tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31947604513626084712024-03-13T09:09:08.213-05:00Bungalow Marrietteliving, loving, creating every dayStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-33636951700597493902012-01-02T16:31:00.000-06:002012-01-02T17:11:49.995-06:00Dry Skin Indulgance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">I suffer from psoriasis. My skin is very dry. I have tried every single moisturizing product I can get my hands on. I have spent an unfathomable amount of money on so many things that have brought me little relief. I have used many prescription products and seen several skin/psoriasis specialists. I practice yoga and I try to meditate. Stress evidently makes it worse. My doctors have put me on biologic and the list of side effects are SCARY. I have decided to find a way to manage the dry skin without breaking the bank! My oatmeal bath that I love so much is climbing in price! </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">As I scanned the ingredients, I thought I can make this for alot less at home. I turns out I like my version better! I take 1 Cup of Oatmeal and process it in a food processor to a fairly fine dust. I add 2 Cups of Epsom Salts and process until mixed. Then, with the motor running, I drizzle in 1/4 C of Honey. It looks like pastry dough--see above. I add about 1 Cup or more to my bath and soak. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This would make a lovely gift in a vintage blue canning jar with an old ladle to ladle it under the running water. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I found I have about 24 hours of dry skin relief when I combined this with a Sesame Oil Rub Down before I towel off. I have used both separately and found this combination offers the best relief for me at the moment. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Make up a batch, unplug, fill the tub and let your skin drink this in. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">As always, exploring my corner of the world,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Stephanie</span></em></div>
</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-29193153914899565872011-12-29T17:14:00.000-06:002011-12-29T17:14:48.149-06:00Old Dog, New Trick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGAsKUUHclc/TvzsjhgME3I/AAAAAAAAAT0/4NGrx6bpd8M/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGAsKUUHclc/TvzsjhgME3I/AAAAAAAAAT0/4NGrx6bpd8M/s640/003.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><em>I often jump right into things without knowing exactly what I am doing. </em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Is anyone else like that? I decided I wanted to blog about my decorating style, cooking style, and lifestyle with those beautiful pictures just like so many of the blogs I admire. So, jump, I went. What I quickly discovered is that I don't have the pictures up to par. Immediately I decide it must be the camera because there is nothing wrong with my eye. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Well. . .that is true, almost. It is more like I have a decent, although old digital camera. A Cannon GI to be exact. I found that shooting in natural light seemed to be better but when I went without flash I ended up with blurring and all sorts of ugly things. I wasn't excited about editing them through Photo Shop either. Who has that kind of time? </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enter my Dad, who is an accomplished, self taught, photographer in his own right AND the one who bestowed the camera to me. Well he explained shutter speed, a mini tripod, the remote, the built-in macro lens, and fade out background setting. Ta DA. Already so much better with this Christmas Center Piece pictured above, don't you think?</span> </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcVFCizaYt8/TvzuhBcbOBI/AAAAAAAAAUA/0S4XatTObs0/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcVFCizaYt8/TvzuhBcbOBI/AAAAAAAAAUA/0S4XatTObs0/s640/007.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And look at the utility side of my grandmother's Kitchen Scissors. This taken with only a crappy 60 watt bulb on in my very dark dining room. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Which turns out to be a good thing. I have a gift idea in mind for this picture to the most gifted woman I know with scissors! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: large;">So a good lesson, once again! Do my homework! And I can't wait to finish my office space that has this bright natural light and photograph more wonderful things for you to see!</span> </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-esoaCUxXdsU/TvzvqZWGuOI/AAAAAAAAAUM/HIXMC7LU2Dk/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-esoaCUxXdsU/TvzvqZWGuOI/AAAAAAAAAUM/HIXMC7LU2Dk/s640/004.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This candle stick holder is sitting on the dining room table and I love this picture of it. I blurred out the background and it turned out great. No photo shop required! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">And now for my new adventure! I am now the proud owner of Booth Number 150 at my favorite flea market, Collectamania, here in Des Moines! My official opening date is set for January 15, 2012. I don't think I am leaping before I look this time and won't disappoint! I will post all about setting up a booth and my experience with it. I am starting small and hoping it will be something I am good at. It is time to let some things go and have a small store to do it in! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">So, for now, I bid you a Happy New Year, as I am ending the year on a high note and getting ready to ring the new year in with better photography skills and a new "store" to boot! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Exploring my corner of the world,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Stephanie</span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-33958020354431606242011-11-27T15:06:00.003-06:002011-11-28T18:47:48.364-06:00Marrying Deserts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3fIncPdhpY/TtKQb1mmifI/AAAAAAAAASQ/AF3u06lTfKk/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3fIncPdhpY/TtKQb1mmifI/AAAAAAAAASQ/AF3u06lTfKk/s400/044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Does anyone else do this? Marry recipes? You know, take a bit from this and a bit from that and come up with something new? I do it all the time and this recipe was a molten home run. It was wonderfully frugal, too! Bread Pudding is a classic frugal trick. A great way to use up old bread. I have found many versions of bread pudding in frugal cookbooks and in one cookbook recalling recipes of the Great Depression. The Italians use dried bread to create wonderful salads, too. </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">My twist is Chocolate Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pudding. I used stale Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls instead of Bread and part of a Mexican Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe. I have found this method of mixing recipes to be a fun, innovative, and a great way to use up odd ingredients. It can be very easy on the pocketbook, too. I have found that you can easily deviate from many recipes and eliminate costly ingredients but not detract from the taste. There are some things you can't do without, for example, I don't deviate from the dough portion of the cinnamon rolls but play with the filling and the glaze. I used the Bread Pudding Recipe as guide for portions and cooking times. First the recipes as they appeared in my cookbook. </span></em><br />
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<div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLLS </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">From Chef Jacqueline Mc Mahan as </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">published in The San Fransisco Chronicle</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Cookbook Volume II</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">DOUGH</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">5 tsp active dry yeast</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/4 C warm Water</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 tsp granulated sugar</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/2 C slightly warm buttermilk </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">2 tsp. Vanilla</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 egg</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 1/2 C fresh or canned pumpkin puree</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/2 C Light Brown Sugar</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 TBSP Salt</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 Tsp Cinnamon</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/4 C Canola Oil</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">About 7 Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/4 C Butter, Melted</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">CINNAMON FILLING</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/2 C granulated sugar</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/2 C light brown sugar</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">2 TBSP Cinnamon</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/2 C Currants</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">GLAZE</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 TBSP Butter</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 TBSP Milk</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 1/4 C Powdered sugar</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">About 2 TBSP Boiling Water</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 tsp. Vanilla</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">DIRECTIONS</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">To Make the Dough, Combine the yeast, warm water, and sugar in a bowl; set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Blend together the buttermilk, vanilla, egg, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and oil in a large bowl. Stir in the yeast mixture, then the flour, 1/4 C at a time, until a soft dough forms and clings to the side of the bowl as you mix.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until springy and smooth. Add 1 TBSP of flour at a time to keep the dough from sticking. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Transfer the dough to an oiled mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until dough is doubled in size. The rising time is longer due to the heaviness of the pumpkin.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Pat or roll each portion into a thick rectangle, about 8 by 12 inches. Spread each rectangle with half the melted butter. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">To make the filling: Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and currants; sprinkle half over each rectangle. Press the currants into the dough. Roll up each rectangle into a cylinder, then cut up each cylinder into about 9 thick rolls. Place the rolls on parchment-covered or greased baking sheets. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside to rise for about 45 minutes or until doubled. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Bake the rolls for 22-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 20 minutes before glazing. <span style="color: #134f5c;">Note: You must let them cool before glazing or the glaze will not stick to the rolls.</span></span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">To make the glaze: Combine the butter and milk in a bowl and warm in a microwave for about 30 seconds. Or combing the milk and the butter in a saucepan and warm over low heat just until the butter melts. Stir in the powdered sugar. Add the boiling water and vanilla and whisk until smooth. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Pour glaze over barely warm cinnamon rolls.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">There are only 3 of us in our family and we can't eat these all before they go stale, although we really try. I have had good luck freezing them in the past but decided bread pudding made with the cinnamon rolls might be worth trying.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">MEXICAN CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">From Chef Jacqueline Mc Mahan as published </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">in The San Fransisco Chronicle Cookbook Volume II</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1/4 C Sugar</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 C Milk</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 Can (14oz) evaporated milk</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">3 C finely diced crust less bread, dried out in oven</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">4 oz semisweet chocolate, melted </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 TBSP Vanilla</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 tsp. instant espresso powder</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">2 eggs</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">2 egg yolks</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">TOPPING</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 C whipping cream</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 tsp. instant espresso powder</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 tsp. vanilla</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">1 TBSP powdered sugar </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">DIRECTIONS</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Place an ovenproof 2-quart baking dish or deep metal pan near the stove. Put 3/4 C of the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. After 3 to 4 minutes, begin swirling the pan. Do not stir. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes (again, do not stir), or until the sugar caramelizes. Immediately pour into the baking dish.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">In the same pan, heat the milk and evaporated milk over medium heat stirring in the remaining 1/2 C Sugar. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and add the dry bread. Push the bread into the milk and let it soak for 30 minutes. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place a roasting pan filled with 1 inch of water in the oven. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Stir the chocolate, vanilla, and espresso powder into the mushy bread. Beat together the eggs and egg yolks in a bowl; add to the bread mixture. Pour into the prepared baking dish, cover with aluminum foil and place the in the roasting pan in the oven. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Transfer the pudding to a rack and let cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">To serve, loosen the edges with a knife, then unmold the pudding onto a rimmed platter. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Just before serving, make the topping. Whip the cream so very soft peaks. Stir in the espresso powder, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Spoon a dollop on each serving. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">WHAT I DID</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">I used dried cranberries instead of currants in the cinnamon roll recipe. I have also used miniature chocolate chips, too. I dried the cranberries myself. I bought them by the bag full at the end of Thanksgiving last year. I froze some and I also halved some and placed on the racks of my dehydrator and dried out. I don't deviate from this recipe other than that. I did use milk with 1 tsp vanilla last time, too as I didn't have any buttermilk either. That is a classic substitute found in any standard cookbook. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">For the Bread Pudding, it is to be served cold, inverted like flan. That just didn't sound appetizing to me, I like mine warm and gooey. I skipped the first step, caramelizing the sugar, and baked it for the above mentioned time. Mine should have baked longer but I decided to take it out then and serve it warm. It was similar to a molten cake. If that is your choice, too, I would start checking it about half way through the baking time. You want everything hot and bubbly. I also didn't need to dry the rolls out in the oven. They were very dry when I made the pudding. Note, the drier the bread the better it soaks up the egg mixture creating a custard like filling. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">I didn't have cream in the house but I had some leftover raspberry sauce from the last of the harvest at the beginning of November (a record for us!). It was wonderful drizzled on top. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">QUICK RASPBERRY SAUCE</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">In a sauce pan place equal amounts of sugar and raspberries. Cook on low heat until sugar dissolves and sauce forms. I let mine sit for about 20 minutes. Stir frequently. Taste. Add lemon juice if needed to brighten flavors. Store in glass jar in refrigerator. Mine is still good and was made the first week on November. </span></em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cinnamon Rolls, served with local bacon, and piping hot coffee on the morning they were made. <br />
In the background is a stack of Vintage Day of the Week Tea Towels and Fabrics that I used as a center piece.<br />
I couldn't bear to put them in the cabinet and the tea towels are a definate hands off set! </td></tr>
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</div><div align="center"></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-35440027755435513562011-11-25T12:32:00.002-06:002011-11-25T12:57:50.093-06:00Pumpkin Pie Cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div align="center"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">2008 Found us in a our current residence and I was making Thanksgiving Dinner for my parents and my mother-in-law. I went all Rachael Ray with my recipes and we had a great meal. My mother-in-law showed up with this cake. A CAKE! Who brings a cake to Thanksgiving? This is the holiday where pies rule. . until you taste this cake! Think crustless pumpkin pie with a crumb topping made with CAKE MIX! Another thing I don't typically use! This was utterly delicious. A couple of notes, my mother-in-law was terrible about organizing things. Her estate was filled with bags, boxes, and piles of recipes from magazines, newspapers, and on handwritten pieces of paper. We had asked her for the cake recipe and she couldn't find it. I did find it while sorting through mountains of recipes and a picture of Mary Jane Buck with her son, Tommy taken in 1964. The recipe came from Mary Jane and we are glad to have located it and passed it down this year. It stole the show. It is seriously good and easy to make--so easy a child could do it! </span></em></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother-in-law, Marilyn in her high school years. Simply beautiful. <br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">MARY JANE BUCK'S PUMPKIN PIE CAKE</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">3 Large Eggs</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">3/4 C Sugar</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">1-15oz Can Regular Pumpkin</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">3 tsp. Pie Spice </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">1-12oz Can Evaporated Milk</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Topping</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">1 package Yellow Butter Cake Mix or Butter Pecan Cake Mix (we used yellow)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">1 Generous Cup Chopped Pecans </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">(They toast while the cake bakes)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"> 1 1/2 Sticks Butter, Melted</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">My son, demonstrating making this cake.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Place eggs, sugar, pumpin, pie spice (I used cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice and nutmeg to taste as I didn't have spice mix) </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;">and milk into mixing bowl.</span> </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Mix througly </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Place Cake in Oven and Bake 50 Minutes Until Knife Inserted in Center of Cake Comes Out Clean. Cool in Pan. Serve with Favorite Whipped Cream Topping. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: small;">We Served it with Whipped Cream flavored with Vanilla and Powdered Sugar.</span> </span></em><br />
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</tbody></table></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-50199911931525310682011-11-23T22:20:00.000-06:002011-11-23T22:20:01.128-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoEcTUONdz0/Ts2-q4Rpv3I/AAAAAAAAAP4/AGP9cdv4Ljw/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoEcTUONdz0/Ts2-q4Rpv3I/AAAAAAAAAP4/AGP9cdv4Ljw/s640/005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This is my beautiful dog, Scout. He has been with us for 2 1/2 years now. He is a sweet, loving dog. He is a Black Lab and wants nothing to do with being a Lab. He is seen here lying on the couch (oh, the story behind that!) on my Tulle Pillow. The pillow is one I made with scrap fabrics and hem tape, ironed together. I made them about 9 years ago and they have held up very well! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New;">Why am I talking about my Lab and my Pillow? Well, it is because I suffer from what most of us do! Unfocused attention. While I started this blog for design related tips and some cooking, I am finding my interests are moving in many different directions. While I love design--it is my job and love cooking--there are other things I need to talk about. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New;">Frugality. Living a Frugal Life. I think it is all interconnected somehow. While people talk about organic lifestyles and all the benefits, I see high price tags! Prices I can't afford to spend. Then it hit me, frugal living! So much of it is organic! Home Gardening, Preserving, Recycling, and doing without. Hm. Think I am onto something! So, I am going to interject some ideas on living more frugally that might inspire you to do the same. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New;">The pillows, Not more than $ 5.00 for the pair. They have graced 2 bedrooms and now my living room. Have held their shape. Well worth the investment! Simple to make, too. I used co-ordinating fabric, hem tape, and stuffing. I ironed 3 1/2 sides together, stuffed, and then stitched up the remaining side. Hem Tape is not supposed to be a permanent bond but as I said earlier they have lasted 9 years so far. When I put them together I had no idea I would still be enjoying them today! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New;">So, for Frugal, check out my side bar for some new links! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New;">Find this book--I think it is on Amazon. It is the holy grail of living a frugal life. Indispensable. </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqAceSgecYw/TWqjHG8Eq4I/AAAAAAAAAC0/KtB8WPe1q3g/s1600/Blog+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqAceSgecYw/TWqjHG8Eq4I/AAAAAAAAAC0/KtB8WPe1q3g/s400/Blog+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New;">And, as always, exploring my corner of the world.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New;">Stephanie</span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-57094418574104801792011-11-18T23:52:00.000-06:002011-11-18T23:52:45.449-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPLsI4_-fKo/TsdBz6ruH-I/AAAAAAAAAPw/kAAXnbblAm4/s1600/dimples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPLsI4_-fKo/TsdBz6ruH-I/AAAAAAAAAPw/kAAXnbblAm4/s640/dimples.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It is Friday nite and I should be kicking up my heels in anticipation for the weekend in front of me. Instead my mind is thinking of my sick boys in their beds, Thanksgiving preparations, the giant box of food from Co-op, chores, finishing my office, pictures that need taking, ideas undone, work I need to finish. So many things to do, so little time. Oh, the lard that needs rendered. Yes, I am giving it a try! So for now, a late night, filled with little sleep, an upset tummy, a mind reeling from overload, a cat and dog trying to snuggle with me, and my heels planted firmly on the couch. Tomorrow, after work, I will grab my camera, render lard, plan for Thanksgiving, and let you know where my heels are taking me. For now, a little favorite recipe when you are sick. Simple, hot black tea, plain saltines with butter, and clean, cold sheets. </span></em><br />
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</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-60504754438951610722011-11-16T12:20:00.002-06:002011-11-16T12:23:36.162-06:00Welcome Jasper's Edge Farm!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1MUGexSm_U/TsP3x7PP2QI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Y-qzfgxWDUk/s400/2010-11-01_18_16_41.jpg" width="300" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">A big giant welcome to my dear, dear friend Regina! I am so excited to see her in the blog world. She has a lovely farm that is in its 5th Generation. She raises exotic sheep and spins this amazing yarn. Please visit her blog! She can be found at </span><a href="http://jaspersedgefarm.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #20124d;">jaspersedgefarm.blogspot.com/</span></a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Her yarn is sold under the name Esther Purl Fibers and she can be emailed at <a href="mailto:estherpurlfibers@gmail.com">estherpurlfibers@gmail.com</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;"> She is a very creative soul and I hope that she gets "Paint the Farm Red Days" going soon! There will be more information to follow as she works out the details. She is an amazing wealth of knowledge of all things! Please take a moment to link to her blog! </span></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xjUYdtOUh4/TsP8iUzzE2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/ueE0-txLBn8/s1600/regina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xjUYdtOUh4/TsP8iUzzE2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/ueE0-txLBn8/s400/regina.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This snap shot is a "before" picture she sent me while she was working out the accessorys for her back entry. Darling! </span></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Maybe we can get her to post pictures of the AFTER! </span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-91954390735397695202011-11-06T06:38:00.000-06:002011-11-06T06:38:08.231-06:00Falling Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBPI__03skY/TrZwwRMWycI/AAAAAAAAANw/1yWiUUK2blE/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBPI__03skY/TrZwwRMWycI/AAAAAAAAANw/1yWiUUK2blE/s400/003.JPG" width="300" /></a><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Daylight Savings Time is this morning and I am up. I woke up at what was 5:38 and after dragging my computer to bed, linking to a new blog I am exploring, realizing it is really 4:38, I am hoping for the extra hour I just received to be lazy like I like my Sundays to be! My son is scrambling eggs on this particular Sunday. He has a sporadic interest in cooking. I love seeing him cook and giving him the tools to nourish himself. I am craving a slow Sunday today, my early wake up call was from the beginnings of a migraine. My system telling me to slow it down by force, but there is so much to do. The garden and gazebo need shut down today. I am cooking and baking for the week. My son is singing in church and my husband needs help with his projects. </span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZuu6931cGQ/TrZza1e9W4I/AAAAAAAAAN4/jfNZCj_pPXY/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZuu6931cGQ/TrZza1e9W4I/AAAAAAAAAN4/jfNZCj_pPXY/s400/043.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>The projects on my shop bench will sit for another day unless a spare moment reveals itself. This cabinet, shown in its before state, is waiting for the shelves to be reattached and the next paint step to be completed. It will house spices in my kitchen, but not today. I think often of living in the moment, of being at peace with where I am right now. For the most part, I think I am. But lets face it. The here and now needs attention, too. It needs cultivated. It takes work. The work is often a pleasure and the trick is not worrying too much about the future and not overlooking what is happening NOW. RIGHT?, right. Right. </em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fwRlTyvxcV4/TrZ2St-YNHI/AAAAAAAAAOA/5Fk3aFo-LYQ/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fwRlTyvxcV4/TrZ2St-YNHI/AAAAAAAAAOA/5Fk3aFo-LYQ/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I often wonder, how did all those Mamas from years past, do it? Church on Sunday morning and cooking a family meal for Sunday Dinner or, gasp, lunch. A wonderful meal based on in-season ingredients. A home filled with generations of family members gathered for a feast with Mama in her apron cooking with love and wisdom and pleasure. A romantic idea I have conjured in my head I am sure! But, I hear stories. Lots of stories. Stories in print, on blogs, on TV. There must be something to it, a bit of magic that I haven't been told about. Right? Wrong. It is all priorities and planning. Plain and simple. Priorities and planning. Not just going where the wind takes you but being the wind and adapting and enjoying the process while preparing for the big event. </span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkubx8UJl7c/TrZ6MLvcqtI/AAAAAAAAAOI/bI3FZKKyPIY/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkubx8UJl7c/TrZ6MLvcqtI/AAAAAAAAAOI/bI3FZKKyPIY/s640/035.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So as I plan my Sunday and hope for an extra hour of laziness, I will not let the work I need to do consume me. I will enjoy the processes as they come and tell my son, when he asks, "What are we going to do today?" that we are simply going to enjoy doing nothing. I hope I can pay homage to all the families of days gone by and break bread, share stories, and just be with the ones I love. I have Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cranberries rising and ready to bake, chicken marinating in the fridge for Fried Chicken tonite, the beginnings of Spicy Squash Soup on the stove, ready to be pureed and finished off with cream. I have the ingredients for a coleslaw apple salad ready to go. All the fixings for Sunday Dinner. All planned and ready to go. Maybe I will get some lazy moments after all.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Snuggling with my son who just crawled into my bed and asked me to turn up Laurel and Hardy and snuggle with him. Perfect excuse to stop blogging, rambling, and enjoy the moment! The blog I am exploring? Well, that will have to wait for another time because I am going to enjoy the moment and just be. I am going to just be the arms that hold that boy in my favorite place in this world. And that is where I will leave you and wish for you. A moment of Sunday Laziness. Of just being. A moment. . .</span></em></div><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></em><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-12493796019225957372011-10-22T18:58:00.000-05:002011-10-22T18:58:28.165-05:00Party for a Princess<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jT_EzmbFNh8/TqNVI45fRZI/AAAAAAAAANI/-NvlT53Ui0w/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jT_EzmbFNh8/TqNVI45fRZI/AAAAAAAAANI/-NvlT53Ui0w/s400/099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">There are just some days when you need to throw a party. This day came for us at the end of September. I rescued a kitten from the side of the road a year earlier and her estimated first birthday was fast approaching. We decided a Princess Party would be ideal. The joke was that she is the furthest thing from a princess! She is rough, tough, and sock-em dead! She is fearless! There aren't alot of pink things in our house either! I fashioned the center piece from a child's tutoo and decked the table with pink candles, pink lemonade, pink wrapped chocolate and for that touch of glam, black and white china. The guest of honor had a tiara and special place setting just for her. </span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2cW1YUoOqg/TqNVRyY8taI/AAAAAAAAANQ/zeJo890mxu4/s1600/101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2cW1YUoOqg/TqNVRyY8taI/AAAAAAAAANQ/zeJo890mxu4/s400/101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and here she is! Our Princess who got to eat at the table!</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Courier New;">The dog was bewildered by the whole thing! </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Courier New;">We loved the tutoo center piece and it now adorns a lamp in my bedroom because my dear, sweet friend, Regina says, "Every girl needs a touch of pink." </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Courier New;">Do throw a party for those you love, a simple table set for just your family will do, and celebrate the milestones no matter how small they may be because that is what makes life worth it! </span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-38356459832148467262011-08-29T18:24:00.000-05:002011-08-29T18:24:01.597-05:00Gotta Have It<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Dream Stove</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Courier New;">So, I am walking up to the second floor of one of my favorite</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Courier New;">Cream Enamel Stove. I thought I was headed straight to heaven.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Courier New;">I love stoves! The price tag revealed a $ 600.00 number! Way too</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Courier New;">big for my tiny budget and for me to use as a prop. So, here is </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Courier New;">a picture of my stove to look at and dream about using. What fun</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Courier New;">meals have been made on this! What a statement to be made. Thank </span></em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Antique Flash Card Wall Border</em></span><br />
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</tbody></table> <div closure_uid_k195i3="199"><em><span closure_uid_k195i3="277" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My mother-in-law passed away several years ago and after the family cleaned out all of the things that meant something to them the rest was left for trash. This has been my favortie time to look at the things no one else deemed important. I ran across these old, yellowed, flash cards. My mother-in-law was a teacher in many forums besides the typical classroom. She taught Sunday School, Cub Scouts, Grandkids, kids, and me. She always had educational things around her house, like these, flash cards. Her mother was also a teacher. I wonder if they could have been hers. This is a reminder of her love of education.</span></em></div><div closure_uid_k195i3="199"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_k195i3="199"><em><span closure_uid_k195i3="278" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">I have them in my back hall acting as a charming border at the top of the kitchen doorway. Everytime I enter through that hall I see her smiling at me, I have a unique border, and I put my mind through the paces of mathematics. Anyone who knows me knows I need all the help I can get. I am lucky to have had her in my life. I miss her dearly and hope she knows how important every mundane detail of her stuff is to me. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all. </span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-63890728595195419552011-08-26T15:13:00.000-05:002011-08-26T15:13:30.659-05:00Croquet Balls Revisited<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_5KGZebE14/Tlf6NyO4HLI/AAAAAAAAALk/0LtVK_J_pEg/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_5KGZebE14/Tlf6NyO4HLI/AAAAAAAAALk/0LtVK_J_pEg/s320/New+Image.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LK_6gcyD_C8/Tlf6Uck2d_I/AAAAAAAAALo/UwHsWgfbAhY/s1600/New+Image_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LK_6gcyD_C8/Tlf6Uck2d_I/AAAAAAAAALo/UwHsWgfbAhY/s320/New+Image_edited-1.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div><br />
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<div closure_uid_564r0q="309"><em><span closure_uid_564r0q="292" style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Playing with Photoshop. I am really amazed. Look at the difference of these two pictures! The one on the left is the original. There is alot of amber/yellow tones to it. My house has these tones in the evening because of the giant shade tree sitting outside of it. The picture on the left is what they should look like under natural light. I know there are all kinds of things that can be achieved with photoshop but being "green" about it certainly ups the wonder factor. </span></em></div><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Still working on a photography course, will keep you posted! </span></em><br />
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</div><div closure_uid_564r0q="278"><em><span closure_uid_564r0q="311" style="font-family: Courier New;">Oh, and before I forget, this centerpiece on my table was met with lots of fun dialogue, childhood memories, and goofing around when my family gathered. Sure beats the ordinary candle and flower arrangement! </span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-65565082475400911892011-08-20T19:56:00.000-05:002011-08-20T19:56:58.555-05:00Off my feet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Time to relax, sip tea, and dream</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">and create, too! </span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can't say enough about my yoga instructor, Maggie. Without her knowledge and support I wouldn't be walking this week. Too many years of high heels, extra weight, and neglect forced me down with a painful heel spur. I was afraid of working my way to surgery. After one session of stretching my feet I could walk. After 3 days of continuing the stretching at home, the proper (ugly) shoes and heel cups I am feeling more like myself and ready to revamp the creative engine! </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Photographed here is my giant, retro, unmarked tea pot holding lemon verbena from my tea garden. It is a reminder to all of us to slow down, put up our feet (stretching them, too!) and let our bodies and minds rest and regenerate before we are forced too! </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Have a few projects in mind to do while I am off my feet. Can't wait to share them with you! Will be playing with my tripod this weekend I hope, too! </span></em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This is my beloved Maggie.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">I hope she is ok with me posting this picture. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">I think if it turns to new clients she'd be ok.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">So if you wish to contact her about private lessons</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">comment below and I will hook you up!</span></em><br />
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</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-28873329490735798262011-08-17T13:05:00.000-05:002011-08-17T13:05:36.303-05:00My Happy List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Been reading on Sadie Olive her happy list and that has me thinking. . .what would be on mine? Good thing to think about today as I am lamenting over the heel spur that is keeping me off my feet. Thinking of how I am getting older by the minute. . .so to pull me out of my funk (yes I know it could be worse!). </em></span><br />
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<div closure_uid_h5sv8e="162"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Here we go with my list. In no particular order. . .</em></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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJZ3lm8Vxks/Tkv_Mr6B59I/AAAAAAAAAKw/hXa6mvOC7VQ/s1600/mel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJZ3lm8Vxks/Tkv_Mr6B59I/AAAAAAAAAKw/hXa6mvOC7VQ/s320/mel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>My Tiny Bungalow and my lab,</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Scout</span></em></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;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja0hHGS5ZOM/Tkv_UmrpAAI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ipmX5lm_fkc/s320/068%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Old books and Paper</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Arts--not Crafts</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" closure_uid_h5sv8e="264" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja0hHGS5ZOM/Tkv_UmrpAAI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ipmX5lm_fkc/s1600/068%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></a></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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDUiF1WBIn0/Tkv_cTHulZI/AAAAAAAAAK4/xfstHVo4-lQ/s1600/074%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDUiF1WBIn0/Tkv_cTHulZI/AAAAAAAAAK4/xfstHVo4-lQ/s320/074%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>My bed, it is so comfortable.</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Karen Nauberger (sp) sheets.</span></em><br />
</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4BLtbtrlYY/Tkv_lBUmrCI/AAAAAAAAAK8/XiMyPEOGoU8/s1600/072%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4BLtbtrlYY/Tkv_lBUmrCI/AAAAAAAAAK8/XiMyPEOGoU8/s320/072%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Vintage Flash Cards</em></span></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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leg_mynioA4/Tkv_sFw4eFI/AAAAAAAAALA/FDdSyrqAHgQ/s1600/AR+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leg_mynioA4/Tkv_sFw4eFI/AAAAAAAAALA/FDdSyrqAHgQ/s320/AR+13.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>My boys and the Lake</em></span><br />
</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13TY5b1WDLg/Tkv_x3pmFbI/AAAAAAAAALE/OGDnmhNxaKg/s1600/Francis+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13TY5b1WDLg/Tkv_x3pmFbI/AAAAAAAAALE/OGDnmhNxaKg/s320/Francis+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Frances Lynn, the only other female </em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">in my house. </span></em></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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAiwW9Yyv4Q/Tkv_-m_K1DI/AAAAAAAAALI/uA4prB7bnps/s1600/Turner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAiwW9Yyv4Q/Tkv_-m_K1DI/AAAAAAAAALI/uA4prB7bnps/s400/Turner.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_h5sv8e="468" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>My beloved Turner,</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">I miss him everyday, still. . .</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div closure_uid_h5sv8e="469"><em><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">JUNK STORES*MY GIRLFRIENDS*MY NIECES, NEPHEWS, GREAT NIECES AND GREAT NEPHEWS*GRAIN SACKS*REGINA AND MELANIE*GOATS MILK LYE SOAP*MY NEW GE MONOGRAM 48" RANGE*COOKBOOKS*PAINT*LIMESTONE PAINT TECHNIQUE*PAPER FLOWERS*FRENCH ANYTHING*WINE, CIGARS, AND LONG CHATS WITH MY HUSBAND*FLOATING*GRAPEFRUIT VANILLA BATH OIL*YOGA*YOGA*YOGA*MOVIES*TV SHOWS ON NETFLIX*LAUGHING WITH MY SON*SUMMER</span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-13135386490817689302011-08-12T13:02:00.000-05:002011-08-12T13:02:13.818-05:00Croquet Balls as Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" closure_uid_twtr4q="165" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x6e2eQC6vW0/TkVmUOCD8UI/AAAAAAAAAKo/7AtzJrNaOWQ/s1600/058%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x6e2eQC6vW0/TkVmUOCD8UI/AAAAAAAAAKo/7AtzJrNaOWQ/s400/058%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" closure_uid_twtr4q="191" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPpfRHRnAkw/TkVmf03XvYI/AAAAAAAAAKs/c5yZN36TThQ/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPpfRHRnAkw/TkVmf03XvYI/AAAAAAAAAKs/c5yZN36TThQ/s640/New+Image.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center" closure_uid_twtr4q="269"><em><span closure_uid_twtr4q="229" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">As I spent this last week in self-imposed chaotic</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span closure_uid_twtr4q="230" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">remodel/cleaning of my house getting ready for my parents to visit. I didn't heed my advice</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">of taking it easier on myself. I did think about it, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span closure_uid_twtr4q="231" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">though! I realized I didn't spend alot of time</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span closure_uid_twtr4q="270" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">thinking of new ideas! I was too tired from cleaning! </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span closure_uid_twtr4q="270" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Crazy irony I think! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">I recently purchased these very worn croquet balls</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span closure_uid_twtr4q="232" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">at a favorite flea market in a huge bucket, pictured above. They now are piled on a </span></em><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">ironstone platter, equally worn, with a key found </span></em><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">in my mother-in-laws stuff. They are the current</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">centerpiece on my dining room table! </span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">I am anxious to see what conversations arise when my</span></em></div><div align="center" closure_uid_twtr4q="274"><em><span closure_uid_twtr4q="273" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">company arrives today. Heard from a "design expert"</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span closure_uid_twtr4q="234" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">once to have fantastic unusual centerpieces to </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">stimulate conversation. I have played with this idea and </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">set my table with Comic Book pages, race cars, army men</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">and other toys! They have always been greeted with squeals</span></em></div><div align="center" closure_uid_twtr4q="236"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">of delight from all "kids"! What is more fun than a restaurant </span></em></div><div align="center" closure_uid_twtr4q="236"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">that sets their tables with white paper and crayons? </span></em></div><div align="center" closure_uid_twtr4q="235"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Enjoy your weekend with the ones you love most. Create</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">something wonderful and let the conversations</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">begin! </span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-33451527939872066272011-08-11T00:00:00.002-05:002011-08-11T00:00:03.930-05:00Radishes and Redecorating<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3uvM09KLvA/Tj8W1TMmRcI/AAAAAAAAAKc/Xh1QI0IqqZc/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3uvM09KLvA/Tj8W1TMmRcI/AAAAAAAAAKc/Xh1QI0IqqZc/s400/079.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Freshly picked from the Garden</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div closure_uid_wfsb5p="263"><em><span closure_uid_wfsb5p="228" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">As the summer progresses so does the garden. It doesn't really matter that the heat index has been over 100 degrees for over 20 days and I have been hiding out in the A.C.! It still is growing! These are the last of the radishes plucked and ready to be braised. As I type this out I wonder if I should impart a life lesson or a quick recipe. Well I am tired and in a creative funk. So we will see where this post takes us. </span></em></div><div closure_uid_wfsb5p="263"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_wfsb5p="263"><em><span closure_uid_wfsb5p="228" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My parents are due this weekend and I am busily tearing up my house to redo things instead of cleaning it! Does any one else do that? I constantly do things like this--then on midnight the night before they are due to arrive I throw things back together knowing they won't know that I spent a week repainting the back hallway and weeding the yard so things are "just so" when they get here. And they are left wondering why I am so tired and haven't slept in 3 days! </span></em></div><br />
<div closure_uid_wfsb5p="231"><em><span closure_uid_wfsb5p="230" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Just like the garden growing when I am busy hiding out in the A.C., life is happening while I am in the middle of self-imposed chaos. My family is coming and they don't care about anything else but being with my house of three and three (3 people 3 pets)! But as a child we learn early, "best foot forward" so on I go! </span></em></div><br />
<div closure_uid_wfsb5p="232"><em><span closure_uid_wfsb5p="264" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">When I design for people they always want me to come see the final project when it is all shiny and new and ready for photography. To me this is not my favorite time. While I love a pretty photograph and find it easy to stage one, it is not the time I like to see the space. I love to be there when it is a utter mess and they are working in it. I love to see them happily moving about their much improved space. That is the greatest reward! It is much like the sneak peeks we get behind the scenes in blogs and magazines. </span></em></div><br />
<em><span closure_uid_wfsb5p="247" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">I have had many spaces published in magazines, won several local awards, was fortunate enough to have worked with a National Award Winning Design firm, had my spaces on HG TV and while all that is exciting it doesn't hold a candle to running into a customer in the grocery store parking lot while she shouts out across it, in the rain--because yes this actually happened, "I love my Kitchen, THANK YOU!" </span></em><br />
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<div closure_uid_wfsb5p="234"><em><span closure_uid_wfsb5p="233" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">So as I act crazy getting ready for the parental visit, I will try to keep in mind that my parents are like so many of us, me included, they want to see us as we are and not the magazine picture of us that we want the world to see (remember the scene in Sex and the City where Charlotte was having her house photographed?) but I doubt it will stop the chaos I felt necessary to undertake a mere few days before they arrive. I will take note. I will try to take it easier on myself and let my parents see my three and three living in our space as it is! </span></em></div><br />
<div closure_uid_wfsb5p="236"><em><span closure_uid_wfsb5p="235" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">And for the radishes, well braising them is the best way to eat them. Clean and cut off the tops. I leave stems on them about an inch or two. Put in a deep skillet with a generous pinch of sugar and a pat (or two) of butter. Add Chicken Stock, enough to come up the sides about halfway. Bring to simmer. Cover and simmer until tender about 10 to 15 minutes. When tender take off lid and cook off liquid until syrupy. Serve warm. Utterly delicious. Braising them mellows the sharpness and you won't want them on a salad anymore! </span></em></div><div closure_uid_wfsb5p="271"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_wfsb5p="279"><em><span closure_uid_wfsb5p="265" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Recipe and life lesson all in one swoop! Create, don't drive yourself crazy doing so, and eat something really wonderful! Whew, who knew! </span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-20703229494870127852011-08-10T12:19:00.000-05:002011-08-10T12:19:57.424-05:00Paper Vase<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" closure_uid_72qgvx="241" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KbYt_6lXcTU/TjrPtIUzz4I/AAAAAAAAAKM/zvADnDWOS2g/s1600/STOVE+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KbYt_6lXcTU/TjrPtIUzz4I/AAAAAAAAAKM/zvADnDWOS2g/s640/STOVE+087.jpg" t$="true" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hMNBbbFH-0/TjrQSH3-GFI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/nUGkLpMLdKE/s1600/STOVE+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hMNBbbFH-0/TjrQSH3-GFI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/nUGkLpMLdKE/s640/STOVE+088.jpg" t$="true" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kI-u3BYeEzY/TjrQgivLOZI/AAAAAAAAAKU/P8TsHTTQ7Aw/s1600/STOVE+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kI-u3BYeEzY/TjrQgivLOZI/AAAAAAAAAKU/P8TsHTTQ7Aw/s640/STOVE+089.jpg" t$="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" closure_uid_72qgvx="378" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jT25YWUXCpg/TjrQpQlz2LI/AAAAAAAAAKY/UX6VIR5sSv0/s1600/STOVE+091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jT25YWUXCpg/TjrQpQlz2LI/AAAAAAAAAKY/UX6VIR5sSv0/s640/STOVE+091.jpg" t$="true" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center" closure_uid_72qgvx="249"><em><span closure_uid_72qgvx="277" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">These are paper strips left over from a project I have been working on. I posted about them earlier but found a few more photographs of them on their table. I like the way the twisted strips look and the light. I get this amazing amber light in the afternoon as the sun sets. It isn't a funky setting on my camera but the actual light filtering in. Enjoy the pictures because they are only posted for you to enjoy! </span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-69695319216486088482011-08-09T00:00:00.000-05:002011-08-09T00:00:03.653-05:00The Men I Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" closure_uid_5dxpqf="170" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNS_NzRnf5E/TjqwNL3gKII/AAAAAAAAAJ8/QFigr8a8dXo/s1600/IMG_0443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNS_NzRnf5E/TjqwNL3gKII/AAAAAAAAAJ8/QFigr8a8dXo/s400/IMG_0443.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div closure_uid_5dxpqf="246"><em><span closure_uid_5dxpqf="245" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">The men I love--the men who love me. I need a moment to gush over how blessed I am and hope they feel the same way, too. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I feel as if a gypsy camp was coming through town, I'd send them along! But, and this is a very big BUT, most days I look at them and wonder, "How did I get so lucky to have these 2 men who love me so unconditionally?" I think, as I have gotten older and more confident in myself, that I deserve it. I am not being arrogant when I say this but am realizing that I do deserve it, everyone does. Everyone deserves to be loved so deeply by their families and friends. That includes me, too. </span></em></div><br />
<em><span closure_uid_5dxpqf="247" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Don't you think that too many times we berate ourselves so much that we don't think we can have it, we search and search and search for it thinking we don't have it, or that we just don't deserve it? As I have grown older and hopefully wiser I have realized that all I need is right in front of me loving me as much as I love them! I don't need to have a perfect house or run my kid to too many activities. I don't need to be a text book anything. What I do need is to be me. They love and cheer me on even when I am painting the living room for the 4th time and they can't help but roll their eyes. They love me when I am tired, dirty, and mean. They love me when I am sick, sick and tired, and at my worst (and I have been at my worst too many times). But they also love me when I am at my best! When I am covered in paint or dirt from the garden, when I am sorting, shoveling stuff, playing, laughing, cooking and just being me. They love me when I am standing on my head in my yoga frame of mind, too. They encourage me to explore what I want even if they really aren't interested in it. </span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span closure_uid_5dxpqf="248" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">I wasted alot of my time searching, wondering, and not paying attention. Thinking when I achieve this, when I finish that then there will be a big pay off. Until I slowed down, took a big look around, I noticed that I have those things right here, RIGHT NOW and I had better not miss it! When that happened so many doors opened up for me, creatively especially! I am not trying to set the stage for living in my home anymore. We are living in it now and when I repaint the walls, again, it is because I love doing it. I love caressing the walls with my paint brush, the walls that house the people I love most in this world. That is why I love those men more than words can express accurately! </span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">So now that I am done gushing, where is there meaning for you to draw from? If you find yourself searching, setting the stage, and just not living but waiting, stop! Stop, breathe, stand on your head and look around you. Chances are there are people in your life cheering you on, letting you be you, silently. There are also people in your life that you are cheering on, too. Don't miss out on it! If you are in an abusive situation then seek out help because you don't deserve that. No one does. </span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">When you slow down, realize what is around you, you will find that you will do everything better. </span></em><br />
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<div closure_uid_5dxpqf="201"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Now, why no faces, you ask? Because my husband is incredibly private and wishes to keep his face and my son's face off the Internet, so I will respect his wishes because I love him and that is what he wants! I often wonder when looking at this picture what they are talking about. One of those Father Son moments I am glad I have on film. We have spent many days on our lakes and I have many pictures of them talking through the years. I hope that bond will remain for them for the rest of their lives. I hope that their love for me will last for the rest of my life, too, and it will because I am not missing out on it. </span></em></div><div closure_uid_5dxpqf="201"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_5dxpqf="201"><br />
</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-82227033194254163442011-08-08T08:54:00.000-05:002011-08-08T08:54:40.532-05:00Limestoning and Learning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkR9ZsrcWbI/Tjgcs4vqCWI/AAAAAAAAAJk/66gAd1fB6Ng/s1600/paper+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkR9ZsrcWbI/Tjgcs4vqCWI/AAAAAAAAAJk/66gAd1fB6Ng/s400/paper+035.jpg" t$="true" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Sample wall in Back Hall</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div closure_uid_qkpvmt="256"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_qkpvmt="256"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span closure_uid_qkpvmt="261" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This is my first attempt at a decorative paint finish. It is a snap shot I took of the work in progress. First let me tell you about the process itself then about the snapshot. Being a designer and junk store junkie, I marvel at the fact that I have never attempted this. I love how it looks. I love how it enhances all the old plaster on the walls. It is soft and romantic, too. The process is quite simple in its steps. First I painted the base coat in a Vellum Color, flat, 2 coats. The next color was the glaze. 4 Parts Eggshell Paint to 1 Part Glaze. It is a custom grey color I had mixed up. My color palette that has formed over the years is Creams, Silvers, China Whites, with punches of warm reds, vintage greens, chocolates and ebony. You use a very dry, dry brush and create a mottled effect. It is really fun to do this! Then after 24 hours you dry brush your top coat on just like the glaze coating. The only difference is you don't use the glaze so you have more coverage. I chose my china white as the top coat. After 4 hours of drying time you then wash the walls with a kitchen scouring pad. This will wash down to the glaze, pull out plaster imperfections, and in some spots pull down to the base layer. The colors I chose are soft and very natural. You can use polyurethane in matte if it will get alot of wear, sanding between coats, as needed. </span></em></div></div><div closure_uid_qkpvmt="256"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_qkpvmt="256"><em><span closure_uid_qkpvmt="261" closure_uid_ucrvba="414" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now the biggest "trick" of all! The reason for the snap shot. I took this snapshot to send to a friend who is a master in decorative painting. As I was studying (well admiring it if I am being totally honest) it on my computer I noticed that I don't have the grey edges feathered in well, it looks fake. Since then I have taken an artist brush dipped in the top coat to lightly feather the edges in making it look more natural. (Can't photograph the final look yet because camera and computer situation I blogged about earlier). Sometimes your eye just doesn't catch those details until you take a photograph. You will see professionals constantly doing this while they are staging a shoot. Snapshots will show you details you might easily miss. I strongly suggest this when you are decorating an area or painting a decorative finish. It can be very revealing! It makes the difference between a professional and amateur job.</span></em></div><div closure_uid_qkpvmt="256"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_qkpvmt="256"><em><span closure_uid_qkpvmt="261" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can't' wait to show you the after photograph! I have had lots of unsolicited comments about how pretty this "old" plaster wall is! No one knows it is new! I have started repainting all the walls in my back hall, yes the one I have given sneak peaks of already! Yes I am repainting it after one week. Yes my style has changed in one week, well I have refined it! That happens to us decorators, too! It happens I just go with it! I don't lament over the time I spent or money I spent (I usually am on the cheap anyway), I paint, grow, and I move on. Think a life lesson just might be tucked in there, too! </span></em></div><div closure_uid_qkpvmt="256"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_qkpvmt="256"><div closure_uid_ucrvba="219"><em><span closure_uid_qkpvmt="324" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">I should note that the prep makes all the difference. Don't skimp ever on prep. Make sure to tape off the areas, too! Very</span></em><em><span closure_uid_qkpvmt="324" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;"> important when dry brushing! You are not "cutting in" like straight painting and it can get messy at the edges. Clean the walls and use TSP to knock any dirt, gloss off existing paint, grease and grime. It makes all the difference! I promise! It is probably the least fun, most often overlooked, step that many people don't want to take the time to do (I understand that the desire for the finished product is intoxicating) but it is critical in achieving the best look possible. Don't skimp or skip prep! EVER, EVER, EVER! </span></em></div><div closure_uid_ucrvba="219"><br />
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</div><div closure_uid_ucrvba="219"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_ucrvba="413" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65KRPqA6IhA/TjqtYi6eoYI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/Vmo-PR9thdg/s1600/0802012018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65KRPqA6IhA/TjqtYi6eoYI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/Vmo-PR9thdg/s400/0802012018.jpg" t$="true" width="300" /></a><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and this is the finished wall several days later, the edges are feathered in and there are decorations added to the wall. The Key Cabinet to hide all those nasty FOB's that we have. On Top a book on wire with ribbon. The cuff keys are my father-in-laws when he was a police officer many years ago. The aluminum stack cup was my mother-in-laws. She carried it in her purse for many years. The picture, on my cell phone. Still no resolution to the computer issue! Need to hide the screws, too. Another thing that is easily overlooked until it shows up in a photograph! Will post it again to show you the finished look and how all these snap shots made a difference!</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-29572090327196127702011-08-07T00:00:00.002-05:002011-08-07T00:00:02.241-05:00There are just some days. . .<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" closure_uid_fuo5ri="158" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVf0wYALbCc/TjrNXAknE7I/AAAAAAAAAKI/oVl4WhSWw_Y/s1600/0802011445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVf0wYALbCc/TjrNXAknE7I/AAAAAAAAAKI/oVl4WhSWw_Y/s400/0802011445.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">There are just some days when the creativity is just not there. There are just some days when comfort food really is that, comfort wrapped in a warm flour shell side-by-side with crispy hot fries. Each bite melting away the ho-humness of the day. This day is one of those. No energy to be creative or reflective for that matter. </span></em><br />
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<em><span closure_uid_fuo5ri="213" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">I see no need to push when I don't feel like it. No need to run on overdrive. When this mood hits I have learned that pushing it leads to mistakes and sloppiness. So I order a flour taco with a side of fries, 1/2 Diet and 1/2 Cherry Coke and sit and eat and let the food comfort me until I am ready to face it all! This day is no exception. No apologies, just food. </span></em></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-11815067834935972902011-08-06T00:00:00.003-05:002011-08-06T00:00:08.565-05:00Expect the Unexpected<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-copL618PEoQ/Tjcg-wNWvtI/AAAAAAAAAJc/Ov_jmEitVyo/s1600/STOVE+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-copL618PEoQ/Tjcg-wNWvtI/AAAAAAAAAJc/Ov_jmEitVyo/s400/STOVE+040.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Expect the Unexpected </span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><em><span closure_uid_7xg7fu="181" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have this tiny, tiny room off my kitchen. I imagine this probably made my bungalow have an "eat-in" kitchen. It is too tiny for even the small Formica Topped Tables I frequently see at Flea Markets. </span></em></div><div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">It is now the room where my Kitchen Aid lives because it is too tall for the back splash area in the actual kitchen. Don't tell the Kitchen Aid </span></em></div><div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">that! It thinks it has a room all to himself! </span></em></div><div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><div closure_uid_7xg7fu="146"><em><span closure_uid_7xg7fu="145" closure_uid_msbx37="103" style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The window treatment is a little whimsy! I threaded the leftover silver fabric from my headboard and a favorite stick found on a dog walk years ago that never seemed to make it to the compost heap. Quite charming, off-beat, and fun. That personal note that makes all the difference. Note the really DARK chocolate color on the walls! It defies the wives tale "dark colors make rooms smaller" which is NOT true! It makes this room much larger simply because you can't see where it starts and ends. The ceiling is in Benjamin Moore's Cristal Blue Semi Gloss. It just lifts! (the wall color is Appalachian Brown from Benjamin Moore in Matte Finish).</span></em></div></div><div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><em><span closure_uid_7xg7fu="151" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">I love this space. It is so luxe in spite of it's 4X5 size. It is a wonderful place to mix up a batch of something. My Kitchen Aid is quite spoiled! </span></em></div><div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_t79elx="199"><div closure_uid_7xg7fu="152"><div closure_uid_msbx37="115"><div closure_uid_gefiwb="104"><em><span closure_uid_7xg7fu="182" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Personal Touches with a touch of drama make for a happy space! Using dark colors that are "taboo" for tiny spaces and an unexpected stick put my personal stamp on this space and makes my family happy, too. This is what makes a house a home, personal touches, unexpected ones, pieces that evoke memories or invoke conversations. I don't see meaningful conversations started over a room that is overly decorated with no personal touches and that, my friends, is why those spaces are just pretty and not comfortable places that your family and friends like to be just because "it feels" good to be there. That is what most people strive for, a comfortable place to be. A place to make memories and to remember them, too. </span></em></div></div></div></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-67643301295328659962011-08-05T00:00:00.000-05:002011-08-05T00:00:09.339-05:00Cat Napping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMAPZiEUW-c/TjgQbTayD2I/AAAAAAAAAJg/BB6Ywbj1Jk8/s1600/Niles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMAPZiEUW-c/TjgQbTayD2I/AAAAAAAAAJg/BB6Ywbj1Jk8/s400/Niles.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Niles Under the Iris Bed </em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Since the discovery of my dead computer last night I am forced into a cap nap of sorts. It is an older lap top that accepts the older memory card from my older camera. So my friends, camera phone in hand, my blog will change. For better or worse? That remains to be seen. Big technology upgrade at my house coming up. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Not to mention a huge life lesson. Story for another day. </span></em><br />
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<div closure_uid_27eqcu="225"><em><span closure_uid_27eqcu="224" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New;">Feel like taking a giant nap like my Niles. Eyes are tired and head is swimming. It is a giant thing to for me to loose my computer and possibly my camera in a few short hours. I know they are only "things" but I think they represent more. I think it represents the freedom I have to express myself and share it. I think it gives me another avenue to be artistic with and to learn with and to grow with. I know that things will work out and to, "Remain Calm and Carry On" and that it will be fine. It is fine. I am fine, I am armed with my cell phone and will be posting cell phone pictures while I create. There is always a way to do what you love no matter what the deterrents are. That is the lesson for me in all this as I am sure there are a few more to follow that will reveal themselves as time goes on. </span></em></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-24938227887296002872011-08-03T10:07:00.000-05:002011-08-03T10:07:54.449-05:00Alternative Panty Storage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYhBdYgo-kc/TjbdQ16CEzI/AAAAAAAAAJU/Jys71tIUunE/s1600/STOVE+104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYhBdYgo-kc/TjbdQ16CEzI/AAAAAAAAAJU/Jys71tIUunE/s400/STOVE+104.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>In the trunk of my car (another cell phone picture)</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">is a find of Parisia Lemonade from France snagged </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">at a discount grocery store for next-to-nothing. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Since I live in a tiny, tiny bungalow (did I say TINY?)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">storage space is at a premium. My pantry is small and I run</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">a streamline operation when it comes to bulk items. Many </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">are stored in the basement because the packaging is </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">ugly and the space in the basement is also at a </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">premium. It has to accommodate laundry, office, my husband,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">my workshop and his! Where was I going to fit in a case of</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">lemonade from France? I couldn't bear hiding it away. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Just too pretty! </span></em></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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VUZl7ju1vjw/TjbdYQ_XalI/AAAAAAAAAJY/viP5bZkCohU/s1600/paper+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VUZl7ju1vjw/TjbdYQ_XalI/AAAAAAAAAJY/viP5bZkCohU/s400/paper+022.jpg" t$="true" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Voila! The bucket from the Croquet Balls</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">I found last week. Perfect Vessel for a </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Case of French Lemonade. Sitting neatly by </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">the Buffet in my dining room. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Not out of sight, out of mind, collecting dust</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">and not being enjoyed until I remember I have it!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Don't they say that the first part of dining is </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">visual? Well it is, isn't it? We have served </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">this lemonade with freshly picked mint and</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">lemon basil. Also with a fruity white</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">wine for a beat-the-heat wine cooler topped with </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">a sprig of lemon basil. All because, and I firmly believe this,</span></em><br />
<em><span closure_uid_p90xm4="288" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;"> it was at my fingertips begging for more creative touches.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">So the moral in this story, when the packaging is beautiful, </span></em><br />
<div closure_uid_p90xm4="290"><em><span closure_uid_p90xm4="289" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">a pantry staple can be made into beautiful accessory and </span></em></div><div closure_uid_p90xm4="290"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">no one has to know that you don't have the space to store it.</span></em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-9946857117947367662011-08-03T00:00:00.000-05:002011-08-01T12:02:49.360-05:00To Repaint or Not--That is the Question<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h5cKI1DVpgA/TjbYWbgKRSI/AAAAAAAAAJE/p0vfWiXt50w/s1600/STOVE+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h5cKI1DVpgA/TjbYWbgKRSI/AAAAAAAAAJE/p0vfWiXt50w/s400/STOVE+070.jpg" t$="true" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Peaking out the front door </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">are one of my latest junk </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">store finds. </span></em></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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb4YNzbjFww/TjbYio5iElI/AAAAAAAAAJI/7s4Z0-n8yQ4/s1600/STOVE+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb4YNzbjFww/TjbYio5iElI/AAAAAAAAAJI/7s4Z0-n8yQ4/s320/STOVE+069.jpg" t$="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>When I spied these sitting at the front door</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">of one of my favorite local flea markets </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">(for 10 bucks I might add). I knew they were meant </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">to be. Hauled them home with grand illusions of painting</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">them in Polished Mahagony with Fleur De Lis Stencils on </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">the back of them. Then I plunked them on the front lawn </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">for my husband to see (there IS a story there!) </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">and love them just as they are. </span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMu2UFzy8YQ/TjbYxR-M_-I/AAAAAAAAAJM/0OO27BUQ3cU/s1600/junk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMu2UFzy8YQ/TjbYxR-M_-I/AAAAAAAAAJM/0OO27BUQ3cU/s400/junk.jpg" t$="true" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>So my question is, or rather I am wondering out load, </em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">How long will it take me to tire of the peeling paint</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">and start over? </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Hopefully never but my mind does change! </span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3194760451362608471.post-18819462415233000582011-08-02T00:00:00.000-05:002011-08-02T00:00:09.867-05:00ANOTHER SNEAK PEEK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VCQHJzivusU/TjMdekkP89I/AAAAAAAAAI0/JakqLeAx_M0/s1600/STOVE+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VCQHJzivusU/TjMdekkP89I/AAAAAAAAAI0/JakqLeAx_M0/s400/STOVE+052.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Still working on the back hallway. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Going to paint the apron shelf in </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Ralph Lauren Tennis Court White.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">One small problem. The Home Depot I </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">went to stopped carrying Ralph Lauren. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Hoping that it is a location issue! </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Thought I'd do a dry run. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">The aprons look great here but come </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">fall it will hold my husbands </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">jackets. </span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3W6AiwAvTY/TjMdr9_3JfI/AAAAAAAAAI4/3HGRgJrxcNo/s1600/STOVE+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3W6AiwAvTY/TjMdr9_3JfI/AAAAAAAAAI4/3HGRgJrxcNo/s400/STOVE+099.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhEobMsM2OQ/TjMeF7gzV_I/AAAAAAAAAI8/4G9qOVR7MF8/s1600/STOVE+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhEobMsM2OQ/TjMeF7gzV_I/AAAAAAAAAI8/4G9qOVR7MF8/s400/STOVE+100.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kuz_b0zzIsI/TjMeR7DCIdI/AAAAAAAAAJA/UQ6LLZKaGnM/s1600/STOVE+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kuz_b0zzIsI/TjMeR7DCIdI/AAAAAAAAAJA/UQ6LLZKaGnM/s400/STOVE+101.jpg" t$="true" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My favorite apron.</span></em><br />
<em><span closure_uid_4wq31r="123" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">The black and white looks so</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">modern and retro at the same time.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Don't look too closely</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">It is dirty from wiping my hands on it! </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">Would rather put it back on and bake something </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">wonderful than loose it to the wash </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New;">even for just one minute! </span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100714615055568221noreply@blogger.com0