tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15517312655051354742024-02-21T02:23:42.987-06:00queen ketchupMonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.comBlogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-17741314549321586532022-05-09T21:28:00.006-05:002022-05-09T21:34:58.535-05:00Bandana Bibs<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKAqRN0lj4-XqBO1mipYdfZKq1z1dcLxvFguZlvAlDFPyzjJHAwZk5LhDCVIff0o17Ty3Rgvzs1_iFf3F4DiEHMrMrwITSWS5cnZuKFhfRCWrq5RsKm2-HKapsYMhmVuc4CMGslHXPzSkOsD9TMKIP8mm_X1u6KUu9xD4D7pE_smTh_5YExeP--nQK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="809" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKAqRN0lj4-XqBO1mipYdfZKq1z1dcLxvFguZlvAlDFPyzjJHAwZk5LhDCVIff0o17Ty3Rgvzs1_iFf3F4DiEHMrMrwITSWS5cnZuKFhfRCWrq5RsKm2-HKapsYMhmVuc4CMGslHXPzSkOsD9TMKIP8mm_X1u6KUu9xD4D7pE_smTh_5YExeP--nQK=w606-h809" width="606" /></a></div><div><br /></div>How cute is this little nugget?<div><br /></div><div>She's been drooling up a storm lately, so I sewed her some bandana bibs. It's nice to have an excuse to sew some quick things now. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbV5PP2whx4Jp4HQI9t3-CiLTraNdJq-PZJOnX29FSmXNy4utqsVivIaVkmQKqUgy3C7jSPPLYxrkQ3saDsKAiU7zgxbSpGtH4AHPrFEUaxpd1mv6mQbMjWF2kML4GyKcXErb9P4UU6wlh8eZP-M4gWNmMMOPQh7AQdVq6F3EIHkOMa69rEA_QuaLt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbV5PP2whx4Jp4HQI9t3-CiLTraNdJq-PZJOnX29FSmXNy4utqsVivIaVkmQKqUgy3C7jSPPLYxrkQ3saDsKAiU7zgxbSpGtH4AHPrFEUaxpd1mv6mQbMjWF2kML4GyKcXErb9P4UU6wlh8eZP-M4gWNmMMOPQh7AQdVq6F3EIHkOMa69rEA_QuaLt=w612-h459" width="612" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-40787658955004710052022-04-05T16:18:00.008-05:002022-05-09T21:29:10.277-05:00Introducing Mari Lee<p> Wow, my last post was in January 2020. I'm not sure how things could have possibly changed more! We survived the last couple years and came out with a special prize. She's now a little over three months old and we are very happy. She's so sweet and happy.</p><p>Meet Mari Lee.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjS6MPC2uKlw2BZGi3chSO_11Rh3WMEtoS_zJ0Ml76eEdxq3dVZGDgtuAJCSOWqReJh2jK3pygO6K1OkbOUMntjxI2UdT_XtETEKU0iOY-HoLo-vlSKWOVvFaKdTdmS6tIgN9rLhPPfFDqXpJj7mfi9mHXlMrd4-M-zCQmHHy9n9Rildg_Cs0mFI6/s4032/IMG_3265.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="759" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjS6MPC2uKlw2BZGi3chSO_11Rh3WMEtoS_zJ0Ml76eEdxq3dVZGDgtuAJCSOWqReJh2jK3pygO6K1OkbOUMntjxI2UdT_XtETEKU0iOY-HoLo-vlSKWOVvFaKdTdmS6tIgN9rLhPPfFDqXpJj7mfi9mHXlMrd4-M-zCQmHHy9n9Rildg_Cs0mFI6/w569-h759/IMG_3265.HEIC" width="569" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I should have been posting during the pandemic because I made loads of things! Pottery, baked goods, delicious meals and jewelry. We even closed in our garage and turned it into a room. That is probably worth a post.<br /><br />More to come soon!</div><br /><p><br /></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-53341938906440143002020-01-29T12:54:00.001-06:002020-01-29T12:56:06.883-06:002019 HighlightsHappy New Year! I hope to be blogging more regularly here. 2019 was mostly a very good year and had a lot of family and travel highlights.<br />
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In March during my spring break, a group of close friends traveled together to Big Bend National Park. It was a magical week of hiking, group meals and goofs.
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I won a teaching award in the School of Natural Sciences:<br />
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In May we got to travel with family to the UK and had a wonderful time exploring coastal towns, visiting family, eating (fish & chips! meat pies!) and family runs:
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Eric and I had a week to travel together post-family trip to visit a friend in Ghent and spend a few days in Paris:
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At the end of June my family rented a beach house together in Florida. It was a really special week of seashell hunting, sand castles, pool time and a record amount of snacks (seriously! sadly don't have photo evidence):<br />
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and I continued making ceramics:
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-18384278223315062312018-02-13T11:14:00.000-06:002018-02-13T11:25:16.381-06:00Clay Final Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past year I decided to take art classes for fun at the university I teach at. I'll admit I was a little naive with how time consuming it would be to be taking college level art classes, but I loved all the classes I took. Last spring I took a handbuilding clay class and a watercolor class. In the fall I took a wheel throwing class. I fell completely in love with clay and spent most of my free time in the studio. Our final project was to create a placesetting for at least four people with a minimum of 12 pieces. This was an incredibly challenging project for students new to throwing. Plates are a challenge to beginners as well as centering larger weights of clay.<br />
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I was completely humbled to be a student again. Having to adhere to all the same deadlines as the other students, I found some weeks nearly impossible to meet deadlines when life and work got busy. There were a couple nights I was in the clay studio late at night with a bunch of other students feeling that late night deadline crunch. (I can empathize so much more with my students now!)<br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-90314179262854485062017-07-01T15:45:00.001-05:002017-07-01T15:45:56.571-05:00Kombucha<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi, I'm alive! I disappeared when things got busy. I decided to take classes at the university I teach at (amazing opportunity to take classes for free!) and mistakenly took two classes in the spring semester. I took Clay I, a handbuilding class, and Watercolor I. I had so much fun, but I was in the clay studio all the time. I'll share some things I made soon.<br />
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I'm off this summer (YAY!). I spent almost four weeks in the UK at the beginning of the summer. Two & a half were spent as a faculty chaperone on a UK study abroad trip. The last week Eric flew over and we had a vacation in Ireland. Now I'm back working on house projects and such.<br />
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One of my first projects when I got back: brewing kombucha. I brewed kombucha once before, but it only turned out alright. I grew my own scobies recently and decided to give kombucha brewing one more shot. Oh my gosh. I'm so glad I did! This batch turned out fabulous. A great sweet/sour balance and I got bubbles! Woo! I added fresh strawberries when I bottled the batch and dropped in a raisin or two in each mason jar. The raisin is supposed to help with the carbonation. I followed the kombucha recipe <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-your-own-kombucha-scoby-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-202596">here </a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homegrown scobies!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making the starter tea</td></tr>
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Now I'm on a cycle of continuous brewing, so we should have kombucha frequently! :-)Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-8320281372438099572017-03-13T10:54:00.000-05:002017-03-13T10:56:12.003-05:00happy birthday eric!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Birthday Eric! I made these chocolate chip cookie dough sandwiches. OMG. omg. Soft chocolate chip cookies with a cookie dough filling to go in the middle. I will be making these again.<br />
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Looking forward to celebrating Eric's birthday tonight at our favorite restaurant, Odd Duck. Also looking forward to this whole week because it's SPRING BREAK! Lots of watercolor and clay projects on the to-do list and a little free sxsw music stuff too. ;)Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-1632307582849594192016-10-27T10:36:00.000-05:002016-10-27T10:49:49.825-05:00Old Fashioned Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My mother-in-law made these for my birthday this year and OMG they are the best. The recipe is a whiskey soaked orange cupcake and orange buttercream. When a friend of mine's birthday rolled around, I decided to make them for her.
I used <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/12/old-fashioned-cupcakes-orange-buttercream-recipe.html">this</a> recipe.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwq7GlZ_Ik4/WBIiAOq5iTI/AAAAAAAAE64/SIUw_sZox5kOBbeQV16tTLuqelG5EM5xgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwq7GlZ_Ik4/WBIiAOq5iTI/AAAAAAAAE64/SIUw_sZox5kOBbeQV16tTLuqelG5EM5xgCLcB/s610/IMG_3082.JPG" /></a></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-4734869638830604702016-09-30T14:24:00.001-05:002016-09-30T22:35:23.547-05:00Happy Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Friday! This is an extra good one for me. Tomorrow marks the end of a Whole30 for me & Eric. (Whole30 = 30 days of no grains, dairy, legumes, sugar, alcohol, or soy.) I started feeling great at least half way through - way more energy than normal, no afternoon slump, better moods, better sleep, the list goes on. I'm so happy we did it.<br />
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The month was far easier than I had anticipated. There's quite a bit of food prep and a TON of dishes, but otherwise it's not that hard. We ate really good food the entire month and will keep many of our favorite meals from this month in rotation. The food is really satisfying - no big surprise that <i>real </i>food would make you full and content.<br />
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Some favorites: (all meat was well sourced, grass-fed, nitrate free, etc. etc.)<br />
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Breakfast: eggs & bacon or banana "cereal" - sliced banana, walnuts, almonds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, raisins and coconut milk<br />
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Lunch: tuna salad made with homemade mayo on top of big salad (...we mostly ate a lot of dinner leftovers for lunch)<br />
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Dinner: slow cooked jerk chicken thighs, guacamole, & sweet plantains; grilled flank steak and broccolini; roasted pork tenderloin with garlic and rosemary potatoes<br />
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We broke some sort of record with how many avocados, eggs and sweet potatoes we ate this month.<br />
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Your sweet tooth fades when you eat this like, but this last week I have been daydreaming of pancakes and cinnamon rolls. There are pancakes in my future this weekend. And wine.<br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-65407435082107034682016-09-23T15:08:00.008-05:002016-09-23T15:25:54.027-05:00Our Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi blog. Let's just pretend I didn't abandon you for several months.<br />
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Our first full fledged gardening attempt was a success this year. We planted potatoes, flowers, herbs, snap peas, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers. We hardly had to do anything thanks to so much rain. My dad helped us put in a rain barrel (and gutters). I only had to water the garden beds twice by faucet in a four month span (!!). I was so happy.<br />
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We got a lot of produce out of our three beds for a few months, but everything started to shrivel up by the beginning of August. We had a lot of rain sometime during the month though and we're back with at least a few things growing again. Sweet potatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, leeks, and plenty of herbs. My favorite thing growing might actually be the lemongrass. My mother-in-law gave me a piece of lemongrass that rooted, we planted it, and this thing has thrived! It's huge! I'm so stoked to walk outside and get fresh herbs and in particular ones that aren't always available (and are pricy).<br />
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We planted dahlia bulbs in February, not really knowing how well they'd grow in Austin, but for months we had tons of flowers. They're so beautiful. Being able to cut fresh flowers from your backyard is on my top ten list of things that make me happiest. At one point the bushes were producing so many flowers that I started making bouquets for friends.<br />
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Here are eggplants growing in our garden right now. This is my first time ever growing eggplant. I remember my mom growing it when I was little and I was so weirded out by the name. I hated eggs back then, so clearly eggplant was very sketchy.<br />
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More soon!Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-79487416519241525772016-04-06T11:34:00.002-05:002016-04-06T11:35:31.437-05:00fallen chocolate cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOpsiE_JrOJyyK-_vObMQ1cWpmCZdo1Uzh5N_QWHYqchKdPZgPrLMRzfzJgxX51b_H_PfjBlMtPEPxfP-y2pT7gL0kRchfg23XG934Jexehcmehmj8lBVTCDEqHfC2mub5lzKMp3c-kpQ/s1600/IMG_2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOpsiE_JrOJyyK-_vObMQ1cWpmCZdo1Uzh5N_QWHYqchKdPZgPrLMRzfzJgxX51b_H_PfjBlMtPEPxfP-y2pT7gL0kRchfg23XG934Jexehcmehmj8lBVTCDEqHfC2mub5lzKMp3c-kpQ/s600/IMG_2189.JPG" /></a></div>
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I haven't blogged in so long - eeek! We're getting close to summer though, and I plan to start posting regularly again.
Eric's mom and I made this cake for him for his 30th birthday. He requested a flourless chocolate cake and Bon Appetit had a great recipe that gets topped with a mascarpone whipped cream! (Not pictured, but delicious!). Recipe <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/fallen-chocolate-cake">here</a>.
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More soon xoxoMonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-20576306580622902232016-01-13T15:17:00.000-06:002016-01-13T15:17:33.888-06:00Happy New YearA few highlights from 2015...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vR0lV7qVP1Y/Vpa-ry4L3eI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/X7XqIqWEP1E/s1600/2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vR0lV7qVP1Y/Vpa-ry4L3eI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/X7XqIqWEP1E/s650/2015.png" /></a>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-18291605984604972662015-09-30T10:44:00.000-05:002015-09-30T10:45:37.876-05:00ratty snax<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCS2vGUYPv8/Vgrwkv9UbnI/AAAAAAAAEys/HsdnSd0X95c/s1600/rattysnax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCS2vGUYPv8/Vgrwkv9UbnI/AAAAAAAAEys/HsdnSd0X95c/s600/rattysnax.jpg" /></a></div>
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Look I'm alive! (but I'm a horrible blogger!) I'm going to blog more. There, it's in writing.<br />
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Here's a new series I'll start: ratty snax. Here's yesterday's snacks (yes, they are spoiled).<br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-57147660835653461182015-08-11T14:41:00.000-05:002015-08-11T14:41:28.253-05:00Pennsylvania Visit & Pickling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36AD9gV0Oi8/VcUThhdnuZI/AAAAAAAAEv4/rjHZRq0GW0o/s1600/pa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36AD9gV0Oi8/VcUThhdnuZI/AAAAAAAAEv4/rjHZRq0GW0o/s800/pa2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I recently returned from a trip to Pennsylvania with my cousin Tana. It was such a relaxing trip. My parents live in the countryside and their house doesn't get at&t service and the their wi-fi is slow (sorry mom, but truth). I pretty much put down my phone when I arrive and am running around outside most of the time I'm there. A cold front came through at the beginning of the trip and one night we had a low of 52 degrees!
We got to catch up with a bunch of family and spend time in my grandma's gardens.
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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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVgiMw5KH0M/VcUkkN9jwfI/AAAAAAAAExA/RORFasi1WQA/s1600/pa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVgiMw5KH0M/VcUkkN9jwfI/AAAAAAAAExA/RORFasi1WQA/s800/pa3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Alan shows us the silk from a milkweed plant.</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEij1vJ9qybkP9s1poXqf_5CDf_WDMXVp_ZEwvYKT2CuNOBvBf2IoWSDUiPvbOCUYtZzZ6AoJ9tB1pCMzGx7gqrYJX1RIOi2fHszQNTrA79NN9dbmLNOTe1J_ZuTs59p5i2TLa01re4yNJdh/s1600/pa5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1vJ9qybkP9s1poXqf_5CDf_WDMXVp_ZEwvYKT2CuNOBvBf2IoWSDUiPvbOCUYtZzZ6AoJ9tB1pCMzGx7gqrYJX1RIOi2fHszQNTrA79NN9dbmLNOTe1J_ZuTs59p5i2TLa01re4yNJdh/s600/pa5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, dad & Uncle Chris</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0DrGYsnal4/VcUlxCZZCQI/AAAAAAAAExc/kz-cRkU9Lao/s1600/pa4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0DrGYsnal4/VcUlxCZZCQI/AAAAAAAAExc/kz-cRkU9Lao/s800/pa4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every night dad wanted to get ice cream...</td></tr>
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An accidental overgrowth of garlic happened this year in the garden (we picked several 5 gallon bucket's worth), so we decided to pickle a lot of it alongside the cucumbers.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1GzMo8xkOo/VcUl8_xnYlI/AAAAAAAAExk/BSTKJHrqCMU/s1600/pickles3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1GzMo8xkOo/VcUl8_xnYlI/AAAAAAAAExk/BSTKJHrqCMU/s800/pickles3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzpJzImJm1WSmfQVwEBXQ9QsHkK9t8rff1vJBinTBYGil5Q8aSnwVHx_o8vPJLgQhxdk3xD4x_5s-gWlCXstr0WeCeirpZJ_tLEKgQw453b6c0lsExOyuWUH2P7O1K1Sb6cfZlRLqi5K_/s1600/pickles1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzpJzImJm1WSmfQVwEBXQ9QsHkK9t8rff1vJBinTBYGil5Q8aSnwVHx_o8vPJLgQhxdk3xD4x_5s-gWlCXstr0WeCeirpZJ_tLEKgQw453b6c0lsExOyuWUH2P7O1K1Sb6cfZlRLqi5K_/s800/pickles1.jpg" /></a></div>
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some dill, some sweet:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVhuxzklWv8/VcUmTDpeFtI/AAAAAAAAEx0/MyPTypjSMnI/s1600/pickles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVhuxzklWv8/VcUmTDpeFtI/AAAAAAAAEx0/MyPTypjSMnI/s600/pickles2.jpg" /></a></div>
Well, as usual, I've been a terrible blogger. I really did make a lot of stuff this summer...but got in the habit of never turning on my computer (which was lovely). More soon (hopefully!).
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-64188659735489290332015-07-09T09:21:00.000-05:002015-07-09T09:21:27.869-05:00Mini Burger Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BUf1GLv1Wv0/VZqVbWLe25I/AAAAAAAAEuI/jJxxr7AlkvI/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BUf1GLv1Wv0/VZqVbWLe25I/AAAAAAAAEuI/jJxxr7AlkvI/s600/IMG_1093.JPG" /></a></div>
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I made some mini burger cupcakes for a 4th of July party that ended up being a hit. They're just mini cupcakes sliced in half with a small brownie in the middle.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RnD9Wy0yJk/VZqVxiNOPII/AAAAAAAAEuQ/RE6F-59yBnQ/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RnD9Wy0yJk/VZqVxiNOPII/AAAAAAAAEuQ/RE6F-59yBnQ/s800/IMG_1105.JPG" /></a></div>
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In other news, we got two ratties this week! They're both really sweet and seem pretty attached to us already, too. Look how sweet Gigi is:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ziq_GkP0i3o/VZqWJmxx1KI/AAAAAAAAEuY/Y3dmA23Bb4o/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ziq_GkP0i3o/VZqWJmxx1KI/AAAAAAAAEuY/Y3dmA23Bb4o/s600/FullSizeRender.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm off for Louisiana to visit my brother but I'll post when I'm back in town. Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-11463645235436033082015-07-02T20:39:00.000-05:002015-07-02T20:39:26.234-05:00wedding signs<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeqjK5AgzXANgX0wXFUM5o2UtJeFpWUn3eBV7ToCNKj40TEyclaY5mZlxJuVgClBAy14wxT0Mq_wqmXt7lSaxa_eUDQDxJYZJmddhKM1hZl-jooARhMZkhhB3tphF2kqRfl6ypnt8s1GS/s1600/j%2528bandt%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeqjK5AgzXANgX0wXFUM5o2UtJeFpWUn3eBV7ToCNKj40TEyclaY5mZlxJuVgClBAy14wxT0Mq_wqmXt7lSaxa_eUDQDxJYZJmddhKM1hZl-jooARhMZkhhB3tphF2kqRfl6ypnt8s1GS/s600/j%2528bandt%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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Two of my favorite people got married May ----- Tana (my cousin) and Jess (best friend/college roomie). I got to make some wedding signs for both of them.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juByW0OPqBI/VZWaSmjsgTI/AAAAAAAAEs0/Oer43ahqCwU/s1600/tana11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juByW0OPqBI/VZWaSmjsgTI/AAAAAAAAEs0/Oer43ahqCwU/s830/tana11.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's a couple shots of me and Tana from her day:
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*the <span style="color: purple;">high quality photos in this post were taken by jordan burch. </span></span></i>
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-22295380386373430142015-06-18T17:30:00.001-05:002015-06-18T17:31:54.399-05:00Babka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGfwUbuet0o/VYND3lrcaoI/AAAAAAAAErM/H0Dl60pBQpE/s1600/babka1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGfwUbuet0o/VYND3lrcaoI/AAAAAAAAErM/H0Dl60pBQpE/s600/babka1.jpg" /></a></div>
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I tried babka for the first time a few years ago. <i>How had I never had this before?</i> When a Bon Appetit issue from last year included it, I saved it and promised I'd make it.<br />
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A year later, I finally did, and it was so good and fairly easy to make.
Bon Appetit's Chocolate-Cinnamon Babkallah recipe <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chocolate-cinnamon-babkallah-dough">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecxecgthTJI/VYNFtUTI4mI/AAAAAAAAErY/WuEVjNx3BrM/s1600/babka2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecxecgthTJI/VYNFtUTI4mI/AAAAAAAAErY/WuEVjNx3BrM/s800/babka2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I forgot to snap a photo when it was finished and only remembered when half of it was left! Cheers to anything you make that needs braided!Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-15345963171781180572015-06-09T16:00:00.000-05:002015-06-09T16:00:10.134-05:00DIY Bridesmaid Dress<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqTdAvEBQeg/VXdQhdbhP1I/AAAAAAAAEqY/B7AinJptwlE/s1600/bridalparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqTdAvEBQeg/VXdQhdbhP1I/AAAAAAAAEqY/B7AinJptwlE/s620/bridalparty.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo by Jordan Burch</i></td></tr>
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So what do you do when you're asked to find a mustard yellow bridesmaid dress and you procrastinate? You have a really hard time finding one...even on the internet. Well, I did find one that was very unflattering and overpriced. It would have worked.<br />
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I was determined to find another dress, searching at the mall, every boutique in Austin, and all the thrift stores around. No luck. Then one day it struck me - <i>wait</i>, could I dye my own dress?<br />
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Yes!<br />
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And it was really easy. I used Rit yellow (full package) and a couple tablespoons of tan. I dyed it in the washer and it was foolproof. As long as you follow the directions carefully about dissolving the dye first in hot water and aggitating the water before adding the garment, I don't think you can mess this up.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0xhZn8UH2I/VXdPeKNa5kI/AAAAAAAAEqE/mtgufrBkE7Y/s1600/beading2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0xhZn8UH2I/VXdPeKNa5kI/AAAAAAAAEqE/mtgufrBkE7Y/s800/beading2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I had to take the dress in at the waist and all the darts, which was the most challenging part. Silk is a pain to sew (at least for me).<br />
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The dress looked pretty good, but it was definitely missing something. I decided some shoulder beading would make it look a little more polished.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uaXdOlbSvaA/VXdS8SJTinI/AAAAAAAAEqk/kJifveZDovk/s1600/sleeve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uaXdOlbSvaA/VXdS8SJTinI/AAAAAAAAEqk/kJifveZDovk/s600/sleeve.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's the dress before. An off-white silk Ann Taylor dress found at a thrift store for $7.99:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoA4wgcFL8o/VXdTivSEH_I/AAAAAAAAEqs/U22wx5frhQA/s1600/before1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoA4wgcFL8o/VXdTivSEH_I/AAAAAAAAEqs/U22wx5frhQA/s800/before1.jpg" /></a></div>
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-49914456062766887672015-06-02T15:13:00.000-05:002015-06-02T15:13:14.376-05:002nd Wedding Anniversary Tiramisu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYfM7NDmixoxNrMCH1Lctk2g4vn90lZtFyahgikV7SGbPIcuPSCw4xcEEWdBiSWGA1_lRl6bkPGQ__dar3BZNsj8HtQgC35m-unuHvqIFnX1Bwqig4LkOgmS6snk_wXLcfhQNgFyFj32d/s1600/tira1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYfM7NDmixoxNrMCH1Lctk2g4vn90lZtFyahgikV7SGbPIcuPSCw4xcEEWdBiSWGA1_lRl6bkPGQ__dar3BZNsj8HtQgC35m-unuHvqIFnX1Bwqig4LkOgmS6snk_wXLcfhQNgFyFj32d/s600/tira1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Eric and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary yesterday. We ate lunch at <a href="http://oddduckaustin.com/">Odd Duck</a>. The meal was incredibly delicious and I left hardly able to walk after all the food and drinks we had. Poor Eric had to go back to work and I came home and took a nap!<br />
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We decided our anniversary traditions should include drinking limoncello and making tiramisu. We opened a bottle of limoncello that we brought back from the bed & breakfast we stayed at during our honeymoon in Italy. The bed & breakfast was set in the mountain above Positano and had a farm on the land. The family made limoncello out of the huge, sweet lemons that grew on their property.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE_6lqB97_paZZWdyNKcG59nA6qANeQB_Ez_3iCqnYcJEaxlg2UWCHJqHQt1Stf1Uvo8JnoWpxBHd1dFDEfgXebxggye1s-pvTDTOI-vHZKl-qUG9cRyghIT5sPhmPiXb2-VZPFajy-wt/s1600/papa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE_6lqB97_paZZWdyNKcG59nA6qANeQB_Ez_3iCqnYcJEaxlg2UWCHJqHQt1Stf1Uvo8JnoWpxBHd1dFDEfgXebxggye1s-pvTDTOI-vHZKl-qUG9cRyghIT5sPhmPiXb2-VZPFajy-wt/s800/papa1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa making the limoncello on the patio of the b&b in Montepertuso, Italy.</td></tr>
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The tiramisu turned out amazing. I used the recipe from <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/del-postos-tiramisu">Del Posto</a>. No store bought lady fingers - the sponge cake is made from scratch! I accidentally poured too much of the espresso on the first layer of sponge cake and had to make more. I probably used one & half times the amount of espresso the recipe called for and we loved it. (Note in the recipe it says <i>"Don’t be stingy with the espresso, okay?"</i>. No stinginess here!).
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Oc3N4al9xQ/VW4NXcY2-LI/AAAAAAAAEoc/ugf0LaA2nhM/s1600/tira2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Oc3N4al9xQ/VW4NXcY2-LI/AAAAAAAAEoc/ugf0LaA2nhM/s600/tira2.jpg" /></a></div>
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More posts this week! I have lots to share from the month of May.<br />
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<i>Some old posts that have pictures from our wedding: <a href="http://www.queenketchup.com/2013/07/our-wedding-day-favorite-moments.html#uds-search-results">here</a>, <a href="http://www.queenketchup.com/2013_06_01_archive.html">here</a>, & <a href="http://www.queenketchup.com/2013/07/thank-you.html">here</a>.</i>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-75050926341573364232015-05-05T12:33:00.000-05:002015-05-05T12:33:48.013-05:00Key Lime Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmzKHuenz68IFlmDE_vm0M3Ern02SAW9a3RMHrqr-A23KTAOLoVH7llkj8ItXAQkhEkBS5i1XP0mK_weIZfBJlM5JxQfrWtdeUW9LnRpEf9-MAL2YXE5qFizMbc7QIYOoqX-3TLb1qV9k/s1600/pie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmzKHuenz68IFlmDE_vm0M3Ern02SAW9a3RMHrqr-A23KTAOLoVH7llkj8ItXAQkhEkBS5i1XP0mK_weIZfBJlM5JxQfrWtdeUW9LnRpEf9-MAL2YXE5qFizMbc7QIYOoqX-3TLb1qV9k/s600/pie2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Key Lime Pie for Eric's grandma's 90th (!!!) birthday last month. It was my first time making a key lime pie and it was so-freaking-good. I'm not even a huge key lime pie fan.
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I should be back to posting regularly again soon. Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-88353790610322253442015-03-24T21:32:00.001-05:002015-03-25T14:29:33.122-05:00Chocolate Peanut Butter Hi-Hats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sm8pFwVCQds/VRIcE0qhhHI/AAAAAAAADy8/GItfS13hxbM/s1600/hihat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sm8pFwVCQds/VRIcE0qhhHI/AAAAAAAADy8/GItfS13hxbM/s600/hihat2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Some late birthday cupcakes for Eric. I had been wanting to make <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/951452/hi-hat-cupcakes">hi-hat cupcakes</a> for a while now and went with a chocolate peanut butter version. OMG the frosting is unbelievable (rich, of course). The frosting is like the chocolate peanut butter balls my mom makes every Christmas (lighter & airy-er thanks to a couple of egg whites in the buttercream).
Recipe from <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/11/chocolate-peanut-butter-cupcakes-buttercream-recipe.html">here</a>. Definitely making these again.
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-42092007363830037102015-03-06T10:13:00.001-06:002015-03-06T10:13:11.825-06:00Happy Friday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Friday! So....we bought a house! We're still in the process of moving and this weekend we'll be cleaning our old place out like crazy.
I hope you have a good weekend. I'll be back to posting again when things get settled!Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-82844896413511254422015-02-10T15:31:00.000-06:002015-02-10T15:31:02.286-06:00Dirt Bombs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The compromise between Eric wanting pancakes and me wanting a muffin on Saturday morning. Cake for breakfast!
These are excellent. They taste like a sugar-cinnamon cake donut. YUM. The outside had a slight crunch to it too on the first day.<br />
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<b>Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnut Muffins, <i>aka Dirt Bombs</i></b><br />
Recipe from Bon Appetit<br />
Makes 12<br />
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Muffins:<br />
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
1 tsp kosher salt<br />
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg<br />
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature<br />
3/4 cup sugar<br />
1 large egg<br />
1 cup whole milk<br />
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Topping & Assembly:<br />
1/2 cup sugar<br />
1 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
6 TBS (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted<br />
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Muffins:<br />
Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in egg. With mixer on low speed, add dry ingredients in 3 additions alternating with milk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Divide batter among muffin cups and bake, rotating pan halfway through, until a tester inserted into center comes out clean, 30–35 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in pan, then transfer to a wire rack.<br />
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Topping & Assembly:<br />
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Working one at a time, dip tops of muffins in melted butter, then cinnamon sugar.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-17905366414993464232015-02-05T11:12:00.000-06:002015-02-05T11:12:43.319-06:00Pet Peeves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning I realized how much I really, truly hate when you cut a sandwich in half and everything oozes out the sides. I use toothpicks to try and hold everything together, but the avocado, tomato bits and condiments are always going to end up more on my hands than on the sandwich. It's stupid how much this bothers me.<br />
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I did a google search to see if there's something out there like a bagel slicer that holds your sandwich in place while slicing. <a href="http://www.google.com/patents/US20110296967">Someone actually tried to get a patent</a> for their idea, but it doesn't look it went very far.....ha.<br />
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Who doesn't want their sandwich cut in half though?Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-29629469873298044342015-01-22T20:30:00.001-06:002015-01-22T20:35:17.035-06:00CHEERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy New Year, y'all! (I'm a little late, huh?)
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Lots of exciting things are happening here at the start of the new year! We welcomed the new year by having a little party at our place. I'm obsessed with making decorations, so I'll jump at the excuse to make some. We weren't even sure we were going to have a party when I started making decorations.<br />
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I thought a fun Christmas gift for Tana would be to give her a new year's decoration kit, so I doubled everything I made and gave it to her.<br />
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There's a part of me that I think should have been an elementary school teacher. I love cutting stuff out. And hot glue.<br />
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and glitter filled balloons sound like a great idea until one POPS and you have glitter <i>everywhere</i>.<br />
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(....but can we secretly admit that I don't mind the fact that it's hard to clean up and glitter makes me super happy?)
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Cheers to 2015!Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551731265505135474.post-65100466249517045522015-01-02T18:57:00.002-06:002015-01-02T18:59:40.334-06:00Christmas Gift Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5-5do5CtJQczqatXYDaZn6UyzyuCW9uLtDyMOsizrZ9-s-dt9eEak70djYvxcpvZG480hKXvGFQahqgniwPfEXbg8-c3xZgpgYgvb6brdAp1ndhaLyZQA0S7YDh_1QB0wUoU7gS5DCB3/s1600/bradpainting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5-5do5CtJQczqatXYDaZn6UyzyuCW9uLtDyMOsizrZ9-s-dt9eEak70djYvxcpvZG480hKXvGFQahqgniwPfEXbg8-c3xZgpgYgvb6brdAp1ndhaLyZQA0S7YDh_1QB0wUoU7gS5DCB3/s850/bradpainting2.jpg" /></a></div>
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My brother and sister-in-law saw <a href="http://www.queenketchup.com/2013/07/painting.html">the painting</a> I made that's hanging in our living room and hinted that they would maybe request one in the future. I decided to surprise them with one as a christmas gift. It went through a lot of phases in the afternoon I painted it, but I like the end result.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088715829276812030noreply@blogger.com0