While I don't have any pictures to post at this moment, I have been doing a ton of crafting at home. My two latest projects have involved pattern making, albeit REALLY SIMPLE pattern making, and fusing plastic bags. You know, the kinds of bags you get at the grocery store. I switched over to fabric sacks, but somehow, we keep accumulating the plastic bags still..
I've been experimenting with the plastic bag fusing for the last several days. I've seen some pretty cool thinks on craftster and etsy. Amanda Lewis has a youtube video she created that I wish I had watched before I started experimenting.. See the embeded video below.
Last night, I was able to get the right consistancy of the plastic and am sure to make something fabulous this weekend. I will post pictures of my steps shortly!
Ingredients: 1 yellow onion, cut into strips 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips Garam Marsala spice (Can substitute Cayenne Pepper for a spicy kick) A bag of frozen, pre-cooked shrimp (You can also use fresh de-shelled, de-veined shrimp) Quick Grits Water Shredded cheddar cheese Olive oil Salt & pepper
Directions: Heat olive oil in a large pan and saute onions and bell peppers until heated through, but still crisp.
While the veggies are saute-ing, start your grits. For 4, boil 2 c water (I add some salt and olive oil like when cooking pasta). Remove from heat and add 1/2 c Quick Grits. Cover and let sit for a few minutes.
Back to the veggies. Add about 2 teaspoons of Garam Marsala (or Cayenne pepper to taste) along with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Throw in pre-cooked frozen shrimp. Stir to mix up spices. Cover pan until shrimp are warmed through. For 4 servings, add about 1/2 a bag of frozen pre-cooked shrimp. Be careful not to forget them and over cook the shrimp!
And now, to finish off the grits. Add about 1 c Sharp Shredded Cheddar Cheese to the grits and stir into the grits until fully incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon grits in a bowl and top with Shrimp and peppers.
Now, we're ready to eat!
You can also spoon the grits into a ramekin and bake in the oven for a few minutes to firm up the grits. This is how they serve grits at the Ivey House, one of my favorite restaurants in the Gainesville area. They opened a new location in Alachua not far from home, so we eat there often. Their shrimp and grits are goooooood. They BBQ the shrimp in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, which would also be a nice quick way to prepare this meal.
My best friend of 25 years got married this weekend to a very wonderful man. As the Matron of Honor (ugh - that just sounds old...), I threw her a Bridal Luncheon. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of my mother, the quintessential party planner. There's not a party this woman can pull off less than perfect!
Since it was a garden-themed wedding, we did a garden-themed luncheon. For starters, my mom made some baked brie and an warm onion dip she does frequently. Then, we made a spinach salad topped with Amish blue cheese crumbles, some blueberries and raspberries, and some walnuts. For the main course, I made a rosemary pork tenderloin which we served with green beans and a butternut squash soup.
The highlight of the lunch was dessert (when is dessert not the highlight??). I made some spectacular lavender ice cream that was complimented by a lavender pound cake my mom had made. I've included the recipe below.
Cheers Daniel and Chrissy!!
Lavender Ice Cream
2/3 c Half n Half 3 oz dried lavender flowers (I found mine in the Spice section of the grocery store) 2/3 c Sugar 4 Egg yolks 2/3 c Heavy whipping cream, cold Dried Lavender flowers for garnish (optional)
In a saucepan, slowly heat half n half to approximately 200 F.
Remove from heat and add lavender. Allow to steep for 15 minutes.
Strain milk through cheesecloth while warm.
Return half n half and stir in sugar until dissolved.
In a separate bowl, lightly whisk egg yolks.
Add a small amount of heated half n half/sugar mixture to egg yolks, whisking constantly.
Add egg yolk mixture to warm half n half mixture and stir constantly until mixture coats the back of a spoon.
Remove from heat again and stir in heavy whipping cream.
Chill in refrigerator until thoroughly cooled (2 hours - overnight).
Process in any ice cream machine. Freeze if necessary.
Earlier this week, I took a Flash CS3 class at New Horizons here in Gainesville. I was somewhat apprehensive as to how it would go. Images of my undergrad programming classes with 200+ students and lots of information crammed into "intro" courses had me in a cold sweat. The first time I took 'Intro to C' was a disaster and I got a D. (Thank God for FSU's policy about retaking classes.. I eeked out a C+ average.)
The experience was actually extremely pleasant. The class was very small - 4 students - and the instructor of the course - Vonne - was AWESOME. For a day and a half, I was able to learn more than I had from any book I had ever tried to learn from before. I was always able to get thru the first chapter or two of a flash book, and then got lost. Even Flash for Dummies! I thought I was just super stupid (SUPA STUPID! Remember that day w/ Illi, Earlene??). All it took was some dedicated time and a great teacher. (The class was actually a two day class, but on the first day, I got violently ill and spent half of the day at home hugging my toilet.)
Well, today, I will be posting a new COE flash banner. All of you who have been eagerly awaiting the new banner since the beginning of the semester should be pleased. I know there are probably a few things that could use some more finesse, but I'm pretty proud of myself, and you should be too.
My next goal is to take the COE's existing flash template and make it a little easier to navigate for a n00b (that's tech slang for a newbie, you non-techy kids). Next time, I will be able to get the new banner done in a flash.
If you've never visited the Hungry Girl website, do it now. Earlene turned me on to it. Great calorie saving ideas. Today's special is cheesy broc soup. YUM.
HG's Cheesy Broc Star Soup Broc 'n' Roll! When we saw Green Giant's cute little portions of cheesy veggies, we couldn't WAIT to shove one into the blender. A little weird, but our love for a good soup is kind of out of control. Blend up a bowl of this cheesy-broc creation, and you'll understand...
Directions: To prepare Broccoli & Cheese Sauce, pull film back slightly to vent. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Pull film back all the way (but do not remove), and stir in cheese wedge pieces. Place film back over the tray, and microwave for an additional 45 seconds. Mix well, and allow to cool slightly. Place broccoli/cheese mixture in a blender with soymilk. Blend at medium speed until desired consistency is reached (blend very briefly if you like broccoli pieces in your soup -- blend longer for fully pureed soup). Transfer soup to your favorite microwave-safe bowl (or your second-favorite one, if your fave isn't clean). Heat soup in the microwave for 45 seconds, or until hot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Then slurp it up!
MAKES 1 SERVING Serving Size: 1 cup (entire recipe) Calories: 125 Fat: 5.75g Sodium: 796mg Carbs: 11.5g Fiber: 2g Sugars: 4.5g Protein: 7g POINTS® value 3*
The Sew Mama Sew featured her warm and toasty corn pillows yesterday. I personally know these are great pillows - she gave me a mini in June! It has helped ease some aches and pains. I'm going to use her idea and create a rice eye pillow for Christmas from some re-purposed clothing.
We recently watched Bottle Rocket, a movie from 1996 written by and starring Luke and Owen Wilson. I'm a big fan of Wes Anderson movies to begin with, but this one is by far my all time favorite movie.
This recipe comes from my friend Nellie who sent it to me as part of a recipe exchange.
3-Minute No-Bake Cookies
2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup milk 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 tablespoons peanut butter 3 cups quick oats In large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, cocoa and salt. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and peanut butter; stirring until peanut butter is melted. Add oats and mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. Store tightly covered. Makes about 3 dozen.
This is from a recent Real Simple issue. I've made this several times since and it is REALLY yummy and takes no time at all. I've served it alone and with mashed potatoes (I really cheated and used instant mash potatoes the last time I made it when we had company come over. They thought I had been cooking this all day lon
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 1/4 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch pieces Kosher salt and pepper 1 10-ounce package sliced mushrooms 1 16-ounce package frozen pearl onions 2 cups red wine 1 10.75-ounce can Campbellýs Golden Mushroom soup 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped (optional)
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Season the steak with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the steak to a bowl and set aside.
Add the mushrooms and onions to the pan and cook until the liquid has evaporated. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the soup and 1/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Add the steak and juices from the bowl and simmer, 2 minutes.
Divide into individual bowls and sprinkle with the parsley, if using.
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well . Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using)and vanilla, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!)
The moment has come to face the truth I'm wide awake, and so are you Do you have a clue what this is? (I don't know) Are you everything that I miss? (I don't hope so) We'll just have to wait and see (Wait, and see) If things go right we're meant to be
The surface is gone, we scratched it off We made some plans, and let them go Do you have the slightest idea (No, I don't) Why the world is bright with you here? (Oh, is that so?) Stay a while and wait and see (wait, and see) If things go right we're meant to be
Oh, what a world this life would be Forget all your technicolour dreams Forget modern nature This is how it´s meant to be
The time is here for being straight It´s not too early and never too late People say I should watch my pace (What do they know?) "Think how you spend all your days" (They all say so) They´ll just have to wait and see (Wait, and see) If things go right they´ll have to agree
Oh, what a world this life would be Forget all your technicolour dreams Forget modern nature This is how it´s meant to be
Do you have the slightest idea (No, I don't) Why the world is bright with you here? (Oh, is that so?) Stay a while and wait and see (wait, and see) If things go right we're meant to be
Oh, what a world this life would be Forget all your technicolour dreams Forget modern nature This is how it´s meant to be
I found Cowgirls and Cupcakes by following Crafty Chica Kathy Cano-Murillo who mentioned it on HER blog. Follow that??
Anyways, I have always been tempted to make posts to blogs that I just happen upon, but never do. I don't know what it was - maybe the weather, or the time of day - but I submitted my Mango Chutney Pork Tenderloin recipe and voila! They posted it!
This was a recipe my mom made a few times for the family when I was younger. I told her recently that this is one of my favorite dinners and I make it at least once a month now as a grown-up. I think she was a little surprised that it still gets made :)
Here's a link to the post. Be sure to check out the rest of the blog. There are some good lookin' recipes on there!
Sewing has become my new craft-time, so the jewelry making has fallen by the way-side. This last weekend, however, I did find some time to spend making pretty baubles for my friend's upcoming wedding (MOH in the house!!)
The colors are pink, sage green, and chocolate, so I got an assortment of beads in those colors: round jade briolletes, some elongated faceted smokey quartz, different sizes of pink faceted glass, and of course pearls in pink and chololate (some real, some glass). I just linked them together with some 24g gold filled wire and added a sparkly cluster with a HUGE smokey quartz drop in the center.
Here is the finished project . I finished off the necklace with a couple links of chain so you can extend the length. There's a dangling pearl that hands down the back in a sweetly sexy way.
I'm working on some matching cluster earrings similar to the middle drop, but without the honkin' quartz drop in the center.
No pictures yet (I know you're disappointed) of all the sewing things I brought home this weekend. Last night, I broke into a couple of the boxes and found everything sewing.
Seriously.
Binding material in any color you can think of, spools and spools of threads, two overflowing crates of fabric, several large tins of buttons, a couple patterns, and one large box dedicated to rickrack, lace, and other finishings.
Going through the fabric, I found two unfinished projects - a pink and orange (!!!) linen dress and a black wool pencil skirt. I also found a scrap of fabric from my First Communion dress and as well as scraps from baby doll dresses - all made by my grandmother.
Can't wait to post - between her sewing things, and the fabric I bought at Ikea with my mother-in-law, I am set for a long while.
This was really my first attempt and using zippers and pleats. The bolster pillow was fairly easy once I pinned the pleats. For the zippers, I deconstructed large floor pillows and changed out one panel for the red paisley pattern.I love the sweater pillowcase the most. It's so warm and cozy! That sweater had too many holes, stains, and missing buttons to fix (I'm lazy like that) but I love it MUCH better as a soft pillow.
We frequently see deer in our neighborhood thanks to the close proximity of San Felasco. My dad has gotten into the habit of leaving salt licks and corn out behind the house, which attracts several deer a night. Last night, I headed over to check on my parents' house, and 9 deer were out in the back yard.
Waiting.
They weren't scared or anything. The deer all sat there and watch me walk out to them. As I threw out the feed, they started to creep forward, closer and closer to the corn. I took a few steps back and watched for a good 20 minutes or so. I started to notice that other deer were joining the group and at one point, I counted 16 of them there.
He has a routine, my dad. Every night about 6pm he heads out to the back yard, bucket of feed in hand. He shakes the feed around and thumps on the bottom of the bucket in between steps. They hear him and start gathering, jumping across the creek from neighbors' yards, just to get to sweet tasty corn.
Some evenings, when my parents are off living their busy lives, I go over to let the dogs out, they will be sitting there, waiting expectantly for me to walk over and throw feed at their feet.
It's hard not to feel a little pumped with football season starting next weekend, especially now that I work on campus.
Today's treat was getting to see the marching band practicing on Norman Field. Reminds me of the days when I would go out and watch the Seminole's practicing.
First game is Aug 30th - UF v Hawaii in the Swamp.
A Japanese man has written an open letter [non-translated] to Google requesting that the images of 'residential roads of Japan's urban areas be removed' from Street View.
Even in the midst of trying to do good, feelings still get hurt.
And it's not just an issue across nations, but here with us right in our back yard. A couple in PA. is suing Google for violating their privacy by trespassing on their property. They claim that in order for a particular StreetView image to be taken, it had to have been taken from their drive way, which is marked as a private road.
What is Google's next step? And how far do they go in the quest of their mission? There's always more information out there [Google's Ten Things #7]. That statement extends Google's mission - they're not just organizing information on the web, they are organizing our lives. Yes, there is always more information out there. Where do you draw the line? Is that considered censorship or privacy? Tough questions.
Several links to my graduate school activities found via a vanity search on cuil. Interesting how different the results are from Google. prenspace.com didn't even make it in the top 10 pages on cuil, but it's the third entry with the goog-meister.
Ugh. I am so tired. It has been a jammed packed week. The dogs passed obedience class on Monday, and we had dive class Tues and Weds. Last night was our swimming test and it was a little harder than I thought it was. 10 laps in the pool wears you out! I could have treaded water for more than the required 10 mins, though. This weekend, we will be officially certified for Open Water.
I was looking into a waterproof casing for my Canon - they cost almost as much as the freaking camera! I might hit up Walmart and see if I can get a cheapie. Or a disposable one would work too..
Today's plans include doing some website-ing, teaching a lesson, and maybe, just maybe, doing something in the yard. And laundry tonight. That pile is only getting bigger and will grow instantly by 5 days when R gets home from his trip. Come to think about it, there is a pretty heft pile of dishes to do soon.. and the bathroom.. and dusting..
I randomly came across this blog post via the craftzine blog and thought it was just the coolest thing. Then I realized who the blog belonged to an old acquaintance from Austin!
Turns out the 5 outlets that stopped working after a bad storm a couple weeks ago were fixed with a simple GFI switch. R was right! He just didn't know where to look. What a smarty.
We also got an estimate for the electrician to install all the light fixtures we've been thinking about. Not too shabby! Casa Ladkani will be all lit up in a matter of weeks, me thinks!
We set up the Wii Sunday night but actually played it last night. It's so much fun - I love it! Finally, a video game for me. None of this first person pseudo-realistic shooter type game. Let's just face it - I'm a terrible Halo player (several can attest to this fact!). I really like puzzle games, like Tetris. Ah. I love me some Tetris. And I'm not too bad at them.
Back on topic - the one thing that is both so incredibly cool and bothersome at the same time is how many different games are available for the Wii. You can get the numchucks, the steering wheel, the guitar, the drum pads, the dance pads.. See what I mean? Nintendo should go back to the good old days of the original NES where you only had a max of like 4 things to add on to the box.
I think I can deal with all the extras that come with the Wii, though. Good job, Nintendo, good job.
While I'm really digging the Twitter, 140 characters is just sometimes not enough. I'm going to start adding some personal things to this blog (don't worry, nothing too personal). Actsoup suggested I start a vBlog for Benni and Buster. I'd really like to do more of a moBlog and send pics here sometimes too. We'll see!
For my first 140+ character post, I will tell you about my ride into work today.
Today on my way into work, I was listening to Ween's Happy Colored Marbles (from the Album Quebec - 2003). It is a nice morning, so I had my windows down, enjoying the air before it gets Florida hot. As I pull up to a light, there's a man on a motorcycle idling, waiting to turn. The tone of the motorcycle motor totally matched my Ween blasting through the radio. Totally random, but it actually sounded pretty cool.
S = Specific M = Measurable A = Attainable R = Realistic T = Timely
How much sense does this make? So many of us have goals, big and small, that will never be realized. I have high and lofty goals for so many different things - to create well designed web sites where finding information is easy and intuitive, to get a jewelry company off the ground (half way there! there's a store here carrying some of my things), and to keep up my violin skills through teaching lessons and gigging.
I get an idea and I say 'I'm going to do this' but the ideas become so big and unmanageable that they just go on forever or I eventually just give up. And why is that? Well, it's because I'm not being SMART about my goals!
I made this cute tote this weekend and posted it to the Gainesville Glitteratti blog. Don't you love it??
