tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-115153732024-03-13T14:24:49.383-07:00knot in the stringIf eternity is a mile long string, this life is a very small knot. Welcome to my knot in the string.S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.comBlogger962125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-37069153216508701892010-05-12T10:14:00.000-07:002010-05-12T10:18:51.369-07:00free Silhouette Craft Cutter at How Does She?Holy Moley! Wanna free Silhouette Craft Cutter? (I do!) click here for all the details-><a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/silhouette-craft-cutter-2" target="new">How Does She? </a>Good Luck!S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-56026093095448248602010-05-04T07:32:00.000-07:002010-05-04T07:33:20.048-07:00My New Life - Stephanie Nielson<object style="background-image: url("http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/KHDvxPjsm8E/hqdefault.jpg");" height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KHDvxPjsm8E&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KHDvxPjsm8E&hl=en_US&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="295" width="480"></embed></object>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-54722595089329534482010-05-02T16:42:00.000-07:002010-05-02T21:32:30.582-07:00about Daylon, recipes the hard way, really long- but worth it?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S94OaPFpXUI/AAAAAAAAEHw/lRiodN2A8As/s1600/cupcakes+009.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S94OaPFpXUI/AAAAAAAAEHw/lRiodN2A8As/s400/cupcakes+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466822841563962690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S94OZlNvxMI/AAAAAAAAEHo/ki82YJsnnaw/s1600/cupcakes+008.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S94OZlNvxMI/AAAAAAAAEHo/ki82YJsnnaw/s400/cupcakes+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466822830323647682" border="0" /></a>So last Saturday was the bake sale for<br /><a href="http://www.helpmakeamiracle.org/Home.html" target="new">little Daylon</a>. We were celebrating our grandson's birthday, so we were not able to attend a fund raising event down in Corona. It just breaks my heart seeing this little guy and, having a tiny percentage of an understanding of what his mother must feel, I wanted to do something, so I made cuppi cakes!<br /><br />This top one is "Hazel's My Girl!" I love me some hazelnuts <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> Nutella, so it was a natural progression that someday they would wind up in a cup cake. Devil's Food cake, Nutella Mallow (<span style="font-style: italic;">first you take the mallow</span>...) filling, then topped off with hazelnut infused butter cream swirled with chocolate, roll the whole shebang in fresh toasted -then crushed- hazelnuts, and "paint" the top with chocolate. Yup if you love those flavour combos then Hazel's your girl too!<br /><br />Next up to bat is "Triple Lemon Heaven". Start with Lemon cake infused with real fresh squeezed lemon juice, add fresh grated zest. Top the cup cake with a puddle of lemon curd cream cheese, then top with a huge swirl of lemon juice infused butter cream and sprinkle with more zest. Heaven indeed!<br /><br />Lastly is "My Crush". A peanut butter cake that scented the house and managed to even waft out to the drive way (driving my neighbor crazy!). Fill with fresh peanut butter cream cheese and top with sweet butter cream. Don't stop there! You're going want to add a crunch to the top by rolling the top in crushed butterfinger bars! Forget the calories, you'll do anything for your crush!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S94OZKQcn1I/AAAAAAAAEHg/two8Cz2bAOM/s1600/cupcakes+005.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S94OZKQcn1I/AAAAAAAAEHg/two8Cz2bAOM/s400/cupcakes+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466822823087218514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S94OYkwjMUI/AAAAAAAAEHY/-gfbQuNs0_E/s1600/cupcakes+001.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S94OYkwjMUI/AAAAAAAAEHY/-gfbQuNs0_E/s400/cupcakes+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466822813021319490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.lafujimama.com/2010/04/meet-daylon-help-make-a-miracle-giveaway/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LaFujiMama+%28La+Fuji+Mama%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" target="new">Rachel from LaFujiMama</a> informs me that the run/walk and the bake sale brought in more than they expected, however only about 1/3 of what they anticipate needing <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">if</span> </span></span>the insurance pulls through and covers the cost by 80%. You can see, that is a mighty big "if". So please please, <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >if</span> you can, go help <a href="http://www.helpmakeamiracle.org/Home.html" target="new">Daylon</a>! I think together our "if" can be huge! Let's do it!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lafujimama.com/2010/04/meet-daylon-help-make-a-miracle-giveaway/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LaFujiMama+%28La+Fuji+Mama%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" target="new">Rachel </a>has asked me to put up the recipes for the above cup cakes. Hmmm. These (well pretty much anytime I cook/bake) are a add this, toss that kind of thing, so how 'bout an agenda-recipe and ya'al can figure it out, k?<br /><br />So here we go, ready?<br /><br />Click on the following links to go to my new recipe section! Or just click on the recipe you want and go directly there!<br /><br /><a href="http://smeesrecipes.blogspot.com/" target="new">S'mee Recipe Page</a><br /><a href="http://smeesrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/05/hazels-my-girl.html" target="new">Hazel's My Girl</a><br /><a href="http://smeesrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/05/triple-lemon-heaven.html" target="new">Triple Lemon Heaven</a><br /><a href="http://smeesrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-crush.html" target="new">My Crush</a><br /><br />enjoy!S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-74963822418703744072010-04-26T16:11:00.000-07:002010-04-26T16:13:40.591-07:00this kind of hurts my heart, please helpPlease click this link:<a href="http://www.lafujimama.com/2010/04/meet-daylon-help-make-a-miracle-giveaway/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LaFujiMama+%28La+Fuji+Mama%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" target="new"> FujiMama</a><br />Then, if you can, please help.S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-9024525413262408792010-04-24T15:49:00.000-07:002010-04-24T16:54:43.509-07:00Earth Day -sort of, and kind of late.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S9N_PPn2m7I/AAAAAAAAEHQ/qyehnCizuX8/s1600/purse+001.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S9N_PPn2m7I/AAAAAAAAEHQ/qyehnCizuX8/s400/purse+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463850672798997426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S9N_OWYMbiI/AAAAAAAAEHI/x1R0k9OqGLA/s1600/purse+008.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S9N_OWYMbiI/AAAAAAAAEHI/x1R0k9OqGLA/s400/purse+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463850657432497698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S9N_N6o5I7I/AAAAAAAAEHA/Zvp2UQcHEPU/s1600/purse+016.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S9N_N6o5I7I/AAAAAAAAEHA/Zvp2UQcHEPU/s400/purse+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463850649986343858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S9N_NeQaRmI/AAAAAAAAEG4/whE9fF_SRO8/s1600/purse+018.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S9N_NeQaRmI/AAAAAAAAEG4/whE9fF_SRO8/s400/purse+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463850642367465058" border="0" /></a><br />Thor had a business conference in D.C. last week, which meant I got to travel with him, and travel I did! The day we landed we went straight to the hotel and died! Such a long day! The following morning I got up and headed down to Durham to visit The Scholar!<br /><br />It was an interesting drive to say the least (another post on that experience!). After 4 hours on the road I finally met up with her and we began to visit while she toured me around Duke, and of course, Durham (which is a fascinating place!).<br /><br />As the day drew on we needed to stop a few places to pick up items we needed and I discovered that back east (at least D.C. and North Carolina) they charge 5 cents per bag they issue after your purchase. It was fun to watch The Scholar pile up her purchases in her arms and carry them out to the car. (Unexpected trip to the store mean she didn't have her bags with her at the time.) Granted they were few and a bag really wasn't that much of a help, but still, I loved it! (My inner hippy chick was so pleased to see that the hippy gene was trickling down the family tree.) Inside I kept thinking about the different bags I had at home, ready to pack away my groceries, I even have several to take with me for traveling...but with certain restrictions put on my suitcase this trip, I left all non essentials at home.<br /><br />I made that trip from D.C. to Durham and back to D.C. twice! Then I also drove out to Rehoboth Beach (<span style="font-style: italic;">Delaware</span>) so I could see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. Let's just say, I drove a lot, and every where I drove, they wanted a nickle for a sack! Good for them. I think if CA. charged for a sack we'd all figure out a way to remember to bring all those linen bags we have at home. "<span style="font-style: italic;">Save a fish or kill a tree?</span>" Just bring your own bag.<br /><br />Well, I decided that I would make a huge, gynormo purse that I could use as both carry on luggage (if need be) and also haul a good grocery bundle or Target run without having to look as if I was using store branded or company logo totes.<br /><br />I found a piece of Hawaiian print bark cloth (my weakness) for .99! I also found gorgeous green dotted material that grabbed my eyes about two years ago (I have been pining a long time) which was on clearance for $2.00 yd., and lastly some pleather on sale for $3.00. After my $4.50 (total) purchase I went to work without a pattern.<br /><br />8"wx27"lx16"d with a 40" twisted strap so that I can carry it over my shoulder or over my body - hands free, which is nice if I need my hands for other things. I put in 12 grommets and made a pull string to open and close the top. A small leaf button helps slide the string closed and kept in place or slide open. A few more buttons on the bottom of the strings to keep them from slipping all the way through the top, and I was done.<br /><br />The result is a <span style="font-style: italic;">huge</span> tote, and I love it. I think it will work out well for me. Large enough to carry a large laptop and probably and additional watermelon! Plus, <span style="font-style: italic;">it's reversible</span>!S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-1325892235332539092010-04-07T18:19:00.000-07:002010-04-07T18:34:58.473-07:00View from the Sutter and Powell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70yKTsdEVI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/viTOuTfMGD8/s1600/san+fran+2010+293.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70yKTsdEVI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/viTOuTfMGD8/s400/san+fran+2010+293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457573476109717842" border="0" /></a>For anyone who thinks there isn't much to see on one block in the city...524 photos later.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70yJmCQvAI/AAAAAAAAEGI/FTLs9Ay8AaM/s1600/san+fran+2010+283.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70yJmCQvAI/AAAAAAAAEGI/FTLs9Ay8AaM/s400/san+fran+2010+283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457573463853153282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xiEiA0UI/AAAAAAAAEGA/yqU6HL_S0CE/s1600/san+fran+2010+286.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xiEiA0UI/AAAAAAAAEGA/yqU6HL_S0CE/s400/san+fran+2010+286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457572784844624194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xh_hvzBI/AAAAAAAAEF4/ffUhMDFXJWo/s1600/san+fran+2010+282.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xh_hvzBI/AAAAAAAAEF4/ffUhMDFXJWo/s400/san+fran+2010+282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457572783501331474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xhX6w8tI/AAAAAAAAEFw/AFd_fub7ljk/s1600/san+fran+2010+278.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xhX6w8tI/AAAAAAAAEFw/AFd_fub7ljk/s400/san+fran+2010+278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457572772868846290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xg4CkS4I/AAAAAAAAEFo/zpsAF6dvlQM/s1600/san+fran+2010+264.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xg4CkS4I/AAAAAAAAEFo/zpsAF6dvlQM/s400/san+fran+2010+264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457572764311636866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xgHXsKGI/AAAAAAAAEFg/DVt-UcMmQYE/s1600/san+fran+2010+272.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70xgHXsKGI/AAAAAAAAEFg/DVt-UcMmQYE/s400/san+fran+2010+272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457572751246895202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wwBMf-YI/AAAAAAAAEFY/YKpd0uKqPCg/s1600/san+fran+2010+262.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wwBMf-YI/AAAAAAAAEFY/YKpd0uKqPCg/s400/san+fran+2010+262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571924955625858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wviWwtAI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/Bd14dtTku10/s1600/san+fran+2010+261.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wviWwtAI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/Bd14dtTku10/s400/san+fran+2010+261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571916677166082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wvHuLaNI/AAAAAAAAEFI/PfflSyS5PRs/s1600/san+fran+2010+259.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wvHuLaNI/AAAAAAAAEFI/PfflSyS5PRs/s400/san+fran+2010+259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571909527627986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wuunl_FI/AAAAAAAAEFA/E_Cgz52fxRw/s1600/san+fran+2010+258.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wuunl_FI/AAAAAAAAEFA/E_Cgz52fxRw/s400/san+fran+2010+258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571902789123154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wuEj0UQI/AAAAAAAAEE4/9m1yaEJBZTw/s1600/san+fran+2010+255.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wuEj0UQI/AAAAAAAAEE4/9m1yaEJBZTw/s400/san+fran+2010+255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571891498995970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wD5YzQfI/AAAAAAAAEEw/wsXcBmTrHKY/s1600/san+fran+2010+252.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wD5YzQfI/AAAAAAAAEEw/wsXcBmTrHKY/s400/san+fran+2010+252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571166945493490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wDbQMCaI/AAAAAAAAEEo/ahUdD8ggcHU/s1600/san+fran+2010+249.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wDbQMCaI/AAAAAAAAEEo/ahUdD8ggcHU/s400/san+fran+2010+249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571158856305058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wC--0qeI/AAAAAAAAEEg/PEtb9_bARvk/s1600/san+fran+2010+239.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wC--0qeI/AAAAAAAAEEg/PEtb9_bARvk/s400/san+fran+2010+239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571151267277282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wCeyjKmI/AAAAAAAAEEY/46miSYUPqr4/s1600/san+fran+2010+237.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wCeyjKmI/AAAAAAAAEEY/46miSYUPqr4/s400/san+fran+2010+237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571142625864290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wB0zFTeI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/sfVXde2AxNI/s1600/san+fran+2010+231.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S70wB0zFTeI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/sfVXde2AxNI/s400/san+fran+2010+231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457571131353812450" border="0" /></a>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-78312893851459192902010-04-01T11:22:00.000-07:002010-04-01T11:36:52.914-07:00View from the window<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tnn9v5YyI/AAAAAAAAEEI/DhnDY0pZBzY/s1600/san+fran+2010+211.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tnn9v5YyI/AAAAAAAAEEI/DhnDY0pZBzY/s400/san+fran+2010+211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455239722428883746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TnnSakGhI/AAAAAAAAEEA/d2foskmmpvY/s1600/san+fran+2010+199.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TnnSakGhI/AAAAAAAAEEA/d2foskmmpvY/s400/san+fran+2010+199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455239710796683794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tnm3I0f3I/AAAAAAAAED4/c-IG8bwl3sc/s1600/san+fran+2010+222.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tnm3I0f3I/AAAAAAAAED4/c-IG8bwl3sc/s400/san+fran+2010+222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455239703474503538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TnmaDpDjI/AAAAAAAAEDw/arD6tvxdUEk/s1600/san+fran+2010+167.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TnmaDpDjI/AAAAAAAAEDw/arD6tvxdUEk/s400/san+fran+2010+167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455239695668153906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tnl5sUrzI/AAAAAAAAEDo/ENZXwcVWfbQ/s1600/san+fran+2010+160.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tnl5sUrzI/AAAAAAAAEDo/ENZXwcVWfbQ/s400/san+fran+2010+160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455239686980415282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tmt5GjHKI/AAAAAAAAEDg/x43BEftdAnE/s1600/san+fran+2010+165.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tmt5GjHKI/AAAAAAAAEDg/x43BEftdAnE/s400/san+fran+2010+165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455238724749302946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TmtFUvP-I/AAAAAAAAEDY/dCy7AG_Z_90/s1600/san+fran+2010+164.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TmtFUvP-I/AAAAAAAAEDY/dCy7AG_Z_90/s400/san+fran+2010+164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455238710850174946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TmsSMf1-I/AAAAAAAAEDQ/AArEgpEryTw/s1600/san+fran+2010+144.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TmsSMf1-I/AAAAAAAAEDQ/AArEgpEryTw/s400/san+fran+2010+144.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455238697125402594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tmr-mM1UI/AAAAAAAAEDI/sUO5C28uK5g/s1600/san+fran+2010+153.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7Tmr-mM1UI/AAAAAAAAEDI/sUO5C28uK5g/s400/san+fran+2010+153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455238691864499522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TmrS0i_QI/AAAAAAAAEDA/C8_y78au9jE/s1600/san+fran+2010+152.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TmrS0i_QI/AAAAAAAAEDA/C8_y78au9jE/s400/san+fran+2010+152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455238680113511682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TlN1gTkSI/AAAAAAAAEC4/NM0arUXsTgY/s1600/san+fran+2010+145.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TlN1gTkSI/AAAAAAAAEC4/NM0arUXsTgY/s400/san+fran+2010+145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455237074516152610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TlNJ710JI/AAAAAAAAECw/rfroaB8SLFg/s1600/san+fran+2010+142.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TlNJ710JI/AAAAAAAAECw/rfroaB8SLFg/s400/san+fran+2010+142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455237062820483218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TlMKy_GjI/AAAAAAAAECo/b1VTQSjGWL4/s1600/san+fran+2010+141.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7TlMKy_GjI/AAAAAAAAECo/b1VTQSjGWL4/s400/san+fran+2010+141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455237045871909426" border="0" /></a>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-45057114322257508192010-03-30T23:07:00.000-07:002010-03-30T23:18:45.028-07:00View from the 30th floor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LpGvrpt_I/AAAAAAAAECQ/MDVuGjGvqDI/s1600/san+fran+2010+356.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LpGvrpt_I/AAAAAAAAECQ/MDVuGjGvqDI/s400/san+fran+2010+356.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454678400787134450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LoWrN3MpI/AAAAAAAAECA/F0uHjPsg_nA/s1600/san+fran+2010+124.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LoWrN3MpI/AAAAAAAAECA/F0uHjPsg_nA/s400/san+fran+2010+124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454677574954726034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LoWCRxnCI/AAAAAAAAEB4/pPWiD7ffoA8/s1600/san+fran+2010+126.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LoWCRxnCI/AAAAAAAAEB4/pPWiD7ffoA8/s400/san+fran+2010+126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454677563965283362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LoVHI8boI/AAAAAAAAEBw/BDNLc6gqGJ4/s1600/san+fran+2010+125.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LoVHI8boI/AAAAAAAAEBw/BDNLc6gqGJ4/s400/san+fran+2010+125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454677548090551938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LoUgoRTCI/AAAAAAAAEBo/OvKfmMeSbJ4/s1600/san+fran+2010+107.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7LoUgoRTCI/AAAAAAAAEBo/OvKfmMeSbJ4/s400/san+fran+2010+107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454677537752960034" border="0" /></a>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-41721600835263948242010-03-29T18:51:00.000-07:002010-03-29T19:32:00.816-07:00San Francisco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaHKaQlgI/AAAAAAAAEBg/NuZDG1sHbAE/s1600/san+fran+2010+114.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaHKaQlgI/AAAAAAAAEBg/NuZDG1sHbAE/s400/san+fran+2010+114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454239702822458882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaG0Eu6cI/AAAAAAAAEBY/G5aSiH11d4w/s1600/san+fran+2010+111.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaG0Eu6cI/AAAAAAAAEBY/G5aSiH11d4w/s400/san+fran+2010+111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454239696826591682" border="0" /></a>Just a few pics from the Frisco trip last week. Thor had a conference up there and I was able to go along.<br /><br />First up: <a href="http://knotinthestring.blogspot.com/2005/06/coit-tower-san-francisco.html" target="new">Coit Tower</a> - The whole story (click on the link) fascinates me, so I try to grab a shot of it when I can.<br /><br />The whole city is interesting for a girl who lives in the barren desert! This kind of concrete congestion is mind blowing!<br /><br />The architecture around the city is gorgeous!<br /><br />I spent the whole of one day just shooting the block where we were staying. Even into the night I kept photographing. I like the Walgreens shot...looks like the place is up in flames!<br /><br />More shots over the next few days! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaGQ-SmaI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/G7cZPq9r6Fk/s1600/san+fran+2010+133.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaGQ-SmaI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/G7cZPq9r6Fk/s400/san+fran+2010+133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454239687404329378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaFxsOGoI/AAAAAAAAEBI/yNgoVruIaj0/s1600/san+fran+2010+163.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaFxsOGoI/AAAAAAAAEBI/yNgoVruIaj0/s400/san+fran+2010+163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454239679007038082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaFIwgw4I/AAAAAAAAEBA/CfYIjL6HbwQ/s1600/san+fran+2010+137.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S7FaFIwgw4I/AAAAAAAAEBA/CfYIjL6HbwQ/s400/san+fran+2010+137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454239668019184514" border="0" /></a>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-12549254523566635802010-03-24T20:06:00.000-07:002010-03-24T20:26:20.902-07:00bay city rollin'Thor and I are off to San Francisco (<span style="font-style: italic;">Francisco! That's fun to say! Francisco. Frannncisco. Franciscooo!</span>) It's been a while since we've been and I'm looking forward to it.<br /><br />Frisco is weird. It's like your schizophrenic cousin. Too many icons, so many variations, a new personality around every corner that it is difficult to pin down just one description. There are things I love love love about Frisco (the museums, being close to the water, the hip-ness, the<span style="font-style: italic;"> hippy-</span>ness, the real China Town, Coit Tower, recognizable film scenes, mass transit...). There are things I just don't get (the guy peeing on a tree in front of the hotel, the hills-Sweet Mary <span style="font-style: italic;">the hills!</span>, it's usually cold, the expense...).<br /><br />So camera in hand I am off. I hope to grab some lost shots and eat good salad and generally bum out. See ya!S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-69532812397141863532010-03-14T13:32:00.000-07:002010-03-14T14:02:18.703-07:00Ribs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S51IdCreK5I/AAAAAAAAEA4/FxnbDoEAXfI/s1600-h/ribs+002.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S51IdCreK5I/AAAAAAAAEA4/FxnbDoEAXfI/s400/ribs+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448590787960777618" border="0" /></a>I never really liked ribs until a few years back, when after much coaxing from the boys and Thor I was persuaded to try. Before I made them myself, ribs were work! Lots. Of. Work.<br /><br />The whole cooking process was a mess, then after you cooked them you have to fight to eat them. Even in a restaurant, they always were a struggle. I hated the fact that I had to tear the meat from the bone and then pick it out of my teeth like a barbarian. This was not my idea of relaxing family fare.<br /><br />Then I ran into a <a href="http://knotinthestring.blogspot.com/search?q=dem+bones" target="new">terrific teacher</a> who taught me his professional tricks. It got down to very little:<br />1. Buy the best ribs you can afford.<br />2. Trim off the membrane from the underside of the ribs (tough to do, but try to get as much as you can.)<br />3. Cook them low and slow.<br /><br />Now beyond that folks decide whether they like dry or wet, hot or sweet, yada vs yada. Me? I use a dry rub, slightly spicy (read, barely this side of hot, but according to The Hygienist they are no where near hot). I place them on parchment, wrap them tightly and bake them 6 (yes SIX) hours at 250 without so much as a peek. They come out deep brown on the outside and fade to a sweet pink to light brown near the bone. I wait to bathe them in a sweet honey barbecue sauce until just before serving. I let it caramelize and then we act like the cave men we are and gobble them down.<br /><br />The photos do not do them justice! However they do prove that those bones literally fall off clean. No pulling, no struggle, no meat in your teeth. Just perfectly tender juicy caveman fare! I pair them up with fresh cole slaw, slow cooked baked beans, and grilled fresh pineapple. Better grab the napkins!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S51IcqysAWI/AAAAAAAAEAw/EkyN-2nGQ8w/s1600-h/ribs+007.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S51IcqysAWI/AAAAAAAAEAw/EkyN-2nGQ8w/s400/ribs+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448590781548593506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S51IamA8CnI/AAAAAAAAEAo/CEBGsEZZrNQ/s1600-h/ribs+008.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S51IamA8CnI/AAAAAAAAEAo/CEBGsEZZrNQ/s400/ribs+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448590745906449010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S51IabhcnfI/AAAAAAAAEAg/SO9DuLbatjE/s1600-h/ribs+012.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S51IabhcnfI/AAAAAAAAEAg/SO9DuLbatjE/s400/ribs+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448590743090011634" border="0" /></a>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-77409422123759779162010-03-13T22:16:00.001-08:002010-03-13T22:26:16.712-08:00From the sublime to the rediculous<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5x_ZS-8iUI/AAAAAAAAEAY/zucZNtr5VVE/s1600-h/cookies+003.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5x_ZS-8iUI/AAAAAAAAEAY/zucZNtr5VVE/s400/cookies+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448369721780767042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5x_Y-zS_sI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/9O0LleMjr5w/s1600-h/cookies+005.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5x_Y-zS_sI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/9O0LleMjr5w/s400/cookies+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448369716363198146" border="0" /></a>Last post was on the fine art of making French Macarons. This post is on cheating.<br /><br />I was contacted earlier this day and asked to make some cookies for a Fireside tomorrow night. I said I would however the day already had a pretty full agenda and also, making macarons takes a few days, so I just went to something easy and called it a night.<br /><br />Peanut butter cookies with chocolate ganache drizzle. Easy.<br /><br />You'd think. The thing is, no good deed goes unpunished. I had all the cookies baked and cooling and grabbed the ganache, put it in a squeeze bottle and went to town. I was doing pretty well. The chocolate was flowing! Then POP went the lid and about 3-4 tablespoons drowned about 4-5 cookies in a deluge of fudgy goo. Oh well, screw the lid back on and keep drizzling! Luckily I always make more than required, so there are plenty to make it to the party.<br /><br />And well, those cookies drowned in ganache will just have to be eaten at home. sigh.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5x_YPdad-I/AAAAAAAAEAI/lZS5ITIJdn4/s1600-h/cookies+001.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5x_YPdad-I/AAAAAAAAEAI/lZS5ITIJdn4/s400/cookies+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448369703654946786" border="0" /></a>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-19108511821902196432010-03-10T18:23:00.000-08:002010-03-10T20:44:59.369-08:00The French Macaron!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZuRBBECI/AAAAAAAAEAA/jNR2_8nGQLE/s1600-h/macaron+2010+070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZuRBBECI/AAAAAAAAEAA/jNR2_8nGQLE/s400/macaron+2010+070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447202400681136162" border="0" /></a> So, as promised, I will now wax poetic about the <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">French Macaron!</span></span> Not the <span style="font-style: italic;">coconut haystack</span> dipped in chocolate we are more familiar with here in the good ol' U.S. of A.; but rather the uber sweet, <span style="font-size:130%;">domed little sandwich cookie</span> the French have <span style="font-style: italic;">perfected.</span> (Please do not use the photo as the idea of perfection here. That's <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> macaron, kind of the plain Jane of all the cookies we made. Still as sweet and tasty, but with a cracked shell, she's just left to dance alone on the wall until all the other gals were taken. It's a shame, because WOW, ya wow, she can bust a move!)<br /><br />The perfect macaron has just enough poof in her dome to make her attractive, a crisp shell, pretty "feet", and a chewy interior that lends itself to a flavoured filling. Made of at least 50% almond flour, French meringue, and some sugars, these little cookies are delicate to touch as well as to the taste. Helene Dujardin, of <a href="http://www.mytartelette.com/" target="new">Tartlette</a> was our (excellent and esteemed) teacher. (seriously...go to her blog SOON!) She has made every possible combination of flavours in her macarons, both in shells and in fillings...<span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">even a PB&J!</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZgYTTmVI/AAAAAAAAD_4/zJe_qzgcNww/s1600-h/macaron+2010+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZgYTTmVI/AAAAAAAAD_4/zJe_qzgcNww/s400/macaron+2010+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447202162118728018" border="0" /></a><br />The class was attended by (<span style="font-style: italic;">little did I know</span>) other famous and illustrious Foodie Bloggers. (I'm such a dork!) This is only about half of the gals there, and unfortunately I couldn't name them all here if I tried. For this I am <span style="font-style: italic;">truly </span>sorry! Such a bummer to meet folks and then immediately forget names and blog names...I'm telling you, never get hit by a <a href="http://knotinthestring.blogspot.com/2005/05/crash-test-dummy-test-drive-dummy.html" target="new">truck!</a> (it's a long post, you may need to scroll, just know that taking a hit means you can't remember much.) My sis is there and next to her is <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.lafujimama.com/" target="new">La Fuji Mama</a></span> aka, Rachel; who helped organize the class and get Helene to come all the way out to CA! (Thanks everyone!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZfstUL9I/AAAAAAAAD_w/I16BuMlMMPU/s1600-h/macaron+2010+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZfstUL9I/AAAAAAAAD_w/I16BuMlMMPU/s400/macaron+2010+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447202150416658386" border="0" /></a> You can see that everyone pretty much just laughed through the class! Helene was <span style="font-size:130%;">hilarious</span> and fun! Oh ya, those pretty bags? They were filled will all kinds of baking goodies for us to take home, and some <span style="font-style: italic;">Fuji </span>(coincidence?) water and pistachios in case we got hungry! So thoughtful ladies!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZexCnPAI/AAAAAAAAD_o/w0skiByv2Ds/s1600-h/macaron+2010+007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZexCnPAI/AAAAAAAAD_o/w0skiByv2Ds/s400/macaron+2010+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447202134399859714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZeS0wsTI/AAAAAAAAD_g/EyHK4g4USWM/s1600-h/macaron+2010+014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZeS0wsTI/AAAAAAAAD_g/EyHK4g4USWM/s400/macaron+2010+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447202126288695602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZdcqQJOI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/NKHxzayXNRw/s1600-h/macaron+2010+010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZdcqQJOI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/NKHxzayXNRw/s400/macaron+2010+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447202111749104866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZF2XdUEI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/UNgVX8qrbSM/s1600-h/macaron+2010+015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZF2XdUEI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/UNgVX8qrbSM/s400/macaron+2010+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201706332737602" border="0" /></a> The first thing we learned that, no matter which recipe you choose, make sure you <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">measure precisely!</span> Each ingredient was measured carefully and set aside prior to mixing so that when it was "go time" we didn't need to waste time!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZFYHFPsI/AAAAAAAAD_I/7WFwUTUJcDM/s1600-h/macaron+2010+021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZFYHFPsI/AAAAAAAAD_I/7WFwUTUJcDM/s400/macaron+2010+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201698210987714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Freshly ground almond flour</span>, confectioner's sugar, egg whites and a bit of white sugar...that's about it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZE8l1ILI/AAAAAAAAD_A/wERcB3A7Y_E/s1600-h/macaron+2010+029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZE8l1ILI/AAAAAAAAD_A/wERcB3A7Y_E/s400/macaron+2010+029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201690823762098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZEH20O-I/AAAAAAAAD-4/NvBKroeSdNU/s1600-h/macaron+2010+034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZEH20O-I/AAAAAAAAD-4/NvBKroeSdNU/s400/macaron+2010+034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201676667927522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZDr8yN-I/AAAAAAAAD-w/74qVPfeYyK0/s1600-h/macaron+2010+039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hZDr8yN-I/AAAAAAAAD-w/74qVPfeYyK0/s400/macaron+2010+039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201669176768482" border="0" /></a>The egg whites were beat until they were perfectly<span style="font-weight: bold;"> stiff</span> and then then we began to mix everything together!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYj7Jn0FI/AAAAAAAAD-o/jlb0zRZi4iI/s1600-h/macaron+2010+042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYj7Jn0FI/AAAAAAAAD-o/jlb0zRZi4iI/s400/macaron+2010+042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201123501330514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYjTjlSSI/AAAAAAAAD-g/xDfmqZ_VSGM/s1600-h/macaron+2010+055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYjTjlSSI/AAAAAAAAD-g/xDfmqZ_VSGM/s400/macaron+2010+055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201112872798498" border="0" /></a>Now, each of us was given a small container of powdered food colouring. Mine was <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">blue</span>, Robyn got "<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">cherry red</span>", and others in the class got those colours or <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">green</span>. Helene told us that about 1/2 tsp. of powder would suffice, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">except the blue</span>, which was very potent! So heeding her advice I sprinkled my powder on top like it was salt. Hmmm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYi6Re28I/AAAAAAAAD-Y/URxhDljmCJ4/s1600-h/macaron+2010+054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYi6Re28I/AAAAAAAAD-Y/URxhDljmCJ4/s400/macaron+2010+054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201106085993410" border="0" /></a>Robyn's batter came out a lovely pale ink, adorable and pretty! The gal next to me made hers a gorgeous berry, the gal next to Robyn: a perfect mint green for spring. All over the class there were amazing shades, perfect for holidays and celebrations and even a glorious "Avitar" blue (-which took everyone's breath away!) Mine? Well, I should have "salted" a bit more. In the batter my "blue" looked like pale <span style="font-weight: bold;">pale</span> green, after it was baked it took on a lovely and "appetizing" moldy gray tone. ick.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYidn-WAI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/wurHMHeGM5w/s1600-h/macaron+2010+049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYidn-WAI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/wurHMHeGM5w/s400/macaron+2010+049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201098395703298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYhx-kC9I/AAAAAAAAD-I/T3DUwjpAUls/s1600-h/macaron+2010+064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hYhx-kC9I/AAAAAAAAD-I/T3DUwjpAUls/s400/macaron+2010+064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447201086679288786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWNLW5EyI/AAAAAAAAD-A/xGmnNPJosxw/s1600-h/macaron+2010+058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWNLW5EyI/AAAAAAAAD-A/xGmnNPJosxw/s400/macaron+2010+058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447198533691708194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWMVdInsI/AAAAAAAAD94/LZvy1Cbb0iM/s1600-h/macaron+2010+057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWMVdInsI/AAAAAAAAD94/LZvy1Cbb0iM/s400/macaron+2010+057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447198519222378178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWLsP9FoI/AAAAAAAAD9w/GbeBYDMVMBQ/s1600-h/macaron+2010+067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWLsP9FoI/AAAAAAAAD9w/GbeBYDMVMBQ/s400/macaron+2010+067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447198508161242754" border="0" /></a>All in all everyone's cookies came out "o.k.". But one of the most important things Helene taught us was that even with the experts, a perfect batch, <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> of your cookies coming out splendid, is rare. Almost every batch has a few goofy ones. (Good to know!) Also, she said "<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Confidence!</span></span>" Confidence is what you need more than anything! If the cookies don't turn out this time, shrug it off, eat the "failures" (not too tough to accomplish!) and try try again! Each oven and each kitchen will alter a recipe, so keep trying until you find the perfect match! Stick to what recipe works for you and keep playing with different flavours to tempt your family! The ovens in our kitchen were partial to the top shelf, so only two bakers had "<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">perfec</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">t</span></span>" cookies, the rest of us had what I would say <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">fantastic</span></span> first efforts! Amazing taste, texture and the confidence to go home and make a batch all by our self! Now isn't that the goal of every good teacher? <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks Helene! </span></span> If you want to learn more about French Macarons, or good food in general, Helene is the go to gal, she is a food stylist, photographer and all around friend to whoever reads her blog. So<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> go!</span><br /><br />That's all for now, I need to set out my egg whites!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWLFHqMaI/AAAAAAAAD9o/JOOvT95OzM0/s1600-h/macaron+2010+072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWLFHqMaI/AAAAAAAAD9o/JOOvT95OzM0/s400/macaron+2010+072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447198497657467298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWKeQt-hI/AAAAAAAAD9g/oOZg-hIa_ZY/s1600-h/macaron+2010+070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5hWKeQt-hI/AAAAAAAAD9g/oOZg-hIa_ZY/s400/macaron+2010+070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447198487226481170" border="0" /></a>Oh yes, that beautiful pastry box <span style="font-style: italic;">filled</span> with delicate pink delights would be <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Robyn's!</span> My only (quasi) good cookie is that lonely and <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">dented</span></span> one on the rack! Who cares? The rest of mine may have been misshaped, but <span style="font-style: italic;">Dang!</span> they were yummy!S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-91561679344945758792010-03-09T11:43:00.000-08:002010-03-09T16:08:00.197-08:00gorgeous and yummy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5alU6JNZHI/AAAAAAAAD8I/csSHa0E8zS8/s1600-h/100_6204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S5alU6JNZHI/AAAAAAAAD8I/csSHa0E8zS8/s400/100_6204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446722577975043186" border="0" /></a><br />Well there you go.<br /><br />Last Saturday I went with my sister Robyn into LA to attend a small class with <a href="http://www.mytartelette.com/" target="new">Helen</a> (of <span style="font-style: italic;">Tartlette</span>) to learn the idiosyncrasies and special techniques involved in making the perfect French Macaron! My niece had made a sudden move (literally, she moved from SoCal to Utah in one week!) and couldn't attend. Wahooo for me! I really didn't understand who or what was in store, only that I'd be learning to make a macaron. I have looked at macaron recipes before and just thought they were way too much trouble for the end result, so pffftht! But to take a class where I'd actually go home with a product of my own experience, well count me in!<br /><br />Helen, I <span style="font-style: italic;">later</span> realized, is one of <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> most popular blog authors for foodies. She gets high hits and ratings for her talented insights and friendly writing. She is in all rights a Foodie Idol! However, taking her class is like going next door and learning your girl friend's best recipe while you talk about the family and other friends. She is casual and easy and helps you laugh while you learn. And learn we did.<br /><br />Although the majority of the class had "failed" macarons (oddly shaped, sticky 'feet', or cracked on top) the fault wasn't in the teaching, but rather in the oven playing favourites with the top two shelves. All of our macarons tasted delicious, <span style="font-style: italic;">beyond any macaron I have ever had</span>, and frankly, odd shaped and cracked <span style="font-style: italic;">they still had the perfect texture. </span><br /><br />Of course Robyn had perfectly shaped and consistently sized macarons, so when <span style="font-style: italic;">hers</span> came out of the oven, they fit beautifully together and looked amazing. She was also fortunate enough to have been the first put in the oven, i.e. the top shelf- so they also had the best chance for <span style="font-style: italic;">perfection</span> in baking. She left with a pastry box <span style="font-style: italic;">filled</span> with little sandwiches of heaven, while <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> left with <span style="font-style: italic;">one</span> perfect cookie and a box full of mismatched shoes and some, that in all reality, were just peeled blobs of yummy goodness. All in all it was success. They tasted fabulous and they encouraged me to make them again.<br /><br />In the long run I went home with a box of confidence and French temptations --<span style="font-style: italic;">eager</span> to try again. I also came home with new friends, a list of foodie blogs to add to GoogleReader, and the motivation to tweet. Yes, I have a twitter account. Haven't got a clue how or what to do with it, but there you go. If you tweet, you can add me - I'm "Gottabesmee".<br /><br />Currently I am babysitting and away from my camera, which has the photographic proof of the aforementioned macarons and experience. As soon as I get my camera back, I'll post pictures. And yes, you will see the differences between a foodie (aka <span style="font-style: italic;">Robyn's</span>) macaron and a schmo's (read: <span style="font-style: italic;">schmee's</span>! or it that <span style="font-style: italic;">schmine</span>?) and mine.<br /><br />oh, that photo? doesn't have anything to do with macarons, but it is gorgeous and yummy, no?S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-40699065971710753622010-02-24T09:49:00.000-08:002010-02-24T10:44:29.115-08:00Life on the Riviera!Holy smokes. Travel. ugh.<br /><br />I have a few friends who think that while I am away with Thor my life is pretty danged glamorous. Well sometimes it is. Sometimes the rooms are beautiful and the service astounding. Sometimes the settings are glorious and interesting, the people and cultures fascinating. Sometimes the rooms are just fine, nothing to write home about, however clean and fresh and as nice as they can be given the location or age of the facility. You get what you pay for. I get it. This round? Not so much.<br /><br />Once again we are in the pretend world, Sodom and Gomorrah, Sin City, Ickyville. Ya'all know how much I love Las Vegas at its very base. You know, the creepy guys shoving porn in your hands and face as you walk by, the larger than humongous life video signs that advertise all manner of disgusting entertainment, the loud raucous noise the permeates your brain, the smoke, the excess, the adults acting like sophomoric frat boys on crack, the absolute abandon of your moral compass. The all around acceptance of denigration and vice that is Las Vegas! Yes, I love me some Vegas. I always look forward to the nuclear accident shower that one must take after leaving here.<br /><br />Every once in a while we get a bad room, the weird decor or the funky vibe that screams "1962!"; <span style="font-style: italic;">this </span>time, however, was <span style="font-style: italic;">creepy</span>. The hotel <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> old, smokey (you could smell the smoke as you left the car at registration - <span style="font-style: italic;">outside</span>, in the "fresh" air! It had years of cigarette smoke embedded into the plaster facade.) Bell hops or baggage handlers were surprised that we needed some help with the bags and had to scurry to find a trolley- which they had to bang down a short set of stairs because evidently there isn't a ramp. There isn't a handicap accessible ramp either (we noticed this in the restaurant also. If you need a wheelchair- no room at a table with a view of the pool! Oh no need to feel offended or slighted; the pool they brag about on the restaurant ads is now dry and surrounded by a lovely chain link fence and draped in a beige plastic tarp. Boxes and other paraphernalia included free of charge!) This place is <span style="font-style: italic;">extremely </span>dated (seriously, they have those primary coloured posters of crayons, paint buckets, rainbows, and such from the mid eighties hanging on the walls, primary coloured furniture...even the hotel restaurant's logo is shedding appropriate tears. This place is a mess.) The unbelievably bad air brush job on the backsides of their requisite showgirls poster is obvious even to the poor sighted (one of the bare bummed beauties actually was missing the insides of her thighs, and well, part of her bottom...who edits these things? She looked like someone took scissors to her.) Historic shades of dark black and gray on the carpeting in the "traffic" areas remember the guests of years past! You get to register in a dark lobby via computer while angry workers yak about their boss, and of course our usual room with the view of the air conditioning units and ventilation systems.<br /><br />The views, o.k. I get it. I'm not a princess, I can deal with the crappy (sorry, yes crappy!) views. What I am having a hard time dealing with is the <span style="font-style: italic;">lack of a window</span>. The window is about a 4x5 and so filthy you can see the spots and smears from the other side of the room. Disgusting. The carpeting still had cellophane wrappers from the prior guests' <span style="font-style: italic;">I don't want to know</span> what; and when I pulled back the sheet to crawl into bed, well, let's just say I don't have to be a CSI agent to know that someone had already been there. Vile.<br /><br />The bathroom had a roll of toilet paper that had one use left on it. 3 Jr. High Gym towels and 1 bar of soap. The lamp shades, which yes, now I am just being WAY picky, were totally askew, as if someone had indeed worn them the night before. The room was a mess.<br /><br />"No you may not switch rooms, we are booked. But we can have house keeping up there in the morning." Wow.<br /><br />So- after sleeping on top of the bed all night- I call housekeeping in the morning and the gal responds to my request with "I have you as a new register, didn't you just check in last night?" "Well yes we did, however with no toilet paper, two small towels, trash on the floor, filthy windows and DNA evidence left from the previous guests on the bed linens, I just hoped we could get some fresh cleaning up here for the price we are paying for the room." "huff -- o.k. we'll send someone up." "Please let them know I will need everything changed from the top down, fresh towels and linens on the beds, including the spreads. Thank you so much." "mmmm-k. ma'am."<br /><br />So I am here for about an hour and the housekeeper comes up, not happily so, but rather miffed she has to redo a filthy room while I stay and type away on my computer. Sorry ladies, I am not leaving this to you alone, you cannot be trusted.<br /><br />My suggestion? Do not stay at the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.rivierahotel.com/" target="new">Riveira!</a> * Well unless you <span style="font-style: italic;">want</span> whatever was supposed to stay in Vegas to come home with you.<br /><br />* Just FYI: The photos in the website must have been taken some time ago. Seriously, our room, the shops, the restaurant, the whole danged place looks nothing like the images on the web-page. Although they do seem to have the most graphic and disgusting in house entertainment! Andrew Dice Clay? <span style="font-style: italic;">Really</span>?S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-86777137900549359942010-02-19T08:30:00.000-08:002010-02-19T08:35:21.315-08:00YouTube - Charity: An Example of the Believers<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGnLRxSNPiM&feature=player_embedded">YouTube - Charity: An Example of the Believers</a><br /><br />Wow. I really wish You Tube would allow the actual screen, but alas, no. Please click the link, this is an amazing example of compassion; and lest we begin to think all teen age kids are whackadoodle, self absorbed, and just plain mean... well, after viewing these young women, you will find hope and goodness in an upcoming terrific generation. Truly, enjoy.S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-75093541323496014482010-02-04T19:03:00.001-08:002010-02-04T19:03:07.665-08:00Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/wdmy7mbSUEo' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/wdmy7mbSUEo'/></object></p></div>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-19506825113834453792010-01-29T13:19:00.000-08:002010-01-29T13:55:44.074-08:00Life Saver Water Bottle<object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/MichaelPritchard_2009G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MichaelPritchard-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=613&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=michael_pritchard_invents_a_water_filter;year=2009;theme=tales_of_invention;theme=speaking_at_tedglobal2009;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TEDGlobal+2009;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/MichaelPritchard_2009G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MichaelPritchard-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=613&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=michael_pritchard_invents_a_water_filter;year=2009;theme=tales_of_invention;theme=speaking_at_tedglobal2009;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TEDGlobal+2009;" height="326" width="446"></embed><a class="fktujhpftrdisvgmxytc" href="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></a><a class="fktujhpftrdisvgmxytc" href="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></a><a class="fktujhpftrdisvgmxytc" href="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></a><a class="fktujhpftrdisvgmxytc" href="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></a><a class="fktujhpftrdisvgmxytc" href="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></a></object><br /><br /><br />Watch the video. This is a water bottle designed to filter the filthiest of water into pure water for drinking. It is designed to filter out even the smallest bacteria. This is the bottle that the <a href="http://newsroom.lds.org/blog/" target="new">church</a> has donated and shipped to Haiti. (If you wonder where your donated funds go, here's one answer. Remember <span style="font-weight: bold;">100% of your donation</span> to <a href="http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/" target="new">Humanitarian Aid</a> goes directly to victims and not staff or directors.) If you are interested in donating and or purchasing your own Life Saver Bottle and live in the USA here's their link:<a href="http://www.lifesaverusaonline.com/" target="new"> Life Saver USA .</a><br /><br />Granted, this bottle (currently on sale) runs approximately $150.00 U.S. dollars (hello, that's a hefty sum!), however in return it filters 400 gallons into fresh pure water (from <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> water source available) before needing to be refreshed with new a cartridge! The company also produces larger capacity bottles and 2 different sized jerrycans for even larger water capacity or home storage use. I personally think the investment is worth saving for.<br /><br />If you are in the black enough financially to purchase one and give one away or donate more than one bottle they have the means to help you do that and get it to those who need it most at the time of purchase.<br /><br />Thanks. : )S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-68961743342115773012010-01-26T19:33:00.001-08:002010-01-26T19:39:15.566-08:00A Song About Love<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><object height="350" width="425"><param value="http://youtube.com/v/O5ZwnmJgC-g" name="movie"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://youtube.com/v/O5ZwnmJgC-g" height="350" width="425"></embed></object></p></div><br /><br />Hat tip my young friend Whitney, who found this you tube video and shared it with the happy folks on FaceBook. This young man was challenged to write and record a song using only his voice and household items, no real instruments. He did a bang up job. Take a moment to read or listen to his lyrics, amazingly insightful for such a young man. Enjoy!S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-24676543245768283912010-01-15T21:05:00.000-08:002010-01-15T21:46:07.151-08:00"Give!" said the little stream.When I was a small little girl, our family was poor. I mean really <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> poor. There were times when we spent a night or two in the back of an old pink Rambler, and months when we only ate flour and water pancakes, morning, noon, and night, <span style="font-style: italic;">literally</span> for months on end. That said, I <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> have pancakes to eat, water to drink and wash in, and some roof over head.<br /><br />I also learned to give, because there are <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> people who have less than I. We were taught to give with both hands, to not withhold, but to give as we would <span style="font-style: italic;">want</span> in <span style="font-style: italic;">our</span> time of need. Part of that education was learning the words to a simple song:<br /><br />"Give!", said the little stream; "Give, oh give!", "Give, oh give!"<br />"Give!", said the little stream as it hurried down the hill.<br />"I'm small I know, but wherever I go the grass grows greener still."<br />Singing, singing all the day, "Give away, oh Give away!"<br />Singing, singing all the day, "Give, oh Give away!"<br /><br />"Give!" said the little rain; "Give, oh give!", "Give, oh give!"<br />"Give!" said the little rain as it fell upon the flowers.<br />"I'll raise their drooping heads again!" -as it fell upon the flowers.<br />Singing, singing all the day, "Give away, oh Give away!"<br />Singing, singing all the day, "Give, oh Give away!"<br /><br />Give then, as Jesus gives. Give, oh give! Give, oh give!<br />Give then, as Jesus gives, there is something <span style="font-style: italic;">all </span>can give.<br />Do as the streams and blossoms do; For God, and others live.<br />Singing, singing all the day, "Give away, oh Give away!"<br />Singing, singing all the day, "Give, oh Give away!"<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">words by Fannie J. Crosby </span><br /><br />The thing is, there<span style="font-style: italic;"> is </span>something we all can give. If we do not have money, we can pray. We can volunteer at a shelter or assist in humanitarian efforts so that others may benefit. Service is free! Clean out a closet, sort through some shoes, find those extra things that we can donate to someone with less. We can also look to our right and look to our left and see the need within our own reach. Lift a heart with a warm word, hold a hand, share a moment in each others' eyes. Giving is easy and the rewards are great. It is a precious gift we each received from our Father in Heaven, the ability to smile and to love. There is no time here to judge unrighteously, besides, that is God's job. Ours is to find ways to give love to one another...<br /><br />Because God and others <span style="font-style: italic;">do truly live</span>!<br /><br />There is so much need right this minute. In Haiti, and around the corner. <span style="font-style: italic;">God does live</span> and He has no hands but our own to lift the needy and poor in Spirit. Thor, about a week or so ago, commented on how amazing it is- all the "<span style="font-style: italic;">God work</span>" that gets accomplished by all of us who are so bungling and ill qualified for the job. But God whispers to us to do more than we are capable, He fills our weakness and makes us stronger; and He, through our giving (in many ways), creates a miracle.<br /><br />Seems like a fabulous day to give with a song in my heart. How 'bout you?S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-66053071026473440012010-01-14T20:55:00.000-08:002010-01-15T15:01:36.600-08:00HaitiPlease click here for<a href="http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-sending-team-of-doctors-to-assist-in-haiti" target="new"> an LDS response </a>, and how you too can help.<br />The cliff notes are:<br />The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has already sent baby kits, hygiene kits, and water which arrived yesterday.<br />2 additional planes will be loaded (80,000 pounds <span style="font-style: italic;">each</span> plane) with water purification bottles, food, blankets, tarps, tents, and other supplies; along with medical supplies and LDS Dr.s who will set up temporary hospitals in the Church Buildings in and around Port au Prince, most of which remain in tact. These 2 planes will be in the air Saturday and Sunday. Supplies will trucked into the area via coordinated efforts with local partners already in place and also via the Dominican Republic.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">100% of </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">all</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> donations</span> made to and through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints go directly to the aide of these people. No personnel are paid. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">All </span>volunteers spend their own money and time to help. Be assured that if you choose to donate, <span style="font-weight: bold;">every penny will go directly to the victims' relief and supplies.</span><br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />P.S. In response to a query in my mail box: "<span style="font-style: italic;">How safe are the church buildings? I heard that even the regular hospitals are unstable and they are using tents instead of being inside. I don't think </span>any<span style="font-style: italic;"> buildings are safe there.</span>" <br /><br />All buildings built around the globe by or for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are built to the U.S. safety standards, and therefor are more stable than most as they meet or exceed U.S. <span style="font-style: italic;">Earthquake Safety</span> Requirements. Most of the buildings, including hospitals and even the Royal Palace, were probably not built to retrofit or current U.S. safety standards. This explains why these buildings are still stable and standing.S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-57488018743122315472010-01-10T15:02:00.000-08:002010-01-10T15:38:44.003-08:00Sunday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0pk4fU12LI/AAAAAAAAD74/0qgT_yQeltA/s1600-h/hawaii+-05+569.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0pk4fU12LI/AAAAAAAAD74/0qgT_yQeltA/s400/hawaii+-05+569.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425259622765549746" border="0" /></a><br />Today was a terrific and inspiring day at church.<br /><br />Our speakers were a young married couple with 2 kids- 13 and 11. The mom bore her testimony of listening to the Spirit of the Lord and making a life altering decision that turned their family completely inside out. It was a decision that was difficult to follow through on, but one that she knew was coming as a direct influence of the Lord. Her testimony of the effect of following the Spirit and how it improved their lives was astounding and profound. You could feel her struggle and her resulting joy through her tears and words. Not only she and her husband, but more so her children's lives, were made better by difinitive leaps. She taught us to lean to the Lord for <span style="font-style: italic;">His</span> will and to follow His promptings more closely... even when those promptings seem unlikely or we are unsure of how those promptings will finish.<br /><br />Her husband followed her with his talk, continuing the theme of listening to the Spirit and following the Lord's will in all we do. His emphasis seemed to teach me that practise makes perfect and it is only after<span style="font-style: italic;"> acting</span> on promptings will we come to see more clearly the hand of the Lord in our everyday life. He remarked about his personal history; times when he looked back and could clearly decipher those times when he took a leap of faith and those times when because he hesitated, he lost out on experiences that would have benefitted not himself, but those around him.<br /><br />He also talked a bit about difficult times and two things he said I thought were, not only profound and simple, but are hugely true and as deep as you care to make them:<br /><br />#1 "Always remember, you are better off than you think you are."<br />#2 "Hard is normal."<br /><br />#1 We are better off than we think we are. If only we could remember those words when we begin to think egatively. In almost every aspect of our lives, we are truly better off than we percieve. Water for an example. We in the U.S. use it to swim in, to wash everything in, to play with, to drink, to bathe, even to decorate with! There are many people on this planet who barely have enough to drink, much less to use on their crops, and would never ever think to use it to fill a water balloon to throw at their little brother and his friends. Think of the ways we are better off mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, environmetally, yada yada yada than other people on the planet. We <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> better off than we think.<br /><br />#2 Think of all the things in life that are much more meaningful <span style="font-style: italic;">because </span>we had to work for them, or because they have come to us <span style="font-style: italic;">after</span> much effort or trial or sacrifice. Children, jobs, our homes, a new car, education, wisdom, etc. Can anyone gain wisdom without trial and sacrifice? Also, it is a common mean that we must all have experience, and <span style="font-style: italic;">most </span>of our <span style="font-style: italic;">beneficial </span>experiences are due to hard or difficult circumstances.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span> If we can remember that, perhaps we won't become too discouraged when we have new challenges to face. Hard<span style="font-style: italic;"> is</span> normal.S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-60359640405926224292010-01-09T09:49:00.000-08:002010-01-09T10:36:04.578-08:00Livin' the Wild Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0jHNVIomEI/AAAAAAAAD7w/xyHK0ZyMzJY/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0jHNVIomEI/AAAAAAAAD7w/xyHK0ZyMzJY/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424804782993348674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0jHMjP3s8I/AAAAAAAAD7o/ZAqyQLuxtLI/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0jHMjP3s8I/AAAAAAAAD7o/ZAqyQLuxtLI/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424804769601926082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0jHMQFJa2I/AAAAAAAAD7g/ZoLpOPydC_k/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0jHMQFJa2I/AAAAAAAAD7g/ZoLpOPydC_k/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424804764456676194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0jHL4H5X7I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/EdVJ_7vORpo/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0jHL4H5X7I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/EdVJ_7vORpo/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424804758025756594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzWSYqAbS1IrOsZKWrYeIxCYxKwILXzcfTtpiwWL6AmwCY3Es5E5vY0JbGi1FAVFiVJrdUx7-9vrGs' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I was just leaving the temple, the sun was going down and the wonderful mid 70s warmth was swiftly lowering. The shadows were getting long and dark and the light through the grove was dim. However, as I passed the deep green trees the bright orange balls of fruit caught my eye. There were ripe oranges in the foliage and over ripe oranges on the soft gray and brown earth. The contrast drew me in... and then I saw him/her. A sweet(?) little coyote snacking on the sweet juice and pulp on the ground. She was just 10 or so feet from the road and -whoosh!- I drove by. (In the video you can see the light gray rock curb and the cars and trucks driving by! She's right on the curb!)<br /><br />I pulled a quick u-turn and grabbed my camera. No light, no getting out and setting up my tripod, just shut off the engine and shoot. Most of the frames I got were so dark I had to bring out the light in a "photo shop" type of program, bleh! I hate hate hate photo shop-ing my shots, but if I wanted to see the dog, I needed to. I took this little video hoping to get a glimpse of something cool.<br /><br />It's not NatGeo, but it sure was fun to see this wild little beast enjoying his visit into the grove. Enjoy.S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-46384948372347175772010-01-07T19:06:00.000-08:002010-01-07T19:11:17.639-08:00Redlands (LDS) Temple during the day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiJvgqFXI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/Bm55AIh7iH0/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiJvgqFXI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/Bm55AIh7iH0/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424201089470305650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiJE99YoI/AAAAAAAAD7I/YjxQaW8DCwo/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiJE99YoI/AAAAAAAAD7I/YjxQaW8DCwo/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424201078050480770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiI0yP1PI/AAAAAAAAD7A/ubgn09BscE4/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiI0yP1PI/AAAAAAAAD7A/ubgn09BscE4/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424201073706390770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiIZZvdMI/AAAAAAAAD64/QSVJO8Xw0y8/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiIZZvdMI/AAAAAAAAD64/QSVJO8Xw0y8/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424201066355848386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiH-PXoAI/AAAAAAAAD6w/vgw0tdbWcxg/s1600-h/redlands+temple+1-09+050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0aiH-PXoAI/AAAAAAAAD6w/vgw0tdbWcxg/s400/redlands+temple+1-09+050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424201059064586242" border="0" /></a>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11515373.post-67190256793362260162010-01-06T23:01:00.000-08:002010-01-06T23:05:20.913-08:00Redlands (LDS) Temple at night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0WHFTaP8DI/AAAAAAAAD6o/cV_D30phP6I/s1600-h/redlands+temple+at+night+1-09+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lZluOuRi7ho/S0WHFTaP8DI/AAAAAAAAD6o/cV_D30phP6I/s400/redlands+temple+at+night+1-09+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423889851417096242" border="0" /></a>S'meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12101359854973455791noreply@blogger.com2