tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027523634008952182024-03-14T03:34:53.715-04:00House of HerDenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-1998674269260749992011-09-07T10:16:00.000-04:002011-09-07T10:16:00.293-04:00[HOH Recipe Box]: Hurricane Gumbo<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >As some of you may know, we here in the Nutmeg State have just recovered from a bit of a hurricane.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3oqz1NzHyWI/Tl7sysEZZeI/AAAAAAAAARA/7aTKBFNwtwA/s400/tumblr_lqm5dw49AD1r23okoo1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647211338336396770" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">[via <a href="http://www.theday.com/">The Day</a>]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">My typical reaction to impending inclement weather is to COOK. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Snow Storm? Beef Bourgignone. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Thunder and Lightning? Chili. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Ice Storm? Roast Chicken. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >So, what to do when the hurricane's a'comin? Make Gumbo. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">A few things to note about gumbo [and this particular recipe]:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Real gumbo has okra. I couldn't find any, so it's not represented here. Sorry.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Roux: The roux is the heart and soul of any gumbo - don't skimp on this step [step 2 below], be patient and wait for it to be a really rich chocolate color. My dad always said that the time it takes for you to cook the roux is the same as to drink two beers; I find this is a good rule of thumb [plan on stirring for at least 30 minutes!]</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Sausage: Gumbo typically utilizes andouille. I'm an equal opportunity sausage lover, so whatever your preference is [or, whatever you can find in your local grocery stores] will work well in this dish</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Added Bonus: Since I have no electricity [and haven't since Sunday morning] I feel I should note that this dish keeps well - even in a cooler! - and almost seems to get better the longer you wait to eat the second round!</span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvZfbaVnSdQ/Tl7qzoWY1FI/AAAAAAAAAQo/Jhsmz_uvgw8/s400/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647209155494728786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Ingredients:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">4 chicken thighs</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1/2 lb. andouille/chorizo/kielbasa (whatever you like)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">3 green peppers</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1 small onion</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">3-4 cloves garlic</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">3 ribs celery</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1/2 c. flour</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1/3 c. vegetable oil + 2 tbsp.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">4 cups chicken stock</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Tabasco</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Salt, Pepper</span></li></ul></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">To Do:</span><br /></span><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Season your chicken thighs - salt, pepper, [garlic powder if you're so inclined], and brown them in 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil in your dutch oven/stock pot over medium heat. When browned on both sides [but not fully cooked], remove and set aside.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Wipe out the pot [seriously, don't use the chicken fat, as tempting as it might be], and add in the 1/3 cup vegetable oil over medium low heat. Add in the flour and begin to stir. And stir. And stir. And stir.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >While you stir your roux on a pretty continuous basis, you can chop your veggies: peppers, onions, and celery [otherwise known as the TRINITY] should be about 1/4 inch chop. Garlic can be as fine or large as you like.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Once the roux is nice and dark, add in your chopped vegetables and stir. While these are cooking down, chop up your sausage of choice [bite-sized pieces are best], and pull apart the semi-cooked chicken thighs.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Once the vegetables are soft, add the meat back in, a squirt [or seven] of hot sauce, and give a bit of a stir. Let things get cozy for a few minutes. Many gumbo recipes call for the addition of raw chicken, so don't fret about salmonella - the chicken will cook out completely in the stew.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Add the can of tomatoes, stir.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Add the chicken stock. Cover, simmer, and in an hour or two you can reap the rewards of this fine dish you've just made. Serve over white rice, with an extra side of hot sauce.</span></li></ol><ol><ul></ul><li><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGZVXcS0HoM/Tl7r4nKulII/AAAAAAAAAQ4/U96Mi1y4Tcs/s400/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647210340588360834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></li><ul><div><ul><div><br /></div></ul></div></ul></ol></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-41807633515057586542011-09-06T10:49:00.000-04:002011-09-06T10:49:55.181-04:00Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're back!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4lED9DyB1o/Tl1Dxq9w5oI/AAAAAAAAAQg/u8t0Arg6gFg/s1600/we%2527re%2Bopen.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646744028418467458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4lED9DyB1o/Tl1Dxq9w5oI/AAAAAAAAAQg/u8t0Arg6gFg/s400/we%2527re%2Bopen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 284px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Okay, so we took the summer off. Can you blame us?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">We are officially back in action here at [House of Her], stay tuned for more of our regularly scheduled goodness :)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-6705747081561950022011-06-08T13:32:00.000-04:002011-06-08T13:32:03.454-04:00Is your Thumb Black [like mine]?My thumb is black. So, if you're like me and that short, slightly fatter finger on each of your hands is not-so-very-green, then you should heed this advice. Carefully.<br />
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It's sure great to learn new things and don't worry earth, my attempt at getting you to cooperate is NOT over. But, I've decided [with a little persuasion from the wise mother] that this year, my flowers will flourish and they'll glow and be bright with life [not death like they have in been in previous years].<br />
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Do you know what this takes? LITTLE [to no] INTERFERENCE. <br />
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Here's what I decided to do. I canned the window boxes [although this breaks my heart just a little] and I bought two gorgeous, full hangers for the front steps.<br />
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Exhibit A.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inl1JnuIf-w/Te6692YHBuI/AAAAAAAAAdE/LmYly473R8I/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inl1JnuIf-w/Te6692YHBuI/AAAAAAAAAdE/LmYly473R8I/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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For the back porch, I did all my regular herbs [they seem to like me just a little bit], but, for lack of space, until a larger house, with a larger yard happens upon my travels, I had to, sadly, can the veggies as well. But, I purchased some more pretty pretty flowers.<br />
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Exhibit B and C.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QkYMaVWKb4/Te67d1w9u9I/AAAAAAAAAdI/JCzk7qnrbRI/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QkYMaVWKb4/Te67d1w9u9I/AAAAAAAAAdI/JCzk7qnrbRI/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilVvTdYvXMY/Te663eAggVI/AAAAAAAAAdA/SY7OzTCcL_0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilVvTdYvXMY/Te663eAggVI/AAAAAAAAAdA/SY7OzTCcL_0/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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I've made a decision. when I'm at the store, driving past a garden center or nursery, etc., I'm going to pick up more plants. A few here. A few there. and soon, my back porch will be a garden haven. That's the goal anyways. And then I'll be back with more [photos]. <br />
<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;"></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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-85279790992189101942011-06-02T13:37:00.000-04:002011-06-02T13:37:44.938-04:00Taxidermy. And Faux Taxidermy. AS ART.I have a bit of an fascination with taxidermy. You know, 'the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display' [says Wikipedia]. It's not technically the 'act' of the 'mounting' that I'm interested in, though. I'm more interested in the finished product. Or, really, the idea of seeing a dead animal hanging on the wall. And by 'dead', what I really mean is preserved and beautiful. That was a little long-winded [my apologies]. I think it's very interesting, as a form of art, when used in the correct room or setting.<br />
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I mean, how perfect do these deer look? The animal printed textiles make it. And the cricket print? These people are really obsessed, huh?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opzJi_z6qIg/TebOiUy9_JI/AAAAAAAAAck/hAer1mzIB28/s1600/deer+heads.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opzJi_z6qIg/TebOiUy9_JI/AAAAAAAAAck/hAer1mzIB28/s320/deer+heads.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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How about this bird sanctuary. Can you really look at this and say, in completely honesty, that you don't want an owl displayed in your house/apartment/condo?<br />
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So what if you have quite found the right spot in your home? Or, maybe you don't have the right space for a taxidermic display.<br />
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Well. We've got options for you. <br />
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There's quite a selection over at <a href="http://www.casasugar.com/Williams-Sonoma-Home-Faux-Taxidermy-Ceramic-Animal-Heads-Sale-13081932">Williams-Sonoma</a>...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HLwUm8K4SvM/TebQbBs3PZI/AAAAAAAAAcs/RFWHvg6vtjU/s1600/williams+sonoma+heads.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HLwUm8K4SvM/TebQbBs3PZI/AAAAAAAAAcs/RFWHvg6vtjU/s320/williams+sonoma+heads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Urban Outfitters has a couple of options. <br />
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For a measly $98 [or so measly when compared to the real stuff], the <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19448737&color=010&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS">Deer Trophy Wall Sculpture</a> is perfect.<br />
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And, for a slightly lower price and drastically different look, check out the <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=16511909&color=001&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS">Giant Cardboard Taxidermy</a>, for $52. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwNJtvkPa5k/TebVLtLSV0I/AAAAAAAAAc4/CfmUNJgwarA/s1600/cardboard+deer+urban.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwNJtvkPa5k/TebVLtLSV0I/AAAAAAAAAc4/CfmUNJgwarA/s320/cardboard+deer+urban.png" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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And never, ever forget Etsy! Check out this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75206607/orange-moosefaux-taxidermyantlersmoose?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=faux+taxidermy&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">AWESOME orange Moosehead</a> for $125. <br />
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So, there you have it. Faux Taxidermy, at it's finest. I still swear, when I find the right space, I'll have a deer hanging on my wall. Beware. Until then, I'll stick to the fake stuff.Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-13689885440279260132011-06-01T10:34:00.000-04:002011-06-01T10:34:00.300-04:00[HOH Recipe Box]: Garbage Salad<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do not be alarmed, fair readers - the name of this dish should not deter you from reading further.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Garbage Salad is, in my life anyway, the stuff of legends. My mother has been making it for as many summers as I can remember, and I look forward to the first garbage salad of the season - without fail - each May. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's not for everyone (my esteemed pal Dena is no fan), but for those of you who think it might be up your alley, you simply must give it a whirl.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 lb. regular pasta (NOT whole wheat, has to be plain, and some sort of short macaroni style - whatever you fancy).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 package frozen green peas</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 pt. cherry/grape tomatoes</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6-8 hard boiled eggs</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 cans chunk light tuna in water</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 c. mayo (or so, depends on how moist you like your pasta salad)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Salt and Pepper</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To Do:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. Set water to boil, do the pasta thing as per usual. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. When the pasta is pretty much cooked, dump the bag of peas into the pasta water (with pasta still in it) to quickly thaw/cook them. Strain pasta/peas and run some cold water over to bring the temp down and avoid overcooking</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. Hard boil eggs (I like the 10 minute method - cover eggs with cold water, set on high heat to boil and once they start boiling shut the heat off and let them sit for 10 minutes - never fails)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. Halve your tomatoes (makes for easier forking)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. Drain tuna, separate with fork into mixing bowl</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. Combine everything, starting with a little over 1/2 c of mayo and adding gradually to desired creaminess.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7. Salt and Pepper to taste.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sure, the ingredients are totally pedestrian. Sure, it may be close to some other tuna macaroni salad you've had before. Sure, the combination of eggs and tuna weirds some people out. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">None of this matters. Garbage salad is summer cookout perfection on a plate. Serve it up for your next bbq and I guarantee you'll have many, many fans. </span></span></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-85234692030983686832011-05-27T10:34:00.000-04:002011-05-27T10:34:00.814-04:00[Glorious Friday]: Memorial Day Weekend<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of Summer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yay! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Summer!</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Beach! Barbecues! Sunburns! Driving with the windows down! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm planning to celebrate this momentous occasion with a little barbecue for some friends on Sunday, but mostly by </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">finally</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> planting my vegetable garden. [From what I understand, Memorial Day is pretty much the last weekend that you can plant and still see some results! Talk about making a DEADLINE!]</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-coJoEzXP_jE/Td-ca_W0XvI/AAAAAAAAAQU/aIiDiFlXsz8/s400/IMG_0180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611375648224599794" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tim and our favorite horticulturalist friend Robert, planting our very first veggie garden last Summer</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last year was our first season with a real, official vegetable garden, so we've learned from our mistakes and are looking forward to oh-so-many tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and eggplant... </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How are you celebrating this Memorial Day?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-75192305994588317102011-05-26T13:40:00.001-04:002011-05-27T08:21:04.341-04:00Jewelry making<div></div><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>So I've been spending some time creating jewelry lately. Namely earrings. And I must tell you, It's been very therapeutic. I've been saying for, [let's just say] a while, that I'll open a store on Etsy and I haven't quite gotten there, BUT, my inventory is growing, so perhaps in the near future? <br />
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Anywho. On to the real stuff [enough of my chitter-chatter]. What do I make and how do I make it? I hammer metal. My mother took a class a few years back and she taught me and now, it's my preferred method of jewelry creation [it does let out a bit of aggression as well].<br />
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So, I start with wire. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Y0iVtN1lI/Td1GPxR8tCI/AAAAAAAAAb4/BVQayWkuOgc/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Y0iVtN1lI/Td1GPxR8tCI/AAAAAAAAAb4/BVQayWkuOgc/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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And I cut the wire [and shape it]. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agM0XVjJYBg/Td52Mw-k9tI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/86twOd8kHeg/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agM0XVjJYBg/Td52Mw-k9tI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/86twOd8kHeg/s320/IMG_0962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Oh, and these are my tools. My wire cutters. My hammer. And my wire shaper. <br />
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<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;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8tWEAkRQaw/Td1Gc44WRFI/AAAAAAAAAcI/dPRK-xGZCyI/s1600/IMG_0967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8tWEAkRQaw/Td1Gc44WRFI/AAAAAAAAAcI/dPRK-xGZCyI/s320/IMG_0967.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So after shaping the wire, I hammer it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUePaBmnsf8/Td53Fq3yT_I/AAAAAAAAAcY/0txGz_FPE_U/s1600/IMG_0966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUePaBmnsf8/Td53Fq3yT_I/AAAAAAAAAcY/0txGz_FPE_U/s320/IMG_0966.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZCTwh3sYR0/Td53ChLcVEI/AAAAAAAAAcU/xPCouYxPPnM/s1600/hammered+earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZCTwh3sYR0/Td53ChLcVEI/AAAAAAAAAcU/xPCouYxPPnM/s320/hammered+earrings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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So that it looks like so.<br />
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And then I play with different beads and different ear wires. And make a variety of different styles.<br />
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See here. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SV2T6kU109c/Td1GLkImC2I/AAAAAAAAAbw/nVkn8KaZbFI/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SV2T6kU109c/Td1GLkImC2I/AAAAAAAAAbw/nVkn8KaZbFI/s320/IMG_0801.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And here. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0Fe0n_aSFE/Td5__joagsI/AAAAAAAAAcc/-111KTR5wZg/s1600/plain+hammered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0Fe0n_aSFE/Td5__joagsI/AAAAAAAAAcc/-111KTR5wZg/s320/plain+hammered.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp0FQW5Dmqk/Td6AEpTVzsI/AAAAAAAAAcg/rLh4SbsJMgA/s1600/white+hammered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp0FQW5Dmqk/Td6AEpTVzsI/AAAAAAAAAcg/rLh4SbsJMgA/s320/white+hammered.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>My earrings are for sale at Pinc! in Downtown New London. Visit awesome store owner Kim Pettey!!!<br />
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</div></div>Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-57179961109829730962011-05-24T09:53:00.001-04:002011-05-24T09:53:00.878-04:00Weekend Getaway: Provincetown, Cape Cod<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 170px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRGrSkL_pYE/TdnLyS_3yfI/AAAAAAAAAP8/0BYlN_cgcWQ/s400/G50-463267.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609738875820296690" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P-Town, as it's so affectionately known, holds a special place in my heart [honeymoon location]. That subjectivity aside, it's a perfect weekend getaway destination. A relatively easy 3 hour drive from New London, it's close enough to be accessible on a whim, and far enough away that you're still 'on vacation'. If you're lucky enough to find yourself headed that way, here are a few of my personal (tried + true) favorites:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Eating</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6UGgPiTHPf8/TdnFX63DJhI/AAAAAAAAAPE/yNYtlrd2NFE/s400/spiritus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609731825594476050" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.spirituspizza.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Spiritus Pizza</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Inexpensive (as it goes in any seaside destination township), and quite tasty to boot. Very </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">vibrant</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> late-night crowd.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCZAdUi3GeM/TdnFXctIcyI/AAAAAAAAAO8/x4hKdlEl5nM/s400/squealing%2Bpig%2B1%2Bl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609731817499816738" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.squealingpigptown.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Squealing Pig</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Excellent, excellent, excellent food. Simple yet creative and accompanied by an impressive beer selection. Bartenders that can shuck oysters are a definite plus.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 167px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuVOmH39LaI/TdnFXEFZZII/AAAAAAAAAO0/LW5hbq_V-Ds/s400/thumb300_pb_ptown.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609731810890704002" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/provincetown-portuguese-bakery-provincetown"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Portuguese Bakery</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Perfect stop for a divine breakfast sandwich or any one of their perfect, authentic Portuguese pastries.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUMtbg4S-9c/TdnFXC2d24I/AAAAAAAAAOs/_Yi-BqZY8Jo/s400/patio-provincetown-ma-540x496.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609731810559646594" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.ptownpatio.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Patio</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Epic happy hour - $1 oysters and clams. We order ours by the dozen!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Shopping</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MN5K3hoAaU/TdnHFrAzErI/AAAAAAAAAPM/sS8nUK9yxRo/s400/2651750730_6fc65e2247.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609733711126008498" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.eatmyapple.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Forbidden Fruit</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Perhaps a little heavy on the 'enchanted fairy' factor at first blush, but this shop is home to some of the most unique home accessories I've ever seen. Totally affordable, and the owners are just </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to die for </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">if you know what I mean.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iABtiAMBsf4/TdnHF7PLzxI/AAAAAAAAAPU/j2OTfBDNWGM/s400/P11506043.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609733715481317138" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/yates-and-kennedy-provincetown"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yates Kennedy</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">More unique finds for the home with a gothic-meets-nautical aesthetic. A bit pricey, but worth every penny!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pYUWuo3Zok/TdnHGc-UhRI/AAAAAAAAAPk/PxuDgYbyrF8/s400/the%2Bshell%2Bshop%2B2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609733724537390354" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.theshellshop.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sh</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.theshellshop.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ell Shop</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Your typical selection of conch shells and shark teeth, but also some really unique ocean artifacts if you're into that sort of thing.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o18O-d0-Rp4/TdnHGKbRWuI/AAAAAAAAAPc/VVvyBkbPcvU/s400/MarcbyMarcJacobs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609733719558544098" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/marc-by-marc-jacobs-provincetown"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Marc by Marc Jacobs</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No words necessary.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Drinking</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAoyhYyq78k/TdnIlZMnvsI/AAAAAAAAAPs/ERfocP9vtRU/s400/provincetown_a_house.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609735355611201218" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.ahouse.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A-House Bar</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The darkest bar I've ever had the privilege of drinking in. This has it's benefits, especially as the hours pass.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GLWpLzy6pA/TdnIlYMY6ZI/AAAAAAAAAP0/9b9nPOCWees/s400/waydowntown.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609735355341793682" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.waydowntownpt.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Way Downtown</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Impressive beer selection and talented bartenders makes for a fun afternoon of trying some new things. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2aBM5MHnRI/TdnLycgKy2I/AAAAAAAAAQE/QOnvDxOCbK0/s400/squealing%2Bpig%2B1%2Bl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609738878371679074" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Uh, Squealing Pig (again)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Great atmosphere makes it easy to stay looooooong after you've finished your meal - </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">maybe even long enough to eat the next one there too.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Provincetown is full of fun things to do - a diverse offering of art, lots of cute shops (some budget friendly, some <i>notsomuch</i>), tons of fantastic dining options, nice stretches of beach, and all sorts of other nooks and crannies that are fun to get lost in for an hour or so. Whether you plan a day trip or a week-long getaway you can't go wrong; a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">s the saying goes - If you're lucky enough to be in P-Town, you're lucky enough.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-73112868394352938062011-05-23T11:21:00.000-04:002011-05-23T11:21:00.236-04:00[HOH Recipe Box]: Shishhhhhhh Kebabs<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I won't try to tell you that<i> skewering meat</i> is a new concept. HOWEVER - when you're stuck in that proverbial culinary rut [as I find myself in from time to time], it's an easy way to incorporate a little *inexpensive* variety into your weekly menu. </span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 small boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 in. cubes</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 lb chuck shoulder steak/london broil, cut into 1 in. cubes</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">marinade - any combination of soy sauce, barbecue sauce, sweet chili sauce, fresh herbs, etc.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">assorted vegetables - check what produce is on sale that week or what you happen to have hanging out in your fridge. i used 1/2 a vidalia onion, 1 small green bell pepper, 1/2 pt. grape tomatoes, 1/2 medium eggplant, and 6-8 medium sized crimini mushrooms</span></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To Do:</span></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Marinate meats separately in whatever sort of marinade you're into. I did a combination of sweet chili, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and a touch of mirin for the chicken thighs, and a bottled balsamic vinaigrette (*gasp!) for the steak. Whatever you choose, just make sure it packs a ton of flavor, you can't really over do it. </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Large dice vegetables - about 1 in. square pieces.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To assemble skewers, I recommend keeping your proteins and vegetables separate from each other. So, do separate all chicken skewers, steak skewers, and mixed vegetable skewers instead of mixing it all together. Each of these have different cooking times and there's just no point in denying that. </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Don't forget to season the skewers - a little salt and pepper before they go on the grill.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Grill on medium heat [275-300], turning periodically. Steak should take about 8-10 minutes, chicken and vegetable skewers will have similar times, about 15 minutes. </span></span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H7weq-3PGyY/TdnPtgqGdlI/AAAAAAAAAQM/AJNl2aSQ7wU/s400/IMG_0692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609743191634245202" /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That's it! A little bit of prep and forethought required, but overall this is a delicious, simple, inexpensive [less than $5/person] way to mix up your weekly dinner routine. Pair with simple green salad and you're good to go.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-26570763250242937602011-05-20T10:03:00.007-04:002011-05-20T10:27:31.322-04:00Glorious Friday: Weekend Warrior<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;">As I sit contemplating my weekend I realize I have absolutely nothing planned. Nothing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How often does that happen? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What to do?</span></b></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I need to find some fabric to inspire my guest-bedroom makeover so perhaps I'll go fabric hunting?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Maybe I'll clean up the basement?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Organize my office and go through the stacks and stacks of paper that needs to be filed?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Perhaps I'll get a pedicure? Or have Dena teach me how to do it myself, she's good like that.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Maybe I'll </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">finally</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> clean out the closets and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">finally</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> make that donation to Goodwill?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Plant my vegetable garden? Cut the grass?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Maybe I'll hit up the Saturday 8 am power yoga class I haven't been to in.... forever?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Or maybe I'll find a park with a swing like this one:</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q-jkxvBgXw/TdZ5367B81I/AAAAAAAAAOk/xAZGk1AI5TU/s400/45a20c31026224e4d1bf1af8be029b6c88c996f9_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608804387553145682" /><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and just spend a few hours swinging to see how that feels.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ah, Glorious Friday. The possibilities are endless.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-89484276637632103752011-05-18T09:05:00.003-04:002011-05-18T09:46:35.587-04:00[HOH Recipe Box]: Super-Easy Side Dish #2<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zW5ambTectA/TdPNdHHkTnI/AAAAAAAAANo/zV9u68iAsE0/s1600/25edf12_e_xl.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zW5ambTectA/TdPNdHHkTnI/AAAAAAAAANo/zV9u68iAsE0/s400/25edf12_e_xl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608051861017087602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Made this little beauty last night, sort of last minute and again without much of a plan or idea of how it would turn out. Result was a delicious, seasonal, super-easy side dish that I think will go with just about anything.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sauteed Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ingredients</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Olive Oil</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Minced Garlic (I used 3 big cloves, if you like more or less garlic then just adjust to your taste)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 Zucchini, sliced on 1/4 inch bias</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 pt. Cherry/Grape Tomatoes</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Salt, Pepper</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To Do:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. Heat oil in large skillet - medium heat. Add your minced garlic</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. Once the garlic starts to brown, add your zucchini in one flat layer so that it can brown up on one side. Let sit for a minute or two, be sure to watch the garlic because it can go from golden goodness to burnt yucky mess in a nanosecond.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. Turn your zucchini over to the other side, let sit for another few minutes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. Add tomatoes, roll around in the saute pan to coat with olive oil.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. Salt and Pepper (maybe a little crushed red pepper?)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">6. Return to heat, stirring occasionally but trying not to burst open the tomatoes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7. [Optional]: I put the whole pan into the oven to finish it, because I like my tomatoes a bit roasty [350, for about 10 minutes]. If this is not your thing, just keep it on the stovetop until the tomatoes have reached your desired texture.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-8197620261656706272011-05-17T12:31:00.000-04:002011-05-17T12:31:16.648-04:00Interweb Inspiration: Bathroom Makeover ideas.The interweb is a funny place. Social networking, perhaps even funnier. And I guess by 'funny', what I really mean is that there's just so much you can do there. The possibilities are endless. And. how did we get here?<br />
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Who would have thought, back from the days when AOL first came out (although my family cheaped out with Prodigy) and the 'world wide web' was a scary, unknown territory, that we'd soon have something called FACEBOOK. And dating would be commenced online? It's no longer used just for games. It's used for EVERY answer to EVERY question you have. Medical questions, history questions, decorating questions. You name it; the interweb's got it.<br />
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For me, inspiration is one of the best things I have found, to date, on the interweb. I can get inspired about recipes; inspired about clothing and best of all, inspired about DECORATING MY HOUSE.<br />
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There are SO many resources and my recent fave: PINTEREST. It's incredible. It's like an enormous collection of all things pretty. Well, that's actually what it is.<br />
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Although my kitchen is still underway (photos to come, but not until it's complete!), my next project is my bathroom. Currently, the walls are yellow but it's majorly lacking character. I've thought about bringing in some black.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-am-428ZRadw/TdKiDqa60JI/AAAAAAAAAbU/kJx8I0G3IdA/s1600/yellow+black+bath+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-am-428ZRadw/TdKiDqa60JI/AAAAAAAAAbU/kJx8I0G3IdA/s320/yellow+black+bath+II.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thoughts? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God, I love the interweb. What are your favorite inspiration sites? </div>Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-20180103208840974772011-05-13T14:08:00.000-04:002011-05-13T14:08:03.861-04:00[Glorious Friday]: My beautiful Niece.This wonderful friday - the sun is shining. I worked hard all week, so I may get out in time to enjoy a couple hours of this great weather.<br />
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AND, I am celebrating the birth of my beautiful new niece, Porter Carmela Marsh!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsXKEv1Cags/Tc1zZCudEiI/AAAAAAAAAaw/8Az-pQI6xnY/s1600/porter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsXKEv1Cags/Tc1zZCudEiI/AAAAAAAAAaw/8Az-pQI6xnY/s400/porter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-3388136441177819762011-05-12T10:34:00.001-04:002011-05-14T08:11:38.316-04:00An Ode to Dena<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I've been nonstop studying for the last few weeks - every spare moment spent reviewing the Chevron 2-Step, Article III of the Constitution, and Miranda warnings. No time for fun, or sleep, or eating. No time for House of Her. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And so, I write today to honor my incredible friend Dena, who has so gracefully picked up my sorry-ass slack and kept motoring through while I mostly just complained and collapsed into a miserable pile of law school crap. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dena, you are a rockstar friend.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Thank you for listening to my bitchy rants, for truly appreciating and understanding my obsession with old linen napkins and antique glassware, for encouraging me to freaking </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">relax</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> about the dogs running all over the house and jumping on my furniture, for calling me out when I'm being patently unreasonable or totally ceits...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Thank you for letting me be a part of your fabulous House of Her - I'm honored that you </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">maybe,</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">possibly</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> think I'm equal to the task. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Besides being leaps and bounds cooler than me, you've got style, you're smart, you're fun, and I all around just... love you. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBx1c8JxdGY/Tcv2MZQXb1I/AAAAAAAAANg/xmQlHCchGvs/s400/IMG_0505.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605844853991108434" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;">The fact that this [albeit awesome] picture is the only one I have of us is pretty pathetic. Let's put 'having a normal picture taken of us' on our list of priorities.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-28714160948291154782011-05-10T13:00:00.000-04:002011-05-10T13:00:50.397-04:00[HOH Recipe]: Lentil Intrigue. Recipe Roundup.I'm [VERY] intrigued by lentils. What do I mean, you ask? Well I'm ALWAYS drawn to photos of lentils; I'm always drawn to recipes for lentils. But, I don't quite know what to do with them. I've read through some recipes over the years, but being a recipe deviant, I've never quite caught on to the process. I want to want to make them, but I'm scared, I guess.<br />
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I'm determined, ladies and gents, to make some lentils tonight. Perfect lentils.<br />
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So I've done some [much needed] research. I've found a few recipes. And here's what I have for you.<br />
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A few pointers...<br />
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Salt only AFTER cooking the the lentils; if added during cooking, lentils may become tough.<br />
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Use a 2 to 1 ratio of water to lentils.<br />
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Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce to simmer.<br />
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Okay, so that's enough pointers, now some recipes [and photos]. These were the first that caught my eye and that's generally how I base most recipes [silly, perhaps?].<br />
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The first is [what is looking like] my favorite.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/book-reviews/lentils-with-broiled-eggplant-cookbook-review-recipe-from-plenty-by-yotam-ottolenghi-144643">Lentils with Broiled Eggplant</a> from The Kitchn.<br />
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Runner up, from 101 Cookbooks, <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/lentil-almond-stirfry-recipe.html">Lentil Almond Stri-Fry</a>.<br />
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And finally, from one of my ALL-TIME faves [Cannelle et Vanille]: <a href="http://cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com/2011/03/ivory-lentil-salad-strawberries-and.html">Ivory Lentil Salad</a>. This photo was just too gorgeous, I couldn't resist.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WsjHJSx8Bk/TcluhgwEtFI/AAAAAAAAAaA/34y2BmZDhuM/s1600/Lentil+Salad+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WsjHJSx8Bk/TcluhgwEtFI/AAAAAAAAAaA/34y2BmZDhuM/s400/Lentil+Salad+II.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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How do YOU prefer your lentils? Any cooking tips you'd like to share?Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-54488994193100644392011-05-06T11:59:00.000-04:002011-05-06T11:59:40.417-04:00[HOH Glorious Friday]: Mom Love<div align="center"><div style="text-align: left;">In case you may have forgotten, Sunday is the Mother of All Holidays - Mother's Day.</div></div><br />
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If you're lucky enough to be able to, do take some time to thank the woman who made it all possible for you to have the fabulous life you have.<br />
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[Thanks, Mom]<br />
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And I want to send a little shout out to my mother. For being amazingly inspirational and tender-hearted. For making me laugh eventhough you make me do corny things, like have a photo shoot on the beach...<br />
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This Mother's Day, I'll be teaching my mother how to make Risotto. It's one those things that she thinks she can't make [but I know she can!]. Can't wait!<br />
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So, thanks mom, for teaching me how to cook, so that I can re-teach you.<br />
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<div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-21247447354752914382011-05-05T10:30:00.000-04:002011-05-05T10:30:02.124-04:00[HOH Fashion]: Raiding the Sale Rack<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">With the warmer weather just on the horizon, it's about that time to be thinking of a few fresh updates to your summer wardrobe. Here are some favorites from everybody's favorite; </span></span><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anthropologie</span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/"></a>All cute, all less than $50.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nkzecb8Lz-U/TcKLpix-g9I/AAAAAAAAAMw/bfW1bWHduWs/s400/20690020_079_b.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603194432229639122" /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Plains Ranger Shirt Dress <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20690020&catId=SHOPSALE-DRESSES&pushId=SHOPSALE-DRESSES&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=60&color=079&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E">$39.95</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIfXCC_X3m4/TcKLpQXpZlI/AAAAAAAAAMY/-VIGcL5uiOs/s400/20430369_092_b.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603194427287365202" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Rise and Shine <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20430369&catId=SHOPSALE-DRESSES&pushId=SHOPSALE-DRESSES&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=60&color=092&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E">$49.95</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">[Poblete, this one has you written all over it!]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFyJ4ZGdPAg/TcKN10zxpwI/AAAAAAAAANQ/QhofRETORaU/s400/20595245_046_b.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603196842250708738" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Antilles Tank <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20595245&catId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&pushId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=522&color=046&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E">$39.95</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[Paired with last year's white skinny jeans?]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sO07qiDSaM/TcKN1kDFptI/AAAAAAAAANI/4dKErZ3Pivs/s400/20436929_079_b.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603196837751531218" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Endless Horizon <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20436929&catId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&pushId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=522&color=079&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E">$29.95</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ardgqN3K_w/TcKLpmFQGyI/AAAAAAAAAMo/DSz6DDq3s5g/s400/20535803_060_b.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603194433115790114" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Fanning Button Up <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20535803&catId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&pushId=SHOPSALE-TOPS&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=522&color=060&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E">$39.95</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[Perfectly chic for a bikini cover-up]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ifhkh36OqeE/TcKLpgrtH-I/AAAAAAAAAMg/-gxJeQUH2lI/s400/20467981_011_b.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603194431666462690" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Streaming Cocoon Wrap <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=20467981&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=011">$49.95</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[For those chilly Summer evenings]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_m8yYUREfk/TcKL86KrkHI/AAAAAAAAAM4/2ztP7Xtqg6g/s1600/20807558_085_b.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_m8yYUREfk/TcKL86KrkHI/AAAAAAAAAM4/2ztP7Xtqg6g/s400/20807558_085_b.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603194764924784754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Coral Sun Scarf <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=20807558&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=085">$29.95</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">[Love.]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhUllvfrxqI/TcKLpK-fpTI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/gAwpJitcJss/s1600/20020517_013_b.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhUllvfrxqI/TcKLpK-fpTI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/gAwpJitcJss/s400/20020517_013_b.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603194425839691058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Palm Shade Loafers <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20020517&catId=SHOPSALE-SHOES&pushId=SHOPSALE-SHOES&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=666&color=013&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true">$49.95</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ah, I can almost smell the ocean air....</span></span></div><div><div><br /></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-49250285219511879672011-05-02T15:49:00.001-04:002011-05-02T16:00:46.520-04:00[HOH Fashion]: Super wide.I agree with Vogue, completely, and uncontrollably, I'm sick of these skinny jeans I'm rocking, day after day. The truth is, I love them, but the harsh truth: they're not the best cut for my BOD [as I'm sure many of you will agree].<br /><br />I think I am NOW on the search for some stunning super wide-leg pants. I can't wait, after reading this <a href="http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/the-verdicts-in-superwide-leg-pants/">article</a> and grinning at the photos.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGgAB8RfvWc/Tb8Km3KeAEI/AAAAAAAAAZY/php8YnhQuvY/s1600/holding_14583393105.jpg_article_gallery_slideshow_v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGgAB8RfvWc/Tb8Km3KeAEI/AAAAAAAAAZY/php8YnhQuvY/s320/holding_14583393105.jpg_article_gallery_slideshow_v2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />What are your thoughts? Frumpy or Chic?Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-88662057271563106162011-04-29T11:44:00.007-04:002011-04-29T11:44:00.205-04:00[HOH Glorious Friday]: Glorious Indeed<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's Friday.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That news alone is good enough to bring a smile to my face. But </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">today,</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> my friends, is a very, very special Friday.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuqHdPWUlVM/TbqZI-X0DoI/AAAAAAAAAMA/K9u1Aky8VH0/s400/ae30a16f67f67801ef9608d14da979d4b292079d_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600957466049515138" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The space shuttle </span></span><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/endeavour-info.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Endeavor</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> will be </span></span><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">launching</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> today for its final flight. What's more, </span></span><a href="http://giffords.house.gov/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ms. Gabrielle Giffords</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is there to watch her husband fly off into the abyss. Remarkable, indeed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My best friend's younger brother will likely be drafted into the NFL this weekend. I remember when we used to beat him up on the front lawn - I guess those days are long over. HOH is wishing you luck, </span></span><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1277475"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr. Hurd</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today marks the near end of my second year of studies at </span></span><a href="http://www.law.uconn.edu/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">UConn Law</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - the end of what I hope to be the hard part - smooth sailing from here on out. I plan to celebrate by administering some swift justice in my final role as State's Attorney legal intern. Watch out bad guys, here I come.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And lastly, my boyfriend got married today. My boyfriend, and your boyfriend too in all likelihood. I remember swooning for Prince William as a young girl - he was so darn </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cute</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, just my age, and a [PRINCE] for goodness sake. What little girl </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">doesn't</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> dream of being a princess one day? And so for Kate Middleton this dream has been realized, and from where I sit across the pond, it couldn't have happened for a better girl - she's elegant, certainly stylish, and looks quite comfortable on the arm of HRH. </span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4T7j3BG_f6M/TbqdrS2CQ7I/AAAAAAAAAMI/m9hVxO6p1uo/s400/slide_22352_271271_splash.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600962453707047858" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; thank you for letting the world share in your fairy tale happiness on this most [Glorious Friday].</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-41967944790225557412011-04-28T15:22:00.000-04:002011-04-28T15:22:47.959-04:00[House Favorite]: ONE.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1plPksOPZLE/Tbm016ENlRI/AAAAAAAAAL4/K1KN8Wn0W0Y/s1600/images.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600706449824912658" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1plPksOPZLE/Tbm016ENlRI/AAAAAAAAAL4/K1KN8Wn0W0Y/s400/images.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 225px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 225px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well, here we are, at numero uno. Hope the suspense hasn't been killing you too much!</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I guess you could say that we really just wanted to find a way to get these particular items up on the blog, and concocted the whole 'countdown' idea as a way of covering up our unabashed show-off-iness. Nevertheless, we hope you have enjoyed these mini house tours - we are working on a few more ideas for the near future.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Victoria:</span><br />
</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600704249020414658" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6LCZmZFjXQ/Tbmy1zbh-sI/AAAAAAAAALg/lEx7Wi5wIkg/s400/photo.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here is my farm table [yes, I know, D beat me to it].</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had been longing for one of these for quite some time. I looked high and low, here and there, and most of it just wasn't quite right, and if it was quite right it was waaaay too expensive. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600704547077772466" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1w32JHXsEPI/TbmzHJx8VLI/AAAAAAAAALw/IqLmhefECiI/s400/photo.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[Set by husband for Valentine's]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And so, there I was, casually browsing through posts of similar style tables on craigslist in class one night when my friend Elisabeth looked over and the following conversation occurred; </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'oh, you're in the market for one of those tables? my father-in-law builds them.' </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'...builds them?'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'yes, builds them - from reclaimed antique wood - custom - to your liking'.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600704425559401682" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNkC-4uthYQ/TbmzAFFtJNI/AAAAAAAAALo/EkNhKLxGKLI/s400/photo.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[Assorted chairs - no more than $15/each purchased from the flea market, recovered in fabric also bought at the flea market]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A few easy-breezy emails later and the rest is history... We had 12 for Thanksgiving dinner and it was as if all of my wildest dreams were being realized at once. Heaven.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">My turn [boldly says Dena]</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I'm so excited. My favorite item [this week, anyway] is a GORGEOUS GOLD mid-century modern lamp. Originally located in the corner of my in-law's living room, I've had my eye on this gem for quite a while. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5g-hOIWYsvQ/Tbm5gez8wwI/AAAAAAAAAZM/srjKXDjbtTo/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5g-hOIWYsvQ/Tbm5gez8wwI/AAAAAAAAAZM/srjKXDjbtTo/s400/IMG_1043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">It's always been one of those items that I've had an unreasonable attraction to, but have never quite come to terms with this attraction. With a fairly newfound affinity to mid-century modern decor, one day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> I finally came to terms with my undying love. And I got up the gall to start a casual conversation about the lamp [knowing, in the back of my mind, that if I told my mother-in-law I loved it, there was a VERY big chance she'd offer it up]. The conversation went something like this, </span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">ME: You know, I REALLY love that gold lamp.</div><div style="font-family: arial;">MIL [Mother-in-law]: Oh, really? My husband hates it. He calls it the octupus. </div><div style="font-family: arial;">ME: I've decided that I really think it's super cool.</div><div style="font-family: arial;">MIL: That's great! Do you want it? </div><div style="font-family: arial;">ME: Oh, no, I couldn't take it [really, though, I could].</div><div style="font-family: arial;">MIL: Of course!!</div><div style="font-family: arial;">ME: Okay! I'll trade you a lamp for it [it didn't take much convincing]. </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Now, it's mine. All mine. </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7CBdpNtHdQ/Tbm5NTxMMfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/OWV9LrdVxkM/s1600/IMG_1039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7CBdpNtHdQ/Tbm5NTxMMfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/OWV9LrdVxkM/s320/IMG_1039.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">So, there it sits, behind my love seat, where I occasionally bump my head on it [but that's completely fine with me]. The love remains and I'm certain it always will. </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">We hope you enjoyed our little countdown. </div><div><br />
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</span></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-2731823966828416392011-04-26T13:21:00.000-04:002011-04-26T13:39:54.756-04:00[HOH Recipe Box]: Turkey Burgers<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is SO NICE OUT TODAY in good ol' CT. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the breeze is blowing softly - the perfect combination for some evening grilling. Since I pretty much think about food from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed, thoughts of 'what to make for dinner' are never too far from me.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 195px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yCHJ6YY69k/TbcClW62A8I/AAAAAAAAALY/N9wxy4YRM60/s400/DownloadedFile.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599947502489306050" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[Tonight's Menu]: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Turkey Burgers + Salad</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's what I'm thinking:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For Burgers:</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 Package [just over a pound] of Ground Turkey</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup finely chopped Onion</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 a finely chopped Red Pepper</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 Egg</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Breadcrumbs as needed [?]</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup Mayo - [keeps it moist] - I'm thinking I'll spice the mayo up with some good stuff - garlic powder, coriander, paprika, maybe a touch of lemon juice... oh the possibilities.</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With the Burgers:</span></span></div></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sliced Avocado</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sliced Beefsteak Tomato [hope the grocery store gods are with me today and there are some ripe 'maters available]</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">a couple of strips of crispy Bacon</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sharp Cheddar</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Poppyseed Rolls [from the bakery counter]</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Salad</span></span></div></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Baby Spinach</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">toasted, sliced Almonds</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blackberries </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">maybe a little Goat Cheese for Tim</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Red Wine Vinaigrette [minced garlic, a bit of honey mustard, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt+pepper]</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My mouth is watering already...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>What are you grilling tonight?</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-56588378834068040822011-04-25T17:23:00.000-04:002011-04-25T17:24:25.238-04:00[House Favorite]: Two.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There is something just so iconic about a cherry-red front door.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[Here's mine]</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599516120709491090" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-3d_7JRiyA/TbV6Poj2aZI/AAAAAAAAALQ/LAQtXjtj92Q/s400/photo.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This little project took no more than 1 hour and cost less than $10 for a small can of paint. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Maybe red's not your thing; navy blue, limey green, and butter yellow are other great options. A bold front door </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">adds just a little bit of oomph and polish to your curbside appeal, and since it's so super-easy to do yourself, I can't recommend it enough.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shutter headboard. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AmKbEjTCWw/TbXjoGKGsvI/AAAAAAAAAZA/YsAAGeINa9U/s1600/shutter+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AmKbEjTCWw/TbXjoGKGsvI/AAAAAAAAAZA/YsAAGeINa9U/s320/shutter+III.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One day, I meandered around in the New London Antique Center, where all of the wood-chipped, falling apart items seem to catch my eye. At the time, with no purpose in mind, I bought these three shutters [navy blue at the time]. I knew I'd find something to do with them. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And now, who would have thought: I'd have a [guest-proclaimed] boutique hotel suite as my second bedroom. I feel so cool! It was very simple, actually. I sanded them down, spray painted them [and half my driveway - but who sees it anyways?], and drilled a few holes. And VOILA! </span></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-45706178462534338722011-04-22T15:46:00.000-04:002011-04-22T15:46:24.823-04:00[HOH Glorious Friday]: Taking out the Old Sewing Machine.This is what I'll be playing with this weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-idHBLGSZAjM/TbHan4T25UI/AAAAAAAAAYw/sQoPsGpUof0/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-idHBLGSZAjM/TbHan4T25UI/AAAAAAAAAYw/sQoPsGpUof0/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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No, it's not a desk, silly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRNCGGKyaF8/TbHavGDG2CI/AAAAAAAAAY0/DcJfFjvqr8g/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRNCGGKyaF8/TbHavGDG2CI/AAAAAAAAAY0/DcJfFjvqr8g/s400/IMG_0518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8s69VA4T6N4/TbHawQZNRhI/AAAAAAAAAY4/1Q98nW-7slU/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8s69VA4T6N4/TbHawQZNRhI/AAAAAAAAAY4/1Q98nW-7slU/s400/IMG_0520.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It's a sewing machine! And it found its way to my house last weekend, in my father's pickup truck. And I'm going to put it to work tomorrow.Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-47641664459326019852011-04-21T13:21:00.000-04:002011-04-21T13:22:45.727-04:00Memory of an Easter Past: Italian Easter Bread<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For most it may be ham. Or lamb [I guess I'm feeling poetic today]. But for me, the most prominent food in my memories of Easter is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Italian Easter Bread. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikqx_21Q-gI/TbBhPgTK3BI/AAAAAAAAAYU/87q3s0vZepw/s1600/italian+easter+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikqx_21Q-gI/TbBhPgTK3BI/AAAAAAAAAYU/87q3s0vZepw/s400/italian+easter+bread.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a child, I remember thinking that it was quite silly to put hard-boiled eggs in a loaf of bread. Forget <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">COLORFUL EASTER EGGS</span> - that was just plain bizarre. I suppose, though, that I've come a long way in my appreciation of all things bizarre and so, it is with no further adieu, that I present you with a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ROSATA FAMILY CLASSIC</span> - Easter is right around the corner, so get out your pretty apron and bake a loaf of this bread. You won't be disappointed. And, if there are children around, they will be rather amused. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think my grandmother every followed a recipe, even when baking. I guess she was just </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">THAT GOOD</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Unfortunately, when baking, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I NEED TO FOLLOW RECIPES</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, so I found this one at </span><a href="http://theitaliandishblog.com/imported-20090913150324/2008/3/19/italian-easter-bread.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Italian Dish</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (slightly condensed). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 package Rapid Rise yeast<br />
1.25 cups scalded milk, cooled to room temperature<br />
pinch of salt<br />
1/3 cup butter, softened<br />
2 eggs, beaten<br />
1/2 cup sugar</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.5 cups flour (approximate)</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon of water</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 dyed Easter eggs<br />
Rainbow sprinkles</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tip: the Easter eggs do not need to be hard boiled. They cook when the bread bakes. I usually just dye the eggs right out of the fridge, without hardboiling them. Saves time. Just be careful they don't crack!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a large mixer bowl, combine yeast, warm (not hot) milk, salt, butter, eggs and sugar. Add about half the flour and beat until smooth with dough hook. Slowly add the remaining flour to form a stiff dough - until it is no longer sticky. Knead until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Punch dough down, divide into 12 pieces. Roll each piece to form a 1 inch thick rope about 14 inches long and, taking two pieces, twist to form a "braid", pinching the ends, and loop into a circle.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until double, about an hour again. Brush each bread with beaten egg wash. Put on the sprinkles. In the middle of each bread ring, gently place an Easter egg, making an indentation with the egg. Bake at 350 degrees until golden - about 20 - 25 minutes. Cool on rack.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giggle at how amazingly silly they look [but awesome at the same time]. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LupHK2ckvc/TbBk1dnYo9I/AAAAAAAAAYY/wbTjdT6yNKA/s1600/italian-easter-bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LupHK2ckvc/TbBk1dnYo9I/AAAAAAAAAYY/wbTjdT6yNKA/s400/italian-easter-bread.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Denahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05697604533533316804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502752363400895218.post-10262573481409156682011-04-20T14:09:00.000-04:002011-04-20T14:28:54.243-04:00[HOH Recipe Box]: Super-Easy Side Dish<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-5ewVaV8Kw/Ta8lbQ_JgQI/AAAAAAAAALA/zBw4h4GAQN0/s1600/bd103465_0708_tomatoes_xl.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-5ewVaV8Kw/Ta8lbQ_JgQI/AAAAAAAAALA/zBw4h4GAQN0/s400/bd103465_0708_tomatoes_xl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597734012191342850" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r2uHnOBJ7G8/Ta8lP1TmuBI/AAAAAAAAAK4/OeOATZ313co/s400/md102623_0907_corn_xl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597733815782389778" /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">[<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Forgot to take my own pictures of this recipe, so Martha's swoon-worthy renditions of Tomatoes and Corn will just have to do...]</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We made the mistake of hitting up a little 'happy hour' action the other day, thus delaying our dinner plans to an abnormally late hour. I put the [planned upon] pork roast in the oven and was just feeling uninspired as to what would accompany it, not wanting to peel potatoes or think too hard about making a pasta side dish.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">SO, I avoided it all together, and made this handy little concoction:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cherry/Grape Tomatoes</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bag of Frozen Corn (obviously fresh corn would be better, but it's not so good this time of year)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Salt + Pepper</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Olive Oil</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Butter</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What to Do:</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. In a small baking dish, toss tomatoes with salt, pepper, olive oil (maybe a little dried basil if you're feeling frisky) and pop them in the oven. [Shouldn't take any more than 20 minutes on a medium-high oven for them to prune up and look 'roasted'].</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet saute the corn [no need to defrost] with butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper until slightly browned on the edges - when the sugars have developed the kernels will start to caramelize. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. Combine the two and v</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><em style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">oilĂ </span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">! Excellent, season-less side dish that goes with just about any protein you're cooking up that night.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[Side Note]: Once Summer finally arrives, and corn is far better, I would totally recommend serving a version of this dish cold - roast the tomatoes, cool them, and then add thawed corn. A quick chiffonade of basil, a swirl of olive oil, and you're good to go].</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15293879541496575676noreply@blogger.com0