tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48106819020078272632024-03-13T13:54:34.529-07:00make it give itMichael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-28923873159672153442014-10-14T10:55:00.000-07:002014-10-14T17:46:57.134-07:00Me, Myself and My Blog. Oh Sister, Where Art Thou...?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5-gWz1hFUNB6EtkJcAdBmpE4ImDcydH0djuWv6V6N2bfcbRpI6Be_CpL73YZFevX1rYUMuHnaTJDzZosTLjteBcyeETAlNY9uf_A3BN_BQJq9pMcY_u-l2iwR4RrJG8mZ1vVtzvD11o/s1600/beach+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5-gWz1hFUNB6EtkJcAdBmpE4ImDcydH0djuWv6V6N2bfcbRpI6Be_CpL73YZFevX1rYUMuHnaTJDzZosTLjteBcyeETAlNY9uf_A3BN_BQJq9pMcY_u-l2iwR4RrJG8mZ1vVtzvD11o/s1600/beach+hair.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">where art thou, indeed. if i think about that too much i'll be infused with more self-inflicted guilt than i already have over the fact that i haven't posted anything since last may. stupid. feeling guilty about my lack of blogging presence. but...there it is. a little inside about me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">moving on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">hello, christmas right around the corner!!! can you believe it?!? we just put up halloween decorations and my kids are still trying to decide what they want to dress up as but, yesterday, i watched a christmas movie on netflix. can't help it - love 'em! i have a friend who's probably already done with her christmas shopping (you know who you are, lady) and diy's are already popping up all over pinterest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i've been in somewhat of a funk the last several months and so haven't been as productive as i would have liked. still, not a total loss creatively speaking. i did manage to play around here and there...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWSdxiyqot15igS9D9GrfWCvffEcw6Ww8XBqhyx5pDNH1Wt9Mm1rTI2GbatNWwVhbfhslCOXIRtjDvFUkN58KF58dixVzxR7WD1KQFSO9hsqWOAoqF6KBH3CjKkCcCpg5hPVaxtSxPzI/s1600/soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWSdxiyqot15igS9D9GrfWCvffEcw6Ww8XBqhyx5pDNH1Wt9Mm1rTI2GbatNWwVhbfhslCOXIRtjDvFUkN58KF58dixVzxR7WD1KQFSO9hsqWOAoqF6KBH3CjKkCcCpg5hPVaxtSxPzI/s1600/soap.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhniIGX8xY6OkM3tHtS98yUbOMYwK_OQJL_08BYQNg-4Tz7zGjwWOkVktMTDifBgrMIU8Iz8VIEDp8OIrRMRMneM4osd6WYAk4isZRAcDGBUCri-yYyEPw9EDqYDPgtLPTfUOqfD5W8Y/s1600/coffee+icecream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhniIGX8xY6OkM3tHtS98yUbOMYwK_OQJL_08BYQNg-4Tz7zGjwWOkVktMTDifBgrMIU8Iz8VIEDp8OIrRMRMneM4osd6WYAk4isZRAcDGBUCri-yYyEPw9EDqYDPgtLPTfUOqfD5W8Y/s1600/coffee+icecream.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1BRk8adkOWaA6Y4JRwUqujCQYBvtIOiWhFI2If_CtdWZK50IusDhdVp0RzowR0aag5SYVXk6h1JRrQBRa3PapezkPgAd2AL25vGRGiX6lGEpJ4nTc1u3vjQSrHHSJmKVVUyfwb905vQ/s1600/chevron+baby+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1BRk8adkOWaA6Y4JRwUqujCQYBvtIOiWhFI2If_CtdWZK50IusDhdVp0RzowR0aag5SYVXk6h1JRrQBRa3PapezkPgAd2AL25vGRGiX6lGEpJ4nTc1u3vjQSrHHSJmKVVUyfwb905vQ/s1600/chevron+baby+blanket.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkAdQ2zIlJ4gqPTH5j4kFLDmEE0bDgQhz66MP5_QOkph81ii5kIG1OGD0FbTMWIU6MByUJ9QX9D28IMhdHCS1WqpbBc3nuF-BR14Bvj_dwWTIHrtyxBVb1DAnolOjZHQ2wxZfP9_unzk/s1600/strawberry+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkAdQ2zIlJ4gqPTH5j4kFLDmEE0bDgQhz66MP5_QOkph81ii5kIG1OGD0FbTMWIU6MByUJ9QX9D28IMhdHCS1WqpbBc3nuF-BR14Bvj_dwWTIHrtyxBVb1DAnolOjZHQ2wxZfP9_unzk/s1600/strawberry+pie.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">now i'm in the process of making clay oil lamps which i chose as the take-away favor for our church's women's christmas dinner, coming up with new fragrances for the skin-care products that i sell in my etsy shop - honey grapefruit...yum! - figuring out what will be my homemade gift to my kids this year, and wondering if i'll have enough <strike>juice </strike>time to make all of the things i want to make between now and thanksgiving. an occasional coffee or lunch date with friend so that i don't isolate (easy for me to do), dealing with menopause (which completely SUCKS!), knowing that the 13th anniversary of my first husband passing away is next month which always makes me somewhat wonky starting about now and which feels doubly so this time because i'm in the same time frame in this marriage as i was in my first in which he died - 10 years. not an easy place to be and i can see that i'm making myself extra busy right now instead of sitting in it. i've tried to work on this and it isn't always easy. thankfully, there's grace. from my friends who know me, from my husband who loves me, and from God who knew this was all coming down the line.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">baby steps.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-37304623192026030522014-05-16T09:45:00.000-07:002014-05-16T09:49:31.398-07:00Flourless Carrot Cake with Goat Cream Cheese Frosting and A First Apartment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2014%2F05%2Fflourless-carrot-cake-with-goat-cream.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fcc10.jpg&description=incredible%20gluten%20free%20carrot%20cake%20%7C%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8BleNDpFfh_SRQId-exxHSsI_1Np4Kd82sbBHyRDcshP9ibWgIBmipHruGb7aWAXyAHkVYGO_AWT2ob2fKTxT6elNL7kOlFDgVooXcXe0DU3QFVQw4HCyn3OeuOn8HFJEKEG3G-aWkc/s1600/cc+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8BleNDpFfh_SRQId-exxHSsI_1Np4Kd82sbBHyRDcshP9ibWgIBmipHruGb7aWAXyAHkVYGO_AWT2ob2fKTxT6elNL7kOlFDgVooXcXe0DU3QFVQw4HCyn3OeuOn8HFJEKEG3G-aWkc/s1600/cc+7.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">one of my closest friends just got her first apartment. this is huge. the kind of huge that's scary and exhilarating in the same breath. and it's not like she did this right from leaving home or just graduating from college like so many. she's done it for the first time since <i>leaving </i>home, getting married, having children, dealing with loss, going through a divorce, <i>moving back home</i>... huge, right? brave. making every decision on her own and not having to check with anyone about paint colors or furniture placement or which way the toilet paper should come off the roll. freaking out about bills. eating cereal for dinner at 10 o'clock.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">this is huge-ness that deserves an equally huge dessert and when i came across this recipe, i knew it would be perfect to bring to her house last night when several of her friends and i got together to help unpack and set up her kitchen. she doesn't eat gluten or dairy though is able to tolerate goat milk products (hence the replacements for the frosting).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7qN1fgMEoOYSarBGsivHgOuXed87YPQlKMwHXN7xnIt01S89gEQiY96tTSNPc83s8ODhOXKlYYqIM0YG-AfBchU__qn09HmREZ3Psy8wcjMgWwS_UZSKCBR8upiKkC88Rz-r2zP622Y/s1600/cc+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7qN1fgMEoOYSarBGsivHgOuXed87YPQlKMwHXN7xnIt01S89gEQiY96tTSNPc83s8ODhOXKlYYqIM0YG-AfBchU__qn09HmREZ3Psy8wcjMgWwS_UZSKCBR8upiKkC88Rz-r2zP622Y/s1600/cc+1.jpg" height="640" width="592" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Gluten Free Carrot Cake with Goat Cream Cheese Frosting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i>adapted from a <a href="https://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/desserts-and-baking/carrot-cake-with-cream-cheese-icing" target="_blank">Donna Hay Recipe</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><b>the what...</b></i></span><br />
<div class="recipe-ingredient">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
5 eggs, at room temperature </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1½ cups brown sugar (not packed) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1 teaspoon vanilla extract </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
½ cup vegetable oil </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
3½ cups almond meal </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1 teaspoon ground ginger </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1 teaspoon baking powder</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 teaspoon salt </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1 - one pound bag of carrots, peeled and grated </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">½ cup minced fresh pineapple</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 cup walnut pieces, toasted</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
½ cup currants </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">goat cream cheese icing</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">6.25 ounces cream cheese, softened</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">5 ounces goat butter (meyenberg from whole foods) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 cup powdered (confectioner's/icing) sugar </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
1 tablespoon lemon juice </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">½ teaspoon vanilla</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">note: my changes to the original recipe don't yield an icing that holds it's shape well. rather, this icing is like an extra thick cream.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="recipe-description" id="Print_Proddesc">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfeWDWMUVFffs3EzQ_JG8f5VhQ45Xixg-qwoAVXoYsFOcaFKG8z_PKgGMPfJVeicTDYyQz6TowIghEo6C1Byiugc1J6rxIDf6UvhHIr6s8lKkLYT1tZ0hxYRUZGO1K9yCdsg3UNhxcOI/s1600/cc+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfeWDWMUVFffs3EzQ_JG8f5VhQ45Xixg-qwoAVXoYsFOcaFKG8z_PKgGMPfJVeicTDYyQz6TowIghEo6C1Byiugc1J6rxIDf6UvhHIr6s8lKkLYT1tZ0hxYRUZGO1K9yCdsg3UNhxcOI/s1600/cc+5.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><b>the how...</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">preheat oven to 325°F. line the base of a
lightly greased 9-inch spring-form pan with parchment paper and set
aside.place the eggs, sugar and vanilla in an electric mixer and whisk
for 15 minutes or until thick and tripled in volume. put the oil,
almond meal, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, carrots, coconut, walnuts and currants in a large bowl and mix well to combine. fold
through the egg mixture and spoon into the pan. bake for 1 hour 20
minutes – 1 hour 25 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out with a
few crumbs attached. cool completely in the pan before
refrigerating for 2–3 hours or until firm. to make the cream cheese
icing, place all ingredients in an electric mixer and beat
for 5 minutes or until smooth. chill for 1 hour (it's a good idea to make the icing the night before you're planning on serving the cake). to serve, run a small knife
around the edge of the cake and remove from the pan. spread with the
icing. serves 8–10.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PFXDVgy7QxUJm2IVP29KExuzFIvGwr89nshPFUG5Jk_W1mqzKGsRDFTDcghG9bPuEPEAdmvXi5ofNeIqcz5HgPDbopWqv9nyzCNCSNfppV_2LTYql-x2_HdsTzgYONwQeepu1NOMR0k/s1600/cc+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PFXDVgy7QxUJm2IVP29KExuzFIvGwr89nshPFUG5Jk_W1mqzKGsRDFTDcghG9bPuEPEAdmvXi5ofNeIqcz5HgPDbopWqv9nyzCNCSNfppV_2LTYql-x2_HdsTzgYONwQeepu1NOMR0k/s1600/cc+2.jpg" height="538" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8utesFVAhp2baJYuO9qPWeCZ8WeNUYCzgJNkRKUq3eM10LStgfsWoxeBwWP7Av_-j6RTwaTMwFymOoI6avv3hWkeZj6fgtGLU14K06ebc3Uxg6p__XffbT7AC_Y5Qd_gMW-AG9zu-egg/s1600/cc+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8utesFVAhp2baJYuO9qPWeCZ8WeNUYCzgJNkRKUq3eM10LStgfsWoxeBwWP7Av_-j6RTwaTMwFymOoI6avv3hWkeZj6fgtGLU14K06ebc3Uxg6p__XffbT7AC_Y5Qd_gMW-AG9zu-egg/s1600/cc+6.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">look that color! so pretty! and it was moist and dense and tasted just like a traditional carrot cake though i like to think that this one is on the healthier side. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjTw015k3h4OHdY59p7Juehfl5IuxGD9j2C7h9SwizEeQSLRMT0gUoHdj6HOAe3y_pB0aJwk8tTDG4bfKAaCg-PuFm8WzRKrv5OYjrWzEGBp9yabByFZCQZMVLfCUEdsfyH6fxn-H23Q/s1600/cc+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjTw015k3h4OHdY59p7Juehfl5IuxGD9j2C7h9SwizEeQSLRMT0gUoHdj6HOAe3y_pB0aJwk8tTDG4bfKAaCg-PuFm8WzRKrv5OYjrWzEGBp9yabByFZCQZMVLfCUEdsfyH6fxn-H23Q/s1600/cc+9.jpg" height="640" width="426" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">the best part? seeing the happy gleam in my friend's eyes when she took that first bite. loved it! and if you haven't yet tried your hand at gluten free (flourless) baking, i think this would have you sold. you could even turn the batter into muffins or small quick breads. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">your gluten free friends will love you! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
</div>
</div>
<a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2014%2F05%2Fflourless-carrot-cake-with-goat-cream.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fcc10.jpg&description=incredible%20gluten%20free%20carrot%20cake%20%7C%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-36224043663583625012014-05-13T16:26:00.000-07:002014-05-13T16:32:03.690-07:00Triple Layer Chocolate Raspberry Rose Cake with Sweetened Cream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2014%2F05%2Ftriple-layer-chocolate-raspberry-rose.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fchocolatecake6.jpg&description=triple%20layer%20chocolate%20raspberry%20rose%20cake%20with%20sweetened%20cream%20by%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMWNBPe81oRfj1Q-zA1mZ89M2mnqq5Ht54zHeKgaolKB8Fqznq34uQXab1yqGlQCYjoHwD3oo2Bw3usdqmQ297HLrx2ZcWcvNsZojzZcj7tlQLUgiyHNHGTifIf5c0riZuM5bR29drQc/s1600/chocolate+cake+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMWNBPe81oRfj1Q-zA1mZ89M2mnqq5Ht54zHeKgaolKB8Fqznq34uQXab1yqGlQCYjoHwD3oo2Bw3usdqmQ297HLrx2ZcWcvNsZojzZcj7tlQLUgiyHNHGTifIf5c0riZuM5bR29drQc/s1600/chocolate+cake+5.jpg" height="640" width="450" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">sometimes, you just have to splurge. a new baby, a promotion, first apartment...you know, something BIG! for me, it was my niece's 13th birthday which was a big deal because, 1) hello! it's 13 and 2) this was the first time she was at my house since i'd met my brother for the first time last summer. BIG! HUGE! also, it was mother's day so i wanted to make something special to honor all of the mom's who happened to be celebrating with us. enter this (not so) little lovely cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i had two inspirations going in. first, the look of this beauty from <a href="http://www.twiggstudios.com/" target="_blank">twig studios</a> and the taste of this chocolate cake from <a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/" target="_blank">my baking addiction</a>, both of which i found on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/annalea_magana/" target="_blank">pinterest</a>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O-ZsrO6ZCqhq7oDoI3Zv7sU4nPgOTyI3jnKeVTVkpMZogIuXYUeArw4JagzvSG9sJNcwpnQq6Jpkt-Ny12V8E1WTsXa2Wt8Ay_IYITMA1C82mBr2zNTvMbWY8Eyxztx72eUQmQkbCn4/s1600/victoria+sponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O-ZsrO6ZCqhq7oDoI3Zv7sU4nPgOTyI3jnKeVTVkpMZogIuXYUeArw4JagzvSG9sJNcwpnQq6Jpkt-Ny12V8E1WTsXa2Wt8Ay_IYITMA1C82mBr2zNTvMbWY8Eyxztx72eUQmQkbCn4/s1600/victoria+sponge.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.twiggstudios.com/2014/04/fit-for-queen-victoria-sponge-cake.html" target="_blank">fit for a queen victoria sponge cake</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEj7FM_gs46LuHLPlNCcys_MYOqM46_08IE5446jJ8RahyTzPhUQtm6ahqBq-JVqnMRgVwlplaGNVSczQ0N-8TmZ9L5hyphenhyphenao3RlatZlxA4qhkltzddIpaoD1Qq7uz1ucTc40vxQnBXrhzCDU/s1600/best+chocolate+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FM_gs46LuHLPlNCcys_MYOqM46_08IE5446jJ8RahyTzPhUQtm6ahqBq-JVqnMRgVwlplaGNVSczQ0N-8TmZ9L5hyphenhyphenao3RlatZlxA4qhkltzddIpaoD1Qq7uz1ucTc40vxQnBXrhzCDU/s1600/best+chocolate+cake.jpg" height="640" width="426" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/the-best-chocolate-cake-recipe/" target="_blank">the best chocolate cake</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">can you imagine the marriage? it's quite perfect, actually. and when they say "the best chocolate cake", they mean it! i've made this recipe twice now and it's divine. the recipe uses simple ingredients and is really straight forward. for this cake, i doubled it and used three 8-inch cake pans (be sure to butter and flour your pans and line the bottoms with buttered parchment).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf6hjXe05dE4Y4MxOL0UOdskuKZTBWd5Axw40TF3r2qO56bKxdGeNIQcpzeYxVL7m32S5_KhDhZdqF_LX6PyMa1msD_zfmtWUbWiW3DyLN8SNo2cjcj1WXqrl0d45AcOk3IzCL9nfiik/s1600/chocolate+cake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf6hjXe05dE4Y4MxOL0UOdskuKZTBWd5Axw40TF3r2qO56bKxdGeNIQcpzeYxVL7m32S5_KhDhZdqF_LX6PyMa1msD_zfmtWUbWiW3DyLN8SNo2cjcj1WXqrl0d45AcOk3IzCL9nfiik/s1600/chocolate+cake+1.jpg" height="435" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYcljQ6TRK6TXlHtFaW0JZODMQ9Bo8P1Tj1ctw2115cqFE969oY79XpfN92XdFZ-CyMBRwlgygrlw2Ox5JMOIW0sIzkJZ94y7y3UOhv-cU3lJ-GGRxcZAjb7420qqaF17A7Eh0DHtyqQ/s1600/chocolate+cake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYcljQ6TRK6TXlHtFaW0JZODMQ9Bo8P1Tj1ctw2115cqFE969oY79XpfN92XdFZ-CyMBRwlgygrlw2Ox5JMOIW0sIzkJZ94y7y3UOhv-cU3lJ-GGRxcZAjb7420qqaF17A7Eh0DHtyqQ/s1600/chocolate+cake+2.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwuOHJLNCGBr37c5Tlh2PfXNc4emVbFj_T_NXv3fu2MGs79nYY1QbdF8MuKpA9LR9pQPip1b_B0YJcRLnpwN0MaOjFUH9dHA6wpxEotLwPjW_1uNqpgHXsdI2mvC-eaRymTC2HZcHx34/s1600/chocolate+cake+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwuOHJLNCGBr37c5Tlh2PfXNc4emVbFj_T_NXv3fu2MGs79nYY1QbdF8MuKpA9LR9pQPip1b_B0YJcRLnpwN0MaOjFUH9dHA6wpxEotLwPjW_1uNqpgHXsdI2mvC-eaRymTC2HZcHx34/s1600/chocolate+cake+3.jpg" height="640" width="537" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 cups of heavy cream whipped to a gorgeous cloud, sweetened with 1 cup of powdered sugar and flavored with a teaspoon of almond extract (vanilla is fine or none at all). actually, i would have loved to add some rose water to the cream too. yum! then just start layering: cake, raspberry jam, cream, fresh raspberries. rinse. repeat. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx9rZoQ4rpHziD2rWsvjWbDruDbVDMqLEvHsNVJx5zObOCHt4Q-1BDjhmOqKfqrdRmsAzeJ22yF8KXrIFMnv2ghu_3Hep3fCqhkFMjGToKHcGBw_2wa8b5P9ZtYp5lPeUqYVMoNUst9A/s1600/chocolate+cake+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx9rZoQ4rpHziD2rWsvjWbDruDbVDMqLEvHsNVJx5zObOCHt4Q-1BDjhmOqKfqrdRmsAzeJ22yF8KXrIFMnv2ghu_3Hep3fCqhkFMjGToKHcGBw_2wa8b5P9ZtYp5lPeUqYVMoNUst9A/s1600/chocolate+cake+4.png" height="640" width="538" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">don't get caught up in having it look perfect. let the jam and the cream ooze and drip from between the layers. i did insert five wooden skewers to keep it stable and kept it in the fridge until about 15 minutes before we were ready to eat it. sooooo good! be sure to add candied rose petals to the top to make it extra special.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_z5OSVkwlgqugb6_uwCJSk6mLc2ZoU4D_IyNDvXWOWtqW_kFodyG89xfSJvXbeR_czwKVWvEMTqGyvPcw3cq6uJBExKjvB5i98Ltwm9hYIlsWELOzkmSD9jMZA0uCngdJ4wXRwtbRSrk/s1600/chocolate+cake+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_z5OSVkwlgqugb6_uwCJSk6mLc2ZoU4D_IyNDvXWOWtqW_kFodyG89xfSJvXbeR_czwKVWvEMTqGyvPcw3cq6uJBExKjvB5i98Ltwm9hYIlsWELOzkmSD9jMZA0uCngdJ4wXRwtbRSrk/s1600/chocolate+cake+6.jpg" height="640" width="558" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i know it might look complicated or like a lot of work but it really isn't. and who wouldn't love this cake? not only was it delicious, it was total eye candy as well! and if chocolate isn't your thing, you could make any cake flavor and still stack it up this way. lemon cake and blackberries with blackberry jam, vanilla cake with orange marmalade and mandarin oranges. get crazy and get baking!
</span><br />
<br /></div>
<a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2014%2F05%2Ftriple-layer-chocolate-raspberry-rose.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fchocolatecake6.jpg&description=triple%20layer%20chocolate%20raspberry%20rose%20cake%20with%20sweetened%20cream%20by%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
</div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-43345064361514659202014-02-11T14:55:00.004-08:002014-02-11T14:57:59.072-08:00Big Sequin Love Sign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTvrZUsnO39l623t8TrspxlIDoaQZAfClNcGAj0nLeXSm-FBQ79WW1AUEXyorQd9Zyr7suM_uM1YznjZyIYVF9Wgv59WvXcgzU_aWNpDVcUjj-pxK2eImEwtn4hGpgyNnj-m3j4iNErM/s1600/love+sign+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTvrZUsnO39l623t8TrspxlIDoaQZAfClNcGAj0nLeXSm-FBQ79WW1AUEXyorQd9Zyr7suM_uM1YznjZyIYVF9Wgv59WvXcgzU_aWNpDVcUjj-pxK2eImEwtn4hGpgyNnj-m3j4iNErM/s1600/love+sign+4.jpg" height="416" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">this coming friday, i'll be rockin' my 3rd annual valentine's day party and preparations have been in motion for the past couple of months; mainly....which appetizers and treats i'll serve, color scheme (pink and gold), and stocking up on bottles of pink champagne and dry rose wine. i've been pinning ideas to my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/annalea_magana/be-mine/" target="_blank">"be mine"</a> board for the past year and which made planning pretty smooth.</span><br />
<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/AVvXsEhSlLvEL5pV8oqM5WolcD0CEUe25QpEBbfrtgWBG2ngMZcvp8Ze_TUzARfkiKfAK3l0n0oB1LNvKl-DqKTC80tGtjXM57lnkLRrSfNTP4v4KbLOyrqh1ItV7yENuAPCHh3D8F47lrDsvVM/s1600/brownie+trifle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlLvEL5pV8oqM5WolcD0CEUe25QpEBbfrtgWBG2ngMZcvp8Ze_TUzARfkiKfAK3l0n0oB1LNvKl-DqKTC80tGtjXM57lnkLRrSfNTP4v4KbLOyrqh1ItV7yENuAPCHh3D8F47lrDsvVM/s1600/brownie+trifle.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.bakersroyale.com/trifles/brownie-and-raspberry-trifle/" target="_blank">brownie and raspberry trifle</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgNv6qWjCInk-H5FgJaGZh_V_UmuuO1g9krvbBablK0RGjIiapEW9o3fKHqbQyc9QTKbF6tknghqzEfVZKeUHehlNe2W_gUENhc1O2-SiWpDpiE-fIUaNwVtK6Y7BVE1f7BKM54f0zn3Hw/s1600/cream+cheese+mints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv6qWjCInk-H5FgJaGZh_V_UmuuO1g9krvbBablK0RGjIiapEW9o3fKHqbQyc9QTKbF6tknghqzEfVZKeUHehlNe2W_gUENhc1O2-SiWpDpiE-fIUaNwVtK6Y7BVE1f7BKM54f0zn3Hw/s1600/cream+cheese+mints.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://busy-mommy.com/2012/01/homemade-valentines-day-mints.html" target="_blank">homemade mints</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhNxTH_6PHtDXIcmdir32h0spzFzGv_3QEGwztyLLTtfozQys7KiI-lQqBZPVcLtCqXDwZroEGQAhHH8I1Vys3ES8d23T0uO5WPwgNgI6S-IR1IBGRxzGb-q2p7vJFmFZA0lCWUiVUe2ww/s1600/get+in+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxTH_6PHtDXIcmdir32h0spzFzGv_3QEGwztyLLTtfozQys7KiI-lQqBZPVcLtCqXDwZroEGQAhHH8I1Vys3ES8d23T0uO5WPwgNgI6S-IR1IBGRxzGb-q2p7vJFmFZA0lCWUiVUe2ww/s1600/get+in+here.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"<a href="http://luluandgeorgia.tumblr.com/post/75000587148?crlt.pid=camp.UBLikkdXPfi0" target="_blank">get in here</a>"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgDsVX7ZumuKbo5oFeBMPpzEE0XvjV9RDIpl9XHkmoMKLkY8w2vUu0hIb878HBktRWOFNlDuevhxLhM4HJd5UiY-5WXJmUl3lpKrNIeR2XWzS9F8KN7LZ0e969twtrhebgQLNdhRw7RUfE/s1600/gumball+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsVX7ZumuKbo5oFeBMPpzEE0XvjV9RDIpl9XHkmoMKLkY8w2vUu0hIb878HBktRWOFNlDuevhxLhM4HJd5UiY-5WXJmUl3lpKrNIeR2XWzS9F8KN7LZ0e969twtrhebgQLNdhRw7RUfE/s1600/gumball+necklace.jpg" height="640" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/14-days-of-sweet-valentines-day-ideas-gumball-necklace-by-one-charming-party/" target="_blank">gumball necklace</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgyT1obJViXrzVGyAS8zvlTG9fJAlrKsitIYhjQ8MlmxFZhquwJmF6uo3qkAngmY1PgmZ9tcPjg5UCIHH3JOTbdZf-8vnwTx7ciE-JBKcGaitOiBd_R_nkDajOiOXTzlKRYiRoycdZ6r1s/s1600/kiss+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT1obJViXrzVGyAS8zvlTG9fJAlrKsitIYhjQ8MlmxFZhquwJmF6uo3qkAngmY1PgmZ9tcPjg5UCIHH3JOTbdZf-8vnwTx7ciE-JBKcGaitOiBd_R_nkDajOiOXTzlKRYiRoycdZ6r1s/s1600/kiss+art.jpg" height="640" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2013/06/10/diy-kiss-artwork/" target="_blank">d.i.y. kiss artwork</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEj9-fchE73u319OWxPbbURb4rfCbVMz9De21xcIaG75r0JwGqhYcE_nT_UDWEqKTEp0cF970sB71fdajj-nLwo2vyOoAIRJ5ICDUBAaZN3ClD-PjpKGg_Lm3XWVNzBtf0ZwXBDeDT-_Xl0/s1600/raspberry+cream+puffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-fchE73u319OWxPbbURb4rfCbVMz9De21xcIaG75r0JwGqhYcE_nT_UDWEqKTEp0cF970sB71fdajj-nLwo2vyOoAIRJ5ICDUBAaZN3ClD-PjpKGg_Lm3XWVNzBtf0ZwXBDeDT-_Xl0/s1600/raspberry+cream+puffs.jpg" height="640" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.griottes.fr/be-my-valentine" target="_blank">gold raspberry cream puffs</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">the lipstick picture was super fun to do and you should try it, if only for the conversational aspect of it. since i already had everything on hand, this was cost me zero dollars (always a plus, right?!?). i've got my gold luster dust all ready for the little raspberry cream puffs and i'm going to use strawberries for the brownie trifles. i found pink and shimmery gold gumballs on line <a href="http://www.nutsinbulk.com/gold-gumballs-1-pound.html?productid=gold-gumballs-1-pound&channelid=FROOG&utm_source=CSEs&utm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=CSE" target="_blank">here</a> for the necklaces (how cute are they?). going to spray paint a wood pallet that i have in gold and then paint on a big pink heart and write "get in here" in gold and my mom is making the mints. fun!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">but this big sequin love sign? hello!!! i have it already made and displayed and it's SO cute! found <a href="http://www.popcosmo.com/2013/09/29/diy-love-sign/" target="_blank">the idea</a> on pinterest from these clever ladies at popcosmo and new it would be perfect for my party especially since it was GOLD!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">really, you could do this with any letters you'd like and it would look great. click on the link for the deets which are crazy simple. a couple things, though:</span><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i used gold acrylic paint instead of spray paint</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">ordered my sequins from hobby lobby but was unsure as to how many packages to get (instructions didn't say how many they used). they were packaged by weight, not pieces. turns out there are 51 sequins in a package. i'd ordered 9 and used 4 with some left over. </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i pushed the thumbtacks in with my thumb (huh?) just so they'd hold then, in the memorable words from the movie, <i>signs</i>, just use a hammer and "swing away" to secure them. f.y.i....the pad of my thumb is still numb and it's been 2 days.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzyBTh2ksPo2gIKEtx23nXiqvzVWnB0nuvjuwFMrc4ior_Bl1RT0EjBQwytkTGAwryrGFR-nl7yRSPOhnD9oH_yvsyDe0CNnzFqlzDLYcaN277SeF3VMCtY5c34RzpztQ71F5nYtksQM/s1600/love+sign+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzyBTh2ksPo2gIKEtx23nXiqvzVWnB0nuvjuwFMrc4ior_Bl1RT0EjBQwytkTGAwryrGFR-nl7yRSPOhnD9oH_yvsyDe0CNnzFqlzDLYcaN277SeF3VMCtY5c34RzpztQ71F5nYtksQM/s1600/love+sign+1.jpg" height="478" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvlInqZSnuu1R98xByrl8L1_xFtFQfjBU5Z5Ne4uZYoc3bw6c8oEQM5Ssq8Cheqhv5LuLrNhINu4bevKaSJ72Ms-ES56TwQc9GaAwCGRJDxiHw4m62d2zCUD21SrtZrHkzIodoa7uArQ/s1600/love+sign+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvlInqZSnuu1R98xByrl8L1_xFtFQfjBU5Z5Ne4uZYoc3bw6c8oEQM5Ssq8Cheqhv5LuLrNhINu4bevKaSJ72Ms-ES56TwQc9GaAwCGRJDxiHw4m62d2zCUD21SrtZrHkzIodoa7uArQ/s1600/love+sign+2.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_clJ-K5fOOgia2gAUzOtzjOzwkzksuq0J0MUa-juZMGMJnVrWrYxtRYJAsDxxAQX6Ln8Zdt0WChRr7mgXxrYGjHOVXd5ZCZtbPTzyyFGmKIwQIQMDbx9lPoPvtE4mSTDu2qjqAAkJ44/s1600/love+sign+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_clJ-K5fOOgia2gAUzOtzjOzwkzksuq0J0MUa-juZMGMJnVrWrYxtRYJAsDxxAQX6Ln8Zdt0WChRr7mgXxrYGjHOVXd5ZCZtbPTzyyFGmKIwQIQMDbx9lPoPvtE4mSTDu2qjqAAkJ44/s1600/love+sign+3.jpg" height="490" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">this sign has me so excited for my party! i'm really looking forward to having friends and family over to love on and celebrate the day with. now, if i could just figure out what i'm going to wear.... </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmRkGhO_cBoM1tCZ6vsoJ0E6Pnv9LVEez-aQcGvyjcLgzwpXR9OVOV34nRUu5_DmhRHf4l9nID_NUEKqZGRFHMeJv84V8E7lkAPPDECpP0b-OShxlhwP_FDvwXYrV7i4NcLxGpA_-w3I/s1600/love+sign+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmRkGhO_cBoM1tCZ6vsoJ0E6Pnv9LVEez-aQcGvyjcLgzwpXR9OVOV34nRUu5_DmhRHf4l9nID_NUEKqZGRFHMeJv84V8E7lkAPPDECpP0b-OShxlhwP_FDvwXYrV7i4NcLxGpA_-w3I/s1600/love+sign+5.jpg" height="632" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-29177993496565393612014-02-08T09:13:00.002-08:002014-02-08T09:13:13.771-08:00Me, Myself and My Blog. Day 6...Respecting The No<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcn2MtUMg1atWAjJK6-Bn0Omk4ohu47AGVrdeuwRdt_xjPBAtW7PIilLvinlYrkbik1hHVoAmV2BXHv5lBjnL27MMULZK6HRrShyphenhyphenn4cE7c-9selQmX__wnpcgoe1y-hEvlsi9Y4sHvzHE/s1600/no.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcn2MtUMg1atWAjJK6-Bn0Omk4ohu47AGVrdeuwRdt_xjPBAtW7PIilLvinlYrkbik1hHVoAmV2BXHv5lBjnL27MMULZK6HRrShyphenhyphenn4cE7c-9selQmX__wnpcgoe1y-hEvlsi9Y4sHvzHE/s1600/no.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i've come to believe that, in many ways, "no" can be a much kinder and more loving word than "yes". in the moment, saying it can be really really difficult and can bring up a lot of emotional junk. i've consistently struggled with this throughout my life because i've always tried to be <i>good </i>and somewhere along the way my belief became<i> good=</i><i>yes=</i><i>wanted/loved</i>; especially in relationships when, in actuality, <i>good=</i><i>yes=</i><i>used</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">so, here you go when it comes to "no"... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><i>respect it.</i></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">there's usually a reason the person you're hearing it from is saying it. pushing them into saying yes is about you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><i>accept it</i>.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">this doesn't mean that you won't get what you want; just not when you want it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><i>say it.</i> </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">doing so doesn't mean you're selfish or unloving; that you don't understand or don't want the other person to be happy. it means you're defining who you are and who you are not.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">thoughts?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-46996918305553229422014-02-07T09:46:00.002-08:002014-02-07T09:48:45.656-08:00Me, Myself and My Blog. Day 5...A New Dawn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">yesterday, i was privileged to witness something truly amazing. i wasn't at a particular event. i didn't stumble upon migrating ladybugs (actually, that did happen once and it was pretty amazing but that's not it). i was at home in my pajamas, no makeup, fingers sticky with drying mod podge when my stepdaugther comes home, all but prances towards the computer and says to me, "stepmother! you HAVE to see this!!!"...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ej04VAktzyE" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">from the moment this young girl opened her mouth, i was transfixed. my heart swelled up and my eyes filled with tears formed from a mixture of awe and wonder and disbelief and longing. music can do this to me, certainly, but it was so much more than that. the best way i can describe it is to say that it was the... the<i>...beauty </i>i was seeing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">back in 1979, i remember being at the drive-in with my mom and watching <i>the black stallion</i> and just sobbing at the end when the black's hooves are hitting the track with the sound of a freight train and he and alec are winning the big race. the scene changes to the time when the horse and the boy were stranded on a deserted island, having no one but each other and forging a deep and unbreakable bond. my mom turned to me and asked, "why are you crying? it isn't sad...nobody died," and i distinctly remember saying to her, "it's just so <i>beautiful</i>!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i don't watch the x-factor. i've never heard of this young girl and i don't know what she's been doing, musically speaking, since this performance. i hope and hope and hope that she knows what an amazing gift she has. not just a wide musical range, a round sound and an amazingly soulful voice that smacks of such greats as etta james, billie holiday or dinah washington. this gift, in my humble opinion, is that ~ with just the first few notes ~ she can bring tears to the eyes of her listeners. every note swirling together and felt deep in your chest, every moment of love and pain and joy; awe, excitement, disappointment, loss, beauty, grace, holiness...everything you've ever felt reverberating in your soul. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Stars when you shine, you know how I feel</i><br />
<i>
Scent of the pine, you know how I feel</i><br />
<i>
Yeah, freedom is mine, and I know how I feel..</i><br />
<i>
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">p.s. don't you just LOVE the look on simon's face when he first hears her?!? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-16984705123659890062014-02-06T10:27:00.006-08:002014-02-06T10:42:29.623-08:00Me, Myself and My Blog. Day 4...A Badass BLT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxs9hfVhJCE7xMFDqZ8iqVsGMudwzOVrq95Es3_htCoopM9TGdzx5gXfr-SobHoVdKifNW80cstOoWfoH5e3fc1nBXqu0317DvM-78bILdzYBs0vZIBwhPLXaRfOs3y4lc9dbbwRVYao/s1600/BLT+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxs9hfVhJCE7xMFDqZ8iqVsGMudwzOVrq95Es3_htCoopM9TGdzx5gXfr-SobHoVdKifNW80cstOoWfoH5e3fc1nBXqu0317DvM-78bILdzYBs0vZIBwhPLXaRfOs3y4lc9dbbwRVYao/s1600/BLT+6.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">unless it's because of a special diet or religious observance, i've never met anyone who doesn't like bacon. i happen to love it. like, i want to marry it love it. for me it's one of those things that as soon as i smell it cooking i want to eat it; even if i've already eaten and am quite full...like when you smell bbq or chocolate chip cookies or fresh bread. you get the idea.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">yesterday was a day that called for a blt. and not just any 'ole blt...a <i>BADASS BLT!!!</i> crispy baguette slathered with garlic herb mayo and piled high with crunchy lettuce, sweet tomatoes and lots and lots of thick smokey bacon. you know that moment when you know exactly what you want to eat and set about making it happen. that was me. first up, the mayo. no real recipe here, just took a cup of prepared mayonnaise and added about two generous tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs (rosemary and thyme. it's what i had on hand ~ use whatever you happen to have), five cloves of finely minced garlic (i went a bit overboard here cuz that's how i do it. adjust to your taste), about a teaspoon of lemon zest and salt and pepper to taste. mix it up and use it generously. there will be left overs ~ yeah!!! ~ so just put it in a jar and keep it in the fridge. it'd be great on fish, chicken, steak, steamed veggies...get crazy!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffdQmOjvITfmQ_6jfErmFnFeJvArdzDY950Xfj5ADrZQG56C5Nu8iK9Zq5gqDmFSt99vYXVYHQ0ie0Wkm9t7eEGVWyhAXy9btA0Gurm2UZ3YYLuSL4PuHGg4hqBPso7BWb2_bjm1UoYY/s1600/BLT+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffdQmOjvITfmQ_6jfErmFnFeJvArdzDY950Xfj5ADrZQG56C5Nu8iK9Zq5gqDmFSt99vYXVYHQ0ie0Wkm9t7eEGVWyhAXy9btA0Gurm2UZ3YYLuSL4PuHGg4hqBPso7BWb2_bjm1UoYY/s1600/BLT+1.jpg" height="478" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03GWdy-JqletY3X6-nXOpyQMvUMSaKDJlUeYBj0A_jGpTWLvn55PyVwemc6yqyKMxmQWhTBmm0oKrUxtiNrvM8KgRmIqQuyVbmGurGo2JeNfRJB1t4JKq_D7oSqd3V_qjv2kg04a08kA/s1600/BLT+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03GWdy-JqletY3X6-nXOpyQMvUMSaKDJlUeYBj0A_jGpTWLvn55PyVwemc6yqyKMxmQWhTBmm0oKrUxtiNrvM8KgRmIqQuyVbmGurGo2JeNfRJB1t4JKq_D7oSqd3V_qjv2kg04a08kA/s1600/BLT+2.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb1c88EC_hJdqNQmZzWsXNa2RsCkVHFIHxMYSMIs_njweUYZP7AvCtDMge2vWwP2gMmZYTh4tK7fYKqhR92N4R05eaKerdQnt_HZeUCdbi3jhUQpfuV8m0ufjDDTdqDIJgro455c-Gr4/s1600/BLT+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb1c88EC_hJdqNQmZzWsXNa2RsCkVHFIHxMYSMIs_njweUYZP7AvCtDMge2vWwP2gMmZYTh4tK7fYKqhR92N4R05eaKerdQnt_HZeUCdbi3jhUQpfuV8m0ufjDDTdqDIJgro455c-Gr4/s1600/BLT+4.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYC8Q0yhfh7lwUv4_qPvVDObcmmgYu8Zr3aSXb09bU2wQOsOGEzycoPk2fup6dGpipA3IrL7CS4Uk0Qr2V6yF7PViikl13aXUYi6iomDOQZLG7g-nE60KOBu0WtoeIUVD7eE1O38msvBQ/s1600/BLT+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYC8Q0yhfh7lwUv4_qPvVDObcmmgYu8Zr3aSXb09bU2wQOsOGEzycoPk2fup6dGpipA3IrL7CS4Uk0Qr2V6yF7PViikl13aXUYi6iomDOQZLG7g-nE60KOBu0WtoeIUVD7eE1O38msvBQ/s1600/BLT+5.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">isn't it pretty? and sooooo good! i'm thinking about whether or not i have enough left over to make another one for lunch today. m hm, i'm pretty sure i do! if you love bacon like i do, you should make this for yourself sometime; or, at least, something else with bacon that's equally as BADASS. you deserve it!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">be sure to let me know what you end up with. inquiring minds and all... </span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-61845517780930171732014-02-05T11:14:00.000-08:002014-02-05T12:21:06.316-08:00Me, Myself and My Blog. Day 3...Loss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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/AVvXsEgnuYiHVejoGoRwwg0CuBA0uWhNM-9UCTxjYKDh32Eky8yGktaP24ihsFXs39T_Eku0NqBEzKvxNb0xOo2ax_4dfskQrlEsUkDyjPTotR0WUEp7qwJWlyawkefP3zwGi9aTWKMwO6kvHhQ/s1600/underwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuYiHVejoGoRwwg0CuBA0uWhNM-9UCTxjYKDh32Eky8yGktaP24ihsFXs39T_Eku0NqBEzKvxNb0xOo2ax_4dfskQrlEsUkDyjPTotR0WUEp7qwJWlyawkefP3zwGi9aTWKMwO6kvHhQ/s1600/underwater.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/9b/7d/82/9b7d828584975595a9a89b2c1bf99501.jpg" target="_blank">photo credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">loss is an interesting thing. other-worldly...like being underwater where every sound is muffled and you can only tell what someone is saying to you because you're watching their lips move; a crushing tightness in your chest from being unable to draw breath without drowning. in the beginning, you move through days in a blur trying to make decisions, forgoing showers for sleep, trying to remember to eat and feeling like you have to take care of others around you, easing their sadness when you can barely contain your own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">the passing of time certainly helps. at least it has for me. there are days and weeks which go by where i don't think at all about my first husband, filled instead with my life as it is now. sometimes though, it hits me...a smell, a sound, a song, a movie, a taste, a place, a situation, and a deep sadness courses through me and, quite literally, takes my breath. for many years, my m.o. at these times was to 'get busy' and push those emotions down, down, down. i instantly owned scarlet o'hara's immortal words, "i can't think about that today....i'll just think about that tomorrow." it's taken me about 10 years to stop doing this. 10 years to allow myself to feel the sadness when it comes up instead of trying to ignore it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">about four years ago, i met a woman who'd also been through a loss just two months after my own. we didn't meet because of it. weren't introduced because we had something in common. well, we did...but we weren't aware (at the time) that the deepest commonality would be this. instead, it was something discovered later; a discovery that was a huge turning point for me. our losses were both different yet similar and for the first time i was able to talk with someone who got it. who got me. who i could talk to without guarding my words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">today is the 12th anniversary of the loss of her son. i've marked this day with her before as she has with me on the anniversary of jeff's passing. we've talked, we've helped, discovered and let go. because of this relationship, i've been able to grieve now in ways that i never did nor felt like i could when the loss was newer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">if you've suffered a loss of any kind ~ old or new ~ i have no advice to give you; no words of wisdom or book recommendations. i feel you, though. i grieve with you, remember with you and rise up with you... </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-50661213935474627552014-02-04T09:42:00.003-08:002014-02-05T12:21:28.112-08:00Me, Myself and My Blog. Day 2...A Couch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg7ySbJJ1bZKzf95igDCrvU3q6VsX9Q6ac03qDL18nfCmobv-Vma9lGnmy3xL4jiqeeWw7TCg1Qsf82R1IhnVqv4KIAsKkOiwJaBE6RFbKa_JSnbECF1kESupn-iS2ubSXnbZTIj36VU/s1600/Me+Myself+and+My+Blog+day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg7ySbJJ1bZKzf95igDCrvU3q6VsX9Q6ac03qDL18nfCmobv-Vma9lGnmy3xL4jiqeeWw7TCg1Qsf82R1IhnVqv4KIAsKkOiwJaBE6RFbKa_JSnbECF1kESupn-iS2ubSXnbZTIj36VU/s1600/Me+Myself+and+My+Blog+day+2.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i want a new couch. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i need a new couch. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">no. wait. i <i>seriously </i>need a new couch. the one i have ~ pictured above ~ is 12-years-old. perhaps not old as some couches go and by this what i really mean is some couches that are rarely sat upon and reside in homes with adult children or no children at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">after my first husband passed away, i moved from the san fernando valley back to my home town of long beach. i bought my first house and gutted and painted and sanded it into a sweet little home for me and my two boys. i bought new everything from the skin out, one of which was said couch: custom, slip-covered, down. truly, the most comfortable couch i had ever sat upon. it has moved with me three times. it has been slept on, spilled on, colored on. i've shared glasses of wine with friends on this couch. i've nursed my youngest child on it, cried on it, convalesced on it, opened christmas presents on it. i've fought with my husband on it, made major decisions from it, made love on it, watched favorite movies from it's deep cushions. amazingly, it is the only place where i can actually nap. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">it's time, however, is coming to a close. irreparable wear and tear have moved beyond having a new slip cover made or updating the pillows and as much as i long for a new couch, letting this one go feels like the end of an era. the end of 12 years of my life during which A LOT has happened. i'll keep it a few more months while i search for a suitable replacement. for now, an occasional touch on the arm, an indulgent glance at the feathers which constantly litter the floor around it, the daily plumping of slouching cushions keep me in mind of the life that's been lived on my stoutharted companion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">thank you, old friend...</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-41920597816055190972014-02-03T11:53:00.000-08:002014-02-05T12:21:47.194-08:00Me, Myself and My Blog. Day 1...Conversations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqdvtYho09wkBGnHNcW8nnjpFoPlTdE2e2LsBzKTX2DJPbYXS1cbzA00j23Q6_3lCzKE5-UqH6Lbi5BqYNMhq8XroD7DIsigY11vOVKxWE60EB7WIu8DveKXUno0hzLD4PRkDb0mmDx8/s1600/Me+Myself+and+My+Blog+day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqdvtYho09wkBGnHNcW8nnjpFoPlTdE2e2LsBzKTX2DJPbYXS1cbzA00j23Q6_3lCzKE5-UqH6Lbi5BqYNMhq8XroD7DIsigY11vOVKxWE60EB7WIu8DveKXUno0hzLD4PRkDb0mmDx8/s1600/Me+Myself+and+My+Blog+day+1.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">sometimes, blogging feels like a chore to me. i hate this. it fills me with guilt and a sense of being overwhelmed with what i think i should be doing rather than a desire to <i>want </i>to do. there are times when i want to write about something that doesn't involve making something but, because i told myself that my blog is specifically for crafting, i stop myself from including anything else. what i'm discovering, though, is that i'm inspired by more than that. more than the sum of those parts. i want to write about life. about being a woman, a wife, a mother, a student, a misfit, a goddess. i want to write about love and loss and sex and food and things that make me <u><i>feel</i></u>. and i don't want to let myself get hung up on how long or short the post is or...even...whether or not someone reads it (audible gulp).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i don't want to call this a challenge or a regimen or an overhaul. i want it to be more of a.....a first kiss, a closed-eyed taste, a love affair. with myself, with my blog, with where i am in my life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">this morning, i had an impromptu coffee date with a woman who's a fellow regular at the coffee house i frequent. she prefers reading british publications of magazines, is saddened by the fact that her friends don't know the difference between a narcissus and a paper white and thinks pinterest is bullshit (audible gasp). it was a lively discussion. and one that made me long for sending and receiving an actual letter, turning the pages of a book, making a call from a phone booth, eating a grilled cheese and chocolate malt at the woolworth's counter. </span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-85957622083294326732014-01-24T18:36:00.000-08:002014-01-25T08:26:14.763-08:00Using Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint - Finally!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<a data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2014%2F01%2Ffinally-using-miss-mustard-seed-milk.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fmmschippedpaintlook.jpg&description=Getting%20the%20chipped%20paint%20look%20with%20Miss%20Mustard%20Seed%20Milk%20Paint"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_x9yO7u_nrivDW5OHFyFHeT8HqLmxP1Nmz0BcTa6AAPvk6CZ9Zt_vSzb2-SoMVNNzX6QuwzGd567RSNqBgebujkcIqaYUIBhhnTLrVgMqjFchFK8ZOJY6FNOkZrQpmzKTYR2B1zLlXM/s1600/milk+paint+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_x9yO7u_nrivDW5OHFyFHeT8HqLmxP1Nmz0BcTa6AAPvk6CZ9Zt_vSzb2-SoMVNNzX6QuwzGd567RSNqBgebujkcIqaYUIBhhnTLrVgMqjFchFK8ZOJY6FNOkZrQpmzKTYR2B1zLlXM/s1600/milk+paint+1.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">i don't know why it took me so long to try my hand at distressing a piece of furniture using milk paint. most everyone i've come across who live in the world of furniture distressing/refinishing has heard of and used the hugely popular annie sloan chalk paint but milk paint, that red-headed stepchild, not so much; even though it's been around much much longer, like...thousands of years longer. or, maybe, i've just been living under a rock. that said, i finally decided to redo a little antique dresser i recently got a hold of using miss mustard seed's line of milk paint. after much deliberation, i chose the color "dried lavender" and also picked up a jar of her white wax.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">here's my piece. from the 1920s and still with the original hardware. score!</span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvLcMxKWboT2os1qH0nV5tB5QMa7y_HfV-vMLqz_kSCK4ZhjB1mbWVUlWgjZ10PZrimyjItAnE3U6nXlyXeZQa9MeeRf0SxGksulbFsbZe2VNkpg9fMU3kr6Nor6tVW-1gKDa_5b5HAo/s1600/1920s+dresser+unfinished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvLcMxKWboT2os1qH0nV5tB5QMa7y_HfV-vMLqz_kSCK4ZhjB1mbWVUlWgjZ10PZrimyjItAnE3U6nXlyXeZQa9MeeRf0SxGksulbFsbZe2VNkpg9fMU3kr6Nor6tVW-1gKDa_5b5HAo/s1600/1920s+dresser+unfinished.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i ordered my milk paint online. the directions for mixing or self explanatory. i mixed the entire contents though i could have easily gotten by with just mixing half. if you're a careful painter, you probably don't have to tape off your piece but i did as i tend to get a little over zealous with the brush which, by the way, doesn't have to be fancy but should be decent quality.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn50RpDCqQ5E0kfUoMb29MJ3d02YaYumz9McJqZ39UjVicgeiU_vugDdZB6labhAlb_R42EqKHBVb9Krnde3MuM-UwBy8_w75FEGe2Ee2pF3WCXlnLQyt0PEafjUDMQ9PiRnSqQ7UWRI/s1600/dresser+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn50RpDCqQ5E0kfUoMb29MJ3d02YaYumz9McJqZ39UjVicgeiU_vugDdZB6labhAlb_R42EqKHBVb9Krnde3MuM-UwBy8_w75FEGe2Ee2pF3WCXlnLQyt0PEafjUDMQ9PiRnSqQ7UWRI/s1600/dresser+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">be sure to take care of any needed repairs to your piece before you paint such as re-gluing, tightening or filling. like chalk paint, milk paint doesn't require any surface prepping prior to use (which is awesome!) though you might need to do some depending on the look you're going for. oh! disposable piping bags (i got mine from my local cake decorating supply store a while ago) work GREAT for getting wood glue into tiny little spaces!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">now you're ready to paint! first coat coverage is pretty decent though two is best, especially if you're going for the "chipped paint" look. and, from what i gathered on the blogoshpere, when you're going for this look: two coats of paint with 24 hours of drying time after the last coat to get the greatest possibility for areas of resisting that will then chip off. the waiting is the hard part but just hang in there. you'll be glad you did.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XOEuZjyqQFYweiO7SAGAbvQUnClc8fbvWajdEwiHCTiYtTH8vKYgj1jPdC4U877ffZVsKFnYglwmV7siqsfvwfK8RH9etj8KTSoT-r4ZALiObiluWNLbHhs-3ufYJsFWiOqkickbAKg/s1600/dresser+distress+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XOEuZjyqQFYweiO7SAGAbvQUnClc8fbvWajdEwiHCTiYtTH8vKYgj1jPdC4U877ffZVsKFnYglwmV7siqsfvwfK8RH9etj8KTSoT-r4ZALiObiluWNLbHhs-3ufYJsFWiOqkickbAKg/s1600/dresser+distress+1.jpg" height="482" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1Fhb5rUCEjXyw2C9WfnnCRNhyphenhyphenrIzbK84u_bsdObDjac4VCxT7khGxdOSMQDrGO2WaO2E8r1rHDUt461axmji_-Z_KurqCxIe83j7QnW1QR3Dv6arvFDPhDNraXwLfx6Q2NOB3a8mHVU/s1600/dresser+distress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1Fhb5rUCEjXyw2C9WfnnCRNhyphenhyphenrIzbK84u_bsdObDjac4VCxT7khGxdOSMQDrGO2WaO2E8r1rHDUt461axmji_-Z_KurqCxIe83j7QnW1QR3Dv6arvFDPhDNraXwLfx6Q2NOB3a8mHVU/s1600/dresser+distress+2.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">when i was learning about milk paint, specifically from Miss Mustard Seed's line, i saw that she also offered a white wax that could be used with it to give a particular look, much like the annie sloan dark wax - which i LOVE - can be used to age and define particular parts of a piece. and where the dark wax will deepen (and can completely change) a color when applied, the white wax does much the same, though in reverse. i used it to highlight details of my dresser, especially pushing it into seams and creases and even some areas that i left unfilled with wood filler.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_Nf6yKFWG2SgVmn_g2_L1eWTralowdRyu83CCq5XxgCAmr-BEMaH4DcxccA4jRFS2u99uWJjucvj5MRNqCw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dycoKzNL1g5JcJSJCpTe-CTrIqMA-PqQ97BGTGxnIheClOsRJi96bKo7-7U1RmLR81L4W3St70_UwjMU5bBdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">here i used the wax on the feet, covering them completely and giving extra attention to creases before wiping it off. a little side note, if you use a clear wax first, you won't get the color or adhesion of the white wax so keep this in mind when you start waxing your piece.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnCiOhfkckFDfMX5Ca1dShGTdMvD8TXFZAFjve3vJYHYbUKvIvz_lbAXCpbCpNdO_ABblvW4u9svJaGKDTtj4sJK2Opx0vuEtT50r9YQIrBn9siixGyDtsFc1qOHHK6DqLn0bB8xlTnE/s1600/dresser+distress+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnCiOhfkckFDfMX5Ca1dShGTdMvD8TXFZAFjve3vJYHYbUKvIvz_lbAXCpbCpNdO_ABblvW4u9svJaGKDTtj4sJK2Opx0vuEtT50r9YQIrBn9siixGyDtsFc1qOHHK6DqLn0bB8xlTnE/s1600/dresser+distress+7.png" height="640" width="570" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">love love love how it finally turned out and yes, i will definitely use it again. in fact, i have a large trestle table and chairs that i want to tackle next and i already know what colors i want to use. definitely give milk paint a try sometime, especially if you like the "chipped paint" look.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2klDU4p_soZjedDejNIKIYgfxcKROK18QtqOJZ7X5dngs4_vyYNJ-XfHQrU-s24eS6RcXKGfN0gWlRU-UvHBQCHFd_HuoPNP5XuduxFAzT_S-QWq5Hxenb4w2ph-kHaP84e7p_po3T_I/s1600/milk+paint+dresser+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2klDU4p_soZjedDejNIKIYgfxcKROK18QtqOJZ7X5dngs4_vyYNJ-XfHQrU-s24eS6RcXKGfN0gWlRU-UvHBQCHFd_HuoPNP5XuduxFAzT_S-QWq5Hxenb4w2ph-kHaP84e7p_po3T_I/s1600/milk+paint+dresser+3.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n5pJuewNX3e4FbpNV4O4kdczKHrA3pCZBH3mfgNweHKg3Kj5LERS_aMiK92X3s2Qqh4yvshkAtva96OYIWze25sAi2gD7GLgz0EK90o96q4VLMtyRoObrKg-7eh0pBkgsXwgGCO-Z6I/s1600/mms+dresser+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n5pJuewNX3e4FbpNV4O4kdczKHrA3pCZBH3mfgNweHKg3Kj5LERS_aMiK92X3s2Qqh4yvshkAtva96OYIWze25sAi2gD7GLgz0EK90o96q4VLMtyRoObrKg-7eh0pBkgsXwgGCO-Z6I/s1600/mms+dresser+2.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH9VIGM6VJUd63PRgf0Ed_HNFeqUSNHPcwU9nQk4Hhc-iTILg_JMSCPA082vCTuKWKpnwd3AgbYs1k9M-xWfe4cgcOjs3Yum-goOj68Q1Mu9HOQ9NlogdosLjwfLaaHNn6WHuSvGLvSU/s1600/mms+dresser+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH9VIGM6VJUd63PRgf0Ed_HNFeqUSNHPcwU9nQk4Hhc-iTILg_JMSCPA082vCTuKWKpnwd3AgbYs1k9M-xWfe4cgcOjs3Yum-goOj68Q1Mu9HOQ9NlogdosLjwfLaaHNn6WHuSvGLvSU/s1600/mms+dresser+4.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9NL_to27VQX8DHxPJgdbW5_x2zBWzo3msyTbPLHyXtjv1DycKStqorw1RzNu3Hpa2MznBIHkhApw3euDMbI1beIg_qP2yPKJ29Y25iM91k49S56IJkXo0AyKhBB8WnJlkckVg_0shZo/s1600/finished+dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9NL_to27VQX8DHxPJgdbW5_x2zBWzo3msyTbPLHyXtjv1DycKStqorw1RzNu3Hpa2MznBIHkhApw3euDMbI1beIg_qP2yPKJ29Y25iM91k49S56IJkXo0AyKhBB8WnJlkckVg_0shZo/s1600/finished+dresser.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">if you've already used milk paint, i'd love to know about your experience with it so be sure to leave a comment.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2014%2F01%2Ffinally-using-miss-mustard-seed-milk.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fmmschippedpaintlook.jpg&description=Getting%20the%20chipped%20paint%20look%20with%20Miss%20Mustard%20Seed%20Milk%20Paint"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-55803062132040616862014-01-17T09:44:00.000-08:002014-01-17T09:47:10.625-08:00A Sewer I Am Not...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVPBJLj5GyFYsBctsH_5azlTbG4d2nxrNC_Z178kb5G8TurHkvABZIBCdukXrEnt2PE-DQAhcs6XFMv_4FUcbgLYDuL9hhIjvnGTgmNaKph4xtorjsKxz8fYkxtPdmaRdq90BE2TnjwE/s1600/sewing+mishap+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVPBJLj5GyFYsBctsH_5azlTbG4d2nxrNC_Z178kb5G8TurHkvABZIBCdukXrEnt2PE-DQAhcs6XFMv_4FUcbgLYDuL9hhIjvnGTgmNaKph4xtorjsKxz8fYkxtPdmaRdq90BE2TnjwE/s1600/sewing+mishap+1.jpg" height="428" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">yesterday was a day spent in crafting hell. or, rather, sewing hell. i don't
know why i attempt it. i'm just not a sewer. tried making a relatively
simple little reversible bag (purse) today. pattern was fairly
self-explanatory. i messed up the straps (she did warn about them).
misjudged the amount of one of the fabrics i had. not enough. so i had
to find a replacement. then everything was supposed<span class="text_exposed_show">
to be turned right-side-out through one of the straps. an entire bag
through a little strap?!? um. no. had to rip open part of a seam to open
it in a much more do-able spot. to top it off, my machine kept
breaking. must have spent over an hour of sewing time on this alone.
UGH!!!!!!!! i absolutely HATE when a craft day that starts with promise
ends like this. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKiFNQo3f9oneRs2-o32WC04PHUXQbfuA0qMaDUZEDLGC6nqtmNgh13WFJ8YMqicknDuy_Jgg40qHyP7B3DteRK6foxj8cyPhEH2AKugSIXEKr-tekLc5pk3iMYOsemtmwmJlZUzEOIs/s1600/sewing+mishap+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKiFNQo3f9oneRs2-o32WC04PHUXQbfuA0qMaDUZEDLGC6nqtmNgh13WFJ8YMqicknDuy_Jgg40qHyP7B3DteRK6foxj8cyPhEH2AKugSIXEKr-tekLc5pk3iMYOsemtmwmJlZUzEOIs/s1600/sewing+mishap+collage.jpg" height="320" width="600" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> i am not a sewer. i am not a sewer. i am not a
sewer. a bit of hand work....no
problem. patterns and darts and hems and top stitching and button holes.
oh my. i will stick to refinishing furniture. i will hone my knitting
skills. i will bake and cook and make jewelry. sewing by machine i will not do. not often, anyway and not when my machine keeps snagging. i think it has something to do with the bobbin tension and stitching in reverse. i don't know. my machine probably just needs to be serviced but it was working fine when i made the <a href="http://www.migihandmade.com/2013/12/handmade-rice-and-lavender-warmers.html" target="_blank">rice warmies</a> last month. who can say? and while the little bag i made came super close to ending up in the trash from pure frustration, <i>i</i> <i>made myself finish it</i> and <i>i</i> <i>will use it</i> to carry small knitting projects, or as a little beach bag or just to knock around with. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGwtbzjvFD_RHpIqBst9CaNLiT7hnNMgH9Md01CWMZIOt6WIMYHCClvTja-bVOxRoZlOps6De_GohxIg6R8KAGyJqeMn0HUwiXXducSsl5EaygU-HLtukFeXlrLuWAaSL-JRDN5cg3sI/s1600/sewing+mishap+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGwtbzjvFD_RHpIqBst9CaNLiT7hnNMgH9Md01CWMZIOt6WIMYHCClvTja-bVOxRoZlOps6De_GohxIg6R8KAGyJqeMn0HUwiXXducSsl5EaygU-HLtukFeXlrLuWAaSL-JRDN5cg3sI/s1600/sewing+mishap+2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">i told my daughter that it wasn't so much the bag i was frustrated with, it was the process that stung. it was spending the day completely immersed in something and feeling like i'd done absolutely nothing at the end of it.<i> "</i></span></span><i>mama said there'll be days like this, there'll be days like this mama said."</i> i don't think my mama ever said that but i'm a mama and i'm saying it today. to all my fellow crafters, when you have a day like this - i feel you, i commiserate with you and i raise my big fat glass of wine to you! <br />
<br />
then i did what <strike>any self respecting crafter</strike> i often do to lift my spirits...logged into pinterest. i know. i know. i feel you on that, too. i really do. here's some fun/lovely/yummy things that i just had to pin:<br />
<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/AVvXsEguOVq8UCtSZRtZDr-ERnt2OcHjwBOblPdec181XUMvdEDOFyPm3t4Xf9ebUd10pov-Ubd6G2USlUOJZfUu7Zv8MCByKiB12msRUT8EY3W67RaPRrkakpa5D9DMKJTlQu7s_eV-xIW_wFg/s1600/freetoothfairyreceipt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOVq8UCtSZRtZDr-ERnt2OcHjwBOblPdec181XUMvdEDOFyPm3t4Xf9ebUd10pov-Ubd6G2USlUOJZfUu7Zv8MCByKiB12msRUT8EY3W67RaPRrkakpa5D9DMKJTlQu7s_eV-xIW_wFg/s1600/freetoothfairyreceipt.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> how cute is this from atypicalenglishhome? <a href="http://www.atypicalenglishhome.com/2014/01/free-tooth-fairy-receipt-template.html" target="_blank">a receipt from the tooth fairy</a>! pure genius!!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhb0Qvk-8S2DXT-a-62zaoiyKazPi6a0vDAVsD3NIj9xc0g8COpToygBIHryWUUISfC-TZ0Whb4gncoZ3lPKw4R6f0VcO6OLVnP6Ti1uBmUV7xUWWkCoe6SXg6y40gPKgWhBzwYlEuQIrw/s1600/croquemonsieur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0Qvk-8S2DXT-a-62zaoiyKazPi6a0vDAVsD3NIj9xc0g8COpToygBIHryWUUISfC-TZ0Whb4gncoZ3lPKw4R6f0VcO6OLVnP6Ti1uBmUV7xUWWkCoe6SXg6y40gPKgWhBzwYlEuQIrw/s1600/croquemonsieur.jpg" height="640" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i love love love a good <a href="http://www.poppytalk.com/2014/01/learn-with-me-croque-monseiur.html" target="_blank">croque monsieur</a>! can't wait to try this recipe from poppytalk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhpX48-n7URttNnJG2lf77LDstVWapSNfHJ0aRBClA2tASl5IyzViNMAISYIZf60NPbMqX8L63VozycQZfdKu9JBmXzEXTPxdmQwvTx4eoZ5ed3Eo1bhicNmDlJ3AAb4jIxq_CrR2RO9xo/s1600/polaroid+magnets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX48-n7URttNnJG2lf77LDstVWapSNfHJ0aRBClA2tASl5IyzViNMAISYIZf60NPbMqX8L63VozycQZfdKu9JBmXzEXTPxdmQwvTx4eoZ5ed3Eo1bhicNmDlJ3AAb4jIxq_CrR2RO9xo/s1600/polaroid+magnets.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sugarandcloth.com/2014/01/diy-wooden-polaroid-gift-set/" target="_blank">sweet polaroid magnets</a> from sugar and cloth. perfect gift & easy tutorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2zX0UtaFZdIt-hbDVMyVxxVhwpeBSOHVC4seX78YnnkuBD5uSPEBOkXwDJXs1o5kWt3dEoCY2q-Q4azeNF7kn2p8MVpKBbfQ1UsNy37BFED6eHzk671f4t5E0yNhqHMyWzIs6L5s5Uw/s1600/chai+smoothie.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmmmm....i just want to turn this <a href="http://www.cocojenalle.com/blog/2013/12/19/chai-spice-almond-breakfast-smoothie" target="_blank">chai spice smoothie</a> into a popsicle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IW3d3JYb3Sg2QG9dryxDDO1NBsETE6dIG4v5KIRbZkKiWbHHKveYSjMJlSq48vIiNPasStKUYqtF_312ay-E9iHN7BcRmU54XRQHBrEQbzCCDFcWg5uL7Q4FmvtOOMS4uehF8v0g_NM/s1600/sugared+hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IW3d3JYb3Sg2QG9dryxDDO1NBsETE6dIG4v5KIRbZkKiWbHHKveYSjMJlSq48vIiNPasStKUYqtF_312ay-E9iHN7BcRmU54XRQHBrEQbzCCDFcWg5uL7Q4FmvtOOMS4uehF8v0g_NM/s1600/sugared+hearts.jpg" height="426" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">definitely making these <a href="http://www.sweetsociety.com/tutorial/sugar-hearts-tutorial-not-your-ordinary-sugar-cubes" target="_blank">sugar hearts from sweet society</a> for my valentine's day party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
ok. better now...</div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">
</span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-73068118040311106722013-12-30T21:59:00.000-08:002013-12-30T22:05:21.855-08:00Handmade Rice and Lavender Warmers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<a data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2013%2F12%2Fhandmade-rice-and-lavender-warmers.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fricewarmers11.jpg&description=Handmade%20Rice%20and%20Lavender%20Heating%20Pad%20or%20Bed%20Warmer%20%7C%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL30Vrx5pAVfy4uRsHOf9GKFNIOneDj39HXXkpX37W-BJklVEGUUDuDo9gB8Bu3KhYWzp-UpTwjnRF906ka65RuAXzNFVwhD_WdTVF9IuzYwCjl7L1dpFNv3dl9POfLZdXk3tCeBBRMM0/s1600/rice+warmers+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL30Vrx5pAVfy4uRsHOf9GKFNIOneDj39HXXkpX37W-BJklVEGUUDuDo9gB8Bu3KhYWzp-UpTwjnRF906ka65RuAXzNFVwhD_WdTVF9IuzYwCjl7L1dpFNv3dl9POfLZdXk3tCeBBRMM0/s640/rice+warmers+11.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
one of the absolute best things that i bought for myself when i was pregnant with our youngest was one of those heating pads that are filled with rice. you know, the kind that get heated in the microwave and provide a good hour's worth of gentle warmth. used it all the time and loved it! loved it so much, in fact, that it's been my go too "warmie" ever since. sadly, friends, said warmie has since soothed it's last tired muscle and had to be retired. not to worry though. making a replacement was easy and inexpensive and, as it turned out, the perfect last minute christmas gift this year.<br />
<br />
i wanted mine to have covers that could be thrown in the wash if need be so i picked up a canvas painters drop cloth to make them because i love its "shabby" look and the light, solid color is perfect for personalizing. the materials don't cost much (well, they don't have to) and you probably have some of them lying around the house already. technically, all you need is rice and fabric but if you want to glam them up a bit, like i wanted to, you can get crazy. and, by the way, don't be daunted by the amount of things i used. you can certainly do less and it will still be fabulous!<br />
<br />
<u><i><b>the what</b></i></u><br />
canvas painters drop cloth (the smallest size available - you'll still have lots left over)<br />
1 yard unbleached muslin - 45" (i was able to make 8 with this amount) <br />
rice (i used brown. the 99¢ store is a perfect resource for this, especially if you're making several)<br />
dried lavender (i already had some on hand and also purchased some from world market)<br />
loose leaf herbal tea<br />
lavender essential oil<br />
jasmine absolute essential oil<br />
acrylic paint<br />
foam alphabet stamps <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vryXnD3gSj0qZjMYyBFmP0FPqrsZfN5bGSiW6hO_cJipaOK8LXACqLrHSE8rOpOeoica2UIak020m7zxSK9cOIk7JMUJYSE6qrp3NjPpktyR35XxkdqoulW0HRP5MFO7_lybnsbH7yM/s1600/rice+warmer+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vryXnD3gSj0qZjMYyBFmP0FPqrsZfN5bGSiW6hO_cJipaOK8LXACqLrHSE8rOpOeoica2UIak020m7zxSK9cOIk7JMUJYSE6qrp3NjPpktyR35XxkdqoulW0HRP5MFO7_lybnsbH7yM/s640/rice+warmer+1.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAW_w1IPz6swdBwjxsBrxetyp65-gi1EiHhpFkuEDxzBF2PZ_DuXjOB96Rs31m66L592lxNYOmhHY8ShyrwmAvuOK7y8DUquuN90vLA07YNIltJDKCJO42PzWIaciB_TzKRFbmsNVTMX0/s1600/rice+warmer+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAW_w1IPz6swdBwjxsBrxetyp65-gi1EiHhpFkuEDxzBF2PZ_DuXjOB96Rs31m66L592lxNYOmhHY8ShyrwmAvuOK7y8DUquuN90vLA07YNIltJDKCJO42PzWIaciB_TzKRFbmsNVTMX0/s640/rice+warmer+2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
start with making the insert that will hold the rice. cut the muslin to the size you want (mine was approximately 14"x9"). using 1/2-inch seam allowance and beginning with a short side, sew a straight seam that starts1/4 of the way up from the bottom right edge and sew around entire piece ending 1/4 of the way down from the top right edge (above your starting point). this will leave an opening. turn it inside out so that your seams are facing
inside. press all around, turning in your opening and pressing as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRubdLIXV1FHTFnugOb13UlEyXpI8DqjAtf3jKDS-52ihnwJjoEx-xL2LH6nhPPgD4L9JKUzoBMV4UJqLJdSFHuUFY7DUpCX_AXmkgwTlh4Bd1tgVJ4K-rqelK1LfzhhpHJ7hljF3mac/s1600/rice+warmer+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRubdLIXV1FHTFnugOb13UlEyXpI8DqjAtf3jKDS-52ihnwJjoEx-xL2LH6nhPPgD4L9JKUzoBMV4UJqLJdSFHuUFY7DUpCX_AXmkgwTlh4Bd1tgVJ4K-rqelK1LfzhhpHJ7hljF3mac/s640/rice+warmer+3.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
after you've pressed your seams, top stitch 1/4-inch in from the edge all the way around, <i>except for the opening</i>. now, this next step probably isn't necessary, but i went around and zig-zag stitched over my top stitched straight seam because i wanted my edges really secure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6rft-gw24UfWEi91wOBxZlfK47JmC7GKl-tycIaEBSY8jlFGMPBrw-T1zPrSsDMuaqSfhlDPez7EJE0OjFDoDou2u3n31wZ6MLonxqW0yXPW0xAvuoYoS4quyJTToOPAO5TxDSXjEzA/s1600/rice+warmer+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6rft-gw24UfWEi91wOBxZlfK47JmC7GKl-tycIaEBSY8jlFGMPBrw-T1zPrSsDMuaqSfhlDPez7EJE0OjFDoDou2u3n31wZ6MLonxqW0yXPW0xAvuoYoS4quyJTToOPAO5TxDSXjEzA/s640/rice+warmer+4.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
now comes the first fun part - filling the insert with the rice. i mixed the essential oils and herbs into my rice a couple of hours before i started because i wanted the smells to really hang out and scent the rice. there's no rhyme or reason to amounts here. just add as little or as much as you like until your satisfied and feel free to experiment with aromas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNBR_oc338zQBO4PgqBm_N6mNkIVEfsKoR4ALtv-KfVSt1mHzJaxhMOv58WokapArooan_xJOB0z9XehvLKkKeWlHHO4roMEB-ysLvaYVqjj9jUh1RIoI9uAckntfFdIOr42reuUElp0/s1600/rice+warmer+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNBR_oc338zQBO4PgqBm_N6mNkIVEfsKoR4ALtv-KfVSt1mHzJaxhMOv58WokapArooan_xJOB0z9XehvLKkKeWlHHO4roMEB-ysLvaYVqjj9jUh1RIoI9uAckntfFdIOr42reuUElp0/s640/rice+warmer+5.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
i used 4 cups of rice per bag which filled it about half way. be careful not to over pack it. you
want it to be flexible enough to mold to your body. sew up the open
edge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04j_7olDlrqETP2i0f6gYz1-9NHVVC8tnjbnyaC9mzFkOB0lqRbmtM7tirlZ-YKf26PaHkrAVQtZAyQliFa4J9M5tDJXEmdLY3tFVG4itUUdDkFbUvf9qVoPNgbVexlZ2qEvn1-Z-AMs/s1600/rice+warmers+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04j_7olDlrqETP2i0f6gYz1-9NHVVC8tnjbnyaC9mzFkOB0lqRbmtM7tirlZ-YKf26PaHkrAVQtZAyQliFa4J9M5tDJXEmdLY3tFVG4itUUdDkFbUvf9qVoPNgbVexlZ2qEvn1-Z-AMs/s640/rice+warmers+6.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
now for the covers. be sure to have already washed and dried whichever fabric you're going to use. for me, this was the canvas. i searched <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/annalea_magana/" target="_blank">pinterest</a></span> for ideas and came across two that i liked: <span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2009/02/tutorialrice-bag-feet-warmer.html" target="_blank">this one from V and Co</a></span> and <span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://thetanglednest.com/2009/11/simple-winter-sewing-project-hot-rice-bags/" target="_blank">this one from The Tangled Nest</a></span>. i went with the latter for the mere fact that i liked the design the best and it just felt more simple. no pictures of the process here so just follow the tutorial or come up with your own design.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVwPx64mTUk3wd-hMPWiHTDAcpJtutXyFbcl8mwqVhwFQjIV1D2Ay5uuNCcuaAdPfaNw88v2zOEfTKiXaPVSl6l7St_bYPwPT01N2fasbIlJdDp83xK0BbRrNqJyIgEACc8aerfyOEuk/s1600/rice+warmers+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVwPx64mTUk3wd-hMPWiHTDAcpJtutXyFbcl8mwqVhwFQjIV1D2Ay5uuNCcuaAdPfaNw88v2zOEfTKiXaPVSl6l7St_bYPwPT01N2fasbIlJdDp83xK0BbRrNqJyIgEACc8aerfyOEuk/s640/rice+warmers+7.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
i made some of these for our kids and wanted each one to have a personal touch. for me, that meant stamping on their name in their favorite color. you could do this before or after you construct your cover but if you do it after, be sure to insert some kind of cardboard behind the area that you stamp to prevent any paint from leaking through. after they were dry, i covered the name with a scrap piece of muslin and went over it with a dry iron to heat set the paint. i have no idea if this will make a difference when washing it in the future but seamed like the thing to do. heat set ink or fabric paint may have been the better option here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-s_gmigscDzw-FgxHffHw7jPgeLBk_JQzsL8CJ6fxz25ZlR3eU88EtTmuvWa0uJL_YCX7Qeo1eLYHaJu9la7B7QgdIBqVVGosjidNiHxSpMbbi87g_sRPGUo_Rg99Us1Uqe7zxzPxzc/s1600/rice+warmers+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-s_gmigscDzw-FgxHffHw7jPgeLBk_JQzsL8CJ6fxz25ZlR3eU88EtTmuvWa0uJL_YCX7Qeo1eLYHaJu9la7B7QgdIBqVVGosjidNiHxSpMbbi87g_sRPGUo_Rg99Us1Uqe7zxzPxzc/s640/rice+warmers+8.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
after that, sit back and admire your handiwork! these smell <i>wonderful </i>and the kids loved having their very own warmie to use whenever they want. to use, just remove the insert from the cover and heat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes depending on your microwave and how hot you want your warmie to be. <i><b>please be careful</b></i> when removing and placing the insert as it will be hot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2u8BZkqClNmJ-_NaEW0LOZpG0N8e8OxpJ_eMgPduti4FhXqmSDi_PS97mS0hliSIhH6eR755VVrmxBR7OG_RiS15IJOIypNseAkQchP2ftMSDcprhvKNdevf1dQcaZ4OIN8-cmDGLLA/s1600/rice+warmers+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2u8BZkqClNmJ-_NaEW0LOZpG0N8e8OxpJ_eMgPduti4FhXqmSDi_PS97mS0hliSIhH6eR755VVrmxBR7OG_RiS15IJOIypNseAkQchP2ftMSDcprhvKNdevf1dQcaZ4OIN8-cmDGLLA/s640/rice+warmers+9.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
just a little note. don't feel that you have to purchase new fabric for the insert or cover. old sheets and pillow cases are great alternatives to muslin and i also made two covers from an old quilt and some upholstery fabric that i had on hand. it's a great way to upcycle.<br />
<br />
enjoy! and happy new year!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2013%2F12%2Fhandmade-rice-and-lavender-warmers.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fricewarmers11.jpg&description=Handmade%20Rice%20and%20Lavender%20Heating%20Pad%20or%20Bed%20Warmer%20%7C%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-26366101095651909672013-10-11T14:33:00.002-07:002013-10-12T07:49:06.901-07:00Feathery Salt Dough Ornaments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<a data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2013%2F10%2Ffeathery-salt-dough-ornaments.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fclayfeathers9.jpg&description=salt%20dough%20feather%20ornament%20I%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7mZ9ykrVuftYcMeU0BGQw1aswwB4X0S8z5kaPLCjNiu5qdLf6AmHeHR9l00-2e0agM4gN8asxVKeVYzHdddMG1hmOfJKzpKn_AYdZyvUF3mN3-otB_WZlsPovRK7I0nTcTrGY5y_Tew/s1600/clay+feathers+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7mZ9ykrVuftYcMeU0BGQw1aswwB4X0S8z5kaPLCjNiu5qdLf6AmHeHR9l00-2e0agM4gN8asxVKeVYzHdddMG1hmOfJKzpKn_AYdZyvUF3mN3-otB_WZlsPovRK7I0nTcTrGY5y_Tew/s640/clay+feathers+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
a while back, i wrote<span style="color: #999999;"> <a href="http://www.migihandmade.com/2011/12/sophisticated-salt-dough.html" target="_blank">a blog post</a></span> about the most humble of craft mediums - salt dough; that unpretentious little ball of clay formed from salt, flour and water. apparently, people got excited about it because not only has it become my most popular post, it's also the one most pinned. and what with christmas practically in our back yards already, i thought i'd play around with the stuff a bit and use it to make feathers. some pretty snazzy ones at that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocLNFxNFfSToOMlG7JQ7cUBf6r486H5AMehoi65a9Pdx7LuY5dYBWNz0E6GFCGryW8GoYwYhR0npyL9Gdj85_t9RrzywgW0LoHc_nvinuO5arbnsc5SrHd_dpa2Cy6AtfzMTg2ePH1oI/s1600/clay+feathers+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocLNFxNFfSToOMlG7JQ7cUBf6r486H5AMehoi65a9Pdx7LuY5dYBWNz0E6GFCGryW8GoYwYhR0npyL9Gdj85_t9RrzywgW0LoHc_nvinuO5arbnsc5SrHd_dpa2Cy6AtfzMTg2ePH1oI/s640/clay+feathers+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yeH_3iC8BeeWXpITDNjIiSJfLvEtT3RJlWpYPsi_NwSZbRtkgzOjtQleiG8Jw0ozSjOQSBnhz-K-gz_Hbubp9ykaCN15b-K0aHsQeV78XsqSCRE8GvU9GC7E9VUr8tjoVZbjnTZh0CQ/s1600/clay+feathers+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yeH_3iC8BeeWXpITDNjIiSJfLvEtT3RJlWpYPsi_NwSZbRtkgzOjtQleiG8Jw0ozSjOQSBnhz-K-gz_Hbubp9ykaCN15b-K0aHsQeV78XsqSCRE8GvU9GC7E9VUr8tjoVZbjnTZh0CQ/s640/clay+feathers+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GhAuuIGHMK0ja55JVTwgCGB-OnFTcRopZ0-4n6ZyGbAZYt2lzBkFh4l7immv2dZ-cP28PnLhLPTwgbPwbphRD77hKpHBru4JOFQM-vObl6qLziX2y7kDEiTSG1o8E9pxceDCWSi3F2U/s1600/clay+feathers+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GhAuuIGHMK0ja55JVTwgCGB-OnFTcRopZ0-4n6ZyGbAZYt2lzBkFh4l7immv2dZ-cP28PnLhLPTwgbPwbphRD77hKpHBru4JOFQM-vObl6qLziX2y7kDEiTSG1o8E9pxceDCWSi3F2U/s640/clay+feathers+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLPh237eFn1zIDCdmoOE34ugHzc4JF8FKPNe97rVjfIK2UKjsdgjMOrwZ6q1zlyKcwbJC8wL6MQo-V6twnO5vYnstCPr1h-4Sg6efadvHg5a5zTu_b3e66KoOeZrJ0npVDxOjRgwjO-w/s1600/clay+feathers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLPh237eFn1zIDCdmoOE34ugHzc4JF8FKPNe97rVjfIK2UKjsdgjMOrwZ6q1zlyKcwbJC8wL6MQo-V6twnO5vYnstCPr1h-4Sg6efadvHg5a5zTu_b3e66KoOeZrJ0npVDxOjRgwjO-w/s640/clay+feathers+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCKBE1LK5gIkmmmfNyNsKPy267SNV4WYpXNtuZehwo09i7GCSeZ5ycVI3NoabD3rmUOEvEV2PIs9kxQRtxG4t-HIb1wqodDn47pd_Rjcd_X2KKY9a1LtgYJjsgJ_6K1VqTKDIyeuavw4/s1600/clay+feathers+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCKBE1LK5gIkmmmfNyNsKPy267SNV4WYpXNtuZehwo09i7GCSeZ5ycVI3NoabD3rmUOEvEV2PIs9kxQRtxG4t-HIb1wqodDn47pd_Rjcd_X2KKY9a1LtgYJjsgJ_6K1VqTKDIyeuavw4/s640/clay+feathers+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I3VyM0fjOrTbicxeC_Gy7MeoqP5gqgRG_y4BNKDaORQJOGbvFYwPm2rFkwmSOL8a6pGT49q9hH8lBIJUa7UQRb0L0l3fh0llvH4QSx-3l2Fa5nL_ORpb50BRQQJUA0PV516Pjmc3HA8/s1600/clay+feathers+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I3VyM0fjOrTbicxeC_Gy7MeoqP5gqgRG_y4BNKDaORQJOGbvFYwPm2rFkwmSOL8a6pGT49q9hH8lBIJUa7UQRb0L0l3fh0llvH4QSx-3l2Fa5nL_ORpb50BRQQJUA0PV516Pjmc3HA8/s640/clay+feathers+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
the salt dough ornaments i made previously were done by rubber stamping an inked image onto the dough and then using cookie cutters to get my desired shape. these feathers were made free-form with a knife, a pastry cutter and my imagination. and really, it's the embellishing that makes them come to life. i think several of these would be lovely on a big green tree (nobles are my personal favorite) with lots and lots of white lights and some silver mercury glass ornaments here and there.<br />
<br />
i sure hope you give them a try!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<a data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.migihandmade.com%2F2013%2F10%2Ffeathery-salt-dough-ornaments.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fclayfeathers9.jpg&description=salt%20dough%20feather%20ornament%20I%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-2869597319376626222013-09-13T17:51:00.002-07:002013-09-28T09:18:22.674-07:00Gluten Free Chocolate Shortbread Songbirds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zrC9Lc8GW1cJeTQeWu5w6VC8-wYZRBekj_PiWU-LGWpfF5UEXTTYLPyw0aap-Gezt0Q4kNu0SgyejGt0blqvN8WbFjDzZHWkVtlA0wBtZMv2DdDVs_AshLM1yDRzT80aNrnJrddxKXQ/s1600/chocolate+birds+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zrC9Lc8GW1cJeTQeWu5w6VC8-wYZRBekj_PiWU-LGWpfF5UEXTTYLPyw0aap-Gezt0Q4kNu0SgyejGt0blqvN8WbFjDzZHWkVtlA0wBtZMv2DdDVs_AshLM1yDRzT80aNrnJrddxKXQ/s640/chocolate+birds+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
it's not like i started out to eat gluten free; at least not on purpose. it came about because next year, i'm going to start catering meals out of my house once a week and want to focus exclusively on gluten free and vegetarian meals. so... i've been trying out a bunch of new recipes because everything has to be delicious, and i don't want anything to taste like it's lacking in flavor or richness.<br />
<br />
one of my favorite things to eat are cookies. love love love them! and shortbread...be still my heart!!! crispy, buttery, rich and just sweet enough. while there are various and sundry recipes out there for gf shortbread cookies, i end up not wanting to tackle the ones that call for 5 different gf flours (too daunting and pricey!). and i've tried a couple of recipes that use almost all brown rice flour which, in my opinion, resulted in a cookie with a cracker-like consistency which i wasn't a fan of.<br />
<br />
finally, the heavens parted when i came across a chocolate gf shortbread cookie recipe that i've kind of fallen in love with. perfect texture, subtle sweetness, a delicate crunch and just enough chocolate to satisfy any craving. the dough comes together with minimal effort and no one - i mean no one - would ever know that they were gluten free. <br />
<br />
<i>Gluten Fee Chocolate Shortbread Songbirds</i><br />
adapted from <a href="http://www.gfreefoodie.com/recipes/detail/725/" target="_blank">this recipe</a> at G-free Foodie<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>the what...</b></span></span><br />
<br />
½ c unsalted butter, softened<br />
½ c powdered sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
¾ c gluten free all purpose flour (i used trader joe's brand)<br />
2 tbsp sweet rice flour<br />
¼ c cocoa powder<br />
¼ c almond meal (i used trader joe's almond meal)<br />
¼ tsp xanthan gum<br />
1/8 tsp salt<br />
¼ c unsweetened cocoa powder<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRxp4lgCMDl84j9ZmwAuasi3qfXcDaH-rfoZr2MseDdhw4yO7upRhPl2ruH2LfYkfSxEnqKSlzlLmCy9txir-mNxfZ9FTt19Sq91w1qXTYTebHesz1_EgP4Xajqo8GWgG4fvQ1SUYd6s/s1600/chocolate+birds+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRxp4lgCMDl84j9ZmwAuasi3qfXcDaH-rfoZr2MseDdhw4yO7upRhPl2ruH2LfYkfSxEnqKSlzlLmCy9txir-mNxfZ9FTt19Sq91w1qXTYTebHesz1_EgP4Xajqo8GWgG4fvQ1SUYd6s/s640/chocolate+birds+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2>
the how...</h2>
1. Beat butter and sugar until cream, add vanilla, mix well.<br />
<br />
2. Add dry ingredients, stir until a soft dough is formed.<br />
<br />
3. Mound dough onto plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
4. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet(s) with parchment.<br />
<br />
5. Sprinkle about 1 tbsp of apgf onto your work surface and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into desired shape(s) and
place on lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with granulated sugar. Chill
again until cold before baking (about 10 minutes in the freezer).<br />
<br />
6. Bake 9-11 minutes. Cool cookies on cookie sheets for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfVOecuepCzvOB9m9pSzUO7N_S6psI3H0m5037YjiqxW9v-ZNtntSeS6UeDDh_WPyLoCtCbm3kgD3nZqJE8qwfUIFbrzBVtwZ27h52vkE7IJrB4zBoom-ZtyQkwfRtnddDrHK0T-wj7I/s1600/chocolate+birds+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfVOecuepCzvOB9m9pSzUO7N_S6psI3H0m5037YjiqxW9v-ZNtntSeS6UeDDh_WPyLoCtCbm3kgD3nZqJE8qwfUIFbrzBVtwZ27h52vkE7IJrB4zBoom-ZtyQkwfRtnddDrHK0T-wj7I/s640/chocolate+birds+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf7tOQSn7XHeCGtMVPoMWqfNMWjJz9HuX0My47B3HJGTRYGvTICtJlys2_hflSa2yNfaPDGySqCXwEx7GKxjoV_1oGg6YFiZ03FvWsVV9ZgKHo00xLUIcJelqBMhvhiwDeLHK5qhmpOo/s1600/chocolate+birds+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf7tOQSn7XHeCGtMVPoMWqfNMWjJz9HuX0My47B3HJGTRYGvTICtJlys2_hflSa2yNfaPDGySqCXwEx7GKxjoV_1oGg6YFiZ03FvWsVV9ZgKHo00xLUIcJelqBMhvhiwDeLHK5qhmpOo/s640/chocolate+birds+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PmP9YJqzjtSmY3Gu3OZO6RJZl50i_oO7WYox_3Bl_mkPfc54_vYyFFIePoFcpLpRG-BRKXgkECmtkWwLiVKnVpaxySJr_ySetdt4R9qSoHkmzf3YUW16sHmIFlXjAhlphqyINo7LumI/s1600/chocolate+birds+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PmP9YJqzjtSmY3Gu3OZO6RJZl50i_oO7WYox_3Bl_mkPfc54_vYyFFIePoFcpLpRG-BRKXgkECmtkWwLiVKnVpaxySJr_ySetdt4R9qSoHkmzf3YUW16sHmIFlXjAhlphqyINo7LumI/s640/chocolate+birds+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
of course, you can cut these into any shape you want...i happen to think the little birds are super sweet but they'd also be a great slice-and-bake cookie when you don't want to deal with your rolling pin. either way, you'll want to <strike>eat</strike> keep them all to yourself.<br />
<br />
love ya!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85778/annalea/e23ccab69f61c4e9227860aca8651e7d.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none;" /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-31658078565630535702013-09-06T17:14:00.002-07:002013-09-06T17:18:42.114-07:00Make Mine Vintage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
on the 3rd sunday of each month there's a great antique flea market i love to go to. starting at 5am, one can walk among aisles and aisles of terrific vintage finds, shabby treasures and retro gems until their head starts to swim . last month i came away with some old children's books, dictionaries and flash cards that i knew still had life in them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIRSQoc-1r8gDqNYXzTgDdS3yH-UIEO9KL16kzhuNTHa8K7nDWdigsYl00FsCIGNAtGdEYueoXJYLUSP89BHi0nWpnUuPSn8dx552OYmJKd_fxhJvMOiewA9Pr50H52aCWNeXwWqQQKM/s1600/division+card+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIRSQoc-1r8gDqNYXzTgDdS3yH-UIEO9KL16kzhuNTHa8K7nDWdigsYl00FsCIGNAtGdEYueoXJYLUSP89BHi0nWpnUuPSn8dx552OYmJKd_fxhJvMOiewA9Pr50H52aCWNeXwWqQQKM/s640/division+card+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHZ_zDUnpndG0MDcl5g-FaqTWsvm29F2hffmOmaotqWkbGXy41s71pwCT85nraGCDqNhZzcy9ZtV0u3qWSXZQORSxriHLEvt5iMYEVPoDBnLqtGg2hWDtg7Los1n19cOujrnwCrQPNSg/s1600/multiply+card+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHZ_zDUnpndG0MDcl5g-FaqTWsvm29F2hffmOmaotqWkbGXy41s71pwCT85nraGCDqNhZzcy9ZtV0u3qWSXZQORSxriHLEvt5iMYEVPoDBnLqtGg2hWDtg7Los1n19cOujrnwCrQPNSg/s640/multiply+card+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
these flash cards were the perfect fit for some blank note cards i already had. and i used<span style="color: #999999;"> <a href="http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2011/04/upcycle-craft-paper-gift-bags.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a></span> to put together these little gift bags using pages from a 1957 nursery rhyme book that had the most gorgeous illustrations.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV6lFY3gJN0pnajP_prk1NAnlEBwVKcFUYKsRBIS0b8FdGLt3B_MsuQEhW7t7gJAURkMZIEH1uj36RBe9Yak8pp2Pc2tielX3bxSqbb7VXeXF2b8W6v-PW3Bcu7Z2eg5t4XI_8xzAxgA/s1600/color+vintage+envelopes+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV6lFY3gJN0pnajP_prk1NAnlEBwVKcFUYKsRBIS0b8FdGLt3B_MsuQEhW7t7gJAURkMZIEH1uj36RBe9Yak8pp2Pc2tielX3bxSqbb7VXeXF2b8W6v-PW3Bcu7Z2eg5t4XI_8xzAxgA/s640/color+vintage+envelopes+3.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6giRJcgH6G6T6BH4KoEY4tCelj7SHbmO47IfdKE22NAq9NyhhOtwVVF6mkfEchZkep2y0ZR1N4lYtX19cVv3TSwAhZC8Oq0I7hVThv2EHilTLxxhivi9rFLHsZVCepOtjYVG_m2iTR8/s1600/diy+B+and+W+envelopes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6giRJcgH6G6T6BH4KoEY4tCelj7SHbmO47IfdKE22NAq9NyhhOtwVVF6mkfEchZkep2y0ZR1N4lYtX19cVv3TSwAhZC8Oq0I7hVThv2EHilTLxxhivi9rFLHsZVCepOtjYVG_m2iTR8/s640/diy+B+and+W+envelopes+1.jpg" width="538" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
i can't wait to use the cards to send a special note and the bags will definitely be used to wrap up some sweet little gifts. there's just something about vintage items that immediately calms me down and
gets me longing for simpler times. i remember books i read as a little
girl (something by beverly cleary with a passel of children eating cake
from chipped china plates in old box cars), stories passed down by
parents and grandparents, classic movies with black and white beauties
on the arm of their fellas.<br />
<br />
are you a vintage junkie too? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-54628044778623843962013-07-22T11:46:00.000-07:002013-07-22T11:49:15.921-07:00Goat Milk Cappuccino<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmakeitgiveit.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F07%2Fgoat-milk-cappuccino.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fgoatmilkcappuccino5.jpg&description=Lactose%20Friendly%20Cappuccino%20%7C%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
i go in spurts when it comes to drinking coffee. i might drink a cup each morning for a couple of weeks then switch to tea for a bit. this is because i drink coffee for the taste and not the pick-me-up that most others do and since my tastes change with my mood, well...<br />
<br />
lately, i've been delving more and more into goat milk in all it's various guises and am really loving it; goat cream cheese = wow; goat butter = angel song. and lately the milk...yummm. today, i felt like sipping on a cappuccino and because i had some goat milk in the fridge i thought i'd experiment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAA34e9n_CS2ERNMkGJuXVtJiqIB2dz2nK1MkajjdD6ebTJp0yE20okK0tkcp93JTzhyZ81371uxP5LlLS8-0BS-06uJW_n7Gs8ipm95uUw4RLpFkE8Vcdi6IDy4Qprzdv1vRfCfh7lU/s1600/goat+milk+cappuccino+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAA34e9n_CS2ERNMkGJuXVtJiqIB2dz2nK1MkajjdD6ebTJp0yE20okK0tkcp93JTzhyZ81371uxP5LlLS8-0BS-06uJW_n7Gs8ipm95uUw4RLpFkE8Vcdi6IDy4Qprzdv1vRfCfh7lU/s640/goat+milk+cappuccino+7.jpg" width="572" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
a little aside here. a lot of people can't tolerate dairy which isn't a newsflash. when this became more and more apparent many years ago, most popular coffee houses made soy milk available as a replacement to the usual cow's milk and those who were lactose intolerant could still enjoy a blended drink or just a regular cup of coffee. now i'm starting to notice almond, hemp and coconut milk showing up as well which is great for those who have forgone dairy completely or just want to make a healthier choice.<br />
<br />
as i mentioned in<b><span style="color: #741b47;"> <a href="http://makeitgiveit.blogspot.com/2013/07/billy-goats-gruff-and-biscuit.html" target="_blank">this post</a></span></b>, there are several benefits that come with drinking goat milk, one of which being that it's easier to digest than cow milk and therefore usually tolerated by those who can't handle lactose. so, a cappuccino with goat milk? yes please!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t2QbyYNmmkd2IO3rWujvEsmjXRBFuv8Erv9EuVY1apz4Ljrsv2bWnCrEtSPAZ7dCWdALN1xbGokrLGLkBIZrZCaQpk8oHH3xhsT23LVUlCoE7CeA4RplwZHYC633KL8y-G0SgfQPwNI/s1600/goat+milk+cappuccino+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t2QbyYNmmkd2IO3rWujvEsmjXRBFuv8Erv9EuVY1apz4Ljrsv2bWnCrEtSPAZ7dCWdALN1xbGokrLGLkBIZrZCaQpk8oHH3xhsT23LVUlCoE7CeA4RplwZHYC633KL8y-G0SgfQPwNI/s640/goat+milk+cappuccino+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96d9mEZpzvzOtqdjN__imTkbNfaeWBkcLE9WNHJegMxtORzSaZbHkCHWnLM4whpVtAFA38QPF22LTxOx7cKV1j-ktjvjQuFGsNyJxG_Ar7uBiVW3oRsakAKgkplW5KxaU_e3ETiIu2wg/s1600/goat+milk+cappuccino+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96d9mEZpzvzOtqdjN__imTkbNfaeWBkcLE9WNHJegMxtORzSaZbHkCHWnLM4whpVtAFA38QPF22LTxOx7cKV1j-ktjvjQuFGsNyJxG_Ar7uBiVW3oRsakAKgkplW5KxaU_e3ETiIu2wg/s640/goat+milk+cappuccino+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZWMty6-Q6_o86V6_DTK1-e-r6ZwFAK3E0kkenpTz_5G0SVsA9SIy2B7dLwfUdfMnvVhdUjSsuD4fH5g1-G4LwGpjl-GVStTNa-0bFKTwS1WUwDQsPVO0ouJEeuWyFv6KVmmCeVFvHng/s1600/goat+milk+cappuccino+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZWMty6-Q6_o86V6_DTK1-e-r6ZwFAK3E0kkenpTz_5G0SVsA9SIy2B7dLwfUdfMnvVhdUjSsuD4fH5g1-G4LwGpjl-GVStTNa-0bFKTwS1WUwDQsPVO0ouJEeuWyFv6KVmmCeVFvHng/s640/goat+milk+cappuccino+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
the verdict...pretty good. a bit 'goaty' which does change the flavor of the coffee a bit but, in my experience, soy milk does the same thing due to it's flavor and to some degree, so do the others. it definitely frothed up beautifully though and looked exactly the same as if it were made with cow milk. since i haven't come across any coffee houses that offer goat milk as an alternative, you may be trying this at home for the time being but i hope you do. come back and tell me what you think.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmakeitgiveit.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F07%2Fgoat-milk-cappuccino.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2Fgoatmilkcappuccino5.jpg&description=Lactose%20Friendly%20Cappuccino%20%7C%20MiGi%20handmade"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a></div>
</div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-74797144321704217422013-07-10T16:55:00.003-07:002013-07-10T16:55:47.152-07:00Billy Goat's Gruff And A Biscuit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvC2HESlZshy4MXSwrTg1-l2047JZ19931tN8HDQi9ckUsHz4G8zFQqzDUrwzHV2NPEv5FWZSuKTYbXvdySBcb3ze-pp4tknB0ti33RKCxNeaGFi7J6ga4Ze-sJmJGfUoIvOQJxrF3eI/s1600/gmb+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvC2HESlZshy4MXSwrTg1-l2047JZ19931tN8HDQi9ckUsHz4G8zFQqzDUrwzHV2NPEv5FWZSuKTYbXvdySBcb3ze-pp4tknB0ti33RKCxNeaGFi7J6ga4Ze-sJmJGfUoIvOQJxrF3eI/s640/gmb+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
i'm a sucker for a good biscuit. no. wait. i'm a sucker for gourmet food products annnnnd a good biscuit. in fact, a couple of years ago a good friend of mine took me out for my birthday and do you know where i wanted to go? whole foods. she didn't bat an eye when i said it because she's <i>that kind</i> of good friend; the one who gets me and loves me anyway and knows that leisurely strolling up and down the aisles of whole foods is like balm to my soul. now, if i'd had a plate full of warm biscuits to nibble on while strolling - especially these biscuits - let's just say that that birthday outing would have gone down in the books as the best one EVER!<br />
<br />
to me, biscuits don't get baked near enough. most often one makes muffins or scones or bread. biscuits...not so much. and i'm not really sure why; they're quick to throw together, no crazy ingredients are needed and when they're served hot on the table they're pretty much GONE before the end of the meal; quickly grabbed in one hand while the other waits impatiently for the butter, knife poised.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRtNOuKoJW5BrXSF3GUVh8sHyEks9-qJS5TgzYVJK35VRYr7BMoFrz1bVbSVj53z_Jjlel0EKoLnOsoWCnfcftqnu8wMAGcZNzEk8OgqaqKln4WcMnR8OwTn5lYn7UTv9aG9iDSxfHLc/s1600/gmb+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRtNOuKoJW5BrXSF3GUVh8sHyEks9-qJS5TgzYVJK35VRYr7BMoFrz1bVbSVj53z_Jjlel0EKoLnOsoWCnfcftqnu8wMAGcZNzEk8OgqaqKln4WcMnR8OwTn5lYn7UTv9aG9iDSxfHLc/s640/gmb+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
yesterday, i was mucking about on pinterest (no surprise there) and came across a couple of new blogs. the first, authored by bonnie christine, <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><a href="http://www.goinghometoroost.com/" target="_blank">going home to roost</a></b></span>, with a wonderfully easy recipe for <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><a href="http://www.goinghometoroost.com/2013/seasonal-recipes/chia-seed-jams/" target="_blank">chia seed jam</a></b></span> led me to the next,<b><span style="color: #741b47;"> <a href="http://www.mynewroots.org/site/" target="_blank">my new roots</a></span></b>, written by sarah britton. it was sarah's post on <span style="color: #741b47;"><b><a href="http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2010/10/making-yogurt-all-by-yourself-2/" target="_blank">making yogurt</a></b></span> (by yourself and without any special equipment) that got me thinking about goat milk and wondering if there was such a think as goat milk butter.<br />
<br />
lo and behold...there is!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QB3ltyqV_f8JcP7wYKDWs5xIjUb5ixOn7YzPUF6vxoco9GDaDr0iPYp3hzSuZH-VQBScQsyuICNxDAu-N0t5tcCJM81vBxJy21OkjZKu0j8GSEY-YsTAHTeTbnOmLAFr4MRaTa6xQp4/s1600/gmb+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QB3ltyqV_f8JcP7wYKDWs5xIjUb5ixOn7YzPUF6vxoco9GDaDr0iPYp3hzSuZH-VQBScQsyuICNxDAu-N0t5tcCJM81vBxJy21OkjZKu0j8GSEY-YsTAHTeTbnOmLAFr4MRaTa6xQp4/s640/gmb+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
a bit of recon and i learned that i could purchase this 8oz block of gorgeousness at whole foods (see what i mean?!?). it's not inexpensive but if your willing to splurge, one-half pound of goat butter will set you back $5 and change. my mom, also an avid baker, happened to be at my house when i came home with my purchase which we immediately tried and immediately fell in love with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzgVUMpAJUbKUnqvcX52wu5IoucztEgIa_nlQ57uj-HEPSgaxupf_CIs-YVbVg0zvzM2bSih9s8GO0vHX3oi2T2xRHiK9MKrCZeSW_6CrpVoHEXbrFNc-yLyMFbe97COj3qfctgHtLgY/s1600/gmb+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzgVUMpAJUbKUnqvcX52wu5IoucztEgIa_nlQ57uj-HEPSgaxupf_CIs-YVbVg0zvzM2bSih9s8GO0vHX3oi2T2xRHiK9MKrCZeSW_6CrpVoHEXbrFNc-yLyMFbe97COj3qfctgHtLgY/s640/gmb+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
honestly, this butter isn't like any other i've ever tasted. while it's full fat just like regular cow milk butter, there is a distinct lightness to it that's immediately noticeable once it hits your tongue. it's creamy, sweet and subtly floral without the "goaty" flavor or aftertaste that accompanies goat cheese . the creamy white color might throw you a bit a first but not to worry; goat butter is naturally white because goat milk doesn't contain beta-carotene. and...some<b><span style="color: #741b47;"> <a href="http://www.mtcapra.com/benefits-of-goat-milk-vs-cow-milk/" target="_blank">benefits of goat milk</a></span></b> are that it's less allergenic, naturally homogenized, easier to digest, rarely causes lactose intolerance and matches up to the human body better than cow's milk. wow! i'm thinking i might need to switch things up over here.<br />
all that said, i started looking for recipes that used goat milk butter and found one for biscuits that just used 1/2 cup in the recipe which meant i'd have enough left over for slathering. oh yeah...i slather.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPb7W2HmcuLjkNJF-pbGKC9dgxfoDujnZKynZ4PDAMiEGa2ECqt4NDfvhEQMqKq80EzleR4KZpPsIWifvuw9coaHwa2-awW-UxeLAST-yeknmAg8fshuzqG2786an-J49EANK-luGe2Hw/s1600/gmb+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPb7W2HmcuLjkNJF-pbGKC9dgxfoDujnZKynZ4PDAMiEGa2ECqt4NDfvhEQMqKq80EzleR4KZpPsIWifvuw9coaHwa2-awW-UxeLAST-yeknmAg8fshuzqG2786an-J49EANK-luGe2Hw/s640/gmb+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
i followed<b><span style="color: #741b47;"> <a href="http://orangesandavocados.com/2011/11/02/impulse-buy-goat-milk-butter/" target="_blank">this recipe from the blog, oranges and avocados</a></span></b>, and they turned out great. i only had bread flour on hand, however, so mine don't look as flaky and level as hers but i love love love them and they made a scrumptious little lunch.<br />
<br />
<br />
goat milk butter biscuits<br />
<br />
<i>the what</i><br />
2 cups bread flour<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1/4 tsp himalayan fine pink salt<br />
1/2 cup cold goat milk butter, thinly sliced<br />
3/4 cup whole milk<br />
<br />
<i>the how</i><br />
preheat oven to 400 degrees. stir together dry ingredients. add butter slices to dry ingredients and, using your hands, rub in the butter until pea-sized crumbs form. add the milk and stir just until combined. be sure not to overwork the dough.<br />
<br />
turn out onto a lightly floured surface and pat it out to about 2/3" high. use a round cookie cutter to cut biscuits. gather the scraps together, pat out again and cut remaining dough. place biscuits on a lightly greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet. turn down the oven to 375 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. serve immediately with your left over goat milk butter and fresh honey or jam or cheese or ham or top with a poached egg and hollandaise...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqTlqpX3NPL1DoyJ2RJGEHbkGBhUvgrnypNmeuBquCmw1X9LqSTd-WJIihUZSJ-6ydYg62Y-TS63wNC51Gev_E2kvMKFm7rncc8L6COH0maqfTW_AkWRnavUqBoBavu8iPYWX9OaQL8c/s1600/gmb+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqTlqpX3NPL1DoyJ2RJGEHbkGBhUvgrnypNmeuBquCmw1X9LqSTd-WJIihUZSJ-6ydYg62Y-TS63wNC51Gev_E2kvMKFm7rncc8L6COH0maqfTW_AkWRnavUqBoBavu8iPYWX9OaQL8c/s640/gmb+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisp2KTJ_WcZqNLbXpvh87_tYuFSMWGOw5I5UGNhfvJLAXRNjZMevgFhjP8YsPFvtWvjtBRcjHhT5M6r1gtnlcaiiokoxgTXLkUBFuXT4wBLD7tXoykY9OsIv5NNXDpH6FGxdh2v_vkVU/s1600/gmb+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisp2KTJ_WcZqNLbXpvh87_tYuFSMWGOw5I5UGNhfvJLAXRNjZMevgFhjP8YsPFvtWvjtBRcjHhT5M6r1gtnlcaiiokoxgTXLkUBFuXT4wBLD7tXoykY9OsIv5NNXDpH6FGxdh2v_vkVU/s640/gmb+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabfkvMXrPKxOfYAcVB_ielMd48xpy7IhridmA1PJpSinA27_j4BlijrvfKVjzP4zc7gC1W6D1NS0DF06AD9XI3Ev57HdontbmlEUwtb-4hyphenhyphenpvrAu-sq98n6oeV1foYbDC_XG_uisPv5s/s1600/gmb+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabfkvMXrPKxOfYAcVB_ielMd48xpy7IhridmA1PJpSinA27_j4BlijrvfKVjzP4zc7gC1W6D1NS0DF06AD9XI3Ev57HdontbmlEUwtb-4hyphenhyphenpvrAu-sq98n6oeV1foYbDC_XG_uisPv5s/s640/gmb+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhXRptZ6g2jgIRwi8hf3HI_2o_KgKuGXmLOA1DWee-YSVuO_sju77i8iUjv2vSFTTTogWjwp4OufDFzsusvJKPINfSQ_b7MI6AHX9z4sx8gnlJ2EqKYThCYkeNXUft2N853EedlTwhy8/s1600/gmb+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhXRptZ6g2jgIRwi8hf3HI_2o_KgKuGXmLOA1DWee-YSVuO_sju77i8iUjv2vSFTTTogWjwp4OufDFzsusvJKPINfSQ_b7MI6AHX9z4sx8gnlJ2EqKYThCYkeNXUft2N853EedlTwhy8/s640/gmb+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
when i was working the butter into the flour mixture, i could actually smell this butter and it smelled the way it tastes. divine. i really hope you make these or at the very least, buy some of this butter and put it on your morning toast. you'll want to thank me. you really will.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsvmM5Zklc2yI84hZ8Qexp87lheDwy0nttjSyKYZu2jrtRpVa_zz4y7rQOQsC9luXvUo4MmU23JnDgsHZzAgx1P0ws3TDQflcTN6qbDyvmwfOiV5IxiHSdNzr5AzWI7bHwxaFgur0XJs/s1600/gmb+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsvmM5Zklc2yI84hZ8Qexp87lheDwy0nttjSyKYZu2jrtRpVa_zz4y7rQOQsC9luXvUo4MmU23JnDgsHZzAgx1P0ws3TDQflcTN6qbDyvmwfOiV5IxiHSdNzr5AzWI7bHwxaFgur0XJs/s640/gmb+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
you're welcome!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-80383145465606358312013-05-30T11:14:00.000-07:002013-05-30T11:25:19.116-07:00Pancake Beauty...Blackberry, Honey, Coconut Syrup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz11HWEGEuX86gL7G1W76njPkUuphEH9R4MaWJitJz5_bDsED2ifuT3MBtmKGXNq_DfIA4MjujI45ujYzMy1mJ_AiqdZe4unBKuA1Ub1z2h2nq-9M4WG09YzvTnrY6r2E2QbEz525kGk/s1600/blackberry+syrup+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz11HWEGEuX86gL7G1W76njPkUuphEH9R4MaWJitJz5_bDsED2ifuT3MBtmKGXNq_DfIA4MjujI45ujYzMy1mJ_AiqdZe4unBKuA1Ub1z2h2nq-9M4WG09YzvTnrY6r2E2QbEz525kGk/s1600/blackberry+syrup+6.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
i never really plan to make pancakes. there are just times when i walk into the kitchen, hungry, and know that pancakes are what i want. like today. and the cool thing about them is that pretty much anything can go into the batter and i always have the basic ingredients on hand: flour, eggs, milk... you know the drill. and while boxed mixes are convenient, making your own from scratch results, in my opinion, in a much heartier taste and texture. this morning i threw together brown rice flour, coconut flour, eggs, milk, ground flax, unsweetened applesauce, a bit of salt, some cinnamon and baking soda. honestly though, these were just a vehicle for what i really had in mind to make this morning. blackberry syrup.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Nz_co29KfTqSTms0e-mYKZrLwXwPzvBIQ76flriftCVLJ17NJPNntwuV9nWjR98JquwKEXTP_MVmfLt-gnhdrauKo_Kfo9XHcDBhdp7J6G1VPk38y9VaY3V0NUXcjAXP64KEZmC6g9U/s1600/blackberry+syrup+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Nz_co29KfTqSTms0e-mYKZrLwXwPzvBIQ76flriftCVLJ17NJPNntwuV9nWjR98JquwKEXTP_MVmfLt-gnhdrauKo_Kfo9XHcDBhdp7J6G1VPk38y9VaY3V0NUXcjAXP64KEZmC6g9U/s1600/blackberry+syrup+8.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
in the last couple of weeks, i've started to pay attention to how much sugar i eat each day. a ridiculous amount, really. and even people who eat relatively healthy still take in about 30 teaspoons a day ~ over half a cup. ouch! and just a 1/4 cup of maple syrup has 43 grams of sugar which is a little over 8 teaspoons of sugar per serving! you get the picture. so, that said, i wanted to do something with the fresh blackberries i bought yesterday and some avocado blossom honey i got over the weekend. of course, there's still sugar in honey <i>and </i>there are also some health benefits to it, especially when it's raw. add to that the many health benefits of coconut oil, a bit of cardamom and, lovey, you've got yourself a delightful syrup.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNQCPRIMffrqP69Mo_ju4CUZscAuc0TR0FQVNvGO6lXkh6KSCcAcYDfgr7h-_OjcuKFZLwnxSvkZhSuZNi20raO3EnWZYOmgOzpVaeFDlngAaRVBrol9tG3NVzbDs0qzg3lMoSQDAaIU/s1600/blackberry+syrup+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNQCPRIMffrqP69Mo_ju4CUZscAuc0TR0FQVNvGO6lXkh6KSCcAcYDfgr7h-_OjcuKFZLwnxSvkZhSuZNi20raO3EnWZYOmgOzpVaeFDlngAaRVBrol9tG3NVzbDs0qzg3lMoSQDAaIU/s1600/blackberry+syrup+1.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
no real recipe here. i used about 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil, melted. 1/4 cup of honey, about 1/2 cup fresh blackberries and 1/8 teaspoon cardamom. whirl it around in the blender until it all comes together and gets kind of creamy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAlltgQkjEodDfhi4Cxs8yr0zhp34GhPj-Se_3_JCfq-0znmfrws0QVImrgWBOPudWmx52OUKbRpJmFvqywnd-YfSYbpOroFrl3Qe5dcFNqu9Sw7N5ZFvADhqHhyphenhypheno3GPyN81trRuBEVA/s1600/blackberry+syrup+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAlltgQkjEodDfhi4Cxs8yr0zhp34GhPj-Se_3_JCfq-0znmfrws0QVImrgWBOPudWmx52OUKbRpJmFvqywnd-YfSYbpOroFrl3Qe5dcFNqu9Sw7N5ZFvADhqHhyphenhypheno3GPyN81trRuBEVA/s1600/blackberry+syrup+4.jpg" height="406" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0A8i36dkvSdtJkxTsWae99Ur1NI0UYf1XPsgirOp1QbJmbgo7z3fbudJh6kFHlG0zM6KB84JobvZI2qa2Bryy9eJZ5DXTckfSiofZilsaiEhb2vTwFjV4A8qeylcEaJlonVTOoo4pFw/s1600/blackberry+syrup+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0A8i36dkvSdtJkxTsWae99Ur1NI0UYf1XPsgirOp1QbJmbgo7z3fbudJh6kFHlG0zM6KB84JobvZI2qa2Bryy9eJZ5DXTckfSiofZilsaiEhb2vTwFjV4A8qeylcEaJlonVTOoo4pFw/s1600/blackberry+syrup+5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
really, really good! sweet, creamy, flavorful. and with summer almost here there are so many fruits that would be terrific to try with this: apricots, peaches, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries. go with berries to keep the sugar content down if you're wanting to lower your intake.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceOQIU-KhomqIyCFLFO2iZsNM1BsPQnGiYgWs7zvGXUB6LGAZAtOpMAMnsK3F6zAj0QFU29EKGmH_wifli5mP_fPhapvR8rrMe4gJmPLpNo2bKNUHw_H1pW5UJzJPkWujYTgJY_Ew3kQ/s1600/blackberry+syrup+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceOQIU-KhomqIyCFLFO2iZsNM1BsPQnGiYgWs7zvGXUB6LGAZAtOpMAMnsK3F6zAj0QFU29EKGmH_wifli5mP_fPhapvR8rrMe4gJmPLpNo2bKNUHw_H1pW5UJzJPkWujYTgJY_Ew3kQ/s1600/blackberry+syrup+3.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85778/annalea/e23ccab69f61c4e9227860aca8651e7d.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none;" />Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-17847720231154782482013-05-07T20:34:00.000-07:002013-05-07T20:34:09.268-07:00Glass Glitter Cupcake Toppers...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJf-YSGZjxRAi6aTAcOjTzDsCjBsfqE8DShBf4BdwpkcOz4o-CEBrKrZ9aI2ddTog8x1-vQDPJBmgjXRhXd-ZISSeQsnCMaMJvd2M5kBtdYw2nYi79ycVS5JjGOt40TG3uwoSMrNcsPY/s1600/glitter+hearts+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJf-YSGZjxRAi6aTAcOjTzDsCjBsfqE8DShBf4BdwpkcOz4o-CEBrKrZ9aI2ddTog8x1-vQDPJBmgjXRhXd-ZISSeQsnCMaMJvd2M5kBtdYw2nYi79ycVS5JjGOt40TG3uwoSMrNcsPY/s640/glitter+hearts+6.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
when i was about 6-years-old, my mom started taking cake decorating classes at a little store called <i>Angel's</i>. i remember going with her and staring wide-eyed at all the decorations stored in clear plastic boxes: ballerinas, clown heads, cowboys, sugar hearts, brides and grooms...it was kind of like being in a toy store and the whole place smelled like frosting! Angel's is still there, still owned by the same two sisters and still has a revolving white rabbit in the front window whose dress changes with the seasons. it's kind of hokey, but i love the familiarity of it and the memories it brings and, 35+ years later, i still find myself going there for boards or their raspberry filling (<i>so</i> good) or a special tip i might need.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekwGn0XRgcNSklNrd8ur4oi5d9hpbNznXY8s4QrGYolVuKwrQQNqmDdVkQsr0cqOcrWAmAfxLCG1ULHKVfL6MLzEC5me_CwsB_dRbZSffDcH4sPBoIwPpTGpaSo90tm9KYVYmooewyr8/s1600/annalea+cake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekwGn0XRgcNSklNrd8ur4oi5d9hpbNznXY8s4QrGYolVuKwrQQNqmDdVkQsr0cqOcrWAmAfxLCG1ULHKVfL6MLzEC5me_CwsB_dRbZSffDcH4sPBoIwPpTGpaSo90tm9KYVYmooewyr8/s320/annalea+cake+2.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl6UFqPd_nPaiDUeSWUo8A8QqqXlzY8kDt7kQ7Y1YPXZjVJrKmyFV8m3BsUo_r7PIFHl7WFoyzaJFuDkq_EADaEQTCxB6BJsS8GhioGOyqXxK4E4uhB6tWWXbhS893E4zheSh3lP388o/s1600/annalea+cake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl6UFqPd_nPaiDUeSWUo8A8QqqXlzY8kDt7kQ7Y1YPXZjVJrKmyFV8m3BsUo_r7PIFHl7WFoyzaJFuDkq_EADaEQTCxB6BJsS8GhioGOyqXxK4E4uhB6tWWXbhS893E4zheSh3lP388o/s320/annalea+cake+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
for quite a while, what started out as a hobby for my mom turned into a nice little side business and she started making cakes professionally. of course, this was pre-cake boss and cupcake wars and ace of cakes. fondant, sugar sculptures, and edible gold dust were things of the future and, that said, it's been interesting to see not only the way cakes have evolved over the years but also what's replaced traditional wedding, birthday or shower cakes. now there are candy tables, pies, ice cream bars and cupcakes. cool, right?<br />
<br />
plus, the embellishing of said substitutes is half the fun and cupcake toppers have really taken off on this trend. that said, i thought it would be fun to make some glitzy toppers using my trusty old dictionary and some chunky german glass glitter. i'm in absolute love with this stuff, especially the coarser grit; reminds me of raw sugar.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YKUIYSp595XCcO8fU2EdhLM-z0PTQqFTTJnLTRzarW7Dl3cH6GZ4Fum9872RzcGUn9yzCK1LT_7t6MkeOD5LBgXyh_QOw2W3EmJcLtQYgyiso99b5TirJ3OIGbSEx7kVFFkSiM-XHgQ/s1600/glitter+hearts+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YKUIYSp595XCcO8fU2EdhLM-z0PTQqFTTJnLTRzarW7Dl3cH6GZ4Fum9872RzcGUn9yzCK1LT_7t6MkeOD5LBgXyh_QOw2W3EmJcLtQYgyiso99b5TirJ3OIGbSEx7kVFFkSiM-XHgQ/s1600/glitter+hearts+2.jpg" height="488" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU_iPHxZma4INPgE8O1LQEPqTNXoGvQv-v4AvtdEimoja9a2XkjiJS0Bepzkx89C3dXkeuaZl_5zBXHQsCpQGD-XBc1SYpGYW-Z_SromjKHBM1oCCe0WAkp9FCaHL21ETrs0zfcmu1ns/s1600/glitter+hearts+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU_iPHxZma4INPgE8O1LQEPqTNXoGvQv-v4AvtdEimoja9a2XkjiJS0Bepzkx89C3dXkeuaZl_5zBXHQsCpQGD-XBc1SYpGYW-Z_SromjKHBM1oCCe0WAkp9FCaHL21ETrs0zfcmu1ns/s1600/glitter+hearts+1.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrN_zYQGe1M3EsdxyLe4Vq4xWt5wMgPFFZDuU9uR7OC-d5G0eqDVYacdFWroTBKPZuh5gRctGdah1ENy_ewxa09lBSJ9nFIsoB0Bo7EHhyeBGeXz1-YK0gl2NFKP44XgtVRFpl0EaVns/s1600/glitter+hearts+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrN_zYQGe1M3EsdxyLe4Vq4xWt5wMgPFFZDuU9uR7OC-d5G0eqDVYacdFWroTBKPZuh5gRctGdah1ENy_ewxa09lBSJ9nFIsoB0Bo7EHhyeBGeXz1-YK0gl2NFKP44XgtVRFpl0EaVns/s1600/glitter+hearts+3.jpg" height="640" width="472" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XZp65Vqpeh0P534duXLA-sFPhNAbGj6LXtccEzY7-ff2JHE11Xr8fItqA2A00wyDPOz1ZgFQwh1tNYrKF7rVpAQVeKXsKQbealGce0fsWCJSfNoUxm31GyWlg86xTGPldP6-_kyCc8c/s1600/glitter+hearts+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XZp65Vqpeh0P534duXLA-sFPhNAbGj6LXtccEzY7-ff2JHE11Xr8fItqA2A00wyDPOz1ZgFQwh1tNYrKF7rVpAQVeKXsKQbealGce0fsWCJSfNoUxm31GyWlg86xTGPldP6-_kyCc8c/s1600/glitter+hearts+4.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyU0DU9DjDuKnPSXMleHH4V4IDHiBumVtOpdyYeHa30zCzzA9SkxcFkWkjvm6IWygI7YQiAiPxRZLot3RqxxUU40N7C6_wikE3UG5Zrq6Y3RNZ1uaQQ-vbKU65-sRT25iIOfwA7PMr4b8/s1600/glitter+hearts+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyU0DU9DjDuKnPSXMleHH4V4IDHiBumVtOpdyYeHa30zCzzA9SkxcFkWkjvm6IWygI7YQiAiPxRZLot3RqxxUU40N7C6_wikE3UG5Zrq6Y3RNZ1uaQQ-vbKU65-sRT25iIOfwA7PMr4b8/s1600/glitter+hearts+5.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
what's neat about the glitter is that if you get the kind that is made from silvered glass, it will age to a gorgeous patina (which you can see in the front heart in the above picture) over time which just adds to the charm. and don't feel limited to only using these beauties on cupcakes. put them on mini cheesecakes, into individual pies, bowls of ice cream or fresh berries. use them as photo props. heck, you can even put them into your fabulously messy top knot for some random prettiness!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85778/annalea/e23ccab69f61c4e9227860aca8651e7d.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none;" /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-47686654369130770312013-05-02T19:46:00.001-07:002013-05-02T19:46:05.004-07:00Knitting the Tuck Stitch. A Tutorial...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdhm2SbbkFelXeC1hq8OZRXnujMRy34hDjGNJq9KujCE1ha-UYeIlDCb84VwjZjoAvPx3dTicA3gc2dJsC0_jMsBmZvFVzrUrw8hLS_HSTXO1FJcGxnShcsWnHLr2donRFSDF5yMnK58/s1600/tuck+stitch+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdhm2SbbkFelXeC1hq8OZRXnujMRy34hDjGNJq9KujCE1ha-UYeIlDCb84VwjZjoAvPx3dTicA3gc2dJsC0_jMsBmZvFVzrUrw8hLS_HSTXO1FJcGxnShcsWnHLr2donRFSDF5yMnK58/s1600/tuck+stitch+11.jpg" height="468" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
not long ago i was the happy purchaser of some gorgeous Malabrigo yarn in a shade called purple mystery; a delicious, variegated, deep grape color and i finally decided on turning it into a felted purse designed by Nora J. Bellows called <span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/147-bedouin-bag-in-3-sizes" target="_blank">the Bedouin Bag</a></span>. it's a roomy number done up in rounds of stockinette and ridges and finished off with a thick leather strap.<br />
<br />
the directions are simple and fairly easy to follow ~ if you can knit, purl, pick up stitches and are comfortable with knitting in the round ~ except for the decorative ridge part which was a bit confusing to me because of the way it was written:<br />
<br />
<i>Special Techniques: Ridge Pattern<br />Rounds 1-8 (12, 14): Knit around.<br />Rounds 9-12 (13-16, 15-18): Purl around.<br />Round 13 (17, 19) [Tuck Round]: *Insert the tip of the<br />right-hand needle in next stitch knitwise, pick up the<br />back of the corresponding stitch 5 rounds below, and<br />knit the 2 stitches together; repeat from * around.<br />Repeat these 13 (17, 19) rounds for pattern.</i><br />
<br />
ummmm....i'm sorry.... "what the what?"<br />
<br />
now, after 15+ years of knitting i consider myself to be more on the advanced side of things but for some reason this stumped me a bit; i couldn't visualize what i was supposed to do. a bit of brain wracking and finagled term searches on google yielded directions on the <i>tuck stitch</i> (which can also be called the welt stitch) which adds a decorative <i>rolled</i> ridge to your knitted item (note, this stitch is different from the knitted purl ridge). <br />
<br />
here's a little photo tutorial to help you learn this fun stitch. remember, i'm knitting in the round.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP0VCHga-6WYhbvsCgZ6rrnM8FJXaqmBeppLV1qUcsbQ8HkbltST71oTFNkM6v-Qy57Fv9jGYd0_BsTEkwAdYBqpxyW9nhL0-KzgYY3ChDkaCksXw0OgYbd11RbKc7MSrmC2EYsyvehg/s1600/tuck+stitch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP0VCHga-6WYhbvsCgZ6rrnM8FJXaqmBeppLV1qUcsbQ8HkbltST71oTFNkM6v-Qy57Fv9jGYd0_BsTEkwAdYBqpxyW9nhL0-KzgYY3ChDkaCksXw0OgYbd11RbKc7MSrmC2EYsyvehg/s1600/tuck+stitch+1.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQHXvnVjvA0sVdSOelpi-X8lsIDYKIA_4w5a_SuXtFDf2DhmlSUNIWCdsTcv_8AwjBu9FCLPn4A5Y0KmPyb9XZnn7F6u3ejbxUIE_hBLygEu3tl2ocF-rIpeT8mt2wUN8dATQU_vD3qo/s1600/tuck+stitch+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQHXvnVjvA0sVdSOelpi-X8lsIDYKIA_4w5a_SuXtFDf2DhmlSUNIWCdsTcv_8AwjBu9FCLPn4A5Y0KmPyb9XZnn7F6u3ejbxUIE_hBLygEu3tl2ocF-rIpeT8mt2wUN8dATQU_vD3qo/s1600/tuck+stitch+.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspfGtOivH_B6Xg62fC5YUmnW-tCD9yErtEx-NvpXW7GKZi7vmqbwfVexsFufYKRmkjRJUNnw1KEv3usyb-yksfHs-3nh_6bBfZI5ZtW1BldEhZYWTUq4Nv4GCBMQ_YMD6MIPfnnQBP2c/s1600/tuck+stitch+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspfGtOivH_B6Xg62fC5YUmnW-tCD9yErtEx-NvpXW7GKZi7vmqbwfVexsFufYKRmkjRJUNnw1KEv3usyb-yksfHs-3nh_6bBfZI5ZtW1BldEhZYWTUq4Nv4GCBMQ_YMD6MIPfnnQBP2c/s1600/tuck+stitch+3.jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfH4FVYfp74FWmuH0S052yDOXvboBN8Om9js7MHUHd5U_7vvQDhB6vTCnYmK3ilqljZmhjoFHbab76GI3FHTKeUYd-oGv8vcBZOMV5wMkqbGy8Ju3MsCsN3c6_kQHu5SyirtYFnofW8k/s1600/tuck+stitch+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfH4FVYfp74FWmuH0S052yDOXvboBN8Om9js7MHUHd5U_7vvQDhB6vTCnYmK3ilqljZmhjoFHbab76GI3FHTKeUYd-oGv8vcBZOMV5wMkqbGy8Ju3MsCsN3c6_kQHu5SyirtYFnofW8k/s1600/tuck+stitch+4.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXLGKLVUeV3rHLKvEqApTvcoKl0fOF89hAQ6ZlZ_ODXH4oeGH_S3o6crt_dkLR1KhIp6A3_r1u6magjzJn5-SNE8CQ0esxwu73suAcD73G4Y0lEd01-afR7EjNd9KkYnZzL6cDvxJBps/s1600/tuck+stitch+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXLGKLVUeV3rHLKvEqApTvcoKl0fOF89hAQ6ZlZ_ODXH4oeGH_S3o6crt_dkLR1KhIp6A3_r1u6magjzJn5-SNE8CQ0esxwu73suAcD73G4Y0lEd01-afR7EjNd9KkYnZzL6cDvxJBps/s1600/tuck+stitch+collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7Aw5-ekvHVyHY8rUZ_qMbzg3wUZwcNPYtBhvyBanmiyzQSGKEd2kQRs3Ni4ucRbDmEIkKIajE_nsidPvNscNLfpkbEzrf0tU0WgkwILWidHM4pFqIfmAahbHIn9yAlLM5gFgy92o4S0/s1600/tuck+stitch+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7Aw5-ekvHVyHY8rUZ_qMbzg3wUZwcNPYtBhvyBanmiyzQSGKEd2kQRs3Ni4ucRbDmEIkKIajE_nsidPvNscNLfpkbEzrf0tU0WgkwILWidHM4pFqIfmAahbHIn9yAlLM5gFgy92o4S0/s1600/tuck+stitch+10.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzppHbI1n4xrhOunRLbo8DpHN22s0SM6ljSoNrlXuLGtmATOmsfe1vfyvb0II0JK7bk06hI4pMshP0hVA1UAfG6VZnOPZlAVAuQLpJwU1ScV_VIwoxBDxRrZ7_qBTZNV2rL-68tAik-M/s1600/tuck+stitch+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzppHbI1n4xrhOunRLbo8DpHN22s0SM6ljSoNrlXuLGtmATOmsfe1vfyvb0II0JK7bk06hI4pMshP0hVA1UAfG6VZnOPZlAVAuQLpJwU1ScV_VIwoxBDxRrZ7_qBTZNV2rL-68tAik-M/s1600/tuck+stitch+9.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
i did come across a <span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yWwznNyTA8" target="_blank">video tutorial</a></span> on how to accomplish this stitch the way it's written for the pattern, but i think it's much easier to do it this way; the finished product still looks the same. all-in-all, it's a relatively simple design and i'm excited to see what it looks like after i felt it. i'll be sure to post some pics when i'm done.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85778/annalea/e23ccab69f61c4e9227860aca8651e7d.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none;" />
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-64052450770529206372013-03-27T11:44:00.002-07:002013-03-27T11:53:02.722-07:00Meyer Lemons 3 Ways...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5LZhUpRCz4BKDSDL6QJU6qtSULRnZi40IUdKshbK0EmpmwPDlCtRa-_h6ACTZ0tHJoUgrfWMq6eicXKxvtmuMMltAnHBnoswptUbn_b8UqglXpi1KPSDiGa0oVXu8dh4pCSCiAWQJ6g/s1600/meyer+lemons+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5LZhUpRCz4BKDSDL6QJU6qtSULRnZi40IUdKshbK0EmpmwPDlCtRa-_h6ACTZ0tHJoUgrfWMq6eicXKxvtmuMMltAnHBnoswptUbn_b8UqglXpi1KPSDiGa0oVXu8dh4pCSCiAWQJ6g/s1600/meyer+lemons+4.jpg" height="640" width="476" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
ahhhh....lemons!!! love the way they smell, taste, look. holding one is like holding a little ball of sunshine and, to me, that's what they add to whatever you use them for - brightness! i'm no horticulturist but i'm sure there are several varieties out there, all with their different sizes and scents and colors but my absolute favorite has to be the meyer lemon. hands down. <span class="st">actually a cross between a lemon and possibly an orange or a mandarin, it was named for Frank N. Meyer who first discovered it in China in 1908 (thank you, wikipedia). it's flavor is mellow in that </span>it's not as bitingly tart as other lemons i've tried and it lends a distinctive, pleasant flavor to lots of dishes. and the smell....it's like lemon blossoms!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
there's someone who lives around the corner from us who must have a tree of these little beauties because they often leave a large tub of 'freebies' out front and more than once we've come home with our shirts used as baskets and filled with a few handfuls which is how i ended up with a bowlful of them and looking for ways to use them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyBJMYDqgJIlHmuPqRwen69mTDMkoypN5Tj7pMklbgkOpq7SVb4NjytUrnRK8sLMRMjth1kJSvzMCBJ6dlj_X4Q-5-M7ZnLGO_R410MIf82iX0Im5rImysi2ccd5ojpqU2uUta-zkMPA/s1600/meyer+lemons+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyBJMYDqgJIlHmuPqRwen69mTDMkoypN5Tj7pMklbgkOpq7SVb4NjytUrnRK8sLMRMjth1kJSvzMCBJ6dlj_X4Q-5-M7ZnLGO_R410MIf82iX0Im5rImysi2ccd5ojpqU2uUta-zkMPA/s1600/meyer+lemons+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
first thing that came to mind...lemon curd. love it! and it's glorious in desserts, with fruit, on toast, on a spoon. i found <span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://bakedbree.com/lemon-curd" target="_blank">this recipe</a></span> via pinterest which actually originated from ina garten and i loved it. not only is it delicious but it's probably the easiest lemon curd i've ever made. quick too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzHDNkJS89jtkjMXOy3aLvf1jTG_JR6wQLb7eWt5ER2V8wwGLELdxrc1sLH3HypeRGGIk3jPUKE-SQamUEokkZGNRraVHLa55ZMD4wYcsPeXk_B3Ow-utQDcQDz146PsDE6f7gK_mT1c/s1600/meyer+lemons+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzHDNkJS89jtkjMXOy3aLvf1jTG_JR6wQLb7eWt5ER2V8wwGLELdxrc1sLH3HypeRGGIk3jPUKE-SQamUEokkZGNRraVHLa55ZMD4wYcsPeXk_B3Ow-utQDcQDz146PsDE6f7gK_mT1c/s1600/meyer+lemons+8.jpg" height="516" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFNtVBkd6u2Om_nIa6DxZvbt98takaykKx8V4L-BH8QlWtksEtwW_ROjpeHsl2KgaIfYW3Ld_F9bTy28Sxt0wJY0op-SN51AIHksOxUGTKBRR8nEFWHv367qSa3ulzK6nIcJKMHhPfIY/s1600/meyer+lemons+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFNtVBkd6u2Om_nIa6DxZvbt98takaykKx8V4L-BH8QlWtksEtwW_ROjpeHsl2KgaIfYW3Ld_F9bTy28Sxt0wJY0op-SN51AIHksOxUGTKBRR8nEFWHv367qSa3ulzK6nIcJKMHhPfIY/s1600/meyer+lemons+7.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
and it makes the lovliest ice cream sandwiches! seriously, you won't believe how good these are. i used vanilla coconut ice cream (the best tasting ice cream if you're dairy free) and the waffle butter cookies from trader's. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkCQkhVqS8OEajNhX5bDfuieGQcj90sbzMy5_BdxfwzzkvmfddaLsa1GD3JXMQqCLocRikECTeU10GRoOMaVEjrEyW_yTlizUcQCo9G1R3T3VpoffxXMc-aLMSnjAPzyJOO7wNmAt9-w/s1600/meyer+lemons+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkCQkhVqS8OEajNhX5bDfuieGQcj90sbzMy5_BdxfwzzkvmfddaLsa1GD3JXMQqCLocRikECTeU10GRoOMaVEjrEyW_yTlizUcQCo9G1R3T3VpoffxXMc-aLMSnjAPzyJOO7wNmAt9-w/s1600/meyer+lemons+5.jpg" height="640" width="490" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQKZ7rPj0CQd9J7qYRDF2XVJ3tBpirjiEHBhmvbIbFSQWtSrQieni6o7GTTzAVMhaR84JrIHtYolIk_tudXEmBiVyq_RliQhcX_TokYocHsZC-vbn3AyPSoteYOBQWrqreA0Fx7sphEY/s1600/meyer+lemons+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQKZ7rPj0CQd9J7qYRDF2XVJ3tBpirjiEHBhmvbIbFSQWtSrQieni6o7GTTzAVMhaR84JrIHtYolIk_tudXEmBiVyq_RliQhcX_TokYocHsZC-vbn3AyPSoteYOBQWrqreA0Fx7sphEY/s1600/meyer+lemons+3.jpg" height="640" width="614" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
i also wanted to make candied lemon peel and lemon sugar so before i juiced the lemons i made sure to remove the peels. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHaZaBwbf_WXb83FIsd5DaKgojSUyuJr9ANDVdUVvzgEXsnFLAAHJD9WQIk6GMXHTSi7Z4VhRhJqZmGz2aNQAuiE5HST7SM89lzpv50DC5Uu0VCDO-DBZt2ipbVwfGxJDG8n4UP1Z6bE/s1600/meyer+lemons+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHaZaBwbf_WXb83FIsd5DaKgojSUyuJr9ANDVdUVvzgEXsnFLAAHJD9WQIk6GMXHTSi7Z4VhRhJqZmGz2aNQAuiE5HST7SM89lzpv50DC5Uu0VCDO-DBZt2ipbVwfGxJDG8n4UP1Z6bE/s1600/meyer+lemons+9.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXavMyxElf7NfQiwR2IiZNK4EU5x7CXByh2zrWlxnG6bUMDHu3cH2stcHUtSfX-oxtitMImkQSsmRtKAz5DC6cfOldgGb2RtF5QYhv8I6U5ZqWtOcODdcYhVZO8x5_rzLct0OI-NLwZaY/s1600/meyer+lemons+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXavMyxElf7NfQiwR2IiZNK4EU5x7CXByh2zrWlxnG6bUMDHu3cH2stcHUtSfX-oxtitMImkQSsmRtKAz5DC6cfOldgGb2RtF5QYhv8I6U5ZqWtOcODdcYhVZO8x5_rzLct0OI-NLwZaY/s1600/meyer+lemons+10.jpg" height="552" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1vdKxQZii22QnIFXtCmh6mlbAWyra-z9o1yYwJ1p5Uax8ILNqWTQQtmi1kDUhBpYDEPq226hVySBRrwFtpTjequhoYdtLfeEb8po0QCAsZNq8aUshpN5aFCg7zlRzk_0Z6rjb7NQRgQ/s1600/meyer+lemons+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1vdKxQZii22QnIFXtCmh6mlbAWyra-z9o1yYwJ1p5Uax8ILNqWTQQtmi1kDUhBpYDEPq226hVySBRrwFtpTjequhoYdtLfeEb8po0QCAsZNq8aUshpN5aFCg7zlRzk_0Z6rjb7NQRgQ/s1600/meyer+lemons+6.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
i love having the candied peel and sugar on hand too. makes me feel like my pantry is fancied up and they're perfect 'go to's' when you want to had something special to a butter cookie, chutney or even to rim a glass for a fun cocktail. enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoyjBrY054TDj6IUvuTB9kJbz6nxqBMhFsg751FAYHrGfZVjm8z-jfDi0qu6pwgsBwvhQP6gIg-Djj_TDA1Rh6ddF7WxPdbegTPf7kL6c2__oJnaeYMy5tzdTbtjbExn-H0JgntWT5qE/s1600/meyer+lemons+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoyjBrY054TDj6IUvuTB9kJbz6nxqBMhFsg751FAYHrGfZVjm8z-jfDi0qu6pwgsBwvhQP6gIg-Djj_TDA1Rh6ddF7WxPdbegTPf7kL6c2__oJnaeYMy5tzdTbtjbExn-H0JgntWT5qE/s1600/meyer+lemons+11.jpg" height="640" width="544" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-7413213817027118702013-02-16T11:30:00.001-08:002013-02-16T11:35:23.530-08:00One Thousand Years Wall Hanging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNSLiFAG70cLkq5EijQsdZ0toNzvg_-fEbg04dhbEz0hQSMUDL0SF006i3I6CiHC1_ysnsD9u5aw8sEeAQZREHazYnThXOpWXotMek7O2Bj-7EeVKdIgDIIcY62ka8gOatgRsSCnxNOA/s1600/1000+years+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNSLiFAG70cLkq5EijQsdZ0toNzvg_-fEbg04dhbEz0hQSMUDL0SF006i3I6CiHC1_ysnsD9u5aw8sEeAQZREHazYnThXOpWXotMek7O2Bj-7EeVKdIgDIIcY62ka8gOatgRsSCnxNOA/s640/1000+years+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
anyone who knows me really well will tell you that i love to shop. i do. love it. love it. love it. doesn't matter if it's groceries or shoes or paint; online, at a store or an outdoor market. i'm a shopper. for some reason though, when it comes to valentine's day, i don't head to a store to buy a gift for my sweetheart. i'm all about the handmade kind. the hearts and doilies, cut-out collages, finger-painted chocolate-smeared glitter-sprinkled kind of gift. this year, i went big with the creativity. wall-hanging big.<br />
<br />
if you're on pinterest (of course you are) you've probably seen <span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2012/01/giant-picture-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this pin</a></span> from sugarbeecrafts in which she takes a small picture and blows it up super big and then mounts it on foam board. i had repinned it to my "totally trying this" board and when it came time to come up with a v-day gift for my husband, i knew what i wanted to do. ok...so there is some shopping involved. but only for supplies, not the actual gift. smile.<br />
<br />
for my wall hanging, i chose the words to 'one thousand years' by christina perry. gorgeous song. and since my picture consisted of text instead of an image, i first created what i wanted in picmonkey. saved the finished product as a jpeg image onto my flash drive which i took to staples and had them print out their largest print: 3'x4'. only $6.99! then i walked down a few stores to michael's for some spray adhesive $7.99 and then down a few more stores to lowes for a big piece of styrofoam $9.99. gotta love town centers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5FHUURIM4KqMaqYmdRThYs3Ef-28apql_U9UZtlmOMh3Cwxt-w-dgLfNXrH95sx2knV1xdT9Tu11lj5ced_A_7lXEyBAMS0MNdLUm7vRYUbLojNxo38W0euao-riSZF4AX5QnE8WLZw/s1600/1000+years+collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5FHUURIM4KqMaqYmdRThYs3Ef-28apql_U9UZtlmOMh3Cwxt-w-dgLfNXrH95sx2knV1xdT9Tu11lj5ced_A_7lXEyBAMS0MNdLUm7vRYUbLojNxo38W0euao-riSZF4AX5QnE8WLZw/s640/1000+years+collage+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
because i chose text instead of an image, this project took a couple of
days to do. for me, this means getting out some of my favorite movies to
play while i'm working. one's i've seen so many times that i don't have
to watch them to know what's happening. and some snacks are definitely
in order too! one thing i hadn't really counted on was that the font i chose pixilated A LOT when it was enlarged. i'm thinking this probably wouldn't have happened if i'd chosen something like helvetica or verdana. not completely sure. what it meant, as you can see, was me outlining and coloring in EVERY letter. all i can say is that he's lucky i love 'im!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA0jTYbgDhf7hoYpxseImHL9A1nPwFUTkKTWLLZ-kBMh0qu6usmIyB9W7XAeK2JiAs4tcu_TzSMoB91rIXMR61emlK5HPJHhIZjAdtNjfcn1ECxJqv5SyS1NMIbCRMLFr9Lx_X7_dQqg/s1600/1000+years+collage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA0jTYbgDhf7hoYpxseImHL9A1nPwFUTkKTWLLZ-kBMh0qu6usmIyB9W7XAeK2JiAs4tcu_TzSMoB91rIXMR61emlK5HPJHhIZjAdtNjfcn1ECxJqv5SyS1NMIbCRMLFr9Lx_X7_dQqg/s640/1000+years+collage+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
once i finished the letters, it was time to mount it onto the styrofoam and here's a little tip: it doesn't cut well. at least it didn't for me and if you have any tips please pass them along. be sure to peel off the shiny lining on one the side of the styrofoam that you'll be putting your image on. for me, this was the aluminum foil-looking side. i started to paint the outside edges and got three of them done before i stopped because i decided instead to buy some ribbon -5 yards of gray twill - to attach to them instead which, in my opinion, gave it a more finished look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp-SVhHuLm2PdO4QH9h-sKGipWbL9lP3RpR8fqZqL6zPI-fiCEpHF6MNOND_ro_UqdHNoCt1Y0K-ZQqOwzsqcfJgnvn0ty9dPhZRTQrjgtHYSVrk4MvG6B9YW9WnbEFaF2Pe3X7XAmoE/s1600/1000+years+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp-SVhHuLm2PdO4QH9h-sKGipWbL9lP3RpR8fqZqL6zPI-fiCEpHF6MNOND_ro_UqdHNoCt1Y0K-ZQqOwzsqcfJgnvn0ty9dPhZRTQrjgtHYSVrk4MvG6B9YW9WnbEFaF2Pe3X7XAmoE/s640/1000+years+6.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
i really love the way it came out! and my husband loves it, too. he teared up. that's the kind of guy he is and it's why i'll love him for one thousand years. and then one thousand more...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<a data-pin-config="above" href="//pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmakeitgiveit.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fone-thousand-years-wall-hanging.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab140%2Fmichaelannalea%2F1000years6.jpg&description=One%20Thousand%20Years%20Wall%20Hanging" data-pin-do="buttonPin" ><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-67742066936915049972013-02-04T15:37:00.001-08:002013-02-04T15:41:43.891-08:00Mason Jar Valentine Votives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJgLn1jIiS1jUewvvH8q_e4OttS9GXwMWfXbmNW5pRXYJ8AweN1vJSGLN_WuzebShHdTa1ZGQp9dRIKESOri1mYuslcq5zrsLL3w4U1emmK8emHoT3DjK650bJmsXCT6Vgq4fPnkG5KQ/s1600/vday+votives+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJgLn1jIiS1jUewvvH8q_e4OttS9GXwMWfXbmNW5pRXYJ8AweN1vJSGLN_WuzebShHdTa1ZGQp9dRIKESOri1mYuslcq5zrsLL3w4U1emmK8emHoT3DjK650bJmsXCT6Vgq4fPnkG5KQ/s640/vday+votives+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
last year i thought it would be a kick to have a valentine's day party. one that was actually on valentine's day. first off, it's murder to go out on that day. it's crowded, expensive and can often require getting a sitter; a herculean feat any night of the week. and i had some friends who were single or going through a divorce or just feeling topsy turvey in their love life so i figured that having a party would eliminate some awkward life stages along with the "what do i do with my kids" question that can come up on a romantic holiday. PLUS! i wanted an excuse to have a candy bar! you know, those adorable ones with apothecary and mason jars filled with red, white and pink candy, chocolates, candy necklaces and little metal scoops for pouring everything into cellophane bags. the house gets "loved up", as my husband calls it, and there's valentine decorations all over. even for the candles.<br />
<br />
putting votive candles into decorated mason jars isn't anything new and i don't have any kind of tutorial to go with this post. the pics are pretty much self explanatory. i had the yarn, ribbon and trinkets already (you can pretty much use anything and, of course, any color you want). i picked up a box of candles from michael's and the conversation hearts came from the dollar store. believe it or not, i had the hardest time finding the red hots. knew i could get them at powell's (fancy candy store in our neighborhood) but wanted to keep that as a last resort. kinda pricey there and i'll save that for some of the candies i'll serve in the bar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3woCC0JypsSvcVFK-aj7ICd_7E1bZZbuMnJOOli_v_HCGu9LgeS9LpuUCQCTYMQidK4i1__RFtbk4QQq9vWYumNEyPcpiCDGUV4ACnsP-70UHjq4jyL_wxned8Dto2G3-CKUJYx-EeFU/s1600/vday+votives+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3woCC0JypsSvcVFK-aj7ICd_7E1bZZbuMnJOOli_v_HCGu9LgeS9LpuUCQCTYMQidK4i1__RFtbk4QQq9vWYumNEyPcpiCDGUV4ACnsP-70UHjq4jyL_wxned8Dto2G3-CKUJYx-EeFU/s640/vday+votives+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
aren't they fun?!? i'm soooo looking forward to lighting these! now i just need to finish decorating my house, painting valentine words on the wood pallet i found and plan my menu. last year i went mexican. kinda thinking about doing it again. or lasagna. or pulled pork sliders or chili...<br />
<br />
check back because i'll definitely give an update of how the party went and post more pics! until then, happy early valentine's day!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810681902007827263.post-47460987606868347792013-02-01T13:22:00.000-08:002013-02-01T15:08:50.945-08:00What's Up With The Dots?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjQSawMFMyH_XgIJDR03blGPSWZkAMX6k8Y-0LgRUUOnYCT5dTkju1VxzJrz58ZI_YMwaFKURVt1bklETRhR8zMAkJNWwCk0BdEJac7HUM4xpe1_JXKXbyhpvh-IwOzcWVK3uev6xf3E/s1600/daniel+apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjQSawMFMyH_XgIJDR03blGPSWZkAMX6k8Y-0LgRUUOnYCT5dTkju1VxzJrz58ZI_YMwaFKURVt1bklETRhR8zMAkJNWwCk0BdEJac7HUM4xpe1_JXKXbyhpvh-IwOzcWVK3uev6xf3E/s400/daniel+apple.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
i have some pet peeves.<br />
<br />
cottony apples.<br />
incompletely buttered toast. <br />
weak handshakes.<br />
weaker hugs.<br />
chipped nail polish in blog tutorials and etsy shop pictures.<br />
to name a few.<br />
<br />
you probably have some too. maybe something that i do. like...what's up the seemingly endless times that i use "..." at the end of a word or a sentence that i put on a facebook post or my instagram descriptions? the way i just did in the previous sentence. why can't i just use regular punctuation like everyone else? maybe like you?<br />
<br />
i get it. and i'm not actually sure why i do this so often. well, that's not entirely true because when i think about it, i do know why. it's because, for me, there's more implied. more to say. more meaning in what comes before those three little dots when i add them. not just saying the word or ending the sentence. i want to keep going and deepen the thought. or let the reader add their own meaning or just 'get it'.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="userContent">another hat to keep you warm and toasty...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">newest knitting fun. little birds...</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">"looks like i picked the wrong week to stop taking amphetamines..."</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[56].[1][2][1]{comment115929358584738_38160}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[56].[1][2][1]{comment115929358584738_38160}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[56].[1][2][1]{comment115929358584738_38160}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">well...that's just because you're older than me</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent"><i><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[56].[1][2][1]{comment115929358584738_38160}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[56].[1][2][1]{comment115929358584738_38160}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[56].[1][2][1]{comment115929358584738_38160}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><span class="userContent">first...it's my absolute FAVORITE time of day.</span> </span></span></span> </span> </span></i> </span> </div>
<br />
eventually, i'll probably do something else quirky. like type in all uppercase letters (smile) or never add any kind of punctuation and the latter is strange even to me as i'm one of those annoying people who will correct your grammar if i've known you long enough.<br />
<br />
it's crazy.<br />
<br />
in the meantime, what do you think of my new blog header? it's getting closer to what i really want it to be which is something that represents the fact that i dabble in all sorts of creative veins; not just one thing in particular. and i've shortened "make it give it" to migi. cute, easy to remember and it's already the name of my online shop. there will be a few more aesthetic changes coming soon so keep a weather eye open my lovelies...<br />
<br />
</div>
Michael and Annaleahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03993300672009113100noreply@blogger.com0