tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24064917478913664622024-03-05T09:10:11.514-08:00Musings of a HookerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-1678403910557919922012-05-01T10:01:00.001-07:002012-05-01T10:01:25.214-07:00Quick like a cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5sBoGjqBq7HIQb1phLXw15f-suHuvkAJJ0qKL5eftrbAYbx1WdD2DZ_jMx4Y7lZF3I1mLdMlhQJ3qf2x15cj8fk9__Lia_pOspLbBgFs8jhrodFs9CWjOCFpb8lIfnNPqN7m9dLT3m8/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5sBoGjqBq7HIQb1phLXw15f-suHuvkAJJ0qKL5eftrbAYbx1WdD2DZ_jMx4Y7lZF3I1mLdMlhQJ3qf2x15cj8fk9__Lia_pOspLbBgFs8jhrodFs9CWjOCFpb8lIfnNPqN7m9dLT3m8/s320/IMG_1504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So here's the story; there was this baby squirrel running around at Kaiden's school, like a totally-looks-like-a-wee-cute-baby squirrel. I just barely stopped the car in front of me from crunching it--it was right under her tire just sitting there, and I knew it, and couldn't just witness THAT so... She was rolling forward, it was mostly done but I'm all waving my arms and yelling for her to stop. Which she just barely did, but managed it with the speed and instinct of any super hero mom picking up kindergarteners. Slam on the brakes when the crazy, slipper shod woman is waving her iphone in your window. I was talking to my grandmother who was busy telling me how squirrels are nothing but rats and should all be poisoned along with all cats because she hates them both. Except for maybe dogs, she says dogs are ok. So I saved a squirrel in full view of her ear which blares silent disapproval like only my grandmother can. She's had a lot of practice. <br /><br />So the lady behind me says it's a baby (as I'm trying to scare it away from the cars so no one ran it over) and that it will die bc it's still nursing. She goes to find a box, and I was able to coax it out from under her car and being the opportunistic dumbass that I am, I grab it and catch it with my bare hand. So of course it bit me, and I lost the little bastard anyway but then we caught it again and she's taking it to her uncle who does a squirrel rescue thing. Like I guess if we didn't catch it, it would have died anyway. <br /><br />The moral of the story? I caught a baby squirrel with my bre hands. BAM!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-83940935844867084922012-01-27T09:15:00.000-08:002012-01-27T09:17:08.351-08:00The elephant in the roomI have some ivory beads a friend gave me some time ago. If anyone knows me well, you know that I am lucky enough to have many people just donate crafty items to me. So I know this is how I got them, but don't know exactly who gave them to me. So if you are reading this now, please don't think I don't appreciate the things you give me. If I can't use them, I send them on to their next home. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I've had them for years now, and have tried and failed to use them many times. <br />
<br />
I've never felt right about them. Call it weird energy. Not super duper bad energy, just troubled and spinny and not positive. I've never wanted to just throw them away, or give them away either, but I want to move them out of my house.<br />
<br />
Ivory in general doesn't work with my energy. In fact, I think it at best distasteful unless it's harvested honestly and we all know that's just not the case, and there's no way to figure that out anyway so.... <br />
<br />
Good, clean, energy is what I'm bringing into my home, call these beads a dust bunny. A really big one though, that's been sitting innocuously under the bed gaining sentience and growing teeth. It needs to go.<br />
<br />
Now to the point.<br />
<br />
If they are ivory, I feel like I need to dispose of them respectfully, and am interested to see what my lovely friends of fabulously varied backgrounds have to say on the matter.<br />
<br />
How would you do it?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-44104018240661422812012-01-25T13:29:00.000-08:002012-01-25T13:29:38.368-08:00Some of the latest projects!!I won't even apologize for not updating this blog more often, and I won't promise to do it more often because we all know I won't. Plus my kids are obsessed with Minecraft and I have next to no computer time anyway so...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0Je0mFEHJ3W7hxoYroUX2MlvgnHql8vfN7DNTSHGb3fvUicv6_i9AxwiuCSpepluRcPhicC51aBCxqMlZkbZCnrCfpnoT0pRVmdCC1SVc9fAUesf7P0cZvzUSw4SGyJ4G6HTbymY9vI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0Je0mFEHJ3W7hxoYroUX2MlvgnHql8vfN7DNTSHGb3fvUicv6_i9AxwiuCSpepluRcPhicC51aBCxqMlZkbZCnrCfpnoT0pRVmdCC1SVc9fAUesf7P0cZvzUSw4SGyJ4G6HTbymY9vI/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You get the general idea, add flower as needed<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Down to business! Below I'm posting the directions for the granny style childs cloche hat that I've been working on lately. It seriously stumped me for a bit, just because I didn't have a valid child model(my sons head is enormous!!), so once I got it worked out I thought I'd get it up before I lose yet another handwritten pattern to the gaping maw of the recycling basket. Plus I ended up with 2 or 3 infant sized hats as well, win/win. It can easily be adapted to an adult size, too. I got this on request from a friend who sent me a picture of a hat that's super cute, but since I had to work out the pattern myself I figured I'd post it here. <br />
<br />
Ok, here goes, and if I blew it, please let me know so I can fix it. <br />
<br />
Shell--4 dc<br />
inc shell--3dc ch1 3dc<br />
<br />
Round 1: ch 4 to make ring, join. <br />
<br />
Round 2: Ch2 and 11 hdc in ring, slip to 2nd chain of beginning ch. <br />
Ch2 (counts as 1st dc), 3 dc in same stitch, ch 1, skip 1 st, shell in next st, ch1; skip one, inc shell in next space, ch 1; shell ch 1[twice], inc shell ch 1, join to second ch of beginning ch.<br />
<br />
Round 3: slip stitch to first ch 1 space in previous round. ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), 3 dc in same stitch, ch 1. inc shell ch 1, shell ch 1 [3 times], inc shell ch 1, shell ch 1 [twice] slip to 2nd chain in beginning dc. <br />
<br />
Round 4: slip stitch to first ch 1 space of previous round. <br />
Ch2 (counts as 1st dc) 3 dc in same st. Ch 1 *shell ch 1, inc shell ch 1 from * to end, join to 2nd ch of beginning. <br />
<br />
Round 5: slip stitch to first ch 1 space.<br />
Ch 2, 3 dc in same stitch, ch 1, shell, ch1 all the way around, slip in 2nd ch of beginning. <br />
<br />
Rounds 6-11: slip stitch to first ch 1 sp. <br />
Ch 2, 3 dc in same stitch, shell in each space from previous row. **You will not ch 1 between shells in this part, unless you are making an adult hat in which case you will want the extra room.**<br />
slip to 2nd chain in beginning, cut yarn, weaving in ends.<br />
<br />
Working in back loops only, sc in contrasting color all the way around, do not slip to first sc, but keep on going, making a spiral effect. After 5 rows, slip stitch in 2 stitches (at the same spot you originally started) and cut yarn, weaving in ends. <br />
<br />
Pick 1st color again, sc in previous row, shell, sc all the way around, slip to first sc of this round, weave in ends. <br />
<br />
And that's it if you are just doing the hat. You can add a crochet flower right where it looks funky from the contrast color join, covering the weird spot, Put any flower you want here, you are only limited by your imagination. It's all smoke and mirrors baby! <br />
<br />
I hope this isn't confusing and if I totally blew it, please let me know. <br />
<br />
And there we have it, thanks for your patience dear friends, now I relinquish the computer to the children.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-41347120362256677562011-03-30T08:42:00.000-07:002011-03-30T08:42:29.093-07:00in Blanket terms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdgUBpn6fxdgnvdBTZ1V_UAc2O2Zn-rbFkNwvyqqbpvTjP-uX3tj_7Uot4robswnLJWmD910kV8NjJC0qpyYvLMd53NWe5jok_AasTpiViYBN8chBVT1-7mCjVD0fBiNBFUZDc14gCGo/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdgUBpn6fxdgnvdBTZ1V_UAc2O2Zn-rbFkNwvyqqbpvTjP-uX3tj_7Uot4robswnLJWmD910kV8NjJC0qpyYvLMd53NWe5jok_AasTpiViYBN8chBVT1-7mCjVD0fBiNBFUZDc14gCGo/s320/IMG_2454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Just popping on here to say "Hi"<br />
<br />
...so...<br />
<br />
"Hi!" <br />
<br />
'waves hand at the gathered masses, you know who you are...<br />
<br />
I just realized the last post was also probably the last healthy day my family has seen since. Today included, since I have now fallen ill to the plague my hubbs has been battling since, maybe, Friday? blech<br />
<br />
The crochet blanket mentioned previously is coming along nicely, although it has changed forms a couple times since then. It has attained the form it will finish with now, even if it means sacrificing the previous incarnation which was awesome but not doing for me in a crib blanket. I'll get some pics up when I'm not feeling like I've got a monkey on my back...literally....with his monkey hands encircling my throat and squeezing. <br />
<br />
Until which time I'm feeling less monkey ridden I leave you with a few pics of some oldies but goodies...things I've created in my more obsessive healthier days...good times.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHW6T__gJp5FNXb4MsBTFca0kzIWwi0rS_AeUeR98Ijh2-gQy9CSvxunDpYbDMmh_CLuzkxHAvdIuk0fq-2fuVTA80f94yIPy0y-oYN0BOpx4yndJCfrWGZ-heycwMW_TlXsin_myFuJY/s1600/IMG_6765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHW6T__gJp5FNXb4MsBTFca0kzIWwi0rS_AeUeR98Ijh2-gQy9CSvxunDpYbDMmh_CLuzkxHAvdIuk0fq-2fuVTA80f94yIPy0y-oYN0BOpx4yndJCfrWGZ-heycwMW_TlXsin_myFuJY/s320/IMG_6765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarrrrgh, I need a haircut! But you get the drift.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-48835411584830026332011-03-07T14:22:00.000-08:002011-03-07T14:22:25.552-08:00Crochet and Spring!!<span style="font-size: small;">Whew! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It was a busy morning, and unexpectedly so; filled with trips to Les Schwab (just checkin'), the toy store(the baby's turning 5) AND the craft store since I finally got my plan together for the crib blanket I've been asked to make, and yay for that! So since my tires are not in fact going to fall off things are looking well. Also let child play in park after preschool today, and went by to get his kindergarten enrollment papers so I don't feel bad about letting him watch tv. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Yay. Time for me to turn on the tea pot and get to the important stuff: the yarn. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuorOxpkRvE0tAWlmZx1ubGuskbQVsLWu3EdC8SIKXjrcw7fYN6qqZN2Pe0mw8981H28Q3v8D2F_t81oNuRiWkYts7GTh27uIbnX-ohjZd8VBG7uJnFYY0go6mvYA6lcQ4SGG7HcOvoOU/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuorOxpkRvE0tAWlmZx1ubGuskbQVsLWu3EdC8SIKXjrcw7fYN6qqZN2Pe0mw8981H28Q3v8D2F_t81oNuRiWkYts7GTh27uIbnX-ohjZd8VBG7uJnFYY0go6mvYA6lcQ4SGG7HcOvoOU/s320/IMG_1076.jpg" width="240" /></a>I finally closed the door on the crib blanket and locked into a pattern. I've been trying to figure it out and have finally gotten working. Sometimes it takes a while, in my case, it took weeks but who's counting, right? I am however, counting myself lucky that she said May 3, not March 3...I hope. I figure it would be immediately on Facebook and so far we've made it and there's been no mention. It's sad I have to turn to fb to remember things like this but that's a whole other story. Once I realized I had some time, I could breathe a little and try to imagine a giant blanket. I'm working with a lucious lilac-lavender acrylic, Caron's this time. Gonna just go all giant granny square till I run out and then edge it with a couple other pretties not shown here. The picture, as always, doesn't totally pick up the color but it's pretty yummy, like salt water taffy. Add some giant flowers for edging maybe? With sparkles? I just may.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Indeed.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Almost done with the car seat one. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Kmq8bM8JBxHAuLnKIH-GoXjyiPzqOVFghU59PY7FbTRNt9nAgfEAm_2Ayvf8uRYPlRJ2aqffDTARreRid7Gri6x2A6EaVV4OsdCw-BvNEA5HTZYtLNJeZpAWmOI90f6WsOR5ISH1hI/s1600/IMG_1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Kmq8bM8JBxHAuLnKIH-GoXjyiPzqOVFghU59PY7FbTRNt9nAgfEAm_2Ayvf8uRYPlRJ2aqffDTARreRid7Gri6x2A6EaVV4OsdCw-BvNEA5HTZYtLNJeZpAWmOI90f6WsOR5ISH1hI/s320/IMG_1078.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H62Vq8F66Hh3rlMtX26r0mCm6A47uLVmOZc5fAn7KmN76wd0RTB7LEFzAUetT79d2YHZ9i5oSM0WR_vbVm4fcs07JEiZCSCj-tuSZLtzOwuyhCenAArC0mFE68nUZ56YWey7E4AEWe4/s1600/IMG_1079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H62Vq8F66Hh3rlMtX26r0mCm6A47uLVmOZc5fAn7KmN76wd0RTB7LEFzAUetT79d2YHZ9i5oSM0WR_vbVm4fcs07JEiZCSCj-tuSZLtzOwuyhCenAArC0mFE68nUZ56YWey7E4AEWe4/s320/IMG_1079.jpg" width="240" /></a>Still needs an edging and a good, sound blocking but once it's done it'll rock. Again the color thing is funky. I'll get it someday. <br />
<br />
Notice the slit left for the carseat buckle in the right hand picture? "Is that a seatbelt hole?", you ask? Yes, indeed it is, in all it's i-can't-believe-i-didn't-think-of-that glory. That had never, ever occurred to me till I saw <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Bitch-Crochet-Happy-Hooker/dp/0761139850">in a crochet book I've owned for years</a> and it's freakin' brilliant. Just goes to show you never know it all which is why I'm a yarn-o-holic. Now I go forth to watch ghost shows and crochet for a couple hours. <br />
<br />
Have a good afternoon!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-18477217266545806542011-01-06T17:49:00.000-08:002011-01-06T17:49:58.507-08:00Ducks and CrochetIt's still Duck season here. As in Oregon Ducks. As in Oregon Ducks in BCS. As in Oregon Ducks rock!! So, in light of the hell-has-frozen-over cold we've had lately AND the Oregon Ducks in the BCS game, I've been turning and burning on Duck themed yarn goodies. I have this one scarf available now, along with a fabulous and funky headband/ear warmer. I also pasted a picture of the Webfoot scarf that has made such noise this year. I've been surprised by how many people wanted one! I'll be making more in the next couple days, and will have the whole lot up on my Etsy.com shop whenever I can get my 4 year old to lay off messing with me and the chair everytime I get on the computer! Hope you enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-5CChNR8dJZiyGqitKnkewMuKi1cetRTlFXMX65bY3CI8_74fUyhxlCo2juBOnPfbcjAwmp_1IfBBFRWhoMI8ijttMkmsv_-wMlRm_skGARyKOFdSL0Sh2zGJmpAn20OKCynDyKF8f4/s1600/IMG_1014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-5CChNR8dJZiyGqitKnkewMuKi1cetRTlFXMX65bY3CI8_74fUyhxlCo2juBOnPfbcjAwmp_1IfBBFRWhoMI8ijttMkmsv_-wMlRm_skGARyKOFdSL0Sh2zGJmpAn20OKCynDyKF8f4/s320/IMG_1014.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBtQIkAIqGbtF1tC7T97UQ2Z7r5JXJphRC0tnoMxVpUEPea5QDWoCEZRTOI6MBubb3AhFuk2fYMhUQwE8gXhBwJ6lsef4cp3iPSnIaLNMH-le1JxOxhuH_iMx39VjPz2l7z1crBekdHg/s1600/IMG_1011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBtQIkAIqGbtF1tC7T97UQ2Z7r5JXJphRC0tnoMxVpUEPea5QDWoCEZRTOI6MBubb3AhFuk2fYMhUQwE8gXhBwJ6lsef4cp3iPSnIaLNMH-le1JxOxhuH_iMx39VjPz2l7z1crBekdHg/s320/IMG_1011.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlwcgZEUqdiXIU73EfYKFzU0HToD3cKPrWry1sxBoetBZJYmh8JxHMWfPno1ftGfElUtd4CD-45D5UzxWwHFMLmIN_FvWTgxmuJcW61dNYO8DSPdB5_sMJiJ4vlhhzriWoIgWHAIQem0/s1600/IMG_0946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlwcgZEUqdiXIU73EfYKFzU0HToD3cKPrWry1sxBoetBZJYmh8JxHMWfPno1ftGfElUtd4CD-45D5UzxWwHFMLmIN_FvWTgxmuJcW61dNYO8DSPdB5_sMJiJ4vlhhzriWoIgWHAIQem0/s320/IMG_0946.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-4796707857302760512010-11-19T09:37:00.000-08:002010-11-19T10:54:46.159-08:00Crochet and truffles? uh no, just truffles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQCRC_rR9NsNkR67NkqFlgWe8XGqKUAqKkq2dIqSWaKY9feAaj4cPWf9ozdiqPsswJzVO0LeNrvonGRrHo4l43GasKfmb7wJbOrjm37jtfCETHVfNaU_TWvk3uOEvqXdiZxKCLKbVaEM/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQCRC_rR9NsNkR67NkqFlgWe8XGqKUAqKkq2dIqSWaKY9feAaj4cPWf9ozdiqPsswJzVO0LeNrvonGRrHo4l43GasKfmb7wJbOrjm37jtfCETHVfNaU_TWvk3uOEvqXdiZxKCLKbVaEM/s320/IMG_0777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541331209345885778" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>One of my friends asked about favorite chocolate dessert recipes. So I had to go all overkill and do a post. Cuz that's just what I do. Following is what I used to make for Christmas Gifts, prior to the d-word and I just can't have truffles in the house without eating them. At All. So I'll share the technique and recipe here and wish you well, young one. The picture above is just plain funny. The pic below is a bad one of my hubbs spreading this same recipe on a layer of peppermint studded white chocolate for Peppermint Truffle Bark. What's better than men spreading chocolate on more chocolate? Not much. Keep reading:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gcPyvQmWn8fIkfjUSpRduGqLUOJdI1UZpkZN9Kd2r_BpGjxydmztPb4x9BFP1_BiwMeKtkriVHK8RqRyFRgsRbesxvpfpNsrMszRu6ik0ugoQSYFMOu9Rq2jFcjVLTKkJefduxmz3mM/s1600/IMG_0368.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gcPyvQmWn8fIkfjUSpRduGqLUOJdI1UZpkZN9Kd2r_BpGjxydmztPb4x9BFP1_BiwMeKtkriVHK8RqRyFRgsRbesxvpfpNsrMszRu6ik0ugoQSYFMOu9Rq2jFcjVLTKkJefduxmz3mM/s320/IMG_0368.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541331200863439138" /></a><br /><br /><br />Truffles of Doom<br /><br />About 10 ounces dark-black as you can get chocolate,<br />a splash of cream or lowfat milk, depending on how rich you want.<br />About 2 tbsp coffee, or rum, or kahlua, whatever, more booze = less cream/milk/Eggnog(YES)<br />about a tblsp of butter<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My recipe morphed from Master Alton Brown linked below, but has been modified to create a truffle that doesn't need to be dipped, and is a lot stiffer than the Masters. This could be the student exceeding the Master, or pure laziness because dipping them is a <i>pita </i>and messy. I am unable to do it without wasting good chocolate. That could, or should, be considered a crime in some places.<br /><br />Throw the chips and butter in a microwave safe measuring cup or glass bowl. Glass seems to conduct and retain heat better imo, and I never like heating plastic in the microwave. <br /><br />Heat at 20 second intervals at 50% power, stirring in between heatings. It wouldn't be overly cautious to do it 15 seconds instead, the slower on the heating thing, the better. But it doesn't really take all that long, once the butter melts. It will take 4 or 5 times, maybe more but scorching is another chocolate crime so watch out.<br /><br />Just before the chips are totally melted, like when a handfull of them looking like mini m&m's, take out and stir till they are fully melted. Should look like a nice <i>thick</i> pudding, and shiny. Add your pre-selected and properly tested liquid, be it booze or eggnog, about a teaspoon at a time. If it gets all grainy be patient, just add more liquid, but at like a teaspoon(or less) at a time, it's easy to overdo it. But also super easy to fix it, so fear not, Grasshopper. The beauty of it is, overdoing the liquid requires more chips which means more truffles. Just be patient with it, it doesn't take long, but it's easy to throw it out, thinking you effed it up, like I did a number of times. I shudder to think of all the chocolate I wasted(crime), it was like 20 ounces! ugh, 'shudders'. Just keep stirring and it will even out. <div><br /></div><div>Only a session of frantic stirring so you don't screw the pooch at a party when you were bragging about how great your truffles are will teach you that more liquid, maybe warming it again and patience is a good thing. Because you don't have anymore chocolate and can't go get more (crime) so you have to make this work. And it did. Lesson learned. The truffle chocolate turned out fine, fyi, no sending the feds to my house. </div><div><br /></div><div>Put the whole bowl in the fridge for 1-3 (or more) hours, covered by a paper towel. No plastic here, condensation is a bad, bad, bad idea. Did I mention it was a bad idea? Yes? Good, moving on. When fully cooled, use that nice cookie scooper, or melon baller(could never get this to work), or just regular teaspoon to make small(ish), round(ish) balls of awesome, put them on a cookie sheet, parchment's never a bad idea here either. Back in the fridge, at least an hour. Tasting for poison here is acceptable. If you hand roll, be fast, and only after at least half an hour in the fridge. Your hand heat will melt this stuff quicker than you think. Licking your palms is optional but must be done at the end of said hand rolling. I use gloves (slower heat transfer) but never get too fancy here. It's chocolate people, if someone really is worried about receiving a less than perfectly round home made truffle, then they just don't deserve one and you should eat it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't tested out the margarine or low/no sugar option and believe me...the Truffles of Doom will find a way into my newly diabetic life. Just not this year. *Shakes fist at sky*</div><div><br /></div><div>Trust in yourself, youngling. Easy to make, truffles are.</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the link for the pre-morphed recipe: Master Alton provides a totally easy, and I wish I would have read the whole thing myself, way to coat them with chocolate. </div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/chocolate-truffles-recipe/index.html</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-12767180774126862612010-11-18T07:36:00.000-08:002010-11-18T08:14:42.484-08:00Crochet and Christmas<div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><table id="internal-source-marker_0.48725311807356775" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-collapse: collapse; "><tbody><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">Last night was my first T.W.A.S. event at Sleighbells Gift Shop. It was an epic success, despite the leaf stripping winter hurricane that blew in, creating high water and many mud puddles.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">For any of you who haven't yet been to Sleighbells ( http://sleighbells.biz/ ) it's over 10,000 square feet of awesome Christmas-ness. AND for those Halloween fanatics out there (you know who you are) there's even a permanent Halloween display, and not cheesy stuff either, cool stuff and little Halloween villages and etc. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><table id="internal-source-marker_0.8460357945878059" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><tbody><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsopPhMQzOf50Xrsai03Yf7EGJQSj8U6RBZyZKE4uQJzArHrXBaDusrnqeCpS7VBamVv3gLRMPJvgk2sSzrPPvvoS3QknUQh2_LZnBBEVZH5ASXz6006_4aDRrqikbZD2ScLHpSgrGVk/s320/IMG_0633.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540919450702568098" /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">So Mama got herself a new coffee mug. Because come on, who wouldn't want to drink coffee from this cup?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><table id="internal-source-marker_0.48725311807356775" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-collapse: collapse; "><tbody><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz-z9KxWlk0VsYmhRPLRCwYO6d4FI1zrdhELt-kUU31jaB05diXM1-IGuVicmYjgQIeQ8jRtYxeanjf6etOd7qyQzanzvChqqn3-R5xEyf7b44u6mKYr-6ndLwcXJiC7AiphpZpBSCuo/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540919456814910994" /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">I have many scarf orders to fill, and a slew of new scarves and hats to make, so any of you ladies who want to join my sweatshop, now's the time. I'm going to be a super hooker for a while. My depleted scarf box is begging to be refilled. Yay for selling hand made stuff and meeting a crowd of lovely ladies! <br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><table id="internal-source-marker_0.48725311807356775" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-collapse: collapse; "><tbody><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; ">All in all, it was a great evening, even if power was spotty and hip waders were required to go in and out of doors which slammed closed with ferocity every time they were left open. Can't wait till next month! <br /></div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /><div><br /> </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-73176559662766756392010-11-14T12:35:00.001-08:002010-11-14T13:19:24.177-08:00Crochet and rearranging the living room<div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><table style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-collapse: collapse; "><tbody><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLck-oNJq1lUfShH-IxLscq4aQvdzpGjLVOs2LyfEB2v3zcLdWpdtD_7ucoOlUWbR3fcRgAjsX3p7NpYaHGVEce8siUUY6DjmVJ4aubAWJxZ3EdA-o3P8nEToW7sfZpTAfgvZlIpgU94/s320/IMG_0620.JPG" /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br />We decided it would be a great idea to rearrange the living room today. I'm not sure why, but we always think it will be easy. Ah, the road to $&%% is paved with good intentions, right?<br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgbx4gazkAVXzC_3VmDjonVNUZC0_IUDyDr-U2FVjuNWMx0uJl5miG73ECgzVz6nK9SzyF-HvvqgXHypiHDSsPU1v-vQefdMVQqXSAv75NiXkKAQa3wUv6FII1-dqYZuFCHlLoLCShX0/s320/IMG_0624.JPG" /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">I had forgotten about the swiss cheese wall behind the giant mirror. This means we now need to paint the newly patched wall. And empty the book case so we can move that too.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQBLL_7RJRAtEPrxA8nHfP6OYUsKjgMkRSEy1aV9H18Sj_bLqa_W2IXWaYi-MjDSff9ySEq3vzGAuGrQS3zRqB02uQ3KUEhyMcGFBkr8fsHy6LUiTbeKGUa61iGniByX3fhXFkcSaxuQ/s320/IMG_0622.JPG" /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">And how the heck did my child collect so many darn toys and why are they all downstairs?!<br /></span></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVtsqK6GaG4P4homkYdcuJCzLMd1iLGQcOuQ-pGz5HKGGKjLx4Km0TdqgFqiUSRhUDPLvO385BhLdteDPZsDRagMQiFh9zgzqO19_z352xUiNadIq3vac84nI0md9jOHIlAV2YSAqcFQ/s320/IMG_0625.jpg" /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">Oh a lighter note, I finished Bethany's waterfowl-oriented-not-affiliated-with-any-particular-kickass-local -college scarf. I just need to block it and I'll get it in the mail tomorrow. Now I'm off to find some sort of lunch type meal since we're hungry. Does this mean I have to shower? Not it does not, this is what drive-thru's are for.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-9355020585061841802010-11-13T15:02:00.000-08:002010-11-13T15:12:42.623-08:00Pumpkin Pie and crochetIt's a little known fact that making a pumpkin pie and crochet go very well together. As long as you don't dip your yarn in the pie, or the accompanying cup of tea. This is easily accomplished by not keeping your yarn in the kitchen. Easier said than done when I have orders to fill! I'm about halfway done with Bethany's scarf and got the purple for DeeDee's scarf. Wheee!!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Today's experiment is a sugar free pumpkin pie on an almond crust. I wanted to check it out and make sure everything was good before the big T Day, which is coming up <i>really</i> fast! I have most of the stuff I need though except for a few small items we're golden. Looking forward to a long weekend with fam for sure.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a link to the recipe I used. I just put in about 3/4 cup of splenda instead of the sugar. I've found that if you use the entire amount listed, replacing one cup sugar with one cup splenda, it's just too sweet. This also saves me money because you pretty much have to sell a limb or a child to afford it. 'sigh</div><div><br /></div><div>http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Libbys-Famous-Pumpkin-Pie/Detail.aspx</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><img src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/global/recipes/small/22755.jpg" alt="Libby's(R) Famous Pumpkin Pie Recipe" /><img src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/global/recipes/small/22755.jpg" alt="Libby's(R) Famous Pumpkin Pie Recipe" /><img src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/global/recipes/small/22755.jpg" alt="Libby's(R) Famous Pumpkin Pie Recipe" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-92103235796645361552010-11-12T09:29:00.001-08:002010-11-12T09:35:12.801-08:00Quacktastic!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFnH1s9OchicToRQ8W2xTM41ANmhs30bla51WwHeN4poHNJJfoB-2cxxlFE5syct6aAY-IRrD0FN4DQpW0z9nPpT_ZWwRrin0v30oDSyAt3l_SXsIpkriQVvPR0m0hSlNG1mIj1WyiUM/s1600/IMG_0613.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFnH1s9OchicToRQ8W2xTM41ANmhs30bla51WwHeN4poHNJJfoB-2cxxlFE5syct6aAY-IRrD0FN4DQpW0z9nPpT_ZWwRrin0v30oDSyAt3l_SXsIpkriQVvPR0m0hSlNG1mIj1WyiUM/s320/IMG_0613.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538716776461246514" /></a><br />It surely is. I made this for my own selfish purposes last week, and have been totally taken by storm with all the compliments. Makes a girl feel good. Have to say, this is totally my own design, and I've got all sorts of neat ideas to zazz it up. Made from the Vanna line of acrylic yarns and some Caron's (I think that's what was in my stash) for the feet. Selling these at $15 a piece, with me making them as I get orders for now, since I have at least one order and haven't made more than the one I've been wearing around. Hats can be made too, from beanies to funky diva hats, I do it all. <div><br /></div><div>Thanks for all the good comments!!<div><br /><div><br /></div><div>As I can, I'll get more up on Etsy.com at my shop:</div><div><br /></div><div> http://www.etsy.com/shop/JaneAvril</div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-58443218309482733392010-11-09T12:55:00.000-08:002010-11-09T13:27:07.077-08:00Roasted Chicken Tuesday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://c0445482.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/lrg_1107.jpg" alt="chicken in milk" /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Dinner just went from "Well.....I guess I can put in a chicken...." </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">"HEY, I've got like 3 cans of coconut milk!!! Oh ya!! I can make that killer chicken with lemons and coconut milk! Yes, I rock, I am brilliant and should be given a medal for being so." </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Recipe follows below, I twisted up a Jamie (not Jaime) Oliver recipe and included the links to the original inspiration blog and original recipe below that.<br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One Whole Chicken rinsed, patted dry and salted and peppered to taste (I like a lot of both)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10 big cloves garlic, don't even peel them (I love this recipe already).</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">a can of light coconut milk</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">zest of 2 lemons</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/2 stick cinnamon</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">a good handful of fresh sage.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I will probably use a mix of lemons and oranges. I have satsuma's so may just use some of them. In the past when we've made this we didn't sear it first, or at least I don't remember doing so, so I think I'll make that happen today. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fresh sage if you've got it but could use any herb I think, fresh or dried. Thyme, oregano, basil would all be good. We're lucky enough to have a healthy and bushy new sage plant outside, so I'll go save some from the rain.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, the recipe below calls for like a stick of butter or something. We all know everything is better with butter, but I'm not into a butter induced heart attack, so I'm going to opt for a mix of canola and olive oil to brown this bad boy off instead. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Last time I did this I didn't look up a recipe and just dumped some stuff in the pot. It was good, but not magickal like it was the first time my hubby made it. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/recipe-review/the-ultimate-bird-jamies-chicken-with-lemon-and-milk-080388. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/chicken-in-milk</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-35963096014441507952010-11-08T07:37:00.000-08:002010-11-08T08:01:33.063-08:00Etsy scarves<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ6r0N2mgqdqt-aS8pYDpo8destOqtq08caFnqAszm8GWUqqLA_gprYRbqPB2RTLVQg4sCiyJFW2mfsqlFoE7ttS6JX5xClKJXlz6-6uK_fgDVeUSjts77BdWR6a-oqApIHkrEQKa0H4/s1600/IMG_0507.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ6r0N2mgqdqt-aS8pYDpo8destOqtq08caFnqAszm8GWUqqLA_gprYRbqPB2RTLVQg4sCiyJFW2mfsqlFoE7ttS6JX5xClKJXlz6-6uK_fgDVeUSjts77BdWR6a-oqApIHkrEQKa0H4/s320/IMG_0507.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537208815400940818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_mp8Cw51zyQhtoXGlj3CtQpPLH3GL8Txbvrj4AUzsTPvlPbWxsrzatO_YvqRAgc-cK1d6DJYrqJgO07dCOskhqsPqtkM2GKkdMbCdRUtjdktQUvyaicknhCqfznDPSK_sU120-vBSDE/s1600/IMG_0502.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_mp8Cw51zyQhtoXGlj3CtQpPLH3GL8Txbvrj4AUzsTPvlPbWxsrzatO_YvqRAgc-cK1d6DJYrqJgO07dCOskhqsPqtkM2GKkdMbCdRUtjdktQUvyaicknhCqfznDPSK_sU120-vBSDE/s320/IMG_0502.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537208810842571602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibruqqhAoIED5YkSJxHZVzJFscmwyiI0O90DmPflHLLKIfmnEHPtiZnQ9qPi4M6XSj14-c55tl6e6_yILEgJ_goAOH25n7IZJC5NehDE_zDLgB6tZHTd_wH1Ms2K2s19vuVNimPDXjCT0/s1600/IMG_0488.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibruqqhAoIED5YkSJxHZVzJFscmwyiI0O90DmPflHLLKIfmnEHPtiZnQ9qPi4M6XSj14-c55tl6e6_yILEgJ_goAOH25n7IZJC5NehDE_zDLgB6tZHTd_wH1Ms2K2s19vuVNimPDXjCT0/s320/IMG_0488.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537208803545198130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vnAp2eSq2N1sA1EUA79JuY2O8l7Q4EkoX6-6BdyaEKX9VWiojvNR-nOadRU4kovn-02gd_1Brd1ykyfZJBJuFoNyC_gBE8xrEIwJW-csUP5es88ENX_D18F_V9pMe8ae1Pi9q1-YnyU/s1600/IMG_0486.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vnAp2eSq2N1sA1EUA79JuY2O8l7Q4EkoX6-6BdyaEKX9VWiojvNR-nOadRU4kovn-02gd_1Brd1ykyfZJBJuFoNyC_gBE8xrEIwJW-csUP5es88ENX_D18F_V9pMe8ae1Pi9q1-YnyU/s320/IMG_0486.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537208794379179906" /></a><br />I've decided it's much better to put off your blog posts, for as long as nearly humanly possible, and then you can be all picky choosy about what you put up. Makes you look wAy cooler than you really are. Not sure if this really is true, but I'm giving it my best shot. I'll let you know how that works out for me....sometime. Maybe in like a year.<br /><br />Put a couple things on Etsy this am. I had originally listed these on a "new" payment system, and got a pretty surprising and strong interest in one of them. But I chickened out at the last minute, mainly because I started poking around and got concerned about using the system as it appears to be a scam, or possibly made by someone who ran a scam previously but no one really knows. It's all very mysterious and I'm keeping tabs on it to see if it is in fact legit(doubt it now...sigh). <br /><br />I'm not comfortable to using it to sell items. So hopefully the lucky lady who did win my lovely scarf will be able to respond to the message I tried to send her, and contact me again about it. I have no way of knowing however, because I (along with a number of other people apparently) am unable to log in to see if there has been a reply to my message. I guess the thing that REALLY bothers me is that the blog for this mysterious payment processing is pushing for it to be accessible "with your debit card", which sounds a little phishy to me. Said mysterious site seems to be ignoring requests for help, asking for you to "enter a drawing for $1000" for Amazon and a click their link to manage your wish list ON Amazon.com and creating a fabulous debit card access so you can happily give them your debit card information too. I dunno, I'm not liking it. If I'm wrong, I'll gladly eat my words, but at the moment, if it feels wrong it is and I'm just gonna watch for a while. <br /><br />Yes, talking about paybox.me for all you 2 people who are wondering what the heck I'm talking about. <br /><br />Anyway, didn't get on here to harp about sketchy websites, but to do my blog. Just ended up harping about sketchy websites for fun. The real reason for this post was to get some pics of the other scarves I have on hand that I haven't listed on Etsy yet. I'm putting up a mix of stuff that's available now, and a few that are still at the Oregon Heritage Farms- gift shop but were still available as of yesterday. Price range from $10-25, depends on how intricate the scarf is. I have like one hat here, that has a super cute brim that isn't shown in the picture. That one is $15. <br /><br />Thanks for reading, have to take off to get child to preschool, then bfast with my newly married friend.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-43444837329136705392010-10-30T08:26:00.001-07:002010-10-30T08:49:56.703-07:00More Paybox Pictures<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; ">Plum Dessert scarf </span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; ">#35796 </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">82" long </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">just </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">under 3 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">inches wide; </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">as listed on PayBox. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">Thanks for looking! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuL4U2VEAuEgAS4RKzDh6nANVS2Ognn51EQ-I4CjoJsh-1jsndShw1FQYCLxc6GpjurqnBlMzlQXFKeRYuCUvkgeb8THTKAKhiH1W8QDxHKmm_azwhvrsVlvyXakuErUa3s2rdQZzseo/s1600/IMG_0511.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuL4U2VEAuEgAS4RKzDh6nANVS2Ognn51EQ-I4CjoJsh-1jsndShw1FQYCLxc6GpjurqnBlMzlQXFKeRYuCUvkgeb8THTKAKhiH1W8QDxHKmm_azwhvrsVlvyXakuErUa3s2rdQZzseo/s320/IMG_0511.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533861086187331186" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-1vWbrZSEIj4RH_f-0O6KOr-D7XmmO4_m64bEkmyMOE7r7CMzQtQtyjBCCWXWdvZDDcoH8WWix9d1pF522igADX1wQND30_IG4rAzh6jSX_IlVRGMIXe3yHpAdbdhHiaulMS-llhRF8/s1600/IMG_0510.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-1vWbrZSEIj4RH_f-0O6KOr-D7XmmO4_m64bEkmyMOE7r7CMzQtQtyjBCCWXWdvZDDcoH8WWix9d1pF522igADX1wQND30_IG4rAzh6jSX_IlVRGMIXe3yHpAdbdhHiaulMS-llhRF8/s320/IMG_0510.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533861080489412642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmVc0VYeg6Lf3h5dGDPgwxx5-752ymT_ncZvEXbkp2he_n20zpGFytVCY-5y9bSxJ0m56-otKzCOtrOBthn0rkWjncRuZRSfp54MPFrLWMxj3DnfyciPyq-dY7KyRwXRpOqAN7T3Rwdk/s1600/IMG_0509.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmVc0VYeg6Lf3h5dGDPgwxx5-752ymT_ncZvEXbkp2he_n20zpGFytVCY-5y9bSxJ0m56-otKzCOtrOBthn0rkWjncRuZRSfp54MPFrLWMxj3DnfyciPyq-dY7KyRwXRpOqAN7T3Rwdk/s320/IMG_0509.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533861075932850354" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-29660641372756192692010-10-23T08:17:00.001-07:002010-10-23T08:27:00.454-07:00Paybox pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyagqsz7jWc-0KKRt7Ki_0AV_E6iBwur2OgN6t60Jzk7iHRP4_p5B26XtdIjtuyjxaSUw2d_5J0OFaqP6c6YYhNufNJUOZWZl6xAbvVdLM8mqLgZTGu46r8atiRtjJh69k4B_Tu-VBMTA/s1600/IMG_0520.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyagqsz7jWc-0KKRt7Ki_0AV_E6iBwur2OgN6t60Jzk7iHRP4_p5B26XtdIjtuyjxaSUw2d_5J0OFaqP6c6YYhNufNJUOZWZl6xAbvVdLM8mqLgZTGu46r8atiRtjJh69k4B_Tu-VBMTA/s320/IMG_0520.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531263219332517618" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Attached here are pictures of the one listing I have up at the new auction site, Paybox.me/shop. It's a new eBay-esque site that I've been tinkering with. I like it loads, and it seems to work well. In fact, this post is specifically to add the pictures, as Paybox.me is in beta testing and I couldn't get my pictures to upload there. Thanks for looking! The pictures aren't professional and a little blurry, but not bad!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_jV2FDQrLB3hb30bOVN4bUxFXARufRUgUE4GIpFYV9rfrnc_7dOnrsJbje355JiyvaqmggnQAs6nNSm9MTD8lO_JCzh4cqTk1vzKjvTXrhTOZQf24hyt2xTjGwRA7VDuWtDnHQOo6lA/s1600/IMG_0521.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_jV2FDQrLB3hb30bOVN4bUxFXARufRUgUE4GIpFYV9rfrnc_7dOnrsJbje355JiyvaqmggnQAs6nNSm9MTD8lO_JCzh4cqTk1vzKjvTXrhTOZQf24hyt2xTjGwRA7VDuWtDnHQOo6lA/s320/IMG_0521.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531263205381533890" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-71210963487537940612010-09-24T08:29:00.001-07:002010-09-24T08:57:47.117-07:00It's Halloween!!<span class="Apple-style-span">Ok, I know I'm the absolute worst about posting here. It's the same with calling my friends and family. If I can text or email I'm all over it, but calling? Not so much. Blogging? It seems somehow that blogging has fallen in with the phone calls. I'd say sorry, but up to now, my hubby has been my only reader, and that's because he's married to me. 8^)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br /><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZLEj0VD3qS8R1bJB-SLxGaS2r38lc9HClonLdqJOCeIiwVxuzxfGRDTfsjEMUz9T7cf06vPGbi75KHMMvosEsczibx5PEvrUheWSJXQ1uNBX_bAohvIYyS2uK9y_AqOR-U9y6SJtBqM/s320/IMG_0850.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520507922633429266" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span">It's been a Halloween stuff-making extravaganza here lately. At least as much as something can be in my house. I'm great in the idea department, but the actual implementation of said ideas is maybe a bit trickier and requires the labor of my kids and hubby. Currently I'm working on a decent amigurumi crow, although shaping of current attempt looks more like a black Loch Ness monster. I'm hoping that jamming a few feathers in its behind and sewing on some</span> beads will fix the issue.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHI7Fr8xLbIp6_boOoLXmqJf81Lk8CkNcjKZSONdtnFyMyQ4iB-aQqRebuIaNKuMK7o-kR1i_idesImyKUZwXlCuA23ZW_Hr7Ec4QN5MNS6E0T2oOluTgfFvSwxW77VCINBbi8ANWtic/s320/IMG_0825.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520508837900422498" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I've been trying to paint my little handshaped polyclay skulls for my skull mobile. Will be working on that next week I suspect. It worked out great last week when I took it all in and sat there and painted while my little one was in his preschool class. Yes, I am enough of a nerd that I sat there in the lobby, at the little table and set up my little painting station. But it worked!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Last weekend my awesome hubby and I finally got some good pictures of my scarves, so time and energy willing I'll get pictures of those up on here for your viewing pleasure later today. But since I have a friend coming over for some paper-fun while watching Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, I may not get to it today. </span></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-10999870807158145482010-04-20T14:46:00.000-07:002010-04-20T14:47:14.846-07:00Potatoe Leek soup<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>About 4 pieces bacon chopped(not necessary but bacon makes everything better)</div><div>2 good sized Leeks, or 3 small</div><div>anywhere from 1/2 to 1 whole onion ( I use less bc onions hate me)</div><div>3 large baking potatoes or 4-6 small</div><div>2 tsp salt (or to taste) Potatoes suck up a lot of salt so don't be squeamish</div><div>dill</div><div>either chicken broth or water</div><div><br /></div><div>Brown the bacon and saute the onion with it for maybe 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile peel and chop up the potatoes and leek. If the leeks are dirty, then chop them up and let them sit in a bowl of water for a while, swishing well to dislodge the dirt. When bacon is brown and onion translucent (or caramelized if you like, I do). Then dump all of it in a crock pot and turn it on low. Takes about 7-8 hours or maybe 4 or 5 on high. Alternatively, you can put it all in a pot, bring to a simmer and let it do it's thing for 15 or 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Finish off with maybe a half cup of uncooked, instant mashed potatoes to make it creamy (thanks Jacques Pepin). OR, you can just cook the potatoes longer, they will start to break down the longer they cook. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can add any of the following, or whatever else you may fancy:</div><div><br /></div><div>Can of corn, or fresh if you roll like that. </div><div>Can (or 2) of chopped clams</div><div>Cooked, diced potatoes</div><div>chopped asparagus </div><div>Broccoli (add cheese too for broc-n-cheese soup)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Just about anything you want to add works. It's a great way to use up leftovers! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-78264693930517342072010-01-14T11:37:00.000-08:002010-01-14T11:41:07.530-08:00Mr. Lunch FaceIt's a contest! I do this all the time, and will put up my older ones. Lets see what we come up with! <div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><img src="webkit-fake-url://543D5239-BE7A-46F3-8A6E-7974DAC11922/photo.php.jpg" alt="photo.php.jpg" /></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-27751709004356378022009-09-24T07:41:00.000-07:002009-09-24T08:24:52.171-07:00Good morning to all. I'm such a lame writer. The whole reason I even set this up in the first place was just to show off some crochet hooks I crafted for arthritic hands. <div><br /></div><div>So, what have you all been doing? I know there's only like one of you reading this, so you have to answer or I'll know. I've been up to no good, as usual. It's become fall overnight in my area, so I've been canning and just buying way to much produce lately. But have been ripping out the scarves and hats too, I'm determined to have a fully stocked inventory and pantry. It's hard to crochet AND make blueberry jam at the same time, they really don't work well together. I'm just kidding, I promise, I didn't simultaneously crochet AND make blueberry jam. Just for those of you who get this as a christmas present. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-86665306494118774592009-07-21T11:25:00.000-07:002009-07-21T11:32:49.575-07:00The construction beginsI know, I'm all over the map, project wise. I often say I have adult onset ADD or something. I've had this dress form idea in my head because I'm determined to learn how to make my own clothes. I'm sick, sick, sick to death of buying crapy clothes! I'd like to have something that is flattering, makes me feel pretty and doesn't fall to hell the first time I wash it! <div><br /></div><div>So, although I will probably get back to it later; the stockings will be set aside until another day and I'm going to watch Catch 22 and stuff newspaper into the work in progress. I'd show you the 'during construction' shots but I'm just embarrassed. It looks like a flat, duct tape coated t-shirt currently, I'm hoping to have it stuffed and mounted today. Wish me luck!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-59477113933241535202009-07-16T08:23:00.000-07:002009-07-16T08:51:07.148-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hEcUAZ1d7fmnmjEeXXTdrFifZ-A_ikIjF5WXGl37JcDYr5TOUyDG-zBQ2hJPttNFvznE4YAH1yvFzxZl_B-d5swQs08AZlBrNfviePVB_yk0ygga6lqxeoJaeJJDJB01ZHnHdmJqCzM/s1600-h/IMG_4031.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hEcUAZ1d7fmnmjEeXXTdrFifZ-A_ikIjF5WXGl37JcDYr5TOUyDG-zBQ2hJPttNFvznE4YAH1yvFzxZl_B-d5swQs08AZlBrNfviePVB_yk0ygga6lqxeoJaeJJDJB01ZHnHdmJqCzM/s200/IMG_4031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359083743439506146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwFgJlAnvLYccG79bwilZzAUpooZlVHcxUXbO7NUnOuXkfADxuOO89lBgFRp-3F-INJzJIor1AaPXBmaZ8ilY6A_daOhmroJNRz8Oi8NnklgWjmkAK0jfm46qFL5MngjYvF12IHvgats/s1600-h/IMG_4032.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwFgJlAnvLYccG79bwilZzAUpooZlVHcxUXbO7NUnOuXkfADxuOO89lBgFRp-3F-INJzJIor1AaPXBmaZ8ilY6A_daOhmroJNRz8Oi8NnklgWjmkAK0jfm46qFL5MngjYvF12IHvgats/s200/IMG_4032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359083569313603442" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGTV4r5StcOeS8w2GEq5ybCaGgRDVN4oAD8iZGnggL3cCqPuCxqInAuuPuFbKr9cIrhAjULKAp_DHijpfH0XrY7w09OSoAsr63m4FHKKssfddmlNUcm38gBhF8AKIPdJWlXT0KRgTvA4/s1600-h/IMG_4033.JPG"></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGTV4r5StcOeS8w2GEq5ybCaGgRDVN4oAD8iZGnggL3cCqPuCxqInAuuPuFbKr9cIrhAjULKAp_DHijpfH0XrY7w09OSoAsr63m4FHKKssfddmlNUcm38gBhF8AKIPdJWlXT0KRgTvA4/s1600-h/IMG_4033.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGTV4r5StcOeS8w2GEq5ybCaGgRDVN4oAD8iZGnggL3cCqPuCxqInAuuPuFbKr9cIrhAjULKAp_DHijpfH0XrY7w09OSoAsr63m4FHKKssfddmlNUcm38gBhF8AKIPdJWlXT0KRgTvA4/s200/IMG_4033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359083564983725058" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGTV4r5StcOeS8w2GEq5ybCaGgRDVN4oAD8iZGnggL3cCqPuCxqInAuuPuFbKr9cIrhAjULKAp_DHijpfH0XrY7w09OSoAsr63m4FHKKssfddmlNUcm38gBhF8AKIPdJWlXT0KRgTvA4/s1600-h/IMG_4033.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:verdana, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> just created a lovely project for myself. I've somehow decided to make christmas stockings and so pulled out all my brocade and black velvet and silver and luscious fabric from which I'll make stockings for christmas. Also found this giant piece of skull fabric with red glitter eyes that Jennifer gave me forever ago, and decided to make black velvet/skull table runners and other assorted things for Halloween. Hey, and I found the tinker bell fabric that Jennifer gave me and then the fabulous faux velvet shiny stuff Amy gave me and all the gears are cogging. Isn't it great how inspiration can hit like that? I was totally uninspired yesterday. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So when I say "all my brocade" there isn't really a huge amount. So this shouldn't be too huge of a project, right? Here's the first couple pics of my 'stash'. I'll get back to you later with progress! Now, off to see if I can actually get anything into a cohesive mix. And figure out how to get the pictures from the disk to the post. Mmmmm, Fun stuff. Should I have coffee before, after or during? Sorry about the pics, they're in weird places. I'm still trying to figure this whole thing out. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-3371565461273052692009-07-15T08:25:00.000-07:002009-07-15T09:31:15.209-07:00Just rip it<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You have to be fast, when taking out a projects. It's like ripping off a bandaid. I'm unfortunately pretty good at taking out days worth of work these days! Yesterday pulled out a shawl type thing I was making, purely my own idea, but adapted from a scarf pattern, it was just way too big. Then, 'sniff' this morning I had to pull out a sweater I was attempting because it was just too big. I guess it's good they're too big, but still. But I'm starting the sweater again in a few. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406491747891366462.post-89864185194578138782009-07-14T08:22:00.001-07:002009-07-14T08:29:36.388-07:00First time Hooker, long time crocheter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zvLP15bcFFTRE883UfzmYCzCwk05SbsQ3My3UYHHUZ-1KjimHZqlwpL_CJZnW_XElVWSE7EPYMvuzxWFkQUqs59LFRplXO5cZP-NQRvwToUWC-NUFF_fmo_JGzPTsAulzc23i19M-zs/s1600-h/IMG_4021.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zvLP15bcFFTRE883UfzmYCzCwk05SbsQ3My3UYHHUZ-1KjimHZqlwpL_CJZnW_XElVWSE7EPYMvuzxWFkQUqs59LFRplXO5cZP-NQRvwToUWC-NUFF_fmo_JGzPTsAulzc23i19M-zs/s320/IMG_4021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358336785841395026" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Ok, so it's not really my first time as a crocheter. But it IS my first time blogging about it. I'm inspired to start as I've recently become a Doris Chan fan, having just heard of her on a crochet show I watch here and there. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Anyway I wanted to put up some pictures of some hooks I have done up with polymer clay. I did these forever ago, but was inspired to send a pic up for Doris to see after reading her recent blog post about Etimo hooks. I buy the clay canes from artists online and then use slices to do up Boye hooks mainly, but I've gotten other hooks from yard sales that weren't Boye. I do this mainly for myself; I have FMS and developing arthritis in my hands and it just gets challenging to hold the little hooks. Anyway, I'd be happy to share my tips for making these hooks yourself, I know the picture isn't great but that is also the main reason I've never ended up putting any of my stuff online. But I've recently come to the realization that everyone has the same problem, so I'm just going to hold my breath and jump in!</span></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12598635107821924525noreply@blogger.com4