tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13660235720567373192024-03-13T08:43:52.366-05:00Do that.Live a healthy, responsible, and happy life within your means.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-21361705715947527322013-03-29T17:15:00.000-05:002013-03-29T17:15:19.097-05:00A new resource for all of you handmade fans!A fabulous post at <a href="http://decor8blog.com/2013/03/29/mollie-makes-handmade-wedding/">decor8</a> about a new <a href="http://decor8blog.com/2013/03/29/mollie-makes-handmade-wedding/">UK wedding magazine</a>!<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-86286555276384970352013-03-27T16:56:00.001-05:002013-03-27T17:09:51.951-05:00DailyTLC: Piece Be With YouToday is one of those days that has been packed with good analogies, experiences to mark as unique, and small insights. It has not been without pain (my hand is still stinging from a humungous fall crossing the street with my kids earlier today). Sometimes things happen that we don't really understand or see how they possibly could have taken place, but we take a step back and understand that our small lives are a piece of a giant picture.<br />
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My cousin has a blog post that fit perfectly into my afternoon. She's older, wiser, and most of all... pretty stinkin' funny. Today's post is a nice little reminder about the big picture.<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="http://dailytlc.blogspot.com/2013/03/piece-be-with-you.html?spref=bl">DailyTLC: Piece Be With You</a>: One of the dynamics of having only male children in the house is that they bring a lot of noise to everything they do. If they’re playing...</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-64986520877053208312013-02-20T11:03:00.002-06:002013-03-27T17:09:34.030-05:00Two ingredients? Really?Pizza. One of my favorite things in the world. If you choose quality (whole food) ingredients, you can have somewhat of a healthier version...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eXlo5u2o8kw/TZEAD2orsaI/AAAAAAAABEk/e_DSv_VkoGo/s1600/HPIM3989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eXlo5u2o8kw/TZEAD2orsaI/AAAAAAAABEk/e_DSv_VkoGo/s320/HPIM3989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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As much as I love the <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2010/08/pizza-from-master-boule-that-is.html">master boule pizza dough</a>, you can imagine the excitement when I saw a blog post about a 2-ingredient dough that you just knead for 5-8 minutes!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d33y93cfm0wb4z.cloudfront.net/Jen_Cheung/2%20ingredient%20pizza%20dough/2_ingrd_dough_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://d33y93cfm0wb4z.cloudfront.net/Jen_Cheung/2%20ingredient%20pizza%20dough/2_ingrd_dough_final.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #999999; font-size: xx-small;">kidspot kitchen</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Well, I will have to make my own <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/cs/breads/ht/self_rise_flour.htm">self-rising flour</a> with <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/10/why-you-should-use-aluminum-free/">baking powder</a> and <a href="http://www.realsalt.com/">salt</a>. So...technically that's FOUR ingredients. Anyway, the greek yogurt part sounds interesting.<br />
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</i><i>We use organic when we can. If not, we at least know what we're putting into our own food when we cook it ourselves.</i><br />
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Here is the recipe from the <a href="http://www.kidspot.com.au/best-recipes/Dinner+7/2-ingredient-pizza-dough-recipe+2760.htm">kidspot link</a>:<br />
<b>Ingredients: </b><br />
<ul><li>1 cup self-rising flour</li><li>1 cup of Greek yogurt</li><li>Extra flour for dusting the board</li></ul><b>Method:</b><br />
In a bowl, combine the flour and yoghurt and bring together to form a ball.<br />
Turn out onto a floured board to knead and roll.<br />
Knead for 5-8 minutes. Roll into a pizza shape and add toppings.<br />
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If you've tried this before, let me know how it turned out!<br />
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[I followed a link <a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/2013/two-ingredient-pizza-dough/?utm_source=pulsenews&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RaisingHomemakers+%28Raising+Homemakers%29">here</a> and found the recipe <a href="http://www.kidspot.com.au/best-recipes/Dinner+7/2-ingredient-pizza-dough-recipe+2760.htm">here</a>]Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-1199134793753792512012-12-03T16:14:00.000-06:002013-03-27T17:09:43.872-05:00Pickled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you have a blog about doing things, you wind up taking a LOT of photos while you do things. In my mind I have formulated so many posts, but hardly find the time to post them. Here are a couple of pickling images I found while I was cleaning up files today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88aGiptHo7U/UL0VlRYkPtI/AAAAAAAAB4M/OizKckr5tbU/s1600/dillpickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88aGiptHo7U/UL0VlRYkPtI/AAAAAAAAB4M/OizKckr5tbU/s1600/dillpickles.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Canning is hard work, but fun to do with friends. Robin came over a couple of times to help with canning tomatoes and cucumbers. The tomatoes were not from our co-op garden, but rather from her neighbor that had extra Better Boys. The cucumbers, however, are most certainly from the garden. How they will taste when we open up the jars is yet to be discovered, since we had a variety that we suffer through the bitterness at the table. The two jars that we have sampled have been very tasty, but not "spicy" as the label indicated. Our jalapeños were so unpredictable this year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br />
</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmzG6nDOoz8/UL0VcgVWJ-I/AAAAAAAAB4E/ECuvF5kPhvc/s1600/dillcanning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmzG6nDOoz8/UL0VcgVWJ-I/AAAAAAAAB4E/ECuvF5kPhvc/s640/dillcanning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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So far we've thoroughly enjoyed the pickles. The only jar so far that didn't taste spectacular was a "questionable" batch of very bitter cukes that we took a risk on. They didn't get enough moisture in the garden, or got too much heat (or both!). Either way, no bueno. Now we know!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-4926818676824575382012-11-01T14:45:00.001-05:002012-11-02T12:56:32.218-05:00My Favorite Autumn Skin Savers!This dry fall weather is already showing up on my skin. You know, the tell-tale signs of sandpaper fingers and dry (very, very dry) legs. So I'm beefing up my moisturizing! Here are a couple of things that have really helped me, as well as sticking to a night-time routine. Just a hint, if you click on the images or links it will take you to where you can buy it, or see more information on the product.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUkSUfhBdZg/UJLKMV8CvbI/AAAAAAAAB30/si5SAuriRks/s1600/hydrate.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUkSUfhBdZg/UJLKMV8CvbI/AAAAAAAAB30/si5SAuriRks/s200/hydrate.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
My favorite <a href="http://www.everydayminerals.com/store/skincare/everyday-hydrate.html" target="_blank">face oil</a> has recently come from <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2010/07/treat-your-face.html" target="_blank">Everyday Minerals</a>. I am loving this oil, which doesn't stay greasy on my face, and has the same healing effects as the <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KYRWOC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001KYRWOC&linkCode=as2&tag=dothat-20%22%3EFlexitol%20Naturals%20Skin%20Nourishing%20Oil,%202.1%20Ounce%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001KYRWOC%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Flexitol</a>, but without the fragrance. I've used this in the morning by itself, spot treatment on top of my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VMGTY4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004VMGTY4&linkCode=as2&tag=dothat-20">Daily Moisturizer</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004VMGTY4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and as a night time moisturizer. Let's remember people, more oil balance in your skin means less wrinkles. As my skin dries out with age, I'm realizing that trying to stop the oily days of my 20s was detrimental to my skin.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HBMQTM/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008HBMQTM&linkCode=as2&tag=dothat-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B008HBMQTM&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dothat-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008HBMQTM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VMGU8E/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004VMGU8E&linkCode=as2&tag=dothat-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004VMGU8E&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dothat-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004VMGU8E" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Sometimes when I don't have time to wash my face (or I'm traveling), I use a Burt's Bees combo that I love. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HBMQTM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008HBMQTM&linkCode=as2&tag=dothat-20">Facial Cleansing Towelettes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008HBMQTM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
smell nice and fresh, my skin feels cool and a bit tingly for a bit, then I moisturize with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VMGU8E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004VMGU8E&linkCode=as2&tag=dothat-20">Night Cream</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004VMGU8E" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. My face feels so nice the next morning!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E5E1MI/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001E5E1MI&linkCode=as2&tag=dothat-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001E5E1MI&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dothat-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001E5E1MI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
Hype or no hype, the fact is that coconut oil is... an oil. It IS from nature, and this organic extra virgin version is free of chemicals and added nonsense. It's <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2011/05/toasted-bliss.html" target="_blank">edible</a>. It's topical. I use this instead of body lotion, as well as spot treatment for dry areas on my face. The tough part is when the room is cold and the coconut oil is a solid, so I have to scrape up bits to warm in my hand from wayyy at the bottom of the container. Time for a new container!
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Ooh, did I mention that this is one of my subscribe and save items on amazon? It comes in a 2-pack and I instantly have one for the kitchen, and one for the bathroom!</div>
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Last, but certainly not least... The amazing-phenomenal-breath of fresh air-hand salve to save the day! I carry this in my purse and use it on my hands, elbows, legs, feet, neck, ears, yada yada yada. I LOVE THIS STUFF.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00014D5O8/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00014D5O8&linkCode=as2&tag=dothat-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00014D5O8&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dothat-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00014D5O8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-69456562165892740242012-10-15T11:13:00.000-05:002012-10-15T11:13:27.345-05:00Spell, read, write, learn vocabulary, and discuss character.Who knew inspiration could come from Hello Kitty?<br />
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My daughter's mealtime activity book has a page that tells the child to "Think of words that describe Hello Kitty and start with the letters that make up her name." Then, it asks to do the same for your own name. It became an amazing opportunity for her to practice spelling, writing, and learning new vocabulary. Not only that, but it really gave her a nice character boost at breakfast -- you can't go wrong having a positive discussion about who she is, what she sees in herself, and what I see in her.<br />
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As you can see, I let her spell on her own, as well as helped with other words when she asked for assistance.<br />
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I also began to see it as a good exercise for adults that need a reminder of the positive characteristics that have been developed in maturity. Why not be playful in thinking of good adjectives? I recall going to a women's event at church where they asked us to write a descriptive word above our own names on our name tag. It had to be an alliteration, so that made it extra tough. Try it sometime, and try to stay positive. It can be fun, exposing, difficult, liberating, and easy, ALL at the same time.<br />
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I know most of you don't have Hello Kitty activity books, but I think it's easy enough to take a blank piece of paper, write your child's name vertically, and be free to be generous with the adjectives. If you need some help with some words, or need inspiration, take a look at <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:22-23&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-47245032925310471592012-10-04T15:08:00.002-05:002012-10-04T15:08:33.796-05:00Love it or leave it.I've had many conversations in the past few months that have led to questions about products that I like to use at home. I've directed some folks to my "<a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/p/products-i-use.html" target="_blank">Products I Use</a>" page, but I have decided to add things to an amazon store to give readers a better glimpse of the products and pricing. I don't have an exhaustive selection, but it's a start! Please don't hesitate to ask questions about any of the products and I can publish any type of review that you like.<br />
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The most recent addition is a supplement that I've had questions about recently. I've literally spoken to 4 people about it in the last week, so I thought it was time to post it here for future reference...<br />
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I was searching for a meal supplement that would help with some "in between meal needs." I discovered that I needed extra protein, a bit of sugar, and it would be nice to include some digestive help. Enter Amazing Grass Amazing Meal. Organic chocolate to boot!<br />
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Check out <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/dothat-20?node=2&page=2" target="_blank">Page 2 of my aStore for a direct link to the product</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-58221951341614029232012-08-15T21:13:00.002-05:002012-09-16T22:20:56.816-05:00The ultimate "Do that." ...Step right up.<br />
Wow, so apparently blogging for me has taken a major back seat in life! I have had many plans, taken many photos, formulated posts in my head, jotted down notes... but nothing has surfaced because there has been a priority hanging about.<br />
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Yes, yes-yes. I'm educating my children at home. Well, more specifically, we are starting our second year of actual-real-life-bonafide-planned-purchased-created-morphed-yet-structured <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/p/home-school.html" target="_blank">home school</a>. Not only are we pursuing a classical method, but I have signed on as a tutor in our classical community tutorial.<br />
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The ultimate "Do that."<br />
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I'm more excited than I am frightened, so that is definitely a good thing. Oh, I've taught before...home school enrichment fine art, tutorial fine art, 4th grade masters for a few weeks... all very short-term and only for 40-60 minutes at a time. This year, I'll be tutoring a 2nd grade age class for close to three hours, drilling their grammar foundations in all subjects. FUN TIMES! This particular undertaking will broaden my horizons and boost my endurance as a teacher with my own children.<br />
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All that to say, I am completely immersed in <a href="http://www.classicalconversations.com/" target="_blank">Classical Conversations</a>. If you're thinking about a classical method, or perhaps just weighing out home school in general, please check out <a href="http://www.classicalconversations.com/" target="_blank">CC</a>. I'll do my best to keep you updated and post those "lost summer posts" periodically. There's so much to tell you...<br />
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If you're a CC tutor or parent, you can download my <a href="http://nicelle.com/Do_that/WeeklyTutor_blank.pdf" target="_blank">weekly tutoring plan</a>. There is also an <a href="http://nicelle.com/Do_that/WeeklyTutor_SAMPLE.pdf" target="_blank">example</a> of how I would use the sheet in context of Week 1 (Cycle 1).<br />
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<li><i><span style="color: #666666;">Update: Here is another <a href="http://nicelle.com/Do_that/WeeklyTutor_SAMPLE2.pdf" target="_blank">weekly tutoring plan sample</a>. This one has been morphed according to what I've needed the first four weeks. </span></i></li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-52847847609115050862012-05-21T17:10:00.000-05:002012-05-21T17:10:43.632-05:00Planting (Co-op Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C8x-uX75wyE/T7qx_r6xkAI/AAAAAAAABz8/cuKRjpxpxUs/s1600/coop10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C8x-uX75wyE/T7qx_r6xkAI/AAAAAAAABz8/cuKRjpxpxUs/s200/coop10.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81ZOEL4mxAQ/T7qx8ecfeMI/AAAAAAAABz0/OQa_qP02MLs/s1600/coop08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81ZOEL4mxAQ/T7qx8ecfeMI/AAAAAAAABz0/OQa_qP02MLs/s200/coop08.jpg" width="133" /></a>One of the first things we did when we were in the planning phase was draw a garden plan. We did the initial sketch with a pen on graph paper, but being the graphic design nerd that I am, I had to come home and make a hard-line version, in color. The grey areas on the plan above indicate a footpath about a foot wide, and the long main path is about 2 feet wide. The guys were initially pretty accurate with the measurements so when they went ahead and put in stakes and twine as row guides, we had a grid just like the plan. The only change was switching the cucumbers and beans to allow for maximum sun exposure, and the door in the fence moved. <br />
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After we completed the <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2012/05/co-op-as-in-cooperative.html" target="_blank">first phase of work</a>, we met at the local farmers co-op to choose our plants. Even though they had a great selection in their green house, we ended up adding a couple of varieties from another local nursery. We want oodles of tomatoes this year, with the hopes of having a canning party!<br />
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A lot of the work has fallen on the guys' shoulders while we've been dealing with illness, but that has worked out fine because of hefty labor that had to be done! They've done so much -- tilling, spreading compost, tilling again, moving many wheelbarrows of mulch, putting up the fence, laying in the soaker hose, planting, and moving more mulch. That pretty much sounds like everything, so I'd say they've done most of the work. They're amazing guys!<br />
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Planting community has been a lot of fun (on the days I've been able to go)! Unfortunately, my husband has had to go solo a few times, but we're over our virus invasion so it's back to work. We work, we chat. We work and talk, talk and work. The kids love to pick green caterpillars off of the cabbage plants, and when they're out playing in the yard we take turns keeping our eyes on them.<br />
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I'll have to get over there to take current photos in toddler phase, but for now enjoy the baby pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpLU1KsArEc/T7q47BH3pVI/AAAAAAAAB0I/HgJNXQV7dxo/s1600/coop11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpLU1KsArEc/T7q47BH3pVI/AAAAAAAAB0I/HgJNXQV7dxo/s320/coop11.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby tomato plants from the local farmers co-op</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQQIo1DCrys/T7q5GyJG1LI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/tfNuEBqDGTY/s1600/coop14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQQIo1DCrys/T7q5GyJG1LI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/tfNuEBqDGTY/s320/coop14.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cody, our "land host"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXaEfxHyfxQ/T7q5I-6udgI/AAAAAAAAB0g/qOp8hxd1IPg/s1600/coop15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXaEfxHyfxQ/T7q5I-6udgI/AAAAAAAAB0g/qOp8hxd1IPg/s320/coop15.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike in his work gear. Handsome, in rubber boots and dickies! </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-59369621434275458622012-05-09T15:46:00.003-05:002012-05-09T15:49:55.116-05:00Co-op, as in "cooperative."<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">I know that many people would cringe at the thought of sharing their yard with another family, but our friends, the Yorks, didn't flinch. </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">Well, not that I saw at least! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;">They mentioned doubling the size of their garden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;">I mentioned helping tend the garden, or purchasing veggies from them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;">They said, "let's have a co-op!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;">Why not? We're starting small, with just 8 members. 50% of the members are under 6 years of age, but that's neither here nor there. They will most certainly eat their share!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngCBGp6ZTPw/T6rOHZ-O5QI/AAAAAAAABzI/NicIGG5JCck/s1600/coop02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngCBGp6ZTPw/T6rOHZ-O5QI/AAAAAAAABzI/NicIGG5JCck/s200/coop02.jpg" width="133" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first thing that we did as a team was rake out the dead grass before spreading the compost. The Yorks managed to get an entire truck load of horse compost for free -- long story, but I'll tell it if you ask me to -- so we worked all morning shoveling poop across the already tilled expansion. There was no need to compost the existing half, as it was pretty nutrient rich from the previous year's composted garden. As a true testament to community, a neighbor offered his tiller for the day. He even went to pick it up somewhere else and dropped it in the backyard for us. Oh, and if that isn't enough neighborly love for you, we also borrowed a couple of shovels from some folks around the corner. All of these folks will surely be getting some vegetable gift bags from us this summer! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: left;">While one family returned the rental truck (used to haul the compost), my husband tilled the compost in, and we went to work on the border weeds. I must say, there is great satisfaction in pulling weeds. I have more work to do, but at least we got most of one side completed. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTjkecS6tls/T6rLfL4LoXI/AAAAAAAABy4/Eu0DNKvpNtM/s1600/coop03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTjkecS6tls/T6rLfL4LoXI/AAAAAAAABy4/Eu0DNKvpNtM/s400/coop03.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The north side weeded and ready for tilling.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-REzKCF_tAQo/T6rNz0Z0ORI/AAAAAAAABzA/EmZSJjj4CKk/s1600/coop01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-REzKCF_tAQo/T6rNz0Z0ORI/AAAAAAAABzA/EmZSJjj4CKk/s400/coop01.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Compost down, tilled again, ready for more fence.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uScFZYwdiM/T6rPyNriAmI/AAAAAAAABzY/NQI0scdLw5g/s1600/coop05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">There are people that are okay with sharing things with the community, building friendships, sweating a little for someone else, and feeding more than just their own family. We're learning what that feels like this year, and hopefully teaching our children that living in relationship with other people is better than isolating needs and blessings. </span>It certainly didn't kill us, or even hurt us, to work someone else's land. It felt even less painful using borrowed tools and expensive equipment from neighbors. It made it a true community effort.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uScFZYwdiM/T6rPyNriAmI/AAAAAAAABzY/NQI0scdLw5g/s1600/coop05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uScFZYwdiM/T6rPyNriAmI/AAAAAAAABzY/NQI0scdLw5g/s200/coop05.jpg" width="133" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The only casualty of the day was a pair of faux leather riding boots that I've been wearing for three years. I felt it was time to dirty them up. Or in this case, horse manure them up. Darn, I guess I will need a new pair of boots this Fall! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">By the way, t</span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">his is the very same friend of the </span><a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2011/07/drink-those-veggies.html" style="line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">juicing post</a><span style="line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> last year. She's a giver!</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-9660556320488491642012-05-07T17:10:00.001-05:002012-05-07T17:10:57.626-05:00Oh yes, I did.What do I do with sweetened condensed milk, you ask? Well, a little dab in my coffee for starters. Truthfully, a full teaspoon is heavenly at the bottom of my cup, just before I pour a double from the stovetop espresso maker.<br />
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I have to also mention that it stays in the refrigerator door and lasts a VERY long time. I'm icked out by open cans in the fridge, so we used to transfer the milk from the can into a container, then spooned it out. Not much trouble, but the availability of a squeeze bottle truly rocked our world!<br />
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Much to my dismay, I found out recently that Trader Joe's carries the squeeze bottle version of organic sweetened condensed milk as a "seasonal item." A season, I must mention, that has passed. Boo, boo, and boo.<br />
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My quick-fix? Empty the last can in the pantry, into the squeeze bottle.<br />
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Hey, don't mention it.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-13568408175119406572012-03-27T16:23:00.001-05:002012-04-05T14:02:55.514-05:00Two out of three isn't bad, right?So... I am humbly writing a follow-up to my previous post about <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-strip-k-cups-for-recycling-bin.html">stripping a k-cup for recycling</a>. I am still endorsing the stripping procedure, but I am simply here to tell you that I found out the plastic portion of the cup is actually NOT recyclable.<br />
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Whew! There, I said it.<br />
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That's been weighing on me ever since I found out. No, it isn't my fault or anything, but it sure does sting. A LOT. I've been tossing those little cups into the recycling bin for almost a year now and the recycling company keeps taking them (I'm not casting blame on them either). I'm sure they end up sorting them out into the landfill or burn pile (I haven't found that part out yet).<br />
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At any rate, the foil can still be recycled, and the coffee + paper filter will still be composted. We've planted some potatoes and basil seed, using some of our compost from the winter months.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bK0yoRAlxjE/T3IvZMX8f3I/AAAAAAAAByU/mmm2T9jppt8/s1600/potato_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bK0yoRAlxjE/T3IvZMX8f3I/AAAAAAAAByU/mmm2T9jppt8/s400/potato_11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The purple potatoes are breaking through!</td></tr>
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I am still grateful for most of the product getting reused somehow, and for now I will wait for Keurig to update their plastics to a recycle grade. There are some programs out there to collect cups but I'm happy to get some use of the guts for our own plants. Check out <a href="http://www.keurig.com/social-responsibility">Keurig's site</a> if you want to read more about their social responsibility efforts.<br />
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Here are our current coffee habits that still feed coffee grounds into the compost....<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00164QTY0/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=dothat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00164QTY0"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B00164QTY0&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=dothat-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00164QTY0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
1) Stovetop Espresso. Because more often than not, I have the time. It's SO good with a bit of sweetened condensed milk in the bottom when you want a treat.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ADS5TU/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=dothat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005ADS5TU"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B005ADS5TU&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=dothat-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005ADS5TU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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2) French Press. Sometimes we want to sip on our coffee and spend some time chatting at the breakfast table. Light and frothy, yet still more robust than the regular drip.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AQPMHA/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=dothat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000AQPMHA"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B000AQPMHA&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=dothat-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000AQPMHA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
3) The single cup coffee maker we've been discussing. The best option for reducing waste if you want a Keurig is to get a <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=dothat-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=refillable%20k%20cup&url=search-alias%3Daps&sprefix=refill%2Caps%2C154%22%3ERefillable%20K%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dothat-20&l=ur2&o=1%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">refillable k-cup</a>. There are a couple of popular options out there (just google "solofill vs. ekobrew" and you'll see videos, blogs, etc). I've had the Solofill version for a year and I would use it only when I could stand there and watch it to make sure it didn't drip everywhere! The other day (yes, a year later) I figured out that the best way to use the Solofill -- avoid overfilling it, draw a short cup, and make sure the grind is not too fine. It makes more of an espresso sized serving so I use stronger coffee with it.<br />
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Enjoy your coffee, however you make it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-13543525610835100852012-03-16T13:45:00.002-05:002012-03-16T13:47:58.247-05:00How to Strip K-cups for the Recycling BinLast year, my husband and I decided to buy a single serving coffee maker (Keurig) for our anniversary. It is a luxury item as far as I'm concerned, yet I was able to justify the purchase by coming up with a way to recycle the k-cups. I have been avoiding this post because I didn't want it to be a "responsibility brag," but after a discussion my husband had with some friends last week, I realized that publishing our efforts could provide a solution for some people that are looking into purchasing these convenient little machines.<br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">If you need any back story on the landfill problem, you can <a href="http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000072389">watch a short CNBC video here</a>. Just remember to please come back to <i>Do that.</i> to read the rest of the post!</span><br />
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As a nerdly student of home economics, I have actually timed the following process. I took my time so that it could be considered an average person's timing, rather than whipping through the process in order to set a k-cup dis-assembly record. In the amount of time it takes to wait for your cup of coffee, you can strip the cup you removed from the machine!<br />
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1) Begin by making sure the k-cup you're about to strip has cooled down. We usually stack them by the sink so that I remember to strip them before they pile up too high. <b>Note the convenient little hole</b> that the Keurig machine makes in the cup foil. (The cups stacked on the right have been emptied and are ready for the recycling bin.)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FyrydWY2bmk/T2N-ve9RNcI/AAAAAAAABxM/eSX5SGqx3UQ/s1600/DSC03718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FyrydWY2bmk/T2N-ve9RNcI/AAAAAAAABxM/eSX5SGqx3UQ/s320/DSC03718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
2) Here's where you get dirty for a moment... Stick your finger in the hole and pull the foil up. You'll have a nice little tab that helps you remove the foil entirely by pulling outward around the rim.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RDz1EcX_nw/T2N-xgJhCdI/AAAAAAAABxU/8e0-dI8fDVw/s1600/DSC03719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RDz1EcX_nw/T2N-xgJhCdI/AAAAAAAABxU/8e0-dI8fDVw/s320/DSC03719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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3) Put the foil aside and dump your coffee into the compost (some people can recycle the foil, and others will have to throw it away). You end up with a bit of coffee and the paper filter that is glued inside the cup.<br />
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4) Grab the paper filter and pull it outward, focusing on one side, then pulling around just like you did with the foil. You can put that paper filter into the compost with the rest of the coffee.<br />
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5) Average 20 seconds per cup and you've got stripped k-cups ready for recycling, coffee grounds for your compost (or your potting soil), and a little less guilt when you hit that single serving coffee button! </div>
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For the record, I haven't researched the internet to see if anyone else is doing this yet. Please feel free to leave a comment if you've found other bloggers or news articles on this topic.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-61010417245576441362012-02-15T20:00:00.000-06:002012-02-15T20:02:26.604-06:00A Hearty Soup for Winter Dinners<br />
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This post has been sitting in pictures, just waiting for me to narrate. Thanks to a friend, I was reminded today that I should share this meal idea online. We had this meal a couple of months ago, but it's definitely a repeat performance waiting to happen!</div>
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While soup is enjoyed in our household year-round, winter seems to be the best time to create a hearty recipe that warms you on the inside. This creation can probably be called Soupy Meaty Hearty Goodness, or just Meatball Lentil Soup...</div>
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We'll start with the ground beef from our fabulous <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/good-bad-and-awesome.html">meat CSA</a>. I seasoned it with paprika, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Next, I added one egg and a couple of tablespoons of panko (bread crumbs). I had a dutch oven heating up on medium high heat while I formed the meatballs. </div>
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The meatballs went into a drizzle of olive oil to brown on all sides. </div>
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Yes, you have to actually turn them after they've browned!</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">While the meatballs brown, you can start chopping the vegetables. I chopped half of a large white onion that I already had, a couple of green tomatoes (I honestly don't remember why we had green tomatoes during this time, but they were good!), a large tomato from the grocery store that didn't taste like much anyway, and some kale.</span></div>
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After the meatballs have browned on all sides, remove the meatballs and set them aside nearby. Add a little bit of oil to the pot if you need to (I usually do because the CSA meat is so lean) and throw in the onions. Get them sweating in the pot, then add liquid in order to deglaze the pot. I used water, the last bit of a vegetable juice that I had, and a cup or so of beef stock. I also added a smidge of tomato paste that I keep in the refrigerator (it's in a tube so I can squeeze some in and put it away).</div>
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After adding the liquid, bring it to a low boil, then add your lentils to simmer for about 20-25 minutes. The total simmer time is usually around 30 minutes, but you'll want to add your tomatoes and kale for the last 5-10, depending on how tender you want them.<br />
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I served up the soup with some pita wedges and garlic hummus. A nice local syrah came with our dinner guests and made a great pairing. <i>Thanks to my sister and her Mike! </i><br />
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This meal was so hearty, so rich in flavor and substance that I would suggest making it for your family. Tweak the ingredients and simmer in whatever liquid suits you, but you can't go wrong with meatballs, lentils, a sturdy green and a tomato base.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-48237426713165032592012-01-28T13:07:00.002-06:002012-01-28T13:13:28.812-06:00Favorite Beanie for My Celebrity FamilyOne of my favorite things about Fall and Winter is when I cozy up with some yarn and needles. Of course, there are a million things I'd love to make. I have entire books filled with things I had planned on making for relatives, friends, or my own children... However, I usually only get to make a handful of things per season.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The celebrity beanie formerly known as Mine.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">CC's late Christmas gift</span></i></td></tr>
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This year, I made this beanie twice (pattern taken from the book seen below). Why this one? Well, because I think it's more fun to knit a pattern that changes every row, uses a cable needle, seems complicated, but ends up being a feasible feat. I thought I would finally make something for myself, but I ended up giving it to my little girl because it didn't "slouch" on me. So if I can offer any advice about knitting, it would be to listen to that voice in your head that says, "check your gauge." If you knit, you know what I mean.<br />
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<a href="http://nicelle.com/Do_that/slouchybook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://nicelle.com/Do_that/slouchybook.jpg" width="200" /></a>With the next one that is intended for my niece, my tension was really tight after switching to the larger sized needles (after you do the ribbing you switch up 2 sizes). It still turned out pretty clean and nice looking, but she'll have to do a bit of stretching and wearing to break it in. I'll probably suggest that she wash it and smash it up a bit to make it softer. The good thing is, her mama is a crochet master and yarn expert these days!<br />
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Last Christmas, Angela (the aforementioned mama) gave me a great little pattern book. I've used this book so much I would recommend it to anyone that loves to knit. You can nudge the patterns enough to size them for someone, or simply use the right yarn and follow the directions (that's a new concept for me) for a great result.<br />
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The first time I made the cable knit hat was with a smooth chunky blend and larger needles. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfXX_ODewB8&feature=plcp&context=C3f5f5d0UDOEgsToPDskKHWybCQGq-A63qvL97TaQs">Katie</a> IS a celebrity, as far as I'm concerned. She makes that hat looook mahhhvalous.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-36775760146659084822011-12-26T16:22:00.004-06:002011-12-26T16:26:54.311-06:00Holiday Buhh-fayOr, as I like to call it, <b>our new fence</b>. Let me splain...<br />
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Several months ago, our buddy came over to help my husband measure the yard in order to calculate supplies and labor for a new fence. We had put aside some cash for the fence, and were really excited to have it done. Well, after considering the cost of everything, plus the rental of the jackhammer and labor for all of the bedrock we're sitting on... the boys asked me if I'd like a new cabinet in the kitchen.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4HBIoN7j4g/TvjxFQnfqTI/AAAAAAAABuc/RQCm_YE_NMQ/s1600/DSC01325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4HBIoN7j4g/TvjxFQnfqTI/AAAAAAAABuc/RQCm_YE_NMQ/s320/DSC01325.JPG" width="211" /></a>Of course! I'd been wanting that for-eh-verrr. So, we began the kitchen DIY. Note the large, empty wall in our kitchen. Made no sense to us when we moved in, especially since there was just a small corner for counter space. This wall could definitely use a cabinet.<br />
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So, the guys installed 3 sections of unfinished cabinetry from our local home improvement store. Beau moved the outlet to be level with the light switch since the cabinet would otherwise cover it. Handy!<br />
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These cabinets pretty much match what came with the house, so we can make it look like it was built-in from the beginning. Actually, I mean to say we'll eventually paint all of the other cabinets to match the new ones. All we had to do to begin the process was prime, paint, install the top, then put pulls on. Really, it should only take a couple of weekends.<br />
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After a few weeks had passed, you'll note that we began to use the drawers from the top. They're pretty handy that way. I also hung some old paintings to cover the screws that were already in the wall from our vintage window pane that used to occupy the space.<br />
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What pretty much began as a two week project turned into several months. We had to begin with some primer so we used the least offensive, fume-wise. My smart husband put some wood planks across the top so that we could dry the doors, indoors.<br />
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Even though it was tough to keep the kids out of the kitchen, it was fun having them help me brush the dust off after sanding. They will be great helpers someday.<br />
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Slowly, but surely, we got to sanding, painting, and more sanding. Then more painting. After some concentrated effort and a chair barricade to keep out the little ones, we managed to get it to the next stage.<br />
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Yes, that is my colander sitting on top of the paint can. We were working in stages, people.<br />
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The bamboo chop block came as an 8-foot piece from <a href="http://www.southeasternsalvage.com/">Southeastern Salvage</a>. They cut off the two extra feet and made me a nice cutting board, complete with a routed canal. That piece is still waiting to be sanded, but it's there! After installing the now 6-foot bamboo chop block top, the guys very carefully measured, pre-drilled and screwed in the pulls that I found at <a href="http://www.target.com/">Target</a>. They had a nice price for a simple brushed nickel pull.<br />
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And.... Voilà! Kitchen buffet. It sure came in handy during this holiday/birthday season since we've had two parties, and one more to go. I really LOVE my new fence. Many thanks to Beau West Home Improvement, my husband, and yes, myself.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Maybe if I can remember, I'll get a nice complete picture of it in use. Right now, it's in use, but you don't want to see all of the junk it's been collecting over Christmas!</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-76287301654354450802011-11-15T13:11:00.001-06:002011-11-15T14:13:50.931-06:00Yarn Craft: Napkin Rings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My 4-year-old has been asking to make napkin rings for weeks. She saw a craft video on<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.sproutonline.com/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Sprout's web site</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">and has been determined to make the Wrapping Paper Napkin Rings ever since. I kept pushing the project with each holiday that was approaching, and finally landed on Thanksgiving.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>Thanksgiving Yarned Napkin Rings</i></span></div>
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Yesterday seemed like a good day to get crafty, so we started out with the instructions from Sprout. After my daughter counted the expected number of people at our Thanksgiving dinner, I marked up divisions on a paper towel tube that we had saved. Using her "kid scissors," she then cut the tube into 9 rings.<br />
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Next, we took out our Christmas wrapping paper <i>(not very Thanksgiving-ish, but I humored the child)</i> and cut 1" strips. Lucky for nerdy-me, there are nice little squares on the back of the wrapping paper to give us 1-inch guides. However, even that didn't help with the results. After wrapping a few rings in the paper, Mommy made an executive decision to switch gears.<br />
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<b>"Let's wrap the cardboard in yarn!"</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLUkNXaOc9I/TsK4cVhwlCI/AAAAAAAABbU/kkM278o13Vk/s1600/DSC03008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLUkNXaOc9I/TsK4cVhwlCI/AAAAAAAABbU/kkM278o13Vk/s320/DSC03008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">yarn vs. wrapping paper</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I mean, take a look at the sample photo. Doesn't the yarn totally beat the paper? Puh-leeeez. The paper just didn't have the same...<i>je ne sais quoi</i>! Am I right, ladies and gentlemen?<br />
<br />
Here's the new DIY, folks.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Tip: if you don't have a paper towel (or toilet paper) roll handy, cut strips from a cardboard food box (cereal, granola bars, etc). Staple the ends together to form a ring of similar diameter to the towel roll. </li>
<li>Find some yarn that has a nice color for your holiday of choice. We chose this great chunky burned orange for Thanksgiving. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75goE5HDH_U/TsK4aP9crwI/AAAAAAAABbM/6lNEcb1TlGo/s1600/DSC03003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75goE5HDH_U/TsK4aP9crwI/AAAAAAAABbM/6lNEcb1TlGo/s320/DSC03003.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6rXlFTW16M/TsK4VeRyA0I/AAAAAAAABa8/8GSOd1O4CNo/s1600/DSC02999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6rXlFTW16M/TsK4VeRyA0I/AAAAAAAABa8/8GSOd1O4CNo/s320/DSC02999.JPG" width="214" /></a>
<li>Pull the yarn through repeatedly to wrap one ring (without any glue, but maybe some tape to reduce frustration).</li>
<li>Unwrap it and remove the tape. Use that yarn as a guide to cut similar lengths for the remaining number of rings.</li>
</ul>
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uD-a5ud1p9A/TsK4X_bI_yI/AAAAAAAABbE/L3LzDbJuzro/s1600/DSC03002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uD-a5ud1p9A/TsK4X_bI_yI/AAAAAAAABbE/L3LzDbJuzro/s320/DSC03002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Using a hot glue gun, or good craft glue, attach one end of the yarn to the inside of a ring and let the kids help you wrap the rest of the ring. (You could probably use a mini staple to attach the end, as long as you conceal it). </li>
</ul>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kzhm8oT6yZw/TsK4TVuDQzI/AAAAAAAABa0/lfLCfIgdZuk/s1600/DSC02997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kzhm8oT6yZw/TsK4TVuDQzI/AAAAAAAABa0/lfLCfIgdZuk/s320/DSC02997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>this is my 1-year-old "helping" the 4-year-old</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>When you get to where you started, glue the yarn inside the ring and snip off any extra yarn. If you're using a glue gun, you can try "ironing" down the end of the yarn inside the ring with the hot metal tip. This will keep it from fraying as well as hold it in place. </li>
<li><b>Holiday Napkin Rings in an hour!</b></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y_hmQ_Jdfg/TsK4h42wJFI/AAAAAAAABbc/a-sfXwSCmjk/s1600/DSC03011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y_hmQ_Jdfg/TsK4h42wJFI/AAAAAAAABbc/a-sfXwSCmjk/s400/DSC03011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-80351335868268335732011-11-11T16:30:00.000-06:002011-11-11T16:37:09.555-06:00Patio Garden Experiment: Fall Update!<table 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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwlnQzg2_gs/Tr2fvEs5vaI/AAAAAAAABYc/xl4FxO6ORbI/s1600/DSC02790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwlnQzg2_gs/Tr2fvEs5vaI/AAAAAAAABYc/xl4FxO6ORbI/s320/DSC02790.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FALL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, PGEII (Patio Garden Experiment -Take 2) was interesting! It was not as eventful as we'd hoped, but we did eat whatever we were able to grow. I think we ate more from our friends' gardens than from our own, but that is to be expected when you're using pots in lieu of a raised bed. More watering and smaller plants, but easy watering and bug/worm picking, with easy harvesting. Just enough to feed us and give our patio a nice border.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dsfH5pPcWHQ/Tr2gqwBEzEI/AAAAAAAABZM/zwEpPMTl3dU/s1600/DSC01546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dsfH5pPcWHQ/Tr2gqwBEzEI/AAAAAAAABZM/zwEpPMTl3dU/s320/DSC01546.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the peas & onions before harvesting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2011/05/patio-garden-experiment-2011-may.html">peas</a>, <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2011/05/patio-potatoes-green-plums.html">potatoes</a> and onions in the Spring, a couple of green tomatoes at the end of Summer, and are currently enjoying kale and collard greens.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h--TWi5iv1E/Tr2giKdMTqI/AAAAAAAABZE/5zWq61dZFTU/s1600/DSC01543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h--TWi5iv1E/Tr2giKdMTqI/AAAAAAAABZE/5zWq61dZFTU/s320/DSC01543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SPRING</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This summer's tomato crop turned out great for the squirrels. <i>Saboteurs! </i>Yes, nearly every tomato (green, yellow, orange) was picked off and nibbled by the little rats that live in our big oak tree. Thankfully, my husband ripped out the tomatoes and planted some kale, swiss chard and collard greens. We've been enjoying these veggies in our soups, sautes and sauces, and it makes up for the lack of produce this summer. I would do it again if I had to, but I think nothing beats growing things in the ground!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEb6UpntPao/Tr2hAp6cAhI/AAAAAAAABZU/ePQpQe2kneg/s1600/DSC01602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEb6UpntPao/Tr2hAp6cAhI/AAAAAAAABZU/ePQpQe2kneg/s320/DSC01602.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUMMER... for the squirrels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-70548876491448857292011-10-11T09:26:00.000-05:002011-10-11T09:49:35.121-05:00Growth and rest.<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97Qi4_7hZSg/TpRL24uqhiI/AAAAAAAABVs/ppmD-XSjyW0/s1600/DSC01634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97Qi4_7hZSg/TpRL24uqhiI/AAAAAAAABVs/ppmD-XSjyW0/s320/DSC01634.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the past three years we have been taking a photo of my daughter in front of the hydrangea plants. She is usually sitting next to our plum harvest since the blooms on the hydrangea coincide with the fruit picking in early summer or late spring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg9p8aUsOE8/TpRWFxNfz-I/AAAAAAAABV4/X938x1-0AOQ/s1600/NKP_growth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg9p8aUsOE8/TpRWFxNfz-I/AAAAAAAABV4/X938x1-0AOQ/s320/NKP_growth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2010/08/cant-can.html">Last year</a>, we were sorely disappointed when our plum tree did not bear fruit. We had a few little ones that fell to the ground, but nothing worth keeping or eating. This year, to our delight, we had a great harvest! However, the hydrangea decided to take a sabbatical this year...<br />
<br />
Here is our daughter with most of the second batch (the kids ate a bucketful, I'm sure).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gq4QeDctsSA/TpRLucOfuLI/AAAAAAAABVc/ccbt5pTcLpk/s1600/DSC01625.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gq4QeDctsSA/TpRLucOfuLI/AAAAAAAABVc/ccbt5pTcLpk/s320/DSC01625.JPG" width="320" /></a></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 class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">2011 - <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">with added dramatic flare, "what-EVER will we do with all of these plums?"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-335k3OVUcmY/TpRLy2T2KiI/AAAAAAAABVk/4M0ECfEsFpU/s1600/DSC01633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-335k3OVUcmY/TpRLy2T2KiI/AAAAAAAABVk/4M0ECfEsFpU/s320/DSC01633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-59616767273853479412011-08-26T21:04:00.000-05:002011-08-27T20:55:29.456-05:00Meatless Monday?Hey, even Mario Batali's doing it. <a href="http://www.meatlessmonday.com/meatless-monday-even-mario%E2%80%99s-doing-it/">Meatless Monday</a>, Tuesday, or whatever day you choose, it's a good idea, I must admit. Sometimes we need to let our bodies digest easy stuff, or tip the scales on vegetables. Here is our family's "Meatless Monday" dish – which we actually ate on Wednesday. I was a couple of days late this week, but whatever.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLLb2boOUxs/TlhKwUyhuoI/AAAAAAAABUM/DkbcU_hNjzI/s1600/DSC02006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLLb2boOUxs/TlhKwUyhuoI/AAAAAAAABUM/DkbcU_hNjzI/s400/DSC02006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Vegetable Bibimbap</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I started (once again) with a <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/851646/vegetable-bibimbap">recipe</a> from this month's <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/851646/vegetable-bibimbap">Everyday Food</a>. Their version of this vegetable bibimbap is really easy, and very tasty. You'll just need a bit of prep time for chopping. The only seasoning used is a little bit of soy sauce (you can use Bragg's) and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.<br />
<br />
My tweaks:<br />
* I used gai lan (or <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/teenytinyturkey/2313021206/">Chinese broccoli</a>) instead of spinach. It gave it more...oomph, in my opinion.<br />
* Instead of the fried egg on top (I LOVE fried egg, but we did that the first time), I drowned some tofu in egg. You can't see it very well, but it's under the vegetables.<br />
<br />
<u>My egg-soaked tofu:</u><br />
1 brick organic extra firm tofu (cut into bite sized "brickettes" - or little bricks, not coal briquettes)<br />
2 scrambled eggs<br />
paprika<br />
coriander<br />
garlic powder<br />
onion powder<br />
salt &amp; pepper<br />
<br />
This meal was so good, I'm going to do it again as soon as I get more shiitake mushrooms!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-14254973618627488312011-08-12T11:53:00.000-05:002011-08-12T11:53:29.167-05:00Squash Spaghetti with Meat Sauce<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUUsc4Z9g_0/Tgov0SG7ApI/AAAAAAAABSc/n_VbuKHG-p8/s1600/DSC01660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUUsc4Z9g_0/Tgov0SG7ApI/AAAAAAAABSc/n_VbuKHG-p8/s400/DSC01660.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm sure you've heard of spaghetti squash. Well, this isn't it. I like spaghetti squash, but sometimes the stringy quality of that particular squash isn't what I'm in the mood for. This dish was great because it was simple, juicy, and really tasty.<br />
<br />
For the sauce, I put together my "usual."<br />
* brown <a href="http://www.rollinghillsfarm.com/">CSA</a> ground beef in <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2011/03/friendship-food.html">garlic olive oil</a><br />
* remove it from the pan, add in chopped onion in more olive oil<br />
* sweat the onions and additional veggies (eggplant, kale, carrot, whatever you like) then add the beef back<br />
* season the beef well (whatever you've got...I use garlic & onion powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, maybe some hot pepper flakes)<br />
* add in tomato sauce, canned tomatoes or pre-made spaghetti sauce<br />
* simmer for as long as you possibly can (even longer with fresh roma tomatoes)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-El1UX7i5ywE/TgovwMrJYUI/AAAAAAAABSY/ZNfIwmIJEVk/s1600/DSC01657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-El1UX7i5ywE/TgovwMrJYUI/AAAAAAAABSY/ZNfIwmIJEVk/s400/DSC01657.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
I had some zucchini and yellow squash (from Robin's garden, once again) that I peeled and cut into long matchsticks while the beef sauce was cooking. I simmered the squash in water until they were tender -- almost limp. You could probably add some killer flavor by cooking the squash in some stock, but I didn't think of it until now.<br />
<br />
Super easy – just takes some cutting time. If you have a handy dandy tool to help you cut, then go for it!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-23625462816228284392011-08-11T12:32:00.002-05:002011-08-11T12:32:58.067-05:00Yay for Recycling Services!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pbtrecycle.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/188020_104606062904702_2708101_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>P</b>eople for a <b>B</b>etter <b>T</b>omorrow<br />
<br />
I started 2011 with a post called "<a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/good-bad-and-awesome.html">The Good, The Bad and The Awesome</a>." One of the "bad" things that started off the year was our local recycling service going out of business. Sad times...but we found a replacement shortly after! I apologize for not posting this sooner, especially for my local friends.<br />
<br />
This service, PBT Curbside Recycling, is amazing. They provide a bin but they also will accept anything in your own bins (in addition to theirs). This makes it so easy because we already had bins for recycling and we usually have more than what their bin can hold. Most weeks we end up with more recycling than trash.<br />
<br />
They accept just about everything that can be recycled and you don't have to sort it! Well, you do need to separate the glass items. We simply have an extra smaller bin and taped a sign on the top that says "GLASS." This ensures every one's safety and fulfills their expectations.<br />
<br />
It is a weekly pick-up and they usually have come and gone before 8am. PBT has several payment options and we opted for the annual payment (only $12/month for purchasing a year in advance).<br />
<br />
WE LOVE PBT!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-2351775988866134622011-07-30T13:58:00.001-05:002011-07-30T14:06:14.961-05:00Drink those veggies.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgGhF056hWs/TjRMjJc2qoI/AAAAAAAABTE/26DrXeH_yrU/s1600/DSC01870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgGhF056hWs/TjRMjJc2qoI/AAAAAAAABTE/26DrXeH_yrU/s400/DSC01870.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Cleaned and ready to juice.</span></i></div>
<br />
Here is a colander full of vegetables and fruit.<br />
"How will you drink them," you ask?<br />
Call it drinking, eating, cleansing, living... whatever you want. Any way that you cut it, it's good for you. Some people have asked what combination of fruits and vegetables we use when we juice, so here is the little "recipe" for today's batch.<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday Juice Lunch</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Prep Time: 5 minutes</span><br />
8 carrots<br />
1 large cucumber<br />
1 apple<br />
5 asian pears<br />
2 small beets<br />
1 hunk of ginger<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giz5jEEGlu8/TjRMwigOoAI/AAAAAAAABTQ/2cz2FZspz64/s1600/DSC01878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giz5jEEGlu8/TjRMwigOoAI/AAAAAAAABTQ/2cz2FZspz64/s200/DSC01878.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">leftover pulp</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I acquired the beets and asian pears at the local farmers market, the cucumber from Robin's lush garden, and the rest is organic produce from a store. You can omit or decrease the ginger if you're not into the taste, or the spicy edge it gives the drink. If you want sweeter tasting liquid, simply add more apples.<br />
<br />
Play around with ingredients that you love... I've used spinach, broccoli, and other greens, but unfortunately our juicer doesn't extract much from those greens. I really do love this juicer -- it is actually my parents' machine that we're babysitting. You just have to make sure the item can fit through the opening and it will extract the juice and dump the stems, seeds and other dry pulp. The pulp is great for your compost pile too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xpx8nY2Bmus/TjRM00R3OAI/AAAAAAAABTU/4lbkUpaPT-8/s1600/DSC01880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xpx8nY2Bmus/TjRM00R3OAI/AAAAAAAABTU/4lbkUpaPT-8/s400/DSC01880.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Voilà! Beautiful AND yummy.</span></i></div>
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This amount of vegetables and fruit gave us two full glasses, plus some leftover. I'm drinking it as I type this post, being sure that I swish the first few sips. This gets the digestive juices going and reduces the tummy shock. Some people experience nausea with such a concentrated amount of nutrients, and some get headaches (our bodies these days aren't used to raw food). I experience both sometimes so I try to drink it slowly, nursing it for a while. This fills me up and I don't need a huge portion of food for the rest of my meal.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4i4sq7h4eoI/TjRM4RcsBwI/AAAAAAAABTY/i267UDxEkck/s1600/DSC01883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4i4sq7h4eoI/TjRM4RcsBwI/AAAAAAAABTY/i267UDxEkck/s320/DSC01883.jpg" width="214" /></a>The other common question I get after discussing healthy eating is, "do your kids like it?"<br />
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My son sure does! My daughter likes it on occasion, but since she had a bowl of fruit for her snack I didn't ask her to drink this batch of juice. She did like the last batch, which didn't have as much ginger. You never know until you try, so keep asking them to taste it. Use fancy straws or favorite cups to make it even more enticing!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-5350349586063540822011-07-25T10:33:00.002-05:002011-07-25T10:33:23.845-05:00Free Shipping on Everyday Minerals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.everydayminerals.com/store/try-me-free/promos.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EM+Free+Shipping+Week&utm_content=EM+Free+Shipping+Week+CID_31f1860e368da118812e99100c7b71dd&utm_source=Email+marketing+software">FREE SHIPPING on JULY 25, 2011</a></b></span></div>
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I've posted about my love for <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2010/07/treat-your-face.html">Everyday Minerals</a> (since their products are so great, they have good colors, and it's healthy for your skin), and today is special because they're offering a promotion for free shipping. Even if you don't catch the promo, please check them out. No paid endorsements here, just pure love of the product. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366023572056737319.post-12175090702162581892011-07-09T21:29:00.006-05:002011-07-09T21:33:24.826-05:00Whimpy's Turkey Sandwich<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DjR3q7E-NU/ThkCTC8TgvI/AAAAAAAABSs/Rg5386SN6Yw/s1600/DSC01816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DjR3q7E-NU/ThkCTC8TgvI/AAAAAAAABSs/Rg5386SN6Yw/s400/DSC01816.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was cutting this mammoth sandwich in half to plate it when my husband said, "what's the name of that guy on Popeye? Whimpy. It looks kind of like Whimpy's burger!"<br />
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<a href="http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r1000/066/Purple/4d/91/86/mzl.kouffkxs.480x480-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r1000/066/Purple/4d/91/86/mzl.kouffkxs.480x480-75.jpg" width="150" /></a>I should have put a fork on the plate to show you how big it really is...those tomato slices are Better Boy hamburger sized slices, next to thinly sliced zucchini (the larger end of a foot long vegetable). I hope that gives you some perspective. I can't go back to shoot another photo because I ate it. I wanted to jump up and down, it was so good! How did I eat this giant thing? I took alternating bites, top...bottom...top...bottom. It was heavenly with the freshly baked, super thin crisp crust and chewy layers of remaining bread.<br />
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I tweaked a recipe from this month's <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/everyday-food">Everyday Food</a> – one of my favorite things that sparks inspiration. There are plenty of great ideas for summer meals, and today's meal was a perfect way to use our produce from this morning's visit to the farmers market on the square.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Whimpy's Turkey Sandwich</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Make a one pound peasant roll from the <a href="http://dothatnicelle.blogspot.com/2010/07/bread.html">master boule</a> (or buy a good round artisan loaf). After slicing it in half (like a hamburger bun), carve out a nest in the top and bottom of the roll. Spread a nice spicy or brown mustard in the bottom nest. You can do the same in the top nest but I used a bit of truffle paste (the original recipe calls for olive tapenade).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Layer in your turkey meat (I used the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://www.hormelnatural.com/products/categories/sandwichmeat.aspx#">Natural Choice Cracked Black Pepper Turkey</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">). Layer thinly sliced zucchini and tomatoes on top of meat. Nestle some Cabot </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><a href="https://www.shopcabot.com/product.php?id=6">Seriously Sharp Cheddar</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> in the top of the bun and carefully put the sandwich together. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Wrap it up tightly in foil and put it in the oven at 450º for about 10 minutes (or 350º for around 25 min). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Slice it up and serve with homemade pickles!</span><br />
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<i>If you get this Everyday Food issue you'll see that I replaced a few of the ingredients with my own, which worked perfectly. The cheese option (which is lactose free because it's made correctly) went perfectly with the truffle paste. The mustard and peppered turkey worked nicely with the creaminess of the vegetables and cheese.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15481186356835522331noreply@blogger.com3