tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-310013672024-03-21T13:54:43.848-07:00MamaFae's Knit WhitsNicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-15161529893009233832013-11-03T12:57:00.000-08:002013-11-03T12:58:17.174-08:00How my kids challenged my skills this Halloween; or how to make armor from craft foam Part 3 The Final Results!Ok so if you have followed along thus far, you've seen all of the steps I used in making this year's Halloween costumes. I finally had time to get the kids back into their outfits and take some nice pictures in the woods behind our house. I'll post the screenshots here as well so you can see a comparison. Enjoy!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lily as Twilight Princes Zelda!</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot for Zelda<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight Princess Zelda<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Colton as Link from Twilight Princess Zelda</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo_HxEDHpcSpj5y-wDtS9-pDwhdA5m9M3shW7JZHCTk4ZyzzhpZXxvXBf3pOcVJTcSF2-7PMYNqcIX8gERXNuL1FArJ__KaGKnjU0VjH1zFMIJajo8cCiZXQ2uDX7BRuh7tcmfQ/s1600/2465631-the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_link_costume_ver_01-3-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo_HxEDHpcSpj5y-wDtS9-pDwhdA5m9M3shW7JZHCTk4ZyzzhpZXxvXBf3pOcVJTcSF2-7PMYNqcIX8gERXNuL1FArJ__KaGKnjU0VjH1zFMIJajo8cCiZXQ2uDX7BRuh7tcmfQ/s320/2465631-the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_link_costume_ver_01-3-03.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot from Twilight Princess Zelda</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Link from Twilight Princess Zelda</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Austin as Ezio Auditore da Firenze</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot from Assassin's Creed II</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin as Ezio</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One final shot of the kids.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween 2013</td></tr>
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<br />Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-83564293230283413152013-11-03T12:43:00.000-08:002013-11-03T12:58:17.177-08:00 How my kids challenged my skills this Halloween; or how to make armor from craft foam Part 2So we left off with Link's Tunic and Hat........I forgot to mention that I used the most awesome <a href="http://www.elmers.com/product/detail/E428?filterPath=spray%2f" target="_blank">spray adhesive</a> to glue all the different armor pieces and details together.<br />
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Now on to Austin's choice of character. <a href="http://assassinscreed.wikia.com/wiki/Ezio_Auditore_da_Firenze" target="_blank">Ezio Auditore da Firenze from Assassin's Creed II.</a> Here is the screenshot I found online that gave a good view of the basic armor set for this character. The items that were most important for Austin were the hood, the cape, the bracer, and the belt/sash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvulVzRO7O_aj7AGqrZDeVs03tztaUoN-9mv4BMvQWKowxt6p1GffURALJdCp5rRs5VVKzDLbqylubbWX_dHx86eKYZ2JsNDEix768wHa2Txpdtr1N_deRO0FGow_xYpwyEnp66g/s1600/ezioscreenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvulVzRO7O_aj7AGqrZDeVs03tztaUoN-9mv4BMvQWKowxt6p1GffURALJdCp5rRs5VVKzDLbqylubbWX_dHx86eKYZ2JsNDEix768wHa2Txpdtr1N_deRO0FGow_xYpwyEnp66g/s320/ezioscreenshot.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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Since I was already working with craft foam for Colton and Lily's costumes I started with the belt buckle and bracer first. The bracer is from an "upgrade" armor set not the one in the picture above. The cape we chose was also an upgrade that was black with a red liner. here's a good pic of the bracer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZYH6xS5EGzWgTXjBzgHf9RwSGf74wr1tNhEMgHlEwbfLpXWQzKOItBSnkXLhHHlVpQxO6MM2p3F34i6ispPoEXeXdmz_zf_JQ4fAZlcYbfL6b97XKdwGmleROGvVHkaBruCOcg/s1600/ezioscreenshot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZYH6xS5EGzWgTXjBzgHf9RwSGf74wr1tNhEMgHlEwbfLpXWQzKOItBSnkXLhHHlVpQxO6MM2p3F34i6ispPoEXeXdmz_zf_JQ4fAZlcYbfL6b97XKdwGmleROGvVHkaBruCOcg/s320/ezioscreenshot2.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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I didn't find nearly as many or as detailed tutorials online for this character as I did for Link and Zelda, but I did find some that were helpful:</div>
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<li><a href="http://ladybad.deviantart.com/art/EZIO-COSPLAY-TUTORIAL-ENGLISH-167891591" target="_blank">Ezio cosplay tutorial</a></li>
<li><a href="http://orochimarisu.deviantart.com/art/TUTORIAL-154831239" target="_blank">Ezio Belt Buckle</a></li>
<li><a href="http://matttafari.deviantart.com/art/Assassin-s-Creed-Altair-Cosplay-Bracer-Template-336389006" target="_blank">Ezio Bracer Templates</a></li>
<li><a href="http://matttafari.deviantart.com/art/Assassin-s-Creed-Altair-Cosplay-336497696" target="_blank">Ezio Bracer final pic</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ladybad.deviantart.com/art/hood-pattern-209849330" target="_blank">Ezio Hood Pattern</a></li>
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Using the same techniques as the shoulder armor for Zelda, I created this bracer using the templates in the link above.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1ym9EPCW8AVFrnCjntAyjjtVh1iUEn1_YuYDbzp4gnZQbWk3KfqT8UKrNgnWOIR9N_jBYwvxn_reYNcvgZGAlB0XLkl7_8oDhrkxvbExG9v4pxZdADzbmzao_tvqeYq3H6RLmw/s1600/eziobracer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1ym9EPCW8AVFrnCjntAyjjtVh1iUEn1_YuYDbzp4gnZQbWk3KfqT8UKrNgnWOIR9N_jBYwvxn_reYNcvgZGAlB0XLkl7_8oDhrkxvbExG9v4pxZdADzbmzao_tvqeYq3H6RLmw/s320/eziobracer.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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After this I riveted the "leather" part of the bracer to a piece of faux leather fabric. I tried to use eyelets to allow for leather lacing to tie the bracer onto the arm, but the eyelets wouldn't work, so I just threaded the lacing under the craft foam piece and tied it onto the arm that way.</div>
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For the second bracer I just cut a piece of foam, sealed and painted it black. Then I drew a design from a template I made off a picture I found online. I used silver puff paint to fill in the scored design.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rnuj-C5utmr3eJXwec1S-olxJcYHdbASbaLEi5wApytc9YnsIUMznM-MOjcJQBSEhyphenhypheniESSLf5wntn4v2NCa3eQpZiRaPvfE_7EA8P2rIaigHzzfNQaCG6mcOM3NCf31zMNypGQ/s1600/2ndbracer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rnuj-C5utmr3eJXwec1S-olxJcYHdbASbaLEi5wApytc9YnsIUMznM-MOjcJQBSEhyphenhypheniESSLf5wntn4v2NCa3eQpZiRaPvfE_7EA8P2rIaigHzzfNQaCG6mcOM3NCf31zMNypGQ/s320/2ndbracer.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
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The belt piece was a lot of fun to create. First I used this picture to create a template to draw off of:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLo8lTss14mpql8x0uT4iC3Ps7qpcYcUdJ-s2wSj2dqCZ-PgRIMoJauwqpmmBBvpqHV58sOpln__Pxou5igMjrrurg1DNIBwhj76Jb4GkvPo4V40uBEn-vf2zOFGmr9ADsRz9AQ/s1600/brotherhood_belt__better_wip_by_ladybad-d39mfpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLo8lTss14mpql8x0uT4iC3Ps7qpcYcUdJ-s2wSj2dqCZ-PgRIMoJauwqpmmBBvpqHV58sOpln__Pxou5igMjrrurg1DNIBwhj76Jb4GkvPo4V40uBEn-vf2zOFGmr9ADsRz9AQ/s320/brotherhood_belt__better_wip_by_ladybad-d39mfpa.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I edited it in picasa to get a line drawing I could trace by taping it up to the window. Once I had that i cut it apart and cut out the separate pieces you see in the unpainted picture of the buckle below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAarITFvWzilI4g2C0MU8GYgvbxHp7BYDA7yEFifbE2VCob_O81RDlsCLW7KybHGpuxJGefNRWgvGy_pefs6Z2_8bYoavfHP6HKvBwLXIWmrbqauZQWJ82_d4u7VLRFXNhgPvWqA/s1600/AC2_belt_insignia_available_by_fevereon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAarITFvWzilI4g2C0MU8GYgvbxHp7BYDA7yEFifbE2VCob_O81RDlsCLW7KybHGpuxJGefNRWgvGy_pefs6Z2_8bYoavfHP6HKvBwLXIWmrbqauZQWJ82_d4u7VLRFXNhgPvWqA/s320/AC2_belt_insignia_available_by_fevereon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used the same basic technique as in the second link above. I used a ball point pen in black to draw/score the details into the foam. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbGpTSdk98WRfXMmDPrZZwPe0ODG5lrPBW9BOoHy6vgkC8zB4unUNSXWvDZxYyJPAz7aSxk4AsvHrkfg_T0ztccUpEH9FJk5foCIvydRE9qZ0Daokplaom8bPw9_o-29gD9Emog/s1600/eziobeltbuckleunpainted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbGpTSdk98WRfXMmDPrZZwPe0ODG5lrPBW9BOoHy6vgkC8zB4unUNSXWvDZxYyJPAz7aSxk4AsvHrkfg_T0ztccUpEH9FJk5foCIvydRE9qZ0Daokplaom8bPw9_o-29gD9Emog/s320/eziobeltbuckleunpainted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sealing it with the same glue/decoupage mixture as the other armor I then started with a coat of black paint. Then I did a few coats of sliver paint, rubbing it out of the scored details. Finshed with a watered down coat of black to really make the details stand out and make the buckle look more like it was made out of silver metal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-z7jsEzQzYPhdDm-dXLuyNPzop292bQs6wehF0HyoWOBSi5QnX8DyKOakOisR1qi0M5B5TQqcjx4xRyqUsZ4DvD6N2Me3djazTUupkwgkU9hEAXIOVeCmJ_P_dCMMEOx3rtw6g/s1600/eziobeltbucklepainted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-z7jsEzQzYPhdDm-dXLuyNPzop292bQs6wehF0HyoWOBSi5QnX8DyKOakOisR1qi0M5B5TQqcjx4xRyqUsZ4DvD6N2Me3djazTUupkwgkU9hEAXIOVeCmJ_P_dCMMEOx3rtw6g/s320/eziobeltbucklepainted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cape was another challenge, but I found using the craft foam riveted to faux leather to make the shoulder armor allowed me to sew the cape onto the shoulder piece. I attached the belt to a piece of red satin. Here's Austin modeling the belt and cape for me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWCeqxiW0GYey96Yy_DqAD4a1JPKS7ugdhW0UOk62pHGxxgaogako2T-18iienWyBePlK5_Gd9S0auzuRmz2bYRpm8EyFMB2KEoF4rjRKG6hIt3Fc8ymWnxAz3_BNPAAMq1dOIg/s1600/eziobeltsashcapeonaustin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWCeqxiW0GYey96Yy_DqAD4a1JPKS7ugdhW0UOk62pHGxxgaogako2T-18iienWyBePlK5_Gd9S0auzuRmz2bYRpm8EyFMB2KEoF4rjRKG6hIt3Fc8ymWnxAz3_BNPAAMq1dOIg/s320/eziobeltsashcapeonaustin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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After a trial run of the costumes as the school's harvest fest, we realized that the cape wasn't as sturdy, so I redid it adding more rivets and faux leather to hold it all together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTVHNjql49fYzKE6LoFRZkOX7ASelDAIRtJL-XvCn-JEvip3BLCifYOGf4pkvQDzj6_aEn7xVDiiCB7anQNTk_4AVtUQ_0OyXuEw65BfNGok3jYnKKwUoCx_DnOSX85UpYEDW9A/s1600/SAM_2803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTVHNjql49fYzKE6LoFRZkOX7ASelDAIRtJL-XvCn-JEvip3BLCifYOGf4pkvQDzj6_aEn7xVDiiCB7anQNTk_4AVtUQ_0OyXuEw65BfNGok3jYnKKwUoCx_DnOSX85UpYEDW9A/s320/SAM_2803.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The most challenging part of Austin's costume was the hood. It is very iconic and quite specific in design. There were a number of patterns online, but when I used them the effect wasn't right. So, I decided to create my own pattern using the screen shot above.</div>
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I spent quite a bit of time taking measurements from the picture and scaling it up to make a usable pattern. I found that using heavy interfacing in the band and point around the opening of the hood gave it the same stiff appearance from the screenshot. Sadly some how the paper pattern pieces have gone missing in the chaos following trick or treating or I'd post pictures of them here. Here are the front and side views of the finished hood:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyk583YnfAxAItzNmUFxqEnRGgxzGZAdOP7V4XpIjEKv2IEUU2Sm1AwgTr4mMGSDdv3qoJ3tRAd4FcVfsxGoczUD0qaBTFtSFFaDHAcgwuXksf3Je4AoDHxLmNEwHymVpykrqYg/s1600/SAM_2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyk583YnfAxAItzNmUFxqEnRGgxzGZAdOP7V4XpIjEKv2IEUU2Sm1AwgTr4mMGSDdv3qoJ3tRAd4FcVfsxGoczUD0qaBTFtSFFaDHAcgwuXksf3Je4AoDHxLmNEwHymVpykrqYg/s320/SAM_2810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRKzH9d6jJxQKqQocb4psAX5mlqNMUVyVTpjPTzfUtvLoo_BuLFJKpKUMArJjKZYZMj-lN5zqN0SXM5Z2qGXbGTVJm-Zb2rv0H-ItkPFlR76toHTnxLb5CbOwtUGZkCRCC2IUFQ/s1600/SAM_2811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRKzH9d6jJxQKqQocb4psAX5mlqNMUVyVTpjPTzfUtvLoo_BuLFJKpKUMArJjKZYZMj-lN5zqN0SXM5Z2qGXbGTVJm-Zb2rv0H-ItkPFlR76toHTnxLb5CbOwtUGZkCRCC2IUFQ/s320/SAM_2811.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I ran out of time, so I wasn't able to finish the jacket that the hood should have been attached to. I choose to tack it to the shirt Austin would wear instead, and I think it made a good substitution. The shirt is from last year's Legolas costume. I made it from an off the rack shirt I found at Goodwill (notice a trend here?) that I replaced the sleeves on with fabric taken from a shower curtain!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8XWyv7ZF43TEFa-ZpgGkcAyYIJvkKDBuskWNbGobIsCbSQIVNYAry0y9WUyFnhPLY_mjl8o0UhVyIgKUH9n4jM2cuapDFuroOcm-nePzFlvBdlN5_cEftAceZGbWcVLaaJuglg/s1600/SAM_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8XWyv7ZF43TEFa-ZpgGkcAyYIJvkKDBuskWNbGobIsCbSQIVNYAry0y9WUyFnhPLY_mjl8o0UhVyIgKUH9n4jM2cuapDFuroOcm-nePzFlvBdlN5_cEftAceZGbWcVLaaJuglg/s320/SAM_2812.JPG" width="281" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmBES_PRdVXaBNew53YnlDWLRs_qlIWYJyBHlJmUO-Ee0NR6OcHv-RHt7FX9e_TDjyGht4D3zSB6HTNrWLBEtbDZToKUYipsFwSqg6dIBk2a1tlCHJwSc8ctCab987kI4fZrcdw/s1600/SAM_2813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmBES_PRdVXaBNew53YnlDWLRs_qlIWYJyBHlJmUO-Ee0NR6OcHv-RHt7FX9e_TDjyGht4D3zSB6HTNrWLBEtbDZToKUYipsFwSqg6dIBk2a1tlCHJwSc8ctCab987kI4fZrcdw/s320/SAM_2813.JPG" width="289" /></a></div>
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When it was all said and done I think the whole costume turned out rather well! See part three for pictures of the kids in their finished costumes!</div>
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<br />Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-11113656219875465942013-11-03T09:41:00.002-08:002013-11-03T11:00:23.477-08:00How my kids challenged my skills this Halloween; or how to make armor from craft foam Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Halloween the kids really challenged my costume making skills!<br />
All three kids chose characters from video games this year as their costumes. Colton and Lily wanted to be characters from game series called Zelda. The main character is Link. An Elven like warrior. Zelda is the princess. Of course having played the game in my twenties I figured, sure no problem!! What I wasn't aware of when I first agreed to this scheme was that in the specific incarnation of these characters that my children wanted to be Zelda wears jeweled armor! Here's a screenshot of Lily's chosen character:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6IOJM7r6LYIzmepB033Zvfh5Bqg5MdRZ1su0PN_16cmy03aXkZf3yPbLJWc-eSZtS0VlMqfuovVONg8dFDhpha8LlWlnoq74evBeMcIkFewo9vKRCt4_DVk5LGXh7CZX0xOSXg/s1600/zeldatwilightprinces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6IOJM7r6LYIzmepB033Zvfh5Bqg5MdRZ1su0PN_16cmy03aXkZf3yPbLJWc-eSZtS0VlMqfuovVONg8dFDhpha8LlWlnoq74evBeMcIkFewo9vKRCt4_DVk5LGXh7CZX0xOSXg/s320/zeldatwilightprinces.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
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So, after I see this, Colton says to me, "Mom, I'm not sure you can do that!" Hahaha!! Challenge Accepted!!! Colton's chosen character of Link also has leather bracer and a very specific looking hat. Here's a pic of who he wanted to be:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78tXpIgBDGMuakuGiuKGSK32GqE3vhO0117gz8d6TwF5s4KGXfUI6_MTT56bJehEXMhISXwpTa9q05iwpEAmPcLTBUylq8XEkFfLbtvyN9sX1LlbaODVZqBKuLpQldTyiBSIiow/s1600/2465631-the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_link_costume_ver_01-3-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78tXpIgBDGMuakuGiuKGSK32GqE3vhO0117gz8d6TwF5s4KGXfUI6_MTT56bJehEXMhISXwpTa9q05iwpEAmPcLTBUylq8XEkFfLbtvyN9sX1LlbaODVZqBKuLpQldTyiBSIiow/s320/2465631-the_legend_of_zelda_twilight_princess_link_costume_ver_01-3-03.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
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So off I go to the internet to see if I can figure out how to make armor. Thankfully I found some amazing tutorials on <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/">http://www.deviantart.com/</a> ! While doing research for these costumes I was awed by the amazing talent out there in the <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cosplay">cosplay</a> world! Here are just a few examples of the posts I used to guide me in my quest for realistic looking costume armor and accurately depicted clothing:<br />
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<li><a href="http://narayu.deviantart.com/art/zelda-armor-tutorial-main-page-101707515" target="_blank">Zelda Twilight Princess armor tutorial</a></li>
<li><a href="http://linkylex.deviantart.com/art/Tutorial-TP-Gauntlet-258525865" target="_blank">Link's Bracer tutorial</a></li>
<li><a href="http://zeldaness.deviantart.com/art/Zelda-Armor-Designs-Printouts-79127938" target="_blank">Zelda's Armor design templates</a></li>
<li><a href="http://eressea-sama.deviantart.com/art/Link-Cosplay-hat-tutorial-203925061" target="_blank">Link's hat</a></li>
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So, after what seemed to me like days of research I bought the supplies and got to work! I started with Lily's armor because it seemed like the most time consuming of the two. </div>
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Using the templates I found I cut out and formed the base pieces of the Zelda shoulder armor:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVvttuQJxGkzqiqzZxFIMBP3zEDbejBitVoWbFdTw5sETRDEHW43DlB2xNAXdhFcbQZ8c0oYEQaPl_gph7jVBVV9HDqoJUpWywM4roWiQwIcnJqNjHqa0a1RnM6-CPTVhP0N37g/s1600/zeldaarmorstepone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVvttuQJxGkzqiqzZxFIMBP3zEDbejBitVoWbFdTw5sETRDEHW43DlB2xNAXdhFcbQZ8c0oYEQaPl_gph7jVBVV9HDqoJUpWywM4roWiQwIcnJqNjHqa0a1RnM6-CPTVhP0N37g/s320/zeldaarmorstepone.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I think it is so very cool that you can heat up the craft foam over a range top burner and get it to hold a form!!</div>
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After laboriously cutting out the detail pieces with an x-acto knife and gluing them to the base pieces I painted each piece front and back with 2 coats of Elmers Glue all mixed with some water and a bit of glossy decoupage. Then after that was dry I painted them gold using artists acrylic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCRUNHZFWCnKdq9M1avViM0huKTEbK08bztoGRn619kmtuT7kp61k-kwM52FG5f9zb7paEhJl2dppMFr5T6AGgWlgKmNuaAgqJMLZ8H8XxMVRUE9-knEwx4fYvaEfCSBewhyphenhyphen0kw/s1600/paintedzeldaarmor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCRUNHZFWCnKdq9M1avViM0huKTEbK08bztoGRn619kmtuT7kp61k-kwM52FG5f9zb7paEhJl2dppMFr5T6AGgWlgKmNuaAgqJMLZ8H8XxMVRUE9-knEwx4fYvaEfCSBewhyphenhyphen0kw/s320/paintedzeldaarmor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then after two coats of gold paint, I rubbed a bit of watered down black over them to take down the "shine" a bit and make them look more like real armor. I did the same with the chest piece and added beads that were part of a necklace I found on clearance at a local accessory store. I used wire to help keep the top of the shoulder piece in the shape required and also to create loops to attach the chest piece to. Here's Lily trying on the finished shoulder/chest armor:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM6D9soPD8YptJn5987_x6JCT19rCetSPnyW6wGUBBzxHRR4YZY5NGWxUx20ui3KyU1AusSNpXrm5NoACBVCRyN827YLJWIkQH_DIKdUv01ZAT9yOwj1JXqzVbZ2KRmR1oPh6yw/s1600/finishedzeldaarmor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM6D9soPD8YptJn5987_x6JCT19rCetSPnyW6wGUBBzxHRR4YZY5NGWxUx20ui3KyU1AusSNpXrm5NoACBVCRyN827YLJWIkQH_DIKdUv01ZAT9yOwj1JXqzVbZ2KRmR1oPh6yw/s320/finishedzeldaarmor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Following all the same steps I made her crown that I attached to some 16 gauge copper wire that I bought at the hardware store (it's WAY cheaper there than at a craft store btw). Here's the finished crown:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgoewYEsQBPZlpGoQ7WF-MHf5hQMEOoGOU8Erj4aBUYK2ulpsllasahrjInaiYZiJcXCuogp-28nOoqD9C-nL4CHQMEyWaBQMwLtGeMu6ngdrt-WqmntYb453ghbXifF3p4lZXw/s1600/finishedzeldacrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgoewYEsQBPZlpGoQ7WF-MHf5hQMEOoGOU8Erj4aBUYK2ulpsllasahrjInaiYZiJcXCuogp-28nOoqD9C-nL4CHQMEyWaBQMwLtGeMu6ngdrt-WqmntYb453ghbXifF3p4lZXw/s320/finishedzeldacrown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found a long brunette wig at Goodwill and restyled it to match Zelda's hair style as best as I could. I think it turned out pretty good!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQr7tUpp6T5XDmpwhjGBuzOUiT5yPQrPBI1YVYbyiu3LZGCx3DATiAg33soaX5zVMyYZAixLhDvxnJtt_Q0ku-zIR61bib1byB4UJzd6X_39V9Gc_RwHpuVnfZX01to1T0aIJjw/s1600/zeldawig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQr7tUpp6T5XDmpwhjGBuzOUiT5yPQrPBI1YVYbyiu3LZGCx3DATiAg33soaX5zVMyYZAixLhDvxnJtt_Q0ku-zIR61bib1byB4UJzd6X_39V9Gc_RwHpuVnfZX01to1T0aIJjw/s320/zeldawig.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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For Link's bracer I had to create my own template from pictures off the internet. Then, I followed the same process but instead of painting it I stopped at the glue/decoupage step because the finished piece needed to look like brown leather, and the craft foam was already brown.</div>
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For Link's hat and tunic I found great patterns online. The tunic was amazingly simple to create using one of Colton's t-shirts in order to get the basic shape. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVfqwfINrLseNy-BpP5KSk7LqUGw8wG-D2FnWRBxHypVI4DJeJd56-RGeQGzT4_myEDEAhoj47RkH-IlqLgNNbVkZId2L6FYSxjA9VE110RONcnakkTPELlYj6nOrPTcfQa8yKw/s1600/linktunicandhat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVfqwfINrLseNy-BpP5KSk7LqUGw8wG-D2FnWRBxHypVI4DJeJd56-RGeQGzT4_myEDEAhoj47RkH-IlqLgNNbVkZId2L6FYSxjA9VE110RONcnakkTPELlYj6nOrPTcfQa8yKw/s320/linktunicandhat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Using a fake leather purse I found at Goodwill and an old belt I created Link's sword belt and his inventory belt. I also bought <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rhode-Island-Novelty-SABUBHE-Necklaces/dp/B0027DPHYC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_2" target="_blank">sand art necklaces</a> and filled the bottles with colored water to make his potions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqYLUsx-NbmGTfHTvyEcA41Ru2A6t96s4h7_nMuITX_xzBo86Z_65cp1oEYw3akd2VItv23dxHO5q-u2Bbl48xVBEF8pYe1C1l1OfXw0T9wswuGMqqRg7J2xCu0h9raA4-e6Tzw/s1600/SAM_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqYLUsx-NbmGTfHTvyEcA41Ru2A6t96s4h7_nMuITX_xzBo86Z_65cp1oEYw3akd2VItv23dxHO5q-u2Bbl48xVBEF8pYe1C1l1OfXw0T9wswuGMqqRg7J2xCu0h9raA4-e6Tzw/s320/SAM_2806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thankfully, I didn't need to make pants this year having already made brown faux suede pants for Colton's Robin hood costume.</div>
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In Part 2, I'll go over what I did to create Austin's costume and post the final results!</div>
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Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-9953359874993271792011-12-13T08:55:00.000-08:002011-12-13T08:58:04.648-08:00Solidarity in motherhoodI have always valued my mommy friends. Ever since I became pregnant with my oldest son way back in the fall of 2000, I sought out like minded women with similar experiences to help me navigate the waters of parenthood. The simple idea that I was not alone in this journey made all of the challenges much much easier to overcome.<br />
<br />
It started with <a href="http://www.llli.org/">La Leche League</a> meetings and <a href="http://www.attachmentparenting.org/">Attachment Parenting International</a> meetings in Austin, TX. There I met moms in all stages of their journeys who believed in very similar ideals such as co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and gentle parenting. Many of them became close friends of mine, some of whom I am still in contact with 10 years and a cross country move later. While we were in Texas so many challenges came my way and so many moms stepped up to give me much needed advice, let me cry on their shoulders, or just be present with me in my struggles. There were midnight calls and rides to the children's ER when my husband was out of town, food brought over after an emergency D&C following the birth of my 2nd son, and so many much needed playdates where my kids could run and be kids while I got to sit and enjoy adult conversation. I truly believe I am a much better mother due to the strong loving guidance and support of those women.<br />
<br />
When my husband's job moved us from Texas to Oregon I was really worried about finding other moms to connect with. Having to start all over again really scared me. I really missed having my sister-friends around me. Then I got pregnant with my daughter and found a couple of resources that led me to a whole new group of amazing moms. The forums for the web version of <a href="http://mothering.com/">Mothering Magazine</a> let me to my "tribe" <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=tribe">(def 2)</a> and very soon I was no longer alone in a new town. Once I decided who would care for me during my prengancy and where I would give birth to my daughter I found yet another amazing group of women and families through the<a href="http://www.waterbirth.net/"> Andaluz Waterbirth Center</a>. Some of those women have become my best friends. <br />
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Now that my children are school age the playdates and park days have slowed down. We don't gather in groups for support nearly as much as we used to. My children's activities and school friends have more influence on the adults that I interact with than my own choices of like minded ideals. This is both a blessing and a challenge. I have met some amazing people that are now part of my circle of friends who support me in this crazy journey. Others have been learning moments in tolerance and patience. But regardless of how well I get on with the other adults in the room there is one thing we all have in common. We are parents and we are all on a journey of the utmost importance. Raising strong, confident, capable kids who will grow up to be successful happy adults. Knowing we're not alone goes a long way towards helping us all survive the quest.<br />
<br />
With how busy all of our lives have become however, getting together in person isn't something that happens outside of the events our children all participate in. And that's where the internet comes in. Besides the obvious benefits of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media">Social Media</a> on being able to connect with like minded people, I follow a number of Mom bloggers from all over the country who write posts about all of the things we have in common as moms. While we might be alone physically we are not alone in our struggles thanks to the words of wisdom, commiseration, and joy of folks like <a href="http://mamabirth.blogspot.com/2011/12/reflections-on-losing-my-mommy-mind.html">Mama Birth</a> and Laura from <a href="http://www.ourmessymessylife.com/2011/12/surely-im-not-only-mama-who.html">Our Messy Life</a>. Following their journeys online has brought humor and tears of joy to my daily life. <br />
<br />
I know I don't blog regularly or nearly often enough, but I hope that those that do stumble across my page can find the same support, tips for an easier life, laughter, and hope that I find in the pages I follow.Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-5484856693889511172011-12-09T21:49:00.000-08:002011-12-09T21:49:00.754-08:00Santa and believing in the unseen aka Yes, Virginia there is a Santa!Recently there have been a rash of articles, blogs, and essays written on whether or not we should as parents perpetuate the myth of Santa. I was dumb and broke the 1st rule of the internet and read the comments on some of the articles. It was a bit of a "duct tape moment" for me since the vitriol over this topic was out of control! Seriously I am not a bad parent because I allow my kids to believe in magical things while they are still young. I am not a liar. I don't care what you teach your kids about mythical beings, but I tell you one thing, if your kid bullies mine because you failed to also teach them tolerance for what others believe I'll be pretty upset.<br />
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In the end I remember my mom reading <a href="http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/">this letter</a> to me when I was a child and starting to doubt. It put it all into perspective and I no longer questioned why she so fervently believed in Santa and why she wanted me to as well. This is what I've read to my kids each time one of them started to doubt. I don't think you're ever to old for believing in love, magic, and goodwill.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono;">"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.<br />
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.<br />
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'<br />
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?<br />
<br />
"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.<br />
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."<br />
<br />
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.<br />
<br />
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.<br />
<br />
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono;">You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.<br />
<br />
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.</span></span>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-54927690941139809262011-11-14T09:31:00.000-08:002011-11-14T09:38:24.541-08:00Halloween 2011<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Halloween 2011<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">So this year we all dressed up as Harry Potter characters! I had a lot of fun making the kids robes in their characters' house colors, shopping for accessories, and going through a few different Goodwill stores for Marc's and my costumes. (total score on my wig btw only $1!!) You can see a bit about the process of making the robes <a href="http://mamafaesknitwhits.blogspot.com/2011/11/making-of-harry-potter-halloween.html">here</a>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I'm pretty happy with the finished results! </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/AVvXsEjxN2ePo53jY2BW3nBCoRI2rm1mcvTcrZVnsTUVya_N3B2X1IfSh0JtSoFsP6kzVr9eY5pMJ9Brro8X_YqVtZU0Kb_uFasEwtMc1RpZvwjqsqMakSwFdpzXGY7yHzgcXTFDMHdC6w/s1600/DSCN0537.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxN2ePo53jY2BW3nBCoRI2rm1mcvTcrZVnsTUVya_N3B2X1IfSh0JtSoFsP6kzVr9eY5pMJ9Brro8X_YqVtZU0Kb_uFasEwtMc1RpZvwjqsqMakSwFdpzXGY7yHzgcXTFDMHdC6w/s320/DSCN0537.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin was channeling his inner Slytherin <br />
dressed as Draco Malfoy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_6UaWT5bKcsVZ6BXNWS_MQaYJXeWsbN-PT62X4kuEZ7H-NlpUssSlUfAzgXzUZUzBAzt-1aYNzuziv4byiDGa9TUhNfAgl4fUYUg9MXDBvHSCckujWdwtM1Lum87ujBXm-J2DQ/s1600/DSCN0538.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_6UaWT5bKcsVZ6BXNWS_MQaYJXeWsbN-PT62X4kuEZ7H-NlpUssSlUfAzgXzUZUzBAzt-1aYNzuziv4byiDGa9TUhNfAgl4fUYUg9MXDBvHSCckujWdwtM1Lum87ujBXm-J2DQ/s320/DSCN0538.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colton made the PERFECT Harry!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZgN91evFxaop0cQLVjTy4X38PQCB4uBAeVt215ZQwFl6b4iO0QbahaxWo66SpNEtn4_Km4b5MAkg4ETONDRNMkG1hiyDw3v7cJ_Ac8y4LZ0xjdp1PV2LXDey2-wvgwqBEzXDQQ/s1600/DSCN0539.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZgN91evFxaop0cQLVjTy4X38PQCB4uBAeVt215ZQwFl6b4iO0QbahaxWo66SpNEtn4_Km4b5MAkg4ETONDRNMkG1hiyDw3v7cJ_Ac8y4LZ0xjdp1PV2LXDey2-wvgwqBEzXDQQ/s320/DSCN0539.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily had a lot of fun and looked "hauntingly"<br />
like Moaning Myrtle!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-qLSG_z6GZss8gG4gsfJHfO-HdBF887R1DWZDz1oEvPrZlUasF9eJfAAiJ2Uzs_MZ5Y7-JxKo3o3XI_DMHNVrKPDDKq5aTFrBHzXbQEOivDcZsNk8YIORcYHKXOE0BqK_sLH6g/s1600/DSCN0549.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-qLSG_z6GZss8gG4gsfJHfO-HdBF887R1DWZDz1oEvPrZlUasF9eJfAAiJ2Uzs_MZ5Y7-JxKo3o3XI_DMHNVrKPDDKq5aTFrBHzXbQEOivDcZsNk8YIORcYHKXOE0BqK_sLH6g/s320/DSCN0549.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Wizards and Witch at their<br />
schools' Harvest Ball.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween night we all got dressed up and headed out for<br />
Trick or Treating! Marc is Remus Lupin and I was Tonks.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHGFrlG7FRZGCATjuNrMmlrOjxNKt0G2L2_rSEjpmt3LPBXXVKTg1asrjsfCXiJgkReLTCuwz0fIJDDaSK_eETpMBcDmRWFfn8ApUmR4UFEh9J4v4vuS8LM3W_irdppmR8oQbwA/s1600/DSCN0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHGFrlG7FRZGCATjuNrMmlrOjxNKt0G2L2_rSEjpmt3LPBXXVKTg1asrjsfCXiJgkReLTCuwz0fIJDDaSK_eETpMBcDmRWFfn8ApUmR4UFEh9J4v4vuS8LM3W_irdppmR8oQbwA/s320/DSCN0587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids and their loot!</td></tr>
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</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-83777357285573646222011-11-14T09:20:00.000-08:002011-11-14T10:01:12.293-08:00The making of a Harry Potter Halloween!This year I stayed true to my "no store bought costumes" mantra and made all 3 of my children robes for their Harry Potter character costumes.<br />
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I started off with <a href="http://diyfashion.about.com/od/costumes/ss/gryffindor_robe.htm">THIS</a> pattern that I found online. But rather than lining the whole thing I only did the top (hood, sleeves, yoke/collar area) For the sleeves on the boys' robes I only did the area that is the cuffs, rather than the whole sleeve to save time.<br />
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As I was merrily sewing along my needle busted and got stuck in the presser foot! I had never seen this happen before, so of course I had to take a picture of it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD0GP-XtO4Z1e1oca5Y3DiiY41qeSBnlcO4RLjX6XL6LOWd6voQBU6i3Fe3dnHVdLQYmQ5ETCUnsMYZPSsa1Sc5gdZFVd2q55OTXLC9JUt_v300L0gxNJUhMy1rcw6PGEcshmyQ/s1600/broken+needle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD0GP-XtO4Z1e1oca5Y3DiiY41qeSBnlcO4RLjX6XL6LOWd6voQBU6i3Fe3dnHVdLQYmQ5ETCUnsMYZPSsa1Sc5gdZFVd2q55OTXLC9JUt_v300L0gxNJUhMy1rcw6PGEcshmyQ/s320/broken+needle.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lily's robe was the first one I worked on, and it was very much a "learn as I go" project for me. The main body of the robes are polar fleece, and the lining is suiting in the appropriate house colors. Lily's is grey because she is a ghost. You'll have to see the <a href="http://mamafaesknitwhits.blogspot.com/2011/11/halloween-2011.html">my next post</a> to find out WHICH ghost!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is her robe all finished (I thought I took more in progress pictures, but I guess in the hurry to get them done in time to wear to our cub scout party I forgot!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47CtwFN9MJ3qHck9onRGr9AZK_FSlUZtPG7f4NLFueI-52BMZAKCNUoq5au1lzakvRuNGg40q_TgJ5zHSxqpJyWBgV1G3EOVtE_kSKMXukmNGZKOLPKTqauXaAhe_RuWvTawS6A/s1600/lily%2527srobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47CtwFN9MJ3qHck9onRGr9AZK_FSlUZtPG7f4NLFueI-52BMZAKCNUoq5au1lzakvRuNGg40q_TgJ5zHSxqpJyWBgV1G3EOVtE_kSKMXukmNGZKOLPKTqauXaAhe_RuWvTawS6A/s320/lily%2527srobe.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My hubby helped with the finishing touch for their costumes and whittled them all wands. (we have lathe turned wands that a friend's hubby made them a few years ago, but they have gone missing) Here's Lily's:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eFfVJgaUYi9y1OOt63duWgHfzv2i9oU6hGbBKxUI4MrjDcoNCGsclwRSD4fC5Clr8d34EJ-8M02cnZJVPYxROWNOXC6thYCy0BRfLVpnNdu7p9xAkQ-tE-c_ra9fpUE5qQMnBQ/s1600/wand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eFfVJgaUYi9y1OOt63duWgHfzv2i9oU6hGbBKxUI4MrjDcoNCGsclwRSD4fC5Clr8d34EJ-8M02cnZJVPYxROWNOXC6thYCy0BRfLVpnNdu7p9xAkQ-tE-c_ra9fpUE5qQMnBQ/s320/wand.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few other finishing touches like hair color, ties in the right house colors, a couple of temporary tattoo scars and we were looking pretty good! All in all I am thrilled with how the whole look came out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-66313486727387014802011-11-08T22:07:00.000-08:002011-11-08T22:07:05.177-08:0030 Days of Thankfulness-Week One RecapI think I did pretty good! Only missed one day and repeated myself once. But at least that repetition had a bit more detail AND it just shows you how much I LOVE my children.<br />
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Day 1: So hopefully I can remember to do this every day, but I am going to at least start the whole "Thankful for Thirty Days" deal. Today, Nov. 1st, 2011, I am thankful for my amazing husband (<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1509521734" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1509521734">Marc</a>)<br />
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Day 2: I am thankful for my children and for being a mom.<br />
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Day 3: You know it's pretty cool that I am having a hard time deciding what to post today for 30 days of Thankfulness, not because I can't think of anything, but because I have so many to choose from! So, today I am thankful for all of the amazing women in my life who are smart, strong, beautiful people that both support me and inspire me to be a better woman.<br />
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Day 4: Today I am grateful for my extended family. Those related by blood and those who we have chosen to be family. I am blessed to be a part of so many amazing people's lives. Remember I am thankful to have the chance to be there for you, as you have been there for me.<br />
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Day 5: Thankful today for warm sweats, a comfy bed, and my ipad to keep me company.<br />
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Day 6: Today I am thankful for my children. Each of them has taught and continues to teach me something new and beautiful about the world, challenge something in myself, and allow me to be what I've always wanted to be: A mother.<br />
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Day 7 & 8: Ok so I missed yesterday's "thankful" post. So today I am thankful for mistakes, failures, and 2nd chances. Without them we'd never learn, grow, or change.<br />
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Here is to the next week of gratitude!Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-47510791419749141462011-04-25T12:58:00.000-07:002011-04-25T12:58:08.414-07:00Adventures in NRT and diet changeSo as many of you know I've been dealing with chronic pain, inflammation, fatigue, and fogginess over the last few years. I'm starting a new approach in healing my body and hopefully this will fix the problems that I'm facing once and for all.<br />
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NRT=<a href="http://www.nutritionoregon.com/services/NUTRITION_RESPONSE_TESTING.htm">Nutrition Response Testing</a>. It is an alternative medicine approach to finding the root causes of your ailments and using whole food supplements to help your body heal itself. My assessment with Dr. P showed things that I had suspected but that all previous testing had shown to be "within normal range". I have low thyroid function, severely compromised adrenal function, a high level of residual mercury, and an intolerance to sugars. All of which combine to create the above symptoms. <br />
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So with that I've been given a few supplements to help my thyroid and adrenals begin to function normally again, a detox supplement to rid my body of the mercury, and been told to strictly limit my sugars. To start with I'm cutting out all processed sugar even more than I already have. i.e. no cane sugar at all, no corn syrup HFCS or otherwise, no sugar processed from anything not whole. I can still have honey, maple syrup, and whole fruit but not fruit juice. FOR NOW. After a few weeks of doing this if I don't show improvement I will have to cut back/cut out those as well.<br />
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Today is what I'm considering DAY ONE even though I started the supplements last Thursday. My food intake so far has been egg salad, a sourdough English muffin, some Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries, and my coffee with honey and cream. Pretty darn good if I do say so myself, especially considering the fact that there are 3 HUGE bags of Easter candy sitting on my dining room table.<br />
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I haven't quite decided what I'm making for dinner tonight. Probably pork chops. Cinnimon Apple chops for everyone else, plain salt and pepper for me.<br />
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Anyone out there do "low sugar/no sugar" diets? WITHOUT using artificial sweeteners which I will not eat? I'd love some tips and tricks!Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-13656945734238714852011-04-06T16:24:00.000-07:002011-04-06T16:24:31.340-07:00I am a birth art addict!I don't normally go in for blog giveaways, but one of the blogs I follow just put up one of the coolest pieces as a give away that I've ever seen!! It speaks to me in so many ways, and feeds my addiction to birth art of all kinds.<br />
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Nicole over at <a href="http://wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies.blogspot.com/2011/04/conscious-family-giveaway-2.html">Bellies and Babies</a> is giving away a scuplutre similar to this one:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS60FDuZnWL-3TQThB_plSOig7m2KJG9qPBz4sAklEET0f_0G-qXvCUVUhUkYt0ThoB5LIVdDt-JDVZncFtj0PUJ_S1dB0BqiZ8Vu4Z8lc3PBjPOcJ2bCL0sVewBKclawJKD0wCQ/s1600/treebelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS60FDuZnWL-3TQThB_plSOig7m2KJG9qPBz4sAklEET0f_0G-qXvCUVUhUkYt0ThoB5LIVdDt-JDVZncFtj0PUJ_S1dB0BqiZ8Vu4Z8lc3PBjPOcJ2bCL0sVewBKclawJKD0wCQ/s1600/treebelly.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From Deb at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MuddPuppyPottery">Mudd Puppy Pottery!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would soooo love to have this or many of her other awesome pieces!! So in order to get another entry in the giveaway here I am blogging about this beautiful piece of art! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Crossing my fingers! Oh and since you made it this far, follow the links above and enjoy both of these lady's works for yourself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-55064326131215768172011-03-21T13:01:00.000-07:002011-03-21T13:01:08.129-07:0038 years now what?So last year I wrote a pretty good post on my birthday thinking about where I've come from and where I plan on going. Looking back at this last year I have managed to meet some of the goals I've set for myself and I feel pretty good about it!<br />
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The most important of them for me was finishing my <a href="http://www.dona.org/mothers/index.php">Labor Doula</a> training and beginning to attend births. I have had such amazing experiences so far on this journey. It has been a true honor to be a part of the miracle of birth in all it's forms. I've been witness to a baby born drug free while mom used hypnosis, twins born virtually unassisted at home, and a baby born via a cesarean! I've expanded my knowledge and my network tenfold it seems in the last year. Each and every family that invited me into their lives has been a blessing to me. I can only hope that I've been able to give back to them as much as they have given to me.<br />
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While I LOVE being a doula I am feeling more and more called to midwifery as a profession. The last few months I've been reading like crazy trying to "know" as much as I can about birth in order to be better informed and prepared to support my doula clients. All of this reading keeps reinforcing the feeling in my heart that I am meant to do more than I am to help women have the births they want. So to that end I'm working slowly on obtaining the text books I need, getting in on as many teaching moments as are offered locally, and looking for ways to expand my knowledge in preparation for taking classes to become a midwife sometime in the near future. That timing is still up in the air a bit though.<br />
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With Marc actually having finished his Bachelors Degree this past fall he is actively looking for work back East. (East of the Rockies and South of the Mason/Dixon line if you please) Where we land will have a lot to do with how I go ahead with my schooling, and if I go to nursing school or midwifery school. The <a href="http://mana.org/statechnf.html">midwifery laws very so much from state to state</a> that it really does make a HUGE difference. This factor has also ruled out a few places that we could have looked for work, but due to the fact that home births are illegal I won't live in those locations. (I.E. Illinois, Kentucky, and North Carolina to name a few)<br />
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So the next step for me is to work hard on getting my writing/blogging etc in order. I've applied to be a content writer to a couple of websites, and I hope to get some writing gigs to help finance my doula practice! And to that end I also need to finish my <a href="http://www.encirclinghands.com/">website</a> and continue networking in order to bring in clients consistently for my practice. So IF you know of anyone expecting a baby in August or beyond have them surf on over to <a href="http://doulamatch.net/profile/2160/nichol-miller">my availability calender and doula profile on Doula Match</a> and contact me for an interview!<br />
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In August I hope to go to instructor training for <a href="http://www.dancingforbirth.com/">Dancing For Birth</a> up in Seattle in order to expand my offerings and bring in a bit more revenue. I truly think I'd enjoy teaching this type of childbirth prep class, and it is very very hard to work as a doula full time financially. So many people have no idea what I do still, AND don't realize <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/122629/the_benefits_of_hiring_a_doula_.html">the value of hiring me</a>. So until those things change I won't be able to make a living at just doing births. I've got some other ideas of how to add value to my practice without adding a lot more time consuming work. We shall see if they pan out or not.<br />
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This year has other exciting ventures ahead as well. A trip home with the whole family, training for a 5k, Marc training to do the <a href="http://www.portlandtri.com/">Portland Triathlon</a>, lot's of camps and hopeful enjoying the Oregon countryside as much as possible.Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-22544011072997190302011-03-21T10:12:00.000-07:002011-03-21T10:12:44.037-07:00Tri-tip Steak SoupIt's no secret to my friends that I LOVE <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tri-tip">Tri-tip</a>. It's an amazing cut of beef that is a luscious steak dinner one night and transforms into <a href="http://mamafaesknitwhits.blogspot.com/search/label/tri-tip">so many different things</a> the next that it is really a frugal cooks' dream. Here's what I did with our left over tri-tip last night!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeNGRioVObW-oU_-wmHi_oeaWaPRG2bYVJQyB-AYxBwmpKDQoszFd_jZV4HDZRpl6La8-2rnI3u4O7z_s_7dx6SvXUp0AyuLzfQ3UnIYo1smSCjIoKHD9SMzeyU7G4bTKH2Ibfg/s1600/steaksoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeNGRioVObW-oU_-wmHi_oeaWaPRG2bYVJQyB-AYxBwmpKDQoszFd_jZV4HDZRpl6La8-2rnI3u4O7z_s_7dx6SvXUp0AyuLzfQ3UnIYo1smSCjIoKHD9SMzeyU7G4bTKH2Ibfg/s320/steaksoup.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I made soup. It was really good and even the kids raved. What I love about soup is that you can pretty much use any veggies you have on hand. I just try to "cook a rainbow" of veggies, so an orange, a green, a white, a red, etc. Other options would be asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash, sweet potato, parsnip, turnips, beets. . .The choices are endless! If you don't have potatoes throw in some rice for the starch instead.<br />
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Here is what's in the bowl above:<br />
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<u>Tri-tip Steak Soup</u><br />
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<ul><li>1 pound of <a href="http://mamafaesknitwhits.blogspot.com/2011/03/grilled-tri-tip.html">Grilled Tri-tip</a> cut into bite sized cubes.</li>
<li>4 med. potatoes peeled and cubed</li>
<li>3 large carrots peeled and cubed</li>
<li>1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes</li>
<li>1 can of green beans (or a cup of fresh or frozen green beans)</li>
<li>1/2 cup sliced mushrooms</li>
<li>1 med onion diced</li>
<li>2 T minced garlic</li>
<li>1 14 oz can of tomato sauce</li>
<li>4 cups of veg. stock (or 2c veg and 2c beef broth)</li>
<li>2 T butter or olive oil</li>
<li>2T red wine (or if you don't use alcohol just use some of the broth or stock) for deglazing</li>
<li>2 T prime rib seasoning (rosemary, black pepper, salt, paprika, garlic)</li>
<li>1 T kosher salt</li>
<li>1T Steak Sauce -- THIS is what I think makes it taste like "steak soup"</li>
<li>2T brown gravy mix (to help thicken up the broth)</li>
<li>Fresh ground black pepper</li>
</ul><br />
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Directions:<br />
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<ul><li>Heat butter or oil in a stock pot over medium heat. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/tools/fooddictionary/entry?id=4428">Saute</a> Onion until translucent then add the garlic to caramelize. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/tools/fooddictionary/entry?id=2264">Deglaze</a> the pan with the wine or some of the stock.</li>
<li>Pour in the tomato sauce, stocks, seasonings, and steak sauce. Bring to a boil</li>
<li>Add in the carrots and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the potatoes.</li>
<li>Cook at a slow boil for 15 minutes and then add the soft veggies (tomatoes, green beans, mushrooms etc).</li>
<li>Ladle out 1/4 cup of the broth and whisk it with the gravy mix, then stir back into the pot.</li>
<li>Cook until the potatoes and carrots are fork tender.</li>
<li>IF you want to use rice instead of potatoes I recommend cooking the rice first and adding it in the last 5 minutes of cooking or you will loose all of your broth to the rice!</li>
</ul><div>Serve with a big slice of buttered crusty bread and enjoy!!</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-48916976658118903282011-03-21T09:38:00.000-07:002011-11-13T10:44:23.242-08:00Easy Tri Tip Fajitas with Cilantro-Lime Rice<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Fajitas</h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 onion</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 bell pepper (I like red or orange better than green!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://mamafaesknitwhits.blogspot.com/2011/03/grilled-tri-tip.html">Grilled Tri-tip</a> sliced into thin strips</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 pkg Fajitas seasoning</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">2 T olive oil</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">In a large frying pan heat the oil over medium heat.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Slice the onion and pepper into strips</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Sauté the onion and pepper stirring occasionally, but letting them caramelize slightly before each time you stir.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Remove to a dish and cover with foil.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Add the meat and heat through. Add seasoning mixed per package directions. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and return veggies to the pan and toss to cover.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Serve over rice or in warm flour tortillas.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Cilantro-Lime Rice</h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 cup rice</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1/4 cup chopped fresh Cilantro</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">zest and juice of 2 small limes</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1/4 cup of water</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Cook the rice with the lime zest, juice, broth, and water using your normal method for rice.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Add the cilantro and stir and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Top with lettuce, cheese, pico, sour cream, guac, what ever you like!</span>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-63286927634676420412011-03-21T09:32:00.000-07:002011-03-21T09:32:31.463-07:00Grilled Tri-Tip<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Marinade</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" /></div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/4 cup veg oil (I use Canola for it's high smoke point since I'm grilling)</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 T Worchester Sauce</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1T lemon juice</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1t ground black pepper</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1t kosher salt</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2t red pepper flakes</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3-4 cloves of garlic minced</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4-5 green onion chopped fine</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" /></div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Whisk all ingredients together.</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" /></div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Marinade meat for at least 30 minutes, over night is even better.</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" /></div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Tri-tip is a cut that likes to be cooked hot and fast and on the rare side.</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">So temp it at 155 and let it rest to 160.</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">6-7 minutes per side at 500 degrees under the broiler if you aren't grilling outside should do it.</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" /></div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Slice thin across the grain of the meat on a bias for the best tenderness.</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" /></div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I recommend making more than one at a time since there are many wonderful ways to use the left overs!</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" /></div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" /></div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-22141170960126560832011-03-11T21:22:00.000-08:002011-03-11T21:44:18.828-08:00What I wrote for my grandpa's funeral<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When trying to think of something to say that would capture my feelings and what it was like to have <a href="http://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/2011-03-10/carl-pittman.html">Carl Pittman</a> as a grandfather, so many thoughts swirled in my mind that I was quite overwhelmed. I was advised to pick a single memory, something that would bring joy to others, and to quote, keep it short. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The trouble is that there are too many memories to choose from, too many moments that brought me joy, and that in the retelling would share some of that joy with all of you. Moments full of laughter like the game of “stealing Papaw's chair”, moments of wisdom passed down like being told to “always get the name of everyone you do business with”, or moments of learning shared like teaching me how to whistle the “red bird's song”. I struggled over the last couple of days with which one to choose. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I finally settled upon the sunflowers. Which isn't surprising really since they will always be the flowers I associate with my Grandpa. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You see when I was little, I would sneak out to the bird feeder near the garden and take some of the sunflower seeds, then plant them in the corner of the garden by the fence. Every year a few would sprout and grow. I'd laugh, thrilled to see them tall and bright in the sunshine, and Grandpa would pretend to be surprised at them being there at all and in a mock scolding “tsk tsk” at me wondering what “little birdie” planted those flowers in his garden. Even when I went away to college and then later moved out of state, every year a sunflower would still grow. I'm not sure to this day if the birds did the planting or if Grandpa did it just to be able to tease me about them despite swearing he never planted them there to take up precious space for his peppers! </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJaraBjU-7PbS7UdP45ezXHsL-yWs69oDVAStJcN_hNt6azg56n6WLbfAW2Y7Lmob-2visr-AyyvMcKzkOj94A3YUQevMU56BmZM1MVPQJj_F1uKwAYY6WYSdY_27V4icwOxqAg/s1600/IMG-20110311-00516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJaraBjU-7PbS7UdP45ezXHsL-yWs69oDVAStJcN_hNt6azg56n6WLbfAW2Y7Lmob-2visr-AyyvMcKzkOj94A3YUQevMU56BmZM1MVPQJj_F1uKwAYY6WYSdY_27V4icwOxqAg/s320/IMG-20110311-00516.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers for the funeral from Marc, the kids, and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In then end it doesn't matter. In the end when it comes right down to it, the sunflowers brought us both joy and helped us feel together over the miles that separated us. Just like each of the many memories and stories that are shared today, will bring each of us a bit of joy on a day of sadness and remind us that in our grief we are not alone.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Having Carl Pittman as a grandpa blessed my life. I have been blessed by his humor, wisdom, patience, and knowledge, and blessed by the presence of man who never failed to show his love for me. I love him deeply and will miss him always. </span> </div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-87684049050616919282011-02-19T23:04:00.000-08:002011-03-21T12:20:53.164-07:00Why yes, I AM a Doula!I haven't talked much about being a doula on this blog since I try to keep my personal blogging stuff separate from my professional web presence, BUT I came across this video embedded on <a href="http://www.bellybirthservices.com/">another doula's website</a> and just had to share it here. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u792CxDT7cE" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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If you are curious about what I do, now that you've watch the video please check out my business website where you can find information about what services I offer, links to my availability calendar, and my fee structure.<br />
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<a href="http://encirclinghands.wordpress.com/">Encircling Hands Doula Support and Education</a>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-79997557415080683642011-01-28T10:39:00.000-08:002011-01-28T10:39:32.345-08:00When being "green" is just "mean"<i><u>Disclaimer: This post is meant as sarcasm and humor any offense generated is purely coincidental and the responsibility of the reader.</u></i><br />
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I am all for being a good steward of the resources you are given. Be they natural resources like coal, timber, water, or more ephemeral resources like money, time, and opportunity. I like reusing things and getting the most out of something. Of course that is mostly because I am cheap and not from some deeper altruistic need to save the planet. I like creative solutions to everyday problems and finding ways to use what I have rather than buying something new. Again mostly because I'm cheap and making the most of my money resource is a pretty big priority to me. BUT, spending my 2nd most important resource, time, to figure out a way to replace something that is perfectly good and someone else already makes just because it isn't "green" is the definition of insanity to me. And in some cases I think it's down right mean.<br />
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My first case in point is using fabric as reusable gift wrap. While the idea has merit and can look really pretty, it takes ALL THE JOY our of RIPPING and TEARING open ones gifts!! Because let's admit it, that is a HUGE part of the fun right? Especially for kids! Now I'm not saying you have to use brand new gift wrap paper for every single gift you give, even I'm too cheap for that. But what you can do is get new tissue paper (it's pretty darn cheap if you stock up after Christmas on just the plain white!!) and reuse the gift bags you've received! You get to save on wrapping and still give the pleasure of ripping into the gift to your friends and loved ones! Of course this means you actually have to wrap the gift inside the bag in the tissue paper rather than just shoving tissue in on top of it, but I think this is a good compromise between brand new and that silly fabric idea! And if you have a cat like my you are depriving her of her most treasured possession:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IzgD-B0lA6MFRHlu8w74OMbPooKE5IW9ZVdWdViVUjI7tKnJxU0U91cGddYNb59wAlUo0d9bIG4v-mNEUGdyGR5FvADMoDZFPaYI-f4jtLsjfgljwUtcI9dmiCjpgsk_UU3kjg/s1600/SANY0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IzgD-B0lA6MFRHlu8w74OMbPooKE5IW9ZVdWdViVUjI7tKnJxU0U91cGddYNb59wAlUo0d9bIG4v-mNEUGdyGR5FvADMoDZFPaYI-f4jtLsjfgljwUtcI9dmiCjpgsk_UU3kjg/s320/SANY0880.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mah paypers!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Recently I've found another fantastic wonderful "green" idea that has taken a lot of joy out of my daily life. Reusable lunch boxes. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these amazing lunch box sets that my mom got the kids back in August. What I HATE HATE HATE is that my 2nd grader CANNOT remember to bring his home. I send it to school with him on Monday and I'm lucky if he remembers to bring it back by the following Friday. So because it is the ONLY one we have and I don't have any brown paper bags he's back to eating that awful crap they serve in his elementary school cafeteria Tuesday through Friday. I was seriously so stoked to start making lunch for the kids and get them eating better (especially after counting how many days in a month their main choice for lunch is CHICKEN! UGH! Another post completely!), but now all it has done is create a big source of stress for me and my son. So I'm pretty much sold on the idea of buying paper bags and zip top baggies for his lunch from now on. This way he can just throw it away and not be all worried about bringing home his lunch box. And I will get to see this smiling face rather than the sad disappointed in himself look he gives me when he's forgotten the box yet again:<br />
<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/AVvXsEho397OTY0Lpu4jT07tNjjpujcW2PzoVI4LJUvyF-pbb_adOKryZPWT9YEam7TFX3hDjdklc1Z8tJePFKxV6YqINGcI6__JdR-rSF1jXwCjtCHUaDnIiTh0z8ZtKxT4hu7oEg8slg/s1600/CLM_smlingface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho397OTY0Lpu4jT07tNjjpujcW2PzoVI4LJUvyF-pbb_adOKryZPWT9YEam7TFX3hDjdklc1Z8tJePFKxV6YqINGcI6__JdR-rSF1jXwCjtCHUaDnIiTh0z8ZtKxT4hu7oEg8slg/s320/CLM_smlingface.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
And last but not least, all natural shampoo. This one gets TWO GIANT THUMBS DOWN from me. Most of my friends know that I fight a daily loosing battle with my hair. It is both fine and curly. Which makes for a wonderful frizzy mess in humid weather. Oh and I live in a temperate rain-forest, so yeah humidity is pretty much par for the course here. So trying to be more "healthy" and more "green" I switched to some hoity-toity all plant based, cruelty-free, organic such and such that was supposed to be better for the planet and nice to animals or some crap like that. And my hair looked HORRIBLE! Talk about stealing my joy!! I'm not a very vain person. Really I'm not, but the one thing I've learned in my nearly 38 years is that my hair is picky and if I don't treat it right I'll look like Gilda Radner from her Roseanne Roseannadanna days. And trust me that is just mean, both to myself and those unfortunate souls who have to view such madness.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqsls8F_7mXzjAjShKXU-mAhhbZ5wzLdsp56HF4GR1a_FiLsOHWDG0ey8CDRfxIXZT074MoXTzEuUfU4WkiWb1yhpVvxptJ_r-V6IQRhMlCKAIZYnoZyzgiMnRYhBdPo8-EE0nw/s1600/roseannrosannadanna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqsls8F_7mXzjAjShKXU-mAhhbZ5wzLdsp56HF4GR1a_FiLsOHWDG0ey8CDRfxIXZT074MoXTzEuUfU4WkiWb1yhpVvxptJ_r-V6IQRhMlCKAIZYnoZyzgiMnRYhBdPo8-EE0nw/s320/roseannrosannadanna.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*%$&!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So folks in summary, I've learned that my life is by necessity one that I have to live in balance. Not going over board with the "green at all costs" mentality so many get caught up in and keeping in mind the real benefits to myself and my family of each choice we make. Yes it's important to be good stewards, and yes I believe that making healthier choices for ourselves and our world is a good idea. But I won't give up joy, no matter what new fangled idea the enviro-crazies come up with to make our world "greener". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How about you? What "green" ideas do you find just silly? What about ones that you were reluctant about in the beginning, but that over time have embraced? Inquiring minds (well okay just me) want to know!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-75131599076601883912011-01-21T16:51:00.000-08:002011-03-21T12:16:51.116-07:00My first homemade cheese....So I decided I would make manicotti for dinner tonight (easy, not super cheap, but totally yummy) and then decided what the heck I'll make the ricotta myself!<br />
<br />
So I searched the interwebs and found a great little<a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/07/how-to-make-whole-milk-ricotta-cheese.html"> "how to" for whole milk ricotta</a> post. I did have amazing success with this, but I was a tiny bit unsure of the "lemony" flavor, so I went looking and found <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/02/how-to-make-fresh-ricotta-fast-easy-homemade-cheese-the-food-lab-recipe.html">this post</a> that suggested regular white vinegar instead for a more neutral flavor. <br />
<br />
The procedure is of course the same. Ratio of milk to acid is also the same:<br />
<br />
1cup of whole milk (I have an awesome <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/pokrov-farm-M29447">source for unpasteurized milk</a> so that is what I used.)<br />
to<br />
1T acid (lemon juice or distilled white vinegar)<br />
to<br />
1/4t salt (I prefer kosher)<br />
<br />
Mix salt and milk in a heavy bottom sauce pan and bring to just below a boil. I think about 180 is perfect as any hotter and you risk scorching the milk. And having been a barista I know just how nasty scorch milk tastes and smells.<br />
<br />
When the milk is at temp, at the acid and gently mix it in then STOP STIRRING! I made the mistake of stirring too hard the first batch and my curds never formed. Set the pan off the heat and walk away for about 5-10 minutes to let the curds form.<br />
<br />
Pour the whole thing into a strainer lined with a double layer of cheese cloth and let it drain over a bowl.<br />
The longer you drain the more dense and dry the curds will be. (if you have a shallow ladle you can spoon out the majority of the curds and reduce the amount of draining necessary.)<br />
<br />
Here's a picture of the curds draining:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-6ju-LmqvzxrhRlpeq9khfpr5I7yyCBbSsHnaCxHRD0Mx2dg3LAhNL1wxU5aHJAiwxHP4QHGG0QWnaM52y6C-cZey1H52A_lwjh8Cm53w2kV8W4p-doD5m8BEB8nsLEiVfqUrw/s1600/ricotta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-6ju-LmqvzxrhRlpeq9khfpr5I7yyCBbSsHnaCxHRD0Mx2dg3LAhNL1wxU5aHJAiwxHP4QHGG0QWnaM52y6C-cZey1H52A_lwjh8Cm53w2kV8W4p-doD5m8BEB8nsLEiVfqUrw/s320/ricotta.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The batch I made with lemon juice I mixed with some dill, salt, pepper, and garlic and put in an omelet for breakfast!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYmXGF8KM5pTW_s-8h6MT2USMY-n1_fzSHBWZPbGLTUBGOp9q8j-bCKiG8q5fX4GdM-ZM5DlWYYs0N5rX23ASeJBwA-M3sn-fgPyU-vu94mpYGJIoPzk397kV_3jHplsUeDXgGA/s1600/ricottaomlete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYmXGF8KM5pTW_s-8h6MT2USMY-n1_fzSHBWZPbGLTUBGOp9q8j-bCKiG8q5fX4GdM-ZM5DlWYYs0N5rX23ASeJBwA-M3sn-fgPyU-vu94mpYGJIoPzk397kV_3jHplsUeDXgGA/s320/ricottaomlete.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I have to say I was amazed at how well it melted and how yummy this was! Super creamy a bit tart/tangy from the lemon and just cheesy enough to complement the eggs perfectly. Of course I had to add couple of shots of hot sauce for "garnish".<br />
<br />
The 2nd batch (made with the vinegar) I mixed with an egg, some cream, Italian seasoning, and sausage and stuffed in the manicotti. Hopefully the kids will enjoy it for dinner tonight!Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-11621279231414082672011-01-17T15:23:00.000-08:002011-03-21T12:21:16.289-07:00Frugal cooking--Request for recipe submissions!!!Hello dear readers!! I have a HUGE favor to ask of you. I'm trying to get out of a cooking rut AND save money. Both things are hard but possible, doing them together are causing me to pull out hair.<br />
<br />
So in an effort to not go bald and accomplish the above goals I'm turning to you! Please please please send me your "meals on the cheap" recipe ideas. My hope is to try to get our food bill for all our meals for 5 people to under $400 a month. And I'm trying to stay with WHOLE FOODS. The parameters of the recipes are simple:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Limited pre-made food as ingredients. I'd like to stay away from boxed/canned/jarred stuff.</li>
<li>No BEANS. I don't eat them or like fixing them.</li>
<li>Limited casseroles. The kids are NOT big fans. </li>
<li>If your recipe has an unusual ingredient PLEASE give me an idea of where to find it.</li>
</ul><br />
Don't limit yourself to main dishes!! I'd love to see some side dish ideas and ways of preparing traditional sides that are original but cheap!<br />
<br />
My plan is to try out EVERYTHING you guys send me that fits the parameters and then post both the recipe (giving you credit of course and linking to where ever on the net you want me to in that credit) and the family's reactions to it here on my blog.<br />
<br />
You can email me <a href="mailto:faedemere@gmail.com">here</a>, post on my Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/faedemere">here</a> if we are friends, "tweet" me a link to your own recipe blog <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/faedemere">here</a>, or post the recipe or link in the comments below.<br />
<br />
Please include:<br />
<ul><li>The recipe!!! (duh!)</li>
<li>An estimate on how many people it feeds and how long it takes to prep.</li>
<li>Your name or the name you want to go by in my blog.</li>
<li>Where you found the recipe if it isn't your own personal creation or one you have significantly modified from the original. (have to give credit where credit is due!)</li>
<li>A link to your own blog if you wish me to link back to you in my review post.</li>
<li>Any other information your little heart desires me to know!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs90fjkZ9vVZUpBUVENpNEHm9BEZQRILUCwnumT_luZdEITJFv1HckpjLOwhwmo8EwS453o9pNqsvaBigtZGtD9SrL1FQqFbCqD5bUn7IAzkRrHyqlf5r5-PhY2F18FTiR0wPiw/s1600/recipe-box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs90fjkZ9vVZUpBUVENpNEHm9BEZQRILUCwnumT_luZdEITJFv1HckpjLOwhwmo8EwS453o9pNqsvaBigtZGtD9SrL1FQqFbCqD5bUn7IAzkRrHyqlf5r5-PhY2F18FTiR0wPiw/s320/recipe-box.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'll make a button soon for you to put on your blog if you want.<br />
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Thank you!!!!!Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-33304006911729456982011-01-02T14:42:00.000-08:002011-03-21T12:22:45.767-07:00Looking forward!So its 2011. A new year, and some how that is supposed to mean a new start. For my kids it really will be a new start. Starting a new school tomorrow is a big deal. Probably an even bigger deal in my own mind, so I'm trying to keep own anxiety to myself. <br />
<br />
Austin seems to be the most nervous and actually said he was. But he's also so very excited and hoping some of his soccer buddies are in his class or that he at least gets to see them at lunch. Colton actually thrilled since his 'best friend" who moved out of their school last year goes to the school we've moved into. Lily is still so new at the school deal that she doesn't have any real attachment to where we've been, and is excited to make new friends where we are going.<br />
<br />
I, however, have a litteny of concerns floating around in my head. Both the practical and logistical concerns like:<br />
<ul><li>What kind of supplies am I going to have to buy, AGAIN. </li>
<li>Who are their teachers!!</li>
<li>Will I be allowed to walk them to class tomorrow?</li>
<li>How timely is the bus they will be riding (our previous bus was notoriously late in the afternoon)</li>
<li>Can I manage to make homemade lunches every day like I really want to (okay this doesn't have to do with the new school, but it is a concern)</li>
<li>Can we manage to get everyone up and ready by 7:45 with out tears and frustration?? (this is earlier by about 20 minutes over the previous "have to leave the house NOW!" time)</li>
<li>How long will it take us to all adjust to the new routines, new homework rules, new teachers level of communication to home, etc. etc.</li>
</ul>And the more emotional concerns of my mama bear side:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Will the kids like there teachers?</li>
<li>How scarey will it be for them to find their way around a new place alone?</li>
<li>Will they have someone to sit with at lunch?</li>
<li>Can they make it back to their bus okay?</li>
<li>Will Colton make it through the day without crying and if he doesn't will there be a kind person there to help him through the tears?</li>
<li>Will Lily find the "new girl" roll fun and exciting or scarey and nerve wracking?</li>
<li>Will Austin be able to internalize the new rules he will surely have quickly and without too much frustration over such a big transition?</li>
<li>Will I be able to find a home with their PTC and be accepted with the same amount of warmth and community as I was at the previous school during my volunteering?</li>
</ul>And I'm sure there are more floating around in my brain, just waiting to rear their ugly little heads just as I lay down to go to sleep tonight. <br />
<br />
I don't have any answers to the logistical issues, and won't until we see how things go and I get to talk to their teachers over this next week. The emotinal ones are even more of a "wait and see" sort of situation. I'm not very good at "wait and see", except when I'm labor sitting for a client! I wish I could somehow manage to use the patience I have towards birth with other parts of my life. <br />
<br />
Besides the nerves over the kids starting their new school there are other things this year brings for me. <br />
<br />
I have decided to finally do something serious about my back and shoulder pain. For years now most Chiropractors, MDs, and Orthopedic folk have been telling me that the weight of my breasts is the primary cause of my pain. So to that end I will be having reduction surgery this year. Not exactly sure how soon, but I'm really hoping it will be this spring sometime. In order to be in the best possible health for that surgery I have set a goal for myself of walking at least a mile or riding 2 miles each and every day. I hope with that and watching my food choices I can cut some weight and be in better shape, so that I recover well after surgery.<br />
<br />
We are also going to be planning a major road trip for when the kids get out of school. It has been years since much of my family has seen the children and many of them have never met Lily. The kids are finally old enough to be helpful on a trip such as this and to really enjoy themselves and gain good memories from our adventures. Right now the tentative plan is to head out in June, going north across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Down through Wyoming to Yellowstone, onto South Dakota to Mt. Rushmore. Down through Iowa to my Dad's in Missouri and spend a few days there. Then on to Chicago to show the kids one of my favorite cities and meet with friends. From there we'll go down through Illinois, stopping to visit family and friends through out the state, and finally getting to my Mom's in Kentucky. From here I'm hoping my mom will go with us to Branson, MO. Then we'll head back west, though Oklahoma, Texas (just the panhandle most likely, sorry friends in Austin, we'll have to catch you next time!), New Mexico possibly stopping to see a friend in Albuquerque, then up to Las Vegas and home by way of Crater Lake. Taking 3-4 weeks and our time to see what we wish, enjoy the drive, and learn as much as we can about our great country! All said and done will travel close to 6K miles! I am hoping it all works out the way I have it planned in my head! Oh and did I mention we will be camping the whole way? Yep NO hotels for this industrious, outdoorsy family! (We will however make full use of the shower facilities at the state parks! LOL)<br />
<br />
Big plans that's for sure! To make those happen, getting our finances under control, and keeping to a savings plan will be essential! And part of that is by reducing our consumption and our food bill! I am hoping to make a lot more from scratch, bread included, this year. <br />
<br />
As my planning goes forward I will be looking to you dear readers for help with menu planning, frugal living tips, recipies, traveling with kids tips, and ideas of what to see on our route! <br />
<br />
Happy 2011 Everyone!! Thanks for joining me for yet another year!Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-84637802443999531242010-10-08T16:14:00.000-07:002011-03-21T12:23:19.288-07:00The Joys of Fall--Apple Picking!I know this is a crazy lot of blog posts in one day, but I don't want to let the time I've got right now go to wasted and I have a lot to catch up on, and with such a busy weekend ahead I needed to get this done now.<br />
<br />
Last Sunday we decided to pick apples. From our backyard! I cannot begin to tell you how exciting that is for me. As a kid I remember taking trips out to the orchards by my cousin's house to pick apples and make applesauce with my grandparents. Now I get to do this with my own kids. Such a blessing!<br />
<br />
It was time to get the good ones out of the trees before the bugs got them and they rotted. I hate seeing them go to waste all around town rotted and fallen to the ground. The majority of the fallen apples I also gathered up to take to a friend's farm for her piggies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVeoPwj_rXFICLOW0hzVcjN0WWxdSRpYTcIH70nnd7vYow_IQ9AUye_fbLcRyLUD-7D4qk2IglUS3ooDg3fAQbO63a6nXwC54W6FpAKp9ZMfpvStoGNt8adzieGqtWcwkZEjj3Q/s1600/SANY0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVeoPwj_rXFICLOW0hzVcjN0WWxdSRpYTcIH70nnd7vYow_IQ9AUye_fbLcRyLUD-7D4qk2IglUS3ooDg3fAQbO63a6nXwC54W6FpAKp9ZMfpvStoGNt8adzieGqtWcwkZEjj3Q/s320/SANY0459.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In order to get to the apples in the center top of the trees we sent Austin and Colton up into their branches!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUmq-ACqqU1pqgyDveprUI-mnsIM6EJKaI8bpiSwGsSnI6wngid5IgtQ2vWjJGybaJi-v1Ql6uq7FqSu8JU9cTsYWPg3_A3WoboZ1kFBmS72MK7jjuU364-tXB-bISuvVlRK5Cw/s1600/SANY0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUmq-ACqqU1pqgyDveprUI-mnsIM6EJKaI8bpiSwGsSnI6wngid5IgtQ2vWjJGybaJi-v1Ql6uq7FqSu8JU9cTsYWPg3_A3WoboZ1kFBmS72MK7jjuU364-tXB-bISuvVlRK5Cw/s320/SANY0466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even Lily got into the game, scaling the ladder and picking everything within reach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf9d1xFwQsoVoVmjO2SAesOZ_dz1KzBnOcHHpMIC3mIRUOfDdyMPHn8t0zVUxzsap5XlwBA90Eloh9_CkfXfwlAXE_9VG5lpTw26zucKWHbr9eYq9MOwukS3yaT6_ll3cOqfhlg/s1600/SANY0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf9d1xFwQsoVoVmjO2SAesOZ_dz1KzBnOcHHpMIC3mIRUOfDdyMPHn8t0zVUxzsap5XlwBA90Eloh9_CkfXfwlAXE_9VG5lpTw26zucKWHbr9eYq9MOwukS3yaT6_ll3cOqfhlg/s320/SANY0467.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the end we harvested a large basket full of fuji, golden delicious, and an unknown variety of apples. And I just had to take a picture of my darling, handsome husband with our bounty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nG8tydCoOphoZdUg60NURWlhW-0gOE-xaDeCq_x9U5RiCSXP3rF50aJw3fi7gJMlmPkBxdaNDSvlLoG5Mtzq_Mp3QbOrCyRKEoQx5Y43kYFG3b1pOpNYUxa2n2Q43uwWws3pYw/s1600/SANY0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nG8tydCoOphoZdUg60NURWlhW-0gOE-xaDeCq_x9U5RiCSXP3rF50aJw3fi7gJMlmPkBxdaNDSvlLoG5Mtzq_Mp3QbOrCyRKEoQx5Y43kYFG3b1pOpNYUxa2n2Q43uwWws3pYw/s320/SANY0470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-9226905126383774622010-10-08T16:03:00.000-07:002011-11-13T10:52:34.984-08:00Preserving the harvest....Tomatoes!We ended up with a bumper crop of tomatoes this year, that is until the Late Blight got the vines. But I still managed to process just over 25 lbs of red yummy sweet fruit into both frozen chopped tomatoes, and canned stewed tomatoes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hatVfX-E0sEbOldZpIwC3KCiqBDHuM98HW_74dgX2F7EkQLNwSxOoIO8zc-iqBfVEdFeA6oWZ19alEbLq0f76yRaDWSFfJG0dJyVU37Fojz752ZbcUHz30jtHbED7Dn8s6FFhw/s1600/SANY0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hatVfX-E0sEbOldZpIwC3KCiqBDHuM98HW_74dgX2F7EkQLNwSxOoIO8zc-iqBfVEdFeA6oWZ19alEbLq0f76yRaDWSFfJG0dJyVU37Fojz752ZbcUHz30jtHbED7Dn8s6FFhw/s320/SANY0448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I like to peal my tomatoes to have a nicer final product. To do this bring a pot of water to a boil, remove the green stems and leaves from the tomatoes, and with a sharp knife score a very shallow “x” in peel on the bottom of each tomato. Fill your clean kitchen sink with water and ice. Submerge 3-4 pieces of fruit at a time in the boiling water for 10-15 seconds until the edges of the “x” start to curl. Using a slotted spoon carefully move the tomatoes from the boiling water to the ice bath. Then using your hands peel the skin off each fruit. I do this to prep my harvest of tomatoes for both freezing AND canning. (This is the <a href="http://mamafaesknitwhits.blogspot.com/2010/10/keeping-lunches-fun-and-cheap-peaches.html">same boiling water technique as I used in the peaches</a>. )</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">For freezing I rough chop the peeled tomatoes and pack them into quart sized ziptop bags that have the place on the front to write on. I label each bag with it's contents and the date prepared. Try to get as much air out of the bags as you can. You can even use a straw to suck out the last bit of air if you desire. Lay the bags flat in the freezer until frozen solid and then they stack very nicely upright. I like freezing them in smaller bags so that I can easily grab one to add to soup or sauce without having to thaw a whole gallon at a time.</div><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The stewed tomatoes are as follows: 3 large onions, 2 large green peppers, 1 head of garlic and 1/4 cup of lemon juice per each 6 cups of tomatoes. Rough chop the vegetables and mince the garlic. Sauteed in olive oil until tender. Rough chop the peeled tomatoes and add them to a stock pot with the other ingredients. Then bring the whole thing to a rolling boil for 5 minutes and turn off the heat.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtZC3oATdtR43IiChAwXTk8xbkB9GwzvE5-EEwX9ZP_Fy6Q9KytckcdwOtupFB4M_C_2Rs5LyyH2KVR91ibbxxU0tZUTfDKoTk88Rt-9xhTuWIAFplETlvrOGMGa3SpEg_rL_bA/s1600/SANY0450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtZC3oATdtR43IiChAwXTk8xbkB9GwzvE5-EEwX9ZP_Fy6Q9KytckcdwOtupFB4M_C_2Rs5LyyH2KVR91ibbxxU0tZUTfDKoTk88Rt-9xhTuWIAFplETlvrOGMGa3SpEg_rL_bA/s320/SANY0450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Follow the canning instructions for tomatoes for your type of canner. I use a water bath canner since this recipe is acidic enough. Clean, sterile, warm jars; filled with leaving 1 1/2" of head space; capped with lids that have been simmered in 180 degree water and sterile rings. Tip: use a magnetic tipped wand to help lift the lids out of the hot water to avoid burning your fingers. Processed in the water bath canner at a full roiling boil for 30 minutes, making sure at the jars are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Let cool on the counter and enjoy the "PING!" you hear as the lids seal. Make sure you store your canned goods in a cool dry place and always check the seals before using any home canned products! If you find any busted or popped seals toss out the whole jar. </div><br />
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Here are just a few pints of the total of 10 quarts I made.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtinjFwltlTezswknQkVHVWUQH6MU5soGNVSlY5mZHUdNu83lGeXOEFFehnpzZJPPCb90IBbF1tryjDFfuyDguSG_2QmRZRkOAbNncfPHuDI5JOV1mlhi85Bb28dZBK7YueGFIuA/s1600/SANY0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtinjFwltlTezswknQkVHVWUQH6MU5soGNVSlY5mZHUdNu83lGeXOEFFehnpzZJPPCb90IBbF1tryjDFfuyDguSG_2QmRZRkOAbNncfPHuDI5JOV1mlhi85Bb28dZBK7YueGFIuA/s320/SANY0503.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are now ready for spaghetti sauce, swiss steak, soups, stews, and all manner of other amazing recipes!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-59198095166296765612010-10-08T15:46:00.000-07:002011-03-21T12:18:28.905-07:00Keeping lunches fun and cheap! Peaches glorious peaches!In an effort to lower our food budget and still get healthy foods into my kids I have been doing a lot of freezing and canning this year. We've grown quite a bit, harvested a lot, and I've gotten pretty lucky finding deals on produce both at farmers markets and local produce from our nearby grocery stores.<br />
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Recently I found Organic Maryhill peaches (from Washington State) on a one day special at our local store for only $0.98 a pound! So I bought $10 worth!<br />
But what to do with all of those peaches?? My first idea was to make my own fruit cups for the kids to take for their lunches. So here's how I did that:<br />
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First I washed the peaches by soaking them for a few minutes in a veggie/fruit wash and cold water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurMyO1oLZ7yvVD3rBVyXtxuruhWgapQ8_PjXBud9XkM4r6VyccdVjAKZ2Hod-hMlwEbiKPvtGoXFKtLPZoVtZPiV3PDFPv_M0q2cdFBbXlDbQUofPPyKoptFtjZEFl632sg7j8A/s1600/SANY0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurMyO1oLZ7yvVD3rBVyXtxuruhWgapQ8_PjXBud9XkM4r6VyccdVjAKZ2Hod-hMlwEbiKPvtGoXFKtLPZoVtZPiV3PDFPv_M0q2cdFBbXlDbQUofPPyKoptFtjZEFl632sg7j8A/s320/SANY0403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next I gathered all the supplies I would need: muffin tins, muffin papers (heavy waxed ones), honey, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and a large pot of water on to boil.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5j3zqqxQwPBf2kj9o8CGaht5AfAaeX5QwxBlPw10V1e-3nQNY9ztX9648gB4w8x0LuK5bgWW7yNUjSmEfYIqxC0Seg_N992TzitrIt8SOXROZsTfbyfPbR-7TuoeIR1qgjsRog/s1600/SANY0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5j3zqqxQwPBf2kj9o8CGaht5AfAaeX5QwxBlPw10V1e-3nQNY9ztX9648gB4w8x0LuK5bgWW7yNUjSmEfYIqxC0Seg_N992TzitrIt8SOXROZsTfbyfPbR-7TuoeIR1qgjsRog/s320/SANY0408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I lined the tins with the papers:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSrI5s8NiITBAZK_jDXhoEfvENzkIf2flGZR8OQkBrpVQPYL5Y3-WbdEliP-11BiO8NKhRDF1t3iINz7L-c91F58K-kLwwHPyNEOv-75KUd3GugNKCYWm3b6po9f_VXYFldD_nQ/s1600/SANY0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSrI5s8NiITBAZK_jDXhoEfvENzkIf2flGZR8OQkBrpVQPYL5Y3-WbdEliP-11BiO8NKhRDF1t3iINz7L-c91F58K-kLwwHPyNEOv-75KUd3GugNKCYWm3b6po9f_VXYFldD_nQ/s320/SANY0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Next I set to simmer 2 cups of water, 1 cup of honey, one cup of organic sugar, and 1 cinnamon stick to make a simple syrup. After the sugar and honey have dissolved turn off the heat and let it cool while doing the next steps.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNQan_lbTrnsXWXUe4A-Ruf1VQNScrzGTdfyWjDTOGiml5YxN7n4FPDGgHRaPctlu-i0oWpvDa51xx7CTVjOBf9rhBsIPsAJhgBm2vrMoWSIHYidhmAiln2effJ4wWu73j1HPKQ/s1600/SANY0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNQan_lbTrnsXWXUe4A-Ruf1VQNScrzGTdfyWjDTOGiml5YxN7n4FPDGgHRaPctlu-i0oWpvDa51xx7CTVjOBf9rhBsIPsAJhgBm2vrMoWSIHYidhmAiln2effJ4wWu73j1HPKQ/s320/SANY0409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In order to peel the peaches quickly I used this time honored technique. a.) cut x's in the bottom of all the peaches, b.) drop them in the pot of boiling water, c.) pull them out when the skin of the peach starts to curl up at the x (about 30 seconds), d.) drop into ice water to cool, e.) then the peel will come right off.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUhB6S925y4kLMoNjFoYp5xwJ3WHGk3SqwLfIVpYiH8bqW8m_5d8Fozp2jY0xo1Udiss9QtvwJ4F8UE1WYxg5A4PT_wTm0Ddndc_5qfaBa2wR01Kn2mgmIgmQarptYWjcgARCrQ/s1600/SANY0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUhB6S925y4kLMoNjFoYp5xwJ3WHGk3SqwLfIVpYiH8bqW8m_5d8Fozp2jY0xo1Udiss9QtvwJ4F8UE1WYxg5A4PT_wTm0Ddndc_5qfaBa2wR01Kn2mgmIgmQarptYWjcgARCrQ/s320/SANY0406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUhB6S925y4kLMoNjFoYp5xwJ3WHGk3SqwLfIVpYiH8bqW8m_5d8Fozp2jY0xo1Udiss9QtvwJ4F8UE1WYxg5A4PT_wTm0Ddndc_5qfaBa2wR01Kn2mgmIgmQarptYWjcgARCrQ/s1600/SANY0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLPh6TR6VOo5mIRzmqfld4F3D7y9bs1t6cw1cyAJPuhEJO21Whru3jbjyhq1xHZWa3L_-ZMVuHFGdbzeAcyviDQDgFcXzyZYOn_Y2tOHnUKACmPf4KtV7OUm5cIQJPHu4v1U4yA/s1600/SANY0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLPh6TR6VOo5mIRzmqfld4F3D7y9bs1t6cw1cyAJPuhEJO21Whru3jbjyhq1xHZWa3L_-ZMVuHFGdbzeAcyviDQDgFcXzyZYOn_Y2tOHnUKACmPf4KtV7OUm5cIQJPHu4v1U4yA/s320/SANY0410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNQS1ObuPvm-VQ76I3qeAkDtDVWPlBKd48chBAyeXaUGu0uD_FgkGwWJ8zUn0WKJNp2W7NZDGtH_JCEcSWID9wYRwoWj6isB6URyuCaUYwp6tNUjEgTcy07JecAvnLOK585AeiQ/s1600/SANY0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNQS1ObuPvm-VQ76I3qeAkDtDVWPlBKd48chBAyeXaUGu0uD_FgkGwWJ8zUn0WKJNp2W7NZDGtH_JCEcSWID9wYRwoWj6isB6URyuCaUYwp6tNUjEgTcy07JecAvnLOK585AeiQ/s320/SANY0411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up chop up the peaches into bite sized chunks and toss with some citric acid, lemon juice, lemon crystals to help keep them from browning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_NsIGBafjVw_DcwF40oXx3_UKqaibNB9Fa-u2mzMxh6tjGntFQKBnlnL-I0i47qBRaK_8EZrXnqKd5LG295LO0gEE5fTrirjjKvVod4xQjxxZ-ORgkOnbANi_WQ6zoxEB6qEzg/s1600/peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_NsIGBafjVw_DcwF40oXx3_UKqaibNB9Fa-u2mzMxh6tjGntFQKBnlnL-I0i47qBRaK_8EZrXnqKd5LG295LO0gEE5fTrirjjKvVod4xQjxxZ-ORgkOnbANi_WQ6zoxEB6qEzg/s320/peaches.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fill up the muffin cups about 2/3rds of the way with the chopped peaches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQciajjdRUkBAGnN3VURcSpBWS9VVK645MQ2zyu6PNC8SEb0B2ukXD10zw5-Vwm6vFQnQQl_CErL0Cb9wIyvPrrgOHQQ7hbXVIbHsrzKUuZKLFA0dpCm_c9gysp1MfzgUS-D4wXg/s1600/SANY0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQciajjdRUkBAGnN3VURcSpBWS9VVK645MQ2zyu6PNC8SEb0B2ukXD10zw5-Vwm6vFQnQQl_CErL0Cb9wIyvPrrgOHQQ7hbXVIbHsrzKUuZKLFA0dpCm_c9gysp1MfzgUS-D4wXg/s320/SANY0414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next pour in cooled simple syrup until the fruit in the cup is just covered. This helps prevent freezer burn and keeps the peaches looking pretty! (totally optional, but a nice touch)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaz5_ftoxY9HrGuO_nfu0oS9YDFLrrMaB_T19uhLG2VSpdbk64OS9WX88YuE7rJazCQBt0TgOqZ6wikvh6WpDHE06cDDhAQLX4nkvSzVo2znlL_hfvI81Vdft9F3ZWhSyr10Aww/s1600/SANY0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaz5_ftoxY9HrGuO_nfu0oS9YDFLrrMaB_T19uhLG2VSpdbk64OS9WX88YuE7rJazCQBt0TgOqZ6wikvh6WpDHE06cDDhAQLX4nkvSzVo2znlL_hfvI81Vdft9F3ZWhSyr10Aww/s320/SANY0417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After both trays are filled I put them in the freezer stacking them with a cookie sheet inverted over the top of the bottom tray that they didn't nest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a picture of one of the trays frozen:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX-__8gzGCAEQKBX3bIOfKqU4_IlasToejne7tXJOfEIxl6EsE8HrdtSXdvdlglHbur19QwhQdFwIKI-uQwadsL0jAUdOsMEnCCboB3Ayc9asNKwZ4HnvkNycLjHRzLrEu89xpw/s1600/SANY0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX-__8gzGCAEQKBX3bIOfKqU4_IlasToejne7tXJOfEIxl6EsE8HrdtSXdvdlglHbur19QwhQdFwIKI-uQwadsL0jAUdOsMEnCCboB3Ayc9asNKwZ4HnvkNycLjHRzLrEu89xpw/s320/SANY0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next I used a butter knife between the paper and the tin in order to pop out each of the cups. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally I put the cups in a zip top freezer bag and squeezed out as much of the air as I could, and put the whole thing back in the freezer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVg2QG9tjmu-h6XG5pwiQo96oCV1FaI3mP6QJRY1fladRWfl_kAY-DINxK_ym8pkiQZdESvoTuzi39xb2kP2h5HOyainPCuEIjHxdYkfrMlLrw3KDo4Ijy_hRwWmClobNpD96NA/s1600/SANY0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVg2QG9tjmu-h6XG5pwiQo96oCV1FaI3mP6QJRY1fladRWfl_kAY-DINxK_ym8pkiQZdESvoTuzi39xb2kP2h5HOyainPCuEIjHxdYkfrMlLrw3KDo4Ijy_hRwWmClobNpD96NA/s320/SANY0446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The peach cups are now ready to go into my kids lunch boxes. The average price for a store bought fruit cup of peaches made with hfcs is about $0.85 each. I used about 4 lbs of peaches (at $0.98/pound) to make 24 cups here, that comes out to around $0.17 per cup!! And they are made with healthier sugars and a much lower amount.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-54799627485340105042010-10-03T13:19:00.000-07:002011-03-21T12:17:36.978-07:00What started as a solution for newborn reflux has become a mission for me!<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/AVvXsEjDA3yQHDnJeMEzRVXVSnfWkk6M3D-xQqbh5QzDFrb5MI7UaOnensUsTy29-xmmw3SToFUNnemlX3l_Lsmrn_QuKScPXtgNB_Ah4hm26ZFTfx2lw5zfDAXIJ19JGwZLNnUwkX_Gig/s1600/LEM_wmamaatspaceneedle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDA3yQHDnJeMEzRVXVSnfWkk6M3D-xQqbh5QzDFrb5MI7UaOnensUsTy29-xmmw3SToFUNnemlX3l_Lsmrn_QuKScPXtgNB_Ah4hm26ZFTfx2lw5zfDAXIJ19JGwZLNnUwkX_Gig/s320/LEM_wmamaatspaceneedle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily in a KKAFP at the top of the Space Needle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Recently there have been a lot of negative stories in the news about baby carriers and wearing babies in them. <a href="http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/">The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance</a> has been created to help this industry maintain the highest safety standards and to make sure that CORRECT information is out there for parents to read regarding the safety and effectiveness of the art of babywearing. There are a number of factors that have lead up to the need for this, but the fact is that for parents this can be a sanity saving tool, and for babies it can be essential to their development both physically, emotionally, and mentally.<br />
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I posted my story on their website to help add to the positive information and support their efforts. I am a member of the alliance at the friend supporting level, and I encourage you if you can spare the $25 a year, to do so as well. We can't let the CPSC mandate away our right to parent how we see fit.<br />
<blockquote>In 2001 my first son was born and very soon after diagnosed with <a href="http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/infant_acid_reflux/">GERD</a>. One of the recommendations of our pediatrician was to keep him upright for 30-45 minutes after each time he ate. Given that he was exclusively breastfed this meant he was in arms either eating or being kept upright nearly one out of every 2-3 hours. Often it was more rare for him to be out of someone's arms than in them. </blockquote><blockquote>This was a huge amount of time commitment from both my husband and I that we were not really prepared for being new parents and thinking as we did then that babies actually slept in a crib! Silly us!</blockquote><blockquote>Seeking help we attended an <a href="http://www.attachmentparenting.org/">Attachment Parenting International</a> meeting on a Saturday morning. Once there we saw many parents, moms and dads, with their babies in soft carriers called slings. Not at all like the front pack we were given at our baby shower, these slings were much more like holding your baby than strapping him on the front of you! I liked the idea very much, and my husband seeing all the dads hands free and yet still holding their children was very excited to try out this solution to our tired aching arms. So excited in fact, that the next day he went to a local used children's clothing store and bought a 2nd hand padded "heart to heart" ring sling. </blockquote><blockquote>That single purchase changed our world, nearly as much as becoming parents had. That sounds a bit dramatic, but in truth it really did make our lives vastly different over night. I was now able to work throughout the house without having to put my child down and listen to his cries, or try to do things one handed and failing miserably. My husband could work at his computer with BOTH hands and still help me keep our wee one in a position that allowed him to digest his food and not be in pain.</blockquote><blockquote>I continued to attend the API meeting and also started regular attendance at 2 different <a href="http://www.llli.org/">La Leche League</a> meetings and found more families that had embraced the "art of babywearing". I also met Darien Wilson, creator of <a href="http://zolowear.com/">Zolowear</a> Ring Slings and learned so much more about how to use this wonderful piece of baby gear.</blockquote><blockquote>After the birth of my 2nd son in 2003 I found out how indispensable a good baby carrier can be when mothering more than one child. Being able to keep my baby close and still mother my toddler with my full attention was a beautiful thing. I especially found the value in being able to wear both of my children on my body when I was the only parent available. My husband's job had him traveling out of state at pretty frequent intervals and needing to single parent made my sling even more useful. </blockquote><blockquote>By the time my daughter arrived in 2005 I had become a very vocal advocate of babywearing and the carriers made both my work at home moms and by larger companies. Carriers like the Maya Wrap, the New Native Pouch, the Zolowear ring sling, and the Kanagroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch were some of my favorites and became an essential part of my mothering tool kit. Not long after my daughter arrived I joined a babywearing support group called NINO (nine in nine out) and along with other babywearing advocates helped put on the 1st ever International Babywearing Conference at Reed College in Portland, OR. </blockquote><blockquote>I spent the next 2 years as a co-leader of our local babywearing group, and started teaching babywearing techniques the benefits of those techniques at a local birth center and for childbirth educators.</blockquote><blockquote>What started off as a solution to a medical issue with my 1st son has become a life long passion that I still advocate for to this day for even now as a <a href="http://encirclinghands.wordpress.com/">birth and postpartum doula</a> I still use my babywearing knowledge to help others learn this wonderful skill. I am a firm believer in the ideals that babywearing supports; loving, in arms care. </blockquote><blockquote>I feel very strongly that if done correctly, babywearing is not only a safe way to care for babies and children, but is an essential part of parenting.</blockquote><blockquote><br />
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</blockquote>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31001367.post-54138951409168765292010-08-27T22:01:00.000-07:002011-11-13T11:18:50.076-08:00Crafty Corner! -- Custom Ponytail elasticsSo after looking around for the right color ribbon festooned ponytail elastic for Lily to wear for her soccer games and not finding anything I liked I decided to make her some myself. I mean how hard could they be?? Looked to me like they were just ribbons knotted onto rubber bands to me. So I went searching on the internet and came across <a href="http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/03/26/make-ribbon-embellished-hair-elastic-bows/">this fantastic post</a> from <a href="http://www.chicaandjo.com/">Chica and Jo</a>. <br />
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My next step was to go shopping for ribbon to match Lily's soccer kit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlcmz3sDicUDOr8pC43y1bvVRceRui2WCoY4y_pxHij5Om2dgypnKMqO-Ud7rMvpPiFWkAMkPdB7-rTlT5ASMVC3m9N_5QK4O2jnLhEjT4-mwBp-Uz_BLXA6pAy4zPA3kGgj9ng/s1600/lilysoccer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlcmz3sDicUDOr8pC43y1bvVRceRui2WCoY4y_pxHij5Om2dgypnKMqO-Ud7rMvpPiFWkAMkPdB7-rTlT5ASMVC3m9N_5QK4O2jnLhEjT4-mwBp-Uz_BLXA6pAy4zPA3kGgj9ng/s200/lilysoccer.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately it seems that "hunter green" really isn't in vogue right now, so finding the organza ribbon the tutorial calls for wasn't going to happen. Soooo I remembered back to the blog and that they also made them <a href="http://www.chicaandjo.com/2009/10/27/99-fleece-fun-for-halloween/">out of fleece</a>! So that was my answer! I bought the elastics and a strip of green fleece and set about cutting it up!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvH6zrSmWlLNg9hYQQdMXB5bnwxnssp9UA4QI7CtgxuwjzprpnNJfJV7g_4Bed-WW1JSSM5uPN_VI0a_KghmRLht3_wt37VoA9mjTD_QcW4OD5UCo2h4twCKbQQb7tPazcwS6sQ/s1600/ponytail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvH6zrSmWlLNg9hYQQdMXB5bnwxnssp9UA4QI7CtgxuwjzprpnNJfJV7g_4Bed-WW1JSSM5uPN_VI0a_KghmRLht3_wt37VoA9mjTD_QcW4OD5UCo2h4twCKbQQb7tPazcwS6sQ/s200/ponytail1.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpJ3GtkypD1FdJq9lLdS2DohRv2yX5_SOE4UJThL9FXqt1YVM5-Ce2P4WwDJk1kQz21jWO_pVvGcc31_lALZWzjNgIr302mNHD_X0OGSyg9y6DzhwoB6u5yZ4i3cDkiUnTpLHKw/s1600/ponytail6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpJ3GtkypD1FdJq9lLdS2DohRv2yX5_SOE4UJThL9FXqt1YVM5-Ce2P4WwDJk1kQz21jWO_pVvGcc31_lALZWzjNgIr302mNHD_X0OGSyg9y6DzhwoB6u5yZ4i3cDkiUnTpLHKw/s200/ponytail6.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1nWiVOUzgK3RIc23oMa0spHe7Tqh8NeziUJpmROn4FxFWTD7vkTTl-t4hKXKeyA88KY4u423TP7DdMj9MBfazkjiMrnkjgTLgp0wk0u_B8DCIzupB5bpgRi46F3EbOwKRxI9Jw/s1600/ponytail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1nWiVOUzgK3RIc23oMa0spHe7Tqh8NeziUJpmROn4FxFWTD7vkTTl-t4hKXKeyA88KY4u423TP7DdMj9MBfazkjiMrnkjgTLgp0wk0u_B8DCIzupB5bpgRi46F3EbOwKRxI9Jw/s200/ponytail2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIED0R2hAHaE3-z2_pyvuKIGrGUufqmk9BZbJUJcCC8HcLgFex3YCxq8VjNUsqvb79WHIi2S4T89oeNs1EKwgoHNQ8fVTbvexyc5_kIr9elGjqyBi0OmpAHJLvIlo1985FxHWUQ/s1600/ponytail3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIED0R2hAHaE3-z2_pyvuKIGrGUufqmk9BZbJUJcCC8HcLgFex3YCxq8VjNUsqvb79WHIi2S4T89oeNs1EKwgoHNQ8fVTbvexyc5_kIr9elGjqyBi0OmpAHJLvIlo1985FxHWUQ/s200/ponytail3.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you don't already have a rotary cutter, 18" clear craft ruler, and a self healing cutting mat I highly recommend you get these awesome tools! Nothing cuts straighter. And nothing cuts fleece more quickly or more easily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided to make the strips of random thickness in order to give the whole thing some interest. Each strip is 12" long. I've toyed with the idea of random lengths too which I may do on the next one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlkeKDWehYSdHdSz_Tvp94DM0d2nodkmteQoh4jaPIEhD4x-1zunteSyIsy33XLxBRQfavJX2iG3hsZJLWdmxhx92h_5rOnIjpoDO3CLxT4GCvYySF7-Ea9C1lhpZkACwJm3ebg/s1600/ponytail4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlkeKDWehYSdHdSz_Tvp94DM0d2nodkmteQoh4jaPIEhD4x-1zunteSyIsy33XLxBRQfavJX2iG3hsZJLWdmxhx92h_5rOnIjpoDO3CLxT4GCvYySF7-Ea9C1lhpZkACwJm3ebg/s200/ponytail4.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next I knotted the strips onto the elastic by wrapping the strip around the elastic and pulling the tails through the hoop and pull tight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHeAycG2eW88dUwJCn-8OYfvSSAiDjpYql6hl1tXdUlysO1Up2G6KFYak8A0vqici7j1HAnYVtQLMf2GrXTnLicAl7wMyaTwMqZmiOmbMjKbL14Kp_yp6VFuXPIrazDX1hyphenhyphenDMGQ/s1600/ponytail7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHeAycG2eW88dUwJCn-8OYfvSSAiDjpYql6hl1tXdUlysO1Up2G6KFYak8A0vqici7j1HAnYVtQLMf2GrXTnLicAl7wMyaTwMqZmiOmbMjKbL14Kp_yp6VFuXPIrazDX1hyphenhyphenDMGQ/s200/ponytail7.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pXkNcGqRVxEkO_VQ5GMisBDB0BQ3ea6HvMTlbea7ZyyjHY0aXFmJzQEdgS8m-EByeCvoEQVg6SGyJmPaSOrAxM2w2g3J9vn7oLavdVsiqwm0bfz8xXA4Dasl4lOiRlNSZa6wBw/s1600/ponytail8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pXkNcGqRVxEkO_VQ5GMisBDB0BQ3ea6HvMTlbea7ZyyjHY0aXFmJzQEdgS8m-EByeCvoEQVg6SGyJmPaSOrAxM2w2g3J9vn7oLavdVsiqwm0bfz8xXA4Dasl4lOiRlNSZa6wBw/s200/ponytail8.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj1wThs7fNB9Kuei5NJiypFt_Woocyqhw-d8Zyv2Wvxw-RQap6Z8sPFKUoilHtVGs7zdWnmG2E_PyzXN423Nc0nRHayvVKcJEndFhOVBTYs5ODQYy0vwT5Mqsiq05kSxM-b86aA/s1600/ponytail9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj1wThs7fNB9Kuei5NJiypFt_Woocyqhw-d8Zyv2Wvxw-RQap6Z8sPFKUoilHtVGs7zdWnmG2E_PyzXN423Nc0nRHayvVKcJEndFhOVBTYs5ODQYy0vwT5Mqsiq05kSxM-b86aA/s200/ponytail9.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdwkeYnY2R14Lo3-NhGwFs3LYDbjH8dCXHUYbReN9iYXeJFoMUWPeC4eDH0PCkbITojQAX7mqyw3WyF6SYvunOFyuqNT0QkAN3RHB_X70oqAxyz5r0wXx5ObxVSKIvvRT22S6jw/s1600/ponytail910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdwkeYnY2R14Lo3-NhGwFs3LYDbjH8dCXHUYbReN9iYXeJFoMUWPeC4eDH0PCkbITojQAX7mqyw3WyF6SYvunOFyuqNT0QkAN3RHB_X70oqAxyz5r0wXx5ObxVSKIvvRT22S6jw/s200/ponytail910.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Slide each strip of fleece up next to the one before and continue until you have 2/3 of the elastic filled. I decided it was easier to get into Lily's hair if I left some of the elastic bare. Took me about 22 strips to get the one I was making this full.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAY3sMN_w8r9KbC7cn8yvs3LvGZzsHEYptZ_v6SvGSEYURT0vvzMkB5NWkT4EGYCrjJTxFqtAq5aOuhbQ9pJXnayrK8Fsn37cCfkznBq2ezUMmgRQLt9hpeOIgdkk7MgWCeu7kQ/s1600/ponytail911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAY3sMN_w8r9KbC7cn8yvs3LvGZzsHEYptZ_v6SvGSEYURT0vvzMkB5NWkT4EGYCrjJTxFqtAq5aOuhbQ9pJXnayrK8Fsn37cCfkznBq2ezUMmgRQLt9hpeOIgdkk7MgWCeu7kQ/s200/ponytail911.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's the finished ponytail holder in action!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tVTfPGvsmFNWfE47eMhrB5_34_Bkh9X6Zh3bG3CGlv6DZJYAKbpP42LP5FzhgbNPVoDzp4iI6Is5D59EqXZ0oANPQOS6A7_QfEyDNP5_LOrShAbAJ1FxYtae-BlOg3u822cZLg/s1600/ponytail912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tVTfPGvsmFNWfE47eMhrB5_34_Bkh9X6Zh3bG3CGlv6DZJYAKbpP42LP5FzhgbNPVoDzp4iI6Is5D59EqXZ0oANPQOS6A7_QfEyDNP5_LOrShAbAJ1FxYtae-BlOg3u822cZLg/s320/ponytail912.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tVTfPGvsmFNWfE47eMhrB5_34_Bkh9X6Zh3bG3CGlv6DZJYAKbpP42LP5FzhgbNPVoDzp4iI6Is5D59EqXZ0oANPQOS6A7_QfEyDNP5_LOrShAbAJ1FxYtae-BlOg3u822cZLg/s1600/ponytail912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbWHmvGumPjnCAkgQv3Ha1PwuAm2vY5ppWT65v1vn00DlwiKC9uzQBv1HMbiQhfA6jOuHS_ayTK-Mn74KJ6dJPgrKEB4UISaat5haEK9t88ODOlgxBw9DFCHt4rwZe8z4GqNFSg/s1600/ponytail913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbWHmvGumPjnCAkgQv3Ha1PwuAm2vY5ppWT65v1vn00DlwiKC9uzQBv1HMbiQhfA6jOuHS_ayTK-Mn74KJ6dJPgrKEB4UISaat5haEK9t88ODOlgxBw9DFCHt4rwZe8z4GqNFSg/s320/ponytail913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Nicholhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528474773180610035noreply@blogger.com3