tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20724981842667139002024-02-20T05:49:23.063-08:00Jim's Mom's BlogFood, Crafts, LifeValeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-25147777228140327382013-11-28T22:34:00.000-08:002013-11-28T22:36:16.221-08:00My Advent CalendarLast year, I briefly described an advent calendar idea in my blog post <a href="http://valerietillia.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-pinterest-adventures.html" target="_blank">here</a>. This year, I've improved upon this idea and should be able to reuse this calendar for many years to come. Here is what I did.<br />
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1. I got a large wooden advent calendar with doors at Costco, sort of like <a href="http://costcocouple.com/advent-calendar-wooden-rocking-horse/" target="_blank">this one</a>.<br />
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2. I bought <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sesame-Street-Wooden-Puzzles-Storage/dp/B009HMM2SA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_3" target="_blank">this</a> 24 piece wooden puzzle from Amazon. It actually came with 3 puzzles, so I took out one and put the other two away for when Jim is older.<br />
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3. I painted the puzzle over with red acrylic paints. I had to do 3 coats, then afterward I sponged on polka dots and glitter. Afterward the edges where I took the puzzle apart were rough and made the puzzle difficult to fit together. I used a nail file on the edges to sand down the paint so that the puzzle would fit together flush again.<br />
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4. I used a white acrylic pen to write on each piece. I'll explain what I wrote and why below. Finally, I sealed it all with acrylic sealant. </div>
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5. I wrapped 24 gifts and labeled them with either a number (for the date) or an outline of a puzzle piece.</div>
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Here's what I did:</h3>
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Date: Piece Says: Package Says: Package Contains:</div>
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1 "Get a Christmas Tree" "One" Candy canes</div>
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2 "Write a letter to Santa" "Two" Letter and Envelope w/candy</div>
3 "?" Piece outline 500 piece Christmas puzzle<br />
4 "Get a new book" "Four" A new book<br />
5 "Read Santa Mouse." "Five" Chocolate treats<br />
6 "Look at lights" "Six" Treats for the car ride<br />
7 "Go to Alpenrose Dairy" "Seven" Treats for the car ride<br />
8 "?" Piece outline Gingerbread house kit<br />
9 "Donate a toy to needy kids" "Nine" Chocolate treats<br />
10 "Watch a Christmas Carol" "Ten" Treats for the movie<br />
11 "Pick a story to read" "Eleven" Chocolate treats<br />
12 "Make Cookies" "Twelve" New cookie cutters<br />
13 "Watch the Grinch" "Thirteen" Treats for the movie<br />
14 "Take a family photo" "Fourteen" photo ornament<br />
15 "Happy Anniversary!" "Fifteen" Gift card for Cheesecake Factory<br />
16 "Have hot cocoa by the fire" "Sixteen" Hot cocoa packets and candy canes<br />
17 "?" Piece outline Supplies to make ornaments<br />
18 "Pick a story to read" "Eighteen" Chocolate Treats<br />
19 "?" Piece outline Supplies to make Christmas cards<br />
20 "?" Piece outline Apples to Apples (new game)<br />
21 "Pick a story to read" "Twenty-one" Chocolate Treats<br />
22 "?" Piece outline A new story book<br />
23 "Read the Night Before Christmas" "Twenty-three" Chocolate treats<br />
24 "?" Piece outline New pajamas for entire family<br />
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I looked at the pieces and realized that there were a total of 7 uniquely shaped pieces. Those were the ones that could be used to match up with a gift, and I matched those with the biggest and best packages. Otherwise, the piece simply had instructions and had a small numbered package to open as well. (I think the outlines rather than numbers add a lot of suspense!)<br />
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Merry Christmas!</h3>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-39081621733093970512013-10-05T11:35:00.004-07:002013-10-05T11:35:52.147-07:00A Photo a Month for a Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I did it! My baby boy is a year old and I did a photo every month on the 4th :)</div>
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And for fun, I did a few newborn photo recreations :)</div>
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I can't believe my baby boy isn't really a baby anymore!</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-36072648128154266612013-09-28T20:41:00.002-07:002013-09-28T20:41:56.133-07:00Curly Hair Problems in Pictures I drew this last week, while agonizing over what to do with my hair. There will probably be future installments.<br />
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-12260905731992836752013-08-31T14:43:00.003-07:002013-08-31T14:43:43.572-07:00Girly Clothes...... are fun to make!!! Here are some things I've been working on lately. The dress is a pattern I bought from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/102610387/big-sister-ruffle-dress-baby-toddler" target="_blank">GingerBabyPatterns</a>, the bonnet is from <a href="http://thecottagemama.com/2010/06/ruffle-bonnet-tutorial/" target="_blank">Cottage Home Blog</a>, and the ruffle bottom bloomers are from this <a href="http://bellabama.blogspot.com/2012/05/ruffle-bottom-bloomer-wfree-pattern.html" target="_blank">Bella Bama tutorial</a>.<br />
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Either I need to have a little girl next, or start finding cute patterns for boy clothes!</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-11680756378471947672013-08-24T21:49:00.001-07:002013-08-24T21:49:36.152-07:00Paint Eaters UniteWe've been having so much fun this summer with edible sensory activities. Most of them I found online (and a few on Pinterest) but a few I made up!! Here are some pictures of what we did, along with brief descriptions of how we made them:<br />
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Frozen Cool Whip + Jello Balls</div>
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Vanilla Yogurt + Duncan Hines Frosting Creations powder mix</div>
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Cooked Spaghetti + Gel Food Coloring + Vegetable Oil</div>
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Sand: 4 C. Whole Wheat Flour + 1/2 C. Vegetable Oil</div>
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(sorry, never got any good pics of the sand)</div>
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-34159443877978024282013-07-18T20:06:00.000-07:002013-07-18T20:06:27.381-07:00In Case You Were Wondering...... I didn't fall off the wagon. We've still been sticking to our budget and doing meal planning to save money. I just got overwhelmed with posting!! :)<br />
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So far we've saved around 600 dollars! I'm excited to look at the budget in a few weeks and see how much closer we are to our new home.<br />
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How many weeks until something is a habit? We are at 6 weeks so far!!!!!!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-87296475942050928962013-06-22T11:49:00.000-07:002013-06-22T11:54:11.357-07:00Week Three... Hanging in There<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week's shopping trip was right around the $100 mark. I threw in a bottle of wine, and thank goodness. I needed it! (SOMEBODY learned how to crawl and has given me a run for my money.) <br />
Here's what we ate:</div>
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<u><b>Monday: <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moms_ground_turkey_and_peppers/" target="_blank">Turkey and Peppers</a> over Rice</b></u></div>
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One of my favorite easy meals.</div>
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<u><b>Tuesday: Sloppy Joes from a can</b></u></div>
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The ground beef was real. I have been too lazy to make my own sauce lately.</div>
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<b><u>Wednesday: Ham and Potato Soup</u></b></div>
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Left over ham in the freezer with purchased potatoes</div>
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<u><b>Thursday: Left Overs</b></u></div>
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CJ worked late and had dinner out. I had soup.</div>
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<u><b>Friday: Slow Cooked Chicken in Nachos</b></u></div>
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Thanks to Briana Mills for this one! Had it again it was so good.</div>
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<b><u>Saturday: Homemade Garlic Chicken Pizza</u></b></div>
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Haven't gotten around to this one yet. Supposed to have it a few days ago but ran out of time. Now the chicken I'd saved for it has gone bad... so I will pick up more at the store today. And in case you were wondering, the crust is store bought and I'm just going to throw some toppings on it!</div>
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<u><b>Sunday: Picnic Dinner</b></u></div>
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Haven't decided what this will be yet, as this is technically next week! Picking up groceries today. Ideas? Something good for eating in the wilderness and doesn't make you look gross while eating it?</div>
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<b><u>CJ's Lunches: <a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipe/soups/chili-with-chicken-and-hominy/" target="_blank">White Chicken Chili</a> with Chips and Green Salsa</u></b></div>
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<b><u>CJ's Breakfasts: Breakfast Burritos (at his request)</u></b></div>
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<b><u>Valerie and Jim lunches:</u></b></div>
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Pita and Hummus</div>
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Cottage cheese and Fruit</div>
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Left over burritos from <a href="http://valerietillia.blogspot.com/2013/06/eating-on-budget-one-week-in.html" target="_blank">Week 1</a></div>
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Chicken Quesadillas</div>
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Left over soup </div>
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<u><b>Nightly Deserts: <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1002633-3-ingredient-nutella-brownies" target="_blank">Three Ingredient Brownies</a> with homemade buttercream frosting</b></u></div>
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I over cooked them. They were dry and hard. However, we microwaved them with the buttercream on them. The frosting melted and turned to chocolate sauce and made it very yummy.</div>
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Next week, I start a new term at work. This weekend is very full and busy and I really don't' feel like making ahead anything. Since Jim has been sleeping through the night this week, I am going to be getting up with CJ in the mornings and making him eggs and sandwiches each day. I will also be planning meals that are quick and easy that do not require make-aheads. I'm sure it will still be cheap since I'm planning ahead, even if I'm not cooking ahead.</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-19497484657978802302013-06-15T22:52:00.000-07:002013-06-15T22:54:25.885-07:00We Survived (Thrived?) in a Second Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I was very lazy about taking pictures this week... so instead of food pictures, here is a picture of a baby licking his tray.</div>
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Anyway, the second week went well. Here is what we ate this past week:</div>
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<b><u>Monday: Grilled Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup</u></b></div>
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Easy food (canned soup) since this day I had doctor appointments</div>
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<b><u>Tuesday: Turkey Chili and Cornbread</u></b></div>
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Also easy and made in the morning since I worked that night.</div>
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<b><u>Wednesday: Left overs</u></b></div>
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CJ worked late and ate at work.</div>
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<b><u>Thursday: Chicken Nachos</u></b></div>
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Put chicken thighs + 1 cup salsa in crock pot on low for 6 hours</div>
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<b><u>Friday: Left overs </u></b></div>
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Again... CJ got home around 10:30pm</div>
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<b><u>Saturday: Chicken and Veggies over Wild Rice</u></b></div>
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All the random left over veggies I could find in the fridge I steamed and heated up old chicken thighs I'd cooked earlier in the week and served them over Wild Rice with butter. YUMMY.</div>
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I also planned some <b><u>lunch ideas</u></b> for myself and Jim which included:</div>
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Cheese & Crackers with steamed Green Beans</div>
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Hummus with Pita or Rice Cakes and Steamed Zucchini</div>
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Apricots, Cottage Cheese, Peas</div>
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Quinoa and Steamed Sweet Potatoes</div>
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Peanut Butter on Rice Cakes, Peaches, Peas</div>
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Cheese, Chicken, and Bell Pepper Quesadillas</div>
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CJ had refried beans, frozen bell pepper&onion medley, cheese, and scrambled egg<b> <u>Breakfast Burritos</u></b> that I made ahead on Sunday.</div>
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I also made <b><u>Gyros</u></b> for the weeks lunches for him on Sunday. I used <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/traditional-gyro-meat/" target="_blank">this</a> recipe and prepared them all in little "kits" so nothing would get soggy. The meat, sauce, veggies, and pita were all packed separately, then put in old plastic grocery bags and stored in the fridge door so he could grab one and go.</div>
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And I bought a $1.99 brownie mix and divided the <b><u>cooked brownies</u></b> into 5 portions for each week night. This really helped our cravings for ice cream after dinner and prevented us eating a whole batch of cookies or brownies on a whim. And it easily saved us 10+ dollars in ice cream alone! </div>
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This entire week cost us <b><u>106.52</u> </b>at Winco (including baby wipes, paper towels, etc.)</div>
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I didn't feel quite as much like I lived in the kitchen, mostly because I used almost all old "go-to" recipes instead of being too creative. This current week in progress is even easier -and cheaper- than this one!</div>
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So far we've saved $200! (That's approximately 2 full nights of work for me!)</div>
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Wish me luck as we continue with Week 3 :)</div>
<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-83360716016077090742013-06-08T15:37:00.000-07:002013-06-08T23:00:31.370-07:00Eating On a Budget - One Week InWe spend a lot on food. A LOT. I compared what we spend to other families our size, in our area, and although it wasn't more than what others spend, it was more than I want to spend and more than we should really afford if we want a new house someday. So I decided to try to eat (and buy cat food and diapers, etc.) on $100 a week and see what happens. Here is the documentation of what we did, what worked, and what did not.<br />
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On Sunday I made a menu for the week and picked out what CJ would eat for his breakfasts and lunches. Then I went shopping. Here is what I bought for $96.52:</div>
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We already had a few ingredients (like some canned tomatoes, etc.) but I did mostly buy everything needed for the week plus other essentials not on the food list.</div>
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Here is what we had this week:</h4>
CJ's lunches were <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Make-Ahead-Lunch-Wraps/Detail.aspx" target="_blank">Make Ahead Wraps</a> that froze and microwaved well. This recipe made 10 wraps! So I have some still in the freezer since CJ only ate 5.<br />
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On Monday morning I cooked a huge pan of bone in chicken thighs, took the meat off, and divided them among ziplocs for anything that called for chicken that week. I added it to the pasta recipe for protein, saved some for tacos, it went in the wraps, and saved some for the "roast" on Sunday.<br />
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CJ's breakfasts were this <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/jimmy-dean-breakfast-casserole/" target="_blank">Breakfast Casserole</a> cut into portions and put into separate containers in the fridge. I modified the recipe quite a bit though. I added mushrooms, olives, frozen pepper and onion medley, only used a small bit of breakfast sausage, and used some turkey ham as well.<br />
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Monday: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-with-rigatoni/" target="_blank">Broccoli with Rigatoni</a>, french garlic bread, salad with ranch</h3>
This was delicious, easy, and very cheap. Would have prefered to use gluten free pasta so Jim could eat too but Winco doesn't carry it... so I made an exception this week. Next time I'll plan ahead.<br />
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Tuesday: <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/spanish_rice/" target="_blank">Spanish Rice</a>, <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/corn-and-black-bean-salad/" target="_blank">Corn and Black Bean Salad</a>, Chicken Thigh Meat Tacos</h3>
Monday's chicken tossed with some taco seasoning in a ziploc waiting in the fridge. I also made the rice and bean salad ahead of time so that CJ and Jim could eat while I was at work and I wouldn't have to do anything on my work day.<br />
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Wednesday: Burgers, Corn on the cob, Potato Salad</h3>
Made the potato salad in the morning but it just didn't have time to sit before we ate it so the flavor was lacking. Will probably make this ahead next time.<br />
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Thursday: Leftover Broccoli Rigatoni pasta</h3>
I had actually planned a meal for this night (Slow cooker BBQ) but failed to put it in the crockpot at 4am (yeah... 12 hours to cook. oops) Thats ok, that meal easily is a double recipe.<br />
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Friday: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/delicious-ham-and-potato-soup/" target="_blank">Ham and Potato Soup</a></h3>
This was amazingly good.<br />
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Saturday: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-carolina-bbq/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker BBQ</a> on rice with Potato Salad and Green Beans</h3>
Will never make this again. We haven't eaten it yet... but our entire house smells like a giant poopy diaper.<br />
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*UPDATE: This was the BEST pulled pork we've ever had. EVER. After letting it cook in the apple cider vinegar for 7 hours (not 12) I pulled it apart and added Bullseye BBQ sauce (skipped the rest of the recipe), served over rice along side the homemade potato salad. CJ said it was worth making the house smell like a diaper.*<br />
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Sunday: (Supposedly) Roast Chicken Thighs with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy</h3>
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Not sure if I'm going to have the time and energy for this. Might roast the chicken and serve it over creamy rice. (Rice with butter, heavy cream, and pepper added.)</div>
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So... conclusion. We cut our grocery bill in half so far. I do feel like I've been a slave to the kitchen though, and like my life has revolved around food for the last seven days. While this is not something I want to do for the rest of my life, I will keep it up as long as I can to help reach our goal for the New House fund as soon as possible!<br />
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Some tips if you try this:<br />
- Check the expiration on the meats you buy and plan accordingly.<br />
- Plan only 4-5 meals for 7 days. You will get tired and revert to leftovers or a grilled cheese sandwich at least twice a week.<br />
- Try to spend 10-15 dollars LESS than what you have budgeted. Inevitably you will realize you forgot something or you ran out of baby wipes on Thursday and can't wait till Sunday's shopping trip!<br />
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Things I'm doing differently next week:<br />
- Planning some lunches and breakfasts for myself and the baby.<br />
- Making some go-to recipes instead of new ones (I'm burned out already.)<br />
- Making ahead LESS than last week for two reasons: I have a very busy weekend full of parties to attend, and my week ahead of me is the start of my two week summer break, which means I won't mind some cooking during the days.<br />
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Stay tuned for how this continues to "pan out" over the coming weeks!<br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-19484274652047491402013-03-20T14:23:00.000-07:002013-06-08T23:02:40.853-07:00Tag and Texture Blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jim loves tags. More than the toys attached to them. So I made him this:</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBo_5lN0J6k/UUonhd3obSI/AAAAAAAAAis/_lRQnCKn0Xw/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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There's scrap ribbon all along the outside, and patches of fur, fleece, velvet, satin, denim, and taffeta to touch and feel.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_kBpU5SGcY/UUonhNRBjTI/AAAAAAAAAio/WnRZ2UE0VjQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_kBpU5SGcY/UUonhNRBjTI/AAAAAAAAAio/WnRZ2UE0VjQ/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6JhE2oydca8/UUonhpLKjRI/AAAAAAAAAi0/0mtdeMQ1cyk/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6JhE2oydca8/UUonhpLKjRI/AAAAAAAAAi0/0mtdeMQ1cyk/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">It's a hit.</span></div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-57396696274461965852013-03-07T19:53:00.000-08:002013-03-07T19:53:04.584-08:00Turkey, Potatoes, and CarrotsIn about 3 weeks I plan to start giving Jim food along the guidelines for Baby Led Weaning, which in short means no "baby food," and he gets to eat the same things we are.<br />
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But, of course, the things we eat need to be healthy and follow some guidelines:<br />
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- Gluten free (relatively)<br />
- No added salt<br />
- As "whole" and natural as possible<br />
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Thank goodness we already mostly eat this way! But I've been working to build up a stash of easy recipes for when my little man joins us at the dinner table. Tonight, I came up with a new one! No pictures this time since I'm writing from my phone in the tub (gasp) but I wanted to get this down before I forgot.<br />
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Turkey, Potatoes, and Carrots<br />
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1/2 lb ground turkey<br />
1 onion, chopped<br />
3-4 large carrots, peeled and chopped<br />
5-6 Yukon gold potatoes (about 3 cups chopped)<br />
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed<br />
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped<br />
A lot of olive oil<br />
1 T rosemary<br />
Salt and pepper to taste (after the baby has his portion removed)<br />
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Sauté the onion and the turkey in oil in a large pan until turkey is browned.<br />
Meanwhile, boil potatoes and carrots until tender but not mushy.<br />
Add potatoes and carrots to meat mixture and add rosemary. Turn heat to med/high in order to evaporate any liquid and begin browning (as in a stir fry). Add ample oil to prevent sticking. Finally, add peas and parsley.<br />
Let cool a LONG time before trying to eat... The potatoes hold heat well and it would be sad to burn tiny fingers!<br />
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I think sweet potatoes, butternut squash, maybe celery, all might be great additions or substitutions! If you try it, let me know.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-13695288267579124292013-03-02T11:01:00.000-08:002013-03-02T11:01:31.472-08:00The Done ListYou make a list of all the things you would like to do today. You work and work and accomplish a ton, but at the end of the day you've only done three of the nine things on your list. You feel like you've failed, and now tomorrows To-Do list has 15 things on it. <div>
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Sound familiar?</div>
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Then you, my friend, need a Done List. In response to my frequent feelings of failure (because I was awesome instead of super-awesome,) I decided I needed to instead focus on what I HAVE done, rather than what I did not do. And so was born the Done List.</div>
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I used <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/901403/Avery-Magnet-Sheets-8-12-x/?Channel=Google&mr:trackingCode=DBC250D5-24E1-DF11-B41F-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=22726210916&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=46206121076&cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Googlepla-_-Office_Supplies+Labels_Label_Makers-_-901403" target="_blank">Avery Printable Magnets</a> and <a href="http://www.artistsupplysource.com/product.php?productid=129107&utm_source=AR-froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ALV-PL32217&gclid=CNOFgeHa3rUCFYKDQgodSyAAuw" target="_blank">Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint</a> to create this little morale booster. </div>
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Tip: once you are done with a coat of paint, let the magnet dry on the fridge so that the corners don't curl up.</div>
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After it dried, I trimmed the edges, added a little white acrylic paint for the frame, title, and permanent item: I was a good mommy. </div>
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If I accomplish nothing else in a day, I can always say I was a good mommy today!</div>
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I have a lot to do today before my friend Nicole gets here, and I look forward to seeing how much I can cram on this board!</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-38619370652675090382013-03-01T11:51:00.001-08:002013-03-01T11:51:31.834-08:00My Pinterest AdventuresThe last few weeks of my pregnancy I was confined to my rocking chair, due to some pretty severe spreading of my bones in preparation of childbirth. Let's just say, its a good thing because my baby has a huge noggin. In my misery, I entertained myself with my iPhone Pinterest app, pinning hundreds of DIY projects. And what do you know? I actually followed through and made some of them! Some while still pregnant, some while my newborn slept, and some while my big baby jumped in his exersaucer beside me. Here they are:<br />
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Candy Corn Baby Sack</h3>
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I saw something similar in a Pin, but there was no tutorial. So I winged it. Ta-da!</div>
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Fall and Christmas Wreaths</h3>
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Had some left over burlap from making Ashley's wedding place-mats, so I used them to make a few wreaths. I had this insane idea that I'd have enough time and motivation to make them in bulk and sell them online. LOL.</div>
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This is my favorite. I sold one to a friend, but I kept this one for myself.<br />
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Rice Bag Pocket Warmers</h3>
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These little goodies I made with scrap fabric, old jeans that were destined for goodwill, and rice that was already in my cupboard. They made nice little Christmas gifts for a new mama with no spare cash.<br />
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Jingle Bell Fabric Ball</h3>
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I made two of these, one for my nephew and one for my baby boy. I got the pattern <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/fabric-beach-balls/" target="_blank">here</a> from a pin I found. Also from scrap fabric, stuffing, and jingle bells I already had. </div>
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Crib Mobile</h3>
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I couldn't bring myself to buy a cheap looking plastic mobile to put in the that nursery I had worked so hard to decorate myself. So I raided my craft closet and found ALL these pieces waiting for me (some were waiting just shy of 10 years to be used!) to craft into a unique mobile for my little boy. Photo credit to <a href="http://www.charlieboucher.com/" target="_blank">Charlie Boucher Photography</a>.</div>
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Bath Salts in Mason Jars</h3>
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Epsom Salts + table sugar + baby shampoo + essential oils + food coloring = sweet smelling bath salts!<br /></div>
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I took some chunks off an old broken bejeweled hair clip and sewed them onto pieces of scrap satin and sandwiched them between the pieces of the lids on the jars. Another cheap Christmas gift.</div>
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Santa Bags</h3>
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I had a ton of this stretch red knit fabric in my sewing box... been there for 10 years at least! I don't even know where it came from. So I made Santa bags to carry our gifts to our Christmas celebrations. I used <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/easy-drawstring-bag/" target="_blank">this</a> pattern and found it very easy!</div>
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Fancy Gift Wrap</h3>
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I bought a roll of brown paper in the paint department at Ace Hardware. A few rolls of cute ribbon with a 50% off coupon a Micheal's and some blank tags turned these cheap handmade gifts into something fun to look at before they were even opened!<br />
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I tied some dollar store ornaments onto some of the packages instead of bows.</div>
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We got this fun advent calendar a few years ago, but this year I wanted to make it something special. I printed out a puzzle template with 24 pieces where each was unique. </div>
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On each piece I wrote an activity such as "drink hot chocolate by the fire," or "go look at Christmas lights." But a few activities required supplies, such at the gingerbread house, the ornament making project, making Christmas cards, etc. So for those days, I included a puzzle piece with a question mark, and wrapped up the supplies in a package with a tag traced with the outline of the piece. That way, you'd have to match the piece up to the gift. It made it a mystery each day, and you never knew when you'd get to open a certain package!</div>
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Photo Coasters</h3>
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I made three sets of photo coasters using 16 cent tiles from Home Depot, 4x4 prints of favorite photos, felt for the bottoms, and a bottle of liquid resin.<br />
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The theme was "Memories of 2012." These ones I put dates and captions on.</div>
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Baby Footprint Ornament</h3>
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One of my lesser successful projects. Baby hands and feet are very squirmy. Glitter is messy. Ended up looking more 2nd grade and less Pinterest-y.</div>
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Christmas Card Display</h3>
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This was great, and I'm definitely doing it next year. So much better than either setting them on the mantle or throwing them out! Wire ribbon + mini clothespins.</div>
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Baby Christmas Photos</h3>
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Of course I HAD to try my hand at a Christmas light baby photo shoot! Turned out pretty well, and I made Christmas Cards out of them.<br />
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These are some of the same bears that I posed with on my hearth as a baby.</div>
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I got involved in a "Creative Pay it Forward" chain on Facebook. So I bought some porcelain chalkboard paint, some mugs, and an oil paint Sharpie and went to town! They are not all on here because one person has not received his yet.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentines Gift for CJ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Get Fuzzy" characters can converse!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angry Birds mug for Grandma Kristi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mustache you a question, but I'm shaving it for later.</td></tr>
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And there you have it! I think that's everything for now.</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-89031175253020365252013-03-01T10:27:00.001-08:002013-03-01T10:28:24.876-08:00Sweet Potato and Ham SoupA lot sure has happened since my last post! We've had the full range of joys and tragedies. I haven't really had much time to post, but I did do a few projects that deserve their own posts, so I'll go dig up pictures and post them soon. But today, I want to bust out this recipe before the baby decides I have to come rescue him from his crib.<br />
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Sweet Potato and Ham Soup<br />
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I came up with this because these were the only ingredients left in my fridge after not shopping all week. The proportions are not important. If you have more sweet potato and less potato, more/less ham, no celery, etc, it doesn't matter. Also, I say 4-6 cups of broth because depending on how this fits together, you may need more or less juice. Use your own judgement. It will be delicious!<br />
<br />
4 T. butter<br />
1 onion, diced<br />
1 clove garlic, minced<br />
4-6 cups low sodium chicken broth<br />
2 cups diced ham<br />
3 cups diced potatoes (Yukon Gold are best)<br />
1 cup diced sweet potato (and by sweet potato I mean that orange colored kind)<br />
1 cup chopped celery<br />
1 T. parsley flakes<br />
Heavy cream to taste<br />
a pinch of thyme (optional)<br />
<br />
1. Saute the onion and garlic in the butter until onions are soft and slightly browning.<br />
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the cream, and cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, but not falling apart. (about 20 minutes)<br />
3. Spoon into bowls. Add 1-2 tablespoons of cream to each bowl and stir before serving.<br />
4. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-18102840603065466282012-09-24T18:22:00.001-07:002012-09-24T18:22:07.631-07:00From Scratch Apple PieToday I decided to make an apple pie from scratch, and not look at a single recipe. The result was glorious, if I do say so myself.<br />
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All the pie recipes I've tried before had the same flaw: the apples never quite cooked enough, there was too much juice, and the crust would burn before it really seemed done. So I came up with a new plan.<br />
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From Scratch Apple Pie Recipe<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kyBPEn_JMUQ/UGEGlSuLHYI/AAAAAAAAAdM/vobuxxk3MXM/s1600/246508_799756709401_1111460969_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kyBPEn_JMUQ/UGEGlSuLHYI/AAAAAAAAAdM/vobuxxk3MXM/s320/246508_799756709401_1111460969_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ingredients<br />
6 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin (I used Gala, Braeburn, and Granny Smith)<br />
4 Tbs. butter<br />
0.25 c. dark brown sugar<br />
0.25 c. sugar<br />
1.5 t. cinnamon<br />
0.5 t. allspice<br />
0.5 t. nutmeg<br />
0.25 t. ground cloves<br />
0.5 c. thick apple juice<br />
0.5 c. flour<br />
1 recipe of pie crust dough (I use <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_pie_crust/" target="_blank">this one</a> from Simply Recipes Blog)<br />
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1. Melt butter in a large pan on the stove. Add apples and stir until well coated.<br />
2. Add sugars and spices and mix. Stir over medium heat for about 5 minutes (or more... I can't remember!) until the apples start to look softer.<br />
3. Add flour and stir well until there are no dry spots.<br />
4. Pour in cider/juice. It will help moisten the apples again. You may need to add more or less juice. Make it the texture that you would like the finished filling to be, since cooking them on the stove prevents the apples from liquefying too much in the oven.<br />
5. Spoon the mixture into the uncooked pie crust. Top with the other crust, and slice vents in the top.<br />
6. Bake at 350 degrees for around 20 minutes (again, I forget) until the crust looks golden. The apples are mostly cooked by now, so really you're just looking for a good cooked crust.<br />
7. Let it cool for around 2 hours before attempting to cut.<br />
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I found that it bubbled over minimally, the texture is good (not too watery/crunchy), and the extra spices and brown sugar added lots of depth to the flavor.<br />
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If anyone tries to make this and something seems off, please leave a comment. Enjoy!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-59845888781059958152012-03-23T22:24:00.000-07:002012-03-23T22:24:59.132-07:00Make your own Crib Rail Guard TutorialI spent about a week in stores and online looking for crib bedding that is gender neutral, and that didn't have some sort of animal on it. No luck. I found a few really cute things on Etsy, but I couldn't justify spending 4-8 HUNDRED dollars on crib bedding... which is mostly for show anyway. And most bedding sets still come with bumpers (which have been deemed unsafe nowadays.)<br />
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So I decided to make my own! I haven't done anything but the rail guards yet, but they turned out so well I wanted to post them. I took some inspiration from <a href="http://www.babyrabies.com/2009/02/shes-crafty/">this blog</a>, but just read it over once and didn't look at it again, so my own crib rail guards are really quite different. In which case, I decided to make a tutorial in case anyone else wanted to try. They only took me about 4 hours to make!<br />
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I will explain how I measured my crib, so you can measure your own and come up with your own measurements.<br />
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<b>1. Measure your crib. </b><br />
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Taking the tape measure and wrapping around the rail itself to find its girth, I found that mine was about 12.5 inches around. So I added 5.5 inches to this to allow for "fluff" and seams.<br />
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Measure the length of each rail on the INSIDE of the crib. The rail guards won't cover the corners. I came up with 26.5 for the short rails and 52 for the long rail. I added 2 inches for seams, but looking back I should have been more generous. If I were you I'd add at least 4 inches total per piece. However, the instructions will continue with the measurements I actually used.<br />
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From here on out I will assume your measurements are the same as mine.<br />
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<b>2. Buy the fabric and ribbons and lace (optional) and cut it.</b><br />
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You'll need 3 yards of something soft, and wash it and dry it before so it won't shrink after you sew. You'll also need 3 yards of crib batting. I was also making a blanket, so I was OK with having left over, so I bought a giant bag of it.<br />
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I also got 4 yards of ribbons (2 of white, 2 of cream). I think. Maybe it was 3 of each?? Oh well, you can figure that out later. I'll help.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXq4GsHmwsU/T21PV8vJozI/AAAAAAAAAac/ut-HQ6xKDmk/s1600/Diagram1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXq4GsHmwsU/T21PV8vJozI/AAAAAAAAAac/ut-HQ6xKDmk/s400/Diagram1.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cut out TWO copies of the above diagram of both the fabric AND the batting. You'll need DOUBLE of what I've shown above. I just folded mine in half and cut them both at the same time. My fabric was actually bigger than 1 yard on the side so I had left overs. Some fabric is actually 36 inches on the side so you'd be in luck. </div><br />
So once you've cut everything, you should have 4 pieces of 18x27 fabric, 2 pieces of 18x54 fabric, 4 pieces of 18x27 batting, and 2 pieces of 18x54 batting.<br />
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</b><br />
<b>3. Starting pinning everything together.</b><br />
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Putting the right sides of the fabric together, make a sandwich like this: Batting, fabric, fabric, batting.<br />
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Now would be a good time to trim up the batting so its all flush.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yn_qGpPbJ6Q/T21SAVA4O1I/AAAAAAAAAak/izMN1Si2Ja4/s1600/IMG_4033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yn_qGpPbJ6Q/T21SAVA4O1I/AAAAAAAAAak/izMN1Si2Ja4/s320/IMG_4033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Next, temporarily pin the layers together. Lay the layers over the crib railing so you can figure out where you want your ties to be. It will be different for each crib. Once you figure it out, temporarily pin the ties on the fabric where they should go. You're going to un-pin these and put them on the inside of the sandwich in a minute.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILs1r4Iw1Fo/T21S7tdMXLI/AAAAAAAAAas/bkPXwhFqUbU/s1600/IMG_4042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILs1r4Iw1Fo/T21S7tdMXLI/AAAAAAAAAas/bkPXwhFqUbU/s320/IMG_4042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0o8M3h8WE4w/T21W4--YVMI/AAAAAAAAAbc/_khm_t7U9C4/s1600/IMG_4043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0o8M3h8WE4w/T21W4--YVMI/AAAAAAAAAbc/_khm_t7U9C4/s640/IMG_4043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rwvx2aLnFUY/T21TrOijXaI/AAAAAAAAAa8/xXVEt4Z0s3c/s1600/IMG_4041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rwvx2aLnFUY/T21TrOijXaI/AAAAAAAAAa8/xXVEt4Z0s3c/s200/IMG_4041.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3iJ4p78c6Y/T21Tn_BZ9HI/AAAAAAAAAa0/zOMEJXWuI8o/s1600/IMG_4038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3iJ4p78c6Y/T21Tn_BZ9HI/AAAAAAAAAa0/zOMEJXWuI8o/s200/IMG_4038.JPG" width="200" /></a>I guess I should explain the ties... they need to be about 8 inches each, and you'll need 2 for each "tie site". I decided to have 4 "tie sites" on each side of the crib, which was a total of 24 ties I had to cut. So that's not hard math for you to do on your own when buying ribbon.<br />
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Now if you are doing lace or trim, I highly recommend using Wonder Tape to told the lace in place. Then place your ties on top of the lace as shown in the picture. Do this for BOTH sides and make sure the ties are laying opposite each other. Then close the sandwich on top of them and pin.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9bRLDkn2nA/T21UWZz_I7I/AAAAAAAAAbE/cQEGc5OVxz0/s1600/IMG_4052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9bRLDkn2nA/T21UWZz_I7I/AAAAAAAAAbE/cQEGc5OVxz0/s640/IMG_4052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24V_SfZxw_k/T21U5QvbWtI/AAAAAAAAAbU/LyY7O9PD0dc/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24V_SfZxw_k/T21U5QvbWtI/AAAAAAAAAbU/LyY7O9PD0dc/s200/IMG_4054.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FtOMBGcO1U/T21U2aKd5FI/AAAAAAAAAbM/jna6ht6by38/s1600/IMG_4053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FtOMBGcO1U/T21U2aKd5FI/AAAAAAAAAbM/jna6ht6by38/s200/IMG_4053.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Now I was really worried about not getting my stitching perfectly straight on that lace and messing it all up. So I did this with a ruler and some chalk:<br />
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I only did this on the first one... I got more confident and didn't do the hem line with chalk on the other parts. But if you do try it, use something other than pink chalk. That stuff gets everywhere.<br />
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<b>4. Start sewing everything together.</b><br />
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Sew along the hem lines on each side (being careful to catch the ribbons without them falling out of place). Then sew up the third side.<br />
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Turn the guard right-side-out and go lay it on your crib and tie it down. This way you can be sure the very last edge you close up is done at the right spot.<br />
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You're going to have to close up the 4th side by hand. It was my least favorite part, but I got it down pretty well by the third guard I did.<br />
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Once you'd decided where to close up the fourth side, fold in the raw edges and pin it in place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJePP-S2qbU/T21YVwJH4nI/AAAAAAAAAbk/7THX9wBzbZY/s1600/IMG_4057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJePP-S2qbU/T21YVwJH4nI/AAAAAAAAAbk/7THX9wBzbZY/s400/IMG_4057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Then in order to keep the edges looking pretty, I did this funny little fold so that the stitches would stay inside the crease. Hopefully the picture makes sense. Then I just did a whip-stitch to close it all up, and I was done!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__uWiHC11G0/T21Y3O-7wVI/AAAAAAAAAbs/65h1l-NeryI/s1600/IMG_4060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__uWiHC11G0/T21Y3O-7wVI/AAAAAAAAAbs/65h1l-NeryI/s640/IMG_4060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51Qyl5zP4VQ/T21Y9dBby4I/AAAAAAAAAb8/Q63ZcvzIRGc/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51Qyl5zP4VQ/T21Y9dBby4I/AAAAAAAAAb8/Q63ZcvzIRGc/s640/IMG_4062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Please let me know if anything didn't make sense!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-33670579914079557532012-03-19T06:47:00.001-07:002012-03-19T06:50:23.520-07:00Starting New Projects and Finishing Old Ones! Sorry I've been neglecting my blog.... I've been distracted. On the morning of January 27th, after my sweetheart left for work, I had a wild hair and decided to take a pregnancy test. Guess what? I drove out to his work with two little sprinkles in an old 35mm film case and had him come outside. I rolled those little sprinkles (one pink, one blue) into his hand and said, "That's how big your baby is."<br />
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Well, that little baby is now the size of a lime, with a loud and strong heartbeat! One week from today I have an ultrasound to see him/her and I'm very excited because this will be the first ultrasound where he/she won't look like a shrimp! I'm excited to see the sweet little face! And better yet, my sweetheart just called to say his boss found out about the ultrasound and gave him the time off to come too!<br />
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Here is the little one at 8 weeks (the size of a raspberry):<br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=Scan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/Scan.jpg" /></a><br />
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I'm finally to the point where I don't feel like sleeping or puking all the time, so I've finished my tree painting and started on the nursery. Here is the chronological progression of that tree painting from concept to finish:<br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=photo5-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/photo5-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=photo1-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/photo1-5.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=photo1-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/photo1-4.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=photo2-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/photo2-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=photo3-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/photo3-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=photo3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/photo3-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=photo2-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/photo2-3.jpg" /></a><br />
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I particularly like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qik0Xtixojg/T2c4GzRbS-I/AAAAAAAAAaM/bNxA3XjowWo/s1600/conceptToFinish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qik0Xtixojg/T2c4GzRbS-I/AAAAAAAAAaM/bNxA3XjowWo/s640/conceptToFinish.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soon I'll post pictures of the nursery once I get it a bit further along :)</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-5883882738446037902012-01-13T07:26:00.000-08:002012-01-13T07:26:33.534-08:00Someday Someday, I want a lot of property and an old farm house. I want lots of tall trees around the property, so I can string lights from tree to tree, and have meandering walkways lit by lovely little lights and imagine faeries are watching me from the trees. I want a few picnic tables out in a clearing surrounded by lights strung in a circle. I would plant wild flowers and maintain it myself instead of going to work. I would have my own large vegetable garden AND a flower garden. I would have fresh flowers in my house all summer. And I want little children of my own to enjoy it all with me. Is that so much to ask?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/?action=view&current=photo-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/photo-4.jpg" /></a>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-2396344724160192872012-01-04T20:21:00.000-08:002012-01-04T20:21:09.222-08:00New Year, More Memories I spent the last 2 weeks going through all the photos I've taken over the last 6 years. That is approximately 60,000 photos. I am not exaggerating... I have file numbers to prove it. In the last 2 weeks I have noticed a disturbing trend. As the years have worn on, I have done the following:<br />
<br />
1. Clearly spent increasingly more time on my appearance.<br />
2. Spent an increasingly greater number of hours working per day.<br />
3. Drinking more and more wine.<br />
4. Hiking/road tripping less and less.<br />
5. More practical time with CJ and less memory-making bonding with him.<br />
<br />
While some might say that these are natural consequences of growing out of your awkward adolescence, I saw BULLCRAP! I say that I was happier when I was a toothless dork who didn't know what eyeliner was.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OsxFBGrCtc/TwUjB9bLU1I/AAAAAAAAAZc/jYlZ4bElq94/s1600/sculpture06+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OsxFBGrCtc/TwUjB9bLU1I/AAAAAAAAAZc/jYlZ4bElq94/s320/sculpture06+034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I say that I was happier eating out once a year and spending long nights walking through the forest with my boyfriend. And I didn't need wine... I had adventure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTKBJ0sd4TE/TwUjNsT2S0I/AAAAAAAAAZo/OglMHf9ZXCQ/s1600/crazytrip2+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTKBJ0sd4TE/TwUjNsT2S0I/AAAAAAAAAZo/OglMHf9ZXCQ/s320/crazytrip2+038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So I have a plan. While it is impractical to think I will suddenly give up my new found love of blush, or say goodbye to booze without a good reason, I have decided to put a little bit more effort in not settling. And that is why I am leaving this weekend for some unknown destination in the woods, in the middle of winter, with my soul mate. Just like old times. And we are going to have more fun, more often.<br />
<br />
There will come a day when things like this won't be easy or even possible. But today is not that day!<br />
<br />
Over the next year, I plan to enjoy every moment. I plan to love every second I spend at work, but no more time than I need to. I will seize every evening and not squander my weekends on "adventuring" in video games. And I will use my new camera to capture as much of my life as possible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGEM5qu8Tjw/TwUlB1yBoRI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/9ogsq-e8GtU/s1600/IMG_2889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGEM5qu8Tjw/TwUlB1yBoRI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/9ogsq-e8GtU/s640/IMG_2889.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I need real adventure, and I need it often. Like Aristotle said, adventure is worthwhile.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-1084399567852585372011-11-23T20:07:00.000-08:002011-11-23T20:07:02.903-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!Last Thanksgiving I baked apple and pumpkin pies from scratch. (Meaning actual apples and pumpkins.)<br />
<br />
This Thanksgiving I bought two frozen pies to put in the oven. I feel a little cheap. HOWEVER.... I did make a pumpkin spice cake from scratch... in the shape of a PUMPKIN!<br />
<br />
Behold:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jBn2geTeu2k/Ts3CU0DM8RI/AAAAAAAAAZA/EAArQ9sLSts/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jBn2geTeu2k/Ts3CU0DM8RI/AAAAAAAAAZA/EAArQ9sLSts/s640/IMG_2359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-87368468138979848542011-10-10T06:36:00.000-07:002011-10-10T06:38:26.356-07:00BBQ Turkey MeatloavesI'm back! Fall is here, and so is my need to cook yummy foods more often. I also have a brand new SLR camera so I don't have to rely on my iPhone for pictures... this also means that I'll be starting work on my cookbook soon.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>The other afternoon driving home from my new amazing job, I felt like BBQ, and I had some ground turkey that needed cooking. So I opened up some wine once I got home (4 o'clock is the new 5 o'clock when you go to bed at 8) and started making (up) this tasty meal.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I even wrote down what I did as I did it so I wouldn't have to try to remember! (aren't you proud?) The full combined recipe is at the bottom of this post.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Chop up the onion VERY finely. It really matters so that the patties hold together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khJ5ZOy0RHM/TpLwVa_BK9I/AAAAAAAAAXs/tVLGSVx92NE/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khJ5ZOy0RHM/TpLwVa_BK9I/AAAAAAAAAXs/tVLGSVx92NE/s400/IMG_2134.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a bowl combine the turkey, BBQ sauce, egg, cheeses, pepper and bread crumbs, by squishing it well with your hands.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-AhF1RXAWU/TpLwYmIWtfI/AAAAAAAAAXw/1Yb_ldG6D5M/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-AhF1RXAWU/TpLwYmIWtfI/AAAAAAAAAXw/1Yb_ldG6D5M/s320/IMG_2138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I suppose you can use any old bread crumb, but whenever I make cornbread, I save a few pieces and smash em up in a bag and stick em in the freezer. Corn bread makes better breadcrumbs. Incidentally, whenever I make bacon I save the grease to use in the cornbread. Bacon fat makes better cornbread...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6Y4fU8JrBg/TpLwbb66qSI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ydT06Sevez8/s1600/IMG_2143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6Y4fU8JrBg/TpLwbb66qSI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ydT06Sevez8/s400/IMG_2143.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pan fry in some oil until they are very crispy on both sides. This isn't burned... its the cheese and sauces getting flavorful. I also steamed some peppers and green beans to go with it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xlgAvvJpkCk/TpLwgD90qRI/AAAAAAAAAX4/ACI4yrgYn8Y/s1600/IMG_2146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xlgAvvJpkCk/TpLwgD90qRI/AAAAAAAAAX4/ACI4yrgYn8Y/s320/IMG_2146.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> And here you are!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jd4xhvaHOH4/TpLwtywiWSI/AAAAAAAAAYE/Vkwy1UsDofI/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jd4xhvaHOH4/TpLwtywiWSI/AAAAAAAAAYE/Vkwy1UsDofI/s640/IMG_2181.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And while I'm here, I want to show off my cute new fall table set up. Orange is my new favorite color!</div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFKw7z3W8f4/TpLwpaA_KsI/AAAAAAAAAYA/TOKmZqzt6xg/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFKw7z3W8f4/TpLwpaA_KsI/AAAAAAAAAYA/TOKmZqzt6xg/s640/IMG_2153.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> The centerpiece is just a hurricane with rivets in the side so the candle holder hovers above an empty space. For a while I had some fake grapes in there... then I put in river rocks. Now I've added paper leaves and pumpkins the rocks.</div><div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KC3k60OS2GA/TpLwkl-8QxI/AAAAAAAAAX8/AcD0dR128-c/s1600/IMG_2149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KC3k60OS2GA/TpLwkl-8QxI/AAAAAAAAAX8/AcD0dR128-c/s640/IMG_2149.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div><div>BBQ Turkey Meatloaves</div><div><br />
</div><div>1.25 lbs ground turkey</div><div>1/3 cup finely chopped onion</div><div>1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese grated</div><div>1/2 cup grated mozzarella</div><div>1 egg</div><div>3 T barbecue sauce</div><div>pepper to taste</div><div>1/3 cup bread crumbs</div><div>1 T vegetable oil</div><div><br />
</div><div>In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for the oil. Shape into 3/4 inch thick patties and pan fry in the oil at medium heat until they are crispy on both sides and cooked through (about 10 minutes total). Serve with vegetables, a roll, and a good layer of BBQ sauce.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Enjoy!</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-60675103741400656082011-07-25T20:37:00.000-07:002011-07-25T20:37:19.460-07:00Potato Harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZx_DiiEo7A/Ti4q4KfUjfI/AAAAAAAAAV4/p_SYRfnl9RI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZx_DiiEo7A/Ti4q4KfUjfI/AAAAAAAAAV4/p_SYRfnl9RI/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Harvest some Yukon Gold potatoes from your garden. (Avoid the onion munching slugs.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_31ENs8yZo/Ti4q7gtQFRI/AAAAAAAAAV8/gbssyxPip8A/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_31ENs8yZo/Ti4q7gtQFRI/AAAAAAAAAV8/gbssyxPip8A/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grate some cheddar. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbwrBvHtEi0/Ti4q78WXPCI/AAAAAAAAAWA/tP2Dh5AYGD8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbwrBvHtEi0/Ti4q78WXPCI/AAAAAAAAAWA/tP2Dh5AYGD8/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brown a pound or so of beef, and make this<a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/saucerecipes/r/blbb244.htm"> cream sauce</a>. (I added garlic powder.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7De8v1LG5U/Ti4q8Lkg7nI/AAAAAAAAAWE/mPYCX7zuc8k/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7De8v1LG5U/Ti4q8Lkg7nI/AAAAAAAAAWE/mPYCX7zuc8k/s400/photo+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Layer thin slices of potatoes, parmesan cheese, cheddar, and ground beef.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pour sauce over, add more cheese, bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tu9kXIROYRc/Ti42PgOEaEI/AAAAAAAAAWM/T3u53m3VfD0/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tu9kXIROYRc/Ti42PgOEaEI/AAAAAAAAAWM/T3u53m3VfD0/s320/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Super tasty!</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-53155088426052506132011-06-14T22:06:00.000-07:002011-06-14T22:08:26.541-07:00Yummy Potato Pie Step One: Have a few days off of work so that your lust for life comes back.<br />
Step Two: Have a martini and chop up some potatoes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uemKDvqXiT0/Tfg55HqO6_I/AAAAAAAAAVM/MNnuMHtX-E8/s1600/martiniPotato.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uemKDvqXiT0/Tfg55HqO6_I/AAAAAAAAAVM/MNnuMHtX-E8/s320/martiniPotato.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Step Three: Grill some chicken. I have become spoiled and refuse to eat chicken anymore unless it is grilled.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--EXksUPypxA/Tfg7HifecZI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/N1o-3e42U78/s1600/chicken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--EXksUPypxA/Tfg7HifecZI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/N1o-3e42U78/s320/chicken.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Step Four: Saute some onions, green onions, shallots, and butter. I was going to use garlic, but I was out. Tonight's rule was to make something out of food I already have. Those green onions are from my garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tFF2FgmjM98/Tfg8M4dR2UI/AAAAAAAAAVU/w7VwbJ1tSJo/s1600/onionsShallotsandButter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tFF2FgmjM98/Tfg8M4dR2UI/AAAAAAAAAVU/w7VwbJ1tSJo/s320/onionsShallotsandButter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Step Five: Add them to the potatoes. Add cream and salt. Mash up. Add the grilled chicken.<br />
Step Six: Spread some smushed up old cornbread and some melted butter in the bottom of a pie plate. Put under the broiler until crispy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eoq3dsjn86w/Tfg8piuf3bI/AAAAAAAAAVY/PVs-dOkLyiE/s1600/crust.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eoq3dsjn86w/Tfg8piuf3bI/AAAAAAAAAVY/PVs-dOkLyiE/s320/crust.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Step Seven: Spread the potato mixture into the crust. Sprinkle with more cornbread crumbs and some Parmesan cheese. Put under broiler for a few minutes. Enjoy!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UyMWjznJSfA/Tfg9G77IcuI/AAAAAAAAAVc/6kg90o1QMS0/s1600/pie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UyMWjznJSfA/Tfg9G77IcuI/AAAAAAAAAVc/6kg90o1QMS0/s320/pie.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
I made this up today as I was driving home. Its going into my cookbook, because I completely made this up myself. I have no idea if it exists already!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-56508068950048601722011-04-11T22:41:00.000-07:002011-04-18T06:30:27.629-07:00New phoneI am actually writing this from my iPhone. I wonder if it will turn out right?<br />
<br />
Tonight I cooked Gluten Free Bean Free Turkey Chili and took pictures with my phone. This is an experimental post :)<br />
<br />
First, start with some veggies. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/c1fa9c77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/c1fa9c77.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then chop em up. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/1446a878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/1446a878.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Then add ground turkey and cook till it's soft. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/4f5530e0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/4f5530e0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then add parsley, oregano,chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and cocoa.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/8647ccca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/8647ccca.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Add some canned tomatoes and tomato sauce. Simmer until thick. Serve over rice. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/4645cae4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff502/Valerietillia/4645cae4.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
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P.S. I didn't measure anything. Thats why I took pictures of the spices...they are listed starting at the bottom and going clockwise.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072498184266713900.post-60377313750624221422011-03-02T22:15:00.000-08:002011-03-02T22:15:07.159-08:00Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was hungry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d2yEU1pTd_k/TW8sP6jwHyI/AAAAAAAAAU0/rnn04ag0YEc/s1600/P1050781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d2yEU1pTd_k/TW8sP6jwHyI/AAAAAAAAAU0/rnn04ag0YEc/s400/P1050781.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some wine, butternut squash, onion, and carrot. (The wine is ingested separately.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uJlgJnMpp2c/TW8wlCzISMI/AAAAAAAAAU4/JDXf_K-WIoc/s1600/P1050786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uJlgJnMpp2c/TW8wlCzISMI/AAAAAAAAAU4/JDXf_K-WIoc/s400/P1050786.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A stick of unsalted butter and medium high heat until everything is gooey....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-68-GWC_2yEo/TW8xCZgpxZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/HEg0-Sql0t0/s1600/P1050800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-68-GWC_2yEo/TW8xCZgpxZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/HEg0-Sql0t0/s400/P1050800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I boiled the gooey buttery tastieness in some chicken broth 'till everything was gooeyer....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And threw it in my Handy Dandy Food Processor!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7dYhAoJRc50/TW8xvSxcstI/AAAAAAAAAVA/9zT4w1S6X7k/s1600/P1050803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7dYhAoJRc50/TW8xvSxcstI/AAAAAAAAAVA/9zT4w1S6X7k/s640/P1050803.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then I ate the most ****ing amazing soup I've ever had, if I do say so myself.</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12361030009428194881noreply@blogger.com1