tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140988502024-03-23T12:57:45.153-05:00The Simple Things...Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.comBlogger623125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-28846442293054526282011-10-14T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-14T04:00:10.212-05:00Foodie Friday: Breakfast to Go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Seems on some school mornings we are in such a rush. Noah has drumline practice 2-3 mornings a week at 7 a.m., so those days he eats breakfast in the car on the way to school. <i> (our "breakfast in bed tray" gets a good workout in the van, ha) </i> I always think about what we'll have for breakfast the night before since many school mornings when I have to wake up at 5:45 a.m. (seriously?) I don't want to have to think about it. Many days I'll just wrap up a bowl of oatmeal or a biscuit with sausage/eggs. Here are some of the other things that work for us for a filling Breakfast On the Go -<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/spicy-cheddar-muffins-recipe">Bacon/Cheddar Muffins</a></span></b>: <i>(pictured) </i> I made these recently and yum, they are good. They freeze well, too, so you can just pop them in the microwave. Great with a banana! <i> As written, they aren't that spicy, so don't be afraid of the cayenne.</i><br />
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<b><u>Breakfast Quesadillas</u></b>: These are fun since you can put almost anything in them. Just throw a flour tortilla in a non-stick pan heated on medium heat. Top with a little grated cheese, scrambled eggs, a bacon slice or two, and finish with a little more cheese (helps the top tortilla "stick") and the second tortilla. Heat on both sides until the cheese melts. Other versions - peanut butter, sliced bananas and a little granola; light cream cheese, strawberries, and bananas; scrambled eggs, diced deli ham, shredded cheese. Lots of combos!<br />
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<b><u>French Toast Sticks</u></b>: Just make your favorite french toast, but make it with really thick bread slices. Instead of using the whole slice of bread, slice them into big sticks. Prepare as you normally would. If you want to freeze them, just flash freeze them on a cookie sheet first, then throw them all in a freezer bag together. Heat them in a microwave when you are ready to eat. Put the syrup in a dixie cup to take it with you for dipping! :)<br />
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What other things do you like to make for on the go breakfasts? <br />
Have a wonderful weekend, blog friends!<br />
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<br />Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-11038534450462786372011-10-10T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-10T04:00:06.734-05:00Make it Mondays: Layered Fabric Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many times when I want an embellishment for a project, I'm thinking, "how can I just make one?" I'm not much of a buyer of expensive packaged embellishments that go with paper lines. Although I <i>love</i> them, I have a hard time paying $6-7 for a few flowers or fancy buttons. So, today I thought I'd show you how I make some easy layered fabric flower embellishments. <br />
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For this flower, I started off with some simple fabric circles in different patterns and textures. I LOVE burlap. Love it. And linen. So including those two is always fun. I also have some fleece in there, a textured thin fabric, and a nice Heather Bailey bold print. I hand cut the circles without measuring. I'm not much of an exact measurement person, so if it makes you uncomfortable...just measure. :) <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOmb1CLDxU7UPmaJDInLrai5O0OTpHSpflQghv5KoIEh_F5cevfLAM9D5cXtZfoTjF6bKgeWhnhgwShQq1M0-ttdVcOA1yPWQ3o0kGx6NAx6-PHzvQhoq2wbrq9V9TBQKbREkmA/s1600/FabricFlowers2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOmb1CLDxU7UPmaJDInLrai5O0OTpHSpflQghv5KoIEh_F5cevfLAM9D5cXtZfoTjF6bKgeWhnhgwShQq1M0-ttdVcOA1yPWQ3o0kGx6NAx6-PHzvQhoq2wbrq9V9TBQKbREkmA/s320/FabricFlowers2.JPG" width="320" /></a>Once you have your circles cut, layer them in the order you'd like for them to be in the flower. Once stacked, take them apart again and cut them so each new circle is a little smaller than the one under it, as pictured. <i>Totally love that the burlap starts fraying, too. </i> ♥<br />
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You can choose a button, brooch, or any little something to go in the middle of the flower, if you like. <br />
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Now here you can see how these fabrics, just pulled from my stash, will go perfectly with the Farmhouse line by Crate Paper, which I absolutely adore. Naturals go with just about anything, so always have those on hand. Then I chose a few bold colors to pull out of the papers (orange and blue). They don't have to go perfectly, but when you match the bolds, it just works. Aren't those colors great?<br />
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But what if I want a little more dimension to my flower? Want it to stand up a bit? Or want to tone down the colors and just use one good texture? Here I show how you can cut the circle into "petals," fold every other petal inward, and now you have a flower with dimension in the middle, lots of texture, and it goes with just about anything. You would just attach the button with thread, which will also secure all of the folded petals. <br />
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Cutting all of the circles into petal strips and then layering them back together creates even more dimension.<br />
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What if I want it to be a little more grungy or vintage? That fabric is just too clean and simple for some. :) <br />
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Simply rub some ink onto the fabrics, and if you're lucky, the edges will fray a bit, adding even more "age" and texture.</div>
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But the flower lays too "flat" for you? Then just use the <i><b>pinch and staple</b></i> method of adding height. I simply pinch the middle of the flower into a little fold and staple it together. It doesn't lay flat anymore in the middle and actually stands up on one end a bit. That's ok, because when you layer your flowers back together, this will give it height.<br />
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The result is a really beautiful, layered flower with so many possibilities for your projects. Use them on your scrapbook pages or on a hair clip. Sew them onto a strip of fabric for napkin rings at Thanksgiving. Make 30 of them and put them together on a wreath for your holiday door. Adorn the top of a birthday gift box. <br />
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The next time you are near your local fabric store, purchase some fabrics to have in your stash - burlap, linen, and bright bold prints in your favorite colors and textures. You'll be glad to have them on hand!<br />
<br />Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-61033905169336412272011-10-08T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-08T08:55:03.789-05:00Foodie Friday: Game Day Appetizers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love this time of year. Nothing better than Longhorn Football! I'd love to have a couple of game watching parties this year. If we do, we'll probably be serving something on this list...some of our favorite appetizer recipes!<br />
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<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/bacon-wrapped_j/"><b>Pioneer Woman's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños</b></a> - I could eat 20 of these, seriously. Be sure to bake them on a rack so the bacon cooks all the way around. Undercooked bacon is gross.<br />
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<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/hot-corn-dip-from-country-singer-trisha-yearwood-419813"><b>Hot Corn Dip</b></a> - I saw Trisha Yearwood with this dip (from her cookbook) on The View and thought it looked great. I made it once and it was delicious, just a little too "greasy." I'd definitely make it again, just use less mayo. <br />
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/guacamole-recipe/index.html"><b>Ina's Guacamole</b></a> - Mmmmm, this is the best kind of guacamole because it is chunky and has plenty of garlic and lime. (I sub lime for the lemon) A meal in itself!<br />
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<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/southwestern-egg-rolls/detail.aspx"><b>Southwestern Eggrolls</b></a> - Made these for New Year's Eve two years in a row and they are DEE-licious. <br />
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<b><u>Sloppy Joe Sliders</u></b> - Below is a recipe for homemade sloppy joes that I've been using for years. Just make a big batch and serve them in a crock pot on slider buns. Don't forget the pickles and tabasco.<br />
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<strong><em>Homemade Sloppy Joes</em></strong></div>
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<em>2 lbs. lean ground beef<br />½ 1 small onion, chopped<br />1 small green pepper, chopped<br />1 can Campbell’s tomato soup (undiluted)<br />1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce<br />1/3 cup packed brown sugar<br />2 Tbsp. ketchup<br />1 & 1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce<br />1/2 Tbsp. mustard<br />1/2 Tbsp. dry mustard<br />1/4 tsp. chili powder<br />1/4 tsp. garlic salt<br />8 hamburger buns<br />In a large saucepan or pot, brown the beef and onion over medium heat. Add green pepper. Cook and stir 5 minutes until meat is crumbly and browned; drain on a paper towel and return to pot. Add the next 9 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve on buns. Makes 8 large servings. (or put meat in a crockpot and keep warm on low)</em></div>
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Be sure to balance out your appetizers with some fresh fruit and veggies. :D<br />
Everyone have a wonderful weekend....and HOOK 'EM HORNS! BEAT OU!!</div>
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Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-74622772584785422732011-10-05T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-05T04:00:08.470-05:00Whatever Wednesdays: Halloween Decor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw-5iba7ZREnM9vApJywkZmng3KhvrbqIiXI7QOFbldvsaRippY6dpKHCiBk-yqkDtaddddzOxWCYT_hLrhwXziFbmCStHelWeRzfWBVjUvJKOqvcCvWNnr7dFLUoc9IWZ1ghoA/s1600/HalloweenCabinet1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw-5iba7ZREnM9vApJywkZmng3KhvrbqIiXI7QOFbldvsaRippY6dpKHCiBk-yqkDtaddddzOxWCYT_hLrhwXziFbmCStHelWeRzfWBVjUvJKOqvcCvWNnr7dFLUoc9IWZ1ghoA/s320/HalloweenCabinet1.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>Halloween and some Fall decór went up yesterday. <i> O Happy day!</i> I love the colors this time of year. They just make the house so warm and cozy. <br />
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I'm not one to completely cover the entire house in decorations. Instead, I have a few set places around the main living area downstairs that I always decorate and change out with the seasons/holidays. I place things together into a little area to draw attention to the grouping rather than covering a room with items. I thought I'd show you a few of the things I did yesterday in our home. Above is what I put on an antique china cabinet in the living room that holds our movies. There's an old frame, a spray of fall greenery, some chenille pumpkins, a burlap "Happy Halloween" sign and the curio cabinet project that I just taught last weekend. :) The light behind the spooky lady portrait will stay on all the time as will the battery-operated candle. It's nice when the sun goes down and the lights are glowing in the living room at night.<br />
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Here are a few things I put on the back of the piano in the entryway. Just a little more Halloween-focused since you see it right as you come in. The pumpkin light will stay on all the time as a nightlight. I love it because it flickers. <br />
I got the "Save the Date" plaque at Marshall's last year as well as the apothecary poison bottle in the kitchen hutch photo below. Marshall's has a lot of fun Halloween decor for great prices!<br />
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This is the hutch in our breakfast room, right next to where we eat in the kitchen. I just clear it out each season and fill it up. The "Happy Halloween" is actually a felt banner. I cut it apart into two pieces and used two-sided tape to adhere it to the shelf edges. I liked it better than it hanging up. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS-7D85LF1JR3fUZs4TgueV8alj88-41H865hrmi7pFtNdT_ZmIXx7ACo9P7RhbanOO538GeY-lQF3s32N78OpdS6V3JcX3nssII4sJPp1VJEW4yRFEHv7EhvMg1X-ekM7lE3Wg/s1600/HalloweenHutch2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS-7D85LF1JR3fUZs4TgueV8alj88-41H865hrmi7pFtNdT_ZmIXx7ACo9P7RhbanOO538GeY-lQF3s32N78OpdS6V3JcX3nssII4sJPp1VJEW4yRFEHv7EhvMg1X-ekM7lE3Wg/s200/HalloweenHutch2.JPG" width="200" /></a> A really fun thing to look for when you want some decor are greeting cards! This Happy Halloween card is a greeting card with a ghostly looking old couple, made to look vintage... and it has sparkly orange glitter on it. <br />
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For our mantle this year, I put an old window as the center. I've had this a really long time and had put some rub-ons on it a long time ago. (you can see them in one of the panes) On the mantle, I've draped some fall leaf garlands and some grey mesh draping (Dollar Tree). The crow is really heavy and metal. Two two black glitter tree cut-outs were only $1 each...from Dollar Tree. I love these! They also have chandeliers and candleabras. Very fun! The light up plastic pumpkin is very old and one of my favorite Halloween decorations. Reminds me of when I was little. :)<br />
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And that's it! I have a simple fall berry wreath on the front door and will probably add some pumpkins and things out there later on when the weather gets cooler. Thanks for coming by my blog! :)</div>
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<br />Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-86488522022690800182011-10-03T21:08:00.000-05:002011-10-03T21:08:18.508-05:00Make Something Mondays: Video TutorialHi, friends! I have posted before on how to dye the bottle brush trees, but today I made a video so you can see the actual steps! It's very easy and fun to do. We dyed trees in my Halloween curio cabinet class on Saturday and this is exactly the process we used. <br />
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If you'd like to make the cabinet, I have listed the detailed PDF of the project on Etsy! (see my left sidebar for the link) Enjoy the video! :)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XtNJOYCndcE" width="540"></iframe>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-3725095199631643312011-09-30T04:00:00.000-05:002011-09-30T04:00:08.968-05:00Foodie Friday: recent recipe linksHappy Friday! I thought for today I'd share links to some new recipes I've tried and give you our honest reviews. That's one of the things I love about finding recipes online is that many of them are from sites with a review system, where readers can give their opinions on the recipe. So....here you go!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYaDhKH_IeEaI6ruzOLAKfEyf8C4OTEgKQ8h-uOpavC3DXb2WiSnI9pX94EyGp5N6eQFD2j8cViQKP1xkpNvfajWX8wYyJPOzvbCbtHnKs6WknBXmoJlS0KioAKsbbBXBNoSe8w/s1600/inabolognese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYaDhKH_IeEaI6ruzOLAKfEyf8C4OTEgKQ8h-uOpavC3DXb2WiSnI9pX94EyGp5N6eQFD2j8cViQKP1xkpNvfajWX8wYyJPOzvbCbtHnKs6WknBXmoJlS0KioAKsbbBXBNoSe8w/s200/inabolognese.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/weeknight-bolognese-recipe/index.html">Ina Garten's Weeknight Bolognese</a> <i>(pictured)</i>- This was really delicious! I'm not a huge fan of too much oregano flavor in recipes, so I put a tiny bit less than what she used. Also, I used 1/2 and 1/2 instead of heavy cream and it was just fine and didn't take away from the creaminess at all. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGEf_O8zxr76Rs4hu_NZTKgHVnvw2HXklLWRFofInT1wrtlCKQR_yF9L3c-XtsMBFfHZmqTPEIIgVkrpzWmRSYyAEwBmzxrD-kyRiKj_UFiRl3i5dB2xSQnWRAdZhmpuE-LRMKw/s1600/chickensliders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGEf_O8zxr76Rs4hu_NZTKgHVnvw2HXklLWRFofInT1wrtlCKQR_yF9L3c-XtsMBFfHZmqTPEIIgVkrpzWmRSYyAEwBmzxrD-kyRiKj_UFiRl3i5dB2xSQnWRAdZhmpuE-LRMKw/s200/chickensliders.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-chicken-sliders-50400000112994/">Grilled Chicken Sliders w/Apricot Chutney</a><u> </u><i><u>(pictured)</u></i> - One of our favorite recent recipes. Just <i>yummy.</i> I used my <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Calphalon-Traditional-Hard-Anodized-Nonstick-13-Inch/dp/B000MF9BBM/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1317295528&sr=8-15">grill pan</a></u> to cook the chicken and the peaches (couldn't find apricots at the store). And I cooked the chicken more than 5 minutes on each side. I'm very wary of undercooked chicken, so I start off with the pan hot to give it a sear, but then cook it longer and a bit slower for the rest of the time. I wish that I had done the chutney on just a few pulses and left it a little chunkier, just because I think the texture would have added a little extra oomph to it. But the tastes in this recipe are amazing..and it's light!<br />
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/cowboy-breakfast-sandwiches-recipe/index.html">Pioneer Woman's Breakfast Sandwiches</a> - I love Ree, love her show on Food Network, and I'm sure if I had made these exactly how she made them they would have been drippy, gooey, yummy and completely unhealthy, ha. I made these one morning before school for Noah and he really liked it. David did, too, especially since his had the jalapenos on it. But we used wheat bread (I don't buy white Texas toast, although I love it!) an all-natural sausage, and very little cheese. You have to make the sausage patties BIG because they really shrink up when cooked and will look like that 80's Wendy's commercial, "where's the beef?" with that little pattie in the middle of the bun. :) So, we liked them but I think Ree's way they'd be even better.<br />
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<a href="http://www.guittard.com/RecipeView.asp?id=100005">Guittard Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> - Ok, these aren't new to us, but I did make some last week. It's really hard to beat Guittard chocolate chips! They aren't waxy or artificial tasting, which I find unappealing about many brands of chocolate chips. Oh, and they are completely nut-free, which I know is important to many people with nut allergies. I like to add chopped pecans to them and a dash of cinnamon to the batter. If you don't want to make a whole batch, make one pan and then make a bunch of dough balls, freeze them on a sheet pan where they aren't touching each other, then when frozen you can put them all in a ziploc freezer bag to use later. Warm, fresh cookies anytime!<br />
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<i>What new recipes have you tried lately? Have a wonderful weekend, friends. :)</i>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-91475425072772191032011-09-29T08:11:00.000-05:002011-09-29T08:11:26.475-05:00Whatever Wednesdays: Music Talk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good morning!<br />
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Probably anyone who knows me knows that I love Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, and any of the old standards singers. Tony Bennett released his Duets2 album last week and it's so wonderful. He sings <i>The Lady Is a Tramp</i> with Lady Gaga, and she is amazing! He recorded the duet with Amy Winehouse just four months before she died. Her voice is so unique. And of course, a duet with Michael Bublé is one of my favorites. They are all so good..I highly recommend getting this. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/duets-ii/id462337212">Listen to some previews on Itunes here!</a><br />
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Some other music I've been previewing on Itunes. Let me know if you have purchased any of it or have any feedback:<br />
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<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/vice-verses/id450987801">Switchfoot: Vice Verses</a> - Always looking for positive music for Noah to listen to that is also <i>good</i> music. He's joined the drumline at school so he's getting more and more into music. Switchfoot has some good, alternative-stylish stuff and this album just came out. Considering it.<br />
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<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/era-extrana/id461771122">Neon Indian</a>: I think it's funny how so many bands now have that "80's techno" sound. I saw Neon Indian perform on Jimmy Fallon (video below) and thought they were fun! I don't know that I'd listen to the entire album, but I sure liked this song. They were fun to watch!<br />
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<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/codename-rondo/id398024716">Ghostland Observatory: Codename: Rondo</a> - Speaking of techno music...these guys are fun! I only have one of their albums, but I love it. Some good tunes on this one, too. They have a huge following in Austin and David and I want to go see them live. He went to their ACL Music Festival concert and said it was one of the best times he's ever had! They had the University of TX marching band on stage with them. HA, love it! Here's a video of that:<br />
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What music have you discovered lately or what are you favorite stand-by artists? <br />
Go have a GREAT day!<br />
<br />Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-15250020243935460562011-09-19T12:16:00.002-05:002011-10-03T21:28:06.378-05:00Haunted Curio Cabinet: Kits For Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In less than two weeks I'll be teaching my Haunted Curio Cabinet class in Waco at <a href="http://www.croppaper.com/">Crop, Paper, Scissors</a>. If you are in the area, I'd LOVE for you to sign up and join us. The Halloween mood will definitely be in the air and we'll spend 3 hours creating this piece for your home Halloween decor. It's gonna be creepy fun! Just call the store to register.<br />
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If you aren't able to join us for class or live out of town/state, I will have some project kits for sale! Most of what you need to create the kit will be included, along with detailed instructions and photos emailed to you. I will be mailing kits the week of October 3rd, after the class in Waco is completed. If you'd like to order a kit, the details are below:<br />
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<u>The Haunted Curio Cabinet</u><br />
<i>by Jennifer Stewart</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's Halloween, the moon is bright,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The skeletons are out tonight..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Trick or treaters all around,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spooky creatures can be found!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Make your Halloween decor extra spooky this year with this Haunted Curio Cabinet! The 12" piece has a glass door and lots of nooks and crannies that we'll fill with plenty of creepy Halloween goodies. You'll learn lots of new techniques as well, including custom-dyed bottle brush trees, creating dimension, and even a lighted lady portrait. (yes, I do believe her eyes </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">are </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">glowing</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">!</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; line-height: 23px;"><span class="style259" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">What will you will need at home:</span> Paper trimmer, ruler, pencil, good scissors (micro tip, if possible), strong clear-drying liquid glue, Xacto knife, brown and black inkpads (in as many shades as you like), paint brush, bleach, two bowls, rubber/disposable gloves, paper plates, sandpaper, and pliers. EVERYTHING else is provided in your kit!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>KITS are $38, including shipping (U.S. only). </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I will ship your kit the week of October 3rd. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-style: normal;"><i></i></span><br />
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Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-30458435344618354422011-09-14T11:10:00.002-05:002011-09-14T11:11:08.879-05:00Organizing with divided baskets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGXJbqlP0MhTu8w-magplOKx6699GJukVQvEO3NwSjrTpcRaqYMmX946ZzbT5_I1A_N11htr2czhTvVwcn6XOdEsop1eERn4DClx-6Slj5vqSqxJ45twp6-wU2yQI7Ay6lH1N1w/s1600/BasketRibbons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGXJbqlP0MhTu8w-magplOKx6699GJukVQvEO3NwSjrTpcRaqYMmX946ZzbT5_I1A_N11htr2czhTvVwcn6XOdEsop1eERn4DClx-6Slj5vqSqxJ45twp6-wU2yQI7Ay6lH1N1w/s400/BasketRibbons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have always loved this basket because it's flat, wide, and has divided spaces. I got it at Target a few years ago and have used it for many different things. Today I started a redo of my craft room and now this basket holds seam binding and lace, both rolls and loose pieces. The colors are inspiring and having it in view helps me use it. By the way....to get this seam binding by the roll, go to www.zipperstop.com. It's $7.50 for 100 yards! And good luck deciding which ones you want...there are so many beautiful colors!</div>
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I'll share more storage and room photos as I go!</div>
<br />Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-21313779996417907062011-09-08T12:23:00.000-05:002011-09-08T12:25:01.862-05:00Make-It Mondays: The Haunted Curio Cabinet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNktPSnq4_-yr98TUUAb8g6GHi3XVA65tLrHKk_XheOiBWl2okRSvV-Xhu08eMlVwLXTZIHYA6qsWpBSd-lwIh-_27Yy35uxxqEFl9N0J9wQElXM58BoCPzMzq-KZtHyxTFmteQ/s1600/NEWCurioCabinetCollageJStewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNktPSnq4_-yr98TUUAb8g6GHi3XVA65tLrHKk_XheOiBWl2okRSvV-Xhu08eMlVwLXTZIHYA6qsWpBSd-lwIh-_27Yy35uxxqEFl9N0J9wQElXM58BoCPzMzq-KZtHyxTFmteQ/s400/NEWCurioCabinetCollageJStewart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I absolutely LOVE Halloween! We don't do the weird, gory, really awful stuff....just the fun with a little creepy. :) I have several Halloween decor pieces that I've made over the years and now I've created a new one that I'll be teaching as a class! (click on the photo for a larger view)<br />
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<b>The Haunted Curio Cabinet</b><br />
Saturday, October 1st 2-5pm<br />
Crop, Paper, Scissors in Waco, TX<br />
$35<br />
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Class Description and supplies:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono;">It's Halloween, the moon is bright,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono;">The skeletons are out tonight..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono;">Trick or treaters all around,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono;">Spooky creatures can be found!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono;">Make your Halloween decor extra spooky this year with this Haunted Curio Cabinet! The 12" piece has a glass door and lots of nooks and crannies that we'll fill with plenty of creepy Halloween goodies. You'll learn lots of new techniques as well, including custom-dyed bottle brush trees, creating dimension, and even a lighted lady portrait. (yes, I do believe her eyes <i>are </i>glowing<i>!</i>) Come join me for an afternoon of eerie fun!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono;">Students need to bring to class: Paper trimmer, ruler, pencil, good scissors (micro tip, if possible), strong clear-drying liquid glue, Xacto knife, brown and black inkpads (in as many shades as you like). EVERYTHING else is provided!</span></div>
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Come join me for this fun class! You can sign up by calling the store (http://www.croppaper.com). Hurry because space is limited!<br />
<br />Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-90970748912851181202011-09-05T19:34:00.002-05:002011-09-05T19:38:35.604-05:00Foodie Friday: Individual Chicken Pot Pies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTzxw6prCOsZ5cmPOuD_Sm6F1k10YxvZ1aGZWPcjjcVS6KJ7nR4Yaf5eQPitKWiDAvBg4MRLhcBy45NjtKo9wke_9STNqjBKRRo_CJkVKocazvYcYQ2XwgtiOIocaWjBNchVHPA/s1600/PotPie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTzxw6prCOsZ5cmPOuD_Sm6F1k10YxvZ1aGZWPcjjcVS6KJ7nR4Yaf5eQPitKWiDAvBg4MRLhcBy45NjtKo9wke_9STNqjBKRRo_CJkVKocazvYcYQ2XwgtiOIocaWjBNchVHPA/s320/PotPie1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLyPUnf69-HLjUGH0KlJx0zMnJEw7NXZ5nAz5jNLpAGDp1bRVLS83tkkK26ELA9RBmu6-aOVAW-dEKQ1ynM5vimgd0FcM64g2GFlmjkFwvWpXD_TH2LV0nvkx_3zHZvS7aZZZVw/s1600/Potpie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLyPUnf69-HLjUGH0KlJx0zMnJEw7NXZ5nAz5jNLpAGDp1bRVLS83tkkK26ELA9RBmu6-aOVAW-dEKQ1ynM5vimgd0FcM64g2GFlmjkFwvWpXD_TH2LV0nvkx_3zHZvS7aZZZVw/s320/Potpie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>(sorry this post is late!)</i> One of my favorite meals to make is chicken pot pie, the ultimate comfort food. Usually I make one large one in an oval baking dish, but recently I made 6 individual ones..and it was fun! I do have to let you know now, though...this is NOT an uncomplicated, finish in 30 minutes recipe. None of it is hard to do, but it just takes time and has a lot of steps. But a really great thing is that these freeze so well. You could make a bunch at once, freeze them, and have pot pies ready to bake that are 1000 times better than Swanson's or Marie Callender's!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUVJgI3Hd_7Sg0jHYZQgmamRhPEKPydy3Xikx_sWKOG_FIfjUC1uJXG1kHkbDvUfkU7Z6LaOULYAlvdsUUyfCSSnmmqx20-RIUKKOXIuP6AAMg9WXomx3afFf9cXfANDZ9ZaSKg/s1600/Potpie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUVJgI3Hd_7Sg0jHYZQgmamRhPEKPydy3Xikx_sWKOG_FIfjUC1uJXG1kHkbDvUfkU7Z6LaOULYAlvdsUUyfCSSnmmqx20-RIUKKOXIuP6AAMg9WXomx3afFf9cXfANDZ9ZaSKg/s320/Potpie3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ugtPWmpuwFAus7qEMAyKsThAUO8ZWWrNt1YOls393hfHV0Cc7TthsqqSy_i3H_uj2cTZas0hK-U8O2hwfj9b4VixDotKxB1Btq-HkXafgb87FWX1SeWEdnr5Q0t1D7TWhAZDtQ/s1600/Potpie4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ugtPWmpuwFAus7qEMAyKsThAUO8ZWWrNt1YOls393hfHV0Cc7TthsqqSy_i3H_uj2cTZas0hK-U8O2hwfj9b4VixDotKxB1Btq-HkXafgb87FWX1SeWEdnr5Q0t1D7TWhAZDtQ/s320/Potpie4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The first photo at the top shows the filling items that go in the chicken pot pies. I kept everything separated because each of the individual pies had different filling choices. I made these for some picky nephews, so I let them tell me which of the fillings they'd like in their pies - a lot easier than picking out what they don't want to eat. I roasted different veggies (biased sliced carrots, potato chunks, halved mushrooms), chicken breasts, and then had bags of frozen peas and corn. After the veggies and chicken were all finished roasting, I put them in one pan together. (I did not cook them this way...you need much more room than this) I also made a recipe for a double pie crust. If you want to use store-bought, that is just fine and it will work. But homemade butter pie crust is really easy to make in a food processor and tastes so, so good. I sprayed each of the little pie tins with non-stick spray then cut out a little disk of dough to put in the bottom of the pan. You could line the entire pie pan with crust if you like, but these were small and I wanted to be able to put a lot of filling in them. Cut around the upside pan edge with a knife for the top crust. Put the disc of crust in the pan, fill with the liquid filling and filling veggies/chicken of your choice, then finish with the top crust, pressing down crust edges with your fingers or a fork. (photo shows Jack's pie...he only wanted chicken, corn and potatoes) You <b>must </b>have vent holes in the top of the crust so the pie doesn't explode, so you might as well make it fun with a happy face. :) You could also do initials, a heart, anything! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xmH8icibiODPTWBdOG1ec73vt9HcFsl-Z0dzaILgUn8L3RVkXpkjRczDdhApwUCz8fERU7-1bj7_qkoWb-2FskiMol11uXM0tA01KSS3mZ42DSugn68tV6JbqPODj6GlTixtyA/s1600/Potpie5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xmH8icibiODPTWBdOG1ec73vt9HcFsl-Z0dzaILgUn8L3RVkXpkjRczDdhApwUCz8fERU7-1bj7_qkoWb-2FskiMol11uXM0tA01KSS3mZ42DSugn68tV6JbqPODj6GlTixtyA/s320/Potpie5.jpg" width="320" /></a>Of course, I forgot to take a baked pot pie photo, but they are really beautiful with a nice flaky crust. Just picture that. :) If you are going to freeze them, just wrap in tight foil and freeze the unbaked pies. <br />
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Other filling ideas - frozen green beans, roasted sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli florets (small), or any frozen veggies you like.<br />
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Enjoy...and try it with fruit pies, too! It's fun for everyone to have his/her own pie for dinner. :)<br />
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<i>Recipe follows...</i><br />
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<b><i><u>Jennifer's Chicken Pot Pie</u></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 Tbsp.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">butter</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 c.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> onion, chopped</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms (optional, but so good)</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 Tbsp.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">flour</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 c.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">chicken stock </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 c.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">half and half (or whole milk to make it lighter)</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 medium potatoes, skinned, chunked and roasted</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6-8 carrots, peeled, chunked, and roasted</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 c. frozen</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">peas</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, roasted then shredded</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 Tbsp. </span></span><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">parsley</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_57990533"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></a></i></span><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/254603/pate-brisee-pie-dough"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">recipe for a double pie crust</span></a></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">salt, pepper, rosemary, sage to taste</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">extra virgin olive oil</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 egg + 1 Tbsp. water (for eggwash)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Make your pie crusts following recipe above, making sure EVERYTHING is very cold. I even freeze the butter after I cut it into cubes and will put the flour in the freezer as well. The colder everything is, the flakier your crust will be. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spray a couple of glass baking dishes with non-stick spray. (or use non-stick cookie sheets and don't spray them) Dish 1 - lay your chicken breasts down and sprinkle with kosher salt, cracked pepper, drizzled olive oil, and a dash of rosemary and sage. Pick up and rub the chicken breasts so that they are coated with all ingredients on both sides. Dish 2 - toss the chunked carrots and potatoes with kosher salt, cracked pepper, drizzled olive oil and a small dash of rosemary. (a little rosemary goes a long way, so don't over do it) </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bake (roast) at 375-400 until chicken browns and vegetables start to brown. Set dishes aside. When the chicken is cool enough, shred it and return to dish.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Preheat the oven to 400 F. Grease a large, deep baking dish or at least 6 small pie tins. In a large saute pan, melt the butter. Add the onions and mushrooms and saute for 2 minutes, until onions are soft and mushrooms start to brown a little. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the flour with a whisk and cook for about 3-4 minutes for a blond roux. Mixture will look like a paste. Stir in the chicken stock and bring the liquid up to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce starts to thicken. Stir in the half and half (or milk) and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Line the baking pan with one of the crusts or follow directions above for small pie tins/crusts. Ladle the liquid filling into the pan(s), then add the fillings of your choice (chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, corn). Place the top crust on top of the filled pie(s). Carefully tuck the overlapping crust into the pan and crimp the edges of the crust. Poke a few vent holes in the top of each pie. Mix 1 egg with a tablespoon of water and brush the eggwash over the top of crusts. Place pie(s) on a baking sheet and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before serving. Yum!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="abc" itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="name" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-28623704783036300892011-08-29T11:08:00.007-05:002011-08-29T12:58:27.745-05:00Make Something Monday: Crepe Ruffles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7qeDc0eGTOyUUScolbFWk9UZHNnb0VJ1tir3-Cb067HDPs1egOQiN2KoLiQ2-1hgqh3vTXLxZa3Vam_NwO2k2vHha8J-B_ig6vlOx-2o390aMDW34YFCi9LK1y5Kmuw94jPD5g/s1600/Collage5.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7qeDc0eGTOyUUScolbFWk9UZHNnb0VJ1tir3-Cb067HDPs1egOQiN2KoLiQ2-1hgqh3vTXLxZa3Vam_NwO2k2vHha8J-B_ig6vlOx-2o390aMDW34YFCi9LK1y5Kmuw94jPD5g/s320/Collage5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646311686891892082" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I recently</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> taught a really fun Kitschy Christmas Wreath class for a Christmas in July event at<a href="http://croppaper.typepad.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i><b> Crop, Paper, Scissors</b></i></span></a>. It was SO MUCH FUN. Seeing everyone make all of the little elements on the wreath and then put it all together was so inspiring! I taught the ladies how to make all of the paper elements for the wreath and then everyone worked independently to put their wreaths together. One of the things we learned how to make were the crepe ruffles, like the one you see behind the green pleated circle. I've seen these made so many different ways, but the method I used was great because there is no drying time involved, so we were able to use the ruffles immediately on the wreaths.
<br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPQG79R5pCCGhQDyKKuLdkiTfTBlkM4pWZtbxgBQfhV4P0WD87DIm4-9GZdopGW-g46OJeSftx0y96px88pTcCveG5vQ1-PMO1rPyo69X2SyAU7jUjG5pwGEVsZXua5pcAyjhnQ/s1600/NEWHANDOUT-Crepe1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPQG79R5pCCGhQDyKKuLdkiTfTBlkM4pWZtbxgBQfhV4P0WD87DIm4-9GZdopGW-g46OJeSftx0y96px88pTcCveG5vQ1-PMO1rPyo69X2SyAU7jUjG5pwGEVsZXua5pcAyjhnQ/s320/NEWHANDOUT-Crepe1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646311241913121410" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">For the ruffles, you just need a regular stapler and some crepe paper rolls like you'd find in the party section. You know...</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">streamers</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">! S</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">imply take a length of crepe paper (any length is fine since you can add to it or trim it shorter later) and follow this pattern – gather, gather, gather, staple. You'll start at one end of the crepe paper and keep folding the long end back onto the shorter end, making small gathers/pleats, holding together at the bottom with your thumb and index finger. Once you have a small section of pleats held down with your thumb (as shown), slide your stapler into the middle and staple all of the pleats together. If it doesn't hold, do another staple. </span></span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">You won't see the staples in the finished product since you'll be covering them up. </span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Continue to gather and staple in a circle pattern until you get back around to the start of the crepe paper. If you have too much crepe left, just trim off the end. If you don't finish the circle and need more, simply start a new ruffle and then staple the two together into one circle. Keep all of your staples in the middle. Fluff up the outer edges and you now have a pretty crepe paper ruffle! Using a stapler for this is great because it has a strong hold and you don't have to wait for any messy glue to dry.</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I recently listed some Halloween project PDF in my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><i><a href="http://jenniferstewart.etsy.com/">Etsy Shop</a></i></b></span>...just $2 each! I will email you multi-page, multi-photo PDFs to print with downloadable elements, detailed instructions, and even a complete product list so you'll know what I used on my project....or use what you already have in your own stash!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Thanks for visiting my blog today! Have you ever made crepe ruffles?
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<br /></div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-9745887975428347212011-08-26T08:15:00.003-05:002011-08-26T10:19:34.530-05:00Foodie Friday: Ditch the Packet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyPg1wV0b3bV98EwSkXOt0hqnEVV0mZ0oFdZkqDUWoyBPz9SjlNkHUp16dbLR8hxsJkpPPkSnV_3c4IwMIgE5CpSeJc1s0I0mkBo-YTnzKP3hQaRKt4PNaAoUqETPhBfxb0U7kw/s1600/Tacopacket.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyPg1wV0b3bV98EwSkXOt0hqnEVV0mZ0oFdZkqDUWoyBPz9SjlNkHUp16dbLR8hxsJkpPPkSnV_3c4IwMIgE5CpSeJc1s0I0mkBo-YTnzKP3hQaRKt4PNaAoUqETPhBfxb0U7kw/s320/Tacopacket.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645182951708129954" /></a>We love our tacos around here! Probably once every week or two I make beef tacos on soft corn tortillas and we pile them with lettuce, tomatoes, diced avocado...all the good stuff. But they are made even BETTER by using homemade taco seasoning! You are probably thinking, "whatever, Jennifer....the stuff in the packet is so much easier." Yeah, probably, but it's more expensive than homemade and it is completely packed with too much salt. Once you try this mixture made with spices you probably already have in your pantry, you'll never go back! One recipe seasons 1 lb. of ground beef. You can also control the <i>heat </i>by using less crushed red pepper and control the <i>smokiness </i>by cutting back on the cumin. Completely your choice. Try it the original way one time, though. You'll love it. Happy Friday!<div>
<br /></div><div><b><i>Homemade Taco Seasoning</i></b></div><div><i>from Allrecipes.com</i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; "><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; "><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; "><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1 tablespoon chili powder</i></span></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1/4 teaspoon garlic powder</i></span></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1/4 teaspoon onion powder</i></span></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes</i></span></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1/4 teaspoon dried oregano</i></span></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1/2 teaspoon paprika</i></span></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin</i></span></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1 teaspoon sea salt</i></span></span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>1 teaspoon black pepper</i></span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium;"><i>
<br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium;"><i>Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and sprinkle over 1 lb. ground beef. Add 2/3 cup of water and stir. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. </i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium;"><i>
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<br /></i></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: dotted; width: 300px; "></div><div class="directions" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; "></div></span></i></div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-28720775212147519312011-08-25T09:04:00.007-05:002011-08-25T09:15:33.481-05:00Let Them Choose<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfbJzqcOZ9qLndxKlWysQ7kc7RBHVkc1DJyvxXINLKDF_eKoJAK7JS8wGDSyf3PLziYbZVDioub6lPAkY_zpoas23XZEJulyd9uwR3PhgnT7Teuw6RTDQs8lzX4N9NLDB6TUO3g/s1600/Roomservice.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfbJzqcOZ9qLndxKlWysQ7kc7RBHVkc1DJyvxXINLKDF_eKoJAK7JS8wGDSyf3PLziYbZVDioub6lPAkY_zpoas23XZEJulyd9uwR3PhgnT7Teuw6RTDQs8lzX4N9NLDB6TUO3g/s320/Roomservice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644794642593416674" /></a>Last weekend was the final one before school started for Noah and we wanted to do something fun. So we headed for San Antonio! We spent two nights at the Embassy Suites, all day Saturday at Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park <i>(thank the Lord for the water park area), </i>and Sunday at Malibu Grand Prix, riding go karts and playing mini golf and video games. We let Noah have a vote in all of the restaurants choices, he pretty much decided which ride was next at the park, and we didn't leave the fun until he said he was ready. When we got to our hotel room the first night and he saw the room service menu, he said, "can we please order something? Please, please??" We are the <i>it's cheaper and faster to go down to the restaurant</i> people, but that night we said, "sure!" He was thrilled to have a huge piece of Outrageous Chocolate Cake delivered to our door on a tray with a silver cover. All of these things seem so simple to us as adults, but to a tween kid, they are things he'll remember for a long time. <div>
<br /></div><div>Splurge, do something out of the ordinary, let your kids decide for you. It was great fun. :)</div><div>
<br /></div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-36437214170879056942011-08-25T08:12:00.004-05:002011-08-25T09:14:17.815-05:00Make Something Monday: Stitches and Words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrlJ8c4UPOMT4qlan4MIhGfuKywfaPr0m6gpK4VK_unBX74NRoZjhGkbhw-Qq7CI9Z1uDTCe2B7Z_KBTygRBvjFiLcdq6V8sUl7Ot9NcKJAvAsszxXIkdQWoZyoa82eKsPTsLsQ/s1600/WacoProject3.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrlJ8c4UPOMT4qlan4MIhGfuKywfaPr0m6gpK4VK_unBX74NRoZjhGkbhw-Qq7CI9Z1uDTCe2B7Z_KBTygRBvjFiLcdq6V8sUl7Ot9NcKJAvAsszxXIkdQWoZyoa82eKsPTsLsQ/s320/WacoProject3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644783539916859154" /></a>Sometimes it's hard to find just the right embellishment for a page or project. I love stitching and I love single words, so creating my own little page accents is super simple. <div>
<br /></div><div><b>Stitching</b>: Embroidery floss is so cheap and comes in literally <a href="http://www.dmc-usa.com/majic/pageServer/0p0100001b/en_US/Colour-card---Mouline-Special-117.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">hundreds of colors</span></i></a>. Just grab your favorite color and a needle. Find where you want your embellishment to be on your page. Using the needle, poke holes thru the background paper in an evenly-spaced pattern in whatever shape you desire. Pictured here is a heart, but the possibilities are endless. You could even use a chipboard shape as a template. Or how about poking your stitching holes around some big chipboard alphabet letters? You could make a stitched title right on your page. So...thread your floss (I use all 6 strands so it's thick) and coming up from the back of the page, stitch back and forth thru the poked holes. Cut thread and tie off into a knot on the back when you are finished. And there you go...stitched embellishment in your choice of color, size, and placement!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Words:</b> Little words placed on a photo or inside of an embellishment are nice little accents to a page. You can make your own by simply finding a font you like, typing up a page of words you want, and printing the page on heavy cardstock. <i>(I love <a href="http://www.dafont.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">this site</span></a> for new fonts)</i> Cut the words apart and they are ready to use. I like to put the little words in jars for storage so I can see them....and it looks cute. :) Try using a theme for your words - Halloween, baby, love, family, etc. I'll get you started with a <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B0LjAPdEdDBeNzBjYTcxZTUtYTE3MC00ZjE3LWI2MjItYjE5NWQ3MTdmNmFj&hl=en"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i>page of School words here</i></span></a>. Just print and cut apart! <i>Note: In Word (doc) format you have to have the fonts installed on your computer for them to print correctly, therefore </i><i>I saved this in PDF format so the fonts would show up when you print them. </i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Thanks for stopping by my blog today!</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">
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<br /></div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-92165974622202395832011-08-25T07:26:00.004-05:002011-08-25T09:14:08.148-05:00Foodie Friday: For the Love of My Grill Pan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsdjg3Pn5kmRRCY7V5JUgmWRoTDpEd91Jql8yOGZ57tIvENQatNUHOqf42j5I6gR_V-vGHyVJ2X7lgMorsssGz9PLr-A-lQfkMUNdovZpgnJM4qF-ClWqBFfNUjiu4jlovE_95A/s1600/GrillPan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsdjg3Pn5kmRRCY7V5JUgmWRoTDpEd91Jql8yOGZ57tIvENQatNUHOqf42j5I6gR_V-vGHyVJ2X7lgMorsssGz9PLr-A-lQfkMUNdovZpgnJM4qF-ClWqBFfNUjiu4jlovE_95A/s320/GrillPan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644772572244714146" /></a>Outdoor grilling is great, but really....in the heat we've been having in TX, who wants to stand outside over a flaming grill? It's not going to be me, that's for sure. <div>
<br /></div><div>I've been getting a lot of use out of my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Calphalon-Nonstick-13-Inch-Round/dp/B001AS94W6"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"><i>Calphalon Grill Pan</i></span></b></a> this summer! Simply marinating our dinner meat all day in the fridge and grilling it up right before we eat sure makes dinnertime easier. (and healthier!) It's easy to find <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?&Nr=Record%20Type:Result&N=501&fnSearchString=marinade"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i>marinade recipes</i></span></b></a> online and it kind of forces you to do early dinner prep. A big bonus on busy days!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Some of our favorites from this summer are <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/fajitas-recipe2/index.html">Tyler's Fajitas</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">(even better than a restaurant!), </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/tequila-lime-chicken-recipe/index.html">Tequila Lime Chicken</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">, and <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/barbecue-roasted-salmon-10000000222224/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i><b>BBQ Roasted Salmon</b></i></span></a> (I grill instead of baking). </span></i></b>You can even brush the grill with a little butter and grill up some fresh peaches or pineapple slices with some brown sugar and cinnamon for dessert. (great over vanilla bean ice cream or just by themselves!) </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I hope this inspires you to grill indoors and try some new flavors!</div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></span></i></b></div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-88527811979694746972011-08-17T05:00:00.003-05:002011-08-17T05:00:06.889-05:00Wednesday: Piles and Piles of Junk Mail<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCpYgrrr9wrrHDtY6y0eeT1wb3NJSskB_wE7oRMMpZqheMmULHlGKyqopum2RX7FI0qfqsSeZofOheovRzPLcZL3ghIg3j9Mv1uDda7pjwuCZNHEyeWh0N7DN7hiWWZ25VDn2LA/s1600/Catalogs1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCpYgrrr9wrrHDtY6y0eeT1wb3NJSskB_wE7oRMMpZqheMmULHlGKyqopum2RX7FI0qfqsSeZofOheovRzPLcZL3ghIg3j9Mv1uDda7pjwuCZNHEyeWh0N7DN7hiWWZ25VDn2LA/s400/Catalogs1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641493439158054722" /></a>I remember when I first moved into the dorm at University of TX and how cool I thought it was to get mail. Any mail! It was fun to see my name on the label...almost like a contest to see who would walk back to the room with the biggest stack. Now? Not so much. I detest junk mail. I'm not the world's biggest tree hugger, but when I go thru the day's mail and throw away 98% of it? Ugh. Catalogs, coupons, unsolicited advertisements, "please come back to us" pleading letters.... it's too much. <div>
<br /></div><div>So, yesterday I sat down with a huge pile of collected junk mail with the intention of getting our name OFF of each and every one of their lists. Most of the ads and catalogs were for companies where we had purchased something one time. But that one time gets you on their forever mailing (and emailing) list. Also, if you've ever <i>left </i>a company for another, they will forever bombard you with letters that offer something better. (thank you, GEICO and AT&T) </div><div>
<br /></div><div>If you look on the back of some of the junk mail, it will list a phone number to call to be removed from the mailing list. Those were easy enough. But some of them don't have any information, so for those I headed to their company website. Look for the <i>Customer Service </i>or <i>Contact Us</i> links. Most of the time, this is where I either found an email address, an 800-number, or a form to fill out to remove ourselves from the mailing list. Funny, the hardest one to find was for Rack Room Shoes! I bought one pair of shoes there years ago and get frequent flyers from them. There was not a contact number or email address anywhere. I ended up accidentally calling the director of copyright infringement, ha. They had his personal phone number on the website...weird. I just told him, "oh, sorry, wrong number" as I didn't think he'd be the person to ask to remove our address. :D </div><div>
<br /></div><div>It took about an hour, but after I was done it felt great to know that in a few months I shouldn't be pulling piles of ads out of the mailbox. The beginning of a new school year always gets me in "clean out" mode, so this mission definitely made me happy! Have you cleared out what you receive in the mail yet? If so, have you noticed a difference?</div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Thanks for coming to my blog today. :)</i></div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-52764267502982538282011-08-15T02:00:00.001-05:002011-08-15T02:00:07.169-05:00Make Something Monday: Dyed Bottle Brush TreesI've always loved the vintage bottle brush trees that you see in antique Christmas displays. Many are dusted with shiny mica flakes or chunky silver glitter. Some even have tiny Christmas balls embedded in them. Whatever the color or style, I've always wanted some but have you seen how much some of these cost? There's no way I was going to pay such high prices for them. A while ago I saw the instructions somewhere online for custom dyeing bottle brush trees at home and told myself that I'd make them someday. When I was getting ready for my recent Kitschy Christmas Wreath class, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to try it! <div>
<br /></div><div>Since it was the end of July, finding a package of the ugly green flocked bottle brush trees wasn't easy. However, Hobby Lobby carries them year-round in the dollhouse miniatures section - <a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/miniature-seasonal-trees-740837/?F_All=Y"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">3 trees for $1.99</span></b></a>. Not bad! And if you get them during a week when dollhouse items are 50% off...even better! </div><div>
<br /></div><div>To dye the trees you'll need the following items: bottle brush trees of any size, bleach, protective gloves (latex or dishwashing are fine), salt, dish soap, fabric dyes, paper towels, water, and a large bowl for the bleach, soap/water and each dye color. </div><div>
<br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCNYxlVQoRh2o-6o-En2kfJMhacn_UcrZ2zX8OJuOFcKRVsAwra22JgjY_kOuw7Ymr2YGoFjxr4Oh9013k8mTfWo5m2wcPKEeCXArJqq5KuDhTKEqTUmVtNyoNyaG-kCuencdfA/s320/P1030450.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639418720954098114" /><div><b>Step 1:</b> Wearing gloves, fill a large bowl with straight bleach. If you are uncomfortable using straight bleach, you can add some water to it. It will just take longer for the trees to bleach out. Add your bottle brush trees to the bleach and let them soak about 10 minutes. The color will immediately start to fade. With your gloved hands, rub the bleach into the trees. After the trees are completely bleached, throw them into a bowl of soap/water. Rub each tree with soap, then run under warm water, squeeze off excess water, and set aside on paper towels. Don't worry if the bristles look weird. You can reshape them later after they are dry from dyeing.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><i>(more photos below)</i></div><div><b>Step 2:</b> For each dye color, fill a large mixing bowl about 1/2 full with water, a tablespoon of salt (keeps the color from running) and 1/2 package of fabric dye. <i>The dyes I used on the trees below are Rit Petal Pink and Dylon Bahama Blue, both brands available at Hobby Lobby. </i>Holding the tree by the base, dip quickly into dye bowl, only submerging for 1-2 seconds. (wear gloves) The color takes <i>immediately</i>, so check the color and dip again for a darker shade. Let trees dry on paper towels overnight. Be careful not to let different color trees touch each other as the color will transfer. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Step 3:</b> When trees are completely dry, you can leave them as is <i>or </i>bling them up a bit! Brush them with a light coating of mod podge and sprinkle on some fine or chunky glitter or mica flakes. You can also cover the base with glitter. Many of the students in my Christmas wreath class jazzed up their dyed trees and they were so beautiful! You can see some photos of what they did <a href="http://cateredcrop.com/2011/08/03/kitchy-christmas-in-july/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">here</span></b></a> and <a href="http://papercowgirl.blogspot.com/2011/08/even-head-cowgirl-needs-to-learn.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">here</span></b></a>. (thanks Linda and Cindy!) </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and that you'll try some of these yourself. I think I'll make some orange and black ones for Halloween!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmlLiwWeaq7COVFdmEws_98NvJGuN1l_hBRBcjXRGz600S1Tm6Kd7qIQXev-D2i-neIDMoQ3Mi3Rs30108tg1oZ9k2en5DkFL7HR4s9RXJm7Hr3xFJsGWW_FF6-uRYZqWWOemJA/s320/P1030452.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639444691540364818" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE7iMRBBccFiwsoZBzotWZz5j7W1b-jtkYe0XDSfXhHA7Zh_g0iUmhlcD9E5xAuumOFLwFyjqV13flawuKj1Ea7XUg9ogPhFmvmyWrTN64Jw6cUFdY9eu3dQYkoyukbYz4NjTog/s320/P1030454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639418727143416898" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHN2RDgB6XXaM1W7Ig7SkeoUsZfos3pZBh9G9mUj5Zv-371eUnR9O6kU3GvS5ixTACJBCvrjLLKP4X4bpfMOkVuiTCo3rPLgmZbaTQysUSGVvzVcSewUz7805CVpDrCV5x0d-yVg/s1600/P1030455.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHN2RDgB6XXaM1W7Ig7SkeoUsZfos3pZBh9G9mUj5Zv-371eUnR9O6kU3GvS5ixTACJBCvrjLLKP4X4bpfMOkVuiTCo3rPLgmZbaTQysUSGVvzVcSewUz7805CVpDrCV5x0d-yVg/s320/P1030455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639418731449514882" /></a></div><div>
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<br /></div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-29115509615583720822011-08-12T01:00:00.004-05:002011-08-12T08:24:48.858-05:00Foodie Friday - Roasted Vegetable (or Chicken) Pizza...aka Date Night Pizza<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFtBaqZ3-k8xmnP0EbOay3dP3mahFsKQOYqgwpKEHeqLY1izNjEOFUgK8byBmpUzjcfASMXwzGiDASZOIX-DYsnAf6cjBNQoPSIA99MughW-z3bi_dmnOtR_fuRfd8FaV4O2RIg/s1600/roastedvegpizza.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFtBaqZ3-k8xmnP0EbOay3dP3mahFsKQOYqgwpKEHeqLY1izNjEOFUgK8byBmpUzjcfASMXwzGiDASZOIX-DYsnAf6cjBNQoPSIA99MughW-z3bi_dmnOtR_fuRfd8FaV4O2RIg/s400/roastedvegpizza.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639690457348813794" /></a>Once in a while Noah will spend the night at a friend's house, his cousin's house or with Grandma. As soon as we know we have the house to ourselves for the evening and we've decided we will stay in, we think of Date Night Pizza! Translated, that means David and I stay home, watch a really loud movie and make homemade pizza together. And drink <a href="https://www.beckervineyards.com/xe/xe.asp?page=viewitem&p=621&cat=red-wine"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"><i><b>wine</b></i></span></a>.<div>
<br /></div><div>So, here's how we make it.... get a really good frozen pizza dough that you can roll out. Central Market and Whole Foods sell their own bakery brands in the frozen pizza case. We also like <a href="http://www.italco.com/index.php/il-traditional-pizza-dough-balls.html"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">Il Fornaio</span></b></i></a> a lot. Hey, for $2.00 it's really good and worth the non-trouble of making your own, which is also fun, but that's like Date DAY material. Moving on....</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Get several fresh veggies to roast. For the pizza pictured we used eggplant (peeled and chunked), zucchini (sliced into half circles), yellow and orange cherry tomatoes (sliced in 1/2 lengthwise), and fresh garlic (chopped). Toss all of the veggies in a big baking dish with extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper. Don't overdo it on the oil or your veggies will just be mushy. Bake at 400° until the veggies start to brown. The brown is what makes it goooooood. When they are done, set them aside. You can also roast some boneless chicken breasts in the same way, browning and then shredding or slicing when done. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Next, make your sauce....yes, make. It's so easy, simple and yum. Just get some really good tomato sauce. I like the <a href="http://www.cento.com/"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">Cento</span></b></i></a> brand for all things canned tomato because it's all got a richer flavor than others. Yeah, it's a little pricier, but like 50 cents higher...not a big difference. So mix a small can of tomato paste with a little extra virgin olive oil, some kosher salt, fresh pepper, and about one teaspoon of dried Italian seasonings. Whisk it all together and if it's not "spreadable," add more evoo. Prepare your pizza dough, spread the sauce over the dough (use a rubber spatula), then toss your roasted veggies and/or chicken on top. I also threw on a few fresh basil leaves, but didn't roast those with the veggies. Last.....best part...... slice some fresh mozzarella cheese and lay the slices on the top, just randomly placed all over the pizza. Trust me on this...don't use the shredded bag 'o cheese. Buy that fresh ball of homemade mozzarella and slice it up. Our local grocery store makes it's own and you can find the fresh stuff in the gourmet cheese section, usually by the deli meats. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Bake the pizza according to the crust package instructions, being careful not to burn it. (because the cheese gets weird, too) Let it sit for a minute or two before cutting. Yum...and don't forget the wine. :) What do you put on your homemade pizza?</div><div>
<br /></div><div> <i>Happy Date Night!</i></div><div><i></i> </div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-39746422524928126232011-08-11T10:16:00.002-05:002011-08-11T10:35:02.311-05:00Blogging ScheduleSo I'm hoping by creating a schedule for myself, I'll become more of a regular blogger. It keeps me accountable <i>and </i>it gives me a preset topic. Here's what I'm thinking -<div>
<br /></div><div><i><b>Make Something Mondays</b></i>: Craft projects, scrapbook pages, homemade holidays...just something related to crafts. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><b><i>Whatever Wednesdays:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">On these days it will be random - maybe a personal story, organizational tips, reviews, etc.</span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i>Foodie Fridays:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> Every</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Friday I'll share new recipes and food stories. I think the best recipes are those that are already tried by someone else. So you can bet that I'll never share a bad recipe here!</span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">
<br /></span></span></i></b></div><div>Today I'm filling in the family calendar with fall activity dates. School, scouts, holidays, church activities, youth group, and my own classes - lots of fun coming up! Making sure to keep plenty of "blank spots" as well. That's purposeful. We can choose to fill every square on the calendar, keep our family running around 24/7, live in the minivan, eat at drive thru restaurants on the way to "somewhere"....or we can choose some blank space. Contrary to society, there doesn't have to always be something happening outside of togetherness at our own home to make life good. Do you try to do the same thing? When do you say "no?" Oh, and by the way....writing down things on a central family calendar is a great memory keeping tool. I have calendars from the past 10 years, and it's fun to look back on things like "38 week OB appointment" and "our 2nd anniversary trip." :)</div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I look forward to sharing more with you. As always, thanks for dropping by here! </span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></b></div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-79755761082744522042011-08-10T14:41:00.003-05:002011-08-10T14:58:57.313-05:00Playdate and Strawberry Ice CreamHello, hello blog friends!! Long time, no see! I'm so happy to be back, committed to blogging at least three times a week. Facebook is really BAD for blogging....well, for me anyway. :) I'm thinking I'll follow a M/W/F schedule to keep me on track. Some of the blogging topics I'll use will be crafting, how-tos, organization, recipes, and of course the occasional personal entries. <div>
<br /></div><div>I gave my blog a new look and even stitched my own blog banner last night. I found a font I wanted to use (called <i>Playdate</i>), typed the title out in Word, then actually placed my fabric over the laptop screen and traced the title with a disappearing ink pen, ha. I stitched it last night while watching Pawn Stars (don't you love that show?), took photos of it this morning, edited it, uploaded it, and here it is. I took real photos instead of scanning because of the bulk from the buttons. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>You'll also find some of my Paper Cowgirl class kits in my Etsy shop (link to the left). I had some left over so I reduced the price and listed them. Such a fun project for your home!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'll leave you today with a yummy recipe that I love making in the summertime. The strawberry soda gives it a "bite" and it's SO easy to make. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><a href="http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2010/06/strawberry-ice-cream-summer-is-here.html">Strawberry Soda Ice Cream</a></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">
<br /></span></div><div>I'll see you soon!</div>Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-67760207899156002652011-08-04T16:11:00.002-05:002011-08-10T16:20:46.981-05:00Returning soon!I'm coming back....I promise! In the next week or so I'm going to redo my blog and get on a regular schedule. Can't wait to return. :)Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-14429462325565913282011-02-15T19:21:00.003-06:002011-08-10T16:21:23.351-05:00Paper Cowgirl Art Retreat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgua0olixKeCWj93GPw0Z6c5fbG1iPKWdqx5QTlDp23y2tLLtg4RvvJQnDhwR7ro-J277L5NRyeQKQwFirpsyxAjNQo7gICJ5HwhSWD9Xnszi2e1MNzBmxNDnSsdeRyJnHDK1ySqg/s1600/JStewartPC2011ClassCollage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgua0olixKeCWj93GPw0Z6c5fbG1iPKWdqx5QTlDp23y2tLLtg4RvvJQnDhwR7ro-J277L5NRyeQKQwFirpsyxAjNQo7gICJ5HwhSWD9Xnszi2e1MNzBmxNDnSsdeRyJnHDK1ySqg/s400/JStewartPC2011ClassCollage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574091556110996626" border="0" /></a>Hi, friends!
<br />
<br />I think I figured out what is making me such a bad blogger - Facebook. I find it so much easier just to sit and write a sentence or two rather than a few paragraphs. That is SAD. The guilt set in, so here I am, lol. :)
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<br />The photo you see here is the project I'll be teaching at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Paper Cowgirl 2011</span> in June! So excited to be asked to be a teacher again this year. The line up of instructors and classes is AMAZING. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;" href="http://papercowgirl.blogspot.com/">You must go see</a>! Registration will be starting in about a week, so keep an eye on the blog and the Facebook page. I'm so in love with my project. I love that it's vintage-style but still full of color.
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<br />Thanks for still coming by here! :)Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-35143843214651124702010-12-12T22:46:00.002-06:002010-12-12T22:56:11.430-06:00Pendant Winner!Hi, everyone! Sorry it's so late on Sunday to be drawing a winner. :) I've been sitting here packaging up some orders that I received this weekend so I can mail them tomorrow, and the time just got away from me. I wish I could give one to everyone who entered. Thanks so much for commenting and all of the nice things you said. They mean so much!<br /><br />OK....using Random Number Generator with 38 comments.......the number chosen was #8.<br /><br /><img style="font-style: italic;" src="https://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" class="comment-icon blogger-comment" alt="Blogger" /><span style="font-style: italic;"> <a href="profile/05546352888412068546" rel="nofollow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">Courtney Walsh</a> said...</span> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="comment-timestamp">Jen! These are awesome!! I LOVE them! :) Off to check out your etsy shop!!</p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="comment-timestamp">12:22 PM</p>That's you, Courtney! :D <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Email me</span> with your pendant choice <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JenniferStewart"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">from my shop </span></a>and I'll get it in the mail to you.Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14098850.post-30343311631798751362010-12-10T11:56:00.004-06:002010-12-10T12:01:50.567-06:00Pendant Giveaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q2t1ljONHB0tGDEIv_diUEcb07KnPdseS1BYtVEEVpCLEdpDd5Dw5mDgtbG3rh2anncGGcM5QeJ84e5FNT_Y2zCwLgM0VC0B671BVok0_ZOUtB9vwqrEesvGSXjCh4g_2a14Lg/s1600/GroupPendants.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q2t1ljONHB0tGDEIv_diUEcb07KnPdseS1BYtVEEVpCLEdpDd5Dw5mDgtbG3rh2anncGGcM5QeJ84e5FNT_Y2zCwLgM0VC0B671BVok0_ZOUtB9vwqrEesvGSXjCh4g_2a14Lg/s320/GroupPendants.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549114498471387746" border="0" /></a>Hi, friends!<br /><br />I just finished uploading a bunch of new pendants to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JenniferStewart"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">my Etsy shop</span></a>. I used Swarovski crystals, braided copper, glitter, digital prints...lots of fun things. Trying to earn a little of my own money for Christmas and David's December birthday. :) <br /><br />I'd like to give away one of my pendants to you, my sweet blog readers! Just leave a comment below and Sunday I will randomly choose a winner. The winner may choose any pendant that is available in my Etsy shop on Sunday and I'll mail it out to you. Perfect for a Christmas gift...or a treat for yourself! Thanks so much for coming by. :)Jennifer Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13621897835653736435noreply@blogger.com40