tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190917785401139492024-02-22T07:20:21.808-05:00thingy thingDianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-63690525516101784572010-10-29T09:41:00.004-04:002010-10-29T10:08:53.561-04:00Beer, beer, beer, beer!As some of you may know, my husband and a couple of his long time friends are in the process of starting a micro-brewery. The past year has been working towards building a business plan, getting an SBA loan and investors, finding a space. Interesting at times - but, ya know, mostly kind of, well, unexciting details.<br /><br />Things just got a little more interesting, though. Thanks to one of the investors, there is now a 2 barrel brewing system living in our garage!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533466141410416642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cD9hnCn1Id0OQvWN1IVSqOzMPDZV5GHaz0fTThIOsE8550v4r27XNgtOt4x9Tn-h15Nq58WlyQsDO5XFTzl_QM-RyD8ZnYQwCsjd4PdpyXVRARTjwEkFNeRwCK7ocvaHCSxfUBX5nEum/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /><br />While things are still wrapping up on the financial end, the group wanted to get started working on the actual product. A used system showed up for sale and they took the plunge. For some reason, the best place for this thing to be right now is in our garage...Don't ask, it just is.<br /><br />So T got it all put together last weekend. It just needs hooked up to some propane, we need some grain, yeast and water and we're ready to go! <br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533466151043250898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aoCDAGwksgIXhcvLlRmEgtXS-v7UbTkp7wT7H5NGhh14XOj-_S1ZpCRWVxmwZsTne8aSdgRd8i1Mtp50bAXDQ9GftbpfivyF47nZZBKSrVDg380vs7V7TjrH6bVFiIBn0EjdRosa9cD-/s400/006.JPG" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533466153587790274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uV5gG0R33ICJ6D1tqt8mvKCoPLe-a23nw9pyaNlOviRU8XmZ_VO2tozriEz_HteTN91Di1eA0EiObH1QzdegCQefdvYtLaDGxBxEZfyPx89oJLmjWKT8d8PPZh9ubC0BMrmWAv_aXDhL/s400/008.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>It's a whole lotta shiny stainless steel, right?</p><p>The product line will be called Born Beer, after a former Columbus brewery that operated from 1864 up until 1919, when prohibition pretty much shut them down. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533467820480296514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCGPUDCKWyxTtNAgYZDg30mRfI2rPruW1v0zPZdC1j_LJGmwN2usVgSW9QFBmtYzY3nWLg5RpqRmTBx-P9YbD3c-LSBU66fE6evpzyP_UGA_QvfN-NYFkXZFuytH1vFJUHYnejIogPZJQ/s400/013.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>So, hopefully you'll be seeing this in a store sometime in the next year or so! And hey - if you know someone who might want to invest in a brewery, let me know! ;)</p>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-4791842532516682482010-09-25T12:38:00.005-04:002010-09-25T13:24:24.578-04:00Out at the FarmhouseLast weekend T and I went out to our brother in law's land, so that T could switch out his trail camera SD cards. Sounds totally snoozeroo, but it's so pretty out there I took my camera to catch some pictures of the early fall. This is the same farm where we were married last year - here's the 1830-40's house all dressed up for the ceremony.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvIqkDsJVMuFnffx-VJv7To-98SutcLPrErx0zTMVhEI9pE3YjbZiv7o8X4EdygoDf8ufOqHntyfWtKqwnGsej-6XgUydTKKIGd0rmWXS_i-E9tUtpwOpxAROaw8EOjrEwSfLNlVxR6sJ/s1600/porch3+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520900432000110098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvIqkDsJVMuFnffx-VJv7To-98SutcLPrErx0zTMVhEI9pE3YjbZiv7o8X4EdygoDf8ufOqHntyfWtKqwnGsej-6XgUydTKKIGd0rmWXS_i-E9tUtpwOpxAROaw8EOjrEwSfLNlVxR6sJ/s400/porch3+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We made out way around the corn fields to get to the two cameras. One of the fields is right up against some woods and Rose Run creek - which is dammed up by the beavers right now, and kind of still and groddy looking. Anyway, the rest of the scenery is pretty nice. Here's some of what I saw.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520892427995033042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQhOGDRjyuJ6gfYb8LraIjt0HF3W6-uZDv4J7aqqxJlyrUP_S5ief4OW2bFB8IuhS2nUQdTJBGfw4hBbbd3_K2U1ZNozeEQPBpiYHGhbzMeg-i3wuWgTpIWE6wK5jlaBMUmLb3j9eYP3t/s400/corn+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520892431040765202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-r6fZaJpr6liCEjUH8UQvIgFVqgrdbjCiVdU78UeilbCLrxW22D431rqsMmVQiBfVBjbajYghujpQ_xsqVGyzSGASRx9XY1yly47ofEjN9wgmLBkyYWCPniyKomMd6UF-7Gk25Iz-3bF/s400/corn+ear+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNG9LYg_VMAci4lT9uPV1MKLlx6ZMfWl0zvIo90TFnEEAxfC0iZpWJgKibBV6WulbT6JLferg0aXHELw7-Q5EzTBcKekTMo848iu2YyZvcncUYxraT5-D_r7qVpN4a8Li8ZSMLqz7mzb2N/s1600/fungus+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520898868220751090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNG9LYg_VMAci4lT9uPV1MKLlx6ZMfWl0zvIo90TFnEEAxfC0iZpWJgKibBV6WulbT6JLferg0aXHELw7-Q5EzTBcKekTMo848iu2YyZvcncUYxraT5-D_r7qVpN4a8Li8ZSMLqz7mzb2N/s400/fungus+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOTowOX9UzaHSScJ9L-Z2lajXf4lO9kUx3fmOz36HriBfPdwAx1dBREHEuZnThOLW5FjciT66llMJhnrqJGVqf8Nwqn6htywfMe876Sb-3_fq21fySCtV9Byke_g0OMH3u3uS9TSGg_43/s1600/sticker+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520898859804569778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOTowOX9UzaHSScJ9L-Z2lajXf4lO9kUx3fmOz36HriBfPdwAx1dBREHEuZnThOLW5FjciT66llMJhnrqJGVqf8Nwqn6htywfMe876Sb-3_fq21fySCtV9Byke_g0OMH3u3uS9TSGg_43/s400/sticker+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVisQQA31KwBymCBeJ0awl1D4rUeqILb0ENLgExchOGcLVoHcV3gqjeaP9fl6StPGEU6YDyqDXT9ArEwGbGxybbUdMHDwRb7PJ-DhQrdFi8IPnUgLvKXPEaRRBvFZUbIUgqJkgcMwld2-/s1600/chicory+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520898852878320306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVisQQA31KwBymCBeJ0awl1D4rUeqILb0ENLgExchOGcLVoHcV3gqjeaP9fl6StPGEU6YDyqDXT9ArEwGbGxybbUdMHDwRb7PJ-DhQrdFi8IPnUgLvKXPEaRRBvFZUbIUgqJkgcMwld2-/s400/chicory+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />On the way back in, we stopped in the cow barn to look around. Sadly, it's falling into pretty bad condition. There's a pretty big hole in the roof, there's about 30 years of manure hanging around, and let's not mention the bats. Still, believe me, it's full of that sad but beautiful rusticity. I hate to think that the barn is just going to disintegrate one day, but without a ton of money it's probably going to.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520899887820578610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwNLYyRlXvq6sK6cUtbxc9Y-Ch13qpL12jOyOlqvgcy3ha97U4ORi07frRzZttfsIxRhdezaDojdidESi5h0SjLxmY63iTOnRROIPxDn9MJFn2jGLq4B8yYPR6EZuIR7cjLBn1md_9y88/s400/barn+exterior+copy.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520898873807617954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtSqv6f3ypO37GlznEhE9JsDuLKzBNHR5RzP42i0JLa0IYxPOoDO5FL2ewbr57PBNxBQDg3dvPcq20kC8AbODc68EFIDvg-Nh6WQsc4LNCtANcC0QawoKxnIS-TZnXCSYII25VOq0V0e3/s400/horseshoe+copy.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> <br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIzwPiCxgHf86Yx_j9zSl8bM_uE0iRzKY2L3uU0LBNk52gu3jImYAKbhS-DYUEUu-E9C_b8SU_AdYFH3ROCwZhiIRFbqyMg6cPVCJGOQ8vf2EZDIgUeljf5GlwsV1BruI31hPx4ecNoop/s1600/cow+pens+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520892440792974882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIzwPiCxgHf86Yx_j9zSl8bM_uE0iRzKY2L3uU0LBNk52gu3jImYAKbhS-DYUEUu-E9C_b8SU_AdYFH3ROCwZhiIRFbqyMg6cPVCJGOQ8vf2EZDIgUeljf5GlwsV1BruI31hPx4ecNoop/s400/cow+pens+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-ZqsYTySSLHwZhXcHNA4om_pPYpp8kze5SSFX3NN6fAunt1TrZbZsEh5uWD70oGaerfcGY3IoqDM8tCaPtpJktQuwegaCu-vpJOOrhUizKMtjLfbKtJp4H6HptC7Nud0oSUgY7U2seTm/s1600/barn+sign+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520891972081548962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-ZqsYTySSLHwZhXcHNA4om_pPYpp8kze5SSFX3NN6fAunt1TrZbZsEh5uWD70oGaerfcGY3IoqDM8tCaPtpJktQuwegaCu-vpJOOrhUizKMtjLfbKtJp4H6HptC7Nud0oSUgY7U2seTm/s400/barn+sign+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLbxSnGgmFjbpBl3KJyEB9UcDFKddupABWWbQy51orlvjLJ1AMvGlK8n7Uh8fZiClNfrmgyx1J-PXbkJvRjTQIUaMWtIgCegN8MtV2fJQzy8X3n0CYBi9rSZJyoo8EomPTUhJJ1vP0EIK/s1600/barn+loft+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520891962815497010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLbxSnGgmFjbpBl3KJyEB9UcDFKddupABWWbQy51orlvjLJ1AMvGlK8n7Uh8fZiClNfrmgyx1J-PXbkJvRjTQIUaMWtIgCegN8MtV2fJQzy8X3n0CYBi9rSZJyoo8EomPTUhJJ1vP0EIK/s400/barn+loft+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4s3vZtBjLl5kHIuk54-dHgIbNn4HyBTyNJKhNlG3DYeht3iImLwUf7alRtdU7YDEDxrz-4FxkNCBcbgVLuY_ruBxUmYmpZPf706nxNZGVPHb8YkUJtgrrPIQvQ1E-kJ1_ihERohSQsn6x/s1600/barn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520891956148660466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4s3vZtBjLl5kHIuk54-dHgIbNn4HyBTyNJKhNlG3DYeht3iImLwUf7alRtdU7YDEDxrz-4FxkNCBcbgVLuY_ruBxUmYmpZPf706nxNZGVPHb8YkUJtgrrPIQvQ1E-kJ1_ihERohSQsn6x/s400/barn.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-531486824340479582010-09-15T21:52:00.003-04:002010-09-15T22:04:05.159-04:00Oh mySo during the craziness that was making applebutter and all that hooha I managed to make these rolls. It's really gilding the lily to put butter on them, but for real, when did butter every hurt?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517324394373596194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yfvMTGP4ew3S_Pz1SQMy0ggEx9s-Jns9RqQQh-Lp1mMTHdfSUcirIHITjAT51TP-01Dy-slPoPjbvEmr4HDUH6nLcjBQk6nFoKtGfzkSuw-_ajuhecy5Ic2SM50Wrks6q1vYhZ2QFPwS/s400/Apple+Picking+(16)+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>Now, I actually started them the night before - but don't be misled. They're not hard to make, you just need time for cooling down scalded milk, and then letting everything rise sufficiently. Seriously, they're no knead, too. Slightly sweet, buttery even before you butter them, soft, great crust. Really I could go on.</p><p>So, some day when you have lots of laundry or other lame housework stuff keeping you home, sweeten the deal by trying <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/pw_dinner_rolls_-_no_kneading_required/">these</a> out. Or please, do your families a favor and at least make them for Thanksgiving. They will love you even more than they already do.</p><p>Created by the wonderful <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">Pioneer Woman</a>, of course!</p>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-86077699576943059342010-09-11T10:15:00.003-04:002010-09-11T10:48:53.483-04:00Apples! Get Your Apples!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQ4gkiSjMo_E9_r9R73Onh96LWoIHSKRHNxmfxEFevvv_-2fCLjWEpPK53G00VL2Xpz4FQcD6fE6hr5L_4kNr27Ox7YZhNiwa5S5-Jx1vQCDG3SLW6-REqRE0bRsUMw1kLKs9TPCxn8pz/s1600/Apple+Picking+(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515664006528350882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQ4gkiSjMo_E9_r9R73Onh96LWoIHSKRHNxmfxEFevvv_-2fCLjWEpPK53G00VL2Xpz4FQcD6fE6hr5L_4kNr27Ox7YZhNiwa5S5-Jx1vQCDG3SLW6-REqRE0bRsUMw1kLKs9TPCxn8pz/s400/Apple+Picking+(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Over the Labor Day weekend, we did a little apple picking. Now, we had every intention of going to <a href="http://www.lyndfruitfarm.com/main/">Lynd's</a> farm, paying someone else for our hard work, then heading home to make apple butter and sauce. Well, T's dad pretty much told us we were idiots, and that there is an old man down the road from their house that will let you have apples from his defunct orchard for free. Just ask. So we did.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKN0DnPOeEPglh1i8rfC7pwv3nIn-jBrwIbEtyYnxNLulO_mY0touLRIVpo3R4HHN4pxYHUGHOjzJ1lMA0XCrNtcOjcmtXxEIrr5OqGB7leWBnM2mTOS4u-eiT6I3DFMrsURCfJ6GyUj4/s1600/Apple+Picking+(7).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515663994106776386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKN0DnPOeEPglh1i8rfC7pwv3nIn-jBrwIbEtyYnxNLulO_mY0touLRIVpo3R4HHN4pxYHUGHOjzJ1lMA0XCrNtcOjcmtXxEIrr5OqGB7leWBnM2mTOS4u-eiT6I3DFMrsURCfJ6GyUj4/s400/Apple+Picking+(7).jpg" border="0" /></a>The orchard is huge, and it's pretty sad that it's in such a poor state. No kidding, this place is a little wild and overgrown and there's a lot of stickers and possibly poison ivy, and a lot of the apples are wormy - BUT, we still managed to pick a ton that were perfectly fine.<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqZevNyGU0X-OWzpiFjWQr95uv3IT0OOj-f-QwFMs6Usfr2mGz1k6d717YFhaxbDvWyroQfBuo0InRJhyIys5RHVn18I81YpwmM2mP9UWa7HSYWBNTUaku0wQjmYIwPAyDJ6JARautNa1/s1600/Apple+Picking+(5).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515663984085390642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqZevNyGU0X-OWzpiFjWQr95uv3IT0OOj-f-QwFMs6Usfr2mGz1k6d717YFhaxbDvWyroQfBuo0InRJhyIys5RHVn18I81YpwmM2mP9UWa7HSYWBNTUaku0wQjmYIwPAyDJ6JARautNa1/s400/Apple+Picking+(5).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvGLgFD3EqWHpV6SBjxO210dCaIKaUhudn9yo-wbkEFj-ciIYRQAqGALWELOD3Mu90bhJ520GIuP41S-_hW_hBLiaouw_d89b2TPA9eJ1j47TR4aZdVNHtza2znQMD_MaEhUeT8Z5-ICq/s1600/Apple+Picking+(14).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515663256126053650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvGLgFD3EqWHpV6SBjxO210dCaIKaUhudn9yo-wbkEFj-ciIYRQAqGALWELOD3Mu90bhJ520GIuP41S-_hW_hBLiaouw_d89b2TPA9eJ1j47TR4aZdVNHtza2znQMD_MaEhUeT8Z5-ICq/s400/Apple+Picking+(14).jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>See, they're fine! Maybe not the Miss America of apples, but still completely fine for our purposes. And totally FREE! </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheZUqVZc4O1MX6LGGrAsnskO01wRrfrb8jdlqsmd8lKTeszHDrerg_pizVpWMQX3KvmtAIKdZFeycFAD_uQ5IdgU-JafQDg10TLJEoLOsxnQ7wX-iMBHKGiupakNB4S3H1lAI68AV_HlF/s1600/Apple+Picking+(9).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515663249677212834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheZUqVZc4O1MX6LGGrAsnskO01wRrfrb8jdlqsmd8lKTeszHDrerg_pizVpWMQX3KvmtAIKdZFeycFAD_uQ5IdgU-JafQDg10TLJEoLOsxnQ7wX-iMBHKGiupakNB4S3H1lAI68AV_HlF/s400/Apple+Picking+(9).jpg" border="0" /></a> See how pretty they look all washed up?</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL1n5dIIhVmINCn6I8Q5Fz_q3-7GX5WsHUYrQRKdQwbt5Y2oUYP_vNCiObmRwEBvBJ3iN4-JM2KQT0KlU8NbNfgRxkFSj9SnK1mmKJ2qiKQW2-p43EhOiUD4IhXZmmSuSe2VBJb0PpArx/s1600/Apple+Picking+(18).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515663238260948962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL1n5dIIhVmINCn6I8Q5Fz_q3-7GX5WsHUYrQRKdQwbt5Y2oUYP_vNCiObmRwEBvBJ3iN4-JM2KQT0KlU8NbNfgRxkFSj9SnK1mmKJ2qiKQW2-p43EhOiUD4IhXZmmSuSe2VBJb0PpArx/s400/Apple+Picking+(18).jpg" border="0" /></a>While we were making apple butter, I had plans to make apple cinnamon syrup, so I washed up practically every jar in the house. There's something so satisfying about clean jars in the sunlight, waiting to be filled up and stored away.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhRRmrXjHysduFBkRN_OkNGzFvYcPabyW4rrOE_LJ2nj0m5zVSArhbrq2v6DYsb_bb-G0wxU8dXhzUT2CF-MuRl0H75NEkQwcPR_m1PjHdA_OSUcbCvMPWFtIz7jV1wVLartC7K330peF/s1600/Apple+Picking+(20).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515663222769635762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhRRmrXjHysduFBkRN_OkNGzFvYcPabyW4rrOE_LJ2nj0m5zVSArhbrq2v6DYsb_bb-G0wxU8dXhzUT2CF-MuRl0H75NEkQwcPR_m1PjHdA_OSUcbCvMPWFtIz7jV1wVLartC7K330peF/s400/Apple+Picking+(20).jpg" border="0" /></a>So the apple butter was the crock pot method (since buying a copper kettle would probably mean opening up an equity line). And this was what it looked like starting out. Apples, cinnamon, clove and about a half ton of sugar. Delicious!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKh-n-ZDcjRiu7i75q0qnfd9d7n0vvowmBXe5HvIrfI-Vht_A_pbwZhl8XD1S_QVgEAdMs_LetPHUm8u5OlRuQTUmt7ySKwGyq7QWibhh1Iu8EVczh_TTfOApf3gr2-A02oF7vyQaSEDkB/s1600/Apple+Picking+(21).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515662563919370178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKh-n-ZDcjRiu7i75q0qnfd9d7n0vvowmBXe5HvIrfI-Vht_A_pbwZhl8XD1S_QVgEAdMs_LetPHUm8u5OlRuQTUmt7ySKwGyq7QWibhh1Iu8EVczh_TTfOApf3gr2-A02oF7vyQaSEDkB/s400/Apple+Picking+(21).jpg" border="0" /></a> This is about 5-6 hours of cooking. Starting to break down and actually look like something. Let me tell you our house smelled like autumn heaven!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZYvzgyzGDtTGr5YxZgbv18G8POZed76OO_12Uj8M8UZchnaz0Bbd8cmFLmj8GkPou6f_hkEabkqvltNr_29ekyTjMcO36tg9yae3MXYfnmfwD-_u2t7_kGxpa0RPHJFuuSSc9j0dKE-Z/s1600/Apple+Picking+(22).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515662555511035186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZYvzgyzGDtTGr5YxZgbv18G8POZed76OO_12Uj8M8UZchnaz0Bbd8cmFLmj8GkPou6f_hkEabkqvltNr_29ekyTjMcO36tg9yae3MXYfnmfwD-_u2t7_kGxpa0RPHJFuuSSc9j0dKE-Z/s400/Apple+Picking+(22).jpg" border="0" /></a>And this is the next day. Three crocks pot of apples cooked down for a looooong time. We mixed all the batches together for consistency, then canned, canned, canned.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhyphenhyphengTnxj_d3mv2NC61MJNwDOfScbXWB6H4Q1XGB-z2QvHUUtQLtlBXuc78iipxM1w4LXkeM8EJgn5sxd5_liXLWGZGNpFuzjv5nqFc11HCHcM1BS4yDwdL9GSCcW6rx-yZ3lausBstpuH/s1600/Apple+Picking.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515662540370247362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhyphenhyphengTnxj_d3mv2NC61MJNwDOfScbXWB6H4Q1XGB-z2QvHUUtQLtlBXuc78iipxM1w4LXkeM8EJgn5sxd5_liXLWGZGNpFuzjv5nqFc11HCHcM1BS4yDwdL9GSCcW6rx-yZ3lausBstpuH/s400/Apple+Picking.jpg" border="0" /></a> And here's the end result! We got 18 jars of apple butter, and I did manage to squeeze in the syrup making too. Gosh I love those cut glass jars. Now, we still have possibly 15 pounds of apples left, so it looks like apple sauce needs to happen this weekend. Or we may have to invest in a cider press, it's hard to say. <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-47548277622687472682010-08-29T14:23:00.006-04:002010-08-29T14:54:31.288-04:00Oh Yeah!<div><div><div><div>I have a blog! Yes, apparently I've forgotten (again) about that. This reminds me of my high school Latin teacher, when we were wasting too much time in class talking about Days of Our Lives. "Tempus fugits class!" Once we heard that we knew we had to get back to conjugating and translating. That's the only excuse I have for dropping the ball here. Tempus fugits, and it just won't stop.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>Not that I haven't been up to stuff.<br /></div><br /><div>This spring we went to Costa Rica - Playa Carillo, on the Pacific side. Teeny tiny town, incredibly quiet, since it was off season. We practically had the beach to ourselves.</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510901205564394418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHEKNllC2HcUGlZXzU2HsWYj4D8rFeazOMBpeQePx-RvnmajRRhIcRD16XJXlgjAD6l2_Lm4hmGBL8K1A3-c7qAoYcsvUQJ0Nn94B5mN-Y3G-AOwLVFQEjjWHZqDYxG8CPDx6YNuuqaoY/s400/Costa+Rica+Playa+Carillo+(48)+copy.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510901189740825314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqD3SH-tSBGYed0FqXiYawaFY-OhQwdr8WaCVPwQWH_w1CzdCq1OM-sGR4PViZ-aW336akxA5Vmd2a2uiRTsI6s6AG8EbC0hd31ocqFiuDJeIqFCRLYfP9dJ0b9Ew8uTI7FOEGlfAMvIkC/s400/Costa+Rica+Playa+Carillo+(14)+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>We hit the Goodguys car show again. I love me a classic car.</div></div><br /><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510901971137639282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWfFlCkpoKUEprlwCeVvk4a4OTY-qwbUNt3iii9sm-v99pOSg0o_KsLIH7tEWn6aFZRmdclJrH_ts7aQchZkytNR-Otm8s9JTjrB2WaGjyf7-UZ6DQPazWjyR6pbh8PdyaUPazZT20JRO/s400/car+show+2+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510901979858947346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFpXpUohcQhyFmco3hn8R5qrx43yE7gLIwdm5MfFeCvuMcwJZOMiBKY9omEzjm0NsdLqHLAKXAE6dyWyWFB160fi6EoyVBZB2PTso3h_B5KPxCM2jyWb8iLGJPBxszOCaAtYyizPKoijA/s400/car+show+5+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510901992068968834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrfmlF7IBisOfqljM8Af4lfJTFGRbbOjRu2sKnnPNnC1nXYFwWJvWoZzEqyRx7xqakVsUIbloC-ct7_WzgcaFyyd7bnqdL-F4yOeFY-nw2qP_wKBf8dAQOeOTbAo7YCyEBXEED9RuTOn9/s400/car+show+1+copy.jpg" border="0" /> <div>Apparently I love a classic car very close up.</div><br /><div>There's been some cooking.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510904389641544146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jxm6vkFierNd4qajQlhV0W0iLsv4RmSeF71DQHxfXVAqQDhPX8N6w81zt7gEmyHzff2Q2XDUrgg_KeiJ_uxvEYUt6XW_uwuWFHClUNwsEefNzfrkwstjK6LG56KQlRKX24PksqrRl2eo/s400/046+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510904382411035746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_21UUS8okFZngZMvLrsLU6ZY0X8k7tpZKmzVpYEVknd3U6plY4WBh5E8pRUgA3VsDToW1yMEObxuEbdbWCcclnPVjhCYbYyHghjWW_g0TQEfuAIKiCBdGYcqhQe16-5L5hTVgspaxQee/s400/030+copy.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510904399605433202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQePOBrQJELx0SC8BCY04HjYLAVGKZqUypcqE56Cn3JXcUYz01wGitYlbl6ilf5HaEQw20pptZ7M9FjyTNaaWBKJ-6bNX4Ps_mMVO01HkgIzfmoAa77Q_Pgcg7ToDR4JmTSLQpCpJ1UOp/s400/041+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br />Some crafting.</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510905740117273090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWAiqtcZCMhq7PknwH9BKOL0lodfIdYxFgi3zJPjQOgiglIIyD7blz4Xtlf2l3RM66OIUo7GX79ekh2yRq_bvXCg710x8zKMpQxpyJOvCIxipD-0rzRMsKgnsMtYKt7v4mobzn2mRfukT/s400/033.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510905748174541794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi4S48Gye3kL-e5oPHD4pr-H4OTt2F8J9FUrqUXHkSpkMuBpWi64IN5DzTeL6hNtMLfVWHHNmbOlFVwURJm-gmCHOSsS2fB7P9GYgyVtazf5MC3iL_H4_pulbIV8tmpKhe5i0djYQbVVN/s400/034.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510905758230163250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMDez3m959wDZtE5QEf_OxGR4SM5VjKmvoANWdnJUQoI33LAmlMqbPl_PpLpLUt_RaDh3qxyr7x8jpvQ84dTlWfFfglwW2OJZLiVOiYknyWieM6E3SplA0cFn-7_1ZJ6If-mEcQyU5CoY/s400/035.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510905765992308498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD444Xj9Wb5hSSM0b2RHYEFO_zKtisCqOVwwmsE-y5IkQOSk4R2b8kHbp33h1oOzkfavIqgPnijyAha6gOEix_BzjCcQocEL6YU19Iw407nIaDyVGqfxTsYJyNr4cx61_1iO-TglqdAIE/s400/Bunny+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>And I'm learning how to fish with T. I don't have any pictures of that - cause, well, that would be a camera disaster of the highest order.<br /><br />That's a very tiny nut shell of the past six months. Hopefully I'll be better about keeping up this time!<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-23856715100662467262010-04-15T19:43:00.004-04:002010-08-29T14:54:49.213-04:00Some Spring Stuff<div align="left"><div align="center">Every year the rhubarb action in my garden freaks me out a little.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460526892138001890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99WDiGGFBbwtBi5G-f25RvX1YAi4DqYRR1-mdtucbqAjlLWxI3SbaokYQDd3XQ93xlx7JfJBtYtM1eAX0HTX2h4DR8nbN4DTZPc3iHt7Dqgg1GtlameN8PN7mXcXiC1WcEZMys_DPSnzp/s400/rhubarb+(2).JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center">It's just so weird, ya know? Makes me think of an alien baby - I know, it's gross, but I can't help it! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460526880428944258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49JbEq68fA9AD9tukxD0bTIxT4xNJ4Dvn0-b6NMoH25LFn-QxaQUKUOxpxKmRpBUzh8of-UmNrh2HHecylEIqttV-7QAVDpQx6RIC-XNfh6XKGf_5_6yIs3YmRUCPgHhoPFUrGpAJu53l/s400/rhubarb.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">But then it starts to look more like a plant, and you turn around and it's big enough to hide small children and livestock in.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460526898647127954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXCQBEqaHRNKczKuAbf1oBNO4gCs7E_b7B8RNipa4CIoEihENgf7TIA4Z4mJQYpWEywlpNSGDJSz5u-eaz8dp_3Pu0MAiE3ihrKNkVZaN2Tax2rtL4LTs8iEXWCm5y_Jv27wpFCGNvlN4/s400/spring.JPG" border="0" />This was the garden a few weeks ago, and things certainly don't look quite as bleak now. But for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">reals</span>, there's a crushing amount of work left to do. That is, after it's safe to plant stuff after our scorched earth weed attack. I hate it, but we had to use the Round Up, or there would be no peas, lettuce, carrots or tomatoes. Just thistles. And more thistles, and a few locust trees that I don't need. Oh well, we can always try better next year, and know that, even if it's not organic, at least it's homegrown!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">And in the spirit of spring, here's a shot of some tulips I treated myself to....in February. I just didn't get around to sharing them until now....Well, I can try better next time, right? They're still pretty even if they're not exactly hot off the presses!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460526906300989858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlhSVn2IpJjIPhCcvyjjn9XUfPg3xzuPXjRSnazotHfbODGMUaSRY8Ev6Ff2QGxVq8XXx1pSbeJc9P5-hdv2UsOH2J_fHIG4NTujYZr-VXjV2gEi2ZCyZCb_ST0aDkxGBcBl13OYwNpDg/s400/tulips+(5).JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-41229005765177522992010-02-21T18:10:00.003-05:002010-02-21T18:20:46.130-05:00Itty Bitty<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZpJJd2AhV5IP0yiv2_bGoJXgaN5GOPfm2k8DC858uzh0_S14Wc89c8hBviZ-ugnWkXiEb5Uoh_u6_hE-kFK63fQLWDAfGybKHHZPJhAv-BhjsCl4o8C_xA24GtQVr2EE0id84x7XTMt3/s1600-h/CeCe's+hat.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440838795866911234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 392px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZpJJd2AhV5IP0yiv2_bGoJXgaN5GOPfm2k8DC858uzh0_S14Wc89c8hBviZ-ugnWkXiEb5Uoh_u6_hE-kFK63fQLWDAfGybKHHZPJhAv-BhjsCl4o8C_xA24GtQVr2EE0id84x7XTMt3/s400/CeCe's+hat.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Here's the hat I made during the first big snow, for a new baby, C. I might have been inspired to pick a bright, springy green by the snow coming down when I was at the yarn store - who knows? Either way, it's super soft, and making that teeny tiny pom-pom was a kick. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440838796480644194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUBaJX02OsThexq1BCPERHxw82lClbVShqogZ_6TwgMzdxldOAXwD8mKvlmWondgP_RUguoyZa0NpG_p-f0tDhM8wgv0KLq_8F-1NlKZ6jWrN4j0v8JH2te8rHff4Z1ylUmb-drp49Na7/s400/CeCe's+hat+(3).JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440838806062406978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CS-aVI18iZhPBKaWjxWKlmJB38lcNsGJ-I2sualCMwsRN0ey8KBHULUiDKh0MC7r092eBd0zNeIwGWD93ICZI9kmYYdXYWM5yugKkv94f9wPtnegdXi4kAoHFBCJve7Nd7LrEAtDQ6Kp/s400/CeCe's+hat+(5).JPG" border="0" /></p>Super close up of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">knitty</span> goodness. That's a mock cable stitch, which looks super fancy and cabled, but is just a 4 row repeat of knit, purl and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ssk</span> or two. I found the pattern for this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">itty</span> bitty hat <a href="http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babymockcablehatround.htm">here</a>. It's easy, and very importantly, quick. I made a similar hat for my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">niece</span> J, when she came 2 months early. I could still get it completed in time to deliver to her tiny little head, just a little over a year ago! Man, time flies!Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-4012458050589464582010-02-18T18:09:00.005-05:002010-02-18T18:27:37.104-05:00A Little Something to Give You Hope<div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirjWC0frxqVDft5VxiCKNM7uY0DPgNQEHONCmVV55tOz1zWGiKClQYN22SeQ3gvv92aZpECOU1lp481C9EOs80GE2Jju5vzqPpibMUqNnbrxCIA42poqnA5DrvCorUZx29sv2Z92BX4V_/s1600-h/IMG_0202.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439724930646270610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirjWC0frxqVDft5VxiCKNM7uY0DPgNQEHONCmVV55tOz1zWGiKClQYN22SeQ3gvv92aZpECOU1lp481C9EOs80GE2Jju5vzqPpibMUqNnbrxCIA42poqnA5DrvCorUZx29sv2Z92BX4V_/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" border="0" /></a> That someday, spring will come! Look! There's grass out there, and Love in a Mist in the middle ground. And peonies and sunshine. Someday, people, we will see more green than white, the ground will not try to so hard to make us fall on our butts, and sunshine will once again have an impact on temperature. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439726782464264802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFewFk7PIAj5GxarOv7CaT_x63SaJh0VHWXWjjSv4KsRJjQAHBAiu2YBFUHNFyvJHhi52tYwTlZsRkJ7zXQGYh5-b8LeCGEQUzgsRIIQkPtuQai4uoju5Hm68SR2QNpnSDwWQyiLEC0pr7/s400/garden+2008+056.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div align="center">Bees will bumble.<br /></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439726787142125714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKO2xRiQ9md7rEo0bzEUVPqbYLHm3bDCW4U9NDvQau6s49dyHoCkO7uXFDjaS3WPkddyKUDxwAaPsXGUquuNYmFqKkh_q1g9CfCrWZ-wRRe1zFLK_lXF9wej62Nf8bHX-YGabSTv2lWH5/s400/232.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Flowers will nod their pretty heads in the breeze.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439727787775885506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 351px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l78Pb0wENRvdnNyolFmkBdRgOn7tTD39fP0k666250nzodgs-W1oY3dAWGObNgbgbjke4rWNhmRtU4umCKTI9CNFmYRdmVMhu2mpoG29m2O0WT3qOSXSRa0L285gKHNOm2FoKiMKTKxH/s400/crocus2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">And we can all - finally - give a big sigh of relief!</p>I don't know about you, but this winter is truly getting to me. I'm really hanging on for dear life here, and seriously thinking about moving to somewhere more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">equatorial</span>. Looking at these old garden pictures actually helped some. I hope they brightened your day a little, too.Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-35970493636318882772010-02-07T14:22:00.003-05:002010-02-07T14:36:29.629-05:00Roll 'Em Up!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435584531950721410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhgPRpx4eKf4e1Sp7t5SW1LXmivnJBeWbTHHNYP22XVmc1iQAZRJtCuCUph4htdriqQ9Xx80Km2lxW1kZoK9KzIHKUmrlHtpx0IpJP_L006gdbyIYMGLlXYmWkb4H3P9jFmn6wUS-7K13/s400/needle+roll+up+(3).JPG" border="0" />I've finally finished this thing! I sewed the dang thing together right after Christmas, then just kept putting off figuring out the closure. Nestled inside is my complete set of double pointed knitting needles, from 1-13. An excellent gift. Look at them, all snuggled up in there, waiting to be called into action!<br /><br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435584537954160418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENRlfaq3sI2SZWGt57LipfgwKMpu8NDUE_dp3JOPB5lmR4MzqtJ7XXg3pOE8SX13mhlN6BfkDPiYWHdCK1jBN4U311NA3yJ0NflYZ0Ri362UXGaWRF7CscOtEZQkc0Jp5JkGtrzEOrdCU/s400/needle+roll+up+(4).JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>I tell ya, it's a pretty nice feeling knowing I'll always have the right size dpn's around when I need them. I think this will eliminate a lot of under the breath cursing involved in my knitting projects. Well, maybe some of the not-quite under the breath stuff as well. </p><p>The other great thing about this little roll up, was I figured it out on my very own! I'd sewn a big needle case several years ago - the one in the first <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0761128182">Stitch 'n Bitch </a>book. Well, over the years the cat has used it for a bed, and a place to leave hair balls, so it needs retiring. Because I'm, at times, pretty shiftless, it's still hanging around in the basement, so I was able to use it as a reference for my snazzy new roll up. </p><p>One of the changes I made was instead of one long ribbon for a tie-up, I made a band, with snap closure. The reason I always left the original laying around open for the cat to hork on, was I hate tying that stupid ribbon. With this closure, it only wraps around once, then snaps closed. Way less work involved (yes, I'm that lazy). Hooray for mechanical closures! ( I won't mention how many tries it took for me to sew the male and female ends of the snap the right sides up. Sigh.)</p><p>And I trotted out those needles for a project, this very weekend. A little gift for a new baby. I'll share pics just as soon as it's been bestowed!</p>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-3617874896716671102010-02-05T12:42:00.000-05:002010-02-05T12:42:46.637-05:0010 Things...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalHr6RITrXLURlL_b0zOZENQHbjTb3ejjvRViFMS8GEogMHMHpjk4o2Cw2I-cr-F2CPuVgJXPdhTCxz4SJg-xy43POMtNrkecg2NVrkpXNiF5Yap2JZfafn9sEj-WcIkZCWvE2ecHzr-l/s1600-h/prairie++(34).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalHr6RITrXLURlL_b0zOZENQHbjTb3ejjvRViFMS8GEogMHMHpjk4o2Cw2I-cr-F2CPuVgJXPdhTCxz4SJg-xy43POMtNrkecg2NVrkpXNiF5Yap2JZfafn9sEj-WcIkZCWvE2ecHzr-l/s320/prairie++(34).JPG" /></a></div><br />
I was tagged by <a href="http://herlandnotebook.blogspot.com/">Cheryl</a>, earlier this week, for a "10 things that make you happy" list, and I'm finally following through! <br />
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1. My husband. When I'm with him, I'm content in a way like no other. When he's not around, I'm waiting for the moment he's back.<br />
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2. My family. Mom, Dad, sisters, nieces, cousins, aunt, in-laws. A family feels like a solar system - everyone's orbiting around each other, tying eachother together, influencing and being influenced. I'm so grateful they're there.<br />
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3. Old things. I just love old stuff. I love that it's survived through a culture that is every more disposable. I love that it ties us to people who are long gone, and makes them feel real.<br />
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4. Oh, bread! I don't know if it's a primitive survival thing, or just a carbohydrate thing, but warm, homemade bread with butter is the absolute answer to practically any hunger I have.<br />
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5. Books. Reading is like breathing to me. It sustains me, and when I don't do it I feel a little blue and light headed. :)<br />
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6. Being occupied. Sometimes it's challenging to me to just sit still and not do anything. It makes me happy to be knitting, sewing, spinning, embroidering - whatever. My fingers don't like to just hang around, doing nothing.<br />
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7. Flowers and other growing things. I love my yard and garden. I don't mind the work, but really it's the result that satisfies me. It's not a perfect garden, but it's mine, and I love the wonderful things that grow from it.<br />
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8. Being warm! On a snow storm day like this, I'm fantasizing about saunas, or baking in the sun on a beach. Hell, even cooking away during the summer, in the back yard, reading on the swing sounds fantastic! My body was made to live somewhere warm, and it's going to pain me until I take it someplace that it approves of!<br />
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9. Making things. This sort of falls under being occupied, but really you could be playing solitaire and be occupied. I like to bring something new into existence. Hopefully something beautiful or useful or delicious.<br />
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10. Clean sheets, warm out of the drier. That is just such happiness. Smooth, clean sheets - heaven!<br />
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Now I feel like singing "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music! I'm about to go punch down some bread dough, so some new lyrics might have to be added. <br />
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So - what's your happiness?Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-40581755695674602192010-01-10T19:54:00.000-05:002010-01-10T19:54:27.489-05:00Mama DeerEver since I stumbled across <a href="http://papercutting.blogspot.com/">Scherenschnitte </a>on <a href="http://www.oneprettything.com/">One Pretty Thing</a>, I've wanted to try my hand at paper cutting. My stumbling block was getting my mind to understand all the spacial stuff. I'm usually pretty good at that, but for some reason it did not computer. I finally realized that if I just traced the pattern and cut around the line, I should end up with some sort of silhouette. I'm a genius, right? Well, I think it was a forest for the trees thing. Anyway, I finally managed to complete a project. Et voila! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFW-ljqa-Zd_R3wFMCF09RTsRAM89kSmTQ7Vi_dOd0kGwTfFx0cGyQjkNhmSOi4QPV0UxMm9u8Nhr1FVv-qrZHRj-WVTlvkMRQdn1Inm0r8A8qvKZgOUzHFCg5A_vEZaCdTxdLdAx4GCg/s1600-h/deer+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFW-ljqa-Zd_R3wFMCF09RTsRAM89kSmTQ7Vi_dOd0kGwTfFx0cGyQjkNhmSOi4QPV0UxMm9u8Nhr1FVv-qrZHRj-WVTlvkMRQdn1Inm0r8A8qvKZgOUzHFCg5A_vEZaCdTxdLdAx4GCg/s320/deer+4.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I saw this pattern on Scherenschnitte I let out the softest "oooohhhh." It's so darn lovely. I was looking for something sweet and mama-ish to create for my expecting friend <a href="http://herlandnotebook.blogspot.com/">Cheryl</a>, for a Christmas present. I think this fit the bill pretty well.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n_5hqAVoij4PDHoOs9hP_0gynR3QU4V8KlhsYEXM8ix7ZXJKQ3GbAwGWK4JN6WU4minx4sVTwvoPf7ftg0EmIMPYscmSvG3UEJkaFB4UWkDZ4825g9m7GnUwl4c1Tt-ZdcCAry2YwopP/s1600-h/deer+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n_5hqAVoij4PDHoOs9hP_0gynR3QU4V8KlhsYEXM8ix7ZXJKQ3GbAwGWK4JN6WU4minx4sVTwvoPf7ftg0EmIMPYscmSvG3UEJkaFB4UWkDZ4825g9m7GnUwl4c1Tt-ZdcCAry2YwopP/s320/deer+7.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKadGBn03p5di70FWwtvRiRM0koJj4v8lqgpCu0JIgQoLSswrAT-jeeY4xoxMdmTrCH_M9RTT2jSsRs3YRowkIs_f-L-Wm3soe6YZaCe3Zs5o0LA0JNW_KRKmiqBJb2z2E3BtpejoEYnFB/s1600-h/deer+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKadGBn03p5di70FWwtvRiRM0koJj4v8lqgpCu0JIgQoLSswrAT-jeeY4xoxMdmTrCH_M9RTT2jSsRs3YRowkIs_f-L-Wm3soe6YZaCe3Zs5o0LA0JNW_KRKmiqBJb2z2E3BtpejoEYnFB/s320/deer+6.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">On a white background, with white mat and frame, I'm so in love with it I want to make one for myself. And look, here's a video <a href="http://www.threadbanger.com/decorityourself/episode/DEC_20100106/paper-cutting-art-decor-it-yourself">tutorial </a>that would totally have helped me figure it out!<br />
</div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-76673329703575805402010-01-05T21:28:00.000-05:002010-01-05T21:28:03.584-05:00Toasty Toes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Considering how cold and snowy it's been, it's lucky that I just completed a project that has been keeping my feet warm. As my husband will tell you, my feet are always cold - and when I say cold, I mean make-you-scream-out-in-the-night-cold, if they should happen to touch your defenseless leg in bed. So, when I say that my feet are actually warm right now, you should imagine a choir of angels singing in the background.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The miracle fabric to make my cold toes happy? Wool, of course! I mean, duh, right? I'm not talking Smart Wool socks here, I'm talking felted. wool. slippers. Oh yes. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gorgeous pattern is from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=37871791">French Press Knits</a>, and you too can purchase, download and start creating your own. The pattern works up very quickly on size 15 needles. You work the souls, sides, then straps, sew your slipper together, then felt. Here is the giant clown-slipper that results, pre-felting.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwb-sFiArf8qk5ONbJGEs_Ypp4Oe-Ei5FbrgPu8hWGtS6Uhba7WMi0IRRckbqsH-PmOP6tye7Fb0jmFN1ZbEBrn33K-maJpLSmpNPZFQhopwfsg1tBDT2D0OG_4HcnXxD1g2quvwsvMDL/s1600-h/felted+slippers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwb-sFiArf8qk5ONbJGEs_Ypp4Oe-Ei5FbrgPu8hWGtS6Uhba7WMi0IRRckbqsH-PmOP6tye7Fb0jmFN1ZbEBrn33K-maJpLSmpNPZFQhopwfsg1tBDT2D0OG_4HcnXxD1g2quvwsvMDL/s320/felted+slippers.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, brought to you by the miracle of hot water - here is what they look like now! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIsc5_tcLI2RuiE0-1szUIw89ZKoSA6us1PL5Ycq81AgnBhBdqsEzTKOSdsX0keDWpj3jq7beTH2OpTbkW8SArxCrjNFxoWwgJXi20-Zr_LC3j0lctDXN33PKehRJfFJpny2S23NLDwoR/s1600-h/felted+slippers+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIsc5_tcLI2RuiE0-1szUIw89ZKoSA6us1PL5Ycq81AgnBhBdqsEzTKOSdsX0keDWpj3jq7beTH2OpTbkW8SArxCrjNFxoWwgJXi20-Zr_LC3j0lctDXN33PKehRJfFJpny2S23NLDwoR/s320/felted+slippers+(6).JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is what my feet look like:<br />
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</div>They look happy, right? It's cause they're so, so warm. <br />
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This was a highly gratifying project. It was quick, painless and now I have custom slippers! I was thinking about sewing some black leather onto the bottoms, but then I realized I might not be able to slide around on the floor if I did, and what's the fun in that? They were also relatively cheap to make. I used Pattons Classic Wool, purchased on sale at Joann's. The resulting fabric is shockingly soft, and really traps the warmth in the way a wool sock never can. Add in a regular old sock, and you're cooking with Crisco people. <br />
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I never thought I'd get into felting, but now that I've started, I'm not sure I can stop. Hopefully there's a support group out there somewhere...Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-3782265245683734692010-01-02T15:21:00.001-05:002010-01-02T20:37:17.542-05:00Holy Monkeys It's Cold!I love having time off from work, don't you? I got lucky, and hit a 4 day weekend this New Year's, so when I woke up today I actually had a little creative energy, instead of just the soul crushing have-to-clean-this-dirty-dirty-house depression. You know that feeling, right? <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well today, there was a new dusting of snow on the ground, so I grabbed my camera and wandered outside to snap a few shots of pretty winter things. I wish it were easier to take pictures in blinding sunlight - all that light makes is really hard to actually see, well, anything. Not to mention how it's pretty chilly out lately. Anyway, here are a few I think are nice.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4cv7sZ-jRRarC10EQgcR0FlhskuISNWM2PZ1gCG0Vs3NR0g3gMK32M0ZgCrDd0jo8zwusomBwYKLFfoBKAmv1C2UyAoGaeERFar_MiSGiyjCCSneDqzRZJ52RF2QmSvIYJzqldS8A_34/s1600-h/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4cv7sZ-jRRarC10EQgcR0FlhskuISNWM2PZ1gCG0Vs3NR0g3gMK32M0ZgCrDd0jo8zwusomBwYKLFfoBKAmv1C2UyAoGaeERFar_MiSGiyjCCSneDqzRZJ52RF2QmSvIYJzqldS8A_34/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A sunflower, hanging on. I love how stark and sharp this one turned out. Very Wyeth-y<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI_OKRbaiAqNqp75I5aKVb1J0xd5ZluutsS_FEat48h8rnwiCCocrdYIVwbkr6-t8UgKZiChCojYffetIKB9H_WL0S1z8VBNNr8t7CNDIbXau5O7edHoHIJEJ4PGgoOKBfGwr0tbhcxP-/s1600-h/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI_OKRbaiAqNqp75I5aKVb1J0xd5ZluutsS_FEat48h8rnwiCCocrdYIVwbkr6-t8UgKZiChCojYffetIKB9H_WL0S1z8VBNNr8t7CNDIbXau5O7edHoHIJEJ4PGgoOKBfGwr0tbhcxP-/s320/IMG_1584.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our pea trellis. I like the texture.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ-u0vjDVut6WmovXaeuK-ak-aSBP-hXpWSLIuogBDOFXkAIxMdh02lo1wGG6GXiQ6C3BeoR9msWtajFQGM-la7i-UD9GJ9ynv2z9h0bLEj6sH-yVrv7YMXFKBA1eap6l-Y6LEOLt8B3M/s1600-h/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ-u0vjDVut6WmovXaeuK-ak-aSBP-hXpWSLIuogBDOFXkAIxMdh02lo1wGG6GXiQ6C3BeoR9msWtajFQGM-la7i-UD9GJ9ynv2z9h0bLEj6sH-yVrv7YMXFKBA1eap6l-Y6LEOLt8B3M/s320/IMG_1577.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Cabbages, also holding on, as they do. They actually look like tiny palm trees, which makes me sigh.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZk8eST41q-_NJMF9tLJMzaMr1EI5vi1qy_HfMGAmH0-3mAUDN_FYyqwrVlECq8hG-2cXK1fBwcXp9x9Q2MMdglAl0m7G9GkjJTO_H1CWVZuRLIbNFjrAP1mPVyTuqkTmDenfsJzKq12J/s1600-h/IMG_1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZk8eST41q-_NJMF9tLJMzaMr1EI5vi1qy_HfMGAmH0-3mAUDN_FYyqwrVlECq8hG-2cXK1fBwcXp9x9Q2MMdglAl0m7G9GkjJTO_H1CWVZuRLIbNFjrAP1mPVyTuqkTmDenfsJzKq12J/s320/IMG_1585.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">At least it looks warm! I always chuck pumpkins out into the garden. This one wasn't carved, so it's in pretty good shape. The way the color is changing is pretty cool.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Brrr! So, to combat all this chilliness, I'm off to go make bread! Hope you all are staying nice and toasty.<br />
</div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-88560470947578660832010-01-01T12:38:00.000-05:002010-01-01T12:38:41.567-05:00What? I have a blog?!Yeah, so I guess things have either been busy...or I've been lazy. Clearly, posting has dropped to the wayside over the holiday season, but with the New Year I'm back, reenergized and ready to start working on this thing again!<br />
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I've actually been working away on a few things the past couple of months, Christmas presents and what not. I've gotten into felting - it was only a matter of time, what with the knitting and spinning and all. Also, I've finally gotten my mind around the paper cutting pattern thing, so hopefully I'll be sharing some projects soon. My Christmas presents were pretty exciting this year: photoEZ screen printing set up (yeeee, I'm so excited!), and the most complete canning supply situation a person could ask for. Seriously. I know own 3 - count em, 3 - canners, one of which is pressure! <br />
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So, stay tuned. I'm sure there will be some trials, tribulations and hopefully some successes to share! <br />
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And a Happy New Year to everyone! Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-13482773755817433342009-11-13T10:53:00.000-05:002009-11-13T10:53:36.520-05:00Two Excellent Bread RecipesI had a couple of great bread making success recently - easy recipes with delicious results. Aren't those the best? I found both recipes in a quest for a rustic, crunchy, chewy bread. One is apparently a now-famous New York Times recipe that is so incredibly easy that I highly recommend it as a confidence boost if you're having a crap day (only plan ahead a little - it's easy, but it has to laze about a while before baking). The other recipe made these lovely loaves. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBoMzd8URIIJf4Tt3uD0jMYUXoOkD04stDim9NKjrCmr1cMMScJOz7CHrk1TylPsXeFifr5GoHI-KyLwFuQRH29STA5lOLEVkv14AcqC2cXqHBsoibJzwocJPw5Z_NfagjxP7whHDMcUu/s1600-h/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBoMzd8URIIJf4Tt3uD0jMYUXoOkD04stDim9NKjrCmr1cMMScJOz7CHrk1TylPsXeFifr5GoHI-KyLwFuQRH29STA5lOLEVkv14AcqC2cXqHBsoibJzwocJPw5Z_NfagjxP7whHDMcUu/s400/IMG_1505.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Aaaaaand, I can't find the recipe. Ugh. (internal dialog: It's call "favorites," bone-head. Use it! ) Anyway, I've searched like a crazy person to find the stupid recipe again, but all in vain. And I'm a professional searcher! Apparently the history setting on our I.E. is on one day. Well, I am geekily proud of these loaves so I'll just post another pretty picture of them, then get onto the recipe I am smart enough to remember.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sI9uNzRsJIFpG3-sfeVhMKf-DkD6t88tNLHNsKUfUsA__t3RFGHj7VCvUoAQ0wkuyIlcQb3mljER1XKsxHFtxACyAS4xMP5jBF-TGfJaFMSUY1CGt7sPlnQTFsn8UQRc_lmemeAr46NJ/s1600-h/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sI9uNzRsJIFpG3-sfeVhMKf-DkD6t88tNLHNsKUfUsA__t3RFGHj7VCvUoAQ0wkuyIlcQb3mljER1XKsxHFtxACyAS4xMP5jBF-TGfJaFMSUY1CGt7sPlnQTFsn8UQRc_lmemeAr46NJ/s400/IMG_1503.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And for the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/dining/081mrex.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=no%20knead%20bread&st=cse">easy peasy, re-dunculous delicious</a> one! Get this: it's no knead! You truly dump the ingredients together, stir, then as Alton Brown is always saying you, "walk away." Let the yeast do its thang, and then throw it in the oven. It starts out very sticky, shaggy goopy.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXdVZERDMYZUOyBx5_vQIRA-GeHIGhwBKs2fGaO6VD6Hb_kfUd7k4JR7-OeT6rw94uT7axVprpZEirHRfKT8-U8y-318i_lL9uQr95FGzTWRldtLOZwxrPSKRviEHEAcOCG2H6heVE7Ue/s1600-h/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXdVZERDMYZUOyBx5_vQIRA-GeHIGhwBKs2fGaO6VD6Hb_kfUd7k4JR7-OeT6rw94uT7axVprpZEirHRfKT8-U8y-318i_lL9uQr95FGzTWRldtLOZwxrPSKRviEHEAcOCG2H6heVE7Ue/s400/009.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Then after about four hours it looks even weirder.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1OJVzgUpZL02OhnFJKyYnM04CCAh7jqGICBDKKnk65uRVg27AotANfwIU8QpnUAF8rZutk5iGXxqA99Zc4vmtv3b6wK8WhdIN_VlJZecaBzDYrXtNK5xjYw3CxTDtFlYtwJ5_FImuRtW/s1600-h/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1OJVzgUpZL02OhnFJKyYnM04CCAh7jqGICBDKKnk65uRVg27AotANfwIU8QpnUAF8rZutk5iGXxqA99Zc4vmtv3b6wK8WhdIN_VlJZecaBzDYrXtNK5xjYw3CxTDtFlYtwJ5_FImuRtW/s400/011.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">After the big nap it gets to take, you preheat your oven, and a dutch oven or large covered casserole dish for 30 minutes. During that 30 minutes, you knock down the dough a little and let it rest again (this is the most lazy-ass dough I've ever met, but I can't argue with the results). Finally! You take out your raging hot dutch oven, slide the dough in, then bake covered for 30 minutes, then un-covered for 15 more. While you're going crazy for buttery, yummy bread smells, it's browning like it's on vacation. When it's all said and done you get this!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBo9ZdM4omYAnYF3aRMXlCdPtlc2PKl8VTLweSpXFU-GxXMChBWmzas9bGNqFihs-sGzv301xDu6woQ9BvE5z8SVunNQ-wmsQMs2Cr25hqpufmNk2r3_u7T6pmWRl8GrDg_VmkQE1XVJkV/s1600-h/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBo9ZdM4omYAnYF3aRMXlCdPtlc2PKl8VTLweSpXFU-GxXMChBWmzas9bGNqFihs-sGzv301xDu6woQ9BvE5z8SVunNQ-wmsQMs2Cr25hqpufmNk2r3_u7T6pmWRl8GrDg_VmkQE1XVJkV/s320/015.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBMH7uHOkvd5kqIm0T5bwWr7h_SI5OnL-Gg9glscW88MjkoEGMvDcvusGybok-aQhkQQRMFX7ZgvV25EZ5QY9894KN8g0MVW01COIWZHa3x-5Q7PvHVWA5b4XuS5sIcAeadpAB09A8QhP/s1600-h/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBMH7uHOkvd5kqIm0T5bwWr7h_SI5OnL-Gg9glscW88MjkoEGMvDcvusGybok-aQhkQQRMFX7ZgvV25EZ5QY9894KN8g0MVW01COIWZHa3x-5Q7PvHVWA5b4XuS5sIcAeadpAB09A8QhP/s320/013.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> Crunchy, chewy on the outside, spongy soft on the inside. So amazingly right with butter. You have to try this. Four simple ingredients and one perfect bread!<br />
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</div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-75850512702730527412009-11-08T19:45:00.000-05:002009-11-08T19:45:09.667-05:00Malabar<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkN8egZkrvHR1U285uiqYvTS9wuGxHCkp0tXLMeFyQE4MBd5nTrOG0vmTQ42IBB_PDpkXN6DqYqiW4L71Vw2Oi2nfwp40SzUvYTVdzhjop7_rupx3Hr5dDpvmbBNNPVTrO62TShap3rY-/s1600-h/049.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065062957462066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkN8egZkrvHR1U285uiqYvTS9wuGxHCkp0tXLMeFyQE4MBd5nTrOG0vmTQ42IBB_PDpkXN6DqYqiW4L71Vw2Oi2nfwp40SzUvYTVdzhjop7_rupx3Hr5dDpvmbBNNPVTrO62TShap3rY-/s400/049.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Several weeks back, in early October, T and I took a drive up north to visit Malabar Farm. I've wanted to visit for years, but PBS played their special on Louis Bromfield's life, and T got the urge, too. Louis Bromfield was on Ohio -born Pulitzer prize winning author. After living in France for ten years, he decided to move back to Ohio and bought a farm sight unseen in the Mansfield area, in 1938. As it turns out, the land was in ruins, and so Bromfield began his career as a soil conservationist in order to turn around his farm. He became known as an expert on the subject - hot on many people's minds, since poor farming practices helped contribute to the devastating dust bowl situation. He published several books on agriculture and the farm was turned into a state park after his death. <br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065977852527794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcq4ZjmdybZkYqYiyY2xgAef3mKXCby2f-r6pxlJuQg1AzuSMgQ9tbVGQ-bTZHulkEE47lyTRzuBaKJLuLXlZc60pDeb4PCqYQUPrLhGqCfsUgqQajWpK-0lse1CF7P013PS94RTQuw5gp/s400/031.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />It was an outrageously gorgeous, crisp day when we visited. Not a lot was happening around the place that day, but there were hay rides. So, we walked around, checked out the animals and the buildings and caught a hay ride before grabbing lunch at the Malabar Farm Restaurant. <br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065067069474498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKR737vuBV0vUD3rLAQoefxbo5mRQ1rYzYHGm-GLbw8aS0LPwetJqoXY-OINwumGbnwDL9kmYUbulRxGSbgu0Nh35ZYXu62lgMXSfcLDINgj5abY0Fn_Eq2npMbkkHWh3M0mftXrW1aUw/s400/010.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065076060494066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji33FJ7Tm2yiaHawnekVe7wCJcTnIz7VxJLr1QMqSmJj6xmfi8J3Tk60ARnnLZz7RYUUG8R9fLQCH-IPxeVN6nT0M1HPmG02IYZ9qT8S1Oi7c0iT_tDCcbfwtmqkY7RXW7_p-Im07XZ2wO/s400/013.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />In the "petting farm" barn there were Clydesdale and pony, calves, rabbits and these hilarious turkeys. This one had zero fear of us, and very much wanted to know what we were up to. Outside were more cattle, a few sheep and these very serene looking goats.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065087322671666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_EVwluS1e2NI5aWxsi67QcpHcbxQA_iCj9QifWs6-v-2hGqyR4RrccjYnk3o1_0EUeZUZw3Jmqw3pZ01Q53JYq0xmembLdEA8YVMNATDlDwAmPxAIA989VXGa_avdACBOJTGeDn4cj_b/s400/015.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065090769015778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6HUBCtbrI0xW9sjSxf2-qugIkgF_5W-Goe6c60hsxqXIoQSQ9jNioic_gOWLwJKS8ctU6xQQyN-PZKi2NZmHm8Y-WiWmqQp4JIzEWqJFhUXfFyapYCz0mazgDeJTL20oDdTgV0eVvzWK/s400/023.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Right next to the goats and sheep was the poultry house - that sign is the coolest, right?! If I ever have chickens, I will for sures be replicating this. The chicken were the highlight of the trip for me. They started checking us out, then gradually all wandered over. And when I say "all" I'm talking 30-40 chickens and couple of big turkeys. All making that back of the throat growly thing chickens do. We finally realized you could buy feed from a machine and <strong>then</strong> the party began! Those hens have laser like precision when it comes to grub, let me tell you. At first it was a little freaky having them peck away at my hand, but I finally realized it doesn't hurt, and they aren't about to miss the last little bit of grain.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399150158259522018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd4_SzU6IrQBLpbAhYHvyloZme7uh1TPxIxfIMakHK_9uu9xTbTSAacESfQeQ_OrVlwxUCvbnkrQ7GE0QBGarZVbdeWQtIwmEeOLkhPwrVBSZw_RB3NALlyhn65VLuPAbFz6CTzD8PDZt/s400/026.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
</div><div>The family house was right next to the barns and other out buildings. It truly looked out upon the chickens - which I can understand, they're so darn entertaining! We missed the house tours that day, but we did peek in through windows and saw the dining room/conservatory where Lauren Becall and Humphrey Bogart were married. They even have a replica of the wedding cake set up.<br />
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</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065956082386738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPZ-eHmBS1Te2r2oNI4g-v6WIb9zxKzzklO6Sqz81-gT8uOYDbbPVrc2PMxt6tbiLVgaIjvVAQYpJCbAvb-de06CCQQZzq2N61Y4xQOmzJbVJFC61FCqHUSis4GvjritibGNdJS6ZRoBE/s400/029.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />After walking around some more, we took our hayride. Not too exciting, but still beautiful. There was an obligatory tool-y guy trying to set up his new fancy phone the whole time, but also regular people out to enjoy a lovely day. The land really is gorgeous.<br />
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<div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065969332008706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuKowE20tZoB8RW70QKPJBYqn3c0qfQQXf_sxHG93NIJmSFJ-5cv3IFjpX33PR_LokrNigUN1ZAg-XTyfwqXzkhRgy7o9fvQWuijxnkEJjkhO523404malEbRC27ru2oPH3-pzWR_SaQV/s400/046.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
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After the hayride, we made our way through lunch at the nearby restaurant. While the food was good - especially the bread - the service was <strong>incredibly</strong> slow, and our server's shift ended during our meal, so getting the check was a pretty long process. Once we got ourselves the heck outta that restaurant, we poked around the neighboring spring and veggie stand. The spring water really was amazingly good. I'm really actually sad we don't get it out of our tap! <br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395065968360589586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7nV2U0BC7-XQIyGnVdymuHT7yA0WfKVFwe8JYUi0bYJJbsZcEHKpdqt3IrFCbdaVNNGkdwduVPkRxXFsH2DqoUtCpIQXTEEhJ5Vo8_JIX8Jh1H0aUnhMJDcfNLMDLK52CIsLAz_PB6mm/s400/035.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
It was a nice ride and a fun trip. I left with a drop spindle and roving, and of course, I'm now hooked on spinning. Looks like I'll finally have to start processing that alpaca fleece sitting upstairs! I think the next time we go up that way I want to hit <a href="http://www.lehmans.com/">Lehmans</a> and see the <a href="http://www.mrps.org/">Mansfield Reformatory</a>.Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-53880813164369082602009-11-01T09:32:00.003-05:002009-11-01T09:41:19.199-05:00Pumpkin time!Well, Halloween is officially over, but I'm just now getting around to putting up a couple of pictures of my Jack-o-lantern this year. I'm such a lover of pumpkins in all their permutations - un-carved, carved, pie, bread, seeds. All of it is pretty great to me. They can be so lovely....<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399143662680357106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghD7ebxiV-3uxyUS-BmU02dOU-EEyZreo6NE8UfW7HHXEGnN05EYS8m7TAsa4Fk7go-xww4oyCf4Im4PkQXHY4pFe3Cx0tswZmC3JMDlEHvCiAQ6GOFfVf25oosm4aeeLO6J20NKHru3Ke/s400/057.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399143654142946018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYRwOgCGV9HbZrQbLKR8Zh_14kdY7AZCLnsSR9A4sqOckHK-ORUPXLADDRTxpzkExBzPud3HRzZfFdxf2pW-W31OGQIkhUHPXrF9CE0UZUDdkgGZvVItMtxfEtZjKMZrBjzzzvplMKwg6/s400/056.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>and so demented rabid vampire-y! Every time I look at this guy I can hear the blaaaeerruurrrgh sound he would make if he really wanted to take a bite out of your ankles.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399143650739921714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrfBEVh0soy3NpoU9omBfi3KPZ6lODkQPe0lj5MmRXXNl7jlReAQGzKPjDnM7-NIu9Py3VOuy7u2WfYSC4pcP5giwRjzWOMoVakcdMshjCLPkN8DNkIDlLoLPhKfmZpS0o2LDjXj2VK_l/s400/IMG_1493.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399143648794254546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJA9OfpxXykPw4pEUkMT-AIpjd4OjdWBbdisszlU0Ej-tvkFIUxffcatmQb_qPpJxseqN4IWxDu9kNspIJ1-j31lQnylLATIxJ8q3Xkbx8f3EUbizY1j3a9ykBR5Fn1g3eB1udyunXRm6/s400/IMG_1496.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>(Somehow, you can see the hurt indignation of knowing a squirrel has gnawed off some of your eye socket.)</p>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-16572666354343383362009-10-21T10:42:00.005-04:002009-11-01T09:55:01.350-05:00My First Preserves!Earlier this month, T and I finally dug up the carrots from the garden, and I'm telling you, root vegetables are officially the most rewarding thing to plant. Every time a new clump got forked up, we got the biggest kick out of the fact that "Hey! There were actually carrots growing in there!" This was the same delight we got from digging up potatoes. Something about the wait-and-see quality of planting these waaaaay back in the spring, and not seeing anything but greens for so long, made the reveal very magical. Aren't they just thrilling?!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xVfs4cqa48y2DmA7sr-dtjyPVd_O1Rr-dTLbnDho0-oG2OTxtYyl_IchB8kZRmKgwX8Ajf4njedsWL5REmhw-kh7A-3Qo4gqrebHikFsMu0GOGsP_3JiFscDzIMghp9ifRJ6qj1nY2_c/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395064045728182802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xVfs4cqa48y2DmA7sr-dtjyPVd_O1Rr-dTLbnDho0-oG2OTxtYyl_IchB8kZRmKgwX8Ajf4njedsWL5REmhw-kh7A-3Qo4gqrebHikFsMu0GOGsP_3JiFscDzIMghp9ifRJ6qj1nY2_c/s400/002.JPG" border="0" /></a>The problem was then - we have about 85 million (overgrown) carrots. They smelled spectacular, and were all kinds of crazy shapes (thinning out is hard to do!), but no one wants that many fresh carrots. I decided to make the leap and preserve by freezing.</div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>I'm sure it was nothing compared to canning something, but lord, what a lot of work. They had to be topped, washed (clogging up the sink with dirt), peeled, chopped, blanched, frantically spooned out of the boiling water, cooled, then vacu-sucked (by my personal lungs) into freezer bags. And since it took so much work, I only got about half of them done, and the other half went rubbery and gross on me by the next day. Oh well, live and learn. Even if we didn't get to eat them, they're compost now.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395064052554279362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7bOmKAqHGvLFBcepBBS-oY1XvsjLtstkQUwfKWPatXwuaeE5-qYqIE8XJEo4i1xD3eJdeyHS8R7qeRd6r-eGfuOS6ekpREcT53N126oT2dmUxPLLC7AO4jTEUQdVlZzufg79xD4kcH_l/s400/carrots.jpg" border="0" /><br />Ta da! All frozen and ready to go into soup and stew and what not. They are, admittedly, a little tough, since they were in the ground too long, but they still taste very good. I'm hoping to be more on top of things with the garden next year, seeing as there will be no wedding hoo-ha going on. I'll probably plant fewer carrots, that's for sure!Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-30968982707732785162009-10-02T13:16:00.003-04:002009-10-02T13:30:11.416-04:00Sweater for Baby JThis sweater is hot off the presses! I just finished sewing the buttons on, and since it's been such a long time since I actually completed a knitting project, I wanted to post it right away. It's yet another very gray and rainy day here, so sorry for the very dark picture. <br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388052817117922882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFC8aD09MlgnXoqH-nxIOztZb64h9rehUeZ38C0lDSSK4y4eXkvhdzDoATfJ15kbo_UGJy6NpPGz3ysORsIfykAh25jgCAtVDDnrNrgPkSuQlMKUCpH2dpiK7v_2YLjrO0BLKzqs9ikAG/s400/007.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388052832007522738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLHNrYbEIkZpM9PaJrE0ohST_-1N6GX3_J2WfHeCuDZzj4_Q7iFRWulSmKcfPBqhKXv74y14gR9GYIrKH7xO7YrQVNHtvsucAMYx5OHbiuMbthLuAjr0pEhBLbnn3ymrxoE1wVJxPlFcU/s400/005.JPG" border="0" />The pattern is from Kristen Rengren's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1584797614/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=3257444381&ref=pd_sl_476ogb5zcg_e">Vintage Baby Knits</a>. I had to return the book to the library, so I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the pattern - but, needless to say, if you have the book, it's in there! Almost every single pattern is achingly adorable, so I imagine I'll be trying a few more in the future. </p><p>This little cardigan will be for my niece J, who will hopefully be visiting soon. The sweater is knit all in one piece, so there's no headache of attaching sleeves. I did find some of the instructions with the pattern chart a little confusing, but I just powered through by making any errors consistent. It may not be exactly like the pattern instructs, but no one can tell! </p><p>T actually helped me to pick out the buttons - he got pretty excited over my Grandma's button tin. Of course, I didn't have 5 of the same buttons, but I liked the look of 5 different white buttons T chose. I think it adds a quirky texture detail.</p>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-49615762713599845542009-09-27T15:36:00.005-04:002009-09-27T16:00:10.410-04:00Pop-overs, a Bag and a Mushroom<div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhnimsfVvnvHT4PUPjpm5lEyQ07G3u4K5i7OjDxe34w_otb5Tnzqb3zLINJyAWA2kJqun7rf2Ti5D6THbuESGKEfKby7byEcaTt2FqYuFecvc7F8VnehWA6cLf8IATRMoyxBtP_bnf8fl/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386233773798506402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhnimsfVvnvHT4PUPjpm5lEyQ07G3u4K5i7OjDxe34w_otb5Tnzqb3zLINJyAWA2kJqun7rf2Ti5D6THbuESGKEfKby7byEcaTt2FqYuFecvc7F8VnehWA6cLf8IATRMoyxBtP_bnf8fl/s400/008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Mmmm, pop-overs ...Ever since I saw the Good Eats about these bready delights, I've wanted to make some, but was intimidated. Their failure is so drastic - very souffle like and droopy. But I was perusing PBS yesterday morning, and loving all the great Saturday cooking shows, when <a href="http://www.cookscountry.com/">Cooks Country </a>presented roast beef and pop-over. I love this show, as well as <a href="http://www.americastestkitchen.com/">America's Test Kitchen</a>. You know you can count on their recipes to be delicious, and not be overwhelmed by the instructions. </div><div></div><br /><div>That was true for the pop-overs. Really, the hardest part was greasing and flouring my muffin pan (because I don't want to buy a pop-over pan). While they were probably not completely perfect, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they did turn out. Airy, crispy in parts, and chewy, spongy in others. I keep thinking they'd be great with a slightly salty cheese.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386235722503945522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cs_mDadhlv6sB3c3hhBSwsTExwYvWyMCLYv3ajMH208kdLTMkvBF1Z0utAG3zenTKQEPZnKhk0fv14uVZ4HABL8S-IVr3OSYt2YoEoBPyCkhVbIV7AKSDqrFPqjHoF-jD1xBtijJcphi/s400/003.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I finished this bag last weekend, out of the Charlotte's Web reminiscent fabric T got me at Sew to Speak a while ago. Some of the pigs have a spider web on them - so cute. I found the pattern <a href="http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/03/21/make-your-own-reusable-shopping-bags/">here</a>, wanting to reproduce the massive carrying capability of an Envirosax fold up bag. The pattern is pretty darn easy, and I'm pleased with the result. I did leave out the snap closure, since the fabric is a bit too thick to fold up like the original. Still, I have a great big cute bag for carrying all my library returns in!</div><br /><div>There's finally some sunshine today, but the past week has been nothing but rain. I noticed a couple of tiny white mushroom sprouting up in the front yard, only to find them knocked over and tasted by a squirrel. I grabbed this one to get a few pictures of it before something else decided to sample it.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386238163334546178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1CwUIJq_OFBnYR_siC8KyF0F8MQtChvp0yB0kv6_uXnCCl8-gLL1aEkW3pTZBC6QevKwEcObd-C-NDLm43H1RBZherH-is7dtu_RcYZXw8RsK4twfrXh6S8riNuv7ZGAbwqMUhiyR0qo/s400/018.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386238165918396258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7mO8DoreyVOM4uieuPnC8cBw1ytPf5dTYwP3JLNyMmgjQdT_oOwaF1DwAOvNVIbVulhJV3z48lxmQllYnczHfbKCyXJf8aXR14fqax_wDKAnXFNYo3HybUD0eW7Ru3ihEOTH5jDxP8b5/s400/mushroom.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386238859394134850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibhp9pPPrC5pI8M1kN1sktDPSZs3xeaEBWZvdtOih5SxmzOS_I187RJAVATFwo1yPDzIJdznmdGG1SPbEzBS4Qs4Tjx4eaiVsxwoFb-4Y6_qRRHySBjobez8E__pJmq2jV9WcePdrwei4/s400/014.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386238176097935554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqMgbk_rLsCcvdbDIXezb_qjBvnCoZep9WM8qSOhm1pQhlqFoguGxZOsSFJqaf92Fo6P-JITokieiilLixr94MGMOc7m-cKWPhwnuus-6nQxKsEop-6DdMjqIgNLeHRWqbfSq0K4_kHVe/s400/013.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-58790707445042253952009-09-10T20:05:00.022-04:002009-09-12T18:02:48.469-04:00Our WeddingIt rained in the morning, for luck, but was clear in the afternoon when we needed it to be, so we didn't mind that it was a humid day. After 2 days of incredibly hard work with friends and family, it all came together, and T and I made our promises surrounded by the ones we love.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZTE9-n9YAMxnuqpUN7tdFLR6vYojXW0LAgmCCd0ZBMvjJ67T_m_pzZNKeZu6YUyjwXVB8CTPn2yXJUQI3xLyiBRmFPaaK3HWOP1j4rudUJRqnKUD-_d_IgGYppdPGLi30-N9u7Fh_k-g/s1600-h/porch3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380008025583035026" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZTE9-n9YAMxnuqpUN7tdFLR6vYojXW0LAgmCCd0ZBMvjJ67T_m_pzZNKeZu6YUyjwXVB8CTPn2yXJUQI3xLyiBRmFPaaK3HWOP1j4rudUJRqnKUD-_d_IgGYppdPGLi30-N9u7Fh_k-g/s400/porch3.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4M-ggAuvXOq9S8r6XiyzOG8p7EhyueT0TCjzFhZWwwPIwsEw7KTtLstlqItKBPMlf09DQnPwYOTKARdlLf5kml79U-INXH_GR-l4KIt0DYOi1IbIY9CF16o4TKBsBq_IwOi00fgnD-sl/s1600-h/porch+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380008031113295122" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4M-ggAuvXOq9S8r6XiyzOG8p7EhyueT0TCjzFhZWwwPIwsEw7KTtLstlqItKBPMlf09DQnPwYOTKARdlLf5kml79U-INXH_GR-l4KIt0DYOi1IbIY9CF16o4TKBsBq_IwOi00fgnD-sl/s400/porch+4.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2OjLOEokWgpK8cbKNppU_GqFrOvPdH2FvlAEgsk8FN31YihG-zjR7R4t8jKdRThr-HenMuB07b5E4e9Du4TKSFf-SjiMaUg2iBXt8d71L_Vxp-X4BD_eAsNMgBxGMHv8M4GV8cCb0xkB/s1600-h/pom+pom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380008040355078066" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2OjLOEokWgpK8cbKNppU_GqFrOvPdH2FvlAEgsk8FN31YihG-zjR7R4t8jKdRThr-HenMuB07b5E4e9Du4TKSFf-SjiMaUg2iBXt8d71L_Vxp-X4BD_eAsNMgBxGMHv8M4GV8cCb0xkB/s400/pom+pom.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380695590679688418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RetS-tDSPYafYzOUP-hWtK6OZjM_z1jzSPNAxf9_CgAIj7SYDobw0G6Gm1EP1thyphenhyphenU7v1MZdUuy9P5f6RbZhE5ZAxTs0HjuOxW1Jd8Ki7CAJ7nwqJlx-6PqCP79daqbfsFXjpKwO1CUaI/s400/Dianna+shower+and+wedding+042.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBDH56ViltebyYSbBYkEvuX1Joz26Tc-2nRcyEw6j5XcTbyNy3hxAZRTdz_cJwMtt1Tiq7a_4yvblsWk7eXXZPY5v4ERwQnUe4YbrH_W5SlrynvUD8QjvVED3NLlEU03BIiB4D7JJ_uJ2/s1600-h/pre+wedding+collage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380010562759479250" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBDH56ViltebyYSbBYkEvuX1Joz26Tc-2nRcyEw6j5XcTbyNy3hxAZRTdz_cJwMtt1Tiq7a_4yvblsWk7eXXZPY5v4ERwQnUe4YbrH_W5SlrynvUD8QjvVED3NLlEU03BIiB4D7JJ_uJ2/s400/pre+wedding+collage.jpg" border="0" /></a></p></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380013390165210370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLcOZKDsAbj2f5abu0QBbfR_dL7BTjKhFU7BO2fnYDaa1ILz7GEK8cTwaMMWJ2MKmHTckw5QIFOBvQw7MixphUVBdHTP-50rOC1Voq7aaeHdXhhVz_gWQ2DZFT9THjr2SgH9bfAkQWQGw/s400/Dianna+shower+and+wedding+040.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380011505839935634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hRxtRnUQZhtCtuSEiYQffeLQb0YMMSphIGc6mFknbf4VtbfPaPKxk7YbdjOhsgEHjTwl2-9fjHssvXnXl1uK2w8WNBkZ7ap1DPjyJ7427v5KcwLrcz3AY958wSvXVZsYAAQNWtwvXZOB/s400/me+and+lynne.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380015334198248434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF0SEIxwPL5nTHcdEPOtN2eTBGq9OH1FX6FBTCtc2xyQH84Jtl6Y1zxBx4tEJEnWLccvSCR-HPmMayI0-79tyJIVw3mI54lYTHdFsvDqeYqopNJ-dV36OEcn9PacGPqIFqy3TVa8vH8t-/s400/blog+collage.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380693674421817154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtb5l-g3GwOloa4PUflJJ60TY9h3gZnG4BFF5YT5D0tCOj1AqJyoPVegAdNG_9pGr1-ntvh-CcoF6FtOZrlOjA853lrPQlNncxmXv8J0oIcmABH2g_EnXidHcWEtflL8m9SGiNcxY2lI6/s400/aisle+collage.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380692948329905138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoMQZ8Px2As6YlLNX3EbwWUkNb-4HfN6wN4B54Ljn50i7V-Z1ThlEaQ5NiK9lCgtDGH44kWSLMKCGjr54en5gWbhx02tQF4BrESa9BsPVELcjAFp0xanyVZ0i9IPhBWPikcklDr6reW4q/s400/flowers.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380694312675913906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5sYJBPxGP3xHDlCs6bRSHTKSHKEsIjUy7_O6-keeilZVrFwWxz8mA5MKOmnyPv8iAbL3MoxEZ1nkhR65dKNdFEb2E44lU3V6-1AAwYQ8u5UZIg_1LUdVprEBS2tjof32pHXYnlTaH96w/s400/ceremony.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380694732348207858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-mlkMMqOrtsPrtG7anmHkGdnX6OlPCbzSOZBdC0tXvsuJJWMS8my20Kasr5HAkF-xuq4vdixZ_hZiXw5QdwlXF4O28Ln4IxdFyFffY4NvMd_soTfwMKQWzpXcbo-qTWPuxuhbQryFo0m/s400/married+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380013158150575874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i0mZexUXzrjhaZcgdFTe8Nj8XUWVMjLtxxdV2_u0wgUciTctaZ1nMlfxm8RRdldUZlQGOI6xk5cZHGIJvIlTGqDReKFPCYPVDvQ3H_60BdNKYlccvna2qRvWOnEhAU5TfqU5Eb3kUyuG/s400/lights+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380696155758218978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2iUhMT9n9pG518BdcA0W7ANT42bnqTttouUrSJVBvYf-u1sFbpWlrJPNiXb5nuMJn4ARO5GFjpHLYzojwHEzshpmAz6CPr9-WWpshwKx7XfV7MAEprVglYb1KxRAD3xrvyntuna1M_kg/s400/Dianna+shower+and+wedding+061.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380698206839144738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQclV9Hu21xN_CDsExSK-v54O7jb1VWUkSeNA-Kzcp4eJd3rBKfLAOIQVrk-HOWwPdooPcZU-L1R8m6J2oIwlfa_jdhMAeCVg6phg3-zFLNhLpN91WJyZF9ju8-ASvnh0IwG6pI4q_nyBK/s400/flowers+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380699264080429746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89S5pvcjPMJuZxs-HeOHDjKS9MwQVvBiOBUe4f5GhAVvamY7q6jjjisB2JkYBSagZct0IBvtPaDLAqH3I8wNOgVIVQ-oNeyy8NH4OKwH0R_1y_7UHAZuOc_MP15zvlxzX036WXNsqyc-C/s400/Dianna+shower+and+wedding+080+(2).jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380697053870639762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 363px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAVCYnXLvmHDRhffHVs2fBsATzyIyE2IoFQAqlFrs2pS9j39swTuahEH8ekamLuLXhwQLVwInPN0cEQsuOcvJ_coMNxMPxNrhBFYU3GWztsWwfAMDDmhf5CiVJUm5ICmh1r8j7YWkJrnB/s400/evening+table.jpg" border="0" />At the time, it all felt like a few seconds passing by, but looking back I can remember exactly how wonderful the night was. At the close of the evening, T lit fire works for the perfect, sparkly ending. I'm so glad it happened just the way it did.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380701820405271938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXf_wqok7aKTfbyp2AvNAinaVByF5yqYepIT4kyeJb2tv2jS8N12Ca9f80rcS0MLRLbX3hJhpyaO7rhkOo-V-sB2n0fUGqlejy5C3_QxtDGiQtps1CnwsbOzDaDPrF2E49yDpe0_JNoSx/s400/night+3.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-6956059211711751432009-09-07T19:39:00.007-04:002009-09-07T20:11:45.787-04:00The Last of the Honeymoon Hooha!<div align="center">Okay, I admit it. I'm a little bored with writing about all the honeymoon stuff. And if I'm bored of it, you probably, are too! I'm ready to totally return to normal life. So I'll close it up with just a bunch of pictures and captions, quick and dirty style. </div><div align="center"><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378875650699923266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKkxDzwMJnTcX3bHofTn9Tpk_fnTeUMKODAR1m4ALTNXbdwWF4SfPqmg8upv730F0O8dTIjlnaNURw7f7YAZZWORjdz5KTvJgFo0uWv76sXmCaOnAxDKZYAOrGzLWhilRBQt0eSWDbuUk/s320/Belize+roads+2.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">This is riding out to the Mayan ruins. The roads in Belize are pretty bad....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378875658581868658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_eP7fLt2d-PEYoosBjOtjInoGC-NEo0t_-b-RMuhuuL6sXTvZgEinknvAb2_x5tQZP5OVLyu1SB5DXa8Z8Gr-o0xg7ag1NOlx7JJ0gaIsNB_Wz3Pa9Nn2xu_DgPGsX6HwAJvSZYa50Z7/s320/Belize+roads.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">...and this was after improvements!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378875665458559122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TE3mZY2xnIpw3U4CSv9onnh_uRyTGjMLlypwbIvvoPRH8hfajcTlo2-oHE2olC_1tAUCAuFWZ5VpXx9nQ36F7jnZKCPJsT25P6wVw021l2uZ5uuo1ywtYdV815hqN040WE_ed6uGN1p-/s320/Labanntun.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">Mayan ruin, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Labanntun</span>, where the famous Crystal Skull was found. Apparently the first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">excavation</span> was done in the 20's...with dynamite. Now they're trying to reassemble.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378875676320799058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHNqa8kPXIAPEbjyUC2XUk9ZylwD6iu1R6vTjzWrehforOX_Y6ehKH72RF-9jzBEdbRLvJ1sFRo7z3-D0Vnn5uY-YXOIBZzYA-O3wV1Od61xMcH5uHj_8CXllhXsVCrERgOPaQ6BIcsL3/s320/Labanntun+2.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378875685293807842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjQF_O5dinZcLwEjtsZZuGgelD_FsGqaYdI2MNhBQksyKWLEgXCwFmdBV0eS7zh-1ybNmCM2qIITIJiFs8X7LOhbCfL0acwzqLJk2fqFJaKaih5YD4dqWxRMVLAKj2fIqQnSPCJ-cYxu2/s320/Labanntun+18.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378876702534906162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdpdYcCaGdeUh98jBL0RNDvR1FRH_JwKZs_btYb0VqeEmdNPFcgFfsCLPx29JH_VYfFhKyUXHKUZRcDEDrvmdZBlkRhKC5v58HKXA_h19NCaBxy9ibFmA2K71-3DFrTgcwETsn1imqBuQ/s320/Blue+Creek.JPG" border="0" /></p><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center">After the ruins, we drove further inland to Blue Creek for our cave swimming adventure. This is a lodge for academic types to study the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">rain forest</span>.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378879803581066050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi48DztrXPKj5OEpYhqrAjjbf2pZIwEsCQ_Enwwc36bEd9J21Yp2M5Orry24XeTDwnZvlDMXlIV9oJZ9JPhPQZSSzgzHr06-V6Bp6ZCCkDWjcM462h7JWiyQFp-ftHgR3FLB1zIcdm6IME/s320/Rain.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">And here it is, mere seconds later in that famous rainy season rain.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378877756984865362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIROtTrWQifEjSrQXi63GXUJsXwlB6tsGIWgAw0aRcJ9-CYvLKuC0MkfO9e25ImyqZzV-IaogkcKonInE4pUYDq7RDrDMJ4RmobIRQoZcusq1cjPbP0mfhDYdmeStp5_cWkIX0RcHWJq-/s320/Cocoa.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">This is how chocolate is born! Cocoa pods growing wild.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378876717494111202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BrwV5ahsul16NE91eTfRlbO4SzSxNy9QiTPzZfQZT1fuw4i_1yH-1_PFvSpD40oM7WU6GK1nHQRGHlq3lcbsKHE6-s8WmCU27ZlatGx5Ds-pwSOe42YEQKBFep18McUcdz19RMuExsoN/s320/Cave.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Here is the cave we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">swam</span> into...after a downpour, in they rain season, with shoes on, no life jacket and into pitch darkness with only a weak caving light for illumination. Needless to say, this is the cave of doom, where I practically drowned. </p><p align="center">And looking at how strong the river is, you can see why I should have listened to those warning bells going off in my tummy!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378876725436944098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-E1aqdp8_xHQU5sn24lBShkNt2M54WeIs1881JfqZWBWMIBjsQrHfCbaXBNCmuzMZAXqVjqhfT_klaoJUy3BBfX2AKnrAYTjES1DUP4hSz1jEPw3bN7qJU7M6WoWAmTPA4dOXJ7jZ_1v/s320/Cave+river.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378876736633585090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPcM5YOvLv8EWlu69GSXvsE1zE4phOLHtUl5mR9sNpeKT2yYAzEMgPXG6shY5NobnmpO2JStfq-Gea6VnDHNBaqXBsacUN89NcwzNrQgN5nCFk-f79_936HayZDxQoQHXUt1QqfIHGfS3/s320/Maya+thatch+houses.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Maya people often still live in these thatched houses. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess. </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378877740746516178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_GHVl5wPXefBPytPlk61rXTbgLFio30PmExd5nPN2d1kA2zhwV8cJVSTts7_Vggw0gBHkX2NCqEUGRYnCPYXnCb1BM9nwvvqcJUQH06kJxIwZMC7xk50KUiGcUFVNz_BhiPJ7vXnjq7d/s320/Mayan+Mts.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">The Mayan Mountains.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378877732930125186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwMsC6FyUSO_zue2TuCVgzFScu-CYgFl0v42wWNbWRwStYznMT9X67Np4RgosmohuhXXXE3Iec-58pNyDokXyE88D7rNdvGvBfaYa9NIvkBAMh1W5Mw2BLdnXl4fiHPTt6nLwaaSBCfWa/s320/From+the+porch.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">One last sit out on our cabana porch. </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378877747488783906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3bx4dltaJXVPg7xQUSR98TzRtxFItMIB6A0fyjScKUlGDq7prIfTuNr3yWn4aCM5eu8S0Q8PFw8Dm92Uk9t4vVcf6eD_eN84tQZpAiAhXqu-p2tb7C6su87t8wrYYwCZq1t8_z5OehbM/s320/plane+out.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Our teeny plane back out to Belize City. This flight was packed. After our first stop, after five minutes of flying, we dropped what appeared to be the pilot's buddy off in Savannah, and took on more passengers. In order to do so, another passenger had to go sit next in the co-pilot's seat!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378877764885259538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEDkrBwJeas4jcGLb-MGHtOm2pur_I2vp9R40M-ghv9Im1D5AFt-kWV38I_4PAMwW4ePYRclorS-W3cEUMqdpALa08omQdB_S7FjXu69Y9hGIi9QhHJ2fSXYGvSfprUE5ZFzOGggsIE8F/s320/palm+tree.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">What I miss the most is the sound of the water, and rustle of the coconut palm fronds, tapping together in the wind. There was always the gentle sound of tapping rain drops, even when the skies were clear. </p><p> </p>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-88176309458076448372009-09-04T15:51:00.006-04:002009-09-04T16:19:59.993-04:00You'd Better Belize it, Part Deux!<div>On to Monkey River! Our 3rd day in Placencia took us to a tour of Monkey River, and Monkey River Town. To get there, we boarded a teeny tiny boat with four other people, and sped across the (thankfully) very still ocean waters. Seriously, that morning, the water was so still it felt like a Stephen Kind book. After some time we came to the mangroves, which were maze like and so unlike any other vegetation I've ever seen. How many trees actually live in salt water? We wound our way through, the boat driver telling us how this was actually a quick, safe way for people to keep between Placencia and Monkey River, since its waters are more calm and protected, and the roads are so incredibly bad in Belize.<br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377703164899635538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMeLCiFsW2QG7fKCLssX2SckHG4kcfG2gyMHDgmlH1ExaVHJViN4H5kVKSXqb55Xkv9wMvkDYKGLHSFhPCBVRaqvKYAOclqK9WmGnzNslbBYdlLnlhzpdvlIbDHg3cRcsuRj6WxkB9PAa/s320/mangrove+2.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377703172474325650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7n_akeAbDNqBKuwFf7FSiZgyLiuEEy0kdEEN5PkOuadMZ0au9yn2-4GY74cUwjd2NI5_ev2yf0c1RQ-cPMY95FjA5S9Pz_DOSy_l4L_hJrvq7awkn2e1Jn96wRtgWDk_9FyKCKcAzLMr/s320/Monkey+River+Town.JPG" border="0" />We finally made it to the mouth of the Monkey River, and there it was - Monkey River Town! I think the current population is maybe 80 (don't quote me on that), but it used to be even more populous than Placencia. A banana blight destroyed the plantations, and forced everyone to move away to Placencia.</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377703185132431986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94hW84nI6NJmXW7PUo-jQc8PslTayn7rZXkd30DRd9xfUm1FVtWdig3pCc_Pf43zwBAaK2YoW9jijvAQmVOKMabq0_dcRr2r86g1U7Lgoafm_mYPbB37A0pnddWFBo-aHTOU2WyO3aUxg/s320/Monkey+River+Town+2.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p>It was here we picked up our guide, Percy, aka. <a href="http://www.kingofthehowlers.com/">Rambo</a>, made out lunch order at Alice's restaurant, and headed back up the river. Rambo was a great guide, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, and told us about a million plants in the jungle that could either kill you, save your life or help you out with that nasty bed wetting problem.</p><br /><p>After seeing iguanas, alligators, bats, and numerous birds we found Howler Monkeys. Percy got them riled up by walking around under their tree and making a ruckus. The dominate male put on quite a poo and pee show to let us know who was boss around here.</p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377705248766864258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLm0dca2W5q_jo8RGnLgy7UiHcLAdUh688e_t9YXdOVvrvm-P087FU6t68vh3Pl84-G9tQ63fy_DwKQbKFrtW-nai1ax1H-aZVsBKNo8bafWWGS1npjj4lMjLKQP6tD_HcdH0lnGWZId6i/s320/Howler+Monkeys.JPG" border="0" /></p></div><br /><p></p><br /><p>We traveled a little further up the river, then landed the boat, and took a walk through the jungle. Covered in bug spray saw more amazing plants, ate a delicious fruit, drank from the water vine and ate real live termites! They tasted grassy and minty, and were so small you didn't really notice you were eating live bugs. We also came across the giant blue crab who makes holes all over the place, and would probably be happy to eat your toes.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377706502936552834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhABRtdqgqccqmbIWa6UKtjlOb_8bmRqKooC68VVJ9Xf5BhBAZyq4QFdccbFEDUSBlvgbYvISvYe37qoNMNlyosElHuFDC-quWTSEjTCoo8-yJl8CtKCo4AAyyiku6aOm2bj4xE53jcRG/s320/Bamboo+%26+termites.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377703204545249170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsamKeVon4i_oNwAaU9SWqoGXrfAzZfeD-jibnTBwxi2NdQfh-TyKOQ4qjiCAj1WOl7HvqmNpA8gvedb0I09_1VVz9XP4iNKcEenA9YAxBdHMVGuQtbrKvsD6WqKHpzFXqEndPxymjq8u0/s320/Blue+Crab.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>After the trip through the jungle, we headed back down the river, stopping to eat some sugar cane, getting rained on in the rain forest. Back at Monkey River Town, we had lunch. Let me tell you people, Belizean stew chicken with rice and beans is ridiculously good. I'm planning on ordering the spice they use, Recado or Recardo, to try it out myself. After lunch, Rambo took us on a tour of the village - which is going to get electricity soon, showing us where everyone sheltered in a 2002 hurricane, the school and the structures they built to curtail the shore erosion.</p><br /><p>On the way back to Placencia, we stopped to spot manatees, which we did. Mostly it was their snouts popping up for air, and their tails flipping back under the water, but cool nonetheless.</p><p>Next up, we hike to a waterfall, tube down a river, visit a ruin and I almost drown! Just regular honeymoon, really. Now, for your viewing pleasure, a real, live jungle chicken...or iguana.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377709353517969874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias3rXeBDbNGOrjiRNGjNSJhzw0bphmguU-pLKyYI-qHrqIvdBjUaZ8CDit1AcMIexb0gWo8SKsXVcsG70C64hs_WISftdmZQvHhd2NhtAFXRRtW09y69DHY8wDn4c1NzyC1WBpuOBKfIc/s320/Iguana+close+up.jpg" border="0" /></p></div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-27301606679027849832009-09-01T20:49:00.008-04:002009-09-01T21:35:11.143-04:00You'd Better Belize It!<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRJWnSylDRWQRKeQ3uQGIfWtSxabFbEhv6W4j0hiMg2ZQdKAGYHBLf4m_15of6BExE3UtGtmzpk-Hpl4bITVKihLkH9HXkf6fkpwIRe6I9wwLgoQYPZT0OyTXglGVmqZFzedJS7ySovRZ/s1600-h/the+point.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376667246240880882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRJWnSylDRWQRKeQ3uQGIfWtSxabFbEhv6W4j0hiMg2ZQdKAGYHBLf4m_15of6BExE3UtGtmzpk-Hpl4bITVKihLkH9HXkf6fkpwIRe6I9wwLgoQYPZT0OyTXglGVmqZFzedJS7ySovRZ/s320/the+point.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It's starting to feel like a long time ago, but T and I got back from out honeymoon in Belize a few short weeks ago. And we actually saw that delightfully cheesy phrase on quite a few pamphlets and t-shirts! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">We were crazy and flew the morning after the wedding (I was weeping occasionally from fatigue and emotions), and after one heck of a long day of travel we arrived in Belize City. Attentive travelers might have noticed the sign that said "Human trafficking is illegal," but blissful honeymooners that we were, we chose not to. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">We cleared the customs people (and there was of course the officious guy who took his job waaaay to seriously. This, apparently, is universal.) We paid the tax for entering the country, and got checked in for our flight out to Placencia, our final destination. When they handed us laminated boarding passes that were <em>to be returned</em> upon boarding, I finally felt like I was in a different country. Did I mention how small the plane was?</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376668843082441234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhpe0lrm8Bl-iczrDsLL86USOY-7uw6vfKyhEB5_1I46JmuMJ-nzkM61G1zhPsJOpIdDgOaXz-28b8WpmZJIGJeMOppPzWmo6gd7FoCoWs107auauPm7dVbHHgWk4JcfHgJG61wNo90Ae/s320/Flight+in+2.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="left"><br />Yes, the entire plane could easily have heard our pilot from anywhere on board, but he still used the PA to welcome us to the flight, and cursorily give us saftey info. It was only a 30 minute flight, but it was a little nerve wracking. We'd never been in a single engine plane before, and let me tell you, it doesn't even feel like a bus in the sky...it's like a Chevie Astro in the sky. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Needless to say, everything went fine, we got there, took the 5 minute cab ride into town (down the one road on the whole peninsula) and finally got checked in to our cabana, right on the beach. The word "aaaaahhhhhh" doesn't really cut it for the sense of relief we felt to actually be done doing and moving and scrambling and worrying about wedding stuff. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376670551133217042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhPB7l9pcmPLgYTEzzZgO_mc5-dILmB_wP8-3_GWssjhEqj9RFkEcPweFOxkTE8Wy8KnF8qKeql7tRPDoMV_4mVKIZLnuXv9jrDxjUom7jVQtSrm_vYqZZzysuECry4mmG1COJCG8KB4p/s320/Our+cabana.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376670896043024818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd-S2Ire25d63v9lgBEeDSrn4zmkLMbujjhybHV-3DBA5coS_FfkxhsL-YyUVOVfO87k2tleZ0pJwzA8kIgGvo4p-6E1H2GxPKhHGL7u2rCiWnA0h0T39uNaC1XXf1O5MOgM_Dw2qzXMz/s320/first+night+3.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />We could finally sit still. The next day we actually able to take in our surroundings, and man were they gorgeous.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376672792124962210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLzHBIULM9CW3J0_AitWV8jG7N4j4LmRl5GsF5CneFW08jbd2742t35y9FQmDWTWZRBQgVRg963nlTdEKJxcloDD2chkvJyVbzkh6xhlbTNHdutFhfxn7QZChDFiUJyhLYFL17mtZQ3BK/s320/morning+3.JPG" border="0" /> Our little piece of beach. </p><p align="center">The land in the distance is actually a quay.</p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376672806129572834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuomDGYZJh_ywyp6hL1DZ47OF3b1bTosrKHAk6sPlPm6m8n7HsHBVXeX93YDCbD8eiNirrLUuBjUmpYCAsWj09Oc9pXzf_0voonozumdNT_WmPO1-JmN78bJD9A3w4TT6UhUXEZOUhlRc/s320/walking+to+cabanna.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">The walk out to the beach and to our cabana</p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376672797010600466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy6cNWND1acb63TaBD0wzdsDrP4FKjoL_OnPFTlu-AayJNE0NcBOHxvUknpZ1gwzWmpQarr8_jfUhmL3xN8Utkl_vu13xzLtzTFUJgarO5wHwRy_TbDjRei0Y8ecOt8VP8-zruSZpLmqF/s320/flower+5.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">There were flowers <strong>everywhere</strong>.<br /><br /></p><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376672821246966802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrhYLhgXw77-T8EpTiaThJB0lZ01kuXV_9wuhbt3kcHUpPrKHfLlx-7uG8TQJysJ7GAEaWhzIvq5VzlG5ZqbKLKXf1WNUcoLowE7-kf324Hrz6zCKnJUvk9CawnNL5QzAe4im3cwwc5pH/s320/the+point+3.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">The point at the very end of the peninsula.</p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376673357985170162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6xJVWhs_JmzCPPpljga3Z8VejUHEPQf_RpzmVmUbP53LTc5HuVo-NeAC5EKH8Tr38543FiaBt0pfi25EfQteB1NTpr9VggHKGyUEeeH6xTritHw42Bk1FflexayH4dWtB1YXKq7FqLnu/s320/sidewalk.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">The Placencia sidewalk. It goes nearly the entire length of the village.</p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376672833978667522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionihW2HwU59SEpYjG9zaMFyXOMbWlTwem9LIzHOoSg-ix7l1XnoO_EbaXFIzbVqYKJMOcj4nBro9aeUBdoeGhLM8eTaBEuY4iA1SeF7Oer0Wg1PA44eOkHv8hGbRD-RpYrDbYX2iPcO1H/s320/traveler+paln.JPG" border="0" /> A Traveler Palm<br /></p><p>Coming soon, a trip to Monkey River, Cockscomb Nature Preserve, ruins and ...the cave of doom!</p>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519091778540113949.post-83183418336868198192009-08-30T10:20:00.003-04:002009-08-30T10:50:06.795-04:00A Quick DinnerHi there! Well, the dust has settled, the decorations and luggage have finally been put away, and the pictures are being ever so slowly decided on. T and I are man and wife, and I <strong>finally</strong> feel like life is back to normal. I'll have more pictures up soon for the wedding and honeymoon, but right now I thought I'd share my favorite quick meal of the summer, staring grape tomatoes and basil!<br /><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375763956984007842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdg4A-UQMZj0kpaL2lpg5fhagoIrMkUt72BhrV98zy6qRZ4CId4_wHSDXkFo8-0bvG66kxYhgzVkj8nO_aOg3DFzugHAWpYvl4cGf7SiOLU02imLzggQ_mKn_sWJYFzZguEJ_vzM7vO1W7/s320/006.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div>While we weren't too ambitious with our garden care this summer, it's definitely given us some meals, and a whole lotta potatoes. Several times we've had nothing that I wanted to eat, then I realize I can walk out there and throw something together, usually pasta related.</div><div><br /></div><div>This past Friday, I found myself in just that situation. Happily, there were still a whole big bunch of grape tomatoes left on the vine, due to my own inattention. This plant was an accidental purchase, but I've been so pleased with it. It was a huge producer, and perfect for my tomato needs. Anyway, I started by halving the 'maters, and getting some water on the boil.</div><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375763968409822338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoTBaIHmxp5klp9ERkgiAD1nnCcygoVqP8hH-LB0xgKSMdjnv5M-F9qnC4cwxPEHNG4mSRI90-r7paa7IzJekZyeTOfrRv9Rbvy4a82-EJ71zism3PN6exI-qLxOLJUNhs7xbm3JaR8XI/s320/008.JPG" border="0" />I almost grabbed the store bought garlic when I remembered we had home grown, languishing away among the kitchen table clutter! This was another pleasant garden surprise, since I totally planted it at the wrong time (knowingly, I was just curious to see what would happen). Lo and behold, we actually grew a few heads of garlic. I'm planning on doing it the right way this fall, since it worked so well the wrong way.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375763977120404530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WtErBC96ac2OT1PI7KGkhdUwsJkZuR7k6ySW4o13UyX7eeDK5wyeisKVQGAhvrccbiRU-WD-mBzf8LVn974vfDWMGyT_1W2KQ7c8G_SXy8BnooAByK2C-_4G3q_icPI2UTk55NRnRfLQ/s320/009.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It looks a little gnarly, I know, but it's good stuff! I chopped up a clove or two, and sauteed a few seconds in olive oil, along with a pat of for-real butter. I discovered recently this makes sauces yummy and rich, and you don't have to feel too bad about it, cause it's such a small amount! Once the garlic was toasty, I threw in the tomatoes, a little bit on onion, salt, pepper and some fresh thyme I had (also languishing) in the fridge.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375763992846151186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Dx0DoyRz9ouLd8RV2dFz7xYSgFfs-8d2J4Hm-nBkyF-Er750YWCLbio23tssqvysrN3218Op7efD8oK4iw7BG6McP5by0hlqMegqc63_P9bB5LTyjujVrPWy5WVbvlpzHTL3nY5jx7R/s320/010.JPG" border="0" />I let this cook away and soften the tomatoes for a few minutes, adding some dried thyme in the end, cause I just wanted a little more umph. All the while I cooked up some ditalini, cause I had it around, too. When everything was ready to go, I adding the pasta to the tomatoes, remembered I had some cubed ham in the fridge too, and hooray! Some mozzarella cheese!<br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375764000996193730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkLB9VxWAF0opKl6nfV3ymcnDWNCAEcqQgfKCH-zX0T-KYGaPY8VUeuLiMavXnJw518qjvQyuPqV06k1ubPmhXTR7UG4SsBF_lvcT_dLw2I_24T8r3LwrnHBFV5sPUakoIRV56ZDeMxk5/s320/013.JPG" border="0" /><br />So, I threw it in a bowl, let the cheese get melty, used some home grown basil for garnish and there ya go! D-licious, and no-lie, made from random stuff I had sitting around. (I hate recipes that claim to be from things everyone has sitting around their kitchen, but they're never things I happen to have.)<br /><br /><div>The great thing about this one is how you can kind of rotate different ingredients in and out...well, except the tomatoes and garlic, I guess. But any kind of herb, protein or cheese would be just as good. And since I could eat pasta practically every day, this recipe couldn't make me happier!</div>Dianna Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913945870400562260noreply@blogger.com0