nXaPJI7ykVnZhz0ODydFa5ooQ7mQ9TkgWYWsMHkjJ7V51GM/s1600/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPdpx0DrJKgQRhdk22mNIQHjEl8C5_ABT1lDyBHbc0tCxEI8irWS0mUsDuDtpzFni3KpOc_huoLe4qBcZunWg6Coxvhp5nXaPJI7ykVnZhz0ODydFa5ooQ7mQ9TkgWYWsMHkjJ7V51GM/s320/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+036.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></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/AVvXsEibJlneC1TDXlr6i923CWBRQw3-xnaQHcf5HE9RwIU3kvJUKvsTpn7s2GJUHhGRvBZdy27gPkHwheFCTLY66aV1mY-Z3YrLgqaYaM9RnVGmRGgl1Gbpx-5q0VUBrtzSXRTZqpkuvP1V-Ag/s1600/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJlneC1TDXlr6i923CWBRQw3-xnaQHcf5HE9RwIU3kvJUKvsTpn7s2GJUHhGRvBZdy27gPkHwheFCTLY66aV1mY-Z3YrLgqaYaM9RnVGmRGgl1Gbpx-5q0VUBrtzSXRTZqpkuvP1V-Ag/s320/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+037.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seasoning the dough will enhance the chicken and dumpling dish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5XM8AmfLIcVleePeqfI6gQkV2DAn10wECPyZACzyQhJCtAts8kQjvdgQlju5fM08QF0UalcCJ71ADqiuWV-CHuTZNJtWLhcm-dSwrQg77F3K1OTb1IPrjwftw7FYV5hosCH7b-3LYzY/s1600/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5XM8AmfLIcVleePeqfI6gQkV2DAn10wECPyZACzyQhJCtAts8kQjvdgQlju5fM08QF0UalcCJ71ADqiuWV-CHuTZNJtWLhcm-dSwrQg77F3K1OTb1IPrjwftw7FYV5hosCH7b-3LYzY/s320/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Drop a teaspoon of dough into the hot broth, pushing it off the spoon with your little finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 10-12 dumplings will fill the saucepan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These will expand as they cook, so do not overcrowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 5 minutes, gently turn over the dumplings and continue to steam for another 5 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove the dumplings and repeat with the other half of the dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the first batch back to the chicken and broth and serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note: Since the steaming of the dumplings will absorb some of the
broth, additional broth may be added to the pot to keep enough liquid as
desired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aren’t you glad you made more
broth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlcWPeYL4WJ1yo4cbQy2G9jMPlc8wUpxsubBjVtsu79vOUwGZYC4AMMwaxvFJIHAwTT3xLY7zyL7pU19gAsNHr8mcgibJJK19R3FyR7atiHl5gOJdxivmYkhUZ-yGwol_5Kq-LzuvPnc/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlcWPeYL4WJ1yo4cbQy2G9jMPlc8wUpxsubBjVtsu79vOUwGZYC4AMMwaxvFJIHAwTT3xLY7zyL7pU19gAsNHr8mcgibJJK19R3FyR7atiHl5gOJdxivmYkhUZ-yGwol_5Kq-LzuvPnc/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+040.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 5 minutes or so, gently turn the dumplings over and continue cooking. The herbs from the broth are what you see on top of the dumplings. <br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; height: 363px; text-align: center; width: 250px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbvickzxtzEes-r5RSgzH1sGEFce_YzhBCAUJ8bh0e0Jfy_Yy6Z5YLBxw5OwaBSUYBPjZXncRU6sg8FTqwbnYjV8zdDPfS6q_USwMmFLfg2LhzDh4XqXIWtnI71VbfxG58OpOdqp4YZM/s1600/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbvickzxtzEes-r5RSgzH1sGEFce_YzhBCAUJ8bh0e0Jfy_Yy6Z5YLBxw5OwaBSUYBPjZXncRU6sg8FTqwbnYjV8zdDPfS6q_USwMmFLfg2LhzDh4XqXIWtnI71VbfxG58OpOdqp4YZM/s320/October+8%252C+Dennis%2527+birthday+and+black+beans+042.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added more dumplings to my bowl after I was halfway through eating. They were so tasty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQBPZ1ogVCFtRQ9Sn8m5dHZ1KDR15BgINCQqlRkTJu3Vo5OwQ-Yd1GRoRXqPtpgO8HZMNRDjp6LWEPX_W7rn6RL1IrCM5YuRdIbNBYSYd5K2q8pYphBzO-ZsXwX_SGUCVYsEi55ejJ_I/s1600/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQBPZ1ogVCFtRQ9Sn8m5dHZ1KDR15BgINCQqlRkTJu3Vo5OwQ-Yd1GRoRXqPtpgO8HZMNRDjp6LWEPX_W7rn6RL1IrCM5YuRdIbNBYSYd5K2q8pYphBzO-ZsXwX_SGUCVYsEi55ejJ_I/s320/October+8,+Dennis'+birthday+and+black+beans+041.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So fluffy! These are almost ready.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Engravers MT","serif";">Let’s raise a glass to
these great dishes for cooler weather!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note: Since the recipes for the
<em>Black and White Chicken Chili</em> and <em>Chicken and Dumplings</em> are my own creations,
please give credit to me or my website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Thank you. Feedback is welcome and appreciated.</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-70297398724012603372012-10-02T11:05:00.003-05:002012-10-17T22:00:08.436-05:00<br />
A quick and easy tip for cleaning pans with stubborn food bits...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> When we had guests for dinner, they brought two lovely
bottles of wine; one red, one white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
opened the bottle of Merlot and had a small glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When our meal was through, we went into another
room and chatted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly put the
leftovers away, and left the dishes for later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, we were having a merry time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKff2keUxYnvTv-GV0tYic2nbW8QVLEz2RMNx8RQCOMH5u8OtjExs3-Xx688zH-wORmjRgrLXwyiZn2ZGWt7B2xPTrZEC1wD3BC5jsNkHojtSrihW9c_KQtS1yQlm5ey8q4nIzviIHRw/s1600/189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKff2keUxYnvTv-GV0tYic2nbW8QVLEz2RMNx8RQCOMH5u8OtjExs3-Xx688zH-wORmjRgrLXwyiZn2ZGWt7B2xPTrZEC1wD3BC5jsNkHojtSrihW9c_KQtS1yQlm5ey8q4nIzviIHRw/s320/189.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Although the dishes were eventually done, the over-half-empty
bottle of Merlot was left sitting all alone, forgotten all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A day later, my brother, Ken, came to
visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and my sister-in-law, Connie,
spotted the bottle on the counter and picked it up. I immediately apologized
and said that I had left it out, partially recorked, and that it was no
longer good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken said, “Oh, don’t throw it
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use it for cleaning your pans; you
know, when food is stuck and won’t come off?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pour it on and bring to a boil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
takes it right off.” So, the bottle was left, looking pretty, and waiting for an opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I just love to look at wine bottles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s something beautiful about the shape
of them.)<o:p></o:p></span></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/AVvXsEiYDCxCsoa84RY6RzYuGCyza21yHcK_lXhPKpmY3IOCcbvY8nuB6BCjyjHQlwQu_8VdLKQis4b5vLjjkdcLHY8JSaLONUzRCH4Y3O1UGUc1fDawQp9z2HJo28x2G6Affc8T_zwOq-uQGJo/s1600/October+2+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDCxCsoa84RY6RzYuGCyza21yHcK_lXhPKpmY3IOCcbvY8nuB6BCjyjHQlwQu_8VdLKQis4b5vLjjkdcLHY8JSaLONUzRCH4Y3O1UGUc1fDawQp9z2HJo28x2G6Affc8T_zwOq-uQGJo/s320/October+2+005.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the shapes of wine bottles. The colors of wine are beautiful, too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband and I love to cook, so there is always something
going on with pots and pans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
counted and have 14 skillets, sautés, and frying pans of various sizes, from
quite small to somewhat enormous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
it seems like too many, but honestly, we use them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three are iron, and most of the others are
stainless steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a couple of them
are Teflon types; the square ones for pancakes and grilled-cheese sandwiches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYf6SGz26yWvu4gdLXHcOjml5JnzYtVOmzIAEvFGLuCTcV6D3jzH-b61scWDbIqkm5kxGwD12DtEm7PiPtcYVTmGrh3v5lxG1lbp-YEfNwGIp6xmFX1Wcqu0PKSeqcw5cHxJFapuvOg4/s1600/October+2+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYf6SGz26yWvu4gdLXHcOjml5JnzYtVOmzIAEvFGLuCTcV6D3jzH-b61scWDbIqkm5kxGwD12DtEm7PiPtcYVTmGrh3v5lxG1lbp-YEfNwGIp6xmFX1Wcqu0PKSeqcw5cHxJFapuvOg4/s320/October+2+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yikes! What a mess. Time to straighten up the sautes and skillets again. <br />
This isn't even all of them!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I digress. Within a few days, we found ourselves with a
pan that would NOT scrub clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter
how long we scrubbed, the burnt-on residue was going to be a pain to
remove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Idea!! Why not try the red wine
on the counter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband poured a
little into the pan and turned the heat up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within moments, the wine was bubbling, and when he rubbed the food with
a spatula, IT CAME RIGHT OFF!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, so
maybe it was a fluke, and all the soaking and scrubbing loosened it after
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any rate, the pan was shiny
clean!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, last night when I began to make a poached egg, I found some bits of something in the bottom of a small saucepan that would not easily scratch off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the pan had been through the dishwasher, it was doubly cooked on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aha! Another opportunity to try the wine trick!</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilZHMDg37z7pRQc0oQwg71rOXUvcFEYsrwm377Ug_Ita2DQwOPSWZfATl19YaOUP-9oKEfOSwBAutKuQpx967S5E41WgoeG01rJLCm4liYJDkCANDJUAdec21X7-ZIWiEpK9VR04Nx5I/s1600/188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilZHMDg37z7pRQc0oQwg71rOXUvcFEYsrwm377Ug_Ita2DQwOPSWZfATl19YaOUP-9oKEfOSwBAutKuQpx967S5E41WgoeG01rJLCm4liYJDkCANDJUAdec21X7-ZIWiEpK9VR04Nx5I/s320/188.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of tiny bits of cooked-on food. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEgrmigDHZqqcU4POKQEzT9doSzIrK_0ekwmYHmIzGaerL1ZsYNev1Ke1YqhfkSHKE8-_4rs97mgfFMnVTv3It3O7S3cZb3iiVq1wzJ0_h8rlEh_CR0zvXAPgA1kzu8fwDaKdM4XIuiAHRs/s1600/190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmigDHZqqcU4POKQEzT9doSzIrK_0ekwmYHmIzGaerL1ZsYNev1Ke1YqhfkSHKE8-_4rs97mgfFMnVTv3It3O7S3cZb3iiVq1wzJ0_h8rlEh_CR0zvXAPgA1kzu8fwDaKdM4XIuiAHRs/s320/190.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In goes the wine, brought to a boil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I poured a tiny bit of the Merlot into the saucepan, brought it to a boil, and passed a wooden spoon over the bits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The wine began cooking away, so I worked quickly.</span></div>
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Voila! Off they came like magic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I rinsed the pan, and it was smooth, shiny, and sparkling clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KdetcBgGH2Og2CzZLvWQ0CwKpiqT5gyJh4l04H1TfKR5NyUS2XoJCI-XmoBa4aBVjbeOwD-XnpGCirIm0ODlT7oR6xH_KpDf6RzSX0ztnV7zvkiM18solzKFkpLzgslYrQ9jJtNTqoM/s1600/192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KdetcBgGH2Og2CzZLvWQ0CwKpiqT5gyJh4l04H1TfKR5NyUS2XoJCI-XmoBa4aBVjbeOwD-XnpGCirIm0ODlT7oR6xH_KpDf6RzSX0ztnV7zvkiM18solzKFkpLzgslYrQ9jJtNTqoM/s320/192.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No bits, and super clean!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s raising a glass to my favorite tip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> What a great time saver. </span>Thanks, Ken!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-34347687964924963462012-09-22T08:54:00.003-05:002012-09-22T12:13:54.448-05:00Two-ingredient Muffins with optional chocolate chips<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pumpkin Muffins </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems that everyone I’ve talked
to is eager for autumn temperatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
such a sweltering summer, it’s no wonder that we all want cooler
days and nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkSBdJ3baK_bnmqv-75WR4ptCKrLqkBnS0gCzR1qL1VatBqEq80Dbr_9Upp2X9N0KndtS064chna82AFIQm00-a80eI7r80cJ72SLk6f5JeQPUL98491xDXyQkW2qS1UYYnJp_OXRAvo/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkSBdJ3baK_bnmqv-75WR4ptCKrLqkBnS0gCzR1qL1VatBqEq80Dbr_9Upp2X9N0KndtS064chna82AFIQm00-a80eI7r80cJ72SLk6f5JeQPUL98491xDXyQkW2qS1UYYnJp_OXRAvo/s320/023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To celebrate the arrival of fall,
I decided to bake pumpkin muffins for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> One of my friends made these and gave me her recipe: "Two ingredients: cake mix and pumpkin. Add chocolate chips if you like." What?! </span> Only <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">two</b> ingredients, plus optional
chocolate chips?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Skeptical Me” had to
see this for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought a cake mix
and the pumpkin puree and found a bag of chocolate chips in the pantry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far, so good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I 'GOOGLED' this recipe to make sure I wasn't dreaming and found several. One of the comments on one recipe site said
that the mixture was too stiff and lumpy and didn’t yield the dozen as noted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to keep a little milk close at hand
just in case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, after mixing the
cake mix and puree together, the mixture was quite moist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put in half a bag of chocolate chips (about
1 cup). I filled each muffin liner 2/3 full and found that I had batter left
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></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/AVvXsEjz6v91c9vgV9pbxkvPlrjEWt7Kjb6DvYyRSVT6ZM4Iw-gC83uTUWETvFfR8gYuurphGz0qCKV8-ysCmYuJZmpjW6lGSYJQH6C01D10hIT3xpDymUrq0aAdc25aleWO89z4uhOVnm84p5I/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6v91c9vgV9pbxkvPlrjEWt7Kjb6DvYyRSVT6ZM4Iw-gC83uTUWETvFfR8gYuurphGz0qCKV8-ysCmYuJZmpjW6lGSYJQH6C01D10hIT3xpDymUrq0aAdc25aleWO89z4uhOVnm84p5I/s320/020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only two ingredients!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1m3d59fHiN_mB9K_WZ962YBj7J8hPrvTCbwHY0XL8oxOajMkthNrnAmzPcQ1IJqSj44l4QyVuNS4oLZWjW5hEma5vFEWg710x-x1g2vx0shHWCum_eqzTh6o-5BdK5mlHrPYAvhS9-U/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1m3d59fHiN_mB9K_WZ962YBj7J8hPrvTCbwHY0XL8oxOajMkthNrnAmzPcQ1IJqSj44l4QyVuNS4oLZWjW5hEma5vFEWg710x-x1g2vx0shHWCum_eqzTh6o-5BdK5mlHrPYAvhS9-U/s320/014.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added a few spices, just in case, because my cake mix was plain white.</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEhaOBCgeiXRASMTu-2nx5y3BA2yhDTze6nz94coXHrYYYSg4mhs2_Yu8Q0X1hKHgIBvG7uTQ6OftVR_hp7jMR677xSLJuLGyYhR5S67FvdO8wXPmpEsW4ysm2s-NDa8t04l5NDurobRh9A/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOBCgeiXRASMTu-2nx5y3BA2yhDTze6nz94coXHrYYYSg4mhs2_Yu8Q0X1hKHgIBvG7uTQ6OftVR_hp7jMR677xSLJuLGyYhR5S67FvdO8wXPmpEsW4ysm2s-NDa8t04l5NDurobRh9A/s320/015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The batter, sans chocolate chips</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEiePBnjFqoWa5_ujnlWwCoaMU9dAt8LE2KNWJAW7-pB54RsgIhcCSxOMNLRSFSesWw4zBheWFQxEv02ylu1FIEJlFkeQ6ohEVXtbcGLLpP6S0eimFIDBCqh2q1k2fuZNVlPj5DcYfRTpNA/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePBnjFqoWa5_ujnlWwCoaMU9dAt8LE2KNWJAW7-pB54RsgIhcCSxOMNLRSFSesWw4zBheWFQxEv02ylu1FIEJlFkeQ6ohEVXtbcGLLpP6S0eimFIDBCqh2q1k2fuZNVlPj5DcYfRTpNA/s320/016.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With chocolate chips, about 1 cup--minus the <em><strong>few </strong></em>that I snacked on</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEiB3ns73wez6UrHNBCgT89vh9FBG4lQ20RBk_bw0Vdtgq2kt4mM9w7CTW7IK80I8O0XVkr5I4KLMQ1V0MJCaWqg2NxTUFYIjmK3wzsQDmJKCuIwpUgrdoFhwZRDRTHCqMBlIWqFEFIo64U/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3ns73wez6UrHNBCgT89vh9FBG4lQ20RBk_bw0Vdtgq2kt4mM9w7CTW7IK80I8O0XVkr5I4KLMQ1V0MJCaWqg2NxTUFYIjmK3wzsQDmJKCuIwpUgrdoFhwZRDRTHCqMBlIWqFEFIo64U/s320/017.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The batter was a little stiff, but I pushed it down slightly into the liners.</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEixl6hVu85apVbLcyRw5pB5OGWpzWo_jwX4ZBQ08j6Zh6BJQvQ9WjQQztXiwJ2OwRnlI3OlMXBkCosFd6IUPjuZ8am4V98xzbWJsrdxCWef9l5spdic7kIgCVN7PU82rywi7UESkn5OI3g/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl6hVu85apVbLcyRw5pB5OGWpzWo_jwX4ZBQ08j6Zh6BJQvQ9WjQQztXiwJ2OwRnlI3OlMXBkCosFd6IUPjuZ8am4V98xzbWJsrdxCWef9l5spdic7kIgCVN7PU82rywi7UESkn5OI3g/s320/018.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband asked for brown sugar on top, so I obliged.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvGRXgd7d22LUNS-meIPIxRpnRcaUTw8y5U8IAgtjpNHg0Oc7XPcmftRYoLLMTlLe_61xwYJgWBKi7LQTZJclv89sryugPLkigrhcBxqmh2WrwKV6JtDYN27tb7_FsnzHw3CPMTymbQs/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvGRXgd7d22LUNS-meIPIxRpnRcaUTw8y5U8IAgtjpNHg0Oc7XPcmftRYoLLMTlLe_61xwYJgWBKi7LQTZJclv89sryugPLkigrhcBxqmh2WrwKV6JtDYN27tb7_FsnzHw3CPMTymbQs/s320/024.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how many was left from the original dozen. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When hubby came in for breakfast,
he seemed quite pleased to find something new to have with his morning
coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He watched as I mixed the batter--and could hardly believe that I only added a can of pumpkin. Of course he agreed that a few spices might be good. He also wanted a little brown sugar on top. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the muffins came out of the oven, he took a gallon-sized
zipper bag and filled it with muffins for his co-workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That left me with one. <strong>But wait! I have more
batter</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to get three more
muffins for a total of 15! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends who
have made these before sometimes bake them as mini-muffins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way is wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-slK6d-M7q24K7i8DNXuJTCsmCWW_UgiriILOAe8P1McNNpIZuDzEIoWpB5sjDmvcZLLjVQAonlLyg7MiVkrZyv_21i8FVcQEL6kGOO2c09N1bZF5IQHBbZuevhh2kyRtypQKRkeSPw/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-slK6d-M7q24K7i8DNXuJTCsmCWW_UgiriILOAe8P1McNNpIZuDzEIoWpB5sjDmvcZLLjVQAonlLyg7MiVkrZyv_21i8FVcQEL6kGOO2c09N1bZF5IQHBbZuevhh2kyRtypQKRkeSPw/s320/028.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three for me!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good morning, Autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice to see you at last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a pumpkin muffin, won’t you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recipe:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 box cake mix (I used a white mix, but yellow, butter, or spice can be
used)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chocolate chips, optional (about 1 cup; I used semi-sweet)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mix cake mix and pumpkin together
until mixture is no longer dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add
chocolate chips, if desired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spoon
mixture into muffin liners and bake as you would for cupcakes or muffins
following directions on package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I
baked mine at 350 for 10 minutes and then at 400 for another 10 minutes.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note: I
added about ¼ teaspoon each of allspice, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and
nutmeg because I wanted a little bit of zing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The spice was barely noticeable, but gave just the right amount of
something extra. Hubby wanted brown sugar on top of his. We never seem to leave well enough alone. The left over muffins made a nice cupcake type dessert with after-dinner coffee.</span><br />
<br />
I added this to StoneGable's tutorials and tidbits at <a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/">http://www.stonegableblog.com/</a></div>
What a wonderful site!<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hugs to all,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Linda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-80773991787215710562012-09-21T11:03:00.000-05:002012-09-22T12:40:31.035-05:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Last Day of Summer and a Poem or Two:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t remember
a time when fall has been more welcomed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only two months ago, we experienced record-breaking heat for days on end,
so it is no surprise that we are dancing in circles and cheering for the advent
of cooler weather. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last I can go
outdoors and get the plants in shape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></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/AVvXsEjLaFoXMbha8dWFUa-oALfdQy1o1a-Q0Kl6bAWO75yGJTEoGllIgKKOt376r-6oiHhdPp1qZwmC2s4Hqls8gkr3Xqua6HY2e3pGG432gZPzg_oaKm7ZOKDCcN0P1pe6pVUIG3xUyi6SqCs/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaFoXMbha8dWFUa-oALfdQy1o1a-Q0Kl6bAWO75yGJTEoGllIgKKOt376r-6oiHhdPp1qZwmC2s4Hqls8gkr3Xqua6HY2e3pGG432gZPzg_oaKm7ZOKDCcN0P1pe6pVUIG3xUyi6SqCs/s320/006.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This had a few leaves, but not many!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have three teeny-
tiny ever-blooming rose bushes that only have about 3 flowers apiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something has eaten the leaves, though, so
they look quite spindly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad, really. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt if they have time to recover and bloom
again, so I think I will snip the booms and enjoy them up close indoors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brings to mind the poem—and song—by Irish
poet Thomas Moore, “The Last Rose of Summer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I memorized this when I was in sixth grade and find myself repeating it
each time I see a lonely rose putting forth a brave face as if to defy winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">“Tis the
last rose of summer left blooming alone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">All her
lovely companions are faded and gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">No flower
of her kindred, no rosebud is nigh,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">To reflect
back her blushes, to give sigh for sigh.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually stop halfway through the next
verse and mentally pluck it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">“I’ll not
leave thee, thou lone one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">To pine on
the stem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Since the
lovelies are sleeping,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Go sleep,
thou, with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Thus kindly
I scatter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The leaves
o’er thy bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Where thy
mates of the garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Lie
scentless and dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1CvyoQaVfKybPkK0VqGuNvUF8SBXWfMBajLrI_hpr6YHQSMDsHLPmtXkGowteCpNBKJmFXWLjpWgnS7nAYFCHqXSW4uSEb_wGS8TzwMSQnjSBuhUttgPKKXg05Cz-bEH2L9dg-b-iK4/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1CvyoQaVfKybPkK0VqGuNvUF8SBXWfMBajLrI_hpr6YHQSMDsHLPmtXkGowteCpNBKJmFXWLjpWgnS7nAYFCHqXSW4uSEb_wGS8TzwMSQnjSBuhUttgPKKXg05Cz-bEH2L9dg-b-iK4/s320/009.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While I wish this were from my garden, it is a photo from a book. I suppose I could show it to my few little roses for inspiration!</td></tr>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose it’s true that the things we
learn when we are young stay with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think my teacher who insisted that we all learn poems (and recite them with
expression!) must have subscribed to the same idea as this one by Beatrice
Schenk de Regniers:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">“Keep a
poem in your pocket,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">And a picture
in your head;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">And you’ll
never be lonely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">At night
when you’re in bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second verse if lovely, too:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The little poem will sing to you <br />
The little picture bring to you </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A dozen dreams to dance to you <br />
At night when you're in bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Isn’t that
lovely?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder how many children
memorize poems these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that as
a preschooler I was chanting nursery rhymes like “Jack and Jill”, “Little Tommy
Tinker”, and “There Was a Crooked Man”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
mother knew that the cadence of poetry helps to establish language and
vocabulary for young children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which
ones did you learn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Since the
things we learn as children stick for years (as in forever!), it may be that
learning new things as we get older will help new things stick as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What new things are you learning?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crafts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A new language? Music lessons?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <strong>Flower arranging</strong>? </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Memorization of poems</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRu-ioySXBw/T2cd2kj5tSI/AAAAAAAAAFI/UmPscljFJpA/s1600/2012-03-19" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRu-ioySXBw/T2cd2kj5tSI/AAAAAAAAAFI/UmPscljFJpA/s320/2012-03-19" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers arranged for a tea in a lovely silver wine bucket.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> As a
former teacher, I know the importance of what I call brain exercises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have attached a link to a lesson plan which
is a fourth grade poetry unit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not
be a student again and click on the links and enjoy the tickle in your brain? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.stewartcountyschools.net/des/Poetry%20WebQuest.htm"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.stewartcountyschools.net/des/Poetry%20WebQuest.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’d love
to read some of your poetry creations! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Linda</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-48330173462306657552012-09-20T15:37:00.000-05:002012-09-20T18:43:36.347-05:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tea for Two<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The leaves are largely still green, but the single red, yellow, or
gold leaf here and there is peeking out. For the second night in a
row, the temperatures reminded us that fall is in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Ah, the crisp chill is a welcome relief to the summer heat. </span>It is time to let the fall feeling be felt inside
as well, so away go the pinks and light colors into storage; out come the
browns, reds, and ochre tones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dining
room is the first room to shed its summer colors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodbye pastel candles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hello autumn shades of green and orange!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The birds are coming in full force, not to nest, but to settle into a winter home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feeders are being
emptied by a great variety of birdies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even the bird bath is getting a lot of use and needs frequent filling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For an intimate tea for two, homage is given to our newly-arriving
feathered friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The table is set in
colors appropriate to late summer/early fall.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
For ease in conversation, we will sit at the small table by the living room bay window and enjoy the view of the front garden.</span> </span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since the table is small, only 30 inches in diameter, a generously-sized tea cloth is a perfect size.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A snipping of bay leaf and rosemary complement the greens in the cloth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A favorite pair of ceramic birds watch over two nests: one of marble eggs and one of papier mache.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lHWAlJuVYm_xT1Oy8anv4-FRCY5WZRYZ5ecg2cUSi2-JN51iqWwmSER_8PHghkNwoCe4qTRbMJUMXxNKibK9lNgcdkOln7Zz0h13rLGgUIWejRoNcNWMpysoiIGzswL1UEJQExJx6HQ/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lHWAlJuVYm_xT1Oy8anv4-FRCY5WZRYZ5ecg2cUSi2-JN51iqWwmSER_8PHghkNwoCe4qTRbMJUMXxNKibK9lNgcdkOln7Zz0h13rLGgUIWejRoNcNWMpysoiIGzswL1UEJQExJx6HQ/s320/043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl8_Xh3tav7R-iBC6q1fBoRLiV3iD_vf6Ud2NtigKzmdci6RQn1izQpYrdSbHA16HoYXXpo1brFtY7m5pDh3dUkDrWbNL3mYU3JEij7UcBgUa8XKKu17i-9tKgUyoCgF7SiPp4UJTNFs/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl8_Xh3tav7R-iBC6q1fBoRLiV3iD_vf6Ud2NtigKzmdci6RQn1izQpYrdSbHA16HoYXXpo1brFtY7m5pDh3dUkDrWbNL3mYU3JEij7UcBgUa8XKKu17i-9tKgUyoCgF7SiPp4UJTNFs/s320/044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An arrangement of feathers, mostly pheasant, make the birds feel at home.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjeZwHgi1GSQCaZvkVhcqzsXnLB-bvGg0s8axKydvvxzQ9G1d0GjtiNC2Pj1mHfDqDZrlLJzuyNvbIjlv2FU6ViiCOM0mVdcMGVoh_0agn8vglvUaicA52puIBbkIINmYSoYv96DHLmA/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjeZwHgi1GSQCaZvkVhcqzsXnLB-bvGg0s8axKydvvxzQ9G1d0GjtiNC2Pj1mHfDqDZrlLJzuyNvbIjlv2FU6ViiCOM0mVdcMGVoh_0agn8vglvUaicA52puIBbkIINmYSoYv96DHLmA/s320/040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The white china is Franciscan's Country Fayre, while the teapot, cups and saucers are from Teavana. (They are perfect for soup, by the way.) Tableware is Oneida Raphael, my everyday flatware from the early days in our marriage. The napkin rings that hold flowers were on eBay and are by Two's Company. Stemware is Royal Crystal Rock that was found when walking past a booth in an antique mall. The dish holding the marble eggs is Arthur Court. The feathers are from a long forgotten store when traveling, as are the papier mache eggs. The birds are most likely from HomeGoods or perhaps At Home. Finally, the tea cloth is Tableau Black by April Cornell and was found at Tuesday Morning.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch is nearly ready. Shall we dine</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am taking part in Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">http://betweennapsontheporch.net/</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-35204749323650244502012-09-20T13:55:00.000-05:002012-09-22T12:38:22.259-05:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am in love again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It happened without me being aware of when, but it has surely
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I actually fell in love with
coffee!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me! A certifiable lover of good,
strong black tea!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI4AmaRKWuDOd4j6o8Fx8yyFx7ieQnbrZg95ikpcOEuL6y__W4luavYZaGEs-wtHcBxqXAb10F5VkRN9vpeFYMNaE1P6reMiiNraI-2J7xgEc2XkN73gt8jBPpJqgW0xunAym0Ntc-Fo/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI4AmaRKWuDOd4j6o8Fx8yyFx7ieQnbrZg95ikpcOEuL6y__W4luavYZaGEs-wtHcBxqXAb10F5VkRN9vpeFYMNaE1P6reMiiNraI-2J7xgEc2XkN73gt8jBPpJqgW0xunAym0Ntc-Fo/s320/034.JPG" width="240" /></a></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/AVvXsEi3W5O7o0OksGXgZleAwwFlfFJb6TfOeZQqdHEev5LJHzEH6xFw6a4T-1Ct6X_UD3IHY2XHn9Hgmad6bmybg9Wh0PSZua0PjP4-9rg_vZaclm4c3HBEOJOnA69uYlGVENWzDU0xMyzvtxM/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W5O7o0OksGXgZleAwwFlfFJb6TfOeZQqdHEev5LJHzEH6xFw6a4T-1Ct6X_UD3IHY2XHn9Hgmad6bmybg9Wh0PSZua0PjP4-9rg_vZaclm4c3HBEOJOnA69uYlGVENWzDU0xMyzvtxM/s320/032.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most often-used tea pots!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEgv77Aqli0-3MyplKXjta3hEZPQf9slCh6EV9psifvLalJQMpRBv6k4Z2dMR-fKNg8KkxiiKBsmdapWS1dqz55Ns7IgcGFssnQTIGA0zE82Vzlo9MO2efGHfOr9BXgLDaitzkJH03ID2Fc/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv77Aqli0-3MyplKXjta3hEZPQf9slCh6EV9psifvLalJQMpRBv6k4Z2dMR-fKNg8KkxiiKBsmdapWS1dqz55Ns7IgcGFssnQTIGA0zE82Vzlo9MO2efGHfOr9BXgLDaitzkJH03ID2Fc/s320/030.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedgwood Signet teapot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-ptdyH7gggpkGoyUGjuFNtPs7Q0wl_O5mo7ShNxhnMof94hgdfakMYqIy61UJ3NhXTeP8CCQ3d542KPRINFgiVOK0hFMjElsP7oy4evn4EVZPclxYups8nI9XHKELMiSiBMDo4B8XF0/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-ptdyH7gggpkGoyUGjuFNtPs7Q0wl_O5mo7ShNxhnMof94hgdfakMYqIy61UJ3NhXTeP8CCQ3d542KPRINFgiVOK0hFMjElsP7oy4evn4EVZPclxYups8nI9XHKELMiSiBMDo4B8XF0/s320/031.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myott Meakin Finlandia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </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/AVvXsEhg47cebu-OeCWWPaUBGKu4U-BKMpfk_fXilGRwMH4A7DPFOTop-J_Ef_xm8G-BRt9XVnnq8eiJFCdNQOB5J4M7t3v-wedlXhHfGotxNBRenbcNy99QbVQ3eTBvZwBM78WdPO_3LvuRU1w/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg47cebu-OeCWWPaUBGKu4U-BKMpfk_fXilGRwMH4A7DPFOTop-J_Ef_xm8G-BRt9XVnnq8eiJFCdNQOB5J4M7t3v-wedlXhHfGotxNBRenbcNy99QbVQ3eTBvZwBM78WdPO_3LvuRU1w/s320/033.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedgwood Windsor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I think it first began
when someone brought me a chai latte from a popular coffee shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing how much I love hot tea, it was a thoughtful
gift from a friend and was a nice change of pace to my plain black tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so wonderfully delicious with such
fabulous spices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made a cool morning
seem perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Then, in a day or so, someone
brought in a spiced-pumpkin latte.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, it
smelled so nice, so I couldn’t pass up a taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait! I didn’t even like
coffee, or so I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the cool
days stretched into a season, I found I desired a coffee latte as often as my
tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>o keep the cost down, I purchased a bottle of coffee
flavoring and added it to my own version of latte.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then one bottle turned into six, then a dozen,
and so on. Now my first drink of the day is based on coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you believe it!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit, though, the coffee is
minute.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx8aUEdbVqoiaYPw18esQgP1YL49NgIwZ4SgwUF2hnNAaWd6Ymsj2-xjCKiaAalTFAxBJZnK8YV1mvoqVPhrlh6Gf6_KezqPf7WnpmvhtsW26nJjsc50vLMlbnMVRYPj77Kq4o4YpV8w/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx8aUEdbVqoiaYPw18esQgP1YL49NgIwZ4SgwUF2hnNAaWd6Ymsj2-xjCKiaAalTFAxBJZnK8YV1mvoqVPhrlh6Gf6_KezqPf7WnpmvhtsW26nJjsc50vLMlbnMVRYPj77Kq4o4YpV8w/s200/035.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s my recipe: </span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2/3 cup milk </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a splash of flavored coffee creamer, about a Tablespoon </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a little less than a third of a cup of coffee.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> H</span>eat the milk and creamer in
the microwave for a minute to get it nice and warm and then add the
coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></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/AVvXsEggE1j7yJfPQA0R1SBDgjc7bgIUWx4ITy6XOA74j_wmvnKQ0Jc69cIYiheri5Hcjs1KVCSmBwx98OtaLb9otfa7sMT2iSc83MUfpKY11JEVG9MSdJF4IUwjDD9zlu3Fq1ZICHt5kC_gM5M/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggE1j7yJfPQA0R1SBDgjc7bgIUWx4ITy6XOA74j_wmvnKQ0Jc69cIYiheri5Hcjs1KVCSmBwx98OtaLb9otfa7sMT2iSc83MUfpKY11JEVG9MSdJF4IUwjDD9zlu3Fq1ZICHt5kC_gM5M/s320/025.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just milk (I took a sip first; I LOVE milk!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9X8phz_Pe1GVy5imyvwsQ6-ULTdT8pJM8PpCrp8Q5-zzV60WpvRMTsMS0lvoK71v7SxDd-qigZUcmbJrIdv0LNEIxWVAye6eN9xwvYimKNo2lTHaRdoG7HU4gbueH6zg2dOgkR6590qQ/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9X8phz_Pe1GVy5imyvwsQ6-ULTdT8pJM8PpCrp8Q5-zzV60WpvRMTsMS0lvoK71v7SxDd-qigZUcmbJrIdv0LNEIxWVAye6eN9xwvYimKNo2lTHaRdoG7HU4gbueH6zg2dOgkR6590qQ/s320/026.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding creamer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jTbaisk0KTh2qmCJVZlYQwmgRxFh4KIpz14ToRkPc1HFFyWzMdnvOvG9HcFXA9m4ZFTR66FHct8J6Ejoi1RTAbxhGZ9_dGbgsuZgluM19Vm_bZP7VZl8QQOnoXnf_FIcMaWv2IvFGzw/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jTbaisk0KTh2qmCJVZlYQwmgRxFh4KIpz14ToRkPc1HFFyWzMdnvOvG9HcFXA9m4ZFTR66FHct8J6Ejoi1RTAbxhGZ9_dGbgsuZgluM19Vm_bZP7VZl8QQOnoXnf_FIcMaWv2IvFGzw/s320/027.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Final product with coffee added!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ta-daaaa~</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It has only a tiny amount of coffee, so I’m getting my calcium AND enjoying the pleasure of spicy flavors with coffee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it’s true: “Variety is the spice of life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s to change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I found a blog with a coffe mug swap. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Here the link:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.heatherlyloves.com/search/label/Link%20Party"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.heatherlyloves.com/search/label/Link%20Party</span></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hugs,</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;">Linda</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-47267595833602314982012-09-18T18:15:00.003-05:002012-09-22T12:42:02.705-05:00<br />
I recently walked through the house with my iPhone, taking photos of
"before" situations. It may be a while before I can take the
"after" shots, though. My first project became one for my daughter for her
new home. <br />
She sent me a link for a damask and houndstooth valance which was
much too small for her window and wanted to know if I could copy it. We shopped for fabric and ended up buying
exactly what she wanted. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My first task was to determine how the take advantage of the
print.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laid out the piping to determine a pleasing shape and then
used paper to copy the outline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After copying the outline to the lining and
sewing the piping on, it was time to decide how to use the houndstooth
fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After much deliberation and seemingly
hours of walking around and around the fabric, the same outline was used to keep it uniform. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTcx1l-el7xCbVbzOavL_d7fJ4v8_8SvAPYQ6s_xwSXsULYqSG5bdACfuo_MYSNEvzjXxOdYQAt2XV5EzYRKs17UC5eKRI4iHjBXkQCkDF0gQZahPZtfiIcTvDi_ApFa34OP-9YmABnI/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTcx1l-el7xCbVbzOavL_d7fJ4v8_8SvAPYQ6s_xwSXsULYqSG5bdACfuo_MYSNEvzjXxOdYQAt2XV5EzYRKs17UC5eKRI4iHjBXkQCkDF0gQZahPZtfiIcTvDi_ApFa34OP-9YmABnI/s200/029.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After stapling the
fabrics to a 1x4 board, the valance was complete. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm sorry that the photo is so dark, but all I had on hand was my phone. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI9BCOb3EhPjWZXPD6MNA3FqKjXGegtFygiizD0nmmEQL_NNmkHUTsSYA_PNM-XFXokSv7OqJ6pofMRkY8rN4flF4QkGxGJ72KcNPM9Gc3rOIM5cr8RFHEw25zkHfKAVNqRg2xulzgNM/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI9BCOb3EhPjWZXPD6MNA3FqKjXGegtFygiizD0nmmEQL_NNmkHUTsSYA_PNM-XFXokSv7OqJ6pofMRkY8rN4flF4QkGxGJ72KcNPM9Gc3rOIM5cr8RFHEw25zkHfKAVNqRg2xulzgNM/s200/042.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Here's the before</o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTVTb23crCAOoiSKJ00eE-ExCMJgnWK02G0MKqyrKMb9TdG-dgNh2lGFKc2YECIjk76h0hPjMk3hArxTdie3DQ9tUXyQS4NeYdGhD62q_SQdkk0jt20uIQA4pdwfH6NDoutTMECAavLw/s1600/September+2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTVTb23crCAOoiSKJ00eE-ExCMJgnWK02G0MKqyrKMb9TdG-dgNh2lGFKc2YECIjk76h0hPjMk3hArxTdie3DQ9tUXyQS4NeYdGhD62q_SQdkk0jt20uIQA4pdwfH6NDoutTMECAavLw/s320/September+2012+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>and after: </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3IYCwsGhDft6dCjZQ2wTNf8rSDyNm9xrd9E8cp9Jp59tUBIlQo33kkjxZ24CRRzqmGCGTGp5YlRzXKuFldYtagjkoOuLSZKfqIOFoOngzSbwd7-9gAd1geJpwlKR20IMYS5u1ZXyGKE/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3IYCwsGhDft6dCjZQ2wTNf8rSDyNm9xrd9E8cp9Jp59tUBIlQo33kkjxZ24CRRzqmGCGTGp5YlRzXKuFldYtagjkoOuLSZKfqIOFoOngzSbwd7-9gAd1geJpwlKR20IMYS5u1ZXyGKE/s320/043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 96pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 1in;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Linda\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg">
</v:imagedata></span></v:shape></div>
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</div>
</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046024901452735522.post-89407001215243061252012-03-02T19:41:00.000-06:002012-03-02T19:44:04.971-06:00How I Waste My Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTaWIJzlHUQDZcbp07_YvObv5vHMixN3FNoVpF-NmqYWTsM8JbzggHlPQL-8tiAf0DU9LZ7n_R2rNBGy7simUaB0tZuz_Eo5grqD51dh4QcR8RznrI2hoQvOYvpaky3828vnhdqHcSao/s1600/Grip+Fast+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTaWIJzlHUQDZcbp07_YvObv5vHMixN3FNoVpF-NmqYWTsM8JbzggHlPQL-8tiAf0DU9LZ7n_R2rNBGy7simUaB0tZuz_Eo5grqD51dh4QcR8RznrI2hoQvOYvpaky3828vnhdqHcSao/s1600/Grip+Fast+2012.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finding facts about my ancestors is a fascinating, fun hobby. I just found out today that an ancestor attended the coronation of Edward VII as an honored guest. </span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18294353882165105402noreply@blogger.com0