tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87824520011761115982024-02-21T05:36:54.631-06:00Learning. Living. Giving.Developing talents with inspiring ideas.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-24360721873718447772014-12-09T10:34:00.000-06:002014-12-09T10:34:13.733-06:00advent christmas activities- jpeg<div style="text-align: center;">
i just learned how to convert a word document to a jpeg file. </div>
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maybe you already know how ~ sometimes i take awhile to catch up ;)</div>
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anyway, here are the jpeg files for the advent calendar activities!</div>
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i've edited them to have 2 family parties, </div>
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rather than making them personalized. </div>
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now that they're saved as jpeg's, you don't have to worry </div>
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about downloading any fonts! talk about time-saver!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFkJpMrTJdA8CmB9NfBhOngnYOdICxUQ-MCzMdo_YPZyZ3iN_xJaxONykZCqK_m6jQRBNdSkOimosB1dUNuB9aD3BEE9mWcNUS1HBXxEBXfb4CMGL9hp_Ggz0KgHLB15LA3cH93ik3nQ/s1600/Advent+Christmas+page+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFkJpMrTJdA8CmB9NfBhOngnYOdICxUQ-MCzMdo_YPZyZ3iN_xJaxONykZCqK_m6jQRBNdSkOimosB1dUNuB9aD3BEE9mWcNUS1HBXxEBXfb4CMGL9hp_Ggz0KgHLB15LA3cH93ik3nQ/s1600/Advent+Christmas+page+1.JPG" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge00o5qIrJvvovIZBluVdzT_zMXK19esLOptVmXc7d7qP1cc4yOPe5g3PZzG2Q0p0Nls9SXM1tdMUK_rfEKbRISuMaGzREcOzTjkjeXakLKa6C5TiaMlquxFa1KJehBnnjkCqoJD1uay0/s1600/Advent+Christmas+page+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge00o5qIrJvvovIZBluVdzT_zMXK19esLOptVmXc7d7qP1cc4yOPe5g3PZzG2Q0p0Nls9SXM1tdMUK_rfEKbRISuMaGzREcOzTjkjeXakLKa6C5TiaMlquxFa1KJehBnnjkCqoJD1uay0/s1600/Advent+Christmas+page+2.JPG" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh2Se3akkWj-mJUgdm2tPOnyRikJMc2mssRmcoR1M5tBK6PyumqxijSFsGtEIJjVWwkMIx4nRkBPYbLx7jeg_a5LHaKrHBarS7rHzNmMuDZeAGGxFgzF8RMH-qWO5hhVMTg4WAph-g68/s1600/Advent+Christmas+page+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh2Se3akkWj-mJUgdm2tPOnyRikJMc2mssRmcoR1M5tBK6PyumqxijSFsGtEIJjVWwkMIx4nRkBPYbLx7jeg_a5LHaKrHBarS7rHzNmMuDZeAGGxFgzF8RMH-qWO5hhVMTg4WAph-g68/s1600/Advent+Christmas+page+3.JPG" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1WfBK0EyNtFvSifmGLGCbvJ9tOm1TjAiIdbzV7aqNAum3j_n8nzjaQYKkySN6lKfIenYU2giLQIuewt3y-T4_CxPjmwqtpPn7zeXYKTiPq_0aV_hHPPoxuMQLF0xWr3eYoogN2Y7Lh4/s1600/Advent+Christmas+page+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1WfBK0EyNtFvSifmGLGCbvJ9tOm1TjAiIdbzV7aqNAum3j_n8nzjaQYKkySN6lKfIenYU2giLQIuewt3y-T4_CxPjmwqtpPn7zeXYKTiPq_0aV_hHPPoxuMQLF0xWr3eYoogN2Y7Lh4/s1600/Advent+Christmas+page+4.JPG" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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please let me know if these work for you!</div>
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merry christmas!</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-80045532290511582852014-12-04T18:51:00.000-06:002014-12-04T19:18:27.247-06:00advent activities<div style="text-align: center;">
i rarely blog. obviously. but i did today. <a href="http://johnnyandjill.blogspot.com/2014/12/somethingfestive.html" target="_blank">twice</a> now. :) </div>
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the holidays bring out my creative side.</div>
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<br /></div>
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see these? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFw1qTzx_HcYKird2HEfDLqhhP9PEhnap7Cd0-B5sp79fhxsXUYQMms6Kko22WaqsY8-FmvvTKMswO9tbpwG1rmv9IVSGk84pmiz91HixEiO2TnFUzHKPaD_n_lnTRkpupi5mAvwX8DM/s1600/photo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFw1qTzx_HcYKird2HEfDLqhhP9PEhnap7Cd0-B5sp79fhxsXUYQMms6Kko22WaqsY8-FmvvTKMswO9tbpwG1rmv9IVSGk84pmiz91HixEiO2TnFUzHKPaD_n_lnTRkpupi5mAvwX8DM/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
remember <a href="http://learninglivinggiving.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-advent-calendar-stockings-and.html" target="_blank">this</a>? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngvNvLRk7Y4CQvU_REV92LpSM-sbXlqCcJ7SNt_960bEKEvPQ8JatZtzJ0CghRpJh9cGTfFSySbUtrm_U1LS5lVfbA6wO7vV51qhyluzIZv_7Dc1sTnJvM6bZ51IaUf9gX3Oi57Lpi3A/s1600/025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngvNvLRk7Y4CQvU_REV92LpSM-sbXlqCcJ7SNt_960bEKEvPQ8JatZtzJ0CghRpJh9cGTfFSySbUtrm_U1LS5lVfbA6wO7vV51qhyluzIZv_7Dc1sTnJvM6bZ51IaUf9gX3Oi57Lpi3A/s1600/025.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a> <br />
<br />
they're m.f.e.o. (have you seen sleepless in seattle? love it. quote it all the time.)<br />
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this <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bw93lsTcSbbHTjFoQ09Ob3hURm8/edit" target="_blank">link</a> is for your printing pleasure. but be warned, it's personalized for my family. if you'd like to make a few adjustments in your own microsoft word document, you'll need this <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jVCFibBBaEaZ5UC7HfDwVpuzMkFhsyRTPgbGfVGF5Qk/edit" target="_blank">list</a>. and if you need to know what other fonts i used, please contact me.<br />
<br />
merry christmas! </div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-21067237000588328542013-05-14T17:34:00.001-05:002013-05-14T17:55:19.547-05:00crispy green curry chicken wontons<div style="text-align: center;">
i found this recipe on pinterest {pinterest is where it's at people!} and it has quickly become one of my favorites!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms_tRIlFdkD-x-TwgetrOLNhDWC-cULnPQN8W2AhH5FMgwMNQlZOjOeWblZTMJha5YOk607VZ_4cR68p9cWDdWsh_fFYAJHbQBJqJcXeN5Ap7vshnMZ1ooINoqNNgUyaLuw4sIl5WS98/s1600/Jill's+iPhone+329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms_tRIlFdkD-x-TwgetrOLNhDWC-cULnPQN8W2AhH5FMgwMNQlZOjOeWblZTMJha5YOk607VZ_4cR68p9cWDdWsh_fFYAJHbQBJqJcXeN5Ap7vshnMZ1ooINoqNNgUyaLuw4sIl5WS98/s320/Jill's+iPhone+329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
crispy green curry chicken wontons</div>
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yield: 24-36 wontons</div>
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wonton wrappers</div>
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1 lb cooked, chopped chicken breasts</div>
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2 green onions, chopped</div>
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3 tbsp cilantro, chopped</div>
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1 tbsp fresh lime juice</div>
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2 tsp green curry paste</div>
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2 tbsp mayonnaise</div>
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1 tbsp coconut milk</div>
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olive oil</div>
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salt</div>
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chives {optional, for garnish}</div>
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mix chicken, onions, cilantro, lime juice, curry paste, mayo & coconut milk in a bowl. </div>
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chill 1 hour or overnight.</div>
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preheat oven to 350°. </div>
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it's easier to place wontons out on parchment paper for the next step- brush each side of the wontons with olive oil. place in bottom of mini muffin pan {careful not to tear it. you'll have to fold the sides in a bit to make it form a bowl. think tiny taco bowl.} sprinkle with salt and bake 10 mins, </div>
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or until brown and crispy on the edges. </div>
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let cool on wire rack.</div>
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once cooled, fill with chicken mixture.</div>
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garnish with chives and serve.</div>
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these make great appetizers for parties, </div>
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showers or casual dinners.</div>
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enjoy!</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-78202456809188710432012-04-30T13:04:00.000-05:002012-04-30T13:04:02.809-05:00almond-orange tilapia with chipotle yogurt sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
this has to be my favorite way to eat tilapia! if you like fish and you like spicy, this is for you! </div>
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(even if you don't like fish, you should try </div>
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this- it'll change your life!)</div>
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this recipe is from jillian michael's </div>
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"Master Your Metabolism" cookbook, </div>
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so you know it's good for you and will taste amazing! </div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519Ij02sSnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519Ij02sSnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div>
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in fact, she says this recipe has the following health benefits:</div>
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anti-cancer, heart healthy, boosts immunity, </div>
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boosts metabolism (yeehaw!), improves digestion, </div>
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strong bones, healthy skin </div>
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she uses rainbow trout in her recipe, </div>
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but tilapia is a good substitute </div>
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because both are considered <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/essential-ingredients/types-fish-00400000041660/" target="_blank">white, lean and flaky</a>. </div>
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i'll share the original recipe as well as the changes i made.</div>
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let's get cooking!</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">almond-orange tilapia with </span></b></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">chipotle yogurt sauce</span></b></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">serves 4</span></b></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uZWuF1jmd6Cszw-DPHJXV1ED7dfrbO4UOxMJJIeqP5dghaz7rN9jrPnaYdjGVXO-Whyphenhyphen2AYgvp0_3pxs3Z4o7L0g-RGR5yqW7hfar5ueoaOviZgzXYZFlS_AIbSPmfBv-XjXckwLh4Tg/s1600/Jill's+iPhone+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uZWuF1jmd6Cszw-DPHJXV1ED7dfrbO4UOxMJJIeqP5dghaz7rN9jrPnaYdjGVXO-Whyphenhyphen2AYgvp0_3pxs3Z4o7L0g-RGR5yqW7hfar5ueoaOviZgzXYZFlS_AIbSPmfBv-XjXckwLh4Tg/s320/Jill's+iPhone+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ingredients for the rainbow trout or tilapia:</span></b></h3>
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olive oil spray (or a silpat)</div>
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1/3 cup (1 oz) sliced almonds</div>
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1 slice whole-wheat bread, torn into pieces</div>
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1 garlic clove, finely chopped</div>
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grated test of 1 orange</div>
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1/8 tsp cayenne</div>
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4 (4 oz) rainbow trout or tilapia fillets, rinsed and patted dry</div>
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1/8 tsp salt</div>
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1/4 tsp ground black pepper</div>
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1 tbsp nonfat plain yogurt</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ingredients for chipotle yogurt sauce</span></b></h3>
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1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded and chopped, </div>
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plus 1/2 tsp adobo sauce (see picture above)</div>
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3 garlic cloves, finely chopped</div>
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juice of 1 lemon, plus more to taste</div>
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2 tbsp fresh orange juice</div>
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1/2 cup low-fat plain greek yogurt</div>
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first, preheat your oven to <b>400°</b>F. you'll need a baking sheet,</div>
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sprayed with olive oil or lined with silpats.</div>
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grab your handy food processor- you're going to </div>
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need it for the fish and the sauce.</div>
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throw in the almonds, bread, garlic, orange zest and cayenne pepper. pulse it several times until it's roughly chopped. set the mixture in a shallow plate and set aside.</div>
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now that your food processor is empty, add the chile and adobo sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and orange juice. </div>
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blend it together to make a smooth paste. </div>
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transfer that to a small bowl and stir in the greek yogurt. </div>
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add more lemon juice to taste, if desired and set aside.</div>
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<br /></div>
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salt and pepper each fillet. using the 1 tbsp of plain yogurt, coat the top of each fillet. press the yogurt-coated side of each fillet into the almond mixture and lay them, </div>
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coated-side up, on the baking sheet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO_h0CJGa0mFGzCWXPKXoAa8KhcT6t7f-d8imvjUDHxCJyxPGV7uHu0cb3Z5Ri5Zuvc-gK1po20Yi7yKXOPFMiB3Rf2y51biUkBCOSvEl8SOEKvzons21HALC_6l6LW6B8MU_KeraAhc/s1600/Jill's+iPhone+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO_h0CJGa0mFGzCWXPKXoAa8KhcT6t7f-d8imvjUDHxCJyxPGV7uHu0cb3Z5Ri5Zuvc-gK1po20Yi7yKXOPFMiB3Rf2y51biUkBCOSvEl8SOEKvzons21HALC_6l6LW6B8MU_KeraAhc/s320/Jill's+iPhone+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my fillets were somewhat small, and i doubled the recipe for the coating and sauce. i actually might have tripled the sauce- so there would be enough to serve on the side.</div>
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bake until the fish is firm but not </div>
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translucent when you slide a thin-bladed knife in </div>
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to peek at the thickest part of the fillet (about 10 minutes).</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0IOYPzsI_O4SssMLsYoJUoqf-yWecJGhnzb3DRHW0yqLKrl9Z-uOdEJtKfBN1Agt7Fu8qhM6bukXwdiU5-xqwXdOnyyZc0g3slD_I-5i5rDT6VP4MNEdQhYK1ITBf031nfmQC8pvF2M/s1600/Jill's+iPhone+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0IOYPzsI_O4SssMLsYoJUoqf-yWecJGhnzb3DRHW0yqLKrl9Z-uOdEJtKfBN1Agt7Fu8qhM6bukXwdiU5-xqwXdOnyyZc0g3slD_I-5i5rDT6VP4MNEdQhYK1ITBf031nfmQC8pvF2M/s320/Jill's+iPhone+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
to serve, spoon sauce onto four plates and place fillet on top. </div>
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it smells amazing and tastes even better!</div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">modifications:</span></b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
obviously i used tilapia instead of trout. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rainbow trout is hard to come by in these parts. maybe someday i'll find some and try it with this recipe for the real deal.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rather than brush the top of the fillet with plain yogurt, i (accidentally) coated both sides of the fillet in the chipotle sauce and then coated both sides in the almond mixture. it added a lot of heat since i used the silpats, the bottom cooked evenly. also, i used <a href="http://learninglivinggiving.blogspot.com/2009/10/homemade-whole-wheat-bread.html" target="_blank">homemade whole-wheat bread</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the almond mixture- super healthy!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(i read that the recipe said to use yogurt to coat the fillets, but didn't realize it called for 1 tbsp of plain yogurt. after the kids and i had eaten, johnny got home and tasted it- that's when i realized i made a mistake- it was a little too hot for him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i thought it was a good mistake.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if you want a more mild flavor, be careful not to let any chipotle seeds from the chiles or the adobo sauce get into the mixture, and go easy on the garlic (maybe 1 1/2 cloves instead of 3). next time i will use the plain yogurt on the fish, but still coat both sides of the fillet and serve the yogurt sauce on the side.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">nutrition facts per serving </span></b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>(using rainbow trout and prepared as originally instructed):</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
calories: 232.1 kcal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
fat: 9.8 g</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
protein: 25.3 g</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
carbohydrates: 10.9 g</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sodium: 500.9 mg</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-68905311650448792852011-11-04T19:09:00.002-05:002011-11-04T19:09:53.941-05:00quinoa stuffed peppers<div style="text-align: center;">
i'm calling today Fancy Friday because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tonight i'm making quinoa stuffed peppers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(keen-wah)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if you don't know much about quinoa, you should.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i'm not gonna lie, i don't know much either.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here's what i do know:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i know you need to rinse it before cooking</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or it can taste bitter. the kind i bought is pre-rinsed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(so you might look for that on the box when you buy it.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i know it's very filling and a great source of protein.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if you're vegetarian, you probably eat this often.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
quinoa is gluten-free and wheat-free!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i can't think of anyone that wouldn't be able to eat this!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
anyway, i bought a box of quinoa a few weeks ago at the store. the recipe for stuffed peppers on the back looked super fun to make. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(this is not my own recipe. it's from Ancient Harvest Organic Quinoa.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">quinoa stuffed peppers</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(makes 4-6 servings)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
preheat oven to 325°F.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 cup traditional quinoa</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2 cups water</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bring to a boil and cover. simmer about 10 mins.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>4 large or 6 medium green peppers</b>, steamed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cut off tops, clean out insides (seeds and membrane)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in a large pot or steamer, add about 1-2" water. place peppers in colander in pot and cover.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
steam about 3-5 mins. you want them to be soft but not limp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in pot or skillet, melt<b> 2 tbps butter</b> and add <b>1 medium, diced onion</b> and <b>1/2 lb sliced fresh mushrooms</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add <b>1 28-oz can of diced tomatoes</b> to the mushroom/onions (reserve the juice).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
next, add <b>2 cloves, crushed garlic</b> and <b>1 12-oz jar of mexican salsa</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cook over medium heat for 10 mins.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add <b>2 tbsp dry sherry</b> and simmer 10 more mins.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(i substituted 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
fold in the quinoa to this mixture. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in baking dish, place steamed peppers and fill each with quinoa mixture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
add reserved tomato juice to remaining mixture and use it to fill in bottom of dish.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
top each filled pepper with shredded mozzarella cheese (use about 10 oz).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bake for 30-35 mins.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjwGNywS5DOujUJ3QFzfiJO00qO7fK6WLPHpYbg2pgQRh0KDqIbbVvHImGkfYWtsCHLEpsqAS-sx7qXhYyAkZoTmjbsBZHGCTcZHBTpoNHA17p4ALfTBwdgbMeFEOZNk7dSZD33lkWGc/s640/blogger-image-1722120054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjwGNywS5DOujUJ3QFzfiJO00qO7fK6WLPHpYbg2pgQRh0KDqIbbVvHImGkfYWtsCHLEpsqAS-sx7qXhYyAkZoTmjbsBZHGCTcZHBTpoNHA17p4ALfTBwdgbMeFEOZNk7dSZD33lkWGc/s400/blogger-image-1722120054.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
since i've never made this before tonight,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i'm not sure how it's going to go over with the kiddos.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i have a feeling they're going to notice, tonight more than ever, that the halloween candy is gone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*sigh*<br />
so what if i just wasted time in the kitchen and a bunch quinoa. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(i doubled the recipe.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2bhGqpQee-xM8AA1SbyyyLPTTBiA18OdNnjEUxmCIn15dbEJJsaxUXo7NDUsCtq-z7FJuHBUl5jGJmWpQM-Tin621wH0ieyaYdvTCq2fYb5Yk2TU8NdadklVCSMXVNMyJa2V6Fb29Vw/s640/blogger-image--253754969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2bhGqpQee-xM8AA1SbyyyLPTTBiA18OdNnjEUxmCIn15dbEJJsaxUXo7NDUsCtq-z7FJuHBUl5jGJmWpQM-Tin621wH0ieyaYdvTCq2fYb5Yk2TU8NdadklVCSMXVNMyJa2V6Fb29Vw/s400/blogger-image--253754969.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at least it's pretty.</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1Nacogdoches (null)31.585213 -94.744489tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-32507854065528314922011-10-16T21:09:00.000-05:002011-10-16T21:09:10.372-05:00Happy Birthday Jill!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL!!!!</span></div>
<br />
To the most beautiful, giving, and understanding sister around....I hope today is a wonderful day and the beginning of an amazing year! I love you more than Bluebell Ice Cream and Black Friday shopping! ;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6t2zUxO-5PNQl7kRr68YDzmHmMQu4eauTzxJIWoRCbkfeEcgYQ5qRXDm1OwGkD7y_FjYML6SsnM7_rV1CAXTOoe4TxFgokL0HHofgEeHoh1rjVzJls_qp3_E6Q10ix4s4vcA1wd74jPl/s1600/blog+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6t2zUxO-5PNQl7kRr68YDzmHmMQu4eauTzxJIWoRCbkfeEcgYQ5qRXDm1OwGkD7y_FjYML6SsnM7_rV1CAXTOoe4TxFgokL0HHofgEeHoh1rjVzJls_qp3_E6Q10ix4s4vcA1wd74jPl/s320/blog+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks for being a great example of motherhood to me - your family is so blessed to have you.<br />Sarah Lunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10492768656734696255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-46076499228084414722011-07-31T17:00:00.000-05:002011-07-31T17:00:49.599-05:00designer pillows for girls room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">these pillows turned out just like we had imagined!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i love when that happens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7oBHat4zB_dUGXeZK4i1JGLG8LJ3H2xphhdlCQAJENc3_3n-yrlU8O2dOCtcGjBAC2OhoePCC51UfnjxMEZ5BsNyg80PMkMuwHjO0PPvHny5SnEjPbLGuaq_uEhplnHvqcYLE2n785s/s1600/sam+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7oBHat4zB_dUGXeZK4i1JGLG8LJ3H2xphhdlCQAJENc3_3n-yrlU8O2dOCtcGjBAC2OhoePCC51UfnjxMEZ5BsNyg80PMkMuwHjO0PPvHny5SnEjPbLGuaq_uEhplnHvqcYLE2n785s/s400/sam+061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> i embroidered the initial of their first name on the front of the ruffled skirt pillows.</div><div style="text-align: center;">katherine wanted the pillow with<br />
ribbon blossoms to be a smaller square.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i tried sewing them on with my sewing machine. bad idea.</div><div style="text-align: center;">hot glue, as it turns out, is more my style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY9k_8Fio4tHqc4gyEUHfXdmCAIiyW6cQ_DC8EVX9mt7Jvo4wbyy4w4DnBqN64sttSjvHWyi7Yj3AtYk3MPVjL-6NCVTL4-mHdBGaYX3B_UD3-hjN_gmvzzGkmY6G4jV8pKw1jWTkz8M/s1600/sam+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY9k_8Fio4tHqc4gyEUHfXdmCAIiyW6cQ_DC8EVX9mt7Jvo4wbyy4w4DnBqN64sttSjvHWyi7Yj3AtYk3MPVjL-6NCVTL4-mHdBGaYX3B_UD3-hjN_gmvzzGkmY6G4jV8pKw1jWTkz8M/s400/sam+062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> this ribbon was so perfect for this project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKiMpblfmDR74V9Kb5ftV_z2Rd5a4zcLWe-JBWBfK2oXsQB_KMzKuoqRAYNK2P9Gm-63cWV-KXP-_9e8HDs3BsVN_iiOdTO3cYDbBHNfrgITGvEsgP8gDW8gekadcYT2jReWJ_ptye2o/s1600/sam+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKiMpblfmDR74V9Kb5ftV_z2Rd5a4zcLWe-JBWBfK2oXsQB_KMzKuoqRAYNK2P9Gm-63cWV-KXP-_9e8HDs3BsVN_iiOdTO3cYDbBHNfrgITGvEsgP8gDW8gekadcYT2jReWJ_ptye2o/s400/sam+065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> here you can see the ribbon in it's original form, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and how i wound it around to form each blossom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5yTeG_wk32bJ_zwh6RUfPzEwqFUbTslKBJM-PE7xrSkTBNR2b9qPwot6P8NUNqnoe0zPInEZAqRtUFgQ3N3kdt7hJaefCgGOWeYyXezsYn_pDeaH-63suD8PF1MT7KicndyxHD-HhyphenhyphenU/s1600/sam+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5yTeG_wk32bJ_zwh6RUfPzEwqFUbTslKBJM-PE7xrSkTBNR2b9qPwot6P8NUNqnoe0zPInEZAqRtUFgQ3N3kdt7hJaefCgGOWeYyXezsYn_pDeaH-63suD8PF1MT7KicndyxHD-HhyphenhyphenU/s320/sam+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">ta-dah! perfect little pillow for perfect <s>little</s> girls.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i stitched up the bottom of the pillows by hand.</div><div style="text-align: center;">once their bunkbeds are finished, i'll post the</div><div style="text-align: center;">coordinating bedding with the designer pillows.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">can't wait!</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-52192114382883105712011-07-27T15:52:00.005-05:002011-07-27T21:51:01.419-05:00no bake cookies with chocolate chips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV5lnGG5gXe4oHLDmK6vbxsahRcs2kTT2xGjh1-HAjmPK3kJcwESxcWCt_m-PeTPHZmSBVfZnIAAb_UX-mmuiejHO1PEqFhzJTvOLxrNxey3Ay4fsQxzg59tnysi4bNSQkzfFlHRgTis/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV5lnGG5gXe4oHLDmK6vbxsahRcs2kTT2xGjh1-HAjmPK3kJcwESxcWCt_m-PeTPHZmSBVfZnIAAb_UX-mmuiejHO1PEqFhzJTvOLxrNxey3Ay4fsQxzg59tnysi4bNSQkzfFlHRgTis/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">these are one of our favorites! </div><div style="text-align: center;">since it's so humid here, they take a<br />
little longer to cook- so they don't come out gooey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">here's the recipe. notice the { } for changes based on how i made them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>No Bake Cookies with Chocolate Chips</u></div><div style="text-align: center;">• 2 cups sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">• 1 cup butter {i used real butter}</div><div style="text-align: center;">• 1/2 cup milk</div><div style="text-align: center;">• 4 Tbsp cocoa</div><div style="text-align: center;">• 1 tsp vanilla {i didn't have any, so i left it out.<br />
can't taste a difference.}</div><div style="text-align: center;">• 3 cups quick oats (also called rolled oats)</div><div style="text-align: center;">• 3/4 cup chocolate chips {i used mini chocolate chips<br />
because that's all i had & i didn't measure}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">combine the first four ingredients in a pan and boil 1 minute {i boiled it for a few minutes}. </div><div style="text-align: center;">remove from heat.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">add vanilla, oatmeal and chocolate chips.</div><div style="text-align: center;">stir until combined.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">drop onto wax paper {i only had aluminum foil. does it really matter?}.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">let cool... and partake!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">who doesn't like a little extra chocolate?<br />
the chocolate chips, although optional,<br />
make these cookies melt in your mouth.</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-32237931878081390452011-07-26T13:46:00.001-05:002011-07-26T13:47:42.064-05:00i heart you wall art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNutRbRvMW36otI9qjb_SkhgQGvVumFJcPjv0oiJ9jIEJD3f_E1Ak2mS-oPyKP-QaTeK-gFiZtim1ulSEk6PqMEwQhCW12IuoTmWOyzHuCaeAfbH2-EhVIUndDHarCuOMQzcBLbmAAyA/s1600/I+heart+you+Target+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNutRbRvMW36otI9qjb_SkhgQGvVumFJcPjv0oiJ9jIEJD3f_E1Ak2mS-oPyKP-QaTeK-gFiZtim1ulSEk6PqMEwQhCW12IuoTmWOyzHuCaeAfbH2-EhVIUndDHarCuOMQzcBLbmAAyA/s400/I+heart+you+Target+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">have you seen this at <a href="http://www.target.com/dp/B004DJY500/ref=sc_qi_img_viewdetails?ie=UTF8&title=view%20full%20details">target</a>? i loved it and thought it would be so perfect for our den- where we do homeschool. <i>but</i> it's like 20 bucks- kind of a lot of money. as much as i wanted it {i even put it in my buggy/shopping cart while i tried to justify the purchase} i knew i would have buyer's remorse before i left the parking lot. so i thought, "hey, i could make this!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i did. a less perfect version- full of love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i bought this stencil from <a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/">hobby lobby</a> for $3.99:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL59gwaSvsitnFhWcOQSXk65SHayu1KeS8uoWOwmyMNiG5KJAxx-XOQM0zYRwKu-AwORXLnJTGVtz1kjzyQI4fpS4ixsaM_BqVb5THrdA3OL2XF9ca_H00gw_rTA04HrBjlt_W6LuFSKQ/s1600/Roman+stencil+Hobby+Lobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL59gwaSvsitnFhWcOQSXk65SHayu1KeS8uoWOwmyMNiG5KJAxx-XOQM0zYRwKu-AwORXLnJTGVtz1kjzyQI4fpS4ixsaM_BqVb5THrdA3OL2XF9ca_H00gw_rTA04HrBjlt_W6LuFSKQ/s400/Roman+stencil+Hobby+Lobby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i bought a white 18"x18" canvas for $8.99, i think.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i already had acrylic paint.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i cut the stencils so i could line up the<br />
letters to fit the i ♥ u.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1PWv5Z22NQRDfD7qQKVyodM5hxU9T9_1WTUPNzgy7sP_5QbGbzdBvNJoPYTA_aFg7qIpCsBRaKnIIVNOWP7yizIT7TfqEboqCNFvSioeS7OvdpJnHmnxHOUiIJxcDZK6Kt-pL5fjk-k/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1PWv5Z22NQRDfD7qQKVyodM5hxU9T9_1WTUPNzgy7sP_5QbGbzdBvNJoPYTA_aFg7qIpCsBRaKnIIVNOWP7yizIT7TfqEboqCNFvSioeS7OvdpJnHmnxHOUiIJxcDZK6Kt-pL5fjk-k/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i happened to have the perfect size heart! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7NZD5i-Nq9P11_CEQmIIuelsr_Zg41otzQfXVHOe48f5LIMb-g8UzdUZOL39wV0CWSFSPJ9Zz0R3wfmBXc3V4dFDxnGU15QxVHgjL_fOeE-op2Jn-0f0gWCpYsGGiEjLEG7P_RwHCD4/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7NZD5i-Nq9P11_CEQmIIuelsr_Zg41otzQfXVHOe48f5LIMb-g8UzdUZOL39wV0CWSFSPJ9Zz0R3wfmBXc3V4dFDxnGU15QxVHgjL_fOeE-op2Jn-0f0gWCpYsGGiEjLEG7P_RwHCD4/s400/025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3h6eUiefWUvZdOLXK-GWhQ8rGigEhUVj9JaZ4WRlYX-zuydtywKlEJT52lJWl_19ubMGPIsP-XNJHW_fpX6NhPfOS65y_YXH8dri90qfUwUYCHRWqaD_GUHt_5rWiziDgQH7s8r3vmY/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3h6eUiefWUvZdOLXK-GWhQ8rGigEhUVj9JaZ4WRlYX-zuydtywKlEJT52lJWl_19ubMGPIsP-XNJHW_fpX6NhPfOS65y_YXH8dri90qfUwUYCHRWqaD_GUHt_5rWiziDgQH7s8r3vmY/s400/027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_YpobsIfetNogyDGkC6W-jm2poyG3PJlLqG8WZiEifET6peBuoWFWt8tZ4tq4Qp7hIW3KrWPgN3XQ30fNnbxOxxSSjb6PAtQ2uRfJdSLQtrSXAGxVwfRmqBVKyfrFMp7XaQPCZXKgqg/s1600/i+heart+you+wall+art+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_YpobsIfetNogyDGkC6W-jm2poyG3PJlLqG8WZiEifET6peBuoWFWt8tZ4tq4Qp7hIW3KrWPgN3XQ30fNnbxOxxSSjb6PAtQ2uRfJdSLQtrSXAGxVwfRmqBVKyfrFMp7XaQPCZXKgqg/s400/i+heart+you+wall+art+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">there it is. the finished product. </div><div style="text-align: center;">total cost: $14.05, including sales tax. not bad.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-21547744870277995722011-07-25T19:17:00.001-05:002011-07-25T19:19:58.582-05:00chicken with creamy mustard sauce<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgL-C81dc0oVQjTq4xRODItTmF5uIcUv9oV7Ntaa5Bt0pA0xcfUH_FZxGxYhpjDSep1Zd4MuwW6Z6uenVkL5kJE59MXLKeBoL-m1lUmd-3uLnal28KKdyGnUsTlYlXShCj6Mzm5sA1YcbU/s1600/chicken+creamy+mustard+sauce+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-C81dc0oVQjTq4xRODItTmF5uIcUv9oV7Ntaa5Bt0pA0xcfUH_FZxGxYhpjDSep1Zd4MuwW6Z6uenVkL5kJE59MXLKeBoL-m1lUmd-3uLnal28KKdyGnUsTlYlXShCj6Mzm5sA1YcbU/s400/chicken+creamy+mustard+sauce+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">photo from ourfamilyeats.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">mmmm! i made this for supper tonight for the first time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">it's really quite similar to our favorite <a href="http://learninglivinggiving.blogspot.com/search/label/deviled%20chicken%20breasts">deviled chicken breasts recipe</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">i subscribe to a lot of blogs on google reader. one of the blogs spotlighted a blog called <a href="http://www.ourfamilyeats.com/">Our Family Eats</a>, who had a recipe for <a href="http://www.ourfamilyeats.com/2011/07/homemade-marshmallows-and-why-i-made.html">homemade marshmallows</a>. i had no idea you could make marshmallows from scratch! of course i want to try it. can you imagine how many yummy and healthy-er things you could make? s'mores, popcorn balls, sweet potato dishes, rice crispy treats with brown puffed rice because they're healthier, the marshmallows could go on brownies or in-between cookies or you could just eat them! ahhh...the possibilities!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">okay, sorry...where was i? oh yeah, while i was there, i stumbled upon this recipe for chicken with creamy mustard sauce and knew my family would love it. and i happened to have all the ingredients! well, just about.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">you should definitely check out Our Family Eats and cook this:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.ourfamilyeats.com/2010/12/chicken-with-creamy-mustard-sauce.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Chicken with Creamy Mustard Sauce</span></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">serves 4</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">salt and pepper</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 tablespoons olive oil</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup reduced sodium chicken stock {regular chicken stock was all i had on hand, so i omitted the salt & pepper- my husband thought it was flavorful w/o it! yay!}</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup heavy cream {i never have this. but i bought it so i could make cheesecake. never have made it before...wish me luck!}</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 tablespoons Dijon mustard {i used spicy brown mustard}</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon oregano</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ol><li style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Rinse chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper to taste {remember i skipped this part}. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat {unless cooking on an electric stove. my pan got too hot and grease was popping everywhere! about a 2 or 3 is plenty hot}. </span></li>
<li style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Add chicken to pan. Cook 10 -12 minutes, turning once, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and keep warm. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">Reduce heat to low. Add chicken stock and cream to pan, scraping the bottom to loosen any browned bits from the chicken. Whisk in the mustard and oregano. Cook 2 more minutes, stirring frequently. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">Pour mustard sauce over chicken and serve immediately.</span></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pretty simple, huh? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">my kids admitted that they thought they would hate it. it doesn't help my culinary self-esteem when my kids don't like what i cook. we're working on that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">they were pleasantly surprised- as was i! actually, i licked my plate clean.</span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-74617749205499677022011-07-05T12:14:00.000-05:002011-07-05T12:14:48.756-05:00bunk beds, quilts and designer pillows<div style="text-align: center;">while house hunting, we were introduced to <a href="http://ana-white.com/">ana white</a>. she is amazing! there are so many plans on her website that we want to build. we just finished the first set of <a href="http://ana-white.com/2010/09/classic-bunk-beds-cleverly-designed.html">these fantastic bunk beds</a>. making them ourselves was the only way to go! the wood cost us about $80. the cheapest we've found bunk beds was <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Twin-Over-Twin-Wood-Bunk-Bed-Espresso/11974734">walmart.com</a> for $180.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is ella and bryn's bunk with their adorable new bedding:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73J8J5qPbITl56n8ko8aNeRN3JLqYVajLiQROtI3qPOozEkPNQoNHW6chhXcP8_hGBs8k17m5EM9B0J0PLJcDlOTtxLanfk-exg_QBD57Juqwx_o7y_Cpl9GeOeUj-gYvH2JECOXVpJY/s1600/girls+bunk+bed+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73J8J5qPbITl56n8ko8aNeRN3JLqYVajLiQROtI3qPOozEkPNQoNHW6chhXcP8_hGBs8k17m5EM9B0J0PLJcDlOTtxLanfk-exg_QBD57Juqwx_o7y_Cpl9GeOeUj-gYvH2JECOXVpJY/s400/girls+bunk+bed+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i love the pottery barn look, but not the pottery barn price. these quilts are so affordable! they are lightweight and perfect for the look i was going for. white sheets and white woven blankets from wal-mart finished it off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">each of the kids chose their quilts from <a href="http://www.target.com/Circo-Basic-Quilt-Set/dp/B004BOQMD0/ref=br_1_5?ie=UTF8&id=Circo%20Basic%20Quilt%20Set&node=2612768011&searchSize=90&searchView=list&searchPage=1&sr=1-5&qid=1309880860&rh=&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=pmrank&frombrowse=1">target.com</a>. here they are up close:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh536rnmXObKHdWglvEhMe19YKQvCNtZHQG6L6KE9v1PfACtShFOALOf__sQj_JCqCv8npooLyD0rdpKNPw7iCHc9aAmSC7p-l76f4KrMAAXK9ldEsVt5NXNaSHN3O2cbWhtTDRVieUF-s/s1600/Katherine%2527s+aqua+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh536rnmXObKHdWglvEhMe19YKQvCNtZHQG6L6KE9v1PfACtShFOALOf__sQj_JCqCv8npooLyD0rdpKNPw7iCHc9aAmSC7p-l76f4KrMAAXK9ldEsVt5NXNaSHN3O2cbWhtTDRVieUF-s/s400/Katherine%2527s+aqua+quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> katherine chose this beautiful aqua quilt. i love the wavy design in it. it reminds me of the beach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7eWr766lYiGBeLENLMir1TvDwHmr5afPJY_NeUOYDlZhibZwMCigAHTuREfjuvyyTC23dGS1YbFnaW-8rv602xhbPHdPFKg2agTWWV6Iai7Fiz6oR1qioLqMSy8lEnNY9kp8Y9RLb7k/s1600/boys+blue+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7eWr766lYiGBeLENLMir1TvDwHmr5afPJY_NeUOYDlZhibZwMCigAHTuREfjuvyyTC23dGS1YbFnaW-8rv602xhbPHdPFKg2agTWWV6Iai7Fiz6oR1qioLqMSy8lEnNY9kp8Y9RLb7k/s400/boys+blue+quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7eWr766lYiGBeLENLMir1TvDwHmr5afPJY_NeUOYDlZhibZwMCigAHTuREfjuvyyTC23dGS1YbFnaW-8rv602xhbPHdPFKg2agTWWV6Iai7Fiz6oR1qioLqMSy8lEnNY9kp8Y9RLb7k/s1600/boys+blue+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>the boys each have this quilt. it's simple and perfect for their room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtx1cvYgejeAvR69Iym8D9n_Ubp2KLGAmS1AsFz_5vOdP5CZCc7HgiLl_WKUAaubneXn6CXLNKiIK-iL2YQzOeTb8RH57teuYVLo4kZ7287k5VD0cOBQJAUqkP6QBNre1W0gv4HHStKw/s1600/Olivia%2527s++yellow+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtx1cvYgejeAvR69Iym8D9n_Ubp2KLGAmS1AsFz_5vOdP5CZCc7HgiLl_WKUAaubneXn6CXLNKiIK-iL2YQzOeTb8RH57teuYVLo4kZ7287k5VD0cOBQJAUqkP6QBNre1W0gv4HHStKw/s400/Olivia%2527s++yellow+quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this was olivia's second choice. she wanted red, but we couldn't find it at the time, so she settled for this yummy buttercream yellow. since she and katherine share a room, i think it was an excellent choice. the flower stitching is my favorite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnwxmgKwK4XuYCU9TIiMngVyHzFF2DGvsV816CUmg1rBNUoxZP0r_XhVWAD2WLUaj12UVCb3lPN7c9PJ-prskEcDriYnDoDC2hjSjIb2Bs5QsXvgddvn9FXp25fbA0d4N2RhNCif7NhA/s1600/Ella%2527s+purple+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnwxmgKwK4XuYCU9TIiMngVyHzFF2DGvsV816CUmg1rBNUoxZP0r_XhVWAD2WLUaj12UVCb3lPN7c9PJ-prskEcDriYnDoDC2hjSjIb2Bs5QsXvgddvn9FXp25fbA0d4N2RhNCif7NhA/s400/Ella%2527s+purple+quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ella's favorite color is purple. i love this shade and how well it goes with bryn's bedding. notice the same flower stitching as olivia's quilt. ties it all together nicely.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4YZBlPdwImVViX9HHJ-rs7EAxaZFAeUMF-t8qjz_SO8gJ3YKJoS6bWeEF_arEDNtOe4N9CXhIDGb2uHX2BA065ersONe2lKrhd88uU224g0GnBUGY5t847xVZrpB1biysPcDRA6odN8/s1600/Bryn%2527s+pink+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4YZBlPdwImVViX9HHJ-rs7EAxaZFAeUMF-t8qjz_SO8gJ3YKJoS6bWeEF_arEDNtOe4N9CXhIDGb2uHX2BA065ersONe2lKrhd88uU224g0GnBUGY5t847xVZrpB1biysPcDRA6odN8/s400/Bryn%2527s+pink+quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">bryn calls this "favorite color pink". although the heart-shaped stitching is my least favorite, it was perfect for her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">while the boys and katherine and olivia are waiting for their bunk beds, katherine decided to use her gift cards from hobby lobby and for fabric to make pillows for her and olivia's new beds. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVrTie3iY0MFbHexdVbAtJHHc_Rw-p50q1Qohv5UcN0t5QrrywqLxo1HiAknySMPH-XqL0c76BBk5O62pbn_5WQXzuX0Q9jwLu6wkme23W1EwaD9iqaONMA1ACb9ls9k9iLKqWznIh4o/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVrTie3iY0MFbHexdVbAtJHHc_Rw-p50q1Qohv5UcN0t5QrrywqLxo1HiAknySMPH-XqL0c76BBk5O62pbn_5WQXzuX0Q9jwLu6wkme23W1EwaD9iqaONMA1ACb9ls9k9iLKqWznIh4o/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">don't you love the fabric she chose?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxZHrMmOqU496WjJCdlDUJOl7FSBLbqy2jwIn_440xO2OaRElFxuUKXhj6iAAVr7kr4oQ-qx7j5N9LZXCmp1No5IcmecO9ajTQBgWhyphenhyphenQEHOMzWh61JS10zlaMoUiRkpWhyphenhyphenMWTQDIW0zM/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxZHrMmOqU496WjJCdlDUJOl7FSBLbqy2jwIn_440xO2OaRElFxuUKXhj6iAAVr7kr4oQ-qx7j5N9LZXCmp1No5IcmecO9ajTQBgWhyphenhyphenQEHOMzWh61JS10zlaMoUiRkpWhyphenhyphenMWTQDIW0zM/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">they turned out beautifully. we sewed a 3" border around them and used fiber-fill to make them the perfect size for their beds. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> she also chose a pale yellow fabric and ruffle for a second set of pillows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHTrJQKTLyOG7Nntd9lnSb9PXyoXtzPCLTfJx0hhQeDcfJF1uV-7S0ItG3Z3G_S65CKWeqzIQ4IXh1fv6D9SaIha6_kIig75JY8NBh8C_u-DCX7kzVv_iTZsLH8bjjplH3OHOWRB82-0/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHTrJQKTLyOG7Nntd9lnSb9PXyoXtzPCLTfJx0hhQeDcfJF1uV-7S0ItG3Z3G_S65CKWeqzIQ4IXh1fv6D9SaIha6_kIig75JY8NBh8C_u-DCX7kzVv_iTZsLH8bjjplH3OHOWRB82-0/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKY-cs5-tm8XtQL1zDwB2VYev9QLmCyvoELwj1NPv7J0QYZO4GfJijKLQQHKS8rzsj6mvYp0eF8wW2m_oTubW7anAAglMYDcmgv9qgIiMvGpNMXRXTfwprJfRlxSfiqdc-t_HdBY2_lM/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKY-cs5-tm8XtQL1zDwB2VYev9QLmCyvoELwj1NPv7J0QYZO4GfJijKLQQHKS8rzsj6mvYp0eF8wW2m_oTubW7anAAglMYDcmgv9qgIiMvGpNMXRXTfwprJfRlxSfiqdc-t_HdBY2_lM/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYg78h0b6Gy5N1embhE8BxlqI6OJfAWqeQd9swXbTdUf6UP_ZIKSBDBZhq7F3tbsQt5wq2rE8IYDCIEIa-ixFSNShMmgSZY0rUyQ7qsP1TTbSXcDeQ2jG-_F3ykqkYWEZs77ZdS3vNTL4/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYg78h0b6Gy5N1embhE8BxlqI6OJfAWqeQd9swXbTdUf6UP_ZIKSBDBZhq7F3tbsQt5wq2rE8IYDCIEIa-ixFSNShMmgSZY0rUyQ7qsP1TTbSXcDeQ2jG-_F3ykqkYWEZs77ZdS3vNTL4/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">we're still working on them, as well as a third set in the same pale yellow fabric.</div><div style="text-align: center;">stay tuned for the finished products!</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-673336280171036162011-07-04T23:01:00.000-05:002011-07-04T23:01:02.191-05:00enter to win!!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">in case you haven't heard ~ my sister Melissa is doing a give-away on her blog! </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPFi40q5ODANcoTha02OVoByzThWCgQbFd3QLwsYhY8WUCzAM6Rwei_JAxwETi1SYltyYy83dExc5xmWaMVXPimuO5bonG6h_sgIZGbItI8u-o7d_U9B7M6gOxsWLvCo-E55id2XUN1o/s1600/Melissa%2527s+giveaway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPFi40q5ODANcoTha02OVoByzThWCgQbFd3QLwsYhY8WUCzAM6Rwei_JAxwETi1SYltyYy83dExc5xmWaMVXPimuO5bonG6h_sgIZGbItI8u-o7d_U9B7M6gOxsWLvCo-E55id2XUN1o/s400/Melissa%2527s+giveaway.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">isn't that a beautiful bookmark?! totally makes me want to read. so it's convenient that she's also giving away this book:</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04rV0Svzol_u-fR0GBKjr_kRd57a-eFVg2EdwXSmR9ZOhhATwOl-56SHMfXCQvAJA8rcOwZO9BlHimZ-Be3JMW-DG8ts6R7RwLd09-MSeK5Sjq3dgUsyOyyJ2XNiwbJlQaUkzlB36LG8/s1600/Miracle-Freedom_7TippPoints-680x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04rV0Svzol_u-fR0GBKjr_kRd57a-eFVg2EdwXSmR9ZOhhATwOl-56SHMfXCQvAJA8rcOwZO9BlHimZ-Be3JMW-DG8ts6R7RwLd09-MSeK5Sjq3dgUsyOyyJ2XNiwbJlQaUkzlB36LG8/s320/Miracle-Freedom_7TippPoints-680x1024.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">as much as i hope to win, i know it would totally make her day if you entered! so head on over to her blog and leave a comment. follow <a href="http://onemoorefamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-first-give-away.html">this link</a> and tell her i sent you.</div></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-56161327764795343322011-07-01T12:58:00.000-05:002011-07-01T12:58:40.089-05:00i'm still here.<div style="text-align: center;">it's july 1st and this is my first post all year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">that's really sad. for those of you that still read this blog and check in from time to time to see if i've posted anything, thank you. i really do appreciate it. if you follow my family blog, you'll know what i've been doing with my time all these many months... getting through postpartum depression and moving to a new house/town. it's been great and soon i'll be back up and running. i hope. there are so many new things i'm working on...i'm homeschooling my kids this fall, painting new rooms, decorating, and i really want to get back to baking and trying new things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">until then, leave a comment so i'll know you're still there. because, i'm still here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgkO7OxwCZBs0-tQw6yMGWglbbwEqlo61HdK6S3arMVUFGzBF_62AXzZwT53maYMTRx7HJ24p7p8SMnbzZmCMxaxMcijoxGnJwmA76rM_vJuqUeRoJ394OKPjLPUEajG6D2iI2zDcflk/s1600/Projects+New+House+244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgkO7OxwCZBs0-tQw6yMGWglbbwEqlo61HdK6S3arMVUFGzBF_62AXzZwT53maYMTRx7HJ24p7p8SMnbzZmCMxaxMcijoxGnJwmA76rM_vJuqUeRoJ394OKPjLPUEajG6D2iI2zDcflk/s320/Projects+New+House+244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-32584057211826204892010-12-13T14:55:00.001-06:002010-12-13T15:09:15.140-06:00christmas advent calendar, stockings and tree skirt {aaaak!}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">okay, i'm finally ready to reveal my</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">"magnum opus" ~ or is it opuses? or opi? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">nevermind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">isn't it beautiful?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngvNvLRk7Y4CQvU_REV92LpSM-sbXlqCcJ7SNt_960bEKEvPQ8JatZtzJ0CghRpJh9cGTfFSySbUtrm_U1LS5lVfbA6wO7vV51qhyluzIZv_7Dc1sTnJvM6bZ51IaUf9gX3Oi57Lpi3A/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngvNvLRk7Y4CQvU_REV92LpSM-sbXlqCcJ7SNt_960bEKEvPQ8JatZtzJ0CghRpJh9cGTfFSySbUtrm_U1LS5lVfbA6wO7vV51qhyluzIZv_7Dc1sTnJvM6bZ51IaUf9gX3Oi57Lpi3A/s400/025.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><s><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj659k1HKr9ZDmoya1x3BOAoUZcMQTw3WvR_-hFDsrs9u0joGQhcE6q9AjR646XdHJoUGrbHQiujBMDhGGv-oodYhMHuo-XvxS-4QxnEd2pzzdlhRgg99vpjQPunyBRPfsNUbnm2andwLQ/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIYxybV6sXsbmbCBhw7K8Xei-_oRrgcwnrOWWpw7bEkPMzEZVZQK7ghX7WhF5cZw298os_hF5vIeYoD0kBRyI1Tn0lB9b42Uzkjzf5dWTlvn91oaajtRe8FEnQiT5aMpP-bxJbOGVk0s/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIYxybV6sXsbmbCBhw7K8Xei-_oRrgcwnrOWWpw7bEkPMzEZVZQK7ghX7WhF5cZw298os_hF5vIeYoD0kBRyI1Tn0lB9b42Uzkjzf5dWTlvn91oaajtRe8FEnQiT5aMpP-bxJbOGVk0s/s320/033.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></s></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQb9mlTIkpkS0AwDgGjJfvroDeFfnFgv6ygqYeC7IqInm4oYwNkEOea4pM0_Rg4pU11lkBvwGQ2nzqnyUeyt-r2Xn0qhDmJ5ZG05Qnw_QqQT9r-wLpoNfnR0OhCWL7ntvY5H9NCY39eY/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><s><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQb9mlTIkpkS0AwDgGjJfvroDeFfnFgv6ygqYeC7IqInm4oYwNkEOea4pM0_Rg4pU11lkBvwGQ2nzqnyUeyt-r2Xn0qhDmJ5ZG05Qnw_QqQT9r-wLpoNfnR0OhCWL7ntvY5H9NCY39eY/s320/032.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></s></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj659k1HKr9ZDmoya1x3BOAoUZcMQTw3WvR_-hFDsrs9u0joGQhcE6q9AjR646XdHJoUGrbHQiujBMDhGGv-oodYhMHuo-XvxS-4QxnEd2pzzdlhRgg99vpjQPunyBRPfsNUbnm2andwLQ/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj659k1HKr9ZDmoya1x3BOAoUZcMQTw3WvR_-hFDsrs9u0joGQhcE6q9AjR646XdHJoUGrbHQiujBMDhGGv-oodYhMHuo-XvxS-4QxnEd2pzzdlhRgg99vpjQPunyBRPfsNUbnm2andwLQ/s320/031.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">i thought long and hard about what to put in </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">each pocket. i decided to make cute</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">cards on <a href="http://www.picnik.com/">picnik</a> with activities for us to do as a family.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">they're wallet-size, so the pockets won't get stretched out.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">clever? i think so. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf5Alj7_Gxy89rjBHB3kfBATZX8wbXy1TxuDczuLWNZhESF5VHd7IlWuWL9gj_Ru_RUC2K4cESgAEtloEIaTMJw6AvMp1sjRvzQns_oSGbz_Jl4q85AYb0UCyLV75a9Y4pathqa94Nys/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf5Alj7_Gxy89rjBHB3kfBATZX8wbXy1TxuDczuLWNZhESF5VHd7IlWuWL9gj_Ru_RUC2K4cESgAEtloEIaTMJw6AvMp1sjRvzQns_oSGbz_Jl4q85AYb0UCyLV75a9Y4pathqa94Nys/s320/026.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgTQstF4Ja2-hAJookGgdwczTT8O5GrsCS6Rk-QQ6DavlWDrsSni5R2OcZOJs_nT7Tm5lyJ5xPG5sMf9XMWZtDiz5-iocJz8rvZYCrKRX9ZKEQ4LZkZGNuM2uyxB5k7tZ0A9FL9Zp7Ys/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgTQstF4Ja2-hAJookGgdwczTT8O5GrsCS6Rk-QQ6DavlWDrsSni5R2OcZOJs_nT7Tm5lyJ5xPG5sMf9XMWZtDiz5-iocJz8rvZYCrKRX9ZKEQ4LZkZGNuM2uyxB5k7tZ0A9FL9Zp7Ys/s320/028.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> i know i've said this before ~ i adore the little plug on</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">the end! all the little details make this so perfect! </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaC_RzBz8rdxI7cfwEyCgdvFCkAAd9Firppiv9p-81xIvsLTT3jfJxdlnes3tM-03Zxv_lOfNc8a4hfEScinmRr-MUz9xWZg1W4kO09xgfmYsNI8NcYVfNZijFbZZiUgYHe-c6xyjH4A/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaC_RzBz8rdxI7cfwEyCgdvFCkAAd9Firppiv9p-81xIvsLTT3jfJxdlnes3tM-03Zxv_lOfNc8a4hfEScinmRr-MUz9xWZg1W4kO09xgfmYsNI8NcYVfNZijFbZZiUgYHe-c6xyjH4A/s320/029.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> on the 22nd, we'll be watching "rudolph the red-nosed reindeer".</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajFF6ve-AMEs6uecBe2bV1PnW-AUeMQ6D80Bxjwhxfn0Kc5PknBz9cUrw1dNrk7zaKPvy9YjCbDhBFl18wPZcKTZ-8QHoh2_S1Z4y-7L1_s4x5esk1-x4x3Z9BbFCRF62bwT1V3MyzHM/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajFF6ve-AMEs6uecBe2bV1PnW-AUeMQ6D80Bxjwhxfn0Kc5PknBz9cUrw1dNrk7zaKPvy9YjCbDhBFl18wPZcKTZ-8QHoh2_S1Z4y-7L1_s4x5esk1-x4x3Z9BbFCRF62bwT1V3MyzHM/s320/030.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">i <i>had</i> to make new stockings this year since we had </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">another baby. they turned out so precious! they're all</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">personalized with our names and the kids each</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">chose the picture on the front {to match the advent</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">calendar of course}. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">also, i found a <a href="http://cinnaberry-suite.blogspot.com/2009/12/stocking-holders-revamp.html">great tutorial</a> to make these stocking</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">holders. they're pottery barn copies and super cheap & easy</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">to make. i love love love them!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCrL4OK1Pyac6BoedRYUbZMMLePkzYhPRs1Q6PpykQqe-t4X7qMBMyk4xbWA3lkslMFKfiCvfpcGT95X7nn-wnVIxkK7hAZEbwXpwC9FeCUy_IX3N7LfHwCF7zLbJ8u-34OSZSxm-bHg/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCrL4OK1Pyac6BoedRYUbZMMLePkzYhPRs1Q6PpykQqe-t4X7qMBMyk4xbWA3lkslMFKfiCvfpcGT95X7nn-wnVIxkK7hAZEbwXpwC9FeCUy_IX3N7LfHwCF7zLbJ8u-34OSZSxm-bHg/s320/037.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74kIn-qL32zohzrlEg7-48-CG4HrLzCz4otku0uzgZ-Z15rarga17OhngrWqFAiaLcRzMcoNlMqKEfK25K-HI_QPgxoXos8tcESZe8GKRg3SDZeW4jC_yQWKo6mb3Uh4vIvHfbH6N9KA/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74kIn-qL32zohzrlEg7-48-CG4HrLzCz4otku0uzgZ-Z15rarga17OhngrWqFAiaLcRzMcoNlMqKEfK25K-HI_QPgxoXos8tcESZe8GKRg3SDZeW4jC_yQWKo6mb3Uh4vIvHfbH6N9KA/s320/038.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> i got this painting for my birthday in october. i love it so much </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">i think we'll keep it up all year long.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbFReLxYiAUnzWxR0yuIdLGRi0IAyb3axxq8vd7lo2XR2MTeSJJV20z4C8ZezAVOZkTTiWqBfYOUxJQ_I1OJj99y-XltYcHZjyoV7OwkqtUxumD0VvS718fge22LSDGhMN79VF1KrAQI/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbFReLxYiAUnzWxR0yuIdLGRi0IAyb3axxq8vd7lo2XR2MTeSJJV20z4C8ZezAVOZkTTiWqBfYOUxJQ_I1OJj99y-XltYcHZjyoV7OwkqtUxumD0VvS718fge22LSDGhMN79VF1KrAQI/s320/041.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNGTlUUQLl4KjmtnHc6NAJOom94vqHHizcZow2Rle2ANVL7U1xWJeMMJKZXUo7MFzq67JlBJ0-pUm0aFbTu2mZlczEvqJuCKsrJ-wPZayqedD2QOsmaK5bsyqhy0fqK2lyEqLokhFPvI/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNGTlUUQLl4KjmtnHc6NAJOom94vqHHizcZow2Rle2ANVL7U1xWJeMMJKZXUo7MFzq67JlBJ0-pUm0aFbTu2mZlczEvqJuCKsrJ-wPZayqedD2QOsmaK5bsyqhy0fqK2lyEqLokhFPvI/s320/042.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> these styrofoam "trees" came from another tutorial. i can't find </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">the link ~ sorry! if you want to make it, let me know and i'll </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">either find it or tell you how to make it yourself.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMGBfgXhpRZsi5KjVCgSiz2b3ZzcTlwt6W2PfjuKL-YyTqbIITA151JPkksshPr70T0yVnmG6nfShYyV9gMByMqeHfdFZp6JOUG9Pj3FuKD0qIJ6afaa1diH6kS-Dh3OMlrnABctilkA/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMGBfgXhpRZsi5KjVCgSiz2b3ZzcTlwt6W2PfjuKL-YyTqbIITA151JPkksshPr70T0yVnmG6nfShYyV9gMByMqeHfdFZp6JOUG9Pj3FuKD0qIJ6afaa1diH6kS-Dh3OMlrnABctilkA/s320/043.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> while i was at it, i decided to make a matching treeskirt. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">i'm not at all a seamstress, so it was much harder to make </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">than i thought it would be ~ but totally worth it!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVnw0ONsSK0-GFEIIutV4vo8JsD8EJ7S4s1VWcrNVVJkDb1iECsUtR3eSpgZyow98ik4cRZLT5zo2ffWBLBXJzR479Bd8OmzQqLgq7rkmL5Gs_izGbIULakIz3LAH9mRye5sN3mGJmUw/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVnw0ONsSK0-GFEIIutV4vo8JsD8EJ7S4s1VWcrNVVJkDb1iECsUtR3eSpgZyow98ik4cRZLT5zo2ffWBLBXJzR479Bd8OmzQqLgq7rkmL5Gs_izGbIULakIz3LAH9mRye5sN3mGJmUw/s320/046.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZNQ-1WBwEormjxoCvtR-8NN6ywAZfww8OjIKh5wMeLWATE0_tJnF9ZDcW2OthNJf9o4i0bBbsGXxGFQvEqRpj-dnqF3EEbMAJgvZOUy8CGxe3nSGy5nvvB7O_hqpT_Elkj010AuiqCo/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZNQ-1WBwEormjxoCvtR-8NN6ywAZfww8OjIKh5wMeLWATE0_tJnF9ZDcW2OthNJf9o4i0bBbsGXxGFQvEqRpj-dnqF3EEbMAJgvZOUy8CGxe3nSGy5nvvB7O_hqpT_Elkj010AuiqCo/s320/049.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">merry christmas!</div></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-83078895364447303292010-08-01T18:37:00.000-05:002010-08-01T18:37:19.752-05:00christmas advent calendar<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCP_AyQXhZ-KENNxyTyWXGGfwPbNXHmRdMWJOM9M16UFIAR0GmoHUqUw9UcTeVS39qeQbcX-PzhfenVEUU_dXLlbH_SyUWnhYnjiUhKpZQAHVIERtEJ96EWjkKg4g_58dfK4dLomki1E/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCP_AyQXhZ-KENNxyTyWXGGfwPbNXHmRdMWJOM9M16UFIAR0GmoHUqUw9UcTeVS39qeQbcX-PzhfenVEUU_dXLlbH_SyUWnhYnjiUhKpZQAHVIERtEJ96EWjkKg4g_58dfK4dLomki1E/s200/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+033.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">yes, i know it's august 1st, but i couldn't help myself!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">last sunday afternoon, i decided it was time to start this</div><div style="text-align: center;">craft i've been planning for nearly a year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">abby</span> over at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://projectsforyournest.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">a feathered nest</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>shared </div><div style="text-align: center;">the tutorial for this<span style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span">advent calendar.</span></span><br />
and let's be honest~ she is a <span class="Apple-style-span"><strong>genious!</strong> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCyddG6p1ni75sZC_7wAtlVhGMq89cnu-L_OZom02_6YsUwkQB0KgUONCKnfBJiLW78vdrrlAf_JXhnQgIPyNjPBM8sEluUyMpMmeWpG3yu3sTx8ETYQixW4oTY8UOmrfZGsciS-rbkg/s1600/HEAVENLY+BREAKFAST.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCyddG6p1ni75sZC_7wAtlVhGMq89cnu-L_OZom02_6YsUwkQB0KgUONCKnfBJiLW78vdrrlAf_JXhnQgIPyNjPBM8sEluUyMpMmeWpG3yu3sTx8ETYQixW4oTY8UOmrfZGsciS-rbkg/s200/HEAVENLY+BREAKFAST.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{remember~ she is the one that shared the </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">recipe for this delicious </span><a href="http://learninglivinggiving.blogspot.com/search/label/Stuffed%20French%20Toast"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">strawberry stuffed french toast</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">?!}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">to tell you the truth, i had never worked with </div><div style="text-align: center;">embroidery thread before and had no </div><div style="text-align: center;">idea <i>how on earth</i> i would <br />
<i>ever</i> manage all the detailed stitching. </div><div style="text-align: center;">the cute cutouts i <i>knew</i> i could do, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but the stitching... yeah, not so much.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">i am eternally grateful for her. seriously, </div><div style="text-align: center;">she made it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so easy</span>! i could</div><div style="text-align: center;">go on and on. you really need to just <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_911304967">hop over</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://projectsforyournest.blogspot.com/">there</a> and see for yourself. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">well, okay. here's a <i>glimpse</i> of hers:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6kOYG0CveZiVLRUfuLWgKq1n6F-4u5WFPEGDxOZhnPUeIf1GF_T-8sC3duoC2fIyBZkHS0Vl0OdlvhQqXxVnGm9zminKFDnlVToiQ_ZEI9f-DwoE2sES0Gxk2Hj1lmbuFV2UhsQhHFo/s320/a+feathered+nest+advent+finished+grouping.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">is that <b>not</b> <b>the</b> <i>cutest</i> thing you've ever seen?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">since she is my idol{!} i copied a lot of her ideas,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and some i made up on my own {shock!}. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">let's get to it! i am proud to present </div><div style="text-align: center;">my 25 squares of christmas:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><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/AVvXsEizbxMX9NKTINQuj53UIdMu5uF_LZOlKexbeHaTZl4Ra6t3UIBj4bAtg5VCjL4ugKeS3ns_L3HszoaG-CGA3Va-zQpzQacnh2fX7BHLAeoFCXU0vGfOUZ58wTo7VoVKdi_4T9Gy8oaQmVI/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbxMX9NKTINQuj53UIdMu5uF_LZOlKexbeHaTZl4Ra6t3UIBj4bAtg5VCjL4ugKeS3ns_L3HszoaG-CGA3Va-zQpzQacnh2fX7BHLAeoFCXU0vGfOUZ58wTo7VoVKdi_4T9Gy8oaQmVI/s320/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+002.JPG" width="257" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">i decided to make the snowman's scarf multi-colored. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">and his nose, incidentally, is </span><span class="Apple-style-span">on the large side {oops!}. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">i thought rudolph turned out so perfectly! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{he was my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">own design!!}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></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/AVvXsEhQXE3Ep8KnzKc0MDhZM-SemaVJV7C80Dif_Xpuj81HjrVIxQuaMZAY_pb2jlUI8yxcXQzKnMlUgoiaf40nyS-FB2qvYCW4FhqGOrUVZKunM6jbl99ujgIcX_vnCiXP3IC4xDB2XP-PIGA/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXE3Ep8KnzKc0MDhZM-SemaVJV7C80Dif_Xpuj81HjrVIxQuaMZAY_pb2jlUI8yxcXQzKnMlUgoiaf40nyS-FB2qvYCW4FhqGOrUVZKunM6jbl99ujgIcX_vnCiXP3IC4xDB2XP-PIGA/s320/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">abby's gingerbread man was adorable! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">i decided to give him </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">a scarf to change him up a little. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">santa's sleigh is another one </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">of my own designs </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{and i think it's my favorite!!}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU9GS0SKtafwxumlZUC_akWyn5rPQrw4hZexIqDAESLEZrNsUZJmBz71-OfdGX0ymjnmTdRbZb77F30hB6rw_nS5H5hEprOvH67CTTiVswuibjlIGcFX5_4dt-r-_vChyYHOA136iK_8/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU9GS0SKtafwxumlZUC_akWyn5rPQrw4hZexIqDAESLEZrNsUZJmBz71-OfdGX0ymjnmTdRbZb77F30hB6rw_nS5H5hEprOvH67CTTiVswuibjlIGcFX5_4dt-r-_vChyYHOA136iK_8/s320/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+007.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">i <i>love</i> the christmas lights!! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">did you notice the cute little </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">plug on the end?! {gasp!}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">not to brag or anything, <i>but</i> the snowflake is <strong>all mine</strong>! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">what you see is the product of </span><span class="Apple-style-span">my </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">first attempt, free-handed!! <em>i know!!!</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8KSvrTq6J_t-uy_tZyWv3EgjnarDllBZDvokRbIZLlUdyc_2fCk4Q00xvZK0LSJEJxlm7UEkVYJgx7SFfMYtgbhjwAVzxJMCqgsTqYedkbQWRA-IzjmGTbnGFQPFMuMDx0DuHGkWf7c/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8KSvrTq6J_t-uy_tZyWv3EgjnarDllBZDvokRbIZLlUdyc_2fCk4Q00xvZK0LSJEJxlm7UEkVYJgx7SFfMYtgbhjwAVzxJMCqgsTqYedkbQWRA-IzjmGTbnGFQPFMuMDx0DuHGkWf7c/s320/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+009.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">if you look closely, you <i>might</i> see santa's round pink nose. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">i wish my sheep's nose was a little smaller- that part was kinda tricky.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0L3VlABTezpF-o8B8vY4MVvpAmHxI3SuDfQLA1mFzCnaWDVSbG1k-m1-MARvUBLAx_vp6MkHPddt9rjf_IwyVsvOWl5jWs2ptYlafDsEg65ad31I4OlwbtIm_zV6gkKuw1jJYA9uCEo/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0L3VlABTezpF-o8B8vY4MVvpAmHxI3SuDfQLA1mFzCnaWDVSbG1k-m1-MARvUBLAx_vp6MkHPddt9rjf_IwyVsvOWl5jWs2ptYlafDsEg65ad31I4OlwbtIm_zV6gkKuw1jJYA9uCEo/s320/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+010.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">i love love love the music notes! they were so fun to make!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSQq1l5hoNAj8K7CUkfyiAkZt2aOb_ZCFgsqwilyFQekq8PSy_KyG4ylE9TYHQMbUeba9FSR0nRrFOAG0M42f5_pehytvsLZnjuWOJD7bruucgyL1kPHFOtdIClA8l8qGIXAtA3FCbMA/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSQq1l5hoNAj8K7CUkfyiAkZt2aOb_ZCFgsqwilyFQekq8PSy_KyG4ylE9TYHQMbUeba9FSR0nRrFOAG0M42f5_pehytvsLZnjuWOJD7bruucgyL1kPHFOtdIClA8l8qGIXAtA3FCbMA/s320/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+012.JPG" width="198" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">not thrilled with these two, but oh well. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">they'll go just fine </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">once they're all together on the "tree".</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIj4uFOO3DBJE8k2z6FKyNyiRvx1ZWusOZT-AFI7wFXhFRRwdBuESqtIYEedG3_bvAp-zLxol4rEE02_YmYlURt3si4pONL7ZcYTbl4eze2rYBmRYQrp0xMa41eiUN72eE4iJaGTsEjo/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIj4uFOO3DBJE8k2z6FKyNyiRvx1ZWusOZT-AFI7wFXhFRRwdBuESqtIYEedG3_bvAp-zLxol4rEE02_YmYlURt3si4pONL7ZcYTbl4eze2rYBmRYQrp0xMa41eiUN72eE4iJaGTsEjo/s320/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">the stocking is hanging from a mantle!! how cute is that?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHMOdCIqqZODxoA2x1oIOemCSN6x2JOyv0eqJ679TMe7TVqvtTYK1hxVJvShZpM8A7X5AvfP6sMprFWC_Mz8DNb-MMNNpohEa8kmbNHoXV9fig6SaT22yLRMUVssCFfFB61nREq_5VK4/s1600/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHMOdCIqqZODxoA2x1oIOemCSN6x2JOyv0eqJ679TMe7TVqvtTYK1hxVJvShZpM8A7X5AvfP6sMprFWC_Mz8DNb-MMNNpohEa8kmbNHoXV9fig6SaT22yLRMUVssCFfFB61nREq_5VK4/s320/Christmas+Advent+Calendar+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">i had to copy abby's baby jesus~ it's so perfect! :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">so there you go! doesn't look too hard, does it? </div><div style="text-align: center;">really. if i can do it, anyone can! <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{and having my sister come </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">help <i>a little </i>doesn't make any difference!! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">right? btw, thanks monica!! ha!}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm waiting on the almighty dollar {and time of course}</div><div style="text-align: center;">to make a run for hobby lobby to buy the rest of </div><div style="text-align: center;">the supplies i need to finish this beautiful baby. it's a bit<br />
of a drive from here, but totally worth it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">here is abby's finished tree to give you an idea of what it will look like:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPrcnHzi3KdVshN1hRT-j6WM9W7U1THZgrOHojB8rRYs54TzVt-6Wyjj-doHgx2uHTHdpr5cYzhNPDh1HzlT88lsmFpzIEtLQatPsjmVmAGgNLl-etgOg4WMwqOicX25c38xRHQQvo1g/s1600/advent+tree+finished+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPrcnHzi3KdVshN1hRT-j6WM9W7U1THZgrOHojB8rRYs54TzVt-6Wyjj-doHgx2uHTHdpr5cYzhNPDh1HzlT88lsmFpzIEtLQatPsjmVmAGgNLl-etgOg4WMwqOicX25c38xRHQQvo1g/s320/advent+tree+finished+2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">it's so precious! i can't wait to finish mine!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">oh- and there's plenty of time to <a href="http://projectsforyournest.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas%20advent%20calendar">make one</a> for your family!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">wouldn't your family love to countdown to christmas</div><div style="text-align: center;">with a treat or note in each pocket?! </div><div style="text-align: center;">♥</div></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-1226898337804725602010-07-13T15:39:00.000-05:002010-07-13T15:39:12.316-05:00homemade puffy paint<div style="text-align: center;">this is such a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">fun activity</span> for kids ~ </div><div style="text-align: center;">and you probably already have the ingredients!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusbsGRJyDyxXbYaRgpnS9aoKYM41rZ8BvqrdvbNRXNabhhyaF9YpHCwpTNgQj9jAWradQVDB7ZkhQtEnqfboe3-h-y3ed3KrSNPeUxMpg6UkfQ3SaJvLEQTuUofjiDzdqgzyqnETljJw/s1600/glimmer-paint-craft-photo-420-FF0302CONCA05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusbsGRJyDyxXbYaRgpnS9aoKYM41rZ8BvqrdvbNRXNabhhyaF9YpHCwpTNgQj9jAWradQVDB7ZkhQtEnqfboe3-h-y3ed3KrSNPeUxMpg6UkfQ3SaJvLEQTuUofjiDzdqgzyqnETljJw/s200/glimmer-paint-craft-photo-420-FF0302CONCA05.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">you need ~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1/4 cup salt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1/4 cup all-purpose flour</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1/4 cup water</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">food coloring</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">first, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">mix</span> salt, flour and water. the mixture should be the consistency of pudding.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">next, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">add</span> food coloring. you can make it as dark or light as you want. </div><div style="text-align: right;">or try mixing two colors to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>make a new color</i></span>.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">use a funnel to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">transfer</span> the paint to a squeeze bottle (like the ketchup & mustard ones at a restaurant)</div><div style="text-align: right;">or a ziplock bag- snip one tiny corner (like an icing bag).</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">have fun painting!</span> </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">once it dries you will have a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">puffy</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">glossy</span> work of art </div><div style="text-align: right;">with a little <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">sparkle</span>, thanks to the salt!</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-18214200927399338792010-07-12T14:15:00.000-05:002010-07-13T14:17:20.690-05:00our favorite kind of mess!<div style="text-align: center;">we made <a href="http://johnnyandjill.blogspot.com/2009/08/pretty-in-pink.html">this</a> slime last summer</div><div style="text-align: center;">and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>loved </i></span>it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yTTrfPgBIS0FrJeFwIGfr8LturXt5yUxCojAZUaf1LayoUBgmwQg5RayraoqcDGnUT11Btua1c2dnWmkBzj35o0o1SMAezBgcv15HLVP2fRlQpSasITD40pwbbiGB4f33eXyKURfUr4/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yTTrfPgBIS0FrJeFwIGfr8LturXt5yUxCojAZUaf1LayoUBgmwQg5RayraoqcDGnUT11Btua1c2dnWmkBzj35o0o1SMAezBgcv15HLVP2fRlQpSasITD40pwbbiGB4f33eXyKURfUr4/s320/064.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">not for human consumption</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">fun</span> for the whole family and a </div><div style="text-align: center;">great activity to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">cure summertime boredom</span>! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">you need ~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2 mixing bowls</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">8 oz Elmer's glue</span> (yes, Elmer's, not generic)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">food coloring</span> (green & yellow would be fun for boys!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">spoon</span> (for stirring)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1 tbsp Borax</span> (it's in the laundry detergent aisle, if you don't have any)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">resealable plastic bag</span>, or plastic container with lid</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">first, mix one cup cold water with 8 oz glue in one mixing bowl.</div><div style="text-align: right;">next, mix 1 tbsp borax with 1/2 cup of very hot (not boiling) water. stir well until borax is dissolved.</div><div style="text-align: right;">third, add about 10 drops of each food coloring (or more for 1 color) to the borax/water mixture.</div><div style="text-align: right;">then, slowly add the not borax/water mixture to the glue/water mixture. stir with spoon for a few seconds.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">using your hands, reach into the bowl and mix everything together. </div><div style="text-align: left;">don't worry- in less than a minute you'll have a gooey stretchy (non-sticky) mess!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">once your all done playing, store it in a plastic resealable bag or covered plastic container. </div><div style="text-align: right;">it'll keep for several weeks as long a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">s it's refrigerated wh</span>en you're not playing with it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ElifBAzHtraCGRSu9JKVlgHNSN8YBZ0ZnsGc_DxkEyh_S07mopIYC8SQhbitOSImyMzHGb3MkHxttps-WxR8Yw3CorHxMiyA_6j7uJOa9tuKsscmk91f_rfqvdxFSgawfAmPA-hPf4U/s1600/085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ElifBAzHtraCGRSu9JKVlgHNSN8YBZ0ZnsGc_DxkEyh_S07mopIYC8SQhbitOSImyMzHGb3MkHxttps-WxR8Yw3CorHxMiyA_6j7uJOa9tuKsscmk91f_rfqvdxFSgawfAmPA-hPf4U/s320/085.JPG" /></a></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">have fun making a mess!</span></span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-83473575467375490102010-07-05T17:00:00.000-05:002010-07-05T17:00:21.857-05:00coconut cake balls<div style="text-align: center;">tell me you've made them or </div><div style="text-align: center;">tried them...died from eating one...or at least heard of them...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">if not...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it's time!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">today i'm making</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">coconut cake balls</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">using a Duncan Hines Coconut Supreme cake mix</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoVy29Hew-oURGJ9WLuICDODPSdgaf73-fSNfBN2aSUc9PVrV9-8ePXk1UfRa_QRUvJSWsVLuIpn2zjEO0vX3oeOlQLSWDkaEYTd323nqOuvBOmQQhNfpB57r-2KYxQGJNvjYt6kawyg/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoVy29Hew-oURGJ9WLuICDODPSdgaf73-fSNfBN2aSUc9PVrV9-8ePXk1UfRa_QRUvJSWsVLuIpn2zjEO0vX3oeOlQLSWDkaEYTd323nqOuvBOmQQhNfpB57r-2KYxQGJNvjYt6kawyg/s320/056.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">just follow the baking directions on the box.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">once it's baked, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">let it cool</span> for a bit~ you can fold that </div><div style="text-align: center;">load of laundry while you wait ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">now comes the <s>fun</s> messy part ~</div><div style="text-align: center;">using your hands, mix the baked cake with a jar of icing. the </div><div style="text-align: center;">entire jar. i know, that's a lot... do it anyway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm using Coconut Pecan. you can use cream cheese, white...</div><div style="text-align: center;">whatever you've got on hand. the combinations are endless!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAi17RsWtL6c2yJvHwZkpgy0u57sJS9iXNIqdA-zZkYOKmlJWRJr4bhlNYVUJAT8syeFTvPvsbVxh7nbh-R9qkt3TQpIQgwmevUd4p8yhzPexiNdriS_cWiLtMF85Fc7Ot4tGBZNEniM/s1600/cake+balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAi17RsWtL6c2yJvHwZkpgy0u57sJS9iXNIqdA-zZkYOKmlJWRJr4bhlNYVUJAT8syeFTvPvsbVxh7nbh-R9qkt3TQpIQgwmevUd4p8yhzPexiNdriS_cWiLtMF85Fc7Ot4tGBZNEniM/s320/cake+balls.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it seems to never fail that while i'm mixing the two together that the phone rings.</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i like to wear some latex gloves- easy on, easy off... less mess!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">now you can roll the "dough" into small cake balls. they'll make <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">a lot.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">you can share with your friends, neighbors, family, coworkers...</div><div style="text-align: center;">{great way to make friends!}</div><div style="text-align: center;">stick them in the freezer for a while- maybe an hour or so.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">melt chocolate</span> chips/chocolate bark {you can even use white chocolate} in the </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">microwave</span>, according to package directions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">dip</span> the cake balls into the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">melted chocolate</span> and place on wax paper.</div><div style="text-align: center;">since they're frozen, they'll coat really well and dry really fast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{little trick~ use 2 plastic forks and break out the middle two prongs. now you can dip the </div><div style="text-align: center;">cake balls and not waste the chocolate!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">you could make them extra<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i> fancy</i></span> by adding coconut to the outside</div><div style="text-align: center;">before they dry, or nuts or cute sprinkles... you know, be creative!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i like to store them in the freezer or refrigerator.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we have to ration them around here...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">time to go finish mine ~ i think the cake is cool!</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-3201380972498521682010-07-04T10:50:00.000-05:002010-07-05T15:31:22.403-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23EROOn0rl3eyo6YOl91Pn8RuMlYjVzgJKL8NUgqjQUAi0602meNxI5Vp6IQrmqb5NyYnmQcECAMcxZiY1-RIDynJCE1md1id5Xu9LnYp1m5HR36kHffJpj42TnrfEfLfPAu53EXq5Yc/s1600/happy+4th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23EROOn0rl3eyo6YOl91Pn8RuMlYjVzgJKL8NUgqjQUAi0602meNxI5Vp6IQrmqb5NyYnmQcECAMcxZiY1-RIDynJCE1md1id5Xu9LnYp1m5HR36kHffJpj42TnrfEfLfPAu53EXq5Yc/s320/happy+4th.jpg" /></a></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-79528659227717479442010-06-03T11:48:00.003-05:002010-06-04T09:51:58.437-05:00oh! the possibilities!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q-SdYsYCPV8XKYwELX8HRHhlyMBSxmiA379s32gaJLUcDk_L5PEQ6PevZvCGPH_yyN6cjRfVK4MLduD5Le9m64jGMcADlHMLnyK0CDGoFiw2jq156rl1luHz9Se-h7IcSblaaZP9rt4/s1600/cooking+tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q-SdYsYCPV8XKYwELX8HRHhlyMBSxmiA379s32gaJLUcDk_L5PEQ6PevZvCGPH_yyN6cjRfVK4MLduD5Le9m64jGMcADlHMLnyK0CDGoFiw2jq156rl1luHz9Se-h7IcSblaaZP9rt4/s320/cooking+tools.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i never thought of myself as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">the "cooking" type</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it wasn't until i began looking on my <a href="http://computers.become.com/">computer</a> for new recipes</div><div style="text-align: center;">that i even thought of starting this blog!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">one of my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">biggest inspirations</span> is <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/">bakerella</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">for johnny's graduation party last year,<br />
i found the most <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">adorable <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.bakerella.com/candy-cup-caps/">graduation caps</a> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">on her website! they were such <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">a hit</span> at the party</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">that i wanted to do <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">more and more!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">needless to say, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">my <a href="http://computers.become.com/">computer</a></span> and </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">i</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">spend</span> a lot of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">time together...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">from creating this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">blog</span> (which is always a work in progress),</div><div style="text-align: center;">to finding <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">new and fun recipes</span> for </div><div style="text-align: center;">my family <i>and</i> to share with you! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">now that i've come out of the icky morning sickness phase</div><div style="text-align: center;">of pregnancy, i am <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">finding myself </span>wanting to be</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">in the kitchen</span> or on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">my <a href="http://computers.become.com/">computer</a></span> looking</div><div style="text-align: center;">for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">crafts</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">recipes</span> and ways to be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">creative</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is so <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">amazing</span> to me what <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">incredible</span> things</div><div style="text-align: center;">people can think up.<br />
i am <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">in awe</span> when i find blogs</div><div style="text-align: center;">that make me <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>swoon!</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">some of my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>favorite</i> hot spots</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">on the computer that i <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">love</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">are on my left and right <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">scrolling blog lists</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">feel free to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">check out</span> any and all!</div><div style="text-align: center;">you won't be disappointed!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-32304135336730915942010-06-03T11:18:00.002-05:002010-06-03T11:19:57.471-05:00peach preserves<div style="text-align: center;">while perusing my local grocer's ad this morning,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i noticed that two of my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">favorite fruits</span> are on sale!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">peaches and strawberries! <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">(gasp!)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">eyes</span> were <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">as big as saucers</span> when i realized </div><div style="text-align: center;">all the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">yummy</span> goodies i could make! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBrQWOFqvimuds_2YnhotdN-IzCM5e1MEnlcps6hUvH1bWndtSsoqJgG889ht5ekI9x6eRb1PIkdur8OO7E2qQCbGuUzY91dmdRALObICZ_UNyezxrAownqVLEkVPcaIZcYOcmSK8X68/s1600/strawberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBrQWOFqvimuds_2YnhotdN-IzCM5e1MEnlcps6hUvH1bWndtSsoqJgG889ht5ekI9x6eRb1PIkdur8OO7E2qQCbGuUzY91dmdRALObICZ_UNyezxrAownqVLEkVPcaIZcYOcmSK8X68/s320/strawberry.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">some of my fondest memories of growing up in central texas </div><div style="text-align: center;">involved picking <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">fresh peaches </span>straight from the tree.</div><div style="text-align: center;">some of them were so ripe i couldn't wait, and <b>had</b> to eat them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">the succulent <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">juices</span> poured<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">down my chin</span> and made me </div><div style="text-align: center;">completely sticky! but it was so worth it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">my parents would carefully wash and prepare the peaches</div><div style="text-align: center;">and soon the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">delicious aroma</span><br />
of peach preserves filled the house!</div><div style="text-align: center;">my favorite way to enjoy the goodness was to eat it on </div><div style="text-align: center;">my dad's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">homemade biscuits</span>. talk about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>delish!!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa0yCEYmK6g9zrotcSUr3EjzGroAXv__m8FJtEGepszB_MUkJ34LP28HwTgRIX_2Hz3Bqw1XRnF-8BKfMOTMS40IPA87wbHIU6gaid2AylaTf3v_4PdxuglaBwHXpJH8wvyAl8j_Tdjg/s1600/peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa0yCEYmK6g9zrotcSUr3EjzGroAXv__m8FJtEGepszB_MUkJ34LP28HwTgRIX_2Hz3Bqw1XRnF-8BKfMOTMS40IPA87wbHIU6gaid2AylaTf3v_4PdxuglaBwHXpJH8wvyAl8j_Tdjg/s320/peaches.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">unfortunately, there aren't any peach trees on our three acres.</div><div style="text-align: center;">so when peaches <i>are</i> on sale, even if they aren't quite ripe,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">buy</span> them <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">in bulk</span>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is the recipe i used last year~ it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>oh so good!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">in fact, we ran out of peach preserves fairly quickly :(</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">peach preserves</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">12 fresh peaches, pitted and chopped</div><div style="text-align: center;">(use slightly under-ripe, firm peaches, since you'll be cooking them.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">4 1/2 cups white sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 (2 oz) package of dry pectin</div><div style="text-align: center;">8 (8 oz) jars with lids</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">• crush 1 cup chopped peaches in the bottom </div><div style="text-align: center;">of a large saucepan.add remaining peaches, and set </div><div style="text-align: center;">pan over medium-low heat. bring to a low boil, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and cook for about 20 minutes or until peaches </div><div style="text-align: center;">become mostly liquid. (i like to leave chunks of peaches.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">• add sugar, and bring to a boil over medium heat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">gradually stir in dry pectin, and boil for 1 minute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">• remove from heat after 1 minute and transfer to sterilized</div><div style="text-align: center;">jars. process in hot water bath canner for 10 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">let cool and place on shelf. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>enjoy!</i></span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-9226062909749736222010-06-02T18:23:00.003-05:002010-06-02T18:27:43.554-05:00strawberry-banana freezer jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwvl2ijlOnP8ukmFOUa-AbHxaYSraK0ErcnJDeQIOT76UKIMY7j8ILVRDEOAnP8TrCgW8Ada_WBQSpdHDu19xpHmI3Q1TU6zbbx4sToph0I8W7BrkHQHV5xN7KN_AhAffz2glozWQSME/s1600/342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwvl2ijlOnP8ukmFOUa-AbHxaYSraK0ErcnJDeQIOT76UKIMY7j8ILVRDEOAnP8TrCgW8Ada_WBQSpdHDu19xpHmI3Q1TU6zbbx4sToph0I8W7BrkHQHV5xN7KN_AhAffz2glozWQSME/s320/342.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>so</i></span> good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's so good that i refuse to share,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but since i'm feeling somewhat generous,</div><div style="text-align: center;">here's the recipe ~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>strawberry-banana freezer jam</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">3 cups crushed strawberries (about 1 1/2 qts = 3 or 4 cartons fresh strawberries)</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 large bananas (you'll need 1 cup mashed)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 cups sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 pouch freezer jam pectin</div><div style="text-align: center;">4 pint jars with lids</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">preheat oven to 400°.<br />
cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place </div><div style="text-align: center;">the bananas on the cooking sheet- don't peel them.<br />
bake for 15 minutes. i used 4 bananas, just because.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">while the bananas bake, you can wash the strawberries and cut out the stems. place them in a bowl</div><div style="text-align: center;">and mash them with a fork or potato masher (that's what i used).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">after 15 minutes of baking, the banana peels </div><div style="text-align: center;">turn nice and black and the banana is super soft :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">wait for them to cool and then peel them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">add the peeled bananas to the mashed strawberries</div><div style="text-align: center;">and mash away! it helps if you're a little<br />
frustrated about something... you can't hurt the fruit ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">add the sugar to the mashed strawberries & bananas.<br />
let it sit for about 15 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">gradually stir in the freezer jam pectin for 3 minutes. yes, 3.<br />
then let it stand for 5 whole minutes.<br />
don't ask what happens if you don't... just follow the recipe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqT9dCK9Yu_daTv7ak3RZh0LFIjweNIAiNexOGGKLWXNRsHII5b4-dX13wcF7t7kQl0m68GakNyuKfxUPDSYdhChh-GX49fQgaNdsQ3bAakfO4miSyi6ZxdgAXnb3coiFnoTR8t7Nkxw/s1600/344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqT9dCK9Yu_daTv7ak3RZh0LFIjweNIAiNexOGGKLWXNRsHII5b4-dX13wcF7t7kQl0m68GakNyuKfxUPDSYdhChh-GX49fQgaNdsQ3bAakfO4miSyi6ZxdgAXnb3coiFnoTR8t7Nkxw/s320/344.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">ahhhh... now it's time to put them in the jars.</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you have a canning funnel, this is way easy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> if not, be careful ~ you don't want to waste this stuff!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">using a ladle, fill the jars leaving 1/2" headspace.</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you have a funnel, fill to the bottom of it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">screw on the lids and label.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it must be kept in the freezer, hence the name.<br />
unless of course, you're ready to devour it,<br />
then store in the fridge like a normal person would ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">wasn't that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>super easy</i></span>?! </div><div style="text-align: center;">i save this precious jam for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">biscuits</span>,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">english muffins</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">bagels</span>... </div><div style="text-align: center;">i've even put it on top of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">ice cream</span>. yum-o!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">here's a tip, if you want to make a larger batch ~</div><div style="text-align: center;">6 containers of fresh strawberries = about 11 cups crushed strawberries</div><div style="text-align: center;">9 fresh bananas = 3 cups mashed</div><div style="text-align: center;">i made this last summer and used those measurements. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>enjoy!</i></b></span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-32565979229759472032010-05-27T11:15:00.000-05:002010-05-27T11:15:31.322-05:00strawberry stuffed french toast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTnc778vhWbIf1CNytZoFGEN5e6M-xpGFk7gs8Oy7Z-jhUvyTMwnSSMx_V9zuxfOSO0FnHlllpLjznqVXXPuEUU_MWDVVXO9aeZvkvKuMSAi4LciDfbg-p5-iLXewlOOE96onYPR33SQ/s1600/HEAVENLY+BREAKFAST.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTnc778vhWbIf1CNytZoFGEN5e6M-xpGFk7gs8Oy7Z-jhUvyTMwnSSMx_V9zuxfOSO0FnHlllpLjznqVXXPuEUU_MWDVVXO9aeZvkvKuMSAi4LciDfbg-p5-iLXewlOOE96onYPR33SQ/s320/HEAVENLY+BREAKFAST.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is a <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">celebratory breakfast</span></i>! this last saturday,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we were hosting some of our <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">favorite </span></i>people and our son </div><div style="text-align: center;">was going to be<i> </i><a href="http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/the-commandments/baptism-and-confirmation"><i>baptized</i></a> ~ what better reason to celebrate?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">you can find the original recipe <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="http://projectsforyournest.blogspot.com/2010/05/cooking-101-strawberry-stuffed-french.html">here</a>. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">i absolutely</span> love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> her!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i chose to do it a little differently ~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we used slices of Texas toast for a couple of reasons:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gbqDHe0SoplDiIj4LOpMF3zMxRmWNmzI7yMPDrNQkdYI_RFyGTcCCogsxAB0N2X9ivGBexziy9OrT8gvc8JcK7WyaE10lOtve0Tw0ghgEauYHLAtbcjip97gRpb9YBbxF6byWfOJ4dc/s1600/texas-toast-131-jpg-450x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gbqDHe0SoplDiIj4LOpMF3zMxRmWNmzI7yMPDrNQkdYI_RFyGTcCCogsxAB0N2X9ivGBexziy9OrT8gvc8JcK7WyaE10lOtve0Tw0ghgEauYHLAtbcjip97gRpb9YBbxF6byWfOJ4dc/s320/texas-toast-131-jpg-450x450.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">first, because we live in Texas and it's the right thing to do!</div><div style="text-align: center;">second, it was the only thick bread available locally.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">rather than make a "pocket" for the filling, </div><div style="text-align: center;">we spread the filling on a slice of bread, topped it with a second slice,</div><div style="text-align: center;">dipped the entire thing in the egg mixture,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and cooked it on each side on the griddle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTnc778vhWbIf1CNytZoFGEN5e6M-xpGFk7gs8Oy7Z-jhUvyTMwnSSMx_V9zuxfOSO0FnHlllpLjznqVXXPuEUU_MWDVVXO9aeZvkvKuMSAi4LciDfbg-p5-iLXewlOOE96onYPR33SQ/s1600/HEAVENLY+BREAKFAST.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTnc778vhWbIf1CNytZoFGEN5e6M-xpGFk7gs8Oy7Z-jhUvyTMwnSSMx_V9zuxfOSO0FnHlllpLjznqVXXPuEUU_MWDVVXO9aeZvkvKuMSAi4LciDfbg-p5-iLXewlOOE96onYPR33SQ/s320/HEAVENLY+BREAKFAST.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">top with powdered sugar and some fresh strawberries...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>the</i></span> best!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i've already requested it for my first breakfast home after having the <a href="http://johnnyandjill.blogspot.com/2010/03/sing-along-surprise.html">baby</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and for my birthday. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(which will be within weeks of each other - that shouldn't make it too hard to get back into shape, right?)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">variation</span> ~ we also made some with regularly sliced whole wheat bread.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was just as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>delicious</i></span> and more <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">nutritious</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">!</span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-24835979984362152572010-01-15T12:07:00.016-06:002010-01-28T12:34:38.678-06:00strawberry spinach salad dressing<div style="text-align: center;">sometimes i'm in the mood for something light and fresh.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this always hits the spot~<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cji-_-Qgbg1grDMrzPzr3f6vovtVZ-zOM9eMSW5RJwTt_bMI2ZF16Cgpk05NyPIz_HnP4nBTh-_K_kIFpXUNbPjZTz_zbWDaDULYrG_FIieFXtiWC5ypAo2J3bQLOb5S-01kjCzYxGQ/s1600-h/strawberry-spinach-salad-094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cji-_-Qgbg1grDMrzPzr3f6vovtVZ-zOM9eMSW5RJwTt_bMI2ZF16Cgpk05NyPIz_HnP4nBTh-_K_kIFpXUNbPjZTz_zbWDaDULYrG_FIieFXtiWC5ypAo2J3bQLOb5S-01kjCzYxGQ/s320/strawberry-spinach-salad-094.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{photo from <a href="http://savorysweetlife.com/2009/05/stawberry-and-spinach-salad-recipe/">Savory Sweet Life</a>}</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">sliced <span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">strawberries</span></i></span> and <i><span style="font-size: large;">baby spinach</span></i> = <span style="font-size: large;"><b>yum</b></span>.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">a little</span> of this dressing <span style="font-size: large;">goes a long way</span>.<br />
to keep the salad from getting soggy,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i like to pour the dressing on just before serving.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup oil</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{i like olive}<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup sugar</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{the original recipe called for 1/2 cup. it was too much for me}<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup red wine vinegar</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{fancy!}<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/4 tsp paprika</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 tsp sesame seeds</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp poppy seeds</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">combine</span></i> all ingredients. <i><span style="font-size: large;">chill</span></i> or <i><span style="font-size: large;">serve</span></i> immediately over<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">fresh sliced strawberries and fresh baby spinach.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">in case you're wondering how healthy this dressing is,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">a serving is a little over <span style="font-size: large;">1 Tbsp</span> and has <span style="font-size: large;">88 calories</span>.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">click<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://caloriecount.about.com/strawberry-spinach-salad-dressing-recipe-r216759"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>here</b></span></a></span> for complete <span style="font-size: large;">nutrition facts</span>.<br />
</div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8782452001176111598.post-31635571720532989402010-01-04T11:26:00.002-06:002010-07-04T22:22:11.646-05:00deviled chicken breasts<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCKS9LCWQ6Q-o3Z-2rxOy1hB3GPJFPxRf_U1xTiEY9USFb5Pet5avp1nZcfjvsnAxDiRJlXHC4G6cftjFCf3nCU4uzzZ_oou6g_7m9lFcA9g57YKeWUaHwIWzfJ1bnF9pF4P20JbAu6s/s1600-h/Deviled+Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCKS9LCWQ6Q-o3Z-2rxOy1hB3GPJFPxRf_U1xTiEY9USFb5Pet5avp1nZcfjvsnAxDiRJlXHC4G6cftjFCf3nCU4uzzZ_oou6g_7m9lFcA9g57YKeWUaHwIWzfJ1bnF9pF4P20JbAu6s/s320/Deviled+Chicken.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">i found this a couple of years ago on a recipe site, but only recently tried it out. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">and let me tell you ~ this dish is </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">de~lish</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">it's easy</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{seriously, i can make it!}</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">it's fancy.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{would be great for a surprise dinner with your honey~ they'd be totally impressed!}</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">my husband </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: line-through;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">likes</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> loves it!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{so do i!}</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">i made it just last night!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1/8 cup italian-style dried bread crumbs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{or any seasoned bread crumbs}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{i use about a dozen tenderloins}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1 tbsp olive oil</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">i n</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">ever measure it...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">i tend to double everything for our family </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">~ s</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">o i add what i need.}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1/2 cup dry white wine</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{if you've never bought it, don't be afraid, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">it's alcohol free and you won't be carded! :0}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1/2 tsp ground savory</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{i still can't find savory at any of our itty-bitty grocery stores. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">i read online that you can substitute ground thyme, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">marjoram or sage. we love ground marjoram!}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1/4 tsp salt</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1 can {4/5 oz} sliced mushrooms</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{we love these, so i add 2 cans!}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1 tbsp lemon juice</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1 tbsp honey mustard</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{try Ken's Steak House- way good!}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">☼</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> in a large, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">resealable bag</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">shake</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> chicken and breadcrumbs until </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">coated</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">☼</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">heat oil</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> in large, nonstick skillet</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">over </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">medium heat</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">☼</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> add coated chicken, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">cook 3 minutes</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">on each side, or </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">until browned</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">☼</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> add </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">wine</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">savory</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">salt</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">& </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">mushrooms</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> to chicken.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">☼</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">cover</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> and reduce heat. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">simmer 15 minutes</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">or until chicken is </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">cooked through</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">☼</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">remove chicken</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">mushrooms</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">with </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">slotted spoon</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">and place on serving plate or dish.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">☼</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> add </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">lemon juice</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">honey mustard</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">to </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">skillet</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">heat through</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{this makes the yummy sauce}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">now you're </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">ready to serve</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">you can either </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">top</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> the whole plate/dish of chicken </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">with</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> the </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">sauce</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">or add it to each individual plate.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiCTFKZQL080tdJw3G4umBsiQzhCjGkOtsJXsj_txXRllN5rWXmYNAFwCfVnCoTKvjw4sKCnX6hcI2K6wlofgsumdBcFt9WBItlUYiqUsunLLWGVVR5zf6UVf58fnYBNewZO_6a20pbU/s1600-h/Deviled+chicken+on+a+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiCTFKZQL080tdJw3G4umBsiQzhCjGkOtsJXsj_txXRllN5rWXmYNAFwCfVnCoTKvjw4sKCnX6hcI2K6wlofgsumdBcFt9WBItlUYiqUsunLLWGVVR5zf6UVf58fnYBNewZO_6a20pbU/s320/Deviled+chicken+on+a+plate.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">enjoy!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">i recommend trying it with </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://jensyummyfun.blogspot.com/2009/09/lemon-herb-rice.html"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Lemon Herb Rice</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">from </span></span><br />
<a href="http://jensyummyfun.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Yummy Fun</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">{you should totally check out Jen's blog ~ </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">it's way good!}</span></span></span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186654655666300633noreply@blogger.com1