tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47334075028334281252024-03-13T11:31:51.206-07:00Crackers on the CouchBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-86772915023072666602015-04-01T04:00:00.000-07:002015-04-01T04:00:05.417-07:00My Favorite Recipes from Around the Web! Since I haven't been super dedicated to the blog, it's meant that I've neglected working on my own recipes for a few months. The great thing about that is that I've looked around and found some fantastic recipes on the interwebs, some of which are becoming regulars at my house. I thought I'd share them with you because, well, yum!<br />
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This Superfood Kale Avocado Salad with Raw Olives from Pickles and Honey has graced my table many times since I first found it about a year ago. I like it so much that, though I have made it many times, my husband has only gotten to try it once because I make it for lunch, then plow through it by dinner and there's none left! So guuuud.<br />
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<a href="http://www.picklesnhoney.com/2012/12/12/superfood-kale-avocado-salad-raw-olives/"><img alt="Massaged Kale Avocado Salad" height="695" src="http://www.picklesnhoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/MG_8218.jpg" title="Massaged Kale Avocado Salad" width="560" /></a></div>
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By contrast, this recipe I found only recently. I was reluctant to try Shakshuka because I usually don't find I like tomatoes with eggs. Holy cats was I wrong. I might not like raw tomatoes with eggs, but I love tomato <i>sauce</i> with eggs. I have made Tori Avey's Shakshuka recipe nearly once a week since I found it last month and everyone in my family loves it!<br />
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<a href="http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2010/07/summer-2010-travel-blog-shakshuka/"><img alt="Tori Avey's Shakshuka" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-13780" height="480" src="http://toriavey.com/images/2010/07/Shakshuka-Main-640x480.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<br /> Recently, I tried (briefly) to eat better, during which time, I found <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/weight_loss_diet_plans/diet_meal_plans/vegetarian_meal_plan?pC=1200&pT=vegetarian&pD=1">Eating Well's Vegetarian low calorie eating plan</a>. It's ingenious, delicious, and free. There were very few recipes we didn't like, but my favorite was Tofu Cutlets Marsala. My friend Susan eats Chicken Marsala pretty regularly, but I never understood because I'd never eaten anything Marsala before. Oh, I never understood... Thank you Eating Well. Thank you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/tofu_cutlets_marsala.html"><img alt="Tofu Cutlets Marsala" class="imagecache imagecache-standard imagecache-default imagecache-standard_default photo" height="308" itemprop="image" src="http://assets.eatingwell.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/standard/recipes/MV4825.JPG" title="Tofu Cutlets Marsala" width="308" /></a></div>
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This last one is all over Pinterest and rightly so. It's dang good. My boys didn't like it. One doesn't like coconut and the other didn't like the texture. My husband and I were just fine with eating their portions, calories be hanged. This Fresh Mango Coconut Chia Seed Parfait from Vegetarian Gastronomy has us hooked!<br />
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<a href="http://vegetariangastronomy.com/2014/08/fresh-mango-coconut-chia-seed-parfait/"><img alt="mango coconut chia seed pudding-8" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3960" height="690" src="http://vegetariangastronomy.com/anjali/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/mango-coconut-chia-seed-pudding-8.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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The internet is a strange and beautiful place, everyone. Thankfully, it's delicious, too!</div>
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Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-40329739287286950462015-03-30T04:00:00.000-07:002015-03-30T04:00:08.852-07:00Minecraft Bithday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This post got lost in the hiatus shuffle. We actually did this party before Christmas last year, and I didn't realize I hadn't posted this until just now! So just pretend I posted this last Thanksgiving, would ya? Thanks.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdPUO02Q3_s/VI84Ek9LSqI/AAAAAAAAH-E/Z9h7RrgH6rQ/s1600/steve.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdPUO02Q3_s/VI84Ek9LSqI/AAAAAAAAH-E/Z9h7RrgH6rQ/s1600/steve.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
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So the boys wanted a Minecraft birthday party this year. I was not thrilled. Minecraft is the most boring game that was ever invented in my opinion, and it has the added benefit of making me extremely nauseated when my son tries to show me something and goes zooming through the world like a crazed, half-dead, drunken Ender Dragon. But the party was pretty fun to put together, I must say. And the kids had a fabulous time.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlYdBhaVgAg/VI84MiVtjHI/AAAAAAAAH-c/fiHkmmQQ8hU/s1600/Iknowyou.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Epic Minecraft Party" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlYdBhaVgAg/VI84MiVtjHI/AAAAAAAAH-c/fiHkmmQQ8hU/s1600/Iknowyou.jpg" height="640" title="Minecraft Party Ideas" width="426" /></a></div>
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Found these at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJF540K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Amazon</a> thanks to <a href="http://www.blissbloomblog.com/2014/07/party-minecraft-part-2.html?m=1">Bliss Bloom Blog</a> who I shamelessly copied about 75% of this party from. Thus the ease, I suppose...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jv5gb0LgPWE/VI83ZP0y_tI/AAAAAAAAH8s/2jSQYVn2CaA/s1600/cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jv5gb0LgPWE/VI83ZP0y_tI/AAAAAAAAH8s/2jSQYVn2CaA/s1600/cakes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Minecraft cupcakes" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jv5gb0LgPWE/VI83ZP0y_tI/AAAAAAAAH8s/2jSQYVn2CaA/s1600/cakes.jpg" height="426" title="Minecraft cupcakes" width="640" /></a></div>
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Made these with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DF0SXLA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Perler Beads</a>, hot glue and toothpicks. I was inspired by <a href="http://www.blissbloomblog.com/2014/07/party-minecraft-part-2.html?m=1">Bliss Bloom Blog's fantastic Minecraft Party</a>. The square cupcake tin came from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IZZGMS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Amazon</a>. (Hiatus Update: My husband fell in love with Perler Beads after this and bought just about every color there is so he could recreate all his favorite video game characters. In fact, while the boys and I were making Perler Bead ornaments for the grandparents this year, he was busy putting the TARDIS in Santa's sleigh to hang on our own tree!)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7AMF7j6nlU/VI83e091fBI/AAAAAAAAH80/RPwf1YbL4gk/s1600/cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Food for a kid's Minecraft party" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7AMF7j6nlU/VI83e091fBI/AAAAAAAAH80/RPwf1YbL4gk/s1600/cheese.jpg" height="640" title="Minecraft party for kids menu" width="426" /></a></div>
The best thing about Minecraft is the food. So many people try to take red candy and call it "red stone" or "TNT" but Minecraft already has so many real food products, the menu practically writes itself! Here you see potato salad, cheese cubes, and hard boiled eggs.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0jAeXP7Wnw/VI83j8j4gdI/AAAAAAAAH88/If4Y8mWBL8s/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Menu ideas for a kid's Minecraft Party" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0jAeXP7Wnw/VI83j8j4gdI/AAAAAAAAH88/If4Y8mWBL8s/s1600/chicken.jpg" height="426" title="Food ideas for a kid's Minecraft Party" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/07/when-life-gives-you-lemons.html">honey roasted chicken</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgj09a1ZUas/VI83sArGzHI/AAAAAAAAH9M/-4JnW3kQ9a4/s1600/creeperjuice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Creeper Juice Boxes for a Kid's Minecraft Party" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgj09a1ZUas/VI83sArGzHI/AAAAAAAAH9M/-4JnW3kQ9a4/s1600/creeperjuice.jpg" height="640" title="Creeper Juice Boxes for a Kid's Minecraft Party" width="426" /></a></div>
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Found these sweet juicebox printouts at <a href="http://www.blissbloomblog.com/2014/07/party-minecraft-part-2.html?m=1">Bliss Bloom Blog.</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLGG8jDGaFY/VI833TmJGSI/AAAAAAAAH9c/K5IPeausiWM/s1600/fruit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Healthy menu for a kid's Minecraft party" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLGG8jDGaFY/VI833TmJGSI/AAAAAAAAH9c/K5IPeausiWM/s1600/fruit.jpg" height="640" title="Healthy food options for a kid's Minecraft Party" width="426" /></a></div>
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Moar Minecraft munchies.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2a0iZqTVtc/VI838HwTfQI/AAAAAAAAH9k/gjKMzXEGMcc/s1600/melon.jpg"><img alt="Square food for a kid's Minecraft party" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2a0iZqTVtc/VI838HwTfQI/AAAAAAAAH9k/gjKMzXEGMcc/s1600/melon.jpg" height="640" title="Square food for a kid's Minecraft party" width="426" /></a></div>
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All the cards I printed with the help of <a href="http://catchmyparty.com/photos/1732778">MinecraftBay </a>on Etsy.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gJqbdkKqFvE/VI83mjSfKmI/AAAAAAAAH9E/BXt7P663byc/s1600/creeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gJqbdkKqFvE/VI83mjSfKmI/AAAAAAAAH9E/BXt7P663byc/s1600/creeper.jpg" height="640" width="624" /></a></div>
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Got the idea for this sad little guy from <a href="http://catchmyparty.com/photos/1732778">Catch My Party</a>. Theirs is much better done, I ran out of room and the tape kept falling off. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did... But anyway, I got the plates at my local party store and one pack of a different color green from Amazon. I used the left-over plates as the party plates to eat on.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFvtlex1vug/VI83wm_dmGI/AAAAAAAAH9U/9r8uS1_hobI/s1600/decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to throw a kid's Minecraft Party" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFvtlex1vug/VI83wm_dmGI/AAAAAAAAH9U/9r8uS1_hobI/s1600/decor.jpg" height="640" title="Table decorations for a kid's Minecraft Party" width="426" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L6L79W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1">grass</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016L2MM6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">streamers </a>came from Amazon. Props to Bekah who hung those streamers for me.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZW7MLEJbRQ/VI83_7j9KII/AAAAAAAAH9w/3M5z_SlnZ9c/s1600/pinata2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Easy Enderman Pinata for a kid's Minecraft party" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZW7MLEJbRQ/VI83_7j9KII/AAAAAAAAH9w/3M5z_SlnZ9c/s1600/pinata2.jpg" height="640" title="Enderman pinata for a Minecraft party" width="406" /></a></div>
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Yep, that's a Creeper face pinata. I just used one of the three masks I bought, covered the hole with construction paper, and let the kids beat the tar out of it. I made a loop out of a zip tie to tie the rope to. The kids all went through once blind folded, but it was so tough, we let them go through again a few times without one. <i>Work</i> for that candy, kids!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDU7Rh6KRoY/VI83-nX2DtI/AAAAAAAAH9s/dCwbe3vVfds/s1600/pinata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Easy Enderman pinata for a kid's Minecraft party" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDU7Rh6KRoY/VI83-nX2DtI/AAAAAAAAH9s/dCwbe3vVfds/s1600/pinata.jpg" height="492" title="Easy Enderman pinata for a Minecraft party" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3Rmvahw-ak/VI84BRA6kTI/AAAAAAAAH98/NW9jF2Y0xh8/s1600/slime.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Game ideas for a kid's Minecraft party: Slime Toss" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3Rmvahw-ak/VI84BRA6kTI/AAAAAAAAH98/NW9jF2Y0xh8/s1600/slime.jpg" height="640" title="Slime Toss game for a kid's Minecraft Party" width="426" /></a></div>
We had a slime ball toss. You may remember these from our <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-monster-post-about-monster-party.html">Monster party</a> a year ago. I had a few left over and let them over inflate to make these slime balls. We played it just like an egg toss.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBhljJYzqms/VI84KAPDYcI/AAAAAAAAH-M/H1HQpBH8EHk/s1600/steve2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Papercraft table decorations for a Minecraft party" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBhljJYzqms/VI84KAPDYcI/AAAAAAAAH-M/H1HQpBH8EHk/s1600/steve2.jpg" height="640" title="Table decorations for a Minecraft Party" width="426" /></a></div>
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Inspired by Bliss Bloom Blog (again), I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOQD0Y0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">this set</a> of paper Minecraft figures on Amazon. They were the perfect decorations! (Hiatus Update: These little paper toys have really hung in there! The kids still play with them!)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CAjBEsv5A9E/VI84KnIIk8I/AAAAAAAAH-Q/UjXKV281MsE/s1600/tnt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Easy TNT poppers for a kid's Minecraft party" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CAjBEsv5A9E/VI84KnIIk8I/AAAAAAAAH-Q/UjXKV281MsE/s1600/tnt2.jpg" height="426" title="Easy TNT poppers for a kid's Minecraft party" width="640" /></a></div>
Using another free template, this time from <a href="http://www.fps-x-games.com/2013/08/minecraft-creeper-tnt-party-popper_10.html?m=1">FPSX Games</a>, I made these little TNT poppers, for our final activity. The kids had a great time and the boys are begging for more video game parties. I think next year I'm going to do an easy party like hire a magician or something.<br />
<br />Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-60609028720205356492015-03-25T04:00:00.000-07:002015-03-25T04:00:09.166-07:00A Very 80's Easter When I was a kid, my Mom made lemon cupcakes with coconut sprinkled frosting in little baskets to take to school at Easter. My Great Aunt made cakes shaped like bunnies with lemon cake and coconut sprinkled frosting to feast on at the huge family Easter luncheons she used to throw. When I was pregnant with my first son and craving lemon everything, I had to have lemon cake with coconut sprinkled frosting (generously supplied by my friend Susan, who I am convinced is the reason I survived my first pregnancy without killing somebody in a lemon craving induced stupor). What I'm saying is that lemon cake with coconut sprinkled frosting and me go waaaay back.<br />
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Unfortunately, the kind of cake and coconut I ate growing up is not how I eat anymore. I haven't bought a Duncan Crockerbury box in a decade at least. I don't use sweetened coconut or green food coloring (with one<a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-treats-hand-dipped.html"> exception</a>). But I really, really wanted to make those little cupcake baskets with my boys that my Mom made all those years ago. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7z-5cCkAIL4/VQ7g6-62V8I/AAAAAAAAIAw/YBsWHkhXTa0/s1600/cupcakes%2Bwith%2Bnaturally%2Bdied%2Bcoconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Naturally colored Easter cupcakes lemon and coconut with matcha for green" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7z-5cCkAIL4/VQ7g6-62V8I/AAAAAAAAIAw/YBsWHkhXTa0/s1600/cupcakes%2Bwith%2Bnaturally%2Bdied%2Bcoconut.jpg" height="474" title="Naturally flavored Easter cupcakes Lemon and Coconut" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I did. </div>
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I found Trader Joe's jelly beans, flavored and colored with fruit juice, modified an America's Test Kitchen recipe to taste <i>exactly </i>like the ol' boxed cake lemon flavor, and colored the coconut with matcha powder. The result was pretty much exactly like what I remember from childhood. Except the jelly beans. I'm particular about jelly beans. Beware the dark purple TJ's jelly beans. They are <i>not grape</i>. TJ's, if you're going to throw licorice about all willy nilly, you gotta warn folks. Allz I'm sayin'.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S4oRssK1uU/VQ7g5QNrQPI/AAAAAAAAIAo/EodlObOpOHg/s1600/Easter%2Bcupcakes%2Bwith%2Bnaturally%2Bcolored%2Bcoconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Easter cupcakes with natural colors and flavorings" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S4oRssK1uU/VQ7g5QNrQPI/AAAAAAAAIAo/EodlObOpOHg/s1600/Easter%2Bcupcakes%2Bwith%2Bnaturally%2Bcolored%2Bcoconut.jpg" height="640" title="Easter cupcakes with natural colors and flavorings" width="416" /></a></div>
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A beautifully decorated little basket with a <i>not grape</i> jelly bean on it. And two others. Who might be in cahoots. </div>
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To make the baskets Mom used to use construction paper, but I found a sweet little set of scrapbooking papers at Target. Cut strips about 3/4 inch wide and 9 inches long and tape or staple them to an empty cupcake wrapper. These are great for holding other candies or nuts, too!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1b6GE78yIo/VQ7g94n46LI/AAAAAAAAIA4/-K9XRLU7PN4/s1600/naturally%2Bcolored%2Bcoconut%2Bgrass%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to color coconut for Easter grass with matcha powder" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1b6GE78yIo/VQ7g94n46LI/AAAAAAAAIA4/-K9XRLU7PN4/s1600/naturally%2Bcolored%2Bcoconut%2Bgrass%2B3.jpg" height="640" title="Matcha colored coconut for Easter grass" width="426" /></a></div>
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To make the coconut, I found Bob's Red Mill unsweetened shredded coconut, and got some matcha powder at my local natural foods store. I heated 1 tsp coconut oil in the microwave until it melted, then stirred in 4 Tbs coconut until just moistened. Then I stirred in 1/2 tsp matcha powder. It was a nice mossy/grassy color without changing the flavor too much. Keep in mind, eating it plain, you will be able to taste the tea, but once you add the flavor of the frosting, you can't taste it any more.<br />
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Since the Bob's Red Mill coconut doesn't have as strong a "coconut" flavor as the moistened sugar-coated stuff, I added 1 Tbs coconut oil (in solid form) to my butter cream frosting. I used two sticks of softened butter, 1 Tbs coconut oil, 4 cups of organic confectioner's sugar, and about a Tbs of milk. Cream everything together with a mixer until frosting is smooth and fluffy. You may want to adjust the sugar and milk levels of your own depending on how fluffy you like your frosting.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lemon Cake</b></span><br />
Yields: 24 cupcakes<br />
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1/2 C whole milk, room temp<br />
4 large eggs, room temp<br />
2 tsp lemon extract (I used Nielsen Massey)<br />
1/4 tsp vanilla beans<br />
1 3/4 C cake flour<br />
1 1/2 C sugar<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
3/4 tsp salt<br />
16 Tbs (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 16 pieces and softened<br />
Zest of 1 lemon<br />
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Heat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tins with 24 liners. In a medium sized bowl, whisk the milk and eggs together. In the bowl of your mixer, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla beans, and zest together. On low speed, mix the butter pieces in one at a time until the mixture resembles moist crumbs. Beat in all but 1/2 C of the milk mixture, then increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the batter until smooth, light, and fluffy, 1 to 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly beat in the remaining 1/2 C milk mixture and the lemon extract until the batter looks slightly curdled, about 15 seconds. Give the batter a final stir with a rubber scraper and portion into cupcake liners till they are 3/4 full. Tap the pans on the counter to release bubbles and settle the batter. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 10-15 minutes, rotating the pans 1/2 way through baking time. Remove cupcakes from tins and cool on a wire rack.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Review:</b></span><br />
The boys have been begging me for these all day. I love these. I may never share them. You're just lucky I shared the recipe with you. In fact, I take it back. You can't have it. Happy Easter, ya cake thieves. Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-49711561160689108052015-03-23T04:00:00.000-07:002015-03-23T13:43:50.535-07:00Stinging Nettles with Grits and an Egg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So it's been a while, I guess. I took a little hiatus. I focused on my kids, survived the holidays, ate horribly and gained weight and lost weight and gained it back. I went to Maine to see my brother marry the most wonderful woman on earth. I learned that I really like candid photography. Food photography is easier because usually the subject stays still for ya but candid photography is so much more rewarding when you get "the" shot. </div>
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This was that shot:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soDde4H1ClE/VQ4pRtX0lWI/AAAAAAAAIAY/gaHy1XyIU7Y/s1600/chiaroscurojamieye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="chiaroscuro portrait photography" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soDde4H1ClE/VQ4pRtX0lWI/AAAAAAAAIAY/gaHy1XyIU7Y/s1600/chiaroscurojamieye.jpg" height="640" title="Portrait photography chiaroscuro" width="460" /></a></div>
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I swear I didn't pose her this way. The light, you guys! The <i>light...</i> I can't even. *Sigh*</div>
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Anyway, I learned some stuff about myself in my time off. I miss black and white photography, I like taking pictures of people, and apparently, I like to eat stinging nettle. Who knew, right?</div>
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Stinging nettle is crazy painful and also crazy good for you if you can get past the crazy painful part. It's also delicious! So somehow, I have gone my almost 40 years without ever seeing stinging nettle in the wild or getting stung by it. But I found some at recent farmer's market and managed to sting the fool out of myself almost immediately. Dag, ya'll. Ow.<br />
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So anyway, I decided I needed grits this morning and stinging nettle was going to go along with it. So good. I guess I was supposed to remove the leaves from the stems before cooking, but I couldn't find any specific directions about that online. I just went ahead and cooked the stems, too. It was fine. No stings, good flavor, just a little too furry for my husband's taste. I'll probably strip the leaves next time.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7HjWU0Eg5nw/VQ3hRqrnMmI/AAAAAAAAIAI/vNoz5lpaJq8/s1600/Nettles%2Bwith%2Bgrits%2Band%2Beggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7HjWU0Eg5nw/VQ3hRqrnMmI/AAAAAAAAIAI/vNoz5lpaJq8/s1600/Nettles%2Bwith%2Bgrits%2Band%2Beggs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stinging Nettle with an Egg and Creamy, Cheesy Grits" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7HjWU0Eg5nw/VQ3hRqrnMmI/AAAAAAAAIAI/vNoz5lpaJq8/s1600/Nettles%2Bwith%2Bgrits%2Band%2Beggs.jpg" height="640" title="Grits Stinging Nettle and Eggs are great for breakfast or brunch!" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stinging Nettles with Grits and an Egg</b></span><br />
Serves 4<br />
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1 C grits<br />
4 C water<br />
Cheese<br />
<br />
Butter <br />
4 eggs<br />
3 C stinging nettle very lightly packed<br />
olive oil <br />
salt and pepper<br />
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Cook grits to package directions, mine called for 1 C grits to be rinsed, then placed into 4 C boiling water and simmered for 30 minutes. I add cheese to mine, I like sharp cheese like Beecher's Flagship, but I encourage you to find your favorite local cheddar. Stir in a little butter and salt and pepper to your taste. In the mean time, fry or poach four eggs. I like mine over easy, but poached eggs would be fantastic on this. Rinse the stinging nettle. I used tongs to transfer mine to a salad spinner, rinsed in the basket and spun it around until dry. Heat olive oil in a large pan, then dump nettles in. Watch out for stingers! If I were to cut the leaves off first, I would use gardening gloves to hold them while I removed the leaves after washing. Heat leaves until just wilted and plate as shown.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Review:</b></span><br />
The boys weren't having the nettles. They saw me get hurt and were NOT having any of that business. My husband and I were a little trepidations, but the flavor was like a pleasantly strong spinach and pared well with the eggs and grits. If you can't find nettles or are in the boat with my boys, sub out the nettle with spinach.<br />
<br />Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-45451464299344109492014-12-19T10:00:00.000-08:002014-12-19T20:03:18.478-08:0012 Days of Christmas... Sorta...<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_aYVjmtf3Bc/VJRi1WLNE_I/AAAAAAAAH-8/zMHaRjCWeqA/s1600/cheesecake112.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Shortbread 12 Ways" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_aYVjmtf3Bc/VJRi1WLNE_I/AAAAAAAAH-8/zMHaRjCWeqA/s1600/cheesecake112.jpg" height="482" title="One Cookie Recipe 12 Ways" width="640" /></a></div>
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You know how crazy this time of year is. I know you do. Because you are in the middle of buying gifts, decorating, running around between events, and trying to please everyone in every way to make this dang holiday <i>jolly</i> even if it kills you. I know you are because <i>I</i> am and if you <i>aren't</i> then my whole "vive la Pinterest" thing is a bad life decision. I don't have time to make bad life decisions. I'm too busy. In lieu of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies this year, I thought I'd try something a little different. This year, it's one cookie 12 ways! I have taken the humble shortbread, very simple and delicious on its own, and jazzed it up with lots of yummy, Christmas-time flavors! Each portion will make 10-12 cookies, so when you're done, you'll end up with nearly 12 dozen cookies to share or hoard however you see fit.</div>
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Start with a basic shortbread recipe:</div>
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3 C butter<br />
1 1/2 C sugar <br />
7 C flour<br />
Cream butter and sugar thoroughly. Add flour gradually, 1 C at a time.
Mix until well blended; do not over mix. Then, separate into sandwich bags, putting a heaping 2/3 C of dough into each one. Add desired ingredients and press to combine. Roll into one-inch balls, or desired shape, and
place on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at
325° for 15-20 minutes. Note that some have special baking or ingredient instructions.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-acIBpS-5aPA/VIqUmoOYMhI/AAAAAAAAH7c/_wLZJkQe9V0/s1600/1orangewords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shortbread 12 Ways: Orange Spice Cookies" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-acIBpS-5aPA/VIqUmoOYMhI/AAAAAAAAH7c/_wLZJkQe9V0/s1600/1orangewords.jpg" height="640" title="1 Cookie Recipe 12 Ways: Orange Spice Cookies" width="426" /></a> </div>
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1 tsp orange zest,
1/16 tsp ground cloves, dash ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp cinnamon
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHO7DhBQZ2A/VIqU8lSc1dI/AAAAAAAAH8E/7ZvtHcTn3UQ/s1600/6mintwords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1 Cookie Recipe 12 Ways: Vanilla Mint Cookies" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHO7DhBQZ2A/VIqU8lSc1dI/AAAAAAAAH8E/7ZvtHcTn3UQ/s1600/6mintwords.jpg" height="640" title="Shortbread 12 Ways: Vanilla Mint Cookies" width="426" /></a> </div>
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Vanilla Mint: 1/8 tsp peppermint extract,
1/8 tsp vanilla beans or 1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-bxV-GNUhg/VIqUqqHa8qI/AAAAAAAAH7k/kHXVV5215_M/s1600/2chocolatepbwords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Peanutbutter Chocolate Chip Shortbread One Recipe 12 Ways" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-bxV-GNUhg/VIqUqqHa8qI/AAAAAAAAH7k/kHXVV5215_M/s1600/2chocolatepbwords.jpg" height="640" title="One Cookie Recipe 12 Ways: Peanutbutter Chocolate Chip" width="425" /></a> </div>
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: 1/2 oz
chocolate chips (I used chopped semi-sweet baking chocolate), 1 tsp peanut butter, 1/16 tsp salt</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72ZthnneVvg/VIqUvHj2p1I/AAAAAAAAH7s/zJynl2AdTEg/s1600/3gingerbreadwords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gingerbread Shortbread Cookies: One Cookie Recipe 12 Ways" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72ZthnneVvg/VIqUvHj2p1I/AAAAAAAAH7s/zJynl2AdTEg/s1600/3gingerbreadwords.jpg" height="640" title="Gingerbread Shortbread Cookies: One Cookie Recipe 12 Ways" width="426" /></a> </div>
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1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp
ground ginger, 1/16 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp molasses</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zH6AthHRtoE/VIqU3rrbUTI/AAAAAAAAH78/ux0DOOso4Vg/s1600/5maplepecanwords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One cookie recipe 12 ways: Maple Pecan Cookies" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zH6AthHRtoE/VIqU3rrbUTI/AAAAAAAAH78/ux0DOOso4Vg/s1600/5maplepecanwords.jpg" height="640" title="One cookie recipe 12 ways: Maple Pecan Cookies" width="426" /></a> </div>
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1 heaping Tbs pecans, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. When cookies come out of the oven, drizzle tops with maple syrup.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIHwBAJ3YU8/VIqUxv8p--I/AAAAAAAAH70/MlcqY7iYjvY/s1600/4lemonwords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One cookie recipe 12 ways: lemon shortbread cookies" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIHwBAJ3YU8/VIqUxv8p--I/AAAAAAAAH70/MlcqY7iYjvY/s1600/4lemonwords.jpg" height="640" title="One cookie recipe 12 ways: lemon shortbread" width="426" /></a> </div>
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1 tsp lemon zest</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QoeY143WbvQ/VIqVFDCHgSI/AAAAAAAAH8M/fV593Fn3ma4/s1600/7cheesecake2words.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mini Cheesecakes with a shortbread crust" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QoeY143WbvQ/VIqVFDCHgSI/AAAAAAAAH8M/fV593Fn3ma4/s1600/7cheesecake2words.jpg" height="640" title="Mini Cheesecakes with a Shortbread Crust" width="426" /></a> </div>
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Makes 12 cups, Roll dough into balls, then press into a mini cupcake tin, using a spoon or your fingers to make the cup shape. Bake 15
min, run knife around each cup immediately and pop out before they
cool. Filling: 1/2 C cream cheese, 1 tsp sour cream, 1/2 tsp vanilla
extract, 2 Tbs powdered sugar, 2 tsp lemon juice, place in a plastic bag, and cut the corner out, fill the cups with the mixture and serve, no additional baking required.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qlGfdcFnuA/VIqUZv2Ct9I/AAAAAAAAH7E/aWhTUZUXsrk/s1600/10fig2words.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Figgy Pudding Jam Thumbprint Cookies: One Cookie 12 Ways" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qlGfdcFnuA/VIqUZv2Ct9I/AAAAAAAAH7E/aWhTUZUXsrk/s1600/10fig2words.jpg" height="640" title="Figgy Pudding Jam Thumbprint Cookies" width="426" /></a> </div>
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1/4 tsp jam, Recipe found at <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/quick-recipe-mission-fig-jam-recipes-from-the-kitchn-184457">The Kitchn</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmdgH8G6_s8/VIqUe9zEHyI/AAAAAAAAH7M/lmbyzNMvM38/s1600/11juniperwords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oh Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies: One cookie recipe 12 Ways" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmdgH8G6_s8/VIqUe9zEHyI/AAAAAAAAH7M/lmbyzNMvM38/s1600/11juniperwords.jpg" height="640" title="One cookie recipe 12 ways: Oh Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies" width="426" /></a> </div>
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1 tsp dried juniper berries,
crushed, 1/16 smoked tea, crushed (Notes: These actually taste like a Christmas tree smells! I love them. Try them with a goodish hunk of mild goat cheese. I used Wuyi Smoked Pine tea from <a href="http://shenzentea.com/">Shen Zen Tea</a>. If you can't find something comparable in your area, you can omit it. I found the juniper berries in the bulk spices section at a local grocery store.)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEtbpd3dwu0/VIqVKwaAj0I/AAAAAAAAH8U/JNiuucNksW4/s1600/8chocolatecandywords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Candy Bliss Cookies: One Recipe 12 Ways" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEtbpd3dwu0/VIqVKwaAj0I/AAAAAAAAH8U/JNiuucNksW4/s1600/8chocolatecandywords.jpg" height="640" title="One cookie recipe 12 ways: Candy Bliss Cookies" width="434" /></a> </div>
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Roll into balls, then press 1/2 <a href="http://shop.seattlechocolates.com/scc/shop-chocolate/shop-by-occasion-out-of-season/summer-love/hot-buttered-rum-truffles.html">Seattle Chocolates HotButter Rum</a> candies, or other favorite chocolate candy into the top</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjKUsy6aCF0/VIqUiW0FlFI/AAAAAAAAH7U/dNbA6tZ5W6Q/s1600/12sprinkles1words.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Cheer Shortbreads" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjKUsy6aCF0/VIqUiW0FlFI/AAAAAAAAH7U/dNbA6tZ5W6Q/s1600/12sprinkles1words.jpg" height="640" title="Christmas Cheer Shortbreads" width="426" /></a> </div>
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1 Tbs sprinkles, 1 tsp
vanilla extract</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ1HlcxXV68/VIqVTQZjCAI/AAAAAAAAH8c/14iF6DRvMqA/s1600/9eggnogwords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eggnog Shortbreads: One Christmas Cookie 12 Ways" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ1HlcxXV68/VIqVTQZjCAI/AAAAAAAAH8c/14iF6DRvMqA/s1600/9eggnogwords.jpg" height="640" title="Eggnog Shortbreads: One Christmas Cookie 12 Ways" width="426" /></a> </div>
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1 tsp vanilla, when cookies are done baking, sprinkle lightly with ground nutmeg</div>
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If you want to make a larger batch of one cookie, you can double the ingredients, but for larger batches than that, for the cookies where fluid is added, I would just add enough to make the cookie pliable, you don't want it to get too wet and gooey.<br />
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Wishing each and every one of you a very happy low-stress holiday season! </div>
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Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-56310303025522056332014-12-15T04:00:00.000-08:002014-12-15T11:13:52.747-08:00The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2014...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgd3FERPMXA/VIlVfL7jqTI/AAAAAAAAH60/mV1RxqtWJZ0/s1600/animal%2Bcrackers2wrdslogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simple Animal Crackers Recipe" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgd3FERPMXA/VIlVfL7jqTI/AAAAAAAAH60/mV1RxqtWJZ0/s1600/animal%2Bcrackers2wrdslogo.jpg" height="426" title="Animal Crackers Recipe" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last year I participated in the <a href="http://www.fbcookieswap.com/">Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap</a> and I loved it. The boys loved getting surprise cookies in the mail, heck, I loved getting surprise cookies in the mail. Who wouldn't love surprise cookies? So of course I signed up again this year!</div>
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This year I got cookies from:</div>
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Aida at<a href="http://thecraftingfoodie.com/"> The Crafting Foodie</a></div>
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Lisa at <a href="http://www.tastecooksip.com/blog/">Taste Cook Sip</a></div>
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Hetal at <a href="http://www.prettypolymath.com/">Pretty Polymath </a></div>
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<a href="http://pumpkinandpeanutbutter.com/"> </a></div>
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and I sent these darling little Animal Crackers to:</div>
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Ann Marie from <a href="http://www.letsgivepeasachance.com/">Let's Give Peas a Chance</a></div>
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Hannah from <a href="http://fleurdelicious.wordpress.com/">Fleur-de-Licious</a></div>
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and </div>
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Holly from <a href="http://www.happyfoodhealthylife.com/">Happy Food Healthy Life</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/"> Love and Olive Oil </a>and <a href="http://www.thelittlekitchen.net/">The Little Kitchen</a> with be co-hosting the round-up at the end of the week so you can see all the delicious cookies the fantastic bloggers who participated this year shared with each other!</div>
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And so, without further ado...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Animal Crackers</b></span>
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Recipe from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crackers-Dips-More-Handmade-Snacks/dp/1452109508/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418365353&sr=8-1&keywords=crackers+and+dips">Crackers and Dips More than 50 Handmade Snacks</a> by Ivy Manning</div>
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1 ½ Cups plus 2 Tbs unbleached
all-purpose flour</div>
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½ C oat flour</div>
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¼ C packed light brown sugar</div>
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¼ C granulated sugar</div>
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2 tsp finely grated organic lemon zest,
plus 1 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice</div>
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1 tsp baking powder</div>
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¼ tsp fine sea salt</div>
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4 Tbs chilled, unsalted butter, cut
into ½ inch pieces</div>
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¼ C buttermilk</div>
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2 tsp honey</div>
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1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
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In the bowl of a food processor or a
large bowl, pulse or whisk the all-purpose flour, oat flour, brown
sugar, granulated sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt to
combine. Add the butter and pulse or use a pastry blender or your
fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles
coarse meal. 15 pulses with a food processor.</div>
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In a measuring cup, combine the
buttermilk, honey, and vanilla and stir until the honey has
dissolved. Add to the flour mixture and pulse or sir with a wooden
spoon until the dough just comes together. Remove the dough from the
processor or bowl and knead gently on a lightly floured surface until
smooth, 10 strokes. Flatten the dough into two equal-size disks,
cover in plastic wrap, and chill them for at least 1 hour and up to 2
days.</div>
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Preheat the oven to 375. Line two
baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Place
one piece of the dough on a well-floured surface. Roll out the dough
until it is 1/8 inch thick lifting the dough and rotating to make sure
it's not sticking to the work surface and adding all-purpose flour as
necessary.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm91xLpF6Cs/VIlI3f-D92I/AAAAAAAAH6c/dPcfsVaalO8/s1600/animal%2Bcrackers1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Animal Crackers Recipe" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm91xLpF6Cs/VIlI3f-D92I/AAAAAAAAH6c/dPcfsVaalO8/s1600/animal%2Bcrackers1.jpg" height="404" title="Simple Animal Crackers Recipe" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Use lightly floured cookie cutters to
cut out animal shapes. Using a lightly floured bench scraper or
offset spatula, transfer the cut-outs to one of the prepared baking
sheets. Re-roll the scraps once and cut them out in the same way.
Bake the animal crackers until light golden brown around the edges, 8
to 10 minutes, rotating the baking sheet once from back to front
while baking. Cool the crackers on the sheet until they firm up, 5
minutes, and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool. While the
first batch of crackers is cooling, repeat the rolling, cutting, and
baking process with the remaining dough and scraps.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_L6Zh9LWtw/VIlI6QQUJ1I/AAAAAAAAH6k/et2US6edz6s/s1600/animal%2Bcrackers4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Animal Crackers Recipe" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_L6Zh9LWtw/VIlI6QQUJ1I/AAAAAAAAH6k/et2US6edz6s/s1600/animal%2Bcrackers4.jpg" height="426" title="Simple Animal Crackers Recipe by Ivy Manning" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ms. Manning has an icing recipe <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crackers-Dips-More-Handmade-Snacks/dp/1452109508/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418365353&sr=8-1&keywords=crackers+and+dips">in her book</a> if you'd like these to be even more festive! Happy Holidays to all my fellow bloggers! Keep your eyes peeled for another batch of CotC cookie recipes coming soon!Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-26258298367704330822014-11-26T16:31:00.000-08:002014-11-26T16:31:06.010-08:00Another year, another cake... The ol' blog is celebrating its 4th year today! I can't believe how quickly it's gone by. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fIB246TOqY/VHZl92knKnI/AAAAAAAAH58/lmDapTDZF5o/s1600/cake3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fIB246TOqY/VHZl92knKnI/AAAAAAAAH58/lmDapTDZF5o/s1600/cake3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
The boys had a Minecraft party this past weekend, and I will be posting pictures and recipes, but for now, I thought I'd post this little cupcake to celebrate another year of food, friends, and fun.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chocolate Joe Joe's Vanilla Cupcakes:</b></span><br />
Modified from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Test-Kitchen-Family-Baking/dp/1933615222/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1417046103&sr=8-29&keywords=america%27s+test+kitchen">America's Test Kitchen Classic Yellow Sheet Cake from The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book</a><br />
<br />
2 3/4 C whole wheat pastry flour<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
3/4 tsp salt<br />
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened<br />
1 3/4 C sugar<br />
4 large eggs, room temp<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1 1/2 C whole milk, room temp<br />
1 /3 box Joe Joe's cookies with chocolate centers, crushed<br />
<br />
Line 24 cupcake cups with liners. Preheat oven to 350. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla and mix to combine. Alternate adding flour and milk, starting and ending with flour. Stir in the cookies. Portion the batter into the prepared cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then set onto a cooling rack to finish cooling. Frost when completely cool.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iZaidSn_o54/VHZwaFqKwdI/AAAAAAAAH6M/swexgQA9jZQ/s1600/cake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iZaidSn_o54/VHZwaFqKwdI/AAAAAAAAH6M/swexgQA9jZQ/s1600/cake2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Frosting:</b><br />
Modified from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Test-Kitchen-Family-Baking/dp/1933615222/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1417046103&sr=8-29&keywords=america%27s+test+kitchen">America's Test Kitchen Chocolate Frosting from The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book</a><br />
<br />
10 oz chocolate chips<br />
1 C heavy cream<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
1 1/3 C confectioner's sugar<br />
2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
2 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, cut into chunks and softened<br />
<br />
Place chocolate into a food processor. Bring the cream and salt to a boil in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and process until smooth. Add the sugar and vanilla and continue to process until combined. With the machine running, add the butter one piece at a time. Continue to process until smooth. Transfer the frosting to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until thick and spreadable (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours).<br />
<br />
Enjoy, everybody! <br />
<br />Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-4876729230339971212014-11-21T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-21T15:26:58.568-08:00Decadent Gluten-Free Vegan Baking Winner!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0b2yW1Hwrw/VFuYVvPPDqI/AAAAAAAAH50/GTYZh6KoRd0/s1600/9781624140716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0b2yW1Hwrw/VFuYVvPPDqI/AAAAAAAAH50/GTYZh6KoRd0/s1600/9781624140716.jpg" height="400" width="355" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Congratulations to Nicollette Dailey! You have won a copy of this fabulous book of your very own! Please <a href="mailto:crackersonthecouch@yahoo.com" rel="nofollow">e-mail me</a> your address and I will get your book in the mail right away!</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-21471388495789457512014-11-07T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-07T04:00:15.310-08:00Fork & Beans Give Away!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8tNkgtYqFU/VFuSgtqL96I/AAAAAAAAH5Y/JI6uOjpax7c/s1600/Cornbread3sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gluten-free vegan cornbread" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8tNkgtYqFU/VFuSgtqL96I/AAAAAAAAH5Y/JI6uOjpax7c/s1600/Cornbread3sm.jpg" height="640" title="Gluten-free vegan cornbread" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
My friend, Cara Reed, at Fork & Beans is well known to my regular readers as the genius who converts my <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/search/label/12%20Days%20of%20Christmas%20Cookies">Christmas cookies </a>every year for those who can't have gluten. I am so happy to announce that her first cookbook <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Decadent-Gluten-Free-Vegan-Baking-Dairy-Free/dp/1624140718/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1415287634&sr=8-7&keywords=gluten+free+baking">Decadent Gluten-Free Vegan Baking </a>is out and rocking! Besides all her fantastic recipes, this book contains lots of tips for egg substitutions, two gluten-free flour recipes, lots of sauce and toppings, too! Oh. And gluten-free and vegan Girl Scout Cookie replicas. You heard me. Lucky, lucky you! She has allowed me to share one of the recipes from her book and <b><i>give one of you a free copy</i></b>! Since we're getting into soup season around here, I thought I'd share a cornbread perfect for pairing with soup, chili, or just a tall glass of (dairy free) milk. Gluten-free <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-its-coming.html">Thanksgiving stuffing</a>, anyone? Cara also suggests adding jalapeños, canned chilies, or vegan cheese to mix it up a bit.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p41E9Pjz8jA/VFuSvLx3D-I/AAAAAAAAH5g/ngC3VOqYPBA/s1600/cornbreads.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gluten-free vegan cornbread" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p41E9Pjz8jA/VFuSvLx3D-I/AAAAAAAAH5g/ngC3VOqYPBA/s1600/cornbreads.jpg" height="474" title="Gluten-free vegan cornbread" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stone-Ground
Cornbread</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Makes 8 slices
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
DRY</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 c/165 g <a href="http://www.forkandbeans.com/baking-tips/">Cara’sAll-Purpose Blend</a> (page 166)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">¼</span>
c/153 g stone-ground yellow cornmeal
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">½
c/100 g granulated sugar </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3 tsp/11 g baking
powder
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">½</span>
tsp salt</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
WET</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3 tsp/9.5 g
Ener-G Egg Replacer plus 6 Tbsp/90 ml water, whisk until frothy (I used Cara's chia seed substitution on p. 172)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 c/120 ml
nondairy milk
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
4 Tbsp/56 g vegan
butter (I used Earth Balance Coconut Spread that I melted in the microwave.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Preheat oven to
400°F/ 200°C and grease an 8–inch/20-cm round pan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Combine the dry
ingredients in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and pour the
wet ingredients into the well. Mix until just combined. Pour batter
into the greased pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is
lightly browned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Drown in nondairy
butter.</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Review:</b></span><br />
<br />
My whole family liked this! Even my youngest who doesn't like cornbread. It's sweeter than what we normally make, being Southern and all, but the flavor and texture are nice and my husband said, "It doesn't taste gluten-free at all!" My eldest said, "It's sweeter and butterier than normal." Considering there's no butter in it, I'd say that was a pretty good endorsement!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0b2yW1Hwrw/VFuYVvPPDqI/AAAAAAAAH5w/qq2q3Tn1Q-0/s1600/9781624140716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Decadent Gluten-Free Vegan Baking: Delicious Gluten-, Egg-, and Dairy-Free Treats and Sweets Give Away" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0b2yW1Hwrw/VFuYVvPPDqI/AAAAAAAAH5w/qq2q3Tn1Q-0/s1600/9781624140716.jpg" height="640" title="Decadent Gluten-Free Vegan Baking: Delicious Gluten-, Egg-, and Dairy-Free Treats and Sweets Give Away" width="568" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Who wants to win this?! </i></b>I know it's you. Whether you're making the switch to gluten-free, cooking for gluten-free friends or relatives, or maybe you want to give this as a Christmas gift. Now's your chance to win! Just leave me a comment below or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/CrackersOnTheCouch/128287753910624?ref=hl">facebook</a> and you will be entered. Last day for entries is November 20th by 5pm PST and the winner will be announced November 21.</div>
<br />Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-36042464829466430482014-10-31T13:50:00.000-07:002014-11-06T16:27:45.075-08:00A Very Happy Halloween to You...<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FrRx8drhRVI/VE_ZbHYmPBI/AAAAAAAAH4I/NY6Dzpa0Cx0/s1600/frisbeetoss6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1950's Halloween Party" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FrRx8drhRVI/VE_ZbHYmPBI/AAAAAAAAH4I/NY6Dzpa0Cx0/s1600/frisbeetoss6.jpg" height="640" title="1950's era Halloween Party" width="426" /></a> </div>
<br />
Our Halloween party was this weekend. It was a whirlwind of ladybugs, robots, spiders, and werewolves all wrapped up in a tidy 1950's-era package. It was also pouring down rain and pitch dark so I don't have a lot of pictures of our scavenger hunt in progress, I'm afraid. I have lots of shots like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wrU_LK6qTnk/VE-2eqPxvHI/AAAAAAAAH0s/lBTOWaU-L6w/s1600/darktoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wrU_LK6qTnk/VE-2eqPxvHI/AAAAAAAAH0s/lBTOWaU-L6w/s1600/darktoss.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yeah...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I'll tell you what we did and show you pictures of what it looked like sans kids... We held a 1950's style Halloween party including some reproduction decorations.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYAIm1D6XL8/VE-3sm5OfFI/AAAAAAAAH04/ebFWSlUv-wg/s1600/decor1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1950's inspired Halloween party" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYAIm1D6XL8/VE-3sm5OfFI/AAAAAAAAH04/ebFWSlUv-wg/s1600/decor1.jpg" height="395" title="1950's Halloween Party" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CfMwijZJz7k/VE-3xwd0EkI/AAAAAAAAH1A/JuqewmGJZjY/s1600/decor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1950's style Halloween Party" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CfMwijZJz7k/VE-3xwd0EkI/AAAAAAAAH1A/JuqewmGJZjY/s1600/decor2.jpg" height="426" title="1950's style Halloween Party" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k13BhZemkBk/VE-3ytUGGyI/AAAAAAAAH1E/5SXNO0urHhc/s1600/decor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1950's Halloween party decorations" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k13BhZemkBk/VE-3ytUGGyI/AAAAAAAAH1E/5SXNO0urHhc/s1600/decor3.jpg" height="396" title="1950's Halloween party decorations" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We carried the theme into the menu by trying to replicate a TV dinner in a more desirable way. We served homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and steamed peas and carrots mixed with mint. There was also a jell-o salad style dish because <i>50's</i> and a 7-Up Cake. Our starter for the kids was Vienna Sausage size organic hot dog chunks. We also had meatballs, gluten-free cookies, and the vegetarian main was beans and franks. We washed it all down with punch and martinis!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVNFTEJBXKA/VE-68pJ40PI/AAAAAAAAH1U/assaknU2X18/s1600/cake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1950's 7-Up cake" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVNFTEJBXKA/VE-68pJ40PI/AAAAAAAAH1U/assaknU2X18/s1600/cake2.jpg" height="640" title="1950's 7-Up cake" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzJHBqY_6eI/VE-7BQw66DI/AAAAAAAAH1c/iNBiBbxRdok/s1600/horsdouvres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzJHBqY_6eI/VE-7BQw66DI/AAAAAAAAH1c/iNBiBbxRdok/s1600/horsdouvres.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94q8riyHc9c/VE-7Er3BIyI/AAAAAAAAH1k/sONurlkhLqA/s1600/jelloing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="50's Housewife Halloween Party" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94q8riyHc9c/VE-7Er3BIyI/AAAAAAAAH1k/sONurlkhLqA/s1600/jelloing.jpg" height="640" title="50's Housewife Halloween Party" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was an agar agar Jell-o salad stand in. It was interesting. I especially liked the salad dressing. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vI53jBZcC8/VE-7Q8MTEnI/AAAAAAAAH10/SZSUfva_ESI/s1600/peasandcarrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vI53jBZcC8/VE-7Q8MTEnI/AAAAAAAAH10/SZSUfva_ESI/s1600/peasandcarrots.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Minted Peas and Carrots</b></span><br />
1 lb bag carrots, peeled and sliced<br />
1 bag frozen peas<br />
2 Tbs mint<br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Steam the carrots until almost done. Add the peas and continue steaming until warmed through. Toss with salt, pepper, and mint. Serve immediately. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vokzi_pCnY4/VE-7MLpHN6I/AAAAAAAAH1s/Rgg1WswQaW4/s1600/punch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="50's punch no HFCS!" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vokzi_pCnY4/VE-7MLpHN6I/AAAAAAAAH1s/Rgg1WswQaW4/s1600/punch1.jpg" height="640" title="1950's Punch no HFCS!" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Punch</b></span><br />
1 Bottle Sparkling Apple cider<br />
1/2 Gallon orange juice<br />
1/2 Gallon Earthwise Wild Berry Guava Lemonade <br />
12 scoops Raspberry Sorbet <br />
<br />
Add all drinks to a large punch bowl and top with sorbet. It doesn't look like much, but it tastes great and there are no HFCS or artificial flavors! It also happens to taste great with vodka, so if you happen to make your martini a little too strong, dollop a little punch in there and you'll be a happy haunter!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--71QWYiVQss/VE-7U7IErtI/AAAAAAAAH18/Be9PywfwZwc/s1600/spread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--71QWYiVQss/VE-7U7IErtI/AAAAAAAAH18/Be9PywfwZwc/s1600/spread.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVwoFeqTVPg/VE-8s5n8UmI/AAAAAAAAH2I/qoz0pXJBu_0/s1600/drink%2Bcart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVwoFeqTVPg/VE-8s5n8UmI/AAAAAAAAH2I/qoz0pXJBu_0/s1600/drink%2Bcart.jpg" height="640" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1Y_pzQ1yVI/VE-80viB8FI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/lTPS3QtgEnM/s1600/drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1Y_pzQ1yVI/VE-80viB8FI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/lTPS3QtgEnM/s1600/drinks.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKnT9pFj_ps/VE-8ycAu7-I/AAAAAAAAH2Q/nkybCl4_-HY/s1600/pouring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKnT9pFj_ps/VE-8ycAu7-I/AAAAAAAAH2Q/nkybCl4_-HY/s1600/pouring.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of our lovely hostesses, Danika.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuHh9t4oLAs/VE_Y1jdJEQI/AAAAAAAAH24/Oz1PbjfuFRA/s1600/dancing1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuHh9t4oLAs/VE_Y1jdJEQI/AAAAAAAAH24/Oz1PbjfuFRA/s1600/dancing1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
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Our cowboy, David, who handed out the scavenger hunt sheets, sock hopping it up with a robot and a ladybug. You just don't see that kind of thing every day. For music, I found several, mostly 50's era songs including: Wooly Bully, Lil' Red Riding Hood, The Twilight Zone theme song, Bo Meets the Monster, Halloween Spooks (featuring Lambert, Hendricks and Ross), I Put a Spell on You, Witch Doctor, Punky Punkin, Morgus the Magnificent, The Purple People Eater, and of course, Monster Mash all downloadable on Amazon from about $.90 to $1.50. Some of these songs are crazy weird. Just sayin'.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKVRL0_cbCU/VE_ZiPLSNiI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/_tLc2KwaIRQ/s1600/jailhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKVRL0_cbCU/VE_ZiPLSNiI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/_tLc2KwaIRQ/s1600/jailhouse.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
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Our homage to 1950's cowboy flicks, the kids had to break out of jail by sliding down the slide. The sheriff gave them a handy map to the rest of the scavenger hunt. Apparently he was in on the whole thing...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4BSkxylnLYs/VE_YxNlxaSI/AAAAAAAAH2w/bbamkcgW3Ug/s1600/darkdonkey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4BSkxylnLYs/VE_YxNlxaSI/AAAAAAAAH2w/bbamkcgW3Ug/s1600/darkdonkey.jpg" height="640" width="310" /></a> </div>
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First stop, Pin the Tail on the Donkey. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lR5EntBRBTI/VE_Y1T0c12I/AAAAAAAAH3A/t7lgXmfWjDY/s1600/apples2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halloween apple game" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lR5EntBRBTI/VE_Y1T0c12I/AAAAAAAAH3A/t7lgXmfWjDY/s1600/apples2.jpg" height="640" title="Halloween apple game" width="426" /></a></div>
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Next up, apples on strings. At every station, the kids got stickers to prove they completed the mission.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_NNwbfheCV8/VE_Zpu9FNGI/AAAAAAAAH4g/FAXRrDprZnA/s1600/witches%2Bhut.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_NNwbfheCV8/VE_Zpu9FNGI/AAAAAAAAH4g/FAXRrDprZnA/s1600/witches%2Bhut.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
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Because it was raining and I was busy appleing out in it, I don't have one picture of our witch, Lauren, who many kids said was their very favorite part of the hunt, and was also one of our hosts. She had a bubbling cauldron full of dry ice and a bowl full of "eyeballs" for the kids to scrounge through to help her find her jewels (skull rings which the kids got to keep). So here's a picture of her hut, which you may remember as the <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-fairys-masquerade.html">troll house from our fairy party</a> a few years ago.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zq4mAodDT_M/VE_ZeaEeeGI/AAAAAAAAH4Q/FLeLatWop4A/s1600/hoola2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="50's inspired Halloween party Hula hoop" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zq4mAodDT_M/VE_ZeaEeeGI/AAAAAAAAH4Q/FLeLatWop4A/s1600/hoola2.jpg" height="640" title="1950's inspired halloween party hula hoop" width="426" /></a> </div>
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Can't really have a 1950's party without a hula hoop, can you? No. No you can't.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q7Q351IubQY/VE_ZHwXCHGI/AAAAAAAAH3w/pJcNFGpOQWI/s1600/frisbeetoss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="50's inspired halloween party frisbee toss" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q7Q351IubQY/VE_ZHwXCHGI/AAAAAAAAH3w/pJcNFGpOQWI/s1600/frisbeetoss.jpg" height="640" title="50's inspired Halloween frisbee toss" width="426" /></a></div>
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A classic game with a 1950's twist. Tossing mini Frisbees into the pumpkin's mouth turns a bean bag toss into game using an iconic vintage toy.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX-XInzLO3A/VE_ZTx00ugI/AAAAAAAAH34/Y6dIab7N7Ao/s1600/frisbeetoss3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX-XInzLO3A/VE_ZTx00ugI/AAAAAAAAH34/Y6dIab7N7Ao/s1600/frisbeetoss3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
Note to self: Yellow Frisbees are hard to find in a leaf pile...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPX2hADZqwE/VE_q_LEvH1I/AAAAAAAAH44/be230oXEIgQ/s1600/ghosts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPX2hADZqwE/VE_q_LEvH1I/AAAAAAAAH44/be230oXEIgQ/s1600/ghosts.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Spooky ghosts in the rain... </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GS4Yd8W0yQ/VE_ZUBL0sOI/AAAAAAAAH38/d1LQ0XRnbNU/s1600/ghosties.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GS4Yd8W0yQ/VE_ZUBL0sOI/AAAAAAAAH38/d1LQ0XRnbNU/s1600/ghosties.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
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Fortunately revealed in the daylight to be balloons with flashing lights inside zip-tied to dowels.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_K4AE1C84o/VE_Y-fu0GPI/AAAAAAAAH3g/LmCsqi7azJ4/s1600/fortunetelle2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_K4AE1C84o/VE_Y-fu0GPI/AAAAAAAAH3g/LmCsqi7azJ4/s1600/fortunetelle2.jpg" height="640" width="390" /></a> </div>
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Our fortune teller (and co-host), Tori, before she braved the weather to read our guest's fortunes.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcQGtDxv4EA/VE_Y5IDRevI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/jbl7ItNowLo/s1600/darkreader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcQGtDxv4EA/VE_Y5IDRevI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/jbl7ItNowLo/s1600/darkreader.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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It was wet business...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpQdI7uyxPU/VE_Y2K1rXhI/AAAAAAAAH28/vDr5oNCu8h4/s1600/darkghost.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpQdI7uyxPU/VE_Y2K1rXhI/AAAAAAAAH28/vDr5oNCu8h4/s1600/darkghost.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a> </div>
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EEK! A GHOST! Matt was the scariest ghost in a sheet the world has ever seen. Three-year-olds the world over were terrified. The kids were rewarded with Trader Joe's candies when they returned with their scavenger hunt sheets filled out.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r3akDm72h1k/VE_Zrc6xysI/AAAAAAAAH4o/_krLPLMMp6w/s1600/wives2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1950's housewives Halloween costumes and party ideas" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r3akDm72h1k/VE_Zrc6xysI/AAAAAAAAH4o/_krLPLMMp6w/s1600/wives2.jpg" height="640" title="50's housewives Halloween costumes and party ideas" width="556" /></a></div>
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Twin housewives, Bekah and myself. At the end of the party. With fallen hair and rubbed-off make-up. Drinking. I also discovered something about my costume. All it takes is a hair change to turn perky, perfect wife-lady into:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-32ERlE2yV9A/VFAMZnFcG7I/AAAAAAAAH5I/aiDp1o-yQc0/s1600/lunchlady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-32ERlE2yV9A/VFAMZnFcG7I/AAAAAAAAH5I/aiDp1o-yQc0/s1600/lunchlady.jpg" height="320" width="293" /></a></div>
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The Lunch Lady.</div>
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Hoagies and grinders, baby.</div>
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Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-17299513284693266142014-10-05T13:02:00.000-07:002014-10-05T13:02:10.158-07:00The Prettiest Thing at the Farmer's Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pK5JfM-DI5w/VDGjXV6BGbI/AAAAAAAAH0c/tKF5jC-2qN4/s1600/pear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pK5JfM-DI5w/VDGjXV6BGbI/AAAAAAAAH0c/tKF5jC-2qN4/s1600/pear.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Collins Family Orchards</div>
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~October 05, 2014~</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-19023620015935438192014-09-21T20:36:00.002-07:002014-09-21T20:36:54.377-07:00The Prettiest Thing at the Farmer's Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYKoPajwDqA/VB-ZAtB9lfI/AAAAAAAAH0M/ioiWY4RqFCQ/s1600/apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYKoPajwDqA/VB-ZAtB9lfI/AAAAAAAAH0M/ioiWY4RqFCQ/s1600/apples.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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~Collins Family Orchards~</div>
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September 21, 2014 </div>
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Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-22952696205148339442014-09-19T04:00:00.000-07:002014-09-19T04:00:03.158-07:00S'more S'mores, Please!I've got two boys.<br />
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I've got two boys who like campfires.<br />
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I've got two boys who like campfires in the Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter.<br />
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I've got two boys who like campfires in the Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, because campfires mean <i>S'mores</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxW95GGoY1I/VBqNYDa0B_I/AAAAAAAAHzQ/UyCpeqN6Stk/s1600/stretch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxW95GGoY1I/VBqNYDa0B_I/AAAAAAAAHzQ/UyCpeqN6Stk/s1600/stretch.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kinds...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nVXNgBgtyA/VBqNTriPQPI/AAAAAAAAHzI/Ih0JkA20gsw/s1600/peepsmash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nVXNgBgtyA/VBqNTriPQPI/AAAAAAAAHzI/Ih0JkA20gsw/s1600/peepsmash.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXZ6NzR9etM/VBqR-Xg3GVI/AAAAAAAAHzk/c33KRJ993gY/s1600/chewy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXZ6NzR9etM/VBqR-Xg3GVI/AAAAAAAAHzk/c33KRJ993gY/s1600/chewy.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epjO7GXFZLU/VBqM8S-sjBI/AAAAAAAAHyY/A3qSAksmAGo/s1600/chuckles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">S'mores... </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epjO7GXFZLU/VBqM8S-sjBI/AAAAAAAAHyY/A3qSAksmAGo/s1600/chuckles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epjO7GXFZLU/VBqM8S-sjBI/AAAAAAAAHyY/A3qSAksmAGo/s1600/chuckles.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Let's count the ways, shall we? Number 1, cookies and marshmallow. You may remember <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2013/06/lord-help-me-ive-discovered-instagram.html">my post from last year</a> featuring these bad boys:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OO-n4THJkTU/UcsuwaCQZFI/AAAAAAAAGBk/G6m0btLJ8H4/s1600/smores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OO-n4THJkTU/UcsuwaCQZFI/AAAAAAAAGBk/G6m0btLJ8H4/s1600/smores.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or, 2, why not try it with <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-treats-chocolate.html">Everybody's Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies</a>? No need for an extra chocolate slice!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cwAWS-g1xoc/VBqNGr-gb_I/AAAAAAAAHyw/OYrtALyoq-0/s1600/cookie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cwAWS-g1xoc/VBqNGr-gb_I/AAAAAAAAHyw/OYrtALyoq-0/s1600/cookie.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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3) My eldest came home with the next idea from Scout Camp. And let me say: It's genius. Put your S'mores toppings into an ice cream cone, wrap it in foil, and put it in the fire! I added walnuts 'cuz <i>yum</i>. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOpD2QnQh74/VBqNAhnLV_I/AAAAAAAAHyo/7leIrRlp44Q/s1600/conesmores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOpD2QnQh74/VBqNAhnLV_I/AAAAAAAAHyo/7leIrRlp44Q/s1600/conesmores.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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4) A few of you may recall my facebook post encouraging Peep hoarding this Spring.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exND9C7_E44/VBqR4CsX7MI/AAAAAAAAHzc/wzpyiL3ZTD0/s1600/bunnies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exND9C7_E44/VBqR4CsX7MI/AAAAAAAAHzc/wzpyiL3ZTD0/s1600/bunnies.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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The number one thing I learned from facebook this year is that people <i>hate</i> Peeps, ya'll. This next picture is for those people:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkR6u-UfNgc/VBqSK0KHstI/AAAAAAAAHzs/1lCkTaYoiS0/s1600/fluffybunnies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkR6u-UfNgc/VBqSK0KHstI/AAAAAAAAHzs/1lCkTaYoiS0/s1600/fluffybunnies.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxW95GGoY1I/VBqNYDa0B_I/AAAAAAAAHzQ/UyCpeqN6Stk/s1600/stretch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Trust me on this, our neighbors taught us that Peeps over flame turn into a completely different thing. It's like<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>crème brûlée</i>.</span> Then you smash it between graham crackers and chocolate. This picture is for those of you who love Peeps. And also for those of you who hate them, 'cuz they're pretty mutilated.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxW95GGoY1I/VBqNYDa0B_I/AAAAAAAAHzQ/UyCpeqN6Stk/s1600/stretch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0E-dKYL1us8/VBqNQzHAXvI/AAAAAAAAHzA/oGbLH5RnSaI/s1600/peeps1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0E-dKYL1us8/VBqNQzHAXvI/AAAAAAAAHzA/oGbLH5RnSaI/s1600/peeps1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
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And, yes, they stay fresh this long. Preservatives ftw.</div>
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If you'd like to skip the preservatives, I've got something for you... </div>
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Number 5: Homemade S'mores</div>
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This one uses another technique we've learned from friends, chocolate frosting instead of chocolate bars. No waiting for it to melt. Just slathering and eating. Our friends used store-bought frosting. Not my thing, so homemade frosting it is. Before you ask, I did try multiple times to make homemade vegan marshmallows. They did not happen. They were delicious, but they were gloopy and completely campfire incompatible. I have not given up, but this post had to go up someday so for the time being, these are store bought 'shmallows.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdR-cMfrazg/VBuoqwA6SRI/AAAAAAAAHz8/yncFMfnC5AA/s1600/homemade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdR-cMfrazg/VBuoqwA6SRI/AAAAAAAAHz8/yncFMfnC5AA/s1600/homemade.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8ICReGK1f4/VBqNJYd3iPI/AAAAAAAAHy4/dF7LZKXy_NM/s1600/homemade1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
Homemade Graham Crackers</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Test-Kitchen-Family-Baking/dp/1933615222/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411102927&sr=8-1&keywords=america%27s+test+kitchen+family+baking+book">America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book </a>p. 177<br />
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1 3/4 C Graham flour (or whole wheat flour)<br />
1/2 C all-purpose flour<br />
1/2 C sugar<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
8 Tbs unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled<br />
5 Tbs water<br />
2 Tbs light molasses<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
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Heat oven to 375°. Process the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a food processor until combined, about 3 seconds. Add the butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 15 seconds. Add the water, molasses, and vanilla and process until the dough comes together, about 20 seconds. Divide the dough into 2 even pieces. Roll each piece of dough out between 2 pieces of parchment paper to a 16X8-inch rectangle, 1/8 inch thick. Remove the top pieces of parchment and trim each piece of dough into a tidy 15X7 1/2-inch rectangle with a knife, and then score each into eighteen 2 1/2-inch squares. Prick each square several times with a fork. Slide each piece of dough and parchment onto separate baking sheets. Bake the cookies until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes, switching and rotating the baking sheets halfway through baking. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets, then break them apart along the scored lines and serve.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Notes:</span></b><br />
I dusted some of mine with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.<br />
These freeze really well.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Frosting</b></span><br />
1 C Powdered Sugar<br />
1 stick Butter<br />
2 Tbs Cocoa Powder<br />
1 Tbs cream <br />
<br />
Beat the butter a little, then slowly add the sugar and cocoa powder. If it's a little dry, mix in the cream. <br />
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<br />Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-33502578750216658182014-09-14T16:09:00.000-07:002014-09-14T16:09:33.273-07:00The Prettiest Thing at the Farmer's Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBicJd8XT1Q/VBYfJTaAweI/AAAAAAAAHyI/2lFouUkTt0w/s1600/onions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBicJd8XT1Q/VBYfJTaAweI/AAAAAAAAHyI/2lFouUkTt0w/s1600/onions.jpg" height="640" width="406" /></a></div>
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~Garden Treasures~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
September 14, 2014</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-34113658473111264092014-09-07T13:43:00.003-07:002014-09-07T13:43:44.139-07:00The Prettiest Thing at the Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgxucZbsg8M/VAzDBMSfXfI/AAAAAAAAHx4/weLt8ucd0j0/s1600/tomatillos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgxucZbsg8M/VAzDBMSfXfI/AAAAAAAAHx4/weLt8ucd0j0/s1600/tomatillos.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~<a href="https://www.facebook.com/alvarezorganicfarms">Alvarez Organic Farms</a>~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
September 7, 2014</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-14201948753353386722014-09-03T10:53:00.000-07:002014-09-05T09:02:06.169-07:00Simple Summer Party...<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unYZgsFVRK4/VANih6HcqsI/AAAAAAAAHuA/0EzNI3OFbRU/s1600/bouquet3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyuplJTVRIQ/VAOEZ3HVJxI/AAAAAAAAHuo/jcup86TVdNI/s1600/jars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mason jars with decorative lids for parties" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyuplJTVRIQ/VAOEZ3HVJxI/AAAAAAAAHuo/jcup86TVdNI/s1600/jars.jpg" height="426" title="Mason jars with decorative lids for parties" width="640" /></a><br />
So early this Summer I asked one of my favorite vendors at the Lake Forest Park Farmer's Market to do me a favor. My gal, Tracy, at <a href="http://enjoysocial.net/">Social Ice Cream</a> makes the best ice cream in the <i>entire</i> <i>world</i>. Problem is, a solid portion of my friends can't eat sugar, dairy, soy, gluten, food colorings, flavorings, like basically anything. But I knew Tracy could handle it. What did I need two gallons of sugar-dairy-soy-gluten-everything-free ice cream for? You already know, don't you, you smart thing you!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYzEv4e4MZw/VAOEm0zReOI/AAAAAAAAHvI/4Txq7Ip6pwQ/s1600/party.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A blue and yellow Summer party" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYzEv4e4MZw/VAOEm0zReOI/AAAAAAAAHvI/4Txq7Ip6pwQ/s1600/party.jpg" height="640" title="A blue and yellow Summer party" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My oldest's Cub Scout manual lists plan a party and make an obstacle course for your friends as two things you can get badges for and we're all about the badges around here. We need <i>all</i> the stinkin' badges. Fittingly, he chose blue and yellow as the colors.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTQTU79-BZo/VAOEpmXczXI/AAAAAAAAHvQ/2wAchglEyUw/s1600/party3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="blue and yellow Summer party decor" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTQTU79-BZo/VAOEpmXczXI/AAAAAAAAHvQ/2wAchglEyUw/s1600/party3.jpg" height="640" title="Blue and yellow Summer party decor" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He helped with all the set up, too!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unYZgsFVRK4/VANih6HcqsI/AAAAAAAAHuA/0EzNI3OFbRU/s1600/bouquet3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marigolds lend a little sweetness to the table and they're bug repellant! " border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unYZgsFVRK4/VANih6HcqsI/AAAAAAAAHuA/0EzNI3OFbRU/s1600/bouquet3.jpg" height="640" title="Marigolds lend a little sweetness to the table and they're bug repellant! " width="426" /></a> </div>
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These little marigolds were just the right color and had a light citronella scent that, I think, helped keep the bugs a way. So did the little fans you see in the background.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dBVeZtOj08/VAOExuOBfDI/AAAAAAAAHvg/jT2OlvVS5Jc/s1600/setting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A flag pick from a party store makes an easy drink label." border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dBVeZtOj08/VAOExuOBfDI/AAAAAAAAHvg/jT2OlvVS5Jc/s1600/setting.jpg" height="640" title="A flag pick from a party store makes an easy drink label." width="426" /></a> </div>
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I found a thing on Pinterest about making little flags to mark drinks. Good ol' party store came through with these puppies.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFGdmUAsFCk/VANiD_dpHyI/AAAAAAAAHt4/N22FVdrE1-8/s1600/flags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Flag pick drink lables for parties." border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFGdmUAsFCk/VANiD_dpHyI/AAAAAAAAHt4/N22FVdrE1-8/s1600/flags.jpg" height="640" title="Flag pick drink lables for parties." width="434" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My oldest also had a say in the menu so we planned hamburgers and hot dogs and left the rest up to the generosity of our guests! </div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XZuFDrD1TI/VAOE3ck_-7I/AAAAAAAAHvo/7Q26u4r5kxw/s1600/spread.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="party food" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XZuFDrD1TI/VAOE3ck_-7I/AAAAAAAAHvo/7Q26u4r5kxw/s1600/spread.jpg" height="426" title="party food" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My neighbor supplied us with this gorgeous caprese salad appetizer. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFRXnyjXjnQ/VAOE6AE0X5I/AAAAAAAAHvw/w9aSc5uxVyA/s1600/tomatoes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a mixture of cherry tomatoes from my garden" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFRXnyjXjnQ/VAOE6AE0X5I/AAAAAAAAHvw/w9aSc5uxVyA/s1600/tomatoes.jpg" height="640" title="a mixture of cherry tomatoes from my garden" width="448" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My garden has been generously pumping out cherry tomatoes like nobody's business this year.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5fnMEXzkI8/VAOE9PqgOUI/AAAAAAAAHv4/Fp8CNeck2Co/s1600/vodka.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="infused vodka" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5fnMEXzkI8/VAOE9PqgOUI/AAAAAAAAHv4/Fp8CNeck2Co/s1600/vodka.jpg" height="640" title="infused vodka" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My honey making friend also dabbles in flavored vodka. Holy <i>man</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijW0Zmb9WJg/VANimp-uvWI/AAAAAAAAHuI/1oonAJogCMM/s1600/fresh%2Bbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="homemade bread and local honey" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijW0Zmb9WJg/VANimp-uvWI/AAAAAAAAHuI/1oonAJogCMM/s1600/fresh%2Bbread.jpg" height="640" title="homemade bread and local honey" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And she brings homemade bread. <i>Yeah </i>she does!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOsnCQVioaY/VAOEvEMKXOI/AAAAAAAAHvY/HpIDDQKeOwg/s1600/pickles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hot Mix Pickles Recipe" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOsnCQVioaY/VAOEvEMKXOI/AAAAAAAAHvY/HpIDDQKeOwg/s1600/pickles.jpg" height="640" title="Hot mix pickles recipe" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These homemade hot mix pickles were my offering this year.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hot Pickle Mix</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409892088&sr=8-1&keywords=the+complete+book+of+home+preserving">Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4 C sliced trimmed pickling cucumbers (1/4 inch slices)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2 C cauliflower florets</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 C sliced, peeled carrots</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 C peeled pearl or pickling onions</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2/3 C pickling or canning salt</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
8 1/2 C water, divided</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3 C sliced seeded hot yellow banana peppers (1 1/2- inch slices)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 clove garlic</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
8 1/2 C white vinegar</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3/4 C granulated sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2 Tbs horseradish</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3-9 jalapeno peppers, halved and seeded</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In a large glass or stainless steel bowl, combine cucumbers, cauliflower, green and red peppers, carrots, and onions. In another large glass or stainless steel bowl, dissolve pickling salt in 7 C of the water. Pour over vegetables. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Meanwhile,<a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/10/canning-primer.html"> prepare canner, jars, and lids</a>. In a colander placed over a sink, drain vegetables. Rinse with cool running water and drain thoroughly. Add hot yellow peppers and mix well. In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine garlic, remaining 1 1/2 C water, vinegar, sugar, and horseradish. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat and boil gently for 15 minutes, until liquid is infused with garlic flavor. Discard garlic clove. Pack vegetables and 1 to 3 jalapeno pepper halves into hot jars to within a generous 1/2 inch of top of jar. Ladle hot pickling liquid into jar to cover vegetables, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and and adjust headspace if necessary, by adding hot pickling liquid. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip-tight. Place jars in canner, ensuring they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil and process for 10 minutes. Remove canner lid. Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars, cool and store.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ1KOLfhtm4/VANixpgVg5I/AAAAAAAAHuQ/eco8dgK7S0Y/s1600/foodline.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="buffet line" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ1KOLfhtm4/VANixpgVg5I/AAAAAAAAHuQ/eco8dgK7S0Y/s1600/foodline.jpg" height="640" title="buffet line" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAbxiOPf7MQ/VAOEjFuoC8I/AAAAAAAAHvA/NaN-JmjoBo0/s1600/meat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hamburgers from Martiny Livestock" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAbxiOPf7MQ/VAOEjFuoC8I/AAAAAAAAHvA/NaN-JmjoBo0/s1600/meat.jpg" height="640" title="hamburgers from Martiny Livestock and hot dogs" width="426" /> </a></div>
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We bought our burgers from <a href="http://martinysuffolks.com/index.html">Martiny Livestock</a> at our farmer's market. People said they were some of the best burgers they ever had!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz-VFsxbX-Y/VAOEaatCfOI/AAAAAAAAHus/eEjH850TSX8/s1600/icecream3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j4D_-us-yic/VAOEceExGeI/AAAAAAAAHu4/RwoR2iOeDGs/s1600/makingaburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beecher's Cheese on Martiny Farms Burgers" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j4D_-us-yic/VAOEceExGeI/AAAAAAAAHu4/RwoR2iOeDGs/s1600/makingaburger.jpg" height="640" title="Beecher's Cheese on Martiny Farms Burgers" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little bit of local cheese to top it off...</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mFm1UDh4z0/VAVgM8IYA3I/AAAAAAAAHw4/pUI2kRSrd_c/s1600/guests.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="guests" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mFm1UDh4z0/VAVgM8IYA3I/AAAAAAAAHw4/pUI2kRSrd_c/s1600/guests.jpg" height="640" title="guests" width="594" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little bit of socializing and then it was finally, finally time for...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz-VFsxbX-Y/VAOEaatCfOI/AAAAAAAAHus/eEjH850TSX8/s1600/icecream3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vegan ice cream from Social Ice cream" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz-VFsxbX-Y/VAOEaatCfOI/AAAAAAAAHus/eEjH850TSX8/s1600/icecream3.jpg" height="640" title="Vegan ice cream from Social Ice cream" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ice cream and sorbet! We had Coconut Vanilla Bean, Peach Raspberry sorbet, and Raspberry Lemon Verbena. All made without soy, without dairy, without white sugar, but made with coconut milk, honey, and fresh local produce. Because Tracy is a flippin' <i>wizard</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEiFANO90wE/VAVgM2qMKTI/AAAAAAAAHw0/pIDs19H9lYA/s1600/obstacles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fun obstacle course for kids" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEiFANO90wE/VAVgM2qMKTI/AAAAAAAAHw0/pIDs19H9lYA/s1600/obstacles.jpg" height="276" title="Fun obstacle course for kids" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then it was obstacle course time! First down the slide, then a search through bubbles for a statuette, and a quick hula hoop for 5 seconds before a dash across the finish line! Fastest time wins! It was a quick, fun game and they loved it!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2afNHMgHjM/VAV-5xUstUI/AAAAAAAAHxI/AXhFjswMmfI/s1600/obstacle%2Bcourse7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="kid" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2afNHMgHjM/VAV-5xUstUI/AAAAAAAAHxI/AXhFjswMmfI/s1600/obstacle%2Bcourse7.jpg" height="640" title="kid" width="426" /> </a></div>
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Even this dude and he doesn't like anything...</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-12377520519000971502014-09-01T04:00:00.000-07:002014-09-01T04:00:07.824-07:00Throwing a Little Something Together... I've got friends who have an obsessive desire to follow recipes exactly. I used to be this person. It's what you do when you're first learning how to cook. But I think it makes you afraid a little. Afraid you might mess something up. You know what? You almost never do and a lot of times what you come up with is better than what the Internet says, especially one of those recipes from TV, blerg. AND most of the time the recipe has got one or twelve things you don't have sitting in your fridge at the moment. So let's talk about what is in your fridge. At any moment I have every ingredient necessary for a good soup, Italian anything, stir-fry, and hummus. <i>Always</i> have the ingredients for hummus. All you need for hummus is any bean variety, oil, garlic, and salt. All you need for soup is a can or two of tomatoes and a variety of vegetables, and sometimes you can pull it off without the tomatoes! Italian needs tomatoes, basil and garlic. Mushrooms are good, other herbs, or onions, but really all you need are tomatoes, basil, and garlic. Let's get to that stir-fry now.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfL4rIud7PA/VAKxqDB-wbI/AAAAAAAAHtg/z81CPZ5C5mU/s1600/dinner5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfL4rIud7PA/VAKxqDB-wbI/AAAAAAAAHtg/z81CPZ5C5mU/s1600/dinner5.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></div>
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I started on this because I had some peanut sauce from the Farmer's Market calling my name all week. I also had purple cauliflower, red cabbage, carrots, a squash from my garden, oyster mushrooms, a white bell pepper, half an onion, and some garlic. Sounds like stir-fry to me. Does it matter what color your vegetables are? Nope. Do you need all those vegetables to make a stir-fry? Nope, though it does help to feed a larger group to have a variety if you only have small quantities of each like I had. Do you have to have fancy soba noodles like I did? Not even. I wasn't even thinking of noodles when I realized I had the makings for stir-fry. I was going to do rice first, but realized I hadn't left enough time to pull it off, so noodles it was! What I'm trying to say here is relax. Take a deep breath. It's just one dinner. You can do it. If all else fails, there's always peanut butter or grilled cheese, or whatever sandwich combination your family is allowed to eat in this day of allergens and intolerances.<br />
<br />
The biggest thing to remember when doing a stir-fry for a family is not to cook everything in the same pan unless you have a huge pan. I like my stir-fry veggies warmed and nearly raw, cooking everything in the same pan tends to steam everything and take forever so you're left with a long cook time and mushy veg.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH5A4DCF5YE/VAKx6VY1ChI/AAAAAAAAHto/cIKPnJ_4fKI/s1600/dinner8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH5A4DCF5YE/VAKx6VY1ChI/AAAAAAAAHto/cIKPnJ_4fKI/s1600/dinner8.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Refrigerator Clean-Out Stir Fry</b></span><br />
Serves 4<br />
<br />
3 large carrots, sliced<br />
1/2 large onion, sliced<br />
2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced<br />
1/2 medium cabbage, sliced<br />
1 large or 2 small yellow squash, sliced<br />
1/2 lb oyster mushrooms, chopped<br />
1/2 cup cauliflower florets<br />
1 bell pepper, sliced<br />
2 green onions, sliced<br />
1 Tbs sesame seeds<br />
1 bunch of soba noodles, boiled and drained<br />
1 tsp high heat oil<br />
1 Tbs peanut sauce, soy sauce, or tamari sauce<br />
<br />
On medium/high heat, cook onions first in a small amount of oil until they have softened slightly, then set them aside, then carrots cooked until slightly soft and set aside, continue cooking vegetables one at a time until all are cooked, excluding the green onions and sesame seeds, mushrooms and garlic can go in together. Mix all the veggies together. Plate noodles and top with cooked veggies, finish with the sauce of your choice.<br />
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Now, go to your fridge and start experimenting!! Here's a few more ideas to get you started:<br />
Chicken, pork, or tofu, eggplant, peas, bok choi, broccoli, any color of bell pepper, zucchini, green beans, water chestnuts, baby corn, bamboo shoots.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-48999338035334082492014-08-31T13:58:00.000-07:002014-08-31T13:58:24.087-07:00The Prettiest Thing at the Farmer's Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLWInBHu7aU/VAOHNMzK_MI/AAAAAAAAHwM/e0Vf2v7JYUs/s1600/huckleberries2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLWInBHu7aU/VAOHNMzK_MI/AAAAAAAAHwM/e0Vf2v7JYUs/s1600/huckleberries2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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~<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1182263720&fref=ts">Sidhu Farms</a>~</div>
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August 31, 2014</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-14138459133316430142014-08-24T13:57:00.000-07:002014-08-24T13:57:44.080-07:00The Prettiest Thing at the Farmer's Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZWm7aZlqVE/U_pQi2tfIQI/AAAAAAAAHso/5plQtjp0Jvo/s1600/rhapsodyinpurple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZWm7aZlqVE/U_pQi2tfIQI/AAAAAAAAHso/5plQtjp0Jvo/s1600/rhapsodyinpurple.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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~Rhapsody in Purple~</div>
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provided by:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/alvarezorganicfarms">Alvarez Farms</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gardentreasurescsa">Garden Treasures</a></div>
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Maharlika Farms </div>
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and</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Collins-Family-Orchards/186365634726934?sk=info%20[link]">Collins Family Orchards</a></div>
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August 24, 2014</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-81849315079396094472014-07-27T16:13:00.000-07:002014-07-27T16:13:09.374-07:00The Prettiest Thing at the Farmer's Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RZoJ0r_0Oc/U9WHKBD7gmI/AAAAAAAAHsY/7kZ1S2KkLO8/s1600/lapasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RZoJ0r_0Oc/U9WHKBD7gmI/AAAAAAAAHsY/7kZ1S2KkLO8/s1600/lapasta.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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~La Pasta~</div>
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July 27, 2014</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-35376363688110735842014-07-25T19:14:00.003-07:002014-07-25T19:14:39.066-07:00Congratulations, Winners!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_k9tNhIWee4/U8xBPeMixtI/AAAAAAAAHpo/FxRRr4FUqPY/s1600/Zipziclecollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_k9tNhIWee4/U8xBPeMixtI/AAAAAAAAHpo/FxRRr4FUqPY/s1600/Zipziclecollage.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Congratulations to <span style="font-size: large;">RayeHawk</span> who wanted to freeze her yogurt mixed with a little fruit puree, <span style="font-size: large;">Joanne Kemp</span> who wants to try making fudgsicles, and <span style="font-size: large;">Rebekah Whitlock</span> who thought up like a bazillion uses including salad dressing and Jell-o shot pops! You three have won a pack of Zipzicle pouches! Please <a href="mailto:bei_02@hotmail.com">e-mail</a> me your addresses and Zipzicle will send out your prizes! Thank you to all who entered!</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-56251876982969570272014-07-21T10:00:00.000-07:002014-07-27T16:25:39.087-07:00Ice-Pops, Ideas, and a Give Away...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_k9tNhIWee4/U8xBPeMixtI/AAAAAAAAHpk/EJAeY1F-gdo/s1600/Zipziclecollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="12 Ways to use Zipzicles Ice-Pop Pouches" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_k9tNhIWee4/U8xBPeMixtI/AAAAAAAAHpk/EJAeY1F-gdo/s1600/Zipziclecollage.jpg" title="12 Ways to Use Zipzicle Ice-Pop Pouches and a Give Away! Event ends 07/25/14 so enter today!" /></a></div>
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So these are Zipzicles.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26w0gHaC6TM/U8xB4gh9p_I/AAAAAAAAHqk/38K-Ue4SpbE/s1600/package.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle Ice-Pop Pouches" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26w0gHaC6TM/U8xB4gh9p_I/AAAAAAAAHqk/38K-Ue4SpbE/s1600/package.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle Ice-Pop Pouches" width="426" /></a> </div>
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You want these. My friend Cara from Fork and Beans found some at Cost Plus World Market and went on to make some <a href="http://www.forkandbeans.com/2014/07/12/healthy-otter-pops/">lovely homemade Otter-type pops</a>. I fiddled around on the Internet a bit and found that WizCo is just a few miles from my house! They graciously sent me a sample pack and I went a little bonkers, ya'll. I just kept on thinking of things to use these little pouches for!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zkhr94EI_dg/U8xB-luCiZI/AAAAAAAAHrA/fix3EPG4x6c/s1600/popzicles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle Ice-Pops, Use 1 of 12" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zkhr94EI_dg/U8xB-luCiZI/AAAAAAAAHrA/fix3EPG4x6c/s1600/popzicles.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle Ice-Pops, Make your own Nasurtium and Mint Ices!" width="426" /></a> </div>
First off, I did make pops. 'Cuz yeah, <i>Summer</i>. These are each a different type of juice. The clear one is a simple infused water concoction of nasturtium and mint. Not sweet for the kiddles, but so nice for me on hot days! Each pouch contains almost 1/2 a cup, so to make my grown-up Zipzicle:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nasturtium and Mint Ice-Pop</b></span><br />
1/2 C water per pop<br />
2 nasturtium flowers per<br />
1 two inch sprig fresh mint (about 5 leaves) per<br />
<br />
Combine in a cup and let steep for 30 minutes. You can muddle it a bit at the end if you like. I chopped up a few blossoms to make it pretty, but you don't need to. If you are using flowers, place a few chopped blossoms into the pouch, pour infused water in to the fill line, close bag, and tilt it back and forth gently to distribute the flowers evenly. Lay flat for a few hours to freeze.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4S8S_Qi4H8/U86P_G5F5JI/AAAAAAAAHsA/9w36aGb-cm0/s1600/nasturtium3_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade Nasturtium Mint Ice-Pops from Crackers on the Couch" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4S8S_Qi4H8/U86P_G5F5JI/AAAAAAAAHsA/9w36aGb-cm0/s1600/nasturtium3_2.jpg" height="640" title="Homemade Nasturtium Mint Ice-Pops from Crackers on the Couch" width="426" /></a></div>
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The other pops are juices I bought at Trader Joe's, one is the Very Green Smoothie, one is carrot, and one is Tart Cherry. The cherry one is especially good. We also enjoy orange, grape, and fruit puree pops regularly!<br />
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And now for the rest!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHcNNjkq-9o/U8xCF-lW9JI/AAAAAAAAHrU/hs50BBU7vAA/s1600/yogurtubessm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle Yogurt Tubes Use 2 of 12" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHcNNjkq-9o/U8xCF-lW9JI/AAAAAAAAHrU/hs50BBU7vAA/s1600/yogurtubessm.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle Yogurt Tubes Use 2 of 12" width="426" /></a> </div>
Next up, can we just talk about how long I've been wanting to make yogurt tubes? I don't like store bought ones that are full of sugar and chemicals, and the organic frilly ones are few and far between. I have thought for years that there had to be a better way. Some way to make yogurt tubes at home. This is it, yo! These are <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2012/06/yogurt-magnificent.html">homemade yogurt</a> sweetened with a bit of honey. No cane, beet or corn sugar, no rBST, just milk, bacteria, and honey. Yummers.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPicb7vWRgs/U8xBSqATlqI/AAAAAAAAHps/PWPsA5dog2g/s1600/applesaucesm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle Applesauce pouches Use 3 of 12!" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPicb7vWRgs/U8xBSqATlqI/AAAAAAAAHps/PWPsA5dog2g/s1600/applesaucesm.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle Applesauce pouches Use 3 of 12!" width="426" /></a></div>
Number 3 is applesauce pouches. 1/2 C is a good portion of sauce. You can fill past the fill line if you're not going to freeze it. I found that the best way to fill these pouches with thicker things like yogurt and applesauce is to use a pastry bag to fill them half way, tap it once or twice to get out the bubble, and then fill the rest of the way. For thicker substances or tough bubbles, a poke or two with a chop-stick will go a long way.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RizFjCREA0w/U8xBUp5vCeI/AAAAAAAAHp0/V44U2_OUjVI/s1600/rocketssm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle cracker pouch, use 4 of 12!" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RizFjCREA0w/U8xBUp5vCeI/AAAAAAAAHp0/V44U2_OUjVI/s1600/rocketssm.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle Cracker pouch Use 4 of 12!" width="426" /></a></div>
Fourth up, any small, amusingly shaped cracker will fit beautifully into these pouches. It's slightly less than a serving size, but just right for a lunchbox or a quick snack after karate. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxeKZhIKICs/U8xGwb0hJ2I/AAAAAAAAHrw/Ps8vRmtnS30/s1600/treatscollage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute little s'mores treat sacks: Use 5 of 12!" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxeKZhIKICs/U8xGwb0hJ2I/AAAAAAAAHrw/Ps8vRmtnS30/s1600/treatscollage.jpg" height="472" title="Cute little Zipzicle s'mores treat sacks: Use 5 of 12!" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtMR4lgPEsY/U8xBfBGw2hI/AAAAAAAAHqI/TB6-q8hhs_s/s1600/markers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> And speaking of snacks, let's talk dessert, shall we? A few mini chocolate chips, some tiny marshmallows, and a graham cracker bear or two. A large pastry tip makes a nice funnel for the chocolate chips. I know this is the complete embodiment of opposite from what I said about the yogurt tubes, but you know, cute is cute sometimes and dessert is dessert and s'mores is s'mores.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwVkT5pm_B4/U8xBdkuuqAI/AAAAAAAAHp8/0XFjYAk-BiY/s1600/gorpsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle pouches for trail mix: Use 6 of 12!" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwVkT5pm_B4/U8xBdkuuqAI/AAAAAAAAHp8/0XFjYAk-BiY/s1600/gorpsm.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle pouches for trail mix: Use 6 of 12!" width="408" /></a></div>
For a healthier alternative while camping or hiking, Good Old Raisins and Peanuts really hit the spot. A serving of peanuts almost fills up to the fill line, mix in a few raisins and GORP's your uncle!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vATir1aS5iQ/U8xBfPihHnI/AAAAAAAAHqE/BIcFobyr0io/s1600/hummussm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle pouches for packing hummus: Use 7 of 12!" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vATir1aS5iQ/U8xBfPihHnI/AAAAAAAAHqE/BIcFobyr0io/s1600/hummussm.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle pouches for packing hummus: Use 7 of 12!" width="426" /></a></div>
For flying, camping, or car trips, <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/02/theres-hummus-among-us.html">hummus</a> makes a great snack, and 1/2 a cup of hummus makes a pretty healthy portion! The flexibility of the pouches makes it really easy to get all of it out. I've got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=straw+brush&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Astraw+brush">straw brush</a> that I used to clean the pouches out after the hummus.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fHUZqr3Zfo/U8xBr0qQmSI/AAAAAAAAHqc/9Bfj3qk8cDk/s1600/jello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicles for Jello! Use 8 of 12" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fHUZqr3Zfo/U8xBr0qQmSI/AAAAAAAAHqc/9Bfj3qk8cDk/s1600/jello.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicles for Jello! Use 8 of 12" width="426" /></a></div>
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Again, with the food coloring, but you know what? There's exactly enough room in these pouches for Jell-o. I used the quick-set method so that the heat wouldn't melt the plastic. Sets up faster that way, too! I wonder if <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/03/st-patricks-semifail.html">agar agar</a> jello would work in these, but I think that by the time it was cool enough to pour, it would be set too far. An experiment for another day, perhaps.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcJXYn_AwZs/U8xBoEAl3SI/AAAAAAAAHqU/BMnFT2oYdyo/s1600/mnmssm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicles as party favor bags! Use 9 of 12!" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcJXYn_AwZs/U8xBoEAl3SI/AAAAAAAAHqU/BMnFT2oYdyo/s1600/mnmssm.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicles as party favor bags! Use 9 of 12!" width="426" /></a></div>
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Need a sweet little pouch for party favors? Fill them up with candy, jewelry, or confetti! (Maybe don't give out the confetti filled ones until the end of the party...)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq0fYOBWy-M/U8xB-pfEPzI/AAAAAAAAHq8/Xku5qU_R83o/s1600/tomatosoupsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle soup pouches! A great snack and use 10 of 12!" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq0fYOBWy-M/U8xB-pfEPzI/AAAAAAAAHq8/Xku5qU_R83o/s1600/tomatosoupsm.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle soup pouches! A great snack and use 10 of 12!" width="426" /></a></div>
I think this is my favorite idea: A little tomato soup and a pouch of oyster crackers! Again, I poured the soup in cold, and served it at room temp. It's a nice, healthy change-of-pace snack for the kid who's tired of cheese sticks and fruit slices.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtMR4lgPEsY/U8xBfBGw2hI/AAAAAAAAHqI/TB6-q8hhs_s/s1600/markers1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle craft packs! Use 11 of 12." border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtMR4lgPEsY/U8xBfBGw2hI/AAAAAAAAHqI/TB6-q8hhs_s/s1600/markers1.jpg" height="640" title="Zipzicle craft packs! Use 11 of 12." width="426" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHcNNjkq-9o/U8xCF-lW9JI/AAAAAAAAHrU/hs50BBU7vAA/s1600/yogurtubessm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
And then there are the non-food options. Let's talk art-on-the-go, shall we? Four thin markers fit very well in here, four or five colored pencils would do nicely, as well. Just right for trips! You can fit a few pipe-cleaners in here, too I bet, though I haven't tried it. I did try Rainbow Loom bands and they were near impossible to get back out. Think, long and thin, and things that shake out easily.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrykwZTOkXA/U8xGtAQ-i9I/AAAAAAAAHro/LBCPpo7Sl4I/s1600/legocollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zipzicle small toy pouch. Use 12 of 12." border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrykwZTOkXA/U8xGtAQ-i9I/AAAAAAAAHro/LBCPpo7Sl4I/s1600/legocollage.jpg" height="472" title="Zipzicle small toy pouch. Use 12 of 12." width="640" /></a></div>
Speaking of things that shake out easily, a few Lego bricks are just the thing for a quick creation on the go. Nanoblocks fit well, Micro Machines, too.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's a few more ideas! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b><i><span style="font-size: small;">I haven't tested them, but you can!</span></i></span></div>
<ul>
<li>Make your own "Pedialyte" pops. Coconut water is an excellent (and more tasty) electrolyte replenisher!</li>
<li>Try these for pureed baby foods or toddler snacks like Cheerios.</li>
<li>Going camping? Fill one with ketchup, one with mayo, and one with mustard.</li>
<li>Maybe a small First-Aid Kit, a couple of Band-aids and a tube of Neosporin.</li>
<li>What about filling one with mouthwash for weekend trips?</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And Now, A Give Away!!</b></span> </div>
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Have some ideas for these lovely little bags? Wanna get some for free? Well, you, my friend are in the right place! WizCo is allowing me to give three lucky people a free 12-pack of Zipzicle pouches! Leave me a comment here or on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/CrackersOnTheCouch/128287753910624?ref=hl">facebook page</a> with your favorite ice-pop flavor or a new idea for the bags and you'll be entered to win! Contest ends on Friday so chime in!</div>
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*Give Away Has Now Ended* </div>
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Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-60769447902859871052014-07-20T14:47:00.000-07:002014-07-20T14:47:25.491-07:00The Prettiest Thing at the Farmer's Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yp-wkyXsVLA/U8w4BhLBQjI/AAAAAAAAHpU/SP1DPNwxInc/s1600/watermelonradish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yp-wkyXsVLA/U8w4BhLBQjI/AAAAAAAAHpU/SP1DPNwxInc/s1600/watermelonradish.jpg" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
~Garden Treasures~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
July 20, 2014</div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-82394187826704314572014-06-29T15:26:00.000-07:002014-06-29T15:26:04.074-07:00The Prettiest thing at the Farmer's Market Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SxvcD4lf5Uk/U7CSTEertdI/AAAAAAAAHls/PY5UbU90Arc/s1600/potatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SxvcD4lf5Uk/U7CSTEertdI/AAAAAAAAHls/PY5UbU90Arc/s1600/potatoes.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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~Alvarez Farms~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
June 29, 2014 </div>
Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4733407502833428125.post-23712669000875162532014-06-23T04:00:00.000-07:002014-06-23T04:00:11.355-07:00Flowers for Breakfast...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eV1HsYiDoI4/U6YBjGv7S2I/AAAAAAAAHlM/tj-2PMXhgNc/s1600/flowerlabels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marigold, Thimbleberry, Thyme, Salsify, Borage, Pea, Lavender, Dandelion, Nasturtium, Blackberry, Pak Choi" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eV1HsYiDoI4/U6YBjGv7S2I/AAAAAAAAHlM/tj-2PMXhgNc/s1600/flowerlabels.jpg" height="640" title="Edible Flowers" width="463" /></a></div>
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Flowers are an unusual and underused way to brighten and beautify your plate. Seeing the sad, wilting, expensive box of organic flowers in my grocery store every week never inspired me to try edible flowers. Last year, I grew some nasturtiums as a pest control measure in my garden and was surprised at how delicious they were! One of my favorite early Summer drinks is <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/07/youre-invited.html">lavender lemonade</a>, so much so that I bought the lavender we have just so I can make it once a year. This year, I bought some new veggies because I'm always trying new things and found I love borage and since my pak choi came up and went directly to seed, we have been eating the blossoms. Last night, while inspecting my squash for potential blossoms, it occurred to me how many edibles I had blooming right now. So here I am sharing them with you! This is by no means an exhaustive list of all edible plants. It's more like a snapshot of my garden in the middle of June. If you are equally uninspired by your grocery store, may I suggest planting a flower garden?<br />
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oNlpNzhevQ/U6XwkmxrcyI/AAAAAAAAHkA/KcQyAb_fb1M/s1600/marigold2sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crackers on the Couch: Edible Flowers, Maridold" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oNlpNzhevQ/U6XwkmxrcyI/AAAAAAAAHkA/KcQyAb_fb1M/s1600/marigold2sm.jpg" height="320" title="Marigold" width="213" /></a>
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Marigolds have a bitter taste at first that mellows out into a floral aftertaste.<br />
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Uses: Salads, garnishes, jelly</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77VwNm2lqPY/U6Xwl1nSZwI/AAAAAAAAHkU/qzNe05SIBN4/s1600/thymesm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crackers on the Couch: Edible Flowers, Thyme Blossoms" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77VwNm2lqPY/U6Xwl1nSZwI/AAAAAAAAHkU/qzNe05SIBN4/s1600/thymesm.jpg" height="320" title="Thyme blossom" width="245" /></a>
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Thyme: First taste is like a slightly sweet thyme, which is followed by a little herbal burn (similar to fresh oregano), finishes as a straight thyme flavor.<br />
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Uses: Salads, smoothies, soups, garnish for chicken <br />
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRpJTkjjlyw/U6XwlsTYeSI/AAAAAAAAHkk/Nu8nKX76q1A/s1600/salsifysm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crackers on the Couch: Edible Flowers, Salsify Flowers" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRpJTkjjlyw/U6XwlsTYeSI/AAAAAAAAHkk/Nu8nKX76q1A/s1600/salsifysm.jpg" height="320" title="Salsify Blossoms" width="213" /></a>
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Salsify: Slightly sweet petals, the stem starts out with a green flavor, becomes peppery and ultimately tastes very similar to thyme.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/CrackersOnTheCouch/128287753910624?sk=timeline">Facebook users</a> may recognize this as my quiz plant from a few weeks ago. Nobody got it right! <br />
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Uses: Salads, salad dressings</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXxv2evLK0k/U6XwjFBDQQI/AAAAAAAAHjk/cGVSf_5B6_8/s1600/blackberry2sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crackers on the Couch: Edible Flowers, Blackberry Flowers" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXxv2evLK0k/U6XwjFBDQQI/AAAAAAAAHjk/cGVSf_5B6_8/s1600/blackberry2sm.jpg" height="213" title="Blackberry blossoms" width="320" /></a>
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<a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/07/unsolicited-education.html">Himalayan Blackberry</a> petals are slightly bitter, the stamen are powdery and lacking flavor, but the blossoms are undeniably beautiful.<br />
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Uses: Salads, garnish</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGsa6dEbLrQ/U6XwlDpok2I/AAAAAAAAHkI/Iu24XDM2YDw/s1600/pakchoi1sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crackers on the Couch: Edible Flowers, Pak Choi Blossoms" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGsa6dEbLrQ/U6XwlDpok2I/AAAAAAAAHkI/Iu24XDM2YDw/s1600/pakchoi1sm.jpg" height="320" title="Pak Choi Flowers" width="213" /></a>
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Pak Choi taste very much like how daffodils smell: floral, earthy, and fresh. They have a slight kale or broccoli flavor, being in the same family.<br />
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Uses: Salads, smoothies</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKnlkXjmWPA/U6XwjY6rVBI/AAAAAAAAHjo/sBZ33LbUldA/s1600/bluepea1sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crackers on the Couch: Edible Flowers, Blue Podded Pea blossom" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKnlkXjmWPA/U6XwjY6rVBI/AAAAAAAAHjo/sBZ33LbUldA/s1600/bluepea1sm.jpg" height="320" title="Blue Podded Pea Flower" width="213" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVWxZQ0DGo0/U6XwkBzi6OI/AAAAAAAAHj4/M6ew7U3O9NU/s1600/gardenpeasm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crackers on the Couch: Edible Flowers, Little Marvel Pea Blossom" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVWxZQ0DGo0/U6XwkBzi6OI/AAAAAAAAHj4/M6ew7U3O9NU/s1600/gardenpeasm.jpg" height="220" title="Little Marvel Pea Flower" width="320" /></a>
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Garden Peas: The white flower is off a bush pea called Little Marvel and the purple one is off a climber called a Blue Podded Pea. They taste like green peas, fresh out of the garden, pod and all. The finish is very similar to alfalfa sprouts. <br />
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*I was going to give a warning about Sweet Peas, the ornamental flower, since I had heard they were poisonous. Mr. Internet says this is a bit of a misconception. The only thing that isn't safe to eat in large quantities is the hardened seed of the Sweet Pea. Still, if you want to be cautious, don't eat them. More flowers for bees!<br />
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Uses: Salads, garnish</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKh6HihuXGc/U6XwkVugLgI/AAAAAAAAHj8/iNRjpaDZvJc/s1600/lavendersm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crackers on the Couch: Edible Flowers, Spanish Lavender Blossoms" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKh6HihuXGc/U6XwkVugLgI/AAAAAAAAHj8/iNRjpaDZvJc/s1600/lavendersm.jpg" height="320" title="Spanish Lavender" width="213" /></a>
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Spanish lavender has a strong, herbal, well basically, lavendery flavor. <br />
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Uses: <a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/07/youre-invited.html">Lemonade</a>, baking</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ry5GlnglWis/U6XwlpJaqTI/AAAAAAAAHkQ/CWdM9Kuf6mc/s1600/thimbleberrysm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ry5GlnglWis/U6XwlpJaqTI/AAAAAAAAHkQ/CWdM9Kuf6mc/s1600/thimbleberrysm.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a>
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<a href="http://crackersonthecouch.blogspot.com/2011/07/unsolicited-education.html">Thimbleberry</a> petals have a very slight floral citrus taste.<br />
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Uses: Salads, salad dressing, garnish</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IkJ9tgcDJzY/U6Xwjk-KyyI/AAAAAAAAHjs/6SKTV71CEGo/s1600/borage3sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IkJ9tgcDJzY/U6Xwjk-KyyI/AAAAAAAAHjs/6SKTV71CEGo/s1600/borage3sm.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>
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Borage: Once you get past the fur, you are rewarded with a strong cucumber flavor.<br />
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Uses: Salads, sandwiches, salad dressing</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTER3jHjuog/U6Xwk4yVkLI/AAAAAAAAHkE/cx_T05ialts/s1600/nasturtiumsm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTER3jHjuog/U6Xwk4yVkLI/AAAAAAAAHkE/cx_T05ialts/s1600/nasturtiumsm.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>
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Nasturtium: Spicy, think horseradish without the burn, peppery, finishing with a slightly sweet taste.<br />
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Uses: Salad, garnish, salad dressing, pizza</td>
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<td style="text-align: right;" width="50%"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfZbWcilIBo/U6Xwj6ueKwI/AAAAAAAAHjw/ZHF1rPtacS0/s1600/dandilionsm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfZbWcilIBo/U6Xwj6ueKwI/AAAAAAAAHjw/ZHF1rPtacS0/s1600/dandilionsm.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>
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Dandelion: The petals are really fabulously sweet, but the greens taste like earwax, so pluck these before adding them to anything.<br />
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Uses: Salads, wine, jelly, tea</td>
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Tips:<br />
If you want to use flowers in your salad, I suggest picking them before you are ready to serve. Many of these flowers wilt soon after picking. Nasturtiums, marigolds, lavender, and borage will last the longest, but any Mom who's been given a dandelion bouquet knows how quickly those go south!<br />
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My spinach, pak choi, cilantro, and lettuce are bolting right now. I've been using the flowers in smoothies every morning to try to extend the season a bit. I'll be doing the same thing as soon as the purslane, and basil go.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765393759306277549noreply@blogger.com4