tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39884845730008336372024-03-13T23:23:11.896-05:00Frenzied Mutterings of An Odd DuckUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-57740432032916650242013-05-09T13:56:00.002-05:002013-05-09T14:01:24.819-05:00Our Rustic Wedding Blog....it's finally here!I've finally started a wedding blog for all the fun stuff Nathan and I have been working on for our special day. I'm even posting some of the things we've purchased to help make our day all that more unique and 'us'. I thought I'd share it with all my blogger friends here. Head on over, there's only a few posts up but there are plenty more to come. I've been working on projects weekly just not blogging them until the past few days. <br />
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<a href="http://ourrusticwedding.blogspot.com/">OurRusticWedding.blogspot.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/37/5A699A9DEE88454663808D7D3ABFBA42.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-45078944922640321982013-01-23T13:49:00.001-06:002013-01-23T13:49:17.392-06:00He Asked, She Said Yes!!!!!!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Nathan asked me to marry him December 16. I said yes, repeatedly! We're thinking spring of 2014. It's a long time away but we're really wanting to make the most of our wedding decor and pretties ourselves because we're that committed to diy. :) <br />
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Ahhhhhh I'm in total bliss!!!! I've finally met the man I'm suppose to share the rest of my life with. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjZpUTj_pSQ/UQA-uhKn9FI/AAAAAAAAGo8/359EPz3Bof0/s1600/DSCN3639.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjZpUTj_pSQ/UQA-uhKn9FI/AAAAAAAAGo8/359EPz3Bof0/s400/DSCN3639.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/37/5A699A9DEE88454663808D7D3ABFBA42.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-58979281992048629982012-12-16T13:06:00.001-06:002013-05-11T20:50:15.435-05:00Cozy ToesI received this email in my inbox yesterday concerning my original post here. I thought I'd share it with all my readers and anyone else that might follow the link so they would know what's going on and why. <br />
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If you still want the pattern and instructions you will have to email me from now on!!!!<br />
<a href="mailto:Jessicamg@gmail.com">Jessicamg@gmail.com</a><br />
I'll try and respond to every request within 2 days. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple;">You know the more I thought about it the more I realized that all I had to do was rewrite the instructions and take down the pictures. So that's what I did. I personally think mine are simplier to follow. So below Ms. March's letter are MY instructions for the Cozy Toes. If you'd rather have them in an email feel free to email me. I'm happy to help! Happy sewing. </span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Slippers/?ALLSTEPS">http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Slippers/?ALLSTEPS</a> Is another place for the information as well, pictures include. They are great instructions easier to understand than the ones in Sew News and even mine!!!!<br />
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Here's the silly email from Ms. March. I hope you all get a kick out of it like I did. :)<br />
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<em>Hello Jessica,</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>It has come to my attention that back in December 2012, you began providing instructions to people for our Cozy Toes pattern tutorial. Then you posted the full instructions and even scanned the how-to images onto your blog for all to see. This is in direct violation of our copyright and I am asking that you remove this posting immediately. We own this content, and although you make no claim to it on your blog, you have not purchased the rights to it, as we have.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>The pattern was posted on our site in conjunction with the print article in the magazine. In order to obtain the instructions, the article is needed. Even when the issue is out of print, the instructions are still available for an individual article reprint or a digital or print issue in its entirety can be purchased. The point is, we have all-rights to this pattern and the instructions in a legally binding contract.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>I do understand the frustration of people posting comments about the pattern on our site. And I'm sure you can also understand that we are in the business of educating our readers as well as attracting new ones. How do you expect us to stay in business if all of our content is given away for free? We offer a lot of content for free as it is, including patterns, templates and instructions. But we must recoup the cost of rights from designers, sewers and writers. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>I appreciate that you are one of our dedicated readers and were acting to help those in need. I'm excited that you're a member of our Sewing District, and an active member at that. But I must respectfully ask you to remove your posting.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>Thank you kindly,</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>Ellen March</em><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Warm, Cozy Toes Instructions (look I even changed the name just incase!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">SUPPLIES:</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">½ yard each of canvas</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">½ yard short faux fur (the longer furs are just going to cause you trouble)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">14” square of double-sided fusible interfacing </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Color coordinating thread the all purpose kind works great</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Cross stitch thread or embroidery thread of matching or coordinating color </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Needles </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> You'll need to download the pattern for the slipper. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">After you print the pattern then find your shoe sizes and cut it. Place your foot on the pattern before you cut it to make sure you have the perfect fit. If you’re a 9 ½ like I am go ahead and cut the next size up. Rather to have them a little bigger than to tight. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Take your canvas fabric and cut 2 top pieces, 3 sole pieces and two sides. Then take your fur fabric and, cut 2 top pieces, 2 sole pieces and two sides. Cut only 2 top pieces and 2 sole pieces from your interfacing. Now you’re ready to sew. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Fuse your interfacing to the top 2 pieces of canvas and the 2 canvas sole pieces. Follow the instructions on the interfacing you purchased. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Now you’re going to pin the interface canvas top to the 2 fur top pieces. Sew with ¼ seam allowance. Turn it all right side out and fuse those two pieces together. Take that piece and fold it in half so you know where to start sewing your side pieces on. Mark the upper-edge of the canvas and the fur with a fabric marker or a stick pin. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Get out your side pieces. With right sides together and starting at where you marked your creased fabric match up the side edges with the front mark of the top pieces and pin. Do this on the other side as well. (If you need pictures of this just email me I‘m happy to provide them. Jessicamg@gmail.com Sew around the edges and iron. Now do the same thing with the side backs (right sides together) and sew it up. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Turn the shoe right sides out, which means the fur will be on the inside and the canvas on the outside. It will look like a slipper now but without the bottom. Trust me. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If everything looks right so far and you‘re still with me turn your slipper where the fur is on the outside. Right sides together, pin the sole piece outer edge with the furry side lower edge and sew together. You can surge or zigzag this seam so that it‘s stronger if you like. Now you can once again turn your slippers right side out and iron them nicely. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If you want to add a whipstitch to the outer seams along the top and side of the slippers it creates a really cute look. Though it‘s not a necessary step it's a nice detail.. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Repeat all the above steps for the other slipper. Before you slip them on though you need to make the insoles. You should have 1 canvas sole piece and 1 fur sole piece left. Just stitch them right sides together, leave a space for turning them right side out, iron them and then top stitch the edge so they are really secure and lay flat. Slip them into your slippers and you’re ready to put these bad boys on. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I’m more than happy to send these instructions in a PDF for anyone interested. Just shot me an email. I’ll try my best to respond within 2 days of receiving your email. J </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-30916051987460346402012-10-11T22:41:00.001-05:002012-10-14T22:41:37.786-05:00Blossom PurseLook what I made!!!!!!!!!!!! (A few months ago but still I made it!)<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OQo48_2RJZQ/UHeRJ09XA6I/AAAAAAAAGk0/rw1dLvv6ko4/s1600-h/DSCN3405%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3405" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m88pvNq5Sfc/UHeRK3WNoHI/AAAAAAAAGk8/YTU7-a_knYM/DSCN3405_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3405" width="236" /></a><br />
Not only was it my first ever advanced sewing project but it’s my favorite sewing project I’ve done to date. I am absolutely in LOVE with this purse!!!!<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3drQVitoycQ/UHeRMtXynpI/AAAAAAAAGlE/OJvO8Tfflag/s1600-h/DSCN3409%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3409" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7nPlzWcQt1U/UHeRNsUmzcI/AAAAAAAAGlM/-iHWi6h7lpM/DSCN3409_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3409" width="314" /></a><br />
Check out the inside. A zippered pocket in the back and an open pocket in the front; all with a snap closure. Eeeekkk!!!<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jxDwDYyUZpY/UHeRQt_B8PI/AAAAAAAAGlU/oZn4dzmfqaE/s1600-h/DSCN3410%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3410" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F4NCrP0wzy4/UHeRRk2R7hI/AAAAAAAAGlc/6K2aBR4KlCY/DSCN3410_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3410" width="314" /></a><br />
It’s an Amy Butler pattern, a FREE Amy Butler pattern. We all know how much I want to be her when I grow up. <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WdUnr_9sVxA/UHeRSQRIbFI/AAAAAAAAGlk/JOWGoJJhXDM/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> Go here if you want the free pattern for yourself or if you want to print it out and get one of your sewing friends to make it for you. <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/09/free-amy-butler-pattern-blossom-handbagshoulder-bag/" title="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/09/free-amy-butler-pattern-blossom-handbagshoulder-bag/">http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/09/free-amy-butler-pattern-blossom-handbagshoulder-bag/</a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Eww8nkKgfnI/UHeRUoMA6jI/AAAAAAAAGls/ftZDhjNJe48/s1600-h/DSCN3412%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3412" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rE6dfBOTu28/UHeRV8dzB1I/AAAAAAAAGl0/SyCkauwwa7Y/DSCN3412_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3412" width="314" /></a><br />
Be forewarned, this project, whew, did it take a lot of time. It took 4 hours just to cut out all the fabric and have it pressed and in order. It’s a butt kicker for sure. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WOHHPFQAQws/UHeRYFZjgHI/AAAAAAAAGl8/w3Nw4wYFKCE/s1600-h/DSCN3411%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3411" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-odbuGiK8IZM/UHeRZCRXC3I/AAAAAAAAGmE/KWxueyKI2VI/DSCN3411_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3411" width="236" /></a><br />
It’s so worth it though. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fHJwc1boqG8/UHeRa51Zn_I/AAAAAAAAGmM/-7HasesKTuw/s1600-h/DSCN3416%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3416" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fU0c1UXjuWw/UHeRb8eclPI/AAAAAAAAGmU/Md8Z2bTz-ZA/DSCN3416_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3416" width="236" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: x-large;"><em>Happy Sewing!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: x-large;"><em>~Jess</em></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-80078046189873186892012-09-01T12:55:00.001-05:002012-10-14T22:46:28.383-05:00Plastic Spoon Mirror!I saw this project online a week ago and knew that with Nathan’s four days off that we had to make it. <br />
Here’s what you need:<br />
<ul>
<li>A large piece of cardboard (enough to draw a 22’’ diameter circle) </li>
<li>6 bags of CHEAP plastic spoons (white or clear ones) </li>
<li>hot glue gun </li>
<li>a bunch of glue sticks </li>
<li>ruler </li>
<li>string </li>
<li>pencil </li>
<li>Duct tape </li>
<li>1- 12x12 mirror (square or circular) </li>
<li>1 can of primer spray paint (I used Bull’s Eye) </li>
<li>1 can of your choice of color Rust-Oleum spray paint </li>
</ul>
Off we go. You need to cut or snap all your spoons to start with. Scissors worked just fine for us. Keep the bowls of your spoons and toss away the handles (unless you’re savvy enough to come up with another craft that uses them, in that case please pass it along to me!)<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iAiGwwcedqY/UEJLopKJ-1I/AAAAAAAAGfo/IOK1oRQoxdI/s1600-h/DSCN33074.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3307" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kK7EKRSlFNA/UEJLpdHVA6I/AAAAAAAAGfw/SfXaJyPYBBc/DSCN3307_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3307" width="314" /></a><br />
Now you’ll need to draw/trace out a 22’’ circle on your cardboard. <br />
Tie an 11’’ string to your pencil, tape it down if you need too, with your scissors hold down the other end of the string where the middle of your circles will be. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ycyfK-eOAto/UEJLqWyzRGI/AAAAAAAAGf4/X0XdcvGBcBQ/s1600-h/DSCN33025.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3302" border="0" height="305" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0uptrm9X0H0/UEJLqwmlc2I/AAAAAAAAGgA/03g8adPbIts/DSCN3302_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3302" width="279" /></a><br />
Nathan is making sure the string still measure’s 11’’ between the pencil and scissor end. SUPER IMPORTANT, hold the pencil and scissors STRAIGHT up and down as you move the pencil in a circular motion to draw out a circle. If you tile the pencil or scissors in you’ll end up with a crooked circle and the final project will be sad. <img alt="Sad smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ot0_vK5rEsQ/UEJLrQoedsI/AAAAAAAAGgI/0vnaBorXb4U/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wue3q6uDAT4/UEJLsgJp_VI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/_ZoDXfU1ecw/s1600-h/DSCN33035.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3303" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lP23ZeBSyXA/UEJLt4pwkhI/AAAAAAAAGgY/xmm2EdrTpHU/DSCN3303_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3303" width="314" /></a><br />
Evan Grace was crafting on the other half of the cardboard we had. See her wild hair and craft bucket the left of the screen. Such a silly. <br />
Now, shorten your string to 6’’. Hold down the other end of the string with the scissors in the exact same spot you did for the 11’’ string and make another circle. You’ll end up with this:<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-30D2gtC4Klw/UEJLvYmlJbI/AAAAAAAAGgg/dbEpm3Pm-M8/s1600-h/DSCN33045.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3304" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o08eoAtmzp8/UEJLv0JwW7I/AAAAAAAAGgo/4exwjYDThgE/DSCN3304_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3304" width="314" /></a><br />
Use an Exacto knife or scissors if you have a pair strong enough and cut around both circles. Rip little pieces of duct tape off and tape around the inside and outside circle. All we had was the checkered flag kind. Make sure you get your youngest to model how great it looks when this step is done. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lGmn5XbKTBI/UEJLw3dtQLI/AAAAAAAAGgw/5tD1PpmSEd0/s1600-h/DSCN33065.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3306" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9KNl5Mq1fBQ/UEJLxmMqr-I/AAAAAAAAGg4/bWfibspXbfY/DSCN3306_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3306" width="314" /></a><br />
The not so fun part is next. Here you need to use some scotch tape and measure out how exactly you want your rows of spoons spaced out. We started on the inside of the circle and worked out way out. It seemed the easiest way in our heads at least. The width between the outside row of spoons ended up being almost a spoons width apart. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZCzXWb_TCEg/UEJLyiez2-I/AAAAAAAAGhA/8uJbj9FGdcM/s1600-h/DSCN33095.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3309" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-73V6X6rsNcM/UEJLzu7_uAI/AAAAAAAAGhI/vUPefeeB_Pw/DSCN3309_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3309" width="314" /></a><br />
Remove the mock up rows and get your glue gun ready for a lot of action. <br />
Start on the outside, work your way in. Take your time and keep moving the cardboard circle around as you work. Keep the spoons you are gluing down in front of you so that you can keep them straight. Glue the bottom of the bowls so that the spoon kind of sits up and forward. If you glue the deepest part of the bowl of the spoon your coverage area will suffer. <br />
Row 1…<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CW31FeqPRqA/UEJL1CJc3eI/AAAAAAAAGhQ/w_5illdMY-g/s1600-h/DSCN3310%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3310" border="0" height="257" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MWcaq4btqJk/UEJL2BmGSJI/AAAAAAAAGhY/MaX_Ex1yfjg/DSCN3310_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3310" width="314" /></a><br />
Row 2…<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7NmQSAqVQPE/UEJL3X4rczI/AAAAAAAAGhg/6w4CAc9EuF4/s1600-h/DSCN3311%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3311" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3b0RgGuA9zk/UEJL4aZ7eAI/AAAAAAAAGho/LxHte1sPbBo/DSCN3311_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3311" width="314" /></a><br />
You get the idea. Keep going until you’re ready to glue on your last row/circle. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1CeEDqEIWxM/UEJL5iKNMKI/AAAAAAAAGhw/DjiofGUKsqg/s1600-h/DSCN3313%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3313" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OZ1VLWmMD4s/UEJL6hL-cKI/AAAAAAAAGh4/jgIJ6K8arTw/DSCN3313_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3313" width="314" /></a><br />
For the circle of spoons that are going to be closet to the mirror you want to take sand paper and sand down the cut part of the spoon so that you form nice oval shapes out of the rough ugly end. On e that’s done glue them on like all the other ones but let some of the end of the spoon hang off the cardboard edge towards the inside. Make sense? <br />
Now you’re finished with the glue gun for now. See all those little glue hairs all over the place? Yeah, you’re going to have to get all of those off before you can move on. I took a small, stiff paint brush and went over the front and backs of each one. Ugh!<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q6Vlhmd9ZSI/UEJL7og6Y2I/AAAAAAAAGiA/d_IdTI5bQg8/s1600-h/DSCN3314%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3314" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Is32A7GWtsI/UEJL8G_vD3I/AAAAAAAAGiI/xsYexzb1gdo/DSCN3314_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3314" width="314" /></a><br />
Now we prime the sucker. Front and back, in all the hard to reach places. Just everywhere. Follow the directions on the back of the can and use short sweeping sprays. Don’t drench the project. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h3yoJL9WJXw/UEJL9Nw8hAI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/So25tCvTu3Q/s1600-h/DSCN3323%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3323" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yZ4Z4LrVS6s/UEJL-PHJmlI/AAAAAAAAGiY/bfGmVVs7AIc/DSCN3323_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3323" width="236" /></a><br />
Here we are all primed up. I sprayed on two coats of this because it covered so well. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UFt3N164Yz4/UEJL_X7bKmI/AAAAAAAAGig/zk36VOlKwt8/s1600-h/DSCN3321%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3321" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aA4bkWop-3o/UEJL__9FRFI/AAAAAAAAGio/4pTTFHMpBvM/DSCN3321_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3321" width="284" /></a><br />
I let mine dry for a day or two…not really I had to work and had other things that took my attention off this project. <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CAZR66yBYog/UEJMAWt3nuI/AAAAAAAAGiw/zVxggrjkdFw/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> Whenever the primer coat is completely dry and you’ve removed all the stray glue hairs you may have missed the first go around you can pick up the colored spray paint and go for it. The color I picked was a matte finish. I wanted the color to have a shine to it so I picked up a can of the Crystal Clear Enamel (which I didn’t end up using because I felt like the color had enough shine in it anyways)<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-95LRIQPSAEA/UEJMBYmSi3I/AAAAAAAAGi4/meb1mnXl2vA/s1600-h/DSCN3322%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3322" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5scAM3Y1RAE/UEJMCO3FHEI/AAAAAAAAGjA/HPYT0vyTfcg/DSCN3322_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3322" width="236" /></a><br />
First color coat. (It’s really not this bright of a color. I was outside in the glaring sun and I think that messed up my picture.)<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gy4UM4qLYCg/UEJMDrJ2Y4I/AAAAAAAAGjI/qmoZnj8RBYI/s1600-h/DSCN3330%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3330" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RxSeabNqvSI/UEJMERjQtVI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/ldrEeQfERXI/DSCN3330_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3330" width="314" /></a><br />
Second coat. Make sure you turn it over and spray the back, especially the inside and outside edges and backs of the spoons of the outer and inner edge. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SQCJ0-YUNM4/UEJMF4mdroI/AAAAAAAAGjY/6gLbUlNt_vg/s1600-h/DSCN3324%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3324" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iVMBW8IYj6Q/UEJMGvqow9I/AAAAAAAAGjg/A0_y4KdGP7E/DSCN3324_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3324" width="314" /></a><br />
Once all of the layers you put on are dry give it 24 hours to really sit up. <br />
The mirror I had was a mirrored tile. Lay it on flat surface with the mirror part up. Squeeze on a good amount of hot glue around the front edges and then careful place your spoon frame onto the mirror and hot glue. Press down gently and let the glue dry COMPLETLEY before you move it again. <br />
You can use claw hangers or even a piece of twine and more hot glue (like I did) to make a hanger/loop for the back of the mirror for hanging. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ruOTNB9_Ba4/UEJMHckv5dI/AAAAAAAAGjo/gGpDi7b8cfQ/s1600-h/DSCN3333%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3333" border="0" height="371" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bJpyqxizMok/UEJMII5GDFI/AAAAAAAAGjw/sLJ-ZrFNReQ/DSCN3333_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3333" width="279" /></a><br />
I’m in love with the project. I think I may make a few more smaller ones and hang them beside/around this large one. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p776Mq7NRFc/UEJMJA6-YPI/AAAAAAAAGj4/szh25rtsooU/s1600-h/DSCN3337%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3337" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5jWlYlIdnMs/UEJMJitex2I/AAAAAAAAGkA/vcDDW926aTM/DSCN3337_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3337" width="314" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-unTYcwm97vQ/UEJMKrOAU-I/AAAAAAAAGkI/PvDUjpLy2cM/s1600-h/DSCN3339%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN3339" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zZFuU7fXaDc/UEJMLbsGoWI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/tPztTK_AwV0/DSCN3339_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN3339" width="314" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">~Jess</span><br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z381/sewmanyways/polkadotsewmanyways125.jpg" /></a> <div align="center">
<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/" target="_blank" title="I Heart Nap Time"><img alt="I Heart Nap Time" src="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/logo_Sundae2.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
</center>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-61952828941461618262012-08-21T20:30:00.001-05:002012-08-21T20:30:57.574-05:00Sweet Pepper Relish<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7jU6lXI3d8/UDQ2TxwIRpI/AAAAAAAAGfY/uxtVUxXBYxg/s1600/DSCN3281.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7jU6lXI3d8/UDQ2TxwIRpI/AAAAAAAAGfY/uxtVUxXBYxg/s400/DSCN3281.JPG" /></a> </div>I know, the title isn't so appealing but boy is the relish!!! I was sceptical the entire I prepared, cooked and canned this recipe. Once everything was said and done Nathan and I mixed this with some cream cheese and ahhhhh it was an incredibly tasty dip for tortilla chips. Soooo yummy.<br />
<br />
<u><em><strong>Sweet Pepper Relish</strong></em></u>12-sweet bell peppers, (green, red, yellow, black) <br />
<br />
1 TBSP salt<br />
1 1/2 cups vinegar <br />
4 medium onions<br />
1 1/2 cups sugar <br />
1 TBSP mustard seed <br />
<br />
Cut peppers in half, take out the core and white parts and seeds. <br />
Quarter onions. <br />
Grind the green peppers & onions (save the juice) I had a small chopper/blender thing I used in batches.<br />
<br />
Place in a large pot with the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.<br />
Let this boil 30 minutes. <br />
<br />
Pack into sterilized jars & seal with the lid and rim immediately. <br />
<br />
Place in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
Remove from the bath and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.<br />
<br />
No kidding, it's incredible! <br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/37/5A699A9DEE88454663808D7D3ABFBA42.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-81566473525243866272012-07-19T09:31:00.001-05:002012-07-19T09:31:25.215-05:00Picture questions.<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5OjSFrYTW4/UAgaOmqWgRI/AAAAAAAAGe4/rGND8sswFAo/s1600/DSCN3236.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5OjSFrYTW4/UAgaOmqWgRI/AAAAAAAAGe4/rGND8sswFAo/s400/DSCN3236.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tGzhl9bYdHc/UAgaOw-MqpI/AAAAAAAAGfE/b7AmnpIHACE/s1600/DSCN3234.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tGzhl9bYdHc/UAgaOw-MqpI/AAAAAAAAGfE/b7AmnpIHACE/s400/DSCN3234.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/37/5A699A9DEE88454663808D7D3ABFBA42.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-24144972209216684882012-07-18T06:26:00.000-05:002012-07-18T06:26:00.332-05:00I have been sewing! I promise!<p>A few months ago I found the greatest sewing fabric every! (Without all the sewing lines, I did those)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w5zAHXWTMzM/UAG56IozecI/AAAAAAAAGdA/YgQPTnoGlBw/s1600-h/DSCN3213%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3213" border="0" alt="DSCN3213" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UbOjGJ9NUKk/UAG56z0Y27I/AAAAAAAAGdI/ywLUp3kW__0/DSCN3213_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="331" /></a></p> <p>What better to make than a sewing machine cover for Contessa with sewing machine fabric right?  I measure from bottom front of my machine to over the top of it to the bottom back of my machine and added an inch. I measured from side to side as well and added an inch for my measurements.  I quilted it with batting between the fabric and did the V stitch all over until I was satisfied with how it looked. </p> <p>Then I used binding around all of the rough edges and called it done.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TbEAe8pUbpw/UAG577mSLcI/AAAAAAAAGdQ/xQT7QkXROeg/s1600-h/DSCN3218%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3218" border="0" alt="DSCN3218" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DFvmx7k_Dc4/UAG58jMeMGI/AAAAAAAAGdY/nAhIxFSQ_Y4/DSCN3218_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Doesn’t she look so cozy under her new cover? This was one of my most favorite projects to do. I’m not sure why…maybe it’s because I made something for Contessa, my favorite machine ever!</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OKlyLOj6c9o/UAG594Pw2TI/AAAAAAAAGdg/QukUf5zgmZQ/s1600-h/DSCN3232%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3232" border="0" alt="DSCN3232" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PxiDa88K5YM/UAG5-ktESeI/AAAAAAAAGdo/3Z8dU_ZKQm8/DSCN3232_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">I also quilted my first ever baby blanket. I’ve made other baby blankets before where I just slapped fabric together and edge the two together. Now though I actually quilted the baby blanket like I did Contessa’s cover above and then used blanket binding. I’m really really happy with how it turned out. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mLZXDtOJ6Rg/UAG5_iyN6oI/AAAAAAAAGdw/Y1NIaZr41Qo/s1600-h/DSCN3221%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3221" border="0" alt="DSCN3221" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nMk9D_sUh_g/UAG6AH02KpI/AAAAAAAAGd4/N63hL7LetFs/DSCN3221_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GxA9rYaFRcg/UAG6BD8zJxI/AAAAAAAAGeA/H43j-mjO08g/s1600-h/DSCN3223%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3223" border="0" alt="DSCN3223" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q_P0WZQDPJc/UAG6BwoR_rI/AAAAAAAAGeI/zGO00q3DRds/DSCN3223_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="182" /></a></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_X9mND6f9_k/UAG6CgS-a6I/AAAAAAAAGeQ/egbAq12Sou0/s1600-h/DSCN3224%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3224" border="0" alt="DSCN3224" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XFLSlxL40WI/UAG6DX6MEOI/AAAAAAAAGeY/pJXY-CaGMt8/DSCN3224_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="202" /></a></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font>I think Murphy likes it too. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1j37wYAnQyQ/UAG6EbeE7zI/AAAAAAAAGeg/esvI3kqrXNE/s1600-h/DSCN3226%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3226" border="0" alt="DSCN3226" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QyQiqA4a_u0/UAG6FE_nnfI/AAAAAAAAGeo/qiiLyCGgI78/DSCN3226_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Now….who to give it to? If it stays in the house Evan Grace is sure to claim it as her own!</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="7" face="Segoe Script">~Jess</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"> </font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-44830372709300307302012-07-16T06:52:00.000-05:002012-07-16T06:52:00.112-05:00Tea Party<p>I didn’t come up with the menu. Remember that. </p> <p>Warm sweet tea. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NhefBuPr-9I/UAGx_UguocI/AAAAAAAAGcM/-3YA8wBIaFw/s1600-h/DSCN3062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3062" border="0" alt="DSCN3062" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u5-lP418_Bg/UAGyAEwqRtI/AAAAAAAAGcU/xKD9s_N2-xg/DSCN3062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>Pimento Cheese sandwiches. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lSN8PHhtyEQ/UAGyBOjKUMI/AAAAAAAAGcc/aM8BD1VSczc/s1600-h/DSCN3067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3067" border="0" alt="DSCN3067" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jGfavBi76Fo/UAGyBqOxuOI/AAAAAAAAGck/paMSwgCmAyM/DSCN3067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>Peanut Butter Chocolate cupcakes. (The real reason for this post)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qiu793Qf2lI/UAGyCsVMbWI/AAAAAAAAGcs/gjBEi6isg6Y/s1600-h/DSCN3066%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3066" border="0" alt="DSCN3066" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w5lQnAfb6l8/UAGyDeyzSSI/AAAAAAAAGc0/lvFRbaYDAB0/DSCN3066_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>This peanut butter icing is fantastic. </p> <p>1 cup confectioners’ sugar <br />1 cup creamy peanut butter <br />5 tablespoons butter, at room temperature <br />¾ teaspoon vanilla extract <br />¼ teaspoon kosher salt <br />1/3 cup heavy cream</p> <p>Mix confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt in the bowl (with a paddle attachment if you have one, I don’t so the egg beaters worked just fine) Mix until creamy and smooth. Add in the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth. </p> <p>It’s that quick and simple. This goes great on any type of chocolate cupcake or the tip of your finger. Yum.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-57017903914422977862012-07-13T06:20:00.000-05:002012-07-13T06:20:00.411-05:00Beach Time<p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Big Poppa (he’s been upgraded from Boy Toy) and I took the kids to the beach a few weeks ago. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ERuV6L55BA8/T_8HjdLcvMI/AAAAAAAAGZk/kxGVjY_1ojk/s1600-h/DSCN3148%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3148" border="0" alt="DSCN3148" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UxR2y_Zx2-g/T_8HtPBKx7I/AAAAAAAAGZs/0zv5x7nXqxs/DSCN3148_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BsuRmtxDySQ/T_8HxA6gJqI/AAAAAAAAGZw/axcid1euBhc/s1600-h/DSCN3150%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3150" border="0" alt="DSCN3150" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2hGiuypx0HA/T_8Hx4qVtzI/AAAAAAAAGZ4/XaXxuhuRWF0/DSCN3150_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-arnZ7UxV-As/T_8HyymgRZI/AAAAAAAAGaA/P3UjV3VY43E/s1600-h/DSCN3155%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3155" border="0" alt="DSCN3155" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UmBItM2euT0/T_8HznivdLI/AAAAAAAAGaM/Iz1Uk9cLbxo/DSCN3155_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UhtE456nhNg/T_8H1FGUToI/AAAAAAAAGaU/h32veiZ5G1o/s1600-h/DSCN3167%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3167" border="0" alt="DSCN3167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A7UiKnyW29I/T_8H1y8onJI/AAAAAAAAGac/7pZKARHL6J0/DSCN3167_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3ESVtPvCoaY/T_8H4eDoj7I/AAAAAAAAGak/JuNgx7bZXeI/s1600-h/DSCN3184%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3184" border="0" alt="DSCN3184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IqtGP_DhtmY/T_8H5GmHlqI/AAAAAAAAGas/WzDUQR0ACr4/DSCN3184_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="379" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_NI11FfppNU/T_8H6eOMJAI/AAAAAAAAGa4/Bzn_FisY3vY/s1600-h/DSCN3168%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3168" border="0" alt="DSCN3168" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QZr_SoWTUUc/T_8H8NUsRPI/AAAAAAAAGbA/qJK7jFpJOrE/DSCN3168_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DmEkWS25UyU/T_8H9BxbtxI/AAAAAAAAGbI/SBo-4grvhgM/s1600-h/DSCN3175%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3175" border="0" alt="DSCN3175" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Bz4iV8AVvg/T_8H91diHrI/AAAAAAAAGbQ/nHk6fqMmUd8/DSCN3175_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RIx_nPPWaAI/T_8IBq9dhII/AAAAAAAAGbY/a3rXwa-nmR0/s1600-h/DSCN3201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3201" border="0" alt="DSCN3201" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-25P75n1c07E/T_8ICXz-PxI/AAAAAAAAGbg/_p3sISIW3QM/DSCN3201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="324" /></a></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-01bCtKDWcGo/T_8ILp8ZNrI/AAAAAAAAGbo/hhvm7Vv-cUE/s1600-h/DSCN3199%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3199" border="0" alt="DSCN3199" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tguy1yQTh9w/T_8IMXu1ONI/AAAAAAAAGbw/xffHbfSObtc/DSCN3199_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">We fly kites every time we go to the beach. Something my sister and I did whenever we went to the beach growing up. look at the one I found!!!!!!!</font></p> <h1><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j5zWaLlUsSU/T_8INEKTnJI/AAAAAAAAGb4/AVrl_Gbx2Ck/s1600-h/DSCN3202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3202" border="0" alt="DSCN3202" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZQBtBJxpi5A/T_8INncl5lI/AAAAAAAAGcA/CUu9xHjcyec/DSCN3202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></h1> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">*sigh* When can we go back? </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="7" face="Segoe Script"><em>~Jess</em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-2918148860819359012012-07-12T11:51:00.001-05:002012-07-12T11:51:32.355-05:00New Laundry Detergent Recipe (powder)<p>I haven’t bought store laundry detergent in 4 years now. (Boy has that saved a lot of money) When blog surfing a few months ago I ran across a new laundry detergent recipe that I hadn’t see anywhere else. It’s a powder kind.  It took the blogger 9 months to go through about 2 gallons of detergent that she spent only $20.</p> <p>Of course I had to try it, it’s cheap and lasts that long? Sign me up!</p> <p>Here’s what you need:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b5KSbYXM52s/T_8AeMeLILI/AAAAAAAAGYg/hIPcNJe_q-E/s1600-h/DSCN3074%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3074" border="0" alt="DSCN3074" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u_eT8uASxw8/T_8AeyMRMZI/AAAAAAAAGYo/kQ13ASXiiJk/DSCN3074_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">1-4lb 12oz box of Borax (I use this in the liquid detergent I’ve been making the past few years)</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">1-4lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (if you don’t find this in the laundry aisle you could check the baking aisle)</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (another ingredient I use in the liquid detergent)</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap, (shredded the bars like you would the bars of soap for the liquid detergent)  If you prefer Zote bars use only 2 of those! </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">1-3lb of Oxy Clean. You don’t have to add Oxy Clean but it’s really worth it for the stains and has a great clean smell!  </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">It’s not in the picture above but I added a bottle of those new laundry detergent crystals I can’t even remember the name of them either. It adds great fragrance!!!!</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">After you’ve shredded your soap bars:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cW7Z34ZV7GA/T_8AfyuDGeI/AAAAAAAAGYw/fCLcbruPEvg/s1600-h/DSCN3079%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3079" border="0" alt="DSCN3079" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uEhkydTkvXQ/T_8AhMJ2dDI/AAAAAAAAGY4/lMfQ56RNrIc/DSCN3079_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">I put a trash bag into my 5 gallon liquid laundry detergent bucket and started dumping in all the ingredients above. Then I closed the bag, held it tightly and mixed all the powders and soaps. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Viola!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vmeoACrQi-A/T_8AiCq-PeI/AAAAAAAAGZA/eJaAuwRWP4k/s1600-h/DSCN3081%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3081" border="0" alt="DSCN3081" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kzgWKKH3xUI/T_8AivuxkyI/AAAAAAAAGZI/5T10Ae45AG0/DSCN3081_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Can you tell I forgot to put in the fragrance crystals???</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">I got a big glass jar and added some stickers (and the crystals!). </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w-gqQKhrlu8/T_8Ajpm2G1I/AAAAAAAAGZQ/uUVGmZ0BbVs/s1600-h/DSCN3138%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3138" border="0" alt="DSCN3138" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2UfLcve_7Gg/T_8AkYvTRWI/AAAAAAAAGZY/TMZQnwoejiU/DSCN3138_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a></p> <p>The best, best, best thing about this detergent is you only need to use 2 Tablespoons PER laundry load, big or small. </p> <p>At first I didn’t trust it so I started out with 1/4 cup and slowly worked my way down. Trust me, 2 tablespoons is all you need. Everything comes out clean and smell so wonderful. I’m not sure if I’ll ever go back to the liquid goo laundry detergent again. </p> <p> </p> <p>If you want to check out the blog where I got the recipe for this from here’s the link below. She even has an owl icon on the top of her home page so you know it’s a great blog!!</p> <p><a title="http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html" href="http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html">http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html</a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="7" face="Segoe Script">~Jess</font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-58224029209558601212012-04-21T13:03:00.001-05:002012-04-21T13:03:57.600-05:00MS Walk 2012<p> </p> <p>When April rolls around everyone in the household knows it’s time to get ready for the MS walk in Bristol, TN.  The kids were really excited this year and Evan Grace even donated $9 of her own, hard earned, money ‘for the cure’ as she liked to call it. </p> <p> </p> <p>We all met up at the park and got ready to walk. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aJiNUpVvfkU/T5L2PspkfUI/AAAAAAAAGWI/6-7Pbf3bYfA/s1600-h/DSCN3035%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3035" border="0" alt="DSCN3035" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JuMYjXbiiSs/T5L2QNSbnvI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/eYDMs3lH0JM/DSCN3035_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="360" /></a>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O9HjcrzyziE/T5L2R00oyOI/AAAAAAAAGWY/0pi25aCzdVE/s1600-h/DSCN3033%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3033" border="0" alt="DSCN3033" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WKG5zHKoPr0/T5L2StxZGsI/AAAAAAAAGWg/Sa5iiaWvyaM/DSCN3033_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>After getting registered and turning in the money we had raised it was time for the welcome speech. We were excited that we were the first walk of the year in our region, usually we’re one of the last. (I think that’s a rabbit rom one of the local radio stations, but I’m not sure). </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xCgWQ5bZWR4/T5L2Tr8-hiI/AAAAAAAAGWo/DWzFY9HQzks/s1600-h/DSCN3036%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3036" border="0" alt="DSCN3036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IN9atdItUe4/T5L2UZILC7I/AAAAAAAAGWw/bM38cON4jwc/DSCN3036_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="221" /></a></p> <p>Then we had to take the annual group/couple photos while on the actual walk.  Vanessa and her hubby. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x89xupFbbOE/T5L2WOmEM_I/AAAAAAAAGW4/zf2Svfd6m50/s1600-h/DSCN3041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3041" border="0" alt="DSCN3041" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OfaA8s5cnNo/T5L2W0CIlgI/AAAAAAAAGXA/lxfcQcMdYyI/DSCN3041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>My oldest, more mature child (cough,cough) and I. Yes, this picture was her idea…..if you were wondering. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nrtq7wAOYcc/T5L2YdlBoHI/AAAAAAAAGXI/K5GeZYIy2FU/s1600-h/DSCN3048%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3048" border="0" alt="DSCN3048" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gREb5drrTt0/T5L2Y7sisoI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/TOGy6kEsSnQ/DSCN3048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>And of course the rock picture we take every year with my beautiful mom front and center. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CRXVyZQ3kns/T5L2ZvX_JVI/AAAAAAAAGXY/IfMjzCYBqE4/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T1_HXePr3bM/T5L2bIU5wtI/AAAAAAAAGXg/MbiI1N-hes0/s1600-h/DSCN3059%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3059" border="0" alt="DSCN3059" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2o8eU1GzeDU/T5L2ficLpkI/AAAAAAAAGXo/1Wi5VNgKjvc/DSCN3059_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="228" /></a></p> <p>The walk this year was fantastic but I must confess I fell deeply, madly in love with another man while we were there.  Needless to say Nathan was sure uncomfortable to be there and witness me falling all over myself to get close to this guy as often as I could. But honestly, could you resist falling for such a magnificent man??????</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k1PwD0-LlXA/T5L2gl4GsLI/AAAAAAAAGXw/cxc71OBeSkA/s1600-h/DSCN3038%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3038" border="0" alt="DSCN3038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1e4Yy56cUAA/T5L2hrLgaII/AAAAAAAAGX4/YPLS_zvsw1Q/DSCN3038_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="361" /></a></p> <p>His name is Smoke and I want him!!!! Ok, I’ll settle for a Great Pyrenees all my own instead of stealing this guy from his owner. It’s probably better that way for everyone. </p> <p>My mom is only one of so many that are affected by MS so get involved, find where and when your local chapter walks at <a title="http://www.nationalmssociety.org/walkMapRegion.aspx" href="http://www.nationalmssociety.org/walkMapRegion.aspx">http://www.nationalmssociety.org/walkMapRegion.aspx</a> and get walking for the cure. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CZluiB_8pzY/T5L2icr2LuI/AAAAAAAAGYA/ZdknzS76378/s1600-h/DSCN3073%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3073" border="0" alt="DSCN3073" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oq6tVUuH3TY/T5L2jImcNAI/AAAAAAAAGYI/UhiGG5mhweI/DSCN3073_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="316" /></a></p> <p>Much love to all my readers, </p> <p> <br /><font size="7" face="Angsana New">~Jess</font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-33445290159129173992012-02-18T06:31:00.000-06:002012-02-18T06:31:00.380-06:00Bento Box/Bag<p><font size="3">I have been sewing some lately, though not taking any step by step pictures. Here’s one of my latest projects. I didn’t come up with the pattern though, I found it online and decided to give it a whirl. </font></p> <p><font size="3">Here’s the front of it, all tied up and ready to go. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g0edj1XxiLw/Tz6rLvq8rMI/AAAAAAAAGUI/WNoY5RW5_h8/s1600-h/DSCN3018%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3018" border="0" alt="DSCN3018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0EERWMFUzmk/Tz6rMZFI4wI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/XXtkLOI4lho/DSCN3018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="248" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">The sides are suppose to be floppy so that when you open it up to get your lunch out you’re not all hemmed in. (Dorky sewing joke I know but ha!)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GC639hxJkE4/Tz6rO_UZEwI/AAAAAAAAGUY/Bwl-KtHCjy0/s1600-h/DSCN3019%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3019" border="0" alt="DSCN3019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YswFNVTpL-c/Tz6rPTSMZcI/AAAAAAAAGUg/b6pln4b8gBA/DSCN3019_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="327" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">Bet you want to see the inside of this now. I’m definitely going to change how I do the dividers if I make this again. The pattern only required you stich the dividers together at the top without any attachment to the bottom and I think it’s just a little too flimsy. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3qPvn_AZyEQ/Tz6rQwhBNAI/AAAAAAAAGUo/HGBqsRheQ5k/s1600-h/DSCN3020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3020" border="0" alt="DSCN3020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KAOWDiv1Pho/Tz6rSkjV-vI/AAAAAAAAGUw/L8n-DcAm6iU/DSCN3020_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="248" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">One good thing to point out about the dividers sewn this way…if you have something bigger to pack for lunch that doesn’t fit nicely into one of the slots you can fold the slots up and slide the food underneath, maybe that’s why they aren’t suppose to attach to the bottom???? Let’s go with that. </font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lY7vLVIzFLI/Tz6rUTlcpPI/AAAAAAAAGU4/vpO05-qg53c/s1600-h/DSCN3025%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3025" border="0" alt="DSCN3025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lO2rFcKE0-g/Tz6rU_gRhBI/AAAAAAAAGVA/H4wte6qukN4/DSCN3025_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="241" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Here’s everything open. </font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-epq7JgH3eRg/Tz6rWgN08mI/AAAAAAAAGVI/cMioDCUPcV8/s1600-h/DSCN3023%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3023" border="0" alt="DSCN3023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3G_UfbrQj68/Tz6rXb7t7ZI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/pEpdHIQDAQE/DSCN3023_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="208" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">Or you can leave the handles together and just open the cover to get to all your yummies. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HPS9EokIgdk/Tz6rY7VR9YI/AAAAAAAAGVY/otft81E1TxQ/s1600-h/DSCN3022%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3022" border="0" alt="DSCN3022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U7y3rJ648FI/Tz6rZljQjJI/AAAAAAAAGVg/NqI7Jbuxq5U/DSCN3022_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="437" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">I’ve taken this box to lunch to work with me a few times and every time I do someone comments on how neat/cute/ great it is. When they ask where I got it and I reply that I made it they can’t hide their surprise.  I’m proud of this little lunch box and it wasn’t near as complicated as the pattern directions made it out to be. If you’d like me to put up a tutorial on how to make one of these bento boxes for yourself leave me a comment below.  That would be a good excuse to make another one wouldn’t it. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EtJ-jhHOssE/Tz6raAZaFgI/AAAAAAAAGVo/NbU7Ss1fBtk/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nz0PY_RXC6U/Tz6rbjFXeBI/AAAAAAAAGVw/2W1rhi9sWCU/s1600-h/DSCN3018%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3018" border="0" alt="DSCN3018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E6UBQwYjXUw/Tz6rcWvIRJI/AAAAAAAAGV4/dyHXxR7CR08/DSCN3018_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="345" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-84585172227462860492012-02-17T12:52:00.001-06:002012-02-17T12:52:42.281-06:00Little Seamstress<p>1 yard of Hello Kitty Fabric   </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1yB-ndVUc8I/Tz6h1CF99pI/AAAAAAAAGTE/vLlenvMe_Ro/s1600-h/DSCN2994%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2994" border="0" alt="DSCN2994" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ztkAykaG760/Tz6h2x-TSWI/AAAAAAAAGTM/QQ2RfBqnFbE/DSCN2994_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="259" /></a></p> <p>+ a cute 6 year old</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UZ-gvrJf5fw/Tz6h4GAC8DI/AAAAAAAAGTU/4x0PnrwX4hE/s1600-h/DSCN3011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3011" border="0" alt="DSCN3011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KAcN_JKyPtc/Tz6h4kSkbvI/AAAAAAAAGTc/QKXkOrGC9f8/DSCN3011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="248" /></a></p> <p>+ a curiosity in sewing with Contessa</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OtkVqTmOSkU/Tz6h7K7gYxI/AAAAAAAAGTk/oY5KQTirriE/s1600-h/DSCN2991%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2991" border="0" alt="DSCN2991" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hjNQ23aDiN8/Tz6h7jhfc2I/AAAAAAAAGTs/nwEkWP8TB4w/DSCN2991_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="248" /></a></p> <p>= a brand new pillowcase sewn by the cute 6 year old allllllll by herself!!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BZHFdlkUKXA/Tz6h8_2xTFI/AAAAAAAAGT0/aUNLvHS6KiI/s1600-h/DSCN2994%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2994" border="0" alt="DSCN2994" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9_sTULoIb2E/Tz6h98B_6fI/AAAAAAAAGT8/7USQdeXE21Y/DSCN2994_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="257" /></a></p> <p>I had to try very very hard to hold back my excitement over her wanting to learn how to sew. I was even more excited when she actually started sewing and did really well for her age. I’m thinking she’s ready for an apron next, maybe even a blanket for one of her babies. </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="6"><em>~Jess</em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-32708443648943577862011-11-30T06:48:00.000-06:002011-11-30T06:48:00.499-06:00MIA<p>I’ve been MIA for awhile now, please forgive me. I’ve not been sewing or crafting or much of anything really but keeping up with day to day life. </p> <p>I started a new job, part time only but it’s fun, and interesting and kicking my butt all at the same time. </p> <p>I’m still homeschooling the two little kids but with the new job we’ve had to increase the amount of work we normally do and even started homeschooling on Saturdays. Bummer for me, not so much for the kids. </p> <p>Football season for Isaac is officially over. The Packers won every single game, as well as the Super bowl. That was a crazy intense game. It was tied up 6-6 until the last 5 seconds of the 4th quarter (I kid you not) when one of our guys broke free of the line and ran and ran and ran for the winning touchdown. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xD3BhrbBMvI/TtRkSakG2mI/AAAAAAAAGPs/RQrWK694CAY/s1600-h/DSCN2848%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2848" border="0" alt="DSCN2848" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bg6CyRgaMh4/TtRkS4dWp9I/AAAAAAAAGP0/Y7UhbiVEXxc/DSCN2848_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="222" /></a></p> <p>Here’s a great picture of Isaac getting ready to run across the field as his name is being called!!!!!! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p7lYbIU-ghs/TtRkUGtF5TI/AAAAAAAAGP8/6XdnCjv7oEc/s1600-h/DSCN2854%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2854" border="0" alt="DSCN2854" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-In8-q3sATeQ/TtRkU3xqjVI/AAAAAAAAGQE/UqxmxK1LDLQ/DSCN2854_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Both teams lining up for the coin toss. I love how the Packers are holding hands….just like a true team. </p> <p>But enough about football right? Mackenzie completed her fall season of cheer for the JV football team and is now practicing for Winter season. Basketball…ugh, there’s not a sport I could hate more than basketball but I’ll be there cheering her as she cheers on the team. </p> <p>She’s one of the main reasons I haven’t been crafting or sewing lately. She had a science fair project she needed some help on. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G0YlwQWjt1w/TtRkV67UGpI/AAAAAAAAGQM/aelGJuBxL4s/s1600-h/DSCN2925%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2925" border="0" alt="DSCN2925" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zRNJbLeq9Qk/TtRkWXe0x-I/AAAAAAAAGQU/TvkKXNJALFU/DSCN2925_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>That one was due on a Monday, then she had another science project due the next day. Two cakes, decorated to look like the inside of a plant cell and animal cell. Props to Aunt Vanessa for helping on that one so I could recover from the Science Fair. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fY0E5tV8OzI/TtRkXRbs37I/AAAAAAAAGQc/-vzXO5aecCI/s1600-h/DSCN2929%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2929" border="0" alt="DSCN2929" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pQME7ZwLO5o/TtRkXy-JPBI/AAAAAAAAGQk/sIC4b9-xTUo/DSCN2929_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Then there was the Veterans Day concert. Ohhhh my goodness, it was soooo good. The program was fantastic and I was soooo very proud of Mackenzie and the rest of the choir. As soon as I relearn how to post a video on my blog I’m going to post her solo in We Are the World!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Naol53rzVqw/TtRkYiCi0WI/AAAAAAAAGQs/HEs0uySJiwQ/s1600-h/DSCN2886%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2886" border="0" alt="DSCN2886" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-imOsXYlVFvY/TtRkZE6bvnI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/ZJoGxZor1m4/DSCN2886_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="142" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pN4gjj9Sims/TtRkaJH7QHI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/NTwwIt50oA4/s1600-h/DSCN2888%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2888" border="0" alt="DSCN2888" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qnthGEvASaE/TtRkaunm8ZI/AAAAAAAAGRE/k0VfSyaIqbQ/DSCN2888_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Mackenzie is in the very back row, third from the left. See the girl in the front pointing at her smile? That’s Mackenzie’s BFF Hannah. She’s a goof!</p> <p>As for Evan Grace, she’s actually learning to really, truly read but she’s more interested in math (go figure). And as always she’s busy all the time. For example, she’s busy reading to the pets (Daisy looks really entertained doesn’t she?)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TUWWFfjLkVw/TtRkdH4mHsI/AAAAAAAAGRM/-5BG5WtD6ME/s1600-h/DSCN2873%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2873" border="0" alt="DSCN2873" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QBOU_zWQd7Y/TtRkdkw702I/AAAAAAAAGRU/MtaCwUKJNLk/DSCN2873_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>and busy building steps for her bears…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WYj9hyTpUwU/TtRkepai38I/AAAAAAAAGRc/kUXzr1aUR50/s1600-h/DSCN2910%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2910" border="0" alt="DSCN2910" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_U12egoeCtU/TtRkfCbjRmI/AAAAAAAAGRk/4ANaniX8Rs4/DSCN2910_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="233" /></a></p> <p>and busy just being all around cute!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fLkXAjKg7V8/TtRkfzFfYKI/AAAAAAAAGRo/XtIyGD10nrg/s1600-h/DSCN2823%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2823" border="0" alt="DSCN2823" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2xbfG_A490U/TtRkhOyKEJI/AAAAAAAAGRw/gyfydzZUes8/DSCN2823_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Consider yourself updated and I’ll consider myself a bad blogger whose going to try and do better about keeping up this time.  <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-enAmFgd1fDM/TtRkhSwyAHI/AAAAAAAAGR4/VtkTuyYyvxA/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p> </p> <p>~Jess</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-43459143379488100902011-11-28T22:22:00.001-06:002011-11-28T22:22:42.146-06:00Paper Bag Turkey!<p>Yes you really are going to bake a turkey in a paper bag without setting your house, (or the turkey) on fire. </p> <p>You’ll need a 15-18lb turkey, completely thawed and de-gibleted….no it’s not a word but it would be so cool if it were!</p> <p>1 celery stalk</p> <p>1 large carrot (cleaned and rough cut)</p> <p>1 large onion, quartered</p> <p>4-5 clovers of garlic, smashed under a knife. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-16tkEb6aXIc/TtRd8S3f6mI/AAAAAAAAGOE/FNy1ldwGxjs/s1600-h/DSCN2934%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2934" border="0" alt="DSCN2934" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-63Ar7tJcAy4/TtRd80llzII/AAAAAAAAGOM/A14PVBcNDOg/DSCN2934_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Stuff all of the veggies and garlic into the turkey. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fH-bpe78Z2U/TtRd9787cnI/AAAAAAAAGOU/udPhHoHlEJw/s1600-h/DSCN2935%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2935" border="0" alt="DSCN2935" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YUfTn6dDbAs/TtRd-YbYegI/AAAAAAAAGOc/CexJi9cIehc/DSCN2935_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Now rub your turkey down with olive oil. I didn’t snap a picture of this step because honestly, my hands were covered in oil!!!</p> <p>Take a large paper bag, open it up wide. Yell at Boy Toy to come help you if you need an extra pair of hands.  Place the stuffed, oiled turkey into the brown paper bag and set it down into your basting pan. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sdXNjt2PtCE/TtRd_eSmYGI/AAAAAAAAGOk/w2Gvwpn2UDA/s1600-h/DSCN2937%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2937" border="0" alt="DSCN2937" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JXA0af89tl4/TtRd_1kYpVI/AAAAAAAAGOs/OeXW3hOOhD4/DSCN2937_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="271" /></a></p> <p>Fold the ends over and staple together. If your bag isn’t big enough use two bags and staple them together. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-13OCyn6OAQk/TtReAg9ptxI/AAAAAAAAGO0/_VyEII2oNlk/s1600-h/DSCN2938%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2938" border="0" alt="DSCN2938" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pbbxb3P8Erc/TtReBIrPMnI/AAAAAAAAGO8/b9rTaP00Q8A/DSCN2938_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Sprinkle water over the bag until it’s wet but not soaking.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PTRiMCGd3no/TtReCOYppcI/AAAAAAAAGPE/zWoca3GZnhM/s1600-h/DSCN2939%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2939" border="0" alt="DSCN2939" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hjj_k89cR7A/TtReCoLnIRI/AAAAAAAAGPM/kx0mw4W-Npc/DSCN2939_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Slip this bird into a 375 degree preheated oven and set it to cook 15 min for each pound. </p> <p>You can check to see if the turkey is done by inserting a meat thermometer and making sure it reads between 163-170 before you call it done. Or if yours was like mine you wait for the little red button thing to pop out. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Tv-oo5L7Kuw/TtReC113qmI/AAAAAAAAGPU/qJ5DMiW-5QM/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WE_7BOTL2qo/TtReD2fzJBI/AAAAAAAAGPc/veWgTLYSUIs/s1600-h/DSCN2940%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2940" border="0" alt="DSCN2940" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LiiDaHbBbFo/TtReETff6UI/AAAAAAAAGPk/PPuUgGAFnL0/DSCN2940_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a></p> <p>Now you tell me, isn’t that a beautiful turkey? All roasted up instead of steamed and ohhhh so juicy!</p> <p>If you’re wondering why the bag doesn’t catch fire, paper burns at 415 degrees and since we’re baking well enough below that the oven should never get hot enough to catch the paper bag on fire. </p> <p>Throw away all the veggies you stuffed in the bird and get carving!</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="7">Happy Holiday!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Vijaya">~Jess</font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-57464434166689668432011-09-15T06:23:00.000-05:002011-09-15T06:23:00.474-05:00Lasagna Rollups.<p>I made this awhile back and it quickly became one of our family’s favorite recipes. </p> <p>Start by cooking your lasagna noodles al dente (rinse in cold water once they are finished cooking) and browning 1 lb of hamburger, drain.</p> <p>While those are cooking mix together the following in a medium sized bowl:</p> <p>2 cup ricotta cheese</p> <p>1/2 cup cottage cheese</p> <p>1 egg</p> <p>1 cup Parmesan cheese</p> <p>1 cup mozzarella cheese, divided</p> <p>3/4 tsp salt</p> <p>1/8 tsp cracked pepper</p> <p>1 tsp parsley, dried</p> <p>3/4 tsp oregano, dried</p> <p>1 t lemon juice</p> <p>1 lb browned hamburger (if you don’t want to use meat you can sub in 5 cups of finely chopped spinach. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--Aavr1z8dAE/Tm0Y4eyjKOI/AAAAAAAAGME/P_fZVeOdih8/s1600-h/DSCN1808%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1808" border="0" alt="DSCN1808" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vDD5lRu__Cc/Tm0Y4q0511I/AAAAAAAAGMI/m4P3ENpaWmg/DSCN1808_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>Take one noodle at a time and lay it flat on a plate. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VdenAXnzbec/Tm0Y5nv46lI/AAAAAAAAGMM/JPjKSh_OzIs/s1600-h/DSCN1811%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1811" border="0" alt="DSCN1811" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9WF-FuxVUQ8/Tm0Y6CMpdjI/AAAAAAAAGMQ/hystQqU5M14/DSCN1811_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Spoon a good amount of meat and cheese filling onto the noodle. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1moFoKsUDtg/Tm0Y65fs0BI/AAAAAAAAGMU/fnkN_r1uEKM/s1600-h/DSCN1813%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1813" border="0" alt="DSCN1813" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ROi5fXSkwyA/Tm0Y7-AfPBI/AAAAAAAAGMY/DJ0JMPSb-9U/DSCN1813_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>Start at one end and roll the noodle into a tight bundle. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yNMUaDIB_pY/Tm0Y83wYEYI/AAAAAAAAGMc/4PtENZw66UQ/s1600-h/DSCN1814%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1814" border="0" alt="DSCN1814" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wLf-oi7rRaE/Tm0Y9eH0o9I/AAAAAAAAGMg/4qUzm-jwfLY/DSCN1814_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="250" /></a></p> <p>Once all your noodles are all rolled up, take a 9 x 13’’ pan and pour 1 cup of spaghetti sauce into the bottom of it. Place all your lasagna rolls in the sauce, seam side down. </p> <p>Top the rolls with the rest of your spaghetti sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella. Cover with foil and back 45 minutes at 350 degrees. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O7wv4Q20biE/Tm0Y-VB_wyI/AAAAAAAAGMk/Fux_7-s_iSE/s1600-h/DSCN1818%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1818" border="0" alt="DSCN1818" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zxTf1PvcB4Q/Tm0Y_C4b1nI/AAAAAAAAGMo/FlnNh983l64/DSCN1818_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p>These helped eliminate the mess of cutting and serving up unrolled lasagna and the ingredients you can roll into the noodle are endless!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W2X0WwsYCqU/Tm0Y_6k3JDI/AAAAAAAAGMs/ZDRjd7HGHBA/s1600-h/DSCN1820%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1820" border="0" alt="DSCN1820" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5azUjpceZJw/Tm0ZAd3t71I/AAAAAAAAGMw/X7xD7nUrHHA/DSCN1820_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font size="7" face="LilyUPC"><em>~Jess</em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-56137965859181566282011-09-14T07:00:00.000-05:002011-09-14T07:00:08.623-05:00Wordless Wednesday.<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-6295188208540043452011-09-13T06:54:00.000-05:002011-09-13T07:07:14.554-05:00Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Sweet & Sour Sauce.If you’re looking for a quick and easy go to meal that everyone in the house will eat…keep clicking. This is not the recipe for you. It is however a fantastically great recipe and easy, it just takes a little longer than other meals. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HrNa41Qjf-g/Tm0ZITO6uhI/AAAAAAAAGM0/Q5zNU6u5pVA/s1600-h/DSCN18844.jpg"><img alt="DSCN1884" border="0" height="266" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e8858CMqFoE/Tm0ZI5rYgPI/AAAAAAAAGM4/hi8-sykryeo/DSCN1884_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN1884" width="354" /></a><br />
Cut 3-4 chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Set aside.<br />
In a bowl, mix together:<br />
1 cup flour<br />
1/2 cup cornstarch<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
1 tsp salt. <br />
Then whisk in 1 1/2 cup cold water and stir until all lumps are gone.<br />
<br />
Dump in your chicken and stir until all the pieces are coated well. <br />
In a deep skillet or fry daddy whichever you have heat enough oil to fry the nuggets in to about 375 degrees. <br />
<br />
The amount of pieces you can fry at one time is totally dependent upon the size of your skillet. If it’s large you should be able to cook 8-10 pieces without them sticking together or cooling down the oil too much. If it’s smaller then maybe 5-6. Just make sure you get a nice golden brown all over the breading. <br />
<br />
While you’re frying those up in a small saucepan bring the following ingredients to a boil:<br />
1/3 cup white vinegar<br />
1/3 cup sugar<br />
1 TBS soy sauce or Teriyaki sauce (we like it better with Teriyaki)<br />
3 TBS ketchup<br />
1/2 tsp garlic powder.<br />
<br />
<br />
Simmer for 10 minutes and then remove from heat. The sauce will thicken up as it stands and cools a bit. <br />
<br />
I liked mine pilled on top of rice (since I rarely eat rice) but the kids were popping these things as soon as they were coming out of the fryer. <br />
<br />
Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Sweet & Sour Sauce….done!!!!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria Math;">~Jess</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-8957999051754813862011-09-12T06:54:00.000-05:002011-09-12T15:46:11.465-05:00String Scarf.Would you believe in all my fabric stashes that I don’t have ANY green or yellow fabric AT ALL? I don’t wear yellow but Isaac playing football for the Packers I had to have something green and yellow for all his football games. <br />
Since I didn’t have a trip to a fabric store planned I was pleasantly surprised to find 2 tank tops at a sore for $4 each. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cdF3tuRsDug/Tmwi8XKegfI/AAAAAAAAGKg/uyBryGSgh9s/s1600-h/DSCN2745%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2745" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hlC6q-OEUzU/Tmwi8gOdszI/AAAAAAAAGKk/d0E0ewSGvLg/DSCN2745_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2745" width="229" /></a><br />
I had a scarf idea in mind, that way no matter what else I wore to Isaac’s games I’d still be wearing team colors. <br />
I laid out the green and white tank top out flat and cut from left to right, 1’’ strips all the way up to the top of the shirt. Here’s a picture of the first strip cut.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gjw0BPyVnpk/Tmwi-Fx_zAI/AAAAAAAAGKo/_ieXtYBG_t8/s1600-h/DSCN2746%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2746" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yh16Xh6mHWU/Tmwi-7NjEtI/AAAAAAAAGKs/cbeNSbYPMyc/DSCN2746_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2746" width="304" /></a><br />
Once you’ve cut out all your strips take one at a time and stretch them out until they roll inwards. <br />
Here’s a picture of what the strip is before you stretch it: (The 2 pieces are laying on top of each other)<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dVV91HY3Tlk/Tmwi_6b3c8I/AAAAAAAAGKw/LwH10lVah6M/s1600-h/DSCN2749%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2749" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_TnS0-lf6k8/TmwjAR3Ok2I/AAAAAAAAGK0/txTAOQvuQno/DSCN2749_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2749" width="304" /></a><br />
Now here’s what it looks like once you’ve stretched it just a little bit:<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tu2lGRr9j3s/TmwjBcDZ26I/AAAAAAAAGK4/ua8VjYb0FR8/s1600-h/DSCN2750%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2750" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rdTO5IfGHXo/TmwjCKY12sI/AAAAAAAAGK8/Xw88Lbx-G_8/DSCN2750_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2750" width="304" /></a><br />
Neat huh? NOW, wrap this rolled fabric around your wrist like you would an extra long necklace that you wanted to wear as a bracelet. You can wrap it just a few times or you can wrap it until you can’t possibly go over your hand anymore. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dM4qz9NNvA0/TmwjCxeS4YI/AAAAAAAAGLA/HFoA--dzYuA/s1600-h/DSCN2748%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2748" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hMu1Jzs6gXo/TmwjDaOARPI/AAAAAAAAGLE/xvkx61Jtyi4/DSCN2748_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2748" width="304" /></a><br />
I went for completely wrapped. This will make for a fuller scarf in the end. If you wrap fewer times and make bigger loops then you’ll end up with a longer scarf but not as puffy.<br />
Once you’ve got it wrapped around your wrist, carefully take it off your arm and lay it aside while keeping it’s circular shape. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zk7G2_1ChQQ/TmwjEhhoYAI/AAAAAAAAGLI/oaYl584-4rM/s1600-h/DSCN2754%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2754" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a-A73mQK0JI/TmwjFF4xcDI/AAAAAAAAGLM/T_pbGYlQGr0/DSCN2754_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2754" width="304" /></a><br />
I wanted yellow on the end of my scarf so that’s why the next step shows a yellow circle as well as the green and white one. Just fyi. Now cut thin strips from the green and white shirt or another color of fabric you have if you want that fun look. You’re going to tie 2 stacks of circles together, side by side. <br />
Step one, lay two circles beside each other. Thread your thin strip in and under one circle and up and through the other one beside it. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ntwlCzr7V7M/TmwjGnRjUzI/AAAAAAAAGLQ/k1YorBs-2Cc/s1600-h/DSCN2755%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2755" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6B2FIPbtzo4/TmwjHOfZqbI/AAAAAAAAGLU/sc7Q4daqcvA/DSCN2755_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2755" width="304" /></a><br />
Tie like you would for the first step in tying your shoe strings. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ze_EhMaqXmo/TmwjIk7pgDI/AAAAAAAAGLY/anqf05jhzLo/s1600-h/DSCN2756%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2756" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bn9FafUEJwE/TmwjI8ElTEI/AAAAAAAAGLc/S9UdLSyY1OU/DSCN2756_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2756" width="304" /></a><br />
Double knot it and then clip the long ends down close to the knot. <br />
Continue on tying the side of the next circle to the other side until you’ve used all your circles or your scarf is as long as you desire. <br />
If you want little fringe things like I did on the bottom of mine then simply slide your scissors to the end of the circle opposite where you tied your double knot and cut all the way through. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uUbU3j0BmkM/TmwjJyorhGI/AAAAAAAAGLg/PcOuewglvkA/s1600-h/DSCN2757%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2757" border="0" height="245" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7ZP571pbVig/TmwjKcNmDgI/AAAAAAAAGLk/4ajshXRlYNo/DSCN2757_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2757" width="304" /></a><br />
Cute and fun and ready for the next Packers football game!!!!!!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6kFw_qzj6lM/TmwjLF8NwPI/AAAAAAAAGLo/ZaNQIQQgjOs/s1600-h/DSCN2799%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2799" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-anxWrggA73o/TmwjLmcmyDI/AAAAAAAAGLs/FqpE1VGLOoE/DSCN2799_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2799" width="304" /></a><br />
Daisy gives it her stamp of approval too!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YpCb4YMozQ4/TmwjMX0QMcI/AAAAAAAAGLw/UOqYsDooaKQ/s1600-h/DSCN2793%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2793" border="0" height="305" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uhteoneb8rY/TmwjMxdPonI/AAAAAAAAGL0/RA9A67SK-_4/DSCN2793_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2793" width="304" /></a><br />
Did you really think I was going to be able to make something, take pictures of it and Evan Grace NOT get in on it? <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iZhdZ0pvAeA/TmwjNR6br-I/AAAAAAAAGL4/a8tNzOFl2CA/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0H-VJVmjRPM/TmwjOPFas8I/AAAAAAAAGL8/mdemx__Dr6w/s1600-h/DSCN2804%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2804" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UwK62lbVKW4/TmwjOq_Qx9I/AAAAAAAAGMA/cr908Fons_c/DSCN2804_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2804" width="304" /></a><br />
If you notice in the pictures I went back over the parts that I tied with yellow fabric strips to help bring in more yellow. What a fun scarf!!!!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Batang;">~<em>Jess</em></span><br />
<a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae194/homemakeronadime/creativeblogbuttonjpg.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uP3_tVjSjfQ/TN2Nt-rwH0I/AAAAAAAAAWg/Q8b98Y8rmbg/s320/mwlove.png" /></a> <a border="0" href="http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/search/label/craft%20catwalk" target="_blank"><img src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac214/sbs10/embellishinglife/Embellishing-Life---Etsy-Button1.png" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://sewcando.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac133/cerise422/sewcandoNEWbutton.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-52642246180390492142011-09-08T12:20:00.000-05:002011-09-08T12:21:04.681-05:00No title.<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7hrxkgEAt8/Tmj5f2MEyNI/AAAAAAAAGKc/mIVatPoHkDw/s1600/DSCN2707.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7hrxkgEAt8/Tmj5f2MEyNI/AAAAAAAAGKc/mIVatPoHkDw/s400/DSCN2707.JPG" /></a> </div><br />I'm exhausted. SOOOOOO exhausted and the next few weeks are only going to get more and more crazy for us. I wish I could be like my sister's cat above and curl up for a nap a few times a day. Isn't Cat Face a cutie????<br /><br />I have plans to sew more, of course I do. I always have plans to sew more. I've just lost my creative spunk or the drive to actually pull out fabric and start cutting and sewing. I have a list of projects I want to do, a long, long list. But Contessa just sits on her sewing desk looking at me like she doesn't know me anymore. :/<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/37/5A699A9DEE88454663808D7D3ABFBA42.png" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-89495364783279966552011-09-05T23:10:00.001-05:002011-09-05T23:11:02.598-05:00Pie Plate Cheesecake.<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RHyNdrDywo/TmWdNYlUTDI/AAAAAAAAGKU/WL3SWS-AHdY/s1600/DSCN2737.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RHyNdrDywo/TmWdNYlUTDI/AAAAAAAAGKU/WL3SWS-AHdY/s400/DSCN2737.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
1 graham cracker crust about 9'' round. You can make it yourself or just buy one like I did to say a little time.<br />
<br />
2 - 8oz of cream cheese, softened<br />
2 eggs<br />
3/4 cup sugar<br />
2 tsp vanilla.<br />
<br />
Mix cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Then add eggs, one at a time then the vanilla. Spread into a the pie crust.<br />
Bake 30 minutes at 350 or until the edges are set and there's a little jiggly left in the middle.<br />
<br />
While that's cooking mix together:<br />
1 cup of sour cream<br />
2 TBS sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla.<br />
<br />
Once the cheesecake is out of the oven let it cool for a few minutes before spreading on the sour cream mixture.<br />
<br />
I sliced up some strawberries, dump them in a bowl with some sugar over them, mixed well and then added them on top. Truly the best cheesecake I have ever made and I have to give all credit to Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog. If you haven't checked out their recipes you should everyone I have ever made is simply amazing!!!!<br />
<br />
Best Cheesecake Ever.....done!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/37/5A699A9DEE88454663808D7D3ABFBA42.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-65462028774949119762011-09-03T06:55:00.000-05:002011-09-03T06:55:00.271-05:00Ketchup!<p><font size="4" face="Verdana">8 lbs of tomatoes ( about 24 medium size ones if you don’t want to weight them). Core and quarter them. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Dump in a large, large nonstick pot along with:</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">1/2 cup chopped onions</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">1/4 tsp cayenne pepper</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GymOt2tKaJg/Tl8QTN8yx3I/AAAAAAAAGJU/fz4yBRRveMM/s1600-h/DSCN2643%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2643" border="0" alt="DSCN2643" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r1Y4GuAUQ-w/Tl8QTnfDjsI/AAAAAAAAGJY/9sd485j7izI/DSCN2643_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Heat to boiling and cook covered for 15 minutes, stirring often so all the tomatoes go soft. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Take a hand blender and blend up the tomato goodness until it’s as smooth as you can. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nGDTHCTOshg/Tl8QUhNYmnI/AAAAAAAAGJc/sR9gDWkKYMg/s1600-h/DSCN2644%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2644" border="0" alt="DSCN2644" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fMy-96rov_s/Tl8QVlqZhgI/AAAAAAAAGJg/Pcyg-lAl_cI/DSCN2644_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Press the tomato mixture through some kind of sieve/food mill or strainer. Discard this part:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6nkANUhpjvg/Tl8QWkAB7ZI/AAAAAAAAGJk/M4-LbL9IpFU/s1600-h/DSCN2649%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2649" border="0" alt="DSCN2649" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qwKwQ5D_FgQ/Tl8QXR7lztI/AAAAAAAAGJo/n9xkY27qsqQ/DSCN2649_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Keep all the great tomato juice and dump it back in the nonstick pot. Stir in 3/4 cup of sugar. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OlPXny0jL20/Tl8QYGNrYZI/AAAAAAAAGJs/0_YPitLsZTw/s1600-h/DSCN2647%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2647" border="0" alt="DSCN2647" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dfsNdD0f39k/Tl8QYuI4mhI/AAAAAAAAGJw/vhVOeEm7JBo/DSCN2647_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="219" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Stick a ruler into the tomato juice and pull out and check the height. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-65tWSe02phE/Tl8QZVmzw1I/AAAAAAAAGJ0/exl7bO7_83E/s1600-h/DSCN2655%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2655" border="0" alt="DSCN2655" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bZj_hDDUo0w/Tl8QZiElMBI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/uJu3oVPYD1A/DSCN2655_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="139" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Now turn on the heat until it boils. Then reduce the heat so it can simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. OR until the mixture is reduced by half. This is where that ruler trick comes in handy. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VAMCS6eEPLs/Tl8QaEJtO2I/AAAAAAAAGJ8/eM_Q4epebHw/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> Stir occasionally so that nothing starts to burn or stick where it’s not suppose to. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Once it’s almost ready, and in another smaller pot heat the following to a boil:</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">1 cup white vinegar</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">1 1/2 inches of stick cinnamon, broken up</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">1 1/2 tsp whole cloves</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">1 tsp celery seeds</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wk6BmTYYBSk/Tl8Qa6K7rtI/AAAAAAAAGKA/Mxt__doxuLA/s1600-h/DSCN2660%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2660" border="0" alt="DSCN2660" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sKB3LZ9ql7A/Tl8QbYpNJbI/AAAAAAAAGKE/dEirXbl53FU/DSCN2660_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Once it boils remove from heat, strain everything through a sieve and throw out the spices. Add 1 TBS of salt the vinegar mixture then add it to the tomato juice that’s been cooking for the past 2 hours. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Simmer this for 30 minutes or until it thickens up more to your liking. Stir often. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">To Can: Use half-pint or pint jars. Leave a 1/2’’ head space. Screw lids on and process in boiling-water for 15 minutes. (Start timing it after the water returns to a boil). Remove from water and allow to cool on wire racks of heat proof surface.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s8YJguNV5JA/Tl8QcVxAypI/AAAAAAAAGKI/W5hSMr2H5nQ/s1600-h/DSCN2703%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN2703" border="0" alt="DSCN2703" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-74JaOsJ-tsg/Tl8Qc8RjxWI/AAAAAAAAGKM/ON52SUWdkdU/DSCN2703_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana">Canned Ketchup….done!!!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="7" face="Cambria">~Jess</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana"> </font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-11694109903437911832011-09-01T06:32:00.000-05:002011-09-01T10:25:48.008-05:00Come on Fans it’s time to scream!Come on fans it’s time to scream, all bow down to the football team!! Sorry, I’ve heard so many cheers the past 2 months I’m kinda stuck in the rhythm of it all. <br />
<br />
Mackenzie came home from school Wednesday of last week, excited and dropped a bomb on me. <br />
<br />
Mackenzie: “Mom, the JV squad has to make the spirit stick for the pep rally’s this year.” <br />
<br />
Me: “Oh neat, what are you all going to do?”<br />
<br />
Mackenzie: “Well Ms. Malosky (their cheer coach) said she wanted one they could use for every rally instead of the ones you make out of paper towel rolls that always fall apart and have to be made over and over.”<br />
<br />
Me: “Ok. Makes sense. What are the JV girl’s going to do then?” (Can you sense I was trying to not offer my help?)<br />
<br />
Mackenzie: “I told Ms. Malosky you were crafty.”<br />
<br />
By now I could see where this was going and though I was happy that Mackenzie thinks of me crafty enough to mention it to her teacher I wasn’t so happy with the thought that I might have been volunteered to make a spirit stick.<br />
<br />
Me: “I am kinda crafty. Do the JV girls want my help or something? Want me to see if I can come up with some ideas maybe?”<br />
<br />
Mackenzie: “I told them (meaning the JV girls) you could make one for us.”<br />
<br />
KABOOOOMMMM!!!!!!! Just like that I was screwed. <br />
<br />
Me: “Oh….that’s…..great!!!!! When do you need the spirit stick by?”<br />
<br />
Mackenzie: “This Friday.”<br />
<br />
Keep in mind this was Wednesday at about 5 o’clock. And that I had Isaac’s football practice tomorrow night. And right after that we had to go straight to the football game Mackenzie was cheering at. And that I wouldn’t be getting home until almost 10 o’clock.<br />
<br />
So here’s what I came up with, on the fly, on the cheap but at a cost of about 5 hours Thursday night. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6rTE9aSRSUc/Tl8K09KejcI/AAAAAAAAGIk/_vp71xfuahU/s1600-h/DSCN2727%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2727" border="0" height="183" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vHXhJRGgHLk/Tl8K1e1NC7I/AAAAAAAAGIo/ZPSeawgA0WQ/DSCN2727_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2727" width="354" /></a><br />
PVC pipe, cut about 18’’ long. PVC end caps, with a hole drilled into the middle of them all the way through (about the width of a pencil). There’s special spray pain that’s made to stick to plastic so I used that to spray the PVC pipe black. I didn’t spray the end cap for fear the black beads wouldn’t show up as well. I left them white. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CSKl_janlq4/Tl8K2QwazsI/AAAAAAAAGIs/dN2vWbCHtFk/s1600-h/DSCN2728%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2728" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uw5C1qLPTdw/Tl8K22fP1jI/AAAAAAAAGIw/udV8-Igmk88/DSCN2728_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2728" width="304" /></a><br />
I super glued all the beads to the end caps after my dad drilled the holes in the end for me. After the super glue dried I took Mod Podge and added a thick, thick layer over top of the beads and in between them as best I could to try and seal them in. After all that dried I cut black and orange ribbons and stuck them through the hole in the end cap, tied them in a knot and then used PVC cement to glue the end caps on. <br />
After the end caps dried on I printed and cut out some mascot pictures and football pictures I found on the school website and then Mod Podge them onto the PVC pipe it’s self. Here’s the RRHS Indian!!!!!!<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EUiZ6K9tczw/Tl8K34blHdI/AAAAAAAAGI0/7tVWnkXywj0/s1600-h/DSCN2729%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2729" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CBE4OBxU1dI/Tl8K4VKsLMI/AAAAAAAAGI4/rId7M_1Oii8/DSCN2729_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2729" width="254" /></a><br />
Last summer someone in RR had an Indian carved out of a live standing tree. Chief Whispering Pine I think is his name. I thought it only fitting he was on the spirit stick as the school was involved in the naming process. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yO1MK50LVfc/Tl8K5KWpZkI/AAAAAAAAGI8/qUZ1jYvtvFg/s1600-h/DSCN2730%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2730" border="0" height="271" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jOl_DYvXA8Y/Tl8K5m-W50I/AAAAAAAAGJA/kHRDn9yLjow/DSCN2730_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2730" width="204" /></a><br />
Then some odd and ends pictures of football, cheer spirit stuff. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fs0gqlRbH0o/Tl8K6dn6plI/AAAAAAAAGJE/EqvSiM6n-1g/s1600-h/DSCN2731%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2731" border="0" height="271" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5sLO4W2oFPw/Tl8K6zpkMnI/AAAAAAAAGJI/GtYMTVgI-Lo/DSCN2731_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2731" width="204" /></a><br />
Oh and then to top it all off I found some neat initial patches that I was able to stick onto the ribbons on each end of the stick. One end says RR the other HS. I think it was a nice touch to kinda bring the spirit stick all together. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j2tFWbumHJs/Tl8K7zgO6wI/AAAAAAAAGJM/WqmksOWsBbg/s1600-h/DSCN2732%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCN2732" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dC13w_V7qog/Tl8K8R_EJVI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/jD-h7y88lQU/DSCN2732_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN2732" width="304" /></a><br />
It was spur of the moment and I’m glad I was able to pull it off. I’m just wondering how well it’s going to hold up with all the school spirit and crazy going on at the pep rally’s. <br />
I never, ever want to have to make another one anytime soon!!!!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic;">~<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Jess</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/"><img border="”0”" src="http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss229/krystalwinn/thrifty%20decorating/thrifty-decorating-003-Page-4-1.jpg" /></a> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3988484573000833637.post-8164401439074997972011-08-31T15:23:00.000-05:002011-08-31T15:23:36.019-05:00*sigh*<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kFstI-9ccM/Tl6YRzKTZKI/AAAAAAAAGIg/xdQkleZjM34/s1600/DSCN2593.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kFstI-9ccM/Tl6YRzKTZKI/AAAAAAAAGIg/xdQkleZjM34/s400/DSCN2593.JPG" /></a> </div>Mackenzie drew the faces on these cucumbers. I feel like these are the 3 faces of me these past few weeks. I'm either Mr. Grumpy on the left, Ms. Goofy in the middle, or Ms. Put Together on the right. We're running around like mad with all the cheer leading, football, school and family stuff we have going on. The kids are enjoying it but I'm having a hard time staying above water. Even though I was married for 6 years, I honestly feel like I've been a single parent for the last 10 years at least. Because not only do I still do everything I've been doing while I was married I now have a job and all the responsibilities that come along with it to keep up with. I'm flat out tired!!!!!!!
<br />
<br />I hope to be the cucumber on the right side of the picture Ms. Put Together, for here on out but it's more likely I'll be the other two cucumbers more often.
<br />
<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/37/5A699A9DEE88454663808D7D3ABFBA42.png" /></a> <div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0