tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71489091017100155792024-03-12T23:08:54.080-04:00renegade homesteadKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-84396500629927714472012-03-23T14:55:00.004-04:002012-03-23T14:56:00.800-04:00fuzzy friday: lucy goosey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last three weeks have been a whirlwind of gardening, packing, vacationing, unpacking, and further gardening. But I'm back and refreshed! To prove it, I managed to snap off a few pictures of my newest charge, Lucy, a three-month-old Swiss mountain dog. She doesn't stop moving if someone is looking at her. YOU try taking a picture behind your back and see how it turns out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2k9eWUpnMWn2NNfBT7waBhDrJEw1Hm2ORX18jKNq92bzAqW3tSGHzKIqtLSvMUm7qymay0lVmH5M3nfaa29ixMywKFNP6Pq0LU3HkojxrhgwyI37vLOfnZkkjWh-IIBGThpQwAqZ1w/s1600/DSCN0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2k9eWUpnMWn2NNfBT7waBhDrJEw1Hm2ORX18jKNq92bzAqW3tSGHzKIqtLSvMUm7qymay0lVmH5M3nfaa29ixMywKFNP6Pq0LU3HkojxrhgwyI37vLOfnZkkjWh-IIBGThpQwAqZ1w/s800/DSCN0043.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Can't you just feel the pent up energy that's about to erupt? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6aEGB4iNx4I9qfLuQ_AlcLrFs7CPBo1lrhBXwKG8SC_oVQlT23ZW0YAIsiy0OPbu7aOLuucSjfUpuz91Lg_bIgd60pVovGfzTDgCLJX8RcOxuPzJ6NQ3tw1dgHU4hqnLEBk0yvdfhA/s1600/DSCN0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6aEGB4iNx4I9qfLuQ_AlcLrFs7CPBo1lrhBXwKG8SC_oVQlT23ZW0YAIsiy0OPbu7aOLuucSjfUpuz91Lg_bIgd60pVovGfzTDgCLJX8RcOxuPzJ6NQ3tw1dgHU4hqnLEBk0yvdfhA/s800/DSCN0044.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="600" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nanoseconds later, she jumped and almost took out the camera</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far, Lucy is afraid of: the sidewalk, rustling leaves, cars, car alarms, car doors, lawn-care workers, and on occasion, the wind. It's normal for very young puppies to go through a scaredy-cat phase. Until it's over, I'll just keep quietly enjoying being the person she hides behind during her morning walk.</span></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-14894226282564417452012-03-04T16:38:00.000-05:002012-03-04T16:38:17.584-05:00it's beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seeding is stressful. After all that work, you're left with trays of labeled dirt to tend for weeks, wondering if anything will come of them. I fuss over them every day. But hope springs eternal for my broccoli which has already germinated. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMKtqVqbgmDqYe7LRHIOajKHr7CcpXORRLFIfoztlW6NO2hE5y8czHuXzfmoK4xOty5paMGwRc3Nq5AcCWJ2BqzsDscoOQ-A-89vkSJET9i499XNuuMUvOE0PteXIG242pleb3BoJ-Q/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMKtqVqbgmDqYe7LRHIOajKHr7CcpXORRLFIfoztlW6NO2hE5y8czHuXzfmoK4xOty5paMGwRc3Nq5AcCWJ2BqzsDscoOQ-A-89vkSJET9i499XNuuMUvOE0PteXIG242pleb3BoJ-Q/s800/DSC_0002.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks broccoli! Keep fighting the good fight!</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-88888234913377868302012-03-02T08:42:00.000-05:002012-03-02T08:42:29.836-05:00fuzzy friday: oodles of wrinkles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been an interesting week. Business picked back up after school vacation week and I've been bone tired. Thanks in part to Bubba, an English bulldog who looks like a tough guy but really just wants to be loved. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc7hQG-u9tR8qXYBkMYmri5tguGmrYWYTMauqd27cT_rFYZxyXVw5R7j_t_N5wBMIZo5QB1Yd94NsQwalPKGB1fByPNZcM1BsgpPWh41h6LfJ4V3H0kMQAlcSieIc5KrY0QyxhjxaBQ/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc7hQG-u9tR8qXYBkMYmri5tguGmrYWYTMauqd27cT_rFYZxyXVw5R7j_t_N5wBMIZo5QB1Yd94NsQwalPKGB1fByPNZcM1BsgpPWh41h6LfJ4V3H0kMQAlcSieIc5KrY0QyxhjxaBQ/s800/DSC_0006.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next week, I'll be posting two stories that developed during this busy week: my new doctor-imposed dietary restrictions and how we canceled cable (!) Till then, have a restful weekend. That's what I plan on doing</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-39316991752949713002012-02-24T13:00:00.011-05:002012-02-24T13:00:04.284-05:00fuzzy friday: house guest<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the dogs that I walk daily slept over at my house last weekend. She's a six-month-old Golden Retriever named Molly. She is the most mellow puppy that I know. Unless there's another dog present that she could potentially make friends with. Or she's playing tug-of-war. Or you have food in your hand. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIhm35Jkq15Sdyy8PpoB2RTVNJFVDkFLuuvY6sjNJ-qN7kv-nGwivPplyrRlFiLOJA5O7VLPJ1gywe-x_jvJe9a23Zj6pkVNb6jGEh86gPAkEey0bB3S-OY62wQTpjGOarniuSn5rvg/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIhm35Jkq15Sdyy8PpoB2RTVNJFVDkFLuuvY6sjNJ-qN7kv-nGwivPplyrRlFiLOJA5O7VLPJ1gywe-x_jvJe9a23Zj6pkVNb6jGEh86gPAkEey0bB3S-OY62wQTpjGOarniuSn5rvg/s800/DSC_0006.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMa_F8QpUUqDWoImnI_gV-Cdr63E8qCVDciYusTYZDM9IEqakyDVLsuChsplJAbNYLuNdN0JDOPD-lDsJhBINpuJPRRgJoPbREO0iiN3c7-oeQAwOOy1PfbnlCBVvrxuSRDGgRAYnqNg/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMa_F8QpUUqDWoImnI_gV-Cdr63E8qCVDciYusTYZDM9IEqakyDVLsuChsplJAbNYLuNdN0JDOPD-lDsJhBINpuJPRRgJoPbREO0iiN3c7-oeQAwOOy1PfbnlCBVvrxuSRDGgRAYnqNg/s800/DSC_0002.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLclK9CZYg1Ecnee22dS7IjcWuFGNd9kuGr5ktbO0XPt2nml_i8yo0NycZuNMv8YTz0crnhcvEhuDmeJ8LQWu2_iBJ7VgRqxO5VXYpIwkmcZF1vhYEWAIcFaHCLuE4LS8LSgObt038Q/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLclK9CZYg1Ecnee22dS7IjcWuFGNd9kuGr5ktbO0XPt2nml_i8yo0NycZuNMv8YTz0crnhcvEhuDmeJ8LQWu2_iBJ7VgRqxO5VXYpIwkmcZF1vhYEWAIcFaHCLuE4LS8LSgObt038Q/s800/DSC_0004.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you a mellow Molly sort of weekend. I'll be back early next week with pictures of the mountains.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-12473220839409174342012-02-23T19:02:00.002-05:002012-02-23T19:17:34.751-05:00how to reuse beer bottles for your home brew<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're heading to the mountains tomorrow for a little weekend getaway with friends. I'm packing the essentials: flannels, boots and home brews. Since Beau moved to kegging instead of bottling, there's a real shortage of bottles around the house. So how are we going to get the beer up north? Per usual, I raided the recycling bin.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started by soaking the bottles for about half an hour. The labels will become waterlogged and be easier to rip off. Return them to their kiddie pool for awhile and the adhesive will get easier to scratch off. I used a leftover <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_clip">bread clip</a> to spare my nails.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnZ__dceurNL4SLbbxtRdcu0ij2mZHBknRmcj93G3ITBXFbJBa7SeAJqDtPGj4L82LfZFxwXPtNxcOKtEFQQ5uHacISFZErcksHUp3eSJLBcewDQBeuWVz2YRFAAz3_A9NSoDeY-FfQ/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnZ__dceurNL4SLbbxtRdcu0ij2mZHBknRmcj93G3ITBXFbJBa7SeAJqDtPGj4L82LfZFxwXPtNxcOKtEFQQ5uHacISFZErcksHUp3eSJLBcewDQBeuWVz2YRFAAz3_A9NSoDeY-FfQ/s800/DSC_0001.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually, the labels will come off with a bit of scrubbing (OK - some will require a LOT of scrubbing). The labels on the brown bottles above were made of metallic paper and the adhesive was apparently super glue. A little vegetable oil helped convince them to leave. I used to swear by <a href="http://www.googone.com/">Goo Gone</a>, but now I'm inclined to think it makes Al Gore and the polar bears cry.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up, the bottles went into a sink full of scorching hot water and dish soap. They soaked for awhile before I scrubbed the residual cooties off of them.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQSR9lgRWu3kJ4MlF3zH0h8sevNvpOmq5YfTutXDtnR1py9PEmm4G7_WkVJ4KXGcmD17lMBN1TaYaWaQCJdGoLKgvlqbm6Ti-3qFuvd2tyRQO07eQA6lmSlCZFJgOZezuKnXyEgvnuw/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQSR9lgRWu3kJ4MlF3zH0h8sevNvpOmq5YfTutXDtnR1py9PEmm4G7_WkVJ4KXGcmD17lMBN1TaYaWaQCJdGoLKgvlqbm6Ti-3qFuvd2tyRQO07eQA6lmSlCZFJgOZezuKnXyEgvnuw/s800/DSC_0006.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once they'd been rinsed and dried, Beau filled them up with home brew. He used a <a href="http://www.midwestsupplies.com/homebrewing-equipment/bottling/red-baron-bottle-capper.html">bottle capper</a> and some fresh caps to close them up.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbZPhM5hQOAFI9KVUxjhydxDqjk_LP3KHHgcAtLMkR_cTNuGVgFPlQNTgD1NzC3nqpLa6fG6GxKAViDWmu5TBfp4edJvybMwEFeK_PyU9TrT38_4R8O5gJWWgM86W-9fBqkd0AWIYfg/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbZPhM5hQOAFI9KVUxjhydxDqjk_LP3KHHgcAtLMkR_cTNuGVgFPlQNTgD1NzC3nqpLa6fG6GxKAViDWmu5TBfp4edJvybMwEFeK_PyU9TrT38_4R8O5gJWWgM86W-9fBqkd0AWIYfg/s800/DSC_0010.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, I slapped on some labels made by the <a href="http://www.beerlabelizer.com/">Beer Labelizer</a> to distinguish between the IPAs and the ales. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqyZkY77jLfPf7xx_CuwYEqcQsRchygpMKNwkvsVhK-ow_X2Jh7KB0KAaB7fmUxnRcAdRW-IWVhoyc-2CFeApQC6Evy1NoGtGGR5b0ZUxoG9GyJxBCnOQo7lAIXkjZvob0Pgn5-DGNQ/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqyZkY77jLfPf7xx_CuwYEqcQsRchygpMKNwkvsVhK-ow_X2Jh7KB0KAaB7fmUxnRcAdRW-IWVhoyc-2CFeApQC6Evy1NoGtGGR5b0ZUxoG9GyJxBCnOQo7lAIXkjZvob0Pgn5-DGNQ/s800/DSC_0001.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to the scavenged bottles, we pulled together enough containers to have a proper taste test this weekend. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-74779041611781196162012-02-22T11:15:00.002-05:002012-02-23T09:13:49.815-05:00spring wardrobe<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not a fan of shopping for clothes anymore. I used to be. My wayward teen years were spent as a mall rat in New Jersey, mostly rummaging around in Wet Seal and Hot Topic. Sometime during college, this hobby began to lose it's luster. Now, my personal vision of hell is the mall on a Saturday afternoon: competing with other women for the last jeans in my size, waiting 10 minutes for a dressing room, paying full retail for anything. No thank you. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My closet has gotten harder to ignore lately as my wardrobe began to dwindle from weight loss and irreparable wear. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add together my frugality, impatience with stores, and the strong desire not to support retailers who abuse foreign</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cleanclothes.org/">garment workers' rights</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and you're left with few options for replacing things. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To begin supplementing before I reach the barrel-as-outfit level of clothing poverty, I ordered some new patterns during <a href="https://mccallpattern.mccall.com/">McCalls</a> $1.99 Sale (going on till tomorrow).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOb4gLJNFCyKzI5dmjS8Znbd-c1BBB0PL8GKFeI_FSlW17IfxVadO7pIUICMwIVbT28ElcvIQ-empokeaDTU8DTNthZJJ5iwvi2Cy_HX1hXHUuTIVbP8Arp8xUlfVG_W0SDdoJq5iOw/s1600/mccalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOb4gLJNFCyKzI5dmjS8Znbd-c1BBB0PL8GKFeI_FSlW17IfxVadO7pIUICMwIVbT28ElcvIQ-empokeaDTU8DTNthZJJ5iwvi2Cy_HX1hXHUuTIVbP8Arp8xUlfVG_W0SDdoJq5iOw/s800/mccalls.jpg" width="600" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1: <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4769-products-7355.php?page_id=108&search_control=display&list=search">M4769</a> 2: <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6396-products-14659.php?page_id=108&search_control=display&list=search">M6396</a> 3: <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6506-products-16288.php?page_id=2843&search_control=display&list=search">M6506</a> 4: <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6167-products-11282.php?page_id=483&search_control=display&list=search">M6167</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First up will be #4 in (what else) plaid followed by #1 in blue chambray. Stay tuned!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. If anyone knows a good source of organic, discount fabrics made by fairly treated workers or cheap upcycled/vintage fabric, I'd <i><u><b>love</b></u></i> to hear about it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Linked to GNOWFGLIN's <a href="http://gnowfglins.com/2012/02/22/simple-lives-thursday-84/">Simple Lives Thursday</a> Blog Hop.</span></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-43040325812198669612012-02-17T07:53:00.000-05:002012-02-17T07:53:54.477-05:00fuzzy friday: funny face edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NrRw1yyXWaAfDMsmZQUmLnd9ag4bLmzmwzmSldnJHof-yjxqjtfNtFwvTtvD8pEg3XlggfgfcBjoJlCLLsL3Ws5bIJ2AIl_p__REpOGnubjCIpug3VXqvSGLlPEeP9-eu3nMPFY2kw/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NrRw1yyXWaAfDMsmZQUmLnd9ag4bLmzmwzmSldnJHof-yjxqjtfNtFwvTtvD8pEg3XlggfgfcBjoJlCLLsL3Ws5bIJ2AIl_p__REpOGnubjCIpug3VXqvSGLlPEeP9-eu3nMPFY2kw/s800/DSC_0001.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bruce's mug makes me smile every afternoon. I hope you're smiling now, too.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-52154830440720040822012-02-16T15:18:00.002-05:002012-02-22T08:08:36.024-05:00something from nothing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find two things VERY exciting in the picture below. Can you spot them? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDk0pgyYMno_unuFBvTndOriAug6c_gjPkzfXC_EbxtIxPaKWG5R8rGI-NWbB4IJTt8gjnNy9mJHm-5wax_SC1awVosIOXS6SbnRNFQsvPQxqeM7_xxSLvrtv7XlzcZLftK6Bikg8Xw/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDk0pgyYMno_unuFBvTndOriAug6c_gjPkzfXC_EbxtIxPaKWG5R8rGI-NWbB4IJTt8gjnNy9mJHm-5wax_SC1awVosIOXS6SbnRNFQsvPQxqeM7_xxSLvrtv7XlzcZLftK6Bikg8Xw/s800/DSC_0017.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, the most obvious thing is that Beau rigged up a makeshift grow light for me! It's just an old fluorescent light fixture that used to be above his father's work bench. Now it's hovering over my seed starting trays, just waiting for the broccoli that I'll be planting in a few weeks.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second bit of upcycled excitement in that photo is a little harder to spot than the light. Here's a hint.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL_Te-VQ6YjjoJ6dWpTVPnVLrwAoup2FEMmrg8evLqq0UbZS_-VbD0dQDroXvccOMoEJGQiY6GyPreT1zCPqszxTHyCeMSOXLCGBxV4KpXrBUeucAdSrpeFKSQd_JNuaO_4-rIlB2xw/s1600/kitchen3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL_Te-VQ6YjjoJ6dWpTVPnVLrwAoup2FEMmrg8evLqq0UbZS_-VbD0dQDroXvccOMoEJGQiY6GyPreT1zCPqszxTHyCeMSOXLCGBxV4KpXrBUeucAdSrpeFKSQd_JNuaO_4-rIlB2xw/s800/kitchen3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weird boards that used to box in the space over my cabinets were never thrown away when the kitchen was renovated. They sat patiently in the basement until Beau had time to turn them into badly needed shelves - one for the brewery, one in the garage for gardening supplies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4hwH-IkrA5Oiu_Zga3Xy7QDAphj6HsmPA7jLEmJ-ACDFtL3MKuOIEiDki3XjY5BRpdpPTUxTLyi7XHi8fn_WclVPN1HDRLu6nnQ3yEI_qIVFBil36dEV7k4Br2CwXfEXlvIfEvcgZQ/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4hwH-IkrA5Oiu_Zga3Xy7QDAphj6HsmPA7jLEmJ-ACDFtL3MKuOIEiDki3XjY5BRpdpPTUxTLyi7XHi8fn_WclVPN1HDRLu6nnQ3yEI_qIVFBil36dEV7k4Br2CwXfEXlvIfEvcgZQ/s800/DSC_0023.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see, this one is approximately a mile long and has already been filled with all manner of man space paraphernalia. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. This entry is part of <a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/2012/02/1273/">Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways</a>.</span></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-46118527619516498392012-02-15T14:03:00.000-05:002012-02-15T14:03:17.339-05:00my first purse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished upcycling my old purse into a new one this weekend!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAMGxiTPqc6bWmzVitaQF39Mo-XINWUv51qH9ST_UUm5X7bY5AYZakWa3xmtfQfi776_4P7jlEA7kU-qZ0RA4Ods21Cpl0b4ToJyDO9aTlx_B8WuXAB2HrL2l2wo529m6nv_CnlG50Q/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAMGxiTPqc6bWmzVitaQF39Mo-XINWUv51qH9ST_UUm5X7bY5AYZakWa3xmtfQfi776_4P7jlEA7kU-qZ0RA4Ods21Cpl0b4ToJyDO9aTlx_B8WuXAB2HrL2l2wo529m6nv_CnlG50Q/s800/DSC_0004.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I adapted a tutorial from <a href="http://ocd-obsessivecraftingdisorder.blogspot.com/2010/08/bag-lady-week-messenger-bag-tutorial.html">Obsessive Crafting Disorder</a> to create the perfect size for dog walking. Big enough to fit what I need but compact enough to stay out of my way. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also used a tutorial from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2007/02/zippered_inner_.html">U Handbag</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to learn how to insert the zippers on the front. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdm9DRe1z66CmvZTbIN3v4jT2GleFkCaJRNSoTpxzjb8bOyflJkpGG9oEB8gnH-MLDjnm7XPGGtDDXnDwn6eNimszOSxQWvri9_qQDeZvsnLXS7AG-b9W5RKMHmApKIpcUSBaW4BdnQ/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdm9DRe1z66CmvZTbIN3v4jT2GleFkCaJRNSoTpxzjb8bOyflJkpGG9oEB8gnH-MLDjnm7XPGGtDDXnDwn6eNimszOSxQWvri9_qQDeZvsnLXS7AG-b9W5RKMHmApKIpcUSBaW4BdnQ/s800/DSC_0007.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hardware, bright pink lining, and zippers were poached from my beloved</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://renegadehomestead.blogspot.com/2012/01/hannibal-lecter-of-accessories.html">old purse</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which had seen better days.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The button has been sitting in my stash for ages. It probably popped off of some fancy winter coat once upon a time but since I didn't remember it, I consider it free game. Really sorry if any of my house guests DO recognize it. I promise to give it a good home.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-81894965370767106352012-02-10T11:55:00.000-05:002012-02-10T11:55:00.112-05:00fuzzy friday: just another day at the office<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHpkuaFq4mqUYfk2PEWnVBT6CGQwyW_j5EggQpwRcdxuF7TTIR7aFRLY1vLYykfFhdUQ-TTr-DhzbOLv4WDXKEraMjSzqNLBXcpz2ktSj709xAwQsrrMGA1UOV0_z5Z96NCLcyOghHQ/s1600/DSCN0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHpkuaFq4mqUYfk2PEWnVBT6CGQwyW_j5EggQpwRcdxuF7TTIR7aFRLY1vLYykfFhdUQ-TTr-DhzbOLv4WDXKEraMjSzqNLBXcpz2ktSj709xAwQsrrMGA1UOV0_z5Z96NCLcyOghHQ/s800/DSCN0013.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-67754862060495491962012-02-09T19:19:00.002-05:002012-02-13T09:55:54.863-05:00booya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like many other gardeners, my January was about planning for springtime. A slightly obscene variety of organic heirloom seeds were ordered. A garden plan was drawn. Some seed starting equipment was purchased to make sure my frequent weekends away don't kill the tender little guys. But still, there was a major hole in my plan: containers. My garden is an 80 square foot cement slab so, yeah, containers should be a priority. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Per usual, the Internet, sweet mistress of inspiration, suggested a frugal, greener option than going to Home Depot to fill a cart with brand new plastic: check your local grocery store. It took me two tries at customer service, lots of polite smiles and a little hutzpah, but after my weekly visit to Shaw's on Monday, I walked out with a lot more than food. Behold my haul! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpRja7OdIA4HkQqYwp77v1fZMKR_w7xe9PArNJc2fGFQZQPwrxZNXuLPRDsQPDahuc5SodHMTHBE0jkXUCrhyOHvuPW3MqRZQN4DkXa9vqXmQhpypDTuAbyxacUQ6AWDTjKPcBEToAQ/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpRja7OdIA4HkQqYwp77v1fZMKR_w7xe9PArNJc2fGFQZQPwrxZNXuLPRDsQPDahuc5SodHMTHBE0jkXUCrhyOHvuPW3MqRZQN4DkXa9vqXmQhpypDTuAbyxacUQ6AWDTjKPcBEToAQ/s800/DSC_0002.JPG" width="600" /></a></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They gave me 16 food-grade 5-gallon buckets from their bakery. I'm going to use <a href="http://www.mybalconyjungle.com/self_watering.html">this tutorial</a> to turn them into self-watering pots (which, by the way, usually start at $50 a pop). These ones were f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ree, upcycled, and best of all, they smell like heavenly buttercream frosting. I'm in little gardener heaven. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. This is my weekly entry at the <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/02/barn-hop-49.html">Barn Hop</a>. I get <i>tons</i> of ideas from there. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-42274379519169483402012-02-07T08:53:00.002-05:002012-02-07T08:55:01.635-05:00superbowl defeat eats<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday morning, I woke up early, painted on my eye black, and got to work in the kitchen. We spent all day prepping our Superbowl snacks just like <a href="http://renegadehomestead.blogspot.com/2011/02/foozball-sunday.html">last year</a>, the main difference being that I made little food labels this time around. Beau just sorta shook his head. He does that sometimes. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9hXsOtVOaJ911UyvdoUM_5D_xt8mCuubKgYSzBkvQy8w3zTMVKsApZsGAxAugammhIy6E_fxFMV_TOX71Qq4eur0rosXA6senUzLac72uTXYuK5HY7NGSrEZ44jvHgse4QEWlyMxxg/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9hXsOtVOaJ911UyvdoUM_5D_xt8mCuubKgYSzBkvQy8w3zTMVKsApZsGAxAugammhIy6E_fxFMV_TOX71Qq4eur0rosXA6senUzLac72uTXYuK5HY7NGSrEZ44jvHgse4QEWlyMxxg/s800/DSC_0014.JPG" width="600" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bill presented the <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/12/skinny-artichoke-dip.html">artichoke dip</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VdAs0WGmMUkY__BjJw3wncNJlYNc6biGelmY9LXD09E1nuNyMhgOom0uD8axspRp4nrRuTGmpHac7tq3XgecU-foG-Ji2b8DCCF12FR4LGFRA_nv_bcnOHSxbyO7YfFI9vvx5xzGqA/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VdAs0WGmMUkY__BjJw3wncNJlYNc6biGelmY9LXD09E1nuNyMhgOom0uD8axspRp4nrRuTGmpHac7tq3XgecU-foG-Ji2b8DCCF12FR4LGFRA_nv_bcnOHSxbyO7YfFI9vvx5xzGqA/s800/DSC_0023.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="600" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strike>Buffalo</strike> Boston Wings in Beau's own teriyaki glaze</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMK8rWADn6xKEnPDMNsci07mFpkqY4biS9LxO7xPFXPN72Xu0pDf_2vA5rrKQz2ntQfqbhGM7HRJ94cd3wvZKzU1mzLdnyB37SHd52gcKzVGErQ4QHWBmqL2HiCcI1y-NyZdNvqUXDw/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMK8rWADn6xKEnPDMNsci07mFpkqY4biS9LxO7xPFXPN72Xu0pDf_2vA5rrKQz2ntQfqbhGM7HRJ94cd3wvZKzU1mzLdnyB37SHd52gcKzVGErQ4QHWBmqL2HiCcI1y-NyZdNvqUXDw/s800/DSC_0009.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gisele shivered on the chili that our guests brought (WELL, I CRACK MYSELF UP)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJXk93_oYBzW9CWawQVu3QBe6IJiSkZkR_ewEgTcVyvXpTz5Vj4c531nPnpl88bu9AHidwjngpAx-C3k1GJCzjlQ5kDC2kcG9qZzXB6aGF3TLXYr7dHRy82YlWdsrxSc87gJ8rPedfQ/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJXk93_oYBzW9CWawQVu3QBe6IJiSkZkR_ewEgTcVyvXpTz5Vj4c531nPnpl88bu9AHidwjngpAx-C3k1GJCzjlQ5kDC2kcG9qZzXB6aGF3TLXYr7dHRy82YlWdsrxSc87gJ8rPedfQ/s800/DSC_0015.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever popular <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pretzel-crusted-pickle-chips-with-mustard-sauce-recipe/index.html">fried pickle chips</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Dupg0G7YEZC5uyEpDFbZGyRvFA06ntKXPR5kFsLPb5jTcCIKZQeD_NdoHsI-u8Vjk8016jVfVKa-vBpTbQGCCAJZF9Hu7bD2YpA-wHeh71a6AM0aXYG4-Ir8hoREZZOEVUM1uAJZCw/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Dupg0G7YEZC5uyEpDFbZGyRvFA06ntKXPR5kFsLPb5jTcCIKZQeD_NdoHsI-u8Vjk8016jVfVKa-vBpTbQGCCAJZF9Hu7bD2YpA-wHeh71a6AM0aXYG4-Ir8hoREZZOEVUM1uAJZCw/s800/DSC_0001.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Addictive <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/03/low-fat-baked-onion-rings.html">baked onion rings</a> (I made these twice last week)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVX0VUL2rA9bGh6KEcG_WljLik-uPJrrsWQ6I-9wEiniX1t9texdDBUzAljVMpDUNqxnS5yWmiKRbDTPvQ_ADTzsDh2VmRYsosJq8q9xgCDgozOVldG0URC_tI3AcAZr653BR7K_zSw/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVX0VUL2rA9bGh6KEcG_WljLik-uPJrrsWQ6I-9wEiniX1t9texdDBUzAljVMpDUNqxnS5yWmiKRbDTPvQ_ADTzsDh2VmRYsosJq8q9xgCDgozOVldG0URC_tI3AcAZr653BR7K_zSw/s800/DSC_0016.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my personal favorite: Brady <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/01/skinny-baked-jalapeno-poppers.html">jalapeno poppers</a><span id="goog_1260080163"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things didn't turn out quite as planned for the Patriots but it didn't really matter in our living room where everyone was knee deep in snack food, beer, and good times.</span></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-421979066311021062012-02-06T08:24:00.001-05:002012-02-06T13:16:56.543-05:00weekend highlights: not all was lost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like most other New Englanders, Sunday was consumed by the Super Bowl. But Saturday saw some excellent crafting that made me even more eager for a spring garden.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eVU9Uh_DHp7Zr9eXYMvw-HzADDCEke07gTFR4d-FPwMUrk6-3_fpuC11ZRct78NwIQZXH5Rm8SDLenMuZDS6-sQ8eu0GuKNx_LxoKCsBqCjR-E28WcHZcQBaCnegZp0zBbN_jjOaRA/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eVU9Uh_DHp7Zr9eXYMvw-HzADDCEke07gTFR4d-FPwMUrk6-3_fpuC11ZRct78NwIQZXH5Rm8SDLenMuZDS6-sQ8eu0GuKNx_LxoKCsBqCjR-E28WcHZcQBaCnegZp0zBbN_jjOaRA/s800/DSC_0003.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foster pup <a href="http://renegadehomestead.blogspot.com/2012/02/fuzzy-friday-too-much-of-good-thing.html">Jesse</a> got in on the crafting action before his new family picked him up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrotnA30S1DCJNeaDwKdgTHEFwQtlPEs4P_C95QwmAmav6Q0kH3Zax-P6kwrOCE2UYq3-5vnVhyphenhyphenIcnHWzaY-s_I61H8QTGBAJ8WzL6Ool8KwUwEghPcpmh0wrREoXvLW-OGxdtNEiWQ/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrotnA30S1DCJNeaDwKdgTHEFwQtlPEs4P_C95QwmAmav6Q0kH3Zax-P6kwrOCE2UYq3-5vnVhyphenhyphenIcnHWzaY-s_I61H8QTGBAJ8WzL6Ool8KwUwEghPcpmh0wrREoXvLW-OGxdtNEiWQ/s800/DSC_0002.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beau finished my new vertical gutter garden!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't wait to fill it with lettuce and radishes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwrRFSRVinwqchkJwFcMUVqgSWAJE1cZC17OnYiEa4NiR4v1iMcBjhGnSFsmJUpFY9evRCVrScdWQoKjza0ugwcq0IRMeFlL3nEKibISEuTLFqdEO-jgEVZ_x13JP3OI4HMeiONtU6g/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwrRFSRVinwqchkJwFcMUVqgSWAJE1cZC17OnYiEa4NiR4v1iMcBjhGnSFsmJUpFY9evRCVrScdWQoKjza0ugwcq0IRMeFlL3nEKibISEuTLFqdEO-jgEVZ_x13JP3OI4HMeiONtU6g/s800/DSC_0011.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got into football for the first time in my life</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be back tomorrow with the many snacks we made for the game. Naturally, I found a way to girl up the manliest event of the year.</span></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-53937708439171155672012-02-03T08:48:00.000-05:002012-02-03T08:48:52.125-05:00fuzzy friday: too much of a good thing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm exhausted. The type of exhausted that makes you shuffle around with stiff limbs and fall asleep on the couch at 8 pm. Part of that is due to a lovely boom in business (YAY!). The other part is due to the foster pup I picked up from <a href="http://www.foreverhomerescue.org/">Forever Home New England</a> on Monday. His name is Jesse and he is supremely <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21942365">adoptable</a>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HlB2-VZqTU5tvIsKxPIgJJArFPId43COQfCu_BeZ3VVUt_6E_h-8pC5fhH4DUnoFCPXTnpV2S-AdDQ6EaUAcFQvtQmn8N9WGCmt7UrOzI4AOMnL5mmoD5HkVvUz4srqluFuYTn75gg/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HlB2-VZqTU5tvIsKxPIgJJArFPId43COQfCu_BeZ3VVUt_6E_h-8pC5fhH4DUnoFCPXTnpV2S-AdDQ6EaUAcFQvtQmn8N9WGCmt7UrOzI4AOMnL5mmoD5HkVvUz4srqluFuYTn75gg/s800/DSC_0011.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesse enjoys ice cubes, destroying raw hides, long walks in the park, and snuggling. He also worships Beau. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsRIZChRpDoDbus3YrhtXny8pjHukId9C669jiQ1hlE_3d7s5ywSYZzvM2UP0HDTV4s6Iy98xMvowh0NDWlkvVqc1A5aieVJT97mn6Ia53O4-NyRuLLa3taLwuKdYgYdjeACZgq1xWA/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsRIZChRpDoDbus3YrhtXny8pjHukId9C669jiQ1hlE_3d7s5ywSYZzvM2UP0HDTV4s6Iy98xMvowh0NDWlkvVqc1A5aieVJT97mn6Ia53O4-NyRuLLa3taLwuKdYgYdjeACZgq1xWA/s800/DSC_0007.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope there's something as enjoyable as ice cubes planned for your weekend. </span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-82297917864318590212012-01-30T09:07:00.001-05:002012-01-30T09:08:43.712-05:00weekend highlights: bride's slaving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend was full of secretive wedding planning for two of my best friends so I can't share many of the photos. I'm a bridesmaid (or as we like to call them in my circle, bride's slave) though there's no bride. This wedding has two grooms. Beau's a groomsman but he was spared the agony of dress shopping on Sunday. He manned the homestead while I was out playing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC6wZKSBGIaHGB0d_PC8O8AOSMEzs6QI0l1-kELj-V0rPQNzFBFk2qfEe_c9y98rQSZQv80w-WId93hQZ5lyh0Re_zbLbycJPpej8Xju6RV7H2ytxuLQRml7PcyUkodL-jQimyMnpnA/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC6wZKSBGIaHGB0d_PC8O8AOSMEzs6QI0l1-kELj-V0rPQNzFBFk2qfEe_c9y98rQSZQv80w-WId93hQZ5lyh0Re_zbLbycJPpej8Xju6RV7H2ytxuLQRml7PcyUkodL-jQimyMnpnA/s800/DSC_0007.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> wedding inspiration</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH53LqdXMoBNrnOFZuH5nlfKuh3jc-JERRWdLR-_OnHYSd_nXpDsvqvrD_jcs0aAVNxfjtvWvAN9NaeaHl2LygmM2w9k1f5aNaBUKWD2Ij8N-FEV-wzM56XiDyRfaN72t1gwAXOmR1Jw/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH53LqdXMoBNrnOFZuH5nlfKuh3jc-JERRWdLR-_OnHYSd_nXpDsvqvrD_jcs0aAVNxfjtvWvAN9NaeaHl2LygmM2w9k1f5aNaBUKWD2Ij8N-FEV-wzM56XiDyRfaN72t1gwAXOmR1Jw/s800/DSC_0017.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the land of fancy dresses</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0vLN3k7fOvq4rK1nlqvIJUX0mi9Ybg5Dff9AnocvHz4BAGJYEUDbZ0rI047fknau5brbVXLO4jvTApNJFGTwdAsoyU4LK4b9vQO7qPfpa38oLIstudLrnFvP4WvuHDDp2R-Z-ukB4Q/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0vLN3k7fOvq4rK1nlqvIJUX0mi9Ybg5Dff9AnocvHz4BAGJYEUDbZ0rI047fknau5brbVXLO4jvTApNJFGTwdAsoyU4LK4b9vQO7qPfpa38oLIstudLrnFvP4WvuHDDp2R-Z-ukB4Q/s800/DSC_0004.JPG" width="600" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beau waxing his Gouda</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On an unrelated note, it looks like I'll be getting a new foster dog today. Keep an eye out for her on <a href="http://renegadehomestead.blogspot.com/search/label/fuzzy%20friday">Fuzzy Friday</a>.</span></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-38835918657900735182012-01-27T08:19:00.000-05:002012-01-27T08:19:38.736-05:00introducing fuzzy fridays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to the dogs I work with, I have an impressive stash of adorable photos. What exactly is the point of that if I can't share the cuteness with someone else? So, to help launch your weekend with a smile on your face, I'll be posting one every Friday. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchnnKVHqbzdBlfs7j3NYjCiUsIXKH2fJYACqI01OdkbJuBIb_74eZryFYarwoUDiqed4tRG4ELI4iN0DGeNRvVR0DDw34sV2hljuwT6hyIfKCqhoQuR1I0rteO8042A1nkLk1GyOeTg/s1600/DSCN0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchnnKVHqbzdBlfs7j3NYjCiUsIXKH2fJYACqI01OdkbJuBIb_74eZryFYarwoUDiqed4tRG4ELI4iN0DGeNRvVR0DDw34sV2hljuwT6hyIfKCqhoQuR1I0rteO8042A1nkLk1GyOeTg/s800/DSCN0010.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Brody. He's a three-month-old lab who loved sticks above all else until he met snow last week. Now his favorite activity is plowing headfirst into snow drifts. He's the reason that I'm looking forward to the next winter storm.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy weekend all! Hope it's full of whatever <i>you</i> love best. </span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-80786013335510218642012-01-25T19:55:00.001-05:002012-01-25T19:58:47.982-05:00is that a diet coke in your purse or are you just happy to see me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished my very guilty pleasure, a Diet Coke, on the Boston-bound train platform this afternoon and suddenly, I was saddled with an empty aluminum can and nothing but garbage bins for disposal. For convenience sake, I could have dropped it off. It's just one can after all. But I couldn't shake the thought of it sitting in a dump for at least the next <a href="http://ctenvironment.org/PDFs/Decomposition%20rates%20chart.pdf">80 years</a>. Instead, I tucked it into my purse for the day until I found a recycling bin (it ended up being the one in my kitchen). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiBNvBi047vLyqxsl1NDzfC2YjEd7zEasGKzFQts9K4xbOGsd9TYA16apWgCa0JCRcew-osBeB_etBt5vryP_OZpp4HSE-Qw-PoKXogo4u1t4iDMwW_-QIjZS23v23K4wJcGD4QfzFA/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiBNvBi047vLyqxsl1NDzfC2YjEd7zEasGKzFQts9K4xbOGsd9TYA16apWgCa0JCRcew-osBeB_etBt5vryP_OZpp4HSE-Qw-PoKXogo4u1t4iDMwW_-QIjZS23v23K4wJcGD4QfzFA/s800/DSC_0002.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We face small choices like that one every day: take the easy road, or accept a minor inconvenience for the betterment of something bigger than ourselves. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's an afternoon in my purse compared to a lifetime in a landfill? </span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-48764149119733075462012-01-23T14:03:00.000-05:002012-01-23T14:03:44.513-05:00weekend highlights: homebodies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BytQ3ehuQcEsD3WkFEQGPucentLowfAd0uvJVC_uOyYpSbAmNipuWRA7JERz4SaTjf5IN5Enmy6qvP5dmeKS18Rt3U7Y9dJidB-zREdYGAJpAfKuptqtIwPb_5-jfE2szv8aCaFhEA/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BytQ3ehuQcEsD3WkFEQGPucentLowfAd0uvJVC_uOyYpSbAmNipuWRA7JERz4SaTjf5IN5Enmy6qvP5dmeKS18Rt3U7Y9dJidB-zREdYGAJpAfKuptqtIwPb_5-jfE2szv8aCaFhEA/s800/DSC_0001.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">afternoon with my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bernard-Claytons-Complete-Book-Breads/dp/0743287096/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327344501&sr=1-1">bread bible</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuECKgNfz9RnEOk-er4zwNQeEI_hoeOJA0UBfhmx6TGPRSDubU5HsPa19AsAUwlxhAuV88z5FO6JLa3GlW6edr3f3hz6Zm-b21vY57qY4XsF00cY94BdytLjJcnF4ykqjiIUW0sH-Kw/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuECKgNfz9RnEOk-er4zwNQeEI_hoeOJA0UBfhmx6TGPRSDubU5HsPa19AsAUwlxhAuV88z5FO6JLa3GlW6edr3f3hz6Zm-b21vY57qY4XsF00cY94BdytLjJcnF4ykqjiIUW0sH-Kw/s800/DSC_0014.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">first real snow of the season</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUSCLyMXHmQZ_r5hYEuZDcuJbd6h4sgW7cWwvoZ_9Y4Oen-7LhDr2Dcb645WpckDeWyHp0P3lbLJLmtFfDBkoAdESqe-pqDJmCZUKWG6MVvRUPG_IoONq5ndFVEFvLb5MrpvALdN20w/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUSCLyMXHmQZ_r5hYEuZDcuJbd6h4sgW7cWwvoZ_9Y4Oen-7LhDr2Dcb645WpckDeWyHp0P3lbLJLmtFfDBkoAdESqe-pqDJmCZUKWG6MVvRUPG_IoONq5ndFVEFvLb5MrpvALdN20w/s800/DSC_0006.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ripping seems for my <a href="http://renegadehomestead.blogspot.com/2012/01/hannibal-lecter-of-accessories.html">upcycled bag</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmDdAC6w1yYzVfAIm_MNo05tzUV3jC5HEDOkQ_8_p9SXIjbrPd0ZPf0_m075a0cnscNhYmPCM4z-YnFNe04aZJx-vFV-nMTum245jC_RCI20r1iqbBcARvp_nLmqFgLSehWbA4ALVDg/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmDdAC6w1yYzVfAIm_MNo05tzUV3jC5HEDOkQ_8_p9SXIjbrPd0ZPf0_m075a0cnscNhYmPCM4z-YnFNe04aZJx-vFV-nMTum245jC_RCI20r1iqbBcARvp_nLmqFgLSehWbA4ALVDg/s800/DSC_0011.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">second keg installation</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvcF46hHgp-HNa10JO2FYYSq2_ST_OBK9bM5jiyLtXh15RHREMH8odwnI6e6a5IopyJEXi-5RR6dN0RE3AGESzRJYeyGWiHbXASd0sXune9hb6hz4KlHyjt2cyW0MdHaOukgtfiUwfg/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvcF46hHgp-HNa10JO2FYYSq2_ST_OBK9bM5jiyLtXh15RHREMH8odwnI6e6a5IopyJEXi-5RR6dN0RE3AGESzRJYeyGWiHbXASd0sXune9hb6hz4KlHyjt2cyW0MdHaOukgtfiUwfg/s800/DSC_0001.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="600" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">french onion soup</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six inches of snow really isn't a lot by New England standards but it gave me an excuse to spend the weekend puttering around the house, making things, and chattering at my husband. My new purse is coming along and should be done by the end of this week. The pain ordinaire car</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><em style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ê</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">me that I made on Sunday afternoon came out perfect with a crackly crust. No pictures of that though - we were too busy devouring it.</span></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-81716430496671758912012-01-22T13:50:00.000-05:002012-01-22T13:50:17.832-05:00where the homesteading happens<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we bought our condo in 2009, it was after half a year of searching and no fewer than 100 real estate appointments. Our demands weren't outlandish - just a modest home with good bones that needed some TLC. Instead, we saw houses that reeked of gas fumes, that were sheltering squatters and angry raccoons in the basements, that had black mold filled attics. Finally, we found our little gem in the suburbs. It was the least maintained condo in the complex but it was structurally sound. The inside was a sea of beige 80s decor that we gladly looked past. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFShCU81zdwC5_fe-TCgWkf187XSBf0puqzZIl-DvP48f7_s82kg0CXUf-7GDsabDNC_ElknVIcnaIe7r-oTWHZ1VBMfAku3RieSTCnZt53TKYBrqOqjGxYOOewAGrbsaVfz4dy6Msw/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFShCU81zdwC5_fe-TCgWkf187XSBf0puqzZIl-DvP48f7_s82kg0CXUf-7GDsabDNC_ElknVIcnaIe7r-oTWHZ1VBMfAku3RieSTCnZt53TKYBrqOqjGxYOOewAGrbsaVfz4dy6Msw/s800/DSC_0172.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the past few years, we've renovated one of the <a href="http://renegadehomestead.blogspot.com/2011/01/weekend-highlights.html">bathrooms</a>, redone the front hall, and painted the bedroom. This past fall, we tackled the kitchen and finally, <i>FINALLY</i>, it's the kitchen of my dreams.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAF7cQeaod6HUWYtkb5nX21RdAuQNd_hxdc6J9q30s6h1EKkjh_UJw7dq-b4W6SovP1e9rM1XxLZSpFAYlJDI5CcviJ2NfQgbhdw5_YAQrcwxgeD-FvO1V0IxTxyRHkUeKUz_hBBSCxQ/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAF7cQeaod6HUWYtkb5nX21RdAuQNd_hxdc6J9q30s6h1EKkjh_UJw7dq-b4W6SovP1e9rM1XxLZSpFAYlJDI5CcviJ2NfQgbhdw5_YAQrcwxgeD-FvO1V0IxTxyRHkUeKUz_hBBSCxQ/s800/DSC_0023.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of sending the cabinets to the dump, we gave them new life with a fresh coat of paint and some simple hardware. The wood that used to enclose the top portion was pulled down, opening up much needed storage space. Beau's turning those scraps into shelves for the basement</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKyjbMwVpdpWeH7jAAKzJSXcr1GJlXxeSafw3aaV06E60K4nr9MqcaaW6u8br1i01Y_47_dAb4jtaYmcUdijGgsOlM7z9G9PZ_PuSqz02MIPrQTzDXlImFAY8wQdQBtx4WLR_cH6Wew/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKyjbMwVpdpWeH7jAAKzJSXcr1GJlXxeSafw3aaV06E60K4nr9MqcaaW6u8br1i01Y_47_dAb4jtaYmcUdijGgsOlM7z9G9PZ_PuSqz02MIPrQTzDXlImFAY8wQdQBtx4WLR_cH6Wew/s800/DSC_0024.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The appliances have been replaced with all energy-efficient models. The hideous <a href="http://renegadehomestead.blogspot.com/2011/09/sweat-equity.html">microwave</a> from the late Cretaceous period was exchanged for a hood that keeps me from smoking out the house when I cook dinner. We picked basic subway tiles for the backsplash.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9saMHNSlw7glpCfacuN2J-Vnx1x6cIik24c6WP_bHcFzs4dI_4F-WpIvdttK4SoJMs62O0kveGtYCtEwlkMCJyznhWjl-pUbe5JmdZlNg38LmB1i9NcmdjJ5vLLYcAbloRsw9XknYg/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9saMHNSlw7glpCfacuN2J-Vnx1x6cIik24c6WP_bHcFzs4dI_4F-WpIvdttK4SoJMs62O0kveGtYCtEwlkMCJyznhWjl-pUbe5JmdZlNg38LmB1i9NcmdjJ5vLLYcAbloRsw9XknYg/s800/kitchen.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hung up a pot rack and magnetic knife strip over the extended countertop, which is now my official bread making headquarters. After much deliberation, we went with granite instead of the recycled glass counters that we both love so much. In this case, resale value won out over environmentally friendliness. Sigh. Next time, Gadget... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze0wOoIXk9DobNOHSTslEo-khlMEzonDo4L9G_SmhVI6qKR4Vs_hwFHNU93z2NisCR1jFzSXcnqCu_nBqC418QBqqeYY1RQoABBE289fJrbKJJOpTigw_cVVJ8_EeIOksWRX8KUMX9g/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze0wOoIXk9DobNOHSTslEo-khlMEzonDo4L9G_SmhVI6qKR4Vs_hwFHNU93z2NisCR1jFzSXcnqCu_nBqC418QBqqeYY1RQoABBE289fJrbKJJOpTigw_cVVJ8_EeIOksWRX8KUMX9g/s800/DSC_0009.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The walls got a fresh coat of non-beige paint. The floors are bamboo, a quicker growing alternative to regular hardwoods. The counters and floors were the only parts that professionals helped with. The rest was accomplished in our spare time. We still spend most of our free time in the kitchen actually. It's our favorite bar, restaurant, and hang out. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back in there.</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-62972620528698427812012-01-20T09:38:00.005-05:002012-01-24T12:22:27.939-05:00the hannibal lecter of accessories<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever loved a purse so much that you refused to let it go, even when it clearly needed to be put out of its misery? I have. The pockets! The color! The cowboy-chic hardware!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7NLaUAql61iUWD32k_v-e5fBfIKK-ZzwBsgVMf4xNTfRc4HNILmrhUzRZ4BBS6gt_WlduloGrzkhxkNQZYkziD-0mtSICar1xeFZatob7dhpXiAmho07vzoAxZliEVgQq_HXmahrQQ/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7NLaUAql61iUWD32k_v-e5fBfIKK-ZzwBsgVMf4xNTfRc4HNILmrhUzRZ4BBS6gt_WlduloGrzkhxkNQZYkziD-0mtSICar1xeFZatob7dhpXiAmho07vzoAxZliEVgQq_HXmahrQQ/s800/DSC_0013.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't remember how long ago I found it at Marshalls, but the important part is that I did and it was only $20. If I saw it in a store today, I wouldn't buy it. First, it was pleather and I'm working on reducing my plastic intake. Second, it was made in China and if the manufacturer doesn't have a clear, public policy on labor rights, I tend to assume that the people making it abroad weren't paid a fair wage. That sort of limits my options for replacing it, so I've been holding out for eons, unable to mend the pleather without breaking my sewing machine. Meanwhile, the handles continued to catch on doorknobs, stick shifts, and bannisters, and my beloved purse ripped a little more every day. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZabvWPG-svTRKrJyjndIkHnuT3IzVHJYyC75Gb2EdDTjElzx5eXT_qb6QA0fh2zbnHN89aUKy_MCu0AKnBCci_eEOMTMFGo5dTE8qJfSQEXLyNbhyphenhyphenfhqyxcwM6tVkf97qy1OWhs-Kw/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZabvWPG-svTRKrJyjndIkHnuT3IzVHJYyC75Gb2EdDTjElzx5eXT_qb6QA0fh2zbnHN89aUKy_MCu0AKnBCci_eEOMTMFGo5dTE8qJfSQEXLyNbhyphenhyphenfhqyxcwM6tVkf97qy1OWhs-Kw/s800/DSC_0016.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, I got the message. My mother-in-law bought me a beautiful new leather bag for Christmas that will last for ages. Too beautiful to carry with me while dog walking. As if my family members already knew that, my <a href="http://i-dabble.blogspot.com/">sister-in-law</a> picked out some great sturdy fabrics for my stash. All I need to turn the fabric into a purse is some hardware and lining fabric. Guess where I found them.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbIDIKq2SqU8RbmLRf9n20i-wu_nwbWFckIhK1e5rp0FHLUlZxAZPOjGZJgLw08s7BM7XfIHjdPP-VUGAW4Ei-z_pb_yL79lS-S-M-5IkBhs64OVS3t2g1NRxJA3pjQ1XxlYHqAMA-A/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbIDIKq2SqU8RbmLRf9n20i-wu_nwbWFckIhK1e5rp0FHLUlZxAZPOjGZJgLw08s7BM7XfIHjdPP-VUGAW4Ei-z_pb_yL79lS-S-M-5IkBhs64OVS3t2g1NRxJA3pjQ1XxlYHqAMA-A/s800/DSC_0004.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, I cannibalized my favorite purse. Bags must tell urban legends about me - that girl who'll show you a good time and then steal your <strike>kidneys</strike> zippers when you least expect it. The pleather has been deposited in the garbage, but these bits will live on. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. A warm welcome to anyone joining from the <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/01/barn-hop-46.html">Homestead Barn Hop</a>!</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-8847243062433916812012-01-18T14:47:00.003-05:002012-01-24T12:27:42.803-05:00upcycling a wall calendar into a monthly planner<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>**I originally posted this entry over on the <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/2011/10/upcycling-wall-calendar-into-monthly.html">Crafty Christmas Club</a> back in October 2010. I've made a few changes here.**</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">At the end of each year, I get a slew of wall calendars from charities. And every year, I ask them to take me off their mailing list to save paper and funds. There's already a chalkboard wall in my kitchen that I use for my calendar so these unsolicited ones usually end up in the recycling bin. What I really needed at the end of 2011 was a book version to keep track of appointments for my new business. So, when I received the wall type from the <a href="http://www.nature.org/">Nature Conservancy</a>, I decided to convert it into a hardcover monthly planner. Here's how I did it: </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Materials:</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wall calendar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Scissors</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Glue stick</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Corrugated cardboard</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Water activated paper packaging tape</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Clear packaging tape</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">1) Start by cutting up a wall calendar into individual pages.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2HEQCbPlOta-enYvV7dntdTzVFJHLtHj0NkmXu4B_INzGXwiFj_IyoGdUZDrTotsZWVpl2qSZSCCDv7GS6uk3x2p6qsVq7tMSuTiLv_9zQI-vISwheWTOPZwdxu_1F-uiAyBxMQafg/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2HEQCbPlOta-enYvV7dntdTzVFJHLtHj0NkmXu4B_INzGXwiFj_IyoGdUZDrTotsZWVpl2qSZSCCDv7GS6uk3x2p6qsVq7tMSuTiLv_9zQI-vISwheWTOPZwdxu_1F-uiAyBxMQafg/s800/DSC_0004.JPG" width="520" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">2) Fold each page in half so that the calendar part is on the inside and the picture is on the outside. Stack them in chronological order. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72R1mLWtGLbhOt8q7qVgqmGJQiyu_OLfz1rl-BUeZdWzazy06k4Ho26wnk0ks0tfmmJNuo1D6BCVq6ucHpcVjgym4I_KjDZ8eWw9zf8u97HpD2a0SZy0hqvNQZUraLwSxlxdkBj3b5A/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72R1mLWtGLbhOt8q7qVgqmGJQiyu_OLfz1rl-BUeZdWzazy06k4Ho26wnk0ks0tfmmJNuo1D6BCVq6ucHpcVjgym4I_KjDZ8eWw9zf8u97HpD2a0SZy0hqvNQZUraLwSxlxdkBj3b5A/s800/DSC_0005.JPG" width="520" /></a><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">3) Glue the back right side of each page to the back left side of the next one. When you're done you should have something that looks like this:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzqrqlJ1Kyq8N-XLEI152eWFLZdH08LEy5Ben5ZLU9XZGoZO6e2EnJmkP_0mTTzY8jf1kxj3hNfvjSk-MWBIYfBxn2PHNhwRM9bodJW-1WOV-sEZB3PqtcoLpJPCYVe4hBjvTbygX2w/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzqrqlJ1Kyq8N-XLEI152eWFLZdH08LEy5Ben5ZLU9XZGoZO6e2EnJmkP_0mTTzY8jf1kxj3hNfvjSk-MWBIYfBxn2PHNhwRM9bodJW-1WOV-sEZB3PqtcoLpJPCYVe4hBjvTbygX2w/s800/DSC_0007.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="520" /></a><br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">4) Now it's time to start the cover. Cut three pieces of cardboard: one for the spine that is 0.5" x 8.75" and two for the covers (each 5.5" x 8.75"). Fold paper packaging tape over the edges to finish them as shown below.... OR... hop over to this awesome Instructables <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-bind-your-own-Hardback-Book/">tutorial</a> for an even better version of book binding that will make a more finished looking product. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqVYX5d3rY-94q4Wds8n9opsdqbxr106GPjZ3fhXYLSgj1SOcqZ3NvN51vkQY4mv9sH5RWWquq4aEhJq0kqxgzgYogbnIPbCTHxqYN61abkJ1vcAWV_v4YLI0IJSzmd4mUv2JbP1YxA/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqVYX5d3rY-94q4Wds8n9opsdqbxr106GPjZ3fhXYLSgj1SOcqZ3NvN51vkQY4mv9sH5RWWquq4aEhJq0kqxgzgYogbnIPbCTHxqYN61abkJ1vcAWV_v4YLI0IJSzmd4mUv2JbP1YxA/s800/DSC_0009.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="520" /></a><br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">5) Put the three pieces of the cover together to form a triangle (see photo below). While they're in this position, use a strip of clear packaging tape to connect them. I centered the strip on the spine and pressed it down on either side. It's important to do this step in this position to make sure the book opens and closes properly. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZCB97_kH_tzcdYjpPQ-HGgmvdWo0yT8BVwpNZ-mKM1bq919MDEzi-Y63DS1M8ZzTMNoi55D4D7zPSBcoSNeCvMVHEcnXVae2QXQUnHdLHjnwB0v1-xnqTXIx9nDi2958_09YUCj0AQ/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZCB97_kH_tzcdYjpPQ-HGgmvdWo0yT8BVwpNZ-mKM1bq919MDEzi-Y63DS1M8ZzTMNoi55D4D7zPSBcoSNeCvMVHEcnXVae2QXQUnHdLHjnwB0v1-xnqTXIx9nDi2958_09YUCj0AQ/s800/DSC_0014.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="520" /></a><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">6) Open the covers so that the side with the clear packaging tape is facing down. Put a strip of paper packaging tape down the center of the spine to connect it again to the covers. Before activating it with water, I made two creases in the tape where the covers would bend. You can see the creases on either side of the spine in the photo below.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArxXBfXNnKiNQ4OLZ5s4JdXRGkc6BW-lv-UqWosrUmwNcpLNH9oP_R3qoJqCoPgDLugh8_FynF3qSoqMLqykDndVrT4AdJkaHA5dXf4XVxjmaR70WEl7BN8BHW58E4hXooC-dWd9QMQ/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArxXBfXNnKiNQ4OLZ5s4JdXRGkc6BW-lv-UqWosrUmwNcpLNH9oP_R3qoJqCoPgDLugh8_FynF3qSoqMLqykDndVrT4AdJkaHA5dXf4XVxjmaR70WEl7BN8BHW58E4hXooC-dWd9QMQ/s800/DSC_0015.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="520" /></a><br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">7) Time to add the pages that were put together earlier. Glue the back left side of the January page to the front cover. Open and close the book a few times to see where the back page should sit. Once you've found a good spot, glue the back right side of the December page to the back cover.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dBxWmV4i7ITGBrp9JMsUy3lRgsAXiaeUD8vxBwCNv8Mrukpqjs2kHGoSqkS8bcDG8OcNAnv4m8714ryhlFkq-Ik4SyRQyweaNAmj-VIYdgEQgy-Dmy2zM7Oo_j2JQvvmdlK0b4sgeA/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dBxWmV4i7ITGBrp9JMsUy3lRgsAXiaeUD8vxBwCNv8Mrukpqjs2kHGoSqkS8bcDG8OcNAnv4m8714ryhlFkq-Ik4SyRQyweaNAmj-VIYdgEQgy-Dmy2zM7Oo_j2JQvvmdlK0b4sgeA/s800/DSC_0016.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="520" /></a><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8) I used an extra page that was left over from the wall calendar to pretty up the cover a bit. Just make sure you glue it on while the book is closed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0PnMwgWxrIWhT0EVtwAusau1356XBT8IpnZKpZu4uRHcFmw4U6_GkGBC6Md2q2eekk1NhCbx2b6wKRc_o1eNsllQ3B1xrMWGjfKxvTNnpWlo9vPmxtvo7don8r26q_52pXcoBwv-2Q/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0PnMwgWxrIWhT0EVtwAusau1356XBT8IpnZKpZu4uRHcFmw4U6_GkGBC6Md2q2eekk1NhCbx2b6wKRc_o1eNsllQ3B1xrMWGjfKxvTNnpWlo9vPmxtvo7don8r26q_52pXcoBwv-2Q/s800/DSC_0022.JPG" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">And done! Mine is now filling up with dog walking appointments and dinner plans instead of languishing in the recycling bin.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">P.S. I submitted this entry to the <a href="http://www.attainable-sustainable.net/patchwork-living-blogging-bee-18/">Patchwork Living Blogging Bee</a>. <i>Bee</i> sure to hop over there for other great ideas! (Oh now, that was just an uncalled for pun...)</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-27348109601911533162012-01-17T19:21:00.000-05:002012-01-19T15:13:21.123-05:00hangover homesteading<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was not very productive on Sunday. Not unless you consider watching five back-to-back episodes of <i>Lost</i> productive. Dinner with friends on Saturday night snowballed into a few more drinks than I had intended. An extra glass of wine always looks like a good idea until the next morning.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Late in the afternoon, I peeled myself off the couch and puttered around the kitchen looking for something to redeem myself with. Lo and behold, I found two wrinkly jalapenos in the corner of the produce drawer that were begging for a little attention. Instead of relegating them to the compost bin, I pulled up some <a href="http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/quick-pickled-jalapenos-recipe/1/">quick instructions</a> on how to pickle the little guys. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE9MlVQZj26i2IorotC0k-tW_Z-0ml5ojroQuvcGiqA3W8T8-iGJfEyFVDBPT5XZPlyezMT7KcNgUsMcNseNvo4PDcAVMmFArZ9Wue9mn_O8ujbRD0djqLTqAx4XcQsq1hVy_ckHSkw/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE9MlVQZj26i2IorotC0k-tW_Z-0ml5ojroQuvcGiqA3W8T8-iGJfEyFVDBPT5XZPlyezMT7KcNgUsMcNseNvo4PDcAVMmFArZ9Wue9mn_O8ujbRD0djqLTqAx4XcQsq1hVy_ckHSkw/s800/DSC_0009.JPG" width="520" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less than 10 minutes later, I popped the jar in the fridge and started planning an excellent night of falafel sandwiches. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-70918043228957834222012-01-14T16:18:00.000-05:002012-01-19T15:13:21.124-05:00you're welcome, pancreas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you hear the terrible news about bacon earlier this week? Or was I the only one quietly sobbing over my breakfast? Well, misery loves company, so let me be the first to tell you that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/13/bacon-linked-pancreatic-cancer-report">a daily dose of bacon has now been linked with a 19% increase in a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Now we're both sad.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turns out the study isn't new. Similar information was released in <a href="http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/97/19/1458.full">an article</a> in the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i> way back in 2005. And it actually finds a correlation between higher risk of pancreatic cancer and a daily dose of <i>any</i> processed meat. Thankfully, most of us aren't in the habit of eating bacon or sausage every day. But cold cuts, that's a different story. Those innocuous looking deli meats were a lunch staple in my household. <i>Were</i>. Meet my impeccably timed Christmas gift from Beau. It's a meat slicer.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPnDDTQFaSB_TyMRumUAufG5Zbdnsnx6M82sKtecxGdj3xnm3Pzr-CNFtuV6Q2wWPDJ0kScaMy6-V69gNEfl6QXeY_m4T-596y3doxetR1LVf0NsA2hk433nNmaCKw5pPNfDgwnmsHQ/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPnDDTQFaSB_TyMRumUAufG5Zbdnsnx6M82sKtecxGdj3xnm3Pzr-CNFtuV6Q2wWPDJ0kScaMy6-V69gNEfl6QXeY_m4T-596y3doxetR1LVf0NsA2hk433nNmaCKw5pPNfDgwnmsHQ/s800/DSC_0005.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend, long before I'd openly wept into a bowl of oatmeal, my husband and I spent an afternoon turning a $12 turkey into about $45 worth of groceries. Every shred of dark meat was ground, the bones were boiled for stock, and the breast was slathered in herbs and roasted.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jrNmQ6oyJJj7hJTfYrdGSvE7pnSDJQeBxbmewmYhef0CfT1XCwD5YPd7pKJGwajPpjxClJgAnrjvOHz0CIPF5qcq_Q_ZH8OPPpDhbJduKwC4QOPfEJsQMykWu04E4hM9Jeh-UnY7Ow/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jrNmQ6oyJJj7hJTfYrdGSvE7pnSDJQeBxbmewmYhef0CfT1XCwD5YPd7pKJGwajPpjxClJgAnrjvOHz0CIPF5qcq_Q_ZH8OPPpDhbJduKwC4QOPfEJsQMykWu04E4hM9Jeh-UnY7Ow/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When they emerged from the oven, they were the first pieces of meat to go through my new slicer. Inaugural sandwich meat. That's a noble calling, in my opinion.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGZhbS8JTZyaaQy3NgMOT20aueu6kKnRSYxsUtyWtagvf7lTgrv3xuXonfV9KlALcouyO9TQXnsHYA_NXY2yYW31XzY7k1t4v1wt3FUiuNzGiM1l71PlGupA_l1hoM3mbh74cSzpOXQ/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGZhbS8JTZyaaQy3NgMOT20aueu6kKnRSYxsUtyWtagvf7lTgrv3xuXonfV9KlALcouyO9TQXnsHYA_NXY2yYW31XzY7k1t4v1wt3FUiuNzGiM1l71PlGupA_l1hoM3mbh74cSzpOXQ/s800/DSC_0012.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a quick five minutes of concentrating on not cutting off my thumb, we had a platter full of delicious, homemade cold cuts, free from nitrates, added sugar and bucketfuls of salt. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu7AHC_o2mFy61kERtTExw7j49fpILomIRQM5BWTIe2WeqYBjpbgfSWF9u0kRokPxrogdC0FM-v4Ab7sFTC3oNaDjmt2b0OF1kH-S5Z8z_22w0mivrQjloZkkIrk5iVU7HxJ5wSYfOw/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu7AHC_o2mFy61kERtTExw7j49fpILomIRQM5BWTIe2WeqYBjpbgfSWF9u0kRokPxrogdC0FM-v4Ab7sFTC3oNaDjmt2b0OF1kH-S5Z8z_22w0mivrQjloZkkIrk5iVU7HxJ5wSYfOw/s800/DSC_0013.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't it beautiful? This is a new tradition that will keep my pancreas and mouth happy for a long time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. Welcome to anyone hopping over from the <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/01/barn-hop-45.html">Homestead Barn Hop</a> and the <a href="http://www.attainable-sustainable.net/patchwork-living-blogging-bee-17">Patchwork Living Blogging Bee</a>! Do you guys and girls make your own cold cuts, too?</span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-75709966629698649542012-01-11T19:20:00.000-05:002012-01-19T15:11:23.301-05:00the things i made<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it too late to still be talking about Christmas? I'm still getting over my crafting fatigue and this is the first I've felt like broaching the subject. I haven't been able to look at my sewing machine in the past three weeks without whimpering a bit. But it was all worth it! This year I had an almost entirely handmade Christmas. A few items I blogged about over at the <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/">Crafty Christmas Club</a> (links to those entries are below).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJadapRxoD-PMhl6OxQz4UaRuTQxv3KuzBtSGFg6syg3VCrPyoytmfWpI7FfToPsIddmauMirqwPNeatEUdbutZduyZu1fJHUtvdKBYcZPfLrszwp1YJTRcbc_T9FYovu_oHrTiOkFIQ/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJadapRxoD-PMhl6OxQz4UaRuTQxv3KuzBtSGFg6syg3VCrPyoytmfWpI7FfToPsIddmauMirqwPNeatEUdbutZduyZu1fJHUtvdKBYcZPfLrszwp1YJTRcbc_T9FYovu_oHrTiOkFIQ/s800/DSC_0004.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/2011/11/patchwork-tote-bag.html">patchwork tote</a> for my mother-in-law</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWQO8HQE5W8Fy4GoGpvTMjABMJ7y-cy2xPFYki3bpIPGYhX2SbEUCXIeRkoObGwZhvyo6e3L_nj1Gff3GW-eUVIr_P3aMKfe6UitWKOTjmL6EJbMISRePUb1mRdojzPZ-0Mw5s590RQ/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWQO8HQE5W8Fy4GoGpvTMjABMJ7y-cy2xPFYki3bpIPGYhX2SbEUCXIeRkoObGwZhvyo6e3L_nj1Gff3GW-eUVIr_P3aMKfe6UitWKOTjmL6EJbMISRePUb1mRdojzPZ-0Mw5s590RQ/s800/DSC_0046.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/2011/11/turks-head-knot-bracelets.html">Sailor's knot bracelets</a> for some of my favorite ladies</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCyqI7Kmpbd50uKVFdaCy2v9HUafTqoEZnGuaAapeyWV3NP2gKNIF75t0Zg7pnuozepDK7l7d5yCzlm4gdH3EzB2ORYT4hscFcivitiZg2OqC_K0nFTk0mqsQwOcTtrV_DWA409iZHA/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCyqI7Kmpbd50uKVFdaCy2v9HUafTqoEZnGuaAapeyWV3NP2gKNIF75t0Zg7pnuozepDK7l7d5yCzlm4gdH3EzB2ORYT4hscFcivitiZg2OqC_K0nFTk0mqsQwOcTtrV_DWA409iZHA/s800/DSC_0048.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/2011/12/restaurant-review-journal.html">restaurant review journal</a> for my sister-in-law</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLJX4fOzBxT9HLl4XVvbybGtUNt2fh-OXGAwHY7vxEm3an4YMcnlWP9vqfn_E5GzXSx9bixUGE0bMC1LIxr7f61BI8I0YBzo1Yec-HUqt5fGGHpEbgcWik-Xhue9o7gEBVbxBEsvxmw/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLJX4fOzBxT9HLl4XVvbybGtUNt2fh-OXGAwHY7vxEm3an4YMcnlWP9vqfn_E5GzXSx9bixUGE0bMC1LIxr7f61BI8I0YBzo1Yec-HUqt5fGGHpEbgcWik-Xhue9o7gEBVbxBEsvxmw/s800/DSC_0006.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A rocket ship tent for my nephew</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Also completed:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - Three pairs of men's PJ pants</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - Christmas themed photo album </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - Man's toiletry case (using <a href="http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/05/man-gift-toiletry-bag-with-oil-cloth.html">this</a> tutorial) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - Beer coozies (pictures and tutorial to come)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - Another tote bag with a felt applique </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though starting a small business has drained my resources, I desperately wanted to have a normal-ish Christmas. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of shopping my wallet dry, I spent almost two months making things for my friends and family. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think my hard work paid off in spite of the paper cuts, pin pricks, and that one little temper tantrum. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The presents might have been smaller than usual this year but while I made each one, I spent the entire time thinking about the person I was making it for. I think that's what Christmas is really all about anyway. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148909101710015579.post-84694258436427168712012-01-02T16:14:00.000-05:002012-01-19T15:13:21.125-05:00who cut the cheese?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking down the Christmas tree is always depressing. A whole year before another one takes its place. To cheer ourselves up after sweeping out the pine needles, we opened one of the presents I bought for Beau: a cheese making kit!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yz3W_ZIZJZc/TwIb8URmQ7I/AAAAAAAAAKA/Phls0pTt-Fc/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yz3W_ZIZJZc/TwIb8URmQ7I/AAAAAAAAAKA/Phls0pTt-Fc/s800/DSC_0045.JPG" width="450" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vj32_H455cY/TwIawWUxHJI/AAAAAAAAAJU/YFVpMQiCVrM/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First up: gouda</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMstoyI9CWA/TwIcCUO8ZwI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Yb3COUKuzHY/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMstoyI9CWA/TwIcCUO8ZwI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Yb3COUKuzHY/s800/DSC_0043.JPG" width="450" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two gallons of whole milk heating up</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX7rsnqIJTU/TwIa23MusaI/AAAAAAAAAJk/nIdOuQmw1JE/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX7rsnqIJTU/TwIa23MusaI/AAAAAAAAAJk/nIdOuQmw1JE/s800/DSC_0049.JPG" width="450" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Poor little Miss Muffet. Curds and whey are not appetizing.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hudOP1yJz1Y/TwIa7V8yqNI/AAAAAAAAAJs/0Ma5jA0QGhc/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hudOP1yJz1Y/TwIa7V8yqNI/AAAAAAAAAJs/0Ma5jA0QGhc/s800/DSC_0053.JPG" width="450" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Finally found a use for those old textbooks.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1YAA-RjAbUg/TwIa_6L6RGI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/T3au8o-VGBg/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1YAA-RjAbUg/TwIa_6L6RGI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/T3au8o-VGBg/s800/DSC_0055.JPG" width="450" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when those inevitably toppled, we switched to unused exercise equipment</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a few months, we'll have our first two pounds of home made cheese. I plan on making crackers to go with them. What type goes well with gouda? </span></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16270910020907929271noreply@blogger.com0