tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58552036505103271282024-03-13T07:44:39.945-07:00One Crafty FaireyBubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-26513711643280079802012-05-20T20:14:00.001-07:002012-05-20T20:14:58.638-07:00Well sure it TASTES good...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CcrtjFBPTcn_iaL6fAlQqfr_jXWz-ApISmLX6ZPwH-ZMK5bNZgoUr6KXIthDMaHi1qTpX3x2E4e3NIaVaYd9rw8TbRP559pna5yqMvOFixT-atJ0MnRl0l7cEY5GkNCnJ5_F6uKrjpoL/s1600/100_4796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CcrtjFBPTcn_iaL6fAlQqfr_jXWz-ApISmLX6ZPwH-ZMK5bNZgoUr6KXIthDMaHi1qTpX3x2E4e3NIaVaYd9rw8TbRP559pna5yqMvOFixT-atJ0MnRl0l7cEY5GkNCnJ5_F6uKrjpoL/s320/100_4796.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a duck! Nah, it's just my camera being old and stupid.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_29479014">I made a batch of improvised kumquat/whateverquat/meyer lemon vanilla bean marmalade last night. While it tastes spectacular, it was a pretty dumb move. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHt8Gx6ItXUv1faI_wrbXFlDqwSGYOUBHf8XyJ9Po-OmAFrcgVEgkzvxLTQR7w6nAVu9dK1ZOVos6nPfDp-7QbbRYsoFo3uXi6ss1LeCRY2MU6voe4VlZwjdec1UkQkP_gc0XnqMGTQB0/s1600/100_4799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHt8Gx6ItXUv1faI_wrbXFlDqwSGYOUBHf8XyJ9Po-OmAFrcgVEgkzvxLTQR7w6nAVu9dK1ZOVos6nPfDp-7QbbRYsoFo3uXi6ss1LeCRY2MU6voe4VlZwjdec1UkQkP_gc0XnqMGTQB0/s320/100_4799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_29479014"> </span><br />
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<span id="goog_29479014">2 pints of kumquats</span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">2 pints whateverquats</span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">4 Meyer lemons, 2 juiced</span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">2 vanilla beans</span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">2 Tbsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">4 1/2 cups sugar</span><br />
<br />
<span id="goog_29479014">I roasted the citrus like I did with the Fig/Lemon Marmalade, in my (covered) dutch oven at 275 degrees with just enough enough water to float the lemons for about an hour until the kumquats deflated like sad little balloons. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57NGEAflfpwZHlg_RNvn-Qp00DyYQoxEGmf2jw_7I4Z8V4hC_KKipu4tUfkg42B-6EIeryjdbJqA9hmH6NOOWZHksmyq7YgpbWCA-maAOlOAas-a8sH0j-uxSSI92tk-y4BpnVYQDXal3/s1600/100_4790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57NGEAflfpwZHlg_RNvn-Qp00DyYQoxEGmf2jw_7I4Z8V4hC_KKipu4tUfkg42B-6EIeryjdbJqA9hmH6NOOWZHksmyq7YgpbWCA-maAOlOAas-a8sH0j-uxSSI92tk-y4BpnVYQDXal3/s320/100_4790.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before tucking into the oven</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_29479014">This was a silly step in the long run, while it does render the peels lovely and perfectly soft, it totally tanked the fun of using kumquats which it their cute shape! It would have behooved me for appearances sake to just roast the lemons and simply slice the Quats into thin little wheels. </span><br />
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<span id="goog_29479014">Hindsight.</span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014"><br /></span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">I squeezed all the guts into a thin tea towel and squeezed all the juice out of the guts into the remaining roasting water. I split the vanilla beans and added them, then, with the bag of guts in the pot (to get a pectin boost), boiled the liquid for a few minutes while I chopped the peels. Once the peels were chopped into as neat of strips as I could manage (they were swiftly falling apart), I removed the vanilla beans and the bag of guts, realizing I burnt the bottom of the towel.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk_lfS3t1SRzfWDgerwHCn4pXajk3L6A7UlV77KjNyWrHLS6XWfVdrix2WBj0RTbMs_WTZHcdsAHvl2w9iA7baymXlrAWBuBdp60GXzAhqGKO1OOuTnYVnX1CPHIrZBRpmn2_XBmCtsJq/s1600/100_4811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk_lfS3t1SRzfWDgerwHCn4pXajk3L6A7UlV77KjNyWrHLS6XWfVdrix2WBj0RTbMs_WTZHcdsAHvl2w9iA7baymXlrAWBuBdp60GXzAhqGKO1OOuTnYVnX1CPHIrZBRpmn2_XBmCtsJq/s320/100_4811.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Whoops</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_29479014"><br /></span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">I added the peels, sugar, and the lemon juice and brought it back up to a boil and the jelling stage. Took </span><span id="goog_29479014">it off the heat and let it cool for three minutes then stirred in the vanilla extract. Spooned into 1/2 pints and processed for 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFazZkdL8sV53THUtjRlgXw9HElDVn8zFegDLlP0tK14JVXTh4Vd8CqSCnPhL7MNbxYZWsD2yXqN0QDmX3YKYsgnnpVdMxt3CCRsRgF5_WPGFVirpxasilTHbq7IBjRWX43jSz25yCg_-M/s1600/100_4800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFazZkdL8sV53THUtjRlgXw9HElDVn8zFegDLlP0tK14JVXTh4Vd8CqSCnPhL7MNbxYZWsD2yXqN0QDmX3YKYsgnnpVdMxt3CCRsRgF5_WPGFVirpxasilTHbq7IBjRWX43jSz25yCg_-M/s320/100_4800.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made a little over 6 1/2 pint jars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBX7SFbZCfCmBA1sef8l0SmUSH30VyMnQORM7vCRD28_N54OLOgy1rV36b0Sd9aOIfRYzou6LtG_cYOE91axbx32OWdLWfBe6sKrcqMLVyt9ZTG7jyt_38_CktYZ6YjlqEj7Mk6UZNBy_/s1600/100_4808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBX7SFbZCfCmBA1sef8l0SmUSH30VyMnQORM7vCRD28_N54OLOgy1rV36b0Sd9aOIfRYzou6LtG_cYOE91axbx32OWdLWfBe6sKrcqMLVyt9ZTG7jyt_38_CktYZ6YjlqEj7Mk6UZNBy_/s320/100_4808.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely little vanilla speckles</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_29479014">Really yummy, but not particularly spectacular looking.</span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">This was supposed to be posted shortly after the last one of course...sorry about that.</span><br />
<span id="goog_29479014">I've been quite busy with projects so throughout this week, I should have a few more posts up.<br />
</span>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-27744561164863523292012-03-21T03:19:00.001-07:002012-03-21T03:35:04.665-07:00Mandarins, Jams, and 'zines!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1nljZ6bqXGQTu1Jj5hg4mrmfcnQ0PJxn4_IcstqOIsJK5Xj8TQkRfUFoWuGnhPOkS8af5MFXWiqOPPkGHvrD-3c1Z_TnfZqApqwERwPO5F5JazboFCwnAy-l7N-0NGquRNns2Gvqk_kY/s1600/100_4737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1nljZ6bqXGQTu1Jj5hg4mrmfcnQ0PJxn4_IcstqOIsJK5Xj8TQkRfUFoWuGnhPOkS8af5MFXWiqOPPkGHvrD-3c1Z_TnfZqApqwERwPO5F5JazboFCwnAy-l7N-0NGquRNns2Gvqk_kY/s320/100_4737.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I'm starting to think my vague half hearted instructions on ingredients in my most recent canning projects aren't ok. I should be more specific and actually try to guide a little better than "add some sugar and then some more water if it tastes too sugary" I admit I've never typed out those words until now per se, but I should be a little clearer in my instructions. So let's get to the project I did back in February!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd5qa5l-9Wn1NijVG9DtPMAH_yKmpkpBT8AMmj5THsqnEDmCGTomh1jWOiQy5JI8hmjg6SQdJ0YxXSxPXJ5JsP0Opyrw4O9eon2XK3bz8H26_FNlVdFoNsTzG_oxELEYqzdAGOUR7i-lK/s1600/100_4730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd5qa5l-9Wn1NijVG9DtPMAH_yKmpkpBT8AMmj5THsqnEDmCGTomh1jWOiQy5JI8hmjg6SQdJ0YxXSxPXJ5JsP0Opyrw4O9eon2XK3bz8H26_FNlVdFoNsTzG_oxELEYqzdAGOUR7i-lK/s320/100_4730.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gingered mandarins</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Now that I said I will be more specific...I wasn't with this. The only redeeming factor about that is people have different tastes when it comes to what they want out of their sugar syrup. I like mine to be a medium syrup, especially if I add another factor like I did with the ginger.<br />
So I peeled ten pounds of mandarins.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutyPQ6Z_azfriCSzbEFgnU2nF48pYswUC7NkSzl7Xj3q978W8_KXgnSU8WXBzNH75iY4G035TPJjsk9j_pQaHuiw6WgQuAIjXF5uHd9znkbpKybbPlScyw_IWexkyiaZQB28Q8XsvDpSc/s1600/100_4729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutyPQ6Z_azfriCSzbEFgnU2nF48pYswUC7NkSzl7Xj3q978W8_KXgnSU8WXBzNH75iY4G035TPJjsk9j_pQaHuiw6WgQuAIjXF5uHd9znkbpKybbPlScyw_IWexkyiaZQB28Q8XsvDpSc/s320/100_4729.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were about 3 lbs that wouldn't fit in the bowl.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Then I prepped the syrup. Now I normally use mexican cane sugar (for the life of me I can't think of the brand and I don't want to make a whole trip just to find out) that is fairly unrefined and I'm a little superstitious about ALWAYS using it, but this time I wanted to use up some turbinado sugar that's been sitting around looking forlorn. This was a pretty bad idea. Because it turned out looking like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfSNeQpXOt-GIdCqUc4lToYHVjYX394r06IKAKq1IzLg4ykPU_TDQjWH0M-XN73gHVzAiVzmmX9UZz_cqit62hPb1PsglLy2tD7UPikCt6l2-c1YO9razAcHQkyu_8PVyXP9QNL18Dh_C/s1600/100_4726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfSNeQpXOt-GIdCqUc4lToYHVjYX394r06IKAKq1IzLg4ykPU_TDQjWH0M-XN73gHVzAiVzmmX9UZz_cqit62hPb1PsglLy2tD7UPikCt6l2-c1YO9razAcHQkyu_8PVyXP9QNL18Dh_C/s320/100_4726.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not pretty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This syrup was probably 1 cup sugar to 3 cups water with a healthy knuckle of fresh ginger grated into the whole pot. I am interested in processing them one time using tangerine or orange juice, but that'll have to wait til next year. I put up thirteen pints in total, the last four I plopped a cube of candied ginger on the bottom of the jar before packing in the mandarins.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGAyeCxYdSZ5eTZ0YPxNLyTNzexTxz2BYlSwub7ezPqHiNpaxDaFhiPhLn1sflcJegvAUbsEFxE_8Z2fuIoPL8_q_SL8z-A8L4wE-4qN1I1trhu8wV9w4772atpxTrFmxOqZOpowlZBls/s1600/100_4731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGAyeCxYdSZ5eTZ0YPxNLyTNzexTxz2BYlSwub7ezPqHiNpaxDaFhiPhLn1sflcJegvAUbsEFxE_8Z2fuIoPL8_q_SL8z-A8L4wE-4qN1I1trhu8wV9w4772atpxTrFmxOqZOpowlZBls/s320/100_4731.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a little concerned what they'll look like in a few months...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Not much to them, they are one of the simplest things to can, and I love them cold over a blob of cottage cheese.<br />
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This is what happens when I try to write this post over a span of three days! No transitions!<br />
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Earlier this month I decided to participate in Minot's 4th annual 'zine marathon. Now I have tried to participate in this in the past, even pulling a couple pages together, but I inevitably failed to complete my 'zine. But this year I have a goal! I will make a quick intro to canning! I will hand write it (mostly due to the lack of a printer or a decent word processing program) and try to fit as much off the wall info I find interesting into it while still getting the basics down. I have pored over it for the last two weeks and have all my information ready to go, so I just have to write it all out nice and pretty with a few semi-pretty pictures to go with it. One of my cats is super helpful while I work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdSAr8jQvC-tF_LzTnOQDhWiQVlXlFmkXYk3oPyAVo6mGqs9HjvwOH8CcPlQfszECwE9OX_Rfm04G9fjSmjLObGrdnyNUGba6_SmthPftjVaQMasD8R4TRTssIYd57GoJNaDwiLu4qQ5P/s1600/100_4770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdSAr8jQvC-tF_LzTnOQDhWiQVlXlFmkXYk3oPyAVo6mGqs9HjvwOH8CcPlQfszECwE9OX_Rfm04G9fjSmjLObGrdnyNUGba6_SmthPftjVaQMasD8R4TRTssIYd57GoJNaDwiLu4qQ5P/s320/100_4770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Eva. Thanks.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<br />
Along with that, I wanted to include a couple easy to access recipes. By easy access I am referring to the fact that North Dakota (where this will be primarily circulated) is not known for it's variety in produce and I want someone reading the 'zine to be able to pop by the grocery store and easily find all the ingredients I list. Easy to find and still interesting I should add. So I tackled a recipe involving lemons, figs and lavender and while beautiful and yummy, it was not the kind of recipe to introduce to a newbie.<br />
I used a recipe from the blog Laundry Etc.<br />
<a href="http://www.laundryetc.co.uk/2010/01/22/lost-in-translation/">http://www.laundryetc.co.uk/2010/01/22/lost-in-translation/</a> <br />
The blog is a lovely one, from over in Britain.<br />
Side note, Brits call canning "bottling." Funny how both are useless terms as we both use "jars" not "cans" or "bottles."<br />
Anyway! The recipe involved soaking chopped dried figs and roasting lemons (I used Meyers)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWfEHTfY0ByzsFHNbEik4KCNLZsVnzhPFiw7ggvtsPN-abXQamwgFc6tRzKIg1bMOhoddk8yl0mUHrkHEw86kJJT_w-27avs5giGbIsTbKuZm1zYeSG_-Vrq2G4OkRjbx-Vob9GiBsOGm/s1600/100_4747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWfEHTfY0ByzsFHNbEik4KCNLZsVnzhPFiw7ggvtsPN-abXQamwgFc6tRzKIg1bMOhoddk8yl0mUHrkHEw86kJJT_w-27avs5giGbIsTbKuZm1zYeSG_-Vrq2G4OkRjbx-Vob9GiBsOGm/s320/100_4747.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking figs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO-vsDGM_u0rNXyHl30LY7d4OLO0gClwIu79lgEmnfynR8-LwjThzkoeBp7ypdLkoZDHNyhlKpVOSSreaRD512lLl4-PlrjrFUP8WYRJx4s0z-73hScPQ-IgIJYuw5ZhsEZduSAEVpAB-/s1600/100_4743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO-vsDGM_u0rNXyHl30LY7d4OLO0gClwIu79lgEmnfynR8-LwjThzkoeBp7ypdLkoZDHNyhlKpVOSSreaRD512lLl4-PlrjrFUP8WYRJx4s0z-73hScPQ-IgIJYuw5ZhsEZduSAEVpAB-/s320/100_4743.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasting lemons</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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The recipe also calls for 1 oz. of lavender, but I find lavender to be pretty strong in jam recipes, so I cut that amount in half. It's flavorful and sticky, I was in a hurry so I didn't chop the peel as nicely as I would have liked, but that's small potatoes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5z5a6ekNrHrCfxRMVL37G5d7kEYweN1X9mMiy0qUYPL4cF6t8iRfU1gX1VNTPcukCQnSaOeKOFmDwj6onpTZxgdokAcZEdiCw4lXfvVqGPRDFDD-_Wohy1LdkQbgCrDLtQjgv4t87Q9l/s1600/100_4750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5z5a6ekNrHrCfxRMVL37G5d7kEYweN1X9mMiy0qUYPL4cF6t8iRfU1gX1VNTPcukCQnSaOeKOFmDwj6onpTZxgdokAcZEdiCw4lXfvVqGPRDFDD-_Wohy1LdkQbgCrDLtQjgv4t87Q9l/s320/100_4750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The second recipe worked out much better, but I'm going to hide that recipe until my 'zine's out. I will post it later though.<br />
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Arg! I will post again soon, once the 'zine is complete.Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-24168969480542017462012-02-29T11:33:00.000-08:002012-02-29T11:33:44.026-08:00Let's Play Catch-Up!It's been a trip and a fall since I was last blogging. I am happy to get back to it, and will attempt to update more often. However, life is moving a little slower and the manic weekends are far less frequent, which is actually a better thing as the other side of that swinging pendulum is far less pretty and productive.<br />
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Regardless, I didn't get around to my intended and anticipated blog of all the bounties of fall. I didn't even explain what I did with the quince! How dare I!<br />
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I did take pictures though...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MVml6fUTP2Y0cvkNkFASAb5ZBkqGg0OiN_dLp45Vf97y-i_kVb2HvqxZ0oKvxJAW6dvjxQGxFLnuEXhLkVItONivwwbZQ6BuY3HU85BLqcrJQSOSwUMYwku-YKle43sM-Pn6CdbDY_Bo/s1600/100_4686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MVml6fUTP2Y0cvkNkFASAb5ZBkqGg0OiN_dLp45Vf97y-i_kVb2HvqxZ0oKvxJAW6dvjxQGxFLnuEXhLkVItONivwwbZQ6BuY3HU85BLqcrJQSOSwUMYwku-YKle43sM-Pn6CdbDY_Bo/s320/100_4686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So I don't remember the recipe but I chopped up the quince (they are really hard to peel, by the by), and added a package of cranberries and...added a fair amount of sugar? Wow I have the memory of tree bark. Whatever. It turned out tart and thick but not too thick, not quite the canned jelly that I'm used to, but of course that's not necessarily a bad thing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8IgWl197OkiSQDqaB8cN5bL83Wa4g1F_asNA0lTyri42Fx1h5m_J3RGC73IQ74-uF9-vWccRoIvYTFzzkpzXjD04ap1Zlixx16JAm-Ah_f9Qs5bu3nA87QbbAHDgU9HxCSjPbFlqIK4w/s1600/100_4689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8IgWl197OkiSQDqaB8cN5bL83Wa4g1F_asNA0lTyri42Fx1h5m_J3RGC73IQ74-uF9-vWccRoIvYTFzzkpzXjD04ap1Zlixx16JAm-Ah_f9Qs5bu3nA87QbbAHDgU9HxCSjPbFlqIK4w/s320/100_4689.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Later that...month? I went up to Apple Hill with my cousins and hauled back over 400 lbs. of apples between us all, I brought home over 75 lbs myself. I saved one box for juicing (which I meant to can, but really just ended up drinking most and freezing a little bit...I drank a LOT). I made applesauce and apple pie filling with the rest. I used a mixture of Mutsu and...some other green kind...ARG! I can't remember anything! Anyway, the peeler I borrowed from my aunt made short work of the apples.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN2R2ZFws9rlHoSSiWDPwKzACcH00GnT2RTM4BvFnPxYLzZFcFPk9-F9V0ODyWLgElPZY-1hTIdIkz_qkjTC71BorA8JOyKg6-rf0kORJm-DFd-TogpMfRL101rKVoafgFSvbInicCXp9/s1600/100_4688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN2R2ZFws9rlHoSSiWDPwKzACcH00GnT2RTM4BvFnPxYLzZFcFPk9-F9V0ODyWLgElPZY-1hTIdIkz_qkjTC71BorA8JOyKg6-rf0kORJm-DFd-TogpMfRL101rKVoafgFSvbInicCXp9/s320/100_4688.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all the pretty peels...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I didn't use any recipe for the applesauce, I just added a little brown sugar to each pot once the apples were softened in water and ground a ton of cinnamon and nutmeg and a little ginger and cloves into the mix. Like the year before, the sauce is very thick...pretty much the same density of the pumpkin I (shock!) canned last year...but I don't hear the same warnings about thick applesauce like I do with the pumpkin. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqkPElvKUzTw47fdXUn6lsazg5MX3SvJUuSmHAD1lEGZjTfZObvhyphenhyphenghqv4lXy9knDV0rFhpp5CLDuDh63cUG9Gp_mmGZDTgOeb8VKQtNAY5V_jMaXIhKJn6t921_XldDQx5ec5YsaXvzc/s1600/100_4687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqkPElvKUzTw47fdXUn6lsazg5MX3SvJUuSmHAD1lEGZjTfZObvhyphenhyphenghqv4lXy9knDV0rFhpp5CLDuDh63cUG9Gp_mmGZDTgOeb8VKQtNAY5V_jMaXIhKJn6t921_XldDQx5ec5YsaXvzc/s320/100_4687.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is thick consistency.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2C-T4RupE3EEpIAbOnanprg7W7y1AXuL_6UlAZdlS8A7ndVZBUl_sylayfuypZEEaHqcpYh-k5m2b3R-_3iWFBv8Z84D46rhK8_n7ujN4Nk3FRqmWTXkLuAjj_nXbvxy4FpWLTWRBFdE/s1600/100_4690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2C-T4RupE3EEpIAbOnanprg7W7y1AXuL_6UlAZdlS8A7ndVZBUl_sylayfuypZEEaHqcpYh-k5m2b3R-_3iWFBv8Z84D46rhK8_n7ujN4Nk3FRqmWTXkLuAjj_nXbvxy4FpWLTWRBFdE/s320/100_4690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too dense to poke the air bubbles out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I also made apple pie filling, using a cornstarch based recipe, which I will not do again. This was year two of cornstarch recipes, but I will be special ordering Clear Jel in advance for next season. Cornstarch melts well when heated, but looks disgusting and broken jelly-like in the jar.<br />
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Later that fall my aunt brought me a box of pears and I finally got to it while my folks were visiting. I made a lot of pear sauce by just slicing up the pears (no peeling) and doing basically the same thing as with the apples. It is gritty and fairly thin, but good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmyDM9SVBiMDoI-08TOXoW75emBfkSPBNkHJshm-6biepqId4gTxRmpZ7eG7qw2p5fu5mmW36BbUuiEBcztnIyilku8VC8BA5TV6hElX0Ov2-Asc3o5HgZ0b_3zPI4KZVp_JFfTYotyOI/s1600/100_4696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmyDM9SVBiMDoI-08TOXoW75emBfkSPBNkHJshm-6biepqId4gTxRmpZ7eG7qw2p5fu5mmW36BbUuiEBcztnIyilku8VC8BA5TV6hElX0Ov2-Asc3o5HgZ0b_3zPI4KZVp_JFfTYotyOI/s320/100_4696.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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My mom was a peach and peeled tons of pears so I could can slices in ginger syrup. I HATE peeling pears.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbzAD-ZVmWxYSpNz8ymozG6zbqpa_iXBeOByCv_plTf8KUnWNT2JadxRXhmtHR2kk28uvj27RH2nVEAwWW6VGvhU9rloykEgHUzgOBfs3OFvzc3vxHxjIWkMffQkbOJkCajAYH5K0fNYs/s1600/100_4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbzAD-ZVmWxYSpNz8ymozG6zbqpa_iXBeOByCv_plTf8KUnWNT2JadxRXhmtHR2kk28uvj27RH2nVEAwWW6VGvhU9rloykEgHUzgOBfs3OFvzc3vxHxjIWkMffQkbOJkCajAYH5K0fNYs/s320/100_4693.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>That was the last of 2011's canning!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm1f1l-8pOvgM8weCn8-uLZc0lIQo3HeKDAW8BC508FtNsAijUpTsk2p5tWBQyObVpwPZV-GdCtdboPboGId0k5MRacrIXgJ2rqdbA9bSeP25mpqFCDT3547XphOLBQzqoovUyGJUxrqu/s1600/100_4691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm1f1l-8pOvgM8weCn8-uLZc0lIQo3HeKDAW8BC508FtNsAijUpTsk2p5tWBQyObVpwPZV-GdCtdboPboGId0k5MRacrIXgJ2rqdbA9bSeP25mpqFCDT3547XphOLBQzqoovUyGJUxrqu/s320/100_4691.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This, plus about 40 more sauces around the corner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My storage is not nearly as pretty as the year before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7fuNf14qId0rDCPoH85rn8d4pRMfZhv4xuLQY1WU1xsBER0diiA-i5g8W73Se-XdAkLW7MJtFe5HiCmKy-kMyQ3zRsycMoFFqgdSAFKmReq0w5TbWhH6xGisLRt8dcwA6rO3GwTDfROJ/s1600/100_4160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7fuNf14qId0rDCPoH85rn8d4pRMfZhv4xuLQY1WU1xsBER0diiA-i5g8W73Se-XdAkLW7MJtFe5HiCmKy-kMyQ3zRsycMoFFqgdSAFKmReq0w5TbWhH6xGisLRt8dcwA6rO3GwTDfROJ/s320/100_4160.JPG" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010 missing a lot of applesauce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But I only used the bookcase for that picture, and then shoved them into my bedroom closet which is where they live because it's dark and it doesn't change temperature as much as the rest of the house (which is good news for canning jars that like cellar-like conditions...which I don't have).<br />
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Reflections on the year, canning-wise, are that I honed my tastes...and missed several seasons. I experimented a lot in 2010 I, making lots of jams and jellies and shoving just about everything I came across into a jar. I ended up giving troves away, too much I'm afraid...I have found stores of old cans tucked away in people's cupboards that indicate I overshared. I also screwed up a lot. None of the pickles I made turned out, I didn't enjoy the apricots like I thought I would, the loquats didn't set, neither did the cherries, and the watermelon lemonade was the most disgusting thing I've ever made. <br />
This year didn't yield free cherries, apricots, or loquats, and I allowed many seasons go by without taking advantage properly i.e. kiwis went bad, strawberry season slipped by with only a few things made. Shining moments of the year? All the corn I put up, the concord grape jelly, the grapefruit syrup are all very good but I think the baked beans turned out to be the breakout hit of the year. They are a good texture, have a great sauce, and may have just replaced Bush's Vegetarian Beans in my bean pot recipe.<br />
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I have a post coming up about the mandarins I canned just recently, but I wanted to get this one up to prove to myself I still have the capabilities to maintain this blog.<br />
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So here ya go!Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-8311718776609591932011-09-17T15:45:00.000-07:002011-09-17T16:34:55.134-07:00The Joys of Small Batch Jamming/BurningToday I am forgetting that I have twenty plus pounds of tomatoes to process.<br />
I have 6 large white nectarines chopped and tucked away in a pot with a cup of meyer lemon juice and about two cups of sugar. Bubbling away. It smells heavenly. It won't make very much, but that's not the point. I wanted something simple and lovely this week after last week's major haul. I also have 8 green pluots that will become...something.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH0gBxMvxtoAeRGtKBKYAB8ffEe6yD8mu0lE8142bYR69rkfdJ6H8NwYIHtNKCN7jwN9s_aAZ6K8N8WYyMgRb_7MCeEt_q1kfV5jeCSJFKhBgLoZq9kgz1kLjhQyJM5vxiTKRyiip13fo/s1600/100_4685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH0gBxMvxtoAeRGtKBKYAB8ffEe6yD8mu0lE8142bYR69rkfdJ6H8NwYIHtNKCN7jwN9s_aAZ6K8N8WYyMgRb_7MCeEt_q1kfV5jeCSJFKhBgLoZq9kgz1kLjhQyJM5vxiTKRyiip13fo/s320/100_4685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And....I burnt it. <br />
Well, I'm not going to process it, but it's still edible...just a bit more caramelly than I'd prefer. it's going to be shoved into to jars of yogurt and hidden under giant globs of peanut butter. Or thrown out in a couple weeks. Meh. That's what I get for a watching a Simon Pegg marathon instead of paying attention to my cooking.<br />
The pluots will be different. But I think I'll add meyer lemon juice to them too, so something lemony turns out right.Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-83388998273757525602011-09-12T21:14:00.000-07:002011-09-12T21:14:43.150-07:00Motherlode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This has been a long weekend for canning.<br />
But first, the photos of the tart that I made for my tea party!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2-poV-Az02De4kGi-fFBpsQ_uctnkgM318YkVoeIn3aic1wVoLFIbpL-p3W4DfOQt3BK111WHCrZIncJ3AebKsFyuEwz6OxWAnn7vQD9A6acuvY_7x-M7-9DiYGFUA82c0E38ImcjEzr/s1600/100_4661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2-poV-Az02De4kGi-fFBpsQ_uctnkgM318YkVoeIn3aic1wVoLFIbpL-p3W4DfOQt3BK111WHCrZIncJ3AebKsFyuEwz6OxWAnn7vQD9A6acuvY_7x-M7-9DiYGFUA82c0E38ImcjEzr/s320/100_4661.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oatmeal shortbread crust, ganache, mascarpone cream, and balsamic strawberries.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDWwo0gThquInUeHHhpXmLe1ljyJ_44gAGy-dkJ4FlIw_10GYB6FIAhRwRJ2nbaLuKXYS8nQgmkrox9CpeQ_U2tkdRF4GfB2jzmip-x2mU-mI13EYULLcNRmp1uN_PYncdbY3oXq4D1nf/s1600/100_4663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDWwo0gThquInUeHHhpXmLe1ljyJ_44gAGy-dkJ4FlIw_10GYB6FIAhRwRJ2nbaLuKXYS8nQgmkrox9CpeQ_U2tkdRF4GfB2jzmip-x2mU-mI13EYULLcNRmp1uN_PYncdbY3oXq4D1nf/s320/100_4663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very very yummy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This will be mostly just a huge list of photos but I will try to explain.<br />
Friday night I picked three pints of green figs from the orchard behind my house and half candied them. I mean half because real candied figs are shelf stable, but I canned mine in the leftover syrup because I did not want to wait three days to cook them again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4twfHxQS7XjDacBio3_OBAnLjX4V6Io8EmR7YkM8uQ693yzo5eVUmCCRNcIzJ5hHreWAuJR18dSpVN3PNZPDVVK0AWBDc_vLtPZE2eCkfhmKrCFAmgsFEW73ZtZXBl0NemqGuoFZjFBp0/s1600/100_4667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4twfHxQS7XjDacBio3_OBAnLjX4V6Io8EmR7YkM8uQ693yzo5eVUmCCRNcIzJ5hHreWAuJR18dSpVN3PNZPDVVK0AWBDc_vLtPZE2eCkfhmKrCFAmgsFEW73ZtZXBl0NemqGuoFZjFBp0/s320/100_4667.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figs, brown sugar, lemon juice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rMUPoW-ZQ5orq55MBD9aUqGDNrelrruc4Fy_ROA_cPFz1TUd2dv-Gn-bpFS_LTkogaVfPUzUlCDn6yrZFZff101O9wDQ_kZSZbUQNhpUDYDeYHRJzcN-vFueVhanT6xPx6kO3sfuj15b/s1600/100_4671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rMUPoW-ZQ5orq55MBD9aUqGDNrelrruc4Fy_ROA_cPFz1TUd2dv-Gn-bpFS_LTkogaVfPUzUlCDn6yrZFZff101O9wDQ_kZSZbUQNhpUDYDeYHRJzcN-vFueVhanT6xPx6kO3sfuj15b/s320/100_4671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished figs ready for a snobby cheese night</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><br />
The next morning I picked up the motherlode of all farmer's market's reapings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKHbAv8tAqvCaMKodf3rw88M3b6j2PMZ5gHRU57mD1fXCYOXMSxaLHrrRAru6xZMIUcXu-7wkIB9yd1rEUmr0oC6Y0l65TfM6i0pIbFAMD8K7JZk8NUpdSlo7R7wvKPW5_GAwTZaLOlBh/s1600/100_4668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKHbAv8tAqvCaMKodf3rw88M3b6j2PMZ5gHRU57mD1fXCYOXMSxaLHrrRAru6xZMIUcXu-7wkIB9yd1rEUmr0oC6Y0l65TfM6i0pIbFAMD8K7JZk8NUpdSlo7R7wvKPW5_GAwTZaLOlBh/s320/100_4668.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plums, apples, peppers, quince, onions, concord grapes, seckel pears, tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I picked up two "lugs" of San Marzano tomatoes, one for my cousin and one for me. I first put up 20 more ears of corn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OYzeGmYTnQqM0oiYP18ifVvh7f1UJvs_X29fuqkdtCpotfCwjPDPS0TmG3zx02tzmziqchBTsW97646f8eXjVXMx6u-BMT2qOxyOx23FpypMJ_M3JdiH-XBhaul3Wglq0e75Q3bs6WQ0/s1600/100_4674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OYzeGmYTnQqM0oiYP18ifVvh7f1UJvs_X29fuqkdtCpotfCwjPDPS0TmG3zx02tzmziqchBTsW97646f8eXjVXMx6u-BMT2qOxyOx23FpypMJ_M3JdiH-XBhaul3Wglq0e75Q3bs6WQ0/s320/100_4674.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Then tried again with pickle spears<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86uaSobKGR4T3DCpbd4xu2GY8PA9gZDo9pmFdR4IYH22x4g-dIk0ZdtdRi6u72x94MRTUWTdhMwOt9c8ksobi4SG8HMMCbukOZZfNZtsXoY93NVXVX87gjDfTNuIg2TK5NJcniS-9B3L4/s1600/100_4676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86uaSobKGR4T3DCpbd4xu2GY8PA9gZDo9pmFdR4IYH22x4g-dIk0ZdtdRi6u72x94MRTUWTdhMwOt9c8ksobi4SG8HMMCbukOZZfNZtsXoY93NVXVX87gjDfTNuIg2TK5NJcniS-9B3L4/s320/100_4676.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a recipe from Put Em UP!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then on Sunday, pressure canned baked beans!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT3ziCUdpOvx4B8sHiQ2JHzzufsRiT9VERanzlVsqt7LSz4_1zaNeRkWDcI10zRWjAbk4l5CUu8gWCGK1HrkCR_TZl6dyU8VWRm_8moRy48YRF4K9e9TNbnlXTKof8V3t4d4edmApr7F5/s1600/100_4677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT3ziCUdpOvx4B8sHiQ2JHzzufsRiT9VERanzlVsqt7LSz4_1zaNeRkWDcI10zRWjAbk4l5CUu8gWCGK1HrkCR_TZl6dyU8VWRm_8moRy48YRF4K9e9TNbnlXTKof8V3t4d4edmApr7F5/s320/100_4677.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaked 3lbs pink and ying yang beans overnight then cooked them for 1 1/2 hours</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JYOMt_WZF5ohd19ESq4krcU5NfyJf8W2CYqMuk9hNbtWkLS_vNWItdurrsXbDSsWf5-iRzHubFJKF2FksVNgdg2K_cLr8Njli_G1hn20Zr3B_AdY65ky72CNY6xyKhcpTvNYQybeB0Uj/s1600/100_4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JYOMt_WZF5ohd19ESq4krcU5NfyJf8W2CYqMuk9hNbtWkLS_vNWItdurrsXbDSsWf5-iRzHubFJKF2FksVNgdg2K_cLr8Njli_G1hn20Zr3B_AdY65ky72CNY6xyKhcpTvNYQybeB0Uj/s320/100_4678.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">made a sauce of the cooking liquid, 1 1/3 cup molasses, 1 1/2 large red onion, 1T salt, 1T ground mustard, 1t black pepper </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Then the tomatoes<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmo3_I5JYUfU1pTz3MfrcG_rK0_iGU_RpSm6kM-czalrfk6MrKSJsyti2UKFJiUO6fptXJAI-iAprjnmpDmq9NDpAGjqHjJVqAGeFDx3SQDTQ1PW-IvVhCrfK_5zSpqQyKft7cScYyoDF/s1600/100_4669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmo3_I5JYUfU1pTz3MfrcG_rK0_iGU_RpSm6kM-czalrfk6MrKSJsyti2UKFJiUO6fptXJAI-iAprjnmpDmq9NDpAGjqHjJVqAGeFDx3SQDTQ1PW-IvVhCrfK_5zSpqQyKft7cScYyoDF/s320/100_4669.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm San Marzano tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gYA0JOMSub9_TF5GuYethtmBYpJ5jxLK4lGgU0aOtMf_1WwFW3Dp6cYyySj-2bJ9OMN7RJzfHT67rUxLY1NJW4Mk3ts0VOmwQcSGGH1orNqJdcCXMfHMQ9Dff-EkNKYpAy5Wdc9aA_ts/s1600/100_4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gYA0JOMSub9_TF5GuYethtmBYpJ5jxLK4lGgU0aOtMf_1WwFW3Dp6cYyySj-2bJ9OMN7RJzfHT67rUxLY1NJW4Mk3ts0VOmwQcSGGH1orNqJdcCXMfHMQ9Dff-EkNKYpAy5Wdc9aA_ts/s320/100_4679.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cooking it down!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxGdst2NHN7SswcEjrlbogE8jBktIFnP9LJcfrGp65oxYmH3ohhQKlh3IABcoZVkLFJaxcG4-lGJ9FipMLonm3fDhNHmaq1vzdfLUUv9A_MCjqorPbn-Oy1Qd_lft00j0ttHW3IhtuQ5K/s1600/100_4680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxGdst2NHN7SswcEjrlbogE8jBktIFnP9LJcfrGp65oxYmH3ohhQKlh3IABcoZVkLFJaxcG4-lGJ9FipMLonm3fDhNHmaq1vzdfLUUv9A_MCjqorPbn-Oy1Qd_lft00j0ttHW3IhtuQ5K/s320/100_4680.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">couldn't quite fit the whole "lug" of tomatoes into the pot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZJoHWFxnha3HMEY8s3Rmf8PI_FE1s3bUmQfuo37b-2PDE2LF71ACGODFgP6jHN2VJ2J51soVtaEbkFEcZAHBLKH1o95hjoD4X5CPMJmDz9a8ExiJmK5ZWjCtMZ-wzj78n81y4gxF2aa_/s1600/100_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZJoHWFxnha3HMEY8s3Rmf8PI_FE1s3bUmQfuo37b-2PDE2LF71ACGODFgP6jHN2VJ2J51soVtaEbkFEcZAHBLKH1o95hjoD4X5CPMJmDz9a8ExiJmK5ZWjCtMZ-wzj78n81y4gxF2aa_/s320/100_4681.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cooked down to four pints, unseasoned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then today I just finished a batch of apple salsa<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLmL3S1w14F2YY-1PY7G0t8LF2VM5fEcOS2lpaoSCzKwSdM_uGrnZslYk_yEgUpymiSbgiul2O-eSDP7mHkiGwupsDSoOga-JNqoJVfW6M5AHwJ916jjn0FFIPlOwTHWDA5C0yWaVR-5d/s1600/100_4683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLmL3S1w14F2YY-1PY7G0t8LF2VM5fEcOS2lpaoSCzKwSdM_uGrnZslYk_yEgUpymiSbgiul2O-eSDP7mHkiGwupsDSoOga-JNqoJVfW6M5AHwJ916jjn0FFIPlOwTHWDA5C0yWaVR-5d/s320/100_4683.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then put up a quart of honeyed Seckel pears and two pints of honeyed prune plums.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lJGX-m1K7M07cJc4mxM08q8AhDI-t2L_xjH04FeYC-7yjplvbjjBAJJE74TU_xYpvIjygmBjt97Q58sEo7yuNCZ7UjScYGT-vYUAuHaHYtbMmrtKMuWDYxA-qDcTaMAW8JVDQ79nToRz/s1600/100_4684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lJGX-m1K7M07cJc4mxM08q8AhDI-t2L_xjH04FeYC-7yjplvbjjBAJJE74TU_xYpvIjygmBjt97Q58sEo7yuNCZ7UjScYGT-vYUAuHaHYtbMmrtKMuWDYxA-qDcTaMAW8JVDQ79nToRz/s320/100_4684.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoulda pricked the plums...they split their skins</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I still have the grapes and the quince to deal with, but for now...I'm exhausted.<br />
<br />
I'll talk more about it next week, but my mother was wonderful to send me three new canning books which makes my cache of information quite large!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMd91w5l1buJjZDgPSM34FfxWT1Y-ma4TsOFpFNUjm7drTlowP_B0Zp-XR1ImpR5xws3JdZ5nxC6gbgJeykyJCEDLA6sutMBGo06Py08rJo0KspvxVcDKUDs82WFd5e4n7Z9NalEH76k9/s1600/100_4666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMd91w5l1buJjZDgPSM34FfxWT1Y-ma4TsOFpFNUjm7drTlowP_B0Zp-XR1ImpR5xws3JdZ5nxC6gbgJeykyJCEDLA6sutMBGo06Py08rJo0KspvxVcDKUDs82WFd5e4n7Z9NalEH76k9/s320/100_4666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-84179245319192004242011-09-03T20:43:00.000-07:002011-09-03T20:43:52.444-07:00First Long Weekend!Alright, I survived my first week of long shifts and made it to the best part of the week, my first long weekend!<br />
I've decided that this weekend needs to be about rejuvenation and taking it easy...so of course I plan on canning corn and making a puppet and oh...it's just going to be like any other weekend just with an extra day to procrastinate. <br />
<br />
My farmer's trip this week was plentiful and I wanted to reflect that in my Sat. food choices so for lunch I whipped this up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n2SouUjUdxaCtAFZMizUBXMKYJcg9nmyyQXJ-JoUvCnzuOw3JCokO1Kwb4nSAKf6qvB-gMe6r-drRR8Tkm58CNSZ9l9quXXHrIohXiBHhcIt28kMCDt9nDeiocAhjaLLWM30ErzvKj8f/s1600/100_4653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n2SouUjUdxaCtAFZMizUBXMKYJcg9nmyyQXJ-JoUvCnzuOw3JCokO1Kwb4nSAKf6qvB-gMe6r-drRR8Tkm58CNSZ9l9quXXHrIohXiBHhcIt28kMCDt9nDeiocAhjaLLWM30ErzvKj8f/s320/100_4653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Corn/Tomato Saute<br />
<br />
Two ears worth of cut corn<br />
Two big sungold tomatoes<br />
7 leaves of fresh basil, rolled and sliced i.e. chiffonade<br />
One large clove of garlic, pressed or microplaned<br />
2 tsp. olive oil<br />
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar <br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Saute until most of the liquid is cooked out. Serve over pasta.<br />
Good additions would be a red pepper or a pablano pepper, pattypan squash, maybe a protein like chunks of chicken or tofu...there's lots you can add to this dish.<br />
<br />
I like it just as is, the sweetness of the corn with the sweetness of the sungold tomato, cut by the garlic and pepper really appeals to me.<br />
<br />
I am revamping Helmsley. It seems like a huge waste to just toss that finished mouthplate, slightly crooked or no. I ripped all his features and his skin too (how sick does that sound?) and cut down his head and added fur instead of skin.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzB0XgiJUx3vOU4z677vmPIlLR4qvttY-B40tGLL0IkOSfDyi8MOkGJ0soXqlfvxUMhrhdS-O_jqan0xFYoD2r2XCTxuAo364hUa8yP2aAfTBZEWJcy-SkjLTXUdQMsm6Ud8P9NORUKgN/s1600/100_4652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzB0XgiJUx3vOU4z677vmPIlLR4qvttY-B40tGLL0IkOSfDyi8MOkGJ0soXqlfvxUMhrhdS-O_jqan0xFYoD2r2XCTxuAo364hUa8yP2aAfTBZEWJcy-SkjLTXUdQMsm6Ud8P9NORUKgN/s320/100_4652.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I changed his eyeballs and attached his shirt. I used a hair tie to mark his iris and a nerf dart to mark his pupils. I may leave it that way or I may paint in some more, I kinda like the crazed look it gives him and once he has eyelids it may be better that way anyway.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8wS2GjJdP5xQvC8MmPD1vyMiKwAAbKTpg5gxEQoRPSBZg3hnUvJIZ5YZ8pm0D9n6M8XfFZTm3oPC7IPoPnacnl48h8SLt0HLo9I-0QkkFUDXnhql9X_4qc4cRBxlJSmz_Aw-ZvDlR4zK/s1600/Photo+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8wS2GjJdP5xQvC8MmPD1vyMiKwAAbKTpg5gxEQoRPSBZg3hnUvJIZ5YZ8pm0D9n6M8XfFZTm3oPC7IPoPnacnl48h8SLt0HLo9I-0QkkFUDXnhql9X_4qc4cRBxlJSmz_Aw-ZvDlR4zK/s320/Photo+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Mary Beth, the before seen armless little girl puppet, has arms now and is performing hip hop numbers for her webcam. I still need to fortify her rods but for simple purposes, she's done too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpGbSdzpSlZIW2qyV84wSEt9DRDkWz5Og0wO81H3qCDPhZB1TqySSMTlajwAmgk_00dt9uZ-cjdC6IofjlHEFaZT4-_JDKbObYl1qO5KcS0AnhWDP7Aje0-_xAQ-4poZHscoKThAAR5Oh/s1600/100_4656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpGbSdzpSlZIW2qyV84wSEt9DRDkWz5Og0wO81H3qCDPhZB1TqySSMTlajwAmgk_00dt9uZ-cjdC6IofjlHEFaZT4-_JDKbObYl1qO5KcS0AnhWDP7Aje0-_xAQ-4poZHscoKThAAR5Oh/s320/100_4656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This afternoon I canned corn. Corn is a low acid food which means it has to be pressure canned to be safe to eat. That means I borrowed my cousin's pressure canner.<br />
I bought twenty five ears of corn from the farmer's market and cut the kernels off using a nifty little tool my mom found at a garage sale.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijifC1Q_McoQmwN67pQYhYUmDEH0vbXKUDRByQrabvOwGw6je0Fr5J0NqqO2CPnIDf5TAhsNjJTu24n1tJ-cWo5VatQbPEMbSlWwUoMaUVCqy5ooy-h_j1M5fjXAMMM78abVbSEh-G9Sj2/s1600/100_4657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijifC1Q_McoQmwN67pQYhYUmDEH0vbXKUDRByQrabvOwGw6je0Fr5J0NqqO2CPnIDf5TAhsNjJTu24n1tJ-cWo5VatQbPEMbSlWwUoMaUVCqy5ooy-h_j1M5fjXAMMM78abVbSEh-G9Sj2/s320/100_4657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I filled hot jars with the corn and 1/4 tsp. salt each and packed them down a bit and added boiling water, running a chopstick around the jar to release air bubbles leaving an 3/4ths of an inch headspace and screwed the lids on. Following the pressure canner's instructions I then added two quarts of water to the canner, and added the jars (this canner held 8 pints) and screwed the lid on and let it boil. Once the valve steams, time it for ten minutes then add the gauge (in my case a ten pound gauge) and wait for it to rock and his vigorously. This scared my poor cats senseless. Turn the heat down til it rocks and hisses gently...this has yet to work for me, it still hisses loudly and rocks around intermittently no matter what the heat. Pints are processed for 55 minutes then turn off the heat and let the canner cool on it's own time, don't try and speed the process along, as it could be holding a lot of pent up steam and blow the lid up on ya!<br />
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So there you have it, that's corn. It was my favorite canned item last year so I had to make sure I made more this year. the twenty five ears were more than enough for the eight pints so I froze the remainder, I may can another round next week.<br />
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To end my Saturday, I decided to dehydrate watermelon! Well, my cousin offered me one they had received and I have been wanting to try it out. I cut the watermelon to 1/4th inch (approximately, I was a little thick on a few) and skipped de-seeding the slices as that would take me all night and leave me with watermelon mush, laid them out on the dehydrator and I'll find out tomorrow how they turned out!<br />
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Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-51201316201426546092011-08-28T18:35:00.000-07:002011-08-28T18:35:26.809-07:00New Shift And New ProblemsSo I work the night shift, right? Ten to six a.m. and I've been on that shift for two years straight. Starting tonight however, I work four shifts of midnight to ten a.m....I'm not very happy. Sure I get the days off I want, plus an extra day for working ten hour shifts, but is it going to be worth it? I'll most likely spend the first day off simply sleeping.<br />
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Enough whining.<br />
This weekend has been another backbreaker. I have worked on so many projects I'm seeing fuzzy.<br />
I am sending a friend who has just moved for grad school a care package, so I whipped up my favorite cookies, Chocolate Espresso Cookies. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw83Rv-H_5Jc4SdeIpYkKLLdIJ1ltzvnJOHr6TVDTB1jpR2iA0F0b81M3-9LPXAdH7AK8d6eMqGAY9bsAjQrVo7imPg563KEVi2qdauY_NNdclvGX0jdRisBcNHwUnD4CcuwgxjDQyqii/s1600/100_4626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw83Rv-H_5Jc4SdeIpYkKLLdIJ1ltzvnJOHr6TVDTB1jpR2iA0F0b81M3-9LPXAdH7AK8d6eMqGAY9bsAjQrVo7imPg563KEVi2qdauY_NNdclvGX0jdRisBcNHwUnD4CcuwgxjDQyqii/s320/100_4626.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are officially my favorites</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>I whipped up some bread.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJOLKnL61RdG435Xtx8ZRpofL4Xkc-8bfnNMIiNflrkM0VwW6e4fZ2bhe9dDTin19yb0xg4iB3Suk1atWtT4V-FjAqPfCMvgdulWjy6L6thm8Y59iafw3UW5CP5R1ix0IPH-lQY0XU_rO/s1600/100_4630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJOLKnL61RdG435Xtx8ZRpofL4Xkc-8bfnNMIiNflrkM0VwW6e4fZ2bhe9dDTin19yb0xg4iB3Suk1atWtT4V-FjAqPfCMvgdulWjy6L6thm8Y59iafw3UW5CP5R1ix0IPH-lQY0XU_rO/s320/100_4630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I canned a dozen teeny jars of Concord Grape Jelly. Would've gone over the process, but I blanked on taking pictures! Next time jelly...next time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH3YemITHuw5mQW7XQfRVA3gIahkkdT_O3i-jeFmmw3juoRjYouXugzT8eeQOnYUE2wbV18V4onFT5HIhwpyp2rJzfHTz1RRUd1ftzSdMx3xbrFS-7pMsbWnHAqhbBs4DZwFbar6tB49u/s1600/100_4627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH3YemITHuw5mQW7XQfRVA3gIahkkdT_O3i-jeFmmw3juoRjYouXugzT8eeQOnYUE2wbV18V4onFT5HIhwpyp2rJzfHTz1RRUd1ftzSdMx3xbrFS-7pMsbWnHAqhbBs4DZwFbar6tB49u/s320/100_4627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Worked on the quilt for my guest bed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyuUqZ-r7I8guvPOmz1nh47MxoiLv827MJPI4ez4M0wfAkOzIl6JCupu9uJZKwonaNjnQcDQsbC7KutwTGG6oreJHg_7JwY8u2CoJWepeILe4LtxnU5RBndRMLqDPWSYcg-o68-uT11Ex/s1600/100_4629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyuUqZ-r7I8guvPOmz1nh47MxoiLv827MJPI4ez4M0wfAkOzIl6JCupu9uJZKwonaNjnQcDQsbC7KutwTGG6oreJHg_7JwY8u2CoJWepeILe4LtxnU5RBndRMLqDPWSYcg-o68-uT11Ex/s320/100_4629.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Would've finished the top but...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWneCTylZUDZ2bzhXu4AAuhc-XVizE92n2L3X9HT-M3tnf4s5drFD2sEq4bQKQWbs6wiUKINOEfWkfeFc3m9JpdfnB_O6m2ohBFYO4gNKqnJod4xuBFwGjd66hrvptC1OVm_brxtMQ6L4G/s1600/100_4633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWneCTylZUDZ2bzhXu4AAuhc-XVizE92n2L3X9HT-M3tnf4s5drFD2sEq4bQKQWbs6wiUKINOEfWkfeFc3m9JpdfnB_O6m2ohBFYO4gNKqnJod4xuBFwGjd66hrvptC1OVm_brxtMQ6L4G/s320/100_4633.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not wide enough...ARG!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Which means another forty bucks for more fabric...sigh. But it looks cool, huh?<br />
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I've also sewn up the curtains for the art room, and some decorative pillow cases but I didn't bother with the pictures until I have them put up.<br />
I have also prepped my kitchen/dining room for a tea party I am having on Tuesday. I will be serving a strawberry tart with mascarpone cream, ganache and an oatmeal shortbread crust. Should be delicious.<br />
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This week I really have no idea what to do...I guess I could finish up the napkins (which I also worked on this week), and maybe work on building a skirt...but due to my new working arrangement, it's all going to be hit and miss. Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-11710929012422270542011-08-19T17:38:00.000-07:002011-08-19T17:38:54.018-07:00The week's exploitsI'm running wild this week. So many projects I want to start and so many plans I want to make. This is the time known as the upswing. I. Go. Crazy.<br />
I started out by planning a few things to work on this week, napkins and art room curtains. Good, reasonable goal, yes? Cut out the curtains, gotta wait to sew them up as I can no longer do loud projects at work (Boo). Bought the white linen for the eight napkins (White linen napkins! How snotty am I?) and cut them out,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIhvpvBW85_jlgd8qlCeop72LGKlAWbBfxTP9ZspVXjVBBPCq-ksDpOsapI_oSI60KiqsBz3sADGPpntgAu60Ewylu4rNc0LH3yxMNc8ul1EOzqyizhyphenhyphenzlshc4wA-QAlvTxWimFgqBCyE/s1600/100_4614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIhvpvBW85_jlgd8qlCeop72LGKlAWbBfxTP9ZspVXjVBBPCq-ksDpOsapI_oSI60KiqsBz3sADGPpntgAu60Ewylu4rNc0LH3yxMNc8ul1EOzqyizhyphenhyphenzlshc4wA-QAlvTxWimFgqBCyE/s320/100_4614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-pXTzxW-XCMiCzXqdexPRFKu0lHAppJ6Wrvi_HMySC3V2EsycyjPxeShCKDXQQxVkDwXR-ajDHHS3wAZG0HMyoiOn0MqqTnyZpD6kpnS8yBr1LEX8ZgTMBp0XFq7riXQomBL8wkhiFAE/s1600/100_4615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-pXTzxW-XCMiCzXqdexPRFKu0lHAppJ6Wrvi_HMySC3V2EsycyjPxeShCKDXQQxVkDwXR-ajDHHS3wAZG0HMyoiOn0MqqTnyZpD6kpnS8yBr1LEX8ZgTMBp0XFq7riXQomBL8wkhiFAE/s320/100_4615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>sewed a few by hand, next week I'll finish them and add embroidery. Plenty to do, that's been a lot more than I have accomplished in quite some time.<br />
Mid week however, I find a Craiglist jackpot. A full size mattress, bed springs, headboard/footboard frame all for 25 bucks! WHAT?! Yes please. The deal also optioned a nightstand for another 10 bucks and I picked that up for my cousin. Felt like Hewoman for hauling it all myself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46o4CNqNKcIuxJ4cFr5buKOyuCSOd1_M_ZmuLfqnYgNRJ29uoB3H5hpwyxugq6VUsdaUecE2eHnKYclXo1C5weu3MdsnHvHnFpAkG-ZLkjDC23_QMQhNZL_bDBPRW9xNPPCJ9q9NCDNCF/s1600/100_4616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46o4CNqNKcIuxJ4cFr5buKOyuCSOd1_M_ZmuLfqnYgNRJ29uoB3H5hpwyxugq6VUsdaUecE2eHnKYclXo1C5weu3MdsnHvHnFpAkG-ZLkjDC23_QMQhNZL_bDBPRW9xNPPCJ9q9NCDNCF/s320/100_4616.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyUOKRChdOJkOcynB1c6GzC5WFh6MIpab5QUar5EIGRwvR6ZW5uaMxeHjxjNpZDNK3YbKtDkjEr7YiY5HcF_gritdcFmcOHbGkVq5UsbBU8lSuAwVa3yJduJRPxvyMlAnWxY1V-zH_x7i/s1600/100_4618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyUOKRChdOJkOcynB1c6GzC5WFh6MIpab5QUar5EIGRwvR6ZW5uaMxeHjxjNpZDNK3YbKtDkjEr7YiY5HcF_gritdcFmcOHbGkVq5UsbBU8lSuAwVa3yJduJRPxvyMlAnWxY1V-zH_x7i/s320/100_4618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Today I just couldn't let it sit any longer and I got to work on the head board. Picked up 2 inch high density foam and used the velvet upholstery fabric I had left over from the chair I redid. Attacked it all with a staple gun and voila! A lovely headboard that's a little lumpy, yes, but it'll grow into it's shape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB81EhXBz45CwEBMi63-1dSkmqStnhf9eU_1tJVQBWhGrFFx9bGPIxWSQb_rRxqsXGu5dJYKWQnkQHz41CwlJ0BjNcZnVH2ceirtCT-xb5nNTbxzflgDQTnvBUPYwxC2KbhcVQjtJYTTeC/s1600/100_4622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB81EhXBz45CwEBMi63-1dSkmqStnhf9eU_1tJVQBWhGrFFx9bGPIxWSQb_rRxqsXGu5dJYKWQnkQHz41CwlJ0BjNcZnVH2ceirtCT-xb5nNTbxzflgDQTnvBUPYwxC2KbhcVQjtJYTTeC/s320/100_4622.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Finished hanging things in the guest room, tidied it up as best I could with my vacuum being broken and all, and there we have it! My cats haven't left it alone since I put sheets and such on the bed. Of course.<br />
So...I have no idea what to do with myself for the rest of the weekend...stay tuned...we'll find out together.Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-58352817994800222602011-08-17T01:46:00.000-07:002011-08-17T06:35:19.940-07:00Weddings and cakeThis past week I built a wedding cake. Yup. A whole wedding cake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok, so technically it was not my first wedding cake, but...hell, she won't read this, it was the first cake I really cared about. Ok, I cared about the last wedding cake, but when all you're given to work with is cake mixes...it doesn't make much of an emotional impact. Plus, this cake had to be perfect as it was for one of the most important people in my life. There. Did that make any sense? Most likely not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div> I started the day before the wedding, which might have been my first mistake. An extra afternoon might have taken a little of the pressure off, but it also might have messed up the rhythm I had going, not to mention left two days worth of mess for the Bride's dad and step-mom to deal with. So...maybe a problem? Maybe not.<br />
I arrived just before eight in the morning armed with all my gear, including the pans my mom shipped up and the flour I specially ordered. I had ordered cake flour from <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/">www.kingarthurflour.com</a> along with almond extract, because I hate the one brand of cake flour I know all the grocery stores carry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkxiKPpvtBZ3hufjwQ0ZbF0ZUnYeAKlUD2G-K_6OUdfRFyqCE4lujSWWK1Q1G0XQ-w5j5ZyRkWFYVpvnwphc124E4-Hz95HB8VhcryOy0Z1KmqyAsNlloQRitGHuzqspXnZDDGr6xI1av/s1600/100_4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkxiKPpvtBZ3hufjwQ0ZbF0ZUnYeAKlUD2G-K_6OUdfRFyqCE4lujSWWK1Q1G0XQ-w5j5ZyRkWFYVpvnwphc124E4-Hz95HB8VhcryOy0Z1KmqyAsNlloQRitGHuzqspXnZDDGr6xI1av/s320/100_4591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used Emeril Lagasse's recipe, found here: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-wedding-cake-recipe/index.html">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-wedding-cake-recipe/index.html</a> for the sponge cake, replacing the vanilla with almond extract. The recipe calls for making it twice for a three tiered cake, however, I found that the layers were far too thin and was forced to make three batches just for the stacked cakes. Here's where the extra time would've helped, I needed to use those ingredients and that time to make a second layer to the sheet cake. The recipe itself was a fair pain in the tuchus, as every ingredient had to be weighed not measured as usual. It made for a more accurate and regulated batter, but took a great length of time.<br />
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The batter was then divided into six bowls and Wilton gel coloring was used, splitting the pots of gel between the four batches I made. I then spooned one color of batter into the pan, then another spoonful of another directly on top of it and so on until all the colors were used. Shake the pan if the batter hasn't spread out to the edges, being careful not to stir the batter up.<br />
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The pans I used were a 6 inch, a 8 inch, and a 10 inch. I think a set of 6, 9 and 12 would have looked more dramatic, but hindsight being what it is and all...<br />
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Follow instructions on the recipe as to baking and let cool completely on wire racks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16DDKA_Yj91UAi5O4HabeXO4cbcWLhYepUOr8wrB4XDNl4pMxM3WbOP1XvmL2qCQL3_3LDvF491DqKfWyEgdwgOM_wOQNUoSSSibhLvcOzk38I_KS1WWP4gYurHuBQTzXK8FTpv6eJJVB/s1600/100_4595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16DDKA_Yj91UAi5O4HabeXO4cbcWLhYepUOr8wrB4XDNl4pMxM3WbOP1XvmL2qCQL3_3LDvF491DqKfWyEgdwgOM_wOQNUoSSSibhLvcOzk38I_KS1WWP4gYurHuBQTzXK8FTpv6eJJVB/s320/100_4595.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
The frosting I found here: <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/07/project-wedding-cake-swiss-buttercream/#more-519">http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/07/project-wedding-cake-swiss-buttercream/#more-519</a> and it was fantastic. I have never cooked a frosting before and it was far more interesting than the frosting I normally make. And far more buttery. Wow was it buttery. It spread really well and looked very nice.<br />
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I then inserted four straws into the bottom two layers and cut them off a scant 1/8th inch above the cake so the next layer had a stable way to sit.<br />
I managed to deliver the cake to the reception hall without any accidents and the next day I assembled the cakes without fuss. I only wish I had a small pot of frosting to touch up the edges.<br />
For decoration I had made little paper poppies but they would've soaked up the butter from the frosting and looked horrible. The bows I bought only worked for the sheet cake. I replaced the paper poppies with some that I had purchased.<br />
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I think I'm just rambling now...<br />
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Anyway, it fed everyone despite it's diminutive appearance, there was even a great deal left over!<br />
I think it turned out very well, people seemed to like it.<br />
So there we have it! Nine and a half hours to complete and my second foray into wedding cakes seems to be a success.Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-65798517759831184042011-08-01T20:44:00.000-07:002011-08-01T20:44:27.620-07:00It's been a long long, long timeI feel it would be boring if I told you all I have been up to while not blogging, so I'll just apologize and get on with the post.<br />
I have not taken advantage of the strawberries like I had hoped. True, I have a week or two left hopefully to get my act together and jam some more, but nothing like I had planned.<br />
I did, however, make some very tasty strawberry and kumquat jam a month ago which I'll share today. I used a three pint cartons of strawberries and a cup and a half of sliced kumquats<br />
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I mixed the kumquats and sliced strawberries with 7 cups of sugar and cooked it down for a bit then added a box of pectin (which I normally won't do but I wanted a bright strawberry taste). Next time I will cook it longer as the juice from the kumquats upset the balance between juice and pectin and it's a little too soft and as you can see above, it's a little foamy.<br />
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Last night I made a batch of Blackberry and Brown Sugar jam on the fly, due to the fact that a soon to be groom likes to eat it with a spoon and I wanted to get him something special.<br />
The jam is a little harder to quantify, I had a heaping bowl full, maybe...10 cups of berries? 4 cups of brown sugar, 1 cup turbinado sugar and a lemon. I just cooked the berries and sugar down till it sheeted off a spoon and added the lemon juice. It made 3 pints of spectacular jam. My lovely cousin had given me a homemade loaf of bread that day and it has swiftly disappeared along with a half pint of the jam.<br />
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Speaking of grooms (see my poor transition there?) I am leaving this Saturday for Minot to go to a wedding! A fantastic wedding too, it's my darling friend's hitchin' to her man and I'm in charge of the cake!<br />
So I will blog about the making of said cake as soon as I get back!<br />
And expect a few blogs on corn canning and tomatoes and hopefully some white peaches in brown sugar!<br />
Love, MeBubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-29347208270082445642011-03-22T20:00:00.000-07:002011-03-22T20:00:54.302-07:00Finally! I Have Used the Lemons!We are entering the very short barren period of Chico's farmer's markets, where nothing really interesting grows. Oh there are the basic green onions, little carrots and bags of limpy lettuce, but nothing like it was with citrus season or what it will be with strawberry season. I'm looking forward to strawberry season immensely. I can't wait to make all sorts of things. I'm especially excited to use dry ice to quick freeze whole strawberries. I plan on syrups, jams, jellies and some mixed fruit experiments. Mmmm I can't wait.<br />
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This past week I managed to use up all the blood oranges that have been collecting in the fruit bowls. You see, there is this seller at the farmer's market that I always buy from. He had the best mandarins and he always gave me good deals and tossed a few extra in my bag. The problem was, once mandarins were gone, he was selling grapefruit and blood oranges...I was up to my ears in grapefruit so blood oranges it had to be. I don't like blood oranges. They're far too sour for me. They stain my shirts. But I bought them out of loyalty and they have been sitting unloved in the fruit bowls since. But last week I really wanted one more marmalade for my arsenal, so into the pot they went! As usual, I forgot my camera and can't show you the "during" photos but it did turn out pretty and really tasty!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Blood Orange Marmalade</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">8 cups chopped blood oranges</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>4 cups sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 chopped lemon</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 cups orange juice</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 packets liquid pectin</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cook oranges, lemon, juice and sugar to boiling then for 15 minutes more. Add pectin and return to boiling. Boil for three minutes then process in a hot water bath for ten minutes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Later in the week, I finished up the burp cloths for my coworker.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vhBvbas1OhUAJrswqX3E-HvAd42wvRsJU9l1xnL9W-pJ3ZgoOpTIc5UkGfvrQD7emlcKvmN4pLGR3NfnDXfqp_gUY2AnS8PCKc6CnH_-KOQYyr9JweV6XOBz72a0IMxb0cw5aNsG883t/s1600/100_4414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vhBvbas1OhUAJrswqX3E-HvAd42wvRsJU9l1xnL9W-pJ3ZgoOpTIc5UkGfvrQD7emlcKvmN4pLGR3NfnDXfqp_gUY2AnS8PCKc6CnH_-KOQYyr9JweV6XOBz72a0IMxb0cw5aNsG883t/s320/100_4414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">I think they're cute.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Early this week, I FINALLY used those lemons! I bought two more bags of them before they were all out at the farmer's market and even managed to use up the rest of the grapefruit! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCjsoE_QzcKurcgSFz3TRI42MI30PhmZtOIOieUr3ge4vqXGEuF00ai1FmWZX2zLQMWCvSAiYOareg0pRjTPBQDNpYiWelMizwGn4krUrUIijUluPdYYs2DXTPDGHqmRCsip01sI1Nbj5/s1600/100_4415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCjsoE_QzcKurcgSFz3TRI42MI30PhmZtOIOieUr3ge4vqXGEuF00ai1FmWZX2zLQMWCvSAiYOareg0pRjTPBQDNpYiWelMizwGn4krUrUIijUluPdYYs2DXTPDGHqmRCsip01sI1Nbj5/s320/100_4415.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha! the zest and pulp settled to the bottom!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqoHaa4PMXIHJHTPxWnv5HcmINwx2csyEhodoI5u6aJTE_PKMZrxO5obqp8rfRg3idZ4xo-N30toJGMCcn93RPbB2k7eu_BxMn6iHaQ3dV4Y-mXzl6hoTbsjrvxZn4xaEtdgOTk6UiU56/s1600/100_4417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqoHaa4PMXIHJHTPxWnv5HcmINwx2csyEhodoI5u6aJTE_PKMZrxO5obqp8rfRg3idZ4xo-N30toJGMCcn93RPbB2k7eu_BxMn6iHaQ3dV4Y-mXzl6hoTbsjrvxZn4xaEtdgOTk6UiU56/s320/100_4417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I made simple syrup out of both of them. a one:one:one ratio worked well for the lemons, one cup of lemon juice, one cup of sugar, one cup of water and a lot of zest made for a nice syrup that wasn't too cloying or too sour. It will be perfect for sparkling water, making into sorbet, and adding to melon juice for lemonade. The grapefruit syrup, while made a bit thicker with a cup of juice to a half cup of water, should be just as useful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My plan for the rest of the week is to keep up the momentum, stay positive, and draft some new project ideas. I've got this great fake fur that I'm dying to make into a monster puppet, but we'll have to finish the others first.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next week's topic: Canning- the Failed Experiments.</div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-25785090926490297212011-03-13T19:56:00.000-07:002011-03-13T19:56:29.680-07:00The Birds Have Left the Eagle's Nest UnharmedIt has been a boring few weeks while I didn't blog. I apologize, but life overtook my ambition for project making for awhile. What I did do, I think I got some photos of so I'll post 'em as I remember 'em.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINLbSpQEo5wmNxLG5DFxr-5NJsGt-aLJJUAq2WTWwRALqSDr5qje10Gq3w-BJgZov1IrOdo9ZlRErmV31GceUuEBXSgZ4UnFbrfkv5_FpflkRHZ-b3ILaBm3lEFDU58jGiIXMYRfM8ikA/s1600/100_4400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINLbSpQEo5wmNxLG5DFxr-5NJsGt-aLJJUAq2WTWwRALqSDr5qje10Gq3w-BJgZov1IrOdo9ZlRErmV31GceUuEBXSgZ4UnFbrfkv5_FpflkRHZ-b3ILaBm3lEFDU58jGiIXMYRfM8ikA/s320/100_4400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the goodies minus the cookies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I finally mailed off the goodies for the craft exchangees! I compiled boxes containing a canned good, at least six different kinds of cookies, and a felted soap "stone". Some boxes also contained fabric crane clips that I photographed earlier. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyMlHwbgtEPUkykyouaWG47Sz_X7pa7hyphenhyphenIOX3DcCT4Bkl2Mk-QQ8_yM_tMe7u8_GAJ5VJd44aZmeDdXv2gNjfFPEIRlxX863zD9ds55H03KNv9xOWvXTU8flXe7MknZCzcIy5Dur7s7JU/s1600/100_4401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyMlHwbgtEPUkykyouaWG47Sz_X7pa7hyphenhyphenIOX3DcCT4Bkl2Mk-QQ8_yM_tMe7u8_GAJ5VJd44aZmeDdXv2gNjfFPEIRlxX863zD9ds55H03KNv9xOWvXTU8flXe7MknZCzcIy5Dur7s7JU/s320/100_4401.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the felted "stones"shaved and sculpted to look like rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I boxed everything up at work one night and pretty much covered the living room with bags of this and that <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuILWCFfnQmU9CG69c0_RK3Jyi3PT6P2N0Mq0IByWhU6w-ltUqBl-uZUdYfLIBi8dqkEoWAI0ZufvcLvQCm23U296S2NInIzY9iGvkJ_-eSokWEsTN-SG6M2zqTdaBve2T8cR5iUKGA69b/s1600/100_4404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuILWCFfnQmU9CG69c0_RK3Jyi3PT6P2N0Mq0IByWhU6w-ltUqBl-uZUdYfLIBi8dqkEoWAI0ZufvcLvQCm23U296S2NInIzY9iGvkJ_-eSokWEsTN-SG6M2zqTdaBve2T8cR5iUKGA69b/s320/100_4404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
I think they went over well, I did have plans for purses and lunch bags and bike bags and more but my brain was lurching faster than my body was capable of keeping up with and it would have been July before I sent anything off.<br />
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I also worked with the grapefruits my cousin gave me. This was a frustrating endeavor. <br />
I brought all my canning gear into work all ready to crank out at least half a dozen pints of grapefruit segments and I start to work. I get through thirteen of the suckers, cutting off the peel, cutting through the membranes and popping out the flesh and what do I get for those thirteen giant grapefruit?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq15Vs_D2BtrZHo8xsc_2YbYesM3XX9GPXUskAAZUS9NI96RNODvfVjXIkpup3_SuRcqLuZcu25gMQECB1XBM3M7hwf5A7edJ5vb68IrMN0UbFhrqtdbIldX-jW15QDDvHhyphenhyphen9dAg2x0Xin/s1600/100_4407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq15Vs_D2BtrZHo8xsc_2YbYesM3XX9GPXUskAAZUS9NI96RNODvfVjXIkpup3_SuRcqLuZcu25gMQECB1XBM3M7hwf5A7edJ5vb68IrMN0UbFhrqtdbIldX-jW15QDDvHhyphenhyphen9dAg2x0Xin/s320/100_4407.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two measly pints...sigh...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I curse you grapefruit.<br />
<br />
For this upcoming week, despite the fact that I'll be very sleep deprived due to work meetings, I have a lot to get done.<br />
<br />
Those beautiful lemons need to be taken care of, a lemon jelly is my new thought for them...<br />
<br />
I have yet more grapefruit to deal with, and tonight I'm making Blood Orange Marmalade (pictures soon)<br />
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I also have to finish the set of burp cloths for my coworker's baby shower next Saturday, they're going to be adorable...for spit-up cloths. Did I make that joke already? Probably.<br />
<br />
Anyway, that's what I've been doing, that's what I plan to do and we'll see where that gets me! More pictures next time I promise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-80608288937883310232011-02-27T20:59:00.000-08:002011-02-27T20:59:07.596-08:00Citrus... Citrus... Citrus... CookiesSometimes it is hard to keep up with this blog. Not that I dislike it, more that I have so much going on, I don't remember it all by Sunday. I do recall a thing or two, I promise.<br />
<div style="display: none;"><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">cup</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/butter-141" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/butter-141_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> butter</a>, at room temperature </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span> <span class="type">cup</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/peanut-butter-460" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/peanut-butter-460_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> peanut butter</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">cup</span></span> <span class="name"> firmly packed <a href="http://www.food.com/library/brown-sugar-375" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/brown-sugar-375_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> brown sugar</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">cup</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/sugar-139" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/sugar-139_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> granulated sugar</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span> <span class="type"></span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/egg-142" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/egg-142_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> egg</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span> <span class="type">teaspoon</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/vanilla-350" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/vanilla-350_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> vanilla</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">2 </span> <span class="type">cups</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/flour-64" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/flour-64_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> flour</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span> <span class="type">teaspoon</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/baking-soda-7" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/baking-soda-7_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> baking soda</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">teaspoon</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/salt-359" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/salt-359_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> salt</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/su-s-famous-chewy-peanut-butter-cookies-393429#ixzz1FDrljPqr" style="color: #003399;">http://www.food.com/recipe/su-s-famous-chewy-peanut-butter-cookies-393429#ixzz1FDrljPqr</a></div></div><div style="display: none;"><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">cup</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/butter-141" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/butter-141_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> butter</a>, at room temperature </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span> <span class="type">cup</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/peanut-butter-460" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/peanut-butter-460_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> peanut butter</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">cup</span></span> <span class="name"> firmly packed <a href="http://www.food.com/library/brown-sugar-375" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/brown-sugar-375_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> brown sugar</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">cup</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/sugar-139" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/sugar-139_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> granulated sugar</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span> <span class="type"></span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/egg-142" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/egg-142_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> egg</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span> <span class="type">teaspoon</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/vanilla-350" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/vanilla-350_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> vanilla</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">2 </span> <span class="type">cups</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/flour-64" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/flour-64_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> flour</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span> <span class="type">teaspoon</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/baking-soda-7" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/baking-soda-7_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> baking soda</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1/2</span> <span class="type">teaspoon</span></span> <span class="name"> <a href="http://www.food.com/library/salt-359" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.food.com/library/salt-359_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true"> salt</a> </span> </span> </li><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/su-s-famous-chewy-peanut-butter-cookies-393429#ixzz1FDrljPqr" style="color: #003399;">http://www.food.com/recipe/su-s-famous-chewy-peanut-butter-cookies-393429#ixzz1FDrljPqr</a></div></div>This week I focused on cookies, like I said I would.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIkQkecFgRsr6kIh7xuZYwuveUugP49GQKoG-ROQIQRwuz4umVrrGWTgVOIKVrp4mgv6YIM-hPSCMpplEvLFa7whvlR56_9NXC1nPLxId0YXn9jhc7w4wpLD8FYYep68CCsIdwQ72OMLH/s1600/100_4398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIkQkecFgRsr6kIh7xuZYwuveUugP49GQKoG-ROQIQRwuz4umVrrGWTgVOIKVrp4mgv6YIM-hPSCMpplEvLFa7whvlR56_9NXC1nPLxId0YXn9jhc7w4wpLD8FYYep68CCsIdwQ72OMLH/s320/100_4398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I started on Sunday with a peanut butter cookie, not a bad cookie, not that chewy but nice flavor.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Peanut Butter Cookie</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Adapted from Susann Simpson</i><b> </b> </div>1/2 cup butter, room temp<br />
1 cup peanut butter<br />
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed<br />
1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />
1 egg<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
<br />
Cream butter and sugars together, add egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients together and add to the wet ingredients. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and press cross marks into cookies with a fork. bake 8 to 10 minutes at 375 degrees.<br />
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Monday I made some lovely crispy-chewy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chocolate Chip- Oatmeal Cookie</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Adapted from Archie Gubbard</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup butter</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup brown sugar<b><i> </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 egg</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 Tbsp water</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 tsp vanilla</div><div style="text-align: left;">3/4 cup flour</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 tsp baking soda</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 tsp salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 1/2 cup rolled oats</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup chocolate chips</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cream butter and sugars, add egg and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. drop by teaspoon onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake 12 minutes at 375 degrees</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tuesday I baked some crispy Meyer lemon and pistachio cookies and they are quite nice.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Meyer Lemon and Pistachio cookie</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All mine! </i><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup butter</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 egg</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 Tbsp lemon juice</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 tsp lemon zest</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 1/2 cup flour</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 tsp baking soda</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">3/4 cup chopped pistachios</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cream butter and sugars, add egg, lemon juice, and zest. Mix dry ingredients and mix with wet ingredients. Shape into rolls and wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for 2 hours. slice an put on parchment covered cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Wednesday I baked Martha Stewart's Double Chocolate Coconut Cookies which were nice, but looked like cowpies.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll just post the link since I didn't adapt it much</div><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/double-chocolate-coconut-cookies?backto=true">http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/double-chocolate-coconut-cookies?backto=true</a><br />
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Thursday I finished up with Chocolate Mint Cookies which were chunky and yummy and super chocolatey<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chocolate Mint Cookies</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Adapted from Samanissa</i></div><ul class="ingredient_list"><li>1 cup cocoa powder</li>
<li>1 cup flour</li>
<li>1/2 cup sugar</li>
<li>1/2 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>1 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>1 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/4 tsp salt</li>
<li>1 cup chopped Andes candies</li>
<li>1 stick melted (unsalted) butter</li>
<li>2 slightly beaten eggs</li>
<li>1 tsp peppermint extract</li>
</ul><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Combine in large bowl dry cocoa powder, flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, & salt. Combine and add melted butter, egg and peppermint extract. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded Tablespoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
So as you can see, it was a definite cookie week. I also completed the work for the exchanges, I just breathed and simplified everything and I think they will still be appreciated. </div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">My cousin was given a ton of produce and passed the riches onto me:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzGaP4_pzdqKTp9dahKbmx-YImICS-g4r_UhRaoHVbnDQcmNvbulJsCztdnjJviksbvA9GK06qmUdJOfo0aQWSqtvPbw0yjKMqhaZw8R2x8PakWDraBc8uOXGxZHt_3YMgovZE2efX_iL/s1600/100_4397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzGaP4_pzdqKTp9dahKbmx-YImICS-g4r_UhRaoHVbnDQcmNvbulJsCztdnjJviksbvA9GK06qmUdJOfo0aQWSqtvPbw0yjKMqhaZw8R2x8PakWDraBc8uOXGxZHt_3YMgovZE2efX_iL/s320/100_4397.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grapefruits! A whole bag of them!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KEA5fegVAft5FqfEzs44AgT8ZXoAKlvd8kWo6dL3eVn48FoKBTBzjF-LMLGUm1WzhdpgSyQUM933SjrCCLLePALdtynJ8jmEbzfnLpgf6h3hGWR2QJwGVWpjQtopPWis_DPnGUldZvf_/s1600/100_4395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KEA5fegVAft5FqfEzs44AgT8ZXoAKlvd8kWo6dL3eVn48FoKBTBzjF-LMLGUm1WzhdpgSyQUM933SjrCCLLePALdtynJ8jmEbzfnLpgf6h3hGWR2QJwGVWpjQtopPWis_DPnGUldZvf_/s320/100_4395.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pecans!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhYx9KAlSuRJHcgT5NdbP0T7FU1OfL-OlA3tbmu49neCRNtKYAHc8fYe_8xjgZm9KcvS48spPVd6hk1Ig4YbQ-XAE7c6T8-OaMkH0Nx3Vks9O1N2SmiOuufhSX7e6ZlWZFp2JYYDc2ggW/s1600/100_4393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhYx9KAlSuRJHcgT5NdbP0T7FU1OfL-OlA3tbmu49neCRNtKYAHc8fYe_8xjgZm9KcvS48spPVd6hk1Ig4YbQ-XAE7c6T8-OaMkH0Nx3Vks9O1N2SmiOuufhSX7e6ZlWZFp2JYYDc2ggW/s320/100_4393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Meyer Lemons!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So I have a busy week of trying to figure out what to do with them! I'm thinking candied lemon peel, lemon wedges in syrup, and grapefruit segments in syrup.</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Next week I should be able to post the pictures of what I made for the exchanges and hopefully more puppet pictures and some products of all the citrus I received.</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Ta for now!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i><b><i> </i> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-66242129861705376702011-02-20T19:58:00.000-08:002011-02-20T19:58:33.980-08:00A Week of Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmuJEuxyHJd5ZHL9_qbGGIg5q1rFHMq2cWogXeC5lU42cBkCZgVuAeAHwK7cTi4a-o7lv1vYS8Em4AfWcbfyaTUGGNU3p4RH9nRI1EAJZecNa6Bx90sIH-XeY0O5sPp2Q4TdNu1PYQxwd/s1600/100_4377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmuJEuxyHJd5ZHL9_qbGGIg5q1rFHMq2cWogXeC5lU42cBkCZgVuAeAHwK7cTi4a-o7lv1vYS8Em4AfWcbfyaTUGGNU3p4RH9nRI1EAJZecNa6Bx90sIH-XeY0O5sPp2Q4TdNu1PYQxwd/s320/100_4377.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I have figured out a bit of what's been holding me back on my craft exchange projects. I have been having ridiculous anxiety about these things and it doesn't make a lot of sense. I want to make these gifts and I like stretching my imagination but I have just been tied up in knots worrying about finishing by the end of the month! I now believe I have set others' expectations of me too high. I doubt people are expecting me to send off handknit sweaters and purses with pockets and zippers and bobbles. I need to dial back my neurosis and go back to the original plan. Small, interesting, and handmade with love. So I'm going back to the drawing board! No elaborate lunch bags that were going to look too feminine anyway, no quilting (as I stink at it), and no working harder on them than I am on my puppets. That's my new rule, my puppets have to come first as they have a lot of problems.<br />
More on puppets later this week but for now here's my week in pictures:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfCy0Ro-6XBm4cL_PJkfL9xXuy0CFTKXLCFEvoTLO9rvfB1voXvg5EOOAhCifdfT-KSSOqee2ku4YXImdj7RkPghR3EBZ5_YnRYGoG5qzui5VPnaDWooL-QqTV2kGiPfT9pFw4SyZ0nO-/s1600/100_4364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfCy0Ro-6XBm4cL_PJkfL9xXuy0CFTKXLCFEvoTLO9rvfB1voXvg5EOOAhCifdfT-KSSOqee2ku4YXImdj7RkPghR3EBZ5_YnRYGoG5qzui5VPnaDWooL-QqTV2kGiPfT9pFw4SyZ0nO-/s320/100_4364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing the mouth onto the puppet</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlK0VwW0sRQr6hwcyAa3kvA3suVxPG7O-mQ4IyONQldEPKltdlwaJWnUqDU8fbGoGPLA5aNKkAf1xi92S3bQ9DQg92COy592-K5eXuS7uu5lJ1LacUl8y9MGT-LIW5DbLpipUD_e-GuAb0/s1600/100_4365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlK0VwW0sRQr6hwcyAa3kvA3suVxPG7O-mQ4IyONQldEPKltdlwaJWnUqDU8fbGoGPLA5aNKkAf1xi92S3bQ9DQg92COy592-K5eXuS7uu5lJ1LacUl8y9MGT-LIW5DbLpipUD_e-GuAb0/s320/100_4365.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hands!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOQRxGOXlr58Z_7Sgizba5Fn2LbWqyg2gr_AfOxzpPQ_fEw4R32ANRbP42WBeisJcR4Nb33ZY0yhnk_h2Eii2o32jnEIJ7u9FSySdiCCg3S4eW1PQtI48YEWj909jor1Yhk_IDeUcCnSO/s1600/100_4366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOQRxGOXlr58Z_7Sgizba5Fn2LbWqyg2gr_AfOxzpPQ_fEw4R32ANRbP42WBeisJcR4Nb33ZY0yhnk_h2Eii2o32jnEIJ7u9FSySdiCCg3S4eW1PQtI48YEWj909jor1Yhk_IDeUcCnSO/s320/100_4366.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heads and bodies of two more</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWveNM0M87wZdcfC0BOS4UJdcSQOtX8uLM2BPGHY0Ybl45qT6PSn992VTnt-DSMCkRQ73BU3IizMJEUgRcCstMSmV0VY4GhID_IfIs3ckP8Xgo5eIZ-gdcs7noMMvYqWcpH5LJr3Lr_5ds/s1600/100_4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWveNM0M87wZdcfC0BOS4UJdcSQOtX8uLM2BPGHY0Ybl45qT6PSn992VTnt-DSMCkRQ73BU3IizMJEUgRcCstMSmV0VY4GhID_IfIs3ckP8Xgo5eIZ-gdcs7noMMvYqWcpH5LJr3Lr_5ds/s320/100_4367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi there!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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I worked on the puppets this week, finished up a little girl puppet that isn't too fantastic, but is fairly cute and made the bodies of two more. This week I doubt I'll get to them, but next week is for the puppets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2165zdHmPnI-fr6qR1nU8xdUn1iV9gkZh2ZorByzdvTY1C09auRBMgkdNtxlV-h7wRGvHCiuNbOqDbRMfsPitVnk3EUGXHynUXVRDgJP-d3EnpdOhZcODI9j5MMMZKLIV4rWSBtTRi79h/s1600/100_4372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2165zdHmPnI-fr6qR1nU8xdUn1iV9gkZh2ZorByzdvTY1C09auRBMgkdNtxlV-h7wRGvHCiuNbOqDbRMfsPitVnk3EUGXHynUXVRDgJP-d3EnpdOhZcODI9j5MMMZKLIV4rWSBtTRi79h/s320/100_4372.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A project in the works (on a sketch)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh1LCohfBnRai_s3dUKVZj7JmHEbQ7M-dfdBoHq-_x34IkCAhc3SY8EJ6VTt5kKm9Fu95S2S_0tWeA6LUcZ_oY6PK3V5AUeSIG0Zp_ZTCVpIX2zp1Ehqjt6U3IpxL29J2oLTyHM3bY1p7/s1600/100_4379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh1LCohfBnRai_s3dUKVZj7JmHEbQ7M-dfdBoHq-_x34IkCAhc3SY8EJ6VTt5kKm9Fu95S2S_0tWeA6LUcZ_oY6PK3V5AUeSIG0Zp_ZTCVpIX2zp1Ehqjt6U3IpxL29J2oLTyHM3bY1p7/s320/100_4379.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished project: Fabric Crane hair clips</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8PLl4k42VcaedsH5JYuGRAnLWil0bQF1BBKauaTk0xIzei5kNizvviLL10gIao7Iksi9seRdQ-PVg4-cQanyEH_kvWSOXF0KMOBT1qsobf7CSadAjKbSmiVbPHs8b9FfB-gE07uYfZJ9/s1600/100_4374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8PLl4k42VcaedsH5JYuGRAnLWil0bQF1BBKauaTk0xIzei5kNizvviLL10gIao7Iksi9seRdQ-PVg4-cQanyEH_kvWSOXF0KMOBT1qsobf7CSadAjKbSmiVbPHs8b9FfB-gE07uYfZJ9/s320/100_4374.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almond blossoms </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_-Lqj_u1sk5eiDb39hoztuljlqtVyj6tHg_xAXiMeO7947lzaKYBXCrnc_WSvIm1wJrh_-Wedpvg4DTIiyDlb4ewexfXTiLzxYsM-Me63YrqYtI1PEXkw_5lnb2N2cuWzt1bgszyjSmw/s1600/100_4385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_-Lqj_u1sk5eiDb39hoztuljlqtVyj6tHg_xAXiMeO7947lzaKYBXCrnc_WSvIm1wJrh_-Wedpvg4DTIiyDlb4ewexfXTiLzxYsM-Me63YrqYtI1PEXkw_5lnb2N2cuWzt1bgszyjSmw/s320/100_4385.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milk! (I don't know why, just felt like taking the picture)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBOcyBITteu76AbxkiX29xcldhzZqNrDiGmuddyyLUkopc387HSWgHqoExJ8T8a1NvF_sYbjq2dsLAnFgDlpwxm5_OJC01b1Eh_d8E5kNo5It8gZdZT8vuFkyCKCQe8efwAzM0xaxqI9o/s1600/100_4384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBOcyBITteu76AbxkiX29xcldhzZqNrDiGmuddyyLUkopc387HSWgHqoExJ8T8a1NvF_sYbjq2dsLAnFgDlpwxm5_OJC01b1Eh_d8E5kNo5It8gZdZT8vuFkyCKCQe8efwAzM0xaxqI9o/s320/100_4384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drank gallons of tea this weekend</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>I declare this upcoming week Cookie Week! I have to bake a bunch of cookies every once in awhile to cleanse my soul...or something. Anyway, I like baking cookies so I'm planning 5 or 6 different kinds for the week. Should be fun.<br />
I also made bread today. Check out the pics<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVObX1W6aylg9LVf6OAhLm1zDyD7frlzRT71doSxlXYw8dSi0y3dmqCOQrqRKnbbiFI0qobBXl8XDQrIBHSh1Vra5L5QvkE4Kol3Qais-mBqBjpXvhxCR7PqVG6twFFtDO-KwlJK__lLH/s1600/100_4382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVObX1W6aylg9LVf6OAhLm1zDyD7frlzRT71doSxlXYw8dSi0y3dmqCOQrqRKnbbiFI0qobBXl8XDQrIBHSh1Vra5L5QvkE4Kol3Qais-mBqBjpXvhxCR7PqVG6twFFtDO-KwlJK__lLH/s320/100_4382.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The autolyse (pre-rise)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdwFfa4DLwIcLJXxthNDcmOw_cIfzPVVKWgLCMX8Yu9y6elcdW0nNiS8ERbbJucMrQw0zSDupRrgQTkf2CPp6jcoc_hL4CcTzf1o8RW-kv_uM0r1AdQOAqMOVJclPP8FS1ZiLfKV_poIr/s1600/100_4388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdwFfa4DLwIcLJXxthNDcmOw_cIfzPVVKWgLCMX8Yu9y6elcdW0nNiS8ERbbJucMrQw0zSDupRrgQTkf2CPp6jcoc_hL4CcTzf1o8RW-kv_uM0r1AdQOAqMOVJclPP8FS1ZiLfKV_poIr/s320/100_4388.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First proof/ rise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aJlZa1nbYYu6t15rMPU2orfiM9G7OIij1FZBo8jlHD87NQ_si-jGrJ40VaRbQqhJHhH4LECCLgZTp15lze8x5l2ynJh61aHxWIaeMJ-KBKihRQwuO7TidZdtOkP_AqaOrzaOqE_Hoov3/s1600/100_4389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aJlZa1nbYYu6t15rMPU2orfiM9G7OIij1FZBo8jlHD87NQ_si-jGrJ40VaRbQqhJHhH4LECCLgZTp15lze8x5l2ynJh61aHxWIaeMJ-KBKihRQwuO7TidZdtOkP_AqaOrzaOqE_Hoov3/s320/100_4389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second proof</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWg9cI4cZRzo92xC-nXeGhiuQsBLCjJSNbRA19gGdiozRsRU9bqXeqGeZb9jW3FJFLSNN9RVSG0puTwVneiRXf7GCO1EL47ETXoaxizTa2QJ7ne-LWpWCfrMaGKnoI_csl4cE-4daSv3W/s1600/100_4390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWg9cI4cZRzo92xC-nXeGhiuQsBLCjJSNbRA19gGdiozRsRU9bqXeqGeZb9jW3FJFLSNN9RVSG0puTwVneiRXf7GCO1EL47ETXoaxizTa2QJ7ne-LWpWCfrMaGKnoI_csl4cE-4daSv3W/s320/100_4390.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baking!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmxvUEcA5owk1tmKKGD6LZDkb3frXSsIhbSIVcxJxMA5vR7RlLkwJC1RbBT6YoDEXT5p6ar4nkLt2aF1OYBfXf03KWipzpL1UFyIQXIpZa1s1NWXAtl3ysMIIVOq_Bk0vc-zkGbj5JwFC/s1600/100_4391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmxvUEcA5owk1tmKKGD6LZDkb3frXSsIhbSIVcxJxMA5vR7RlLkwJC1RbBT6YoDEXT5p6ar4nkLt2aF1OYBfXf03KWipzpL1UFyIQXIpZa1s1NWXAtl3ysMIIVOq_Bk0vc-zkGbj5JwFC/s320/100_4391.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum. Honey Bran Whole Wheat bread.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-48309396556233358112011-02-13T21:32:00.000-08:002011-02-13T21:32:12.121-08:00The week in review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERgTp8vdkynEXkzlEcWtb4iEHj05bHVTUrRouAgBg2LQRf5H5q9uiXTJEIZkBhajBZQh6kGo2Vi_fdV8UkWLa0FVI02ztgvv-vtqsIA7mwJ1Sh-48BP5kpkj9w4ACdNhTEc-vyrY6V5jv/s1600/100_4354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERgTp8vdkynEXkzlEcWtb4iEHj05bHVTUrRouAgBg2LQRf5H5q9uiXTJEIZkBhajBZQh6kGo2Vi_fdV8UkWLa0FVI02ztgvv-vtqsIA7mwJ1Sh-48BP5kpkj9w4ACdNhTEc-vyrY6V5jv/s320/100_4354.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The almond trees are beginning to flower and it's beautiful. Of course the photo I took shows no flowers at all but I liked this one better.<br />
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I completed nothing this week I'm afraid. I did work on some bits and pieces of a craft exchange I am participating in, but I can't even show you what they are! Bummer for me as it leaves me with no pictures to show of what I've been up to.<br />
<br />
So what I'll have to do is a repeat of a few weeks ago, I'll tell you of my plans for the week!<br />
First up is those dang puppets. I love them and I think they'll turn out great but I keep dragging my heels on them and I'm running out of time. Not that the gentlemen I send them to are demanding them, but I have been working on these puppets for almost a year and they need to be finished and sent away. I don't wanna look at their faces anymore!<br />
<br />
Second, I am working on more craft exchange bits and pieces and...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiHXFISKy_E796GMwbBkFf9vZkxucfXZw3VUtTSCU8Cv77eF6gYQt9i7kFpCjfAuT5VpqrkEp1-AsPRR81E2cHW9O7PX1MOk-eKu-NdVNTK0IC0XR1qdGLpNxyv7FfRli-EHB7yKEgarh/s1600/100_4362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiHXFISKy_E796GMwbBkFf9vZkxucfXZw3VUtTSCU8Cv77eF6gYQt9i7kFpCjfAuT5VpqrkEp1-AsPRR81E2cHW9O7PX1MOk-eKu-NdVNTK0IC0XR1qdGLpNxyv7FfRli-EHB7yKEgarh/s320/100_4362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is all I can show you right now</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It should be good.<br />
<br />
Thirdly and fouthly, I have simple things to churn out, like my curtains for my art room. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePfUdFqlrV14pRjoZ_DVvpir9oOAOU73jKmBA4H3Lko588G-PrRIVRseGtEh0mpvA_NaDSHHJ_SB2sDr-4kZ9tD0NzA_vpeuWLR2I5Cj76R1JX9yeFUFElkbgcG3yvM0DCI98hTOY3puv/s1600/100_4360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePfUdFqlrV14pRjoZ_DVvpir9oOAOU73jKmBA4H3Lko588G-PrRIVRseGtEh0mpvA_NaDSHHJ_SB2sDr-4kZ9tD0NzA_vpeuWLR2I5Cj76R1JX9yeFUFElkbgcG3yvM0DCI98hTOY3puv/s320/100_4360.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
They will look so good in there, I'm just hemming and making a simple tube for the rod and I'm done! Easy as puddin'!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN4ygzi9pL8fG-vJvDxkvHTFykQQoYL4Jcc-nLzHCTiGQznI63beQt-GJhP7pyXZQhvqYhY07WI7n8ceFO1xVv3Pu_AiOe4PYJcGrNhPb7dxCOP4M2W-N6tdIi4Kuqh-V5fCQkRBixDjS/s1600/100_4363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN4ygzi9pL8fG-vJvDxkvHTFykQQoYL4Jcc-nLzHCTiGQznI63beQt-GJhP7pyXZQhvqYhY07WI7n8ceFO1xVv3Pu_AiOe4PYJcGrNhPb7dxCOP4M2W-N6tdIi4Kuqh-V5fCQkRBixDjS/s320/100_4363.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This is the guy I want to work on next, he's a biker/beatnik dude with a goatee and Elvis hair. I hope I can finish these current ones so I can start on him!<br />
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That's all I have for now, I am hoping to have more to share by the middle of the week. We'll see how the puppets are doing by then.Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-5814481746703854252011-02-06T19:56:00.000-08:002011-02-06T19:56:23.680-08:00Weekend of Getting Things Done.This was an out of character weekend for me, I must admit. Especially as I have not been feeling too hot the last couple weeks. I take advantage of these high points though, I was incredibly busy.<br />
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Friday I ran errands. First I picked up a really interesting book on lifelike polymer clay figures as a early birthday present from my cousins (Thanks Cathy!) and I have gotten all sorts of excited to start some new sculptures, so that may be the intermingled project with the puppets. I picked up the main fabric for one of my craft exchanges, and I think it'll turn out nice and I can use the prototype for my own use...maybe...I'm not real big on prototypes...I'm not patient enough.<br />
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Saturday, a friend who writes a blog on playwriting and I wagered each other to get a big push of work done in three hours, he was to write ten pages of dialogue, I was to clear my guest room of overflow art supplies. Deadlines are good things. I organized my art room to accommodate all my stuff and while it's cramped, it's not chaotic like it normally is. Going through boxes and boxes of puppet bits, fabric, paint, pencils, papers, canvases, and random nonsense, was enlightening. <br />
I have a lot of crap.<br />
Lots and lots of detritus. bits and bobbles washed up on the shore of Al's life. So many ideas of what to do with it all, and a little knowledge that I have not the time for everything.<br />
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I spent some time rooting around in my jungle of a garden, pulling weeds and thinking about where to put things. Tomatoes (at least the ones I had last year) are banned. Stupid things ate my whole garden up! I do hope to put in plenty of Edamame, and pickling cukes, spread my carpet of strawberry plants out a little so they can breath, and try a few new melons out along with a loofah plant or two.<br />
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Sunday I tackled a project that I am so pleased with. Of course I'm still having a hard time remembering to take the "before" picture, but I am sure you have all seen this type of chair and how ugly it can look. The one I found at a thrift store was tan with chocolate brown cushions. Pukey pukey 70's colors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFAcVxS8C3IitSdNdEvMu4kKevYHZ43oWgSEKDKr0tgGE0WLi1KED-AjAdDT6HkXjMwM4v1WpweCl-H8YOV2A3NQWBeCRRN4qviXGJHBD04Y_p4o6QU0svUkJ_cVeDwzY71I7YzpJNUCs/s1600/100_4341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFAcVxS8C3IitSdNdEvMu4kKevYHZ43oWgSEKDKr0tgGE0WLi1KED-AjAdDT6HkXjMwM4v1WpweCl-H8YOV2A3NQWBeCRRN4qviXGJHBD04Y_p4o6QU0svUkJ_cVeDwzY71I7YzpJNUCs/s320/100_4341.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I took apart the cushions from the frame and spray painted the frame with an aquamarine and topped it with a lacquer coating.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWz_cgeXXvZL0WbX01RhUgSXOW9Q9xL5CshC-psjwTg29hfKuBec_tLgsw8J4jJfw_-tSYcDxRWDYfjC0UjYhg6nONafDi0DEk1R9oUnKwkXkLEh0PlVRvd2fIbaSouUmbr-m_J-tRRvvj/s1600/100_4342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWz_cgeXXvZL0WbX01RhUgSXOW9Q9xL5CshC-psjwTg29hfKuBec_tLgsw8J4jJfw_-tSYcDxRWDYfjC0UjYhg6nONafDi0DEk1R9oUnKwkXkLEh0PlVRvd2fIbaSouUmbr-m_J-tRRvvj/s320/100_4342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Painted the plastic armrests a dark gray.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdGsuTQq6CFm3EncAsd8fW7UIzhFeodTX5iwnCs0LAdkP33gXTWggvkfO2EgHWdY5E-i2l0MGy8JxaK2ed_hWJjbhe4QN09baPEZIfnXiPaTlIpFRtu9cDupR-EtMXPp2yugbPd6uqa6V/s1600/100_4347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdGsuTQq6CFm3EncAsd8fW7UIzhFeodTX5iwnCs0LAdkP33gXTWggvkfO2EgHWdY5E-i2l0MGy8JxaK2ed_hWJjbhe4QN09baPEZIfnXiPaTlIpFRtu9cDupR-EtMXPp2yugbPd6uqa6V/s320/100_4347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZZz_N00UDe3_nmyx1aJse4ReIJ-p7fRup9Cc3QdbhucdeMdr13x7Gv0d5vvKwRAbgYoLv6tcga9tmZuSqGOBoT1XfbTtNIokeycLIk1sIe9RlP_vEESqUcfPO6WMkRvi0mfK4UGGYkdR/s1600/100_4348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZZz_N00UDe3_nmyx1aJse4ReIJ-p7fRup9Cc3QdbhucdeMdr13x7Gv0d5vvKwRAbgYoLv6tcga9tmZuSqGOBoT1XfbTtNIokeycLIk1sIe9RlP_vEESqUcfPO6WMkRvi0mfK4UGGYkdR/s320/100_4348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Covered the brown cushions with upholstery fabric I had saved from a failed couch experiment.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdTcLu93jnVPxGf9iQMZ9JIApvgJ6Eia01Wsx1RdRIpYeAnwnKsyEyhip9dx9dtwbiDHbfaQkE3jMy7gMGjtMc0GCokjJSL6SmqViEhqueAgAos4Ue5TCyK51hGzLn854rkXNdKpdY9V6/s1600/100_4350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdTcLu93jnVPxGf9iQMZ9JIApvgJ6Eia01Wsx1RdRIpYeAnwnKsyEyhip9dx9dtwbiDHbfaQkE3jMy7gMGjtMc0GCokjJSL6SmqViEhqueAgAos4Ue5TCyK51hGzLn854rkXNdKpdY9V6/s320/100_4350.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Took the majority of the day waiting for paint to dry, but six p.m. and it's done! it'll look perfect in my art room.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I also started to hack down an useless almond tree in my yard but I've only got a hatchet and a rusty saw so I'm not getting very far.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLlJ22u5KASjXjHVcADRrQu1PvA5f3GKmZPMHGNMDSQDb_kbKU6qRoXyYqYHyccWt-oIRUK5jdm9jhWSg9gv2ofeWnxWlhYUCBPFgBs61bey7U4Esl94maHl4rjiN9ibYxbfrnXs_RJVX/s1600/100_4346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLlJ22u5KASjXjHVcADRrQu1PvA5f3GKmZPMHGNMDSQDb_kbKU6qRoXyYqYHyccWt-oIRUK5jdm9jhWSg9gv2ofeWnxWlhYUCBPFgBs61bey7U4Esl94maHl4rjiN9ibYxbfrnXs_RJVX/s320/100_4346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Speaking of DIY projects, my dad sent me this beautiful tea drawer for my birthday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLq-7B8eZItMbz9_1ReWn360XVEpQ7LKMMG8GzzpivLG8OfaT9wRoOR1_5Hls7F9rKlyBUBM0bKnTO2lVjKixww4r0SYUKQgjdjbrYPlXgz1IEdyvS4vRfDX7pQEGBfWe-zuEzguU3eBDB/s1600/100_4345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLq-7B8eZItMbz9_1ReWn360XVEpQ7LKMMG8GzzpivLG8OfaT9wRoOR1_5Hls7F9rKlyBUBM0bKnTO2lVjKixww4r0SYUKQgjdjbrYPlXgz1IEdyvS4vRfDX7pQEGBfWe-zuEzguU3eBDB/s320/100_4345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Like all the handmade works he has made for me, it has his brand on it. Thank you, it's lovely.<br />
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Well, here comes a new week and I have a lot of options on what to do, but I really want to finish the set of puppets and get started on a few of my craft exchanges. Wish me luck.Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-35510956290532785692011-02-03T20:49:00.000-08:002011-02-03T20:49:50.943-08:00Of Puppets and Pickles<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEbV9l8j-w-_gnkG3li_4HzRz1m9XlMWIE4MBd3XioqDVfZTv1o3R5jaaGSi1bXRyMgqm2cl2VrsYWs7SK7pbkuuCoCZVJeNaerBNIxbI6mPAMaMF6jip0FSIfbchSnyxe7Y-vbq1Ak3U/s1600/100_4331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEbV9l8j-w-_gnkG3li_4HzRz1m9XlMWIE4MBd3XioqDVfZTv1o3R5jaaGSi1bXRyMgqm2cl2VrsYWs7SK7pbkuuCoCZVJeNaerBNIxbI6mPAMaMF6jip0FSIfbchSnyxe7Y-vbq1Ak3U/s320/100_4331.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helmsley minus lips</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I have essentially finished Helmsley. There is, however, a good chance he will never see a stage floor. I am fairly sure I will dismantle him and reuse him for parts, he's just not up to par and I can't imagine sending him away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD0LjGvJV89-ptXhmM3yAy9_EjQMBS1wmKdNbW3OEdJdIsBGqVIw4rEYsv9LlVLN5TJ4zmk_uxYzTMg-sxCXog1eYMn_bi3AGgILSBdVvecpbUu_q3oZK_CxLRmGhEHa-7zPVGQKbjIlQ/s1600/100_4340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD0LjGvJV89-ptXhmM3yAy9_EjQMBS1wmKdNbW3OEdJdIsBGqVIw4rEYsv9LlVLN5TJ4zmk_uxYzTMg-sxCXog1eYMn_bi3AGgILSBdVvecpbUu_q3oZK_CxLRmGhEHa-7zPVGQKbjIlQ/s320/100_4340.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helmsley's finished face</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08pJEIrPWZGZ8xgWYbGJzMqlgtdhqtiGkRH3jEehrG6wh4oVX_QjlbN5W53SgUEMlWJ6tcmT_aauAtJ2PUCUgL_u6L3lXGWqn5rJT3viOpEhNhdeP_kP8j23Q6Q6a2gnZ-UzweMDkl0Bx/s1600/100_4160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08pJEIrPWZGZ8xgWYbGJzMqlgtdhqtiGkRH3jEehrG6wh4oVX_QjlbN5W53SgUEMlWJ6tcmT_aauAtJ2PUCUgL_u6L3lXGWqn5rJT3viOpEhNhdeP_kP8j23Q6Q6a2gnZ-UzweMDkl0Bx/s320/100_4160.JPG" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer's bounty 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also tried my first jar of pickles from this past summer...no good. I thought I was being clever by using Apple cider vinegar since I love the stuff, but it made the pickles sweet and the pickling spices didn't help. All I wanted were some good strong dill pickles, but I suppose I have to have a few failures here and there. Perhaps I will plan out my pickles better this summer, figure out the right way to make koshers, following newer books on preserving pushes towards "gourmet" pickles which are in no way what I want. I want pickles like they keep in huge jars on deli counters, with that great crisp bite. Maybe I'm asking too much. On the upside, my sweet pickle relish is fantastic, it's perfect to add to anything and even though the dice went a little far due to my inexperience with a cuisinart, I like it tons.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzu7FphUjYpz4RGQbpo9G9bMCacbJU3mWGD9mPvXCQtA0jNfDB6jwTRN_ez5zzRNErmuwr-T5qwklSCXnzdlFFCEtK4PQDkeU30824zrqHN8uhSYUNjYjVrGxDYSG36ujrWev8RTWidAM/s1600/100_4334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzu7FphUjYpz4RGQbpo9G9bMCacbJU3mWGD9mPvXCQtA0jNfDB6jwTRN_ez5zzRNErmuwr-T5qwklSCXnzdlFFCEtK4PQDkeU30824zrqHN8uhSYUNjYjVrGxDYSG36ujrWev8RTWidAM/s320/100_4334.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4OLALkIaypOaR9Is31bRSPQk7HCUyLQ-clj8Jpf9KORhbS84BjplyhqclDh7tGrzvv2cuOc302RoqVc8mmr66kP7qeckzxz4Ixn-YKnjvG5bcxwobBLeycQ3uZFpljEyJgF9JM0-Bivy/s1600/100_4335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4OLALkIaypOaR9Is31bRSPQk7HCUyLQ-clj8Jpf9KORhbS84BjplyhqclDh7tGrzvv2cuOc302RoqVc8mmr66kP7qeckzxz4Ixn-YKnjvG5bcxwobBLeycQ3uZFpljEyJgF9JM0-Bivy/s320/100_4335.JPG" width="320" /></a>I have started to work on some puppets I started last year, they are a set of four puppets all in the same basic shape. They are smaller than most I have made, but I think they will turn out cute and a nice set. I even used some fabric set aside for a vintage project to make a really cute little dress for one, we will see how they survive.<br />
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I have also started a new project with felt, but as I am using those for part of my craft exchanges, I can't post too much until I send them away.<br />
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</div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-22733434639593948192011-01-28T19:09:00.000-08:002011-01-28T19:09:52.999-08:00In a fog...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingjY1hqgke932WS6jolVQGbiPS5Ho_05JtocA5FDtGt3GLCDJxtiJl9AgV8gI7wDVnT3TxXSKX7uV1dShLuPWAEvqmRnK_q07V2IilJPNIOPhnr8ghJhJslO8BjVaxAWLSdEHjoOZbNS2/s1600/100_4326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingjY1hqgke932WS6jolVQGbiPS5Ho_05JtocA5FDtGt3GLCDJxtiJl9AgV8gI7wDVnT3TxXSKX7uV1dShLuPWAEvqmRnK_q07V2IilJPNIOPhnr8ghJhJslO8BjVaxAWLSdEHjoOZbNS2/s320/100_4326.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Frustrating week. I hate Helmsley. You hear that Helmsley? You piss me off!<br />
He's not coming together the way I had hoped. I guess I was expecting to jump back into the puppet building business without any hitches, but that's not the case. his arms are too short, his lips are in bad shape, I have no idea what to do about his hair/hat situation anymore...rawr. I put too many white components together at once, he's got white teeth, cream skin, and a white button-up shirt...it's too much white! I don't think a color tie will break it up enough. Speaking of which, the tie I made was too short, his neck is wider than a person's neck so I have to go buy a regular tie...at least that means a trip to the thrift stores.<br />
So anyway, here's a look at what Helmsley's up to these days.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMs22LytIwEAZcyJO89m0_bc5LH0GaeUJP8TU6uTbh_iAqCQoIYlv5qLVhTFUpk4IK77SZy0Zqv4FgbQnWCHH_Gsv3xXYy0M8Bi8fHiYKxcchSHyud5qaM4ZdtZcPkTNkdUrFGACocV8-w/s1600/100_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMs22LytIwEAZcyJO89m0_bc5LH0GaeUJP8TU6uTbh_iAqCQoIYlv5qLVhTFUpk4IK77SZy0Zqv4FgbQnWCHH_Gsv3xXYy0M8Bi8fHiYKxcchSHyud5qaM4ZdtZcPkTNkdUrFGACocV8-w/s320/100_4318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kovA2qov0FWUdBcYwTBUVmTELQrtQZ5IYHakOoLR2LyNMyy07ySVrc5IYs95o0OyUV_1WKJeF8L4MUvmDb0qim8GlQOVvpohq4VvzjzYKHe66UGh0-UlEXVV1umHM1CCMFOEpFVllEhC/s1600/100_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kovA2qov0FWUdBcYwTBUVmTELQrtQZ5IYHakOoLR2LyNMyy07ySVrc5IYs95o0OyUV_1WKJeF8L4MUvmDb0qim8GlQOVvpohq4VvzjzYKHe66UGh0-UlEXVV1umHM1CCMFOEpFVllEhC/s320/100_4319.JPG" width="240" /></a>He has a teeth plate now, I haven't decided whether or not to draw in teeth or to leave it as is. I also put the felt inside his mouth to cover the mouthplate.<br />
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He also has a torso and shirt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfs7PVLazpQmclQhM57oN9jI2LJ58P1gdXcdY9CGbg9ruiyR8pJFKDtVWpe6EA__zYhRus1Gqhy8r1GiR843GlpfWKraWDOPx1PQ6mzrtOThorcBACc75xhRv2Tjy6Xz3-_xALUuZ1DMdX/s1600/100_4329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfs7PVLazpQmclQhM57oN9jI2LJ58P1gdXcdY9CGbg9ruiyR8pJFKDtVWpe6EA__zYhRus1Gqhy8r1GiR843GlpfWKraWDOPx1PQ6mzrtOThorcBACc75xhRv2Tjy6Xz3-_xALUuZ1DMdX/s320/100_4329.JPG" width="178" /></a></div>He hasn't any pupils yet as that is the trickiest part, making sure they're even and looking at you.<br />
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So that's Helmsley so far...making me cranky. Hopefully I'll have a brainblast this weekend and figure out what to do about him, 'cause I'm ready to chuck him in the trash.<br />
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On a more cheerful note, I had a lovely tea party with my cousins this week, using the lovely dishes I picked up at a thrift store last Friday, and serving a lovely Japanese cheesecake. The tea was delightful, the company was charming and the cake with lime curd was delicious. I like the recipe so much I am going to post it here, with respect to it's author, i bake for you. <a href="http://i-bake-for-you.blogspot.com/2010/03/when-cheesecake-meets-spongecake.html">http://i-bake-for-you.blogspot.com/2010/03/when-cheesecake-meets-spongecake.html</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Japanese Cheesecake</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9YCBwN9ZB0lv-bPXM1aKW9u5ozB6wHHl2I5JPLiEPp9tB6KMGIGpl4fRc-U-RLachZ8cmhTaZJODAXAPKVyhJFMkUTb-dxfX1ezd4SxU3wlURf6XhkCD1kECYGCkohyphenhyphenM8aBujUpG0yiO/s1600/100_4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9YCBwN9ZB0lv-bPXM1aKW9u5ozB6wHHl2I5JPLiEPp9tB6KMGIGpl4fRc-U-RLachZ8cmhTaZJODAXAPKVyhJFMkUTb-dxfX1ezd4SxU3wlURf6XhkCD1kECYGCkohyphenhyphenM8aBujUpG0yiO/s320/100_4324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>1 cup light cream cheese, softened<br />
3 1/2 tbsp butter<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
6 eggs, separated<br />
2/3 cup sugar<br />
2/3 cup cake flour (low protein flour)<br />
2 tbsp corn flour<br />
1/2 tsp cream of tartar<br />
1 tbsp lemon essence (or 3 tbsp lemon or lime juice)<br />
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Bake at about 312F<br />
<span class="fullpost">Melt cream cheese, butter and milk in a double boiler.<br />
Allow to cool.<br />
Whisk egg whites until soft peaks. Gradually add sugar while whisking until stiff peaks.<br />
Sift cake flour, corn flour and cream of tartar in a large bowl. Mix in cream cheese mixture, egg yolks and lemon essence.<br />
Gently fold in egg whites.<br />
Transfer mixture into a greased/lined baking pan. Wrap the sides and bottom of the baking pan/s with aluminum foil. Do not cover the top! (This helps prevent water from seeping through to the pan and cake mixture.)<br />
Place baking pan into a large roasting pan. Fill roasting pan with boiling water about up to half way to the baking pan.<br />
Bake for about 1hr or until cooked. (Will depend on pan sizes. Check with skewer. If it comes out clean, it is cooked)<br />
Leave door ajar for about 45mins. (ie. leave an oven mitt in between door and oven to give about 1 inch gap for heat to slowly disperse. Don't open the door fully!)<br />
Allow to cool completely on wire rack.</span>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-18002436195265935312011-01-23T17:10:00.000-08:002011-01-23T17:10:27.215-08:00Lentil Soup and Plans for the WeekI am on a SUPER tight budget this week, so that means cheap meals! Lentils are insanely cheap in bulk and are full of protein and yumminess and other good things I'm sure, but the protein is the most important to me right now. And yumminess. That's important too.<br />
So I whipped up a recipe that would tackle all the things I'm craving at the moment while being supremely healthy and it used up several of my home canned goodies and my homemade taco seasoning! Taco/Tortilla Lentil Soup/Gumbo/Chili is the result! Damn it's good. Come here so I can feed you.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Taco/Tortilla Lentil Soup/Gumbo/Chili</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 Cup Lentils, rinsed</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>3 Cups water, rinsed...</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 pint jar (or 1 14oz. can) crushed tomatoes</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 half pint jar unsalted tomato paste (8oz. can)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 pint jar (1 can) sweet corn, drained</div><div style="text-align: left;">3-4 Tablespoons Taco seasoning (or one packet of storebought)</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 cloves garlic, minced</div><div style="text-align: left;">4 pearl onions, minced</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-4aAvR3D7cl7ivgOKXyPC7nxrVidVkmr6vGUT_eD6WJocSZjV5T_sqo0EypDOZCo3Lf67DPSw4f-slvRWSyxJGi2BiGtApDTv5OW9e_NQ8Y3ym93EfkH5bA2_NSYvOI0JnjUHDfX5IyU/s1600/100_4312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-4aAvR3D7cl7ivgOKXyPC7nxrVidVkmr6vGUT_eD6WJocSZjV5T_sqo0EypDOZCo3Lf67DPSw4f-slvRWSyxJGi2BiGtApDTv5OW9e_NQ8Y3ym93EfkH5bA2_NSYvOI0JnjUHDfX5IyU/s320/100_4312.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Boil the water in a large saucepan, add garlic, onion and lentils. Bring back up to a boil and add tomatoes and tomato paste and seasonings. Simmer, covered, for ten minutes. Add the corn and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are al dente or to your liking.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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Serves 4</div><div style="text-align: left;">Points Plus= 6 per serving<br />
*Serves great with some sourdough bread and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese and a dollop of fat free Greek yogurt.*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwyf4_lolAdUdXjYFyapslFptjyLM9ghZ60pe4vmMEAHqi3juWqJ3YRBN9LeLaGNZir0UYG42HFbTjV83c5kYs6Yt3XgDpwehOKcX2J4frRtnK_pZEQDaCEL6B8b0ET4u3pasK4Bu-WYX/s1600/100_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwyf4_lolAdUdXjYFyapslFptjyLM9ghZ60pe4vmMEAHqi3juWqJ3YRBN9LeLaGNZir0UYG42HFbTjV83c5kYs6Yt3XgDpwehOKcX2J4frRtnK_pZEQDaCEL6B8b0ET4u3pasK4Bu-WYX/s320/100_4317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Now for the week's plans...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Helmsley, the newly named puppet-in-progress, is going to be completed this week! I decree it! Besides, I got to get my butt started on the others.</div><div style="text-align: left;">He's coming along fine, I had to redo the fleece head covering once, and I have a lot of hand stitching to do on this one, but it's looking alright so far, huh?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0e_1H1vXDv_js9kSLuATQVdWPNhD7Ge4AWTWrN4TSOQf5W8Z1J7jTvfBnuZ68_JLgc3g4C1AMGYDi68Pv1ApHIg9M01DRvzXRaOpKRosbLNgugXruOW9nFveUsosYKCAm5JEzPIiNYvnf/s1600/100_4311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0e_1H1vXDv_js9kSLuATQVdWPNhD7Ge4AWTWrN4TSOQf5W8Z1J7jTvfBnuZ68_JLgc3g4C1AMGYDi68Pv1ApHIg9M01DRvzXRaOpKRosbLNgugXruOW9nFveUsosYKCAm5JEzPIiNYvnf/s320/100_4311.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sorry, the photo's blegh, but I wanted to get this written quickly and I spent the majority of my effort on making dinner (see above).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He still needs a neck, a neck tie...yeah I didn't get it done last week...hands and rods and all the little finish-y bits like painting the eyeballs and adding the teeth. I don't anticipate any delays in completion, I have a better handle on what my shift change entails so that shouldn't factor in this week. The reach will be starting another puppet before the week is out, that may not happen. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Apart from Helmsley, I have no lofty ambitions this week. I just want to complete a project and get that accomplishment under my belt.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I will update mid-week to show what's been changing with the little man.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-4657894747324599632011-01-19T23:25:00.000-08:002011-01-19T23:25:49.394-08:00Weekend Accomplishments and Citrus Jelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXqyh5C8uT3oRHg8NcUNOYi-KZrh7upTF5J0eJYkbDXgvOML4F_jc9vbqU_7lS-QUKpGr8lacMYsjyV50W2yKd6GY0SAt0n9kC8q3id0im-NccXIt2vbKKY5YWTMDvh9rF19ZUMhm_o2O/s1600/100_4300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXqyh5C8uT3oRHg8NcUNOYi-KZrh7upTF5J0eJYkbDXgvOML4F_jc9vbqU_7lS-QUKpGr8lacMYsjyV50W2yKd6GY0SAt0n9kC8q3id0im-NccXIt2vbKKY5YWTMDvh9rF19ZUMhm_o2O/s320/100_4300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I finished several of my produce bags and they couldn't have been easier! They weigh .1 of an ounce, don't have to be pretty on the edges and will perhaps lighten my footprint...or whatever. They're so simple it's not really worth posting pictures of the instructions because the mesh is so see through. All it is is two squares of mesh zigzagged on three sides and ta da!<br />
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Oh, and I am once again reminded of how poor my estimating skills are, each yard makes 4 bags, so 12 not 6 were made...I will never be a quilter. <br />
Since I haven't zipped them all up, I might curve the bottom of a few to see if I like that better.<br />
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I also whipped up the curtain for my kitchen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9kpXsTPahmQURXZ88GTE0W6hl-6cbA4SKpO0fZ6t0UZP_P5nWijxZlsezulrQ6m5IkluXpwYkcncC8a4gSAB-z6Tcdpf4dJzKHRRwphWkZLvBtI7aUkMS76UZQqdKF0eQsL4mrqAZ49h/s1600/100_4297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9kpXsTPahmQURXZ88GTE0W6hl-6cbA4SKpO0fZ6t0UZP_P5nWijxZlsezulrQ6m5IkluXpwYkcncC8a4gSAB-z6Tcdpf4dJzKHRRwphWkZLvBtI7aUkMS76UZQqdKF0eQsL4mrqAZ49h/s320/100_4297.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>It's this great graphic Ikea fabric, cityscape kind of thing and I think the colors work great in the kitchen. The only problem is that I would have been slightly better off with either a sheer or making two panels as when it's down, it lets in zero light. But I had planned to keep it tied to the side most of time and the pattern would have been ruined if I had cut it down the middle...<br />
Hmm... so it's not ideal. It may be temporary now that I think about it more. It's really pretty when it's down though. Adds another gray dimension to the kitchen that keeps it from looking too squee.<br />
We will see once summer sun rolls around.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_4F4vtIu_RuWO1xGc2JopkCZ6gAp027gSw2FlhEF8CO40MpZtYdGC0zdvXmwPstVsECsbQ72VU8649vdeR0KJNZt7Nj4BMoBUyGrvoEv7t-_VzH5FuwfjVbZDnZUBaGSvx8-8bdHl_Gw/s1600/100_4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_4F4vtIu_RuWO1xGc2JopkCZ6gAp027gSw2FlhEF8CO40MpZtYdGC0zdvXmwPstVsECsbQ72VU8649vdeR0KJNZt7Nj4BMoBUyGrvoEv7t-_VzH5FuwfjVbZDnZUBaGSvx8-8bdHl_Gw/s320/100_4310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was my Tuesday night project at work! Four Citrus Jelly!<br />
I am at a different workplace than usual so I knew that I wouldn't have the noise liberty of traditionally water bath processing the suckers, so they are instead freezer jelly! They did seal on their own, but I don't want to kill anyone here with lurking botulism.<br />
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So here's the recipe:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Four Citrus Jelly</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXzBhHOJVu5foQkLjx6MTMv3ha4IrDLmsn5kssmywVZBTuVc8csAERULo293v7NveyT32BSqrDsa5dNkaIrbaQLEIi_KWjWLvwuZp7D6b_KLRB4kWJVIyjONE-PQnyF5I4nu0nJUFgbtH/s1600/100_4302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXzBhHOJVu5foQkLjx6MTMv3ha4IrDLmsn5kssmywVZBTuVc8csAERULo293v7NveyT32BSqrDsa5dNkaIrbaQLEIi_KWjWLvwuZp7D6b_KLRB4kWJVIyjONE-PQnyF5I4nu0nJUFgbtH/s320/100_4302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">6 small limes, juiced</div><div style="text-align: left;">3 large Meyer lemons, juiced</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 small oranges, juiced</div><div style="text-align: left;">4 medium blood oranges, juiced</div><div style="text-align: left;">7 cups sugar </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Add sugar to the pot and cook mixture down on medium high heat until it reaches 220 degrees and/or it sheets off a cold spoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA95OPBAzVJJ6BIW4tFwXzQzEHaGeGd_ulUVQDA4km3sB-qifB4WZ6DdKSttKk0wwLrtu_SHVDXdnfSa_g7TivW5r87S3AwfP3eKQgr2kcZUWqsdk4xOp0WSZKEJSdqF9Niog5hqvAbtq/s1600/100_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA95OPBAzVJJ6BIW4tFwXzQzEHaGeGd_ulUVQDA4km3sB-qifB4WZ6DdKSttKk0wwLrtu_SHVDXdnfSa_g7TivW5r87S3AwfP3eKQgr2kcZUWqsdk4xOp0WSZKEJSdqF9Niog5hqvAbtq/s320/100_4305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Pour into prepared jars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3WLdL6ckC8Og9CY0Eit4xRVJ2e1DekMxTmDJlXvv2-kZk2o9t9OKDoJRrsMsyO539ioudhnIOpLo0ITLzSsXBz6mHDafKtU6KRF8V8UKjm-raV279sEB7X1cQtp7TGF9vfR8U6NWE3Ep/s1600/100_4307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3WLdL6ckC8Og9CY0Eit4xRVJ2e1DekMxTmDJlXvv2-kZk2o9t9OKDoJRrsMsyO539ioudhnIOpLo0ITLzSsXBz6mHDafKtU6KRF8V8UKjm-raV279sEB7X1cQtp7TGF9vfR8U6NWE3Ep/s320/100_4307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_pROfKO1EUJxIhZTSCP9TxPg8TPxw9WFb1s4IGoeoC4oO3lA4KhIkCmUxmbINo0e73g6B3q59N6xdMNgwM3w8WfaS0lyncq17F3eO_KVdM3hcygjkt97Go0PnY5hr_SAj1rqpxZJO0hu/s1600/100_4308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_pROfKO1EUJxIhZTSCP9TxPg8TPxw9WFb1s4IGoeoC4oO3lA4KhIkCmUxmbINo0e73g6B3q59N6xdMNgwM3w8WfaS0lyncq17F3eO_KVdM3hcygjkt97Go0PnY5hr_SAj1rqpxZJO0hu/s320/100_4308.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now you can at this point, provided you preheated the jars and lids and such, process the mason jars in a water bath for 10 minutes, but as I couldn't make that much noise, I just let them cool and tucked them into the freezer when I got home from work.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought the blood orange gave them a nice color and the flavor is really bright and tart, it's not syrupy sweet or bitter, it's just a really enjoyable tarty taste. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I had some reservations about not using pectin with this, but I'll have to post on that later.</div><div style="text-align: left;">For now, I think half of my week was fairly productive, we'll see about the rest of it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZeC2ZFIZBUV76f3w9s1CI9jl0lkfcsVtH4Jpvnlqa2QGxhJ39oGHjLZllRqemQ0td9I_NQDdWotuTRSfWiwgXDL0en8QCuuxgpq_y_2y3NSYlvHLrTqf4_5ZkSyrqFEnRl6FoTt3tid7/s1600/100_4303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-30053099742930526872011-01-15T18:00:00.000-08:002011-01-15T18:00:54.653-08:00Oh crap. It's been a week.I don't mean to be cranky about it, but it has been a week since I posted. I don't want this to be something I dread writing, I really do like the process. I have done very little in the way of crafting and the one canning project I did at work...I forgot my camera of course.<br />
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Soooo...how's it going?<br />
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Really, as I accomplished very little this week, I will change tactics.<br />
I'll photograph all my upcoming projects for the week!<br />
My work situation for the next two weeks is new and unfamiliar so I am unsure what I can do while there, but I should be able to get in some quality time before I head there at midnight. Blegh. Midnight to eight shifts sound awful. Just awful.<br />
Anyway!<br />
First up: Reusable produce bags!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb1jRfWqT9P7i9GYXDSLyt1ViP_VDB7at4WIP0o6aPcR_4SuPQD6dtRvJhgmn8U9jFMZR0SloBjAyTI4r7dy3yCW5BCkdrSLaDcwChTpjZSZf73myLcvSGhUdz_x5YeHR90oJJ-fXg3oO/s1600/100_4293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb1jRfWqT9P7i9GYXDSLyt1ViP_VDB7at4WIP0o6aPcR_4SuPQD6dtRvJhgmn8U9jFMZR0SloBjAyTI4r7dy3yCW5BCkdrSLaDcwChTpjZSZf73myLcvSGhUdz_x5YeHR90oJJ-fXg3oO/s320/100_4293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These three yards should make at least six to eight produce bags so I don't have to use so many plastic ones week after week. The mesh is light enough to not add any significant weight to the scale and I should make them deep so I can knot the top of the bags.<br />
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Number two!<br />
A puppet tie!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHhy8n5wveb76xcHs-AbwIf4QVvmA0tB_dl03_aZbKHW246oV6SISCgYt_w66N2lYv6-03SLbaidIBl_vFhm6975qxfdhgMsgTXjGHCuhrsXcEIRFDOUOrZwAGG2f2DB9dP8BRtERzmpt/s1600/100_4292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHhy8n5wveb76xcHs-AbwIf4QVvmA0tB_dl03_aZbKHW246oV6SISCgYt_w66N2lYv6-03SLbaidIBl_vFhm6975qxfdhgMsgTXjGHCuhrsXcEIRFDOUOrZwAGG2f2DB9dP8BRtERzmpt/s320/100_4292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Self explanatory. I need a tie for my current puppet so I need to sew one up...hopefully I can find someone to teach me how to tie it once it's done.<br />
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Numero tres:<br />
Citrus jam and more canned mandarins<br />
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Number four:<br />
Start coworker's Spit-up cloths<br />
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That's it for the week, I might work on this:<br />
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But I might not get around to it, The costume and head covering needs to come first, I might not even use a padded body at all.<br />
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So that'll be my week! I'll do more posting as I complete each project.<br />
Have a fantastic week!Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-16495141028893626502011-01-08T21:23:00.000-08:002011-01-08T21:23:43.642-08:00In progress and a kitten's birthdayI have finally started a puppet again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LZJnlSo0mWZYsAl-x5oXl3-pCC262HAB5RHek7eu1BbMHOjsHrqPTZrgqqVGoCEsHS__VKoClg8GKejYvJuE7xf6fv7cuMdzslHMhk8Boak-NWIPGLKWqBkh3GXFSbF_7crwUSW4f6we/s1600/100_4251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LZJnlSo0mWZYsAl-x5oXl3-pCC262HAB5RHek7eu1BbMHOjsHrqPTZrgqqVGoCEsHS__VKoClg8GKejYvJuE7xf6fv7cuMdzslHMhk8Boak-NWIPGLKWqBkh3GXFSbF_7crwUSW4f6we/s320/100_4251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It has been over a year since I completed one. I can't totally explain why I haven't wholeheartedly hot glued my head off the past twelve months, but I'm back on the right track now I believe. With a request from some lovely Bearded fellows (more on them later), I am pulling together the makings of four or five new talking foam heads!<br />
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I haven't quite determined the shape of number four, I'm waffling between a pajama clad little kid, or a hippie. Or a librarian. Or a...oh I have too many ideas.<br />
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Anyways, this is the progression of work so far. I build the mouthplate and fingertubes.<br />
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Then reinforce with fabric and tons of hot glue!<br />
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Cut out the head pieces.<br />
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Glue the head together and attach to the mouthplate.<br />
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Cut out and build the jaw and attach to the bottom mouthplate.<br />
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Then I attached the nose (which I adore) and place the eyeballs.<br />
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And apart from cutting some costume pieces, that's as far as I've gotten! But not a bad start.<br />
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This Saturday I made a cake for my cousin Sophie's kitten themed birthday party and did some quick makeup on her and her three little friends. See how they turned out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQn5OzElxD-AZkkCGkM-4DtgsOt2V0bWRMxoru8n0X0SpXO1H_q8PfvWKv6_BI7FKpBR9lf7do30m2zT2bXPXWr9Ty9VpF_cRU_AfZ872QhMfO9n5BNfctKEmHiOF9W_Yg066LYjK1h1-/s1600/100_4285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQn5OzElxD-AZkkCGkM-4DtgsOt2V0bWRMxoru8n0X0SpXO1H_q8PfvWKv6_BI7FKpBR9lf7do30m2zT2bXPXWr9Ty9VpF_cRU_AfZ872QhMfO9n5BNfctKEmHiOF9W_Yg066LYjK1h1-/s320/100_4285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't they the cutest? Sophie's the one in her pink cat costume I made for Halloween.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a fantastic weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9abAe272JVleTfzxq5QOZNgCDj2yNNRGFoxKPRywKLvJpKgy_OmfH0KhdXOcUT1JbVmRpvqBRXnYw2KpDJHT5WODSVIYH4Y2liutcPlfZ-VOFQ3olVIOuCkM0gKDNEtAf8gdVkya4lJA/s1600/100_4255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-30164819441219690652011-01-08T18:51:00.000-08:002011-01-08T18:51:32.263-08:00Marmalade Mistake?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y4y2vow-k-5l_NG5HeIyAay_Og5htd1vBuXjzPDi9Mr8OLFkcMqCL5r4IAd3VrkDHpC5KMtt9X598Bb4pcK8Oix6Ayqgm3huBG82qgsHQtiGaBRUfDbfzlF05vDF9ZFmQkNXWIq2dGK7/s1600/100_4238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y4y2vow-k-5l_NG5HeIyAay_Og5htd1vBuXjzPDi9Mr8OLFkcMqCL5r4IAd3VrkDHpC5KMtt9X598Bb4pcK8Oix6Ayqgm3huBG82qgsHQtiGaBRUfDbfzlF05vDF9ZFmQkNXWIq2dGK7/s320/100_4238.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>So the marmalade wasn't quite at the level I had hoped. I think for once (this is so horrible to say) I prefer the super-sweet store marmalade. However, I wanted a second opinion, and my aunt Karen loved it! So...half success? Maybe?<br />
The marmalade is strong, and has a real bite to it. It's a little bitter as I didn't remove as much of the pith as I should have. <br />
So here's the recipe if you like your marmalade strong.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Orange Marmalade</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinR8r0EdPpaVoNpm6UqKAm46cfn500Oefbug2TrIsiy3kkQ8ZjiuHupCujeSkoQYRhwyGdSkeak_0DkE1sDUSofcn0sZwpdJkG8ERe9mEdkyhIPoscOuT7wEmDLjYYw7nRUfNWqXzKLl2N/s1600/100_4249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinR8r0EdPpaVoNpm6UqKAm46cfn500Oefbug2TrIsiy3kkQ8ZjiuHupCujeSkoQYRhwyGdSkeak_0DkE1sDUSofcn0sZwpdJkG8ERe9mEdkyhIPoscOuT7wEmDLjYYw7nRUfNWqXzKLl2N/s320/100_4249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">16 small oranges, hand peel all but 5 and discard the peel, roughly chop</div><div style="text-align: left;">8 to 10 cups of sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">3 cups water</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 of a lemon, juiced</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Using a vegetable peeler, peel the remaining 5 oranges, reserve the peels. Cut the remaining pith off the oranges and roughly chop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUtqUR55blMaZ9-tFGhLTsXqNUiww_cLN3c6BDJ7dfk2jE4zvzSVVPRsWoChwrw3GJ4FNNPeOn-QYbY0z6F4367Xjf6VOKJSxoFKfHeeycOe4MVNYFv0LRD1F4_zjckuyYieC3GnhyKN4/s1600/100_4236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUtqUR55blMaZ9-tFGhLTsXqNUiww_cLN3c6BDJ7dfk2jE4zvzSVVPRsWoChwrw3GJ4FNNPeOn-QYbY0z6F4367Xjf6VOKJSxoFKfHeeycOe4MVNYFv0LRD1F4_zjckuyYieC3GnhyKN4/s320/100_4236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Add all ingredients to a large pot and cook down on medium high heat until it reaches 220 degree or it sheets off a spoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmbREy4cZGkb43FgsYsYCs-dXFTYmbUVj6cloMhq15U-9vsHXHUV6wfTK9i8qSDPS1oI01zkW_ue6lQy0kPLwuuRJOUMj78g0BptAxB7ICoivf51-fYFPm880pqwk6fkrXjuFfFSiRe9X/s1600/100_4240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmbREy4cZGkb43FgsYsYCs-dXFTYmbUVj6cloMhq15U-9vsHXHUV6wfTK9i8qSDPS1oI01zkW_ue6lQy0kPLwuuRJOUMj78g0BptAxB7ICoivf51-fYFPm880pqwk6fkrXjuFfFSiRe9X/s320/100_4240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Pour into prepared jars and process for 10 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ta Da!</div><div style="text-align: left;">There it is. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6VaCcpiEDPbT5DBe3WE3dNgGUhLTPZXjCttinkkgGgwCpEbjx3KXW5DqL7AevZHmM-PIux-rPi01j8gplwBikjycmOJK6sINRqObTmTfVcWfl2mnEC7TilFHJMAtf45Ym-Uan1vD9plc/s1600/100_4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6VaCcpiEDPbT5DBe3WE3dNgGUhLTPZXjCttinkkgGgwCpEbjx3KXW5DqL7AevZHmM-PIux-rPi01j8gplwBikjycmOJK6sINRqObTmTfVcWfl2mnEC7TilFHJMAtf45Ym-Uan1vD9plc/s320/100_4243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I made another jam, with the Pineapple Guava I had, but it turned out so weird I can't see the point in a recipe for it. I just kept tossing in extra bits and pieces of things, unset strawberry lavender jam, a bag of frozen mixed fruits. It's not great, but it's pretty looking.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGysMkoKJwvSKNvzYFc8iEn-6HJVjYzvRVJFON_bfpTvsenGg5EOxDeVpoCcMVoOyg3KFkbUBJ6XS-RHGs6GOKCCu3s-F6c5MDG1N1QVgAn0Fcx4aYbx-JoOH9V2tumHIq5EiWGZqac6uM/s1600/100_4245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGysMkoKJwvSKNvzYFc8iEn-6HJVjYzvRVJFON_bfpTvsenGg5EOxDeVpoCcMVoOyg3KFkbUBJ6XS-RHGs6GOKCCu3s-F6c5MDG1N1QVgAn0Fcx4aYbx-JoOH9V2tumHIq5EiWGZqac6uM/s320/100_4245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lovely, ain't they?</div>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855203650510327128.post-83146233728405917302011-01-03T19:40:00.000-08:002011-01-03T19:40:05.903-08:00Hello there...step into my world for a moment<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stormy NorCal winter</td></tr>
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Welcome! I am starting this blog to document all the work I do this year. I am a person that loves projects, I love building puppets, sewing all sorts of things, cooking, canning, creating art...I love it all. I love to create.<br />
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So, I thought it might be nice to record and talk about all the little busy things I do, just in case someone out there finds it interesting!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My happy kitchen</td></tr>
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So this is my life, I live in a small modular home on a street where my aunt, uncle, and cousins live. I have painted and redone many things on my house, but more on that later. I work graveyard shifts that allow me time to work on projects, and I spend much of my free time creating. I have three cats and two scratched up couches, and a kitchen painted to match my pots and pans set.<br />
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So my goals for this blog correspond with my New Year's resolutions.<br />
I hope to demonstrate hand sewing techniques, design patterns for sewing projects, post plenty of recipes of all sorts, and keep track of what I'm working on at the moment by documenting the steps taken.<br />
This won't be easy, but I hope you enjoy my little experiment.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Starting off with my weekend.<br />
I welcomed the new year by swimming across the Chico river at 7:30am in the morning. 35 degrees in the air and the water, it was quite a wakeup!<br />
Sunday was spent sewing a pair of pajama pants with my cousin Gavin and making Mandarin marmalade with my cousin Joann. The pants are cozy and the marmalade turned out great. I juiced Meyer lemons for freezing so I can save some money this summer as every recipe for canning pretty much needs lemon juice.<br />
Quite a good weekend.<br />
What's the plan for tonight? Orange marmalade and drafting a pattern for a puppet costume! Fun fun fun!<br />
Thanks for reading and stay tuned!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Mandarin Ginger Marmalade</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
2 lbs Mandarins</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 1/2 Cups Sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 lemon, juiced</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 inch chunk of ginger root, finely diced</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 cups water</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Reserving 1/3 of the peels, peel the mandarins and whirl in a blender until it makes a rough pulp. Julienne the reserved peels. Add all ingredients in a large pot (the jam will boil up quite a bit) and cook on medium high heat, stirring often to prevent burning. Cook until thick, or if you have a good thermometer, when it reaches 220 degrees. Pour into hot, sterilized jars, and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.</div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This weekend's round of Mandarin Marmalade </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gavin intent on his work</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNHKXN6LNAULKsF_Kqpqsv1SGAKW7L7xUwkFJ9cuM7JM2jrclUd3BRK9dhAz7MXIWfFQPL926ZKodaiTMUPaEoZopKRFiQPJGpDEvEdALgxm_fOnSGoQ7J2D5kRWU7M-KseUo-TcIZxIV/s1600/100_4231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNHKXN6LNAULKsF_Kqpqsv1SGAKW7L7xUwkFJ9cuM7JM2jrclUd3BRK9dhAz7MXIWfFQPL926ZKodaiTMUPaEoZopKRFiQPJGpDEvEdALgxm_fOnSGoQ7J2D5kRWU7M-KseUo-TcIZxIV/s320/100_4231.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished Mandarin marmalade! So pretty...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bubblefaireyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369248425123076821noreply@blogger.com1