tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564168425106364982024-03-12T15:57:28.206-07:00 Simple, Easy, FrugalSimple living, easy saving.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-13375389645269598012015-01-06T10:26:00.002-08:002015-01-06T10:29:25.458-08:00Reusing Christmas Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My sister-in-law Debbie is a frugal maven. She loves a great deal, and rarely lets things go to waste. She has always reused last year's Christmas cards as gift tags for the following year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This year she gave out thank you notes from her and the kids using the old cards. She just cut off the portion that had writing on it and wrote on the back as you would a post card. I thought this was a fantastic use of resources.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I did a little searching online and found this <a href="http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/christmas-card-projects/#page=1" style="color: #674ea7;" target="_blank">Better Homes and Gardens article</a> that has some wonderfully creative ways to use those cards that are about to head to the recycling bin<span style="color: #674ea7;">.</span> If you are seriously constrained by budget, use these tips next Christmas, or as Debbie did, say thank you with this easy money saving project!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think you could make some beautiful letter banners with old cards too!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-84259879959237048982015-01-05T13:26:00.001-08:002015-01-07T09:54:10.631-08:0012 in 2015<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/AVvXsEjAgDxvyjPnBqDXYfhPPDLcjfQQR-L8KROIEgBc4fZpYf76DZbUrvBpal_Lr0Rn8BTC28lIgLtEpIOykxu8Duf9zcyuS1eKxSYleEL5L7RwfNfN-lKEnNovA3rWB4fC2pRH01QtSGVC-1qc/s1600/WP_20150105_12_18_48_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgDxvyjPnBqDXYfhPPDLcjfQQR-L8KROIEgBc4fZpYf76DZbUrvBpal_Lr0Rn8BTC28lIgLtEpIOykxu8Duf9zcyuS1eKxSYleEL5L7RwfNfN-lKEnNovA3rWB4fC2pRH01QtSGVC-1qc/s1600/WP_20150105_12_18_48_Pro.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See ya, 2014!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Another year has come and gone. Christmas brought much needed re-connection with family. In a few shorts months it will be spring again. Life will be brought back from the seemingly dormant earth. It's a time to leave behind was not meant for us and move into the beautiful possibilities that <i>are</i> available to us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't do New Year's resolutions - it is too reminiscent of punishment or some sense of unworthiness to me. I liken the feeling to that I had in confession as a child - the focus on how "bad" we are does not inspire change, but rather sets us up for failure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This year I will be doing something different. I will be choosing 12 experiences I'd like to have. It's so easy for me to get caught up in the "shoulds" of life. As a single parent I tend to focus more on responsibility rather than fun. We get to create so much of our lives - and most of us have an abundant supply of choices even within certain restrictions (whether they be financial, physical or emotional). So this year, I will be making a list of things I'd like to add to my human experience. Some are small and easily accomplished. Others will require slightly more effort. All are intended to create memories, celebrate, connect or simply to enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My list of 12 "Things," in no particularly order, for 2015:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Ride a horse.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Visit the Olympus Day Spa, also known as naked town (no, no it's not).</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Follow an actual sewing pattern.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Take my daughter to the Oregon Coast.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Host a random White Elephant party.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Host a charity curry night to raise funds for a yet named charity.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Establish a neighborhood Food Program where spring and summer garden abundance is delivered to the food bank weekly.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Read the Marilyn Monroe Biography I've had on my list for years. It's not higher learning, but her life is fascinating. Most of the books I read tend to be learning oriented, so something just for pleasure needs to happen!</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Host a sushi night.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sign up for a pottery class.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sign up for a belly dance or tap class, or some other movement class sure to make me look a fool.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wild card! That's right, I'm open to suggestions!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Some of these may not seem like the most frugal activities, but frugality as I see it, is not about deprivation, but rather putting your money where it gives you the the most value. Money is meant to provide necessities, yes, but quality and value with vary from person to person. Focusing on experiences, rather than stuff is my goal. It is so easy to put your mental energy towards "getting the best deal" and while that certainly CAN be a part of the frugal and simple life, it can also play into consumerism in a big way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Who's with me for the 12 in 2015? Please share in the comments some of your 12!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-90248518611371506442014-09-15T11:36:00.000-07:002014-09-15T11:48:49.907-07:00A Week in the Life in Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This week I got to exercise my domestic muscles which I <i>love</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lots of time in the kitchen and a little bit of time in the garden. The garden is slowing down quickly, but I managed to harvest this yesterday. Not bad, eh?</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes, cukes, purple beans and kale.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The strawberries are still producing, and I can't wait to get them a patch of their own next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I ate my Spanish Tortilla everyday last week for breakfast, and my body loved all that protein. I really feel like it kept my energy level constant throughout the day. All my lunches were leftovers, which is excellent news for my savings account.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The cilantro in the garden has had it (it didn't do too well this year), but it did give us lots of seeds! I plucked those and I think I will save some to plant and use some for spice (dried coriander is from cilantro seeds).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not the best photo, but food really is to eat, not to photograph, right? *says no blogger ever* Peanut butter, chocolate, almond and maple syrup granola. It was supposed to be for the kiddo, as oats do a number on me. But guess who ate most of it? Sigh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My commitment to no more food waste inspired a little baked apple dessert that Little Girl loved. None was left for me, but I didn't need it anyway. Speaking of, do your kids have huge appetites? My kid can eat grown men under the table and she is skinny as a rail!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I tried my hand at gluten free Irish Soda Bread for the first time. This will be my go to bread from now on. My girl loves it, as do I. Much fewer ingredients and heartier than the Udi's I've been buying for years. The only problem is, it tastes <i>so</i> good, it gets eaten up far too quickly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My sister who also loves to feed people and enjoys the simple pleasures in life planned a picnic for the three of us before her trip to Mexico for the next 3 weeks. The food was delicious, and the view second to none. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is nowhere more beautiful than Seattle on a sunny day.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Another experiment in the kitchen led to some white bean patties. Little Girl ate them up like she would never have chance to eat them again. Served with salad and a bit of olive tapenade on top.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSbdfgu-ltdP3RT5fv4Qqzcrx1_vc9BaCbrtBZujqqtv8KFVFRxGODGA1ucc7_WyCfR4x0RKe7efNr9VNK91gFdDXSIaGStevqTRYeOnFUXcEj1QtXcR3nZGfgOVCfxX3laEvpGza4Rk0/s1600/WP_20140911_20_06_11_Pro+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSbdfgu-ltdP3RT5fv4Qqzcrx1_vc9BaCbrtBZujqqtv8KFVFRxGODGA1ucc7_WyCfR4x0RKe7efNr9VNK91gFdDXSIaGStevqTRYeOnFUXcEj1QtXcR3nZGfgOVCfxX3laEvpGza4Rk0/s1600/WP_20140911_20_06_11_Pro+(2).jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On Saturday night my niece and nephew spent the night. They are both adorable little characters with a lot of personality. They are more like siblings to my daughter than cousins. That means more fights, but more love too. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My niece wearing the cat mask my daughter made last year.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The two older ones repaid their lack of sleep with breakfast in bed for me.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toast with about 4 tablespoons of butter, berries, juice from a juice box and a tangerine.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sunday dinner was pork chops, green beans, salad, soup, soda bread and raspberry pie for loved ones. If you've never heard me mention it, I have some of the loveliest friends in the world. And several of them live just a few houses away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After all the cooking and cleaning this week I felt a bit like a sleepy kitty cat in the evenings. As someone who used to be chronically fatigued from illness, this sort of tired makes me feel truly, truly lucky.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of our baby Charlie, courtesy of Little Girl. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-30060872762894306312014-09-15T10:35:00.003-07:002014-09-16T11:05:09.646-07:00Waste not Want Not: A look Into My No Food Waste Commitment, Week 1<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As explained <a href="http://simpleeasyfrugal.blogspot.com/2014/09/i-will-not-waste-another-piece-of-damn.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">here</span></a>, I've made a public declaration to not waste any more food. I feel the food I've been wasting is one of the shoddier parts of affluence. How can I possibly throw anymore food in the garbage when there are people going hungry? It's something I just can't stomach any longer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The benefits of the No Food Waste Commitment:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>*Creativity </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've come up with some inspired dishes as of late. As a creative person, this really feeds that corner of my brain the same way poetry or art does. But you get to eat it. 'Nuff said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>*Money Saving</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This doesn't need much explanation. The organic broccoli I tossed out (on two separate occasions mind you) because I didn't get to it in time, $4 each. I certainly wouldn't toss four dollar bills in the compost, would you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>*Mindfullness</b> (both a side effect and an important element of doing this successfully). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You must take stock EVERY DAY. Being mindful and in the moment is a great way to relieve stress and feel grateful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>*No guilt</b> from food waste </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Who am I kidding, I went to 13 years of Catholic school <b><i>LESS</i> guilt </b>from food waste).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1m4WvlhPBhYTDHGJIYwyxNueB-9LPuhv3T2UqCAA4nNBOrb14M9g64GPe8PIkmwabbESEe1R8-Tm2-aZtC7mOXFyaOyG8KAy8pyW4Ny9wamF5kT542LUUD_diS4u0hNOXtp6vb9DYBKI/s1600/WP_20140911_17_27_37_Pro+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1m4WvlhPBhYTDHGJIYwyxNueB-9LPuhv3T2UqCAA4nNBOrb14M9g64GPe8PIkmwabbESEe1R8-Tm2-aZtC7mOXFyaOyG8KAy8pyW4Ny9wamF5kT542LUUD_diS4u0hNOXtp6vb9DYBKI/s1600/WP_20140911_17_27_37_Pro+(2).jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, that's an abandoned breakfast apple my daughter left in the back seat of the car. And yep, I ate it after work.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>*Gratitude </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There's little question that to do this sort of thing out of anything but necessity means you have it good in the food department. Being aware has a wonderful effect on my sense of gratitude. And gratitude = happiness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">...............................................................................................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But, as with any sort of behavior change, there have been some unexpected challenges:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* Eating when not necessarily hungry so something doesn't go bad. "Oh, I'm not hungry but there are two grapes left I should eat them."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* More cooking time and more mess. To be honest, I really don't mind this part. Because if I'm having fun creating anything, the result is usually time consuming and messy. I'm ok with that. Most of the time. Although cleaning my kitchen 6 times this weekend was a bit much...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A few recipes born from this commitment:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Scrappy Soup</b>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Zuchini guts and seeds, a few carrots, several tomatoes a day away from becoming compost, half an onion, garam masala spice (I think that's what's in that container!), a spoon full of leftover butter, a dash of olive oil, kosher salt, a dash of red pepper flakes, a gnarly looking piece of ginger, a dash of cumin. Everything finely chopped and simmered for half an hour. The flavors and taste of freshness were divine! The third time I made it I even threw in half of a green apple that needed using up.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of "Scrappy Soup"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is delish with a little yogurt with honey and lime or coconut milk swirled on top. If I had cilantro I would have plopped some of that on top. Add a side of <a href="http://www.namastefoods.com/recipes/cgi-bin/recipes.cgi?Function=show&Id=124" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">gluten free soda bread</span></a>, and you have a delicious meal. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not the prettiest thing you'll ever eat, but it's freaking delicious.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I made this soup 3 times this week and everyone (I experimented on 8 people) except my daughter and my guy liked it. You've got to be a fan of the spices to truly appreciate this soup. Tastes extra good when served in a pretty vintage dish given to you by your sister-in-law. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tangerines with citrus, kefir and honey dressing</b>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had a tiny bit of kefir left in the bottle (mainly clinging to the sides). Normally I would have thrown it own by now, but with my new found commitment I refused. I warmed up some honey, added it to the kefir and shook up the bottle. I took some past prime tangerines and peeled and sliced them and drizzled on top. Little girl suggested adding a squeeze of lemon to it - and boy was she right. The only thing to have made it more perfect was a chopped mint leaf or two. She loved it so much she declared my favorite words after eating an at home creation, "Mom, you should open a restaurant."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tangy and Sweet Lemon, Apple and Plum Kefir Rice Pudding</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A flopped batch of lemon rice (too much water so it got gummy) turned into the inspiration for this treat. I added kefir, a couple of plums, a green apple sliced up, some turbinado sugar and cinnamon. The result is out of this world. And nephew Liam approved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Some things I've found helpful so far</b>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1) Taking stock of the fridge every single day and planning around that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">By taking stock I was able to use up a bag of raspberries given to me by a coworker recently. She grows the BEST raspberries. They were slightly freezer burnt because they were last year's harvest, but I cooked the bejeezus out of them with orange simple syrup from the last time I made <a href="http://simpleeasyfrugal.blogspot.com/2014/05/make-it-orangettes.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Orangettes</span></a>. I had 2 pie crusts in the freezer from the last time I thought I was going to make pie (months ago). The result was fantastic and I served it with a cheesecake inspired topping (cream cheese and powdered sugar).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberry Pie!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Leftover gluten free bagels that my daughter no longer likes (sheesh, kids) became mini pizzas for my niece and nephew. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sadly, when taking stock this weekend I found 2 packages of sausage in the freezer from 2012 that were no longer good. In addition, four pieces of moldy bread went in the trash along with a way too old jar of pickled asparagus. I'm confident that as I go along if I stay on top of this this these wasteful moments will occur less. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2) Use-up the food that is on it's way out first. Sweet stuff can be tossed together in the freezer and used a few days later in rice pudding or some other concoction. Veggies can be put in a plastic bag and used in scrappy soup when you have a few extra moments on the weekend. Any leftovers become lunch, eaten in the order of how quickly it will go bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3) Feed people. To be honest, I love feeding people. I'm of the schmarmy sort who thinks you can taste the love in food. Share your extras with friends and family. Much better to see your labor enjoyed by those you love than to see it in the trash. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What I hope to accomplish in all of this is simple: Stop wasting food, stop overbuying, get my food budget down so I can put more in savings and give some of the difference to food banks. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do you have any tips to share to successfully eliminate food waste? Please share in the comments!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-47146007412271088662014-09-12T08:55:00.001-07:002014-09-12T10:21:03.928-07:00The BEST Way to Get Rid of Fruit Flies<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's plum and tomato season at my place. Which means it's also fruit fly season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These nasty buggers multiply faster than gremlins, and the time to take care of it is when you see the first fruit fly (but who ever actually does that?). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All you need is a glass or jar, a large piece of paper, and some bait (i.e. Something sweet to attract them. I used a bit of fruit, but vinegar or wine will do the trick).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Make your paper into a cone shape above the bait and watch those dummies fly around unable to get out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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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/AVvXsEgfhleKanua0yt2AhMQtQOW7amsf760XlsoC2luecRraE1fVosVVwC65Ur_16M_49qfNMeFuRs39P8U3lJ7Tp9O_PBx91RLcP0mmm5wA3LAcxyCSeHt6_ZSYz1W7c5rdOqS7iXG8vxDnZy5/s1600/WP_20140909_19_31_30_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhleKanua0yt2AhMQtQOW7amsf760XlsoC2luecRraE1fVosVVwC65Ur_16M_49qfNMeFuRs39P8U3lJ7Tp9O_PBx91RLcP0mmm5wA3LAcxyCSeHt6_ZSYz1W7c5rdOqS7iXG8vxDnZy5/s1600/WP_20140909_19_31_30_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me -1, fruit flies-0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Make sure to dispose of outside so you don't let any of the buggers loose. Feel proud you outsmarted hundreds of invertebrates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-3754378097799994302014-09-11T11:17:00.002-07:002015-01-05T13:35:35.490-08:00How a $0.62 Jar of Classico Spaghetti Sauce Cost me $3,000.00.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIQqUx-zWbLMdbFRDC0tx0cM5uJzsprr4Oes7QnaVCzaATIk_WMDUrjX5LUErq7KnOZsWHhWzj4Q7NPoMIcJpWUdIacspVBe1_rmMt8428Vc5SutTumHFRN2nZ8usKohdlYxo56YWsrTz/s1600/classico-caramelized-onion-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIQqUx-zWbLMdbFRDC0tx0cM5uJzsprr4Oes7QnaVCzaATIk_WMDUrjX5LUErq7KnOZsWHhWzj4Q7NPoMIcJpWUdIacspVBe1_rmMt8428Vc5SutTumHFRN2nZ8usKohdlYxo56YWsrTz/s1600/classico-caramelized-onion-400x400.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was a fantastic deal. With the promo going on at QFC and the printable coupons, each shiny jar of Classico pasta sauce was $0.62 a piece. I couldn't <i>make</i> sauce for that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I spent a portion of my days blissfully googling recipes I could make beyond the standard fare of gluten free spaghetti and sauce...Minestrone! That's where I would start first. Oh how I looked forward getting my hands on the little beauties. They would fill out the pantry so pleasantly. And the meals I could make for friends... oh, I was drunk off the deal as you can see. It happens from time to time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I gleefully told friends and family that like to save exactly how and when to make this dream, er, this deal, a reality. My sister Rose was JUST as excited as I was and passed it along to her friends. Here I was, saving the world one jar of Classico at a time! Cough cough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I went to the store and collected the sauce. Four jars it would take to make the deal happen, but I decided on eight. I felt a momentary pang of something. Selfishness? Worries I was becoming a hoarder? Maybe, but I don't even think it was quite that. I just wondered if I really needed to be doing what I was doing, and for some bizarre reason, if it was right. Who thinks about if it's the right thing to do to buy 8 jars of pasta sauce? <points thumbs enthusiastically at chest> THIS GIRL!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Despite the bizarre hesitation I bought the jars and brought them home. The canvas bag which held them was quite heavy, and so there they would sit in my kitchen until I brought them downstairs to put away in the basement food cubby. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">They sat in the corner of the kitchen for days until a rainy Sunday afternoon in April when, while watching "The Blind Side" in what can be described only as "I've given up" pajamas and with pure disgust realized it was 11 am and I'd done absolutely nothing productive so far that day (pre-child days I would have never felt bad for such a thing). I paused the movie, and in a fit of slight discomfort went to put on a pair of fuzzy pink socks that my mom let me "borrow" only to never be in possession of them again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With my toes properly cared for in fuzzy magenta socks I set out to do the bare minimum of guilt assuaging cleanup: <b>I was going to put away the jars of sauce.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I hoisted the bag on my shoulder (it was heavy and awkward), opened the door to the basement, successfully navigated two entire stairs (Go me!), then slipped on my fuzzy magenta socks and saw my life flash before my eyes as I taboganed down the incline. About midway down the steps the jars crashed together and as my hand instinctively reached down to grip something, it landed with force on an open jar of discount black olive and mushroom.. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Within seconds it looked like a very violent Al Pacino movie; Blood and sauce and glass EVERYWHERE. I didn't really feel pain, but knew I was hurt and bad and said as much repeatedly, out loud: "I'm hurt. Bad."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I called my mom because what else is a single 34 year old woman to do in a matter like this? She told me to call 911 and when I refused she told be she'd be over as soon as she could and to wrap up my hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my body (thank you sweet adrenaline for helping me feel no pain) and knew I needed to sit outside before I passed out. I had managed to not shed a single tear at this point (stop laughing everyone that knows me), that is, until my sweet neighbor driving my with her two kids knew something was amiss (not the fact that I looked like something dragged out of the drain - they see that frequently) and hopped out of the car to check on me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Being the badass woman she is, this neighbor who I shall refer to as H, took care of business by grabbing up the kids, taking me back inside, and cleaning up the blood I had trailed around my living room. To commiserate with my pain, her kids told me stories about injuries they had heard about, and not to be outdone, the not quite four year old told me a story that he was clearly not supposed to have hear about the <span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/16/wu-tang-rapper-andre-johnson-penis-cut-jump-suicide/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">man who had recently tried to remove his "business."</span></a> </span>This brought some necessary levity to the situation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It only took ten minutes for my mom and dad to arrive which is quite the feat considering they are usually very cautious (read: slow) drivers and it typically takes no less than 15 minutes to get to my place (*favorite child). I sat teary in the back of the car (why do I cry when people are concerned about me?) and in about thirty minutes I was in a room at the ER laughing about the hilariousness of it all including asking myself the big questions: why</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> is it that every single time I go to the ER I'm not wearing a bra?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I sat confidently on the hospital bed thinking the worst was over (no, no it wasn't) until the Dr. who was ridiculously nice and good looking, told me the next thing he was going to do was going to hurt. Bad. Thinking I am far tougher than I am I scoffed at his claim and proceeded to sob violently as he injected lidocaine about 30 times deep into the laceration. After the cleaning and the X-rays and the stitches the the prescription for pain pills I was good to go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Several months later I received what I hope will be my final bill of $3,000.00 (that's with insurance). I'm not sure what hurt more, the lidocaine, or handing over my debit card. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thank god for savings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6AVZfiCMWFXWbAH7mf5Dxn-80Px0snjeBrkdUAfGeZT8JyhS7JWvzE_xKkxMcVQIH9qj80mb-pCYxGvImo6zq9ehJ9TmDwbf9O2UJHRfwZxCA0YT0SEI3F0TeIr2DZ6h9WYioOFr5HE4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6AVZfiCMWFXWbAH7mf5Dxn-80Px0snjeBrkdUAfGeZT8JyhS7JWvzE_xKkxMcVQIH9qj80mb-pCYxGvImo6zq9ehJ9TmDwbf9O2UJHRfwZxCA0YT0SEI3F0TeIr2DZ6h9WYioOFr5HE4/s1600/photo.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bloody hand on a giant diaper. You should all me thanking me for not showing you the injury. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>*Siblings reading this: that was for comic effect. I don't think I'm the favorite child (**but I am)<br />
<br />
**read above<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-74919208202026584152014-09-10T09:50:00.001-07:002014-09-10T10:22:04.561-07:00I Will Not Waste Another Damn Piece of Food<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Even during my lean times, when I didn't have money for new clothes or books, when I bought all my daughter and my clothes and shoes and gifts at garage sales. When I couponed like crazy and washed my hair with baking soda. When I made nearly everything by scratch (which seems like a dream now...never discount the luxury of time), I never went hungry. My daughter never went hungry. We always had enough.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I could pay the rent and the heating bill, and while it was a small budget for food, we made do. We always had enough. Enough. Enough. Enough. Saying it a few times and even the word itself sounds full. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If ever there came a time when money was too tight, I could always borrow money or food from my family if it came to that. I was lucky it didn't. There was always enough. Now I was resourceful, I'll give you that. I knew how to budget, the basics of cooking, and I didn't have champagne tastes (or if I did I could handle not having my heart's desire). I had enough money to build a good pantry for cooking staples. I watched every penny because if I didn't spend them wisely, there wouldn't be enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was raising a child on less than $20,000/year for a time in a high cost of living area and do you know how lucky I was to have the resources of a supportive family and friends, the ability to cook and to budget, and if I had ever felt I had needed them, the ability to contact a social service agency? I had safety nets. Plural. I had enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I wasn't a moocher. I wasn't afraid of work. I was a single mother with a small child trying to make the best decisions for my kid. I couldn't have afforded full time day care and living in an apartment. I was able to get a low paying job as a nanny and bring my daughter to work with me. That along with child support covered our needs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now I'm more comfortable financially. Not rich, not even close, but comfortable. Continually adding to my savings is of paramount importance. I'ts another important safety net that I have had to use, and even live off of at times. Thank god for that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've been reading a lot more about hunger and food politics lately. Those topics that are easy to slip by when you have enough. The punishment of the poor. The hardworking poor who are no better or worse as people, just people like me doing there best to get by - often in worse circumstances than I ever was. There are people going hungry in this world. Not just in underdeveloped countries far away, but in cities like mine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Every broccoli crown I've tossed in the trash, every lonely apricot that's rolled to the back of the fridge until it's unrecognizable...It makes me sick to think about the amount of food I've wasted. Not only because it's like ripping up money and throwing it into the toilet, but I feel it's a slap in the face to every person who went to bed hungry last night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've had enough. I will not waste another damn piece of food if I can help it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This week's no-waste fare so far: </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Overripe plums became a delicious base for <span style="color: #674ea7;">Moroccan chicken and vegetables.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Not quite right lemon rice became sweet kefir lemon and apricot rice pudding. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Roasted potatoes that needed eating went into a <a href="http://simpleeasyfrugal.blogspot.com/2014/09/make-it-my-take-on-fresh-tomato-spanish.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Spanish Tortilla.</span></a></i><span style="color: #674ea7;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-67758826092303390582014-09-09T12:30:00.001-07:002014-09-10T10:02:45.778-07:00Make it! My Take on a Fresh Tomato Spanish Tortilla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgY9o_rhphowtOwKI_eUM6qi8HOMmTTjjs5MLJ_Wg5qPMHY185PvUZXcOVx6TPPK_ESGPm3I01-qsaCdR7Vn6FxHj6jYXPGZXGcL2kDGuEe9yPyuSPUikVNMjYCtsSsdEaw8-NBJHWrY0/s1600/WP_20140904_18_21_57_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgY9o_rhphowtOwKI_eUM6qi8HOMmTTjjs5MLJ_Wg5qPMHY185PvUZXcOVx6TPPK_ESGPm3I01-qsaCdR7Vn6FxHj6jYXPGZXGcL2kDGuEe9yPyuSPUikVNMjYCtsSsdEaw8-NBJHWrY0/s1600/WP_20140904_18_21_57_Pro.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've never loved tomatoes more than I have this summer. I'm not actually sure why. Maybe it's because I've planted fewer tomato plants and so each red or yellow orb seems a little more special. Maybe the tomatoes this year just taste different. Either way I'm enjoying tomatoes more that ever before. But here's the thing, I don't like store bought tomatoes. Call me a brat, but I just don't. I'll do without. From the garden though? I'll find a way to incorporate them into breakfast, lunch and dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscRiFvwNZwhlyS2jGd1UNKWZiC7fYufZfn5DuuRmAfMpDWxajPY3M2lm7emM_v_GJd8WkC0tS00kySk3U04XNWFTpsRg5JUeWzy-c8hkJzltiWv6DgCuN2jSSQMszpkjC8DEcPmFBNFHt/s1600/WP_20140908_18_52_21_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscRiFvwNZwhlyS2jGd1UNKWZiC7fYufZfn5DuuRmAfMpDWxajPY3M2lm7emM_v_GJd8WkC0tS00kySk3U04XNWFTpsRg5JUeWzy-c8hkJzltiWv6DgCuN2jSSQMszpkjC8DEcPmFBNFHt/s1600/WP_20140908_18_52_21_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This took less than 5 minutes to prepare.</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And speaking of breakfast, lunch or dinner, here's a terrific and simple dish that's as lovely to look at as it is delicious. If you're lucky enough to grow your own tomatoes (or zucchini, or squash, or any other tasty veggie), or have neighbors that share, this will make for a flavorful meal at any time of the day. It's high in protein, and anywhere from $.20-$.65 per serving and makes 6 servings (1 egg a piece). Bulking it up with potatoes and veggies is a great way to get some more vitamins and filling of tummies. It's a perfect vessel to use up more shabby vegetables or tomatoes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The hallmark of a traditional Spanish Tortilla is thinly sliced potatoes and eggs cooked in a round dish and sliced in wedges. If you'd like a more traditional preparation, see <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/spanish-tortilla-recipe.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It's a simple dish similar to an omelet, but my version is easy and takes less time (well - if you have leftover roasted potatoes like I did that need using up). It's also just so pretty to look at. You can serve it hot or cold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As with anything I cook, this is a loose recipe. No need for strictness here. Add anything you want really that sounds yummy to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's how I made mine...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Easy Spanish Tortilla with fresh Tomatoes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">6 Eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kosher Salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Smoked Paprika</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Small handful (1/4 cup-ish) shredded cheese (I used a Trader Joes 4 cheese blend with parmesan)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tomatoes or other veggie thinly sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Leftover roasted potatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fresh parsley (any green herb - dried or fresh works)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put your eggs in a round baking dish. Sprinkle salt pepper and smoked paprika to your taste. Add in the roasted potatoes that you served four days ago at a dinner party and need to use up because you will simply not waste any more food. Slice tomatoes thick or thin and lay on top of the eggs (the tomatoes, not you). Sprinkle with cheese even if you are lactose intolerant because: CHEESE. Add some fresh parsley to the top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Cook until eggs are done (probably 20-30 minutes or however long it takes to clean the kitchen). I do a quick 5 minute broil on high at the end to get that beautiful golden top (keep a watchful eye so you don't burn it).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Try to forcefeed your daughter who hates tomatoes. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9ayAbiicUtNXzfBiMQYSqGd-zge8GoaiH9c5SblH5Xt5at4LJeFi0GgvcdKUIJAj9neNuBVhomEgp6U2u6z5q1J1DeQL066cdChLjENUabSHWj4iY5eK2I8Fu4-_s8Aif9A8-f4Gtz8I/s1600/WP_20140908_19_32_31_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9ayAbiicUtNXzfBiMQYSqGd-zge8GoaiH9c5SblH5Xt5at4LJeFi0GgvcdKUIJAj9neNuBVhomEgp6U2u6z5q1J1DeQL066cdChLjENUabSHWj4iY5eK2I8Fu4-_s8Aif9A8-f4Gtz8I/s1600/WP_20140908_19_32_31_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden and bubbly. Prepare to stuff in face.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> That's it! Easy huh? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do you make egg pies or Spanish tortillas in your home?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-11392988355992756942014-09-08T11:28:00.002-07:002014-09-10T10:03:21.628-07:00Make it! Sunday Blessings and Moroccan Inspired Plum Chicken<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday was a lovely mix of lazy and productive--exactly how I like my Sundays. I spent a good chunk of the morning in bed, followed by grocery shopping, cleaning and cooking. I like a tidy house, but often let the laundry get a wee out of control (out of sight out of mind in that basement laundry room). I've been working on keeping up with the laundry almost everyday, and so far it seems to be helping with the transition back to school, and maintenance of my sanity. Keeping on top of things throughout the week allows for these blissful Sundays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had two good friends over for dinner last night. They also happen to be neighbors, so it's easy to throw together impromptu dinner parties. When my little girl is with her dad I spend extra time in the kitchen experimenting with recipes, dancing to Otis Redding and sometimes having a nice adult beverage along the way. I like having an afternoon to myself now and again, but when I make something delicious, I am always so disappointed she missed it being the little foodie she is. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uYpV3ZUabYlOJJ5qtE0Wq2J0AJbzs7PwAcdCHPagM_OJKFeGp6k3PiftW_WrRCEmeGPVgxzJdVUqGH8aNobiebshCRdLzE-6VOmdUCk_a2bgqXnchw7ehEfX8fSju6QLhdZlio2TdAaX/s1600/WP_20140907_16_48_24_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uYpV3ZUabYlOJJ5qtE0Wq2J0AJbzs7PwAcdCHPagM_OJKFeGp6k3PiftW_WrRCEmeGPVgxzJdVUqGH8aNobiebshCRdLzE-6VOmdUCk_a2bgqXnchw7ehEfX8fSju6QLhdZlio2TdAaX/s1600/WP_20140907_16_48_24_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blissful but sweaty, very sweaty, in the kitchen.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had an abundance of plums from my generous neighbor Suzie, so I wanted to work as many into the recipe as possible. I had picked both purple plums and yellow, but the yellow ones were already overripe and needed to be used immediately. If you don't have a source of free plums, you could try prunes, raisins, wilty apricots or peaches, and even an apple or two. Anything to give that touch of sweetness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had my heart set on Moroccan chicken after my friend Deborah mentioned she had some recently. I googled "Moroccan chicken" for inspiration on spices and searched the cupboard and found that I had smoked paprika, cumin and turmeric. Those would be the smoky, savory flavors balancing the sweetness of the plums. Moroccan recipes are often a wonderful marriage of sweet fruit and smoky, spicy flavor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As are most of my "recipes" (I put "recipes" in quotes because I'm an off the fly cook and think that a little confidence and a few techniques in the kitchen are far more important than any recipe), this was an easy dish, and relatively frugal. The price per serving was approximately $2.24 per person, but could have easily been cheaper if I had used cheaper meat and veggies. At one time I would have only have had the option of using less expensive ingredients. I think you could easily get the recipe down to at least $1.25 per serving if not lower if using less expensive chicken and veggies (i.e. not organic). For me, while I do adhere to a budget, I choose to put some of the extra money I have now towards food. It's valuable to me. I didn't always have that option when I was in my very lean years where I was living on $150/month for two people to eat. The important thing is that we try to fill ourselves with nourishing food within our budgets that are enjoyable and healthy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I did serve this with some sides from the garden, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">but it is easily an entire filling meal on its own.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> Lemon rice would also be delicious with this dish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Without further adieu...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Moroccan Plum Chicken</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">5 chicken thighs (feel free to use more, this is how many came in the package I bought)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/2 pound of rainbow carrots (bag is 1 lb)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 onion</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or some other oil</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Spices (turmeric, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kosher salt</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Potaoes (I think I used about 1 pound - I abide by the "use as many as can fit in your pan" rule"). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/2 jar of Trader Joes Green Olive Tapanade</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">8 skinned plums (Since these were free I didn't factor them into the overall cost. Possibly slightly unfair, I know). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Chicken thighs are a cheaper cut of meat no matter if you buy conventional or organic. The higher fat content in the meat makes this an extra flavorful and juicy cut.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguigYAAuFx9t_FDFkCOZJ2KYjEGWkhDzz8kyp1xMKiqD8Mhm8Oyt8Zh0ihdYoABURNio_kLlWzRy-ZfqFaiWYMSoucMZU62iQJnePAvjtsPnZ3-ttEXKZE6aQ2X9GQ8v78VuYB1pMm4dWb/s1600/WP_20140907_16_47_05_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguigYAAuFx9t_FDFkCOZJ2KYjEGWkhDzz8kyp1xMKiqD8Mhm8Oyt8Zh0ihdYoABURNio_kLlWzRy-ZfqFaiWYMSoucMZU62iQJnePAvjtsPnZ3-ttEXKZE6aQ2X9GQ8v78VuYB1pMm4dWb/s1600/WP_20140907_16_47_05_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Start by taking your meat out of the package and put them on a plate. Salt them generously on both sides with kosher salt. Sprinkle with turmeric, smoked paprika, and cumin an both sides. I like the chicken to be out of the fridge for about 40 minutes before I cook it. It really helps to get all that flavor in there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Take your overripe plums and slide the skin off (an easy task with such ripe fruit). Pop the pit out by squishing the plum with your fingers. I squished the plums into pieces into a small pan just using my fingers. Sprinkle with a generous amount of cinnamon. Honestly, I don't know if it's entirely necessary to cook the plums to bring out the flavor. I did for about 20 minutes and the results were smashing - but feel free to experiment. I think I could have cooked them much longer and reduced to a sweeter concoction. This makeshift plum sauce would be incredible over ice cream, mixed with dessert rice, or in cottage cheese or yogurt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Chop up your potatoes, carrots and onions and toss with oil, salt and black pepper in a bowl. Toss with the plum sauce and place all that yumminess into a baking dish. I broke my large casserole pan last week (it exploded, long story), and so I used an old Corningware pot that was generously given to me after a neighbor on the block passed away. Lay those juicy chicken thighs right atop that lovely veg and then top each thigh with a scoop of green olive tapanade (it's best to scoop out what you need first in a bowl and then place on the chicken as you don't want to contaminate the rest of the jar with chicken germs).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiARotZowFde-4xPVDZN1D0MGUGK3SPGuEJdsnqZZs0GwUiUYSyQscv_C8SXNlLPqIK1gtaWstdk3jGrPGNtFL0a49ii1pnmfBk7OtVQXHhLDPDC_mAMoYnmsaTn-hyIEniEFeVKoFS0q/s1600/WP_20140907_18_51_43_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiARotZowFde-4xPVDZN1D0MGUGK3SPGuEJdsnqZZs0GwUiUYSyQscv_C8SXNlLPqIK1gtaWstdk3jGrPGNtFL0a49ii1pnmfBk7OtVQXHhLDPDC_mAMoYnmsaTn-hyIEniEFeVKoFS0q/s1600/WP_20140907_18_51_43_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the prettiest picture, but I swear to you, this was delicious!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Pop in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 mins to an hour or until the potatoes are done. I finished off my cooking with about a five minute broil. If you prefer your chicken not quite as well done, add in after the potatoes and veggies have cooked for a bit. Enjoy with friends or family. Or if you are lucky, friends you love enough as family, and family you like enough as friends. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivqxN7NDHaQ9FYp79n1TYqV-xDgDZQRDSgXHLrpZITiaoZofcv_IJy8nzotJXsHO_ABTlrT9p_M9yCpXd6wB5PKN_UAewGD8iy3xzVBd0vECwCXEiRFciy1syKj8M_aqdpSB-0cMDQT2P/s1600/WP_20140907_18_36_06_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivqxN7NDHaQ9FYp79n1TYqV-xDgDZQRDSgXHLrpZITiaoZofcv_IJy8nzotJXsHO_ABTlrT9p_M9yCpXd6wB5PKN_UAewGD8iy3xzVBd0vECwCXEiRFciy1syKj8M_aqdpSB-0cMDQT2P/s1600/WP_20140907_18_36_06_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lovely friends and a giant air conditioner tube.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-83503095204102245692014-09-05T10:34:00.000-07:002014-09-10T10:04:03.643-07:00The Frugal Haps with Photos!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The garden is still chugging along in early September. The zucchini and cucumber are still producing, albeit they are scraggly and so pitiful looking they seem as though they are begging for mercy (pull me you wicked woman!).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CA69Sf3SWGDdsrwlTZqm5SkjyV8TiHfBYiG6x9DJL1V1RbRZdboYzE9XZG1-Q1OeG5GXWw502kmPtPXF90Mc9Io4_LDFrWIR4Tdbxiv1_RHNZPSrjlmoSsDCtVan1cw3ANN6Zf0EOcuw/s1600/WP_20140904_12_31_33_Pro+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CA69Sf3SWGDdsrwlTZqm5SkjyV8TiHfBYiG6x9DJL1V1RbRZdboYzE9XZG1-Q1OeG5GXWw502kmPtPXF90Mc9Io4_LDFrWIR4Tdbxiv1_RHNZPSrjlmoSsDCtVan1cw3ANN6Zf0EOcuw/s1600/WP_20140904_12_31_33_Pro+(2).jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yesterday's snack all from the garden.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tomatoes are in fine form, and if you can believe it, strawberries are still coming. Large and red berries and healthy green plants. I hope to expand to an entire bed for them next year next to the raspberry bed I hope to have. Oh garden dreaming...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My sweet neighbor Marianne gave me lots of spicy lettuce to transplant, and I hope they survive my ineptitude (I replanted them yesterday in full sun). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The pumpkin patch was overtaken by the blight, but we were able to get a great haul of sweet round pumpkins. We gave away several to the neighbors, and will save two for my niece and nephew. The few remaining will be part of our fall decorating.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpFTWZPy4JVsrvwS8YcMoi2CST_sDdT3OJM6zlCVpJuZrlTqkBL0ueUMo_CVtWxpNnJTQIqf8HNGk1LFnfsUgWUWirbNnWVoUOovjACaulP_nF6EbWDiEPmI267g6-ryTvSZgKcdwpkF7/s1600/WP_20140904_13_35_54_Pro+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpFTWZPy4JVsrvwS8YcMoi2CST_sDdT3OJM6zlCVpJuZrlTqkBL0ueUMo_CVtWxpNnJTQIqf8HNGk1LFnfsUgWUWirbNnWVoUOovjACaulP_nF6EbWDiEPmI267g6-ryTvSZgKcdwpkF7/s1600/WP_20140904_13_35_54_Pro+(2).jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We will keep a few. One for me, the girl, and our kitty Charlie.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If the weather is nice and I have good energy I tend to go hog wild on my day off. I take off every other Thursday without pay so I can take my daughter to school and take care of home necessities. Yesterday was a blissful day of good health and lots of yard work. Those are my favorite days. It also happened to coincide with the local nursery's fall clearance sale. Can anyone say FRUIT TREES?! I was able to pick up a Dwarf Fuji for $10, a peach tree for $10 (we will see how that does in this climate), and a beautiful ornamental somethingerother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Which reminds me something I haven't shared! Because of my neighborhood's issue with sewer runoff into the Puget Sound, I qualified for a free rain garden from the city! Well, almost free. I did have to pay $384 for the 200 gallon cistern, but I had wanted one of those for years. I was able to water the yard with it yesterday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The garden is gorgeous and between labor (lots of digging underground pipes) and plants, it was nearly $2,800 FOR FREE!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdd2r5dS6-8STVLKco607_5TQZwgKVI8oVCByGG0f7rDjgeDgnU3Iy61pa0b9WF-8INs4UZObcokvcCA6spwh8dUyPUHO0Tb-gDXxOHwQGhQcsGycRIH-zhnLLcE8opz3UkJCVBl8drl0/s1600/20140814_151455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdd2r5dS6-8STVLKco607_5TQZwgKVI8oVCByGG0f7rDjgeDgnU3Iy61pa0b9WF-8INs4UZObcokvcCA6spwh8dUyPUHO0Tb-gDXxOHwQGhQcsGycRIH-zhnLLcE8opz3UkJCVBl8drl0/s1600/20140814_151455.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I really love my time in the garden. It feeds me (both literally and spiritually). I love sharing my bounty with neighbors, and they in turn are so gracious in sharing with me. In fact, yesterday my neighbor Suzie invited me to pick tons of plums from her yard as they are dropping like crazy. And my sweet next door neighbor Mary shared several different kinds of tomatos!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43ARw-v_isQizYMuN4SqNUkNznTUUXWMcaDtm9ELOSGkOg40KL2zr_XrY2twoNPnMHuXWsF9NX36wNFmSrdBKfPL1x-V92PKCxJzckNSW4AkXNm5g3s8BsDfqdvHLkyPVkarIdWii-Jnh/s1600/WP_20140904_18_21_57_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43ARw-v_isQizYMuN4SqNUkNznTUUXWMcaDtm9ELOSGkOg40KL2zr_XrY2twoNPnMHuXWsF9NX36wNFmSrdBKfPL1x-V92PKCxJzckNSW4AkXNm5g3s8BsDfqdvHLkyPVkarIdWii-Jnh/s1600/WP_20140904_18_21_57_Pro.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Mary!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Along with the photo of the yummy plums, I'll leave you with the classic William Carlos Williams poem on that very subject...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEj1CJ7MJTX1V8y0HjFcrS0tOFmw_HL8h9LAIZfN8tJ-XY4MpsjfIi5FAB5mZ8Vgv-V7rT3eHL5-Qb7VxCbQWkcPz6gsng_UPK4LgeNTV6QoWdaYIrAESKECtfOO-xTQPdK-bcui5rVYSLaA/s1600/WP_20140904_16_10_56_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CJ7MJTX1V8y0HjFcrS0tOFmw_HL8h9LAIZfN8tJ-XY4MpsjfIi5FAB5mZ8Vgv-V7rT3eHL5-Qb7VxCbQWkcPz6gsng_UPK4LgeNTV6QoWdaYIrAESKECtfOO-xTQPdK-bcui5rVYSLaA/s1600/WP_20140904_16_10_56_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Suzie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h1 class="page__title title" id="page-title" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #fcf9f9; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: -2px; line-height: 1.20301em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This Is Just To Say</span></h1>
<div class="view view-poems view-id-poems view-display-id-poem_author_dob_dod view-dom-id-06f1fd07a8156d7d984b266028d7d3c5" style="background-color: #fcf9f9; font-size: 19px; line-height: 24px; max-width: 1260px;">
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<span class="field-content"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="node-title">William Carlos Williams</span>, <span class="date-display-single" content="1883-09-17T00:00:00-05:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" property="dc:date">1883</span> - <span class="date-display-single" content="1963-03-04T00:00:00-05:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" property="dc:date">1963</span></span></span></div>
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<pre style="margin-bottom: 1.26316em; margin-top: 1.26316em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold</span></pre>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-32827426280496612152014-09-02T14:12:00.002-07:002014-09-02T14:38:48.344-07:00Robin Williams' Final Gift<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/AVvXsEiB8Tq9D8xx2J3rVk46kZOPOa7hcB4uL2mS5ZlExu6u7hCPZq-0-K9by42NiFMI17l9ufwe811Ey8FjWNNRAps5ku18REcvtkxSq7yWgvM7IgEl2iP86CfIohqrtlhCX2Ao3re2xxB078_4/s1600/robin-williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8Tq9D8xx2J3rVk46kZOPOa7hcB4uL2mS5ZlExu6u7hCPZq-0-K9by42NiFMI17l9ufwe811Ey8FjWNNRAps5ku18REcvtkxSq7yWgvM7IgEl2iP86CfIohqrtlhCX2Ao3re2xxB078_4/s1600/robin-williams.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.280000001192093px; line-height: 34px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Peter Hapak for TIME Magazine</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>*Today's post is not frugality related, but something I feel compelled to write about. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">By all accounts, Robin Williams was a generous man - not
just financially, but with his time, through his kindness, and his humble
nature that made it possible for him, one of the biggest stars in America, to
relate to his fellow human beings in everyday life. Both the famous and non-famous seem to have
the same account of this man: generous, kind and funny. Good god was he funny. But like Pagliacci, the famous clown, Robin
Williams was struggling with a deep pain that millions of people struggle with
worldwide. A very common, and very
dangerous illness that few like to talk about and even fewer admit to
experiencing: Depression. Robin Williams’ legacy in life was the gift of
laughter and entertainment, but through his tragic suicide, his insurmountable
pain, he has left us with another gift – blowing wide open the dirty little
secret that causes so many to suffer in silence and is the number one cause of
suicide worldwide. And it may save lives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Like a fungus, depression thrives in the dark – isolation,
shame and solitude keep people from getting the help they need. Like Robin, many of us who have struggled
with depression wear a mask of happiness to hide what society deems a flaw in
personality, rather than an illness.
Whatever the cause of someone’s depression – stress, life events,
medical factors, chemical imbalance, spiritual causes, there are very real
physical changes happening in the brain.
And when it goes untreated for long enough – the consequences may be
deadly. People can hide depression for a
time, but not forever. If not exposed in the light of day, the fungus will
destroy its host – and leave many others shattered with grief in its wake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">According to the World Health Organization, more than 800,000
people commit suicide every year worldwide, and depression is the leading cause
of suicide, yet I still hear people making jokes about things like Prozac
flippantly. Whether medication is a
solution or not is not the point – depression is no laughing matter. Breast cancer killed half that many people in
2010 according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. When was the last time you heard a breast
cancer joke? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">There is an episode of my favorite t.v. show, The Office,
that makes commentary on the insensitivity and lack of awareness about
depression and mental illness. In the
episode Michael calls a meeting to read out of the “suggestion box” that hadn’t
been in use for years. Michael pulls out
a sheet of paper and reads, “We need better outreach for employees fighting
depression – Tom.” Michael (played by
another gifted comedic actor, Steve Carell) insists it’s a joke, they don’t
even have a Tom in the office – until Phyllis reveals that Tom did work there
years ago, in accounting, and shot himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">People with depression often feel embarrassed, less than,
and are many times in denial of their own condition. When suffering from undiagnosed OCD that led
to serious depression at 19 years old, no one even believed I could be
depressed. I smiled, was pleasant, and
as I had been my whole life, an optimist.
I wore a mask because I was afraid of what people would think about me.
However, as most people that have experienced a mental illness at some point in
their life will tell you, you can only hide for so long. Eventually untreated mental illness will
cause your world to fall apart. That’s
why it is so crucial for people to feel safe and unjudged in regards to
depression and other mental illnesses, so they can get the support they need
early on. Mental illness can happen to
anyone, and will affect everyone at some point in their lives either directly
or indirectly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the aftermath of this tragedy, I’ve heard people argue
that depression should or should not be classified as a disease, similar to
cancer. That is just semantics, and beside the point. Depression is an illness of the brain and it
can be treated in various ways. However
what is crucial in the collective fight against depression is that we begin to
talk about it as if we were talking about any other illness. Take away the shame, and the insults, and
replace it will empathy and questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">People with Depression often feel ashamed, worthless, and
flawed. They feel like a burden and
maybe the world would be better off without them. This isn’t just pessimism, this is the
thinking of a very ill brain. I believe
that because he led an extraordinary life, people will be able to say, “Robin
Williams was a good man, a kind man, a talented man and he suffered from the
illness that is depression, like me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Depression is not a flaw of character, and it may have taken
the death of one of the greatest characters of all time for us to really see
that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-47636743962734430582014-08-26T12:54:00.001-07:002014-08-28T09:54:09.887-07:00Back To Basics<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/AVvXsEioUbKY-Uo4ifzL351sf706x1DS_Ap7lxifUKhRb9UUCRMucyvrU9ep-2hdTqi0Mnle3X5M9SEx8OQzt53iJNT6TJ0pQCkZNA6qZL57Lq2GXqSAEYLAlaPwFZUqK0NonpzvO4CNAXuwf4q2/s1600/WP_20140827_22_10_47_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUbKY-Uo4ifzL351sf706x1DS_Ap7lxifUKhRb9UUCRMucyvrU9ep-2hdTqi0Mnle3X5M9SEx8OQzt53iJNT6TJ0pQCkZNA6qZL57Lq2GXqSAEYLAlaPwFZUqK0NonpzvO4CNAXuwf4q2/s1600/WP_20140827_22_10_47_Pro.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bouquet from my gentleman caller in my $2 vintage vase that I love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've been a bit preoccupied lately. As a single mother working full-time, it happens - sometimes seemingly at the slightest change in wind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But this thing that has come along is more than just a change in weather, and I feel like I am learning things all over again - maybe even for the first time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In short, I'm dating someone. Now I've dated on and off for years, but nothing ever serious. I've been single close to ten years. So this thing - er, um, this man - has had quite the effect on my life, and even on seemingly unrelated things like my budget (I'll explain more on that below). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Many positive things come with a boyfriend, but I've found it's a learning curve for me - there are all the internal questions, the anxiety, the wondering. One thing that's required in love is certain, and there is no real way around it, there's always an element of risk involved. Those are the big guns - the big heart questions, the dance of getting to know someone that comes with the territory of romantic relationships.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And yet, there's another thing I've noticed affected by being in a relationship, and that's my spending. Now, I've found a man that enjoys paying for things. He's old fashioned that way and while it's certainly not expected, it's really refreshing to know that he likes being generous in that way. I reciprocate at times, but he pays for most things we do together. Where I tend to spend more in dating is buying clothes, paying for things out of convenience because of time constraints, and when I cook for him I don't hold back too much and if there is a special ingredient I want to get, I'll get it. Then there's things like buying lunches at work - which there is no real excuse for, I just happen to be doing it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't want to be too hard on myself here, but I do want to become more aware and reign it back while still allowing for some fun. I need to get back to the basics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Does your attention to finance change when life changes?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's a poem I like about change. I'm not going to claim I know exactly what it means, but I like the imagery and the way it sounds in my head as I read it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="tab-content active" id="poem-top" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;">
<h1 style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Beautiful Changes</span></h1>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="author" style="background-color: white; color: #4d493f; display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase;">BY <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/richard-wilbur" style="color: #043d6e; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">RICHARD WILBUR</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="tab-content active" id="poem" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="poem" style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; margin: 25px 0px 0px;">
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One wading a Fall meadow finds on all sides </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Queen Anne’s Lace lying like lilies</span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On water; it glides</span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So from the walker, it turns</span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dry grass to a lake, as the slightest shade of you </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Valleys my mind in fabulous blue Lucernes.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The beautiful changes as a forest is changed </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">By a chameleon’s tuning his skin to it; </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As a mantis, arranged</span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On a green leaf, grows</span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Into it, makes the leaf leafier, and proves </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Any greenness is deeper than anyone knows.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Your hands hold roses always in a way that says </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">They are not only yours; the beautiful changes </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In such kind ways, </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wishing ever to sunder</span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Things and things’ selves for a second finding, to lose </span></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For a moment all that it touches back to wonder.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-15947751294226650442014-08-06T09:30:00.000-07:002014-08-06T09:31:53.030-07:00Garden Delights and Wise Words from John Updike<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/AVvXsEj1pHVAdWr81uKef35Aq4uKYssvjR15NLW0iqKpPrxhwO4ysGd1UiuD7j4boFCsuAFWbRDG6Tu4kSy6avfn5fByNHNw6Bifi6VKKo6Bf1OvpjHw3VzlfRtCv7FwagJ2K__Dt2i-t5yVUEJT/s1600/harvest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pHVAdWr81uKef35Aq4uKYssvjR15NLW0iqKpPrxhwO4ysGd1UiuD7j4boFCsuAFWbRDG6Tu4kSy6avfn5fByNHNw6Bifi6VKKo6Bf1OvpjHw3VzlfRtCv7FwagJ2K__Dt2i-t5yVUEJT/s1600/harvest.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">My only potatoes of the season, some zucchini, purple beans, and the last of the snap peas.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The garden is full of delights this time of year. Some things, like lettuce and snap peas which burst onto the scene with reckless abandon, have drifted off into a slumber in the summer heat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Still growing like mad are zucchini, cucumbers, purslane, kale, tomatoes, carrots and pumpkins. I've probably got at least 30 pumpkins growing at the moment and I'm hoping there will be enough for the neighborhood and family kids to all get one for Halloween this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Just three pumpkin seeds in a little mound of dirt is all it took this year, The bees have been busy pollinating the large blossoms. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBP6e6_BmrVKEre-v7IyKmbW5SIa984PagFK8to7aKukc6GQiU-A-DyInaxXcJ3uC-TokRQnlcVWh9KyzQqe1d7cLLUmMzsivcpgUa8WZNWFSs5WNwWYqr3sM33UvMNPxWEKEHOx4gjXU/s1600/pumpkin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBP6e6_BmrVKEre-v7IyKmbW5SIa984PagFK8to7aKukc6GQiU-A-DyInaxXcJ3uC-TokRQnlcVWh9KyzQqe1d7cLLUmMzsivcpgUa8WZNWFSs5WNwWYqr3sM33UvMNPxWEKEHOx4gjXU/s1600/pumpkin.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I had not anticipated the success of the pumpkin patch this year!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While I can't always count on her help in the garden (except for the harvesting part!) my daughter loves to make "fairy houses." She will spend considerable time on making these homes pleasant for the fairies of her dreams. Sometimes the fairies leave little gifts.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOa_KGbO0mxP1JvWQFzxBU54xyHeo0SNV249J2FW9R6_l6WWGAn_CndpJrxPNYdJtne4QOzcYpJxWmnOdDfnQOSUHyZfGQCDJJaU4VSA6xmx1vsC8GXq-utdgHMa4eUchiiB4led5ec_l/s1600/fairy+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOa_KGbO0mxP1JvWQFzxBU54xyHeo0SNV249J2FW9R6_l6WWGAn_CndpJrxPNYdJtne4QOzcYpJxWmnOdDfnQOSUHyZfGQCDJJaU4VSA6xmx1vsC8GXq-utdgHMa4eUchiiB4led5ec_l/s1600/fairy+house.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">It might be hard to see, but this has everything a fairy might need!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So much growth and so much wonder takes place in the garden. Lessons are learned in both patience and acceptance. What becomes merely a memory of hard work, gives so much in the growth of plants. That is, until it is time to work again. The time in the garden rarely does feel like actual work to me for some reason. Even sore muscles and sweat translate into joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here is a poem I love from John Updike about hoeing in the garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>Hoeing</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I sometimes fear the younger generation will be deprived </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">of the pleasures of hoeing;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">there is no knowing</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">how many souls have been formed by this simple exercise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The dry earth like a great scab breaks,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">revealing moist-dark loam--</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">the pea-root's home,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">a fertile wound perpetually healing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How neatly the green weeds go under!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The blade chops the earth new.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ignorant the wise boy who</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">has never performed this simple, stupid, and useful wonder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~John Updike</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-31500749912791214532014-08-05T10:37:00.001-07:002014-08-05T10:46:06.546-07:00Make It! Watermelon Shaved Ice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGNa0lXpl39gJoP9aLk6S3IEFj2gu1EpAO8984Gc1sgLGmcPU7GPe752ra2oHHEOXeg_EVV4Ynnjv73DwQser4iFjjlLUPZjQ4bX_cCOMCRYBvdnGOs7xVF9LSy7N0V7P9wZa5GI1nM4m/s1600/shavedice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGNa0lXpl39gJoP9aLk6S3IEFj2gu1EpAO8984Gc1sgLGmcPU7GPe752ra2oHHEOXeg_EVV4Ynnjv73DwQser4iFjjlLUPZjQ4bX_cCOMCRYBvdnGOs7xVF9LSy7N0V7P9wZa5GI1nM4m/s1600/shavedice.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nothing beats a cool slice of watermelon on a hot day...right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Until last night I didn't think so, but that was before we tried a little experiment in the kitchen with frozen watermelon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had a bunch of watermelon leftover from a party that needed to be eaten up quickly. I had heard you could freeze it, so I popped the cubed pieces into a tupperware and into the freezer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My kiddo really liked how it tasted frozen, but I thought I'd try to improve on the fun and pop it in the food processor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This may work with any number of blending tools, but I used a hand powered food processor a friend gave me for my birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It turned out perfectly! So sweet and delicious and powdery, and free from all the typical nasty chemicals and colorings and artificial sweeteners that come with regular shaved ice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think this would be really yummy with frozen peaches and nectarines too!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-37383165216827640712014-06-10T08:59:00.000-07:002014-06-10T08:59:09.373-07:00Make It! Pan Fried Radishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh9kHT1H6LH8yMzIKlH0XL4Qa8KLXKbL5_Lxizo_eOMsVPi0D8FUA3Uyx_-JMSXATO3zciCSM1Rz6CYdJr-n9YBeRNTW9qhekOOs6n5z5bD8ZUVocedIa583mE1TOQO2QocA_Up0nM-E6/s1600/radishes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh9kHT1H6LH8yMzIKlH0XL4Qa8KLXKbL5_Lxizo_eOMsVPi0D8FUA3Uyx_-JMSXATO3zciCSM1Rz6CYdJr-n9YBeRNTW9qhekOOs6n5z5bD8ZUVocedIa583mE1TOQO2QocA_Up0nM-E6/s1600/radishes.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm not the biggest radish fan. My daughter loves them with just a sprinkle of salt, but at most I can have a couple of pieces that way. I try to have them around for her when they are in season, but because I tend to avoid them, sometimes they are forgotten in the fridge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Recently I had forgotten to put the radishes in the crisper drawer and after a few days they already started to wilt. Not knowing what to do with wilty radishes I left them a few more days. Hmmm, what to do, what to do. They were still edible, but would need to be prepared quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I decided I'd try something a little different. I sliced them up and pan fried them on high heat in a little butter. I salted them and sprinkled a little seasoning on top. They turned out amazing! All the bitter/spicy bite of the radish was gone, but there was still a ton of flavor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The other night I had a couple of friends over for dinner and I wanted to recreate this dish. I was out of butter so I just used a dash of grape seed oil in the pan. I also used the inner parts of the rough broccoli stalk I had leftover, and sliced them thinly. I sprinkled the sliced radishes and the broccoli stalk with salt and a little thyme and some pepper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I cooked on high in a ceramic sautee pan, flipping the radishes and stalks frequently so they wouldn't burn. They were done when they were well cooked and a light golden brown. Again, they turned out delicious! They were a big hit and the first thing to be eaten up by everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is an easy dish that takes only a few minutes to prep. It can be cooked in any kind of fat, and any many spices would go well with it. Or you can just stick to salt and pepper. Give it a try and let me know what you think!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever cooked radishes? What do you cook that most people eat raw?</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-85798252991734824012014-06-03T13:04:00.003-07:002014-06-03T13:10:50.185-07:00Make it! Lentil Crackers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIcHbjqiNdBuAz5a9WIP0JWrpZAhI5qqDhXFRv_FV2SJk9YtSHXvCcQB3d5MGhEnzMCWASq-ux5qKU_ub6mb2pHHgc26jnXtOakTHK-P8uZEKM3N4Emhg0L4DVViJDaNFK2Ocri4SOxXf/s1600/image%5B9%5D+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIcHbjqiNdBuAz5a9WIP0JWrpZAhI5qqDhXFRv_FV2SJk9YtSHXvCcQB3d5MGhEnzMCWASq-ux5qKU_ub6mb2pHHgc26jnXtOakTHK-P8uZEKM3N4Emhg0L4DVViJDaNFK2Ocri4SOxXf/s1600/image%5B9%5D+(2).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These crackers are really easy, tasty, and higher in protein that straight flour crackers. The recipe is very forgiving (and may require some adjustment depending on how you cook your lentils), and the taste combinations are unlimited. I'm not one to always exactly follow a recipe exactly, even my own, so each time I make these I have made them slightly different, and they've always come out great. In fact, the only reason why I wrote up a recipe is so I could share it with other people!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Lentil Crackers</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">You will need:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 Cups cooked lentils (I used split red lentils)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4 tablespoons flour of your choice (I use Namaste Gluten Free Flour Blend)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4 Tablespoons oil of your choice (I use Olive Oil)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Parchment paper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Salt and spices</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Take your 2 cups of cooked salted lentils (salt lentils as they cook in water). You want them to be fully cooked and mushy. I didn't have hardly any excess water by the time mine were done. If you do, drain it off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I cooked a 1 pound bag of lentils and used the rest in other ways. You can certainly make a really large batch, but you'll need to adjust the proportions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Put your 2 cups of cooked lentils in a bowl. Add flour, oil and salt to taste if desired. Mix it all up with a spoon or your hands (I wet my hands to work with the dough). Your dough will probably be a little sticky - and that's ok. Slightly tacky is better than really dry. Add more flour or water as you go along to get the desired consistency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Divide the dough in half and make a round ball. It should hold together well even with gluten free flour (the first time I made these I used brown rice flour). Place on parchment paper or silicone baking mat (you can reuse parchment over and over until it starts to brown and get more fragile - then toss it). Put another piece of parchment on top and roll out your dough evenly until it is thin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Peel off the top piece of parchment. Sprinkle with salt and spices (I used Trader Joe's South African Smoke). Cut your thin dough into cracker shapes. A pizza cutter works great for this. No need to separate them - they will do this in the oven on their own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Carefully lift the parchment paper onto a baking sheet and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until brown. When they are browned they will be fully crispy and cracker like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Do the same with the other half of the dough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Store in an airtight container and enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Do you make crackers? What kind of spices would you use?</span> </span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-15301246297591094992014-05-22T09:51:00.001-07:002014-05-22T09:53:23.252-07:00Swap It! iTunes<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Awhile ago I decided that I wanted more music in my life. It's something that really adds joy to my life, but because of the expense, I've never been one to have a huge music collection. I would go to the library and picked up cds, but eventually the cd player quit on us (who knew a child's Tinkerbell cd player would be so unreliable?). And to be honest, while I adore the library, I was never really able to get the kind of music that I wanted there. And sometimes I would get a bunch of cds and forget about them entirely and return them late. And pay fines. Ugh, fines!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then, I received a very generous gift of an older iPhone from a friend of mine. She had upgraded, and knew I could use it. And then something happened. I rediscovered iTunes. Since I don't have internet at home (just on my phone) I had forgotten about iTunes for the most part. I was giddy with all my new music obsessions! I started buying one song here, another there, and before I knew it, I had spent $40 in new music (Dolly Parton, Sam Smith, and Bob Dylan in case you were wondering). In a week. I was out of control!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then I had remembered my friend's love of Pandora. Whenever she's comes over for dinner she turns on Pandora on her phone and we stick it in a glass which gives it a speaker effect (it's an awesome trick, try it!). And Pandora is freeeee! Well, sort of. It's free with a bunch of obnoxious ads. They were so frequent and offensive (in your face advertising drives me bonkers), I couldn't take it anymore (which I'm assuming happens quite a bit)! I took the plunge and ordered ad-free Pandora for $3.99 a month (I locked in that rate because it is a recurring monthly charge. My rate will not go up. I think they have since raised it to $4.99/month).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And you know what? It's awesome! I just uploaded the app on my phone and started "making stations" (really you just enter in the name of an artist and it adds their station).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When you choose a station on Pandora internet radio, it will play music from that artist, as well as artists in the same genre. About every few songs a song will be played by the artist you chose. There are endless stations available, and it's a great way to be introduced to new music. I'm sold!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you are a music lover with a penchant for spending too much on downloads from either iTunes or Amazon, considering giving Pandora a try!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How do you get your music? Have you made the swap from iTunes to Pandora? Is there another resource like it? Please share your thoughts in the comments section!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-87376352021571270682014-05-21T11:51:00.002-07:002014-05-21T12:32:12.458-07:00Make it! Orangettes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love when you can take something headed for the trash and make it into something beautiful. The French, fine makers of fancy things, have done this so elegantly with the classic candied orange peel treat, orangettes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These are surprisingly simple, and can be as frugal as you want them to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>This is what you will need:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Orange peels</b> (or lemon or grapefruit) from 4 large oranges (I used 5 smaller oranges)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sugar</b> (I used turbinado, but you can use regular sugar, or ultra fine granulated sugar)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Water</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chocolate</b> (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since you are eating the peels, I would only use organic oranges for this. Everyone feels differently about this topic, so do what you feel comfortable with. Either way, m</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ake sure to start by cleaning your oranges well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Next you will take a knife and cut off the very top and bottom of the oranges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Score each of the sides with a smaller knife so that you have several clean straight slices around the orange. Peel the orange and slice into thin sections.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmePAN4ayNaWf0MSrvKWADBGZT_2tJh_Y3ob0jPHQGvhC6ZvmmX4JWbZJLqPtpLG3q4LEAIPIMnIGudv5xJN4mp2dm6QXbZ_6QcCoQI4QXeB1QDGXGVR0AgWQcVpr1xg3PsZg5z0FRYtCy/s1600/image+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmePAN4ayNaWf0MSrvKWADBGZT_2tJh_Y3ob0jPHQGvhC6ZvmmX4JWbZJLqPtpLG3q4LEAIPIMnIGudv5xJN4mp2dm6QXbZ_6QcCoQI4QXeB1QDGXGVR0AgWQcVpr1xg3PsZg5z0FRYtCy/s1600/image+(3).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You will take these orange peels and boil them for 15 minutes in water. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx58jaSYjO0YTAng2KxW2KNqYhSclZX9OXBUddhL7cnpymlPgTaTyPBTjVsfCauhVyFj2UGZjtJLwIAG3lvJ1jTriL7AGumkCzo2WjsSau7wpDXmrLvWwY1OlTntss2u1sFHlFayvRMLk/s1600/image%5B2%5D+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx58jaSYjO0YTAng2KxW2KNqYhSclZX9OXBUddhL7cnpymlPgTaTyPBTjVsfCauhVyFj2UGZjtJLwIAG3lvJ1jTriL7AGumkCzo2WjsSau7wpDXmrLvWwY1OlTntss2u1sFHlFayvRMLk/s1600/image%5B2%5D+(3).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Drain, rinse, and drain again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I collected the water the oranges were cooked in because I thought I might be able to use it for cleaning purposes. I'd love to hear if you know what to do with it. It is very bitter, however, and not something you want to drink (trust me on this one)!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0md4JFm8VvZaRChzAYrWtWqR_mHWDo0NMYAGxHa1ihyqO8KQfRByl2K5OsqhLObDYZxtqQ5Q8Ae41Zh0QFkOscZvHNLx8gFeVxN83bv_ND7pWJBQAOirf6T6EcV8vodU5z1hHq8I7fHeR/s1600/image%5B4%5D+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0md4JFm8VvZaRChzAYrWtWqR_mHWDo0NMYAGxHa1ihyqO8KQfRByl2K5OsqhLObDYZxtqQ5Q8Ae41Zh0QFkOscZvHNLx8gFeVxN83bv_ND7pWJBQAOirf6T6EcV8vodU5z1hHq8I7fHeR/s1600/image%5B4%5D+(3).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do not drink this. Yuck!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Next you will combine your sugar and water in a pot and bring to a boil. You are making a simple syrup using one part sugar to one part water. <span style="color: #674ea7;"> <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Simple-Candied-Orange-Peel-350798" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The recipe that I started with </span></a></span>suggested suggested 3 cups of sugar and three cups of water, but I used two cups of each and it was plenty syrup to cover the amount of orange peels I was using. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dissolve all of the sugar, bring to a boil and add peels. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtp4EsFCRjCYYw4u7dbmKYBhQ9w5a3xiHh2UI-Rt9GShTVuf1B9Eq1lsa6isnCxzSRFPoVuYXaz7zvTsGjKGN9wOV7s5v-TuOuhd7s1jZr14GjBbITlk9Qs0y2aUrF_PDT91hsTR-RnODI/s1600/oranges+in+syrup%5D+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtp4EsFCRjCYYw4u7dbmKYBhQ9w5a3xiHh2UI-Rt9GShTVuf1B9Eq1lsa6isnCxzSRFPoVuYXaz7zvTsGjKGN9wOV7s5v-TuOuhd7s1jZr14GjBbITlk9Qs0y2aUrF_PDT91hsTR-RnODI/s1600/oranges+in+syrup%5D+(3).jpg" height="640" width="578" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I used turbinado sugar which is why my syrup is so dark. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orangettes drying, orange syrup, and a bar of chocolate.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Drain your oranges (make sure to collect that delicious orange flavored syrup), toss in sugar and lay them out to dry. I tossed my orange peels in turbinado. Next time I will use a finer granulated sugar to toss them in, but they still look great. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I let them dry about 24 hours, and then I dipped them in melted dark chocolate and placed them on parchment paper on a tray and stuck them in a fridge to firm up. The chocolate part is optional, but so worth it if you have it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">They don't look "perfect" but that's kind of charming I think. And once you taste them you will know why they sell these in the fancy French bakeries!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyyfeAOyn325YxsQz7xhf_BU1HzlZjCDeDJhoV77WyRD3WSbuCje_cHPP_f3VDtqI76nftD4_ihIdM_805Z4fSLxSW_PlF0mYFxCwTJHXAY1_zB2_jLl3ywm6TQlgPsShQIt44lcH5V2B/s1600/image%5B21%5D+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyyfeAOyn325YxsQz7xhf_BU1HzlZjCDeDJhoV77WyRD3WSbuCje_cHPP_f3VDtqI76nftD4_ihIdM_805Z4fSLxSW_PlF0mYFxCwTJHXAY1_zB2_jLl3ywm6TQlgPsShQIt44lcH5V2B/s1600/image%5B21%5D+(2).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I packaged them up in jam jars and gave them as gifts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The total cost for this was about $4.50 for 4 gifts. I used organic sugar and organic fair trade chocolate from Trader Joe's. Using less expensive chocolate and sugar would make this significantly cheaper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Here is the cost breakdown</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Orange peels - I'm counting these as free since they would normally be tossed and we buy oranges anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sugar - About $2.50 worth of organic Turbinado from TJ's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Water - Free</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Organic Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Bar from TJ's (optional) - $2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I haven't decided what I will be using the orange syrup for yet, but I think I might use it to make a rhubarb sauce. You could use it to add to tea, for summer cocktails, basically anywhere you would use simple syrup.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever made candied citrus peel? Have you ever tasted it? These have been getting rave reviews from kids and grown-ups alike, so give it a try!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-27715008835651947622014-05-20T12:20:00.000-07:002014-05-20T13:25:09.706-07:00Don't Follow Recipes (Plus a Recipe)<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Feeling comfortable "winging-it" in the kitchen is something I sort of take for granted. Most of my adult life, I have cooked using recipes as inspiration, but not something to rigidly stick to. And most of the time I don't really use recipes at all. But I know some people are a little more intimidated by cooking and feel like following a recipe to the very last detail is the only way they cook. If that's you, I'm here to set you free (in the kitchen)! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">YOU DO NOT ALWAYS NEED TO FOLLOW A RECIPE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When you live the frugal life, being flexible is extremely important. Flexibility is the ability to bend, right? And it's so necessary in the kitchen! You may even come up with a new and improved dish this way! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Following recipes strictly sometimes requires ingredients you may not have - and sometimes they are expensive. For instance, the last recipe I was inspired by required bay leaves. I wasn't about to go to the store just for that, so I left it out. It also suggested I use garlic (I say "suggested" because I'm not going to let this little recipe boss me around!). I didn't. It turned out great anyway!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's crucial to let go of the fear of screwing something up. Perfectionism and rigidity have no place here. Your best is good enough in your home and kitchen. And even when it's less than stellar, there are often ways to fix it. If not, it was a learning experience, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, back to the matter at hand. Knowing just a few basic things in the kitchen can take you really far, and today I will share one that I use many times per week in my cooking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Salad "Formula":</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For exceptional salads you need a combo of an acid (I prefer unseasoned rice vinegar but any kind of vinegar or acidic juice can be substituted), a fat that is liquid at room temperature (I prefer olive oil), salt (I use kosher), pepper, and onions (optional, but oh so tasty). For the proper proportions you don't need a recipe necessarily, let your eyes and taste buds tell you when it's right. Just swirl them in and toss. Adjust to your taste as you go along!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now anything can be added: celery, carrots, peppers, cilantro, parsley, mint, apples, you name it. If it sounds yummy to you, throw 'er in there! In addition, you can add mustard, honey, or juice to the oil and vinegar if you want to pump up the vinaigrette. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You can use this formula for any kind of salad! Rice, quinoa, bean, lentil, lettuce, veggie, the list goes on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is not at all to say that recipes don't have their place. Baking, for instance, requires a more specific balance of ingredients to get it just right (but even that can be played with once you have a some basics down). Recipes can be excellent for trying something new, or being inspired by a new blend of ingredients, but they are not the law! <b>Repeat: Recipes are not the law!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So here is a lentil salad I made recently. I tried to find the original recipe that inspired it, but was unsuccessful. I do know it required several ingredients I did not have and it didn't make it any less delicious! The main combo I was working with was lentil and mint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Mint Lentil Salad</u></b>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 pound green lentils, drained. (I used Trader Joe's) Cook them in a pot of water until done but not mushy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Olive oil (probably about 1/4 cup - I just swirl it around in there)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Rice vinegar (about 1/8 to 1/4 cup - adjust to taste)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Juice from a lemon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Small handful of mint, chopped</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Small handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One small onion chopped</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 cucumbers, de-seeded and chopped</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Salt and pepper to taste (Don't skimp on the salt!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I added kale blossoms to give it a pop of color</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The combination of the Salad Dressing "Formula," mint, and lentils was delicious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The last time I made this recipe was Mother's Day and I was too busy to take a picture. But here's my cat, and she's pretty cute. She thought the clean dish towels would make a nice bed for her on the counter. Naughty!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves being photographed. Can't you tell?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Do you always stick to a recipe or do you get creative in the kitchen? Do you use a similar formula for your salads? What are your frugal "formulas" in the kitchen?</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-64953220796171049322014-05-19T12:44:00.000-07:002014-05-19T14:55:15.027-07:00Make it! Broccoli Stalk Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Did you know
that you can use all of the parts of broccoli? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In addition
to the florets, the stalks and leaves can both be eaten with a little
preparation.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApCwOP6ax9gtveHKXWi8lkPkRy8wPxMvxgzjTp-4bLoLfv7hrcdcTdewglW9Ueqj36aGcA8PhzdPQ-kraWIYVq5yPte4dPhCSoK4KM5eTGE2x_vJ8W-uz_y5-PA5njrN7wog8LSoLSqcH/s1600/photo+(100).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApCwOP6ax9gtveHKXWi8lkPkRy8wPxMvxgzjTp-4bLoLfv7hrcdcTdewglW9Ueqj36aGcA8PhzdPQ-kraWIYVq5yPte4dPhCSoK4KM5eTGE2x_vJ8W-uz_y5-PA5njrN7wog8LSoLSqcH/s1600/photo+(100).JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broccoli from the store</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm looking forward to harvesting my own broccoli this spring, and using the leaves to cook with, however the broccoli in the store very rarely includes the leaves - what a shame!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwE9HBkbXWeo0TMHoCKAfM0O4yp8p-X82Y61lHwxzD471a4ARDCKAdV2LXOfvtrzVoPxLEQ4VxvDZdY2_JWGecgLJr47ZGZT3zEmIjWNMPbHNjPduKYeUz08Huybrfcvqd9KI_jWJAQ0_/s1600/broc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwE9HBkbXWeo0TMHoCKAfM0O4yp8p-X82Y61lHwxzD471a4ARDCKAdV2LXOfvtrzVoPxLEQ4VxvDZdY2_JWGecgLJr47ZGZT3zEmIjWNMPbHNjPduKYeUz08Huybrfcvqd9KI_jWJAQ0_/s1600/broc.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homegrown broccoli</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The stalks of broccoli can make a delicious raw salad. Since broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, you don't want to gorge yourself on it because it can be gas producing. Also, your </span><a href="http://thyroid.about.com/od/symptomsrisks/a/All-About-Goitrogens-thyroid.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">thyroid can be affected</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> by over-consumption of raw cruciferous veggies (take special care if you have thryoid disease as we do in our family) as they are considered goitrogenic. You can enjoy raw veggies like these in smaller quantities, or if you wish, sautee lightly in a pan before dressing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And now, on to the recipe! Start by chopping off the florets and the softer parts of the stalk of the broccoli and cook as you wish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Next you want to take your tough stalk and peel using a vegetable peeler. Remove the hard outer part of the stalk with it, revealing the softer inner part. You can toss these bits into the compost, or save in a bag in the freezer to make vegetable broth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, using the peeler, create thin slices of broccoli stalk and put them in a bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Use a small amount of <span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="http://simpleeasyfrugal.blogspot.com/2014/05/frugal-spotlight-mothers-day-edition.html" target="_blank">homemade mayo </a> </span>and toss the broccoli stalk pieces. Add a splash or two of rice vinegar. Sprinkle with kosher salt, pepper (and other spices such as crushed red pepper if you wish), and serve!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBvrvCtAVaIdce1-mhzCKyDtJ4BlYXnxxbbe-4Cid6Q0-pxd1J2FysV03lf72CBnnq2b0-XTPJmaX9IsoJMKEPvOUxMllZl3wp8iO4yVIwia95GEPtc9fMmTzUaC7e3Xf8JGjSQboYhth/s1600/photo+(99).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBvrvCtAVaIdce1-mhzCKyDtJ4BlYXnxxbbe-4Cid6Q0-pxd1J2FysV03lf72CBnnq2b0-XTPJmaX9IsoJMKEPvOUxMllZl3wp8iO4yVIwia95GEPtc9fMmTzUaC7e3Xf8JGjSQboYhth/s1600/photo+(99).JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voila! Broccoli Stalk Salad.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In her typical fashion, my daughter gobbled up this yummy salad in just a few minutes. It was quick to make, delicious, and full of nutrients. I love that we used what would typically be tossed in a </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">simple</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">easy</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">, and</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">frugal</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Bon Apetit!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-72457176832813801992014-05-19T09:53:00.001-07:002014-05-19T10:12:28.600-07:00Frugal Week in Review with Photos<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I worked a lot in the garden and yard this week. My daughter played with chalk in the sun while I worked.</span><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/AVvXsEgiiRTfbzXqv_2S6sG3KJeJCYuvOlnsicpdDiLLHeKjWj8Ksqx3ptgzWk4RlrnBHFTbhlj1dBn3dp6_Gee7inyaXPrmVU8778vn52Z-qx7ZNQ1H7lD3NLyLuA69QS1poBmlgfHBonWr2B-_/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiRTfbzXqv_2S6sG3KJeJCYuvOlnsicpdDiLLHeKjWj8Ksqx3ptgzWk4RlrnBHFTbhlj1dBn3dp6_Gee7inyaXPrmVU8778vn52Z-qx7ZNQ1H7lD3NLyLuA69QS1poBmlgfHBonWr2B-_/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter made this sign for the garden with chalk.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I found all the usable containers in the yard (all found from the side of the road previous years) and filled with dirt and planted seeds. I made a make-shift potato grower out of a compost cone insert I wasn't using.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTekyxXpxRKAJotYO61ZokKpgASXIkle68q17-zIy82UiMAo2RjDOkOXmNo7lNMSIMAY_qhQkqG32am9rUzDLwsLaDOuiJKn22ZTiH8Nf-b_pfItHbdX3Td5eiTGaXTDjvavs19YpyQy6/s1600/image%5B4%5D+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTekyxXpxRKAJotYO61ZokKpgASXIkle68q17-zIy82UiMAo2RjDOkOXmNo7lNMSIMAY_qhQkqG32am9rUzDLwsLaDOuiJKn22ZTiH8Nf-b_pfItHbdX3Td5eiTGaXTDjvavs19YpyQy6/s1600/image%5B4%5D+(2).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes, cilantro, raspberries, radishes, and potatoes in my make-shift potato bin.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I brought my lunch to work everyday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I returned my library books and dvds on time (it's easy to forget when we have long days away from home).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Midweek I was given a large bunch of rhubarb from a coworker. I had never cooked with it before and it was delicious! I made a lower sugar rhubarb sauce for my parents. I still have some left over that I intend to use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I made delicious lentil crackers. I was just winging it and have never used lentils in baking before. They turned out awesome (and kid approved)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My neighbor was headed to the store on Saturday and I gave her $2 and 2 coupons and she picked up 2 bottles of the Santa Cruz organic juice that was on sale at QFC. I made popsicles with half of one of the jars, and made a spritzer with berries and sparkling water for a lunch with our friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I picked up a free quart of paint at True Value and let my daughter choose the color, "Aloe." We will be using it to paint some accessories in her room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My mom shared many seeds with me, as well as some of her homemade fertilizer mix containing lime, kelp and alfalfa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I harvested a ton of kale before I pulled out the plants (except for one I will be using for seed collection) and we have been eating it alongside both breakfast and lunch. I shared extra with neighbors.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-qc6ui6Yq0mkJIiuR5R_hGtdRimLUR782MKi5PHfOXY-O2VF7OCxr2EScx30X_dFzEO2Z2nHdoB3Gd-7AxPk6X-Il7k5m3OQAjJs7_d4G0d4Hbiw-hSdhQsFIkYDbv-3QE34x0aGIPLg/s1600/image%5B8%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-qc6ui6Yq0mkJIiuR5R_hGtdRimLUR782MKi5PHfOXY-O2VF7OCxr2EScx30X_dFzEO2Z2nHdoB3Gd-7AxPk6X-Il7k5m3OQAjJs7_d4G0d4Hbiw-hSdhQsFIkYDbv-3QE34x0aGIPLg/s1600/image%5B8%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a lot more than this from the plants I pulled!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sunday we had a lovely lunch with our dear friends Meg and Celeste. We had a huge salad with various lettuce varieties from the garden, and an onion from my mom's garden.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq1G5nQYjzQgLRZD39Qf7kt9BfvXx57zTal7n0btr5Vnwx62AT9ZGO6O3e-6EGkqOfN5DuHeJp_aFAk_WKenMjzYluojO79m8vBLC1ojNBygaHM4u9b896XLGLMzRaG1EBeq2X6qKKqxU/s1600/lettuce+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq1G5nQYjzQgLRZD39Qf7kt9BfvXx57zTal7n0btr5Vnwx62AT9ZGO6O3e-6EGkqOfN5DuHeJp_aFAk_WKenMjzYluojO79m8vBLC1ojNBygaHM4u9b896XLGLMzRaG1EBeq2X6qKKqxU/s1600/lettuce+-+Copy.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added fresh dirt in the lettuce bed.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I also cooked up bits of chicken and carrots and onion. We ate that, our salad, kale and had our lemonade spritzer with frozen berries. We joked that it was a detox lunch. It was almost all green things! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meg brought raspberries and chocolate to share. She also brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPimzJ_dqF7O1H-VNn1G_OD2EtTIjAUWWUw7c9CLDF5AKGJQquR_6KJNEzTXiXXumC7ItStGWjjDRYQuuZEGioVjPU81Bv4-5HL8zYpxz9z_lhLtbGV7ryKJkdkQ0vxayU-SEoxACzPoW7/s1600/mirrorJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPimzJ_dqF7O1H-VNn1G_OD2EtTIjAUWWUw7c9CLDF5AKGJQquR_6KJNEzTXiXXumC7ItStGWjjDRYQuuZEGioVjPU81Bv4-5HL8zYpxz9z_lhLtbGV7ryKJkdkQ0vxayU-SEoxACzPoW7/s1600/mirrorJPG.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful flowers against the mirror I found on the side of the road!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And one last picture for you, because I am really excited about it. Here is the broccoli growing in one of my raised beds. I have never grown it before and am so excited to eat it fresh from the garden.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What did you do to save money this week?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-88346727209928969572014-05-16T12:09:00.003-07:002014-05-19T12:44:31.761-07:00The Frugal Garden<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcerLiiqOq0RVPtT2BHt6te7ebdVzNJaHBBtyq5tr89m_jSP2sFKfTKjSbmv-Oqvhc2t0wXW1qGcHOg964KA634osbTesREdlL2cbGUS0i1RtNX2HC6ttMvIm9Ax84haaLcIVDxORYvt_/s1600/image%5B26%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcerLiiqOq0RVPtT2BHt6te7ebdVzNJaHBBtyq5tr89m_jSP2sFKfTKjSbmv-Oqvhc2t0wXW1qGcHOg964KA634osbTesREdlL2cbGUS0i1RtNX2HC6ttMvIm9Ax84haaLcIVDxORYvt_/s1600/image%5B26%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">After a long but enjoyable day in the garden, the beds have been made (cleaned) and planted.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Gardening can be a pricey hobby, but it doesn't have to be. And even though I put money into my garden, the benefits far outweigh the costs for me. When my time is spent gardening, I feel fulfilled. When I am fulfilled I am less likely to feel the pull of consumerism. After a day in the garden I don't want to go out and spend money. My body and mind are at peace from working in the dirt. Who needs a new pair of shoes when they are going to get dirty anyway? Who wants to go out to eat when you are sweaty, covered in dirt and have kale blossoms in your hair?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not to mention, who needs a gym when you are going up against this?! This is what two of my garden beds looked like yesterday morning:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrBxEfF9_ZkNA-T1gDD5mLPwQ_Gs2qGhUDhHiB4NK6LI264a-LJs7bNHlQl_udtAcHYTf_EyWcQ6j4f3TynacT6eBHgPWdSaKq_iYBl_GNgzvBFIfB7ZEDnDyJUp_uUs8WP8UlkmeK6FN/s1600/image+(16).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrBxEfF9_ZkNA-T1gDD5mLPwQ_Gs2qGhUDhHiB4NK6LI264a-LJs7bNHlQl_udtAcHYTf_EyWcQ6j4f3TynacT6eBHgPWdSaKq_iYBl_GNgzvBFIfB7ZEDnDyJUp_uUs8WP8UlkmeK6FN/s1600/image+(16).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Time to tame this beast!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The kale put up a good fight, but I prevailed.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXyKAxFXcBKkmSQ8mOFdkgc2cKiKZ8LVRR6nBYRQYiTQ7xKL1yMKadlF86mZiqhhPd7FVH_VpiC0BxJ5HSEQC7GgGvSnyeCKSwCrayCFhCkj-jnhg6fl4lwww-ywQzOKvxLJqIIldgs-K/s1600/image%5B12%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXyKAxFXcBKkmSQ8mOFdkgc2cKiKZ8LVRR6nBYRQYiTQ7xKL1yMKadlF86mZiqhhPd7FVH_VpiC0BxJ5HSEQC7GgGvSnyeCKSwCrayCFhCkj-jnhg6fl4lwww-ywQzOKvxLJqIIldgs-K/s1600/image%5B12%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The kale stalks were massive and took a good bit of force to get them out.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was like hacking through the jungle!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOotHejGuY_HTI6F8xKJKRHrgW4YUD9_pUdI7jQ7Xftj7bK7pgeAwZetG3b-p2o6VZDeKdX4bASKqueYeQHUZ5ecSwNHU4LT9B051JMBQCCS5Ijd8M1iVPlCmIP6vS33LPC1Ynkg2oufd/s1600/image%5B13%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOotHejGuY_HTI6F8xKJKRHrgW4YUD9_pUdI7jQ7Xftj7bK7pgeAwZetG3b-p2o6VZDeKdX4bASKqueYeQHUZ5ecSwNHU4LT9B051JMBQCCS5Ijd8M1iVPlCmIP6vS33LPC1Ynkg2oufd/s1600/image%5B13%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Cleaning the beds. Looks like a jungle in there!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But it wasn't time to lay down, the clover had to be dug in and dirt added to this bed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx2oxPeqMYmFpM24UWQfMCbOeaW97dd2Wkor8fDMz2LaeHtIckz05BAwHqXkjxaP0Uf7pzxEr_VRvMnc5o_8mYxZjSy55BMokJ7Q_sJyP95kkD1sdsZ0-gpS5OhiuYFhHZ79WT2iAtCej/s1600/image%5B15%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx2oxPeqMYmFpM24UWQfMCbOeaW97dd2Wkor8fDMz2LaeHtIckz05BAwHqXkjxaP0Uf7pzxEr_VRvMnc5o_8mYxZjSy55BMokJ7Q_sJyP95kkD1sdsZ0-gpS5OhiuYFhHZ79WT2iAtCej/s1600/image%5B15%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Folding in the Crimson Clover</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No matter if you are a seasoned gardener or looking to plant for the first time this year, there are several ways to make gardening more frugal no matter the amount of money you have to spend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And it produces food! Food you can eat! Food you don't have to buy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In all of that "mess", there was this glorious food to be harvested.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-DJ2hDiFsgM2eyUw_P7fM-NjZHHRBKDAU_kH11zKdoe_I7s7AWvzyRGITaJVdlDPSm1v81gulT-0oV5hi0RwpXogVyoJUdjKwpv2QdpMQnKiI-pEKVAaJ137820lqV0YCRGGMuzk8CuR/s1600/image%5B19%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-DJ2hDiFsgM2eyUw_P7fM-NjZHHRBKDAU_kH11zKdoe_I7s7AWvzyRGITaJVdlDPSm1v81gulT-0oV5hi0RwpXogVyoJUdjKwpv2QdpMQnKiI-pEKVAaJ137820lqV0YCRGGMuzk8CuR/s1600/image%5B19%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Thyme and the final harvest of kale from last year's kale plants. It filled a whole grocery bag and weighed several pounds!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And here's what's in one of the beds currently:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoegZdhnEBsswgk4PpHpGkqeD9rLAAYjgYpL52Be-QJPIJujPKhMijm7mGpsBgZed6ef84dpLEPuyFypER40Zw0-GKKRYzsIvQamt3wfvLCEo_0I8x7WbQqlgTVrG6MjVmyE7Ky7-aEVn/s1600/image%5B17%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoegZdhnEBsswgk4PpHpGkqeD9rLAAYjgYpL52Be-QJPIJujPKhMijm7mGpsBgZed6ef84dpLEPuyFypER40Zw0-GKKRYzsIvQamt3wfvLCEo_0I8x7WbQqlgTVrG6MjVmyE7Ky7-aEVn/s1600/image%5B17%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Lettuce, broccoli, kale, spinach, beets and chard already thriving in one of the beds</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Below are a few ways to make gardening more cost effective. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Your garden is only limited by your creativity (or your ability to google)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Make your own compost:</b> This is something I'm working on. My parents have done it for years. I found my compost garden cones for free on the side of the road and have seen them offered on Craigslist and Freecyle often. You can also find unique ways to build your own compost bins. Although if you are composting food matter it's very important that no animals (i.e. rats *shudder*) can find a way in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Use free resources:</b> Craigslist, Freecyle and the side of the road are excellent options for finding many yard and garden necessities. Most of my pots have been found on the side of the road. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHw0W1o4W4ww7vCyblsSFCF-ZYkvDyhdzsxg2qS2wHw5JmYacb96BIxFvLmRTn1N0VZJxjDGzCtZrebORfXo2vevQAsfkYfBceh7wj2jCVX3OE2wWFypIMHXSXd_KnUiwiN3jCgN8S-2r/s1600/image+(14).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHw0W1o4W4ww7vCyblsSFCF-ZYkvDyhdzsxg2qS2wHw5JmYacb96BIxFvLmRTn1N0VZJxjDGzCtZrebORfXo2vevQAsfkYfBceh7wj2jCVX3OE2wWFypIMHXSXd_KnUiwiN3jCgN8S-2r/s1600/image+(14).jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Plant stand and pots. Just a few of the many additions I've found on the side of the road.</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seed and plant share:</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> I've had two offers this week alone from passers by who want to share some plants from their gardens. Gardening is such a community activity. When I am out in the garden I connect with my neighborhood in a way that is really unique and beautiful. People offer help, too! I've had three neighbors this week alone either help with something or offer their help. However I do live in a very special neighborhood filled with very generous community-oriented people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Use older seeds:</b> Don't throw out seeds just because they are a few years old. <a href="http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07221.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">They can last up to ten years with proper storage! </span></a>While their efficacy may be affected, my mom and I have always used-up older seeds. The most important thing is that they are kept dry and cool.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wRvI-Z49tdTughZfVfcNZVjKyGQyoqY7ElQWoVmu-Ni6cZFYUzvUhJ84uGm2iUJk161Qru28jzy6_KIagI3eDTHtRS10XMgttqzeRC3sHQZ9ZoZxxRHe_ggolqA1kCNaDL2FU_gRned0/s1600/image%5B10%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wRvI-Z49tdTughZfVfcNZVjKyGQyoqY7ElQWoVmu-Ni6cZFYUzvUhJ84uGm2iUJk161Qru28jzy6_KIagI3eDTHtRS10XMgttqzeRC3sHQZ9ZoZxxRHe_ggolqA1kCNaDL2FU_gRned0/s1600/image%5B10%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Peas from 2009</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Collect seeds: </b>If you notice in my first photo, I still have one kale plant growing that has gone to seed. I will collect the seeds when they are ready and then remove the plant. One plant produces more seeds than you could possibly use at one time. It is the most economical way to procure seeds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Start plants from cuttings</b>: Neighbors will happily share a small cutting from their plants. I'm currently sprouting roots from cuttings from yellow curry and rosemary in a jar of water in my kitchen. I've had to frequently add new water though because our kitty thinks it's really fun to knock over anything with water while we are away at work and school!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you are going to shop, shop sales:</b> While I love to support my local nursery when I can (and it's where I bought my fruit trees), sometimes Home Depot and other big box stores have excellent plant sales. I was able to fill a huge cart with many landscaping plants for under $100 earlier this year. They are all doing very well and would have cost triple the amount of money if I would have purchased at the nursery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dirt: </b>Dirt has been my biggest overall gardening expense. I hope that with my improved focus on compost, that I will be amending my own soil and rely less on dirt I have brought in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You can also just purchase bags of dirt and compost and plant directly in them! Just slice through the bag and plant - it's that easy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Soil amendments:</b> Coffee grounds are a terrific soil amendment and add much needed nitrogen to the soil. You can get them from Starbucks or local coffee shops for free! Just ask, they are happy to give it away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Save egg shells and use them in soil for calcium or sprinkle on the top to hinder pests such as snails. To be honest, I think I might have a strain of mutant snails on my hands and there are so many that the egg shells have not been 100% effective. I'm currently placing a bounty on each of their heads for $.02 per snail that my daughter finds and puts in the compost.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1JxDTbmQEq7IGwULlfXFC5NijYNwl1vJRmMbg9rkbFxcxYyI14jjgNx-wd7dByhu9M2Yhoe3J66NCFRJh6QDY9v5LirbT-1RZ4K2njNpQiX5p0Hgt6_mjAY7zszP1GQU9FIdtPaoBUQj/s1600/image%5B22%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1JxDTbmQEq7IGwULlfXFC5NijYNwl1vJRmMbg9rkbFxcxYyI14jjgNx-wd7dByhu9M2Yhoe3J66NCFRJh6QDY9v5LirbT-1RZ4K2njNpQiX5p0Hgt6_mjAY7zszP1GQU9FIdtPaoBUQj/s1600/image%5B22%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">An almost blank canvas. Soil with egg shells to help keep the pests away.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Get creative!</b> Don't buy a trellis - find some sticks or poles instead. I used some decorative curvy branches I had found for free at a garage sale and made this pretty trellis for my peas. The pot was found on the side of the road and originally held a large tree. I just drilled holes in the bottom for drainage. I love the natural look of the branches. There are so many ways to get creative in the yard and garden.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP2OU6dF9Y65hfvO6K9aMGU70I8wNAwAY2cjQmw0t8j2wxNwRrTsLRSoLQxZrj-xgLGIWJvRNiHKt-eREx6coYcrHov05oESDVNZE3j5KyBLTtPoKte84m0FgpN5vtb8s5WY8yXEFIIGV/s1600/image%5B5%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP2OU6dF9Y65hfvO6K9aMGU70I8wNAwAY2cjQmw0t8j2wxNwRrTsLRSoLQxZrj-xgLGIWJvRNiHKt-eREx6coYcrHov05oESDVNZE3j5KyBLTtPoKte84m0FgpN5vtb8s5WY8yXEFIIGV/s1600/image%5B5%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">My free "trellis" for the peas.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All in all, for the exercise, food, spiritual and mental benefits, the cost of gardening is well worth it to me. Yesterday I worked the soil and my body. I was peaceful and at ease. I planted carrots, beans, zucchini, cucumbers and pumpkins. In the evening my daughter helped me plant some of the plants that I have been meaning to get in the dirt for quite awhile. She asked me, "Mommy, can we garden every night?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'll leave you with a poem I wrote many years ago. Probably a decade before I started my own garden.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dors bien, tu es fatigue...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> Harried garden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> Orphaned en decembre.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> Bit by bit dew</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> freezing tulip bulbs</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
through.</div>
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> Sickly patch,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> you tortured poet.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> Sleep sleep sleep.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> Quiet dear.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Roots!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Tangle up tonight.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Shhh,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Lay down.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Let go the grip.<br />
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</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~n.l</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-71851138244022924762014-05-14T12:00:00.000-07:002014-05-14T15:57:15.346-07:00Free Paint at True Value<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've mentioned before that this is not a daily deals site. However when something comes up that is truly a bargain (or better yet, free) I will happily pass along the info!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2014/05/true-value-free-quart-paint.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Money Saving Mom</span></a> just posted this terrific freebie for a free quart of True Value Easy Care Satin paint. <b>It's good for Saturday May 17th only!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.truevaluepaint.com/coupon2014.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Print this coupon</span></a> and bring it in to your local True Value.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.truevaluepaint.com/uploadedImages/TV_Paint/Promotions/easycare-coupon-product-img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://www.truevaluepaint.com/uploadedImages/TV_Paint/Promotions/easycare-coupon-product-img.jpg" width="533" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-44790805868195563832014-05-14T10:32:00.004-07:002014-05-14T15:56:38.568-07:00Making Old New Again: Metal Tray Makeover<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At my garage sale last Saturday, I came across a tray that was looking pretty shabby, and I decided I would sell it for $0.25 and get it out of the garage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I used to use it as a tray for a houseplant, but it had gone unused for several years.</span></div>
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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/AVvXsEjsz_6ePxtyE3phV377EjZlMvcIVXCeojrXLfSBTgwpUkpoFEH3VdEbkp3bGR0_vu3stPjuATjOUYdblscnXcF5s8m0Ar_X299X1E8c7b14Gb0Dy54wvnwlg0wI-Nm6cZ0Wzwa6pzN8-630/s1600/photo+(88).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz_6ePxtyE3phV377EjZlMvcIVXCeojrXLfSBTgwpUkpoFEH3VdEbkp3bGR0_vu3stPjuATjOUYdblscnXcF5s8m0Ar_X299X1E8c7b14Gb0Dy54wvnwlg0wI-Nm6cZ0Wzwa6pzN8-630/s1600/photo+(88).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the tray looked like before painting. Good bones, but not usable condition.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I kept looking at it and decided it had such great "bones" I would try my hand at giving it a little makeover.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I cleaned it up with a dry rag and found some old Krylon indoor/outdoor robin's egg blue spray paint I had in my garage. If you have something like this and it's really corroded, you may need to sand it with a very fine sand paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After one coat of paint, I could see a beautiful gift emerging!</span></div>
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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/AVvXsEgn3I5JeFjSUPxlag6y-gmUn4rUPs8K2bqsdd1_PbsiFxwU57zf5qynTHvLjT-P23fg__6vSq4zapFxFhV3FF-62q8SmoEJ4aY9zAutVvHXBLhb0vntba8lHO5lPK7OReLFXndrdRLDddGf/s1600/photo+2+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3I5JeFjSUPxlag6y-gmUn4rUPs8K2bqsdd1_PbsiFxwU57zf5qynTHvLjT-P23fg__6vSq4zapFxFhV3FF-62q8SmoEJ4aY9zAutVvHXBLhb0vntba8lHO5lPK7OReLFXndrdRLDddGf/s1600/photo+2+(11).JPG" height="640" width="628" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few coats of spray paint brought it back to life!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I sprayed the top and let it dry, and then flipped it over and did the same. All in all I gave it three coats.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v7rTOjD-YXnNrosBKrs-eXIQxREcRnguI0es86nWy4De38V5EkyAYautsRb2fcU1SclRf0mIUNN5X7nDpEtVJ0661aDgym4w-YnDiWqrj9i9p_Wp8BduuQUxmQlRbQ_YtB9_s4LIsQer/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v7rTOjD-YXnNrosBKrs-eXIQxREcRnguI0es86nWy4De38V5EkyAYautsRb2fcU1SclRf0mIUNN5X7nDpEtVJ0661aDgym4w-YnDiWqrj9i9p_Wp8BduuQUxmQlRbQ_YtB9_s4LIsQer/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" height="640" width="604" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love how it turned out! This would be the perfect addition to the gift for my sister-in-law's birthday!</span><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/AVvXsEiudbzlac6MmS08cMHUrnaAmqxT9rN6jRJHrUGcy4NStQlFW2680XHxPXIeH14Gb6M1jIe100XpNrWlKU_fDE8u5OGzCasXkqBwVaxmjcn-l4rWD0GKWStfpH0jpmtalfvVQ7p5trB1Nltu/s1600/gift.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudbzlac6MmS08cMHUrnaAmqxT9rN6jRJHrUGcy4NStQlFW2680XHxPXIeH14Gb6M1jIe100XpNrWlKU_fDE8u5OGzCasXkqBwVaxmjcn-l4rWD0GKWStfpH0jpmtalfvVQ7p5trB1Nltu/s1600/gift.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ended up using a different, more colorful bouquet for her gift.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At a garage sale a few months ago I purchased this pretty tea cup for $3.00. The jasmine tea was also also on sale for about $3.00. The vase I ended up using was free from a neighbor looking to get rid of it, and the flowers were from my yard.</span><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/AVvXsEh-pK5cIRUXudy7WgPzDj5UWjoK1X9nnMW5stt7FoqJbhiOfRWxw4lCCpnmYaFeQgD30fcOr-lEG-F_mWmZ3M0arxhmQrX4oAmgPzYGc6IMexM3gtWRsGZWWI_9gikAd4Rk_UuY7YMsuuFj/s1600/photo+2+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pK5cIRUXudy7WgPzDj5UWjoK1X9nnMW5stt7FoqJbhiOfRWxw4lCCpnmYaFeQgD30fcOr-lEG-F_mWmZ3M0arxhmQrX4oAmgPzYGc6IMexM3gtWRsGZWWI_9gikAd4Rk_UuY7YMsuuFj/s1600/photo+2+(10).JPG" height="636" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "new" tray, a vintage tea cup, Jasmine tea and flowers from the garden.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The tray really brought everything together. The gift was so pretty, there was no need for wrapping! My sister-in-law loved her gift and wanted to start looking for trays she could spray paint. It was <b>simple</b>, <b>easy</b>, and quite <b>frugal</b> at only $6. Best of all, she used the tray that very evening!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What have you made-over lately?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713268121119734341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456416842510636498.post-44928134402817203452014-05-13T13:53:00.000-07:002014-05-14T15:58:15.410-07:00In Bloom<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These are some of the sights currently in the yard and garden. Photos were taken by my friend and neighbor, Deborah. Close-up pictures ensure you don't see my weeds! </span><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/AVvXsEiRxTyuq09TglMXUhv46QJ4Pm9goO_9EoSZppOYVqoRrz4b4x7qDuR0RyTd4BpOzAzcZJ_0y-04yb6RQwNbnmpKBWsq_OKj6a6mJbE9oXMppKJ0e3nmGZFYiW08SE-KgYXxalJkn1pl8het/s1600/photo+1+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxTyuq09TglMXUhv46QJ4Pm9goO_9EoSZppOYVqoRrz4b4x7qDuR0RyTd4BpOzAzcZJ_0y-04yb6RQwNbnmpKBWsq_OKj6a6mJbE9oXMppKJ0e3nmGZFYiW08SE-KgYXxalJkn1pl8het/s1600/photo+1+(10).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azalea in full bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“They blossomed, they did not talk about blossoming.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443586.Dejan_Stojanovic" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Dejan Stojanovic</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/21452716" style="text-decoration: none;">The Sun Watches the Sun</a></i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlQP_sZC8TZXTOcbF3eZKs4leDzG9Qbwb4OjPm4-Xr21jm24dPj3mLVysyB3BZ6uGt1S94Tc0GJAM5xc1tKhvIps6jONaSTIFF7wAriWT2EV3JTPoFDGSIJyYP5NTqd8KHT-FRLCAykNe/s1600/photo+2+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlQP_sZC8TZXTOcbF3eZKs4leDzG9Qbwb4OjPm4-Xr21jm24dPj3mLVysyB3BZ6uGt1S94Tc0GJAM5xc1tKhvIps6jONaSTIFF7wAriWT2EV3JTPoFDGSIJyYP5NTqd8KHT-FRLCAykNe/s1600/photo+2+(12).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale gone to seed. We like to eat the flowers in salads.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">“The yellow glistens.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">It glistens with various yellows</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">Citrons, oranges and greens</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">Flowering over the skin.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42920.Wallace_Stevens" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Wallace Stevens</a></span></div>
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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/AVvXsEjbYQkVsUmoFehF0yE9Vwnys-6Im-BaNQpB4IdYEfdZfKSvip3FzCfwcSboUoMzzzXK7JT5VZa4oRvciIAHt5q9cGXQUb2meFUv5iNHGIbzFYwJTS2zXpcSxWO1QQbCkg8pfQekHOPuDRii/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYQkVsUmoFehF0yE9Vwnys-6Im-BaNQpB4IdYEfdZfKSvip3FzCfwcSboUoMzzzXK7JT5VZa4oRvciIAHt5q9cGXQUb2meFUv5iNHGIbzFYwJTS2zXpcSxWO1QQbCkg8pfQekHOPuDRii/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" height="400" width="377" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rhodie on a newly made-over tray.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“The time came when the risk it took to remain tight in the </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">bud became more painful than the risk it took to bloom.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― Anais Nin</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO5Jf3GIx3IrQmAZpEJ7zp9aAT5C3CNFvmIQKZTULQH3GlIheQ43JOK2eN-QF9IzuwyLGgO5XwTRY76zQx2Dpa_KKb3DdVP5iLwPHMs5jbPU9u7eAuKl5vbPWixzRG6XyR-V9z38ddg5p/s1600/photo+3+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO5Jf3GIx3IrQmAZpEJ7zp9aAT5C3CNFvmIQKZTULQH3GlIheQ43JOK2eN-QF9IzuwyLGgO5XwTRY76zQx2Dpa_KKb3DdVP5iLwPHMs5jbPU9u7eAuKl5vbPWixzRG6XyR-V9z38ddg5p/s1600/photo+3+(2).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowball tree</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“All our wisdom is stored in the trees.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">― Santosh Kalwar</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-nxV4dgciqHVNnacg92yXsUR2JAI5kK3hhcYYp19rkUBlsEOthA773bT_BCV4w36ZqFwKVanOH6f-0qSKN7jXWB44a5cll6TcLJI7ZyrbdaPjYWzO6KuARNxSFge9_Y8PGtfT-ZJoVy5/s1600/photo+4+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-nxV4dgciqHVNnacg92yXsUR2JAI5kK3hhcYYp19rkUBlsEOthA773bT_BCV4w36ZqFwKVanOH6f-0qSKN7jXWB44a5cll6TcLJI7ZyrbdaPjYWzO6KuARNxSFge9_Y8PGtfT-ZJoVy5/s1600/photo+4+(2).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer Calendula</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“since the thing perhaps is</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">to eat flowers and not to be afraid” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">― <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10547.E_E_Cummings" style="text-decoration: none;">E.E. Cummings</a>, <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/175882">Complete Poems, 1904-1962</a></i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuzLht8fP-mBypRpmE0jXh648D31SuJR3OW73BcA-Ii26O35upEAYazYPn-4lwjilShRD-nJmx6QugqkAw-ybLKxx0GRKntVhlpDISjKzoMJJPFnylA457bSztQOmtMqsO_kRu8FAbTWX/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuzLht8fP-mBypRpmE0jXh648D31SuJR3OW73BcA-Ii26O35upEAYazYPn-4lwjilShRD-nJmx6QugqkAw-ybLKxx0GRKntVhlpDISjKzoMJJPFnylA457bSztQOmtMqsO_kRu8FAbTWX/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" height="400" width="151" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimson Clover</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“A weed is but an unloved flower.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/186471.Ella_Wheeler_Wilcox" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Ella Wheeler Wilcox</a></span></div>
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