3.51
|   |
Dec 29, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 29, 2012
| |||||
 |
3.58
| |
Dec 29, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 29, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.76
| |
Dec 29, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 29, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.64
| |
Dec 24, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 22, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.74
| |
Dec 21, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 21, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.81
| |
Dec 19, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 15, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.39
| |
Dec 19, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 19, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.67
| |
Dec 15, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 07, 2012
| ||||
 |
4.38
| |
Dec 14, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 04, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.60
| |
Dec 07, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 05, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.75
| |
Dec 05, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 05, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.89
| |
Dec 02, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 02, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.98
| |
Dec 02, 2012[edit]
|
Dec 01, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.88
| |
Dec 2012[edit]
|
Dec 01, 2012
| ||||
|
3.72
| |
Nov 29, 2012[edit]
|
Nov 29, 2012
| ||||
 |
3.99
| |
Nov 27, 2012[edit]
|
Nov 27, 2012
|
Christmas Reads 2012
I had a post about ALL of my Christmas To Read List, rating the ones I liked, and when I over-zealously cleaned up some of my blog postings,Ideleted it! Ugh! I will rewrite it, but for now, this is the list of what I actually read, copied from GoodReads:
Sugar Rush Cake (AKA Jello Cake)
Dan's bday cake, as he requested.
Angelfood cake hollowed out, and filled w/ strawberry jello and whipped cream.
The center is also filled w/ the jello/whipped cream mixture.
Then I poked holes in the cake and poured more jello over it.
Refrigerated until set, then "iced" with whipped topping.
It should be called "sugar rush cake". =)
I could have made it prettier with some sprinkles.. but there was enough sugar on here already!
Decorative Pie Crusts
From Martha Stewart:
Some of mine -
apple, cherry, three berry, mincemeat
Caramel Apple, Three Berry
From Pampered Chef:
Fun and Unique Pie Crusts
How to make Decorative Holiday Pie Crusts
----------------------------------------
Braided Edge (A)
How to make Decorative Holiday Pie Crusts
----------------------------------------
Braided Edge (A)
Use for a single-crust pie. Make enough pastry for a double crust. Line a 9-in. pie plate with the bottom pastry and trim pastry even with edge of pie plate. Roll remaining pastry into a 10-in. x 8-in. rectangle. With a sharp knife, cut twelve 1/4-in.-wide strips; gently braid three strips. Brush edge of crust with water; place braid on edge and press lightly to secure. Repeat with remaining strips, attaching additional braids until entire edge is covered. Cover with foil to protect edges from overbrowning.
----------------------------------------
Checkerboard Edge (B)
Trim crust flush with the edge of the pie plate. If using a glass pie plate, trim crust overhang to about 1/8 inch past the outer rim to allow for slight shrinkage.Make cuts through the dough all around the rim of the pie plate at approximately ½ inch intervals. Lift every other square up and inward to form a checkerboard pattern around the rim.
----------------------------------------
Cut-Out Shapes (C)
Use cookie cutters to make designs out of spare dough; then attach them with water.
----------------------------------------
Honeycomb Pattern (D)
For a honeycomb pattern, cut out circles in the top crust with a round cutter. Fold the bottom crust over the top, and seal.
----------------------------------------
Lattice Top (E)To make a lattice, roll out dough into a 12-inch square; using a fluted pastry wheel, cut the square into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-wide strips. Lay strips, spaced 1 inch apart, across the filling. Fold back every other strip almost to the edge; then, at the folds, place a new strip perpendicular to the first ones. Return the folded strips so they overlap the new strip. Fold back the the other set of strips, stopping about 1 inch away from the first perpendicular strip; arrange another perpendicular strip at the folds. Continue until the lattice has been formed. Trim the overhanging strips so they are flush with the pie plate’s edge. Using a fork, seal the strips to the edge.
----------------------------------------
Leaf Trim (F)
Make enough pastry for a double crust. Line a 9-in. pie plate with the bottom pastry and trim pastry even with edge of pie plate. Roll out remaining pastry to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut out leaf shapes, using 1-in.- to 1-1/2-in. cookie cutters. With a sharp knife, score pastry to create leaf veins. Brush bottom of each leaf with water. Place one or two layers of leaves around the edge of crust; press lightly to secure. Cover with foil to protect edges from overbrowning. You can also use this technique with other cookie cutter designs such as hearts and apples. Vary them to suit the occasion or season you are celebrating.
----------------------------------------
Pointed Edge (G)
Position your index finger on the inside of the pie shell rim, pointing out. Using the index finger and thumb of the other hand, press the dough into pronounced points that go outward. Once you have made your points all the way around the outside of the pie, go around again pressing the inside into pronounced points.
----------------------------------------
Rope Edge (H)
Trim pastry 1/2 in. beyond edge of pie plate (1 in. for a double-crust pie). Turn the overhanging pastry under to form the rolled edge. Make a fist with one hand and press you thumb at an angle into the pastry. Pinch some of the pastry between your thumb and index finger. Repeat at about 1/2-in. intervals around the crust. For a looser-looking rope, position your thumb at a wider angle and repeat at 1-in. intervals.
----------------------------------------
Scalloped Edge (I)
Place the index finger of one hand on the edge of the pie shell rim pointing in. Using the index finger and thumb of the other hand to move the dough inward forming a scalloped roll around the perimeter.
----------------------------------------
Spiral Top (J)
Prepare the bottom crust as usual and trim edges flush with the rim of the pie plate. Roll out the top crust in a long narrow strip. Cut the crust into long strips that are 3/8 to 1/2 inch wide. Place the filling in the bottom crust. Starting with one strip in the center of the pie, begin to twist the strip and coil it around the center of the pie. Continue to twist the strip as you coil it around or it will begin to untwist. Work out towards the edge of the pie. Continue adding strips in one continuous length by moistening the ends of each strip and pressing together to attach to the previous strip. Continue adding strips and coiling out towards the edge until the entire pie is covered. Work carefully so that you do not let the strips touch the filling until you are putting them into place. This will prevent getting filling on the strips in locations you do not want. Moisten the edge of the pie with water and then place a slightly wider strip tightly twisted around the edge. Press to seal. Sprinkle the crust lightly with sugar to give it sparkle and to add crispness.
----------------------------------------
Twisted Lattice (K)
Make this pretty lattice by twisting 3/4-inch pastry strips and lining them up across top. Place other strips diagonally, twisting them as you weave. Lower crust is folded over strips and crimped to guard juice.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Checkerboard Edge (B)
Trim crust flush with the edge of the pie plate. If using a glass pie plate, trim crust overhang to about 1/8 inch past the outer rim to allow for slight shrinkage.Make cuts through the dough all around the rim of the pie plate at approximately ½ inch intervals. Lift every other square up and inward to form a checkerboard pattern around the rim.
----------------------------------------
Cut-Out Shapes (C)
Use cookie cutters to make designs out of spare dough; then attach them with water.
----------------------------------------
Honeycomb Pattern (D)
For a honeycomb pattern, cut out circles in the top crust with a round cutter. Fold the bottom crust over the top, and seal.
----------------------------------------
Lattice Top (E)To make a lattice, roll out dough into a 12-inch square; using a fluted pastry wheel, cut the square into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-wide strips. Lay strips, spaced 1 inch apart, across the filling. Fold back every other strip almost to the edge; then, at the folds, place a new strip perpendicular to the first ones. Return the folded strips so they overlap the new strip. Fold back the the other set of strips, stopping about 1 inch away from the first perpendicular strip; arrange another perpendicular strip at the folds. Continue until the lattice has been formed. Trim the overhanging strips so they are flush with the pie plate’s edge. Using a fork, seal the strips to the edge.
----------------------------------------
Leaf Trim (F)
Make enough pastry for a double crust. Line a 9-in. pie plate with the bottom pastry and trim pastry even with edge of pie plate. Roll out remaining pastry to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut out leaf shapes, using 1-in.- to 1-1/2-in. cookie cutters. With a sharp knife, score pastry to create leaf veins. Brush bottom of each leaf with water. Place one or two layers of leaves around the edge of crust; press lightly to secure. Cover with foil to protect edges from overbrowning. You can also use this technique with other cookie cutter designs such as hearts and apples. Vary them to suit the occasion or season you are celebrating.
----------------------------------------
Pointed Edge (G)
Position your index finger on the inside of the pie shell rim, pointing out. Using the index finger and thumb of the other hand, press the dough into pronounced points that go outward. Once you have made your points all the way around the outside of the pie, go around again pressing the inside into pronounced points.
----------------------------------------
Rope Edge (H)
Trim pastry 1/2 in. beyond edge of pie plate (1 in. for a double-crust pie). Turn the overhanging pastry under to form the rolled edge. Make a fist with one hand and press you thumb at an angle into the pastry. Pinch some of the pastry between your thumb and index finger. Repeat at about 1/2-in. intervals around the crust. For a looser-looking rope, position your thumb at a wider angle and repeat at 1-in. intervals.
----------------------------------------
Scalloped Edge (I)
Place the index finger of one hand on the edge of the pie shell rim pointing in. Using the index finger and thumb of the other hand to move the dough inward forming a scalloped roll around the perimeter.
----------------------------------------
Spiral Top (J)
Prepare the bottom crust as usual and trim edges flush with the rim of the pie plate. Roll out the top crust in a long narrow strip. Cut the crust into long strips that are 3/8 to 1/2 inch wide. Place the filling in the bottom crust. Starting with one strip in the center of the pie, begin to twist the strip and coil it around the center of the pie. Continue to twist the strip as you coil it around or it will begin to untwist. Work out towards the edge of the pie. Continue adding strips in one continuous length by moistening the ends of each strip and pressing together to attach to the previous strip. Continue adding strips and coiling out towards the edge until the entire pie is covered. Work carefully so that you do not let the strips touch the filling until you are putting them into place. This will prevent getting filling on the strips in locations you do not want. Moisten the edge of the pie with water and then place a slightly wider strip tightly twisted around the edge. Press to seal. Sprinkle the crust lightly with sugar to give it sparkle and to add crispness.
----------------------------------------
Twisted Lattice (K)
Make this pretty lattice by twisting 3/4-inch pastry strips and lining them up across top. Place other strips diagonally, twisting them as you weave. Lower crust is folded over strips and crimped to guard juice.
----------------------------------------
Comparing Sashay Style yarns for Scarves
2013 Update:
I found the Sashay Arctic yarn on sale for $3.50 at Michaels. I thought this might make a good winter scarf for me.. it took 4 skeins! I think if I did this again I'd do just 3 stitches across instead of 5, and then 3 would be enough. My daughter thinks this is "a bit much", and I don't love it as much as I had hoped.. but it does look nice with my winter coat, so I'll see how I feel about it once it's actually cold here.
(Yarn price comparisons and coupons at the bottom of this post)
(the afghan folded under them is child sized, my own crochet pattern, with wool ease quick and thick yarn. By "my own pattern" I mean I am not good at all at following instructions, I would rather just make things up as I go along. This is not perfect, I must have miscounted one of the rows.. but overall it is cute and I like it. I put a ruffle around the edges, and a flower in the middle..)
This is the video I started with, to learn how:
How to Knit a Sashay Scarf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVA4OjNAIjc
After a few minutes though, I switched to crochet. It is faster and easier for me.
Comparing the Yarns
The black and silver scarf (second from the right) is Starbella Flash. I originally started this scarf in the "normal" way, but I did not like it at all.. so I switched this one up and instead I crocheted one long chain, a little longer than I wanted the finished scarf to be. Then I single crocheted two additional rows. I really like how this turned out, and it was super fast to make! There is enough yarn left that I am pretty sure I can complete a second scarf, from one skein. I have a skein of this in white with gold flash as well, but I may make that one in rows of 4-5 stitches instead of the long way, I have not decided yet.
Meg quickly decided she would like a skirt made out of the ruffles from this yarn, and a quick internet search showed she was not the first to have this idea. I'm going to see what we can come up with, I have some black satin material that would line this nicely... or maybe we'll make the skirt, then just add the ruffle at the bottom?
UPDATED
Starbella also has a "stripes" line, that can be difficult to find, but is great for sports teams! The black and gold makes a great Steelers scarf, if you can find it.
The Paton Pirouette is a PRETTY yarn. It has a chenille bottom, and sparkles in it. I have a scarf half finished in this color above, and it is the prettiest scarf yet.. but one skein made half a scarf. Barely half - even if I was shorter it wouldn't have made a full scarf. I tried working in the chain form like I did with the starbella flash, and I decided I liked the shorter row method better with this, and that it would be worth buying 2 skeins. This was the most expensive of the yarns, but like all the others, it goes on sale at stores where you can use coupons. :-)
A close up of a scarf I made with the Paton yarn. Expensive, but one of my favorites.
Arctic yarn. One skein made about 18 inches long at 5 stitches across. The finished scarf is much heavier than it looks here.
Both Michaels & Jo-Anns have apps for smartphones, with the coupons right in them. Pull up the app, choose your coupon, the clerk will scan it. I LOVE this!!! Both of them, in the last week, have had coupons that work on sale items. Michaels had 25% off your total purchase (I got 5 skeins of yarn for $18 with that one) and JoAnn's had $5 off $25, $10 off $50, and $15 off $75.
Both of them, as well as AC Moore, have coupons that you can print from their websites as well.
JoAnns is the most expensive for these yarns, even with sales.
Michaels is cheaper than JoAnns, but more expensive than AC Moore.
Ac Moore is the cheapest when the yarns are on sale, but their coupons are not as good, and they do not have an app, so I do not always have a coupon with me, like at the other two stores.
more scarves
Planning A Mystery Party
For our daughters 16th birthday, she chose to have a joint party with one of her best friends who also turns 16 this year. They chose to do a Murder Mystery party. Cool! Dan and I have been wanting to do one of these for years, we figured trying it out on teenagers first would be a great idea.
We looked at several options, and the girls ended up choosing Murder At Doom Mansion, from MyMysteryParty.com http://www.mymysteryparty.com/mumaatolddom.html I loved that it was an instant download, no need to pay shipping, or wait for anything to be mailed to us. I simply downloaded the files, then uploaded them to box.com so that both of us moms could access them for this party. We stored all the files for this party - invites, charactar lists, etc, in box.com - party planning from the cloud. :-) This particular party is themed for teenagers specifically.
Setting Up For The Party:
I thought the party was lacking in a real time line. There is not one included in our download, but I did find a generic one on the site. I ended up creating my own, which I posted around the house in key locations. The two in the kitchen (one on the prep table, one on the fridge) had notes to the left for food prep.
Murder At Doom Mansion
Schedule of Events
5pm Guest arrive, have their pictures made, find folder, put on name tag, have appetizers and drinks. Guests read the clue in envelope 1, located inside their folders, implement their ice breakers and reveal the clues on their clue cards.
5:45pm How Did I Die Game
Split into 3 teams of 3, play mystery scramble game
6:15 (or so) Go to the Dining Room. Dinner is served. Read Round 2 clues.
7:00 Return to the living room. Fill out the mystery investigation sheets in your packet. Hand to an adult host when the sheet is completed.
Play Catch Me If You Can
Cake & Ice Cream Served
Play Eye Witness Game
Round 3 Envelopes Handed out, The Murderer Is Revealed!
I printed the graphic at Sam's club, and printed enough copies to put on folders for each player as well. Each folder had a copy of the instructions, a character list, blank paper for the game, and the sheet they filled out with their guess at the solution, as well as the envelope with their first clue, and their name tags.
I printed the Catch Me If You Can game and instructions, put the pieces in the crystal dish, and backed the instructions with card stock and placed them together.
Clue #2 was waiting as the place cards at the dinner table.
Real china, and pretty fresh flowers, for a real dinner party feel.
The kids seemed to have a great time with this, and got pretty dramatic in their characters. :-)
The How Did I Die Game
Each person has a method of death taped to their head (this was tricky - they didn't stick well!) and they can only ask each person one yes or no question to determine how they died.
There were a lot of extra, optional, games included in our download, we played a few of them.
We did not use the menu included in the party, we let the girls choose. They chose Chicken Cordon Bleu, Baked potatoes, and salad. It was WAY too much food. We sent home plates wrapped in foil with most of the kids. We were not clear in the invitations that this would be a dinner party, and a lot of the kids ate before arriving, then we had all those appetizers...
The Birthday Girls
Another optional game- Eye Witness.
Announce that a robber is on the loose. Yell "THERE HE IS" and have someone dressed in as many accessories as possible run into the room, circle it, and run out. Then have the guests list as many of the items the thief was wearing as possible.
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A Group Photo
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Singing Happy Birthday Before cutting the cake.
All in all it was a HUGE sucess, and something we will do again. I'm already considering a Christmas themed one for adults in December. I'm not sure we will go with this same company, but we might...
Some great tips for taking meals to others-
http://www.intouch.org/Content.aspx?topic=The_Need_to_Feed
Intouch magazine has a great article this month on taking meals to families, lots of great tips in there! Some quick ideas from the article:
-take premade pizza crust, sauce, and cheese (I'd add some toppings and a salad....)
- take groceries. Cereal, peanut butter, milk and bread might be even more appreciated than a casserole, if grocery shopping is the last thing on their mind.
- use disposable aluminum pans, so no one has to worry about clean up/getting the dishes back
-call before visiting, ask if they have time for a 15 minute visit.
How to Center A Blog Banner
Blogger has added an option to make centering blog banners much easier.
Go to Template
Choose Customize (under "Live On Blog")
Choose Advanced.
Scroll to the bottom, the last choice should be "Add Css"
Choose that.
Paste this:
#header-inner img {margin: 0 auto !important;}
#header-inner {text-align:center !important;}
Save.
That's it!
I found my banner at http://www.shabbyblogs.com. There are more at
http://thecutestblogontheblock.com/category/banners.
Choose copy, paste into your graphics program. Now copy the image in your graphics program, and choose "paste as transparent image". Now you can add your photos and text.
Dietrich Bonehoeffer's Morning Prayer
The entire InTouch magazine, AND additional resources, are now in a great app -
This morning I read a very short article on Dietrich Bonehoeffer's thoughts on prayer, from the October InTouch magazine (which I read through the app) and that lead me to look up this prayer:
MORNING PRAYER
O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I use the task list app on my phone, to organize my prayer requests.. I'm adding this to my list of morning prayers.
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