tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60160332640226824382024-02-07T18:09:17.620-08:00Dexter & DinahUpcycled, recycled, simple and easy-to-make crafts and recipes on a budget.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-22550995577301012252011-03-21T08:00:00.000-07:002011-03-21T08:00:18.286-07:00Almost Married Monday- Love Chain Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Monday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a super easy and way cute way to count down to an event. I used to make these for Christmas, but this one is very special, and is counting down to my wedding day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk8ncZQIlUP8oB3NFOa3AcJk1aMHPhUbKXHd7tHtIBDIgYGeCYZZbxLVUBo082wvtFXujWSYmaHTOrG8YnTW2-Noc0PjZzAmIc3HL3UTxZQJRJ6VQ8R1VISh1nzCKH8zxqvgdSa6CciAv/s1600/DSC03403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk8ncZQIlUP8oB3NFOa3AcJk1aMHPhUbKXHd7tHtIBDIgYGeCYZZbxLVUBo082wvtFXujWSYmaHTOrG8YnTW2-Noc0PjZzAmIc3HL3UTxZQJRJ6VQ8R1VISh1nzCKH8zxqvgdSa6CciAv/s320/DSC03403.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For this project you will need:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">construction paper in your chosen color/s</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">tape or a really good glue stick - tape is faster</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">scissors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">push pins- optional</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will start by cutting your paper into equal size strips along the short edge. It doesn't really matter how wide you make them, pick a size you like. An inch or so works nicely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, take one strip and curl it around so that both ends touch each other. Attach them with you glue or tape. If you use glue, note that you may need to clip the ends together until it dries. I started by using glue, but with the length of chain I wanted to make it was taking too long, so I switched to tape. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Run a second strip of paper through your first loop, and attach it to itself in the same way you did the first. Continue until your chain is as long as you need.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is really fun to play with colors and patterns. For my chain, I made the regular color orange, and added white links at each month from the wedding, as well as each week before the wedding during the last month. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each day leading up to your event you can remove one link, giving you a clear visual idea of how much longer the wait will be! It helps to write dates on each link so you can be sure you haven't missed a day, and it is fun to write other important dates, like birthdays, on it too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you are finished, hang it somewhere you will see it everyday with tape or push pins, and enjoy your personalized countdown calendar!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaMbdgY618vLBMQnmRAxyCc_2ZeXdadM5Q540mcGJhPtp4k3FNUajJQBX0xUFNsUjO2GxiOx9XX7nDeBeYFy4v_vx5p290OcJf-JXfyNepyafc0YTer-1jXOxsdFKsD5nPQPibuNL_HiJ/s1600/DSC03404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaMbdgY618vLBMQnmRAxyCc_2ZeXdadM5Q540mcGJhPtp4k3FNUajJQBX0xUFNsUjO2GxiOx9XX7nDeBeYFy4v_vx5p290OcJf-JXfyNepyafc0YTer-1jXOxsdFKsD5nPQPibuNL_HiJ/s320/DSC03404.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-37811816069495378782011-03-14T16:44:00.000-07:002011-03-14T16:44:28.685-07:00A little taste of spring!There was a brief moment that almost resembled sunshine this afternoon so I rushed outside to take a picture of the lovely white and purple crocuses (crocusi?) blooming in my yard. After the torrential rains we've been having, I'll take every reminder of spring I can get. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mh1kxsV8tStqHQxpWs5lIFIAM_9AQ64piyHvKzaNz1jN3w9NydFZFKn7q-xQ_m48nyoCf__ZpyZgcGmrBlF_X16XZOl1PJoLcOxwx4BoWgL8w0-EN38NKDLCM0HnQttgUv1HqKNnGF8d/s1600/crocus%252C+barley+risotto+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mh1kxsV8tStqHQxpWs5lIFIAM_9AQ64piyHvKzaNz1jN3w9NydFZFKn7q-xQ_m48nyoCf__ZpyZgcGmrBlF_X16XZOl1PJoLcOxwx4BoWgL8w0-EN38NKDLCM0HnQttgUv1HqKNnGF8d/s640/crocus%252C+barley+risotto+011.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
In the next few weeks, the daffodils and tulips I planted in the fall will also be blooming. There are a few buds on the hydrangea bushes and the magnolia tree, and every where I go around the neighborhood, the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom in full force. Spring is almost here!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehIqjQHbn33yNGAlPy1UEOuFcVgrQTecquSdcHWI5pctrm6-QnlZgsJNlfYc-CgLiFA-ZwheaESeMS8Iipti2j-aNX9eX51pDDTmKiWSf-38G0HpvX7-DyZaRWYrFONFGNyr0fi8Mwyih/s1600/crocus%252C+barley+risotto+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehIqjQHbn33yNGAlPy1UEOuFcVgrQTecquSdcHWI5pctrm6-QnlZgsJNlfYc-CgLiFA-ZwheaESeMS8Iipti2j-aNX9eX51pDDTmKiWSf-38G0HpvX7-DyZaRWYrFONFGNyr0fi8Mwyih/s640/crocus%252C+barley+risotto+012.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-2135391550738632462011-03-03T05:00:00.000-08:002011-03-03T05:00:17.460-08:00Thursday Feature: Coveted Crafts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>On Thursdays, Dexter & Dinah will feature a new crafter/artisan whose works are handmade.</em></span><br />
<br />
This Thursday's Coveted Craft isn't so much a craft as it is art. A friend of mine directed me to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dallasedman">Childlike Faith Studios' Etsy shop</a>, with prints created by the talented artist Dallas Edman, who is based out of Coeur d'Alene. These prints are really stunning, as well as affordable, so I wanted to share. How gorgeous are the details in this piece, titled "Ducks in a Row"? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-Sp6O3YlxZopxXgSxbtIPvawD1cpKq4jsyzM36qzrXXdS-SS7FGb3Z6HSUMgS7nSQt2DAl_58mS7UI7F_-pObYQCwrwuBrXwXnInSBTfkTlYIEjPf3F8NlqEFto-hAs9XAH4Y9KdsrCc/s1600/Dallas.Ducks+in+a+Row.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-Sp6O3YlxZopxXgSxbtIPvawD1cpKq4jsyzM36qzrXXdS-SS7FGb3Z6HSUMgS7nSQt2DAl_58mS7UI7F_-pObYQCwrwuBrXwXnInSBTfkTlYIEjPf3F8NlqEFto-hAs9XAH4Y9KdsrCc/s400/Dallas.Ducks+in+a+Row.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68249249/ducks-in-a-row-fine-art-print">Ducks in a Row</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I love the amount of detail that went into every wave. I also love the detail in the grass and the smoke in this next print:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kIe7BN84_hx8WbAMP9lCPCDa9aDEjO0e5mQ_GJ_SKaOOXJ-yEIxRWwp_fka2uWDozacXywps8PfodEZUQHwGXpgLFKHCJ8n4yimpeVqS_vj8060KkDIGp94FwB05S2RisAU8TlUwLLI0/s1600/Dallas.Engine+that+could.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kIe7BN84_hx8WbAMP9lCPCDa9aDEjO0e5mQ_GJ_SKaOOXJ-yEIxRWwp_fka2uWDozacXywps8PfodEZUQHwGXpgLFKHCJ8n4yimpeVqS_vj8060KkDIGp94FwB05S2RisAU8TlUwLLI0/s640/Dallas.Engine+that+could.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68250050/engine-that-could-fine-art-print">Engine that Could</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There are certainly days where I feel like I'm not going to make it to the top of the mountain, so this would be a nice reminder that I need to work past that. This next one I love just because it is so charming:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKOv6mNJWuoblwg72THPZRSfKXneRvMn7q8Abh2gG8OBiuQTInHzsTkf0lN5lnP8q7yvSkY4fc7lnKdrJC0xWxUbDvQ78dxyLTlwzSyREaGhoxQ8hRpnZvwAt6qTwsfn0d4pYOjroWSEi/s1600/Dallas.More+than+a+fair+weather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKOv6mNJWuoblwg72THPZRSfKXneRvMn7q8Abh2gG8OBiuQTInHzsTkf0lN5lnP8q7yvSkY4fc7lnKdrJC0xWxUbDvQ78dxyLTlwzSyREaGhoxQ8hRpnZvwAt6qTwsfn0d4pYOjroWSEi/s640/Dallas.More+than+a+fair+weather.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68238258/more-than-a-fairweather-friend-fine-art?ref=v1_other_2">More Than a Fair Weather Friend</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>For more of Edman's beautiful work or to purchase a print, check out the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dallasedman">shop</a>.<br />
<br />
Happy Thursday, Crafters!Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-85117357612179561692011-02-11T21:33:00.000-08:002011-02-11T21:33:06.317-08:00Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Coca Cola BBQ Sauce<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If I had to cook tonight, we'd be in dire straights. My energy is gone. My only desire is to lay on my couch like a blob and watch last night's episode of Grey's Anatomy (yes, I'm still watching - I figured once I made it past the "Denny's a ghost!" season, it could only improve) and an episode or two of <a href="http://www.hulu.com/secrets-of-a-restaurant-chef">Secrets of a Restaurant Chef </a>(I leeeerve Anne Burrell) before collapsing into bed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Luckily, I am a blob who had, and is now full of, leftovers. Delicious, tasty tasty leftovers, of root beer pulled pork sandwiches with Coca Cola BBQ Sauce. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRAQXoUzPymyOCgqSgFXz7jK7foG4ufaLqu0h4PXQoE0q4nK2ezEGj3Hhs3_XXrr71oJ35dk1g_rtOdlJGUTa1u8uYSBeEzY-lHNt_gu0-NtX5ClZVHMAB_NFnWNBcWRZVFTv5fE4Kr1a/s1600/pulled+pork+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRAQXoUzPymyOCgqSgFXz7jK7foG4ufaLqu0h4PXQoE0q4nK2ezEGj3Hhs3_XXrr71oJ35dk1g_rtOdlJGUTa1u8uYSBeEzY-lHNt_gu0-NtX5ClZVHMAB_NFnWNBcWRZVFTv5fE4Kr1a/s400/pulled+pork+004.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is easily the easiest freakin' recipe I have ever made. That was two "easys" in one sentence! It does require a slow cooker and a lot of time, but the slow cooker does all the work. You don't have to actually <i>do</i> anything to create the deliciousness (except lay like a blob on the couch watching Anne Burrell). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the process: you take some pork shoulder. You put it in a slow cooker. A sprinkling of salt and onion powder is totally optional. You pour over a bottle of root beer, and set the slow cooker on low. You go to sleep. You wake up in the morning to the smell of sweet, meaty slow-roastedness (which, I might add, is super confusing when you just wake up). You throw it in the fridge. When you get home from work, you skim off the fat, and shred the pork, and add some BBQ sauce. Preferably some BBQ sauce you made yourself, with another ubiquitous soda pop, Coca Cola, as its base. Just to continue on the soda pop theme of the meal, you see. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy1IXcXsY_0LnOt-nppXNk8XmAGAirEZqyUrhNhIqd2L-4LAM6nL29MphOgLeKDVGrKExER2Ie7bd8mxdRV95AOQH1NM0aZ_Lr_bCAM3s4CqivQk966xE08ovnQtzgl_6o7ElxnVa7gdp/s1600/pulled+pork+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy1IXcXsY_0LnOt-nppXNk8XmAGAirEZqyUrhNhIqd2L-4LAM6nL29MphOgLeKDVGrKExER2Ie7bd8mxdRV95AOQH1NM0aZ_Lr_bCAM3s4CqivQk966xE08ovnQtzgl_6o7ElxnVa7gdp/s400/pulled+pork+006.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Voila. Done.* Root beer + time turns a tough, cheap cut of meat into easy smoky goodness. How does it work? MAGIC. Magic should not be questioned. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Root Beer Pulled Pork</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Pulled-Pork/Detail.aspx">Allrecipes</a>.com</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I owe this recipe idea entirely to my friend Shannon, who brilliantly posted about her success with it on facebook. The original recipe called for pork tenderloin, which is a much more expensive cut of meat. For example, what is widely renowned as the best cut of meat on a cow, a filet mignon, is from the tenderloin. (Yes, I also watch Julia Child with Jacques Pepin.) So I replaced it with pork shoulder. Pork butt would also work great. As an additional note, I cooked mine for 10 hours, but next time I think I'll go for 7, so that I'm able to get a larger shred of the pork. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 pounds bone-in pork shoulder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle of root beer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coca Cola BBQ Sauce (recipe below)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hamburger buns</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Optional: salt, onion powder.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The night before you want to eat it, place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. If desired, sprinkle with salt and a smidge of onion powder. Pour the root beer over the meat, until just covered. Cover and cook on low until well cooked and the pork shreds easily, 6 to 7 hours. Keeping the pork in the ceramic liner of the slow cooker, place it in the fridge while you go off to work. When you want to serve, skim off the fat; drain the remaining liquid well. Remove any bones and large fat deposits; pull the pork a part. Put back in the slow cooker on low or warm; add the BBQ sauce. Serve over toasted hamburger buns with some quick-pickled onions (keep reading for the recipe!). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coca Cola BBQ Sauce</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-fantasy/coca-cola-barbeque-sauce-recipe/index.html">Steven Raichlen</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love this recipe because it too is super easy and it can easily be made with things you probably already have in the pantry. No need to buy the expensive bottles in the store when this takes less than 15 minutes to whip up.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup Coca Cola</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup ketchup</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup Worcestershire</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp liquid smoke</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup A-1 steak sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp onion powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp garlic powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp black pepper</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Combine the ingredients in a heavy saucepan and gradually bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat slightly to obtain a gentle simmer. Simmer the sauce until reduced by 1/4, 6 to 8 minutes. Add to pulled pork or, in the alternative, transfer to clean jars, let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until serving. Mr. Raichlen says it will keep for several months in the fridge. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quick-Pickled Red Onions</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Somewhere in there before the "done" stage, I suggest quick-pickling some red onion to top off the pulled pork before you smoosh it between the pillowy mounds of a potato-bread hamburger bun. Technically, this does raise the difficulty of the recipe, but only by a tenth of a percentage point, as quick-pickling onions involves two things: 1. Mixing a bunch of stuff in a bowl. 2. Slicing the onions and adding them to the contents of the bowl to sit for at least an hour.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/01/chicken-milanese-an-escarole-salad/">Smitten Kitchen</a>, Adapted from Anne Burrell (Hey! I knew I was watching her for a reason)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup red wine vinegar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup cold water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons kosher salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tablespoon sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 to 3 good shots of hot sauce (Tabasco or Sriracha)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 red onion, sliced into very thin rings</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Let sit for at least an hour - a couple of hours or overnight makes it even better. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-34764694977218170212011-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T06:00:18.947-08:00Waste NotI cannot stand wasting food. Maybe it was drilled into me at Sixth Grade Camp, where if we left even a scrap of edible food on our plates, points were deducted from our cabin (all the cabins were in competition, you see). Maybe it's just something that got passed down to me from grandparents who were born into the Great Depression. Either way, unless it is growing mold, or so past its expiration date that not even I can justify using it, I have a very hard time tossing food. <br />
<br />
When I do finally toss it, I try to keep as much as possible out of the trash. Our compost is full of inedible fruit and vegetable scraps, and the birds in the front yard have gotten an old potato and a quarter of a sliced apple that never got eaten. Onion tops, carrot peelings and the tops of celery all become <a href="http://dexter-dinah.blogspot.com/2010/12/turkey-stock.html">stock for soup</a>. But a new challenge has recently arisen:<br />
<br />
Bread.<br />
<br />
My boyfriend buys bread whenever he goes to the store. He's decided he's not a big fan of sandwich bread (which keeps almost forever if you keep it in the fridge); he likes the artisan breads. You know, the kind that go stale in two days. The kind that you need to make into something, like sandwiches or croutons, before they become so hard they'd smash your bones if they fell on your foot. <br />
<br />
So, I've been making lots of sandwiches, and lots of salads with croutons. But the two of us just can't seem to make our way through the end of the bread before the dreaded staleness sets in. <br />
<br />
That's why I've resorted to a freezer bag of bread ends. It looks like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSodObxGmNidQADtLKjdxIGL9z0d_hfjilq9PouRm2-dko_2EurZ1-4bm7_OGV3MXdw0ijcA1wZM7i_FC9-9dWTOT5Mebg5r-25TmVzszXIE5yxHM8OUCwEjMEicxY0e_XjJB_R9yq5fjA/s1600/breadcrumbs%252C+lentil+salad+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSodObxGmNidQADtLKjdxIGL9z0d_hfjilq9PouRm2-dko_2EurZ1-4bm7_OGV3MXdw0ijcA1wZM7i_FC9-9dWTOT5Mebg5r-25TmVzszXIE5yxHM8OUCwEjMEicxY0e_XjJB_R9yq5fjA/s400/breadcrumbs%252C+lentil+salad+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And ends up like this, with the aid of my beloved food processor:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGQdEyPFTOBU2Sp8vydtywbdQCYtsoesSzLNgY-lJUHWOrzBuzrpQV1EArD2VYk7DC75ILHhybuXt5HQpYowyVaqU4M6MzrG1EtYW2tZIfJcfPCCzIHfvGRAsIltJee5hG4rf5hWntdxv/s1600/breadcrumbs%252C+lentil+salad+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGQdEyPFTOBU2Sp8vydtywbdQCYtsoesSzLNgY-lJUHWOrzBuzrpQV1EArD2VYk7DC75ILHhybuXt5HQpYowyVaqU4M6MzrG1EtYW2tZIfJcfPCCzIHfvGRAsIltJee5hG4rf5hWntdxv/s400/breadcrumbs%252C+lentil+salad+009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I once tried to make homemade bread crumbs in the blender. It worked, but not before I started to fear that the blender was going to spontaneously burst into flames. So I'd recommend using the food processor.<br />
<br />
I used to scoff at homemade bread crumbs. Especially for things like meatball recipes, which, it has been my experience, actually work better with the very fine texture of store bought. But for recipes like this <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/10/cauliflower-with-almonds-raisins-and-capers/">delectable cauliflower dish</a>, or on the tops of homemade macaroni and cheese, they truly make all the difference. Once I've turned that freezer bag of bread into bread crumbs, I put the crumbs in a Tupperware and throw them back in the freezer, where they are ready whenever I may need them. <br />
<br />
The moral of this little post is to waste not. Turn that trash into treasure! Or something cliched like that. But whatever you do, eat some homemade breadcrumbs, golden and crunchy with salt and butter. You won't regret it.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-76490804732181223802011-02-06T20:38:00.000-08:002011-02-06T20:38:40.966-08:00Cupcake Fondue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My wish came true, here's cupcake fondue!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you may remember, I posted a link to Bake It Pretty's recipe for <a href="http://www.bakeitpretty.com/blog/2011/01/cupcake-fondue-how-to-at-pint-size-social/">cupcake fondue</a>, and was very excited to try it! I was unable to procure a fondue pot, but it was not necessary for this faux fondue. The icing does not need to be kept warm to stay a dippable texture. Please click the link above for the recipe, and check out my pictures below to see how my version came out! It makes an adorable spread. (Feel free to ignore the chocolate covered cashews, they were my neighbor on the dessert table!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5SY4nJtajQMyedxkZM69p8FKtvNTgAiueKs9ofaAP_YFYLB4fttWuIZ0JzIBOPyKA8ehLvXAT2SfSpyuNLsjPjCFQ7WRg9klq7CVEJ4A1BUzar90LLXKYio3iKk2RS-YzwnlvRCiRczQ/s1600/DSC03415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5SY4nJtajQMyedxkZM69p8FKtvNTgAiueKs9ofaAP_YFYLB4fttWuIZ0JzIBOPyKA8ehLvXAT2SfSpyuNLsjPjCFQ7WRg9klq7CVEJ4A1BUzar90LLXKYio3iKk2RS-YzwnlvRCiRczQ/s320/DSC03415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The cute bowls came from the $1 bins at Target, and I filled them with all kinds and colors of sprinkles! I also offered two flavors of icing, one made with lemon juice and one with pomegranate juice. The lemon was a hit, but my fiancée said the pomegranate tasted like Fruit Loops!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXBdcyfSliVHESb3AXSvUCjk2TNi62ikR6MWpOdMbGWe845-p9Fs5bSATcwdL3NTrkDZ89GILi-iju7NzIsz236L1VeEk9YPhACFpwh7eMFtnV3hHc3QGb2oMuCY9uq7Iuwk8baw7by-t/s1600/DSC03422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXBdcyfSliVHESb3AXSvUCjk2TNi62ikR6MWpOdMbGWe845-p9Fs5bSATcwdL3NTrkDZ89GILi-iju7NzIsz236L1VeEk9YPhACFpwh7eMFtnV3hHc3QGb2oMuCY9uq7Iuwk8baw7by-t/s320/DSC03422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Katherine's boyfriend was an eager volunteer when it was time to show the proper way to add sprinkles, and equally eager to taste the results!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_ugDtWFNYBGkIQBfk4ECGkpi6vr2ajoYmCt70mMKo7uI5YQ8ABBLgq9_djgfOtKlQOpEunuRUvmM9oKyctgbGC-Q4OiBoviFGhd3K55dNER4eEYWznxlkb3BmZKyT0C0rb-qxrt3hFMS/s1600/DSC03418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_ugDtWFNYBGkIQBfk4ECGkpi6vr2ajoYmCt70mMKo7uI5YQ8ABBLgq9_djgfOtKlQOpEunuRUvmM9oKyctgbGC-Q4OiBoviFGhd3K55dNER4eEYWznxlkb3BmZKyT0C0rb-qxrt3hFMS/s320/DSC03418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Simple to make, pretty to display, fun to eat, and delicious!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will certainly make these again for another party.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-853817321231522572011-01-24T23:00:00.000-08:002011-01-24T23:00:35.120-08:00Updating a Photo Mat with PaintWith all the wood paneling, I've been on a quest to make the living room brighter. In high school, I made a reproduction of an old photograph of my mother, grandmother, and grandfather, which I hand colored and matted with a black photo mat. I really love the photo, but the black mat made the room feel even darker:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiombeDogM-cx82kofmUrrIG6keSTKCsl2WFT41Yt5l6pmTHuS6jzj8KjXSS1Es-6-Kh0QB9jD-d6_53x5V6VnWti_7TX4bwm3NDTzUL3igjNnsz_Febu159Q0wBkPXGtng_cEUYLAvaSKj/s1600/Plum%252C+Oktoberfest+077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiombeDogM-cx82kofmUrrIG6keSTKCsl2WFT41Yt5l6pmTHuS6jzj8KjXSS1Es-6-Kh0QB9jD-d6_53x5V6VnWti_7TX4bwm3NDTzUL3igjNnsz_Febu159Q0wBkPXGtng_cEUYLAvaSKj/s400/Plum%252C+Oktoberfest+077.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
So, inspired by a trick I'd seen in a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewarts-Encyclopedia-Crafts-Instructions/dp/0307450570/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295824378&sr=8-2">Martha Stewart book</a>, I decided to update the mat with acrylic paint to lighten up the corner of the room where it hangs, keeping a border of black around the inside of the mat to better frame the photo. <br />
<br />
<b>Materials:</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
Photo mat<br />
Pencil<br />
Ruler<br />
Painter's or Scotch Tape<br />
Scissors<br />
Acrylic Paint<br />
Paintbrush<br />
Paper towels<br />
Newspaper<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GRcgFinMXKsrKWuOJJ26nesg7Fwozy1DQ58aLIC77KAGPBgCSeuGjrWZifjgXFRmugYt80W1PMB_J6mUAbWW4BulDvifnlE2T58N7jy1kmJEOGxA9hWNawcQmNhS5Ovb3gsEvEaPRP3H/s1600/painted+mat+project+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GRcgFinMXKsrKWuOJJ26nesg7Fwozy1DQ58aLIC77KAGPBgCSeuGjrWZifjgXFRmugYt80W1PMB_J6mUAbWW4BulDvifnlE2T58N7jy1kmJEOGxA9hWNawcQmNhS5Ovb3gsEvEaPRP3H/s320/painted+mat+project+001.jpg" width="320" /></a>1. Decide how much of the original mat you would like to show. Using your pencil and ruler, mark this distance at a couple of points on all sides of the frame - this will be your guide for when you put your tape down.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi454_jqpC60sQJd63AvU-lhvFiQ2fhWxkb6FYkJi5x469FRq8wd7v-KPMIL1vNkfduKuXKnWhVlvSWcTB-myjgdRQ1wPF7vaUTdcovaK5BJAWzN1LUfOkqDcEx6X92w0pj5q5_F8pHYjNo/s1600/painted+mat+project+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi454_jqpC60sQJd63AvU-lhvFiQ2fhWxkb6FYkJi5x469FRq8wd7v-KPMIL1vNkfduKuXKnWhVlvSWcTB-myjgdRQ1wPF7vaUTdcovaK5BJAWzN1LUfOkqDcEx6X92w0pj5q5_F8pHYjNo/s320/painted+mat+project+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>2. Using the straight edge of your tape to mark off the part of the mat you don't want painted. I used a pair of scissors and added more tape for the corner pieces. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeqVOLfhnueQeFm8dMJrBXO5EZR94fTVWJgII4QOxqpu57aRzqsj2LPNgUtNttXv8TETFG0OmU9RbK-5IVWcmDpe1MqCZYSrjRr3FUNPnquekLOEoQx5-rBKYM6kizfVgcr9R0tsj8qcD/s1600/painted+mat+project+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeqVOLfhnueQeFm8dMJrBXO5EZR94fTVWJgII4QOxqpu57aRzqsj2LPNgUtNttXv8TETFG0OmU9RbK-5IVWcmDpe1MqCZYSrjRr3FUNPnquekLOEoQx5-rBKYM6kizfVgcr9R0tsj8qcD/s320/painted+mat+project+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>3. Mix your desired paint color (I mixed cream, which was a lot of white with one drop ochre yellow and one drop brown). Put your mat under newspaper and apply the paint in a thin, even layer. If you are going from a dark color to a light color, you will probably need to apply two to three coats; allow each coat to dry completely before adding the next coat. (Make sure you rinse your brush thoroughly and keep it immersed in water between layers - acrylic paint dries quickly and your brush will be ruined if you allow it to dry on the brush.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGMgW57MOS_j-4HKD4UAfaW9cERYRJVwqfN-M6f0Svh893JXe-VnYOaoXQ3T-L3afBf-a7jbM3qZ2INgtbC8zlnvvYfJZnz7hyphenhyphenUyXrSOy7Vf4d9lHsSa55GZrp2gqjtlSdcPiHS5P04Pg/s1600/painted+mat+project+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGMgW57MOS_j-4HKD4UAfaW9cERYRJVwqfN-M6f0Svh893JXe-VnYOaoXQ3T-L3afBf-a7jbM3qZ2INgtbC8zlnvvYfJZnz7hyphenhyphenUyXrSOy7Vf4d9lHsSa55GZrp2gqjtlSdcPiHS5P04Pg/s320/painted+mat+project+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>4. When you have applied as many coats as you need and the paint is completely dry, carefully remove the tape. If some of the paper mat starts to come up, try pulling the tape from a different direction. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. Put your photo back in the mat, put the mat back in the frame, and put the frame back on the wall - voila! Transformation completed!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQuAu0W6PT6tg_uqjKtY0UJikemDtULamb9rLK7kGEocWb62aYT5AN6bX7ec8vRqKPzYQYozM0_M8mgXj_IIDmMS4t_91bMu7zjeITixKyNycKmqwsEF4P3_bAKwgyXAbIEvmtRmWxXX-/s1600/painted+mat+project+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQuAu0W6PT6tg_uqjKtY0UJikemDtULamb9rLK7kGEocWb62aYT5AN6bX7ec8vRqKPzYQYozM0_M8mgXj_IIDmMS4t_91bMu7zjeITixKyNycKmqwsEF4P3_bAKwgyXAbIEvmtRmWxXX-/s400/painted+mat+project+012.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-58176710840210651142011-01-18T21:10:00.000-08:002011-01-18T21:10:51.077-08:00Desired Desserts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfREuOgMRRYAapv9SHF8hKKo7uy8HTctOIGoJMzsmFyoskhKZBxYrGcdBdWJJ61QpoUunOXChyphenhyphenygClYmCpVM9JlkjfVdMfp4Clr2ii5ChhApLwJMWi_xQ9zEsAkFaQcfOOv7MZ1n8No52a/s1600/fondue-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfREuOgMRRYAapv9SHF8hKKo7uy8HTctOIGoJMzsmFyoskhKZBxYrGcdBdWJJ61QpoUunOXChyphenhyphenygClYmCpVM9JlkjfVdMfp4Clr2ii5ChhApLwJMWi_xQ9zEsAkFaQcfOOv7MZ1n8No52a/s320/fondue-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out this awesome idea for cupcake fondue! It's from <a href="http://www.bakeitpretty.com/blog/2011/01/cupcake-fondue-how-to-at-pint-size-social/">www.bakeitpretty.com </a> and I want to make it! I happen to know Katherine is having a get-together soon, and I am going to try and convince her that we need to include this treat in the festivities. Now I just need a fondue pot and mini-muffin pan... I sense a trip to Goodwill in my future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-74865751739483193352011-01-05T12:13:00.000-08:002011-01-05T12:13:29.856-08:00New Year, New Attempts at Organization<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSOoU7b_Psd83vkUyQPaZy_mkrduRX1yXYWFW23V4UIE4KsjVAhB2A8aLi1SO69fP3gKN9U89Djhicuq6d2qWAaqaUm2gxhCVZiRHUqL5e8HezsEN4uaLJyb7tMYtAk6ENcPc81ayj1p-/s1600/electronics+tray+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSOoU7b_Psd83vkUyQPaZy_mkrduRX1yXYWFW23V4UIE4KsjVAhB2A8aLi1SO69fP3gKN9U89Djhicuq6d2qWAaqaUm2gxhCVZiRHUqL5e8HezsEN4uaLJyb7tMYtAk6ENcPc81ayj1p-/s400/electronics+tray+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pen box! Electronics tray!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My desk is always a mess. Junk mail, random tchotchkes, and important papers alike seem to end up littering its surface. And since I like to work in an uncluttered space, my desk hasn't been used much in the last two weeks. So I took a couple of hours yesterday to clear it off, and devised a new organizational system: the pen box and the electronics tray. <br />
<br />
I am forever looking for my chargers (both cell phone and iPod) as well as my iPod itself. Every time I put these away in a drawer, I end up spending twenty minutes searching my drawers to find them, as naturally I've forgotten into which drawer I placed them. So my new system is the out-in-the-open, on-the-corner-of-my-desk electronics tray. This way, I'll know where they are, but each of these random cords has a home after they've served their purpose. I've already used it a couple of times today! The pen box was devised as a way to have the pens I reach for most closest to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CInjuu0KiICkHbOK756-ltJIQRq9R_M9nvxsJ5MJUenQ-vd_jCC3S6D3xfWfmS16Q8G_TAxDP2oeWp3XFhzvhAu5QJhZ40zmDa8VZhjLn116etd6jDziADIuy_Egv3e8mWhL8YAVGbxs/s1600/electronics+tray+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CInjuu0KiICkHbOK756-ltJIQRq9R_M9nvxsJ5MJUenQ-vd_jCC3S6D3xfWfmS16Q8G_TAxDP2oeWp3XFhzvhAu5QJhZ40zmDa8VZhjLn116etd6jDziADIuy_Egv3e8mWhL8YAVGbxs/s400/electronics+tray+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
So, new year, new organization, more use of the desk, and more productivity.<br />
<br />
Crafters, what new organizational tricks do you have up your sleeve this January?Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-89711923476521360732010-12-30T19:40:00.001-08:002010-12-30T22:32:27.195-08:00New Year's Eve Dinner Idea: Middle EasternCAUTION: This post contains profanity for the sake of humor. <br />
<br />
When I was growing up, we had one ethnic restaurant in our town that wasn't a teriyaki joint - Hadi's, a Lebanese restaurant. My family was slightly starved for culture, so we must have gone to Hadi's at least once a month for a few years. Lebanese/Middle Eastern food has since become my comfort food - I love all the different lemony dips, the warm and floury pita bread, and the bright green parsley. Lemon, garlic, sesame, and herbs form the foundation for many of the dishes. And it makes for quite an impressive-looking spread:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m79kDtLRQ0AnhueZevSeg4MsUg9n6JWOoTww3M1jS4HFR6m0FrvLBSuYgIF1PsNyVmK0YZHksqz5q_pPx3r3RVBwdpHJLWecYHcHnNgJpAOT18YrMeRiME41jNePiC1yD0LDCRJ9P_d0/s1600/Middle+eastern+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m79kDtLRQ0AnhueZevSeg4MsUg9n6JWOoTww3M1jS4HFR6m0FrvLBSuYgIF1PsNyVmK0YZHksqz5q_pPx3r3RVBwdpHJLWecYHcHnNgJpAOT18YrMeRiME41jNePiC1yD0LDCRJ9P_d0/s400/Middle+eastern+dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This is a picture of the dinner Alyse and I prepared for our friends Kat and Vanessa (the same Vanessa of the Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/hubuh">hubuh</a>) a couple of weeks ago. Kat took this pic with her mobile and tagged it on facebook thusly:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this photo: Kat, home-made tabouleh, Alyse, Alyse-fried falafel, BEER, pitas!, cukes and 'maters, Katherine, tzatziki sauce - HOME-MADE TOO BITCHES! feta - yum, home-made hummus.</span><br />
<br />
I couldn't have said it better myself.<br />
<br />
The only thing that wasn't homemade, I must admit, was the falafel - I made that from a mix (a tasty, tasty mix!). But the hummus, tabbouleh, and tzatziki were homemade, and from recipes I created after much experimenting to recreate the tangy, exotic flavors of Hadi's from my childhood. This would make a fantastic spread for a New Year's Eve Dinner Party! It is easy to prepare, all the different foods go together, it is vegetarian, and it is easy to serve as finger food (minus the tabbouleh, which can be accommodated with a few small plates). New Year's has always been a quieter holiday for me, and a quiet dinner with friends sounds just about right to welcome in 2011. So make yourself some tzatziki, pop open a bottle of bubbly, and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<u>New Year's Eve Middle Eastern Dinner Party</u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
To create a Middle Eastern-inspired spread, I served everything that Kat mentioned above, plus spanakopita for an appetizer. Put out a platter of warm pita with all of the spreads (tzatziki and hummus), vegetables (sliced tomato and cucumber), falafel and tabouleh and let your guests go to town creating falafel sandwiches for themselves. <br />
<br />
<b>Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt Sauce)</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1/2 cup - 3/4 cup plain yogurt (Greek or some other thick yogurt works best)<br />
2 cloves garlic<br />
1/2 - 1 lemon's worth of lemon juice<br />
1 handful fresh dill<br />
1/2 English cucumber (peeled or unpeeled, your choice)<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
<br />
1. Slice the 1/2 cucumber in half lengthwise and remove seeds, if any, by running your pinkie finger down the center. Shred the cucumber using a hand grater. Salt the cucumber lightly and place in a mesh sieve over a bowl or the sink so that the excess cucumber juice can drain. (You may want to do this up to a few hours in advance so you get rid of as much liquid as possible - but if you don't have a few hours, it will still taste great.)<br />
<br />
2. Finely chop the dill. Smash the garlic using the back of a large chef's knife and peel. Mince the garlic very finely. One trick that works well is to chop the garlic once, then sprinkle with a little salt and, using the flat part of the knife, grind the salt into the garlic to make a paste.<br />
<br />
3. In a medium-size bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, and dill. Squeeze in the juice of half the lemon; taste, and add as much of the other half as desired. Squeeze out as much of the cucumber liquid as you can, then add the cucumber to the mixture. Stir and season with salt and pepper to taste. Best served as a sauce for the falafel, or as dip with warm pita bread. <br />
<br />
<b>Tabouleh</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
Tabouleh is traditionally an herb salad, so if it is authentic, the ratio of herbs to grain should be about two to one.<br />
<br />
1 cup bulgur wheat<br />
1 cup parsley leaves<br />
1 cup dill leaves<br />
1/2 - 1 lemon's worth of lemon juice<br />
1- 2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
1 tomato<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
<br />
1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the bulgur wheat, reduce heat, and stir occasionally until the grain has absorbed all the water and tastes done (if too chewy, add a little more water). Once cooled, transfer the grain to a medium-size bowl.<br />
<br />
2. Finely chop the parley and the dill. Chop the tomato into 1/4 inch pieces. Add the herbs and tomato to the bulgur wheat. <br />
<br />
3. Squeeze the lemon juice into the salad to taste. Stir in the olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.<br />
<br />
<b>Hummus</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
There are a frillion grocery store hummuses on the market now, but I really like being able to control what goes into mine - I like plenty of lemon and garlic and a creamy, smooth consistency. All of the measurements in this recipe are basically to taste - the secret to getting hummus the way you want it is to taste as you go along.<br />
<br />
1 medium can chickpeas<br />
3-6 heaping tablespoons of tahini (available in most grocery stores these days)<br />
3-5 garlic cloves<br />
2 lemon's worth of juice<br />
Olive oil<br />
1/4 teaspoon cumin<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
<br />
1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas. Smash the garlic cloves with the flat part of your chef's knife and remove the peel. Run your knife through the garlic once.<br />
<br />
2. In a food processor, add the chickpeas, garlic, splash of oil, and a big pinch of both the salt and the pepper. Run the food processor until the garlic has been incorporated into the chickpeas and the chickpeas have broken down. <br />
<br />
3. Add the first 3 tablespoons of tahini, the juice of 1 lemon, the cumin, and another splash of olive oil. Run the food processor until these combine and the mixture begins to look creamy. Taste and add, according to your own tastes, more tahini, lemon juice, salt, pepper, or oil (or all of these). Run the food processor until the mixture is smooth and at the desired consistency. To serve, sprinkle the hummus with paprika and chopped parsley, drizzle with olive oil, and present it on a platter with warm wedges of pita bread.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-54629458858504392922010-12-30T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-30T07:00:05.224-08:00Thursday Feature: Coveted Crafts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px;"><em>Every Thursday, Dexter & Dinah will feature a new crafter/artisan whose works are handmade.</em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px;"><em><br />
</em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">It is C-O-L-D COLD in Seattle right now! I've been watching the snow flurries outside my window all day (thankfully nothing has been sticking, this city shuts down when it snows!). I'm hankering after soft woolen things as a result. I like this uncomplicated orange "scarfette" from Etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/trishafern?ref=seller_info">trishafern</a> - the one wooden toggle makes for an interesting detail, and this would be perfect under a mandarin-collared jacket (which makes a regular scarf, with all of its bulk, tough to pull off).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz4qYCcINSnnwm0t2Md8ziniej7_V36sF9f0lPV98PBxyQIQzFa27Pd6KpEXSKtOS5crA3yqZdx3_A7AAdfhyphenhyphenuxxHKUWV9D0g6g7BbYOhIlaelRWrepElbtalVJ_IzaoPyB_WwAhwgU2Q/s1600/Orange+Scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz4qYCcINSnnwm0t2Md8ziniej7_V36sF9f0lPV98PBxyQIQzFa27Pd6KpEXSKtOS5crA3yqZdx3_A7AAdfhyphenhyphenuxxHKUWV9D0g6g7BbYOhIlaelRWrepElbtalVJ_IzaoPyB_WwAhwgU2Q/s400/Orange+Scarf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61805362/dark-pumpkin-orangecabled-wool-blend?ref=sr_list_9&ga_search_query=orange+scarf&ga_search_type=category&category=knitting&ga_page=&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&filter[0]=handmade&filter[1]=knitting"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dark Pumpkin Scarfette</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I never did learn how to do a cable knit - maybe a good resolution for the new year!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Happy Thursday, Crafters! Stay warm out there!</span></span>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-7057649239694762432010-12-25T23:36:00.000-08:002010-12-25T23:36:36.856-08:00Merry Christmas!Work and Christmas prep took over this month, and blogging got put on the back burner! Before the day is completely over, here's a picture of the Christmas tree that Alyse and I decorated - my first real tree in over a decade. I hope you all had a happy and safe holiday, and I'm looking forward to telling you all about the cooking and crafting we've been up to in the days to come and the new year! <div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtIk_bv2bBDK2vfKCjvTe13haEYvmRfVjPzmEJ8EIZeIlhPcd7swjTq1X84hKkjBHiyt9xRwtO8uyrAUQDkjpLoc1_ymHtGhg8Iq74QCvQzUE9HLZmPn5hN6T7LiFhTamZB1BPfhBy1d8/s1600/Christmas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtIk_bv2bBDK2vfKCjvTe13haEYvmRfVjPzmEJ8EIZeIlhPcd7swjTq1X84hKkjBHiyt9xRwtO8uyrAUQDkjpLoc1_ymHtGhg8Iq74QCvQzUE9HLZmPn5hN6T7LiFhTamZB1BPfhBy1d8/s640/Christmas.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-19948264351551574252010-12-03T23:26:00.000-08:002010-12-03T23:26:22.518-08:00Thursday Feature: Coveted Crafts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What? It's Friday? Erm...well, just pretend it's Thursday, for the purpose of this post. I'm a smidge late with this one, but it is too good not to share!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our good friend Vanessa has officially reopened her Etsy shop! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hubuh?ref=seller_info">Hubuh</a> is a delightful place to find clever cards and bright prints from Vanessa's original art. I particularly love this card:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5ZZh6SqhheDae_qx2tNwhBwpILmrDZFuD8nqJd-3CPnzzqIZBLKejpSFOD9IBjR3MrNzhoBVuSwskQUuDaMqfbmXuEBp0YJlTXnN0eLAIKv97UyoGNSyIN82JdBMMBlU8XWO9RAC9knS/s400/hubuh+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="301" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39508866/hello-note-card">Please Forgive Me Note Card</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5ZZh6SqhheDae_qx2tNwhBwpILmrDZFuD8nqJd-3CPnzzqIZBLKejpSFOD9IBjR3MrNzhoBVuSwskQUuDaMqfbmXuEBp0YJlTXnN0eLAIKv97UyoGNSyIN82JdBMMBlU8XWO9RAC9knS/s1600/hubuh+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can totally see a guy giving this to a girl after putting his foot in his mouth. Or you know, vice versa. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm always looking for good every day cards, for when you want to send someone a note to let them know you are thinking about them, but not something so sappy that it feels forced. This card fits the bill, in addition to being smart:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW_3MOMJGMprg6lnAOFBxyRfnRN9aiP5-qxnoi1gCTxDgWN7d4f1iq9DKOnvKcaGTZrOUidCo1-UQbmH8w2lJAMa-aLskkD3hgEFIoYCyQAkZtt00aV5wedT2CDg_kFRHS623QVJM6zJ_/s400/hubuh+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="301" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39508866/hello-note-card">Hello Note Card</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW_3MOMJGMprg6lnAOFBxyRfnRN9aiP5-qxnoi1gCTxDgWN7d4f1iq9DKOnvKcaGTZrOUidCo1-UQbmH8w2lJAMa-aLskkD3hgEFIoYCyQAkZtt00aV5wedT2CDg_kFRHS623QVJM6zJ_/s1600/hubuh+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm also fortunate to have an original painting of Vanessa's hanging in my house. Vanessa sells lovely prints of her work, such as this one:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo1_JqZLPwhcFi8dRkEeirvvHsWFpS1cXY1bP1g4nYkkpXnmCvYt2a3ckw631zGBQap06xI_MrXLSbmTt-jbENYb1BytgPoGfuZArhyphenhyphen2Xc3StenWe5dyEObisPDu-dxlV_Zd37irVzWGe/s400/hubuh+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="318" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38515768/the-spanish-bride-print">The Spanish Bride Print</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo1_JqZLPwhcFi8dRkEeirvvHsWFpS1cXY1bP1g4nYkkpXnmCvYt2a3ckw631zGBQap06xI_MrXLSbmTt-jbENYb1BytgPoGfuZArhyphenhyphen2Xc3StenWe5dyEObisPDu-dxlV_Zd37irVzWGe/s1600/hubuh+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you in the Seattle area, Vanessa is currently showing her art in the Forgotten Works Challenge in Pioneer Squar<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;">e, at the Tashiro Kaplan Building, 115 Prefontaine Place South. For more information, click<a href="http://blog.seattlepi.com/inpioneersquare/archives/222422.asp"> here</a>.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;">Happy "Thursday," crafters!</span></span></span>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-80343402245945763562010-12-01T17:02:00.000-08:002010-12-01T17:02:44.891-08:00Turkey StockWell, hello there! Why yes, I did survive Turkey Day! The food was delicious and well-received by all, the house looked well enough, and both my family and my boyfriend's family got along! It truly couldn't have gone any better.<br />
<br />
And, in true don't-waste-anything-if-you-can-help-it fashion, I made some tasty turkey stock! I hope all of you out there with Turkey carcases did or are planning on doing the same! Here's my basic poultry stock recipe - homemade stock is great for risottos, soups, stews, gravy, you name it. Works with rotisserie chicken bones, too! I usually just keep a freezer bag of vegetable peelings in the freezer for when it comes time to make the stock, and throw those in. <br />
<br />
I hope you all had a lovely holiday, and even that if you didn't, the stress has hopefully subsided now!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jwc3xyKVFOQ0Fi2r8QieYOHEU8yj7mzdoafH-8XjsIbi1YpY-4V-3QFSF5iis0OVs5QHwSQn1Azq0A92s5wdU6xnuEhgzcktRNPn2tjGEcdcJPWnoo0vYQu-7lhPpd6cqCl1v_SSHxnv/s1600/Plum%252C+Oktoberfest+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jwc3xyKVFOQ0Fi2r8QieYOHEU8yj7mzdoafH-8XjsIbi1YpY-4V-3QFSF5iis0OVs5QHwSQn1Azq0A92s5wdU6xnuEhgzcktRNPn2tjGEcdcJPWnoo0vYQu-7lhPpd6cqCl1v_SSHxnv/s400/Plum%252C+Oktoberfest+019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Basic Poultry Stock</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
Turkey or chicken carcass, meat and skin removed (a little skin is okay)<br />
1 onion (or, the skin and ends the onion)<br />
2-3 large carrots, unpeeled (or, the peels of several carrots, and their tops)<br />
3-4 stalks celery<br />
1 handful parsley, stems and all (great when you have extra parsley that's getting a little yellow)<br />
1 handful dill, stems and all (optional)<br />
2-3 sprigs fresh thyme (great way to use up those extra herbs from the holiday feast!)<br />
5-6 whole black peppercorns<br />
<br />
Add all ingredients to your largest stock pot. Fill to cover with water; place over medium-high heat and let simmer 3-4 hours, until vegetables are completely cooked through and the stock is a lovely golden color. Occasionally skim the scum off the top with a spoon. Strain the stock into a bowl to collect the solids (all the vegetables and bones); discard the solids and place the stock in the fridge overnight. Skim the rest of the fat off the top of the stock the next day. Place stock in the freezer for homemade stock whenever you need it!Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-84861234333008486522010-11-21T21:47:00.000-08:002010-12-29T21:53:56.753-08:00Project: Autumn Inspired Table Setting, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's almost time for Thanksgiving, and the perfect time for a fun and festive project! These placemats are cute and simple, and I have received many compliments on them. If you would like to make the tablecloth as well, please see my post about it <a href="http://dexter-dinah.blogspot.com/2010/09/project-autumn-inspired-table-setting.html">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj1mmSHLssGpNcNEEbhGnKBogpIcD7Yv_ilurCKtynIPgK6r8yVT2DenJ87w6lI00eWknCAuXLckhLzZIcsieDFqd4XaTl0DhEA-nwCE5Yh0sHeARyfdcQwurwnMU_3S5t1WCs-J4X1yA/s1600/DSC02384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj1mmSHLssGpNcNEEbhGnKBogpIcD7Yv_ilurCKtynIPgK6r8yVT2DenJ87w6lI00eWknCAuXLckhLzZIcsieDFqd4XaTl0DhEA-nwCE5Yh0sHeARyfdcQwurwnMU_3S5t1WCs-J4X1yA/s320/DSC02384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The autumn table</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will need:</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Felt - multiple colors of the precut rectangle pieces</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Felt - dark brown by the yard for the edges/ backing</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Rotary cutter - optional</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Scissors</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Thread</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Sewing machine</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Measuring tape</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Straight pins<br />
<br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mONb6vW5B69PuWT6wLiRA-Trm5iMGusiUi2yM3Gvv-J2SU0BzWrVmOOyxGQcsV7CQ75tbLqUkzG7V_MVPCyFP9e3RVf9sW17veT9EnbA-_ILlQy5vnLKgnHtKUuBstjlFbhaC6WGb5wk/s1600/DSC02355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mONb6vW5B69PuWT6wLiRA-Trm5iMGusiUi2yM3Gvv-J2SU0BzWrVmOOyxGQcsV7CQ75tbLqUkzG7V_MVPCyFP9e3RVf9sW17veT9EnbA-_ILlQy5vnLKgnHtKUuBstjlFbhaC6WGb5wk/s320/DSC02355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First, look at the premade pieces of felt, and decide if you want to add another layer to the back for thickness and to create a border. I chose to do this, but you can skip it if you want this project to be really quick and easy. (Just remember your placemats will be a bit smaller)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To make the backing, simply measure your felt by the yard so that it is an inch or two longer on each side than the precut pieces and cut it out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Center the precut piece on the piece you just cut, pin it together, and sew!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gIW4bVIvk-hJhkfWAaIzp0C1OchucuCytODXFBhLGcQ3-dcLGREufhzNqgQHy3vjuk5H3yYrwFKeBbnRhcKYM5olBDphS5QStFtTi55h-SglrMjLvuohOuOGzFqMs3yzGWsvHykeXA4d/s1600/DSC02368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gIW4bVIvk-hJhkfWAaIzp0C1OchucuCytODXFBhLGcQ3-dcLGREufhzNqgQHy3vjuk5H3yYrwFKeBbnRhcKYM5olBDphS5QStFtTi55h-SglrMjLvuohOuOGzFqMs3yzGWsvHykeXA4d/s320/DSC02368.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying different stitches can create a fun look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, sketch some accent ideas out on paper. Draw the ones you like best in the size you want, trace around them lightly with a pen or pencil, and cut them out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>It is important to cut out the entire shape in the base color</b><i>.</i> For example; I cut out the entire pumpkin in orange, even though I wanted the stem to be brown. The layers will add more volume to the project and make it much easier to put together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvsGBkuhCnMQddlFaaCFey-MPH8nkxqZ-RaylhqP3OYaqOo_L4DMG0omfTjKfkmQfG_X0AeEFn46Uv9uCt1TW3QiX3eV937t_WKGlJ3BmOoQBAHYtf6PlRXNDt3PLF2_SfwxcNwpzTbfG/s1600/DSC02365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvsGBkuhCnMQddlFaaCFey-MPH8nkxqZ-RaylhqP3OYaqOo_L4DMG0omfTjKfkmQfG_X0AeEFn46Uv9uCt1TW3QiX3eV937t_WKGlJ3BmOoQBAHYtf6PlRXNDt3PLF2_SfwxcNwpzTbfG/s320/DSC02365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cut out any detail pieces, such as the stem, in your desired color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVucbMBtn3yYEMrcgHA_GlvVlszLgRhfnrNC3thEwiyMlJtRB8yg8L49niDyIT9MUFFVViEUYkNbfRORJrWGW-VUiQ2-BHhqFb3rmoGlHuKmCGqW11pcwiMQekRNV2_r56S5sabRK_OIi/s1600/DSC02366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVucbMBtn3yYEMrcgHA_GlvVlszLgRhfnrNC3thEwiyMlJtRB8yg8L49niDyIT9MUFFVViEUYkNbfRORJrWGW-VUiQ2-BHhqFb3rmoGlHuKmCGqW11pcwiMQekRNV2_r56S5sabRK_OIi/s320/DSC02366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Put the pieces together as you want them, pin them in place on the precut rectangle sheets of felt, and carefully sew around the edges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlXUXLNL3yIaMZY-rGsc3COjpa5drUZmt-zXVFM8gvX_Q9QkwX5lHa1NEsqIy-51e_jQ6shN8kzhtkLHxr3MvhL0j3FsPxsbKM5OEcyLPlkm4aJpVamn-bN_6XvL8FVQnPRYGI3p724ny/s1600/DSC02367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlXUXLNL3yIaMZY-rGsc3COjpa5drUZmt-zXVFM8gvX_Q9QkwX5lHa1NEsqIy-51e_jQ6shN8kzhtkLHxr3MvhL0j3FsPxsbKM5OEcyLPlkm4aJpVamn-bN_6XvL8FVQnPRYGI3p724ny/s320/DSC02367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sewing some details in by hand really makes these placemats pop!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75ryEPhTTxxiHa-nGovomRAIjjeaPtxDSkqyXp5fh7xVfhUqVLhQjkmmipifzANNlmu2D7W6qHzt_rJj5qV64EtblH_MeAnQMYKadVmcWVy1r97UOALZ1SCHESuTEVnj6vkEmFFMk9ByF/s1600/DSC02385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75ryEPhTTxxiHa-nGovomRAIjjeaPtxDSkqyXp5fh7xVfhUqVLhQjkmmipifzANNlmu2D7W6qHzt_rJj5qV64EtblH_MeAnQMYKadVmcWVy1r97UOALZ1SCHESuTEVnj6vkEmFFMk9ByF/s400/DSC02385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the detail work on the pumpkin and the leaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Make as many placemats as you like, and get ready for a beautiful autumn table and many compliments! My favorite was when my fiancée asked me where I bought them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Thanksgiving Week!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The forecast may call for snow, but I am holding onto fall for a little longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-3571090908287483282010-11-19T06:00:00.000-08:002010-11-19T06:00:12.982-08:00Grandma's Foolproof Cranberry SauceTurkey day is drawing nigh, people. And I'm hosting this year. 9 people. This is my first time hosting.<br />
<br />
Gulp.<br />
<br />
I have at least one recipe, however, that is completely foolproof. My grandmother's cranberry sauce.* Because if there wasn't cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving, there is a strong probability my family would riot.<br />
<br />
Grandma has been making Thanksgiving dinner for nearly 50 years. And it is perfect. And I can't top that. So I decided to go a different direction with some of the other favorite dishes. Instead of Grandma's sausage stuffing, I'm making a wild rice stuffing. Instead of herb-roasted turkey, I'm doing apple-cider-brined turkey. Because if I were to make Grandma's stuffing, for example, it would be good, don't get me wrong, but not AS good as it would be if Grandma made it. Because she's been making it for fifty years, you see. And I haven't.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g8v0B6vKiHg3XKIlPBxtljnzqViF9qYdFjtNds7ZsFvR74m3RTw6PBHhFmRVtju9XoeUElauv47xBTGUhzxewdwKksb3kh2fTGE3MU6xF0nrUCCin8b58OgibrH6ItDwquaoQ3_iWrTx/s1600/Smoothie%252C+cranberry+sauce+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g8v0B6vKiHg3XKIlPBxtljnzqViF9qYdFjtNds7ZsFvR74m3RTw6PBHhFmRVtju9XoeUElauv47xBTGUhzxewdwKksb3kh2fTGE3MU6xF0nrUCCin8b58OgibrH6ItDwquaoQ3_iWrTx/s400/Smoothie%252C+cranberry+sauce+007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
But her cranberry sauce. It is so easy. No one can say it isn't just as good as Grandma's. Because it will be.<br />
<br />
I test ran the recipe this week, partly because I couldn't believe how easy it was. It was easy, people. And there is even a secret ingredient. An apple. WHAT?! An apple in cranberry sauce? That's what makes it foolproof, you see. The apple keeps it from being too mouth-puckeringly cranberryish, if you know what I mean. My grandma invented this recipe. She's a smart woman. Trust the apple. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdET1K0S56bjZLwIixa3vnupncVDZDUhbQRmO0-KslnoxTu0HFqxaVdfcqWqGYXf1tf43Gs5rkhX_nZB74AXtAhsP5TnuhdvZMv-Xf9qz_Pj6546JtQVPJtif5RP9EE2M2729WN_J-eUo/s1600/Smoothie%252C+cranberry+sauce+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdET1K0S56bjZLwIixa3vnupncVDZDUhbQRmO0-KslnoxTu0HFqxaVdfcqWqGYXf1tf43Gs5rkhX_nZB74AXtAhsP5TnuhdvZMv-Xf9qz_Pj6546JtQVPJtif5RP9EE2M2729WN_J-eUo/s400/Smoothie%252C+cranberry+sauce+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
While I am going to make another batch closer to the big day, now I have a perfect topping for my morning oatmeal. Told you this stuff was good.<br />
<br />
<b>Grandma's Foolproof Cranberry Sauce</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>*</b>I neglected to take a picture of the finished product. But you know what it should look like.** <br />
<br />
**If you don't know what it should look like, go to Google images and type in, "cranberry sauce." Yep. That's what it should look like. <br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1 bag whole fresh cranberries</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1 apple (Granny Smith is best)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1 cup water</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1 cup sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Heat the sugar and the water until the sugar is dissolved, over medium heat. Sort and wash the cranberries. Chop up a whole apple (excluding the core of course). Add both the cranberries and the apple to pot. You can tell when the cranberries start to get done because they pop. Stir occasionally, you’ll see when it starts to look done. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. <b> </b></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-22421443434701111942010-11-17T09:21:00.000-08:002010-11-17T09:43:42.459-08:00Berry-Mint Smoothie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkzQLkOBySDYjOk7dL5wJ8z6W-S5pDx04j9Sz8OHykjK7_CjfVt97Qwa17Y4rPuHrl81TuE6LueRE1ka6pleIo2l1Z_gqIe32wKDVtqNkID4a-3F02l1IDVOYA_8Oq7MJVvgDvz7v5lLa/s1600/Smoothie%252C+cranberry+sauce+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkzQLkOBySDYjOk7dL5wJ8z6W-S5pDx04j9Sz8OHykjK7_CjfVt97Qwa17Y4rPuHrl81TuE6LueRE1ka6pleIo2l1Z_gqIe32wKDVtqNkID4a-3F02l1IDVOYA_8Oq7MJVvgDvz7v5lLa/s400/Smoothie%252C+cranberry+sauce+010.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
This isn't so much a recipe, as a strong suggestion. Throw some mint in your smoothie. <br />
<br />
Have you seen the commercials for this gum?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHJIBXMskWvMicrT89MdHlRgv0Y10KARY_LgdrHVLFqiPY92r6uq1DNkK2gxoQu2KjQ9gi0-gAQnqc3gqvZAO1E5qSCpxv_tCR7f4KBIRJawLUuxriU_YnhHPUF_COJcxerFAzB0uLIlN/s1600/berry+mint+gum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHJIBXMskWvMicrT89MdHlRgv0Y10KARY_LgdrHVLFqiPY92r6uq1DNkK2gxoQu2KjQ9gi0-gAQnqc3gqvZAO1E5qSCpxv_tCR7f4KBIRJawLUuxriU_YnhHPUF_COJcxerFAzB0uLIlN/s400/berry+mint+gum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.fastcommerce.com/looneystuff/stride-shift-berry-mint-sugarfree-chewing-gum-12-14-piece-packs-ff80818128aa86d201294e91078c7068-p.html">A link if you want a lot of this gum</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In the commercial, the members of a focus group all start screaming about how the gum shifts flavors from berry to mint, and to calm one another down, they throw water in each other's faces. While I haven't tried the gum, I'm not sure the experience would be quite as potentially-assault-inducing as the commercial would make it seem.<br />
<br />
It did get me thinking, though. Why not just have berry AND mint together? (I know there are gums out there that do that, but stay with me here, people.) And lo, the berry-mint smoothie was born.<br />
<br />
Also because I had leftover mint from another recipe and I hate, HATE, wasting herbs, as they are quite expensive. And I am a cheapskate. <br />
<br />
I'm an uncomplicated-smoothie-ingredient kind of woman. I don't care for bananas in my smoothie at all, and I could take or leave the myriad of juice combinations they present to you at smoothie shops. I like my smoothies with berries, yogurt, and soy or regular milk, more like a healthy milkshake. And now, with mint, as it adds that unexpected and delicious twist to your drink. But if you like all the fruit juices and bananas, go for it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQvGhw44mep0MV8w8B4r_ssdfZBc0aFQ4vzHCVM-wkfUi2nVvwJpmuPfRjnMjpDhOzL0YxLf1n0YumBACc_Um7R3ZoUeoOOB7QXj5ZFbpwMG6ukYHhzbltUWSwrcrMjB2exXAyWmrMQVs/s1600/Halloween+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQvGhw44mep0MV8w8B4r_ssdfZBc0aFQ4vzHCVM-wkfUi2nVvwJpmuPfRjnMjpDhOzL0YxLf1n0YumBACc_Um7R3ZoUeoOOB7QXj5ZFbpwMG6ukYHhzbltUWSwrcrMjB2exXAyWmrMQVs/s400/Halloween+028.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b>Berry-Mint Smoothie</b><br />
<br />
<b></b>Serves 1 (I'm the only one who drinks smoothies in this household)<br />
<br />
1/2 cup frozen berries<br />
5-6 mint leaves<br />
2-3 heaping tablespoons yogurt, plain or vanilla (tip: if you used plain, as I did, you are definitely going to want to add a teaspoon or so of sugar. I use brown sugar, as it works really well with the mint.) <br />
Soy or 1% milk<br />
Optional: half a banana, orange or apple juice<br />
<br />
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Add milk until ingredients are fully covered. Turn on your blender and leave it running for a few seconds. Add more milk as needed so smoothie is your desired consistency. Garnish with mint leaf. I imagine this would be great doubled, tripled or quadrupled for a breakfast party, just as long as it doesn't overwhelm your blender.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-59176987321394927052010-11-11T17:16:00.000-08:002010-11-11T17:17:28.698-08:00Thursday Feature: Coveted Crafts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>Every Thursday, Dexter & Dinah will feature a new crafter/artisan whose works are handmade.</em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em><br />
</em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My boyfriend drinks <i>a lot</i> of soda. I mean, a LOT. We're talking soda at lunch, soda at dinner, and if we're out to eat, as many refills as the wait staff sees fit to bring by. If I were as crafty as Etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/squigglechick?ref=pr_profile">squigglechick</a> (who's located pretty close to me in nearby Bothell, Washington), I would turn all of those sodas into this pretty and useful luggage tag:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAAo9t78tagn2BUnAXUYmh0mDLFehksll-EMYeoNp0xXwN1v2OzziUkZdrrn0PnFaqr0-00UDnXssXnPYGnyrJ3h4cZb5ao7exmv2A6DpcRmLR7FcTGYHL3JFwuGK3tpTWFmwkLFXtkld/s1600/luggage+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAAo9t78tagn2BUnAXUYmh0mDLFehksll-EMYeoNp0xXwN1v2OzziUkZdrrn0PnFaqr0-00UDnXssXnPYGnyrJ3h4cZb5ao7exmv2A6DpcRmLR7FcTGYHL3JFwuGK3tpTWFmwkLFXtkld/s400/luggage+tag.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59558072/repurposed-coca-cola-bbq-grill-soda">Repurposed Coca Cola Luggage Tag</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We all know how much I love repurposing! As squigglechick </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">says: "</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What a great way to distinguish your luggage from all of the others at baggage claim or to add to your child's backpack just 'in case' it should get misplaced at school or on the bus."</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Thursday Crafters!</span></span></span>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-77962517432854752892010-11-10T13:22:00.000-08:002010-11-10T13:24:29.868-08:00ConfessionI have a confession to make.<br />
<br />
I've been feeling less then inspired this week.<br />
<br />
My boyfriend's been getting a lot of these for lunch:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtW8qS2ZBXPG7vSqu51FFYVhX-QO_GoKYL_jcqi8rpmvsM2aC_HnU53QeHXWKu-ClCr7P_oO_NhpVGsBvhZ-s-nGASUwjJ6mc8EGzdtjkD7iknnlxvIlQJe2K7aO8JUlj4RpHXCBFxXEw/s1600/DSCF1833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtW8qS2ZBXPG7vSqu51FFYVhX-QO_GoKYL_jcqi8rpmvsM2aC_HnU53QeHXWKu-ClCr7P_oO_NhpVGsBvhZ-s-nGASUwjJ6mc8EGzdtjkD7iknnlxvIlQJe2K7aO8JUlj4RpHXCBFxXEw/s400/DSCF1833.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Granted, that's a good-looking sandwich, with a thick-cut ham steak and swiss cheese, but still. <br />
<br />
I did made some pretty fabulous and innovative food for a dinner party last week, including this <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/11/fennel-prosciutto-and-pomegranate-salad/">prosciutto, fennel, and pomegranate salad</a> (result: prosciutto and pomegranate are fabulous together, but next time I'd probably leave out the fennel), and this <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/172030/giada-at-home-penne-with-butternut-squash#s-p6-sr-i1">goat cheese, butternut squash, and penne pasta</a> (in which I switched out the basil for sage, halved the amount of goat cheese, and doubled the amount of parmesan). But beyond that, I've been cooking really simple food, like turkey burgers, pasta and jarred sauce, stir fry with rice. I do love quick and simple food, but none of it has really been all that blogworthy. <br />
<br />
Tonight, however, that changes - I'm having Alyse and her fiancee over for dinner, where I'm making a pork tenderloin roulade with wild rice dressing and a pumpkin custard for dessert. Stay tuned for pictures!<br />
<br />
Also, here's a sneak peak of the project I've been working on - any guess what it is? (Your ability to guess might be obscured by the absolutely giant cat filling the frame. That's Dexter. Believe it or not, he is on diet food.) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac-xv1xnjLVBhojQ_7NMVF0flRHao_m719ohQh1VyzrE9k-csX76ipYGuWRpc-IaX_4PloRQMG1vABv5lvxlk9PGLknmv0gACK-LLDfXU1oCf5ETjqtNh8-2pzU0STevM9hMjIEVQ3ejo/s1600/Crisp%252C+Shag+Rug+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac-xv1xnjLVBhojQ_7NMVF0flRHao_m719ohQh1VyzrE9k-csX76ipYGuWRpc-IaX_4PloRQMG1vABv5lvxlk9PGLknmv0gACK-LLDfXU1oCf5ETjqtNh8-2pzU0STevM9hMjIEVQ3ejo/s400/Crisp%252C+Shag+Rug+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-46601449020450352122010-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:002010-11-01T06:00:00.434-07:00Almost Married Monday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Since Alyse has officially set the date for her wedding, I thought this would be an excellent time to start featuring cute DIY wedding ideas to consider for her big day! I recently attended a friend's wedding in Idaho, which was at a summer camp and was therefore appropriately fall and forest themed. I really loved the simplicity of these candlesticks:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDs5Fze11k9R0xNncJHCBtki3E8uZnsAPlR1v4k8dQt57gAbaMsBUuzuT0iXjjfSxGc4ApQ1qEc7sHWK2b6JYLWtf4Il884Qs4raYfkHpK95ckZIWN7BkuFLL3aG0WU0yGqnHpC28tZ2l/s1600/Wedding,+food+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDs5Fze11k9R0xNncJHCBtki3E8uZnsAPlR1v4k8dQt57gAbaMsBUuzuT0iXjjfSxGc4ApQ1qEc7sHWK2b6JYLWtf4Il884Qs4raYfkHpK95ckZIWN7BkuFLL3aG0WU0yGqnHpC28tZ2l/s400/Wedding,+food+010.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span>They looked good in groups of threes, or by themselves:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6il4BAlGjUeL5KhWLH3G90Ci9ACForl0NWaZq63MDHq6O5mK7Cc53bTgnSQy9MYhmAlcYKSe3SUogTONTqDeaRF8eUGcXgH7P5q5cula-bA_HNX50wd5Yw4zX_AIJBqlB2I1OEurQs2mX/s1600/Wedding,+food+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6il4BAlGjUeL5KhWLH3G90Ci9ACForl0NWaZq63MDHq6O5mK7Cc53bTgnSQy9MYhmAlcYKSe3SUogTONTqDeaRF8eUGcXgH7P5q5cula-bA_HNX50wd5Yw4zX_AIJBqlB2I1OEurQs2mX/s400/Wedding,+food+007.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Wrapped in raffia with a candle-sized hole drilled in the top and some lovely fall leaves scattered about, these were a creative use for leftover logs from the firewood! (And, if the bride has too many leftover after the reception, they can always be turned back into firewood.)</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-13605370365478075162010-10-29T14:11:00.000-07:002010-10-29T15:42:56.481-07:00Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops and Sweet Potato "Fries"I was about a fourth of the way through my pork chop a few nights ago when I realized, "Wow! This is actually pretty good!" I sound surprised only because I invented this recipe from what I had on hand. And so I share it with you. I'm always looking for new ways to serve common cuts of meat (chicken breast, pork chops, skirt steak, you get the idea), and the pork chops with apples pairing is pretty classic. This way makes the chops flavorful, juicy, and tender while also creating a pretty unique sweet-savory gravy from the braising liquid. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkQk2-LTv-m3fMb_AaGOBFuC_xdRMhZXBwBhbVmrNZwhG_3LN8hPsMxwTPo7BxP5XBYse1RXj87x8wsdPToBRe3BVTbFVNa0TtCQsgV7YWS-VFEKUP18VXtIY5JrnAw4GptvZxtkvSWDQ/s1600/Wedding,+food+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkQk2-LTv-m3fMb_AaGOBFuC_xdRMhZXBwBhbVmrNZwhG_3LN8hPsMxwTPo7BxP5XBYse1RXj87x8wsdPToBRe3BVTbFVNa0TtCQsgV7YWS-VFEKUP18VXtIY5JrnAw4GptvZxtkvSWDQ/s400/Wedding,+food+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I paired the pork chops with sweet potato "fries." I say "fries" in quotation marks because I don't own a deep fryer, and I used a minimal amount of oil on the sweet potatoes themselves. Instead, I cut them in the shape of fries and threw them in the oven at 500 degrees. While you don't get the crispiness of fries, you do get some lovely delicious browned bits which are damn close enough as far as tastiness is concerned. I used both the white-fleshed sweet potatoes and the orange-fleshed yams, which adds a pretty color contrast and a slight variety in flavor to the plate. Sprinkle a little parsley on top, and you've got yourself a hearty autumn meal. <br />
<br />
<b>Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
(Serves 2)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZodLjleW7Zbako1HXuQrIC5XeNlyekzAv4JYSLOYuburvqeIOITzk1YD0Sroatph7uvBMd9_yO6o7Qtu0tgIeHc8q_9jw2M60VcYHkBfPuI5zjN2SWEEOh3ZipF-uCt4QWo-jaBZ-nbrA/s1600/Wedding,+food+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZodLjleW7Zbako1HXuQrIC5XeNlyekzAv4JYSLOYuburvqeIOITzk1YD0Sroatph7uvBMd9_yO6o7Qtu0tgIeHc8q_9jw2M60VcYHkBfPuI5zjN2SWEEOh3ZipF-uCt4QWo-jaBZ-nbrA/s320/Wedding,+food+023.jpg" width="320" /></a>2 pork chops, either bone-in or boneless, trimmed of excess fat<br />
1-2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
1 teaspoon butter<br />
1-2 tablespoons flour<br />
1/2 Walla Walla sweet onion, thinly sliced<br />
1/2 Granny Smith Apple, diced<br />
3/4 cup spiced apple cider (Trader Joe's brand works nicely)<br />
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock (confession: I was out of stock so I used a bullion cube, which worked fine)<br />
Roughly chopped flat leaf parsley<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
<br />
1. Take the chops out of their packaging. Dry slightly with paper towels and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. This step is best done ahead of time; the chops can then be left to come to room temperature while you slice up your apples and onions.<br />
<br />
2. Add the 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to a high-sided skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is good and hot, place both chops in the pan and allow to sear for 2-3 minutes a side for the boneless and 3-4 minutes a side for the bone-in, until there is some good brownness on the surface of the meat but the chops are still quite raw in the middle.<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMm3pPAyVgiijFxvbjx8tWebEJ-vMbPx4gf2GH6R4y1_0JUeUIpWTS5YGH2ZsDzK8YSM8IexXf57BbA94TxmsMrmJkN64zCkRl96FL62r9zVX2ubWBybGhRdE9uM6gQEp6Y4J30072WFN/s1600/Wedding,+food+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMm3pPAyVgiijFxvbjx8tWebEJ-vMbPx4gf2GH6R4y1_0JUeUIpWTS5YGH2ZsDzK8YSM8IexXf57BbA94TxmsMrmJkN64zCkRl96FL62r9zVX2ubWBybGhRdE9uM6gQEp6Y4J30072WFN/s320/Wedding,+food+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm, gravy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>3. Remove the chops and set aside. Reduce heat to medium; quickly add the onions, saute for about thirty seconds, then add the extra small pat of butter and the flour, stirring to combine, until the onions are coated. Add the vegetable stock and cider, scraping the bottom of the ban to deglaze any of the brown bits. Add the chopped apples. Bringing the liquid to a simmer, place the chops back in, so that the chops are about halfway submerged. Simmer for about 10-12 minutes; when the chops are firm but not rock hard, they are probably done. (You can always cut one open - if there is a slight, slight pink blush in the middle, they are ready). Remove the chops and cover with foil. Bring the braising liquid up to high heat to boil until it has reduced by more than half and the onions and apples are completely cooked through to make a gravy. You could also puree the gravy with an immersion blender if you prefer a smoother consistency. Spoon the thickened gravy over the chops and sprinkle with the chopped parsley to serve.<br />
<br />
<b>Sweet Potato "Fries"</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1 sweet potato<br />
1 yam<br />
1-2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
2 teaspoons salt<br />
2 teaspoons pepper<br />
2 teaspoons onion powder<br />
<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. (No, that's not a typo - a really hot oven makes for really brown fries.) <br />
<br />
2. Peel the sweet potato and yam. Cut into fry-sized sticks. <br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFJX7x-jeqHzjpgb9oSB-l3yNF9jV8tbYiDGHlTwu2wdGqgve6oC0JTGIJ-RWAbPznzKgf9cCeSc5Mr6m3m15U8MVZP7Fr5SOqABQL8W9-uqtWwCxGJlUy5Z7G_WWPzLgTg-BI13infJM/s1600/Wedding,+food+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFJX7x-jeqHzjpgb9oSB-l3yNF9jV8tbYiDGHlTwu2wdGqgve6oC0JTGIJ-RWAbPznzKgf9cCeSc5Mr6m3m15U8MVZP7Fr5SOqABQL8W9-uqtWwCxGJlUy5Z7G_WWPzLgTg-BI13infJM/s320/Wedding,+food+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used two pans for a single layer. Mmm, leftovers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>3. On a baking sheet or a 13 x 9 pan, toss the "fries" with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil, the salt, pepper, and onion powder. You could also add any other spices you think might be delicious. Spread the fries out so they are in a single layer.<br />
<br />
4. Bake the fries, stirring occasionally, for 20-35 minutes, depending upon how brown you want the fires to be. Taste the fries once they are out of the oven to see if additional salt is needed; sprinkle with parsley and enjoy.Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-67293155686654584672010-10-28T22:47:00.000-07:002010-10-28T22:47:59.897-07:00Thursday Feature: Coveted Crafts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>Every Thursday, Dexter & Dinah will feature a new crafter/artisan whose works are handmade.</em></span><br />
<br />
Hi Crafters! Where did the week go? It has certainly been busy here! There's been much cooking and crafting - stay tuned for a recipe this weekend and a new biweekly feature on Monday! Today's Coveted Crafts is this rustic cutting board from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/RedOnionWoodworks?ref=pr_profile">RedOnionWoodworks</a>. I have two cutting boards but I'm always wishing I had a third. In addition to combining function (the hole for hanging in the kitchen is great) with beauty (love the natural edge), this cutting board is from lumber salvaged from industrial logging operations. I want I want...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGKtN889qagTyIeLq3GoXRS-RT3IFrkS1Y81Bltb4oM60CSPi32i20JNidt8fU8BY7A3zqnwlr0qUvvbJsAG8svtfKThi2qjGKKlU1xtzMOR0tHQouOY285z5FOdmSyHpMSPoCarIjDqM/s1600/Cutting+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGKtN889qagTyIeLq3GoXRS-RT3IFrkS1Y81Bltb4oM60CSPi32i20JNidt8fU8BY7A3zqnwlr0qUvvbJsAG8svtfKThi2qjGKKlU1xtzMOR0tHQouOY285z5FOdmSyHpMSPoCarIjDqM/s400/Cutting+board.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59971227/everyday-natural-edge-cutting-board-183?ref=v1_other_2">Everyday Natural Edge Cutting Board 183</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Happy Thursday Crafters!Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-15776782213613785392010-10-21T20:51:00.000-07:002010-12-29T21:54:16.103-08:00Thursday Feature: Coveted Crafts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>Every Thursday, Dexter & Dinah will feature a new crafter/artisan whose works are handmade.</em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em><br />
</em></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My boyfriend has taken a shine to the birds and squirrels who flock to the magnolia tree in our yard. We have a PetSmart right around the corner from us, and about once a week he goes to buy a big block of Squirrelola (squirrel food) and suet for our bird feeder. Both the man and our cat then spend an hour or two staring out our window watching the squirrels chase each other and the birds as they run around the yard hiding the food.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I'm thinking a bird feeder like this one might be the perfect addition to the yard, so we can attract some of the bigger birds:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBLE_IFKnGmSVspSUdVVtTrLa5boqi4ffkeAQRGXokvoG8Mncv49BmWr6buW9Y4YXZZ-PsCgqdW1KXuyYGR5eztdiDq1jsd7zCZDH_DQ3oyscjRGMhnG4H5LP5KPSw9bVhU-Rf6J2u2-9/s1600/Bird+feeder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBLE_IFKnGmSVspSUdVVtTrLa5boqi4ffkeAQRGXokvoG8Mncv49BmWr6buW9Y4YXZZ-PsCgqdW1KXuyYGR5eztdiDq1jsd7zCZDH_DQ3oyscjRGMhnG4H5LP5KPSw9bVhU-Rf6J2u2-9/s400/Bird+feeder.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/52892504/hanging-bird-feeder-tray-style">Hanging Bird Feeder, Tray Style</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The entire bird feeder is made from reclaimed or salvaged materials. In fact, everything in Etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/andrewsreclaimed?ref=seller_info">Andrew's Reclaimed</a> shop is from reclaimed and salvaged materials. I'm eying this soap dish, which is sold by itself or in packs of six or ten, as a great little gift to tuck into holiday baskets:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD7jbro_IS_mV0c3alyBiB_XeThpLDNzZSXYf3752aZWMyE8-lLIklcUM_mfra-MvfScSggl9p7fHazE3zmg69DrodGGPaA0txyo1c4UW76fDGOe7vcsDU17ULwvPyZ0fBzbk7wm3Bvzb/s1600/Soap+tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD7jbro_IS_mV0c3alyBiB_XeThpLDNzZSXYf3752aZWMyE8-lLIklcUM_mfra-MvfScSggl9p7fHazE3zmg69DrodGGPaA0txyo1c4UW76fDGOe7vcsDU17ULwvPyZ0fBzbk7wm3Bvzb/s400/Soap+tray.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59352833/soap-dishes-pack-of-6-reclaimed-cedar?ref=em">Soap Dishes, Pack of 6, Reclaimed Cedar</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lovely, practical, and environmentally friendly!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Happy Thursday Crafters!</span></span>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-24659431534203676722010-10-20T10:49:00.000-07:002010-10-20T11:59:54.960-07:00Vegan Pear and Apple Crisp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_5qqA9x_jA5aHQjyRSMJY27k0EbNrS6x5HyXCm4Cv1cQtMrB_eWkqJqxXfyBIOgIMl_qR0d3nqU4ozyLSRLidtoXZJHI8AKykqcDm_hcVSBhgcLKJk-XUFw3o0jFQGQSwNc_x3iL7Ft0/s1600/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_5qqA9x_jA5aHQjyRSMJY27k0EbNrS6x5HyXCm4Cv1cQtMrB_eWkqJqxXfyBIOgIMl_qR0d3nqU4ozyLSRLidtoXZJHI8AKykqcDm_hcVSBhgcLKJk-XUFw3o0jFQGQSwNc_x3iL7Ft0/s400/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;">All right, waistline. It’s just me and you. (Cue Western shoot out music – you know the tune.) We’re going to duke it out. Even though the holidays are coming (Butter! Cream! Gravy! Oh my!), I’m going to win. Especially since Alyse and I have been training all this month for our first ever 5k! (Yes, we were the girls in the back of the junior high P.E. class who never volunteered for any sort of organized sports team. It’s how we met, actually). <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0Cau4-lQj8yY9VxRr-EU27IAKHMRJ8WYvheVdLY_XM_R1SmxpxJK_JR33TVSQv07SeIqYR6-UIZhjf7qvy9nxqo-39bkq1q8zMWajfkY4uEvI3DPyx1zv6d0kN54hyphenhyphenupxskVFA_ITldv/s1600/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0Cau4-lQj8yY9VxRr-EU27IAKHMRJ8WYvheVdLY_XM_R1SmxpxJK_JR33TVSQv07SeIqYR6-UIZhjf7qvy9nxqo-39bkq1q8zMWajfkY4uEvI3DPyx1zv6d0kN54hyphenhyphenupxskVFA_ITldv/s400/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;">I’m also going to win in the battle over my waistline because I’m creating delicious, lower-fat alternatives to my fall favorites. (Ellie Krieger is my fave Food Network personality, after all.) I love, love me an apple crisp, but usually the crisp topping is loooooaded with buttah. Recipes for vegan baked goods aren’t necessarily healthier when it comes to fat content - those vegan muffins I love at one of my favorite cafés are full of all kinds of oil. But this crisp topping, with only four tablespoons of trans-fat free oil, is relatively guilt free. I’m also always looking out for vegan recipes for my dad. He’s been lactose intolerant for a few years – with butter being the number-one thing that upsets him. He’s been griping over how much he misses crisps, so the next time he and Mom come over, I’ll wow them with this number.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCDf7Jx2VJ7vCUmq7T0OlsI0OnqFU58iHRhoYwk1mHR7sda0vqvEvwQqc7EjdA9TqQgCrh_N1RVCVukv942zRyaHNrUIpcHD147Sv6YM1kQ1yflM8OzHMJbG9w0q6kg23d3zEIkp64pjr/s1600/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCDf7Jx2VJ7vCUmq7T0OlsI0OnqFU58iHRhoYwk1mHR7sda0vqvEvwQqc7EjdA9TqQgCrh_N1RVCVukv942zRyaHNrUIpcHD147Sv6YM1kQ1yflM8OzHMJbG9w0q6kg23d3zEIkp64pjr/s400/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;">This crisp, served warm, is bubbly, spicy, and sweet, the perfect way to follow up a walk through red and yellow leaves. The pears give it something unexpected, and the lemon adds a little brightness to the heft of the maple syrup. Is it as indulgent as one made with butter (you’re probably asking)? No. But that’s why we put a smidge of ice cream on it.* It is dessert, after all.</span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;">*I realize this makes it not vegan. But, per my suggestion below, you can use a soy or rice ice cream to keep it vegan. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vegan Pear and Apple Crisp<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;">Serves 6 (or, erm, 4, if you’re having your girlfriends over for dinner)<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;">Inspired/Adapted from <a href="http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2010/08/vegan-peach-berry-cobblers/comment-page-2/#comment-90843">Joy the Baker</a><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">For the fruit:</span></strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">1 1/2 cups fresh apples (about 3 apples), peeled, cored, and chopped into chunks (I used a Gala, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">1 cup fresh pears (about 2 pears), peeled, cored, and chopped into chunks (I used Bosc pears)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of half a lemon)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">1 Tablespoon fresh lemon zest (zest of half a lemon)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">Pinch of nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">Pinch of ginger<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">Pinch of cloves<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/4 cup pure maple syrup<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">For the crisp topping:</span></strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">3 cups old fashioned oats<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">2/3 cup all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 teaspoons cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/4 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">4 Tablespoons canola oil<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">4 Tablespoons maple syrup<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 teaspoons vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 Tablespoons water<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">2. In a baking dish, combine the apple and pear chunks and toss with flour, spices, lemon juice, lemon zest, and maple syrup. Set aside while you assemble the crumble topping.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWtj5_9ofxQmsa-eIeXQIvylFjMO8bDyjNmtKFreYL_iVqM06ssIzi8nosI8yExpcSvyo49p0UwxwQzcZ9p8dwifBFe2V-UnMoCfLtBhU6YxKL3ggJO4GUv6XLeWM3bBtgGtnzy6YzH45/s1600/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWtj5_9ofxQmsa-eIeXQIvylFjMO8bDyjNmtKFreYL_iVqM06ssIzi8nosI8yExpcSvyo49p0UwxwQzcZ9p8dwifBFe2V-UnMoCfLtBhU6YxKL3ggJO4GUv6XLeWM3bBtgGtnzy6YzH45/s400/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">3. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, salt, and spices. In a small bowl whisk together the oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and water. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and blend with a fork. Make sure all of the dry ingredients are moistened by the oil and maple syrup mixture. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFSOvMkm-WrRFg5HpP4CPw6NNKkt2CaD1JM1lRQf8FxzwKKFGREuGEme4J8uFX1X30lvfIOxtg2AD8wR9nSLRjn_07z0DSDZNfTAdPSCpH5DMCvbomhK9wq0qvo6vhe9XuBgFhp_-Y6np/s1600/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFSOvMkm-WrRFg5HpP4CPw6NNKkt2CaD1JM1lRQf8FxzwKKFGREuGEme4J8uFX1X30lvfIOxtg2AD8wR9nSLRjn_07z0DSDZNfTAdPSCpH5DMCvbomhK9wq0qvo6vhe9XuBgFhp_-Y6np/s400/Crisp,+Shag+Rug+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">4. Spoon the crisp topping over the fruit in the shallow baking dish and pat down slightly with the fork. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the topping looks crisp-like and the apples are completely cooked through.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">5. Allow to cool for a few minutes. While the crisp is still quite warm, scoop a small dollop of vanilla ice cream or something suitably ice cream-like (one of those soy or rice ice creams or some frozen cool whip). Consume immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 10.5pt;">Serving suggestion – reheat leftovers and serve with a scoop of sweetened vanilla yogurt the next day for breakfast! How can you anyone dislike dessert that doubles as breakfast?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016033264022682438.post-36033315892248281142010-10-17T18:23:00.000-07:002010-10-17T18:23:37.999-07:00Cardboard Safari!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GvR_BwTgMhjSjSBtGBygwMiCAgFmKdxau60PFUh_4pZPaCbINszO_Fs3hyh_T01-Q1Mhz7O-DpwS9VNT9zrJWM9fXJuH5J2ZI0VTTRC3bUPW3K_Nri9PUB7VvtwAX0SPQ-47t47c7mO9/s1600/Deer,+Burrito+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GvR_BwTgMhjSjSBtGBygwMiCAgFmKdxau60PFUh_4pZPaCbINszO_Fs3hyh_T01-Q1Mhz7O-DpwS9VNT9zrJWM9fXJuH5J2ZI0VTTRC3bUPW3K_Nri9PUB7VvtwAX0SPQ-47t47c7mO9/s400/Deer,+Burrito+015.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We have a fireplace in our new house, and I've been looking for the perfect forest-themed <i>objets d'art </i>to hang on either side. When I discovered <a href="http://www.cardboardsafari.com/shop/index.php">Cardboard Safari</a>, I knew I'd found what I'd been looking for! These animal "trophies" are made from recycled cardboard, a whimsical comment on the environment and hunting for sport. In addition to being a little humorous.<br />
<br />
The trophies come unassembled for efficient shipping, so part of the fun is popping the pieces out of their frames and putting them together:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkQcvUvGrCni4_mczG_cSlW-ZpPzatrsva8Ci6PMWq5eJkbYgT866_FbUlTBDCuMBS4IWIvii1vA1uflZz7d8b1ZeURKdKZqJKIufGOwDBHc9JReul48xDi1OV3GJaK3drZW0GD89lHyU/s1600/Deer,+Burrito+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkQcvUvGrCni4_mczG_cSlW-ZpPzatrsva8Ci6PMWq5eJkbYgT866_FbUlTBDCuMBS4IWIvii1vA1uflZz7d8b1ZeURKdKZqJKIufGOwDBHc9JReul48xDi1OV3GJaK3drZW0GD89lHyU/s400/Deer,+Burrito+020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The deer head above is called "Buck Jr." on the Cardboard Safari website. I also purchased Fred Jr., the moose:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQHGr7i9IdvAOk1i7EHAS0IM9pq6GPopS5QZDYJGy5t-1RZy6UhTnOU8lHpt-PIi0K38X9Zrna-KCeJYfmooKZaMv9IAfz3TRCgfalqGUgJ5xby_TOJymubRvzuX7ND_NB0MISmJQ2mh0/s1600/Deer,+Burrito+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQHGr7i9IdvAOk1i7EHAS0IM9pq6GPopS5QZDYJGy5t-1RZy6UhTnOU8lHpt-PIi0K38X9Zrna-KCeJYfmooKZaMv9IAfz3TRCgfalqGUgJ5xby_TOJymubRvzuX7ND_NB0MISmJQ2mh0/s400/Deer,+Burrito+016.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I love the way the crisp white looks against the wood paneling. Very sculptural! Here's how they look together on either side of the fireplace (I apologize for the photo quality, I really need a better camera):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1rCn9uGZcSCljnpDgHLWmJ2kAXZbeDmUGoRHWY9TdPQy0_eVQRCY8szyAcfe_7DiOIMLmKiAz5uMdqYDUVli6oy6QzZgpkgtbUkRQbqU29ABZisSKE1VFMipC9yC5TDAiNNBKDMEN6n2/s1600/Deer,+Burrito+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1rCn9uGZcSCljnpDgHLWmJ2kAXZbeDmUGoRHWY9TdPQy0_eVQRCY8szyAcfe_7DiOIMLmKiAz5uMdqYDUVli6oy6QzZgpkgtbUkRQbqU29ABZisSKE1VFMipC9yC5TDAiNNBKDMEN6n2/s400/Deer,+Burrito+018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The mantle still needs work, but with these trophies and the lovely hand-blown green glass vase Alyse gave me as a housewarming gift, the fireplace wall is coming together!<br />
<br />
Hope you had a lovely weekend, Crafters!Katherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06663232118078729500noreply@blogger.com2