tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55335764314878901622024-03-12T20:49:15.096-07:00Lester Sews!Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-16742356783593870002010-02-08T14:42:00.000-08:002010-02-08T15:00:32.017-08:00Finally! A successful batch of Gingersnaps!After my last failed attempt at Gingersnaps, I was left brokenhearted for a while...<br /><br />But I figured I'd try<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Moms-Ginger-Snaps/Detail.aspx#"> this recipe</a> today... kind-of out of sheer boredom, and kind-of because of a full bottle of molasses that is rotting away in my pantry.<br /><br />Mmm... now don't tell me this first picture doesn't look delicious!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq81B1YzdJhx0nwc1M4A4Ea0Bmf4fGhE5quPXcXHlTRJjNuPcjGxHsDvcE9_vgp8XvNhdhSKYEAXmerrJopUmkg8ErNlDBwKq3H-fckc36wo53jfS1lrRZTeazreL4gVPbHllQVW97Xg/s1600-h/IMG_1975.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq81B1YzdJhx0nwc1M4A4Ea0Bmf4fGhE5quPXcXHlTRJjNuPcjGxHsDvcE9_vgp8XvNhdhSKYEAXmerrJopUmkg8ErNlDBwKq3H-fckc36wo53jfS1lrRZTeazreL4gVPbHllQVW97Xg/s400/IMG_1975.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436010103468103506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tyKYc8ZWgvn0ymFp2-yHpMEdAZttcUX6JCokzECg44YSk5yupvgiAq1r65Jf7JR0an_WtQZV86W2RITr7YrXQlvhQv6PI8GmB6gZfs36zkaA1G-mFSMrYH8pnIwBGWaF202KacZPKLg/s1600-h/IMG_1977.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tyKYc8ZWgvn0ymFp2-yHpMEdAZttcUX6JCokzECg44YSk5yupvgiAq1r65Jf7JR0an_WtQZV86W2RITr7YrXQlvhQv6PI8GmB6gZfs36zkaA1G-mFSMrYH8pnIwBGWaF202KacZPKLg/s400/IMG_1977.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436010342267327362" border="0" /></a><br />Too bad these cookies blend in with my lovely butcher block countertop...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3wvOU_zPXJg7iaAj1xil5OKx8o8UZg71o0sZElhOLQupTA4lCyJqHXOUUcJbbfL8imBktj2QliXooFnlblYzA_SECKhyFwKBAF1xsg_7sLEoV7IkAB63Vv4atPQ5WUPRC7jw5X-Io5k/s1600-h/IMG_1978.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3wvOU_zPXJg7iaAj1xil5OKx8o8UZg71o0sZElhOLQupTA4lCyJqHXOUUcJbbfL8imBktj2QliXooFnlblYzA_SECKhyFwKBAF1xsg_7sLEoV7IkAB63Vv4atPQ5WUPRC7jw5X-Io5k/s400/IMG_1978.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436010679554987074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0mptihibVZ15Cht6RlPHhq4blS1m_EemrJSgolA1Y7hFcYZuECOKE0SNOW2yOzNSY0HuinU0_4ksfKi-xLM5WdB0kJ2OqbS6xbo1K9jcQqTbBrmg1nn9Un9oiY6oSuZ6zjsWb-T2GAI/s1600-h/IMG_1980.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0mptihibVZ15Cht6RlPHhq4blS1m_EemrJSgolA1Y7hFcYZuECOKE0SNOW2yOzNSY0HuinU0_4ksfKi-xLM5WdB0kJ2OqbS6xbo1K9jcQqTbBrmg1nn9Un9oiY6oSuZ6zjsWb-T2GAI/s400/IMG_1980.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436010923087008402" border="0" /></a><br />Deee-lish!Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-39276728952158970382010-02-02T16:51:00.000-08:002010-02-02T16:57:03.008-08:00Chocolate Salty Balls, round 2Mmmmm....<br />Today I tried <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-Balls-III/Detail.aspx">this recipe</a>.<br /><br />It allowed me to use my double-boiler - a wedding gift I've never actually used until today!<br /><br />YUM YUM.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKrMB6UCn6BzWlSHniBTL092U_lX99xEymx6dccldp1sbb9kSaZ6sOz-08XXYKTqAXbIqInzB7esGO_AYKYzfSCPz3OzIDT61Drd-xWAUsqrObQQRnridgYj4shOOuRY0kGa-d7bqf80/s1600-h/peanut+butter+balls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKrMB6UCn6BzWlSHniBTL092U_lX99xEymx6dccldp1sbb9kSaZ6sOz-08XXYKTqAXbIqInzB7esGO_AYKYzfSCPz3OzIDT61Drd-xWAUsqrObQQRnridgYj4shOOuRY0kGa-d7bqf80/s400/peanut+butter+balls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433813820164330786" border="0" /></a>I followed one person's review and stuck toothpicks in the peanut-butter balls before putting them in the fridge. However, I found that the toothpicks did not aid that much in the dipping. It would be just as useful to keep ONE toothpick next to your double boiler and use it over and over again to stab the ball after you douse it in chocolate, then place it on the cookie sheet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSceJm7yqqtuE5RdyqY8zrkKfFijcQ0hWWrYCQS1t2BtMLvT3rgsYbdFjs9s-wYq3wfvE9vPvOr79iKM6Y-G0Pja0tpgEmZY6vIXDZhkYD_eONm9D20e3bihpxXVQ_oVjxKIZbaXm172w/s1600-h/double+boiler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSceJm7yqqtuE5RdyqY8zrkKfFijcQ0hWWrYCQS1t2BtMLvT3rgsYbdFjs9s-wYq3wfvE9vPvOr79iKM6Y-G0Pja0tpgEmZY6vIXDZhkYD_eONm9D20e3bihpxXVQ_oVjxKIZbaXm172w/s400/double+boiler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433814268831878466" border="0" /></a>Fun with the double boiler.<br />I also followed another review and put in about a tablespoon of shortening to make the layer of chocolate a little thinner on the balls. Uh... if that was a "thin" layer of chocolate, I'd hate to see what it would be like without the shortening. I ran out of chocolate before finishing all the balls!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefMAnX1WS15ut-U2t-M2CgkUVbHVD5YAQ4lSnfYVM91HVzBoWKq67f0z9NuQPfORjGpwQBpHH3OsViZbmfQstNZu_gIWFcHMGPx_mYepX35sIFkyiGVxf_G38gIar818ox8BSZ6hhqTY/s1600-h/chocolate+balls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefMAnX1WS15ut-U2t-M2CgkUVbHVD5YAQ4lSnfYVM91HVzBoWKq67f0z9NuQPfORjGpwQBpHH3OsViZbmfQstNZu_gIWFcHMGPx_mYepX35sIFkyiGVxf_G38gIar818ox8BSZ6hhqTY/s400/chocolate+balls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433814713851454626" border="0" /></a>Ahh. Chocolate ball goodness! I was just kidding about the salt. Tee hee, "balls."<br /><br /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-73889077452640482382010-01-17T23:38:00.001-08:002010-01-17T23:46:34.180-08:00Danny is 2!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsisSHOXeWGp67XJmBRHPcmmiQ4mCfAIqEB-qYFaQK17TodTn2PQKc4a0XnEAK7sdHTWfuXgDcNqflG2V3m3jIWaz43Pn89XmV3eipMODZORuZInWzL5CRjD5YBX8EooCR6vjJ0Jgs4_E/s1600-h/IMG_0329.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsisSHOXeWGp67XJmBRHPcmmiQ4mCfAIqEB-qYFaQK17TodTn2PQKc4a0XnEAK7sdHTWfuXgDcNqflG2V3m3jIWaz43Pn89XmV3eipMODZORuZInWzL5CRjD5YBX8EooCR6vjJ0Jgs4_E/s400/IMG_0329.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427981245618771298" border="0" /></a>Happy Birthday to Danny!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUb-VZg9lPtgwP2ol6To46e7TTEzGTvFBqSI15VYjZWozFGY3Wuj-dwR_NcUlgoF3VXQSb5n3p_6Cy0naMllWlWrNdZ5aKuMESEGmEC6NQDmHpA4AVo2vc28iOPUSl1kf-fwATzZTHnw/s1600-h/IMG_0928.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUb-VZg9lPtgwP2ol6To46e7TTEzGTvFBqSI15VYjZWozFGY3Wuj-dwR_NcUlgoF3VXQSb5n3p_6Cy0naMllWlWrNdZ5aKuMESEGmEC6NQDmHpA4AVo2vc28iOPUSl1kf-fwATzZTHnw/s400/IMG_0928.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427981529444975186" border="0" /></a>Happy Birthday to Danny!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tCRVoNjVCGlOAIKHs26-OqYuPH6A9FQVdH8RioY0l4fSZdDEQ0xu17ExoQ5EMRgJ79zQfi86SQws-l2xYn1GrlPXT_gOl2NzgKfcIqk19ZsPw3FnCkXm6BsEESfJg3lDkcBhtpZyQTc/s1600-h/IMG_0821.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tCRVoNjVCGlOAIKHs26-OqYuPH6A9FQVdH8RioY0l4fSZdDEQ0xu17ExoQ5EMRgJ79zQfi86SQws-l2xYn1GrlPXT_gOl2NzgKfcIqk19ZsPw3FnCkXm6BsEESfJg3lDkcBhtpZyQTc/s400/IMG_0821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427981846796921522" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Birthday to Da-a-anny...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9dq6FvNBSos&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9dq6FvNBSos&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Happy Birthday to Him!<br /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-13552321279188228632010-01-15T22:07:00.000-08:002010-01-15T22:11:45.554-08:00Mountainview CemeteryI went to a cemetery today. I was uninspired...<br />We are quasi planning a trip to the south in August, and mom says the cemeteries down there are out of this world!<br /><br />She didn't actually say they were "out of this world."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_RsorwpunnS7G4VgISeQamFBQMoesMNSciSnK7XC8u9n015j3f-z3VbJvnJwvc8eN34HpYMK9MYZefHFxTi-5tw54ai0-vEQg6Xl9wwHuOuRfn1SqOrcAyQYwkRP-iDKyq3iYnBCn1U/s1600-h/IMG_1945+color+fade+horizontal+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_RsorwpunnS7G4VgISeQamFBQMoesMNSciSnK7XC8u9n015j3f-z3VbJvnJwvc8eN34HpYMK9MYZefHFxTi-5tw54ai0-vEQg6Xl9wwHuOuRfn1SqOrcAyQYwkRP-iDKyq3iYnBCn1U/s400/IMG_1945+color+fade+horizontal+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427216222171395314" border="0" /></a>And on the subject of creepy: Whilst on vacation, I read the short story, "The Lottery." Then I requested the movie via Netflix, and I watched it tonight. It's very made-for-TV-ish, but super creepy! I encourage you to go to a cemetery and watch The Lottery all in one day.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-68632742624632403402010-01-14T09:58:00.000-08:002010-01-14T10:32:58.978-08:00Chicken Cordon BleuI made my first Chicken Cordon Bleu last night. I've always thought this recipe was way too hard, but I had nothing better to do last night, and we weren't having dinner til after 8:00pm anyway (my parents were coming over for dinner, and they had a high-intensity work-out from 7:00 - 8:00pm believe it or not!), so I figured, "What the hey?"<br /><br />I got the recipe from allrecipes.com - <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Cordon-Bleu-II/Detail.aspx">Chicken Cordon Bleu II</a>.<br /><br /><div style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-width: 1px 0pt 0pt; margin: 12px 0pt 4px; padding-top: 8px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(251, 100, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Ingredients:</span></div><table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td width="50%" valign="top"><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves </div><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">6 slices Swiss cheese</div><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">6 slices ham</div><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">3 tablespoons all-purpose flour</div><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">1 teaspoon paprika</div></td> <td width="50%" valign="top"><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">6 tablespoons butter</div><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">1/2 cup dry white wine</div><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules</div><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">1 tablespoon cornstarch</div><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">1 cup heavy whipping cream</div></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-width: 1px 0pt 0pt; margin: 12px 0pt 4px; padding-top: 8px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(251, 100, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Directions:</span></div> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td style="padding-right: 5px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(251, 100, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;" valign="top">1.</td> <td style="padding-bottom: 8px;" valign="top">Pound chicken breasts if they are too thick. Place a cheese and ham slice on each breast within 1/2 inch of the edges. Fold the edges of the chicken over the filling, and secure with toothpicks. Mix the flour and paprika in a small bowl, and coat the chicken pieces.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-right: 5px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(251, 100, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;" valign="top">2.</td> <td style="padding-bottom: 8px;" valign="top">Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the chicken until browned on all sides. Add the wine and bouillon. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-right: 5px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(251, 100, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;" valign="top">3.</td> <td style="padding-bottom: 8px;" valign="top">Remove the toothpicks, and transfer the breasts to a warm platter. Blend the cornstarch with the cream in a small bowl, and whisk slowly into the skillet. Cook, stirring until thickened, and pour over the chicken. Serve warm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />(You'll notice from the following pictures that I did not perfectly follow this recipe; for instance, I couldn't get six chicken breasts to fit in my oven dish, so I just used four.)<br /><br />First thing's first:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL2GheeKJZYYyDuwW4pjVV1xBYC5STZP2O0LtZ55cS8wMwm1MUz1pX9Mc9p3c9IZRruTJIIniwBLx0UuyqA-tsXPzIUienyYCR-d87pUzGLQraDHW-Zw5pJYrubj7eZhRzdfPPdvN0HI/s1600-h/IMG_1929.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL2GheeKJZYYyDuwW4pjVV1xBYC5STZP2O0LtZ55cS8wMwm1MUz1pX9Mc9p3c9IZRruTJIIniwBLx0UuyqA-tsXPzIUienyYCR-d87pUzGLQraDHW-Zw5pJYrubj7eZhRzdfPPdvN0HI/s400/IMG_1929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426657677017100242" border="0" /></a>I've decided I'm really not fond of pounding poultry. Last night, it was so loud, I was nervous our next door neighbor was going to knock on our door. Ideally, you'd have a box of those really large, sealable bags instead of one flimsy piece of plastic wrap, but I don't live in an ideal world. And I must say... this piece of plastic wrap held up nicely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cUBjbSgFe2WB9WnH66Ak9Eb-Lgb5C670pIUD0o-p5hrigAiFpQr1pM-3xWr7eBTasLCUEiAUpyXkQ3jYKoe186-Bosx48dOJMh1k_ojYWbvcu1qXxGW-CmVOR9CD7_PuhOTOPKCBYJA/s1600-h/IMG_1930.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cUBjbSgFe2WB9WnH66Ak9Eb-Lgb5C670pIUD0o-p5hrigAiFpQr1pM-3xWr7eBTasLCUEiAUpyXkQ3jYKoe186-Bosx48dOJMh1k_ojYWbvcu1qXxGW-CmVOR9CD7_PuhOTOPKCBYJA/s400/IMG_1930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426657904765998962" border="0" /></a>Isn't it pretty? The reviews of this recipe suggested using no-water-added ham, but I couldn't find any unless I looked in the deluxe meats section (that's what I call it), and the deluxe meats section is out of my price range.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJKk1nCZ-oANiFZLk9_YIg8Z3H2yjqkhUiDBTKGy_nEDyBilvREgZJxz1X3XbDvAzq0Ti4J6gUQB21hNpOW7hLcep16-Ui_3YrycBDil-wy9aoA1NqNU_wYNRVK-s1C0hBveb1o8m0LE/s1600-h/IMG_1931.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJKk1nCZ-oANiFZLk9_YIg8Z3H2yjqkhUiDBTKGy_nEDyBilvREgZJxz1X3XbDvAzq0Ti4J6gUQB21hNpOW7hLcep16-Ui_3YrycBDil-wy9aoA1NqNU_wYNRVK-s1C0hBveb1o8m0LE/s400/IMG_1931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426658188351311938" border="0" /></a>For some reason, I have "party picks" instead of "toothpicks," so that's why mine are so festive looking. Please, do not be ashamed of regular, non-dyed toothpicks. They will work just as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3H3hi589ycfHdJ3chsXJhfjxf2mnLodiwwRtVv5ZA519mybhtQuMJspXYc2Scf9khISfj3aqKxHgAjYySByCi4MTvavSsb9N_ypCmBKffY33sCV7MX-cqj36zihvpbEGHDqdO6IaTN4/s1600-h/IMG_1932.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3H3hi589ycfHdJ3chsXJhfjxf2mnLodiwwRtVv5ZA519mybhtQuMJspXYc2Scf9khISfj3aqKxHgAjYySByCi4MTvavSsb9N_ypCmBKffY33sCV7MX-cqj36zihvpbEGHDqdO6IaTN4/s400/IMG_1932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426658374609689106" border="0" /></a>Okay, I forgot to take a picture of the raw chicken covered in the flour and paprika mixture, but that step <span style="font-style: italic;">did </span>transpire, I promise. I also added some garlic powder b/c one reviewer told me to, and I follow orders. Look at how delicious this nicely browned piece of chicken looks! I thought the toothpicks - I mean, party picks - would really hamper the browning, but they didn't. I was able to flip that baby, no problem! (and my nonstick pans have already really disappointed me with the non-long-last-ability of their non-stickiness, that I really didn't care if the party picks wreaked more havoc upon them)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy7ur9YADdiOWdg7R4f-pQO3UIwD9GHPd7s_-vBCnruKCW_08vP1TY01zAAQr1Jre5NXF1xQqYdrFIL3DOhd20msOgyiTca6v6fFofwQbkzhffS2o4wGQ5cxxG0y5X9XZYYNNnv_GlU8/s1600-h/IMG_1933.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy7ur9YADdiOWdg7R4f-pQO3UIwD9GHPd7s_-vBCnruKCW_08vP1TY01zAAQr1Jre5NXF1xQqYdrFIL3DOhd20msOgyiTca6v6fFofwQbkzhffS2o4wGQ5cxxG0y5X9XZYYNNnv_GlU8/s400/IMG_1933.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426658576424401058" border="0" /></a>I then followed one main review many of the reviewers suggested. Instead of leaving the poultry in the skillet to fully cook, I popped them in a 350-degree'd oven. I had the butter/oil mixture (that's another review I followed... 3T butter and 3T oil instead of just 6T butter) left to work with for the sauce. In this pic, I had already added 1 cup of white wine... I used Pinot Grigio. <span style="font-style: italic;">Cheap </span>Pinot Grigio. (Also... I doubled the ingredients for the sauce b/c again... reviewers told me to do it.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl0BSDrHVSdX_uG7WracbgY3I2eJoKm0ZeFUmCEGI0M-RsCZL0aYASJ-25zvtv9qU4uJd-8-7TB96EzevgyDCX52cNZExv4Cvs2-endmb2SygCq925narUKB9TIv77zj8CyaTpd3-dTM/s1600-h/IMG_1934.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl0BSDrHVSdX_uG7WracbgY3I2eJoKm0ZeFUmCEGI0M-RsCZL0aYASJ-25zvtv9qU4uJd-8-7TB96EzevgyDCX52cNZExv4Cvs2-endmb2SygCq925narUKB9TIv77zj8CyaTpd3-dTM/s400/IMG_1934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426658745235161650" border="0" /></a>I added the heavy cream/cornstarch mixture...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrWlFX2PHDx6MCVcRiU_T5UIRM6b3lOFZWt2yIUQVOZ1jencDWWA_m7YBrMf_D7z7IdVHsO7ST-HZE4EOKex0y0DpQGab-o165qVNTcblT7j5kSjtx0HH2nhfUJ0k88iA980GKzT8IKA/s1600-h/IMG_1935.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrWlFX2PHDx6MCVcRiU_T5UIRM6b3lOFZWt2yIUQVOZ1jencDWWA_m7YBrMf_D7z7IdVHsO7ST-HZE4EOKex0y0DpQGab-o165qVNTcblT7j5kSjtx0HH2nhfUJ0k88iA980GKzT8IKA/s400/IMG_1935.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426660921047695634" border="0" /></a>And I took the chicken out of the over after 20 minutes. The chicken was not fully cooked at that point, so I decided to pour all the sauce over it and pop it back in the oven for another 10 minutes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-yAPanMzkStKEe73_PR7XxubvWVD0_Uj75IMzLhM_S56VeTqrKNb_1z7SvUeJnSHHMZOQAurQCVBlNNevifZ9k31aVFJy8D6VgJpj6n36Q7YGqBg7YaLAvt9nC3wF3chyphenhyphenuIzKWexOYc/s1600-h/IMG_1936.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-yAPanMzkStKEe73_PR7XxubvWVD0_Uj75IMzLhM_S56VeTqrKNb_1z7SvUeJnSHHMZOQAurQCVBlNNevifZ9k31aVFJy8D6VgJpj6n36Q7YGqBg7YaLAvt9nC3wF3chyphenhyphenuIzKWexOYc/s400/IMG_1936.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426661113355431682" border="0" /></a>Mmmmmmmm..... it was fabu (remember, pronounced: fab-yew!)! It was seriously delicious. I must say... I've come to an epiphany in the past few months. I - and most people, I'll assume - <span style="font-weight: bold;">overcook </span>chicken. I have overcooked chicken so many times when following recipes to the dime. For a long time, I thought I just didn't like chicken, but from time to time I would taste really excellent chicken! So lately, I take chicken out when I'm still a tad uncomfortable with it... when I still think there's a chance I could catch ill with salmonella from eating it.<br /><br />And I haven't regretted it yet! Just as long as there's no visible pink, I go for it.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-6819595915306814392010-01-13T22:37:00.000-08:002010-01-13T22:38:34.999-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_4rwKcVuSKlvfnwgYQhx8yzgK3SBiGsHtMPZDSZCuBLhmVbH_woA75o2Jp6lCTmHozH0qvCvePQMJJlbrlcaByLOh2Vr8yl-BoVelPm-VLudEl1mRi6tBFNi30HREoCreSBAiQEQrXw/s1600-h/im-with-coco.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_4rwKcVuSKlvfnwgYQhx8yzgK3SBiGsHtMPZDSZCuBLhmVbH_woA75o2Jp6lCTmHozH0qvCvePQMJJlbrlcaByLOh2Vr8yl-BoVelPm-VLudEl1mRi6tBFNi30HREoCreSBAiQEQrXw/s400/im-with-coco.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426481112163912066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Are <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">you</span>?Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-47273105514641894012010-01-12T21:20:00.000-08:002010-01-12T21:26:35.243-08:00I've finally started!It took me three days to finish cutting all my fabric. I completed my first block! Isn't it darling?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gwfh2UpJCY8AA7lB9WPWfCAzScB8FZVR_UECjrzoiaaRdt1vNNYFBTn0rKPWhnEU5LOyy5P7dxsBMC71-JfC4-gOvegdMetBDfCfkz5j89FP2lIFviKGT47tO1-axh_yLkiujMigjcA/s1600-h/IMG_1928.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gwfh2UpJCY8AA7lB9WPWfCAzScB8FZVR_UECjrzoiaaRdt1vNNYFBTn0rKPWhnEU5LOyy5P7dxsBMC71-JfC4-gOvegdMetBDfCfkz5j89FP2lIFviKGT47tO1-axh_yLkiujMigjcA/s400/IMG_1928.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426090501932095010" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-9370092611767776642010-01-11T22:34:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:45:25.785-08:00Today is the first day in my blog-everyday-in-January venture that I am completely blank. It probably doesn't help that I don't post my blogs til around 11:00pm.<br /><br />Today I visited my friend in Dayton, NV; therefore, I did not sew, and I did not cook. Well, actually I did make some Chicken Cacciatore tonight, but I didn't take pictures, and I'm feeling too lazy to copy down the recipe.<br /><br />To distract from my crappy blogging, here's one of my favorite youtube videos: the dramatic squirrel (chipmunk? guinea pig?).<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rfh4Mhp-a6U&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rfh4Mhp-a6U&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />It makes me laugh!<br /><br />Here he is again, but this time with a lightsaber!<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WiloZd1H4ow&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WiloZd1H4ow&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Hee hee hee!Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-82610225752338048302010-01-10T21:08:00.000-08:002010-01-10T21:23:35.980-08:00I love Photoshop!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzimw-mVzifP_Lu58JLUEFPqrM5IqUppjJRQ3GH8V_CL3NhZw93LYh_U5bCENao88ZWb0txUJ_jjVB-TD51JAYf3ywDkdVqEDvo7cel6QPc0wI4kpw2k7SOjg3KbaKz9_D86n1zANa8U/s1600-h/IMG_1878+cellophane+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzimw-mVzifP_Lu58JLUEFPqrM5IqUppjJRQ3GH8V_CL3NhZw93LYh_U5bCENao88ZWb0txUJ_jjVB-TD51JAYf3ywDkdVqEDvo7cel6QPc0wI4kpw2k7SOjg3KbaKz9_D86n1zANa8U/s400/IMG_1878+cellophane+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425348185985087506" border="0" /></a>Click on it. Do it.<br /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-73139118147966805502010-01-09T21:23:00.000-08:002010-01-09T21:29:41.161-08:00My new "big" projectHere's the new quilt on which I have finally started. As I got all my fabrics out (and went to the fabric store to finish buying all the fabrics I needed), I realized I have been working toward this project for over a year now. Dave actually bought me a bunch of these fabrics LAST Christmas.<br /><br />Quilting is just such a lifelong passion, ya know? *happy sigh*<br /><br />So here's the quilt I'm making - from my favorite quilting book, "Big Book of Scrap Quilts." (Quilters are so clever... with names and such)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKYt-XG8MfHQQI61w8grNWD1pByAHq8VN20aXoxSS1dMd5_yh_pCQVX-53QSJJPoio1VqcNDRRviQ_Dy-UvyYx49uwVhGXJtGDwPYIi281A8wC8Q2GwLmFMuUfY5z4u47WU4Oz-9pUHE/s1600-h/IMG_1910.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKYt-XG8MfHQQI61w8grNWD1pByAHq8VN20aXoxSS1dMd5_yh_pCQVX-53QSJJPoio1VqcNDRRviQ_Dy-UvyYx49uwVhGXJtGDwPYIi281A8wC8Q2GwLmFMuUfY5z4u47WU4Oz-9pUHE/s400/IMG_1910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424978190092334866" border="0" /></a>EXCEPT!!! I'm using blue, not red. I've always wanted to make a blue quilt... probably b/c I don't really decorate with blue or anything... yet I'm strangely drawn to the blue fabric section at most fabric stores.<br /><br />I now have to change these fabrics into the above quilt:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9m0mIb31pc2TeFHoJhIkDsb1Y66gQb83rgp7Zz2z1dNbzRCGS3MHEIE_uDsNF04ZGmbrb2wdvmTYypyFocoYCI6nkLQozzCoPQqoAeHfG-cXdG668ru9-m93i1S_IyPA3a3LOPyuoQw/s1600-h/IMG_1906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9m0mIb31pc2TeFHoJhIkDsb1Y66gQb83rgp7Zz2z1dNbzRCGS3MHEIE_uDsNF04ZGmbrb2wdvmTYypyFocoYCI6nkLQozzCoPQqoAeHfG-cXdG668ru9-m93i1S_IyPA3a3LOPyuoQw/s400/IMG_1906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424978659532437490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIXQ5JDxNtA4ziRNywi6xC_ZSiuQta9s7_DOVIwLn-BIwuz6peKlZKOzPPLRdwVzAL_HLVvThWT8aMJxYoLoN6uUjkm-_oTVkbUGWCkBLCZ4OvhGWmN6iyzJpQzNB_BKCLgzPZL6nnbg/s1600-h/IMG_1909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIXQ5JDxNtA4ziRNywi6xC_ZSiuQta9s7_DOVIwLn-BIwuz6peKlZKOzPPLRdwVzAL_HLVvThWT8aMJxYoLoN6uUjkm-_oTVkbUGWCkBLCZ4OvhGWmN6iyzJpQzNB_BKCLgzPZL6nnbg/s400/IMG_1909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424978996527978802" border="0" /></a><br />Woo Hooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-56377974827072519512010-01-08T23:23:00.000-08:002010-01-08T23:25:48.439-08:00I'm tired.Tomorrow I'll have a wonderful sewing blog. Promise. <br /><br />But now I'm tired. <br /><br />We just finished watching Scent of a Woman. I love that movie. Dave has never seen it, so I got it for us on Netflix. He loves it too now. <br /><br />How about a joke?<br /><br />Q. What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet?<br /><br /><br />A. "We're going to have a BB!"<br /><br />P.S. This is in no way my clever way of informing the world of any important news Dave and I might have, so don't let your imaginations run wild.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-54750805208252245392010-01-07T23:20:00.001-08:002010-01-07T23:38:51.910-08:00Give Me S'more Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCM3r4psj_Ai1DZkneNfCAIczl_eic6cGnWp6n0ThCrZYYIsJkq9vdJBuyLXuSKyaxyYQKAzT_spFzR7y6Jkc3IgDoXlanfMpFlx_mxDA0nHC-Co-oqOqYaz1Yq-31wEfDfNuESQR56s/s1600-h/IMG_1917.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCM3r4psj_Ai1DZkneNfCAIczl_eic6cGnWp6n0ThCrZYYIsJkq9vdJBuyLXuSKyaxyYQKAzT_spFzR7y6Jkc3IgDoXlanfMpFlx_mxDA0nHC-Co-oqOqYaz1Yq-31wEfDfNuESQR56s/s400/IMG_1917.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424266554440975202" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight I tried a recipe from my Taste of Home magazine - Give Me S'more Cake. They had this big feature last month on the winning cakes from a contest they held. It was pretty cool b/c they provided these nice cut-outs for eight different cakes! I was excited to try this one b/c I love s'mores with all my heart. Side note: As a child, I was always resentful that my family never went camping. As an adult I realized I hate camping (almost as much as I hate hikes), but S'mores almost, ALMOST make camping worth it!<br /><br />That's why I was so disappointed with this cake. I am a huge cake lover. Some may call me a Cake Eater. This cake turned out beautifully... but tasted so...<br /><br />bleh. <br />Completely un-camping-fantasy-like. Boring! It was so so-so, I actually stopped eating my slice! I thought to myself, "Why even keep eating it? Empty calories, Leslie! Empty calories!"<br /><br />Dave, on the other hand, loved it. He had two slices. This news is big news because one would not call Dave a Cake Eater. He admitted it did not taste like S'mores, but he liked it nonetheless.<br /><br />Anyway... since Dave liked it, maybe other people will like it. Here's the recipe:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: courier new;">Give Me S'more cake</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1/2 cup shortening</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1/4 cup butter, softened</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1 cup sugar</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">3 eggs</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1tsp vanilla extract</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">2-3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">3 tsp baking powder</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1 can (12-0z) evaporated milk</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">Marshmallow frosting:</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">4 egg whites</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1 cup sugar</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1/2 tsp cream of tartar</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">1-1/2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips, divided</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">Line two 9-in round baking pans with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. combine cracker crumbs and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes (I found it took a good 28 minutes to fully bake) or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for ten minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">In a large heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar over low heat. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160 degrees, about 8-10 minutes (uh... I just stopped after about 4 minutes). Pour into a large bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">Place a cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 2/3 cup frosting and sprinkle with half of chips. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake; sprinkle with remaining chips.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJaORbht9q4Ah9c1vWcAURW_C2b1v4eoRyp6M59ddElW81OtVV33OlMVhuAhfS7x4t2rsrx9RFlyJCq7AlObyhyphenhyphenXsYOpoKGx4Dpz1gt0Uc6KG6XAyHHe1kMl4YPrKNVVx905WUj8ncmU/s1600-h/IMG_1920.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJaORbht9q4Ah9c1vWcAURW_C2b1v4eoRyp6M59ddElW81OtVV33OlMVhuAhfS7x4t2rsrx9RFlyJCq7AlObyhyphenhyphenXsYOpoKGx4Dpz1gt0Uc6KG6XAyHHe1kMl4YPrKNVVx905WUj8ncmU/s400/IMG_1920.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424268654264149954" border="0" /></a><br />Dave actually voted for this dessert when I gave him a choice of three desserts I could bake today. I wanted him to pick Chocolate Ginger Cookies. I think I'd be happier tonight if I'd made Chocolate Ginger Cookies. I'd feel fatter tonight if I'd made Chocolate Ginger Cookies.<br /><br />We also watched Julie and Julia. It was a great movie! I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. I love, love, LOVE Meryl Streep. Dave won't let me name our future daughter Meryl. I really want to though.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-87422695495869557652010-01-06T20:58:00.000-08:002010-01-06T21:01:28.246-08:00Dave gets sick to his stomach when he looks at this picture.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH1SvwCNV61HRovcBdMgKE5PgXV3Lk1aX2gF3-MrHBSvJMkYOA6jzXpFAZvmNX9vAX0pqM6MpbUnhBp3LboN62zvmU-IXb_lfH1YhK_HyewLUaEHUc_y45R8dE7j7Ci15z0dpv4G3Kb0/s1600-h/IMG_1632.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH1SvwCNV61HRovcBdMgKE5PgXV3Lk1aX2gF3-MrHBSvJMkYOA6jzXpFAZvmNX9vAX0pqM6MpbUnhBp3LboN62zvmU-IXb_lfH1YhK_HyewLUaEHUc_y45R8dE7j7Ci15z0dpv4G3Kb0/s400/IMG_1632.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423858560725864642" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-56223716542097679052010-01-05T21:10:00.000-08:002010-01-05T21:11:59.726-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvIXmfb_JZs_1J0HBLF5n-oB78GgShvMLfLzd-gIlsIrR4WqH6kA8AZmIfua0Kc9m52UcRQcWOtf76xzejm0DL_1Mec8vaiJ5PE1uo5SUK2CCl4hCvQJ9EbTTwpjtJN5H3sSGl7aB4c0/s1600-h/IMG_1594+cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvIXmfb_JZs_1J0HBLF5n-oB78GgShvMLfLzd-gIlsIrR4WqH6kA8AZmIfua0Kc9m52UcRQcWOtf76xzejm0DL_1Mec8vaiJ5PE1uo5SUK2CCl4hCvQJ9EbTTwpjtJN5H3sSGl7aB4c0/s400/IMG_1594+cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423490162327771554" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-52067977544276898122010-01-04T20:26:00.000-08:002010-01-04T20:31:35.623-08:00the BEST hot chocolate!<a href="http://www.nablopomo.com/">NaBloPoMo's</a> theme for the everyday blogger in January is "Best." You don't have to write on the theme, but it's supposed to help on farty brain nights.<br /><br />As it is 8:27PM, and I am ALREADY tuckered out... I thought I would take a picture of the BEST hot chocolate I'm about to consume.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFvpOoH7gcDti_iqeYcyEWEjP91zNLmB2y1nqRmI51PPrfPhj6-TyhrGXqqWpsFpbe9OlbSaOKYQK6vF5uwsu2THhdDu3oxmOaAp4PKZzGByv8E0-wNeWjCcOojlynFzvEKb_8hWwZ20/s1600-h/IMG_1903.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFvpOoH7gcDti_iqeYcyEWEjP91zNLmB2y1nqRmI51PPrfPhj6-TyhrGXqqWpsFpbe9OlbSaOKYQK6vF5uwsu2THhdDu3oxmOaAp4PKZzGByv8E0-wNeWjCcOojlynFzvEKb_8hWwZ20/s400/IMG_1903.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423107781913772674" border="0" /></a>You see, you start out with a large mug - preferably one that says "Hawaii" on it. One that says "San Diego" is also acceptable. You empty one of those cheap-o hot chocolate packets into the mug - Sunny Select if I had my druthers. Pour boiling water over the top of it, but people... only fill the cup about 2/3 full... else wise your hot chocolate is way too watery! You then pile HEAPS of mini-marshmallows on top.<br /><br />Voila! Consume while your husband is playing DJ Hero and dominating the only television in the house.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-3036461671648468422010-01-03T15:44:00.000-08:002010-01-03T16:05:23.633-08:00If you had to roll around naked in food... this dish would be what you choose.Holiday Chex Mix is what I call it. I felt it needed a better name than "Cereal Treat," as my grandmother had christened it. I know the holidays are technically over, but we missed Christmas morning (you know, what with being in Hawaii and what not), so we're headed over to Dave's parents tonight to exchange gifts. We are dirt poor right now (you know, what with being in Hawaii and what not), so I thought I would distract attention from our chintzy gifts by making my favorite holiday candy-ish type of stuff.<br /><br />The following ingredients combine together in a celestial way:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D1ndlzZGRyDXCvKZmVaybiSzQfypFJQIhhJo43nH3yn_wgpah4SCQe2xWSWDZURU645W7hDI7VrONyVMVOni5H6krY962fTMIvsh9fNiasVjRra-WWBZGGLcNw94JMJ2Vh4dNjm2mxw/s1600-h/IMG_1886.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D1ndlzZGRyDXCvKZmVaybiSzQfypFJQIhhJo43nH3yn_wgpah4SCQe2xWSWDZURU645W7hDI7VrONyVMVOni5H6krY962fTMIvsh9fNiasVjRra-WWBZGGLcNw94JMJ2Vh4dNjm2mxw/s400/IMG_1886.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422664930881105618" border="0" /></a>8 cups of Corn Chex<br />Gluten free!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdGZ2rvu6Zu-SBWLQar8n4r5eJLTrXGFI4lbHMA0laz5DfdS2hdMeimxKpaM1xQ9dSQsI_SMlVaF7W-zOIvr8QQPR7MMNGIrlEiExBY_Cv0iLBt8EnQEILnRZJF0TKg_nSnjvnKYJT6M/s1600-h/IMG_1887.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdGZ2rvu6Zu-SBWLQar8n4r5eJLTrXGFI4lbHMA0laz5DfdS2hdMeimxKpaM1xQ9dSQsI_SMlVaF7W-zOIvr8QQPR7MMNGIrlEiExBY_Cv0iLBt8EnQEILnRZJF0TKg_nSnjvnKYJT6M/s400/IMG_1887.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422665086064347682" border="0" /></a>The most delicious of cereals.<br />9 cups please.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQq45iNRE5Ax-6XPlYkgf1PeW2zV2zu3UkCgBqRODuXRFNFoS5wbO78mRrl7ee6AmCkW_LCrXRZl5VqDjBNx0hZK4y8GR1zzoVO65fImrJHhODVbw3LgeNiBXzW8DD7UEZhcvx8CB3uE/s1600-h/IMG_1890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQq45iNRE5Ax-6XPlYkgf1PeW2zV2zu3UkCgBqRODuXRFNFoS5wbO78mRrl7ee6AmCkW_LCrXRZl5VqDjBNx0hZK4y8GR1zzoVO65fImrJHhODVbw3LgeNiBXzW8DD7UEZhcvx8CB3uE/s400/IMG_1890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422665231592255986" border="0" /></a>2 cups of Flaked Coconut - sweetened. Did you know that coconut isn't actually that sweet? All my life I've been thinking the coconut that comes out of bags like these is what coconut tastes like! But my friend Gloria taught me that it's not! This stuff is sweetened! Some real light bulbs went off when I learned that little secret.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUIg0Vi-z8ibjQYJZKabD5Nc1uFgRAq9WkZ5Jk4NX3pPh4UvJOD5XAfjSiL-znRYaPtA-JSgVW8PDyOEqMq4ad7Epy7l7GEwTUgKJwYrfTpnGzqDSG9laTI30d7mTDjGq6TssBx0iQJM/s1600-h/IMG_1891.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUIg0Vi-z8ibjQYJZKabD5Nc1uFgRAq9WkZ5Jk4NX3pPh4UvJOD5XAfjSiL-znRYaPtA-JSgVW8PDyOEqMq4ad7Epy7l7GEwTUgKJwYrfTpnGzqDSG9laTI30d7mTDjGq6TssBx0iQJM/s400/IMG_1891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422665570038028866" border="0" /></a>The recipe actually calls for slivered almonds, but I think sliced almonds are prettier. You're technically supposed to put one cup of almonds in, and this bag is just barely over half a cup. But nuts are expensive. And as mentioned in paragraph uno... we're poor as ish right now.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-DFBYVIA_yhqPNIs12uKHoOrV8ZvMSyFbPqaJCI8Gg3z3J_BSykQjF5lh_bbvEMJfpWAJkNZrqX03RS6g2lFv1zP3DrMmmzgRlC1Z4wzw7q3oqbxI9hCuD_adV3DwjozMfPhrRcb5mY/s1600-h/IMG_1892.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-DFBYVIA_yhqPNIs12uKHoOrV8ZvMSyFbPqaJCI8Gg3z3J_BSykQjF5lh_bbvEMJfpWAJkNZrqX03RS6g2lFv1zP3DrMmmzgRlC1Z4wzw7q3oqbxI9hCuD_adV3DwjozMfPhrRcb5mY/s400/IMG_1892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422666503089711090" border="0" /></a>Dump it all together in a big fat bowl.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu5eiE9e7XqA78qGQ2lyDb_UM-Soh653Hv7V5iS8C1yHgBxc7e3XP2Hf9SFUgI8kL2FO-5GPMpa_zVbqYNsqNulXg-ZR2grgn2GppxAXHPNKtFJyKPei8y-zVlSHm6L4FrVT_AGCuDHc/s1600-h/IMG_1893.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu5eiE9e7XqA78qGQ2lyDb_UM-Soh653Hv7V5iS8C1yHgBxc7e3XP2Hf9SFUgI8kL2FO-5GPMpa_zVbqYNsqNulXg-ZR2grgn2GppxAXHPNKtFJyKPei8y-zVlSHm6L4FrVT_AGCuDHc/s400/IMG_1893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422666845198724658" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then mix it up - don't be lazy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoZVTifI3nIMsLrlV3ZhilDHYZcLh4865Dv__b_n8pwB24xeAnBmCZgEHwZZ4PphppDNtxB_zXceyTnKrctZDyIFjHcu34m_8rOv1ULfcGs7KEZTwvGQ8bvnT4FDXJCsTjoE2jPElWPQ/s1600-h/IMG_1894.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoZVTifI3nIMsLrlV3ZhilDHYZcLh4865Dv__b_n8pwB24xeAnBmCZgEHwZZ4PphppDNtxB_zXceyTnKrctZDyIFjHcu34m_8rOv1ULfcGs7KEZTwvGQ8bvnT4FDXJCsTjoE2jPElWPQ/s400/IMG_1894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422667116353292530" border="0" /></a>This cellulite-ridden concoction includes the following three ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, 1 cup Karo Syrup, and 1 cup sugar. Stir it together and make it boil for two minutes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs48eHtVZYJdck7dsxgdZF1Fm7WmJgO-BlgCmoMI3ibSx0MBsFSQ_biMWSE3qppt-UI0ab7DhxYlIcqgzpxoHCPQH5mko-PYGDos7YoIIBSr-2S6qCwBpVR9JgZ21gjGd43qZOF16MtCc/s1600-h/IMG_1896.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs48eHtVZYJdck7dsxgdZF1Fm7WmJgO-BlgCmoMI3ibSx0MBsFSQ_biMWSE3qppt-UI0ab7DhxYlIcqgzpxoHCPQH5mko-PYGDos7YoIIBSr-2S6qCwBpVR9JgZ21gjGd43qZOF16MtCc/s400/IMG_1896.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422667600455247490" border="0" /></a>Then dump it over the top of the cereal mixture. I dump a little at a time, stir, little at a time, stir, little at a time, stir.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d3mJ9S-2Ko5REKEPKTDWTM5uLZ92avoX3NM5ziJ7sphCaRxsANq2qJgsZHcgiIRgk3-HOjcSb3AiKwF8JNtB87Zg5nlqWIKTB7KN9uTwh9GhLM8Q0tzWZwwCOeqtWM735HxxnoqdyKU/s1600-h/IMG_1898.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d3mJ9S-2Ko5REKEPKTDWTM5uLZ92avoX3NM5ziJ7sphCaRxsANq2qJgsZHcgiIRgk3-HOjcSb3AiKwF8JNtB87Zg5nlqWIKTB7KN9uTwh9GhLM8Q0tzWZwwCOeqtWM735HxxnoqdyKU/s400/IMG_1898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422667773317925490" border="0" /></a>Then spread it out on two cookie sheets to "cool." Or become crispified... whatever you'd like to call it.<br /><br />And then eat. And thank the Lord. For he is indeed risen. This treat is proof of that.<br /><br /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-91288793252336193092010-01-02T20:00:00.000-08:002010-01-02T20:35:44.943-08:00Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJS2DBb2etvgmom_5g4-apjb6Xe_cuyvyzWzyGTmT9B0tjqe9yd5dSAstGXUeBVr0WaJBuCKcTRRb6invyVjD2P7b-vuKGnWZM2VolflO5rvI44ICF38k9m-aL2m_9PUChfD8cI10jm0/s1600-h/IMG_1728.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJS2DBb2etvgmom_5g4-apjb6Xe_cuyvyzWzyGTmT9B0tjqe9yd5dSAstGXUeBVr0WaJBuCKcTRRb6invyVjD2P7b-vuKGnWZM2VolflO5rvI44ICF38k9m-aL2m_9PUChfD8cI10jm0/s400/IMG_1728.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422366047708581442" border="0" /></a><br />Someday when we're rich... I'm going to buy all the most awesome camera lenses out there. First and foremost - <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+100mm+f/2.8+Macro+Lens/7170189.p?id=1110266578488&skuId=7170189&st=canon%20macro%20lens&cp=1&lp=1">a macro lens</a>. A macro lens will enable me to take super-duper up close pictures... you'd be able to see the pollen stuck to the legs of this bee with a macro lens!<br /><br />However... a <a href="http://janome.com/index.cfm/Machines/Sergers/1200D">Janome serger</a> costs about the same. I plan on becoming an expert clothes maker this year, and a serger would really help me with those seams.<br /><br />Which hobby will win?<br /><br />I finally organized my sewing room today (the sewing room quadruples as the office, the second bedroom, and the work-out room), and I plan on sewing tomorrow... so that might answer my question. I'm breathing a happy sigh just thinking about the joys I will encounter tomorrow while sitting at my sewing table!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHx8XVb-ug_ZdEZom9RT1E8lMQkmvFOzy4lmXNRI8YrMJNR31jgmJZu6jG9m8Z9oujJUQ19oFFkvYmikgMp_nEzuxK32RYFXeFAYcdNJuKbgb2ja3SQaW-Cou9Z_dWyzNnhTZW6h3VgAY/s1600-h/Irish+Chain+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHx8XVb-ug_ZdEZom9RT1E8lMQkmvFOzy4lmXNRI8YrMJNR31jgmJZu6jG9m8Z9oujJUQ19oFFkvYmikgMp_nEzuxK32RYFXeFAYcdNJuKbgb2ja3SQaW-Cou9Z_dWyzNnhTZW6h3VgAY/s400/Irish+Chain+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422367428815037202" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-24101610664076910822010-01-01T12:51:00.000-08:002010-01-01T13:37:08.611-08:00Christmas in HawaiiI'm staring January 1st off with a blog... I'm SO getting back into it! I'm going to try the whole <a href="http://nablopomo.com/">post-every-day-for-a-month</a> thing again. Last time I flunked after the second day.<br /><br />We spent Christmas in Hawaii this year, specifically in Kailua, Oahu. Obama was less than a mile away! (But we didn't see him... there were patrol boats in the canal, and the neighborhood was blocked off with cement dividers!) It was different spending Christmas away from home... not bad... but different. I must say, I like my traditional Christmases with cold weather. So sue me.<br /><br />It was hard to leave our little poopsies... the first time we ever have! Luckily we had a good friend who also has chihuahuas and works for the SPCA... so I felt pretty comfortable... sort-of. I was absolutely certain that my shmoopers were miserable without mama's warm bosom to keep them comfortable.<br /><br />Anywho, here are some of my favorite pics from our trip:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWbEuU9IwqpMypEd5_FoEBBWrBbcGeVcPy8u6VleJbYQg9IuvuDIsoEOx7OQbu_KqIIRIgHwPYmA8OyLrDLZCc9junBx_dP9QkKjMO3GB1dvIbKz5AYxMQqzBgODcrGOZKceDgaU383Y/s1600-h/IMG_1745.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWbEuU9IwqpMypEd5_FoEBBWrBbcGeVcPy8u6VleJbYQg9IuvuDIsoEOx7OQbu_KqIIRIgHwPYmA8OyLrDLZCc9junBx_dP9QkKjMO3GB1dvIbKz5AYxMQqzBgODcrGOZKceDgaU383Y/s400/IMG_1745.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421885168825057170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8c9WZk5w8C3DKAY9MjLfXYZgbJiRxNrEaicNif3ToHIzElR6nndjEQDglhTgfDjHJ4jTdvtWzRhifvWER9BLHEhYIXINgDthQ1BCLm0SzQPjp-B6iJxL3toOnZEb-JtyAZhcOa-oW0U/s1600-h/IMG_1625.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8c9WZk5w8C3DKAY9MjLfXYZgbJiRxNrEaicNif3ToHIzElR6nndjEQDglhTgfDjHJ4jTdvtWzRhifvWER9BLHEhYIXINgDthQ1BCLm0SzQPjp-B6iJxL3toOnZEb-JtyAZhcOa-oW0U/s400/IMG_1625.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421885488675502194" border="0" /></a>The Dole Plantation, and Lucy's excellent photography skills...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXffVP-fXK-IBOJuSohW-6wXpAY8FtvcPzeIASQV8v5kkDyJob3GY4-DH6ffULtNed-cCRmy7e3b4b1RHK21SrQ9Ry3V7OlWrrHHCy1EkIOmnouh7IEvXqx3Hjo_DiJSvSak_UZeEdMvg/s1600-h/IMG_1773.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXffVP-fXK-IBOJuSohW-6wXpAY8FtvcPzeIASQV8v5kkDyJob3GY4-DH6ffULtNed-cCRmy7e3b4b1RHK21SrQ9Ry3V7OlWrrHHCy1EkIOmnouh7IEvXqx3Hjo_DiJSvSak_UZeEdMvg/s400/IMG_1773.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421886096984706786" border="0" /></a>Mother again... hit with a wave of artistic emotions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUm8kvvX2027qANPN6jau1q54zn64r7U4NIR2wUSN3xvePvNdozr8UlUpAcTlOv-K8Ym5iRGulOR3Thi6DzVWmILBcGTVsN9Frj5glJDLJD47Zb_O6oLQySSvuWtFIvL2MisDsCvu_DEQ/s1600-h/IMG_1793.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUm8kvvX2027qANPN6jau1q54zn64r7U4NIR2wUSN3xvePvNdozr8UlUpAcTlOv-K8Ym5iRGulOR3Thi6DzVWmILBcGTVsN9Frj5glJDLJD47Zb_O6oLQySSvuWtFIvL2MisDsCvu_DEQ/s400/IMG_1793.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421887050890823842" border="0" /></a>We made it to the top!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXE8PhUxsLjI6R1d8TwCt2r7lkZqObdBLt8PPGt7URtvb-vKH2tyEkK_Uop6mDqXnFv7Sy1sonIwVBV_kK9-ro4iqC6sgfojA2Ji2nmzg8aYFEixQiiBgLfALt-Lyo8Ba53fr3JniUMKo/s1600-h/IMG_1854.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXE8PhUxsLjI6R1d8TwCt2r7lkZqObdBLt8PPGt7URtvb-vKH2tyEkK_Uop6mDqXnFv7Sy1sonIwVBV_kK9-ro4iqC6sgfojA2Ji2nmzg8aYFEixQiiBgLfALt-Lyo8Ba53fr3JniUMKo/s400/IMG_1854.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421887540632702786" border="0" /></a>The Valley of the Temples... and me and Dave.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPu96CsWYlKln3NKZk_2LKjmoOcZfhiIW__bOAXd0MqBmW212WQRDr1s0N81SuttlyxySzXdE-Sz_yxLtk45QdArqFKTpcTtG37SJrSsvqGFnF8QyQKCHu2KL-6m3aPoB_IHCutl8ZZ0/s1600-h/IMG_1850.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPu96CsWYlKln3NKZk_2LKjmoOcZfhiIW__bOAXd0MqBmW212WQRDr1s0N81SuttlyxySzXdE-Sz_yxLtk45QdArqFKTpcTtG37SJrSsvqGFnF8QyQKCHu2KL-6m3aPoB_IHCutl8ZZ0/s400/IMG_1850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421888197805181202" border="0" /></a><br />And that's all I feel like posting for the time being. Happy New Year everyone! I read you're supposed to say "Twenty Ten" instead of "Two Thousand and Ten." But the article kind-of annoyed me. I've never liked anyone but my parents telling me what to do, so I think I might say "Two Thousand and Ten" just cuz...<br /></div><br /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-22531021681554847252009-11-17T10:50:00.000-08:002009-11-17T11:17:14.682-08:00Oatmeal Cookies are better with chocolate chips than with raisins.Usually when it comes to cookies, it's only chocolate chip cookies for me. But today I am home sick with absolutely no voice, and I got bored and decided I wanted to cook myself some oatmeal. Then, as I stared at the oatmeal cylinder, I though... "Hmm. Oatmeal <span style="font-style: italic;">c</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ookies </span>sound better than a <span style="font-style: italic;">bowl </span>of oatmeal."<br /><br />So I made some of those instead.<br /><br />The following recipe is the best oatmeal cookie recipe ever. Period. That's all there is to it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies</span><br />1 cup butter, softened<br />1 cup packed light brown sugar<br />1/2 cup white sugar<br />2 eggs<br />1 tsp vanilla extract<br /><br />1 1/2 cups flour<br />1 tsp baking soda<br />1 tsp ground cinnamon<br />1/2 tsp ground cloves<br />1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice<br />1/2 tsp salt<br /><br />3 cups rolled oats<br />1 heaping cup chocolate chips<br /><br />Instrucciones:<br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees F<br /><br />In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUET29EYyglr9lYPSPgzZ4vkaUrzZloFjGC8IgPIoj4VRr624iIrOvQ3ckBz1foHkgegqEAB31WuvlVvZCeAjPsbuo2hBrkGDA-IiWT5TMS5P49p22udbtOIFLLMuleRWThKs-SDbxXA/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUET29EYyglr9lYPSPgzZ4vkaUrzZloFjGC8IgPIoj4VRr624iIrOvQ3ckBz1foHkgegqEAB31WuvlVvZCeAjPsbuo2hBrkGDA-IiWT5TMS5P49p22udbtOIFLLMuleRWThKs-SDbxXA/s400/IMG_1435.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405150786083316978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt;<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YmZ531zf3IGvXwQlmucgUExAd79QFp1nxV7sYgV3QNckMJ4yrBPRD8AI00e7j1axaHZDawdS_ryeSMGlwdndh0EUw0SJB-w_QjZUztlpf70r08uQOsfNdGph5zUngRic5aiAue1iDy8/s1600/IMG_1432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YmZ531zf3IGvXwQlmucgUExAd79QFp1nxV7sYgV3QNckMJ4yrBPRD8AI00e7j1axaHZDawdS_ryeSMGlwdndh0EUw0SJB-w_QjZUztlpf70r08uQOsfNdGph5zUngRic5aiAue1iDy8/s400/IMG_1432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405151164496163266" border="0" /></a><br />stir into the sugary, buttery, eggy mixture. Then stir in the oats and chocolate chips.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkrXZANyaBQNQt-Hs_JRXFSZ_ImgXzrgn8k6K92nM8Ny3ZUS5uOY8_unpzsljuDbZpRCloINkG9jPCMdx1N604scStH3ZXTxM8ROhnUe_ucVeqPi4NI271hSYsCgG74N-YjUCe6lCTIo/s1600/IMG_1438.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkrXZANyaBQNQt-Hs_JRXFSZ_ImgXzrgn8k6K92nM8Ny3ZUS5uOY8_unpzsljuDbZpRCloINkG9jPCMdx1N604scStH3ZXTxM8ROhnUe_ucVeqPi4NI271hSYsCgG74N-YjUCe6lCTIo/s400/IMG_1438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405151710521826898" border="0" /></a><br />Drop by whatever-size-you-want spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuunlvFJfA_SfnC5OJx4Mh1Xd8CfoeDNYH2tjsBhnlWs4FoSkE0kiNb1UDJTrOPRBZqte4CinJRBmXpcNrLCPUg5AjQg1smXR0mXQB0iIbBM6La4gZfclcoiBCzamDtzXjEbmaF5XDJcY/s1600/IMG_1439.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuunlvFJfA_SfnC5OJx4Mh1Xd8CfoeDNYH2tjsBhnlWs4FoSkE0kiNb1UDJTrOPRBZqte4CinJRBmXpcNrLCPUg5AjQg1smXR0mXQB0iIbBM6La4gZfclcoiBCzamDtzXjEbmaF5XDJcY/s400/IMG_1439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405152138438623202" border="0" /></a><br />Bake for about 9 minutes... but check them at 8.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8XrgwtRG0doMrYg7ygUn8MyoO943t5DQ7-WoTPzjbEJBWyQ-OvGDsKn7oJZc7wsjAuI6MpjcibO4CmS_i8GVh7z4zpbPMZFr4yvav8F04gLPvJdOALa1SXMo_dZjzNKcOoyJhPr_GgY/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8XrgwtRG0doMrYg7ygUn8MyoO943t5DQ7-WoTPzjbEJBWyQ-OvGDsKn7oJZc7wsjAuI6MpjcibO4CmS_i8GVh7z4zpbPMZFr4yvav8F04gLPvJdOALa1SXMo_dZjzNKcOoyJhPr_GgY/s400/IMG_1442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405152602726124546" border="0" /></a><br />Now, for higher altitudes, I've finally mastered all the baking challenges! First, you'll want to preheat your oven to about 25 degrees higher. Then you'll want to decrease your leavening agent (in this case, the baking soda) by a little scosche (scoshe?).ll like make it more of 3/4 tsp instead of a full tsp. You'll also want to decrease your sugar a bit... so with the white sugar, I only put in about 1/3 instead of 1/2. And that's it! Something about things baking faster at higher altitudes, so the flour rises and falls quicker, but still keeps baking, in turn making a hard, sunken product, blah blah blah. But, either way, delicioso!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdX-DaQgFep37MjYfNTcPHudlHbYlfHpRrmc4fouFGfZUOdJiBjMmiKS8ZJy6rDqYVq7kWWRhOlVOfwBoNXHlOhtBVJSsEGQD0RTG6ZaLg_mqoGpnlyWn6QKzyUfQ2p56sFX2QfOS8qM/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdX-DaQgFep37MjYfNTcPHudlHbYlfHpRrmc4fouFGfZUOdJiBjMmiKS8ZJy6rDqYVq7kWWRhOlVOfwBoNXHlOhtBVJSsEGQD0RTG6ZaLg_mqoGpnlyWn6QKzyUfQ2p56sFX2QfOS8qM/s400/IMG_1444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405153190486450162" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-67672864434706695222009-10-28T12:44:00.001-07:002009-10-28T12:46:42.472-07:00Lacking inspiration...I miss blogging. But, as noted in my title for this blog... I've been without artistic inspiration these past six weeks. I don't blame my parents, whose house we've been occupying for the past six weeks. I blame the lack of space and time to sew and bake/cook. My sewing machine has been in storage since September 19th! Can y'all believe it? I'll be so dead on the inside by the time I have it set up in our new place, I don't know if there will be any coming back from that.<br /><br />With any luck, we'll be moved into the condo this Saturday, and perhaps I'll post pictures of our fabulous newly-painted green walls and fabulous new furniture!Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-43761925927159232622009-09-13T09:30:00.000-07:002009-09-13T09:56:03.102-07:00Going, Going, Back, Back, to Reno, Reno!First, let's acknowledge what an awesome title I picked for this blog.<br /><br /><br />Okay, second, I <span style="font-style: italic;">would </span>post another picture of the Reno arch for this entry, but I posted it two entries ago... dang it. A picture of the state of our spare bedroom (now: the box room) will have to do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7ruELlZy7AtyBJ88DXdPSEUvBYTIyuI9STPwskx3UMBVJPlhB_UwujYh_3ielVIlbwecvsaud5AcMdz02hx1LdlgkvkJ5OU2v9W7w4URin5iLR2gt1UnDXr7mXCrnPeo8XNNb0UjNLM/s1600-h/Danny+on+boxes.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7ruELlZy7AtyBJ88DXdPSEUvBYTIyuI9STPwskx3UMBVJPlhB_UwujYh_3ielVIlbwecvsaud5AcMdz02hx1LdlgkvkJ5OU2v9W7w4URin5iLR2gt1UnDXr7mXCrnPeo8XNNb0UjNLM/s400/Danny+on+boxes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380994027401610738" border="0" /></a><br />Dave got a job, I got a job, so back to Reno we go. We'll be there by the 20th of this month.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And now, to sing us out,... here is REM, detailing how one can be a star in Reno (thanks for the reminder, Matt).<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G-vP94xOgSw&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G-vP94xOgSw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-73706312927567707732009-08-26T19:20:00.000-07:002009-08-26T19:44:55.275-07:00Baby Luke's quiltI finally finished the baby quilt I made for my friend <a href="http://threeheadlights.blogspot.com">Heather</a>'s new baby: Luke. (And boy was he a whopper of a baby, ladies and gents... 8 lbs 15 oz... I guess the days of her making fun of the big baby I was are over!)<br /><br />I must admit, I really outdid myself on this one. I followed a simple pattern provided by the lovely blog, <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/">The Purl Bee</a>. When I completed the quilt top, I thought it looked a little boring, so I appliqued on some turtles from some leftover backing fabric I had. When I added the embroidery, I felt better about myself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is my husband, behind the quilt. Isn't he looking great today?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebQFYv_IJA5Qlzb2R2Rm2bigVEiapG74-UQgVrFPUEmr-ODKR134ssHfffmwpHyrwmfN4oyh6S6lp-f1KfVZz4xgqgv2vLogA4MXkFT7d4Vo9lS_ySwJJPm6pCqMnHyUIgTqmG-BkE54/s1600-h/IMG_0986.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebQFYv_IJA5Qlzb2R2Rm2bigVEiapG74-UQgVrFPUEmr-ODKR134ssHfffmwpHyrwmfN4oyh6S6lp-f1KfVZz4xgqgv2vLogA4MXkFT7d4Vo9lS_ySwJJPm6pCqMnHyUIgTqmG-BkE54/s400/IMG_0986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374463721479127906" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a close-up of the embroidery.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP42Wys0zLgXufxSJpsu8UPl1io3Kf5ZT_LjSguiB8zvU2M-Ql3vZaj7Bojc3FOekGMmpLLhkx4SMhk77aiPETAKQ8YFcA_4d-Njtv-bLzEEhYs0Mm2-DU-RzySQjkNsDZBuE-Uj-jZ2Y/s1600-h/IMG_0988.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP42Wys0zLgXufxSJpsu8UPl1io3Kf5ZT_LjSguiB8zvU2M-Ql3vZaj7Bojc3FOekGMmpLLhkx4SMhk77aiPETAKQ8YFcA_4d-Njtv-bLzEEhYs0Mm2-DU-RzySQjkNsDZBuE-Uj-jZ2Y/s400/IMG_0988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374464242644918002" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a super-duper close-up of another appliqued turtle.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9CKcXB3SZQESWF92Ji4QUp2hKTf663VCPaNRlfBPBIRImqKEZN7oH_WEcqOG0BTZI3Jesya1HoqAxfad3y4CMqMBUkVVeNTlaPL3MO9Mq0fLB44HxuLwCwoEzXgDyZRC_ew15nAm6cs/s1600-h/IMG_0990.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9CKcXB3SZQESWF92Ji4QUp2hKTf663VCPaNRlfBPBIRImqKEZN7oH_WEcqOG0BTZI3Jesya1HoqAxfad3y4CMqMBUkVVeNTlaPL3MO9Mq0fLB44HxuLwCwoEzXgDyZRC_ew15nAm6cs/s400/IMG_0990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374464711498211874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Aaaaand, here's a picture of the backing fabric folded over on top of the quilt. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB6T6XeB7OhdOikLhzvsyftS6gpuzbqOAy5w3swKMGiDoV6qimRjjYjoXqNRgVznaGYrOXs1-XpCiaF_9U4gHC8We8qgHm2ssucdUj9fyQRjLoc7A80dnEJSajIdNgehxtFgLranYMjk/s1600-h/IMG_0993.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB6T6XeB7OhdOikLhzvsyftS6gpuzbqOAy5w3swKMGiDoV6qimRjjYjoXqNRgVznaGYrOXs1-XpCiaF_9U4gHC8We8qgHm2ssucdUj9fyQRjLoc7A80dnEJSajIdNgehxtFgLranYMjk/s400/IMG_0993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374465042465157298" border="0" /></a></div><br />I made something for Max too, but I forgot to take a picture of it. He took a real liking to Dave when we visited. This is a picture I snapped right after he begged and pleaded with Dave to pick him up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbCUa4qmphO5C6rSOqB9oNIHdsucK7ntH4fD3QlbIzbhEggsLU8qPxpp-KIwCrXzxNWRcvClN9v9aUi416ixUF1MFdEP5CRsStuH_K6IlytVPYOSkV4yWe1q4z7ldv2vvxFz5LGvoQyE/s1600-h/IMG_0996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbCUa4qmphO5C6rSOqB9oNIHdsucK7ntH4fD3QlbIzbhEggsLU8qPxpp-KIwCrXzxNWRcvClN9v9aUi416ixUF1MFdEP5CRsStuH_K6IlytVPYOSkV4yWe1q4z7ldv2vvxFz5LGvoQyE/s400/IMG_0996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374468776271472930" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-8638266399309881112009-08-13T18:55:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:15:51.585-07:00VacationI'm going to Reno this weekend! Woot woot!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnKRFUbNW88N5RWWItB678xRY1mXGEKQk6ooGdKL4S_ZB78SaXLZM-NaTpcIox7bMxvtgpIfJkXw1sXUdFSneUhplwf_BP8FQn8aS-Dy4P5LUNFh0v6wEFk8U3d_8EpNJUij0EVqo-h0/s1600-h/reno-nv.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnKRFUbNW88N5RWWItB678xRY1mXGEKQk6ooGdKL4S_ZB78SaXLZM-NaTpcIox7bMxvtgpIfJkXw1sXUdFSneUhplwf_BP8FQn8aS-Dy4P5LUNFh0v6wEFk8U3d_8EpNJUij0EVqo-h0/s400/reno-nv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369633183298575154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNvamzHzWUFNeLmxPr3pc5m118sqJJdGX65YKvqkTTndQYuRZy7Cy5opZMSSOxiwSViN4yUI2jd_7N_YtW_9vrAvV0Ol0U0OTpVuM15q1duQgVGr7gdocUayyD7w8-NfP_LdX0CcuZ14/s1600-h/reno.jpg"><br /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-84929812705976019612009-07-28T07:31:00.000-07:002009-07-28T07:34:03.942-07:00Finished Journey Quilt topHere it is with the additional border. You can't really see the turquoise squares in the corner b/c it's just so dern big. At first I wasn't sure about the red, but by the time I had put all four borders on, I loved it! Pearl really liked it too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPs8ARwTQnTFtsToVqJ2GlWJ2TpMc1tUz_BRFA6U8is6p-rMNdZ-tewZa5Ong2_7yBaoI0HemRse063IXHr6e1kKhYzSRmSfucV_qyLNPZLY9FA5Exm9gVskvPn29RzNeynLej6euJYA/s1600-h/IMG_0931.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPs8ARwTQnTFtsToVqJ2GlWJ2TpMc1tUz_BRFA6U8is6p-rMNdZ-tewZa5Ong2_7yBaoI0HemRse063IXHr6e1kKhYzSRmSfucV_qyLNPZLY9FA5Exm9gVskvPn29RzNeynLej6euJYA/s400/IMG_0931.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363519054052620274" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533576431487890162.post-55480476958970294612009-07-25T14:28:00.000-07:002009-07-25T14:46:23.130-07:00Journey Quilt and Danny's ShenanigansI haven't posted anything regarding sewing/quilting in a long time, and I know you've all been waiting with baited breath.<br /><br />I just (nearly) finished my Journey quilt top. I wanted to get it done before the hus and I drove to Reno in mid-August because once there, I'd like to take this quilt to my favorite quilters who live in Carson City... though they always seem to charge me double what they charge my mother. (This time my mother and I have cooked up a brilliant scheme. We're going to go TOGETHER to drop off our quilts... then we'll see! Then we'll see...)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some pics of this fabulous quilt:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM87_n2QnKNO2UWta5XoJQLw7YhL3tvPXp7LK70m4GuNlX3vmCo_PkyU1w8DpXiLvrHtwSsxsIgtygpLrH8Hl_ZXhQ4WjEJZ4C8h9RyxkU7I2NUNYBklf2yP6qbETA9g2P1P_xaUZCj0/s1600-h/IMG_0913.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM87_n2QnKNO2UWta5XoJQLw7YhL3tvPXp7LK70m4GuNlX3vmCo_PkyU1w8DpXiLvrHtwSsxsIgtygpLrH8Hl_ZXhQ4WjEJZ4C8h9RyxkU7I2NUNYBklf2yP6qbETA9g2P1P_xaUZCj0/s400/IMG_0913.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362513755059326946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's a close-up of the cute corners:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mFtWHPr9Lb2YM6dyKBEwZM6Lv2NODiRBSlyBX_wWCJ8H7Yh_GeIzhob-7o0FmxbMZE-Ppjirv1zDyQ38XPmaQX__o724OzVSvwcL3bWkbMFwCAuxoq6jBxwpZ-VKoUG21pCUldbHtTw/s1600-h/IMG_0915.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mFtWHPr9Lb2YM6dyKBEwZM6Lv2NODiRBSlyBX_wWCJ8H7Yh_GeIzhob-7o0FmxbMZE-Ppjirv1zDyQ38XPmaQX__o724OzVSvwcL3bWkbMFwCAuxoq6jBxwpZ-VKoUG21pCUldbHtTw/s400/IMG_0915.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362513939639887186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here are some close-ups of some of my favorite blocks:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn271MY1uOmMlBO0nIVCmhjwjqNwOMf1l2G1X7tgofHUeioHCGV_HC3YGrjQYpxzLem_xEVUBwtOnsUYiGHRzJPv7gQXcfxxJFumBmMZjWihr2FT0EdRa5sx9AibwTMduSlad9cEt6_kw/s1600-h/IMG_0916.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn271MY1uOmMlBO0nIVCmhjwjqNwOMf1l2G1X7tgofHUeioHCGV_HC3YGrjQYpxzLem_xEVUBwtOnsUYiGHRzJPv7gQXcfxxJFumBmMZjWihr2FT0EdRa5sx9AibwTMduSlad9cEt6_kw/s400/IMG_0916.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362514118248466786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y60mrhbv0R5_AC9wt7r5gTcSOEbLTU_-TUSnT6xquL0BKFDGuzxlH044EUdLwI_BnBRi0ra2UUzJRG-qVT7zonSGMbsoCTf-qhi4wKw3ehhMRm7Q3i87dbov6tlVGphOtDZtJqw9LEc/s1600-h/IMG_0917.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y60mrhbv0R5_AC9wt7r5gTcSOEbLTU_-TUSnT6xquL0BKFDGuzxlH044EUdLwI_BnBRi0ra2UUzJRG-qVT7zonSGMbsoCTf-qhi4wKw3ehhMRm7Q3i87dbov6tlVGphOtDZtJqw9LEc/s400/IMG_0917.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362514302021770226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5jC_TrktZZ_3_QsAQk-wXMUavRvsgeizI32qwSTK9zLRxCUpVAMsc9dE4D1L_JQZot4romqLrpINW6Cw3m2a4RWDaaL_uWqd2HMLvBcL4ZtAOqYBIUdIVZmgMARzEskEp84BET18JxA/s1600-h/IMG_0918.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5jC_TrktZZ_3_QsAQk-wXMUavRvsgeizI32qwSTK9zLRxCUpVAMsc9dE4D1L_JQZot4romqLrpINW6Cw3m2a4RWDaaL_uWqd2HMLvBcL4ZtAOqYBIUdIVZmgMARzEskEp84BET18JxA/s400/IMG_0918.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362514476402198258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3JTpKwrv0BY8FUqI9vyS2IFgIN8UePPjMyJiTfzzxQnoEytoGTcfHU33Y8lUauHzdhlnW9qXkoa31ZTCnxu5Zh24xxoLMGvuPIkQ4CYxkdL0c1K9Kr7z4q5HM1e2gUhhiUUkKIX0AeM/s1600-h/IMG_0919.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3JTpKwrv0BY8FUqI9vyS2IFgIN8UePPjMyJiTfzzxQnoEytoGTcfHU33Y8lUauHzdhlnW9qXkoa31ZTCnxu5Zh24xxoLMGvuPIkQ4CYxkdL0c1K9Kr7z4q5HM1e2gUhhiUUkKIX0AeM/s400/IMG_0919.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362514665177792978" border="0" /></a></div>The reason I said I (nearly) finished it is because at this size it is just a wee too small for our bed. I'm going to make an extra border out of these fabrics, so stay tuned for more pictures:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV_791iflXlAgLKd_kcT8xqkdcR82zrCkMyku6Qn3FOOKbPkrlF9xhfYP7h41IDLvwdt1K-vQotPVClQHeb5uob4cMyHacoce18S2M-9pND6eVfKT24TlO05lyqS5wXFNtzBJucffX7I/s1600-h/IMG_0929.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV_791iflXlAgLKd_kcT8xqkdcR82zrCkMyku6Qn3FOOKbPkrlF9xhfYP7h41IDLvwdt1K-vQotPVClQHeb5uob4cMyHacoce18S2M-9pND6eVfKT24TlO05lyqS5wXFNtzBJucffX7I/s400/IMG_0929.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362514989279541106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">While I was having this quilt photo shoot, Danny had some 'splainin' to do! He somehow gets himself stuck under the dresser. This is the second time it's happened... at least while we've been home to hear him growling for help. I'm making it a habit to snap some pictures before giving him any sort of assistance.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Idrd6H-aqAOLIeBLTYVYIXOBtsE7rGMJ4ZC_SclHoAvlGqrysXjiWXZKdoBCcvsBDWCbdWS_Zcm4GehJKqVDiVc90nD46DB3wtkBGreKGjwrBDSoVW6HkN737eqdg7a0VrjwieVx5Ss/s1600-h/IMG_0923.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Idrd6H-aqAOLIeBLTYVYIXOBtsE7rGMJ4ZC_SclHoAvlGqrysXjiWXZKdoBCcvsBDWCbdWS_Zcm4GehJKqVDiVc90nD46DB3wtkBGreKGjwrBDSoVW6HkN737eqdg7a0VrjwieVx5Ss/s400/IMG_0923.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362515781009900274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">He tried to squeeze out by himself:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK8N9iu6vdt-LjDt2viwnqR4g65l3UTiSEQe19KAk5DKBLI8ljrYgFeArWNXKIfAvTadPpXLGQZRCxbOe9FLp-FvSi35rMETkr8-kROCObtxVIPimGrlerRE0lzmxePB5dFCpBd__Sv4/s1600-h/IMG_0927.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK8N9iu6vdt-LjDt2viwnqR4g65l3UTiSEQe19KAk5DKBLI8ljrYgFeArWNXKIfAvTadPpXLGQZRCxbOe9FLp-FvSi35rMETkr8-kROCObtxVIPimGrlerRE0lzmxePB5dFCpBd__Sv4/s400/IMG_0927.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362515994558495922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then he got frustrated and just stared at me:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sbLqnUxIvRcOLD-h_omrAKFkx0S9WCj0GSbkF1W0u74WBJUeb-_wvT-mxinb5uYBHCLiqUerqAClJSnpcg9lllEJV_6DbRqpFQoE_0IWVMwSPm3Ykox6lWsSNtTGsw2X9wAXiFczkRs/s1600-h/IMG_0928.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sbLqnUxIvRcOLD-h_omrAKFkx0S9WCj0GSbkF1W0u74WBJUeb-_wvT-mxinb5uYBHCLiqUerqAClJSnpcg9lllEJV_6DbRqpFQoE_0IWVMwSPm3Ykox6lWsSNtTGsw2X9wAXiFczkRs/s400/IMG_0928.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362516216790722370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Isn't he adorable? Today I let him lick my ice cream cone a few times... it's not so gross after all. As Michael Jackson said on a constantly re-aired documentary special from 2003 with Britain's Martin Bashir regarding adults sharing their bed with friends' children: "That's love... that's love."<br /></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044000624691194826noreply@blogger.com4