tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31900700108730558772024-03-13T15:36:13.189-04:00In the PinesSharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.comBlogger259125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-88240901987605849052012-12-16T12:08:00.000-05:002012-12-16T12:08:00.868-05:00My Favorite Things -- Moroccan Mint Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love a good Morroccan mint tea -- and this one is my favorite. I bought it from a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tozytea" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">local vendor</span></a> while at the Frankemuth Farmers Market this summer. The tea is high quality and packaged in neat little pyramid shaped bags. The perfect accompaniment to Sunday morning. Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-75574021345791235342012-10-10T18:16:00.002-04:002012-10-10T18:18:39.219-04:00Pictured Rocks, Munising MI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the first batch of vacation photos that I shot last week. Charlie and I went to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a week long trip. The trees were turning spectacular colors and our weather was wonderful the whole week (except for a little fog Friday morning). </div>
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I shot hundreds of photos and am still sorting through them -- but here is the first batch. We took a 3 hour boat tour of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The water was so bright and colorful -- just gorgeous! The rock is part of a large basin of sandstone and the brilliant colors come from the "seepage" of water and minerals. More photos will be posted later.</div>
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Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-63439008359375114642012-08-05T12:29:00.000-04:002012-08-18T11:01:18.472-04:00Colorful Harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning was such a lovely morning to be outside. I pulled a few things from my garden after tending to the chickens. We've had a bumper crop of yellow squash and zucchini, and also cherry/grape tomatoes. I am starting to get a few eggplants and I am excited about that. I bought the plants from an organic farmer from our farmers market. I realized once I got them home that they had mites. I separated them from the rest of my plants and treated them with an organic spray. The plants were sad looking at first and now they are doing great! The variety is called "Fairy Tale" and are picked fairly young and small. I plan on grilling these up today along with some squash, onion and green peppers. <br />
I think Charlie and I are going to a blueberry farm today to get some berries. I've been freezing fruit lately to add to smoothies. This week I had healthy smoothies twice a day (made with spinach, sprouts, fruit, ground flax seed and sometimes non-fat yogurt). The frozen fruit makes the smoothie cold and it covers the flavor of the veggies and flax. I have a bunch of reasons for doing this -- but what it all boils down to is HEALTH. Although I am a vegetarian, I still have some bad eating habits. I'm trying to make some positive changes right now and start to take better care of myself. The smoothies definitely make it easier to get a bunch of healthy stuff packed into one meal. <br />
<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-42615091091672712282012-07-29T14:06:00.000-04:002012-07-29T14:06:10.991-04:00Detroit Zoo and a Week of Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just had a week off of work and enjoyed quite a bit of that time with my family. Charlie had to work so I took my mom to Detroit for a couple of nights. We spent one day at IKEA (I'm in love!) and the other we went to the Detroit Zoo. It was incredibly hot, and we were disappointed that most of the animals were not visible because they were trying to keep cool. We did enjoy the creatures we could see though and had a good, exhausting time.</div>
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They had a butterfly garden (not as big as the one they sometimes have at Frederick Meijer Botanical Gardens)</div>
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They had a nice bird exhibit -- there were some birds there I had never heard of.</div>
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Some tired, hot animals.</div>
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They had peacocks, but we had more fun looking at the pea-hens and chicks that ran around freely.</div>
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We were really looking forward to the arctic circle exhibit. There is a tunnel under water and the polar bear swims around so you can get a close-up view. Well, the seals were having fun swimming, but the polar bear would have nothing to do with it. </div>
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We were very exhausted after walking all over the place. Probably because we spent 3 1/2 hours walking around IKEA the day before. Did I mention that I love that place?<br />
After the two days in Detroit, we headed home to my place and relaxed. We went to the coffee shop and a few stores in Frankenmuth before Mom headed home. Then, the next day I headed to her place. I spent an afternoon with my grandma, making our favorite veggie soup (to freeze for easy lunches). I helped her get her Super-8 projector up and running -- and was able to watch a vacation movie from 1966. We have many more to check out in the future. <br />
Mom and I also made a quick drive out to Spring Lake, MI to visit Lake Michigan. It doesn't feel like summer to me if I don't visit the big lake at least once. I didn't get my feet wet, but we walked the fisherman's pier and enjoyed the lake air. <br />
This weekend, Charlie and I have just been chilling out and watching the olympics. Tomorrow I head back to work. It is always rough after a good vacation, but it'll only take me a day to get back into the swing of things.Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-10339974002425227722012-07-07T10:21:00.002-04:002012-07-07T10:22:58.136-04:00Hollyhocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-41268809330819866562012-05-28T12:49:00.001-04:002012-05-28T12:49:36.766-04:00My Favorite Things -- Hot Air Balloons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-17245095309624598242012-05-26T13:21:00.000-04:002012-05-26T13:21:53.274-04:00Memorial Day Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hope you are having a good Memorial Day weekend so far! I took a vacation day yesterday so I ended up with 4 days off in a row. I needed a nice relaxing weekend after a stressful week though. </div>
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This morning, Charlie and I went to the farmer's market together and had a nice time. I bought a few plants to add to the garden (eggplant, sweet potato, lovage, chives and mint). Charlie bought a few Rada knives from the 4-H group and some cookies from a local bakery. I treated him to a cup of coffee at the Harvest Coffee House and we watched a little bit of a bicycle race that was running through town. It was a very pleasant morning. </div>
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This week was stressful for me because I lost two chickens from our flock. The two in the front row on the right in the photo above are dead now. Prudence, my Speckled Sussex, had a prolapsed vent. I didn't realize it right away -- I thought she was just being broody -- until I noticed some blood. I researched what to do, but after bathing her and examining the situation, it didn't look like she was going to get better. We put her down with quite a bit of sadness. Poor sweetie. :(</div>
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Then two days later, I came home and found Gertrude, the Buff Orpington, dead in the coop. There had been no signs of sickness/weakness at all. I'm not sure what happened, but I'm assuming it was a heart attack. I am, however, keeping a close eye on the rest of the ladies.</div>
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The other sad news is that my gorgeous outdoor cat that we had grown to love has not been around for a couple of weeks. At first, I was hoping he was just out trying to find a female friend. Now, I'm afraid he is gone forever. Perhaps he was injured in a fight, or ran into a coyote. I didn't see him along the road, but being hit by a car is also a possibility. Regardless, I miss his friendly greetings and his funny antics. <br />
So, it has been a sad week. I try not to get too attached to my animals, but it is nearly impossible for me. I get upset over road killed raccoons and possums and I only kill insects when absolutely necessary. <br />
This four day weekend is just what the doctor ordered. I intend to relax as much as possible. I'm also looking forward to a week long vacation in late June. We've booked an overnight trip to Detroit and left the rest of the week wide open so far. Hooray for time off of work!<br />
<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-13757526233011506692012-05-12T10:11:00.000-04:002012-05-12T10:11:34.269-04:00Mali, 1995<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I shot this image near Kolokani, Mali (West Africa) during my stay there back in the mid 90's. I like this shot for several reasons: It clearly shows the type of terrain in that area of Mali, the man is carrying something on his head (usually something the women did) and carrying a chicken (possibly heading to market), and the man is smiling at me -- happy to have his photo taken. <br />
I would love to go back to visit someday. I have friends there who would happily house me if I were able to go. For the past few months, Mali has been in turmoil with an armed Tuareg rebellion in the north and a coup in the capital city of Bamako. Sharia law has been enforced in the northern cities that the rebels have captured. Please send prayers/healing vibes for the country and for safety for it's people.Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-31641946833647174382012-05-02T20:19:00.001-04:002012-05-02T20:20:02.432-04:00Tulip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My posts seem to be getting few and far between lately. I realized that I often have photos I'd love to show off, but not much to say. So, you might be seeing more posts in the future -- but fewer words. :) Hope everyone is having a splendid Spring so far!Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-13491118737757074132012-04-15T12:32:00.000-04:002012-04-15T12:32:00.251-04:00April Showers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It has been a beautiful dreary morning at our little house nestled in the pines. Here is a photo tour of our yard this morning:</div>
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-25013620663437898932012-04-07T16:26:00.000-04:002012-04-07T16:26:52.176-04:00Easter Eggs Made with Natural Dyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I dyed Easter eggs using natural dyes recently after seeing the process <a href="http://www.bhg.com/holidays/easter/eggs/natural-easter-egg-dyes/">here</a>. I found it on Pinterest originally. If you've noticed I haven't posted many blog posts lately, you can blame it on Pinterest. I spend way too much time looking around. If you are on Pinterest and wish to "follow" my pins, my boards are at <a href="http://pinterest.com/shari3139/">http://pinterest.com/shari3139/</a>. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt73LfVJT5c/T4CapDvCPjI/AAAAAAAABfI/dR3q-CtKqjA/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Thought I'd show you my 4th burner pot I first saw on "Food In Jars" -- linked on the left side of my blog. The pot comes with a handy wire basket -- great for steaming veggies or boiling eggs. I also intend to use this pot to process small batches of canned jam this year.</div>
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Anyway,I got some unusually results with the dyes. I think I may have had some uniques chemical reactions because of the method I used to hard boil the eggs. The recipe I used for the perfect boiled egg called for salt and vinegar in the boiling water. I got a bit of a salty coating on my eggs and had to scrub it off (which also took off some of the brown tint too. So odd!). I think if I had boiled the eggs in just water, my results may have been different. </div>
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I made dye baths with red onion peel, grape juice, red cabbage, beets and paprika. I found it funny that they are all kind of the same color at the beginning, but create such different colored eggs.<br />
The instructions are different for each color, but none of them were hard to make or took any exotic ingredients -- just boiling water, white vinegar, and the item that contains the color.<br />
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I found the red cabbage to have the most interesting result. I got dark teal and pale teal all in the same batch. The beets gave a nice mottled pink color. The red onion was supposed to create jade green, but mine look more like a burgundy with a green patina instead. The paprika made a nice pale orange and the grape juice made a dark lavender color.<br />
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I think they turned out quite lovely. This is what I have left over after giving my friend, Cristin, some of them. She contributed some of the red onion skins and she assisted me with making the dyes. She made a fun creative project even more fun -- and the good music and a great bottle of <a href="http://www.robinettes.com/wines/concord-shipped-only-within-michigan">Concord Wine</a> helped too. Good times!Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-64626080989468411942012-03-26T19:37:00.000-04:002012-03-26T19:38:04.269-04:00Spring is here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last few weeks we've had absolutely amazing weather! Spring came early -- last week we had temps in the mid 80s. It was the perfect ending to a terrifically mild winter!</div>
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The chickens were very restless and needed to get out of the coop. I put up a movable fence to give them access to grass, bugs, and dirt. It isn't going to keep any raccoons out, but I lock up the coop at dark to prevent any catastrophes. Netting over the top should keep hawks out -- I hope. </div>
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Their first day out, all of the ladies dug into the dirt and rolled and flapped around in it. Nothing like a good dirt bath to ring in the warm weather. </div>
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The girls are all doing very well. Olivia was sick for a couple of weeks -- she seemed lethargic and wobbly. She didn't eat much either so I thought she was going to die. Happily she survived. :)<br />
I also thought a few plants I purchased last year had died, but they also survived. Below is a cold hardy kiwi that I thought had died last summer. Tah dah! It's back!<br />
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The rhubarb and asparagus are growing well and I will harvest some of it this year for the first time. <br />
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Now that all the trees are flowering, the weather is going back to normal. It is dropping below the freezing point at night which is going to cause a problem for our fruit crops. I'm trying to protect my pear tree by covering it with a garbage bag tonight. <br />
The best thing about this weather is that I get out of work much earlier now. This is the first summer in 6 years that I will be able to work in the garden in the afternoon and evening. How exciting is that?!?Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-55173423460619914422012-03-03T22:57:00.000-05:002012-03-03T22:58:05.830-05:00Northern Michigan Snow Storm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My husband and I braved a late winter snow storm last night and today in order to head North for his birthday. Our hotel room "with a view" that we booked was warm and cozy but the view was pure white. This morning, we had a great view of the people trying to dig their cars out of the hotel parking lot. Charlie had a blast driving around in this stuff. I had a good time snapping photos from my car window. It was gorgeous, sticky snow that caused a lot of broken trees and power outages. </div>
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-67882956024806067102012-02-26T12:37:00.000-05:002012-02-26T12:41:00.159-05:00What I'm Crafting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am not a pro at knitting -- but I do enjoy sitting down with a nice skein of yarn and trying to make something out of nothing. Right now I am making a dishcloth out of a cute variegated cotton yarn I bought a couple of weeks ago with my mom. She gave me some directions for this checkered cloth and we got started together on the new project. <br />
Mom has probably completed 2 of these things by now, but I am not that fast. I am about 1/3 done with my first one. My stitches are often uneven -- but hey, it is only a dishcloth. What a forgiving project for a beginner to start with. I'm happy to give out the instructions if you comment on this post with your e-mail address.<br />
<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-33426733944126172012012-02-19T11:47:00.001-05:002012-02-19T11:48:23.270-05:00What I'm reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>The Feast Nearby</i> has been a pleasure to read this winter. I'm almost done with it and I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in eating local foods, putting food by, and simple living. Robin Mather writes about the year after she lost her job in Chicago and her marriage. She moves to West Michigan (near and dear to my heart) with her dog and bird to heal and regroup. The book is more a collection of essays grouped by season -- talking about how she sources local foods while sticking to a strict budget. At the end of each chapter, she includes a half dozen recipes/techniques to use and preserve the various ingredients she highlighted. I'm excited to try some of them this year!</div>
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Next on the list to read is this book:</div>
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<i>Folks, this ain't normal</i> looks like it is going to be one that really makes me think. I've read the first chapter (I had to take a peak) called "Children, Chores, Humility and Health". Joel Salatin (you may have seen him in the film, <i>Food, Inc.</i>) jumps right in discussing what he thinks is wrong with our society today - how removed we are from how life has been for centuries. We no longer raise our own food (some of us are trying to learn though), chop our own firewood, etc. I'm curious to see where he takes this book. <br />
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I'm always open to suggestions for good books. Please share if you have read anything interesting lately. <br />
<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-61985672267286364402012-02-12T20:35:00.001-05:002012-02-19T11:14:32.072-05:00Going Dutch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got these tulips the other day and had to photograph them before they faded. They are live tulips (not cut flowers) and they were on clearance at the grocery store. I knew they only had about two days left to look pretty, but it didn't bother me -- I have other plans for them. I am going to plant the bulbs this Spring and enjoy them next year when they grow again. These flowers were less expensive than buying the bulbs alone. <br />
My Dutch (frugal) heritage is showing -- not only was it a great buy, but the flowers are from the Netherlands as well. I am 3/4 Dutch and come from an area that is packed full of Dutch people. Ever heard of Holland, Michigan? Holland is just down the road from Grand Rapids. They have a tulip-time festival every Spring. So many gorgeous flowers! <br />
Anyway, I definitely crave Spring right now. We've been pretty lucky with a mild winter, but I'm ready to get my hands dirty in the garden again. I'm dreaming up my plans for this year's garden right now -- what I want to grow, what did and didn't work last year, etc. What do you plan to grow this year? Leave a comment if you are a gardener as I'd love to know your plans.Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-86572353121159650272012-01-15T14:56:00.000-05:002012-01-15T14:56:02.711-05:00Snowy weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Such unusual weather this year. Michigan has been unseasonably warm and free of snow -- until this week. Well, I guess we had one snowy day in December... but that is about it. Finally in mid-January we got a nice load of the fluffy stuff and some cold temperatures. I saw a forecast of 40 degrees and rain showers for tomorrow so I guess it will be going away again. </div>
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Don't get me wrong -- I don't like cold winters and this warmer weather suits me just fine. I'm the type that likes snow in December (gotta have a white Christmas) then by January 1st I want it gone. So, I guess I've been fortunate so far. It makes one wonder if this odd weather is part of a natural cycle or if Al Gore was right... </div>
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Anyway, after feeding the chickens and breaking the ice out of their waterer, I snapped a few photos off the other day. You can click on the photos to make them larger if you want (especially the first one -- you can see individual snow flakes!).</div>
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-67493487436528512282012-01-14T13:06:00.000-05:002012-07-29T13:33:02.842-04:00Homemade Kahlua and Irish Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These two delicious liquors are easier to make than you would think. Much easier than the <a href="http://shari3139.blogspot.com/2011/01/limoncello.html">limoncello</a> I made last year. I made a couple of batches of each and gave several bottles away at Christmas. <br />
So, here are the recipes I used:<br />
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<b>Homemade Kahlua</b></div>
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4 cups water</div>
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2 1/2 cups sugar</div>
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3 Tbsp instant coffee</div>
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1 Tbsp vanilla extract</div>
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2 1/2 cups vodka</div>
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Blend the water, sugar and instant coffee together in a saucepan. Just as it boils, lower the heat to medium low and simmer for a couple of hours -- stirring occasionally. Let the resulting syrup cool completely then add the vanilla and the vodka. Enjoy! </div>
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<b>Homemade Irish Cream</b></div>
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1 cup heavy cream</div>
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1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk</div>
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1 2/3 cups Irish whiskey</div>
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1 tsp instant coffee</div>
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2 Tbsp chocolate syrup</div>
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1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
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1 tsp almond extract (I skipped this ingredient)</div>
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Put everything in a blender and blend on high for 30 seconds. Store, refrigerated, in a tightly sealed container. Shake well before serving. Use within a couple of months.</div>
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Both recipes are awesome and oh-so-easy to make! They are so much less expensive than the store-bought versions too. <br />
<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-47026038911787886912012-01-02T17:42:00.001-05:002012-01-02T17:52:01.562-05:00My Favorite Things - A Nice Hot Corn BagJust a quick post today -- about one of my new favorite things. Mom made me two "Corn Bags" for Christmas and I have been enjoying them every night since then. It is pretty self explanatory -- it is a fabric bag or pouch filled with field corn. You can throw it in the microwave then take it to bed with you. I have a large one that I keep on my feet, and a smaller one that I move around to where ever I feel cold.<br />
We keep our heat around 60-63 degrees in the winter to help reduce the amount of money we spend on fuel oil. Before Christmas, I would freeze when I got into bed. Now I look forward to a nice warm cozy experience. I fall asleep twice as fast too. <br />
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday week this past week! This Christmas was very pleasant for me -- one of my favorites. I had today off for the New Year holiday, but I head back to work tomorrow. <br />
I'm not making a bunch of New Year's resolutions this year -- because it usually ends up being the same stuff anyway. I am, however, going to make a list of (fun) things I'd like to do this year. I am off to do that now...<br />
May you have a prosperous and peaceful year!<br />
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-52201251859071962412011-12-24T13:43:00.002-05:002011-12-24T18:10:25.241-05:00Gluten Free Peanut Butter CookiesHere it is, Christmas Eve again. Charlie and I are enjoying a slow paced day together, listening to Christmas music on the radio, baking cookies, wrapping a few gifts, and preparing for my family to arrive tomorrow morning. What a nice way to spend a day!<br />
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I just finished making some Peanut Butter Cookies that are moist and chewy -- and just happen to be gluten free as well. I thought I'd share the recipe because it is so simple and tasty. A friend from work brought these cookies to a potluck and they were a smash! She makes them in her toaster oven and it works out just fine. I've doubled her recipe and baked them in a 350 degree oven. </div>
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Mix together:</div>
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2 cups peanut butter<br />
2 cups sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 tsp. vanilla<br />
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Stir the ingredients together well. Form the dough into walnut sized balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Use a fork to press down on the ball a little and give the cookie that signature peanut butter cookie look. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. They will still look a bit moist when you take them out. Let them cool for a few minutes then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. The cookies are very fragile until they are done cooling -- despite my friend's warnings, I broke the first one I took off the baking sheet. <br />
I also added chocolate kisses to some of the cookies after they came out of the oven. Who can complain about chocolate on top of their peanut butter?!?<br />
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I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice or "Festivus for the Rest-of-Us". Whatever you celebrate -- do it well! Live it up! Love one another -- spread Peace and Goodwill -- all of the good stuff that we need more of on this earth. Stay safe if you are traveling. Oh, and don't eat too many cookies. :)</div>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-63102864050970622352011-12-18T17:35:00.001-05:002011-12-18T17:35:38.227-05:00The Chicken Coop in Cold WeatherLiving in Michigan, I was concerned about how my chickens would tolerate the cold weather. First, I specifically chose some breeds that do better in frigid temperatures. I looked for chickens with small combs (less chance of frostbite) and ones that don't mind confinement (some go crazy not being allowed to free-range year round). <br />
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Second, I tried to get a weather resistant coop. It has insulation on the roof and walls, and I've placed a thick layer of straw down to keep their feet warm. I've positioned the one window in the coop towards the South to take advantage of what little daylight we have. </div>
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On the day this photo was taken, it was in the upper 20's outside. Inside the coop, the thermometer read 45 degrees. I'm still concerned for when it gets really cold outside. I'll have to check their water a couple times a day to make sure it hasn't frozen over. My parents gave me a length of heat tape that I have considered rigging up somehow -- or perhaps a lamp. I guess I am still researching my options.<br />
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Anyway, they seem to be doing well so far. I can already tell they would like to be outside and eating grass and bugs. I guess we all get cabin fever from this weather.<br />
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So, we are one week away from Christmas... yikes! I've got a lot to do between now and then. I've got the week off of work (yippee!) and plan to spend a couple of days in Grand Rapids to visit a couple of friends and my family. Then I've got a bunch of cleaning and baking/cooking to do before my family comes over here for Christmas day. Oh, and don't forget about wrapping... and decorating... and...Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-31042714364506117602011-11-26T13:20:00.001-05:002011-11-26T14:24:43.027-05:00Dutch Pancakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you start raising chickens for their eggs, eventually you start to look for recipes that make good use of your eggy abundance. This past week I made a recipe that was both delicious and helped use the eggs that I've been stockpiling -- Dutch Pancakes (a.k.a. German pancake or Souffled pancake).<br />
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There are a variety of recipes available on-line, but I took my recipe from a book that I've been adoring lately. I've omitted the fruit topping recipe that is in the book -- although it looks amazing, I just stuck with maple syrup for the topping. I also omitted orange zest from the batter because I didn't have any. I'm going to list the recipe as I made it, then encourage you to buy the book to get the real thing.<br />
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Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Beat together 4 eggs, 2 Tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium speed. On low speed, beat in 3/4 cup milk then 3/4 cup bread flour and a few good shakes of cinnamon (who needs measuring spoons?). The batter is ready -- it is just that simple. <br />
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I used a nice sturdy skillet that my Grandmother gave me -- one that she used for years. You'll want something that can go in the oven and is non-stick. Heat the pan on the stove top and melt 2 Tbsp butter. After the butter stops sizzling, pour in the batter and put the pan in the hot oven. Bake for 10 minutes at 450 degrees. Then lower the heat to 400 degrees and bake for another 10 minutes. <br />
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The pancake puffs up because of the eggs and also the gluten in the bread flour. When you pull it out of the oven, the pancake deflates in the middle, but the edges stay crispy and raised. Add whichever toppings you prefer and serve (up to 6 servings, but Charlie and I split one for a filling breakfast). It tastes a lot like french toast -- yum!<br />
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Now, as I stated before, this recipe was adapted from a book that I absolutely love! When I first got my chicks this past Spring, my mother bought this book for me as a gift. It has lovely photographs (the author is a chef and food stylist) and 125 recipes that use either eggs or chickens as key ingredients. It is also a memoir about raising chickens on a small scale -- like I am doing.<br />
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The book is arranged seasonally -- which is a unique approach that I really like. For instance, it starts in early Spring -- with the arrival of young chicks in the memoir, and seasonal recipes like "Herb-Buttered Chicken with Spring Vegetables". It moves through the seasons making good use of fresh fruit and vegetables. As a vegetarian (not vegan, obviously) I really like the egg recipes. My husband eats meat though so I will make use of the chicken recipes as well. I'm looking forward to trying "Baked Eggs with Basil-Mint Pesto", "Cinnamon Breakfast Popovers", and "Rhubarb Ginger Custard Bars".<br />
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I highly recommend this book and think it would make a great gift for the chicken lover in your life. Even if you don't have chickens, the recipes are great -- and not too complicated. This is one that you will return to over and over. Lovely!Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-40761963184098811392011-11-24T22:59:00.001-05:002011-11-24T23:17:45.388-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hope you and your loved ones have had a pleasant Thanksgiving Day -- I know I did. I have so much to be thankful for in my life!<br />
Yesterday was spent with my family a couple of hours away. We went out for pizza to celebrate my Dad's upcoming birthday. Today we spent with Charlie's side of the family having a more traditional Thanksgiving meal. I brought the green bean casserole -- my favorite food on this holiday (besides pumpkin pie). <br />
We are so blessed -- with freedom, plentiful food and clean water, work with decent wages, etc compared to the rest of the world. Still, I find myself most thankful for my husband and our families and friends. It is so nice to share the holiday with them and give thanks together.<br />
<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-22807716964691617612011-11-10T21:11:00.001-05:002011-11-10T22:02:29.341-05:00Watch Me Pull a Rabbit Out of My Hat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last week, Charlie and I went to a nearby farmer to buy a couple large bags of corn. My husband used to work at the local grain elevator (before I ever knew him) so he knows most of the farmers -- that can come in handy sometimes. Anyway, the farmer was working on getting his harvest into his grain dryers when we showed up. He said he would have the corn ready within a couple of hours and to stop back and pick it up. We went off to see "The Rum Diary" (I LOVE both Johnny Depp and Hunter Thompson! I've been waiting for this movie for years!!!) then returned to get the corn. I grinned when I saw the bags he packed it into. Simple things make me smile -- including rabbits on the front of a 100 lb. sack of Michigan navy beans.</div>
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Anyway, on Monday of this week, I got a phone call from a dear friend of mine who was trying to help another friend find a home for a pet rabbit. I had been considering raising angora rabbits for their fur -- even got a book on the subject last year. I hadn't been considering a pet though. Well, the rabbit needed a good home and the gal was also giving away everything I would need to take care of it (cage, hutch, water bottle, a bag of food, etc.) so I decided to adopt the rabbit. He is a cutie pie -- don't you agree?<br />
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So, I have another animal that I can spoil rotten. Here he is helping me dispose of some lettuce -- he also gets carrots to gnaw on. He is a mini-rex and as soft as can be. Oh, and he is litter trained. Bonus!</div>
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His name is "Kee kee" (the gal tells me she got it from a school teacher -- I'm wondering if the class room kids named him?). I've started to call him "Kinker" since it sounds like his real name but it has more meaning to me. You see, whenever we play cards with my friends, Charlie calls a pair of kings "a pair of kinkers". </div>
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I'm looking for advice from those of you who have experience raising rabbits. What should I feed him? What should I avoid? Any advice about any aspect of rabbit ownership is welcome.</div>
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To wrap things up, I just had to throw this video in-- since Bullwinkle always tried so hard to pull a rabbit out of his hat (but never succeeded). You might enjoy this -- depending on your age. : ) Have a great remainder of your week and an amazing weekend!<br />
<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190070010873055877.post-64883380415494205012011-11-07T21:26:00.000-05:002011-11-07T21:26:56.412-05:00The New Coop and the Quiche Factory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the new 4'X6' chicken coop that the chickens are going to call home this winter. In the photo above, you can see that it has a row of nesting boxes that are accessible from the outside. On one end there is a window and a door for the chickens to enter and exit (with a ramp). On the opposite sides are the door that I can enter through and as you can see in the photo below (left), a vent for warm weather.<br />
I've placed their water on a crate and hung their food from one of the rafters to keep the bedding from getting kicked into them. I may get a heated water dispenser for the cold -- but I'm not sure. Does anyone have any experience with those?<br />
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The interior has a couple of roosts and plenty of room for the chickens to run around. It has 6 nesting boxes -- many more than 7 chickens actually need. Here, the chickens are excited about the pile of treats I gave them this weekend (apple slices and the last of the garden squash). I call the chickens a "Quiche Factory". They are putting out a couple of eggs a day -- brown, fresh, and so tasty! <br />
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This is Ruby. She is my most aggressive chicken at this point. She comes right up to me to try to grab any treats I might have in my hands -- and she often ends up chomping on my fingers instead. She is at the top of the pecking order from what I can tell. She is a pretty chicken though and as long as she lays eggs and doesn't hurt the other ladies she can stick around.Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00621144313666339643noreply@blogger.com4