tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50558084673548183372024-02-19T08:57:41.217-08:00See: Create: Be HappyNataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-88639200091045800082013-04-28T17:54:00.000-07:002013-04-28T17:54:04.258-07:00A Yummy White Bean DipI always seem to experiment on food when I have people come over or when I need to take a dish somewhere. I know you're not supposed to do that but I love trying new things. Yesterday I had some ladies over to do Pysanky and I served my White Bean Dip with pita chips, Kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes. It was so yummy! Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of the dip but the recipe is so easy and so good I just had to share it!<br />
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Nat's White Bean Dip<br />
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2 cans Great Northern Beans (drained and rinsed well)<br />
2 - 3 tablespoons minced onion<br />
1 - 2 garlic cloves, minced<br />
1 sprig fresh rosemary, minced<br />
olive oil<br />
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard<br />
vegetable broth<br />
salt<br />
pepper<br />
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In a small skillet saute the onion in a fair amount of olive oil. When the onions get soft add the garlic and rosemary. Saute just long enough to get it all warm and the aroma coming out of the pan nicely. Pour the entire contents of the skillet into a bowl of the drained beans. Add the Dijon, a splash of veggie broth and the salt and pepper to taste. With an emulsion blender blend the ingredients until they become a nice, slightly thick, dipping consistency.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbfBM3DcOimUwcb_-7f37dDdasAo3IJuFayEMbW3xj-VjzJox8nlsBf9UVRhTHIIr7Y5EqVT4AKwmmbqTok0vOnkQW5kYDgVcm_CbM8lai1dIXzXbi-pDngs7wNBUQkOUxNy70LN8y5I/s1600/pysanky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbfBM3DcOimUwcb_-7f37dDdasAo3IJuFayEMbW3xj-VjzJox8nlsBf9UVRhTHIIr7Y5EqVT4AKwmmbqTok0vOnkQW5kYDgVcm_CbM8lai1dIXzXbi-pDngs7wNBUQkOUxNy70LN8y5I/s400/pysanky.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did manage to pull myself away from the dip long enough to create these!</td></tr>
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<br />Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-25852060920559640292013-04-06T17:15:00.000-07:002013-04-06T17:15:11.837-07:00Weekly Menu (April 6 - April 12)It's been a busy week, and it's going to be busy next week too. I have a love/hate relationship with this menu writing stuff. I know I can't function without it, no matter how hard it is to accomplish, so I suffer through it as best I can. This week's menu is a bit disappointing to me. Most of the time the rule of thumb in this house is to cook good healthy meals, and not use processed "food". Knowing how busy next week will be, and the fact that my husband and I will continue to have conflicting schedules (he's in theater), I threw this menu together. I'm not proud of it, but it will get us through the week and keep us out of restaurants. If you have super fast and easy homemade dishes you use in a pinch, share it, I'd love to have more ideas for weeks like these.<br />
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<b>Saturday</b> - Pasta (homemade, one with meat sauce the other without meat) and salad<br />
<b>Sunday</b> - leftovers<br />
<b>Monday</b> - White Turkey Chili for the boys; roasted veggies for me with salad<br />
<b>Tuesday</b> - leftovers<br />
<b>Wednesday</b> - Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with soup for the boys; Lentil and rice salad for me.<br />
<b>Thursday</b> - Frozen pizza and salad for the boys; homemade veggie and bean soup for me.<br />
<b>Friday</b> - Fried shrimp (yes, the frozen kind) and veggies<br />
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One last thought on trying to make most of our food. I went about $10 over my grocery budget this week in part because of the frozen, packaged and processed foods.Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-78692276768036724172013-03-30T08:36:00.000-07:002013-03-30T08:38:06.143-07:00Weekly Menu (March 30 - April 5th)Isn't it amazing how well thought out plans are easily swept away? That's exactly what happened to my <a href="http://seecreatebehappy.blogspot.com/2013/03/weekly-menus-march-23-march-29.html" target="_blank">weekly menu last week</a>. It started out a little rocky because we forgot to check to see if we had charcoal for the grill. My husband loves to grill pork chops. Well, he didn't have enough, and we almost succumbed and picked up food at a restaurant. He came up with a great idea to broil the pork chops instead. It's so good to be part of a team. (Remind me of that statement in a bit.)<br />
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The next issue occurred because I pulled the wrong chicken out of the freezer to defrost. It was supposed to be the BBQ pulled chicken but instead was salsa shredded chicken. The mistake happened because I am not in the habit of labeling the containers before putting them into the freezer. I always think I'll remember what each one is. Then one day I came to my senses. I mean come on, I can't even remember what I did yesterday! I labeled each of the containers already in the freezer. Well, it seems I mislabeled one of the containers. Actually, I mislabeled two of the containers. Not really sure if we'll find more surprise meals or not. Anyway, the salsa shredded chicken makes a great taco filling but unfortunately my husband really doesn't like it. I always thought his opinion was that it was "okay", but apparently in his opinion it's terrible because he refused to eat it. (This is where you're supposed to remind me that it's great to be part of a team.) </div>
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The train never really got back on the tracks, with my dear hubby pulling a beef stew out of the freezer to eat instead of the BBQ Chicken I had already pulled out, to me pulling out what I thought was pasta sauce with no meat but actually had sausage in it....it's best to just start all over again.</div>
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So here is next week's menu, wish us luck!</div>
<div>
<b>Saturday</b> - BBQ chicken sandwich and homemade vinegar based cole slaw. Note: yes, I'm trying again to have my husband eat this! It's already out of the freezer, and I hate wasting food. Also, I'll have the cole slaw on a fried shrimp taco. (During Great Lent we are allowed shellfish.)</div>
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<b>Sunday</b> - left overs</div>
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<b>Monday</b> - Chicken Alfredo for the boys, homemade vegan potato soup for me. Note: The Alfredo is a carry over from last week because we never got to it.</div>
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<b>Tuesday</b> - left overs</div>
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<b>Wednesday</b> - Creole Chicken and Rice for the boys, Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions for me. Note: again, we never got to the Creole Chicken dish. Makes for a great shopping bill!</div>
<div>
<b>Thursday</b> - left overs</div>
<div>
<b>Friday</b> - Steak and potatoes for the boys, left overs for me. I can actually turn any left over lentil and rice into a salad by adding dried cranberries, walnuts, parsley, green onion and a little red wine vinegar and oil.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I always have salad and salad fixings available and ready to go in our fridge. The salad can be added to any dinner or used as lunch. I also have homemade soups in the freezer which make nice lunches. Fruit is also in our house all the time, so again we have it with lunches or dinners.</div>
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I hope you find inspiration in the menu and if you are ever curious about a particular dish let me know and I'll post the recipe.</div>
Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-41067692205358034932013-03-26T20:05:00.000-07:002013-03-26T20:06:20.707-07:00Color and ArchitectureMy recent business trip to Europe continues to inspire me. One thing that struck me is that the Europeans are not afraid of color on their buildings or doors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTddY_NczFp7i1nE-9jA6t75GnWtmLNMXRN_ZbjTj7bKl4G5_vTBMoLwu04t5R-PxbcWv8VlxvLuVW05yax7oNqdNHAgmVIH93AT8FBS5eb1ejS4f-oGqeyDO1l4AuTApRhw8EI2CYiyA/s1600/P2180031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTddY_NczFp7i1nE-9jA6t75GnWtmLNMXRN_ZbjTj7bKl4G5_vTBMoLwu04t5R-PxbcWv8VlxvLuVW05yax7oNqdNHAgmVIH93AT8FBS5eb1ejS4f-oGqeyDO1l4AuTApRhw8EI2CYiyA/s400/P2180031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is in Altstadt, or Old Town, in Dusseldorf, Germany. Isn't this Pantone's declared "color of the year"?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LTehWPp6GtrDxCQ12XLYCg6ESyox9n8ltFLgnvgI1i6yy6NcGC28HiOfop72Fk1DRNoJptJL5DKmXRJYbu2gVjOu2PSkngfPO7AAkG2Pjk6GCJ0XtB9V3BDdpdnrEwR06Az6a-ZKvOQ/s1600/P2180032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LTehWPp6GtrDxCQ12XLYCg6ESyox9n8ltFLgnvgI1i6yy6NcGC28HiOfop72Fk1DRNoJptJL5DKmXRJYbu2gVjOu2PSkngfPO7AAkG2Pjk6GCJ0XtB9V3BDdpdnrEwR06Az6a-ZKvOQ/s400/P2180032.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that amazing door!</td></tr>
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On the train ride from Germany into France there were many homes in small towns that were pink. It was so great to see and so cheerful, especially since it was overcast much of the time I was there.<br />
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In Paris the doors were also full of detail and in great colors!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZga1slkErFg3XTPCGEk43Zhsh_dx-EB-6e-GlQk6BnJrBrSJ2g2v5KDhPjydhoIwdbIqbsPe9dmS17bYnegqcenT28to5yf879AE7zCsscYv0dX5mxpC5rYrDNvWzX53G6xZRz2jT4FA/s1600/P2220113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZga1slkErFg3XTPCGEk43Zhsh_dx-EB-6e-GlQk6BnJrBrSJ2g2v5KDhPjydhoIwdbIqbsPe9dmS17bYnegqcenT28to5yf879AE7zCsscYv0dX5mxpC5rYrDNvWzX53G6xZRz2jT4FA/s400/P2220113.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The doors are so tall that it's difficult to get close and capture the entire thing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnVzVbJ6O96wP1yA3OhNYrxIFM8cATCEmm3X5AAr0sJmyEVEn6mt-TknwChBxWshId-R4jsLoadCJcf8x74LJFOS-d36Z4D4-qcwrLrNlTdTnAaAOcrh3E6VZIGDBJFoh73AgfsSIZtE/s1600/P2220102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnVzVbJ6O96wP1yA3OhNYrxIFM8cATCEmm3X5AAr0sJmyEVEn6mt-TknwChBxWshId-R4jsLoadCJcf8x74LJFOS-d36Z4D4-qcwrLrNlTdTnAaAOcrh3E6VZIGDBJFoh73AgfsSIZtE/s400/P2220102.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It just keeps going and going, up! Look at that deep, rich color!</td></tr>
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And here is a optimistically painted sweet shop, also in Paris.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR8qp_Wo7gT4GgwDYNpeWt1PK72AOPJTZP4GDFHVjvyJFNzTC-jbaCSNenmqUJGuE4hzfdI4vPuM-4hiThIAmu4v9Vjz3GoaGk2iY1DmN2qZgtsxQss8SzNxMpuZYP13EUHJK70yL6ME/s1600/P2220127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR8qp_Wo7gT4GgwDYNpeWt1PK72AOPJTZP4GDFHVjvyJFNzTC-jbaCSNenmqUJGuE4hzfdI4vPuM-4hiThIAmu4v9Vjz3GoaGk2iY1DmN2qZgtsxQss8SzNxMpuZYP13EUHJK70yL6ME/s400/P2220127.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the touches of pink along with the golden yellow.</td></tr>
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For me, these pictures show how important color can be. Each of these were taken on overcast and very cold days, and the color seems to invite you and warms you, in what would otherwise be a very drab and dreary day.Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-90827570027807073812013-03-22T19:34:00.000-07:002013-03-22T19:35:02.294-07:00Weekly Menus (March 23 - March 29)First an update on how we did <a href="http://www.seecreatebehappy.blogspot.com/2013/03/weekly-menus-march-16th-to-march-22nd.html" target="_blank">last week</a>. Fava Beans are mocking me. I have tried two weeks in a row now to purchase the illusive legumes. No dice! The first time I thought that I might find them at my supermarket since they purchase produce from Texas farmers when they can. Nope. Last week I drove to the Boggy Creek Farm in East Austin. Nada. Well, they were sold out for the day but the pesky things were laughing at me in the safety of their plant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RJit7GT2NyEZGt8I_AVrxb3Fqsw6_SOqQA5hymD2auHq9I-MD0Fo7P2RmbMDq8SL5PzBFD7ihjveLLLSss9Q3Tf5_Ly7zUJeMBa7X0GJ9P90oGqXBGgEZEZQDZ7b6M1wVGpjjWw3gzw/s1600/IMG_5705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RJit7GT2NyEZGt8I_AVrxb3Fqsw6_SOqQA5hymD2auHq9I-MD0Fo7P2RmbMDq8SL5PzBFD7ihjveLLLSss9Q3Tf5_Ly7zUJeMBa7X0GJ9P90oGqXBGgEZEZQDZ7b6M1wVGpjjWw3gzw/s400/IMG_5705.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stock growing on the outside garden row.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvJ1x641GQd8OXeGZDaTz2mh7ltz5GYAG9-nqHj_sswwabw0IaSXs-SY93h_THZKKieIrnMmn1kP_uNC25sTEhCYPibE0TKmtEltxrsc3Rx_CkumcSrZnDg82Ae2UOe3hzReY71xuAMQ/s1600/IMG_5703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvJ1x641GQd8OXeGZDaTz2mh7ltz5GYAG9-nqHj_sswwabw0IaSXs-SY93h_THZKKieIrnMmn1kP_uNC25sTEhCYPibE0TKmtEltxrsc3Rx_CkumcSrZnDg82Ae2UOe3hzReY71xuAMQ/s400/IMG_5703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this place. I always feel inspired for what might be possible in my own backyard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK5qMcBnrb2GVhxkbqEM0ZoL58IuxJW6GaGQX7G4MVZSn5QLEZCJ8EC3ldNVL2Fcs8cpJcUndXDjPhvbtyLUjVwrvaEuzuDAUyoSj9fwnEY4hmPpSNYu3kUXsQxXlkeJZjT9cifQlHNI/s1600/IMG_5699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK5qMcBnrb2GVhxkbqEM0ZoL58IuxJW6GaGQX7G4MVZSn5QLEZCJ8EC3ldNVL2Fcs8cpJcUndXDjPhvbtyLUjVwrvaEuzuDAUyoSj9fwnEY4hmPpSNYu3kUXsQxXlkeJZjT9cifQlHNI/s400/IMG_5699.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out to the garden rows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeKDuVOVX8DzzJXGT5vhLxwURBzlBsl74o375YkV7QapDNPjROHSAEUjaulLFCCVtbsU96xTgQyUPHH6TF8peaz32k6lHMOUMDuVz7hNs7VcN75fwu7WdMtgtr1aESsRtb2fDSF_XV6g/s1600/IMG_5704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeKDuVOVX8DzzJXGT5vhLxwURBzlBsl74o375YkV7QapDNPjROHSAEUjaulLFCCVtbsU96xTgQyUPHH6TF8peaz32k6lHMOUMDuVz7hNs7VcN75fwu7WdMtgtr1aESsRtb2fDSF_XV6g/s400/IMG_5704.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries! And to the left are some Fava bean bushes.</td></tr>
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It's a beautiful farm, so it wasn't a fully wasted trip when I couldn't buy the Fava beans, cabbage, carrots, etc. I did buy a celeriac, or celery root. I have yet to use it tough. I've heard it's good in a salad.<br />
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On to this week's menu:<br />
<b>Saturday</b> - Pork Chops for the boys along with Thai Noodle Salad as a side for them and a main dish for me. Our left overs lasted a bit longer than expected, so this is a carry over from last week.<br />
<b>Sunday</b> - Left overs (woohoo!)<br />
<b>Monday</b> - BBQ Chicken sandwiches for Hubby, Greek Salad as a side for him and as a main dish for me and my son. The chicken for this dish is left over shredded chicken that I cooked in the crock pot a few weeks ago and frozen the rest for later.<br />
<b>Tuesday</b> - Left overs!<br />
<b>Wednesday</b> - Alfredo pasta with chicken for the boys, little vegan pizzas for me, and salad for all. The chicken going into the Alfredo is left over shredded roasted chicken from another meal weeks ago that I froze.<br />
<b>Thursday</b> - Left overs!<br />
<b>Friday</b> - Creole Chicken and Rice for my Hubby, left overs and salad for me and my son if he doesn't like the Creole dish.<br />
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I don't think I'll make it to a Farmer's Market this time. I'm a bit discouraged because the one in my neighborhood doesn't start until next month, and I just don't feel like driving to downtown Austin. On the bright side, this will be a budget friendly shopping day since the only meat I need to buy is the sausage that goes into the Creole Chicken and Rice dish.Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-36460533706225123832013-03-15T19:46:00.000-07:002013-03-15T19:46:43.128-07:00Weekly Menus (March 16th to March 22nd)So now the real work begins. Great Lent starts for Orthodox Christians on Monday, March 18th. This means no meat or dairy. This also means I'm still coming up with meals with meat for my husband and son who do not observe the fast. I always try to come up with dishes that I can eat as lunches and dinner, as well as a possible side dish to the boys' meals. So here's my menu for the coming week.<br />
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<b>Saturday</b> - quesadillas, the boys will have it with chicken, I'll have it with black beans, onions, and bell pepper. These are left over ingredients from the flautas we had today (Friday).<br />
<b>Sunday</b> - Roasted chicken and veggies (cabbage, carrots, and onions); I'll have the veggies and salad<br />
<b>Monday</b> - left overs<br />
<b>Tuesday</b> - Stew for the boys<br />
<b>Wednesday</b> - left overs<br />
<b>Thursday</b> - Pork Chops and Thai Noodle Salad (might add edamame for more protein for me)<br />
<b>Friday</b> - left overs (I adore left overs if you couldn't tell! Less cooking!)<br />
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I always take my lunch to work so I'll have the following:<br />
-vegetarian chili that I made earlier this week and froze some of the servings<br />
- <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/104216178849487214/" target="_blank">Chimichurri avocado</a> on toast<br />
-<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/104216178849498905/" target="_blank">Fava bean salad</a><br />
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The other thing that will make this more challenging is that I want to start buying most of my produce from the farmers markets and eating in season. Wow! Let's see how I do!<br />
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<a href="http://www.seecreatebehappy.blogspot.com/2013/03/weekly-menus-march-9th-march-15th.html" target="_blank">Update on how we did with last week's menu</a>:<br />
We had guests come stay with us so the chili didn't give us left overs. We ended up buying a pizza for the day we were supposed to have left overs. This reminds me that I should always have an easy backup ready. Not sure what that will be, but I will need to work it into my pantry soon! We're trying to stay on a tight budget and these types of mistakes do not help!Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-90048756440572809162013-03-14T14:49:00.000-07:002013-03-14T14:50:19.313-07:00Love Lock BridgeParis is an amazing place to visit. I know, I just stated the obvious. I think this second trip to the city helped me to see and appreciate the contrasts within it. My first trip twelve years ago was really overwhelmingly focused on the historical. This most recent trip I saw the contemporary side living with the backdrop of history. <br />
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On one hand you have Notre Dame, which by the way is celebrating 850 years. Without looking at my art history books I would have said it was older than that. There were banners and a temporary grandstand set up in the square outside the front of the cathedral for all of the special events planned this year.<br />
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The contemporary part shows up basically in the Notre Dame's backyard on a bridge called Pont de l'Archeveche. Known in pop culture as the Love Lock bridge.<br />
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Both sides are completely covered in the tokens of lovers from all over the world. This article on <a href="http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/paris-love-locks-love-that-wont-die/" target="_blank">Bonjour Paris</a> has a great explanation of the bridge.<br />
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When the sun hits the metal you can see the gleam from several blocks away, drawing you to this pretty cool Paris street art.<br />
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Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-27937052738488714092013-03-12T14:27:00.000-07:002013-03-12T14:27:19.627-07:00Paris Street ArtI smiled when I saw these embellished signs in and around Paris last month. I love the imagination!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XDZ3FEeEUOWcUxmU4HhvX7KXRjiydEUcUM56Fjz6gErS13jsdOwuqXuL9QcesEvesocEUeb4beaRw4qeaISnbsZ7ta-gkQKz8f64aAZZ5CnGKL3nbJCoE9XarVZco0TzuCC0ZZSAGgA/s1600/Filtered+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XDZ3FEeEUOWcUxmU4HhvX7KXRjiydEUcUM56Fjz6gErS13jsdOwuqXuL9QcesEvesocEUeb4beaRw4qeaISnbsZ7ta-gkQKz8f64aAZZ5CnGKL3nbJCoE9XarVZco0TzuCC0ZZSAGgA/s400/Filtered+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Too Long!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq2TODRMPGgl7E2Zg4HLUCyrwIuyvHYfZGUeRSOy5Vupsf1RoBMgd2nwndIbAk4A-oPBwOU1jA2-UjINetVnOt-pvPtOecKG37AA5Ofua4fSPd0yygxHUQ2FaJQcqnx4Ky9DroFctP3U/s1600/Filtered+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq2TODRMPGgl7E2Zg4HLUCyrwIuyvHYfZGUeRSOy5Vupsf1RoBMgd2nwndIbAk4A-oPBwOU1jA2-UjINetVnOt-pvPtOecKG37AA5Ofua4fSPd0yygxHUQ2FaJQcqnx4Ky9DroFctP3U/s400/Filtered+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off With His Head!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6gWui6thVn_O3IgNpCCPz0byTJgi2QSXLsCyInKbaCT-2KvpDNQdika6_NLNnIv9DSFKmM2FEpo7wPahlrK_kpdvUW1yxmvBCY48kxIQtFSWbRNOHoTtl14arZgjq-G-RbP8_vsmQc4/s1600/Filtered+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6gWui6thVn_O3IgNpCCPz0byTJgi2QSXLsCyInKbaCT-2KvpDNQdika6_NLNnIv9DSFKmM2FEpo7wPahlrK_kpdvUW1yxmvBCY48kxIQtFSWbRNOHoTtl14arZgjq-G-RbP8_vsmQc4/s400/Filtered+007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll Take This!</td></tr>
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Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-41570654648419106382013-03-09T11:32:00.000-08:002013-03-09T11:32:22.283-08:00Weekly Menus (March 9th - March 15th)I know it's a pain, but writing the menu for the week keeps me sane. Everyone is busy and with the time and effort used to plan and prepare, this family makes it through most weeks without an emergency I'm-too-tired-to-cook restaurant trip. That helps our budget and keeps us eating healthy!<br />
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Since this is such an tough task for me to tackle every Saturday, I thought I'd start sharing my weekly menu plans on this page. Maybe I'll be helping another menu writer to get out of their block, and maybe someone will inspire me when I have menu writer's block.<br />
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This week starts another tricky part for me in my planning. It's the start of Great Lent for Orthodox Christians and the diet is basically vegan. This week gets us prepared by eliminating meat first. The following week we then eliminate dairy. I'm the only one in my family that observes this tradition so I need to be creative and plan meals that include something for me to eat that is also a side dish for the rest of the family. So here we go....<br />
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Week of March 9th -March 15th:<br />
Saturday - hamburgers with <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/104216178849461369/" target="_blank">homemade mac n cheese</a> (I'll be trying this recipe found on Pinterest)<br />
Sunday - planned "eat out" day (last day to eat meat, we'll be trying the <a href="http://www.noblepigaustin.com/" target="_blank">Noble Pig</a>, woohoo!)<br />
Monday - BBQ grilled chicken and cheese tortellini pasta salad (I'll be experimenting with the salad)<br />
Tuesday - left overs<br />
Wednesday - Chili (I'll also be making a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/104216178849461270/" target="_blank">vegetarian chili</a> found on Pinterest)<br />
Thursday - left overs<br />
Friday - Flautas (I'll make some with chicken and some without)<br />
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Happy planning everyone!<br />
<br />Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-14231724627702995182013-02-01T08:50:00.000-08:002013-02-01T08:50:56.446-08:00Things I Love - IIIPart three in the Things I Love series - My first trip to Paris.<br />
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It was May 2001. I had never been out of the country before, and I had never dreamed I'd be going to Paris! There I was, 28 years old, in college studying Interior Design, and going to one of the most amazing cities in the world for class credit!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMh8Dw-14SomWCkPCdaI46DbJKu8zMnaZGuPjpcz1Kwy1esVu39MrvtezKdg5rWzBffihyphenhyphentRHUUOhyphenhyphenXvcdmhqgI6GNVsZxF-dOxERMYmHwyy0-YpqZDmAm92LaARUzZaQelGjqj3sbBXU/s1600/Detail+at+Opera+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMh8Dw-14SomWCkPCdaI46DbJKu8zMnaZGuPjpcz1Kwy1esVu39MrvtezKdg5rWzBffihyphenhyphentRHUUOhyphenhyphenXvcdmhqgI6GNVsZxF-dOxERMYmHwyy0-YpqZDmAm92LaARUzZaQelGjqj3sbBXU/s400/Detail+at+Opera+b.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my sketches. This is a detail of some of the embellishments on the columns at the Opera de Paris Garnier.</td></tr>
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It's actually the best thing that could have happened, going on a trip like this for class credit, because we were required to keep a written journal as well as a sketchbook journal. Last night I dug out my written journal and was amazed at how many times I thought to myself "I didn't remember that!" It brought back a lot of the magical memories. Along with the written memories I did manage to take FOURTEEN rolls worth of photographs! I laugh at many of them. I remember to this day how I felt like I had to take pictures at every turn so that I wouldn't lose the moment. What actually ended up happening is that I have many photos, but few are great. I do have a small collection, very small, worth framing and even a couple I have made into cards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbrNnxNeKcb1JNmEMwdeS4M8eh8YugKspZtaCb82NWXxMVbzrNcx9-4TZ5XabZ4hgkUB-YnndkM70Mf1Pe6wtc7wI3eO37-HB5IcQHK1-AC20mGBJu-BcFuVnw326eQ4_pEdSUjRrReA/s1600/Misc.+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbrNnxNeKcb1JNmEMwdeS4M8eh8YugKspZtaCb82NWXxMVbzrNcx9-4TZ5XabZ4hgkUB-YnndkM70Mf1Pe6wtc7wI3eO37-HB5IcQHK1-AC20mGBJu-BcFuVnw326eQ4_pEdSUjRrReA/s400/Misc.+082.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memories come in many varied forms. I love the b&w photo on the left. That's me in the gardens of Verailles.</td></tr>
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I came away from that trip with a couple of stand-outs that I cherish to this day. The first is having all of my senses opened up by seeing Vincent Van Gogh's work just 12 inches from me. I cannot describe sufficiently what happened, but it was like being there with him and understanding and literally feeling his emotions through seeing the brush strokes of those paintings. Thank you Musee D'Orsay for that gift.<br />
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The second thing I cherish is my tiny painting I bought from an artist in the square in the Montmartre district. It is so fantastic to stroll through the square and witness artists at their craft. The history of this artist district and having an actual piece of it thrills me every time I look at it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge39KjDgsKmYt2cBX5RM48jJkE4uNLqPQn39mjJcDwKP140Wa7gzFjH9dJKJuNQknCDpnFD33zBvb4sP5ml411YNAtcwLcyvHOmeEJFROFzKNeKK2PC3HlxAuFhONMsdAWcFq4FsBxmS4/s1600/Misc.+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge39KjDgsKmYt2cBX5RM48jJkE4uNLqPQn39mjJcDwKP140Wa7gzFjH9dJKJuNQknCDpnFD33zBvb4sP5ml411YNAtcwLcyvHOmeEJFROFzKNeKK2PC3HlxAuFhONMsdAWcFq4FsBxmS4/s400/Misc.+085.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paint was not even dry as I walk away with a piece of Paris in my hands.</td></tr>
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Au revoir for now, but here's hoping some of the magic has rubbed off on you as well!Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-569396701618406062013-01-11T18:24:00.000-08:002013-01-11T18:24:48.160-08:00Things I Love - IIPart two in the Things I Love series - The before pictures of my kitchen.<br />
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I love these photos because it is really clear that I have made a lot of progress even though it feels like a snail's pace. You may remember my post showing the <a href="http://www.seecreatebehappy.blogspot.com/2012/04/finally-finished-well-almost.html" target="_blank">pretty-darn-close-to-being-done dining room pictures</a>. I mentioned that maybe in a year I could show you the completed kitchen. That was in April! 2012!! I may be going out on a limb here, but I think I'll beat that and be able to show you pictures BEFORE April! So excited! So until then, here are three before pictures of my kitchen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqxkijUKhySYOBl9ph_bhEUgN5ycIb1SlF7pTulHSGLbAF2Yx6Xrhxd-WLX0TGJHHOGJZkSO0AHRFXrWDZnQd6D5o2hrXkf6_jeSCCMYghc33Nd7XCoqd5CG0cpZAHNrzt9pIPPeZtmU/s1600/IMG_0442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqxkijUKhySYOBl9ph_bhEUgN5ycIb1SlF7pTulHSGLbAF2Yx6Xrhxd-WLX0TGJHHOGJZkSO0AHRFXrWDZnQd6D5o2hrXkf6_jeSCCMYghc33Nd7XCoqd5CG0cpZAHNrzt9pIPPeZtmU/s400/IMG_0442.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you just love that side back splash of laminate? The laminate on the counter was post-formed onto the back wall as a splash and then they just added the side pieces separately.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDmqFGG4cW07npDCVDsh7AZZxOhghLjAMgvgq3TW0iozAUJarMVyRdeMvu6PJR3BxhigrnRhRdx7MBwaAhBB91ljGug5kdIiVLJV0tpgpOCfSl3PoBDccoU35N0PqUm_Ydnb89feIwu0/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDmqFGG4cW07npDCVDsh7AZZxOhghLjAMgvgq3TW0iozAUJarMVyRdeMvu6PJR3BxhigrnRhRdx7MBwaAhBB91ljGug5kdIiVLJV0tpgpOCfSl3PoBDccoU35N0PqUm_Ydnb89feIwu0/s400/IMG_0440.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we had two microwaves! The white one in this picture is the one that works. The one over the stove had been dead for some time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wNqvx7JdyEng8sro59M6eCWyKS-ZOB0vJuD3VEac71TqgGtC0UicZR9WkNoTR865zkTXZaISuMVCCHTnmZIlo4P_4U1ExcmcN6Kst6e7WGdnIaH4DV0KfSaauuzGHQMMURn15t3f3IE/s1600/IMG_0443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wNqvx7JdyEng8sro59M6eCWyKS-ZOB0vJuD3VEac71TqgGtC0UicZR9WkNoTR865zkTXZaISuMVCCHTnmZIlo4P_4U1ExcmcN6Kst6e7WGdnIaH4DV0KfSaauuzGHQMMURn15t3f3IE/s400/IMG_0443.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling had just been fixed in these photos. That was the first step. The ceilings had been sagging and the central light fixture was removed in favor of the three can lights.</td></tr>
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<br />Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-84156687292955464882013-01-07T19:05:00.000-08:002013-01-07T19:05:47.576-08:00Things I Love!Hi there! It's been a while since I've posted anything. Rest assured things have been busy and wonderful. The busy part is why I have not posted, but I'm going to start this new year off right and talk about things I love, not the things that just refuse to be completed (kitchen)!<br />
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My sister.<br />
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I love my sister and I believe I am her biggest fan. Not only is she an amazing mom, she's an AMAZING artist. Her preferred medium is watercolor. Not wimpy washed out watercolor. Her watercolor is bright and vibrant!! Take a look at her Etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TatianasArtStudio?ref=seller_info" target="_blank">TatianasArtStudio</a>, those little birds are tweeting your name!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_owYevd8fjBiLQM7DdHsACYa2g3Svfi7XfvPgD9wwTs7186PlpUv9Od7OjXZY0UduUJ-LTuPUYUyROk1_2niOHMM9Y4c0MD3vIF_6r04CoXzsqowYHUZx1Z9j6QBf3cGsRabhcABeFs/s1600/November+06,+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_owYevd8fjBiLQM7DdHsACYa2g3Svfi7XfvPgD9wwTs7186PlpUv9Od7OjXZY0UduUJ-LTuPUYUyROk1_2niOHMM9Y4c0MD3vIF_6r04CoXzsqowYHUZx1Z9j6QBf3cGsRabhcABeFs/s320/November+06,+2012+014.JPG" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this Chickadee super cute?! The size of this original work of art is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". The petite size adds to the major cute-factor!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNvb50w0Nv2-C7ukf0ey3UCbA9XhxcGoJR5CwuMDE2WXASvL1D9dd1BRiKAS1JYATFhK_z1Zj1l_VGvoM8eE9Wre-x8YpnVi6b_nkMg5c_955220WPsrJN4p88vT-tUpbewQk_VjmHPk/s1600/DSC01390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNvb50w0Nv2-C7ukf0ey3UCbA9XhxcGoJR5CwuMDE2WXASvL1D9dd1BRiKAS1JYATFhK_z1Zj1l_VGvoM8eE9Wre-x8YpnVi6b_nkMg5c_955220WPsrJN4p88vT-tUpbewQk_VjmHPk/s400/DSC01390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Calendar tags. Each of these could be framed little masterpieces!</td></tr>
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She just created these calendar tags around two days ago. She has some really great inspirational ideas for their use. A little hint: the February tag would be sweet as an ornament on the neck of a wine bottle for that special someone!<br />
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I think my favorite is May. Just look at the depth she was able to create with watercolor!<br />
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So here's to my sister, and to wonderful art that speaks to you, no matter how small!<br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
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<br />Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-90086756620149386002012-11-15T17:01:00.000-08:002012-11-15T17:03:06.666-08:00Nat's Vegan BBQ Street TacoI kind of accidentally created this taco, and boy was it tasty! I had some grilled veggies, along with some avocado, and thought it might make a good taco. Then it dawned on me! I could make it similar to one of my all time favorite tacos!<br />
My all time favorite taco consists of BBQ grilled chicken on a corn tortilla, cilantro, fresh squeeze of lime, and some hot sauce. You cannot image how good those simple ingredients taste! It's perfection!<br />
So tonight the Vegan BBQ Street Taco was born!<br />
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Following is how to put one together. Place all these ingredients on a warm corn tortilla:<br />
1 - 2 slices of grilled red bell pepper<br />
1 - 2 slices of grilled portabella mushrooms<br />
1 - 2 thin slices of avocado<br />
Very sparing amount of BBQ sauce down the length of the other ingredients<br />
Fresh squeezed lime<br />
Fresh chopped cilantro<br />
Hot pepper sauce to your taste<br />
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Fold over and enjoy! I ate mine with a side of brown rice with a squeeze of lime juice. This would also be nice with some black beans.<br />
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Bon Appetit!Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-46290104653424834292012-11-13T10:22:00.002-08:002012-11-13T10:23:45.663-08:00Fall Colors Add to My InspirationThings have been BUSY! Not only have I been traveling, but that kitchen renovation I'm working on is STILL underway. Surely by now I've won the Slowest Renovation Ever award. The good news is that I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel and I just might have a 98% complete kitchen by Christmas!<br />
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Meanwhile, Fall has inspired me to play with color and new ideas.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is something so magical about pumpkins!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnia from the pumpkin patch. Love the punch of color!</td></tr>
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The urge to create something has really taken hold. Like I really have time for additional things in my schedule! I did not resist the urge though, and decided to hand carve a stamp in order to make cards for the Fall season. I've never made a stamp before, but I think it turned out pretty cute! What do you think?<br />
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I also could not pass up the opportunity to send my sweet nephews some Fall inspired chocolate pretzels!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy!</td></tr>
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Since I had my heart set on Fall colors for the pretzels, the store did not have Fall colored sprinkles. That would be too easy. Unwilling to give up, I decided to chop up Candy Corn. Please learn from my mistake. It was not an ideal solution. When I tried to cut the candy they just gummed up the knife. In my brilliance I decided to freeze them, thinking they would be easier to cut. If you do this please where some safety goggles! There were rock hard Candy Corn piece shooting off the cutting board in all directions! I did manage to get most of them into usable pieces, and there you have it, Fall inspired chocolate pretzels!<br />
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Enjoy the rest of the Fall!Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-63102029413924804202012-10-07T18:17:00.000-07:002012-10-07T18:18:41.127-07:00Getting Crafty!My son asked if we could please decorate for Fall and Halloween and I'm so glad I said yes. We had so much fun together! I showed him how my sister and I used to make ghosts out of tissues.<br />
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We also made a candy corn garland.<br />
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When we were done crafting he went outside to play. I got busy and put up all our decorations. When he came back inside he was so excited to see everything up!<br />
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So easy, and so rewarding!</div>
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Next up, some pumpkins and acorns for a great center piece at the table. Happy Fall everyone!<br />
<br />Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-51769695019032367242012-06-06T10:30:00.000-07:002012-06-06T10:30:05.474-07:00Industrial FunRecently I've been exposed to a really fun lamp on two different occasions, one was during a design presentation from a supplier who is from Europe, and the other was at ICFF. <br />
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These really fun industrial lamps are brightly colored, whimsical, and have been handmade in France since 1950. The company is Jielde. You can check out their <a href="http://jieldeusa.com/history/" target="_blank">full story on their website linked here</a>.</div>
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With industrial decor trending strongly right now, I love that you can add a touch of humor to the setting!</div>Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-48778364170924094742012-05-31T11:08:00.001-07:002012-05-31T11:09:49.961-07:00ICFF 2012 - Things That Inspired Me (Tops!)I recently had the pleasure of attending ICFF and Design Week in New York City. What an amazing experience. Not only was I in one of my favorite cities, but I was surrounded by creative people and the products they have labored to make. My inspiration tank was on empty when I arrived, but I came home refreshed and excited. Such a great feeling!<br />
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The little things.<br />
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While the whole experience was well worth the trip, I'm going to break down a few specifics. Things that really caught my eye.<br />
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Wood spinning tops! I spied them is a great shop called The Future Perfect in the SoHo area (<a href="http://shop.thefutureperfect.com/gift/hand-turned-wooden-spinning-top.html" target="_blank">click this link to go to the top's page on The Future Perfect website</a>). These beautiful little guys are around and 1.5" to 2" tall, so they are small and could easily have been missed. Thankfully I didn't walk passed them. Displayed in a small dish in four different types of wood, hand turned in Japan, and in various shapes, they make lovely little kinetic sculptures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the three I purchased! My 6 year old son and I have fun playing spinning top wars together.</td></tr>
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I also had the pleasure of seeing the Herman Miller Pop-Up Shop. A designer's playground! Very inspirational. Interestingly enough, they also had spinning tops available for sale. These were much larger and in Walnut. I wanted to take all three of the designs home with me but they are approximately $60 each. Sigh. While doing some research I found out that this is not new for Herman Miller. <a href="http://www.hermanmiller.com/discover/play-is-fun-give-it-a-whirl/" target="_blank">This link will take you to Herman Miller's blog from 2009</a> and show you the limited edition tops from that year. Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to get this year's set.<br />
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To quote Charles Eames “Toys are not really as innocent as they look. Toys and games are preludes to serious ideas.” The Herman Miller Pop-Up Shop also had a book of quotes from Mr. Eames that would be a great addition to my library!Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-49693899594539684702012-04-07T12:18:00.001-07:002012-04-21T15:36:38.261-07:00Finally Finished!!! (Well, almost.)<a href="http://www.seecreatebehappy.blogspot.com/2011/03/whos-afraid-of-color.html">March 25th of last year!!!</a> Over a year it took me to complete my dining room! And truth be told, it's not really 100% complete. I was just tired of waiting on me and decided to hang my art wall.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2l5uPpbNWUnpaOnGNhF64xYiJRUfweULvd7zQ6Bj08T-9I67mrQz-QmlGc0U5Mad8DfmEvw7pg-6AiJ6sERbMCsSsDTZgXE6KylCHoNlbZoZiLmNKcGz9dub2Li0uUBCejiMJJEt0GvI/s1600/IMG_3566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2l5uPpbNWUnpaOnGNhF64xYiJRUfweULvd7zQ6Bj08T-9I67mrQz-QmlGc0U5Mad8DfmEvw7pg-6AiJ6sERbMCsSsDTZgXE6KylCHoNlbZoZiLmNKcGz9dub2Li0uUBCejiMJJEt0GvI/s400/IMG_3566.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
I love how it's all come together. The colors are bright and happy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGdJd1QdYH0qQWIcN3dzeVawDACYuDts450BYbVrPcIfuSQ65RybpJQBP-kQHS-IhqBd4K3_LqD_W6K-hXFwmv4TkSLrypZIv5YP7O3HmJueObc8GyFCTsmao-O_22KE872uhydXtgDE/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGdJd1QdYH0qQWIcN3dzeVawDACYuDts450BYbVrPcIfuSQ65RybpJQBP-kQHS-IhqBd4K3_LqD_W6K-hXFwmv4TkSLrypZIv5YP7O3HmJueObc8GyFCTsmao-O_22KE872uhydXtgDE/s400/IMG_3568.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
There actually is a victory in this story. See that framed piece on the wall? Well, that is an <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/104216178846628756/">original produce crate label</a> that I purchased at least 3 years ago. It's finally framed!! Not only is it framed, but somehow it has made it to the wall where it belongs!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFAOPeqDS4u1s7sb-DwbZEOKb8rVVYn-6Hhvro7P2RrGuS9IzkvVESVmw_E-8zMQKZ1Tvl6B-ltryiZBHQO_HJULSM3DY61QqZ_EzWpF_3ZHuQNMLQzNV32v-K8uGrOK_D72_CEMFoXo/s1600/IMG_3570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFAOPeqDS4u1s7sb-DwbZEOKb8rVVYn-6Hhvro7P2RrGuS9IzkvVESVmw_E-8zMQKZ1Tvl6B-ltryiZBHQO_HJULSM3DY61QqZ_EzWpF_3ZHuQNMLQzNV32v-K8uGrOK_D72_CEMFoXo/s400/IMG_3570.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This seems to be a reoccurring theme for me. A heavy dose of procrastination along with a full time job, and family, things just take a very long time to accomplish around here.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIHdngU6LeAAzNYBKY3TTcHlfDIdbYB4b9Jw39xr3lMM2zs3t8pEFV0JudJfexR9W2Ln1xYp6cWa_C02WWIRBqTrnqSSLoFJ1AktAdA7BGu9ETcddUiH9dCe4UbSy7mf8wWHpRyYyijI/s1600/IMG_3573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIHdngU6LeAAzNYBKY3TTcHlfDIdbYB4b9Jw39xr3lMM2zs3t8pEFV0JudJfexR9W2Ln1xYp6cWa_C02WWIRBqTrnqSSLoFJ1AktAdA7BGu9ETcddUiH9dCe4UbSy7mf8wWHpRyYyijI/s400/IMG_3573.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Are you curious what I still need to complete in this wonderfully bright and happy dining room? Not too much (thankfully): the crown molding needs to have a touch-up coat of paint applied, I need 6 matching place mats, and I'd like two small art pieces for the small walls on either side of the opening into the kitchen, which is to the left in this photo and just out of view.<br />
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Maybe a year from now I'll be able to show you my completed kitchen. Maybe.Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-63264309867631718682012-02-19T18:04:00.001-08:002012-04-21T15:39:00.378-07:00Fresh Baked Bread!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfw-4rvpkQkQrEbkDfULqBZUHwk-k8z95XwOqsMOq2ETaSuU7OC44TuS93qyaElg9p_X0fXx2lUNlAqvSUKe3z1Fc2nFsXg_hotUh_iW_-MgmqyR8RaaL0GMudqnXtm4oaihyphenhyphenxgz5XcU/s1600/IMG_3269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfw-4rvpkQkQrEbkDfULqBZUHwk-k8z95XwOqsMOq2ETaSuU7OC44TuS93qyaElg9p_X0fXx2lUNlAqvSUKe3z1Fc2nFsXg_hotUh_iW_-MgmqyR8RaaL0GMudqnXtm4oaihyphenhyphenxgz5XcU/s320/IMG_3269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have always been intimidated by bread. I've had some disasters like the dough just turning to sand and not coming together in any recognizable dough consistency. I've also had bread just not rise and become rock hard. Through the years I've had to continue to try because in the Orthodox Christian Church each family who wishes to offer bread for Holy Communion bakes the special bread called Prosphora in Greek, or Alter Bread in English. It's a very simple yeast bread that has a special seal stamped on it before it is baked.<br />
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Lately I've been wishing to make more of our food from scratch in order to know exactly what's in it. No nasty preservatives and what-nots for me. I'm tired of guessing if the pre-made food is safe or not. So this weekend I decided to experiment and try bread based on the simple Prosphora recipe. Following is the Prosphora recipe followed by the alterations I made to it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Prosphora (basic recipe)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">5 cups white flour (sifted)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1-1/2 cups warm water</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 pkgs. dry yeast</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tsp. salt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dissolve yeast in warm water in a plastic container with a tight fitting lid. In a large bowl add sifted flour and salt and make a "well" in the center. Pour the yeast and water mixture into the well and knead until smooth. Cover the dough and let rise (about an hour). When double in size, knead again. Then divide dough in half and put in cake pans that have been floured only (no grease). Let rise for about an hour then place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Wrap in a clean cloth while cooling so crust will be soft. Makes two loaves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alterations to the basic recipe (for home consumption, not for alter bread).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">3-1/2 cups white flour (sifted)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour (sifted)</div><div style="text-align: center;">4 to 5 tbsp. roasted and salted sunflower seeds</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 to 2 tbsp. flax seed meal</div><div style="text-align: center;">1-1/2 cups warm water</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 pkgs. dry yeast</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tsp. salt</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tbsp. sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Follow directions as above. I did rub the two loaves with a bit of olive oil before letting them rise in the cake pans. I was hoping that would give the loaves a nicely browned top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The resulting bread is very tasty with just enough texture and added flavor from the whole wheat flour. The sunflower seeds add a nice dimension as well. It was really difficult not to eat an entire loaf right out of the oven!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-oiyFC-nOy7jjXBWF2QxNLtrMImCDyJek8VwPuSyw6-KJBukVgkO662jd1hhhGzTDljl7S4mGEbSA5vidmZ-vaoOv-gNAPZKR-bzCFYzMVyXRrODZOmHFFPJfitbr_5QJI0J1k-1jsw/s1600/IMG_3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-oiyFC-nOy7jjXBWF2QxNLtrMImCDyJek8VwPuSyw6-KJBukVgkO662jd1hhhGzTDljl7S4mGEbSA5vidmZ-vaoOv-gNAPZKR-bzCFYzMVyXRrODZOmHFFPJfitbr_5QJI0J1k-1jsw/s320/IMG_3270.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super yummy with a butter spread of your choice.</td></tr>
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</div>Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-69506747514609703472012-02-15T10:49:00.000-08:002012-02-15T10:49:29.541-08:00Better Late Than NeverThe last two weeks have had me frazzled! Working on a minor renovation, husband's birthday, son's birthday and party, add in Valentine's Day, and I am wooped. I did manage to make my son's Valentine's for his class party which made him very happy. He actually wanted to give them to his classmates before the class party as a birthday "give-away". He was a little disappointed when I told him he'd have to wait for the 14th.<br />
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I got inspired via Pinterest, this <a href="http://pinterest.com/nataliasmith/fun-for-kids/">link</a> takes you to my "Fun for Kids" board, which shows you the original idea. I decided that Kindergarten and 5 to 6 year olds do not need love sayings and hearts on EVERYTHING, so I purchased a star shaped punch to make mine. Also, not everyone appreciates pink, in fact, my son's favorite color is blue. I gathered several different bright colors of paint chips from the home store and began crafting. To make it more appropriate for a Valentine, I added the lollipops to each of them and my son signed his name to the backs.<br />
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These bookmarks turned out cute and they were so easy to make. A plus for this busy working mommy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaq_19DFp-uHBNRngwGWkeERw28pZwd59OidPF1ERT_Pu8uGJwnngKvZP1G_LXvBoLfnjGxG4dFzUZcmuFcmaRGnUPNs2592RP2ktnhOeGt2Mii4ta01RjMSkzVf6XX4Y_9E6cARvjXg/s1600/photography+147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaq_19DFp-uHBNRngwGWkeERw28pZwd59OidPF1ERT_Pu8uGJwnngKvZP1G_LXvBoLfnjGxG4dFzUZcmuFcmaRGnUPNs2592RP2ktnhOeGt2Mii4ta01RjMSkzVf6XX4Y_9E6cARvjXg/s400/photography+147.jpg" width="298" yda="true" /></a></div>Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-25309665045308538132012-02-02T18:50:00.000-08:002012-02-02T18:50:58.170-08:00Pretzel Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AyIOhagreI_gwow5zI2ZKkonsERgx_j7TdcEZetbwlXPXThaPJGyJxW8wk0Arwxw5rHxH4ZNiGPdpxy7E23naw88ALoHL6Rb5JOI1_7dFDcUF85xY1nw71hHyuzk9FQ58157M4S-LT0/s1600/IMG_3171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AyIOhagreI_gwow5zI2ZKkonsERgx_j7TdcEZetbwlXPXThaPJGyJxW8wk0Arwxw5rHxH4ZNiGPdpxy7E23naw88ALoHL6Rb5JOI1_7dFDcUF85xY1nw71hHyuzk9FQ58157M4S-LT0/s400/IMG_3171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A couple of nights ago my son and I made these yummy little treats as a Valentines Day gift to his cousins in Arizona. It was so easy and fun. I actually got the idea from a photo on <a href="http://pinterest.com/nataliasmith/fun-for-kids/">Pinterest</a>. I didn't actually follow the link to the directions because they looked easy enough, and they were, but if you do have a moment to check out the original blog (<a href="http://www.lovefromtheoven.com/2011/02/02/chocolate-covered-pretzel-tutorial/">linked here</a>) they are really nice looking.<br />
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I lined a couple of cookie sheets with wax paper and armed my 5 year old with a bottle of sprinkles. I melted a bag of Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips in a double boiler and dredged the little pretzels through the melted goodness. After placing the enrobed pretzels on the cookie sheet they were blasted by colorful sprinkles. Once the sheet was full I placed it in the fridge over night.<br />
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So good, so simple, and so cute in a Mason jar for a gift to loved ones!Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-29694088180434400352011-10-10T20:01:00.001-07:002012-04-21T15:40:14.875-07:00Finger Licking Good!!I know that's a slogan for a fast food chicken restaurant, but I think I've got something that really is finger licking good, and good for you!!! Are you bored with boring chicken? Do you wish the chicken you made tasted as good or better than the rotisserie chickens at the store? Have you ever wondered how they got those chickens to taste that good? I don't know for sure, but I think it starts with a huge needle and you're left with an engorged bird high on chemicals, flavorings, and salt. Why settle for all that when you can make one that is amazingly tasty and costs a lot less than the precooked variety?<br />
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A few years ago for Thanksgiving I was researching turkey breast recipes and stumbled across one from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/foolproof-turkey-breast-recipe/index.html">Guy Fieri</a>. It seemed easy enough, so gave it a shot. The turkey breast turned out fantastic! Now fast forward a year or two to my dinner table where we are eating a store bought rotisserie chicken. The whole time I'm wondering how in the world they got the flavor throughout the entire bird. It actually took me another month or so for it to dawn on me, "if I brine the whole chicken, it should have a similar effect as the one from the store!"<br />
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You want to try this recipe............trust me! I've adapted it just slightly, mostly so that it will fit my stock pot, which apparently is tiny in comparison to the pots Guy must have.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Amazing Roasted Chicken </span>(adapted from Guy Fieri's Foolproof Turkey Breast)<br />
<b>Start with the brine</b>:<br />
6 cups of water<br />
1/2 cup salt<br />
1/4 cup very loosely packed brown sugar<br />
1/4 cup molasses<br />
1 tablespoon sage<br />
1/2 teaspoon peppercorns<br />
Heat until salt dissolves. Remove from heat and add additional 6 cups water and 4 cups ice. Stir until ice is melted. Rinse a whole chicken and remove all the stuff they stuff inside, you won't need that! Place the chicken into the brine and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MsiNqr8yINFr6bw3Lm4jA4Z2kEXMppXAlM3oR_W7MmteVAQG0s87kEjfhic2IhdyvE03fWVzgnAcSlVhd90iceTueFPRrVzstHFqrxjm0vrwPKMoSQJhjsD-zCcYUgvAsQQcLW7k4E0/s1600/IMG_2300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MsiNqr8yINFr6bw3Lm4jA4Z2kEXMppXAlM3oR_W7MmteVAQG0s87kEjfhic2IhdyvE03fWVzgnAcSlVhd90iceTueFPRrVzstHFqrxjm0vrwPKMoSQJhjsD-zCcYUgvAsQQcLW7k4E0/s320/IMG_2300.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The molasses will actually give the raw chicken a golden brown color after it has sat in the brine.</td></tr>
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<b>Dry Rub is next</b>:<br />
1 tablespoon sage<br />
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon onion powder<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 teaspoon pepper<br />
1 teaspoon oregano<br />
1 teaspoon thyme<br />
Zest from 1 lemon (don't throw the lemon away, you'll need it in a second)<br />
1 tablespoon olive oil<br />
Mix all of the ingredients together and set aside.<br />
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Rinse the chicken under cool water for at least 5 minutes. Drain it and pat it dry with paper towels. Rub the chicken with a little olive oil then smear the rub all over it. Slice the lemon and squeeze it as you place it in the chicken cavity. Cover the chicken and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours. I've actually done this step before work, around 6:30 in the morning, and my husband will do the last step around 4:15 PM.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCY-o_PZuLgenXAZqWK2FUasth6M4YjplWDPi0JMBZsxuZnYn0txmqqNqIB8FEiw0LYDIft5C7whhm0fbqO3LasFG7sWT6TwhSIkQqOMyIaL1vn9KBom4rKAEZPctW8sVl28VVrJccBs/s1600/IMG_2302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCY-o_PZuLgenXAZqWK2FUasth6M4YjplWDPi0JMBZsxuZnYn0txmqqNqIB8FEiw0LYDIft5C7whhm0fbqO3LasFG7sWT6TwhSIkQqOMyIaL1vn9KBom4rKAEZPctW8sVl28VVrJccBs/s320/IMG_2302.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dry rub isn't completely dry since you've mixed it with a tablespoon of oil, but this will allow the herbs to stay atop the bird through the cooking cycle.</td></tr>
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Remove the chicken from the fridge and let it rest for about 15 minutes while your oven is heating up to 375. Bake for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until the temperature reads 170, we leave ours covered with a glass lid while baking. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes before cutting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHcovcB_R1b_qVN86eWu0458Q20Xr6sFcu1zkZYx_E9XJxDFx_OY1V2aMh0k70HA5sfZrojsPdrQUS48P_y3LANFd07S1RFYpDroIyL5ylJfy7eCR-m2V2thwePp5dPR_P9uX0JnQnSo/s1600/IMG_2304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHcovcB_R1b_qVN86eWu0458Q20Xr6sFcu1zkZYx_E9XJxDFx_OY1V2aMh0k70HA5sfZrojsPdrQUS48P_y3LANFd07S1RFYpDroIyL5ylJfy7eCR-m2V2thwePp5dPR_P9uX0JnQnSo/s320/IMG_2304.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is exactly what you want to see, the chicken is so tender it's falling apart without even being touched!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSswY38K4QDyrELyVw95EQOojEzhTmXhdRTRKGEsvs9Ineqfk_W5rnmvX0sHjng5OkQqwJBDsMRa9j4pTGfEx6LZx8BAyPVGJezdPDec8SoXTBcrcb4laHdxuwnSDmYEiiRsvTMied-vc/s1600/IMG_2307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSswY38K4QDyrELyVw95EQOojEzhTmXhdRTRKGEsvs9Ineqfk_W5rnmvX0sHjng5OkQqwJBDsMRa9j4pTGfEx6LZx8BAyPVGJezdPDec8SoXTBcrcb4laHdxuwnSDmYEiiRsvTMied-vc/s320/IMG_2307.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've served this with homemade potato salad, or as tonight, a homemade vinegar based cole slaw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I hope you try and enjoy this Amazing Roasted Chicken, it's a perfect meal as the weather starts to cool off.Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-66294659566050218572011-09-03T20:28:00.001-07:002012-04-21T15:42:48.167-07:00Life's PlansOn my flight back home from a business trip in Massachusetts I read "The 100 Most Creative People in Business" in Fast Company's June 2011 issue. It really got my brain moving. All these people with the ability to persevere, to use what others might consider failures along the way as moments to get creative and find solutions to keep moving in their desired direction. I love that! It's so inspiring!<br />
<br />
I'm a planner and a creative person. In some things I have succeeded because of my planning. Other times I have flopped around unsure of my direction, questioning my plans and my creativity. I have even been set on paths by others who saw something in me that I did not. As an example, obtaining my current role as product designer for Wilsonart would fall into this category. A friend of mine saw the job posting and believed in me and my abilities even when I was doubtful. It turns out that what others saw in me actually came to fruition. Seems my love of design, the design process, and my strong desire to always do my best and strive for a job done excellent is what has made me successful.<br />
<br />
I think what I'm trying to say is having a vision, a determination, and a good work ethic can be a magical combination. Just remember to periodically revisit your goals and dare to dream and strive and push yourself to do your best. Remember too, that sometimes planning works, and sometimes you just need to go with the flow. Being flexible could open doors you've never noticed before, for you and your career development. Who knows, you just might find yourself blossoming!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wp4LegNrPzDV8Wsyq6kfC9AvbWrKX7F6ZhzJPrWOPFuRwrniOxosshhjh_mEhdCzcDXMAAIOasZz_7E_1TzamhMeYJhGvCa2YhBSySX9p8mWRo9_BnUcnoGXEjOj-gpcd1nt_w6Rgp8/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wp4LegNrPzDV8Wsyq6kfC9AvbWrKX7F6ZhzJPrWOPFuRwrniOxosshhjh_mEhdCzcDXMAAIOasZz_7E_1TzamhMeYJhGvCa2YhBSySX9p8mWRo9_BnUcnoGXEjOj-gpcd1nt_w6Rgp8/s400/IMG_2078.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the most beautiful Hydrangea I have ever seen. Captured in Mass. on my business trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-51008828417491349242011-08-14T15:23:00.001-07:002012-04-21T15:47:19.828-07:00Keep Plugging AwayThat's what I tell myself, "Keep plugging away". Is it age, heat, or lack of motivation that keeps me from knocking this small dining room renovation out? I'm gonna say the heat. It's been over 100 degrees here in Central Texas for months now, and it has played a real part in draining my energy. The heat has even killed my hope for a super fun and romantic pumpkin patch in our backyard. Those poor little seedlings never stood a chance. I'm not owning up to the age thing just yet, but I will throw into the mix the fact that I'm employed full-time, I'm married, and we have a five year old.<br />
<br />
Even with those excuses, there has been progress made. Woohoo!<br />
*On Memorial Day weekend I got the walls primed.<br />
*The Friday before the 4th of July our ceiling was finally repaired.<br />
*On Friday, August 5th I primed the newly repaired ceiling and the walls again because some areas got new texture.<br />
*On Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th I finished painting the ceiling and adding color to the walls!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPG0o28PxWE3OmTGjxH4Z8_z3J6EZaLTEDCHC671gVXSuBXyENzDt5Hw2DHNjKahazpoB3FW6lhEpr9CSQhgD-l4Df6gF93ydFoiI7EjqMw5SH5bUwWHdCUC3PXOgUPcEvnmwx2MKhHbw/s1600/IMG_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPG0o28PxWE3OmTGjxH4Z8_z3J6EZaLTEDCHC671gVXSuBXyENzDt5Hw2DHNjKahazpoB3FW6lhEpr9CSQhgD-l4Df6gF93ydFoiI7EjqMw5SH5bUwWHdCUC3PXOgUPcEvnmwx2MKhHbw/s320/IMG_1920.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ADORE the Reflecting Pool blue by my Apples and Pears green living room! Talk about a shot of inspiring color!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>*Today we installed the new light fixture!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhexnZuyMg0-F-79gSFuMaJHsv1iih2Ao68m057uXEt7A8CH9ux2dj2qczHzDB5P21HmCFEtkzH9U08wWtVlSAfXp6gFyxrwfQ2CjcZ0TDMSh9JIPU8FypojrLDyKi8I0yqbIkLHdVGX0/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhexnZuyMg0-F-79gSFuMaJHsv1iih2Ao68m057uXEt7A8CH9ux2dj2qczHzDB5P21HmCFEtkzH9U08wWtVlSAfXp6gFyxrwfQ2CjcZ0TDMSh9JIPU8FypojrLDyKi8I0yqbIkLHdVGX0/s320/IMG_1942.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's finally up!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All that in addition to summer time colds and a <a href="http://seecreatebehappy.blogspot.com/2011/07/hiking-photography-and-cactus-series.html">camping vacation</a>. It's all so very exciting, if only I could muster up the energy to do a happy dance.<br />
<br />
I'll take this victory, and raise you a couple more "to do items":<br />
*The base boards need to be painted.<br />
*We need to purchase and install crown molding<br />
*We need to rehang the drapes<br />
*I need to compose and hang all the items for my "art wall".<br />
<br />
Not a bad list, it just might get done before Christmas!!!Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055808467354818337.post-82522025426968373612011-07-28T20:56:00.001-07:002012-04-21T15:50:36.463-07:00Hiking, Photography, and a Cactus SeriesVacation has been good to me. My family and I went camping. It was blazing hot during the day, but there was water nearby which got us through the worst of it. I even had a chance to slip away early one morning to go on a hike. I love hiking, and I love to have a camera with me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG032Ofp2HJbySKemdCUucN9JjVswjRQUxsCO5v0tXnclO7Srn2EiMINv6wQA6iiw8QpT5EhaDFca4blOCZ-Mzi9TUCAv-5w6Ucj2AyBol28gCZxdpsTOWRxXTLwyqyv8STsCmElBmBg/s1600/IMG_1833+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG032Ofp2HJbySKemdCUucN9JjVswjRQUxsCO5v0tXnclO7Srn2EiMINv6wQA6iiw8QpT5EhaDFca4blOCZ-Mzi9TUCAv-5w6Ucj2AyBol28gCZxdpsTOWRxXTLwyqyv8STsCmElBmBg/s400/IMG_1833+-+Version+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The morning was perfect! There was a slight breeze, it was still on the cool side, birds were signing, and I was out moving! I have this fantasy that life in Colorado must be exactly like this morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzMspVKZAPKJdY406yXG32tLPav-JMvr0jkN4hyphenhyphenfQZjZGUkD7iPlxHsPUL3n0j_nCTIlp3fe9vk4vm8A_ZNDKqVzfcw940xWvueAtsnCkK6GUF86933yq5c7hBsuU7exe5MHbjdJ0dE0/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzMspVKZAPKJdY406yXG32tLPav-JMvr0jkN4hyphenhyphenfQZjZGUkD7iPlxHsPUL3n0j_nCTIlp3fe9vk4vm8A_ZNDKqVzfcw940xWvueAtsnCkK6GUF86933yq5c7hBsuU7exe5MHbjdJ0dE0/s400/IMG_1851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I even fantasize about being more athletic because in Colorado everyone is the "outdoorsy" type. I mean, how could you not be with hiking and mountain bike trails everywhere? Right, then I had to come back to reality and remember that people in Colorado have to work too. I wasn't even camping in Colorado, I was in Texas. I think this delusion stems from the time I was in Colorado on business and stopped at a Starbucks which was attached to an REI. It was the most beautiful REI I had ever seen. They had trails leading right to it from somewhere off the property, and a stream! Darn, reality can be cruel.<br />
<br />
On this lovely morning hike, in Texas, I did capture some amazing shots, and a cactus series grew from it.....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifIRoLRC3GlgCGj0e8Cdr6tp0Q3mEN6TsjYjq2WTEebkhJmFIj_OeWeKc_w3wL3pQpJIlJOc6e3qgFuWX4QphMXdYsJD3k6XOCjAiUR-THpfsrM30QDr-ipuNrLYhzzlV39Z6iAn0occ/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifIRoLRC3GlgCGj0e8Cdr6tp0Q3mEN6TsjYjq2WTEebkhJmFIj_OeWeKc_w3wL3pQpJIlJOc6e3qgFuWX4QphMXdYsJD3k6XOCjAiUR-THpfsrM30QDr-ipuNrLYhzzlV39Z6iAn0occ/s400/IMG_1887.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq2i0M_WWT3auPilJxJcNke-76ITuc5Ad6pIPQrzMv9IGWqqWOuno4k-ITOykihCbBziWvbVzfDwNDfKzmX5aOYvwKn4t_-c28AQJGvZkdcwQkv2haFpQEunRLqQi3lbHmbIZ6Sruoa8/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq2i0M_WWT3auPilJxJcNke-76ITuc5Ad6pIPQrzMv9IGWqqWOuno4k-ITOykihCbBziWvbVzfDwNDfKzmX5aOYvwKn4t_-c28AQJGvZkdcwQkv2haFpQEunRLqQi3lbHmbIZ6Sruoa8/s400/IMG_1888.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rising Sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKzJJnfSpfaWH4uF9Rv9aRDyegJEezWmvaIRbp4lPKSWLcMuDmp8BAG57p_7fX7zcbI8FPE9VQa9rUFoGnojmE57bbASbFhVPJQx43qDbBnOv4NcXKgG1sUDAUKZe3RVoxVmT8cMxSRw/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKzJJnfSpfaWH4uF9Rv9aRDyegJEezWmvaIRbp4lPKSWLcMuDmp8BAG57p_7fX7zcbI8FPE9VQa9rUFoGnojmE57bbASbFhVPJQx43qDbBnOv4NcXKgG1sUDAUKZe3RVoxVmT8cMxSRw/s400/IMG_1890.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Horizon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEcv2of2_ruvv_0jaW137ccHvXmXM_KE6ziQWqJbnzDBym4Ifms2N7wlirbYsz7IK8nN3vjK0NRbnZVJ2T4E4RUEv9Lgkz6SB6-ufc9UBVqmlfyLmGNWJJqTSVeHhV1u_S6zCFQYAjIo/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEcv2of2_ruvv_0jaW137ccHvXmXM_KE6ziQWqJbnzDBym4Ifms2N7wlirbYsz7IK8nN3vjK0NRbnZVJ2T4E4RUEv9Lgkz6SB6-ufc9UBVqmlfyLmGNWJJqTSVeHhV1u_S6zCFQYAjIo/s400/IMG_1891.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus Pop Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjl3vt0STGJ8GVuN_9tiEDRMyJDRWeWyblVEt0J2CWScvO0lAWqjycaZvnPHOJo27HIfaXDtUHGreGQucUO3fiyetIgfotW5UH1fkQKEkjX5r7GDt0yYzH0Knv6ro-FvNnmwfpFp-Q9c/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjl3vt0STGJ8GVuN_9tiEDRMyJDRWeWyblVEt0J2CWScvO0lAWqjycaZvnPHOJo27HIfaXDtUHGreGQucUO3fiyetIgfotW5UH1fkQKEkjX5r7GDt0yYzH0Knv6ro-FvNnmwfpFp-Q9c/s400/IMG_1892.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W Cactus</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem-WOL6fdz3E99r1trD_7W4R9fFNuovg7ePu8gV8hpdxx68qq3BCXexFrYRLaycWwQzEcvoOjDdRa9nDTUnFfpp8nw7sAKm0iwIlYFjyEnSmC0t0DgKPf6dJd50qBn6yRSvUSES2Mydc/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem-WOL6fdz3E99r1trD_7W4R9fFNuovg7ePu8gV8hpdxx68qq3BCXexFrYRLaycWwQzEcvoOjDdRa9nDTUnFfpp8nw7sAKm0iwIlYFjyEnSmC0t0DgKPf6dJd50qBn6yRSvUSES2Mydc/s400/IMG_1893.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right Frame Cactus Pop Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_dKJ78AyJLmP7O3OZekWIru395KZ2uzZwBDeTPsdEeUGg0BPFHBKkC0mARHxiqov_TlIugpx3uMpzsF1tTb1CJFpKGialYwkkfNTgtec66Kh6F9Xij6XWM_7xmndm9JzUmY7O2aM7-4/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_dKJ78AyJLmP7O3OZekWIru395KZ2uzZwBDeTPsdEeUGg0BPFHBKkC0mARHxiqov_TlIugpx3uMpzsF1tTb1CJFpKGialYwkkfNTgtec66Kh6F9Xij6XWM_7xmndm9JzUmY7O2aM7-4/s400/IMG_1897.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pricklies and Pears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nataliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471552836853798884noreply@blogger.com3