tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55215060353419331382024-03-19T05:06:51.662-05:00Stitches and SNPsEllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-28919915982523163692013-08-07T21:27:00.000-05:002013-08-07T21:27:37.479-05:00Glorious Mornings, Guaranteed <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was in middle school, a restaurant called the Garden Cafe opened up across from my house. The food was sort of upscale diner. I don't really remember much about it except that they served breakfast all day and no matter what you ordered it came with your choice of muffin. Chicken parmesan? Blueberry muffin. Chop Salad? Bran muffin. Pancakes? You must like carbs, why not have an apple muffin?<br />
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I always favored the Chicken Salad with a Morning Glory muffin. I think it has been a decade since I had one, so when I was cleaning out the pantry and came across some desiccated raisins, soy flour, and wheat germ, I combined several recipes to create this one. The soy flour adds protein and the wheat germ adds fiber - both of which help this muffin keep you full until lunchtime. I used apple butter from last fall's canning, but feel free to substitute applesauce instead!<br />
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While the muffins, were cooking, I made a list of the remaining ingredients sitting purposeless in my pantry/refrigerator door/freezer. I'm usually good about only buying things I need that week at the grocery store, so I don't tend to accumulate much, but every six months or so, I try to do a clean out of all the half-empty containers. My <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/08/happiness-project-money.html">happiness project goal</a> was a good excuse, and now we have the next two weeks of dinners set:<br />
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<b>Bulgur </b><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span>
loaded tabbouleh with cucumber, tomatoes, and black olives<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Rye Flour</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span>
<a href="http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2010/10/17/ham-and-swiss-with-caramelized-onion-on-rye-pizza/">pizza with caramelized onion, ham, and swiss</a> (increase proportion of rye)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Ginger Pickle, Chickpea Flour, and Fenugreek Powder</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span> <a href="http://www.ecurry.com/blog/starters-snacks/murgh-tikka-spiced-skewered-chicken/">Indian spiced grilled chicken skewers</a>, <a href="http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/methi-thepla-fenugreek-flatbread.html?m=1">paranthas</a>, yogurt, and ginger pickle<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Chow Mein Noodles and Peanuts</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span>
<a href="http://www.laurenslatest.com/crunchy-thai-chicken-salad-with-peanut-dressing/">Thai-ish cabbage salad</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Rice Paper Wrappers and Sweet Chili Sauce</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span> <a href="http://thugkitchen.com/post/54019647908/my-girl-and-i-were-cleaning-out-the-fridge-and">vegan summer rolls</a> with
peanut and sweet chili sauce (I like them with tofu better than seitan)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Homemade Pickles, Buttermilk Ranch Mix, and Panko
Breadcrumbs</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/08/in-pickle-again.html"> “fried”pickles with ranch dip</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Quinoa and Chia Seeds</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span>
<a href="http://caloriecount.about.com/quinoa-berry-chia-seed-energy-recipe-r1380476">energy bars </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Green Curry Paste</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span>
<a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/summer-vegetable-curry-recipe.html">summer vegetable curry</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Buffalo Wing Sauce</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span>
buffalo chicken pizza <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Pickled Pepper Rings</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span>roasted cherry tomatoes, toss with basil, goat cheese, and pasta <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Chinese Bean Sauce</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span>
<a href="http://chinesefood.about.com/od/beef/r/beef-black-bean.htm">Chinese beef and asparagus</a>; <a href="http://appetiteforchina.com/recipes/black-bean-chicken-wings">Chinese black bean chicken wings</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Tamarind Concentrate and Peanuts</b> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span> <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vegetarian-Pad-Thai-240960">simple vegetarian pad thai</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Morning Glory Muffins</b><br />
Makes 12<br />
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1 cup AP flour<br />
2/3 cup whole wheat flour<br />
1/3 cup soy flour (or more whole wheat flour)<br />
1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)<br />
1 tbsp. cinnamon<br />
2 tsp. baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp. salt<br />
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1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
3 eggs<br />
8oz can crushed pineapple in juice, do not drain<br />
1/2 cup apple butter or applesauce<br />
2 tbsp. vegetable oil<br />
1 tbsp. vanilla<br />
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4 medium carrots, coarsly grated<br />
1/2 cup raisins<br />
1/2 cup sweetened coconut<br />
1/4 cup chopped walnuts<br />
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1. Preheat over to 375 degrees.<br />
2. Mix dry ingredients well. In a separate bowl (or realistically, in a well in the middle of dry ingredients to avoid having to clean to bowls, mix the wet ingredients. Stir to combine, the dough will be thick.<br />
3. Fold in carrots, raisins, coconut, and walnuts.<br />
4. Line 12 muffin tins with parchment liners (these are amazing - nothing will stick to them) and fill each liner with a full 1/4 cup of batter.<br />
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes.<br />
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<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-46305016082083479162013-08-05T23:56:00.004-05:002013-08-05T23:56:58.299-05:00Happiness Project: MoneyYikes, summer is nearly over! I dawdled, but I finally finished my Happiness Project goal of reviewing all of my finances. I've been meaning to set up budgeting on <a href="http://mint.com/">Mint.com</a> and I'm loving it. It let's me set budget items for all of our expenditures (including monthly date nights and individual discretionary spending). It took me an evening to get it all set up, but the learning curve is minimal and I love seeing exactly where the money goes each month. It brings me peace of mind which is so important to my overall happiness. I also set up a few investments so that I can track them with Mint, which is great because I mostly ignored them before. They are long term investments (like my Roth IRA) but I do at least look at them more than once a year now. Mint also encourages you set goals for paying off debt, increasing emergency savings, and putting money away for travel (honeymoon fund!). It's nice to know that money will be there when we want it.<br />
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Secondly, I reduced AT&T cell phone bill by adding the "Fan Number" for my work. Penn State had one as well, so I recommend asking your cell phone carrier about it. It can't hurt and it might save a few bucks a month. We save enough to offset our roadside assistance. I also finally set up autopay through my bank to mail my rent check for me every month - my last bill that wasn't on autopay - and met with my insurance agent to review my policy. Each of these took a bit of time, but I'm glad they are done, I've been putting them off for much longer than the inconvenience warranted. It's given me a huge boost to have this taken care of and I'm feeling inspired for my next goal!<br />
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For the rest of August and September, I'll be focusing on clearing out physical and mental clutter. While I'm not a hoarder, I do have a problem with saving things for a special occasion, holding on to supplies I bought for projects that were never finished, and letting work projects languish as I focus on new and exciting projects. So for the next two months, I'm focusing on identifying all that clutter and using it up or throwing it out! First up, the bag of Penn State pasta I was given at graduation two and a half years ago - it made a frighteningly colored, but tasty <a href="http://mediterrasian.com/blog/?p=2245">Greek-influenced pasta salad</a>.EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-26132110120364776742013-06-19T00:28:00.003-05:002013-06-19T00:28:50.219-05:00Starting Summer off Right!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer started with a Memorial Day visit from Geoff's family and mine. It rained the whole weekend, but there was enough time to fit in a bit of sightseeing and lots of time for the families to get to know each other.</div>
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We also fed everyone lots of Tex-Mex before sending them home. The next weekend I headed to Lake Conroe with the girls to celebrate our 30th birthdays.<br />
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It was tight, but we got 5 women's worth of luggage into the car. We shared a cabin on the lake and spent the nights in the hot tub and days playing Uno and catching up.<br />
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It's been almost three years since we have all been together. On our last day, we kayaked in the morning then rented a pontoon boat to spend the afternoon floating around different parts of the lake. It was a great, relaxing way to start the the summer and hopefully it will become an annual tradition.<br />
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<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-38220003910233016672013-05-07T22:33:00.003-05:002013-05-07T22:33:51.208-05:00Happiness Project: Sleep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJihi4hgxezHiprn_VF13U4hyphenhyphenKeaLgYIF2LQDCW_D8x-tP6nYS81JM5vxVkJuO8Vg1S2bDPSdZqNuMqKnQvHiIg5MJXAXgnOl4kqE77IXSJvWNGsQ6PKorEr8BQ0sBBErGJOP3nW65M0/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJihi4hgxezHiprn_VF13U4hyphenhyphenKeaLgYIF2LQDCW_D8x-tP6nYS81JM5vxVkJuO8Vg1S2bDPSdZqNuMqKnQvHiIg5MJXAXgnOl4kqE77IXSJvWNGsQ6PKorEr8BQ0sBBErGJOP3nW65M0/s640/IMG_2069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll be honest. I really didn't want this to work. I was hoping that eight hours of sleep every night wouldn't make me feel any sharper and then I could go back to my sixish hours without guilt. But I was wrong. It took a couple weeks and a lot of nights where I didn't quite get the full 8 hours, but this past week I finally felt like I was humming on all six cylinders. Things seemed easier, challenges had clear solutions, and I was excited about projects that were feeling like a burden. I hate that I have to sleep (Hank has a different opinion), but it does make the awake part better. If you are a chronic under-sleeper and there is anyway to sneak in a bit more time, I recommend you do it. I'm sure I'll still have to pull the occasional up until 3am work night, but I'm so much more productive, I suspect it will happen less.<br />
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While keeping up with my sleep cycle, my goal for May is to get my finances in order by automating those last few bills I actually pay by hand each month, double checking all of our bills to get the lowest possible rates, and then reconfiguring our budget to pay for some travel we are hoping to do later in the year. All things that I've been wanting to do but procrastinate on. Now you all can hold me accountable (pun intended).<br />
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<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-41842429418159374972013-04-18T23:10:00.000-05:002013-04-19T01:35:19.614-05:00Southern Sojourn <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's been a rough week in the news. All I can do is focus on not taking my loved ones for granted.</div>
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It's weird to fly north to visit the South, but I did. First to Kentucky to visit my college roommate Summer in Lexington. I had no idea what to expect when I arrived, but Lexington is a great town. The first night out we parked across from the house where Thomas Hunt Morgan - famous fruit fly geneticist - was born. It was meant to be.</div>
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Kentucky is known for bourbon and thoroughbred horses, so Summer and I set out to experience both. We started with a tour of the Four Roses distillery.<br />
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All of the bourbon Four Roses makes comes from these four story vats. The water in the bourbon comes from a local stream that also cools everything.</div>
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In the summertime, there isn't enough water and what is there doesn't stay cool, so they shut down. The whole place smells like yeast and bourbon so we were ready for the samples at the end. We couldn't stay for long, though, because it was time to see the horses!<br />
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The famous horse races generally involve two to four year olds and those that do well spend the rest of their lives being flown all over the world for breeding. (Evidently thoroughbreds must be conceived the old-fashion way.) When they are done breeding, the lucky ones end up at the <a href="http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/">Old Friends Farm</a> outside of Lexington.<br />
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We went on a tour and I took about 200 photos of horses and learned all sorts of new fun facts. For example, did you know that the reason the best horses come from Kentucky is the calcium carbonate in the water that makes their bones strong but light. So they say anyway. Also, horses are identified by mouth tattoos. <br />
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The farm's owner is a former movie critic who took this on as his second career and keeps as his pet this miniature horse who likes to sit on the couch and watch horses race on TV. His name is Little Silver Charm and you can be his<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Silver-Charm-at-Old-Friends/113471835374378?ref=ts&fref=ts"> friend on Facebook</a>.<br />
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After two days with Summer, I drove through the Cumberland Mountains while listening to bluegrass on the radio and enjoying the gorgeous day. I soon arrived in Knoxville for the AAPA meeting and a chance to catch up with some of my favorite people! <br />
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EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-46862276965997565152013-04-16T21:25:00.002-05:002013-04-16T21:25:53.264-05:00ONE x 31I've done <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2011/04/28-by-28-final-tally.html">28 goals by the time I turned 28</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/04/29-by-29-recap.html">29 by 29</a> and <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/04/30-x-30-wrap-up.html">30 by 30</a>, but by 31, I have only one goal.<br />
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Two incredibly important women in my life recommended <a href="http://www.happiness-project.com/about/">Gretchen Rubin's <i>The Happiness Project</i></a><i> </i>and <i>Happier at Home</i> and it inspired me to take my good life and make it great. Each month, I'll be identifying an area of my life that can be tweaked and work on setting new habits. <br />
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April is my month to SLEEP! I hate sleeping. If I could just not do it, I wouldn't. So I skimp on sleep and when I do, I'm not as sharp, focused, or disciplined as I want to be. So I'm going to sleep 8 hours a night and increase my work-out schedule to help me feel tired enough to go to bed on time. We'll see how this goes. I think it may turn out to be harder than I anticipate.EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-40499496079386064882013-04-15T23:20:00.000-05:002013-04-16T00:54:07.541-05:0030 x 30 Wrap-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work Things</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">1.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Find a Time Management System that Works</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">This is a constant struggle but the Pomodoro Technique, paired with a weekly priorities list, and a dry erase board listing the current status (urgent, backburner, waiting on a collaborator) and next step for each project are currently working for me pretty well. I still constantly underestimate how much time everything will take me, but I'm getting better.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">2.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Five Publications </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">I have only had two papers actually come out, one on paraoxonase in the <i><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/04/heart-disease-research.html">Journal of Lipids</a> </i> my dissertation work in <i><a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00439-011-1135-1#page-1">Human Genetics</a></i> but I have three more in press which will be out sometime in the next few months (hopefully) depending on the publishers' timelines.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">3.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Three Grant Applications</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">I've applied for more three applications and most importantly had<a href="http://www.wennergren.org/grantees/quillen-ellen-elizabeth"> one funded by Wenner-Gren</a>. I'll be ramping that research project up soon and I can't wait! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">4.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-break-from-heat.html">Keep up with New Statistical Applications</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a sisyphean task as there are always new methods coming out. I did attend a great course taught at Cold Spring Harbor Lab in August which gave me all sorts of new references to work from.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">5.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-in-instagram.html">Improve my R and Linux Programming</a></span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">A friend of mine started an R programming group in San Antonio which has been great for learning new applications and meeting other nerds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">6.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Go on a picnic</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Not yet. This whole fun things sectionis going to be ugly. Evidently, I need to have more fun.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">7.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Go camping</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Nope.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">8.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Go to a local festival</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Turns out I don't like crowds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">9.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/06/california-love.html">Go to the beach</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Yes! In Malibu and Venice.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">10.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Go to a professional sporting event</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Uh-uh. But I'm hoping for a San Antonio Silver Stars game this summer.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">11.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-in-instagram.html">Participate in alumni association events</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">I cheered on the Jayhawks at a March Madness watch party. Turns out the motivation I needed to finally get out of the house was getting rid of cable.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">12.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-in-instagram.html">Use the library</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't actually checked out any books yet, but I've started looking forward to my commute thanks to their audiobooks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">13.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Visit the zoo and botanical garden</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Neither.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">14.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/search/label/Dinner%20and%20a%20Movie">Watch classic movies</a></span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">This one I've done a lot and, in agreement with every list ever, <i>Casablanca </i>was my favorite.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3fO_fvF-X7h6FtV3p9OH4En6vOGIWRMLQbq_LRegh1HB-vqb6h-iaJDtgFWfLGqQizW_aj15rb2HL5Dxe_5svOfbcj7bwAR6HNIY2jh8WpNpfHYGh7P3sRGnkjD_pPfAPEhdMqnt6Ws/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3fO_fvF-X7h6FtV3p9OH4En6vOGIWRMLQbq_LRegh1HB-vqb6h-iaJDtgFWfLGqQizW_aj15rb2HL5Dxe_5svOfbcj7bwAR6HNIY2jh8WpNpfHYGh7P3sRGnkjD_pPfAPEhdMqnt6Ws/s640/1.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Crafty Things</b><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">15.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-in-instagram.html">Crochet a throw</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Decided to be a bit less ambitious and crochet a pillow instead. I'm really starting to get why people enjoy crocheting, though and may try a throw eventually.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">16.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Sew 6 garments for myself </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">I did make two new items from scratch - <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-bonny-easter-day.html">my Easter dress</a> and a mod pink pencil skirt I haven't posted yet - but I am even more excited to be </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">upcycling new outfits from old clothes -<a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/03/skies-of-gray-pants-of-blue.html"> teal pants and black cardigan with crepe ruffle</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/03/passion-to-refashion.html">navy skirt and grey striped button down</a>, and summer t-shirt dress (I'll be posting soon). It's better for the environment AND my wallet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">17.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/07/vignette-my-first-sweater.html">Knit a sweater</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">(</span><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/07/vignette-my-first-sweater.html" style="line-height: 23px;">Vignette Cardigan</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">I knit one and I've cast on three others, because starting is the most fun part of a project! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">18.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/03/sock-it-to-me.html">Knit a pair of socks</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">This was my first pair of socks with sock yarn and they are so decadent. There is something really luxurious about hand knit socks.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">19.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/p/yarn-stash.html">Own no yarn that moved from PA</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm counting those three cast-ons as using the yarn, so this is pretty much true. All of my yarn now fits in the four wire baskets I have allocated for it, and I'm determined to keep it that way!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">20.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-in-instagram.html">Put all photos in scrapbooks</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Done, done, done! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">21.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Learn to take better photographs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">I really regret that I didn't put more time into this and I think I'll carry it over into the new year. I do wish I took better photos, but I know it will take work.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">22.</span><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/search/label/Drawing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Learn to draw</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started working on this and then realized that it really isn't that important to me right now. </span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yummy Things</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></b><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">23.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Bake through </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Bread Baker’s Apprentice</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've learned to vary hydration levels (<a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2011/09/bronx-style-bagels.html">stiff dough for bagels</a> and <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/06/freakin-awesome-focaccia.html">wet, sticky dough for focaccia</a>), make lean <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/09/heres-to-you-senora-robinson.html">pain de campagne</a> and extremely rich <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-bonny-easter-day.html">casatiello</a>, and leavened bread with direct fermentation (<a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/11/giving-thanks.html">cranberry-walnut bread</a>), instant yeast (<a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/11/giving-thanks.html">stollen</a>), and sourdough (<a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-in-instagram.html">pumpernickel</a>). My favorite development, though, is the sourdough pizza dough that has replaced my normal Friday dough.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">24.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Make brunch once a month</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love breakfast food. This year we had <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-in-instagram.html">apple-sour cream pancakes</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/11/happy-thanksgiving.html">Dutch baby</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/09/southwestern-omelet.html">Southwestern omelet with extra crispy hash browns</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/08/happy-national-waffle-day.html">waffles</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/07/rosebud-was-her-biscuit.html">spicy chicken biscuit sandwiches</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/07/tex-czech-breakfast.html">peach and sausage kolaches</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/06/moroccan-merguez-ragout-with-poached.html">Moroccan merguez ragout with poached eggs</a>, and <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/04/tex-mex-brunch.html">migas</a>. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">25.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Try out six new canning recipes</span></span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Before summer rolls around, I'm using up my last stores of <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/11/happy-thanksgiving.html">ginger pear butter</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/08/savory-jams.html">tomato jam, serrano jelly</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/08/in-pickle-again.html">ice-brined garlic dill pickles</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/07/peachy-keen_2.html">peach butter</a>, and - my favorite and already gone - <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/06/feeding-friendship-chocolate-balsamic.html">chocolate balsamic strawberry jam</a>.</span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">26.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> Cook with a n</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">ew ingredient each month</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">I tried out <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-in-instagram.html">kala jeera</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-in-instagram.html">forbidden rice</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/11/bun-with-pork-belly.html">pork belly</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/10/grown-up-treats.html">cocoa nibs</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/09/hey-there-crabcakes.html">crab</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/07/summers-bounty-salad.html">caperberries</a>, <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/06/ch-ch-ch-chia.html">chia</a>, and <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/06/moroccan-merguez-ragout-with-poached.html">harissa</a>, but I spotted three new fruits I'd never seen at the store today.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX1jl1oHvIWlrd7sZXUzaEbWHR80K1hrCeJ5m-By8mvDu-j-elMXwhe48IxYB3-iU-Ouq5X_d2B4WyStgTpAD5HYlz804b5WsGCoUVHabmD1EQ0G84X84eH9c32_wF99FQKS8TqisIPU/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX1jl1oHvIWlrd7sZXUzaEbWHR80K1hrCeJ5m-By8mvDu-j-elMXwhe48IxYB3-iU-Ouq5X_d2B4WyStgTpAD5HYlz804b5WsGCoUVHabmD1EQ0G84X84eH9c32_wF99FQKS8TqisIPU/s640/4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong Things</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">27.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/11/2978-131-miles.html">Run a h</a></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/11/2978-131-miles.html">alf-marathon</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did it! I'm I ready to train for next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">28.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> Compete in a </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">1 mile swim race</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">I missed the actual race (I was at my statistics course), but I've been swimming a mile most Sunday mornings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">29.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> Complete t</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">wo triathlons </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">This year I completed the <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/05/spa-girl-triathlon.html">Spa Girl</a> triathlon and <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/09/catching-up.html">Wurst Tri Ever</a>. Both had particularly fun swimming elements. The Spa Girl was held at a resort and we swam the quarter-mile in the lazy river and the Wurst Tri Ever we road a water slide that dropped us into a spring-fed pond.</span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirifN_7_gjTpXUuKJDnx0LRnxvApVnjK6bz8js-YEDlBN8FyHCH1v622DugKnb2WIYBDV_iMfrkdxktg8SM-ruJImeKl8FeT-eUrpkMJw2twO8xY_8Wie-SDa14TvcZKFaFZjphxF491E/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirifN_7_gjTpXUuKJDnx0LRnxvApVnjK6bz8js-YEDlBN8FyHCH1v622DugKnb2WIYBDV_iMfrkdxktg8SM-ruJImeKl8FeT-eUrpkMJw2twO8xY_8Wie-SDa14TvcZKFaFZjphxF491E/s640/4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Last Thing</b><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">30.</span><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/search/label/organization"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">Purge things we don’t need from each room of the house</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been so satisfying! It is an ongoing project, and I think I may double back and purge more.</span>EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-54027986605920652622013-04-14T23:49:00.000-05:002013-04-14T23:49:23.615-05:00On bonny Easter day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Meeting the Easter Bunny</b></div>
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by Rowena Bennett</div>
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On Easter morn at early dawn</div>
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Before the cocks were crowing</div>
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I met a bob-tail bunnykin </div>
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And asked where he was going.</div>
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"Tis in the house and out the house</div>
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a tispy, tipsy-toeing, </div>
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Tis round the house and 'bout the house</div>
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a-lighlty I am going." </div>
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"But what is that of every hue </div>
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You carry in your basket?"</div>
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"Tis eggs of gold and eggs of blue;</div>
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I wonder that you ask it. </div>
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"Tis chocolate eggs and bonbon eggs</div>
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And eggs of red and gray, </div>
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For every child in every house </div>
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On bonny Easter day." </div>
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He perked his ears and winked his eye </div>
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He shook his tail -- what tail he had -- </div>
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"I must be gone before the sun; </div>
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The east is growing gray; </div>
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Tis almost time for bells to chime." -- </div>
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So he hippety-hopped away.</div>
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When I was growing up, my mom would read my that poem to me every Easter eve and in the morning I put on my Easter dress (and frequently tights, which I hated) and got to hunt for eggs! No eggs this year except for the ones that came out of these chickens, but I wanted a springy, new dress for Easter brunch at Veronica's. I bought this very loud fabric about a year ago to make a dress using a different pattern, but I like the waist shaping on <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-6157-misses-dresses-project-runway-collection.aspx">Simplicity 2145</a>. The fabric is flowy and light - perfect for summer in South Texas. I may still add the additional sash at the waist and/or a cap sleeve.</div>
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My contribution to the brunch was casatiello, a<a href="http://www.bellalimento.com/2009/06/12/il-pane-castatiello/"> traditional Easter bread</a> from Naples, which is basically a sandwich in and of itself. The dough is enriched with eggs, butter, and milk (tripple-threat!) and studded with gruyere and crisped up salami. It is wonderful toasted and so rich you don't need any butter. For dinner, I cooked some sunny-side-up eggs and we finished off the loaf. This bread is so good, I definitely won't be waiting for the next bonny Easter day to make it again.EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-23838375245447038152013-03-31T22:35:00.000-05:002013-03-31T22:35:45.403-05:00March in Instagram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Easter! </div>
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Everybody's working for the weekend. Even pandas.</div>
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Sunnyside up eggs on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colcannon">colcannon </a>cakes for St. Patrick's Day brunch.</div>
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Well, the madness is over now, but I celebrated an early win with the KU alumni association. Wave the Wheat!</div>
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I've hated these pillows that came with our couch since we got them so I used some scrap yarn to crochet a new cover. I love the texture, but napping on it leaves a particularly weird impression on your face.</div>
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Hank enjoyed the spring weather by lounging by the open windows.</div>
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The Alamo City R users group has been meeting at a really cool cooperative workspace downtown and I finally made it to a meeting.</div>
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Also, we got engaged! </div>
EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-16415721618183537062013-03-28T22:53:00.000-05:002013-03-29T00:20:41.589-05:00Skies of Gray, Pants of Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today was a gray day, but without the rain we so desperately need down here. Luckily, my pants were a cheery blue. I've been working on turning clothes I own into clothes I wear and I've had these pants and cardigan for years. I picked up the pants a few years ago on mega discount at Old Navy. They are a nice medium weight but powder blue pants just didn't do much for me - especially with super wide flare. Into the washer they went with some <a href="http://www.ritdye.com/store/colors/teal">teal dye</a> and out they came - Tiffany blue! I love the new color, springy but not pastel. I stitched a straight leg and now I have some pants I'll actually wear. </div>
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The cardigan is even older - I think I picked it up in 8th grade? I still wear it occasionally but thought it could be pepped up. I picked up some polka-dot crepe fabric in the remnants bin and added ruffles to give a bit of romance to this wardrobe staple. A whole new outfit for less than $3? You can't beat that! I'm loving refashioning and I have one of just about every type of garment in my box - any great ideas?EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-70179871162859392392013-03-24T23:30:00.000-05:002013-03-24T23:30:17.397-05:00Three Dinners and a Movie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've gotten behind on my Dinner and a Movie posts because I feel like my movie critiques aren't up to snuff and my food posts end up just being a thesaurus-worth of "this is tasty." So, presented without additional commentary are three great meals for three great movies:<br />
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<b><i>Thelma and Louise</i> with fancier than diner <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/16386-provencal-tuna-melt">Provençal Tuna Melt</a> and <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-banana-pudding-50400000114472/">Lightened-Up Banana Pudding</a> (don't roast the bananas, they turn to mush).</b></div>
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<b><i>Gone with the Wind</i> with <a href="http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2010/04/hoe-cakes.html">Hoecakes </a>and <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/beansoups/r/bl70111b.htm">Black Eyed Peas</a> with Smoked Turkey Leg</b></div>
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<b><i>Duck Soup</i> with 1930s-era <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/philly-cheesesteak-50400000119701/">Philly Cheese Steaks</a> with provelone instead of cheese sauce and <a href="http://dashingdish.com/recipe/crispy-baked-parmesan-green-bean-fries/">Crispy Green Beans</a>. </b></div>
EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-14134361445842483732013-03-19T21:56:00.004-05:002013-03-19T21:56:51.237-05:00Passion to Refashion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As part of my goal to purge every room in my house by next month, I recently took on my closet which was stuffed full of stuff that I wasn't wearing because it was too big or I just wasn't that into it. I filled two huge Rubbermaid containers with clothes that are fine except for one or two tweaks. For example, this navy pencil skirt was a pair of wide-leg shorts until I cut them open. Straight seams down the front and pack and I have a skirt with pockets!</div>
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I bought two of these very light-weight cotton shirts in January 2010. The other got a <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2011/08/boxy-button-down-refashion.html">basic redo</a> - taken in, sleeves shortened - but this was a little more in depth. I wanted a shirt that was more casual, so I picked the stitches out of the collar to remove it. Then I took in the sides by a few inches and the arms by about an inch and cut the bottom hem straight across to give a more finished edge without having to tuck it in (bonus!).</div>
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I still wanted a shorter sleeve but I decided to add a little bit of interest by cutting off the shirt cuffs and rolling up the sleeves. I went ahead and tacked them in place to make sure everything was secure and used the cuffs to create tabs. They are just decorative, but I still really like this detail.</div>
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In addition to gaining tons of closet space, I organized my jewelry with this simple frame and chickenwire jewelry hanger. My mom and I found these two frames at the Habitat Restore (look for one in your town - great prices on all sorts of construction and home goods and the proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity!). I painted them this bright blue and had a custom mirror cut for just $7 (please ignore the smudges). I love the splash of color on my beige walls in my dark bedroom and I am wearing necklaces I had forgotten I even had. I love getting organized.EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-37773354259010697432013-03-17T15:35:00.001-05:002013-03-17T18:08:09.766-05:00Sock it to Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I call these my sea monster socks. The pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scylla">Scylla</a> by Fiona Lucas, is based on offset slipped stitches and wraps to create a sort of box pattern with a lot of dimension. The pattern fit well pretty much straight-away, although with my long feet, there wasn't much left for the leg portion. You can s</div>
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I bought this yarn in Portland, Oregon during the AAPA meetings in April of 2011. The colors are gorgeous and the yarn was pretty springy, but I think for my second pair of socks, I'll use something with some synthetic stretch built in. I may start wearing socks with sandals just to show them off.</div>
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EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-58205252589750329692013-02-28T20:08:00.001-06:002013-02-28T20:08:59.279-06:00February in Instagram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Koi in the pond at the Japanese Tea Garden</div>
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Two of my favorite women in the whole world!</div>
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After two failed attempts to get a sourdough starter going in the summer (it got moldy), I spent a week getting it going and making pumpernickel. It was good. Not worth six months of effort. </div>
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Magnets made from clear Christmas ornaments and sea glass from Rhode Island and Long Island.</div>
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Gave a talk on skin color and health at AAAS meeting - I love Boston!</div>
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A few extra days with friends and their adorable kids in Boston.</div>
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I finally got my library card so that I can spend my commutes listening to audiobooks instead of just hating my fellow drivers. </div>
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Knitting and watching Jayhawk basketball are two of my favorite pastimes.</div>
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Hooray for friends visiting!!!</div>
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I own way too many spices and I don't even know how to use the more exotic ones. I put some kala jeera and star anise in this <a href="http://boisdejasmin.com/2009/07/lagman-uzbek-lamb-and-noodle-soup-flavor-fragrance.html">Lagman Uzbek</a> with chickpeas in place of lamb.</div>
EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-43145774924887027912013-02-23T23:21:00.000-06:002013-02-24T01:08:07.176-06:00Moonpie Kingdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Geoff's birthday was last week- happy birthday, honey! We've both been swamped since the beginning of the year and so he wanted to spend his birthday relaxing at home, watching movies. Quite a few people had recommended <i>Moonrise Kingdom</i> to us so that was up first. Like most Wes Anderson films, <i>Moonrise Kingdom </i>is self-contained to the point of existing in an entirely different universe, unlike some of the others, it seems a bit like the characters know they are in a Wes Anderson film. Regardless, it's worth checking out for the beautiful scenery and the charming young characters.</div>
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For Geoff's birthday treat, I decided to make "Moonpie Kingdom" peanut-butter moonpies. For my birthday, I always want chocolate-filled chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, but Geoff likes his chocolate in moderation. I never had a particular affection for prepackaged moonpies, but the idea - two cookies, filling, and chocolate can't go wrong. Geoff loves peanut butter so I decided to make <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/new-fashioned-peanut-butter-cookies/b9705338-2553-4ccd-95e9-77294e28de35">cake mix peanut butter cookies</a> like my grandfather used to make and fill them with a peanut butter and marshmallow filling. I had thought of making my own marshmallows but it was a weeknight and even I have my limits. The sweetness of the filling needed some contrast so I used a 60% cacoa chip to coat everything. I think these would be adorable in a mini-size as well. And, if you are looking to make these even quicker Nilla wafers or mini Nilla wafers would be probably do nicely in place of the cookies. Just give them some time to let the marshmallow soften then up.</div>
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<b>Peanut Butter Moonpie Kingdoms</b><br />
<i>serves 8</i><br />
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16 <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/new-fashioned-peanut-butter-cookies/b9705338-2553-4ccd-95e9-77294e28de35">New-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies</a><br />
7 oz. Marshmallow Fluff<br />
1/2 cup peanut butter<br />
8 oz dark chocolate<br />
1 tbsp. vegetable oil<br />
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1. Make up a half-batch of peanut butter cookies and cool completely.<br />
2. Melt peanut butter in the microwave until flows easily. Mix with marshmallow fluff.<br />
3. Place a heaping spoonfuls of peanut butter fluff mixture on the bottoms of half of the cookies. Top with a second cookie and refrigerate at least two hours to over night.<br />
4. Melt dark chocolate with oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Dip sandwiched cookies to coat.<br />
5. Return moonpies to the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to set up.<br />
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<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-15632338232619225052013-02-21T23:34:00.000-06:002013-02-22T00:34:34.332-06:00Casablanca on a Bun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If I may state the utterly obvious, <i>Casablanca</i> is a FANTASTIC movie. Most movies 70 years old tend to be slowly paced and a product of very different cultural norms. Other than the tremendously stylish clothes and black and white film, <i>Casablanca </i>feels completely modern. Moroccan food seemed to be on order, even though there seemed to be more drinks than food consumed throughout. I'd had my eye on this recipe for <a href="http://leitesculinaria.com/79209/recipes-moroccan-meatballs.html">kefta tagine </a>from Leite's Culinaria for a while and I had broccoli and chard from my new CSA that went into these Moroccan-inspired vegetables from <a href="http://agoodappetite.blogspot.com/2010/06/moroccan-inspired-chard-and-broccoli.html">A Good Appetite</a>. The lamb meatballs were nice, but I'm not a fan of cinnamon with meat. My favorite way to eat them were as a meatball sub dipped in au jus. The vegetables, however, were delicious, and I highly recommend them all on there own on top of couscous for a light dinner. If you haven't seen <i>Casablanca </i> recently, rent it again - it might be the start of a beautiful friendship.<br />
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EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-12310773386882830702013-02-14T06:27:00.000-06:002013-02-14T06:27:00.180-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div>
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I'm travelling for work today, but I wanted to leave behind something to let Geoff know I'm thinking of him. Valentine's Day gets a bit tricky since it falls just after his birthday and not long after Christmas, so my good gift ideas have usually run dry by now! So I've turned to the sentimental and hidden love notes for him to find. </div>
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Some are obvious - "I like how you roll" taped to his steering wheel - while others are going to take a bit longer to find - "I think you're cool" is stuck to a frozen lasagna I made for him to eat while I'm gone. Depending on what you already have in the house, you may want to buy your sweetie a few special treats like a fancy beer from a local microbrewery or some wasabi peanuts (okay, these might be specific to my guy). </div>
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Want to show someone you think they are great today (or any time)? You can print out some love notes <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzrqAVybDaekeE9CeTdKNnRhcmc/edit?usp=sharing">here</a>. Consider it my Valentine's Day gift to you. <br />
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EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-91232806303874303992013-02-07T22:46:00.000-06:002013-02-08T00:01:27.488-06:00It's Ladies' Night!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Actually, it was ladies' weekend this past weekend thanks to a last minute cheap flight and the gorgeous and a need for South Texas margaritas. The weather has been in the upper 70s so we spent most of our weekend outside - farmer's market, Riverwalk, and of course Mexican food!<br />
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I've been wanting to try one of these BYOB painting classes and so I was really excited when Veronica suggested one. Our class did "Starry Night over the Alamo" which was a bit of a challenge but lots of fun.<br />
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I'm really happy with how mine came out and now I have a bug to paint some more. Now with my confidence up, maybe I can go it alone.<br />
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Sunday was particularly relaxing with brunch, a trip to the Japanese gardens, and DIY manicures before the Super Bowl! I love these girls!<br />
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<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-65509630069562835802013-02-05T23:06:00.000-06:002013-02-06T01:06:13.391-06:00Sweet and Simple Felt Mobile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since my days of gluing paper doilies to construction paper hearts, Valentine's Day has always struck me as the most handmade of the holidays. There is just something so sweet about a lopsided heart made of simple supplies. Last year I made a <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-wreath.html">knit Valentine's Day wreath</a>, and this year I wanted to bring the love indoors. Using some cheap craft felt, I cut out hearts in two sizes. Some I layered and some I left plain to create a total of 32 hearts which I strung up on transparent thread. The base of the mobile is actually a macrame hoop (although I didn't know that when I stumbled across it at the craft store). I actually bought this for another project, but it makes a great base for a mobile. An embroidery hoop would also work well. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to hang it. That was solved by using loops of yarn to attach the hoop to the screws that hold the light cover in place. This would be a fun project with kids and you could go upscale with gorgeous wool felt or really old school with paper, doilies, and glitter. Definitely use glitter.</div>
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EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-67695158483666054392013-01-31T22:07:00.002-06:002013-01-31T22:07:36.896-06:00January in Instagram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This month was so busy, I can't even believe that it started out in Kansas with snow and stomach flu.</div>
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Our friend Maria came to stay with us for a week. She lived here for two years so we took her to all her old hang outs and showed her the new Riverwalk extension.</div>
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The day Maria left, Jason and Abby came to stay. Abby was here because we organized a conference, but they stayed through the weekend to hang out. We had lots of tacos and, of course, visited a mission (we did the <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/01/foto-friday-39-40.html">Alamo last year</a>).</div>
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These flowers were an unexpected thank you gift.</div>
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Hank loves to sit up in her cat town and look down on us.</div>
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For Christmas, I got the Smitten Kitchen cookbook and only made it to the first page before I decided I HAD to have the apple-sour cream pancakes.</div>
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I also got the <i>Super Natural Everyday</i> cookbook and made this rice salad featuring forbidden rice. Somehow I thought it would be hard to get - turns out you can get it in the bulk bin for $4 a pound.</div>
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Scrabble Night!!!! (That's Geoff's game face)</div>
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Celebrated Kansas Day on the 29th with this gorgeous quilled necklace my mom made.</div>
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Finally got the last 7 years worth of photos (since I bought a digital camera) printed and in albums!</div>
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Whew! Quite a month.</div>
<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-80012159492303185192013-01-29T22:51:00.001-06:002013-01-29T22:51:17.672-06:00Baby, It's Cold Outside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Actually, it's not. It was 80 degrees in San Antonio today. But imagine if you lived in say, Fargo, North Dakota. You'd be pretty cold right now and longing for a hearty braise like this one. Minnesota and North Dakota are both home to a large number of German immigrants and this recipe is an ode to them and the easy meals you need if you are a pregnant chief of police with ruthless murderers to track down. Bone in pork chops get a quick sear before being braised in hard apple cider with onions, cabbage, and apples. The sweetness is cut with a heaping tablespoon of mustard and some fresh scallions. I served it over <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2011/03/spaetzle/">spaetzel </a>(which I highly recommend), but if you are in a hurry, or drank the other five hard ciders while the pork chops braised, it would be great with a hunk of bread or some roasted potatoes.<br />
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I've seen a number of Coen brothers' movies, but never <i>Fargo </i>which is widely regarded as their best film. The plot is a bit bizarre but it is all of the details that make it great. The pacing, the characters breaking through the crust of the snow as they try and traverse the landscape, the creepy Paul Bunyan statue, the juxtoposition of those who are content and those who are trying to live beyond their means. I always enjoy William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi, but this movie reminded me how much I like Frances McDormand who is quietly brilliant in this movie. I may go ahead and become a <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_completist/2011/08/i_watched_every_coen_brothers_movie.html">Coen brothers' completist</a>.<br />
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<b>Braised Pork Chops with Cabbage and Apples</b><br />
<i>serves 4</i><br />
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4 bone in pork chops (about 3/4 - 1 inch thick)<br />
1 onion, sliced<br />
1 large apple, sliced<br />
1/2 head green cabbage<br />
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided<br />
12 oz. hard cider (I used Harpoon)<br />
1 heaping tbsp. grainy mustard<br />
1/4 c. scallions, sliced on the bias<br />
1 tbsp cornstarch, optional<br />
2 tbsp water, optional<br />
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1. Heat 1 tbsp. oil until shimmering, salt pork chops and sear until browned on both sides, but not cooked through.<br />
2. Set pork chops aside and add another tablespoon of oil if needed (my pork chops were very lean) and reduce heat to medium. Cook onions until medium brown.<br />
3. Add cabbage and apple and cook until slightly wilted. A deep fond will have developed in the pan.<br />
4. Turn heat up to high and add half the cider, stirring vigorously to deglaze the pan. Add remaining cider.<br />
5. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Add pork chops back in, partially submerging.<br />
6. Cover and cook 60-90 minutes.<br />
7. When pork chops finish cooking, remove gently and stir in in mustard. If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken with a slurry of cornstarch and water.<br />
8. Serve topped with scallions.<br />
<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-79208636854570890862013-01-20T22:30:00.000-06:002013-01-21T00:16:39.249-06:00Hey Yooooou Guuuys!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, confession time. <i>Goonies</i> is one of those movies I've been <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/07/29/138602098/pop-culture-happy-hour-poseurs-plate-spinners-and-six-bucks-in-pennies">pretending to have seen</a> for years. It's iconic to my generation and Geoff holds that it is the greatest children's movie of all time so I've been nodding along, "Oh, yeah....uh huh, yeah, it's been a while since I've watched it..." Settled in with Geoff and Veronica (another <i>Goonies</i> fan), I was prepared to be underwhelmed. Kids' movies so often don't hold up - but this one totally did! It's the quintessential kids' wish fulfillment movie with some rad 80s clothes and surprisingly funny jokes. Also, Josh Brolin.<br />
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If you have never watched <i>Goonies</i> or haven't seen it in years, check it out. And while you are at it, I recommend a dinner of grape soda and Hamburger Helper. If you prefer your dinner in non-box form, we really enjoyed Budget Bytes' <a href="http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2012/05/chili-cheese-beef-n-mac-781-receip-130.html">Chili Cheese Beef and Mac</a>. The sharp cheddar cheese and kick of chili powder make this a more grown up version, but elbow macaroni will forever bring out the kid in you. Or maybe the Sloth.<br />
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<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-43722459581434484982013-01-17T22:54:00.000-06:002013-01-17T22:54:41.637-06:00Weening off of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once the presents are unwrapped and dinner is eaten, someone in my family always comments, "Nothing is over like Christmas." And it's true. Soon, we must put away the Christmas tree, the lights, and all the other decorations for 11 months, but there is no reason you have to deprive yourself entirely. Once my sparkly ornament wreath came down, my door looked a bit sad. A quick trip to the craft store for a cheap grapevine wreath and clearance white poinsettias, plus a quick spray with some silver spray paint I had sitting around, and I had the perfect winter wreath for bringing some shine to gray skies.<br />
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<br />EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-34831020634227594282013-01-08T22:59:00.000-06:002013-01-09T00:26:57.486-06:00Lonely Man's Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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TV dinners and those divided plastic trays full of cafeteria food both exist in my mind largely in the black and white of <i>Patty Duke</i> and <i>Dobie Gillis</i> reruns. Salsbury steak, in particular, is known to me only as a punch line in the realm of fake high schools. But this <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/03/salisbury-steak-mashed-potatoes-and-peas/">Salsbury steak</a>, given full TV dinner treatment by the Pioneer Woman, looked so good smothered in a thick layer of onions that I had to make it. If you are looking for a lighter meal to fit your New Year's resolutions, I substituted ground turkey for the beef and I think bison might be even tastier if you can get it. I <i>might</i> have overdone it on the onions, ending up with about a 2:1 onion to meat ratio, but they were so sweet neither of us minded. Sweet peas in browned butter and <a href="http://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/detail.php?docid=26327&Extcode=N1JSPHA00">smashed roasted potatoes</a> finished out our (undivided, ceramic) plates.</div>
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And who needs a TV dinner more than a house-bound man in the 50s? A man who spends his days, perhaps, watching his neighbors out his <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047396/">Rear Window</a></i>? I've been avoiding Alfred Hitchcock movies for a long time. Mostly because I'm a well-known scaredy cat and also because my mother was traumatized by <i>The Birds</i> (seriously, she still gets freaked out by the presence of more than about three birds). I really enjoyed <i>Rear Window </i>and I was surprised to be surprised at the ending since it is more than 50 years old. While Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly were both good, my favorite character was the nurse played by Thelma Ritter who was also fantastic in <i><a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/06/all-about-eve.html">All About Eve</a>.</i></div>
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Flush from not being scared by Hitchcock, I watched <i>Strangers on a Train</i> (good, not amazing) and my mom and I watched the new Hitchcock biopic between Christmas and New Years (truly excellent). So now I'm ready for some more - what next? <i>Vertigo</i>? <i>North by Northwest</i>? Or should I jump straight to <i>Psycho</i> and <i>The Birds</i>?</div>
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p.s. My memories of the few TV dinners I had as a child always included a really gross microwave brownie. However, I have recently discovered this actually quite good version of a peanut butter chocolate cake from <a href="http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-chocolate-mug-cake-029-each.html">Budget Bytes</a>. You're welcome. Also, I'm sorry.EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5521506035341933138.post-72284202366350795682013-01-05T16:32:00.000-06:002013-01-05T16:32:00.300-06:00Wishing you a (Retroactively) Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hope those of you celebrating had a wonderful Christmas. We were in Kansas with my family. These are our stockings on Christmas morning - the stockings were made by my Grandma and mom and the quilted fireplace screen was just made by my mom this year. En route, we stopped in Oklahoma to catch up with my aunt and cousins. We dropped off some homemade gingerbread play dough (made from <a href="http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/blog/2011/12/gingerbread-playdough/">Sugarbelle's recipe</a>) for my cousins' sons. It smells exactly as good as you imagine and comes together in no time.<br />
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We made it to Kansas ahead of the snow and did all sorts of wonderful Christmas things like playing Trivial Pursuit, making Rice Krispie treat ornaments, and having dinner on the Plaza with my mom's sister's family before we were all stricken with the stomach flu.<br />
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But let's back up, the Christmas season started off way back in November when we attended the annual lighting of all of the trees on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word. Every tree on campus is outlined in multicolored lights that twinkle all season. It's gorgeous.<br />
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When I was complaining of a lack of Christmas spirit, my friend Katy took me down to the Riverwalk where we sat outside and drank prickly pear margaritas. Totally getting into the idea of a relatively warm Christmas! The Riverwalk Christmas lights are fantastic, like a fairy land (and that's not just the tequila talking).<br />
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In the Christmas spirit, I began to plan a special treat for my mom. She loves stollen, but my dad hates the fluorescent candied fruit that so often fills it. Instead, I soaked dried apricots and cranberries in a combination of whiskey and cider for a week before taking the fruit to Kansas with us. I baked up the stollen recipe from <i>Bread Baker's Apprentice</i> with a (too thick) layer of almond paste in the middle. It was good fresh, but I liked it best toasted with butter and I found the more muted fruit to be festive (and less frightening).<br />
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Giving handmade gifts is one of my favorite aspects of Christmas and this year was no exception. I was particularly busy at work these last few months so some got finished once I was already in Kansas, but they were no less welcome. Here are few of my favorites:<br />
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For my mom, a pair of <a href="http://www.iliveonafarm.com/cozytoes_invite.html">Cozy Toes</a> socks knit from yarn she picked out while we were in <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2012/10/coast-to-coast-and-back-again.html">Portland</a>. She knew they were coming but had no idea what they would look like. (In fact, due to some facebook complaining about my lack of time, she thought they were coming unfinished.)</div>
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Mom also got a new cover for her sewing machine (which I made good use of in finishing up this and other presents) based on an applique from <a href="http://ellisonlane.blogspot.com/2011/11/sewing-machine-cover-tutorial.html">Ellison Lane Quilts</a>.<br />
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For dad, I made a custom-etched casserole dish that no one will ever walk away with from a potluck. Etching glass is so easy and can be done with etching cream that you can pick up at any craft store. It elevates inexpensive glassware into a cherished gift and I think it would be a great way to personalize bakeware that might be on a wedding registry. I also made a casserole carrier to tote it around based on this <a href="http://www.sew4home.com/projects/kitchen-linens/casserole-carrier-simple-marks-moda-fabrics?utm_source=Sew4Home&utm_campaign=b00950f579-20121210_eNewsletter12_9_2012&utm_medium=email">Sew4Home pattern</a>. Somehow I neglected to take a picture of that part.<br />
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By far my favorite gift this year was this lovable guy. He's based on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/otto-a-lovable-monster">Otto the Lovable Monster</a> with some liberal modifications. I made him for a very special two month old and wanted him to match the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thats-Monster-Usborne-Touchy-Feely-Books/dp/0794528783">That's Not my Monster</a></i> board book by Fiona Watt. I love these touchy-feely books that all follow the same format ("That's no my monster, his ears are too scratchy") until the final page ("That's my monster, his ears are so fluffy."). So I made his to match the final monster. I think I did a pretty good job. You may recognize this present idea from this <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2011/06/welcome-finn.html">dragon </a>and the <a href="http://stitchesandsnps.blogspot.com/2011/03/move-that-ate-christmas.html">orangutan </a>up in my header. I'm sure it will come up again because there are about twenty more books I haven't made a knit version of yet! <br />
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The holidays - even, and maybe especially being sick - gave me time to slow down, appreciate being surrounded by people I love, and rejuvenate me for the excitement and business of 2013. I hope you are looking forward to this new year too!EllenQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805375871164019260noreply@blogger.com0