tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81323891292025006052024-03-12T21:35:05.564-05:00Pinches, Scraps, and Magic CraftsWelcome to our home, a magical place which produces amazing crafts and food. We want to share those with you. Follow us as we journey through each room of our home searching every nook and cranny for the mysterious and unexpected.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-27323420526101530122015-05-15T15:30:00.000-05:002015-05-15T15:30:05.271-05:00Saving Space - Dehydrating Canned TomatoesThe love affair with my dehydrator is more intense these days. If it's not nailed down or consumed, more than likely food will find itself on a drying tray. <br />
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Nine pints of tomatoes sat in my pantry that were a couple of years old. There are a lot of conversations lately about how long home canned items should sit on the shelf and a lot more disagreement about the quality of the canning lids or flats, as Mom called them. The debate is not about the sealing material, but about <em>how much</em> of that material is on the lid, especially during the last couple of years. Ball, Kerr, Mason packaging states that home canned items should be used within a year and claim that has always been the recommendation. Home canners are upset that their canned goods no longer have a 3-5 year shelf life as they had been accustomed. There seems to be no resolution. So rather than taking a chance on losing my good organic tomatoes, I dried them. <br />
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As is typical, I forget to keep a camera on hand during the process. The text version will have to do for now.<br />
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I drained the biggest portion of the liquid from the tomatoes, mostly water, then gently spread two pints of tomatoes on a dehydrator tray. Gently spread the fruit on the tray, but don't press down. You want to keep the good tomato flavor in tact. Cut the larger pieces in half so the trays fit properly in the dehydrator. Set the temperature to 125 and let the tomatoes dry overnight. The next morning, peel the tomatoes from the trays, flip the tomato pieces over, and allow dry for another 4-5 hours. When brittle, remove and allow to cool for a few minutes.<br />
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Use a coffee grinder, a blender, or food processor to make a powder. Sift the powder into a bowl and reprocess the bigger chunks again. Store tomato powder in a canning jar with an oxygen pack. Results: Nine pints of tomatoes yielded 1/2 pint of tomato powder. A scant tablespoon of powder is equivalent to 1 cup tomato sauce. The powder is a beautiful red color and has a fresh tomato smell. It dissolves easily in warm water - great for soups!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Tomato Powder</td></tr>
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You may be wondering how much tomato "trash" was left. Less than a teaspoon! I could not get this to grind any smaller; it was mostly some of the "unripe" parts of the tomatoes that were hard when I packed the jars. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried Tomato "Trash"</td></tr>
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All in all, I'm happy with the results and happier with the extra pantry space. Good timing - there are a lot of tomatoes in the garden waiting to ripen.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-34534672954254352952014-12-18T17:59:00.001-06:002014-12-18T17:59:15.887-06:00Adventures in Sourdough, Heavenly Cinnamon SwirlGreetings Readers,<br />
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I have been delinquent in posting Sourdough Updates. It's time to catch up. One of the favorites and the most fought over recipe is the Cinnamon Swirl Bread affectionately known as "The Swirl." Oh the wonderful aroma. This fragrant bread fills the house - and the neighborhood with the warm sweet scent of cinnamon and butter. <br />
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The dough recipe comes from my <a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2014/07/sourdough-starter-gift-that-keeps-on.html" target="_blank">Sourdough Cinnamon Roll recipe</a> and the modified filling, doubled from <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2014/05/baking-bootcamp-triple-berry-cinnamon-swirl-bread/" target="_blank">Joy the Baker's recipe for Triple Berry Cinnamon Swirl</a>. I replaced her fresh fruit with nothing the first time and later trials with dates, craisins, and pecans. Don't make me choose a favorite; both are good. <br />
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The Swirl towers high in a 10" cast iron skillet, so place it no higher than the middle shelf in your oven. It bakes at 375F for 25-30 minutes, rising even higher. Let cool in the skillet for 30 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack and dust with powdered sugar - and HIDE, yourself or The Swirl, but one of you has to go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rise of Cinnamon Swirl</td></tr>
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My friend and her husband recently had dinner with us. The Cinnamon Swirl baked while we ate. "Oh, that smells so good!" she said and pushed away her unfinished meal, none to shy that she was preferred dessert. <br />
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The bread came out of the oven, barely had time to cool and the restless couple demanded dessert. It wasn't easy slicing a piping hot loaf. My friend hung her head over her plate not eating, not even sampling a crumb. How could she beg for dessert and not eat? She took a deep breath, "I didn't think it could smell any better. I'm not sure I can eat this!" She deeply inhaled the aroma again and again, the rest of us inhaled the contents on our plates. Finally she ate, savoring each bite.<br />
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My daughter came over the next day upset because she didn't get any Swirl. I made a loaf for her. The daycare operator heard about The Swirl from my daughter and I was in trouble again. So I made her a loaf. My daughter returned the pan and whined again that she wasn't invited to feast at daycare.<br />
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Use caution when making The Swirl. It's addictive and oddly starts WWIII in our household. If shared, then peace reigns again - until we near the end of the loaf.<br />
<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-62983479814218996212014-10-11T17:25:00.003-05:002014-10-11T17:25:54.007-05:00Adventures in Sourdough, Part 1Discovering sourdough, all aspects, is very much an adventure. It seems quite wasteful to toss out a portion of the dough, just to feed it. It's a much better service to feed my family, friends, and myself. Suddenly, our bill for flour and butter has increased along with the need to bicycle away in the evenings. But it's so worth the effort and extra calories. Even then, using the starter is not always practical. So we dry it.<br />
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Magic Man and I travel - a lot. Often not together. Maintaining the starter can be challenging. Asking Magic Man is probably not the best idea either. He has other things far more important than playing with paste. He'd rather eat the paste than tend to it.<br />
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My supplier, Mr. M tells me I can freeze starter, thaw it in the fridge overnight, and feed the next day. I discovered we can dehydrate starter, crumble and store in an airtight jar until needed. Mr M was a happy camper... literally. He loves to camp and now he can have his sourdough pancakes on the trail.<br />
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It's quite an easy process, along with a few memorable lessons, to dehydrate starter. Let's begin...<br />
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First, feed the starter and when its happy, stir it down. On a sheet of plastic (I used gallon sized freezer bags) or sil-pat, spread the starter just as thin as you can. Then spread it a little more. The air temp should be warm. I oh so wisely chose to use my dehydrator set on low, taping the plastic to the trays. That was good... and bad. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starter spread on plastic freezer bags</td></tr>
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In 30 minutes, it was evident the dehydrator was drying quickly. I smiled and walked away, proud that I was so darned clever. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starter after 30 minutes of drying</td></tr>
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Something told me to check back sooner, but instead I returned three hours later. The starter had "drawn up," pulled up the tape causing the starter to crumble. When I opened the door to the dehydrator, I was blasted by a cloud of sourdough snow. There were flakes everywhere. There was enough dried starter left on the trays for experimenting - without have to recover the delicate flakes from the floor. <br />
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Next time, the dehydrator will run for 1 hour, we'll pull the trays and crank up the heat. Then we'll turn off the machine, return the trays, and let the starter continue to dry in the warmed box.<br />
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To use, mix a little warm water with the starter flakes. Slowly add water until the mixture is pancake batter consistency. Let the mixture sit a few hours to activate. Use in your favorite recipe.<br />
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-80253364011180542462014-07-23T21:14:00.000-05:002014-07-23T21:14:45.288-05:00Sourdough Starter - The Gift that Keeps on Giving It's great to have a gift that has an endless supply of surprises. Check my post about my birthday gift of <a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-most-unusual-gift.html" target="_blank">sourdough starter</a>. This starter is a wonderful adventure for my tastebuds. We love the <a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2014/07/sourdough-french-bread.html" target="_blank">French Bread</a>, <a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2014/07/sourdough-pancakes-and-french-toast.html" target="_blank">Pancakes and French Toast</a> recipes. Tried and true, these are made more frequently now. <br />
The latest success story was a batch of Cinnamon Rolls. Holy Cow, these are good.... I mean really, really GOOOOOOOOD. Light and tender, perfectly sweet - I felt guilty not sharing. Not!<br />
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Back to my standby cookbook, Sourdough Jack's Cookery, there it was under the heading <i>Fruited Sourdough Breakfast Rolls </i>just waiting to be whipped up. All I can say is you gotta try this recipe. <br />
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¾ cup starter<br />1 cup evaporated milk<br />3½ cups flour<br />¼ cup soft butter<br />3 tbsp sugar<br />1 large egg<br />1 tsp baking powder<br />½ tsp soda<br />1½ tsp salt</blockquote>
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3 tbsp melted butter (I needed 4)<br />¼ c packed brown sugar (I needed ⅓ cup), mixed with<br />1 tsp cinnamon (little extra never hurts)</blockquote>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stir starter, milk, and <b>2 cups</b> of the flour in a large mixing bowl. Cover and let sit overnight in a warm place. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First night's dough</td></tr>
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Next morning, beat ¼ cup butter, 3 tbsp sugar and egg. Beat into the sourdough mixture. Sift together the remaining 1 ⅓ cup flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Add to the mixture. Turn onto flour board and knead until soft and satiny. Keep enough flour so the dough doesn’t stick Roll out to 16” X 8” (mine was 16” X 24”). Brush with butter, sprinkle with brown sugar mixture; add some raisins, dates, pecans if you desire. Roll, starting with long side. Cut into 9 (12) slices. There was no way this was fitting in a 8" square pan. The rolls were crammed into a 7" X 11" pan.<br />
Cover and let rise until doubled. They were smelling good at this stage.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolled and Risen - one of these I cut a little too big.</td></tr>
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Bake 375 F (preheated oven) for 35 minutes. Serve warm, if you want to wait that long. Hot was good.<br />
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I made an icing with 1 tbsp butter, 1 cup powered sugar and some of the remaining evaporated milk and a splash of vanilla. The icing was a little thick so it wouldn't melt and run off the roll.<br />
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Yep, these were a huge success - definitely doing these again. Next batch of this sweet dough may become kolaches.<br />
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Enjoy!!<br />
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-58115593120711942742014-07-05T21:53:00.000-05:002014-07-05T21:53:02.305-05:00Sourdough Pancakes and French Toast.The experiments continue. I can't bring myself to discard sourdough starter only to replenish and keep the starter alive. I pulled out my trusty book and hunted for the next test.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-most-unusual-gift.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVbzeZAWFfY/U7iJPWrWJKI/AAAAAAAAArU/wUevvoPHtQA/s1600/SDCookbook.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-most-unusual-gift.html" target="_blank">This book is a very good sourdough reference.</a></td></tr>
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The next batch of starter was made into pancakes. Once again Magic Man was missing from the homestead. This recipe makes enough pancakes to feed a crowd, but it was only me at the house. So I cut back - a lot. The batter starts Saturday night.<div>
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I added 1/2 cup of starter to a glass bowl. To this I added 1 cup warm water and 1-1/4 cup flour and mixed well. It was a little thick, a little lumpy just as the recipe described. Covered with plastic wrap and a tea towel, the bowl sat in a warm corner in the kitchen until daybreak. </div>
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The first thing Sunday morning, after a cup of coffee and a quick reread of the instructions, 1/2 cup of starter went back into the starter jar. By now the started had thinned and was quite bubbly.</div>
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To the remaining starter I added 1 egg, 1 tablespoon oil, 2 tablespoons powdered milk and beat this well. In a separate cereal bowl mixed 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. This mixture was sprinkled over the batter, and gently folded in. Step back and watch the magic. The mixture started to foam and grow. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sHeB4J66mk/U7iJRtY8yZI/AAAAAAAAAsI/JY_fCpanGl8/s1600/SFBstart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sHeB4J66mk/U7iJRtY8yZI/AAAAAAAAAsI/JY_fCpanGl8/s1600/SFBstart.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancake batter before the baking soda</td></tr>
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It was quite an amazing moment. It was time to let this sit for a moment while the cast iron skillet (or comal) was heated and lightly coated with oil. If it's not thin enough, you can add a little milk.</div>
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By now the batter was really bubbly.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancake batter after the baking soda was added</td></tr>
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Sourdough Jack advises making small pancakes. Use a tablespoon of batter at a time. It should sizzle when it hits the skillet.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side 1 Sizzling. </td></tr>
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The cakes don't take long to cook. Flip when the cake is filled with exploded bubbles.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side 2 Finishing</td></tr>
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This recipe made about 15 pancakes. I thought there would be plenty left over. These are the lightest, fluffiest pancakes I'd ever eaten. As a matter of fact, I ate 8 of these in one sitting drowning in fresh maple syrup. They were so good. The rest of that batch went to Mom's house. She hid them for her breakfast the next day. She enjoyed them as much as I did. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm... Pancakes!!</td></tr>
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My friend suggested the next week I use sourdough starter for French toast. He ran short of milk one day so he subbed starter for milk in his French toast batter, setting out 1/2 cup of starter the night before. Mix in an egg, a bit of sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. The toast was so delicate and delicious. I wolfed it down so fast, I didn't think about taking pictures. You'll just have to trust me on this one.<br /><div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-11052112677032026372014-07-05T21:23:00.003-05:002014-07-05T21:53:53.844-05:00Sourdough French BreadFor my birthday this year, I received a jar of <a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-most-unusual-gift.html" target="_blank">Sourdough Starter</a>. Sourdough French bread would be my first project since Magic Man was traveling. It was the perfect time to experiment. Taking a deep breath, I ventured into uncharted territory.<br />
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Per the instructions, I measured 1-1/2 cups of warm water into my bread crock, added 1 tablespoon of yeast, 1 cup of room temperature starter, 4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons each sugar and salt. Then beat vigorously for 3-4 minutes and set it aside to rise for 1-1/2 hours to rise.<br />
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My first batch didn't absorb the flour and was a little thin for the initial rise, but it still worked well in the end. I added more flour with the baking soda step. Batch number 2 looked better, but the end results were the same.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before rising</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After rising<br />
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Now it's time to mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 cup of flour, keeping an extra cup of flour handy. Knead in the flour & soda mixture to the dough, working in additional flour as needed to minimize the stickiness. Knead 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and satiny. Shape into loaves, lightly grease baking pan, then lightly coat pan with cornmeal. Gently place dough on prepared pan and score the loaves.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaped and Scored Loaf</td></tr>
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Cover and let this rise until double in size again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loaf Doubled, Ready for the Oven</td></tr>
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Here's where the book and I part directions. Preheat the oven to 400F. Place the baking pan on the lower 1/3 part of the oven. Spray the inside of the oven with water to create steam. Close and bake 15 minutes. Spray a second time and bake another 10-15 minutes. The loaf will be a deep golden color when done. <br />
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Baste the loaf with butter. Wait impatiently to be cool enough to slice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Sourdough French Loaf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XN8G5_U0oOY/U7ixRMnSrJI/AAAAAAAAAsw/bFBIOXAeSJY/s1600/SFBloaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XN8G5_U0oOY/U7ixRMnSrJI/AAAAAAAAAsw/bFBIOXAeSJY/s1600/SFBloaves.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Batch Finished.</td></tr>
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I love kneading sourdough. It is the softest, silkiest dough I've ever handled. It kneads and shapes beautifully. </div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-72251871884723846122014-07-05T21:09:00.000-05:002014-07-05T21:09:21.329-05:00A Most Unusual Gift<br />
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My buddy from the Big City North, where we now reside, and I have May birthdays 21 days apart - so we celebrate together. Our families exchange gifts for the honorees. This year we gave him a large gift bag filled with home dehydrated foods for his weekend hiking get-aways: pineapple slices, cinnamon apple rings, banana chips, "orange cookies" as our granddaughter calls her dehydrated orange slices, cinnamon apple fruit leather, and much more for snacking. Then he dug up dehydrated refried beans for burritos and green beans with new potatoes for a couple of experimental trail meals. </div>
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I, on the other hand, that same evening received a jar of sourdough starter and sage advice.</div>
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<ol>
<li>Keep the starter in the refrigerator. </li>
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<li>Take the starter out the night before and let it warm to room temperature. </li>
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<li>Remove and either use or discard 1 cup of the starter every 7-10 days.</li>
<li>Replenish/Feed the starter with the same amount removed. Take out a cup, add back a cup.</li>
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<li>If a cup of starter was used, then I mix 2/3 cup of flour and 2/3 cup of lukewarm water with a pinch or two of sugar. Sometimes a little extra water is needed. The mixture should be slightly thinner than pancake batter. Mix this into the starter jar.</li>
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<li>Let the starter sit, uncovered, on the counter in a warm spot until the starter gets "happy." Here in the summer, 2-4 hours is adequate. </li>
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<li>I added rule 4.1 to this list. Place the jar in a bowl. Sometimes the starter gets so happy it bubbles over the top. This is a much easier mess to clean.</li>
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<li>Secure the lid, with the breathing hole covered with paper toweling on the happy starter. Place back in the fridge.</li>
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Pint Jar of Sourdough Starter (sitting on Granddaughter's placemat)</div>
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Hole in the Jar Lid</div>
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During the first week, I looked through my cookbooks. Somewhere in this house I had to have sourdough recipes. Then I found what I didn't know what I was searching for. Marie gave me this book several years ago, but I never had a reason to use it. Oh, how I wish she were alive so we could share some of these pastries with a cup of coffee. This book is a wealth of information and recipes.</div>
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Sourdough Jack's Cookbook</div>
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That's pretty much all there is to maintaining a sourdough starter. Mom loves the smell of this starter. It has a fresh, yeasty smell. It's not a tangy as some starter recipes, but is delicious nonetheless.<br />
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Things to note:<br />
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<ol>
<li>A liquid forms and floats on top of the starter. This is a type of alcohol and simply needs to be stirred back into the starter. You can control the amount of this liquid by skipping the sugar when replenishing the next batch. </li>
<li>If a more sour or tangy taste is desired, then let the starter sit on the counter longer, approximately 24-48 hours. </li>
<li>If the starter is too sour, sweeten it by removing a cup of the starter and replenishing it with 1 cup flour and 1 cup tepid water. </li>
<li>Add baking soda as one of the last ingredients to add to a recipe, especially a recipe like pancakes that needs to sit overnight. Baking soda has a tendency to turn batter yellow.</li>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-91109231012301603062014-02-16T08:16:00.001-06:002014-02-16T08:16:24.836-06:00Valentine's Day #1My granddaughter spent Valentine's Day with me. Her Mama and Daddy had a short weekend to themselves. Magic Man was on the road, entertaining families for the Lover's holiday. We will celebrate when he is home again.<br />
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Zoe just celebrated her 2nd birthday. She told me at breakfast Thursday she wanted pizza and salad Friday night. Not bad menu planning for a kiddo her age. Pizza it is, so we made homemade pizza. We got the recipe from "<a href="http://12tomatoes.com/2014/02/recipe-thin-crust-pizza.html" target="_blank">12 Tomatoes</a>" and it is one of the best I've ever tasted. The salad was a simple compilation of lettuce, cucumber slices, and shaved carrots. It looked like a flower, but most of the flower was eaten before I could get the camera to the table. (Note to self - photo before placing dish in front of the kid)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesy Pizza from 12 Tomatoes</td></tr>
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We were up early (like 5 a.m. - yawn and streeeetch) Saturday, Zoe hungry for yesterday's egg harvest. It was probably a good thing, we had a busy day ahead of us. Shortly after breakfast we fed the chickens, then started Strawberry Jam. <br />
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We gave a good rinse to the berries at the kitchen sink. Zoe is in charge of Quality Control.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWjuVkBbUHM/UwDC8wuPzkI/AAAAAAAAAnc/-k5BhvKG5Eo/s1600/QCberries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWjuVkBbUHM/UwDC8wuPzkI/AAAAAAAAAnc/-k5BhvKG5Eo/s1600/QCberries.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High quality berries make the best jam.</td></tr>
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Then it was time to husk the berries. I cut a little too much off one of the berries. Zoe sifted through the chicken scraps and put the red parts back into the berry bowl. She was very patient pulling off the green parts.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoe quickly learns to husk berries</td></tr>
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A quick spin in the food processor and the jam starts cooking. The house is filled with the fresh scent of sweet berries. There is no commercial fragrance that can compare.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgFshtSdUpw/UwDC83fdk0I/AAAAAAAAAnk/z9Xdey4yZ2Q/s1600/almostjam.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgFshtSdUpw/UwDC83fdk0I/AAAAAAAAAnk/z9Xdey4yZ2Q/s1600/almostjam.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pectin and sugar in the fruit mixture. Yummy. Smells heavenly in here.</td></tr>
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It was not easy waiting to sample the finished product, but the wait was worth every second. "No toast, spoon!" was Zoe's recommendation. I have to agree. Sometimes it is best to veer from the norm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-4vB-o8bcw/UwDC9-BfCPI/AAAAAAAAAn0/CdwTa_TJ0mg/s1600/strawberryjam.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-4vB-o8bcw/UwDC9-BfCPI/AAAAAAAAAn0/CdwTa_TJ0mg/s1600/strawberryjam.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nine pints should get us by until peaches are ready to harvest. </td></tr>
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It was time for lunch and a nap. 5 a.m. caught up with both of us. The last activity of the day was planting the garden. We planted strawberries (Magic Man and I never did get any from last year, so we bought 12 more plants - I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but not very hopeful), a set of onions, potatoes, and cabbage. Zoe loved breaking up the dirt clods. She's the only person I know who loves this clay soil.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NtsaI-E2rls/UwDC87UvqhI/AAAAAAAAAng/wCI4yCLEv1I/s1600/firstplanting.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NtsaI-E2rls/UwDC87UvqhI/AAAAAAAAAng/wCI4yCLEv1I/s1600/firstplanting.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilling the old fashioned way and guarding strawberries</td></tr>
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The chores are finally over. We grabbed chairs and watched the chickens race from the pen and scratch in the fallen leaves. They found worms and tender little greens. We had a bowl of Blue Bell on the back porch swing and waited for Mama to come. <br />
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Zoe wasn't ready for the day to end, and neither was I. But she'll come back soon to help plant more seeds. Perhaps I'll be rested by then. Maybe we'll make homemade bread to go with some jam.<br />
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Oh, and Mama - don't forget the hair ties next time (I never have the right ones on hand). The little bands that held her cute pigtails don't last more than one use. I hate sending my angel back home looking like a ragamuffin. <br />
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Love,<br />
KoKo<br />
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P.S. KoKo is the translated name given to me. I wanted to be called Eko, Osage for grandmother. Zoe couldn't quite get that name out. KoKo is fine with me. Magic Man answers to PawPaw. even I can't say In' Dan Zhe for grandfather.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-29978558213271489982014-01-11T08:35:00.004-06:002014-01-11T08:35:36.927-06:00Lordy, The Thing One Finds When Deep CleaningIt is almost Christmas, and I'm in a frenzy. Magic Man's family is coming HERE for the holidays. I'm excited to be hosting, but what were we thinking?!?!<br />
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MIL is a terrific housekeeper. Me? Not so much. I maintain a little dust and chaos is healthy for a home. But push aside my beliefs, I want MIL to be comfortable. So along with freezer food preparations, scrubbed floors and bathrooms - and I do mean scrubbed, there's washing sheets, rearranging the guest bedroom to open trundle for Magic Man and me. (Can't let MIL and FIL sleep in those uncomfortable beds), decorating the house AND the Magic Shop Party Room, where the festivities will be held. Home was a cheap hotel. Food to be served at the Party Room where the rest of the family would camp.<br />
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All of this nonsense to let you know that in cleaning out the closets, I found a quilt top my Grandmother made, who knows how long ago. She went into a nursing home in the early 80's. We suspected it was made long before then. <br />
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When Granny was admitted to the nursing home, many of her possessions were divided; her house placed on the market, yada yada yada. As the only grandchild who shared her passion for "making your own," I received this quilt top. It had the batting and the backing, she started quilting but only finished about a 4" square, leaving me to finish the project. With a 4-year old in the house, quilting was out of the question. So the quilt went into the back of the closet, only to be recovered a month ago, almost 30 years later (see note about a little dust and chaos above). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAI_9rcKRSI/UtFURLKMn-I/AAAAAAAAAlY/gPOY04L8C2w/s1600/GranTop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAI_9rcKRSI/UtFURLKMn-I/AAAAAAAAAlY/gPOY04L8C2w/s1600/GranTop.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt Top on Frame</td></tr>
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Now, life is calmer - just a tad, so I set up my quilt frame (never used, mind you) and tackled the project. Magic Man came if from work, rolled his eyes and politely smiled at the monstrosity sharing our living room. Justification - it isn't any larger than the Christmas tree, so I see no need for complaints.<br />
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Granny loved details. She crocheted and tatted with sewing thread; knitted with fine yarns; hand stitches were practically invisible. Her work was always exquisite. She could sew like no one I knew and my daughter, her great granddaughter, has that same natural talent (but doesn't use it often).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8n4pzaQ1Yk/UtFURMgYltI/AAAAAAAAAlg/ihTuMzhewtw/s1600/GranDetl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8n4pzaQ1Yk/UtFURMgYltI/AAAAAAAAAlg/ihTuMzhewtw/s1600/GranDetl.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross Stitched Detail</td></tr>
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And now I'm quilting. By hand. It would be so much easier to send the top to April and let her long arm do the job. That would not be acceptable by Granny. I am happy the quilt lines are printed on the fabric.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kTC8ehdMRU/UtFURSKG_hI/AAAAAAAAAlo/RQzmb-EgVBo/s1600/GranQuiltd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kTC8ehdMRU/UtFURSKG_hI/AAAAAAAAAlo/RQzmb-EgVBo/s1600/GranQuiltd.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilting, Quilting and Quilting</td></tr>
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If you don't hear from me for a while, you know where I am.<br /><div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-79206439881132082362013-12-06T13:16:00.001-06:002013-12-06T13:16:33.725-06:00My First Pieced QuiltTo the experienced quilter, you know what I mean when I say, "I did it! Look at my first quilt!" I saw this pattern almost two years ago (<b><i>A Baker's Dozen, 13 quilts from Jelly Rolls, layer cakes, and more</i></b>) and knew I had to try this. I made a lot of changes to the printed instructions, but the results are just as good. <br />
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Planning the quilt:</b><br />
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<i>Stage 1: Insert texture into the quilt.</i> This allows my granddaughter, almost 2 by Christmas, to love on her quilt. Test proved positive when I handed her a couple of blocks. She loved rubbing her delicate cheeks against the fabric.<br />
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<i>Stage 2: Pick fabric with her first words.</i> Zoe loves monkeys, chickens, dogs, shoes, eggs, rabbits, carrots. She knows the words and the ASL signs. These are also incorporated into the quilt. She pointed out these as she "trashed my stash."<br />
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Any good quilter, honest quilter will agree that the finished project is not a one-man job. It's like playing solitaire. Someone is going to recommend a move at some point, whether it's moving a block, alternate fabric, or a technique. She will voice her opinion.<br />
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Speaking of Solitaire. My friend Dirk is a hunter. He claims to carry a deck of cards with him on any hunting expedition. Should he get lost, he'll sit and play a game of solitaire. Someone will show up to tell him his next move.<br />
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Blood, Sweat, and Tears (of joy)</b><br />
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Since this was a jelly roll quilt, every fabric choice came from a bolt, so out came the handy-dandy rotary cutter and mat. Scores later (oh, such a bad pun) it was time to build blocks. <br />
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<ul>
<li>Our neighbor Beth dropped by and while she was here, I put her artistic eye to work. She was essential to the final block layout.</li>
<li>My dear friend Nancy showed me how to sew the blocks together. She fussed and fussed how often I need to measure, remeasure, and re-remeasure after each seam. Repeat after pressing the seams. Annoying yes, but I loved the results. (She lovingly chastised me for selecting an "on point" quilt for my first.) She also helped with the pillow, actually did most of the work when I was ill that weekend. </li>
<li>A HUGE thanks to the staff at Joann's in Sugar Land. They had the fabric I needed (beyond my stash). For the backing, I needed 5 1/4 yards. I couldn't find the fabric locally, but they had exactly 5 1/3 yards in stock. I came home a happy girl.</li>
<li>Cynthia, Lhonda, Laurel, and Pam were my cheerleaders. They doled out the encouragement to keep me going.</li>
<li>April quilted the package. She did an extraordinary job, down to the thread color.</li>
<li>Margie and Ina helped with the binding and finishing touches.</li>
<li>Mom is hiding the packages at her place until Christmas.</li>
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The worst part of this entire process is waiting until Christmas to give Zoe her new blanket. I can hardly wait to see her face Christmas morning. <br />
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Here is the finished quilt. Magic Man and I scuba dive, as does Zoe's parents. Fish seemed a fitting theme.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_USqFucqMwo/UqIgNh-kHlI/AAAAAAAAAj4/hlgpKtSFYmA/s1600/fishquilt.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_USqFucqMwo/UqIgNh-kHlI/AAAAAAAAAj4/hlgpKtSFYmA/s320/fishquilt.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Quilt - DONE</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJBH111q0yI/UqIgN0aYuUI/AAAAAAAAAkA/t4FfG1i-Lv8/s1600/bubbles.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJBH111q0yI/UqIgN0aYuUI/AAAAAAAAAkA/t4FfG1i-Lv8/s320/bubbles.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles from the fish</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3R32TgJquEE/UqIgNne1SUI/AAAAAAAAAj8/HD0Eg_0kEZM/s1600/catfish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3R32TgJquEE/UqIgNne1SUI/AAAAAAAAAj8/HD0Eg_0kEZM/s320/catfish.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cat" fish hiding in the coral</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu9q764EqXY/UqIgN7dfpYI/AAAAAAAAAkU/qc4qLjIPVcE/s1600/seamonkey.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu9q764EqXY/UqIgN7dfpYI/AAAAAAAAAkU/qc4qLjIPVcE/s320/seamonkey.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Monkeys</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---82uFhkrbU/UqIgOOYTaFI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/npzBm5EE8bo/s1600/textures.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---82uFhkrbU/UqIgOOYTaFI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/npzBm5EE8bo/s320/textures.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textures and colors</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqmO_cd3E2o/UqIgOtcfBhI/AAAAAAAAAkY/UQp5GHKgcxY/s1600/tuna.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqmO_cd3E2o/UqIgOtcfBhI/AAAAAAAAAkY/UQp5GHKgcxY/s320/tuna.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna fish (center small), you know "chicken of the sea"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-84989259192654758152013-11-22T14:52:00.000-06:002013-11-22T14:52:34.582-06:00Catching Up: Quilt for LaylaLayla is a very young lady battling a form of cancer normally found in retirees. She moved to Texas from a land far, far away, then moved out of the country. She and her family fell in love with Texas and its western, laid back lifestyle. She loves horses.<br />
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My friends L and M purchased Texas and western fabric last Christmas, well just because they are really nice people, and added it to my stash. It was perfect for Layla's horse quilt. <br />
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My second quilt from start to finish in 3 days, interspersed with work.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqQUVfCYtE8/Uo_CWuC_kNI/AAAAAAAAAis/RBIqwYAjoHw/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqQUVfCYtE8/Uo_CWuC_kNI/AAAAAAAAAis/RBIqwYAjoHw/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt Finished</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6NX2Kq__QZg/Uo_CWhoZ-HI/AAAAAAAAAiw/b94QJGHJoro/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6NX2Kq__QZg/Uo_CWhoZ-HI/AAAAAAAAAiw/b94QJGHJoro/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fav Fabric 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anteuyOyCqY/Uo_DluOcRaI/AAAAAAAAAjI/mRgUF6bn484/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anteuyOyCqY/Uo_DluOcRaI/AAAAAAAAAjI/mRgUF6bn484/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fav Fabric 2</td></tr>
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I hope Layla finds comfort with her horses.<br />
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<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-19457627773005927462013-11-15T06:03:00.000-06:002013-11-15T06:03:46.398-06:00Catching Up: On hold for an emergencyGood morning,<div>
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I know, I know, I promised there would be postings of my projects, but after lunch with friends we were informed that another friend's daughter has cancer. This is a young girl, about 12, who has cancer. She's lost part of her lung, and the cancer is throughout her chest area. Please pray for this young girl. Her dad and I worked together years ago.</div>
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It's back to the stash and sewing room to make a lap quilt just for her.</div>
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Thank you all for your prayers.</div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-75019029593156307792013-11-14T11:20:00.003-06:002013-11-14T11:20:18.633-06:00Catching Up: QuiltsQuilting is new to me. Rag Edge quilts are not nearly as challenging, so those don't qualify for this post.<div>
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My first quilt was a t-shirt memorial quilt for my long time friend Jim, well that would be his wife and family. Jim is responsible for my involvement with robotics. This quilt was made of shirts donated by teams (quilt front) and volunteers (quilt back). Needless to say, but the time we added the stabilizer for the front and back pieces and the batting, this quilt weighed about 35 pounds. In addition to the quilt, we found Marine Corps fabric for a throw pillow. </div>
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I wish I had better pictures available, but as a last minute project, I don't have any of my own.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWerubugMwQ/UoT0LCBU6uI/AAAAAAAAAhY/edUnGmNXIYw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWerubugMwQ/UoT0LCBU6uI/AAAAAAAAAhY/edUnGmNXIYw/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A year later a second memorial quilt was in the making, this time with Gerald's shirts. The front side of the quilt is the most decorative, the back side of the quilt is the other side of the shirt. The widow requested her quilt by her husband's birthday. I think she likes it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJZVEEvzqhQ/UoT011b4sMI/AAAAAAAAAhg/_5gIuxuxhTU/s1600/IMG_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJZVEEvzqhQ/UoT011b4sMI/AAAAAAAAAhg/_5gIuxuxhTU/s320/IMG_0793.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last but not least is my first attempt at a pieced quilt - and I decided to make this one on-point. My quilting friends called me crazy. What was I thinking? Oh yes, I wasn't and the pattern was adorable. How could I resist? This quilt uses textured fabrics and the cotton motifs contain granddaughter's favorite things, such as monkeys, trees, chickens, etc. and colors. And as scuba divers, we tried to capture some of the fish colors and markings. </div>
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Today the top is at the quilter's, with a request to delay the quilting until Thanksgiving. I'm too tempted to give the quilt and pillow to her before Christmas.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjnYI60MhYo/UoUCal5tLOI/AAAAAAAAAiA/dRz11DSZ_Yc/s1600/image005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjnYI60MhYo/UoUCal5tLOI/AAAAAAAAAiA/dRz11DSZ_Yc/s320/image005.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt Top</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rgM5U5RPvY/UoUFGNJdRCI/AAAAAAAAAiM/KUc26HlwpFc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rgM5U5RPvY/UoUFGNJdRCI/AAAAAAAAAiM/KUc26HlwpFc/s200/photo+1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillow front</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5z7Ir7NvbPQ/UoUFK3pRJ8I/AAAAAAAAAiU/KR9m5oDykIU/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5z7Ir7NvbPQ/UoUFK3pRJ8I/AAAAAAAAAiU/KR9m5oDykIU/s200/photo+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillow back</td></tr>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-1730978964567682252013-11-13T13:19:00.001-06:002013-11-13T13:19:09.888-06:00Catching Up: Toys for TotsSo! I have been formally chastised for not posting pictures of my projects. And not just the recent projects either. Readers, I beg your support (and forgiveness), you know how it is - daily activities, family, and WIP often takes precedence over blogging.<br />
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Here goes Round 1... <br />
Toys for Tots is one of my favorite Christmas charities, based on the fact that our US Marines sponsor this program. They volunteer their lives for our freedoms and have a spare hand to help children at Christmas. And - I love their commercial where the little girl asks the Marine if he's Santa, but haven't seen it in a couple of years. It makes me tear-up thinking about it.<br />
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Purchasing a gift doesn't seem adequate, so I sew. Normally I make rag edge quilts, one for a boy, one for a girl, but this year I ventured into something new: Pillow Pets! These little guys are so cute, so easy, so soft and cuddly. The idea came from this site: <a href="http://www.allfreesewing.com/Sewn-Toys/Sewing-Pattern-for-Pillow-Pet">http://www.allfreesewing.com/Sewn-Toys/Sewing-Pattern-for-Pillow-Pet</a> with written and video instructions. <br />
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I followed most of their instructions making a quick mod suggested by granddaughter. We replaced the step to sew the head to the pillow cover by sewing Velcro (loop side) to the cover and (hook side) to the back of the head. I used two strips about 4" long, spacing them 1" apart. Granddaughter loves that she can yank off the head, cuddle with it at nap time and still use the pillow. Two gifts for the price of one. I love it because I can wash the pillow cover, dry it easily, AND the loops on the Velcro don't attach to other items in the dryer. Multi-tasking? OK, that's a stretch.<br />
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Sigh, life is good.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UoK-G3Vszlk/UoPMwsgjbfI/AAAAAAAAAg0/hWSGGJ37K_8/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UoK-G3Vszlk/UoPMwsgjbfI/AAAAAAAAAg0/hWSGGJ37K_8/s320/image002.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebra</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6ouVg8EnAo/UoPMwrcFpTI/AAAAAAAAAgs/rhdibHSUjcI/s1600/image003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6ouVg8EnAo/UoPMwrcFpTI/AAAAAAAAAgs/rhdibHSUjcI/s320/image003.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Puppy - TFT</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OcIRKhHKFs/UoPMwnom4yI/AAAAAAAAAgw/6N0fBhTMk00/s1600/image004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OcIRKhHKFs/UoPMwnom4yI/AAAAAAAAAgw/6N0fBhTMk00/s320/image004.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat - TFT</td></tr>
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<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-61505084831312302452013-05-10T17:55:00.002-05:002013-05-10T17:55:28.355-05:00Happy Birthday to ME!! Gift #2 & 3 <b>Gift #2</b><br />
With the possum out of the way, it was time to move on to bigger and better things. Hubby purchased a power sprayer to help clean the chicken coop. Call me weird, but I am actually happy with it. The second box was a little more interesting.<br />
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<b>Gift #3</b><br />
Magic Man and I met six years ago. My friend Nancy likes Bruce and our relationship, we compliment each others creativity and humor. Nancy is a gifted quilter, as you will see, wanted to capture that relationship in fabric.<br />
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She found fabric shortly after we married and was inspired to start a quilt for us. The colors are the primary colors in the Magic Museum. The quilt pattern is Card Trick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xs53XuhDO7o/UY118sN6e-I/AAAAAAAAAbk/R_0DqNw868U/s1600/inspiration.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xs53XuhDO7o/UY118sN6e-I/AAAAAAAAAbk/R_0DqNw868U/s320/inspiration.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration Fabric</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37cOkftCf9M/UY12-R_LrSI/AAAAAAAAAcs/H8rB0tVOgaY/s1600/cardtrick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37cOkftCf9M/UY12-R_LrSI/AAAAAAAAAcs/H8rB0tVOgaY/s320/cardtrick.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Card Trick</td></tr>
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This project took a few years, revisions, consultations, and a whole lot of love to complete. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgrpfpcwwmE/UY11_xfRmCI/AAAAAAAAAcY/8SbPppDg4qw/s1600/quiltfront.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgrpfpcwwmE/UY11_xfRmCI/AAAAAAAAAcY/8SbPppDg4qw/s320/quiltfront.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt Front</td></tr>
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There are 89 different fabrics in this quilt, gathered from all across the great USA. Each one heart selected, based on Bruce and my professions, hobbies, passions, and faith. She took the time to cut out the pattern in the fabric to piece into the quilt. What kind of love is that?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5-B6ZWQmcE/UY13fuGtolI/AAAAAAAAAc0/YZbDRe82HY8/s1600/quiltback.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5-B6ZWQmcE/UY13fuGtolI/AAAAAAAAAc0/YZbDRe82HY8/s320/quiltback.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back is filled with applique bunnies, using the quilt fabric.</td></tr>
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Nancy pushed creativity to the limit and appliqued rabbits on the back of the quilt, hopping around cards and more bunnies in the center of the quilt back.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I6fR5Ah9GNk/UY11-gKTYrI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Zu0sw9q-yiE/s320/pillback.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilted pillows back<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She took the time to quilt the backs of the pillows...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9glvP1bIbA/UY11_ePX5AI/AAAAAAAAAcA/d1tJB2CG-II/s1600/pillfrnt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9glvP1bIbA/UY11_ePX5AI/AAAAAAAAAcA/d1tJB2CG-II/s320/pillfrnt.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilted pillows front. <br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And honor Bruce's parents by printing photos of these rabbits they made and painted many years ago. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CrJkZURfMPA/UY11-gcYR5I/AAAAAAAAAb0/nqkodEDc85c/s1600/bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CrJkZURfMPA/UY11-gcYR5I/AAAAAAAAAb0/nqkodEDc85c/s320/bed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ensemble is beautiful. BUT now we need a bigger bed. :)</td></tr>
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I wish I had words to express my joy and gratitude for this precious gift. The time, expense, the love that went into this project cannot be measured. <br />
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All I can say is the God is so good to me for giving me the bestest of friends and family.<br />
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<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-35446050588664408382013-05-10T17:02:00.001-05:002013-05-10T17:02:14.156-05:00Happy Birthday to ME!! Gift Number 1Normally, I like to keep my birthday quiet; slip past the desks at the office and celebrate with my family. However, today is a little different.<div>
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It began last night. After visitors most of the day, it was well past the Girls bedtime when the last one left. I ventured into the darkness only a porch light to guide my way. The girls were fed, watered, and locked in for the night. Then I heard it. A strange sound in the trees on the south fence. There is was, staring at me, a possum perched on the fence, visible only by the beam of light from the porch. I hissed and barked and the thing did not move. </div>
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After walking away, I turned back one last time and the possum slipped into the darkness and the yard next door.</div>
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This morning I woke and realized this possum was a gift from Gerald, my dearest friend killed in a motorcycle accident last May. The photo below is the only birthday card he sent me, and it's upside down on purpose. Here's the story...</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The year was 1980 and I accepted a job in AZ with the current contractor rather than the new contractor at Ft Hood. My apartment wanted a full month's rent for the last 2 weeks, but Gerald offered his couch in exchange for the materials and labor to build a deck. (That in itself is another story). I was sleeping on the couch, when a scratching sound from the kitch</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">en awakened me. I opened my eyes and standing on the stove was the biggest rat I'd ever seen.<br /><br />"Rat! Rat!" was all I could manage to scream. Gerald came running down the hall and started laughing. It was a 'possum. We painfully managed to remove the varmint from the premises. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I poked at the possum with the fishing pole and Gerald waited for the possum to run out from the lit broiler. Gerald was in shorts armed only with welding gloves. The possum grabbed the fishing pole and tug-a-war began, along with a tad of panic while Gerald laughed at me. The critter ran out at long last, Gerald grabbed it by the tail and it was hanging upside down as we took it out to dump it. All the while, the possum was making growling, gurgling noises.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> He returned twice more. On the third morning, Gerald hauled the possum several miles away. That did the trick; he returned no more.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Gerald swears that when I hollered "Rat! Rat!" the possum was yelling back "Human! Human!" It was one of his favorite stories to tell on me. Last year, Gerald sent me this birthday card with a possum on the cover. Your call - coincidence or is Gerald still having a little more fun at my expense?</span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c0GAtwNkOuY/UY1rJ8irBPI/AAAAAAAAAbA/T1rN0ozS3zQ/s1600/possum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c0GAtwNkOuY/UY1rJ8irBPI/AAAAAAAAAbA/T1rN0ozS3zQ/s320/possum.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday card, with instructions to view upside down. Inside the words Rat Rat & Human Human were scrawled under the birthday wishes.</td></tr>
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I am convinced the nocturnal visitor was a gift, a gag gift from Gerald. After all, his sister found a brand new Black and Decker flashlight on her way to work for her birthday.</div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-20116593274671249762013-05-09T13:51:00.000-05:002013-05-09T13:51:13.523-05:00Souped Up CoupeThis morning was "Modify the Coupe Day." Magic Man decided we needed to enhance the "Coop de Ville," making it maintenance friendly. Step 1, add a hatch system and Step 2, an improved feeding station. For someone who groaned "Oh dear Lord!" when he first heard the coupe coop idea, he's taken quite a liking to the concept.<br />
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You may have seen the first posting of the <a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicken-coop-no-chicken-coupe.html" target="_blank">Coop de Ville</a>, in its early, but livable stage. But here's what we did today.<br />
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Magic Man decided on a "hatch system" that 1) offers protection (we have raccoons, wild cats, and 'possums roaming about the 'hood) and 2) provides easy "open and close" access between the coop and run. <br />
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The Hatch is two part system, one hatch attaches to the coop and another to the run. The hatches can be coupled securing the living quarters together or quickly decoupled to ease cleaning and relocating the quarters in the yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9s5UMhA4rc/UYvil5nsbLI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Ig8Z77TCpHY/s1600/mods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9s5UMhA4rc/UYvil5nsbLI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Ig8Z77TCpHY/s320/mods.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Installing half of the Hatch System to the coop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kez0WuEcFo/UYvilcYpr7I/AAAAAAAAAZc/FX0EmN5AGWE/s1600/closed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kez0WuEcFo/UYvilcYpr7I/AAAAAAAAAZc/FX0EmN5AGWE/s320/closed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatch closed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EU0qOYPabxI/UYvimPlXiOI/AAAAAAAAAZs/viEZine5Wts/s1600/open.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EU0qOYPabxI/UYvimPlXiOI/AAAAAAAAAZs/viEZine5Wts/s320/open.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatch opened</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plUMSR-9oyU/UYvil6T_mDI/AAAAAAAAAZk/vu6ThB-2LpI/s1600/hatch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plUMSR-9oyU/UYvil6T_mDI/AAAAAAAAAZk/vu6ThB-2LpI/s320/hatch.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top view of the coupled hatch, now attached to the coop and the run. The doors slip down closing either section.</td></tr>
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The best part about this system is we can quickly close one or both sections, locking the girls in either half. <br />
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The next modification was the feeding system. Every morning required cleaning the poopy feeder, sighing over wasted feed, and adding a fresh supply of feed. We repeated this task each evening.<br />
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Then we found this <a href="http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/jonny-anvils-chicken-coop" target="_blank">feeding station</a> on Pinterest. We made a few tweaks, using 3" PVC and parts rather than the suggested 2" and we secured the feeders at the base instead of tying them to the walls. Also, our feeders are 24" tall, purely a cosmetic choice, shorter than 4' tall feeders. <br />
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Magic Man cut three holes in the trunk area, just large enough for the PVC tubing to slide through. We attached the WYE and bases inside the coop and secured them to the floor. And finally filled the feeders. The material cost for three feeders was $30. A fourth can be added for $7 for the extra WYE and Caps. Not a bad deal, value-wise. We can fill the feeders to capacity and the girls will be happy for a week. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OO3Y56lwRM4/UYvilQTkfuI/AAAAAAAAAaE/hwVr2uESwuI/s1600/feeder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OO3Y56lwRM4/UYvilQTkfuI/AAAAAAAAAaE/hwVr2uESwuI/s320/feeder.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding Stations inside the Coupe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hEtQ8pnrpE/UYvilZVaAKI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/l7i6J7X4diE/s1600/fill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hEtQ8pnrpE/UYvilZVaAKI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/l7i6J7X4diE/s320/fill.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feed Filling Tubes, easily accessed</td></tr>
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Wow, what used to take us a good 30 minutes each morning, is now accomplished in about 10 minutes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mBEaSKCH-c8/UYvphFBOHiI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/v8jBK87rX8g/s1600/updated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mBEaSKCH-c8/UYvphFBOHiI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/v8jBK87rX8g/s320/updated.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Coupe, today</td></tr>
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One problem we did not foresee. What will granddaughter do? She knows we carry feed to the chickens each morning and battle the chickens to move to greener patches. She'll have to accept the fact she has more time to play in the morning before school.<br />
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Care to guess what the next addition will be?<br />
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<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-35943438174026990142013-04-24T09:59:00.000-05:002013-04-24T09:59:28.168-05:00Chicken Coop, no Chicken CoupeMagic Man is very talented. Here in the Big City North, he has a magic shop, theater & party room, and a workshop <i>normally</i> used to build large cabinet-styled stage illusions. But then he has this wife who, on occasion, makes special and strange requests.<br />
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You may recall that about 6 weeks ago we brought home some baby chicks. They lived in a brooding house for a few weeks, but grew so quickly we needed to transition them to a chicken coop. I worked on design after design, never quite satisfied with the final idea. Then one night, it came to me in a dream. My girls need a Chicken Coupe.<br />
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Magic Man shook his head when I approached him with the request. He took my sketch and "disappeared" (ha! pun intended) into the workshop. A few days later, he called me to the workshop, handed me a can of primer and a brush and instructed me to get busy, priming the coop inside and out. (I found out just how limber I am not). I primed on day one and painted the next day. Day three we added the almost finishing touches. It was enough for the girls to move in.<br />
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So here is their new home, the Coop de Ville. The nesting area is under the hood, feeding station in the trunk. The girls can roost in the driver's seat and enter the run through the passenger door. We can open both side doors or the hood and quickly clean the coop. Functional and fun - I'm happy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Yhoa7i-N6w/UXfvbMQvOiI/AAAAAAAAAYY/KgXvEe8aElU/s1600/chkncoupe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Yhoa7i-N6w/UXfvbMQvOiI/AAAAAAAAAYY/KgXvEe8aElU/s320/chkncoupe.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coop de Ville</td></tr>
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The girls love sitting the in Driver's seat. Oddly enough, that is Daisy on the passenger side.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XSsGdhmLbko/UXfwGYLmQLI/AAAAAAAAAYg/Iy_KaGfHM8U/s1600/Drive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XSsGdhmLbko/UXfwGYLmQLI/AAAAAAAAAYg/Iy_KaGfHM8U/s320/Drive.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving Miss Daisy</td></tr>
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It is difficult to see, but there is a chicken run, that ghost-like image in the photo below, for the girls. It looks a bit like a submarine. The run has a "conning tower" to roost and observe the surroundings. Alas, Magic Man will NOT let me paint the run yellow. All together now, let's sing "We all live in a yellow submarine..."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6mLAdmNXGU/UXfwIH5F1eI/AAAAAAAAAYo/_7lwxfw1T7s/s1600/sub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6mLAdmNXGU/UXfwIH5F1eI/AAAAAAAAAYo/_7lwxfw1T7s/s320/sub.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken run</td></tr>
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I'll be adding more sections to the run as the days grow warmer. I hope the girls won't think they are gerbils.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-42287054423055120732013-03-27T07:36:00.003-05:002013-03-27T07:37:13.847-05:00Two Weeks and Growing<br />
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Ooops!! Someone forgot to hit the post button last week. The Golden Girls are developing into haggard looking pullets. This must be their awkward stage. No, me thinks "awwk" is for parrots.</div>
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From last week...</div>
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It's nice we only have an occasional snow in the Big City North. The Golden Girls spent happy hour outdoors these last few days. </div>
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How quickly The Girls are growing! Everyday they change; I sit and go through their names, making sure I can identify them. Yes, they are changing that much. Two weeks ago, all six fit in the feeder; today the feeder holds only two. New feathers sprout by the hour, and fuzzy feathers are everywhere, or maybe it's the pollen from the trees.</div>
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The brooding house is 3 times as large as the day we brought them home. The outdoor pen is twice the size of the new brooder. They run every inch of the new space.</div>
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This my first experience with chickens. They are fascinating to watch. Here they are <a href="http://scrapmagic-home.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-golden-girls.html" target="_blank">the day they came home</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfrHax2HiFw/UUo1klYbt1I/AAAAAAAAAXo/cK0jetFgAqg/s320/GG6.JPG" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">The GG first day with us. They were about 2 weeks old, I was told.</td></tr>
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After one week, not much changed. Still cute and fuzzy, but they were bigger and food consumption had not increased.</div>
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Two weeks and the girls are unrecognizable. Not only are they sprouting feathers, their colors are pronounced and richer. It is easier to tell them apart. Annabelle is still the leader. She flits and sits atop the cardboard box they call home-in-a-home. She dares another to share her space. Edie is the friendliest and most vocal. She takes after her name sake.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dJbnluW2AlE/UUo1qFirieI/AAAAAAAAAX4/49BNw-QEQug/s1600/2-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dJbnluW2AlE/UUo1qFirieI/AAAAAAAAAX4/49BNw-QEQug/s320/2-3.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Holy Cow. Look at all those feathers!</td></tr>
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The Girls love the outdoor pen. Back to the brooder late afternoon, they sleep most of the night. Tomorrow we're expecting rain, I'm expecting unhappy girls by evening.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJqDyC12lGk/UUo1rF-AQSI/AAAAAAAAAYA/oBfItq_v3F0/s1600/2-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJqDyC12lGk/UUo1rF-AQSI/AAAAAAAAAYA/oBfItq_v3F0/s320/2-2.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">The GG love the outdoor life. </td></tr>
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Oh, and the appetites have increased, by 3 fold. It's time for a bigger dish!</div>
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I learned a valuable lesson. Keeping water clean is a challenge. They've grown into Mr. Whiskers', the magic rabbit, water bowl. We change it several times a day - and night. Granddaughter and I love to sit and watch the girls and we noticed they love to jump on things, then sit. So this was the test. Elevate the water bowl on some bricks, and put additional bricks all around the water bowl. The water was untainted for 36 hours. </div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-87644337551294119192013-03-11T10:06:00.001-05:002013-03-11T10:06:14.754-05:00Awards and "It Must be a Sign"What a weekend... <br />
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In case I failed to mention this tidbit, Magic Man and I moved from the Big City to the Big City North last summer. My job keeps me racing back 300 miles to the Big City every couple of weeks, but that's another story.<br />
This past weekend, my dear friend M and I headed south. He did not know he was the recipient of the prestigious "Volunteer of the Year" award at the FRC Regional event. Surprise!! Neither of us could participate this year due to conflicts, but I had to get him there for this one day AND keep the award a secret. It was good to show up, even for a few hours. We missed the kids, the volunteers, the coaches - and they missed us (hurray!). Good, good times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2CMNMf46hbU/UT3iTIszPsI/AAAAAAAAAWg/ZLyrEv5WR8s/s1600/award.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2CMNMf46hbU/UT3iTIszPsI/AAAAAAAAAWg/ZLyrEv5WR8s/s320/award.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M sharing the joy with another recipient</td></tr>
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Did I mention how much we enjoy the kids? These students are great! They are innovative, creative, and a lot of fun. They ARE our hope for the future. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) events are an inspiration to learn and apply learning. They are, contrary to popular belief, not always the "smart kids." They simply have a hands-on activity that gives them the desire to learn and to express themselves.<br />
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Teams create and design their uniforms and work clothing...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtEQh0i-xwc/UT3id5rDcpI/AAAAAAAAAW8/P6m6NQChEHs/s1600/ducktape.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtEQh0i-xwc/UT3id5rDcpI/AAAAAAAAAW8/P6m6NQChEHs/s200/ducktape.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All-girl team sporting their work aprons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaPWSgKqBFM/UT3iWA5z6HI/AAAAAAAAAWs/U-s-bkkBELE/s1600/back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaPWSgKqBFM/UT3iWA5z6HI/AAAAAAAAAWs/U-s-bkkBELE/s200/back.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Shirt</td></tr>
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... and are responsible to keep their machines running.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbsePGLtkLk/UT3iYI9JobI/AAAAAAAAAW0/1EqTA9w8Azc/s1600/bot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbsePGLtkLk/UT3iYI9JobI/AAAAAAAAAW0/1EqTA9w8Azc/s320/bot.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick maintenance between matches</td></tr>
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This year, each team made a shirt for the EmCee to sport during introductions. This one is my favorite. Can you find the shark? Poor guy, he had over 50 shirts to wear over 2 days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbLs6tMqSBo/UT3imRBxboI/AAAAAAAAAXM/3T7P-W0x83s/s1600/shirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbLs6tMqSBo/UT3imRBxboI/AAAAAAAAAXM/3T7P-W0x83s/s320/shirt.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EmCee and the Shark Shirt</td></tr>
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It was a fun day. Lots of wonderful memories.<br />
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On the way home, we detoured by Mom's out in the "Middle of Nowhere." I love it there, so does M and his wife L. A quick night's sleep, breakfast, and we were on the road again toward home (after raiding Mom's garden - shhhhh!). But first, we stopped at the Tomato Stand, a little self serve place just off the FM road. You don't see these places much anymore in these parts, so I frequent them as often as I can.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGgKo1Qp8ug/UT3isfI-SqI/AAAAAAAAAXc/RqSBGOaYnD0/s1600/toms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGgKo1Qp8ug/UT3isfI-SqI/AAAAAAAAAXc/RqSBGOaYnD0/s320/toms.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9a0xCH-Uigo/UT3ihm9YZ4I/AAAAAAAAAXE/KKGh9arEeBg/s1600/greens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9a0xCH-Uigo/UT3ihm9YZ4I/AAAAAAAAAXE/KKGh9arEeBg/s320/greens.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And more</td></tr>
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20 miles further up the road is the Egg Farm, another self serve spot off the road. It's an understanding with the customers; no sign needed - and Mrs. B only sells eggs.<br />
Finally, there was a quick stop for lunch. This sign made me laugh as is evident by the poor quality of the photo. I couldn't take a better picture. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oarv0HPZhyw/UT3ipf_y9YI/AAAAAAAAAXU/ad6Hvl87v0o/s1600/sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oarv0HPZhyw/UT3ipf_y9YI/AAAAAAAAAXU/ad6Hvl87v0o/s320/sign.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take a Number Please</td></tr>
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It was good to get back home. I missed Magic Man and the Golden Girls and Granddaughter..., oh and her parents.<br />
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-15450136637943653332013-03-07T12:30:00.000-06:002013-03-07T12:30:03.965-06:00The Golden GirlsOur visitors arrived yesterday. Six young ladies with all their belongings have moved in and found themselves very much at home. The light freeze last night prompted me to keep these young girls in the living room for warmth and to see how well they adjust to their new environment. <br />
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Oh, did I mention the Golden Girls (GG) are our new chicks? Little Gold Sex Links. Annabelle, Blanche, Constance, Daphne, Edie, and Fiona.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMscBvz2Mug/UTjYHSq2iwI/AAAAAAAAAWI/4LXOVBduWC4/s1600/GG6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMscBvz2Mug/UTjYHSq2iwI/AAAAAAAAAWI/4LXOVBduWC4/s320/GG6.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GG6 - Just Arrived</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabelle</td></tr>
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Granddaughter, now 13 months, is excited about her new playmates. She hovers near their brooding house imitating their cheeps and peeps, bobbing her head in unison with them, dragging her parents to come see her friends. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz4vB3SQXimgBwX68p6T4YzOv6jYNb6EWPLzb7ZSnz2iAsTS9CDrrgOkM6Yx3uBsYs7KHv_4O2FfrqLRYBbLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The GG seem contented, adjusted to the location of food and water, accepting the heat emitted from the heat lamp without question. 18 more weeks until the first egg, according to the books. My patience will be tested.<br />
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On the less happy note, Mr. Whiskers, the famous magic rabbit is none to happy with the attention competition. He bounces in his cage demanding to be noticed. It won't be long, normalcy will fill the household again. I'm sure of that fact.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-52357945464950980092013-02-22T09:35:00.002-06:002013-02-22T09:35:51.067-06:00Creative Cousin's Coolest Kitchen ContainerI have the most creative cousin who happens to be my FAVORITE cousin, but not solely for the creative reason. She is also witty, funny, a great cook (she clings to Cajun traditional cooking), artistic, and has an eye for decor. She hunts, fishes, gardens, and trains animals. I have not found anything she cannot do. Her mind is constantly churning whether it's something brewing on the stovetop or finding a way to repurpose, recycle, or reuse an item headed to the trash - or sometimes not. That item may have been left unattended for a minute and is now hers.<br />
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Cousin D aka CCC or Crazy Cajun Cousin, is the most amazing person I know and I'm blessed with the good fortune to be related, and to be loved like her little sister. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CCC decorating for our wedding reception</td></tr>
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So one of her recent repurposed projects that I love is her very handy "Wrap Rack." It a common problem to find enough space for plastic zip bags, rolls of foil or plastic wrap, etc. Cousin D, however, found the perfect solution. She pulled an unused hanging shoe rack from the closet. One quick glance, followed by a "Hmmmmm??" and she darted off to the kitchen and yanked Ziplock and Glad boxes from her pantry. She slid them into the shoe slots and "voila" her storage problem was solved. Almost. She cut a slit in one of the shoe slots in order to retrieve the zip bags and decided that the plastic shroud was subject to ripping over time. She dug out her trusty duct tape and reinforced the opening. Now her plastic and foil items are handy, freeing oodles of pantry space. The "mate" side of the shoe bag is perfect for holding the refill box.<br />
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It took me almost a year to find one of these shoe bag treasures and I grabbed it quickly when I did. Sadly, it was the only one in stock. But I have mine. Not exactly matching my kitchen decor, but there are times, even with Cousin D's solutions, function ranks over beauty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin D's Wrap Rack hangs outside the pantry</td></tr>
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I need to visit Cousin D soon and find her other creations to outfit my home and garden.<br />
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Love you my dearest Cousin.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-12331238889262123682013-02-16T08:29:00.000-06:002013-02-16T08:29:15.374-06:00Experiment: Dehydrating EggsI'm always looking for the unique ideas and skills on the pathway to self sufficiency. Recently, I stumbled on this <a href="http://bigredcouch.com/journal/?p=3923" target="_blank">article about dehydrating eggs</a> (all the details are here). What the heck - I'll try it. This lady dehydrates 9 dozen eggs at a time, so I decided to gamble with 1/2 dozen while we were drying pineapple.<br />
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<i>Branching - pineapple is probably the easiest and most rewarding fruit to dry. No special prep, other than slicing the same thickness of the fruit, and wow, does the home smell wonderful during the process. An entire pineapple sliced in rings, </i><i>fits </i><i>comfortably in a quart freezer bag.</i><br />
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Ok, ok.. back on track. So, 6 eggs took a quick whirl in the blender, a few seconds was perfect. My non-stick pan is heating on the stove, with no oils, sprays, etc. This is purely eggs to non-stick coating process. Commence the scrambling process. Using a spatula, break up the chunks into small pieces as you stir the eggs. Once the eggs are cooked, spread them evenly onto the drying rack and place them in the oven. Set the dehydrator to 145 degrees. After 8 hours the eggs were close to done. I tested by breaking some of the larger pieces. By 10 hours, they were are ready to pull from the dehydrator. The large hunks were the same color and texture inside and out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmTBK2QSXgc/UR-TjHtTYMI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/xyyz6neaZWo/s1600/egg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmTBK2QSXgc/UR-TjHtTYMI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/xyyz6neaZWo/s320/egg.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the Blender</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHCRdZjgDxs/UR-TjPiF83I/AAAAAAAAAVY/SeFndDUVWHM/s1600/egg1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHCRdZjgDxs/UR-TjPiF83I/AAAAAAAAAVY/SeFndDUVWHM/s320/egg1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grinding into Egg Powder</td></tr>
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Volume results for 6 eggs: 1 1/2 cups raw, 3/4 cup dried. Next weekend, we will try the egg powder in a blind taste test.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2b6ZWAxOV8/UR-TjL_jkaI/AAAAAAAAAVU/BpbRCIkQ0fQ/s1600/egg2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2b6ZWAxOV8/UR-TjL_jkaI/AAAAAAAAAVU/BpbRCIkQ0fQ/s320/egg2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 Eggs on the Left, 6 Eggs on the Right</td></tr>
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Drying eggs and pineapple together? The flavors did not cross.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-67803208553191118962013-02-15T09:31:00.000-06:002013-02-15T09:31:04.885-06:00Extending the Life of a Vacuum SealerIn our household we freeze, can, dehydrate, cure meats and strive to keep fresh food on hand and made with ingredients we can pronounce. We frequently shop bargain tables and sales for edible treasures.<br />
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Several years ago, Magic Man purchased a vacuum sealer for me. I love my vacuum sealer. It allows us to freeze items longer or store dehydrated foods in compact packaging. <br />
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Magic Man loves that he can buy gifts for his bride that has a plug or pull cord or a handle or makes barnyard noises. As a City Boy, he benefits from these gifts and is learning to appreciate suburbanized mock-farm life. One step at a time... he is still the traditional man, and the lovely roses below are my Valentine's Day gift this year. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHyFbeBdr4E/UR5IRfKQdZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/kqz4tuVTMOw/s1600/vacseal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHyFbeBdr4E/UR5IRfKQdZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/kqz4tuVTMOw/s320/vacseal.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving both</td></tr>
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Back to the sealer. This particular unit is several years old, but functions as well as the day he purchased it. With the final selection in hand, the sales clerk offered this sage advice before heading to checkout. When storing your unit, remove the sealing tray along with the gasket because 1) the pressure of the lid won't compress the gasket, and 2) the tray will help retain the gasket's factory shape. Store the tray in a loosely closed plastic bag, he continued to keep dust and grime off the gasket and allows moisture to escape the bag.<br />
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His advice is proven to be sound. In the past, my sealers have lasted no more than three years. The gasket was always the first to go. Thanks to a caring salesman, we plan to use this machine for many years to come.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132389129202500605.post-90636415400880406442012-10-24T13:35:00.000-05:002012-10-24T13:35:03.073-05:00Makin' BaconYesterday was day 10 of the curing process for bacon. You may recall one shelf in my refrigerator was packed with curing pork belly and the tedious task of waiting. To be honest, there was one step involved here - after five days, I had to flip the slabs of meat. Oh how exciting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lInLNY6V0Xo/UIgwaWQ0FTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/7JNAAb_xVP0/s1600/fridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lInLNY6V0Xo/UIgwaWQ0FTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/7JNAAb_xVP0/s320/fridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curing Pork Belly</td></tr>
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At last, day 10 arrived. The pork bellies were rinsed and soaked for 2 hours, changing the water midway. The meat was patted and allowed to dry further for another hour. During the final drying period, the smoker was fired up to 200 F. Just before placing the meat on the racks, we added pecan wood chunks and let the pit fill with smoke.<br />
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The meat was placed fat side down on the smoking racks. Charcoal or pecan wood chunks were frequently added to keep the smoke rising out of the stack and maintain a temperature around 175 F. We rotated the slabs every hour, to distribute the heat and cooking time evenly. Six hours later, we transferred the bacon to the kitchen. Not all of the meat made it to the fridge for cooling. Some was sacrificed for dinner last night. Yummy BLATs (BLT with Avocado).<br />
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Here is a photo of my mom's meat slicer. This was one of her wedding gifts in '56. It works great! The only drawback is the bacon slabs need to be halved. They are too long to fit on the slicer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nk5RuebxTxw/UIgwqmtoo8I/AAAAAAAAAUg/tOf5Cihz3W0/s1600/slicer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nk5RuebxTxw/UIgwqmtoo8I/AAAAAAAAAUg/tOf5Cihz3W0/s320/slicer.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama's Meat Slicer</td></tr>
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Here are the short slices of bacon. The meat is very lean. So much for collecting bacon grease for future cooking projects.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6nRoMjwCeM/UIgwsjmtIBI/AAAAAAAAAUo/hOqw8kUX-Yo/s1600/bacon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6nRoMjwCeM/UIgwsjmtIBI/AAAAAAAAAUo/hOqw8kUX-Yo/s320/bacon.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BACON!!</td></tr>
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<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12621791361558291516noreply@blogger.com0