tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44452997485963648612024-03-04T21:23:08.624-08:00Spontaneous CreativityA medley of recipes, crafts, tips and random life happeningsStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-12839984107384475682009-12-29T17:29:00.000-08:002010-01-01T07:08:34.205-08:00Hello, 2010!Happy New Year everyone!<br /><br />As promised, here is the new goal for Spontaneous Creativity in the new year: over 2010, I will explore and demystify one unusual ingredient each week, ranging from strange looking produce to exotic pantry items. <p>Each Sunday, ingredients will be introduced with a bit of background information, traditional uses (including links to recipes) and original recipes made up in my kitchen, complete with pictures, step-by-step instructions and tips.</p>I decided to start a new blog dedicated to this idea, so head on over to <a href="http://52kitchenadventures.wordpress.com">52 Kitchen Adventures: Exploring One Unusual Ingredient Each Week</a>, add it to your Google Reader or whatever feed you use, and add @KitchAdventures to your Twitter.<br /><br />If you have any ideas for ingredients or any questions, please email me. Hope you enjoy my new blog and have a great 2010!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-13115294162097491392009-12-29T17:14:00.000-08:002009-12-29T17:41:30.130-08:00NYE Resolutions and GoalsSo 2009 is almost over (can you believe it?) and the buzz about New Year's resolutions is just beginning. I just saw <a href="http://travelingtastes.wordpress.com/">another blog </a>starting up from a friend on <a href="www.facebook.com">Facebook </a>with the goal of cooking new food each week from a different country. What a great idea! I would love to do something like that...something to inspire and motivate both in the kitchen and in blogging. I also just got a fabulous DSLR camera and need more opportunities to practice with it!<br /><br />Any ideas?<br /><br />I will be brainstorming the next few days. This weekend after New Year's I will update with my new idea/goal for the year and begin regular blogging once a week to explore something new.<br /><br />Have a safe and fun NYE!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-80879073420871081432009-08-09T19:55:00.000-07:002009-08-09T20:18:11.871-07:00I am a winner!I won a giveaway on <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/">Today's Creative Blog</a>, which led Kim to post a link to my blog in <span style="font-weight: bold;">big print</span> on her site. Which led me to realize I haven't updated in months!<br /><br />So here is a random update with a delicious summer recipe I tried from <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/">Smitten Kitchen</a> a few weeks ago.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/lemony-zucchini-goat-cheese-pizza/">Lemony Zucchini Goat Cheese Pizza</a>:<br /><br />I used Smitten Kitchen's <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/01/pizza-and-the-limits-of-diy/">really simple homemade pizza dough recipe</a>, which was seriously simple and only took a couple of hours!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOmqJlshDSsDYC2Y-t1bv6NzvBNFhH4jnqcYeRvl9l-QpcCmeML5UG3gS2o_Fho2U33KkdPeZzvGPXVN49bRLrHDJMVlX5skwfCd9DMoEfFWzjZ_ATFjcfHf-lZefFFoSUCMMIUg1puQj/s1600-h/CIMG9167.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOmqJlshDSsDYC2Y-t1bv6NzvBNFhH4jnqcYeRvl9l-QpcCmeML5UG3gS2o_Fho2U33KkdPeZzvGPXVN49bRLrHDJMVlX5skwfCd9DMoEfFWzjZ_ATFjcfHf-lZefFFoSUCMMIUg1puQj/s320/CIMG9167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368165362270337362" border="0" /></a><br />Here's the dough, waiting 1-2 hours to rise<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDlk2w3gaLTsnEEdWP29DX9qtIQRWuvohJ0_HxaVF6WoWOhdMBZumM-Dkl6bD6Wu0j3amdyelyBKC5ZGVT7CEdcG_YOjdJpxXz3ze41VIjAJ8p45zSU4KySUwXDMsV04ubaBU09BH2f4G/s1600-h/CIMG9172.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDlk2w3gaLTsnEEdWP29DX9qtIQRWuvohJ0_HxaVF6WoWOhdMBZumM-Dkl6bD6Wu0j3amdyelyBKC5ZGVT7CEdcG_YOjdJpxXz3ze41VIjAJ8p45zSU4KySUwXDMsV04ubaBU09BH2f4G/s320/CIMG9172.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368165372644202018" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The finished pizza - sooo good! I added an heirloom tomato and summer squash in addition to zucchini. All local from the <a href="http://www.davisfarmersmarket.org/">farmer's market</a>, delish!<br />Also, I have to plug Laura Chenel's goat cheese, my absolute favorite. Hopefully you can find it at your local market, like I did at <a href="http://nuggetmarket.com/">mine</a>, and I also discovered it recently at my local <a href="http://costco.com/">Costco</a>! (Seriously, they have a huge 11 oz. log for $4.99! I almost fainted.)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhOz8MKh4htxl4ntvfG8NoLpDAooZipMtQxuc3i2ZitPQTKxN0hFd3ca4Piksn9n-h8iSFXFqvrVp6DhSH_qiPBbgO05SqCNR7JxxT2KvixbaJTnwauPkgP3adXuPZH2GS_LQ5Ujte1t2/s1600-h/CIMG9175.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhOz8MKh4htxl4ntvfG8NoLpDAooZipMtQxuc3i2ZitPQTKxN0hFd3ca4Piksn9n-h8iSFXFqvrVp6DhSH_qiPBbgO05SqCNR7JxxT2KvixbaJTnwauPkgP3adXuPZH2GS_LQ5Ujte1t2/s320/CIMG9175.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368165375757768050" border="0" /></a><br />Yum!<br /><br />This was my first attempt at a homemade dinner that involved more than just boiling some water in a long time. In September I switch from a full-time job to a part-time new position and my goal is to cook (and blog!) a lot more. I hope this recipe inspires you to try something new.<br /><br /><br />P.S. I won a cute onesie from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7570516">Kara's Cupcake</a>, just in time for my niece's 1st birthday!<br /><br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-22497660190831207432009-04-20T19:57:00.000-07:002009-12-29T18:22:34.601-08:00A More Natural Nail PolishJust in time for summer pedicures, I found a more natural nail polish<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> my <a href="http://www.nuggetmarket.com/">local grocery store</a>, which has an awesome health and beauty section chock full of all natural body products, such as paraben-free lotions and sunscreens, and <a href="http://www.newchapter.com/products/stress-support-multi">great vitamins</a> (I haven't had a cold in 2 months!).<br /><br />They also had Zoya, a nail polish without toluene, formaldehyde, and DPB (a.k.a. the nasty stuff in your everyday nail polish). It was a little pricier than the cheap-o stuff I usually buy ($5.99) so I decided to come home first and do some research and find out if it's worth the extra dough.<br /><br />I checked out <a href="http://www.zoya.com/earthday">their website</a> and found out they're doing an awesome exchange for Earth Day - you send in your old nail polish (any brand, used, old, whatever) and they'll send you a brand new Zoya polish (in your chosen color) for free! You have to pay shipping & handling, which is $3 per bottle, so it comes out to 50% off each nail polish. There's a minimum of 6 bottles but no maximum. I just put in an order for 10 and I just need to get to my local post office to send in my old bottles.<br /><br />I'll post when I receive my new polishes (can't wait!) but till then <a href="http://www.zoya.com/earthday">check it out for yourself</a> and let me know if you participate as well!<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-9356366388741650212009-04-19T15:25:00.000-07:002009-04-18T21:12:40.636-07:00Brinner: Meal of Champions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7EDxWKHWR9dt6JRIYMy87h2nxuPBgvN7ICWl76gYovn5uvhtsFr0Y91Xcy7wUzYH9q_-vXYZzikgmF-Z8Q5W8Omir_QEAauMEka9R2Uoa58-r-fOjhDPou0VNDIp1r-f0NATzVtcNk8u/s1600-h/CIMG8061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7EDxWKHWR9dt6JRIYMy87h2nxuPBgvN7ICWl76gYovn5uvhtsFr0Y91Xcy7wUzYH9q_-vXYZzikgmF-Z8Q5W8Omir_QEAauMEka9R2Uoa58-r-fOjhDPou0VNDIp1r-f0NATzVtcNk8u/s320/CIMG8061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303221846659831090" border="0" /></a>My current favorite meal is brinner. What is brinner? Brinner is a beautiful combination of breakfast and dinner; in other words, eating delicious breakfast foods at dinner time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> Recently, organic blueberries were on sale at <a href="http://www.nuggetmarket.com/">my local grocery store</a>. Somehow I ended up with 4 boxes, which I probably could've eaten straight up (blueberries are one of my favorite fruits) but instead, I was inspired: blueberry pancakes! I declared it brinner night and texted Russ to bring potatoes home for his world-famous hashbrowns.<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn5caIU2flFUHU56NjroQQVjBM0VK6tw0-MxuPNMo_uivK_J3XnABX3DlW_-xhz4ipyXAk7JGNomqGFmzX2nbRG_EIwAC848JUIz5L145mpZ1z7vR7I7h_j8SDJUjOOI8mjO3ppkM324R/s1600-h/CIMG8058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn5caIU2flFUHU56NjroQQVjBM0VK6tw0-MxuPNMo_uivK_J3XnABX3DlW_-xhz4ipyXAk7JGNomqGFmzX2nbRG_EIwAC848JUIz5L145mpZ1z7vR7I7h_j8SDJUjOOI8mjO3ppkM324R/s320/CIMG8058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303223412817133810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I wanted to make something a bit healthier so I found a whole-wheat blueberry pancake recipe at <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,169,151169-241197,00.html">Cooks.com</a>:<br /><div style="padding-left: 20px; color: BLACK;">1 1/3 c. whole wheat flour<br />1/4 tsp. salt<br />2 tsp. baking powder<br />1 1/3 c. 2% milk<br />1 egg, slightly beaten<br />1 tbsp. vegetable oil<br />1 tbsp. sugar<br />1 c. fresh blueberries (use smaller ones if possible)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Grw1olK0K7eM8y1BU4p5qbagTuwbwjpLn36zhwGIMbOceu49OLvIljpPEryj9n_UsA-FrCQImi7YWg-G_GYL5NWi-9-8SL2oqoaB5Z_7V3-N_U7mCFg7LXymvontquIKBGlYA1SOyw2X/s1600-h/CIMG8064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Grw1olK0K7eM8y1BU4p5qbagTuwbwjpLn36zhwGIMbOceu49OLvIljpPEryj9n_UsA-FrCQImi7YWg-G_GYL5NWi-9-8SL2oqoaB5Z_7V3-N_U7mCFg7LXymvontquIKBGlYA1SOyw2X/s320/CIMG8064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303224367150479234" border="0" /></a></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Heat to 350 degrees a pancake griddle or skillet with a nonstick surface. Mix together flour, salt and baking powder. Beat milk, egg, oil and sugar together. Add liquid mixture to flour mixture. Add blueberries. Stir gently just until flour is moistened. Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook until covered with bubbles, flip and brown other side.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67qiuMOtHZ1trlnZTJJVkVbRwl0gPqRBhHaAADeeXF5mLSNQ5HWEm17Ji7zL90jOcULpmKlTO8mpx4YWH_Rd57YoDHNoh8D-9lD1msBqZzrbb5gG3LstSlCBUWe-z2ZDKV4HmULbbaAQk/s1600-h/CIMG8068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67qiuMOtHZ1trlnZTJJVkVbRwl0gPqRBhHaAADeeXF5mLSNQ5HWEm17Ji7zL90jOcULpmKlTO8mpx4YWH_Rd57YoDHNoh8D-9lD1msBqZzrbb5gG3LstSlCBUWe-z2ZDKV4HmULbbaAQk/s320/CIMG8068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303225168106170466" border="0" /></a>The pancakes turned out great. I tried adding chocolate chips in place of blueberries another time and they were delicious as well.<br /><br />My one big tip about making pancakes is letting the pan heat up on medium heat (maybe even med-high) for several minutes before pouring the batter on, and lots of patience between turning them. The first batch or 2 takes more time as the pan, especially if the pan hasn't had a chance to heat up properly.<br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-51883865640892075502009-03-09T19:19:00.000-07:002009-03-09T21:20:54.827-07:00Fresh Pineapple in 30 Seconds!<div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This gadget has <span style="font-weight: bold;">TRANSFORMED MY LIFE</span>:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3ccepWj1pHzV__hGElXA4T785orlS9pP1mzZ4KJiDYtrp4kdvQ5KIsEXyvOzLEvH6Cr-MQj8BuX3PO0Kyou1V5UGwkI7UcFwqsOpUK6yudaEIpHKTunHwYv7sqh1DBT078VQpq2_XV-j/s1600-h/vacu+vin.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3ccepWj1pHzV__hGElXA4T785orlS9pP1mzZ4KJiDYtrp4kdvQ5KIsEXyvOzLEvH6Cr-MQj8BuX3PO0Kyou1V5UGwkI7UcFwqsOpUK6yudaEIpHKTunHwYv7sqh1DBT078VQpq2_XV-j/s320/vacu+vin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311383188647677618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I went to <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/">Sur La Table</a>, arguably the best [kitchen] store ever, yesterday to finally spend a Christmas giftcard.<br /><br />Before I went, I did a little research on their website, where I spotted the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vacu-Vin-Stainless-Steel-Pineapple-Slicer/dp/B000GA53CO/ref=pd_sim_k_1">Vacu Vin Stainless Steel Pineapple Easy Slicer</a>. It has amazing reviews on Amazon, supposedly taking 30 seconds to core and slice a pineapple. Sounds too good to be true, right? I was surprised to hear such an infomercial-like gimmick for a product at Sur La Table.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BUT IT'S TRUE.</span></span><br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Today I bought a pineapple on sale at my local <a href="http://www.nuggetmarket.com">Nugget Market</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> and tried it out:<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyLAfdTQLd7L4gmiChWWwsjEHssMPIM8us8MJDXmi1DLnzT7i9tkeyIp6Jpssg8ma09VreeNFPfs8Ky86bUJYn6Byv9G1mhuBCUfyIZAnEVS0mH0vbrBmLgnw94EvB11a_jNACn1TNKKQ/s1600-h/CIMG8222.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyLAfdTQLd7L4gmiChWWwsjEHssMPIM8us8MJDXmi1DLnzT7i9tkeyIp6Jpssg8ma09VreeNFPfs8Ky86bUJYn6Byv9G1mhuBCUfyIZAnEVS0mH0vbrBmLgnw94EvB11a_jNACn1TNKKQ/s320/CIMG8222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311384590368808882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Step 1: cut off the top of the pineapple </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">and insert</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> the slicer onto the core</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWy301Ya5i2UXYndzWbJZejtweOagYSr2ngMgJhe1B-PyCedQN0M-h2FUKP64Z4hYf0Xipl6eVtQmWMwOPUWBJk2XpLFjljdgbiommYc-bLvNZL3GhnEf_sDVN-jbqWnxiCHIsI821kLkK/s1600-h/CIMG8224.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWy301Ya5i2UXYndzWbJZejtweOagYSr2ngMgJhe1B-PyCedQN0M-h2FUKP64Z4hYf0Xipl6eVtQmWMwOPUWBJk2XpLFjljdgbiommYc-bLvNZL3GhnEf_sDVN-jbqWnxiCHIsI821kLkK/s320/CIMG8224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311384583344548210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWk5Dj_2ugv4FLEpgmJjQ2uVzoq-apRm4Aj1845IxK9omr8TWEbZ1OmE_JJA23-m_jGWWUYqkUqSCiXH0OdsAK1qKvMnyAekfIBEzQ_PQmFf33Zgds-ssEZkMqsG6LC90daQq84LhgU7eT/s1600-h/CIMG8223.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWk5Dj_2ugv4FLEpgmJjQ2uVzoq-apRm4Aj1845IxK9omr8TWEbZ1OmE_JJA23-m_jGWWUYqkUqSCiXH0OdsAK1qKvMnyAekfIBEzQ_PQmFf33Zgds-ssEZkMqsG6LC90daQq84LhgU7eT/s320/CIMG8223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311384584723941282" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Step 2: twist handle until you hit bottom, then pull the whole thing out and you'll be left with a hollow shell with intact core...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">et </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="l"><em>voilà!</em></span></span><span style=""></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpUNcNQBmI-fnxK_ig_ytd4Bz_A39X2u565J8lDKx-3gqH_Gsl4tr4GNULCR59hYtJQi50n2IXckPLNHEJ8-y3QCGtXaGNZWWf3eI_FD-WqPPL_fIa71gaLfk6LbFwO3UKrZAtyLegew0/s1600-h/CIMG8226.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpUNcNQBmI-fnxK_ig_ytd4Bz_A39X2u565J8lDKx-3gqH_Gsl4tr4GNULCR59hYtJQi50n2IXckPLNHEJ8-y3QCGtXaGNZWWf3eI_FD-WqPPL_fIa71gaLfk6LbFwO3UKrZAtyLegew0/s320/CIMG8226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311384581941199778" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">beautiful <span style="font-weight: bold;">fresh </span>pineapple rings<br /><br />It is seriously amazing. If you love fresh pineapple, you have to check this gadget out. And if you're not sure if you like fresh pineapple, IT'S SO MUCH BETTER THAN CANNED. You have to try it!<br /><br />It was also ridiculously easy to clean; take the handle off, rinse the 2 pieces with soapy water and lay to dry. I think it's dishwasher safe too, but no need.<br /><br />Plus you can use the shell to serve dessert or drink. Pretty nifty for a party I suppose.<br /><br /><br />Btw, I saw <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vacu-Vin-Pineapple-Easy-Slicer/dp/B00005AS57/ref=pd_sim_k_2">this other Vacu Vin pineapple slicer</a> at Sur La Table, which I almost got because:<br />1. It comes with 3 different sized blades for small/med/large pineapples<br />2. It's $5 cheaper<br />but it's plastic and triples the amount of storage you need.<br /><br />The stainless steel really gets the job done and all the pineapples I saw at the store were in the medium range anyway (3-5 lbs.)</span><br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-79147614324158701552009-02-15T03:07:00.000-08:002009-02-15T14:43:56.618-08:00Don't Divorce my Friends and Family<div style="text-align: center;">Please watch this powerful video and sign a letter to the California Supreme Court <a href="http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce">here</a> if it impacts you.<br /><br /><object height="302" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3089746&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3089746&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="302" width="400"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/3089746">"Fidelity": Don't Divorce...</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/couragecampaign">Courage Campaign</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br />They already have over 262,000 signatures as of Sunday, February 15 and the new goal is 300,000. Here is the text of the letter, telling the Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8 and not divorce the already married couples:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;">We, the undersigned, share President Barack Obama's view that "for too long, issues of LGBT rights have been exploited<br />by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond<br />polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Yet, on December 19, 2008, Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality<br />of Prop 8 and seeking to nullify the marriages of 18,000<br />devoted same-sex couples solemnized before Prop 8 passed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, with a decision expected within 90 days.</b><br />We, the undersigned, ask that the Court enforce the equality promised to each of us by our constitution and invalidate Prop<br />8. So doing will protect all loving, committed couples in California -– including the 18,000 who said "I do" last year –-<br />and prevent the initiative process from being a tool for stripping vulnerable minorities of precious constitutional rights.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">As Americans who believe in the rule of law and fundamental civil rights, we know that Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund's shameful attempt to nullify equal protection<br />and all these bonded unions will be condemned in the eyes of<br />history. We know that, ultimately, love will prevail, no matter<br />how hard they try to fight it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Sincerely, Me (and you I hope!)<br /></span></p></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-76609832484043107512009-02-15T02:23:00.000-08:002009-02-15T14:23:14.977-08:00Chocolate Covered Cherry Pudding Cakes<div style="text-align: center;">For Valentine's Day, we stayed in and cooked dinner at home. Correction - Russ cooked dinner and I made dessert. I was on the hunt for a recipe involving cherries and chocolate (his favorite combo) that used ramekins (our were getting dusty in a kitchen drawer). Earlier in the week Google reader solved my quest:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/">Fatfree Vegan Kitchen</a> posted a recipe for <a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2009/02/chocolate-covered-cherry-pudding-cake.html">Chocolate Covered Cherry Pudding Cake</a>. It was meant to be!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So, I gathered my ingredients... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ_cZUEBB4aqUwsLFoXRKg6nIEea6zssoT_USt8xT4Ct1IupEFI7-3ImzrXPlAzHne1VB19APFhg-5mNeU9UYrmAYNYVbVBID3eUiyljqYIgmj5ahOyEWoDCgq00TexgBjCWCXMvYEMui/s1600-h/CIMG8077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ_cZUEBB4aqUwsLFoXRKg6nIEea6zssoT_USt8xT4Ct1IupEFI7-3ImzrXPlAzHne1VB19APFhg-5mNeU9UYrmAYNYVbVBID3eUiyljqYIgmj5ahOyEWoDCgq00TexgBjCWCXMvYEMui/s320/CIMG8077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303090300727761522" border="0" /></a>(btw, the Dragoba cocoa is amazing and I think a good quality cocoa would make or break this recipe)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I have a bad habit of not reading a recipe all the way through beforehand, and this time was no exception. Apparently you have to let the frozen cherries sit for 1-2 hours. This gave me some time to do the dishes though...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlW7gQndVEiIVHLzvu5O8fIf3LPjO8XNKGgar28x_6-G_8LUfJvr6s_qUZkb3vFXOG4ImIkvxpscFl7IVl-D5ljMP_dipxKCdVHkuL2KirInY_gk8aDw9H-hqWxONpAp7jK8kSYhqdtPX/s1600-h/CIMG8085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlW7gQndVEiIVHLzvu5O8fIf3LPjO8XNKGgar28x_6-G_8LUfJvr6s_qUZkb3vFXOG4ImIkvxpscFl7IVl-D5ljMP_dipxKCdVHkuL2KirInY_gk8aDw9H-hqWxONpAp7jK8kSYhqdtPX/s320/CIMG8085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303090299188637554" border="0" /></a>Silly cherries waiting to thaw out...<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lshH6socgZCxEL9ldrA8ihUXjgrpKTOvMKlUy0kuXt9awVty-4XaB2b6Q0rtI8LCywz0N7scm1JOx6hMU_-NdtWVVMJ-4PNm7-83YdBw0ltI2DgZVlTI6f3oHSyBH5MWjGKtiwPc-TGv/s1600-h/CIMG8086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lshH6socgZCxEL9ldrA8ihUXjgrpKTOvMKlUy0kuXt9awVty-4XaB2b6Q0rtI8LCywz0N7scm1JOx6hMU_-NdtWVVMJ-4PNm7-83YdBw0ltI2DgZVlTI6f3oHSyBH5MWjGKtiwPc-TGv/s320/CIMG8086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303089687217259810" border="0" /></a>Here are the cakes before I poured the cherry juice on top and popped them in the oven for 20 minutes<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k3vTB1oBjwseMpeti7xf92VC2bRjIr0jhxFyUZjWSNBLBNCrMon4Ntn2T3artR5gBrePkTZz64vwdZa0AhMukciYyXqhb2Q89uacUqlDenfDHvvcnPr0DKKShH3QCdC2DbaUwSJNOd5d/s1600-h/CIMG8087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k3vTB1oBjwseMpeti7xf92VC2bRjIr0jhxFyUZjWSNBLBNCrMon4Ntn2T3artR5gBrePkTZz64vwdZa0AhMukciYyXqhb2Q89uacUqlDenfDHvvcnPr0DKKShH3QCdC2DbaUwSJNOd5d/s320/CIMG8087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303089684790541986" border="0" /></a>Fresh out of the oven!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUKi5sYRNehVqcPkcF1FNlMzSAOsmDh1BLgFSdgvTNq8eMP54J2VJHsMMLMFs_fnyAMdi0j3ZV0nzbQho8Nc5ZGjX1lRFaJwfacjGacZi4wKg44pc_BrE107roQFxJsWwYF6D0aHV7bIZ/s1600-h/CIMG8102.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUKi5sYRNehVqcPkcF1FNlMzSAOsmDh1BLgFSdgvTNq8eMP54J2VJHsMMLMFs_fnyAMdi0j3ZV0nzbQho8Nc5ZGjX1lRFaJwfacjGacZi4wKg44pc_BrE107roQFxJsWwYF6D0aHV7bIZ/s320/CIMG8102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303147602172261858" border="0" /></a><br />My pictures aren't as pretty as those on FFVK, but the cakes were delicious! They weren't too heavy like some chocolate desserts and the ramekins make a nice portion (although we each had 1 and half...and only because I gave the 4th one away). The bottom was the best part (cherries and goopy chocolate pudding) and I loved how the cake part was marbled with moist areas of pudding throughout. I definitely recommend the cake, especially straight out of the oven, paired with vanilla ice cream.<br /></div><br /><br />Here are some other pictures from the night...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSbRY3ESYPXAfT5BEp04GOTEoBnFZWxSkMdB7E_lSIHuY8_JtzzO8AeHw6j594IDd-NryxxDMoGvXWJemC5NrF5foNGtfIqWuNxlcF-parQrQFKaCDkbKk_IC5UEgALqFe_ZAqA6AGqrh/s1600-h/CIMG8110.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSbRY3ESYPXAfT5BEp04GOTEoBnFZWxSkMdB7E_lSIHuY8_JtzzO8AeHw6j594IDd-NryxxDMoGvXWJemC5NrF5foNGtfIqWuNxlcF-parQrQFKaCDkbKk_IC5UEgALqFe_ZAqA6AGqrh/s320/CIMG8110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303150623268015730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cinnamon reading her Valentine card<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO3D_EGdGN53frhoWMWTf0GiIkxAUyTWAPFwtWjAyKRcDQtzZpSsDTbvFNtWgIGzpnrqPdDmFcWRl2WCHMAHQfykpUUQUlCQinMyc1xcqCjBnNY6ay6HSN4cNOBULoKRqbnkSJJ4Geadj/s1600-h/CIMG8104.JPG"> </a><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO3D_EGdGN53frhoWMWTf0GiIkxAUyTWAPFwtWjAyKRcDQtzZpSsDTbvFNtWgIGzpnrqPdDmFcWRl2WCHMAHQfykpUUQUlCQinMyc1xcqCjBnNY6ay6HSN4cNOBULoKRqbnkSJJ4Geadj/s1600-h/CIMG8104.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcZ7-BXB2qfTosChERcrUVh8UJbbqTzsLg2ATu4gPUdCI2nijyR98O7cSO4R2TvCIhu8ygm5QJPMfsV5-VbprI7Q4XSZF6s3-GrxfdJAQXI_0zHmy9B8qD49vO3YARKaXtzY5UuTMAtaV/s1600-h/CIMG8104.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcZ7-BXB2qfTosChERcrUVh8UJbbqTzsLg2ATu4gPUdCI2nijyR98O7cSO4R2TvCIhu8ygm5QJPMfsV5-VbprI7Q4XSZF6s3-GrxfdJAQXI_0zHmy9B8qD49vO3YARKaXtzY5UuTMAtaV/s320/CIMG8104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303150632436121090" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueKj9DuCipQ6cw9Dcj0QLZ3cmqBpqG47f8QQxSfrRHstq2YffOJd7IdEuC00ZfWlTDH428g3gOjyxnVN0HaXWlHlCwtbQoSlRD-VgAbgrO3-TGnLN9e-UDI_f4MMWmjdL6EpXsWRKvV-w/s1600-h/CIMG8119.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueKj9DuCipQ6cw9Dcj0QLZ3cmqBpqG47f8QQxSfrRHstq2YffOJd7IdEuC00ZfWlTDH428g3gOjyxnVN0HaXWlHlCwtbQoSlRD-VgAbgrO3-TGnLN9e-UDI_f4MMWmjdL6EpXsWRKvV-w/s320/CIMG8119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303150634160776354" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cooking a delicious dinner</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">: bacon wrapped scallops and herb roasted potatoes</span></span><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5vGbAFH7fqZKWVPC9oRLxOpiQ-lUIwWsJ820TZ03KTduKwCTSbeobJQ-Bl7asZnE1fbhcBEaYT4b5AS3mXesip-1RoxuznZfAHPRgZ5C4t_h-9xSvL9J7nzPzwBymmE9cGVmGi5-Ch5W/s1600-h/CIMG8119.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOskg7Mre1L6u5pm43DHUPtiFwjOaLozPIk5aKEi5qH9qY_cdAWhTNtpgmwUpy3vpJVVGLxVsEZf9YHGdCOK33_5_-mbS2oyjQOWMnKgKpgM3o585i_2DgabA_PL3QMR8Du7fGhRCtCCl/s1600-h/CIMG8110.JPG"><br /></a></div> <div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO3D_EGdGN53frhoWMWTf0GiIkxAUyTWAPFwtWjAyKRcDQtzZpSsDTbvFNtWgIGzpnrqPdDmFcWRl2WCHMAHQfykpUUQUlCQinMyc1xcqCjBnNY6ay6HSN4cNOBULoKRqbnkSJJ4Geadj/s1600-h/CIMG8104.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWP3q0syznfmtljTMsnGXCzEl5d5EjPUObfai8bHUgxNV4c3LdbDYGA8DoohYVSdIbdhwadJrA9Vq4jXkMSjUpnfDE-hOzgKuegxKrlAnhCRPi3O-lF7AWwtJayGlaxzMzLb3CnPqsRbNc/s1600-h/CIMG8119.JPG"> </a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4KfXvK1-YC89mM6fhi7rSCtMLRdeSwSlKnxQo52IOYF9JQB8r11DQa6ajOg-YBp6I225f9oaF98WLLrpRE4LB1V-el3PjpqhChrH1LQCqC8zK7XmeRecJgGT13QLG7kWph2z3Ul05sWx/s1600-h/CIMG8111.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4KfXvK1-YC89mM6fhi7rSCtMLRdeSwSlKnxQo52IOYF9JQB8r11DQa6ajOg-YBp6I225f9oaF98WLLrpRE4LB1V-el3PjpqhChrH1LQCqC8zK7XmeRecJgGT13QLG7kWph2z3Ul05sWx/s320/CIMG8111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303150621982797026" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Peace out!</span><br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-75135229188800316242008-11-28T16:18:00.000-08:002008-11-28T16:28:45.728-08:00Duffman and Sushi (Costumes)<div style="text-align: center;">I was on a great blogging streak and then got sick (again) from the kiddos at work and it fell off my list of priorities. I'm better now and have a couple of extra days off for Thanksgiving so here is a big bonus post with photos on the Halloween costumes I created this year:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The weekend before Halloween a friend and I decided we were going to come up with original costumes and make them ourselves. She settled on a slot machine and I was to be a piece of sushi (it was this, <a href="http://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/coolest-4-tall-lego-costume-5.html">a Lego piece</a> or a box of wine). I also offered to make a Duffman costume for the boy, so I was pretty booked for the week.<br /></div><br />I did the costumes piece by piece whenever I had free time and didn't take enough pictures for a play-by-play but here are the finished products and a description of how I made them:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAx8dQlDlzZS4ReGfIC1w7wLAu0Ap9DvTdEZfi1fZ8zbAnXouMGsD6W9h4UqJpHpKOyxvZHr0uf4RgZpNlgY68HL-JKgxMqh0VzILNF_gj3ATXFJe7iBkcWboe1LvdcqO-K8HkUo0JQNA/s1600-h/CIMG7411.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAx8dQlDlzZS4ReGfIC1w7wLAu0Ap9DvTdEZfi1fZ8zbAnXouMGsD6W9h4UqJpHpKOyxvZHr0uf4RgZpNlgY68HL-JKgxMqh0VzILNF_gj3ATXFJe7iBkcWboe1LvdcqO-K8HkUo0JQNA/s400/CIMG7411.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268373135775840498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Award-winning homemade Duffman costume in all its glory (this is <a href="http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Duffman">a character from the Simpsons</a>, if you're not up on your cartoon trivia)<br /><br /></span>From head to toe:<br />Hat: a $2 women's red baseball cap with a printout of the Duff logo glued on<br />Cheap-o sunglasses<br />Cape: a large rectangular piece of red fabric tied at the neck<br />Shirt: I painted the Duff logo on a plain light blue shirt from Michael's by making a stencil out of freezer paper (easy way to create any design on fabric - I'll do a tutorial on this sometime soon)<br />Belt: took a cheap canvass belt, emptied Diet Coke cans and covered them with red construction paper and computer printed Duff logos, used fabric glue to attach to belt<br />Underwear and sweatpants bought from Walmart in men's and women's sections, respectively (seriously)<br />Boots: old combat boots laying around the house + white spray paint<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCFhcuvdTEYqryYvdVPOtzYYtDwOjkaZ67gJVsad5WVHRJre07xAaFALo7DmBSCUjevizsILRFxRluXg94Q_hkGGz6LVrExxCosApDj3N1QF7gdvcFCvAetas_MxZQJyYOusCMQChkjia/s1600-h/CIMG7413.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCFhcuvdTEYqryYvdVPOtzYYtDwOjkaZ67gJVsad5WVHRJre07xAaFALo7DmBSCUjevizsILRFxRluXg94Q_hkGGz6LVrExxCosApDj3N1QF7gdvcFCvAetas_MxZQJyYOusCMQChkjia/s400/CIMG7413.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268373139642709394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a shot of sushi (awkward pose - I was told to "act like your costume" and was thinking "please don't eat me").<br /></span><br />Seaweed: 2 pieces of black poster board, stapled together, trimmed a bit shorter, and glued to makeshift ribbon suspenders. It was sprayed with dark green glossy spray paint (the paint is optional but added a nice sheen and a slightly more realistic color)<br />Rice: cluster fiber stuffing (usually used to stuff toys and pillows)<br />Tuna/avocado pieces: tissue paper glued to cardboard<br />Roe (fish eggs): ping pong balls painted with fluorescent orange spray paint and glued to a hat using a combo of fabric glue and spray adhesive (it took several layers of spray while the hat was put on a baking bowl to keep its shape)<br />Wasabi: 2 pieces of lime green foam cut into the shape and sewed together (this acted as a purse as well<br />Ginger: light pink felt cut into rectangle with round corners, glue to wasabi in crinkled fashion<br /><br /><br />I don't like to support Walmart and usually avoid shopping there but I was working with a short deadline and didn't have time to shop around thrift stores or other places. Next year I will definitely focus on repurposing old/secondhand materials instead of buying new stuff.<br /><br />P.S. Check out <a href="http://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/">this site</a> for ideas next time you're going to a costume party! It has tons of original and creative homemade costumes.<br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-72333976381684104462008-11-13T17:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T19:06:02.641-08:00No More Phonebooks!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cPT28rZi9qScSMHgFw9EoPIrjG-69nO5-Wer3n-fcoYpn9HrmWg9J17R-FNXkqy5EVUb3af4HOubkFLgLQliXeB6fLoPDtDQRqwm_FJTNBbOgosKhS6TriFMiNYGqbEOzt8fYgDzN18d/s400/phonebooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267986090968300626" border="0" /></a><br />Finally! No more phone books. If you're like me and rely more on Google than the yellow pages, go to <a href="http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/">this site</a> to opt out of receiving them and stop wasting all that paper!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Photo courtesy of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/">yellowpagesgoesgreen.org</a></span><a href="http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/"> </a></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-46655537623715766762008-11-12T17:59:00.001-08:002008-11-12T18:28:13.486-08:00Cottontail Cottage: A Rabbit Haven<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JdZhkUoUeDeUFjkW0EAEamyoURPdv5Pqxe27MPrscMqR1pmULQW_EfJ47BEixC2bmzJKD5SSiKxh8V8ahQlTXDXLCztMAF5-0q8rsBJ6fe9Sxzno5NJmn9tpYsiH9GYxmaSfilFcYZJ-/s1600-h/bunny+nose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JdZhkUoUeDeUFjkW0EAEamyoURPdv5Pqxe27MPrscMqR1pmULQW_EfJ47BEixC2bmzJKD5SSiKxh8V8ahQlTXDXLCztMAF5-0q8rsBJ6fe9Sxzno5NJmn9tpYsiH9GYxmaSfilFcYZJ-/s400/bunny+nose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267958058393265986" border="0" /></a>Meet Cinnamon<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWo4s2FwNNQFPxJZpENKRxaDk95rYe5QpEv0_-Z_b6y4IOSq8TooWh3mwR0wRYCEJ2Ny4x-FjzLhEbLlyKTpx3T0K-D_cXyXnSeBUbS83SFLiQwXheXfSpht-m6ROPYhFjuPxG0sYdl6R/s1600-h/CIMG6358.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWo4s2FwNNQFPxJZpENKRxaDk95rYe5QpEv0_-Z_b6y4IOSq8TooWh3mwR0wRYCEJ2Ny4x-FjzLhEbLlyKTpx3T0K-D_cXyXnSeBUbS83SFLiQwXheXfSpht-m6ROPYhFjuPxG0sYdl6R/s400/CIMG6358.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267958061020802562" border="0" /></a>This is what Cinnamon's boxes used to look like<br />(plus a gratuitous cute sleeping bunny pic)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MnJrZb0fnCmn9OBj3gAGk6Yg_vQIAEW-jgM2bWmNA9eVHB_ZAavQqK4vTvF5RbZMx36WJczeJCdi9s1lld5ZockUddpmGnvnWalfHw2zNBxudNuFOlga69bDkxUhDEkbhiJUaFmE-lPF/s1600-h/CIMG7239.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MnJrZb0fnCmn9OBj3gAGk6Yg_vQIAEW-jgM2bWmNA9eVHB_ZAavQqK4vTvF5RbZMx36WJczeJCdi9s1lld5ZockUddpmGnvnWalfHw2zNBxudNuFOlga69bDkxUhDEkbhiJUaFmE-lPF/s400/CIMG7239.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267958069536538258" border="0" /></a>Enter <a href="http://www.catsandrabbitsandmore.com/cottontail_cottages">Cottontail Cottage</a>, a 3 story palace made of double-wall chew-safe cardboard<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXBnr1021OBIvqxRtl6MeGFYuxovvf46EpOWmdvKqzjUIvZb4sSPriHsu6u9kzRk3NKnOV305USeZZmHIxFfKoA09Anlp6MOtprP6eTsxLQ1khKuwT22kU2FjzSAsLNeHsQs6lVnhG_-k/s1600-h/CIMG7122.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXBnr1021OBIvqxRtl6MeGFYuxovvf46EpOWmdvKqzjUIvZb4sSPriHsu6u9kzRk3NKnOV305USeZZmHIxFfKoA09Anlp6MOtprP6eTsxLQ1khKuwT22kU2FjzSAsLNeHsQs6lVnhG_-k/s400/CIMG7122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267958077523998274" border="0" /></a>Checking it out...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QlKPPrTC0PHSsU8WSlhYrULUpfLKSRgDKzX6UCjHFl74qhVH-iYoasiS0xsycvbnvQqc8xyFea4HXtwzFqbKOqa6d2WlEagRPagAokh8zthw97eolR9c06oXkZQ6u00ctrCGwc3Ik4Xx/s1600-h/CIMG7241.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QlKPPrTC0PHSsU8WSlhYrULUpfLKSRgDKzX6UCjHFl74qhVH-iYoasiS0xsycvbnvQqc8xyFea4HXtwzFqbKOqa6d2WlEagRPagAokh8zthw97eolR9c06oXkZQ6u00ctrCGwc3Ik4Xx/s400/CIMG7241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267958080022137794" border="0" /></a>Look, a window!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4HGtlqpl0tqs7XIm9lVyTJGZZUVByEMpa-s9l77lfoA_4HhzX3TJUtPeZY_SscFYZWT3s6rSXFdNnurnE3jhz5tkrnQYDyR6lE7X3qa_qKQ44Po759rZCJ4FUTo4nv7evRZRKJYle5ON/s1600-h/CIMG7246.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4HGtlqpl0tqs7XIm9lVyTJGZZUVByEMpa-s9l77lfoA_4HhzX3TJUtPeZY_SscFYZWT3s6rSXFdNnurnE3jhz5tkrnQYDyR6lE7X3qa_qKQ44Po759rZCJ4FUTo4nv7evRZRKJYle5ON/s400/CIMG7246.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267958711648774418" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It took her a few days, but she made it to the roof<br /><br /><br />For all you rabbit lovers out there, Cottontail Cottage is both Cinnamon- and Steph-approved (no more flakes and pieces of cardboard everywhere!).<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-4774067829006379962008-11-11T21:47:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:41:03.272-08:00InspirationSunday was a perfect fall day; sunny and clear with a crisp chill to the air. I went for a walk with a girlfriend down to a pond and was immediately inspired to return with my camera. It was an hour or so before sunset and the light was wonderful. It was an inspirational, peaceful and calming (not to mention spontaneous and free!) way to indulge my creative side.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Here are some highlights:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qL5HeEzC1NVhfvP4UN2ULmQ582viiTvsTuTyDhRlMxKSmkrcfag4x_6yrVhSngW9VAMWDLVOXESteyySFg2Jp5F9VMBAuEbcGNwo2mS1S9Kbc_1SeqnR-bz-2d0HO4h5opMkWfLKIwqo/s1600-h/CIMG7590.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qL5HeEzC1NVhfvP4UN2ULmQ582viiTvsTuTyDhRlMxKSmkrcfag4x_6yrVhSngW9VAMWDLVOXESteyySFg2Jp5F9VMBAuEbcGNwo2mS1S9Kbc_1SeqnR-bz-2d0HO4h5opMkWfLKIwqo/s400/CIMG7590.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267965593381121218" border="0" /></a>Walking down the bike path...<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rx60ajBbc9Up7YICp1oXrnrVwgIddN0g1BmnxVFkqf6Wb-7iQn4QEY1LZl4E_dKDuNPJcngxf5I8wI4fKWL8x2NpvAIQ80dec_pRd3ajfVSAeM-al4WcaiYA7d-h_Fr4WgNnml3C3u6I/s1600-h/CIMG7544.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rx60ajBbc9Up7YICp1oXrnrVwgIddN0g1BmnxVFkqf6Wb-7iQn4QEY1LZl4E_dKDuNPJcngxf5I8wI4fKWL8x2NpvAIQ80dec_pRd3ajfVSAeM-al4WcaiYA7d-h_Fr4WgNnml3C3u6I/s400/CIMG7544.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267965601617091954" border="0" /></a>The light was filtering perfectly through the leaves<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp5ejkkv3tAZBEBywwKov1L0CC86GfedEyLDzlJf2MCjYW1SJVHgVgrNV8oGcJCMcMpwmqyJUHpT-S72PCxeUF5HrBKXKrFJxa1vMbE22jywWG2xdQJVdHNmLt5NSwtAdpxzD3SASfSFM/s1600-h/CIMG7545_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp5ejkkv3tAZBEBywwKov1L0CC86GfedEyLDzlJf2MCjYW1SJVHgVgrNV8oGcJCMcMpwmqyJUHpT-S72PCxeUF5HrBKXKrFJxa1vMbE22jywWG2xdQJVdHNmLt5NSwtAdpxzD3SASfSFM/s400/CIMG7545_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267965572896220914" border="0" /></a>Peaceful pond<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This spontaneous photo shoot definitely re-sparked my interest in photography. I love taking pictures but am self-taught and don't know much about lighting, angles, editing, etc. I'm thinking about taking a digital photography class at the local community college next semester to learn more and improve my photos. Either way I love the way these shots came out and plan on framing a couple of them. I hope you enjoy them!<br /></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-65505508063189168562008-07-16T20:26:00.000-07:002008-07-16T21:16:51.551-07:00Low-Fat Whole Wheat (but still delicious) Carrot MuffinsI had 4 giant leftover carrots from the cake in the previous post. What to do?<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I figured my options were:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw9ppkojBRvGIwy7yd5lAP7UQ5521v05psrbuNqmW8xPwKDgTomkEjfqwpKOpezRjAiEJuvl4VXpilbBk_135hrAPKrQBonRu_vZYuDbzfLDL_2s6IY83oRXmqrC_Oe-W57STA4JXX3ar/s1600-h/bunny+eating+orange.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw9ppkojBRvGIwy7yd5lAP7UQ5521v05psrbuNqmW8xPwKDgTomkEjfqwpKOpezRjAiEJuvl4VXpilbBk_135hrAPKrQBonRu_vZYuDbzfLDL_2s6IY83oRXmqrC_Oe-W57STA4JXX3ar/s320/bunny+eating+orange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223820565162679922" border="0" /></a>feed them to my bunny (pictured mid-bite with her 2nd favorite treat) and/or make random dishes with shredded carrot.<br /></div><br />Since both of these options would surely fail to use up 5 cups of shredded carrot before they went bad, I turned to baking. After searching for a healthy version of carrot bread, I came upon a recipe for low-fat carrot muffins using whole wheat flour on <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/181385">RecipeZaar</a>.<br /><br />After doubling the recipe to use up all the carrots, I had 23 muffins, half of which got a drizzle of reduced-fat cream cheese icing <span style="font-size:85%;">(about 2 T reduced-fat cream cheese, 3 T powdered sugar, 2 T milk - adjust ingredients as needed to make the right consistency)</span>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite3_fAGj9453g4HOKIBgbD7RFZ7pteDhvCK_mMlWBRK6rs1t6OVuhN7VV3ZDbamgK-kXC12IKzn3Hh6eAwEjAK-DXEHZgUbEyTBN_QVnETT1vW8oWeHfnrkKvhR-18l802ID59Wt8KV5p/s1600-h/CIMG6740.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite3_fAGj9453g4HOKIBgbD7RFZ7pteDhvCK_mMlWBRK6rs1t6OVuhN7VV3ZDbamgK-kXC12IKzn3Hh6eAwEjAK-DXEHZgUbEyTBN_QVnETT1vW8oWeHfnrkKvhR-18l802ID59Wt8KV5p/s320/CIMG6740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223823380139300082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Here's the recipe with a few adjustments:<br />* 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour<br />* 1 teaspoon baking soda<br />* 1 teaspoon baking powder<br />* 2-4 teaspoons cinnamon**<br />* 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg<br />* 1/2 cup brown sugar<br />* 1 egg, slightly beaten<br />* 3 tablespoons oil<br />* 2 teaspoons vanilla<br />* 1/2 cup nonfat milk<br />* 1 8 oz can crushed pineapple, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >well drained </span><span style="font-size:85%;">(I forgot to drain it and ended up squeezing moisture out of my carrot-pineapple mixture)<br />* 1 1/2 cups grated carrots<br />* 1/2 cup raisins<br /><br />1. Set oven to 350 degrees.<br />2. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners or spray tins with non-stick cooking spray.<br />3. In a large bowl mix together first 7 ingredients.<br />4. In a small bowl whisk together egg, oil, milk and vanilla.<br />5. In a medium bowl mix the shredded carrots with the crushed pineapple.<br />6. Add in the oil/egg mixture into the carrot/pineapple mixture; mix well to combine, then add to the dry ingredients; mix JUST until combined.<br />7. Add in the raisins.<br />8. Divide the mixture between the 12 muffin tins.<br />9. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the muffins test done.<br /><br />**The original recipe called for 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon, but it's my favorite spice and I always add way more than I'm supposed to. Do whatever you feel is right ;)</span><br /><br /><br />Of course, the bunny (aptly named Cinnamon, a.k.a. Cinnabun) still got her treats too:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mu0b4cpybhqjXsvqGkhZq55P4-NLZOBdSaiKm9SinHEiAzx8F_X0ofO_Q9s3rd_FyAuxrE9RJvXGPwouTGb5KdF-joQad_ckbLRzkY44JP2LQvCzLT2-GqLhwhyTMFrzJAcQfHp6MN2M/s1600-h/bunny+eating+carrot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mu0b4cpybhqjXsvqGkhZq55P4-NLZOBdSaiKm9SinHEiAzx8F_X0ofO_Q9s3rd_FyAuxrE9RJvXGPwouTGb5KdF-joQad_ckbLRzkY44JP2LQvCzLT2-GqLhwhyTMFrzJAcQfHp6MN2M/s320/bunny+eating+carrot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223826092980980050" border="0" /></a>She's kinda spoiled ;)Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-32308602261555530052008-07-16T19:47:00.000-07:002008-11-11T21:44:43.024-08:00Carrot Birthday CakeMy friend Jen's birthday fell over 4th of July weekend and she requested I bring a baked good to her BBQ. So of course I wanted to make her a fabulous birthday cake using my new decorating tips. At first I tried to go the cheap & easy route and looked for a cake recipe with ingredients I already had at home, but then I remembered her all-time favorite: carrot cake. After searching around the 'net for a good recipe, I decided to go all out and grate whole carrots instead of getting pre-shredded (well, I decided this after the boy pointed out our nifty lil' food processor came with a grating attachment), and of course make everything else from scratch. I only mention this because I bought 7 big carrots so I wouldn't run out and ended up only needing 3 (yes, there was 1 whole cup of grated carrot in each one of those bad boys!) so that led to my next post, making 2 dozen carrot muffins.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Annnnyway, on to pictures, decorations, recipe and review:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hE4OA8Zo18vrT4486e0B-S4hS6Jemf0i47BvmKWYR69wZE5kkkovpiZmD0juBwG_oc7hRYJlW_JPRTS-T59mJmcH9tdXvXBlEGS2H4dG3Gh5imu-jzSrsWDdYTEeykrSAGXn3y5_EQiW/s1600-h/CIMG6676.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hE4OA8Zo18vrT4486e0B-S4hS6Jemf0i47BvmKWYR69wZE5kkkovpiZmD0juBwG_oc7hRYJlW_JPRTS-T59mJmcH9tdXvXBlEGS2H4dG3Gh5imu-jzSrsWDdYTEeykrSAGXn3y5_EQiW/s320/CIMG6676.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223812511972502834" border="0" /></a><br />The top of the cake, in the cake box I got for free from a grocery store (makes it so much easier to transport plus it looks all professional and store-bought)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb2fDp-u-2f_sBuKlF5beBiGmNmh5Ua0_DakoB1yjZeON8CS87eAoM5GrkgDQQqM4LJ8t1DcNZRfmRNuU6XrZcep0RwgngjSb7hyLWSR-boVz4p3y_23_5pJruilWbr25Q-pNBsTZeR-X/s1600-h/CIMG6687.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb2fDp-u-2f_sBuKlF5beBiGmNmh5Ua0_DakoB1yjZeON8CS87eAoM5GrkgDQQqM4LJ8t1DcNZRfmRNuU6XrZcep0RwgngjSb7hyLWSR-boVz4p3y_23_5pJruilWbr25Q-pNBsTZeR-X/s320/CIMG6687.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223812191469092914" border="0" /></a><br />All lit up with matching candles! This happened by pure luck, as I found them hidden in my cupboard and they happened to match the frosting I'd already made.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I can't locate the cake recipe I used :(. I have a bad habit of using a recipe and then just closing the window without bookmarking it. Now that I'm blogging I'll have to be more diligent about saving recipes and taking pictures. I do remember that the recipe did not use crushed pineapple, which surprised me because I've always used that in carrot cakes. I used a basic cream cheese frosting (with Neufchâtel, which has 1/3 less fat than regular), which was good but a little too sweet. For the pink parts I used good ol' buttercream because that was thicker and easier for piping.<br /></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4445299748596364861.post-89812886680481427032008-07-11T14:00:00.000-07:002008-11-11T21:41:46.754-08:00First post!I love reading blogs, especially wedding and craft centered ones, so here I am. I get a creative urge every couple of weeks and have been exploring different crafts and creative outlets, including photography, baking, painting designs on clothing, making ornaments and costumes. Now that I'm a couple years out of college and living with my partner, I'm also starting to get into decorating the house and making it look a little better than just mismatched hand-me-down furniture lingering from our college days.<br />I've always loved baking, although I often lack the time and motivation nowadays to make anything, unless I have people to share the goodies with. Here are some cakes and other goodies I've made in the past...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis16OpjRvukaKCXprxZzOMaDjA_QN5ZwEPWu1v8e9SUnXYeXTKsNJBBJQEYrgYecCcAjBhXf0nRBBXQZ9x-FuABHPccCl1D7UFURV_98_qwob79chFOBWMEYxZaOhh-UqyhhoCQmxfdmij/s1600-h/chocolate+raspberry+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis16OpjRvukaKCXprxZzOMaDjA_QN5ZwEPWu1v8e9SUnXYeXTKsNJBBJQEYrgYecCcAjBhXf0nRBBXQZ9x-FuABHPccCl1D7UFURV_98_qwob79chFOBWMEYxZaOhh-UqyhhoCQmxfdmij/s320/chocolate+raspberry+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221867150976777714" border="0" /></a><br />Birthday cake for a chocoholic: chocolate cake with chocolate and raspberry ganache filling and chocolate frosting<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nOEjJ3IaCPNzqkBe__suUhe-uKyirLad_geHPlBetECiFzKJp8kvOEWTcGM25al_4X9vTLjS847lUyUNa3v1I7SksCT-Iuxs1LKBJNk0doMEKjaMuMfhhN38GuyFMK-LS1k7pzawVCX1/s1600-h/corset+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nOEjJ3IaCPNzqkBe__suUhe-uKyirLad_geHPlBetECiFzKJp8kvOEWTcGM25al_4X9vTLjS847lUyUNa3v1I7SksCT-Iuxs1LKBJNk0doMEKjaMuMfhhN38GuyFMK-LS1k7pzawVCX1/s320/corset+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221866765929224898" border="0" /></a><br />Corset cake for a friend's bachelorette party<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzfFjzVQEyEwglpvzz5RVcIKHmBDNEyyuESVHst7ORJR-1nPU6EsH8vCOmK0iAENw4MJuO5GMmtJmGdf-uLJu6J00wm0ugp6YMa_crU162SFsEqT0FJex58ZUDvx_SBYRBrvqeQJBU6et/s1600-h/stork+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzfFjzVQEyEwglpvzz5RVcIKHmBDNEyyuESVHst7ORJR-1nPU6EsH8vCOmK0iAENw4MJuO5GMmtJmGdf-uLJu6J00wm0ugp6YMa_crU162SFsEqT0FJex58ZUDvx_SBYRBrvqeQJBU6et/s320/stork+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221866056174959922" border="0" /></a><br />Stork cake for a friend who is pregnant<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6qt8Jfnq0YVxr9rLCuwuBQcr8JEK7p4HV4YRnioQXECVDebKkYzNHvUB_SirBfUWZMY3iA2jJ1p3IrjAD3l_B7jiO6l2XwiGcHvgEYdwaBxSnzMp-njsAzK6UTf3IwETGzxjwM6zIIRH/s1600-h/flourless+chocolate+with+strawberries2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6qt8Jfnq0YVxr9rLCuwuBQcr8JEK7p4HV4YRnioQXECVDebKkYzNHvUB_SirBfUWZMY3iA2jJ1p3IrjAD3l_B7jiO6l2XwiGcHvgEYdwaBxSnzMp-njsAzK6UTf3IwETGzxjwM6zIIRH/s320/flourless+chocolate+with+strawberries2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221865770057577874" border="0" /></a><br />Flourless chocolate cupcakes with fresh strawberries and powdered sugar<br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00609306539834998108noreply@blogger.com0