tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70477697949057618612023-11-16T12:21:15.782-06:00Little Squidgen HomeLittle Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-55403310890076622702023-01-22T17:25:00.000-06:002023-01-22T17:25:08.428-06:00Pardon the absence, or don't, we've been living the heck out this crazy, short life<p>It's been 8 years. I'm not proud or tired...ok, so, I'm both, habitually, but not about not being around. When life overwhelms me, the blog is the first to be neglected and it has been a busy 8 years of momming and farm life and fiber arting. It is worth noting, I've been very funny and witty on the facebook for years, but most of the internet wasn't privy to it and honestly, I'm not sorry. They got all my best content, you all got nothing new. It is what it is. A small and supportive circle was imperative and successful. I am slowly trying to get back into creating and working beyond survival mode now that the boys are almost grown and I have the time and availability to do so. I am mostly out of whatever the heck that funk was I've been in for nearly a decade and the future is now.</p><p>My face is getting creases. My hair is very slowly threading with white. My 41st birthday is coming up. I am 1.5 years into a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis (which was far too long in coming but it's very nice to have answers and meds that usually work). I'm working on converting "hobby" into "real business" and starting a second business in the next year. As a result, I'm sewing and crocheting my butt off to accumulate inventory and will be using every spare second driving heavy equipment and doing cool homesteading stuff at our recently acquired (1.5 years ago) 35 forest acres in western Michigan. There will be much more on that in the future, we call it "Camp Creepy". The plan is all 5 of us, plus critters, to move our whole lives one state north, build a house, start some businesses, disappear into the woods, and live our lives. Big plans, cool goals, mutual midlife crisis? possibly, but we are feeling froggy so we are gonna jump. On any given day 2 outta 3 kids are fully on board, so we are a go. </p><p>Oldest child, MAT, is very nearly a legal adult and graduated high school early. We are very excited about his next adventures. Middle child, RAT, is all about fitness, enjoys high school, and figuring out who he is a s a man. Youngest child, DOT, hates the hell that is the middle school social mambo but he's found his groove academically and really loves the school part of school. Husband is working his butt off making American steel 16 hours a day 3-4 days a week and is also starting a business this year. He doesn't like to be idle, but after many years of 50+ hour work weeks he's ready for the slower pace that living at CC and being self employed will bring. we are about 3 years out from that, but I give him 4 months of self employment before he is looking for an electrician job somewhere because he will be bored out of his mind.</p><p>"That sounds like a lot. how are you going to blog, too?" It is a lot, but it's a different kind of a lot. As much fun and joy the having babies, and toddlers, and little kids stage was, the big kid, tween, teen, grown children, the me being middle aged in this one and only life stage is pretty dang amazing. I cant wait to see what's next. I hope to share it with you. It goes so fast, so do what you have to to enjoy it. </p>Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-48616777843929733802015-09-24T14:38:00.000-05:002015-10-01T15:47:53.361-05:00Crabapples, two uses for this apple thing.All of the apples I use for my applesauce are crabapples. Crabapples defined as "any apple less than 2 inches in diameter, with 5 seeds" qualify as crab. So, I already use crabapples for all kinds of goodness saucing and juicing and, this year, pies too. We have a weird mutant multi-graft crabapple with 4 different kinds of apples, thank you science. Three of the apples varieties are white fleshed ranging in skin color from Granny Smith green, to yellow with a very slight blush, to a bold red, their blossoms are white with pink or yellow centers. They are slightly tart but delicious every way I have tried preparing, just a wee bit small. Then there is the fourth branch, the ugly sister. The one that no one would ever assume was related to the other beauties. The one that is only there for utility, to do the grunt work. This post is about true crabapples. You know the ones. The crabapples that are the size of a quarter, look more like cherries than apples, and are so sour, you'd rather stick a lemon in your mouth than eat one, because you can't eat them. They are useless. They're only good for throwing at people (not that I've ever done that), as sling shot ammo (that either), or pollination. Right?<br />
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Well, no. I learned, though good for the previously mentioned things (I don't condone hurling them btw, unless safety glasses are worn by all, then HELL YEAH sling shot at targets or throw them at each other, they are awesome for this!)Um, they have at least TWO other uses.<br />
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That's right, this post is a two-fer! I will be taking you through crabapple jelly (my first jelly that required a jelly bag, eish), and crabapple pectin. Woohoo!</div>
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Let's start by introducing the crabapples we grow on the mysterious 4th branch. They are slightly oblong, about the diameter of a quarter, think the size of large white grapes, or very small plums.<br />
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They grow in clusters, have five seeds, beautiful rose pink flesh, and red violet skins. Also, they taste of evil, but we'll get there in a minute... </div>
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The first step in either process we pick a bajillion of the tart little suckers. Ok, so, I have the kids do it, because ain't nobody got time fo that...when I have other stuff to do (eat bon bons and lay on the couch, or, clean stuff or whatever) and this mom pays a .50 cents a full bucket of apples. Yes, I stooped to payed labor. I regret nothing. So, the boys made like $4 collectively off this project. Not only did they pick them, they de-stemmed and sorted out the visibly bad ones too. Absolutely worth 4 bucks.<br />
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So we have about a 1/4 of a bushel, of pinky purple fruit. Onward!<br />
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Now you need to find a comfy chair, a big pot, a garbage bucket, and one of the three crazy sharp super nice paring knives you bought specifically for this season of preserving. Or any small knife would work, really.<br />
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Then trim the blossom end, ensure the stem was in fact plucked by the helpers, and cut the wee pink stinkers in half. Discard any wormy or icky fruit. No peeling, no coring. Easy peasy.<br />
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Repeat, forever, or till you are finished, took me about an hour sitting in the sun. It was rough.<br />
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All finished. The ready for stove weight was 10 pounds. My handy dandy Ball Canning Guide tells me that I can expect about 1 cup of juice per pound. So I expect about 10 cups. Right on.<br />
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Next step is to put your big beautiful pot of halved crabapples on the stove, add a couple cups of water, I *think* the recipe said around a cup of water per pound of fruit, but I'm pretty sure I only added 4, I live dangerously.<br />
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And then turn on your burner to medium high heat and top it all with a lid. Leave it be for a long while, till the skin peels off and the meat is mushy. Turn off heat and give them a stomp with a potato masher. Also, pause to enjoy the delicious aroma unlike anything else in the fruit world. Not apple-like at all. It will be floral and fruity, a joy to the ole-factory.<br />
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It smells SO good, but DON'T taste it. Seriously. I mentioned it tastes of evil earlier, I'm getting there, but it is also REALLY REALLY HOT. Enjoy the smell, only. Next comes the part I epicly fail at 7 out of 10 times. The dreaded jelly bag, or "drip stage". It really isn't so bad, or difficult, I am just really clumsy and terrible with this part. I am getting better now, but this was my first attempt and it was poorly executed. A smaller amount of this recipe can actually be drained in a Jelly bag, but 10 pounds really needs a muslin lined colander, or two. <br />
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I used one. I should have used two. I made a hell of a hot mess of my kitchen. Literally a HOT mess, that shit was boiling a few minutes ago. Seriously, BE careful! And for the love of all that is good DO NOT TASTE THE MUSH!<br />
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I understand the compulsion. You'll see a drip, or large piles of dropped mush, and think, "it smells SO good. I have to wipe up that drip anyway. I'll just take a taste." <br />
So you do.<br />
You swipe your finger through it and pop it into your mouth and, "HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! YUUUUUUUCK!" Tears spring to your eyes and you gag.<br />
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It tastes like your mouth the morning after a porcelain hugging ended night of drinking or when you wake up after the worst stomach flu you've ever had. So sour it tastes like stomach acid. It MUST be what evil tastes like. You'd eat a pile of your least favorite thing, right now, to get the taste out of your mouth.<br />
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It is vile and horrible, and, DAMMIT, you are STILL going to make Jelly out of it. You are making flavor of evil jelly, because...well you have put a lot of work into it so far and if you can like Hot Pepper Jelly, this has GOT to be salvageable.<br />
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So you shake off your full body shivers, and the memory of the taste of evil, tie up your bag and let it hang. Then spend about an hour cleaning up the mess you made initially and the other mess you made when you dropped the jelly bag into the already dripped juice splashing everything including yourself, in the process. It is perfectly acceptable to think "Maybe this isn't my thing." Shake it off and continue, you will get better.<br />
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Leave it to drip for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Ignore the fact there are no pictures of the bagging process, it was a complete disaster, it didn't require documentation.<br />
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The next morning you have a lovely 10 ish cups of evil juice.<br />
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I separated out 6 cups to make jelly, and left 4 cups for pectin. Now is where the two processes diverge.<br />
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<i><b>Crabapple Jelly</b></i><br />
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<i>Equal parts crabapple juice and sugar (Yes, equal parts, so 6 cups juice and 6 cups sugar)<br /><br />Thats it. (The crabapple juice is acidic enough and has enough natural pectin you don't need any other ingredients.)<br /><br />After the sugar and juice are mixed, take a taste, this is not a trick. I swear. This time it is palatable, almost good even. It gets even better once it boils. Put them in a pot on high heat and stir, oh, for-e-ver, but more likely 40 minutes to an hour or so depending on the natural pectin levels of your cabapples. <br /><br />Sanitize your jars and start your lids in the stirring somewhere.<br /><br />Boil your jelly so it can't be stirred down, and until you reach the sheet stage of jellying.<br /><br />Turn off heat and pour into sanitized jars leaving 1/4 inch head space. Process 10 minutes.<br /><br />Marvel at your accomplishment of sweetening evil into something delicious on warm fresh bread.</i><br />
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I did mention another use for crabapple juice. It is even more simple than the two ingredient jelly. Yes, really.<br />
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<b><i> Crabapple Pectin</i></b><br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i><i>crabapple juice (4 cups I reserved)</i><br />
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<i>Sanitize jars and lids. Pour juice into pot.</i><br />
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<i>In a small glass container pour a bout 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_NV2yu_7xxId6unxY1a8nGrYtJgpxulRfM3PWzZlwGYR0QXb-El2DGieNIsD3B_lWUXCVloDLIQ1zuLWloGyGa2qL_PB5aAiUkj7Zs7mKwDSx6syC22-NuxzMeBamt5SMy67hEif-IRM/s1600/20150821_134953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_NV2yu_7xxId6unxY1a8nGrYtJgpxulRfM3PWzZlwGYR0QXb-El2DGieNIsD3B_lWUXCVloDLIQ1zuLWloGyGa2qL_PB5aAiUkj7Zs7mKwDSx6syC22-NuxzMeBamt5SMy67hEif-IRM/s320/20150821_134953.jpg" width="180" /></a><i>Spoon out about a tablespoon of crabapple juice into the rubbing alcohol and stir. Your crabapple juice should solidify and gel. If not</i><i> the first time, heat your juice to boiling and try again with new rubbing alcohol and boiling juice, if it still doesnt gel, try again after boiling 20 minutes. </i><br />
<i><br />*DO NOT EAT the rubbing alcohol juice mixture!!! Do NOT taste it! Pour it down the drain, ALL OF IT! Rubbing alcohol is POISON!*</i><br />
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<i>Go back to your pot of juice if you approve of your gel stage. Heat till boiling, pour into sanitized hot jars, and water bath 10 minutes.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwCLdhU4P5PNY7-YDztisksZkx9rEPVnVMgxSCYWeEGnmyOjh6qawq3mb_Nie5hKuQAJK0zDPgL-pNv9pfBH5rmhgk6tRKUmY86bQyynW6_lYFXHSsssImr8u32P7mRTOLUikKH8M2vYB/s1600/20150821_140417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwCLdhU4P5PNY7-YDztisksZkx9rEPVnVMgxSCYWeEGnmyOjh6qawq3mb_Nie5hKuQAJK0zDPgL-pNv9pfBH5rmhgk6tRKUmY86bQyynW6_lYFXHSsssImr8u32P7mRTOLUikKH8M2vYB/s320/20150821_140417.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<i>I chose to can mine, mostly, in 1/4 pints, this is the amount of pectin required by most standard recipes. I ended up with 10, 1/4 pints and 3, 1/2 pints of pectin. More than enough for my jelly and jam making next spring. </i><br />
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So there you have it. Two perfectly good ways to use a much misunderstood and underutilized fruit.</div>
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<br />Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-56969058021250261432015-09-17T21:50:00.001-05:002015-09-17T21:55:07.690-05:00About that...I wasn't lying!<br />
I swear, I didnt disappear again.<br />
I, well, I did, but it wasn't because I crawled into a chair with a stack of books. I simply had far too lofty expectations of myself during the height of canning season. I have been processing our apples, daily, sometimes all day, for very nearly 6 weeks now and, thankfully, I only have a little over a bushel to go. <br />
The tomatoes are manageable still, but I have been, and still am, crazy busy with the preserving. As I type this, I have a big ole pot on the stove, softening a 1/2 bushel of apples I am going to hang to juice for preserving tomorrow. <br />
<br />
I haven't abandoned you or my blog. I have MANY informative, witty, funny, life and preserving related blog posts slowly being finished. But my writing time is limited...aaaaand I lost a post about crabapples that took me two days to get just right, and then I erased the whole thing and it autosaved my nothing before I could do anything about it. I might have cursed my technological dinosaur-hood to Jupiter and back while bawling like I was watching Beaches. To say I was frustrated and sad is an understatement. So I am being very careful to back up my workings in other places as well as the magic blogger autosaves, so sorry for the slow going. On the upside, expect a post about crabapples soon.<br />
<br />
Oh, and one about me building things for Mr. T! I do that now. I'm a power tool using, build complicated things with my own two handsies, chick, now. Its kinda great.<br />
<br />
And one about bees.<br />
<br />
And one about turkeys.<br />
<br />
And one about my <strike>obsession with</strike> decorating for Halloween!<br />
<br />
I have lots of stories started, but none finished. I am working on it. Swearsies.<br />
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And now I need to get back to my stove so I can *maybe* get some sleep tonight.<br />
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Do not fret though I will leave you with some cute photos.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E3nADLvP3GuymfEU8k1pUE_4fPwb9R-1-I_1vfmFTd9PkN1v_WeqeULr_3dDH7xStNzlPp4SqqNz86BNPUHT1fNkeBdhQPS0krtCnoTYJFFiOl9Zou38Hgnvg70NP_haMRe2LD8ppyQq/s1600/20150917_074110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E3nADLvP3GuymfEU8k1pUE_4fPwb9R-1-I_1vfmFTd9PkN1v_WeqeULr_3dDH7xStNzlPp4SqqNz86BNPUHT1fNkeBdhQPS0krtCnoTYJFFiOl9Zou38Hgnvg70NP_haMRe2LD8ppyQq/s320/20150917_074110.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOT reading last Sundays comics,<br />
today. Not a laughing matter, apparently.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbWAtiLOn64XayC58lQ3ans4vUDL72CPa6J-Uyf0KL6x4Vag1NMMDY-xWhtjGswObFoV8nhJxA0FxDBVC1jA8oHY6fJPLIRDMsGyDbCs5RBW2BVRxVjsjVmt8Cyw9QjtYSQnN6cBxvbtH/s1600/20150911_102057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbWAtiLOn64XayC58lQ3ans4vUDL72CPa6J-Uyf0KL6x4Vag1NMMDY-xWhtjGswObFoV8nhJxA0FxDBVC1jA8oHY6fJPLIRDMsGyDbCs5RBW2BVRxVjsjVmt8Cyw9QjtYSQnN6cBxvbtH/s320/20150911_102057.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very sweet, nearly toothless, old lady dog, <br />
wearing a sweater, looking shocked.<br />
This makes me smile whenever I see it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8E5i75_mQ1wfsVl7KwSEq7zh4yfhg06bRnG1uV1vj2pbya0QNtKD4oUUjNcH4PuROlDKbBHfsk8Nd7gGctNx6efLAh8_czZUQsHrvXfjtjNPhFkEQg-V-fVPv2O4EekZ3ysBclvNIX3Z/s1600/20150909_144511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8E5i75_mQ1wfsVl7KwSEq7zh4yfhg06bRnG1uV1vj2pbya0QNtKD4oUUjNcH4PuROlDKbBHfsk8Nd7gGctNx6efLAh8_czZUQsHrvXfjtjNPhFkEQg-V-fVPv2O4EekZ3ysBclvNIX3Z/s320/20150909_144511.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, <br />
wearing my Grandmothers apron,<br />
just as I have been daily for weeks.<br />
Loving that she wore it to do the same things I am.<br />
Looking a bit haggard, <br />
but feeling very lucky to have so much homegrown food to preserve, <br />
a wonderful home to keep clean,<br />
a loving husband to spend my life with, <br />
and healthy kiddos to chase after and haul to practice,<br />
all mixed up together,<br />
making me this way.<br />
I'll take a little haggard with all that other wonderful.</td></tr>
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Happy Thursday friends.Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-52933027434004635542015-08-25T13:43:00.002-05:002015-08-25T14:02:04.493-05:00A Spring and Summer of Preserving: April - July 2015, a picture gallery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl6Me88Q45EXnVhmjm519Nv-vDKZnEQy_hY1svFHal15mQgwG9FIMTS1feZ3j6gi56_tC59hkoDJeQ0tt00Sv15vkYkKMHUA-lB4p8Q_bl0dyeFoLrG7HG1p1T6sancuYbweudccoSleA/s1600/20150430_131717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl6Me88Q45EXnVhmjm519Nv-vDKZnEQy_hY1svFHal15mQgwG9FIMTS1feZ3j6gi56_tC59hkoDJeQ0tt00Sv15vkYkKMHUA-lB4p8Q_bl0dyeFoLrG7HG1p1T6sancuYbweudccoSleA/s320/20150430_131717.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First thing to harvest in the spring as <br />
always are dandelions<br />
for jelly and, this year, MEAD!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sOrHMs9FQ2XqJL-fJ1yGdM_ZYbJ-B4JMKOo6A14m2MohSp9AEdNBtvx51L4s0pU8W8LSfUA4rLaP62FCtTJr1nCHEsAjWA11Ol5Qqw7lHtABQpR7XFw0JG7NiJPNYo2c80FJv3AaNhWW/s1600/20150520_140005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sOrHMs9FQ2XqJL-fJ1yGdM_ZYbJ-B4JMKOo6A14m2MohSp9AEdNBtvx51L4s0pU8W8LSfUA4rLaP62FCtTJr1nCHEsAjWA11Ol5Qqw7lHtABQpR7XFw0JG7NiJPNYo2c80FJv3AaNhWW/s400/20150520_140005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These garden beds were totally FREE!<br />
I built them with my own two hands from the scraps of other projects,<br />
and lined the bottoms with hardware cloth left over from my father,<br />
and the soil came from our neighbors compost pile.<br />
Of course the three more I build after this I bought the lumber new.</td></tr>
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April and May were spent mostly building things, weeding flower beds, and planting late spring veggies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M1Z4MbbM5wV8fZmrV8ck178fcq4PiDTtNxXKpBuqyE0GL2z3VyrBrck6K4ZBmUc6Xp-99UcrdR6scrd-h6q2ZN6LpmFXh4bxJliGBxBu2VLdSP-epHolaK_f3jdg_LNGil-Ql4EsGxT-/s1600/20150614_100053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M1Z4MbbM5wV8fZmrV8ck178fcq4PiDTtNxXKpBuqyE0GL2z3VyrBrck6K4ZBmUc6Xp-99UcrdR6scrd-h6q2ZN6LpmFXh4bxJliGBxBu2VLdSP-epHolaK_f3jdg_LNGil-Ql4EsGxT-/s320/20150614_100053.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sad little broccoli.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV4lQR1a7PucdUxyprGoQJaFGvu2Ns5LhFEPL_dsp-1EfnyGRGX8zaOrHnFHD0M2-d1Npu7jFimhR0P87OC9IZ7r0peDtKY-ZIydxalNPB7NtZShSkDpYzmaklsv9gVGrIbQ0FTSTMlon/s1600/20150614_100041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV4lQR1a7PucdUxyprGoQJaFGvu2Ns5LhFEPL_dsp-1EfnyGRGX8zaOrHnFHD0M2-d1Npu7jFimhR0P87OC9IZ7r0peDtKY-ZIydxalNPB7NtZShSkDpYzmaklsv9gVGrIbQ0FTSTMlon/s320/20150614_100041.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main head was smaller than the <br />
side shoots I cut a month later.<br />
I was very unimpressed.</td></tr>
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June brought strawberries, rhubarb, beets (grown for me by my dad), and black raspberries. Store bought sweet cherries also made an appearance for preserving because they were such a great deal this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fD88BzsjWvVlmZkQr-am5J7X47j5oCmI0t9rzp2B5eF_cZf0XGVdnL-BR66G5AkZSoAAe3lYVqE9FGft8ExwRTGDbSF2P4DdpEjPb9YrFgGewg5z2XScKwOiIwDLiRF9s1RMkqLvO1Yr/s1600/20150614_094921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fD88BzsjWvVlmZkQr-am5J7X47j5oCmI0t9rzp2B5eF_cZf0XGVdnL-BR66G5AkZSoAAe3lYVqE9FGft8ExwRTGDbSF2P4DdpEjPb9YrFgGewg5z2XScKwOiIwDLiRF9s1RMkqLvO1Yr/s200/20150614_094921.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first strawberries of the year were<br />
delicious and only lasted about 2 hours with<br />
the boys here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eLwH_SGqLsfP7NDC7uVBnZtwrcJuyVLi8tQQsI35LRLxIyndDO8Y6To7uzt5ALeB8mhvjOdWAVe8WwcomM8_zrbb9GF8uQwnx3ZsxpiFNOR4SnyADw8Ns6V5R_pwVMhtF74RgcvJkA-j/s1600/20150428_091057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eLwH_SGqLsfP7NDC7uVBnZtwrcJuyVLi8tQQsI35LRLxIyndDO8Y6To7uzt5ALeB8mhvjOdWAVe8WwcomM8_zrbb9GF8uQwnx3ZsxpiFNOR4SnyADw8Ns6V5R_pwVMhtF74RgcvJkA-j/s320/20150428_091057.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhubarb cobbler was really big here this year, everyone<br />
but RAT really enjoys it.<br />
My rhubarb, of which I have 6 plants, went crazy this year.<br />
I gave away two plants to neighbors, <br />
3 gallons to friends and family and still froze over 4 gallons. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9PTh_YwJT5LANoQInDNuMls2BjLsxsWLZt6QmT8XnyMW7nTBkZp9GJaVHOlxyJUyKNpwa2jh6yykR5S9L0AjK-LPWbMRwD7aFTnPfUFpiApOjvzH7tXW894QnIWtjKsRBiLA_PbAXORP/s1600/20150623_161946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9PTh_YwJT5LANoQInDNuMls2BjLsxsWLZt6QmT8XnyMW7nTBkZp9GJaVHOlxyJUyKNpwa2jh6yykR5S9L0AjK-LPWbMRwD7aFTnPfUFpiApOjvzH7tXW894QnIWtjKsRBiLA_PbAXORP/s320/20150623_161946.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, and I used it here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24HxM0z3JEtPldt4fMoK-rVlT62a_Ni1nVm1LUpEZV1mdfUzfEBYJpR38_NZjSyokSYkYAoOeMssUY95qvypAnImFSfVqOXNgq32dMqyb8peLS1qiqZfev0S7dxraN1BrTgNevMLgXGvb/s1600/20150623_170903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24HxM0z3JEtPldt4fMoK-rVlT62a_Ni1nVm1LUpEZV1mdfUzfEBYJpR38_NZjSyokSYkYAoOeMssUY95qvypAnImFSfVqOXNgq32dMqyb8peLS1qiqZfev0S7dxraN1BrTgNevMLgXGvb/s320/20150623_170903.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here, Rhu-berry Jam, or strawberry rhubarb jam.<br />
In total, I made and canned 14 pints of this yumminess.<br />
(MAT was a big helper with the stirring, the for-e-ver stirring.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3SEpRuiEQRGOhUmrYzCZUrsrBbaWCWshaiLKQJ40JRti9B_yyPceDP2jKGSC-hgreAcaPpnBvdxBS6fTWXoMBTqR1O8VvigBEB0vOucWQszfglzoBauBxMWT01UYiin9DMpVW1pKGxGv/s1600/20150623_093416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3SEpRuiEQRGOhUmrYzCZUrsrBbaWCWshaiLKQJ40JRti9B_yyPceDP2jKGSC-hgreAcaPpnBvdxBS6fTWXoMBTqR1O8VvigBEB0vOucWQszfglzoBauBxMWT01UYiin9DMpVW1pKGxGv/s320/20150623_093416.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then came the beets.<br />
Last year my father started growing these for me.<br />
This year, I brought home 30-ish pounds worth, <br />
or a keg tub full.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lS2ZiWiHKkzaQ5B_5Hf7fn4XZAmL0NkeKKlSUJXLKyxl1_XwXeMbMlWpXkKdz6zmb0N3mr4DiT91w5fUFgzidZKQl88sIsDO6X7dhVQl6OQ33az_6bt4ZAHNe8sHiK0AS2PF5coPx_RO/s1600/20150623_104337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lS2ZiWiHKkzaQ5B_5Hf7fn4XZAmL0NkeKKlSUJXLKyxl1_XwXeMbMlWpXkKdz6zmb0N3mr4DiT91w5fUFgzidZKQl88sIsDO6X7dhVQl6OQ33az_6bt4ZAHNe8sHiK0AS2PF5coPx_RO/s400/20150623_104337.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I scrubbed and scrubbed and trimmed and trimmed.<br />
About an hour later I had a big ole bucket of beets to roast and can,<br />
and an old wash tub of tops to blanch and freeze.<br />
I also found a recipe for Beet Wine that<br />
uses the reserved cooking liquid...but more on that later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU-L4dIx9frQPDiSowokdkYbCz94sDsCsAyWWCNQllU_BuRtUXJJdeRxPRBYjscJlvtHz4nwyd2oMp1vgJO1O4380W7BVdZtoQI65CGfHwSC9kBv5MhRFkATF-mjp4ZMRpCGQGGBeYkNi/s1600/20150624_080425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU-L4dIx9frQPDiSowokdkYbCz94sDsCsAyWWCNQllU_BuRtUXJJdeRxPRBYjscJlvtHz4nwyd2oMp1vgJO1O4380W7BVdZtoQI65CGfHwSC9kBv5MhRFkATF-mjp4ZMRpCGQGGBeYkNi/s320/20150624_080425.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beets and Rhu-berry Jam</td></tr>
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Then the black raspberries came on, and it was a glorious season. Unfortunately, when we were digging out dirt to put in our pool, I didn't mention the pool yet, but we have one...where was I? Oh, right, When we were removing fill, Mr. T thought MY black raspberry patch looked like a great place to dump 1 ton of fill. So MY raspberries were shit this season. Thankfully my parents had an abundance of raspberries free for the picking, so the boys and I made the trip and made off like bandits.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzvX8j6HdTASgvXAp5BzHdBjzWQ-D6dnQV3l3HLf_V5fwI-TKm8VWGycWZy5ZpBMxafkWnjFDroSx8tzUfQ3EIJt8XcSpr5oyVS7ZK9mLRLJieHgYWnnH6WILx9Kc1QnxtQv1yFU1nGhe/s1600/20150628_130453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzvX8j6HdTASgvXAp5BzHdBjzWQ-D6dnQV3l3HLf_V5fwI-TKm8VWGycWZy5ZpBMxafkWnjFDroSx8tzUfQ3EIJt8XcSpr5oyVS7ZK9mLRLJieHgYWnnH6WILx9Kc1QnxtQv1yFU1nGhe/s640/20150628_130453.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just about 2 gallons of black raspberries picked by MAT and myself one mild June morning.<br />
This made 8 pints of jam and 8 pints of black raspberry syrup, which is SINFULLY good.</td></tr>
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About two days after the raspberry picking, sweet cherries went on sale at the grocery, so I bought 25 lbs. I made sweet pie filling, danish sauce, and syrup.<br />
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I have made a lot of syrups this season, partially because MAT, being 10, has found a love of making pancakes, which I wholeheartedly support, because he's better at it than I am. And partially because I have found a love of mixing homemade syrups with Seltzer water. <br />
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Also, have lovely syrups to drizzle over things encourages me to bake things, like this poundcake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoY19DNfrWwr28X1wCci1PCSl510KP0GgWwFrYLl0HsIvmoz6pU11CMz2txJyMvN7b2oovzDbbY2AGqHX8tVuNGEQIUIyib3FvvsePw0p0bsjQ3vsc6xzs4bkqPgexGqEEHdCwPgoU9ZO/s1600/20150630_101949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoY19DNfrWwr28X1wCci1PCSl510KP0GgWwFrYLl0HsIvmoz6pU11CMz2txJyMvN7b2oovzDbbY2AGqHX8tVuNGEQIUIyib3FvvsePw0p0bsjQ3vsc6xzs4bkqPgexGqEEHdCwPgoU9ZO/s640/20150630_101949.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The syrups were fresh off the stove and absolutely the best breakfast we had all summer...I mean...yes we had cake for breakfast, and we don't regret it. Sometimes, moms and sons need cake for breakfast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iVwbsV4T8ox5SbeLPJqDOZjWWcc-Oi0Ui6Cw1JxZJeFVJ6fA_l4TTLH-DRbJzibExtTt-dGA2KjtgRNDiFI9mgoytfnQrgGLZ1m_U_yjNhyFd0mDFzfun56YXxZQjH7gFXfa2MK7DoiF/s1600/20150630_102530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iVwbsV4T8ox5SbeLPJqDOZjWWcc-Oi0Ui6Cw1JxZJeFVJ6fA_l4TTLH-DRbJzibExtTt-dGA2KjtgRNDiFI9mgoytfnQrgGLZ1m_U_yjNhyFd0mDFzfun56YXxZQjH7gFXfa2MK7DoiF/s640/20150630_102530.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was SO good. <br />
Yes, I did lick the plate and spoons after I snapped this photo.</td></tr>
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Then it was July, and it brought the heat and stopped the rains, which started in April and fell nearly every day, yes, really, for months. But it did stop, finally.<br />
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One particularly lovely morning, before it climbed above 80, while my kiddos still slept, before I drank coffee, I threw on my long sleeves, jeans, big boots, and hosed myself down with bug spray. I grabbed my baskets and went off to forage. I have been learning a lot about wild edibles over the last several months and have been paying closer attention to what grows on our property and the unsprayed local roadways. Staghorn Sumac grows with abundance EVERYWHERE around here. It lines the roadway both north and south of our property as well as growing along our own tree lines.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpi0mhssa3vKIU-gzISlxAUiKr65kUpuVlEy-sPTT1oGoMyXWJN8DfVgkJxZMllmfPgWUnH9epBxh0TjvcnSw8iRWW_auMVCVqQZ7atvCbxH_tu8rS8nmMkSFgogt-X9OrezIPFsfkNmH/s1600/20150718_075944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpi0mhssa3vKIU-gzISlxAUiKr65kUpuVlEy-sPTT1oGoMyXWJN8DfVgkJxZMllmfPgWUnH9epBxh0TjvcnSw8iRWW_auMVCVqQZ7atvCbxH_tu8rS8nmMkSFgogt-X9OrezIPFsfkNmH/s320/20150718_075944.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I picked about a half bushel all together. Slowly dehydrated it over several days. Then pulled the berries off and stored them in 3 quart jars. I plan on using them for spice and flavoring various dishes. Wild foraging is a new passion of mine. <br />
It's totally free food! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7NFdbML0cxs5d9kiZ5itOhK9kCub0pE942_rnv7xt-NSA6tdx8c9k3z7JjA9gLGOj-TQywxpPrbRHwHQismf-oJxF_AIr7ZTapvOfwBpbqKxaAubAwf3fyY2iDpBbmpDfBTP7ecdKqQQ/s1600/20150720_165231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7NFdbML0cxs5d9kiZ5itOhK9kCub0pE942_rnv7xt-NSA6tdx8c9k3z7JjA9gLGOj-TQywxpPrbRHwHQismf-oJxF_AIr7ZTapvOfwBpbqKxaAubAwf3fyY2iDpBbmpDfBTP7ecdKqQQ/s320/20150720_165231.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, and I made sumac-ade, or cold sumac tea, or Indiana lemonade. Whatever you call it, it was sour and tasty...and I am totally making mead out of it too. Just soak the berries in cold water overnight...or three days because you forgot about it, strain out the tree bits and you have this lovely pink sour yumminess that is great with a dollop of honey, then ice, on a hot day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_pOFUHfHx13IDEmcO1mGIaUVGP-SL5cU2jKfIfuubBM0YG64oz9lXZ4VRyfMLi6Iq7E-Lk1y-Q61txqTspfuRTzybZh1w-3f_S1yS1cRnAuKTJRnK5H_hEv9-3WqzFmZAYbu0Kpai3Uu/s1600/20150721_111310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_pOFUHfHx13IDEmcO1mGIaUVGP-SL5cU2jKfIfuubBM0YG64oz9lXZ4VRyfMLi6Iq7E-Lk1y-Q61txqTspfuRTzybZh1w-3f_S1yS1cRnAuKTJRnK5H_hEv9-3WqzFmZAYbu0Kpai3Uu/s320/20150721_111310.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day, about midmonth, my "Naked Neighbors" (my 60+ gardening wiz neighbors down the road, who garden only in bathing suits, and call on me to garden sit or take extra homegrown goodness often. They are a hoot! and very generous. I keep them stocked with honey.) called and told me they had two rows of beans that needed picking, so I went and picked all the beans. It was very appreciated because our beans did diddly squat this season. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGUkxUJTxGQi7hv8kgrHU8L9bU2n1-rxcEUGZkSEXpxyvga2tF-Y8EdbAZxgK7qINZeunnfbKSdF7ciZBrnwMf4lF7hsWM2hEcmybmSCHF_q9Tr_xL0QliZ65_KnJqIdY5Y_kFlw_x5dN/s1600/20150721_144105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGUkxUJTxGQi7hv8kgrHU8L9bU2n1-rxcEUGZkSEXpxyvga2tF-Y8EdbAZxgK7qINZeunnfbKSdF7ciZBrnwMf4lF7hsWM2hEcmybmSCHF_q9Tr_xL0QliZ65_KnJqIdY5Y_kFlw_x5dN/s320/20150721_144105.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOT is a VERY helpful garden helper this year. Really.<br />
He truly helps with every task. He's growing SO fast. </td></tr>
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And that concludes our preserving from April-July 2015.<br />
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Sorry it was fast and dirty. Maybe next year I will be on it and be able to get you the individual play by play.<br />
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And now, before I return to my very abundant apples and Naked Neighbor pears (also, silly style abundant this season) I leave you with some gratuitous kiddo photos. Because they grew a lot in the time I've been away, and they have new tricks!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IsUdEEPX8pgi-STecxut0_ypFWFRcTYEISuqIeqP128JErthHj8bOOusRfsMa9Bbp_9H4-CjLUfqbXAAq0Cfw6ElWT4dWi9XNyrM7h17uzLDBFGJz3_gfgcGLxR3blQLom9PZRpJXaMB/s1600/20150722_073332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IsUdEEPX8pgi-STecxut0_ypFWFRcTYEISuqIeqP128JErthHj8bOOusRfsMa9Bbp_9H4-CjLUfqbXAAq0Cfw6ElWT4dWi9XNyrM7h17uzLDBFGJz3_gfgcGLxR3blQLom9PZRpJXaMB/s320/20150722_073332.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
MAT, at 10 and 1/2, cooks a variety of delicious things including eggs, pancakes, grilled cheese, soup, and spaghetti.<br />
RAT sticks to only breakfast classics.</div>
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And DOT, Mr. T, and I, reap all the benefits.<br />
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Be prepared, apple, pear, and honey harvest posts are coming. <br />
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Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-35418474338485821672015-08-20T16:54:00.002-05:002015-08-22T10:06:10.487-05:00Don't call it a comeback...Really, just don't.<br />
I'm not sure what this is.<br />
I'm... dipping my toes, testing the water, absolutely NOT diving in head first.<br />
No guarantees, no promises, no expectations.<br />
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If you are still here and a subscriber, thank you.<br />
I didn't mean to be away so long.<br />
I don't even know why I was.<br />
There weren't any life changing things.<br />
No catastrophe that kept me away or off the interweb entirely.<br />
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I just...haven't been here.<br />
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I retreated into many many spectacularly good, and bad, books. Which isn't a bad thing on its own, but what I was doing was avoidance of reality, for no particular reason. <br />
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I read, did the absolute bare minimum of housework, fed my family far too much easy junk food, and abandoned my writing.<br />
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In June, when school let out, and the boys were home, I realized how much I had checked out as a parent. How much I was not being the parent I wanted to be. How much I wasnt being the me I wanted to be. And that sucks. So I worked on myself all summer. Reconnecting with my kids and husband. Reconnecting to my inner Ma Ingles. Reconnecting to the frugal, involved, do it myself woman I was and want to be, always.<br />
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I am going to try to blog regularly and write regularly, again. To finish my forgotten and abandoned writing, crafting, cooking things regularly. I have been working all summer to grow, make or preserve as much food for my family as I can.<br />
I haven't done much of any of that in, oh, almost two years, and I am looking to remedy that and get back.<br />
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But don't call it a comeback, because, well, I've been known to be full of empty promises before...<br />
<br />Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-69878208037144084162013-09-20T15:23:00.001-05:002013-09-20T16:33:31.879-05:002013 Harvest: Apple Season, Sauce EditionThis is the start to a series I am doing about our harvest and preservation for this year. It is as much to show you all what can be easily grown/raised (seriously I am embarrassed to show you my garden, it is a nightmare, I bet our yields would triple if I would just weed and feed the damn thing anytime after July 1st), preserved, and as a record to show myself that, eventually, we WILL get to the point of only buying dry goods and milk. It is still a long way off, but this years yields will be a great starting point.I will cover what we grow, barter for, and what we are happily the recipients of when others have surplus, but not today, today is about apples, specifically applesauce. <br />
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Apple season is in full swing, it has been for about a month. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOT is an excellent apple picking helper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the shiver that went with this face was priceless</td></tr>
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My tables are covered in baskets of produce, but we are interested in the ones of apples. The crock pots bubbling, bowls of discard and my making 9 quarts of apple sauce, at least, a day for the last week can attest, apple season has been good this year. And it is a beautiful thing, friends. My storage and canning room shelves are filling and filling. I officially ran out of space yesterday, though things have been getting stacked rather precariously for about a week now. It's wonderful. To know we have stores of food to eat, that aside from sugar, salt, lemon, and lids, cost us nothing. We have been very fortunate to have friends and neighbors randomly drop off or invite us to pick their surplus, to which I promptly reply, "what are you doing right now? Tomorrow? Would you mind if you came home and it was all gone?" with a smile. When my father call and asks, "How many ___ do you want?" I reply, "as many as you want to bring me." Because, to be honest, replying "All of them" is just too greedy for my tongue, but it is how I feel. Those surpluses I will discuss later, this post is about applesauce.<br />
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We have 5 apple trees on the property, and no, I have no idea what kinds they are except two are eating apples (they have feet), one is a cooking apple (its fruit are kind of width wise oval roundy shaped), one dropped its apples the first week of August when we were gone so aside from knowing they were red we know nothing else (and I am sick over the waste), and the 5th is a crab apple with three different varieties, two of which are fantastic sauce apples. So I have been saucing my little heart out. I figured out, easy applesauce is the best way to do it. I have been coring and peeling all my adult life to make applesauce, but no more. I recently had someone tell me THE way to make apple sauce, I was skeptical, but I am a believer now.<br />
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First, you collect your apples. It REALLY helps when you have an adorable helper. DOT has been an excellent helper this harvest season. He was the breakthrough mind who convinced me that green tomato salsa verde and green tomato relish would be in our pantry when, trying to help, he broke two tomato vines down and then picked every single tomato, of which NONE were even close to ripe, and then was so proud of himself I just said "ok, lets use these! Thank you so much! What a big helper!" and then I proceeded to ask him not to pick anything without me telling him to. He was so proud, and the green tomato concoctions turned out wonderful, but that's another day.<br />
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So you pick (up) your apples. We wait till they fall because, well, picking is tedious and I got started a bit late so many many usable ripe apples were already on the ground before I started. (The "bad" ones are being fed to the ducks, chickens and geese, I cant wait to see if it will impact the flavor of the meat when we take them to butcher at the end of the month. Plus, I think they might get a little drunk off the fermented ones, good for them.) <br />
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I keep thinking if we had started earlier we would have apple juice and cider and I could start apple cider vinegar and... oh well, next year. So, you pick, then you wash, and try not to lose your mind over the bounty that you have so stupidly squandered in the past. Hindsight and all that.<br />
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Anyway, easy applesauce, you wash the apples, and in my case since the apples I sauce are on average the size of a golf ball, I cut them in half, bigger apples, smaller chunks. The only reason I halve them is to check for bugs and badspots, and you would be surprised how quickly one gets over the sight of fruit worms crawling on their hands, since we don't spray our trees, nor does anyone else we get fruit from, it happens fairly frequently. The ick factor is still pretty high, but the freak out reaction evaporates.<br />
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So, halve them, or quarter for larger apples, and treat for browning. I just filled up one side of the sink and poured some lemon juice in it. I'm sure there is a proper proportion, but I haven't looked up.<br />
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Then from sink into big ass pot, or on occasion, two big ass pots, yes I have run two large batches at once, it was very labor intensive, for about 40 minutes, otherwise, it just made me wish our basement stove was hooked up so I could put more pots on at once... I may have a problem, I know.<br />
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You toss your halved, treated apples in a pot with a bit of water and cook the firmness right out. Once the water boils it takes about 20-30 minutes to soften them. Make a note to enjoy the smell. Applesauce in the making is a delightful scent and a strong sense memory for me. I very clearly remember helping my paternal grandmother make apple sauce often during my childhood and teen years. And the smell of cooking apples makes me think of her every time, it is welcome every time. I hope my children, and one day, long, long from now, I will make applesauce with my grandchildren too.<br />
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Once the apples are cooked into submission, in small batches( I use a two cup measuring cup for each batch) run your softened apples through a food mill. I have two, one hand crank stainless steel bowl version, which was a gift, and I can't stand using it, and this one that was handed down to me from Mr. T's maternal grandmother to me. It was her mothers before that. So, I love it all the more for the history and use it every chance I get, also, its way easier to degunk between batches than that bowl contraption.<br />
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This is the part the boys love watching, because, well, it's messy and cool and hey! warm apple sauce within spooning distance.<br />
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Then return your brand new sauce to the stove, add some lemon juice, again, I just wing it, and if you want sweetened now is the time to add your sugar, we don't because I like tart applesauce and if it is essentially naked it is easier to use in other things later, like apple butter, which is a later post.<br />
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Bring to boil and pour it into hot sterile jars, lid em, process water bath 20 minutes, quarts or pints.<br />
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Then start all over and do it again tomorrow! No seriously. Do it till you run out of quart jars (it's happened twice already), then start on some pints, and even single servings if you have a surplus of jelly jars (Mr. T happened to bring home two dozen 1/2 pints and also a laundry basket over flowing with wide mouth pints, 7 dozen to be exact, from work Monday night this week saying "Darren found 'em on the side of the road, he knows you can things so... here you go." Seriously love my husband and Darren a little too, even though we've never met.) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The color variation from batch to batch is fun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My second batch was made of red crab apples, most were sadly lost to the ground as I was not in full preservation mode when they fell.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was in, "get the kids to school and fill out paperwork, don't forget anything" mode.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The third row from the left is the red crab batch and its a little rose colored.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the count is 56 quarts, 8 pints, and 30, 1/2 pints canned for the season </td></tr>
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And then when you feel you have enough. You sit back, enjoy the view of your full shelves, promise some to friends and family, specifically those who gave you jars, and then resolve to make LOTS and lots of apple butter. Of course, that comes after vowing to make up the amount to replace the jars you promise to others, but apple butter is a must with the rest of the apples that haven't fallen yet. Many different kinds and decadent flavors, because, we both know the apples are there, and you are going to sauce them, its just too fun and easy not too. <br />
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Apple season is far from over and I'm sure more sauce will be sauced this season, but I feel comfortable with our more than jar a week store. I still have the cooking apples to make pie filling out of ...and dumplings to bake, and to store the eating apples...apple season is a wonderful time of the year... Pear season is too, and don'tcha know, they happen at the same time. We aren't fortunate to have a pear tree yet, but we know the owners of three, and they are very very generous. We are quite fortunate in our family, friends, and neighbors as well a terribly lucky with our crops this year.<br />
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Happy Friday! I hope your harvest season, and end of summer, are treating you well!<br />
<br />Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-24794616531818609602013-09-18T11:35:00.001-05:002013-09-18T11:35:59.104-05:00I got a new tattoo... In May my dear friend, Michelle, came up to visit for the weekend and
we got tattoos. She got a laurel wreath around the Greek numerals for
13.1 miles to commemorate her first half marathon. Yes, she does half
marathons, and Warrior Dash, and triathlons, and she's a smoker.<br />
<br />
Yes,
she makes me feel like a lazy ass, but she is incredible and inspiring, and I could probably do those things too, if I got up and out and did them, but I don't... Anyway. She got a beautiful, simple,
elegant, and totally significant sign of achievement and I got...a
spastic, pink haired, green polk-a-doted, electrocuted looking unicorn, with a gold tooth.<br />
<br />
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Yes. I. Did. And I love it. Every time I look at it, I smile.<br />
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It is silly, and weird, and wonderful, and nothing less than exactly what I wanted.<br />
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It took no time at all, hurt less than I expected for the underarm, and makes my day better each time I see it.<br />
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I could not have asked for more.<br />
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<br />Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-86776438748202287012013-09-03T16:29:00.001-05:002013-09-03T16:42:31.983-05:00The thrill of a new roof.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk9ttFBiOUZuHEVyd1Fzj-J2-uFq16oNhtIC3vZiGH3y2FY6Maw75AdeoMU723vs5ElHsl2wZuiZP4ybwiGJM3OzEmhztmLhbvaUKrXGA5bmuCbFpY_3TWGfrEQ4GtlVapkkMmR7LnbYV/s1600/IMG_20130507_144018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk9ttFBiOUZuHEVyd1Fzj-J2-uFq16oNhtIC3vZiGH3y2FY6Maw75AdeoMU723vs5ElHsl2wZuiZP4ybwiGJM3OzEmhztmLhbvaUKrXGA5bmuCbFpY_3TWGfrEQ4GtlVapkkMmR7LnbYV/s320/IMG_20130507_144018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So in May, after much deliberation and cray cray saving, we dove feet first into our roof repair, extension, and our first contractor paying renovation. We were told it would take ten days. A month and a half, no more wood burning fire place, a cars worth of cash, and a stupid amount of rain and hiccups later, we have a covered porch, new soffats, and a no longer leaky roof. Huzzah!<br />
Please enjoy the highlights. <br />
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The first two are before pictures.<br />
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Work begins.</div>
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They stripped the old shingles in 2 hours with 4 guys, it was spectacular.<br />
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Initially we were going to keep the wood burner chimney. However as
soon as we opened it up we realized it was a totally wacky size and not
at all safe. So, we made the quick decision to nix the fireplace and
eventually swap it for a gas version that vents out the side of the
house.<br />
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And after all the headache, and stress, and fun too, we have a BEAUTIFUL 500 sq ft covered porch that we use constantly. It was exactly what I envisioned when we purchased this house and I could not be happier with it. No more leaky roof. No more beautiful, but rather unusable, frying pan of a deck. And most importantly, a beautiful space for the family to use, and we do, all the time. <br />
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It's wondrous how much better a junky morning is with a cup of coffee on the deck.Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-57016948526099835742013-08-31T10:20:00.004-05:002013-08-31T10:20:57.765-05:00A conversation on a Saturday morning.<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">*open scene* </span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Me drinking coffee, leisurely, on the couch reading a historical romance novel about an English Duke and a Colonial merchants daughter, while Mr. T sleeps and all three boys playing together upstairs.</span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">"Mom, did you get the Halloween decorations out yet?" MAT</span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> "No bud, I'll get them out on Tuesday." Me.<br /> </span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"> "Soooo, that isn't a toy bat on my floor?" MAT<br /> <br />"Get you brothers out and everyone wash hands! It didn't bite anyone, anyone touch it?" Me, said as I race up the stairs. </span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">"Don't worry mom, I touched it, it's dead." RAT </span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">"Wash hands, right now, HOT water and lots of soap!" Me, as I disposed of the poor brown bat.<br /> </span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">*end scene* </span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">P.S. It was in fact dead, but didn't look crunched by Morgan or Watermelon, cause of death unknown, also, point of entry unknown. Now I have terrible
visions of bats living in the attic cause I don't know where it came from. </span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: small;">So this is my life. It is wonderful, often gross, and never ever dull.</span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: small;">(I will try to post more tidbits like this on the regular. Loads has happened over the last 11 months and I hope to tell the tales to you all and resume regular posts, but it's me, so let's hope for more posts than once a year. And no, no new babies, though I could have made a whole new one in the time I've been gone. Happy Saturday!) </span></span></span></span></h5>
Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-87485553800841225282012-10-07T14:05:00.002-05:002012-10-07T14:05:16.699-05:00Hi There!So no we aren't dead here at Little Squidgen Home, we've just been....doing stuff....for months and months. Nice to see you again.<br />
Everyone is well and happy, just busy. Mr. T has been working like a madman for months and months and that has required the rest of us to as well. So here's a catch up. <br />
We have a mini van, that I have a love hate relationship. Love the space and comfort. Hate the color and the fact that it is a mini van. Oh well, it is what it is, it runs and the dvd player has its uses...like when I went camping to see Mumford and Sons in August. It was so hot that my friend, who went with me since Mr. T doesn't care for awesomeness, and I took a couple hours in the middle of the afternoon and watched Willow in the air conditioning. Don't judge me, it was really hot and the music wasn't starting yet...plus it is a great film, and Mad Martigan (Val Kilmer) is hot.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. Back to February/March-ish. the bulk of the family had birthdays. Mr. T and I both turned 30. So far, no complaints. Life happened. <br />
<br />
I started writing a book. Yes. That's right, that's where I have been during my free moments for the past many many moons. I have been writing, just not here on the blog. The book is a romance...I hesitate to call it a "romance novel" because I tend to think them "sexy-smutty" with all the throbbing members and such, and this isn't that...per-say. Though not to disparage the genera, because my Kindle is filled with romance novels. I do love them, this just isn't exactly that. It is dirty, language wise, because my characters have foul mouths and use swear words too often, much like myself, and alot of the characters are loosely based on people I know and stories from my past. And there is a sexy element because most love stories, at some point, go there. But it is mostly about friendship, tough choices, lasting love and mostly, adventure. So there you go. I am almost finished and then we will see if I actually do anything with it when its done...maybe a self-publish of Amazon.com or something. So there's that.<br />
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The garden was sorely neglected this year, I was writing, and DOT was not in the slightest helpful or cooperative when out of doors. So rather than be upset with the toddler for being a distraction and nuisance, I opted to forget the garden for a season. Of course the weather being completely impossible helped this decision too.<br />
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Oh and I have lost 54 pounds since November of 2011, there's that too. I am now the size I was my senior year of high school, but with larger, albeit saggier, boobs, and a considerably larger amount of stretch marks. Yay for new clothes, boo for getting rid of non-fitting favorites. All in all I feel better about me and that is really all I can ask for. Mr. T has decided to join in and he is resting at 207 lbs currently, this is significant because he has been 235 or there abouts for....like fifteen years. So big things on the getting fit front.<br />
<br />
Oh and we built a massive 500 sq foot deck (Hence Mr. T working like a madman. Overtime has been very good to us)...and replaced a set of doors...and painted some rooms...and are now working on the last of the upstairs bedroom renovations.<br />
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So yeah. Busy. Here are some pictures of stuff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianxxR0S0dYpzyNBEsvAWqKCkCL6J2XKUN4Wc-UD69KRPa3b662cMffp1cP5W_-wfCzG2RMNG-Kocu1n8n9GElfZEca7y05LmjEV2k2yYg0RaaCKMLhbQufqUPj3xMZSttApgxb9tFiIlH/s1600/23+June+2012+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianxxR0S0dYpzyNBEsvAWqKCkCL6J2XKUN4Wc-UD69KRPa3b662cMffp1cP5W_-wfCzG2RMNG-Kocu1n8n9GElfZEca7y05LmjEV2k2yYg0RaaCKMLhbQufqUPj3xMZSttApgxb9tFiIlH/s320/23+June+2012+058.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually the front and side here will be covered with a porch, next year hopefully.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4d-InG25d0fh4n1eG5XlHi_Hxc8a5jd4hsLSxWxpE1EJaTm2Oy2Z1Z4aTVN_7fduREUsapt0DHRvJbSnMiOHuB1HhSSaQy4xtYUccsGQVmFmV2WsAQ6NRKnQNRuLUGC8ACRMUZDEZTtb/s1600/23+June+2012+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4d-InG25d0fh4n1eG5XlHi_Hxc8a5jd4hsLSxWxpE1EJaTm2Oy2Z1Z4aTVN_7fduREUsapt0DHRvJbSnMiOHuB1HhSSaQy4xtYUccsGQVmFmV2WsAQ6NRKnQNRuLUGC8ACRMUZDEZTtb/s320/23+June+2012+059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new patio doors</td></tr>
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And we tried to have a photo shoot of the boys, and you all know how that went, but here they are anyway.<br />
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So that's where we are. I know I missed a lot, but nothing of any real import. We are healthy, and happy, and enjoying our time together. I hope this finds the rest of you the same.<br />
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Oh! And I have green hair. There's that too. <br />
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<br />Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-42997136399931712822012-01-30T15:58:00.001-06:002012-01-30T18:16:06.294-06:00That man of mine...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBRl_Z5e9Nco8OhEn48edB2TTzhnNkXRnzCi1dpkVywab4CKb6t1mZPJocjU6UXg_HlzWkngtVARyENNUjW9D0cQem1_8Ev5zG4Iuvuqa4MdaznnCKZn3jqLLSW3-uxNi4fnJoE8ZRP-k/s1600/29+January+2012+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBRl_Z5e9Nco8OhEn48edB2TTzhnNkXRnzCi1dpkVywab4CKb6t1mZPJocjU6UXg_HlzWkngtVARyENNUjW9D0cQem1_8Ev5zG4Iuvuqa4MdaznnCKZn3jqLLSW3-uxNi4fnJoE8ZRP-k/s320/29+January+2012+010.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12qRIoNwfO-VveHuWCNY44s5suOlMs8d1RqLnu310ZKFBXa_x7KX2AdpFt_An9jYfSnDVa9rIvZjUl5_yxeLOmv44Jc1BqLJzFXGgowWcMzjjUFhfZrhuYIHYvQ-CeCCSkTO8rTivSi4q/s1600/29+January+2012+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12qRIoNwfO-VveHuWCNY44s5suOlMs8d1RqLnu310ZKFBXa_x7KX2AdpFt_An9jYfSnDVa9rIvZjUl5_yxeLOmv44Jc1BqLJzFXGgowWcMzjjUFhfZrhuYIHYvQ-CeCCSkTO8rTivSi4q/s320/29+January+2012+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-N3Nc0RkoiE33mFOgRCiLfDHCdTeyAEeUiVssJYWSclg_CuQTvfkded4C8ai8fSKfk8vynylMDiTUfizQJZSSL3K8hSncvKPYVgLdxVDzHbVbz2MelgwHAYI7szhPTGAhGm3uUARfyYEr/s1600/29+January+2012+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-N3Nc0RkoiE33mFOgRCiLfDHCdTeyAEeUiVssJYWSclg_CuQTvfkded4C8ai8fSKfk8vynylMDiTUfizQJZSSL3K8hSncvKPYVgLdxVDzHbVbz2MelgwHAYI7szhPTGAhGm3uUARfyYEr/s320/29+January+2012+030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMNcuY58_S3qR10IMwVO7KeHcQkS1PSaMYdctJ3iEMTqNY25q8gzC3gVwBZDuPNrHaaZXGdSzqe_1Bv2ED_G8tbg00Pds5v79t3rzeZPsN161efeNYujn9EFA1JUmlVj_n0pf_9-r29iJ/s1600/29+January+2012+106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMNcuY58_S3qR10IMwVO7KeHcQkS1PSaMYdctJ3iEMTqNY25q8gzC3gVwBZDuPNrHaaZXGdSzqe_1Bv2ED_G8tbg00Pds5v79t3rzeZPsN161efeNYujn9EFA1JUmlVj_n0pf_9-r29iJ/s320/29+January+2012+106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V9lZ9NPHOzfBGCF_2BQJBxtBwtZyP0rk-JTsNE8XUfRK0aibQxHJ2XqsaQWKeLOBrBmzkUi2pw4nemWXskR8sKqzsjzvzJClp3HO8_1lsBsdI17oBn0RIE3nRGnQtX_64usPWNOY4jyt/s1600/29+January+2012+103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V9lZ9NPHOzfBGCF_2BQJBxtBwtZyP0rk-JTsNE8XUfRK0aibQxHJ2XqsaQWKeLOBrBmzkUi2pw4nemWXskR8sKqzsjzvzJClp3HO8_1lsBsdI17oBn0RIE3nRGnQtX_64usPWNOY4jyt/s320/29+January+2012+103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>He is always telling me he is not a carpenter, but he could easily fool me. He may not be a carpenter, but whatever he is, he surely is pretty fantastic. This whole project took two days and only cost us the price of hinges for the cabinets (and someday a couple quarts of stain). The wood is all reclaimed pine from the ceiling of my parents former "palace", so it was totally free AND we get to conserve some memories in the process. Plus this wood is really beautiful, the richness and diversity of the color is really lovely. Mr. T took about 2 hours planing all the boards on day one and did ALL of the construction on day two.<br />
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I was just intending to dry fit the electronics and dvd's in the cabinets to be sure there was enough space and that just rolled over into trying out the books too and then it was full so we decided we would stain it another day...possibly never. Still lots of things to do on "finishing" this room, but one step closer, I'll take it. It is only about 8 inches deep, perfect for DVD, VHS ( yes we still use those, yes we do) and most book storage, a bit wider than 7 feet, and about 8 feet tall. It is MASSIVE and STILL, we got back about 6 square feet of floor space after taking out the old tv stand and floor speakers. The room seems massive and it doesnt make that wall seem quite so ridiculously tall. Not to mention it was a total distraction for a few days, that was desperately needed. Winning all around. <br />
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The funny thing is, I was expecting a cheese press and aging cave (old fridge brought in from the garage really not as fancy as it sounds) so the cheddar making can commence, but this was the chosen project instead. No complaints. This was super fun. <br />
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In other news, we are awaiting some test results from a procedure MAT had done last week, hence the necessary distraction. Fingers crossed for good news and more on that later. Happy Monday!Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-62479987314999492952012-01-30T06:51:00.000-06:002012-01-30T06:51:44.545-06:00A completely frivolous, yet totally worthy, way to spend $10 a weekI am cheap. I admit it. The only thing I buy new are hair dye, underwear, jeans, and flip flops. The hair dye is a every few months thing and I always do it myself. Undergarments are self explanatory, NO ONE wants skivvies that have been all up in anyone else's bits. Jean are a once every two or three... or 6 years, expense. I only buy them on sale and REFUSE to spend more than $35 a pair. I REFUSE. And flip flops, well, those last me about 3 years a pair and I buy the less than $5 ones. Most everything else we buy second hand. <br />
So when I say I am spending $10 a week on something totally frivolous, has no useful purpose, and expires readily, you know it HAS to be something worthy. I assure you it is.<br />
<br />
Earlier this week during my trip to the grocery, I passed the floral department, as always. I like to take a leisurely stroll through and smell the flowers and let the boys look at the balloons and gift baskets. As I was nearing the end, I saw a display with beautiful flowers and they were marked down to $3 a bunch. I thought to myself, "well, I can reasonably spend $6 on two bunches, I am saving $7 on milk this week. No one else buys me flowers, sorry Mr. T, but you don't. I like flowers, they make me happy, and it is January it will be months before our start to do anything again. And I LIKE flowers."<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYStW3QJCFw-gFg-1Lw5NQOGhL_bDozFdlqBRo45XRJcRuwUJWBLy3q9VcgnQ-M654iqXJysREJNMf-dBkcy3LEKn2p4RbW27aIxMZdrVg4ScNURZALWfgw8u8RZFbQW_T76eDYJaRaKBb/s1600/25+January+2012+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYStW3QJCFw-gFg-1Lw5NQOGhL_bDozFdlqBRo45XRJcRuwUJWBLy3q9VcgnQ-M654iqXJysREJNMf-dBkcy3LEKn2p4RbW27aIxMZdrVg4ScNURZALWfgw8u8RZFbQW_T76eDYJaRaKBb/s320/25+January+2012+004.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Decidedly, I picked out two bunches, a white one and a red one, and brought them home with the rest of my goodies. Mr.T gave me a funny look when I brought them in and I gave him a "go ahead, say something about me buying myself flowers, I DARE you" face and he smiled and said they looked nice. He also had the good sense not to ask how much they cost, even though they were not expensive, it is still a frivolous item. He's rather smart that one.<br />
<br />
They have been on the table for nearly a week now and I cannot say that they have worked miracles or been particularly useful. What I can say that they have done is made me stop, take a deep breath and smile, nearly every time I walk past. They have lightened my mood more than once. I find MAT and RAT admiring them often and on a few occasions stems have been plucked from the vase and presented to me by my boys with declarations of " I love you Mom" and "you're the BEST, mom."<br />
<br />
For that I have decided that between $5 and $10 of our weekly grocery budget will now go to buying fresh flowers, when we cannot grow our own. There is just something uplifting in the brightness and beauty they bring. I like those two things in my home that is often too filled with noise, wrestling, and arguing. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZW64IUZ6dITUULscKGfE8CkZlBJychU8V4sW2rbs63GEJJrOiV9MlG8o15gsg-dAVU34ZxwGFfRkgqpD6v924289Rnza6PelzyY3tAaoCf_asx8klORnNLoWXoymTesVG96jcK4Lzf7O/s1600/25+January+2012+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZW64IUZ6dITUULscKGfE8CkZlBJychU8V4sW2rbs63GEJJrOiV9MlG8o15gsg-dAVU34ZxwGFfRkgqpD6v924289Rnza6PelzyY3tAaoCf_asx8klORnNLoWXoymTesVG96jcK4Lzf7O/s320/25+January+2012+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, tranquility and beauty in such a simple package.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-31783502219539092362012-01-24T11:25:00.003-06:002012-01-24T12:03:11.356-06:00Three, of my very favorite, things to make with sourdough discard.Aside from sourdough bread of course. That is the purpose of the sourdough mother, but I cannot help but think of all the other wonderful things to do. And we only need bread every three or four days so we have discard daily. I have noticed I am the "just throw a cup of starter in there and see what we get" kind of baker. I refuse to throw it in the garbage and I prefer not to compost it. I want to USE that flour, water, and culture, otherwise I am throwing away money and health. So I have started putting a cup, or two, in just about everything I bake. It hasn't let me down yet. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU2_tNQofms0FRJAL3T7HB9SOEem9lSdM7KhnpvtK3mzVIYPSNGvsBXuH9ErBG61th4IaKvd0K0E1uhSs6NzMmRDl0Z335EiQaUQYx_aGqnmZZC9qqp2yt8oVTmMuU9s-6vD88BJaOao5/s1600/24+January+2012+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU2_tNQofms0FRJAL3T7HB9SOEem9lSdM7KhnpvtK3mzVIYPSNGvsBXuH9ErBG61th4IaKvd0K0E1uhSs6NzMmRDl0Z335EiQaUQYx_aGqnmZZC9qqp2yt8oVTmMuU9s-6vD88BJaOao5/s320/24+January+2012+028.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Sourdough Waffles </b>(adapted from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook Waffle recipe to incorporate sourdough)<br />
1c. sourdough starter<br />
1 3/4c. flour, a combination of whole wheat (3/4c.) and white(1c.) works well<br />
1 Tbsp. baking powder<br />
1/4 tsp. salt<br />
2 eggs (or 1 goose egg)<br />
1 3/4c. milk<br />
1/2c. oil<br />
<br />
Mix the egg, oil, and milk. Add the starter. In separate bowl combine dry ingredients, make a well, and add wet mixture. Mix, just till it comes together, it should be lumpy. Pour onto hot waffle iron. Bake according to iron instructions.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>This is NOT a sweet waffle recipe, they are light with a twinge of sourdough tang and are PERFECT with real maple syrup, strawberries, or mulberry syrup.</i><br />
<br />
<b> Sourdough Rhubarb Muffins </b>(adapted from <a href="http://www.angryasiancreations.com/2009/07/sourdough-rhubarb-muffin.html">Angry Asian Creations</a> and I doubled it)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMqlEeX7uJSvhUypGk6g_uENs6CDe2dLTD5_VNd2CNL5PdL9UeRANR7wJQSN_ICkBsPL85B1xsymnhqjOqZCdowkesTD5TgaNiwGHI7G4rFbryGj2NfNHs1zIWw8QL9_uHFKqqXRCgh7O/s1600/24+January+2012+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMqlEeX7uJSvhUypGk6g_uENs6CDe2dLTD5_VNd2CNL5PdL9UeRANR7wJQSN_ICkBsPL85B1xsymnhqjOqZCdowkesTD5TgaNiwGHI7G4rFbryGj2NfNHs1zIWw8QL9_uHFKqqXRCgh7O/s320/24+January+2012+040.jpg" width="320" /></a>2 eggs (or 1 goose egg)<br />
2tsp. vanilla<br />
1/2 tsp. salt<br />
1/2c. oil<br />
2c. sourdough starter<br />
1c. whole wheat four<br />
1c. white flour<br />
1tsp. baking soda<br />
1/4c. white sugar<br />
1/4c. brown sugar, plus 4Tbsp. for topping if you like<br />
1c. rhubarb, diced (I used, thawed, frozen chopped rhubarb)<br />
1/2 tsp. cinnamon<br />
1/8 to1/4 tsp. each nutmeg and ginger (can easily be omitted)<br />
Preheat oven 425 degrees.<br />
You can macerate the rhubarb with the sugar for a couple hours, I do NOT, I like my rhubarb tangy.<br />
<br />
Combine dry ingredients, set aside. In another bowl combine sugar, oil, vanilla, and egg, add starter, add rhubarb. Combine wet and dry ingredients.<br />
<br />
Fill greased or lined muffin cups 1/2 to 3/4 full and top each with 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. brown sugar if you like.<br />
Bake 425 degrees for about 20 minutes. Let cool on wire rack. This recipe made 14 muffins for me( and I filled the cups more than 3/4 of the way up)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9e1suuGZ088PTbJcqaMg0-56-FZQcTx9tzVVOW4sKz0UJ_gfnVs_8NBhfTiEhcrfRivoVGI2IERFxiFqXnJJatkQFU6hhCQ3gIMzltmjBxDY72VplflsDQaRh62p4v_3bcMOeyjTyq4q/s1600/24+January+2012+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9e1suuGZ088PTbJcqaMg0-56-FZQcTx9tzVVOW4sKz0UJ_gfnVs_8NBhfTiEhcrfRivoVGI2IERFxiFqXnJJatkQFU6hhCQ3gIMzltmjBxDY72VplflsDQaRh62p4v_3bcMOeyjTyq4q/s320/24+January+2012+038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Secret Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cookie Bars (cookie shape also works) </b><br />
1c. Sourdough starter<br />
2 1/4c. flour (a combination of whole wheat and white works well)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JX8ktg7sGTQtjQIsRfK2P3Ecbi12MdtOEqIJ4bRfTS89loZVuEUNdagS7ZBPDjy3uF3fqj0ePP2wYmfNQNFyO_Wr-ruJV6s1-zz4guBr07rArNBVlhXxR6jX17NXSvQ7mKoVlqVHrCKq/s1600/24+January+2012+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JX8ktg7sGTQtjQIsRfK2P3Ecbi12MdtOEqIJ4bRfTS89loZVuEUNdagS7ZBPDjy3uF3fqj0ePP2wYmfNQNFyO_Wr-ruJV6s1-zz4guBr07rArNBVlhXxR6jX17NXSvQ7mKoVlqVHrCKq/s320/24+January+2012+051.jpg" width="320" /></a>1 1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1/2tsp. salt<br />
1c. butter, softened<br />
3/4c. brown sugar<br />
3/4c. white sugar<br />
2 tsp. vanilla<br />
2 eggs (or 1 goose egg)<br />
1/2c. rolled oats (NOT the quick oats)<br />
2-3 c. chocolate chips<br />
and feel free to throw in nuts or cranberries or what have you.<br />
<br />
Mix dry, reserve oats for later, set aside. In separate bowl cream butter and sugars, add vanilla, add eggs, add starter. Combine wet and dry and mix well. Add oats and mix. Add chocolate chips and any other goodies you might have. Spread whole mixture onto greased pan and BAKE at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or till toothpick in center comes out clean.<br />
OR drop spoonfuls on parchment lined baking sheets bake 350 for 14 to 18 minutes. <br />
Cool. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy these as much as I do! And I hope to get back to some gardening, poultry, building posts soon. Fingers crossed!Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-1578760365243628932012-01-20T11:19:00.000-06:002012-01-20T11:19:38.594-06:00Take Care of your Mother...else-wise, THIS might happen!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAbdzVTcrg8JEIaH2Kgk0qR6uKmeNcRsLlslF1kUnVQ5nAbz1li9SeUsYdgKRU2YwfoscuLV4zdvcniPYya2c9dTV2ntMuxR7yu8zTothu6obzYmhzsTJvAUeNcRYF3ChNRyMH8cEm9XZ/s1600/20+January+2012+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAbdzVTcrg8JEIaH2Kgk0qR6uKmeNcRsLlslF1kUnVQ5nAbz1li9SeUsYdgKRU2YwfoscuLV4zdvcniPYya2c9dTV2ntMuxR7yu8zTothu6obzYmhzsTJvAUeNcRYF3ChNRyMH8cEm9XZ/s320/20+January+2012+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I swear I am not totally inept.<br />
<br />
I DID start this sourdough mother all by myself with only water and flour, love and attention, and time, lots of time. It was a week old on the 18th, it was easily doubling every 12 hours and smelled of alcohol, all great things for sourdough.<br />
<br />
I made my first loaf on Wednesday and it was pretty good, everyone in the house thinks it is the best bread yet! So in preparation of today's baking extravaganza I didn't discard any yesterday and then fed it again at 8 am this morning. My jar was only half full, so I thought that I would be ok till I got to make my dough at 10am (naptime). How much could happen in two hours? Right?<br />
<br />
I was woefully wrong. On the upside, I have enough "discard" to make bread bowls AND sourdough pancakes. WINNING!<br />
<br />
So, in summation, just a reminder, take care of your mother... and enjoy your Friday!Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-89156306504643579162012-01-13T12:15:00.004-06:002012-01-13T12:28:35.603-06:00Homemade Ricotta cheese<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/AVvXsEiM1SRJE9Sy34rrl-5jbE29C_kVRnumBrf_NohGUC1L8Rh866HSN7a5_gmyLoPPIa2yiURYLDrJumlXg2l_Z_mjtzB7lZu1XbLT2eIjRbsSJX1wlAyqHjVMojzZ7PZDYzlk7hZVxbgpX7vb/s1600/13+January+2012+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1SRJE9Sy34rrl-5jbE29C_kVRnumBrf_NohGUC1L8Rh866HSN7a5_gmyLoPPIa2yiURYLDrJumlXg2l_Z_mjtzB7lZu1XbLT2eIjRbsSJX1wlAyqHjVMojzZ7PZDYzlk7hZVxbgpX7vb/s320/13+January+2012+022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jitMg9BW3K7Y8WxStfhxv-swwSzVLxMeSxZ6fQrXt9-0elYOTUMnR9uMF-DOqXYogv_qywx8lnv2o9aqG8IFQk_raCsK4ST8djrOOVMBkFaaxIrHR10B0rNPWpSgw2i0owkHEIlg2dJs/s1600/13+January+2012+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jitMg9BW3K7Y8WxStfhxv-swwSzVLxMeSxZ6fQrXt9-0elYOTUMnR9uMF-DOqXYogv_qywx8lnv2o9aqG8IFQk_raCsK4ST8djrOOVMBkFaaxIrHR10B0rNPWpSgw2i0owkHEIlg2dJs/s320/13+January+2012+020.jpg" width="240" /></a>Here it is, fast and easy. I Promise.<br />
<br />
<b>Tools</b><br />
Non-reactive pot, stainless steel or enamel<br />
Wooden, plastic, or stainless steel spoon<br />
Candy thermometer (not a necessity but makes this easier)<br />
Cheese cloth, muslin or clean dish towel (for the latter two you will also need kitchen string)<br />
Colander <br />
Large bowl, preferably one the colander fits in<br />
Storage containers<br />
Time.10-40 minutes to stand in the exact same spot stirring, constantly, OR a helper to do it for you.<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients</b> <br />
1/2 gallon milk (I used whole milk, because that's what we had)<br />
1tsp citric acid (lemon juice also works, but we have a giant tub of citric acid to use for cleaning and canning)<br />
1 or 2 tsp kosher salt, I use 2 tsp because I like it, but the recipe calls for 1 tsp.<br />
About a Tablespoon of water.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4R6Q2uuA9ppwQ4PI0FtNJ155qFdKtaDje0-5u78ij5QTKAJe-blOEaCpwrgW0u4ZJyTNKEF1ybLGNqVoa2a2UNPL9wPwKlJlKzR4ukVxYvMcalun01A4kbGGAI_l7D9z6HW-uBQrTXjG/s1600/13+January+2012+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4R6Q2uuA9ppwQ4PI0FtNJ155qFdKtaDje0-5u78ij5QTKAJe-blOEaCpwrgW0u4ZJyTNKEF1ybLGNqVoa2a2UNPL9wPwKlJlKzR4ukVxYvMcalun01A4kbGGAI_l7D9z6HW-uBQrTXjG/s320/13+January+2012+019.jpg" width="240" /></a><i></i><b>Start</b> by dissolving the citric acid in the Tbsp of water. If you are using lemon juice you are good to go. Pour milk into pot. Add half the acid and all the salt. Place candy thermometer in milk. Turn on burner.<br />
<br />
You want to slowly heat the milk to 185 degrees. This only took me about 10 minutes, and I didn't do it terribly slowly and I had a less than constantly stirring helper and mine turned out scrumptious.<br />
<br />
When it reaches 185 degrees it should start to curdle on its own but it might not, this is where the thermometer is very helpful.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMKremjtEipiygFnq7uO-RU93dPjMnWj6P0VRHUdrkw-K6iVqIlWM0jCUfW-kydOL3sxypI-C0L10EjK8DarSLt3xOEm3t6YT9LJXnPrOFq2ym0YE72_6s29Xl-ghh1o12jHU0ghk1ZSv/s1600/13+January+2012+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMKremjtEipiygFnq7uO-RU93dPjMnWj6P0VRHUdrkw-K6iVqIlWM0jCUfW-kydOL3sxypI-C0L10EjK8DarSLt3xOEm3t6YT9LJXnPrOFq2ym0YE72_6s29Xl-ghh1o12jHU0ghk1ZSv/s320/13+January+2012+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't read that but it says 185!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
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<br />
At 185 degrees, sdd the rest of the acid and remove from heat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhmssddrAnJ1W8HaaGz-HtmnlR7sbCNkrgItDBd730H-7HyfhBS0HOxOG6eN5BtWCoqdBUsG_BwHHFQqlTp-9EucQ3B67OXLKq5Jbv1_IjOuXXacU9y2tl3zX1Ran4NBdSWBWBRL24RyP/s1600/13+January+2012+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhmssddrAnJ1W8HaaGz-HtmnlR7sbCNkrgItDBd730H-7HyfhBS0HOxOG6eN5BtWCoqdBUsG_BwHHFQqlTp-9EucQ3B67OXLKq5Jbv1_IjOuXXacU9y2tl3zX1Ran4NBdSWBWBRL24RyP/s320/13+January+2012+028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It curds up REALLY fast. Suppress the urge to stir, stirring gives you smaller curds, as you can see ( I couldn't resist it). Ha!<br />
<br />
Leave it alone for 15-30 minutes, the longer you leave it the more defined the curds will be.<br />
<br />
Line your colander and place it in a large bowl.<br />
<br />
Careful, "<i>them curds be hot</i>" (in a pirate voice), pour your curds and whey into the cheese cloth, muslin, towel lined colander.<br />
<br />
If you are saving the whey, which I HIGHLY recommend, place the colander in a large bowl. If you aren't keeping the whey (for shame) you can place the colander right in the sink. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjJCj7FuTw2AFOLCV1iG620pmofXfOZcyf9dspcbs8zW45xLveJAyJX15Whyf21VSXhHNAqL89CI5EAhzoh91GRDiN_Wrg7dn1Xrd0UWb5C4cw-BFgMZ6ShNlA8Zd-gIPA9_pzVMj_sy0/s1600/13+January+2012+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjJCj7FuTw2AFOLCV1iG620pmofXfOZcyf9dspcbs8zW45xLveJAyJX15Whyf21VSXhHNAqL89CI5EAhzoh91GRDiN_Wrg7dn1Xrd0UWb5C4cw-BFgMZ6ShNlA8Zd-gIPA9_pzVMj_sy0/s320/13+January+2012+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have made curds and whey! Congratulations!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then tie the curds up and let them drip for 15 minutes or so. The longer you let it drip the drier the curds will be, the shorter amount of time the wetter they will be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBysZ5kkYG2Q_aabfB4qRy6opxDSZQV_N-_TN8ZK8dAYDXE8rDfFUv-RWtcqMDVgahD9Af6yWND1RhTHGtWwOewQwjKr24d3fa9r5fPR2WiZRJKw_TnOQDWIjNUavQKAKtReOFhPQp5wnq/s1600/13+January+2012+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBysZ5kkYG2Q_aabfB4qRy6opxDSZQV_N-_TN8ZK8dAYDXE8rDfFUv-RWtcqMDVgahD9Af6yWND1RhTHGtWwOewQwjKr24d3fa9r5fPR2WiZRJKw_TnOQDWIjNUavQKAKtReOFhPQp5wnq/s320/13+January+2012+036.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something like this, if your curds don't sit in the whey than there is no need to hang them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
When they have dripped enough it is time to save the whey. Yes it looks a little odd all washed out with a green tint, but I assure you it is wonderful stuff.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJeNURyZ-50Y9GiSUrOnAAFmKLUeGwmOznoj3FwsT_oa1Dprs6uJzg6nFjdi6z7fdJKJoOgbp17-Ilhap3jPfjJZQ3eT37131r9jXYRGF_m5BVpWaYm1j5MY-vL1xnLnRsgIL2yoodIP-/s1600/13+January+2012+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJeNURyZ-50Y9GiSUrOnAAFmKLUeGwmOznoj3FwsT_oa1Dprs6uJzg6nFjdi6z7fdJKJoOgbp17-Ilhap3jPfjJZQ3eT37131r9jXYRGF_m5BVpWaYm1j5MY-vL1xnLnRsgIL2yoodIP-/s320/13+January+2012+034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAA-_sHkTdrbRGBGvVpE8QB8tg8QXeFR9NbKsGHlMNq5cxCQ060nJHBqJ_Knjdrut5tzAmNhXqrA551uyc9w_hSsCp_05x1OWH1NvR6JwDQRp2SoMC3nd1bsJqmAOH8ZACvW2_MQWNt72Q/s1600/13+January+2012+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAA-_sHkTdrbRGBGvVpE8QB8tg8QXeFR9NbKsGHlMNq5cxCQ060nJHBqJ_Knjdrut5tzAmNhXqrA551uyc9w_hSsCp_05x1OWH1NvR6JwDQRp2SoMC3nd1bsJqmAOH8ZACvW2_MQWNt72Q/s320/13+January+2012+039.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
There are lots of uses, I have learned, for whey. And since you will have a quart and a pint, at least, from this recipe, I suggest you familiarize yourself with a few of them. <br />
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I used this whey in place of a stock in a soup recipe yesterday and it was marvelous. I also used it in place of water to cook our brown rice and this mornings oatmeal, and just like that it is gone. Really it is very useful, keep it, you wont be sorry.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqfxlPMnKD2GX6gECwjitWmkF-IrTxZ21NOMs2ytyepFBNruyLVp96_bRVYQgyY7ruBtblbmoVJ0qOvmCUsLdSLg3vE_lGE121WE3LArMMdiJsLBNfEQaYDVWnt27ranzyOVEGkwQ3cDd/s1600/13+January+2012+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqfxlPMnKD2GX6gECwjitWmkF-IrTxZ21NOMs2ytyepFBNruyLVp96_bRVYQgyY7ruBtblbmoVJ0qOvmCUsLdSLg3vE_lGE121WE3LArMMdiJsLBNfEQaYDVWnt27ranzyOVEGkwQ3cDd/s320/13+January+2012+042.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that they whey is handled it is time to admire, and taste, your curds. Have a small spoonful, make the Yummy face, try not to eat it all. It is scrumptious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAPOClXcxLsf80osjiffjtK0DuurRoU4Q9m7R87m2HtYy65Vag_663zqMDof4a7UF-BGFMSuuYuZuMPlxhwpaZDKJQGhGovO6_IMREfvbfkMp6vZkX4p_PvAuBPGHpAvu3kCBiS4uYvdc/s1600/13+January+2012+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAPOClXcxLsf80osjiffjtK0DuurRoU4Q9m7R87m2HtYy65Vag_663zqMDof4a7UF-BGFMSuuYuZuMPlxhwpaZDKJQGhGovO6_IMREfvbfkMp6vZkX4p_PvAuBPGHpAvu3kCBiS4uYvdc/s320/13+January+2012+046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, right</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then put your curds in an airtight container and there you have it. 1 Pint of homemade Ricotta cheese and a quart and a pint of whey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbiy3hOBpAR1uKo2mDiI3grSiQEfmaGl0fSaZYvyOynTT7lu-aJ5EU6eaicaVUMK9pM4G0TNolpqn_MGeHSdzh5QOusc8609ML0wZftfezhdZ7f8zhL5Hjc01H4c8K-mEySTSWcnFlTXJ/s1600/13+January+2012+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbiy3hOBpAR1uKo2mDiI3grSiQEfmaGl0fSaZYvyOynTT7lu-aJ5EU6eaicaVUMK9pM4G0TNolpqn_MGeHSdzh5QOusc8609ML0wZftfezhdZ7f8zhL5Hjc01H4c8K-mEySTSWcnFlTXJ/s320/13+January+2012+047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> whey and 1 pint Ricotta. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Put it all in the fridge, the Ricotta should be used within a few days, though I used mine the same day. And the whey will keep for about 5 days to a week. Enjoy!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-70940412839331826252012-01-12T11:52:00.001-06:002012-01-12T12:02:35.217-06:00What I can do in a naptime.Lay the toddler down. (Who coincidentally, went and got a pacifier and stood by the stairs when I commented that "it might be naptime" because of someones attitude. Oddly enough apparently DOT also thought he needed a nap. AMAZING. That boy. Oh. I love him.)<br />
<br />
Put in first load of laundry.<br />
Re-read the instructions of homemade ricotta cheese, again, for like the 20th time.<br />
Ready and add ingredients.<br />
Cook ingredients with stirring assistance of RAT.<br />
High five 3 year old for excellent help and for not burning himself, turn off stove.<br />
Put first load in the dryer while curds rest.<br />
Start second load of laundry.<br />
Trip over the cat who is attached to your ankle because she thinks you haven't fed her, even though you in fact did, 2 hours ago, like you do every day.<br />
Dance break with 3 year old helper.<br />
Surf net to find out uses for whey other than pouring it down drain, hit the jackpot.<br />
Search recipe box for <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/08/our-carrot-tomato-soup.html">Amanda Soule's fantastic carrot tomato soup</a>. Because, after all, it has been a week since you have had it.<br />
Line colander and place it in large bowl.<br />
Strain curds and separate whey.<br />
Forget to write "cheese cloth" on the grocery list. <br />
Tie and let drip. <br />
Wash pot and whey and ricotta storage jars. <br />
Dry them.<br />
Put pot back on stove and toss in 2 Tbls butter and turn on burner.<br />
Cut onion, carrots, and ready herbs and seasonings for soup.<br />
Toss goodies in pot.<br />
Pour whey and ricotta into containers.<br />
Remember write "cheese cloth" on grocery list and this time immediately go do it. <br />
Taste ricotta, roll eyes and make the "yummmmmm" sound when something is delicious.<br />
Try not to eat it by the spoonful. <br />
Stir pot.<br />
Wash some more dishes, our dishwasher is possessed and nearly impossible for me to start so I hand wash dishes.<br />
Add tomatoes, we use our whole home canned tomatoes instead of fresh roasted ones, it is winter after all, and whey, instead of stock, I'm gonna try it, why not. What's the worst that could happen?<br />
Make self a salad and 3 year old's lunch. <br />
Eat.<br />
Dance break (we put a radio in the kitchen, that's why all the dance breaks).<br />
Remove dry laundry and think about putting them away, then decide against it.<br />
Hang load of dedicates to dry. <br />
Go get toddler who has now woken from his nap and also wants lunch. <br />
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2 hours, 6 minutes.<br />
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I still have to puree and strain the soup, but really I feel like a rockstar. If only I had got the bread made...Oh well we still have enough to get through today and there is always tomorrows nap. Enjoy your Thursday folks! And to those of you, like me, who are expecting snow. Button up and enjoy the show!<br />
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(<i>I will post pictures of the Ricotta cheese making process one of these days, but I didn't get the photo's off the camera yet.)</i>Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-59552385028332779032012-01-08T18:13:00.001-06:002012-01-08T18:21:52.565-06:00What we've been up to..It's been a busy month. The family is finding a rhythm, sort of, with Mr's strange work schedule and things are moving along. <br />
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At the beginning of December MAT had a CAT scan. He has been having swollen lymph node issues since June so the doctor and I decided it was time to check them out, just to be safe, and to be sure it isn't something serious. Most likely it is just that children's immune systems are constantly under some kind of attack and that's what is causing the prolonged enlargement. In this case, no news from the doctor is the very best news. If it doesn't need immediate treatment we won't hear boo till the follow up appointment, and chances are if it is an issue that doesn't need immediate treatment it isn't a REAL issue at all. That appointment date is January 16 and we haven't heard boo from our ENT yet. Let's be happy with that. I am anxiously awaiting to hear the doctor SAY it is nothing, but the hearing nothing has me strangely at ease. <br />
Other goings on include a trip to the Windy city, Many a Happy Christmas, food, crafts, fitness, and generally loving my life.<br />
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Just after MAT's scan I adopted some books and some lovely furniture. We ventured to the Windy city to scoop them up when their owners found out they were gonna move and had 2 weeks to do it. I wish we would have been able to help more and that we had seen more of them while they lived so close. Hindsight is funny that way. So we helped with what we could and visited and they moved their family of three across the country with crazy calm, precision, and speed. To my joy we inherited a load of wonderful literature, a new couch and many many house plants. I have already started in on some of the classic...that I have never read... I am so ashamed. But aren't they BEAUTIFUL!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmN1LbeAgZgSzqWoMaO2H4-jVb4aWORrrKBlzG_H_9EK5r04BjjME3n89S8KOeVHsFF4BNzEv4Z6H8LTUGCiyJzmQxXW73QtbJZFMgdmIY7ecb6TQP8Un9wL1y2KbRXHSQ4aaMnzPGaJV/s1600/8+January+2012+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmN1LbeAgZgSzqWoMaO2H4-jVb4aWORrrKBlzG_H_9EK5r04BjjME3n89S8KOeVHsFF4BNzEv4Z6H8LTUGCiyJzmQxXW73QtbJZFMgdmIY7ecb6TQP8Un9wL1y2KbRXHSQ4aaMnzPGaJV/s320/8+January+2012+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then it was Christmas number 1, with my parents and siblings. It was a super wonderful day with loads of family fun and love. And will you believe not a single photo was taken of the fun, just the aftermath.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIiCIlcbqnfnACO6jnEOjU3-ic0Xw897pBbMJJh3_j9qvRA-d0G58S0nPu4qafiMayeRZFe1_u0S47xJwAzYoQJwX8ItQ5SuUb3COrPN-qCyuIBO0A-VdVR85keHYxHuLZy-VBwXkW7m3/s1600/8+January+2012+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIiCIlcbqnfnACO6jnEOjU3-ic0Xw897pBbMJJh3_j9qvRA-d0G58S0nPu4qafiMayeRZFe1_u0S47xJwAzYoQJwX8ItQ5SuUb3COrPN-qCyuIBO0A-VdVR85keHYxHuLZy-VBwXkW7m3/s320/8+January+2012+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> They were all asleep before we hit the highway. Morgan is asleep behind them in the back too. It was a wonderful day.<br />
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Then it was Christmas day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKROPD65Ree_FjAUrNg9Y7EDX0_EwA9_LAA1RRpAZsv8fqViRxanntrPEVsOkcSIJXcAx5KXCz2d5PG3sQ8jD7hEoPKZ0oxGsnxeIiCR1UPLR2NHa9_KtC39hGnxw92vJnlDacajH8pdQl/s1600/8+January+2012+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKROPD65Ree_FjAUrNg9Y7EDX0_EwA9_LAA1RRpAZsv8fqViRxanntrPEVsOkcSIJXcAx5KXCz2d5PG3sQ8jD7hEoPKZ0oxGsnxeIiCR1UPLR2NHa9_KtC39hGnxw92vJnlDacajH8pdQl/s320/8+January+2012+036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We opened presents and played and played and played. It was a wonderful day. We have had a lot of those lately. <br />
Then after the holiday, life returned to normal...well that kind of normal, that is normal for us.<br />
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I made some new quilt squares, always a good time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhjzpwrzDX0VDuxANZnXNN2DzY9DreJt4sEeQzlT25dgTzLO5bzIQR2GNp5uBM0j5DV2FJUrbmjitbT5eHjcMr6uj1XMqeucV0hYrLIkO-cym7KanQz0q3CbGzKR6X8xwxupHUHUjuCKq/s1600/8+January+2012+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhjzpwrzDX0VDuxANZnXNN2DzY9DreJt4sEeQzlT25dgTzLO5bzIQR2GNp5uBM0j5DV2FJUrbmjitbT5eHjcMr6uj1XMqeucV0hYrLIkO-cym7KanQz0q3CbGzKR6X8xwxupHUHUjuCKq/s320/8+January+2012+049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIkRZgHCcGuh467gc262y9LnyP_KwBI1bJrwJ3OfaajgueAfc_OQlFlR4tDNkvK3M-fU5S1-WGXPiLGMzkLUhBHoNyucSWl_KgkO44aX6T33qz-Gd3QXeIiBBBLI2y0Uqs-B5Nnau8xz6/s1600/8+January+2012+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIkRZgHCcGuh467gc262y9LnyP_KwBI1bJrwJ3OfaajgueAfc_OQlFlR4tDNkvK3M-fU5S1-WGXPiLGMzkLUhBHoNyucSWl_KgkO44aX6T33qz-Gd3QXeIiBBBLI2y0Uqs-B5Nnau8xz6/s320/8+January+2012+050.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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DOT thought they looked like something for him, he was quite bothered when he learned they weren't for him.This is his "These are NOT for ME? You must be joking" face. <br />
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In other normal for us news Morgan has taken over Watermelons bed. Watermelon doesn't seem to mind and Morgan doesn't seem to mind that she doesn't really fit in it. This is her "What? I totally fit in the bed. I am ROCKIN this two sizes too small bed!" <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9WRsMmrlAndyWtxF8AUdM28kPBLx3TzI_yJUaEQGhGCfiRPcWKpBng_BnGPUk0BeVc49cfW_Esng8h8qcNzjN5VrcHPowya9tKGhaGsrmHVyvV3f22s-aSKSEtaXhMf7_kEVNh4qhxAS/s1600/8+January+2012+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9WRsMmrlAndyWtxF8AUdM28kPBLx3TzI_yJUaEQGhGCfiRPcWKpBng_BnGPUk0BeVc49cfW_Esng8h8qcNzjN5VrcHPowya9tKGhaGsrmHVyvV3f22s-aSKSEtaXhMf7_kEVNh4qhxAS/s320/8+January+2012+069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>She is too wonderful for words.<br />
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And then it was 2012, officially.<br />
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No pictures of New Years Eve, of course, but I do believe the "I stayed awake the longest" award goes to MAT. I left him watching a movie at 10:30. Mr. T won the award for first asleep, he even beat DOT to the title. <br />
2012 Garden planning has begun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-krJEBs_9dp9IU6J6CqVeGOZUomUcojcEkqO51doRykK8UkyMCtM9L4yl0MHbR3HzlD7Ed1OY6hrhrOJm9LK6WwvDg1Wd5wCAfBEANTCttlqi-dVtLdQXzvmbOca5uMqlhH7MudEFTQaE/s1600/8+January+2012+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-krJEBs_9dp9IU6J6CqVeGOZUomUcojcEkqO51doRykK8UkyMCtM9L4yl0MHbR3HzlD7Ed1OY6hrhrOJm9LK6WwvDg1Wd5wCAfBEANTCttlqi-dVtLdQXzvmbOca5uMqlhH7MudEFTQaE/s320/8+January+2012+086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And I'm gonna be honest, with the weirdness of this weather we have been having, next to no snow and last week we had a 55 degree day, in January, in Northern Indiana, the SNOW capitol of the state. We have had a total of like 10 inches fall so far. It is totally bizarre. Anyway, because of the weird weather I am considering planting some lettuces and other cold hardy veggies because, well, I dont have to dig under 4 feet of snow to get to them. I am also considering trimming the apple trees, again because, well, the weather is warm enough that I won't have to wear a parka, or trudge through the snow. I have no idea what this weather means for the planting and growing seasons ahead, but I suppose we will find out.<br />
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Gratuitous cute baby shot #2.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgMIPVRfDlUbm_ISh-afUeBfE2g6W5VqMPoMCVexxPLohtXQcLLyZuunoGSXVdbj0e0v1-qSlFydDukI54ZaEPMsb1B_jNkdnu-nXoZ012t6KWF-G1yj1wyrG7rY5QVCGMlKZZ4wwptmv/s1600/8+January+2012+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgMIPVRfDlUbm_ISh-afUeBfE2g6W5VqMPoMCVexxPLohtXQcLLyZuunoGSXVdbj0e0v1-qSlFydDukI54ZaEPMsb1B_jNkdnu-nXoZ012t6KWF-G1yj1wyrG7rY5QVCGMlKZZ4wwptmv/s320/8+January+2012+088.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Shut up, I'm his mother and this is the greatest face ever. <br />
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In other news, I have joined the make all our bread club...Mr. T and I have both tried our hands at the baking, I am great at traditional white breads and wheat bread. Mr. T excels at pizza dough and sandwich slice bread. I am nearly ready to start my own sour dough mother, but I want to get more in the routine of daily bread making first.<br />
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Today it was the first try at French bread, it turned out spectacularly. <br />
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I have been baking and cooking new things and trying all the soup recipes I can get my hands on. It is fabulous. Tonight was homemade cream of broccoli and french bread. It was SO good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgKslMX8wL1ziHDeHaJwzFduXIKOGx334teL80RX_BcuTdZ7_NH6nhd-06ddBlvJrBYSEsxrlRHjNpvZFAYzvSAE4ysJmRnc8SmGuAJxhwZHYiuMWOuq5lDcXe9kdhHERfOBiEu8EnL_M/s1600/8+January+2012+107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgKslMX8wL1ziHDeHaJwzFduXIKOGx334teL80RX_BcuTdZ7_NH6nhd-06ddBlvJrBYSEsxrlRHjNpvZFAYzvSAE4ysJmRnc8SmGuAJxhwZHYiuMWOuq5lDcXe9kdhHERfOBiEu8EnL_M/s320/8+January+2012+107.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>MAT asked for seconds, which was impressive because he doesn't typically like soup or broccoli, and RAT actually took a bite of the soup, swallowed it, without making a face, thought about it, and then said he didn't like it and asked for some apple sauce. They both approved of the bread, thankfully. They can be a little picky about bread. So that's the happenings around here.<br />
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Also, I have decided to get fit. This is a month along already, not a New Years resolution. It is more of a "get your ass in shape, you can't even do 5 push up's? you want to play with your children? don't you want a new wardrobe and to be able to make your own clothes without having to buy 5 yards of fabric for one shirt dress? you gained 10 POUNDS Thanksgiving week and that is ALL the weight you lost in the YEAR after your third child was born, do SOMETHING about this right now!" kind of thing.<br />
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It has been surprisingly smooth so far. I have lost 10 pounds, in a month just by eating proper portion sizes, watching my caloric intake and moving an hour or so a day, not even exercising necessarily, just up on my feet doing things, the weight comes right off. I am working out a little at a time. I don't want to overdo it and then burn out. I want this to be a lasting and healthy change in my life. I am still working on self control, but when your stomach is the size of a grapefruit instead of a football, self control comes pretty easily. <br />
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So that's the low down on the goings on of the Little Squidgen Home. I hope your Holiday's were lovely and happy and that the New Year is being good to you so far. <br />
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<b>Totally unrelated- </b>Anyone have a sour dough mother recipe for me? or positive assurance that I am capable of maintaining it?Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-59182548357595443112011-12-07T11:51:00.000-06:002011-12-07T11:51:58.938-06:00Someone had a Birthday. DOT turned 1 year old, on December 3rd. Yeah. Time FLIES. I wish it would slow down, but here we are none the less. We went and saw Santa and Mrs. Clause in the morning, had some lunch and then home to play till dinner and cake. DOT was by far the least messy first birthday cake eater of the bunch. We all had a great day.<br />
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</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn2iPXy3nILWqggb_5Gdke61EKzSdc5efuQ7_8jsdUDms-YX9sT_Uqs5ylmZk1y33Gph45IY34OImeWGfvTnwn4vNw2TP7WRm2VCAEk5WJ2UcUcu7bvd_zgUtkgVQuiwSPyV2EhzNSdXu/s1600/7+December+2011+155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn2iPXy3nILWqggb_5Gdke61EKzSdc5efuQ7_8jsdUDms-YX9sT_Uqs5ylmZk1y33Gph45IY34OImeWGfvTnwn4vNw2TP7WRm2VCAEk5WJ2UcUcu7bvd_zgUtkgVQuiwSPyV2EhzNSdXu/s640/7+December+2011+155.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJaDZe0n2VIXpeCwcsqIIN8nIO5Hl1RCrBoSc1YFVfkbB3WSVDI-mjEJLX0w2nwQ302wFJ6s6cRK0DSIh8VZcoeM0ms47DkqLxj38oD4LUEtBvsOsaiEK_KnooFdZCNY-8RzI63qSpCF7/s1600/7+December+2011+212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJaDZe0n2VIXpeCwcsqIIN8nIO5Hl1RCrBoSc1YFVfkbB3WSVDI-mjEJLX0w2nwQ302wFJ6s6cRK0DSIh8VZcoeM0ms47DkqLxj38oD4LUEtBvsOsaiEK_KnooFdZCNY-8RzI63qSpCF7/s320/7+December+2011+212.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZUq3NLsfmo4TbWz12m7_SsUClsjuH8F5oi-Be9ZLjqtA9LApLRXc0DJSfvAxGFTVs5YdqWaAZQ-veTqBAhwb5NX3uTFSc_hxvoTM66DE4Aty2IFtnz9hWDWl9cSkun2jsvRq69BgVGfq/s1600/7+December+2011+214.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZUq3NLsfmo4TbWz12m7_SsUClsjuH8F5oi-Be9ZLjqtA9LApLRXc0DJSfvAxGFTVs5YdqWaAZQ-veTqBAhwb5NX3uTFSc_hxvoTM66DE4Aty2IFtnz9hWDWl9cSkun2jsvRq69BgVGfq/s320/7+December+2011+214.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am 1 year old.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-80996462218287409462011-11-10T09:58:00.000-06:002011-11-10T09:58:09.710-06:00A partial living room renovation.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Some things have been changing around here. Little by little, when free time is had, between with Mr. T's new shift at work and general winter prep, this time is limited, but things are getting done. The current project is our living room. A roof leak, working around a giant fireplace, and ridiculous ceilings are just a few things on the agenda. So far Mr. T has flashed the chimney, something the previous owners thought was unimportant and has stopped our roof leak. Woohoo! Only took 2 years to fix, but I am SO not complaining. It is fixed and that is what matters. And since this was fixed, other, more fun, projects can be undertaken. Cue- <i>The Living room Built-in Project 20011 </i><br />
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Here is where we started on October 9th 2011<br />
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When we started the only project I thought was on the docket was to build book shelves and a cabinet but then this happened... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AiT2mFlJV5af5R-cSGhgIP19Bsl388aMNFxhxAVJHIEFOgEWysfoJD94GJAJKyI8R5-yGKza2Ms-lwAiPevLJSBQqApAvSL2IDQyVRJdy69B3Hq-smDKc3mWtVtImxOWsAcTmLgD8EjE/s1600/16+October+2011+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AiT2mFlJV5af5R-cSGhgIP19Bsl388aMNFxhxAVJHIEFOgEWysfoJD94GJAJKyI8R5-yGKza2Ms-lwAiPevLJSBQqApAvSL2IDQyVRJdy69B3Hq-smDKc3mWtVtImxOWsAcTmLgD8EjE/s320/16+October+2011+032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Which turned into this<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gonvyOhs6eEMMnzjdvfL1RcWhily3h7TGXFgWFbLdEHO7AcvPBSp-giQ2cPYVtkL8cS0Jl8Np-SuwY_o0eXaoNd6Hx8Wlq5QqJpoqlYrqel8PNqhTjcpcVRPNb_lecA43q-ZVcyw1wUX/s1600/16+October+2011+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gonvyOhs6eEMMnzjdvfL1RcWhily3h7TGXFgWFbLdEHO7AcvPBSp-giQ2cPYVtkL8cS0Jl8Np-SuwY_o0eXaoNd6Hx8Wlq5QqJpoqlYrqel8PNqhTjcpcVRPNb_lecA43q-ZVcyw1wUX/s320/16+October+2011+044.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> This needed to happen for three reasons. 1) it was VERY ugly. Seriously, I can deal with many things and label them charming, but this was not, it was just ugly. 2) many of the tiles were broken and/or chipping, and slate is SHARP. This was a daily hazard for our kids, DOT in particular who often was found with shards in his mouth, so this was the main factor in the change. and 3) there was this weird carpet peninsula thing that ended up under the wood supply so it was always dirty and it just didn't work.<br />
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And as a bonus 4) Mr. T started removing it without me even asking, we were on the same page about it, sweetness.<br />
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We saved many many of the whole undamaged tiles, waste not, and I have a project in mind for them in the laundry room. For <i>that</i> project, they will be charming and wonderful. Mr. T also started on one of the built-ins I was promised when we purchased the house.<br />
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Tile up, and 3/4 of a built-in all on October 9th. And it sat that way for all of the rest of October. I was starting to get concerned that another two years would go by before we had a floor and bookshelves. But as chance would have it, Mr. T had 6 days off in a row last week, and he wanted to go deer hunting. We made a bargain and a lot was accomplished. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIITUSAfY8DeXzaYux15RtkQe6438Z9peMapAqO-Qi2UjqamrfQRhH8aioo-42lW3lNRcj9fhS94avmQe5PvPhFCL1n4SRhltMb6JteZ7OUioXvRPHX5oPjEzvb7cLrbzU2uNFjNTyTlBs/s1600/9+November+2011+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIITUSAfY8DeXzaYux15RtkQe6438Z9peMapAqO-Qi2UjqamrfQRhH8aioo-42lW3lNRcj9fhS94avmQe5PvPhFCL1n4SRhltMb6JteZ7OUioXvRPHX5oPjEzvb7cLrbzU2uNFjNTyTlBs/s320/9+November+2011+016.jpg" width="320" /></a>First we purchased tile and tried to pick out a stain. The tile was fun, but kind of a pain. The one we like was out of stock and we needed to get this done in 6 days, no time to wait for shipping. We ended up going with a different tile, that WE love. It was more expensive than the one we wanted, still inexpensive compared to the majority of other options, but it is beautiful and all other options could not have worked better. So first Mr. T handled the tile instal and did a beautiful job. ( I would have helped, I did help with the cabinets, more on that later, but my tiling skills SUCK. I did not want to mess up something that had the potential to be so nice. I opted for camera handling rather than slinging mastic and grout)<br />
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From start to finish in about 27 hours, with a couple hours of deer hunting in there too. Tada!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgUdDTfB_qemDvgVGJ6gt9w9SUOGWwWn0VxWTgyID9M6DErbMMnOTrKhLwCtxqueKXBIhFBkFcqToOF9PCJRJsJOwrTSmMcTl5_OW32CXeCDn-uvX2wEv-x8zVonJXL_udwBQIgAC9eYx/s1600/9+November+2011+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgUdDTfB_qemDvgVGJ6gt9w9SUOGWwWn0VxWTgyID9M6DErbMMnOTrKhLwCtxqueKXBIhFBkFcqToOF9PCJRJsJOwrTSmMcTl5_OW32CXeCDn-uvX2wEv-x8zVonJXL_udwBQIgAC9eYx/s400/9+November+2011+054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, Watermelon was HUGE help with this project too, as always.</td></tr>
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So the tile was down and 3/4 of the left built-in was built, now the right side built-in could begin. This one doesn't have a cabinet on the bottom, it has tile under it for firewood storage. Yay! Me. T got it up in a flash.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxDKp4CzQsqZdIt2BWXhtGxz60_v1bqMBPgZmfWAmA0uCtp7tvKgBJZIAVmz3Y4Fso7_iI0UY_Cv-0FdoTPsyJzDCEc98dKWwWVJB7Jt3m8ni8YPCk9Z_xgFN122gq1XDt9eXJ7IKURrm/s1600/9+November+2011+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxDKp4CzQsqZdIt2BWXhtGxz60_v1bqMBPgZmfWAmA0uCtp7tvKgBJZIAVmz3Y4Fso7_iI0UY_Cv-0FdoTPsyJzDCEc98dKWwWVJB7Jt3m8ni8YPCk9Z_xgFN122gq1XDt9eXJ7IKURrm/s320/9+November+2011+088.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then DOT woke up and I couldn't help any more because my job of baby wrangling has become all consuming. Have I mentioned to you all that DOT started walking? Yup, he did, just a few days before Halloween. And he now walks EVERYWHERE, quickly. It is marvelous, and I am thankful that he waited till he was almost 11 months old before doing so, unlike his 9 month walking brothers, but really a toddler makes remodeling difficult and far more dangerous than it already is. Mr. T took over the staining and did a fine job.<br />
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He also fabricated some doors for the left cabinet and added an additional shelf to the right one.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnzpV34MbKp2aW7yJzC0vBErXwmmJDZIdeMF02-opLi1Aj6F9ZBOooXNseLA693y9DC1O9-PaGBKkI0Izs3SQOHLvRlM4Qtvvd3HLdiOm72zX26q1NH3-cMjWAPUlD0hXnagyP65gp0L3/s1600/9+November+2011+109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnzpV34MbKp2aW7yJzC0vBErXwmmJDZIdeMF02-opLi1Aj6F9ZBOooXNseLA693y9DC1O9-PaGBKkI0Izs3SQOHLvRlM4Qtvvd3HLdiOm72zX26q1NH3-cMjWAPUlD0hXnagyP65gp0L3/s320/9+November+2011+109.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcnV2LmIVvgNKljqTKjtbtOrdtG9v0eZTuOtMFT5mLjCUmGnzPDHj_OpADn0wL9ngDIZVF5DRAw9ur6ZuVtBgHIDK-CCOzxe_cR6dPvY0UlT20ohryzhU1Vb0aUvcYxEUj-bOGz8Z2bJG/s1600/9+November+2011+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcnV2LmIVvgNKljqTKjtbtOrdtG9v0eZTuOtMFT5mLjCUmGnzPDHj_OpADn0wL9ngDIZVF5DRAw9ur6ZuVtBgHIDK-CCOzxe_cR6dPvY0UlT20ohryzhU1Vb0aUvcYxEUj-bOGz8Z2bJG/s320/9+November+2011+100.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to be loaded with goodness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfJgY2F5PLIkPfhyphenhyphenFkIMtjbZWiQyIraWvdow12ctrZ1q7BVmsajgpeEMCKfi3BZibOlgSIpFSGjmSKUOdoqYDmSCkglHVN_tV9AUGPZHzVLghyrRh_OnL9Gkzl-sUvmfXqR3otYZ1RCC5/s1600/9+November+2011+113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfJgY2F5PLIkPfhyphenhyphenFkIMtjbZWiQyIraWvdow12ctrZ1q7BVmsajgpeEMCKfi3BZibOlgSIpFSGjmSKUOdoqYDmSCkglHVN_tV9AUGPZHzVLghyrRh_OnL9Gkzl-sUvmfXqR3otYZ1RCC5/s640/9+November+2011+113.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All loaded with goodness and fun.</td></tr>
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The cabinet on the left holds games and puzzles. My books are very happy in their new home. The bottom shelf on the right side will, eventually, house the satellite box and dvd player. I say eventually because this will only happen after we purchase a new wall mount tv and build another book shelf on that wall. And since a flat panel tv can cost quite a lot of money, it could be a while. However, black Friday deals have been known to pop up, and you never know. But for now, we are calling it done. Hole in the ceiling, unmudded drywall , tv and additional built-in aside it is done. I am very happy with the end result, in fact I might be in love with them. I put the room back together and here it is. As of November 9th 2011, 1 month from the start, we have a finished(-ish) living room.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y74rLcx_FZgXkJHlAAosArxdhZ9E93y6xXSA7tc05eMMjig1OURgdY975wwEVXKadi-vzrjXAi_vGz_Dqdc6SGYrPOyTBjWuqeBVyKS4uoYGPq4H9isRjOOX1eaIDUyIgeiJtR_gD3nD/s1600/9+November+2011+119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y74rLcx_FZgXkJHlAAosArxdhZ9E93y6xXSA7tc05eMMjig1OURgdY975wwEVXKadi-vzrjXAi_vGz_Dqdc6SGYrPOyTBjWuqeBVyKS4uoYGPq4H9isRjOOX1eaIDUyIgeiJtR_gD3nD/s640/9+November+2011+119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-45933311184729200502011-11-04T13:24:00.000-05:002011-11-04T13:24:26.485-05:00Halloween 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8EFV47dwtbL7dyvDPmWvrqp7lV7QKNps4oFReC0EFSpt88E-66FUJ6MHebNx9KlvWu7Z-fRA53waJJcvPOVc2jzsJU6nluaGJG0OqXxtq6H5fPjVBPE60bAJxfc7lwpIplwyfuFDGvfA/s1600/Halloween+2011+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8EFV47dwtbL7dyvDPmWvrqp7lV7QKNps4oFReC0EFSpt88E-66FUJ6MHebNx9KlvWu7Z-fRA53waJJcvPOVc2jzsJU6nluaGJG0OqXxtq6H5fPjVBPE60bAJxfc7lwpIplwyfuFDGvfA/s320/Halloween+2011+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4EUQeZ-6M4wQRLZZmqxpDtoNoruJ0JomWZe8D5BlDxqHLTZqq3egWSPTwxm9vrgO_eSZssQQFrhqyz-OXQjrDpoOo8gWnPXgsZQIvzga-cypJ_c47oYXs5gaNPoZ0ujwaFoQzmiBihjp/s1600/Halloween+2011+002edit2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4EUQeZ-6M4wQRLZZmqxpDtoNoruJ0JomWZe8D5BlDxqHLTZqq3egWSPTwxm9vrgO_eSZssQQFrhqyz-OXQjrDpoOo8gWnPXgsZQIvzga-cypJ_c47oYXs5gaNPoZ0ujwaFoQzmiBihjp/s320/Halloween+2011+002edit2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjwUWd-DEMG75azRHtlEHCI-CWw-CaHLy0mg1aYBgepVF8wtRftVZRa5zgLwie1_yFiTuLf3KGgQHmhiLEM-kHUySVJzS_AC9cZDR9tdca92oLSpsjG3ZKZQntTjRoIANtDq9cJNPKQGl/s1600/Halloween+2011+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjwUWd-DEMG75azRHtlEHCI-CWw-CaHLy0mg1aYBgepVF8wtRftVZRa5zgLwie1_yFiTuLf3KGgQHmhiLEM-kHUySVJzS_AC9cZDR9tdca92oLSpsjG3ZKZQntTjRoIANtDq9cJNPKQGl/s320/Halloween+2011+029.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD3XGwVpoYbxnj0dSeOEplTufCKF2amJntV-YFtdvBDQ5j7os9QsWlKumTsV0VTIpfX73gUJu__DDH72knVkgXHlAaTNsi0zE5W7sKY-zgWduv24NkILMqbnzzfvsIadqwhyiyUgpntxZ/s1600/Halloween+2011+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD3XGwVpoYbxnj0dSeOEplTufCKF2amJntV-YFtdvBDQ5j7os9QsWlKumTsV0VTIpfX73gUJu__DDH72knVkgXHlAaTNsi0zE5W7sKY-zgWduv24NkILMqbnzzfvsIadqwhyiyUgpntxZ/s320/Halloween+2011+011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T6nrDfLcdUi1gcBCY9LMsOOvmXlGrB8ssuXi3-2uwMI6OJu_tBwChlob3DaDqF3rPSeKAyrnJqyrntPjMS9Y1qpCOePeZmVzHtry-vIY-kq93cD1CMjvbOXLy62ermj3rVYiw_sp18Qz/s1600/Halloween+2011+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T6nrDfLcdUi1gcBCY9LMsOOvmXlGrB8ssuXi3-2uwMI6OJu_tBwChlob3DaDqF3rPSeKAyrnJqyrntPjMS9Y1qpCOePeZmVzHtry-vIY-kq93cD1CMjvbOXLy62ermj3rVYiw_sp18Qz/s320/Halloween+2011+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Good times were had by all.Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-55188275642995579602011-10-06T15:28:00.000-05:002011-10-06T15:28:51.115-05:00Taking a break...unintentionallyOur desktop took a nap with the fishes and it is talking Mr. T a little longer than usual to bring it back from the depths. What with the AC going out, sealing the leak in the roof before winter arrives, general fall cleanup, and little safety projects here and there (like covering the gap the previous owners left between the basement stars and the wall they built, that is just perfect size for a T child to fall through), finishing the special project he did for the boys and working 40+ hours a week.<br />
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So with all that to do, recovering pictures and user friendly options ( I hate the finger mouse thing on the laptop), I might not make another post for a while. I have lots of things to post, but until I can easily post them with photos it is not worth my aggravation. Hopefully I will be back in short time, but I am guessing it will be a few weeks at least. Thank you for your patience. TTFN.Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-55307117914347298142011-09-29T11:28:00.000-05:002011-09-29T11:28:48.958-05:00King sized quilt for me...and Mr. T too.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_1qu34XFyRBnyftG12g_RR9omUTqBbrIguhdFm6irFkEcA94z0O4Ctitc1Y6CtoYOeW_nGOx8yTRPTzoBTmvmg1qNfPwWXkwCGF_IBPcIBYKirtoYGDbFL6Vf6TbM8ozsn5uKilldNdk/s1600/22+July+2011+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_1qu34XFyRBnyftG12g_RR9omUTqBbrIguhdFm6irFkEcA94z0O4Ctitc1Y6CtoYOeW_nGOx8yTRPTzoBTmvmg1qNfPwWXkwCGF_IBPcIBYKirtoYGDbFL6Vf6TbM8ozsn5uKilldNdk/s320/22+July+2011+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have been working on this quilt for what seems like years, though it has only been about 9 months.<br />
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However, I have been saving fabirc pieces for nearly a decade for the "someday" quilt. Well folks, someday has arrived. This post is actually a few months overdue, the finished quilt has been on our bed for more than a month. I am a bit behind what with thefood preservation, garden cleanup, MAT's tonsillectomy, DOT's learning to walk, tattoo coloring, and other general life things. <br />
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Anyway. This quilt has been slow going and a whole lot of fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7xSLGd8LlOHUVemmftd-f46pC73oP-cLwMzj5Dxktn0JhuJoFnofTOrC3Gyt9qV0pDUQiZjfc_JwQ5H2nPE2_mhYCZuLaFh751GOyzNW-9FvmHETk6zx6Ktp-saAZ6FZY8pk22sToeWB/s1600/3+March++2011+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7xSLGd8LlOHUVemmftd-f46pC73oP-cLwMzj5Dxktn0JhuJoFnofTOrC3Gyt9qV0pDUQiZjfc_JwQ5H2nPE2_mhYCZuLaFh751GOyzNW-9FvmHETk6zx6Ktp-saAZ6FZY8pk22sToeWB/s320/3+March++2011+031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I don't have any pictures of the piecing, mostly because it was done in our <strike>dungeon</strike> basement and the light is no good there. But here is the finished top quilt, the bottom sheet (literally a king sized sheet, for $5 is far more durable and cheaper than quilters cotton at that with and length) and the batting is two polyester twin size blankets that are no in good enough shape for the boys to use but will be just fine once quilted. The coffee mug holds my fantastic curved safety pins. Ask me how much I love curved safety pins... SO MUCH. They are much easier for this big ole fingers to work with than straight ones.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dz3kFkNAyM8fY2sINd5pOUiLOJ_Rr71gHk122XpN9WVJI0lKIrcAGHmvmkvcEc66eKgxZm-fUGZ5apzh0huW5fiJ9KsYtBDZlYeTy4oJ2bBbWnLHhTh4T4PcIMQAGCy4zV6_UF_AvUwk/s1600/3+March++2011+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dz3kFkNAyM8fY2sINd5pOUiLOJ_Rr71gHk122XpN9WVJI0lKIrcAGHmvmkvcEc66eKgxZm-fUGZ5apzh0huW5fiJ9KsYtBDZlYeTy4oJ2bBbWnLHhTh4T4PcIMQAGCy4zV6_UF_AvUwk/s320/3+March++2011+035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Watermelon is my constant sewing <strike>pain in the ass</strike> helper. So much so I often have to banish her from the working area. She is super cute though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFjadduXIy3VLHvQsmBPJO582k3scXdqZ3RbeXOZlSTckd_QqU_7QJFAXIfU-wPoQPIT-acvpBSq6IPLFr4O9UjT5HxxSw4yhJezUG-bwBDSp7uaJydBTF71xg1CtuD4VOISQHCg0I45O/s1600/3+March++2011+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFjadduXIy3VLHvQsmBPJO582k3scXdqZ3RbeXOZlSTckd_QqU_7QJFAXIfU-wPoQPIT-acvpBSq6IPLFr4O9UjT5HxxSw4yhJezUG-bwBDSp7uaJydBTF71xg1CtuD4VOISQHCg0I45O/s320/3+March++2011+073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>To get started I cleaned out my kitchen furniture, swept the floor and laid the bottom sheet. Then I found tape, I was looking for duct tape but only found electrical, oh well still sticky. I taped the bottom sheet down.<br />
Then I laid my batting ( the poly blankets) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q_SORFVgctkDHDEo2b82MH5lNFZVbzKpH55SL5ZCXa7xafKHWpWHgjrqzF0QFqreIC4Pw2K4tzLaEmfsO0X44wOy7qr-Id8s57m9JMo_uZwJETdcf_TWRkoqswXmShxq7-VLWqsWtqyL/s1600/3+March++2011+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q_SORFVgctkDHDEo2b82MH5lNFZVbzKpH55SL5ZCXa7xafKHWpWHgjrqzF0QFqreIC4Pw2K4tzLaEmfsO0X44wOy7qr-Id8s57m9JMo_uZwJETdcf_TWRkoqswXmShxq7-VLWqsWtqyL/s200/3+March++2011+072.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqAXn4Xb6y2gNVHpj2NKbblMaStA9cOfF2RsQXHICKBnp3CAeoUHHzP-ypX94EM7Vsdyhyphenhyphen9ajCoSCP78AUSvRYX2AVYmdnT1IhWuCNZLmhsMPi7UNdlzl5RXO2xw2Mb4XEG3lO3th3KHX/s1600/3+March++2011+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqAXn4Xb6y2gNVHpj2NKbblMaStA9cOfF2RsQXHICKBnp3CAeoUHHzP-ypX94EM7Vsdyhyphenhyphen9ajCoSCP78AUSvRYX2AVYmdnT1IhWuCNZLmhsMPi7UNdlzl5RXO2xw2Mb4XEG3lO3th3KHX/s320/3+March++2011+074.jpg" width="320" /></a>THEN I locked the cat in the basement, and RELAID the poly batting and then laid the quilt top over that and secured it with tape.<br />
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On to the pinning! PIN ALL THE THINGS!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh6N58ANiULh3qFmtfuCM6ynvAqJmYCT9FbEwCPQCwahbTFLmIbTW2SqLc6PtRkM9WFwurCJZISBdYWA9eIIAAkRF5QwwP8KY369atq_6x8uAwaHMMXQl8Gn_vesJmOIakhWdSzihg62i/s1600/3+March++2011+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh6N58ANiULh3qFmtfuCM6ynvAqJmYCT9FbEwCPQCwahbTFLmIbTW2SqLc6PtRkM9WFwurCJZISBdYWA9eIIAAkRF5QwwP8KY369atq_6x8uAwaHMMXQl8Gn_vesJmOIakhWdSzihg62i/s320/3+March++2011+076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After it is all pinned and secure some would hand baste. I am not some. I do not have the patience for this. So I started folding. And then someone opened the basement door and this happened. It was still flat till the tornado cat decided to ball it up for a nap.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiCWuQooazr4gkW97iLft0uUFoDGX6WOT2nbynPpHMuT9Bxx_X56zaeOzYWLXJ_zkl1sLt01tKSvafGmHzTCa3msxSaJ_I8u_nUGi0Ghk6TFZYLo10G9joUWKsasll6rKD1dDt1cuzQBo/s1600/3+March++2011+078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiCWuQooazr4gkW97iLft0uUFoDGX6WOT2nbynPpHMuT9Bxx_X56zaeOzYWLXJ_zkl1sLt01tKSvafGmHzTCa3msxSaJ_I8u_nUGi0Ghk6TFZYLo10G9joUWKsasll6rKD1dDt1cuzQBo/s200/3+March++2011+078.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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So once again Watermelon was whisked away to her room and I folded it up, and stored it in a bin in my workroom, for 4 months. Yes, thats right. Then 2 months ago I got the itch, about the time I did the receiving blanket quilts, I decided to hand tie this quilt too. I will most likely go back and hand quilt it since I now have a quilt frame, Thanks MOM!<br />
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So, its been a while from start to...mostly finished, but it is done-ish, and I love it. So does Watermelon. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy84zdJehTI7ib3wIMzanWiB-o_2gQDgh1NHaLoePo_M7xKH_xcghz3OIJYPmVWMAhn6X_N_Cj-cO-YKOyhxqYyQimatdss_rKNQffmF30tqlCRI2_FNEECmlghuc9a9KEzOza8-yxlrSA/s1600/22+July+2011+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy84zdJehTI7ib3wIMzanWiB-o_2gQDgh1NHaLoePo_M7xKH_xcghz3OIJYPmVWMAhn6X_N_Cj-cO-YKOyhxqYyQimatdss_rKNQffmF30tqlCRI2_FNEECmlghuc9a9KEzOza8-yxlrSA/s320/22+July+2011+026.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvWGe6JjrIQb204ftm7S7zM7pFElfYGCyXH70StI775SbxBmtoFF-94oAayYHQZI3cqpGDE7CXMjIVub9ZziAaewYV1HhFGe5FZ3XUSc58_G74luDxai4uYD-6Bb2gAnkC43yIm0B3w5J/s1600/22+July+2011+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvWGe6JjrIQb204ftm7S7zM7pFElfYGCyXH70StI775SbxBmtoFF-94oAayYHQZI3cqpGDE7CXMjIVub9ZziAaewYV1HhFGe5FZ3XUSc58_G74luDxai4uYD-6Bb2gAnkC43yIm0B3w5J/s400/22+July+2011+030.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-55726791151183271242011-09-23T21:28:00.000-05:002011-09-23T21:28:28.605-05:00How much do I love the Muppets?<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MuppetsStudio#p/c/6DA21FA8B2B5C671/9/zCRUPWDIgYM">SO MUCH.</a><br />
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If you do not have youtube.com viewing capabilities, so sorry. The basic concept of the video is a monster, dressed as a bunny, with actual Muppet bunnies, singing "Stand By Me", doing what monsters do best.<br />
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But to those of you who can watch it, right at 21 seconds is my very favorite part. I must have watched this 10 times and laughed out loud each time. I do love the Muppets, so very very much.<br />
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I also have a huge crush on Jason Segel, ever since "Freaks and Geeks", yeah, so... I can have a celebrity crush, and I adore him. And I bring him up because the new Muppet movie comes out at Thanksgiving and Jason co-wrote the new film and also stars amongst others...He loves the Muppets too, one more reason I adore him. Anyway. I hope you could view the song and if you couldn't stop by and I will play it for you, repeatedly. <br />
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Oh and go see "The Muppets" on November 23rd. <br />
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Thank you goodnight. You may now return to your regularly schedules day and avoid any more plugs from me.Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-25188074568140662712011-09-09T13:22:00.001-05:002011-09-09T13:23:09.399-05:00A bit of helpful advice to myself<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><b>Note to self:</b> Self, on the very rare occasion you clean windows both on the inside AND outside of our house, just a friendly reminder, clean the outside FIRST. Otherwise you will have to re-clean the inside windows when little helpers, children, dogs, and cats, decide to watch you and put their grubby adorable little faces and hands/paws all over the freshly cleaned inner glass. Work smarter not harder. Just sayin.</span></span></h6><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Secondary note to self</b>: Remember THIS is why you NEVER clean the windows. It is much easier to have dirty windows and zero frustration toward adorable housemates than it is to be annoyed whilst re-cleaning an entire ground floors worth of interior windows. Please make a note of it. Love, Self.</span>Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047769794905761861.post-81817771766557306862011-09-01T07:44:00.000-05:002011-09-01T07:44:09.448-05:00Rhubarb custard pie recipe, as promised, 2 months ago...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIcy0xgFiO0r0IZd_QtFOONnox_GtVQG2CcgANpjP2r6RK7bOUDjf8ncYQJ8-LuIKB2-abSI_W-hv58KtqsptAnY7mt-2QhCOVfOMLXrWLlx9obIqknm61pzDdqrKK6_i19M4m1EHckP2/s1600/2+July+2011+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIcy0xgFiO0r0IZd_QtFOONnox_GtVQG2CcgANpjP2r6RK7bOUDjf8ncYQJ8-LuIKB2-abSI_W-hv58KtqsptAnY7mt-2QhCOVfOMLXrWLlx9obIqknm61pzDdqrKK6_i19M4m1EHckP2/s320/2+July+2011+038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rhubarb Custard Pie (Grandma's Recipe)</b></span><br />
1 1/2 C. sugar<br />
1/2 tsp. nutmeg (I also add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon)<br />
3 Tbsp. flour<br />
1 TBSP. butter, cut in tiny cubes<br />
2 eggs<br />
3 C. chopped rhubarb, raw, washed, dried, and about 1/2 inch pieces.<br />
2 layer pie crust<br />
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Combine first 4 ingredients, then add:<br />
2 eggs, 1 at a time, and beat till smooth, and then your rhubarb.<br />
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Pour mixture into pie crust and add top crust, and BAKE 450 degrees for 10 minutes, THEN turn <b>DOWN</b> heat to 350 degrees for an additional 30 minutes.( I like to do a lattice because the custard bubbles up between the strips)<br />
Remove and cool on rack.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Try</span></b>: Cutting it hot and tossing a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it, it is insanly good, my boys thought it was apple pie and now, because of this recipe, will GLADLY try anything with rhubarb without even a thought. Enjoy!<br />
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Little Squidgen (HJ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03361852564649359256noreply@blogger.com1