tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136479302024-02-07T22:24:01.927-05:00garden girlMichelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-33354016631712521172013-05-28T20:20:00.000-04:002013-05-28T20:20:02.589-04:00Crocheted iPad Cover - Felted<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">This month’s </span><span class="s3">Crochet </span><span class="s3">project? A Felted iPad cover. I found </span><span class="s3">a</span><span class="s3"> You Tube video last year while I was searching for ideas for Christmas Gifts and I’ve been wanting to make it ever since. I wrote to the author to get a copy of the written pattern. Several emails later, it was finally posted on his website TheCrochetCrowd.com. If you’ve never heard of </span><span class="s3">the site</span><span class="s3">, it</span><span class="s3"> i</span><span class="s3">s wonderful. There are hundreds of free crochet patterns and videos and they have a great community on FaceBook. I began the project in early April and finished it in Early May. It takes a while especially if you are going to go through several color changes</span><span class="s3"> as I’ve done</span><span class="s3">. But I loved this pattern so much</span><span class="s3"> as is</span><span class="s3">, I really wanted to go for it. To challenge myself. I used </span><span class="s3">a 6MM Crochet Hook or Size J Hook and </span><span class="s3">Patons </span><span class="s3">Classic </span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;">100% wool</span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;">. </span><span class="s3"></span><span class="s3">T</span><span class="s3">he colors I chose were, Pumpkin, Yellow, New Denim, Royal Purple, Burgundy & Jade Heather. In order to felt this carry case, you must u</span><span class="s3">se 100% wool. If you use arcyl</span><span class="s3">ic yarn </span><span class="s3">or cotton, </span><span class="s3">this process w</span><span class="s3">ill not</span><span class="s3"> work. But that is fine too. You do not have to felt this project. The pattern is different for </span><span class="s3">each version</span><span class="s3">. You will need to make the bag much larger </span><span class="s3">if you are going to felt it </span><span class="s3">because it will shrink once it is washed. That’s right I said washed. </span><span class="s3"> Once you have completed your bag, you have to put it through a cycle in your washing machine or you can felt it by hand. I wasn’t sure I would have the stamina or the umpf to felt this by hand since this is my first attempt so I just threw it in the washing machine. </span><span class="s3">It is a terrifying thought after you spent all this time making this beautiful bag only to possibly ruin the whole thing by washing it, but, have faith. H</span><span class="s3">ere is the trick. Put the item in a zippered pillow case or lingerie bag, throw in a pair of old jeans or a towel to help with the agitation. (The colors of your project may run so beware). I put 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda in and a tiny bit of Woolite, set the cycle to hot/cold</span><span class="s3"> and crossed my fingers</span><span class="s3">. The water has to be super hot</span><span class="s3"> to break apart the fibers</span><span class="s3">. You should keep checking on the bag to see how the felting is coming out. You may need to do another cycle of hot before the cool rinse goes through or you may be able to stop the machine early. It really depends on the size of the item you are felting. My bag went through one full cycle and it was fine. Also my colors did not run so that was a plus.</span><span class="s3"> The cool rinse helps set the fibers. Then take it out, shape it, and let air dry. Do not put in the dryer. I could not believe the difference. The bag was so big before, my poor iPad was sliding all over the place. Once I felted it it is an absolute perfect fit. I was so surprised. How could the size be exact? I don’t know but it worked. And it is 100% unique. Everyone has an iPad these days but no one will have a carry case like mine! You can get the written pattern here: </span><span class="s5"><a href="http://thecrochetcrowd.com/accessories-purposes-bags-and-dolls/767-crochet-felted-ipad2-case-cover-pattern.html">http://thecrochetcrowd.com/accessories-purposes-bags-and-dolls/767-crochet-felted-ipad2-case-cover-pattern.html</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'd love to see your designs too so feel free to post them below in the comments section.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Good luck, and happy crocheting!</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKHILaI1tGy4Vn83sfcgCaNAB77U8EfWY3Jpcjw7LH41mm1IHAohNbqWMm-1oNyzPlpAO9ErSHnKNw7xXprpow2Gbv31Ar6uI0_310mqkG1Sz9LD550utv04qZIH6atO1rkRg/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKHILaI1tGy4Vn83sfcgCaNAB77U8EfWY3Jpcjw7LH41mm1IHAohNbqWMm-1oNyzPlpAO9ErSHnKNw7xXprpow2Gbv31Ar6uI0_310mqkG1Sz9LD550utv04qZIH6atO1rkRg/s200/blog.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocheted Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5pbjcj9l1zaS3bv_Z9PzwTts5oeqI5Ds8KGq7Gq9_QM4wKuNWYxpM1XyhtR8T0jru6LGP8qAn59T_onp1E9bJnRP2BatAl9PX068G6TcPLIb-_r0cMAF0bKjjM361Uwyp28h/s1600/blog-felted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5pbjcj9l1zaS3bv_Z9PzwTts5oeqI5Ds8KGq7Gq9_QM4wKuNWYxpM1XyhtR8T0jru6LGP8qAn59T_onp1E9bJnRP2BatAl9PX068G6TcPLIb-_r0cMAF0bKjjM361Uwyp28h/s200/blog-felted.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felted Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-83813511468118124292013-04-23T10:19:00.000-04:002013-04-23T10:19:06.670-04:00Orange Marmalade<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Jam vs. Marmalade:</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Jam and Marmalade differ in two important ways: their
ingredients and the manner in which they are prepared. Both spreads are made
with whole fruit, sugar and water, but only marmalade is prepared with a
fruit's peels. Because of the importance of peels, marmalade's are made
exclusively from citrus fruits, while jams can be made from almost any fruit or
vegetable.</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>The vibrant citrusy flavor you get from this homemade spread
is very refreshing, trust me, it is worth the effort of making it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say that because it is a two day
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don't let that discourage
you because the first day is pretty simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>All you need is:</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>4 large oranges (I like navel oranges because they are
seedless)</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>2 lemons</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>2-3 cups sugar</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Hint: add the sugar to your taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depending on the sweetness of the fruit or
how sweet you want your marmalade, you may need more or less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can go up to 8 cups for a super sweet spread.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRj7v39gjLteueyMmzIkjUM5T4yBhoQkE6PRFhqRUIpSbTJbQCvtIhlo8d9ecDclIRS02P5R8pNH5UPcgL93JOXx4Q71zi60dRLfSLp5yyYIggy_JwY5PZFa0ZbrjQ1KHaEwu/s1600/prep+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRj7v39gjLteueyMmzIkjUM5T4yBhoQkE6PRFhqRUIpSbTJbQCvtIhlo8d9ecDclIRS02P5R8pNH5UPcgL93JOXx4Q71zi60dRLfSLp5yyYIggy_JwY5PZFa0ZbrjQ1KHaEwu/s200/prep+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Cutting up the fruit</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Cut the oranges and lemons in half crosswise, then into
very thin half-moon slices. Discard any seeds. Place the sliced fruit and their
juices into a stainless-steel pot. Add 8 cups water and bring the mixture to a
boil, stirring often. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar until it
dissolves. Cover and allow to stand overnight at room temperature.</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>The next day, bring the mixture back to a boil. Reduce
the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours. Turn the heat up to
medium and boil gently, stirring often, for another 30 minutes. Skim off any
foam that forms on the top. Cook the marmalade until it reaches 220 degrees F
on a candy thermometer. If you want to be doubly sure it's ready, place a small
amount on a plate and refrigerate it until it's cool but not cold. If it's firm
-- neither runny nor too hard -- it's done. It will be a golden orange color.
(If the marmalade is runny, continue cooking it and if it's too hard, add more
water.)</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKzor8ybAShGJkYAW_1e7ITBetkOfCWF9h_GcbAcVppTX86l6rU2DqXdDUhBzrhg3t9OJCOymkw0dZ-ydwGL2m8krzJbO8lmkel24-vqQCniuirRkrt5A_oZv2xdORZeNi78s/s1600/om+cooking+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKzor8ybAShGJkYAW_1e7ITBetkOfCWF9h_GcbAcVppTX86l6rU2DqXdDUhBzrhg3t9OJCOymkw0dZ-ydwGL2m8krzJbO8lmkel24-vqQCniuirRkrt5A_oZv2xdORZeNi78s/s200/om+cooking+down.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Starting to break down</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IonsVegreU9Y_9hPQqRMjo_vZFjdORhU-FJL1Ft0d2BF-IMH824ecMdGyMR75EG-dxVZ3_OIx6r9l-VDr1lW_dktkGd-9yfdzWMz6MLX4tW49SRLfQ5n2NV3el-VjdNREQ9Y/s1600/on+the+stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IonsVegreU9Y_9hPQqRMjo_vZFjdORhU-FJL1Ft0d2BF-IMH824ecMdGyMR75EG-dxVZ3_OIx6r9l-VDr1lW_dktkGd-9yfdzWMz6MLX4tW49SRLfQ5n2NV3el-VjdNREQ9Y/s200/on+the+stove.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Just Enough Water to Cover Fruit</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Pour the marmalade into clean, hot Mason jars, wipe the
rims with a clean damp paper towel, and seal with the lids. </b></span></div>
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof3W4PEepv4Q51Q5M7YH5qc36B03dWd2aAHXEqFL-TCOYr6K7Mgrxwl0WtTop-xk9wZBKZvWE_rRlU9IiBoCptHqbFbgRmEMCcFxZbChaLt7MsJ8YGEr_Nue575iI8rAz6YkX/s1600/2+jars+om.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof3W4PEepv4Q51Q5M7YH5qc36B03dWd2aAHXEqFL-TCOYr6K7Mgrxwl0WtTop-xk9wZBKZvWE_rRlU9IiBoCptHqbFbgRmEMCcFxZbChaLt7MsJ8YGEr_Nue575iI8rAz6YkX/s320/2+jars+om.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Gorgeous Color</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></b><div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>My favorite is to smear this on my morning English
muffin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who says jams and marmalade's
are only good for breakfast?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've recently
made my version of Asian Orange Chicken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I marinated the chicken in the marmalade, a little soy sauce, garlic, ginger
and a squirt of fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was delicious. Or spread on a spiral ham or ham steak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoPlainText">
<b><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Another great use for your jars is to give them as handmade
gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rich, golden orange color and
pieces of orange and lemon peel give a gorgeous presentation in any gift
basket. Especially a Good Morning Basket filled with Brioche Rolls or
Croissants, Goat Cheese, Oranges, Fresh Berries, Flavored Butter and Local
Honey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use your imagination and have fun
with it. Plus, as a bonus, you can store the marmalade in your pantry for up to
a year so all that hard work of the 2 day preparation is definitely worth the time.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhCNG41_Ni1e3Q_gjIeAFYg0oqyz5rWxrjBWS9hzxo61wzUk1AT0YSzS6F3dyvsrgePWxoDZresjfHWDUtVLeNLkkYyCkTidF1iLP7I32T3Bo3a9E7W2W9mAMm9PvoYJxjfHE/s1600/om.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhCNG41_Ni1e3Q_gjIeAFYg0oqyz5rWxrjBWS9hzxo61wzUk1AT0YSzS6F3dyvsrgePWxoDZresjfHWDUtVLeNLkkYyCkTidF1iLP7I32T3Bo3a9E7W2W9mAMm9PvoYJxjfHE/s320/om.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">What Will You Add Yours To?</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></b></div>
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-16269629747806467532013-03-01T11:25:00.000-05:002013-03-01T11:25:23.684-05:00Hooked on Crochet...No Pun Intended<span style="color: #0b5394;">Just the truth! Over the last few months I have been so busy crocheting, it is all I can think about. I can't wait to get home at night so I can work my project. I hope for rain on the weekends so I can stay in and crochet all day. Unfortunately though, this has meant less time for blogging. Some of the projects I have been working on are magic potholders, scarves, cowls, hats, coasters and bath scrunchies. They made wonderful handmade gifts for the holidays or any time of year. Here are some photos of my recent projects.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuSuiOATDkfHMhVJV-ntA8lZFdP3C76ESMoD7GY_JSWlTN0gOhktB83gVPKgFPmYxwX9VEFPcZ_JBTpmt3xmkL1-bRhkwWYoSOPuSWGdCRX9LS6T-AWCPOnUg0pWe5V-WLOmx/s1600/all+rolled+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuSuiOATDkfHMhVJV-ntA8lZFdP3C76ESMoD7GY_JSWlTN0gOhktB83gVPKgFPmYxwX9VEFPcZ_JBTpmt3xmkL1-bRhkwWYoSOPuSWGdCRX9LS6T-AWCPOnUg0pWe5V-WLOmx/s200/all+rolled+up.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic Potholders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3GwmT9DjcYvovn-PC9WfHvXk3b8SImCLfcekKBAKZafdP_6mVvGUzPtQRGGT4KgS4WdDNi87LZUUKdE-EHwHgoHm3zqKqVVYhAJbp46NQTpfT-Tq6mpQnrEXcCO5cNqrM-Vc/s1600/bath+scrucnchies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3GwmT9DjcYvovn-PC9WfHvXk3b8SImCLfcekKBAKZafdP_6mVvGUzPtQRGGT4KgS4WdDNi87LZUUKdE-EHwHgoHm3zqKqVVYhAJbp46NQTpfT-Tq6mpQnrEXcCO5cNqrM-Vc/s200/bath+scrucnchies.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath Scrunchies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFis5LsK6f47IVTYCwZeYfDGmFLL2L2e2nOi3e8CCRfmb9ebFgPvwCw8Ygr2E0kQFBYcQSclVtuMgtU3NzsxP6amVreJiI9WHeJCEbAY3eqi3FFFqBd_a-FWvvKVDxUEO0_yJ9/s1600/6+magic+potholders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLnRa4LwR8krt5ux7vmoLct3Qn_Vcb56Gup7goW2Q_Uj5TZHd38nK34RtAJuT_IV3vf-H5BAdBaZezgZTFXMeQ9hImD8i-AOQi78Y7qJ1UrrQp8Zw7PdqQN34AczpUrvgUlkT/s1600/6+magic+potholders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLnRa4LwR8krt5ux7vmoLct3Qn_Vcb56Gup7goW2Q_Uj5TZHd38nK34RtAJuT_IV3vf-H5BAdBaZezgZTFXMeQ9hImD8i-AOQi78Y7qJ1UrrQp8Zw7PdqQN34AczpUrvgUlkT/s200/6+magic+potholders.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic Potholders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuaGYqhelPoDsxfBhmLNxD352xvY4Zi4sQ-HxJ7RZjYir-AN-MtqQHM1t_LgH5DAMa8duejXhXUk9kIPwPYnGEM-Fev8Eukq2sUhUDRoqufBTC3Kcvz-FQIdTXZc5B2uEPkLl/s1600/chloe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuaGYqhelPoDsxfBhmLNxD352xvY4Zi4sQ-HxJ7RZjYir-AN-MtqQHM1t_LgH5DAMa8duejXhXUk9kIPwPYnGEM-Fev8Eukq2sUhUDRoqufBTC3Kcvz-FQIdTXZc5B2uEPkLl/s200/chloe.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toddler Hat & Scarf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">March is National Crochet Month and I was trying to decide what to do. Then I found Warm Up America! Warm Up America is a charity that has warmed peoples' lives since 1991. Today, WUA distributes warm afghans, caps and other items to
tens of thousands of people, thanks to the generosity of knitters and
crocheters around the country. It is a really great organization and I can't wait to dive in. I started a local knit and crochet circle in my town last September and am so excited to present this project to the group. I'm sure everyone will be as eager as I am to start making our squares. And it builds community. Our group will send in our squares and they will be joined together with another group's squares until an afghan is made. It is a great way to feel connected with others around the country and to help someone in need. If you knit or crochet and would like to join us, please leave a comment below.</span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-36129428629786605192012-10-03T10:20:00.001-04:002012-10-03T10:20:51.453-04:00Fire Roasted Red Peppers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm_zct43fCQ3PqrjKPwDlZK6jvG_S-Qv4RRgkR91fd49LL_ICyj3eRJA7fEBahgxL4oIi1X6l9zhw4WASw2oqaITb1cLVA-OLhovrBEplenCasc2jWFdPkYdMEzHn3iHbJMsJ/s1600/peppers-2-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm_zct43fCQ3PqrjKPwDlZK6jvG_S-Qv4RRgkR91fd49LL_ICyj3eRJA7fEBahgxL4oIi1X6l9zhw4WASw2oqaITb1cLVA-OLhovrBEplenCasc2jWFdPkYdMEzHn3iHbJMsJ/s200/peppers-2-blog.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
Delicious right? Why not make your own? Now that our gardening season is nearing an end, we are canning and pickling and preserving as much of our last few crops as we can. This week's menu. Red Peppers.<br />
<br />
First, we built a fire outside with a grill rack on top. I put 9 peppers on the rack to give them that nice smoky char. You can even see our chickens in the background pecking away. You can also do this on your outside grill or on your stovetop if you have gas. You have to keep turning the peppers so they don't get too burnt. Once all sides have been nice and blackened and the peppers are soft, you can remove them from the grill.<br />
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Let them cool down until they are easy to handle. At this point you'll need to peel off all that burnt skin, remove the seeds and put the peppers into a bowl. It is ok if some seeds still cling to the peppers or if some of the flesh is a little charred. That is going to add tons of flavor. You can tear or cut the peppers into wide strips and reserve all the juices.<br />
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Using a sterilized pint size jar add your cut up fire-roasted peppers with all their juices, a couple cloves of smashed garlic, some crushed red pepper, and sea salt. The spices you add are really to your liking. Add as much or as little as you like or switch it up using the spices you like. We still have fresh basil outside so I grabbed a handful of that and tore it into large pieces and added to the jar for color along with some black peppercorns and a whole clove. Seal with the jar with the lid and refrigerate for up to 3
weeks.<br />
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Your very own, fresh, homemade, Fire-Roasted Red Peppers. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-63930751275717002372012-08-29T10:21:00.002-04:002012-08-30T15:14:05.118-04:00My Dirty Hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs4L5EL5VXTbNM_623_03_OILM55iQybqkekpw3K3VRLV1kMuNHZ8N6eX36FcyypvpoXvC18b4L3ZOquSRrSgHBoJXSIRX3dioaGks8fspSE0wQQ91llYrr6a2WIkI3n-XlSp/s1600/My+dirty+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs4L5EL5VXTbNM_623_03_OILM55iQybqkekpw3K3VRLV1kMuNHZ8N6eX36FcyypvpoXvC18b4L3ZOquSRrSgHBoJXSIRX3dioaGks8fspSE0wQQ91llYrr6a2WIkI3n-XlSp/s200/My+dirty+hands.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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One of the main side effects of gardening is dirt under your fingernails. You get a real sense of the earth and nature and life. The earth is plentiful and alive. To think by putting a small seed in the dirt and watering it every day, you can produce your own food. Naturally. It is amazing. You've grown food with your own hands. You've planted it, watered it, weeded around it, pruned it, harvested it, and ate it. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Gardening not only produces food for our families, it also teaches our children where their food comes from. That is such an important life lesson for them. You don't know what is in the food you get at the supermarket. You don't know what chemicals they've used to produce that Bell Pepper which is the size of a Cantaloupe. You don't even know where or how it was grown. What part of the county. Think about that. If you are buying produce from California and you live in NY, how healthy can that produce be for you? Produce traveling cross country is picked before they are ripe and then pumped with Ethylene gas to force it to ripen quickly and get nice a big so it looks appealing to the consumer. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene#cite_note-Wang_2002-4" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't want to eat something that is pumped with all kinds of pesticides and hormones to help it ripen. Fact: 8 days after a vegetable is harvested, it loses over 50% of it's nutrients. </span> </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTRraa3fsw3ANgn65I9SFPtZTD7QiEznvKA7kcjZgLKm6tC2tgrNnv1g3sLq_CV3zvDAUqAuxUl7rKs_WfWmj3yFaTHzUnbQlpg-87j1OZpJpDBevCxvMiE_vaqaETXSNWF7s/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTRraa3fsw3ANgn65I9SFPtZTD7QiEznvKA7kcjZgLKm6tC2tgrNnv1g3sLq_CV3zvDAUqAuxUl7rKs_WfWmj3yFaTHzUnbQlpg-87j1OZpJpDBevCxvMiE_vaqaETXSNWF7s/s320/garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Our First Garden</span></td></tr>
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Right now there is an Urban Homesteading Movement that is sweeping our nation. </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><u><b><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 13px;">Definition</span></b><span style="font-size: 13px;"> - Urban Homesteading </span></span></b></u> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">
Transforming a city or suburban home into a property that produces some
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or all of its residents own food and other subsistence needs. Such as
gardening, <br />
raising poultry or small livestock, producing simple products
minimizing consumer purchases, and seeking ways to increase
self-sufficiency <span style="font-size: 13px;">reducing the homes <br />
environmental impact </span>in a city or suburban environment. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Locavores and Farmers Markets are popping up all over the place because people are finally realizing that it is healthier to eat local. Growing up, I never heard of anyone with food allergies or skin allergies like eczema. Now a days every school is loaded with kids with food & skin allergies. Why are these types of allergies more prolific now? I'll tell you why. The food we are eating is sub par at best. GMO's, produce pumped with pesticides and herbicides, meats pumped with growth hormones and antibiotics, air that is pumped with every other pollutant. Neighbors treating their lawns with chemicals, airliners dropping rocket fuel in our waters, towns spraying pesticides, and even the pollutants that can be found in your own home such as in the cleaning products you use. Our kids are playing on those beautifully manicured green lawns that have been treated with all kinds of chemicals to keep it green and weed free. But guess what, weeds are green too!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Growing your own food is the best way to live a more sustainable, healthy lifestyle, save money and gain back some control. After all NJ is the Garden State! 15% of the state is working farm land. We are 10th in sweet corn production, 8th in tomato's, 4th in bell pepper's, 3rd in cranberries and 2nd in blueberries, just to name a few.</span><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So look for the Jersey Fresh</span><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Label when you are shopping, be more conscience of your everyday decisions and plant your own garden today. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5C7KCv1A0UWfeUGW7TFl8SFcaACsudm4oU9ZLR8JvnF-1uw1PTCLOXTVwJNN-M92Tkkqo91W_QlcadAbRhyphenhyphenJtF1e0IobQMo2-cp87g9iNz_tOAwXiPfxKJaK6Qt1NBdKLic6/s1600/harvest+265+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5C7KCv1A0UWfeUGW7TFl8SFcaACsudm4oU9ZLR8JvnF-1uw1PTCLOXTVwJNN-M92Tkkqo91W_QlcadAbRhyphenhyphenJtF1e0IobQMo2-cp87g9iNz_tOAwXiPfxKJaK6Qt1NBdKLic6/s1600/harvest+265+email.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Our Plentiful Harvest</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTRraa3fsw3ANgn65I9SFPtZTD7QiEznvKA7kcjZgLKm6tC2tgrNnv1g3sLq_CV3zvDAUqAuxUl7rKs_WfWmj3yFaTHzUnbQlpg-87j1OZpJpDBevCxvMiE_vaqaETXSNWF7s/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
For more information on gardening, visit:<br />
<a href="http://woodlotfarms.com/Square_Foot_Garden.html" target="_blank">http://woodlotfarms.com/Square_Foot_Garden.html</a><br />
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For more information on Urban Homesteading visit:<br />
<a href="http://woodlotfarms.com/Urban_Homesteading_CF7M.html" target="_blank">http://woodlotfarms.com/Urban_Homesteading_CF7M.html</a><br />
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<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-5392259820700216372012-06-19T15:55:00.003-04:002012-06-19T15:55:54.564-04:00Summertime Means Ponytails<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr style="color: #a64d79;"><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdzoLb2OYuq6NwhsJbcPKDjmGOmNSscO1qvFrU8apIEbd7ejnMZbGKtO2HyLv8nzux-b4unOYDHokoJNZy96RPC5uOyKxILo6e4dhW9D7P3iZsv7wcjKl8Ya-57U4r_MPMASC/s1600/mason+scrunchie+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdzoLb2OYuq6NwhsJbcPKDjmGOmNSscO1qvFrU8apIEbd7ejnMZbGKtO2HyLv8nzux-b4unOYDHokoJNZy96RPC5uOyKxILo6e4dhW9D7P3iZsv7wcjKl8Ya-57U4r_MPMASC/s200/mason+scrunchie+c.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #a64d79;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason was helping me set up the photo, MEOW!</td></tr>
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I've been doing lots of "You Tubing" this season to find new ways to "updo" my updo. Fishtail braids, cascading french braids, cute low rider buns and super chic twists. In a quick pinch though a pony is my go to updo. Quick and simple. But, simple doesn't have to be boring. My new Crochet Project is cute and fun, colorful scrunchies. These are great for any age and they are so versatile. The yarn I like to use for this project is 100% cotton. So they are even machine washable. I think the cotton works best to give the edges that frilly, girlie, playful look. I just found a self striping yarn in red, white and blue so I am getting started on my 4th of July scrunchies. They are going to be so great for all the BBQ's I'll be attending that weekend. Next it's fun in the sun August where I'll be wearing a hot pink, yellow and orange scrunchie seen in the photo.</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">These make great gifts too. Photo below is an example of two dresses I bought for my friend's 3 year old. On the left side of each dress, you will see the matching scrunchies I made. Too cute!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu6PLKQlxJ4CML9E6rqmc9df0rpWZm3EtCzZHvbE4Rw70wdeniTiAFwtqFLT73YlRnuKdSMWmCEw3d1HcMC8-xcT7X2abde9juboWUzuIB2I7g2yZE6St_BrgIFg8vPUI87Dd/s1600/dresses+2+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu6PLKQlxJ4CML9E6rqmc9df0rpWZm3EtCzZHvbE4Rw70wdeniTiAFwtqFLT73YlRnuKdSMWmCEw3d1HcMC8-xcT7X2abde9juboWUzuIB2I7g2yZE6St_BrgIFg8vPUI87Dd/s320/dresses+2+c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-1688030777965253182012-05-21T15:33:00.001-04:002012-05-22T10:21:41.730-04:00Ramsey Jamsey Strawberry Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3Xpfo7hW9WamG2iUgILDYdxe_GHEdZCUJqh-3dBfczvH1PyudUbYYyMQO9ivuPXxc6YbOmineCI6CmXNHFZgBQ30g8rA__mjWk-3HibHthqqhdFt85aPDQ5Jy9h8vnCEFQbh/s1600/GARDEN+2012+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3Xpfo7hW9WamG2iUgILDYdxe_GHEdZCUJqh-3dBfczvH1PyudUbYYyMQO9ivuPXxc6YbOmineCI6CmXNHFZgBQ30g8rA__mjWk-3HibHthqqhdFt85aPDQ5Jy9h8vnCEFQbh/s320/GARDEN+2012+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This year we got a nice big harvest of beautiful, sweet strawberries. After a few years of having a so-so strawberry patch, this year we are in full bloom. And pretty early in the season too. That means time for another batch of my famous Ramsey Jamsey Strawberry Jam. <br />
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Ramsey Jamsey Ingredients:<br />
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2 Cups Strawberries Hulled and cut in half<br />
1 1/2-2 Cups Sugar (depending on the sweetness of the berry)<br />
1 Large Lemon Zested and Juiced<br />
Canning Jars<br />
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I only had 1/2 of a lemon so I used that plus one lime. Just as delicious! <br />
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In small pot combine sugar, zest and juice and cook over very low heat until all sugar is dissolved. About 10 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjhdeF-ldySEzkklRpsL4QhFL9tODRyejpDnP2pcv-GHhIVSk7Qib_bpHYbJ7iwiTm5LztZ8uJv84HpqgxelCAGU5OBQaxjCRO3R54sH3oCZIl5EBdBoqi-n7qOdWc9xkF45d/s1600/GARDEN+2012+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjhdeF-ldySEzkklRpsL4QhFL9tODRyejpDnP2pcv-GHhIVSk7Qib_bpHYbJ7iwiTm5LztZ8uJv84HpqgxelCAGU5OBQaxjCRO3R54sH3oCZIl5EBdBoqi-n7qOdWc9xkF45d/s200/GARDEN+2012+052.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see all the zest!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Next, add the strawberries and continue cooking over very low heat until the strawberries release some of their juices. You can use a potato masher to speed it up a little. It will cook this way about 20 minutes. <br />
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Once the jam reaches a slow boil, you can test it to make sure it is ready. The jam should gel as soon as you place it on a very cold plate. You can place the plate in the freezer until ready to use for this test. If the jam gels up rather quickly, you are all done! Pour jam into clean glass jars and store in the fridge. If you are not going to use the jam right away, you will have to follow the proper canning guidelines such as heat sterlizing the jars and putting them in a hot water bath to seal the top before storing. But if it is just for your personal use, you can skip that step. This recipe make a small batch of jam so it is manageable to be able to use what you have in your very own garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkG5FvQcTADQ6y2Q-ic988Cgs_DJKNXl6d5voFiJu8TfE25kdMTgPIne96SaatVeiD4h-jXbna0Ez3nCowzykl3KwzbVGGRibbotGzx3UE6CTDD0NgYEPky4Zd8PeqTWjdavV/s1600/GARDEN+2012+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkG5FvQcTADQ6y2Q-ic988Cgs_DJKNXl6d5voFiJu8TfE25kdMTgPIne96SaatVeiD4h-jXbna0Ez3nCowzykl3KwzbVGGRibbotGzx3UE6CTDD0NgYEPky4Zd8PeqTWjdavV/s320/GARDEN+2012+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramsey Jamsey</td></tr>
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Next time, I think I will add a vanilla bean to the boiling pot of jam. Or some rhubarb for an even sweeter jam. I like to shmear mine on toast with cinnamon or on a cracker as a mid-afternoon pick-me up. Enjoy!<br />
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PS. Ramsey Jamsey is named after my Maine Coon Kitty Ramsey<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq1njHuV7kG5KjIfKS3Bg-Rqs0sVrG8pp6Opr8HctfVjwAoEdWyV9ZQYz8TMVdAnUW3cK7lOe3mMCtrc8TEhBU3Eieg6LUeBMKNsFkrMcv5oxeDJgKm8FM9hGoooCu81exrCL/s1600/Rasmey+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq1njHuV7kG5KjIfKS3Bg-Rqs0sVrG8pp6Opr8HctfVjwAoEdWyV9ZQYz8TMVdAnUW3cK7lOe3mMCtrc8TEhBU3Eieg6LUeBMKNsFkrMcv5oxeDJgKm8FM9hGoooCu81exrCL/s320/Rasmey+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramsey Boy</td></tr>
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</div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-57609162030262125082012-05-15T11:40:00.000-04:002012-05-15T11:40:43.508-04:00Spring Has Sprung<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFKZ08mbE0QBLzgdbmy8NnmjGiahrR9elaQOtgIPUeoR82uq64OO4Uw0knKXSPeN_J8WsVHrg_7qsmca2dlfuhrqMRGtVDTUAHk5nb2H_h0BRR8kyr6vPLDlzzuvFCJ4fLL5w/s1600/GARDEN+2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFKZ08mbE0QBLzgdbmy8NnmjGiahrR9elaQOtgIPUeoR82uq64OO4Uw0knKXSPeN_J8WsVHrg_7qsmca2dlfuhrqMRGtVDTUAHk5nb2H_h0BRR8kyr6vPLDlzzuvFCJ4fLL5w/s320/GARDEN+2012+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lCHgZmzIvjpYeEumbXe_WOxxkPPRr5IZpCJ4oU3kHphk614Ye8cAbW21egzOZSi-xd0lw3h9OCMias6fX5H6j_p1Qu53twCSLl6f1BHOmZE3XEPvA8j2Z0uWDaEEpvB9ZrsN/s1600/GARDEN+2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Spring has finally sprung and so has our asparagus!! Asparagus takes 3 years before it can be harvested and eaten. We are finally on our 3rd year and the asparagus is delicious. We can just pick them off and eat them raw. It is that good.</div>
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Asparagus is low in calories and is very low in sodium. It is a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc, and a very good source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamins A, C, E, & K, folic acid<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folic_acid" title="Folic acid"></a>, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium. So the health benefits are fantastic as well as the taste.</div>
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I prefer mine roasted or steamed but it is also great on the grill to give that nice smoky charred flavor. Of course you can always wrap bacon around it for a real treat but let's try to keep this healthy! </div>
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Here is a recipe to enjoy your healthy, fresh harvest. </div>
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Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Marinade </div>
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Ingredients </div>
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1 or 2 bunches of Asparagus 1 teaspoon garlic salt</div>
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nonstick spray 1/2 teaspoon rosemary</div>
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salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 teaspoon marjoram</div>
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1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon thyme</div>
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1/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon poppy seeds</div>
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Directions:</div>
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1.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay asparagus out on a lightly
oiled cookie sheet or line cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Sprinkle
with a bit of salt and pepper, to taste. Place in oven.<br /><br />2. While
the asparagus is cooking, start on the marinade. Put the oil, lemon
juice, thyme, marjoram, poppy seeds, rosemary, and garlic salt in a small
blender or food processor and let blend for several seconds until it
looks creamy.<br /><br />3. When asparagus is done, put on a serving dish and pour marinade across.<br /> </div>
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Cooking time: 8-10 minutes </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">The marinade on this one is a homerun and is also great on chicken.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span dir="auto">Bon Appétit!</span></span></i></div>
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<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-21593722820984945562012-02-13T18:23:00.001-05:002012-02-13T18:25:17.107-05:00Fighting the Good Fight<div style="color: #38761d;">Have you ever wondered about how fresh and nutritious your food really is? Have you ever asked yourself how the green pepper in the supermarket got soo big? </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d;">Well the answer is to become more self-sufficient. Start a vegetable garden in your yard, raise chicken hens for fresh organic eggs, raise honey bees for pure natural honey. Check your town's zoning and laws regarding this first and then go for it. Gardening is very rewarding and a huge money saver also. Growing your own vegetables is wonderful. Going out to your yard every day to pick dinner for your family is a great feeling. You don't need alot of space. All you need is the sun. If you could have flowers or bushes in your front yard, why not a beautiful vegetable garden if that is where the sun hits your yard the most? Live in a condo or townhome? No problem. Build a square foot garden box that you can have out on your patio or deck. </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d;">Raise Chicken Hens for fresh organic eggs. Every morning you will get delicious, fresh, organic, pesticide free eggs. Nothing packs as much protein ounce of ounce as an egg. </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d;">A friend of mine recently mentioned to me that eggs in the supermarket come from egg manufacturers but, isn't an egg manufacturer a chicken?!?!?</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d;">Let's all start focusing on where our food comes from. Buy from local markets or farms. Make a difference. Change the laws if there are restrictions. Fight the fight. Isn't your health worth it?</div><div style="color: #38761d;"></div><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Please read the following article:</span> <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/139201039_Chickens_and_the_law.html" target="_blank">http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/139201039_Chickens_and_the_law.html</a><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #38761d;">For more information on raising hens in your yard visit:</span> </span> <a href="http://www.woodlotfarms.com/Raising_Chicken_Hens.html" target="_blank">http://www.woodlotfarms.com/Raising_Chicken_Hens.html</a><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">For more information on gardening, visit:</span> <a href="http://www.woodlotfarms.com/Square_Foot_Garden.html" target="_blank">http://www.woodlotfarms.com/Square_Foot_Garden.html</a>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-60331745883694886602011-12-04T14:14:00.001-05:002011-12-05T07:25:38.757-05:00Fun Winter Hobby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEXb2kofttdd7BmjhxDTaQVujhyOwol9pYDVJo8Ad4AYymueuOk0-unnuSxvWOVM62PCUd-qS7DTKwtOV7NXCo8YbpSU5BU0nPjdH6GMgpMgjvPAQoF7elFv_VIaYTZ1Ek32r/s1600/blue-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEXb2kofttdd7BmjhxDTaQVujhyOwol9pYDVJo8Ad4AYymueuOk0-unnuSxvWOVM62PCUd-qS7DTKwtOV7NXCo8YbpSU5BU0nPjdH6GMgpMgjvPAQoF7elFv_VIaYTZ1Ek32r/s320/blue-frame.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With the long, cold winter coming, it is time for a new hobby. My wonderful cousin had asked me if I wanted to learn how to Crochet. I thought, what better hobby for the winter? I pictured my grandmother sitting in front of the TV crocheting us all beautiful afghans and warm cozy socks. I pictured myself sitting in front of my fireplace crocheting my little heart out and I was hooked, no pun intended. I thought I could make matching hats & scarves for everyone because you can never have too many. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The main difference between Crocheting & Knitting is the use of one hook in Crocheting vs. two needles in Knitting. Most patterns will give you directions for both methods so you can virtually make the same things. I prefer Crocheting over Knitting. The two needles threw me off. You just have to test for yourself which you are more comfortable with. You may be able to grasp both and then you are limitless to the products you can make! </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another obstacle I had to overcome was the fact that I am a lefty and my teacher (said cousin) is a righty. However, being lefty in a righty's world, there are many obstacles we have to overcome, (my lefty readers know what I'm talking about). </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The easiest way to learn is to look in the mirror while the teacher demonstrates the stitches. I decided to learn righty and then I could just reverse it once I understood the whole concept. It actually wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be to hold the hook in my right hand so I decided to just stick to it as a righty!</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For my first project I chose to make a simple wool hat and scarf for myself. It was surprisingly fast once I got the pattern down and was very relaxing too. There are many tutorials on You Tube if you ever get stuck with how to learn a new stitch or how to finish off your project or how to incorporate your second scane once you run out of the first one. It is very helpful. The patterns you find will also tell you the type of yarn to get and the hook you will need. Also helpful for a beginner. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had so much fun with this project, that I went to the library for inspiration to expand into other things like dish towels, pillows, and shawls. I now have a basket full of yarn, a folder full of patterns and tote full of hooks. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I just know this winter will fly by. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeH7CvmsxZvcc58GcxDeS0sLbjS_kOPYD6dGeJRYiJnsXTrglpdmR6Y0EG6jCv4JLMHcoB0XS5hTAkTHr9JGSJ10fS5tnpNfBjQYUJ0h2MkZzq7vI5NRQ04XvYzADcan82dv9/s1600/yellow-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeH7CvmsxZvcc58GcxDeS0sLbjS_kOPYD6dGeJRYiJnsXTrglpdmR6Y0EG6jCv4JLMHcoB0XS5hTAkTHr9JGSJ10fS5tnpNfBjQYUJ0h2MkZzq7vI5NRQ04XvYzADcan82dv9/s200/yellow-frame.jpg" width="187" /></a><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xJN4NBM6O28TmCajKCiyW1wpoDbPJCce4rvmSrZ94jq9L8diSnVisBbwovTCta61SlXClQ6V2HGPKpJW_zJ2CO37HlnuePCFIadX7rb0XzmMlnOdoWEUdRccIBvenW_F5-St/s1600/black-fram-e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xJN4NBM6O28TmCajKCiyW1wpoDbPJCce4rvmSrZ94jq9L8diSnVisBbwovTCta61SlXClQ6V2HGPKpJW_zJ2CO37HlnuePCFIadX7rb0XzmMlnOdoWEUdRccIBvenW_F5-St/s200/black-fram-e2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-51664298853403796712011-11-06T10:41:00.000-05:002011-11-06T10:41:22.153-05:00All Day Apple Butter<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Every year, my husband & I go apple picking and every year I try to make something new with our harvest. This year was Apple Butter. I wasn't entirely clear on what apple butter was or what I would use it for but I figured I would give a try anyway. Recently all the magazines and online recipe sites I frequent were all showing their take on this since it is apple season.</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The recipe I used called for 5 1/2 lbs of apples, no problem since we probably had 3 times more than that from our excursion.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_gZsqbxP9FJqqBI2-2C4TDL746Yd2Lcg1XrspjyQDBrgh8ZicgETFnV3JVLPoPBAfshIvyK-eGzVpceE0MreSh35HQEn2BYXWgil7251EjFu3NUgI-xFc1y47sp1_9BjfmeC/s1600/weighing+apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_gZsqbxP9FJqqBI2-2C4TDL746Yd2Lcg1XrspjyQDBrgh8ZicgETFnV3JVLPoPBAfshIvyK-eGzVpceE0MreSh35HQEn2BYXWgil7251EjFu3NUgI-xFc1y47sp1_9BjfmeC/s320/weighing+apples.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The hard part is next. You have to peel, core and finely chop all those apples. You can use a food processor for the chopping but of course, I couldn't find my slicing blade, so I did it all by hand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEPaKS0PXI3GCKYvwLeSreH4KU0b3waCp9QWWrKWsVpzYCK4OCI_omRQoGSaF_ZS71MeTlQWbYNsSKJ0PVvgOtIwCPHm8_BvshlTJd_8Zib_1lSSEnWONe5O5t-vk5ENvg35t/s1600/cored+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEPaKS0PXI3GCKYvwLeSreH4KU0b3waCp9QWWrKWsVpzYCK4OCI_omRQoGSaF_ZS71MeTlQWbYNsSKJ0PVvgOtIwCPHm8_BvshlTJd_8Zib_1lSSEnWONe5O5t-vk5ENvg35t/s320/cored+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Once that is all done, place all the apples in a slow cooker along with:</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon </div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground cloves</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon salt </div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4 cups white sugar </div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know it sounds like a lot of sugar, but, you can cut it depending on the sweetness of the apples. The first time I made this, I only used 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup of brown sugar. Since my apples were fresh off the trees I didn't think I would need to add too much to them. To my surprise, I actually missed the sweetness. It needed more! The second time I made this I used 2 cups white sugar and 1 1/4 cups brown sugar and it was much better. So you will have to just go with your gut on this one!</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for one hour.</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Reduce the heat to low and cook 9 to 11 hours, stirring occasionally until the mixture is thickened and dark. I never really let mine go this entire time. I just kept stirring it and when I felt it was the consistency I wanted, I lowered the heat and let it go that last hour.</div><br />
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<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Uncover and continue cooking on low for 1 hour. Stir with a whisk, if desired, to increase smoothness.</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spoon the mixture into sterile containers, cover and refrigerate or freeze.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b2HIeVycNRPOitObbiX8NJewfYm8FQM5qzywNwaTf5DofrPdUz4GwByOxH_y5v4v9f6pXSkuZOlGWs9M6plvfZgaFb_dUEPMRRq5eAZ0nvoarW5qiCZHBngH6fSW6NDM7MwV/s1600/apple+butter+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b2HIeVycNRPOitObbiX8NJewfYm8FQM5qzywNwaTf5DofrPdUz4GwByOxH_y5v4v9f6pXSkuZOlGWs9M6plvfZgaFb_dUEPMRRq5eAZ0nvoarW5qiCZHBngH6fSW6NDM7MwV/s320/apple+butter+5.jpg" width="320" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I jarred mine and froze it to use as homemade Christmas Gifts for my loved ones. They make excellent gifts and are much more personal than a store bought something or a gift card. All the time, effort and love (sweat and tears, if I'm being honest), that went into making this will surely come through when your loved ones open that delicious jar and shmear it on their morning toast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Oh for those of you, like me, who were wondering what Apple Butter is, it is not butter at all! It is really like an apple jam. It tastes like Apple Pie in a jar so it is delicious on toast for breakfast or on a cracker for a midday snack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And for those of you who feel like this may be too much work for you or you don't have a slow cooker or the time, just make apple pie! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-65942306985449069572011-10-26T17:58:00.001-04:002011-10-26T18:00:19.162-04:00Very Cute Handmade Wristlets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk5r4qVKdprBKiCaC1qPBZLz85ZO_SMiRwnwb7A1SLTe6bKUwP8tnm0q19UM8GNgPjV-Et6yzQXT4Sz0LxFH8dkEqRitt9bDG_1HWZy25dZfKM3TQsbC3DcgDg6aapgtcUPFw/s1600/Wristlet+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk5r4qVKdprBKiCaC1qPBZLz85ZO_SMiRwnwb7A1SLTe6bKUwP8tnm0q19UM8GNgPjV-Et6yzQXT4Sz0LxFH8dkEqRitt9bDG_1HWZy25dZfKM3TQsbC3DcgDg6aapgtcUPFw/s200/Wristlet+015.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>After recently finishing my first Bohemain Style Skirt, (read about it <a href="http://mrsgardengirl.blogspot.com/2011/09/next-stopproject-runway.html">here</a>), I was so proud of myself, I couldn't wait to make my next creation. <br />
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As a beginner sewer, I am always looking for new fun projects that I can try to do and keep the creativity flowing. A few google clicks later and I found this great Wristlet Tutorial and just knew this was the project for me! Plus I thought what a great handmade Christmas gift that I can give to every woman on my list, including myself! Handmade is a major WOW factor. You can find the tutorial I used <a href="http://splityarn.com/2007/06/01/sew-a-zippered-wristlet-tutorial.html">here</a>. <br />
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My first thought after seeing how small the sizes were was "hmm, is everything I need going to even fit in there?" You will notice on my finished version that I am able to fit my cell phone, my wallet, my camera (not in example because how else would I get the shot?, LOL) and a lipstick. So I knew it would be just perfect! <br />
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I think you'll find the tutorial very easy to follow if you are up for the challenge. Of course I have a few tips to share, I think will be helpful.<br />
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Tip #1: Do not be discouraged with this project just because there is a zipper. I know alot of people are zipper-phobic but don't be. On this project you attach the zipper to the lining first so it is much easier to work around. A lot of problems I always had with zippers was trying to add it on and getting it to lay perfectly after I had already made all my seams. So this way makes much more sense to me. <br />
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Tip #2: Regarding the strap. You'll want to double enforce it so it is nice and strong. After all your hard work it would be a shame if it broke the first time you used the purse. And don't forget once you fill the wristlet with all your necessities, it is going to be heavier so you really want to make the strap strong. I folded both sides in about 1/8 inch, ironed it so I got a nice straight line and then sewed down each side, then I folded it in half and sewed the edges together. This also gives you a clean line on the strap instead of a rough edge. <br />
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Tip #3: When it is time to turn the lining inside out, it can be frustrating. The 2 inch opening you left seems like a very small opening. But take your time, go easy. You may need to put it down and try again later. Don't give up. You'll get there.<br />
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Once you are all done, you may want to iron it. Mine was all wrinkly from working with it so much. And that's it. You are all done! How does it look? I would love to see your creations so send me your photos or questions.<br />
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And remember, "Make it Work!"Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-69660938912670624142011-10-19T18:41:00.000-04:002011-10-19T18:41:15.616-04:00Sweet Potatoes<div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="st">After a summer of growing sweet potatoes, fall is the long-awaited time to enjoy the fruits of your labors. </span></div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The most common tool for digging sweet potatoes out of the ground is a spade fork, although a shovel will also work just fine. Be a gentle as you can because they will bruise very easily and will cause decay during storage.</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sweet Potatoes can be cooked and eaten right out of the ground but their natural sweetness improves after curing them. To do this, place the freshly dug sweet potatoes in the sun for about 2 to 3 hours, Then place them in newspaper lined boxes and keep them in a warm well ventilated room for about 2 weeks. Leave the dirt on them as this protects them while they cure. </div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After the 2 weeks, wash them off and store in a cool dark place like a basement or garage. Properly cured and stored sweet potatoes will stay for several months. Remove any roots that show signs of decay.</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My favorite way to eat sweet potato is to make fries or chips out of them.</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Post your favorite recipes below. I'd love some fresh new ideas. Maybe a sweet potato pie recipe? </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3htOi_JvjxbQ6xex4Gv6XHev0tYTtI4-rizkGwx7bwIPd2SgIMYnruTFLnyoR0NZttW9zKqy5PvylYH1z_KuUmYQlEReWvsyn6GFmMQkqTGy1eAfijOyAVBgAVKAtVOrelYi/s1600/Picture+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3htOi_JvjxbQ6xex4Gv6XHev0tYTtI4-rizkGwx7bwIPd2SgIMYnruTFLnyoR0NZttW9zKqy5PvylYH1z_KuUmYQlEReWvsyn6GFmMQkqTGy1eAfijOyAVBgAVKAtVOrelYi/s200/Picture+053.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZaE3Ajm3-7ojkVb8_AOBHbfPSMwHwH-22MTeQXVE0XjTbkjRYMynAaczL-PB1Ec9z8b4BmnndYjN1iwrQ4G4AFZk4ylqRDWRv7hbZA3fwvDhDIH-Ch4YDdFqgh0NUC9qxK6e/s1600/Picture+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZaE3Ajm3-7ojkVb8_AOBHbfPSMwHwH-22MTeQXVE0XjTbkjRYMynAaczL-PB1Ec9z8b4BmnndYjN1iwrQ4G4AFZk4ylqRDWRv7hbZA3fwvDhDIH-Ch4YDdFqgh0NUC9qxK6e/s200/Picture+054.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-77457455802553917672011-10-04T19:44:00.000-04:002011-10-04T19:44:59.868-04:00Peppers And Onions<div style="color: #274e13;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #38761d;">As the gardening season begins to wind down in the northeast, it is time to start harvesting everything you have left and prepare to store it for the winter</span><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #38761d;">We were inundated with delicious peppers this year. We had red, yellow and green bell peppers and sweet cubanelle's. So we decided to make peppers and onions.</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
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Start with heating your pan with some olive oil. Cut your peppers and onions any way you like. They don't have to be fancy. Saute them until they are still al dente. You want the peppers to still have a crunch when you freeze them so when they are defrosted they are not soggy. No need to add any seasonings here. </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
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Also, don't forget to save the pepper seeds for your seed bank.<br />
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Chill peppers and onion as is in the freezer until they are just frozen. This will take some of the moisture out so they will be able be food saved. One item or "gadget" I recommend everyone own is the food saver vacuum sealer. Meats should not sit in the styrofoam packaging you get from the supermarket. It is unhealthy. You might notice meats that have been in your freezer for a while not only have freezer burn but the meat starts to get discolored. With the food saver, it will stay fresher and longer in your freezer. It takes all the air out so when you freeze anything there is no freezer burn and the freshness is sealed in. This enables you to buy in bulk, divide into portions and freeze. </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d;">Now, divide the peppers and onions into dinner size portions and food save for the winter. With a laundry grade sharpie (other sharpie's tend to run when they are wet), mark the ingredients and date each package. Then you can just pull one out and cook as normal. Whether you add sausage or steak, or just serve as a side dish it will be delicious and fresh because it is all from your very own garden!</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXFpl1fDEl8LjyI9LCwRn_dkUNQKe2f1QGujGJk6ZT7DlfP3kjq7C4-0bscGRcz3RUsWkFg1hfThhoZhTP9cEI04Re3HJtAnHyHjVi3cC4kAzdERizIeC7UlVA2GZyad9NOJN/s1600/Picture+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXFpl1fDEl8LjyI9LCwRn_dkUNQKe2f1QGujGJk6ZT7DlfP3kjq7C4-0bscGRcz3RUsWkFg1hfThhoZhTP9cEI04Re3HJtAnHyHjVi3cC4kAzdERizIeC7UlVA2GZyad9NOJN/s200/Picture+032.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-3255314302209818732011-09-29T07:46:00.000-04:002011-09-29T07:46:52.413-04:00Welcome to My Garden<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hello Everyone and Happy Thursday!</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am happy to say that today is my SITS day! If you aren’t familiar with <a href="http://www.thesitsgirls.com/">SITS<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span></a> it’s a wonderful group of women bloggers. You drop by, you make friends, and you get to find new and interesting reads! It’s pretty awesome!</span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, today is my feature day and I feel so special and so honored to be a part of this great group!</span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you’re new here, welcome! Here are a couple of posts that I am particularly fond of:</span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mrsgardengirl.blogspot.com/2011/09/next-stopproject-runway.html">http://mrsgardengirl.blogspot.com/2011/09/next-stopproject-runway.html</a></span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mrsgardengirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/ratatouille-wraps.html">http://mrsgardengirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/ratatouille-wraps.html</a></span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mrsgardengirl.blogspot.com/2011/06/drying-your-clothes-on-clothesline-old.html">http://mrsgardengirl.blogspot.com/2011/06/drying-your-clothes-on-clothesline-old.html</a></span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, who am I? If you haven’t read my feature, you can check it our over on <a href="http://www.thesitsgirls.com/2011/03/homemaker-extrodinaire-just-like-june/">SITS</a>. I’m an urban homesteader. I love to cook, I love to bake, I love to garden and I love to try new things. I’m an old-fashioned gal trying to get back to the old fashion ways.</span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I’m not blogging here, I am one of two editors over on <a href="http://woodlotfarms.com/">woodlotfarms.com</a>. The website is all about building local community. Helping & educating each other, providing practical solutions for complicated problems.<span> </span>Engaging directly with nature.<span> </span>Becoming self-reliant and less dependent on outside resources. Go on over and take a peek!<span> </span></span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, sit back, grab a cup of tea, and dig in. </span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by!</span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">the garden girl</span></div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-38525289518423601682011-09-12T19:23:00.000-04:002011-09-12T19:23:36.167-04:00Next Stop…Project Runway...<!--[if !mso]> <style>
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<div class="NoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="color: #b45f06;">I have just completed my first Bohemian Skirt. I loved this fabric so much I just knew it would make a fabulous skirt. First step is to get all your supplies together. You’ll need a tape measure, garment marking chalk, scissors, bobby pins, a sewing machine, fabric, liner, an iron and a zipper.</span> </div><div class="NoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CKaECmkTA4FdX2Zj0CVJuLeVMR3X2LczSsiTv6FjSzohAgU-FpyZGKq0Ml7OKe9lwS_hlivV0Pf45ejT59HKBs9-6ZGtEJSAwlyUq7YUsMZhVBQDYoSv7jKrZg89S-hdIRzL/s1600/Picture+1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CKaECmkTA4FdX2Zj0CVJuLeVMR3X2LczSsiTv6FjSzohAgU-FpyZGKq0Ml7OKe9lwS_hlivV0Pf45ejT59HKBs9-6ZGtEJSAwlyUq7YUsMZhVBQDYoSv7jKrZg89S-hdIRzL/s200/Picture+1031.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="NoSpacing"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #b45f06;">After taking my measurements, I cut the fabric and the lining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the fabric was cut, it was off to the sewing machine to mend the front and back together. You’ll need to do this step for both the fabric and the lining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave enough room open on the side for the zipper. About 12-14 inches depending on the length of your zipper.</div><div class="NoSpacing"></div><div class="NoSpacing"></div><div class="NoSpacing"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div><div class="NoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18zoYEfUmMM-USG9bkokAIK0_8AUZwAiI5E9Zy0caFJxWCubnNpwye6FoND8-FiGW8aokVCt3GgCl2VA1RNJs32cLfqC4xQXt23Tjasi1GagX8e29aQROSDQzoLUSXmZGrXKo/s1600/Picture+1032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18zoYEfUmMM-USG9bkokAIK0_8AUZwAiI5E9Zy0caFJxWCubnNpwye6FoND8-FiGW8aokVCt3GgCl2VA1RNJs32cLfqC4xQXt23Tjasi1GagX8e29aQROSDQzoLUSXmZGrXKo/s200/Picture+1032.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="NoSpacing"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV5t_59YVDSDRM4IVMLeaBijmvcQcs5rqOMK8UrtI3nw9_AobXVUFVYSiQj7l-l27hTAgjDv-HuqtxyHHQBNG8uKhzYGzv3AYi3Pv2LHgof2zpr_GTsnOicpapWc_ro5e8J90/s1600/Picture+1033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV5t_59YVDSDRM4IVMLeaBijmvcQcs5rqOMK8UrtI3nw9_AobXVUFVYSiQj7l-l27hTAgjDv-HuqtxyHHQBNG8uKhzYGzv3AYi3Pv2LHgof2zpr_GTsnOicpapWc_ro5e8J90/s200/Picture+1033.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></span> </div><div class="NoSpacing" style="color: #b45f06;">At this stage it is a good idea to try on the piece to make sure it fits and the measurements were correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is much easier to tweak the fabric at this stage then when it is complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also you can now decide on the hem line depending on how long or short you want the skirt to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once that is measured out, you can sew the hem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>½ inch hem is all that is needed for the skirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a tip I learned first hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I could get away with not hemming the lining because no one was going to see it, however, the first time I wore the skirt, the lining kept fraying and I had little strands of gold fabric following me around!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you may want to go ahead and hem the lining as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the hem is measured and pinned, run a hot iron over the seam to keep it straight and then sew in place. </div><div class="NoSpacing" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><div class="NoSpacing"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Next, attach the lining to the skirt. Turn the skirt inside out. Tuck it inside the lining which will be right side out. Fold the waist down over the lining about 1 inch, pin down, iron the seam and stitch it together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwriD4NX4Y7_fMW5gGOtwC526P2gkDlPLYpcTrd6GFxRJhA646ovqhXFIg4UW3mvqxmC715vvOoV35PCuhXH0C3TqLIZy6B-sd54OgXYKX9zU0y4p0osxwRwSFfTZMZf8qAxZv/s1600/Picture+1035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwriD4NX4Y7_fMW5gGOtwC526P2gkDlPLYpcTrd6GFxRJhA646ovqhXFIg4UW3mvqxmC715vvOoV35PCuhXH0C3TqLIZy6B-sd54OgXYKX9zU0y4p0osxwRwSFfTZMZf8qAxZv/s200/Picture+1035.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="NoSpacing"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK07hU7uHa6iezAb0Ih3jrxBf7YvN1O-h9aAON-dNVL_DEdbW6UtdEGiliS6aZxAJ8698rl4tKWLfG5Z72yEzsym74gtwB-QrfxrT_7FS-Lt7Cr5_UlkoEocUursWiP4XprUU/s1600/Picture+1034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK07hU7uHa6iezAb0Ih3jrxBf7YvN1O-h9aAON-dNVL_DEdbW6UtdEGiliS6aZxAJ8698rl4tKWLfG5Z72yEzsym74gtwB-QrfxrT_7FS-Lt7Cr5_UlkoEocUursWiP4XprUU/s200/Picture+1034.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="NoSpacing"><br />
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</div><div class="NoSpacing" style="color: #b45f06;">Last step is to attach the zipper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the tricky part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start by first changing out the foot of your sewing machine to the zipper foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then place the zipper inside the skirt and pin down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure to keep the zipper face up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might want to hand baste the zipper in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes it a little bit easier so the zipper does not move around and the fabric doesn’t get bunched up while going through the machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned this one the hard way and had to rip out the zipper on my first try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sew down one side of the zipper, with needle in the fabric, lift the pressure foot, turn the fabric 1/4 turn, place the zipper foot back down and sew the bottom of the zipper straight across to the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repeat process and turn the fabric another ¼ turn and sew up the other side of the zipper all the way up to the waistband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry I forgot to take a photo of this step. </div><div class="NoSpacing" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</div><div class="NoSpacing" style="color: #b45f06;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>VIOLA!</b> </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have just completed your skirt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="NoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="NoSpacing" style="color: #b45f06;">Sewing takes a lot of patience but the end product is worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, the best way to learn is to just go for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be afraid to cut the fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be afraid to stitch something wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can always rip it out and try again. Start off with something simple like a pillow or a skirt and work your way from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check your local fabric or craft stores for sewing classes or go to your local library to get books on beginner sewing projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have fun with it and soon you will be wearing all original pieces.</div><div class="NoSpacing" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</div><div class="NoSpacing" style="color: #b45f06;">In the famous words of Tim Gunn, “Make it Work!”</div><div class="NoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtr4OuhYoOEF7Zb4IegjJ2vGZrCQOmX-3oFGZ6Rwj2YuTDG3DC_LGOzW5v4bCHbYs4VFFWaCwsQDwNVbuGQjiQd5DUTBi5mF1FIXjdIp1NveXhRPcp9i0TQFRsGV0vZ3L7K4A/s1600/Skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtr4OuhYoOEF7Zb4IegjJ2vGZrCQOmX-3oFGZ6Rwj2YuTDG3DC_LGOzW5v4bCHbYs4VFFWaCwsQDwNVbuGQjiQd5DUTBi5mF1FIXjdIp1NveXhRPcp9i0TQFRsGV0vZ3L7K4A/s200/Skirt.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div class="NoSpacing"><br />
</div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-88847705843943239632011-07-05T14:58:00.000-04:002011-07-05T14:58:27.018-04:00Ratatouille Wraps<span style="color: #b45f06;">I've been asked to post a recipe using my garden fresh herbs and vegetables so here goes... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">One of my favorite things to make in the summer with all my homegrown goodies is Ratatouille Wraps. They are delicious, healthy and a great way to use up alot of those vegetables all at once. You won't miss the meat on this one but you can always add cooked or ground chicken, beef or turkey.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">olive oil 1 Eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch cubes</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">1 zucchini chopped 1 Onion, chopped</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">1 bell pepper chopped 2-3 sprigs fresh oregano or 1/2 tsp dried </span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">2 tomatoes chopped 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">2 large whole wheat wraps 4 ounces of your favorite cheese</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">salt and pepper 3 cloves garlic minced</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once or twice around the pan is good. Add eggplant, cook and stir until golden. Pour in more olive oil as needed. Add zucchini, onion, bell pepper, salt & pepper, cook and stir under crisp-tender. Stir in the tomatoes, garlic, thyme and oregano. Heat thru about 4-5 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Lay the wraps on the counter. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese in the center of each wrap and top with the ratatouille mixture. Fold the wrap up to enclose.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in skillet. Add wraps seam side down, turning once until golden brown, about 4 minutes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">You can use any combination of veggies for this. Sometimes I use broccoli, green beans, carrots and snap peas. It depends on what I have harvested that day for dinner.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">There is much debate on how to make traditional ratatouille. My method is to simply saute all the vegetables together and make wraps. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Bon Appetit!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9YoDim5AMNKkY_CydrPX-zYejoLwQLJoj74CqNwSsUUouNoU0b1LuutqttgdxbvhipBlWFyYD63xGQOlMj408FMRsWSD2rFHb50ZrJwY22rOgF1Io0EE11ZaTFI8GwvU91Gm/s1600/ratatouille+wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9YoDim5AMNKkY_CydrPX-zYejoLwQLJoj74CqNwSsUUouNoU0b1LuutqttgdxbvhipBlWFyYD63xGQOlMj408FMRsWSD2rFHb50ZrJwY22rOgF1Io0EE11ZaTFI8GwvU91Gm/s200/ratatouille+wrap.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-14182190273652612942011-06-13T15:40:00.002-04:002011-06-15T11:27:01.588-04:00"An Apple A Day...!"<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing apple trees in the home garden can be fun and rewarding. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apple Picking is one of the things I always look forward to in the Fall. The orchards are so beautiful and peaceful. And it is the best way to taste all the different varieties and pick your favorite. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apple trees are also flowering trees, and it is the pollination of their flowers that will allow for fruit to grow. Many apple trees do not self-pollinate. To solve this, plant several different varieties of apple trees with similar flowering times to allow for cross-pollination.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We just planted 3 apple trees in our yard, a Red Delicious, a Cortland & a Fuji Tree. As soon as they were planted, all the little sparrow birds started landing in them. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Red Delicious is one of the most common snacking apples in America. This is the most widely grown of all the apple tree varieties in the world. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Cortlandt Apple has a very white flesh and is an excellent dessert apple.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Fuji Apple has a dense flesh that is sweeter and crisper than many other apple varieties.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Beware of deer!</strong> If you live in an area with deer, you'll need to protect your young tree. Deer absolutely love to browse the buds on apple trees, in some cases they'll even damage the trunk itself. Mesh fencing a little larger than the tree, secured to posts will work in most cases.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing fruit will take pruning, thinning, and keeping insects and disease at bay, among other things.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But most importantly, have fun, good luck, eat well and remember, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away!”</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVNxhoFS1Jb9iQ5kIRdmCiIO5BDTMACM7_rNZGnRgqRBWKJJF_b4GuiWZrwIVo1uwWGDUyP8j3JNIZ6IiKnXqQGcS2_iEawTwv96XEyY8NyzMLPO6zTs8-DmNFm71MBV_kBer/s1600/apple-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVNxhoFS1Jb9iQ5kIRdmCiIO5BDTMACM7_rNZGnRgqRBWKJJF_b4GuiWZrwIVo1uwWGDUyP8j3JNIZ6IiKnXqQGcS2_iEawTwv96XEyY8NyzMLPO6zTs8-DmNFm71MBV_kBer/s200/apple-tree.jpg" t8="true" width="199" /></a></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-8384519135552689132011-06-07T14:53:00.000-04:002011-06-07T14:53:36.999-04:00Making your Own Clothes<span style="color: #7f6000;">A while back, I blogged about wanting a sewing machine for Christmas so I could make my own clothes. Well, I did get that machine and I did make my kitchen curtains which I am so proud of by the way, but, I haven't touched the machine since. What if I cut the fabric wrong, what if I can't sew the hem straight, how much fabric will make a simple dress or pair of pants? I was so nervous to make a mistake, that I just put the machine away in a closet and forgot about it. I gave up before I even began. Then I got a flyer in the mail for the Adult School in my town. They had an 8 week advanced sewing class that was starting up in two weeks. I was delighted and signed-up immediately. And boy am I glad I did. I learned a lot from how to clean my machine, to taking measurements, to reading patterns and how to cut the fabric. In the class I made a pillow, a pair of pajama pants, a skirt and a flower accessory. Not bad for only 8 weeks and not alot of one on one time. Now I feel I have the confidence to take on another pattern and make something on my own. Mayber I'll try a simple sundress for the summer. That is the best way to learn something new anyway right? Sometimes ya gotta just go all in! </span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-17237662319565126502011-06-02T13:06:00.000-04:002011-06-02T13:06:28.640-04:00Drying your Clothes on a Clothesline - The Old Fashioned Way<span style="color: #0b5394;">Save money, cut carbon emissions and extend the life of your clothing - all with a few bucks' worth of rope!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Drying your clothes - old school - outside on a clothesline. There is no reason to use your gas or electric dryer when there is a perfectly good heat source right outside your back door. It's called the sun and it is FREE of charge! I love that fresh outdoors smell on my clothes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Hang a clean, strong rope securely between two trees or poles. It could stretch out over time so you can buy a tightening mechanism at your local hardware store. This will prevent having to untie and retie the rope to get the slack you are looking for. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Make sure the line is high enough so your heavy wet clothes don't brush the ground. This will also help the clothes to dry faster.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Keep your eye on the weather when you have clothes on the line.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Know your fabrics. The sun can fade bright clothing. Hang sun-sensitive laundry inside out or in the shade if possible. Certain fabrics can stretch or show puckers where the clothespines were clipped, so those items should be hung on plastic hangers and then clip the hangers to the line.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Towels are always a big load at my house and usually take longer then one cycle to dry so these are perfect items for the line. However, they are a bit crunchy when I bring them in off the line, so I will toss those few problem items into the dryer just for a few minutes - set on air fluff - with a couple of clean tennis balls to soften them up. It really works.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I remember hanging clothes on the line with my mother when I was growing up. I am so glad to be continuing this forward thinking by being more dependent using these simple resources that are available to me everyday. All while saving money, and spending more time outside and in the fresh sunlight.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">I hope you give it a try.</span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-4573400074777079022011-05-31T11:24:00.000-04:002011-05-31T11:24:50.219-04:00Grow. Cook. Eat.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07a_vUcDiYy4R1T99T-arcb4Zkp6Pkt_A3Z5GyjOajuf7XyEV-FaqrLk87_jK4VbOO3NfnQlxTGsw7pCnxr6uZf8Lmsoaye4dMhH8zoYXbFR5Kmp_NvQLiC5OSdWI2rLC_nV3/s1600/2009+garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07a_vUcDiYy4R1T99T-arcb4Zkp6Pkt_A3Z5GyjOajuf7XyEV-FaqrLk87_jK4VbOO3NfnQlxTGsw7pCnxr6uZf8Lmsoaye4dMhH8zoYXbFR5Kmp_NvQLiC5OSdWI2rLC_nV3/s320/2009+garden.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing compares with the taste of vegetables you’ve grown at home in your very own garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what are you waiting for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find a nice sunny spot in your yard and get growing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t need a lot of space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By practicing Square Foot Gardening, you will learn you can grow more in less space. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will also cut down on things like weeding and watering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But beware, gardening may pull you away from your television sets and outside into the fresh air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may even cause your children to stop texting & start talking to you making full eye contact. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you make you first harvest, you will taste the difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Healthier eating, weight loss, more sun exposure and less trips to the supermarket (saving money) are many of the advantages you will experience by being able to go out your door and pick dinner for that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eat.</span> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLVVwjlVwlZ5TYRb330EjuyxOr3GzKY8jU07zn0yViY2J21Qx4MislN1pERiPxTEvShAYZR8N6uFWf6NMm46jXSSqtiPe3j9XtgBe2k66mIjEhvgcXkB6mh5wKLfEh9L6fJWB/s1600/SFG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLVVwjlVwlZ5TYRb330EjuyxOr3GzKY8jU07zn0yViY2J21Qx4MislN1pERiPxTEvShAYZR8N6uFWf6NMm46jXSSqtiPe3j9XtgBe2k66mIjEhvgcXkB6mh5wKLfEh9L6fJWB/s200/SFG.jpg" t8="true" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Square Foot Gardening Book by Mel Bartholomew</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-29811444365249695172011-05-11T15:23:00.000-04:002011-05-11T15:23:11.570-04:00Garden TimeMary, Mary quite contrary, <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr7jv2nC_BdhVTaz-Itzuvvc2m_GbJHmxaYaADWUftL5L3c1fM036Kg_-KXCvxltmXOKztdCMc30AI3i_SBlMjHwU4xYr0o1svgY4qamzwDbHZwAuJD8GcjzZ1cRsChCWAjvw/s1600/kate-greenaway-mary-mary-quite-contrary-how-does-your-garden-grow%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr7jv2nC_BdhVTaz-Itzuvvc2m_GbJHmxaYaADWUftL5L3c1fM036Kg_-KXCvxltmXOKztdCMc30AI3i_SBlMjHwU4xYr0o1svgY4qamzwDbHZwAuJD8GcjzZ1cRsChCWAjvw/s200/kate-greenaway-mary-mary-quite-contrary-how-does-your-garden-grow%255B1%255D.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>How does your garden grow?<br />
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I am happy to report that mine is officially growing! This past weekend we planted our garden. It felt great to be outside in the sunlight and getting our hands dirty in the soil. We planted all our tomatoes and beans, and cucumbers and broccoli, grapes and melons, potatoes and peppers, you name it, we planted it. There is something so comforting about being able to go out your back door and harvest your supper for that evening. And nothing tastes fresher than picking a pepper or tomato right off the vine and eating it. 100% organically grown food right in my own backyard. This year we’ve expanded our gardens to the front yard as well. We built four new gardens on the front lawn for a variety of melons, lettuces, celery, spinach, grapes and all our herbs. <br />
<br />
Everyday there is a little more growth, a little more progress and we are a little closer to our first harvest. We have already been able to pick some asparagus. I’ve never had a fresher tasting asparagus than to pull it right out of the ground and eat it. <br />
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I make pickles from our cucumbers and jam from our berries and fresh salsa from our tomatoes and herbs. I’ve even made scented body oils, flavored vodka’s and butter’s. The possibilities are endless. <br />
<br />
Send me your favorite recipes. I’d love to try them! <br />
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</div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-65748309898624413592011-04-11T13:15:00.000-04:002011-04-11T13:15:13.358-04:00Too old for Disney?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMFAi7MU7ZFjS3N6Hng6h3T1DHvljvfxC-U4dI9rkoDocEN6dM3vFhaJoz4_eSouphYgCs9ESscULK3NRFFwCqspb_yw7_fZRjS85RLAOKXO-7gurGq-IBap-Dv22Gq-O5Zwp/s1600/castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMFAi7MU7ZFjS3N6Hng6h3T1DHvljvfxC-U4dI9rkoDocEN6dM3vFhaJoz4_eSouphYgCs9ESscULK3NRFFwCqspb_yw7_fZRjS85RLAOKXO-7gurGq-IBap-Dv22Gq-O5Zwp/s200/castle.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>Recently I took a trip to Walt Disney World And Epcot Center in beautiful Orlando, Fl. I almost cancelled the trip thinking "Am I too old for Disney?" But since the plans were already made and people were counting on me, I decided to go. What a great decision that was! It was just like I remembered it as a child. We went on rides like the Runaway Train, Burned Rubber on the Go Carts, Spun Myself Silly on the Mad Tea Party Tea Cup Ride, went on a Safari through many native lands and toured the Enchanted Forest of Fantasyland on Peter Pan's Flight. Then we hopped the monorail over to the giant golf ball otherwise known as Epcot Center to tour the culture and cuisine of 11 wonderful countries: Mexico, Italy, Germany, Morocco, China, Japan, Norway, France, US, UK & Canada. It is hard to pick a favorite since they are all so different. Each country offers there own unique shops and eateries. But if I had to pick a favorite I would have to say Mexico. There is soo much to see there and the restaurant is lit up beautifully. There is also a boat ride that takes you right through the restaurant. The grounds at Epcot are truly magnificent and there were over 75 Disney character topiaries throughout the park. I wanted to just run around and see them all. Here is one of my favorites that was in Italy. How sweet are they? Don't forget the spectacular firework show at dusk. It is a must see for all! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZP5lB_unmfsZfegk6g7196mCylLZt6r0Nz5W8xbvkAvyhZ0_lCjvdfMpgSyb3FY-9M1SGz4WOdI3cHLp0FinEleTn43xuRGibp1CgJuwQ1EjFE-EaTaTTctxZGpe5SGDwnAYF/s1600/lady+n+tramp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZP5lB_unmfsZfegk6g7196mCylLZt6r0Nz5W8xbvkAvyhZ0_lCjvdfMpgSyb3FY-9M1SGz4WOdI3cHLp0FinEleTn43xuRGibp1CgJuwQ1EjFE-EaTaTTctxZGpe5SGDwnAYF/s200/lady+n+tramp.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady & The Tramp</td></tr>
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<br />
If the opportunity arrises and a trip to Disney presents itself, jump on it! My conclusion is you are NEVER too old for disney.<br />
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Thank you Walt Disney for making me feel like a kid again!!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-74464155125256867812011-03-30T15:14:00.000-04:002011-03-30T15:14:21.771-04:00Fabric Dyeing 101<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Recently I went on a shopping spree. In my very own closet!! I decided to go through my closet, sort of like a spring cleaning, and was surprised by all the things I had way in the back that I had forgotten all about. Things that can totally be revived this season with just a few minor adjustments.</div><br />
Stay tuned for future posts on other projects I will be tackling with my needle and thread in hand.<br />
<br />
First up though was a simple Dye-Job to bring drab back to fab.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are my step-by-step instructions to dyeing fabric. I used a 100% Cotton White Button-Down Shirt with Embroidered Flowers on it and decided to give it a make-over. I chose a Dark Green almost Emerald-like Color to really make the embroidered flowers POP!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Start by wearing something that you don't mind getting dye on just in case there is some splatter or other mishap while you are working.</div><br />
Materials Needed:<br />
I did this on my stove top rather then using the washing machine. So you'll need a large stock pot, rubber gloves, dye, salt, something to stir with and plastic bags for the removal of the item.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rJn8DCxlfrH0d_m3ZASi-PFn_CE6aMUZYLF8_7R4Dn84uoMLGnxUwYMteeYfkjnHze78P_hNFFOTAGU35rxmzQwOTvUGkzOaZGSNXWn3XzE7JrTEWUsTd1YlQ3KWF207FZ9v/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rJn8DCxlfrH0d_m3ZASi-PFn_CE6aMUZYLF8_7R4Dn84uoMLGnxUwYMteeYfkjnHze78P_hNFFOTAGU35rxmzQwOTvUGkzOaZGSNXWn3XzE7JrTEWUsTd1YlQ3KWF207FZ9v/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+004.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Stock Pot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemwM5YGMZIDGmCVzNKMxktNvorIpPed7CBwxdLTXyfY9bK9E7a6vo6qKcRagLCza5ytk-1qNmdrG1lPUIqBBbt7uHg7LtW5mqjuHfmAZ5vxP0lt6Ap2xONm_yxWHX_OvFqB9W/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemwM5YGMZIDGmCVzNKMxktNvorIpPed7CBwxdLTXyfY9bK9E7a6vo6qKcRagLCza5ytk-1qNmdrG1lPUIqBBbt7uHg7LtW5mqjuHfmAZ5vxP0lt6Ap2xONm_yxWHX_OvFqB9W/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+005.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other Materials</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First, fill the pot with water and pour some salt in to help the fabric really soak up all the dye and bring water to a boil. There is no right amount of salt. Just eyeball it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV8b7gZUdiUsDbZh25EjzHlik8fLUFRkgfDRgtq1bhOSMR3U9ThKsGXta8rPJEOV8yh2d2JNY_d8nrpcy1HoGWMxn-mfOa4_hr0bHu83dxV5tp6zrC26MpKwnLWTnCN5VVfZG/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV8b7gZUdiUsDbZh25EjzHlik8fLUFRkgfDRgtq1bhOSMR3U9ThKsGXta8rPJEOV8yh2d2JNY_d8nrpcy1HoGWMxn-mfOa4_hr0bHu83dxV5tp6zrC26MpKwnLWTnCN5VVfZG/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, while the water is boiling, add your dye. I used powdered dye. One package will dye 3 lbs of fabric. I used about 2/3 of the packet. I wanted the color to be really rich. If using the liquid dye, one bottle will dye 3 lbs of fabric. Depending on how rich you want the color will determine how much you put in your pot or washing machine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDJAYA34zo0tNhmm58uxIC2ynfT3eQ2xP3qpya81Vb1wNEp-6tfc6VDgNjHaknEuyel555CEYixAS2HdbZsLHg_PhK_UDg1pOELQdGNCP37EY5nmUZ-QdpyIaTXsGp0RH6Dfd/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDJAYA34zo0tNhmm58uxIC2ynfT3eQ2xP3qpya81Vb1wNEp-6tfc6VDgNjHaknEuyel555CEYixAS2HdbZsLHg_PhK_UDg1pOELQdGNCP37EY5nmUZ-QdpyIaTXsGp0RH6Dfd/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+013.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Give that a stir to make sure all the dye is dissolved and fully incorporated into the water and add your piece. Make sure it is fully covered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83xGT9COuBxHr2xpfTiPu4WYL3iKKvssxL7oizDEcIoKa1tdXq72fIDuZ1B46OkjoyQx2exFV2kTQmu-IRRTfshzoyw4wx5XZOk4qfJMWehwdEdA5RV7acnXZD5kZpalE5M68/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83xGT9COuBxHr2xpfTiPu4WYL3iKKvssxL7oizDEcIoKa1tdXq72fIDuZ1B46OkjoyQx2exFV2kTQmu-IRRTfshzoyw4wx5XZOk4qfJMWehwdEdA5RV7acnXZD5kZpalE5M68/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+018.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stir item</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrpgbaU0WajizsYm_sQ4qoA8SQ_eQ3ykPMmUiWQgROS5sK3Sj09dzcgVDjMqedA5r-B2Z2i8X9U2-JsD2pT3mObYbjs_ckgTbXKnG52EMlrAvtV8rsMq6td1OeXBDYNVMJSt6/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrpgbaU0WajizsYm_sQ4qoA8SQ_eQ3ykPMmUiWQgROS5sK3Sj09dzcgVDjMqedA5r-B2Z2i8X9U2-JsD2pT3mObYbjs_ckgTbXKnG52EMlrAvtV8rsMq6td1OeXBDYNVMJSt6/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+021.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make sure it is fully covered<br />
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I let this sit for about 30-40 minutes. I wanted the color to be very deep on this shirt so the longer the soak, the better. You can use your judgement on how long to leave the item in the solution for depending on the hue you are looking to achieve and the type of fabric you are using. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, carefully remove the item using the plastic bag. You don't want any splatter.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrshNEsJvcszynEx4X_y2H2FAHRY35SmTN81XvoQwmN5cjd_kFXyrLvcbJ0_15vFiiGf0MAZJduSwtpxLdmwAVnOSiQc10HVQbmEKEtcFYhe8xseadldFHTuYDc_N4QLpUteES/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrshNEsJvcszynEx4X_y2H2FAHRY35SmTN81XvoQwmN5cjd_kFXyrLvcbJ0_15vFiiGf0MAZJduSwtpxLdmwAVnOSiQc10HVQbmEKEtcFYhe8xseadldFHTuYDc_N4QLpUteES/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+023.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shirt in the plastic bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I brought it immediately to the bathtub to rinse off the excess dye, and then I hung it on the curtain rod to drip dry in the tub for a bit before throwing it in the dryer.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And that's it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the before and after.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkeb_PtkWYIvG916IDXIeRfTd1UK-VM6Lea9ecjwRGV2CJeDtfZujDxT3r6Gnwk1FAsh5PVbCGvJhHTpEETD-Z5EDk4hZeqAgzasrlB6DIixhyphenhyphenZe2b0PW3zOJaHetgBuj-3m1/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; height: 162px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 119px;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkeb_PtkWYIvG916IDXIeRfTd1UK-VM6Lea9ecjwRGV2CJeDtfZujDxT3r6Gnwk1FAsh5PVbCGvJhHTpEETD-Z5EDk4hZeqAgzasrlB6DIixhyphenhyphenZe2b0PW3zOJaHetgBuj-3m1/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+001.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - Drab</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYS-jloqVU3jCJ2KldCUixM9hdB-yzgLp3-wRdQdxwlFrofGzO6CXpR3Je2rmhlXEcsPzSYTRqWZMmrLeBYfiSiUiAOTRXng55V7RWZuV5AYYK4a3bMM4wWWRmdPL9EJ6b3EE/s1600/Fabric+Dyeing+101+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYS-jloqVU3jCJ2KldCUixM9hdB-yzgLp3-wRdQdxwlFrofGzO6CXpR3Je2rmhlXEcsPzSYTRqWZMmrLeBYfiSiUiAOTRXng55V7RWZuV5AYYK4a3bMM4wWWRmdPL9EJ6b3EE/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+027.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - Fab!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemwM5YGMZIDGmCVzNKMxktNvorIpPed7CBwxdLTXyfY9bK9E7a6vo6qKcRagLCza5ytk-1qNmdrG1lPUIqBBbt7uHg7LtW5mqjuHfmAZ5vxP0lt6Ap2xONm_yxWHX_OvFqB9W/s200/Fabric+Dyeing+101+005.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 440px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 500px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13647930.post-4738648181152146312011-02-23T10:45:00.000-05:002011-02-23T10:45:05.252-05:00It's Easy to Lower Your Carbon PAW Print...<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now that the Green Movement is in full effect, it is easy for our pets to also live a Green Lifestyle. We can start by picking up after your dog with a biodegradable bag and use biodegradable litter for your cat. Using natural cleaners in your house improves indoor air quality and assures that your animals won't be exposed to potentially harsh and toxic chemicals on their paws and in the environment. Using pesticides and insecticides on our pets and in our yards hurts all of us, as well as the planet. The less invasive we are by using renewable and sustainable products, the less damage we are doing to ourselves, our animals, and the planet. Feed your pets all natural organic food and treats. Even their collars can be eco friendly, odor-resistent and hypoallergenic for sensitive pets. I found a website </span><a href="http://www.dublindog.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.dublindog.com</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> that will even recycle your old collars for you so they don't end up in a land-fill and you will get a 15% off coupon to use for a replacement collar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Also, more and more people are traveling with their pets. And more and more hotels are becoming pet friendly. And why shouldn't they? Your pets are a part of your family. I know we try to take Cosmo wherever we go. But it is important to keep your <em>pawsenger</em> safe while traveling. They should be in a comfortable crate or cat carrier buckled in with the seat belt, a warm blanket to provide comfort and cushioning for their joints, travel water bowl, all their tags, collar, leashes and vaccination records, healthy food and treats, a favorite toy, and any medications they may need. Also, as cute as it may look, dogs hanging their heads out car windows risk eye injuries from speeding debris in the air. So don't let your pup hang out the window. Air bags can severely injure your dog in a collision so don't put them in the front seat. The safest spot for your pet is inside a pet carrier in the back seat or in the back end of your SUV. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLn6u82JFvVvmPzIRqoU1Fa1rWw3TDjgt82m4DdD73nZ0LpYxSrmhOrJJn7FqRD-xzCztydagcaIF1P-HJ8HdT4TZwL0PDGTKFeJQGxOz1N90ORv12cIaRDDEUsLzDUh_8tE5/s1600/paw+print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLn6u82JFvVvmPzIRqoU1Fa1rWw3TDjgt82m4DdD73nZ0LpYxSrmhOrJJn7FqRD-xzCztydagcaIF1P-HJ8HdT4TZwL0PDGTKFeJQGxOz1N90ORv12cIaRDDEUsLzDUh_8tE5/s200/paw+print.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia;">It is easy to change a few things we do around the yard and house and to keep our pets safe and living longer healthier lives. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032781449715079767noreply@blogger.com3