tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15324872321539323392024-02-15T08:43:08.298-05:00Poppies and PaperbacksA Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of ThatGwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-89885266024227906432023-02-15T12:41:00.002-05:002023-02-15T15:02:53.961-05:00The Overwhelm<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JRtHtEjXUb2unoka7aXFnKzxmtpZJwEnjmBKa5HCFcFEGkt08o3tnhY8w_5DSROkF9fzXfu-RiS_x7HUt0HI849mQlugsrhqQsn8zSB3z2zIme9Oe4uyF1Y0DixnomJ0kXYMDgvk4nMwq2pHvnjTf0NGCa8Wz9_06iwKK22_4Qx5OxeiEiNeJLkBhQ/s854/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-15%20at%2012.37.30%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="694" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JRtHtEjXUb2unoka7aXFnKzxmtpZJwEnjmBKa5HCFcFEGkt08o3tnhY8w_5DSROkF9fzXfu-RiS_x7HUt0HI849mQlugsrhqQsn8zSB3z2zIme9Oe4uyF1Y0DixnomJ0kXYMDgvk4nMwq2pHvnjTf0NGCa8Wz9_06iwKK22_4Qx5OxeiEiNeJLkBhQ/w520-h640/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-15%20at%2012.37.30%20PM.png" width="520" /></a></div><p>Work, play, marriage, self care, exercise, meditation, friendships, maintenance of house, playing with the pets, cultivating new skills, developing businesses, spiritual workouts, pen pals, phone chats, hobbies, car rides, visits, meeting people, going out, saving money, television shows, social media, spending money, worry about family, worry about self, worry about happiness of husband, blog about the worry, paperwork, organization, take all the things to a donation place, organize all the things, priorities, two places at once, not enough arms, hands or enough brain power, millionaires, what about me, confusion, overlooked, misunderstanding, sadness which manifests as anger, therapy, the resource of time, expectations, politics, weather, limitations, gold nuggets. This is overwhelm, friends.</p><p>I don't know where to put all the papers.</p><p>I don't know how to prioritize.</p><p>I can't feel less anxious.</p><p>I keep waiting to be happy again.</p><p>Any solutions?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUB0rp4TNjBP9GG8gGeSO8vndQeLJkB_wwXU8RCc3MD51S1viL0qj6o2D0-VJs6o2B916Zs_qsCorxv9N9Qv-8UgK3ebE4fZhVkG-njwx6bCP24l0YpgpsJdNjvv2xzK9QeCt2-WhJCtBqNUSoo6SJegeWDDtb2WY6e8Sk5ES9QMi8l3Mpl0Va9xoOQ/s980/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-15%20at%203.01.06%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="980" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUB0rp4TNjBP9GG8gGeSO8vndQeLJkB_wwXU8RCc3MD51S1viL0qj6o2D0-VJs6o2B916Zs_qsCorxv9N9Qv-8UgK3ebE4fZhVkG-njwx6bCP24l0YpgpsJdNjvv2xzK9QeCt2-WhJCtBqNUSoo6SJegeWDDtb2WY6e8Sk5ES9QMi8l3Mpl0Va9xoOQ/w400-h251/Screen%20Shot%202023-02-15%20at%203.01.06%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-67752398186215988862022-10-25T10:21:00.001-04:002022-10-25T10:30:15.428-04:00Fortune Cookies and the Great Mystery<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iSpNx-QRwjhewGpYVBluYeNYL-9Qs6zvNixs9QsOk0bbxldtkmBdO8bo-BvV3qhwqc9jG90KsgaQsg9NoejhKTSC3we8Wp3NY-o43V-EU7G8-9MWMV_dzBeGicBAYDbQkgOTMObm8LfzQMJH6EsW637YcLrLOAIXu-L4aDj_nUS4c46wP7laqszimw/s1384/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%209.16.46%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1384" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iSpNx-QRwjhewGpYVBluYeNYL-9Qs6zvNixs9QsOk0bbxldtkmBdO8bo-BvV3qhwqc9jG90KsgaQsg9NoejhKTSC3we8Wp3NY-o43V-EU7G8-9MWMV_dzBeGicBAYDbQkgOTMObm8LfzQMJH6EsW637YcLrLOAIXu-L4aDj_nUS4c46wP7laqszimw/w640-h456/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%209.16.46%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jeremiahjwhite.com/artwork/fortune_cookies-oil_painting_on_canvas-still_life.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">"Fortune Cookies" </span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p>God is great! Yep. I said it. I am tired, oh so tired, of NOT saying it-of being lead to believe not saying it is ok when it isn't and for listening to naysayers disrespect my beliefs as they cast theirs of disbelief upon me (as if their 'opinion' is smarter or better than mine). Enough. </p><p>THIS! I am not speaking about religion- I am talking about belief. They are two COMPLETELY SEPARATE THINGS. You get me? The Supreme Being and religion are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT (and often of no relation) things. Let's put a pin in that one for another time.</p><p>For me, this is not simply an insignificant belief-God is everything-our very lives. The Lakota Nation uses the title Wakan Tanka translated as The Great Mystery! The Cherokee nation's word is Unetlanvhi, directly translated as The Creator<span>.</span> As anyone with half a brain can see, taste, feel, touch AND experience we are all connected (it's called science-think molecules). That connection is part of what makes us of "The One," The Grand Poobah, Source Energy, The Big Kahuna, The Force- whatever you want to call Infinite Divine Intelligence.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnOcxAx4Vo7pVx_Ma9jZrw_1jbmT5PYaW5amN9zP1INxtRlB48qbUDetxaQuJmLQQjOBQ1MqVu8Xt-yR0RHeRDtD-66D2nYHh9e4Q3g-Un2IM3j2O7YIxS6c1foci9b6zlFQHOb35TYXqyR1g8lyD1tME6dWt9yYe9ujSz_YlGS-mnTXy6jdYQ84H4w/s834/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%209.12.17%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="830" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnOcxAx4Vo7pVx_Ma9jZrw_1jbmT5PYaW5amN9zP1INxtRlB48qbUDetxaQuJmLQQjOBQ1MqVu8Xt-yR0RHeRDtD-66D2nYHh9e4Q3g-Un2IM3j2O7YIxS6c1foci9b6zlFQHOb35TYXqyR1g8lyD1tME6dWt9yYe9ujSz_YlGS-mnTXy6jdYQ84H4w/w636-h640/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%209.12.17%20AM.png" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/586755438/fortune-cookie-square-art-print-on?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_c-art_and_collectibles-prints-giclee&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwkt6aBhDKARIsAAyeLJ2rhGLlEBa5oB37c4-DlnQD_-tdVnz4D68Z89aLPi5v9CsfFxnC-VQaAmLJEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_304499675_22746190595_78727425635_pla-106555092035_c__586755438_558677596&utm_custom2=304499675&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkt6aBhDKARIsAAyeLJ2rhGLlEBa5oB37c4-DlnQD_-tdVnz4D68Z89aLPi5v9CsfFxnC-VQaAmLJEALw_wcB" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">"Fortune Cookie"</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I mean, it isn't accidental that the galaxy is circular, that the globe is round and rotates or that the solar system revolves AROUND the sun. We talk about the circle of life, a circular path, running in circles and hang wreaths on our doors. Kind of indicative of never ending reverie, everlasting life, unchanging, immovable-you know- the Alpha and the Omega, no? I would say that the thinking stuff, the Undivided One (for this I'll call "it" GOD) loves a circle. A circle is never ending-connected forever! <a href="https://www.abraham-hicks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Abraham Hicks</span></a> talks about the Vortex All. The. Time.</p><p>How does "luck" get more faith than The Creator? And why do people have such ease when they say "fate" but feel itchy and uncomfortable when we say "God?" Sometimes people feel even more than just itchy and go straight to violent-these are not my people.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58ZUPBB2KrSPPha92wNFRPDTLd5DUHFA_oZfu-51XoqXyAYy_uQoo1bqWBWyABMnfZd9kwjVFJGao-K3ysNAzLmtpfE2aKoz-fmk397B97fipRLWWIA8Yc0iHXvpACh8PbUM7NurIRbUP3FQc5aN--W0mnRZ_CfIz6xFmThK5_6JB3z6n1UUhj0w91w/s448/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%209.16.15%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="312" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58ZUPBB2KrSPPha92wNFRPDTLd5DUHFA_oZfu-51XoqXyAYy_uQoo1bqWBWyABMnfZd9kwjVFJGao-K3ysNAzLmtpfE2aKoz-fmk397B97fipRLWWIA8Yc0iHXvpACh8PbUM7NurIRbUP3FQc5aN--W0mnRZ_CfIz6xFmThK5_6JB3z6n1UUhj0w91w/w446-h640/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%209.16.15%20AM.png" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fineartamerica.com/featured/fortune-cookie-elizabeth-york.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">"Fortune Cookie"</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I have an example of how Divinity appears to me sometimes. Hang on! It's true! I have proof with photos!</p><p>Since I was small I have wanted to be an entrepreneur. I have owned a card company, began this blog, have a couple youtube channels and other little things. But this year I finally decided to take the jump and create a company for myself. I have an online boutique called <a href="https://coolcrowshop.com/"><span style="color: #e06666;">CoolCrow</span></a> and I have an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoolCrow?ref=shop_sugg"><span style="color: #e06666;">Etsy</span></a> site of the same name-both legit, too. I pay taxes and have a resale number and an Employee ID number and everything. But I am waiting. I am waiting to be successful and I am trying. so. freaking. hard.</p><p>Sooooooo-my husband and I went to our favorite Chinese restaurant. It's far from home and we love to go big. But Mr. A forgot to grab a couple of fortune cookies, so I ran to the bowl to get our due cookies. I put the cookies in the drink holder of the car for "later," and off we went. </p><p>Once on the road toward home (about a 2 hour journey) it was desert time! I grabbed a cookie but something was tugging my mind (tugging my mind-not sure if that's the right way to express the feeling, but I assure you, you've had something similar-some people call "It" intuition) calling to me, or maybe whispering is a better term-it is like a breeze-"It's" there but not there. It told me to grab the other cookie instead. It coaxed me again and then again. All the while I kept opening the cookie I picked first even though "The Thing" was telling me to grab the other one! I ignored The Breeze instead of putting down the initial cookie in favor of the cookie that I was supposed to <i>actually</i> select first. Why would I ignore the Divine? I cracked into the cookie and the fortune read, "Pay attention to your intuition." MIND BLOWN I immediately grabbed the second cookie (which was supposed to be the first cookie) and on the fortune it says (hold on to your hat!), "Your perseverance will pay off soon." OH. MY. GOD. </p><p>My talk with spirit is often (these days) about whether I have made a good choice in starting this business and wondering when it will be successful, how to make it successful and what my mission is. All the while, I am also diligently moonlighting as an art teacher at a high school and doing my regular job. And here was the answer, written right before me. You could explain it away and say coincidence, but I do not believe in coincidence or luck. I felt so comforted by this special celestial hug and what timing-right on the tails of my self doubt.</p><p>See the thing about The Force which I fail to remember sometimes (as in the case of the fortune cookie) is that while my faith (in The Creator and myself) is not always 100% the spirit world's faith in me is! Good things will happen and our lives can change for the better instantaneously!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSDkfDIcjJcG5fWJUm2sm9TfnuqZEsj5-PQQ8cN00Zvdluik1QsPQ1jhgJCBz8AWq4PgYknUqnnf4vxMrli7QpRMQSevyqXADFww94G5YKj7kPVVhBrTBf32Ev5Ws0xheP5dyFT8wxiwM2t7junPB04dc6g9vIuXHaHT30tU0InUw2Wfnbra_j5EoyQ/s1314/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%2010.17.22%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1314" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSDkfDIcjJcG5fWJUm2sm9TfnuqZEsj5-PQQ8cN00Zvdluik1QsPQ1jhgJCBz8AWq4PgYknUqnnf4vxMrli7QpRMQSevyqXADFww94G5YKj7kPVVhBrTBf32Ev5Ws0xheP5dyFT8wxiwM2t7junPB04dc6g9vIuXHaHT30tU0InUw2Wfnbra_j5EoyQ/w640-h528/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%2010.17.22%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-19147984113800060142022-06-20T21:27:00.003-04:002022-06-21T09:29:43.168-04:00Diversions - It's a Pinkachan/Lana Del Rey Kind of Day<p>I haven't written since December 2021. Sorry, to readers (if there are any) and to myself for spreading myself so thin that I have lost friends and gained weight. I'm having a wee struggle but I'll add cute pics so you can feel as funny and confused and joyful and heartbroken, as I do. 😬🛸</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3H6FiG-x0W8_EVlWGMq-ES7hJkBmpfBFNb9crEaxVuU4ggA1fNi0AzDPTZ5vIqU_it_TCOKYKoZyvb9oq4U0Q9UBi7kpDv1V02anRZWxwaqDRX34jdb-Nyfw0uv7HAe56cnD9fn69ojZe7OjQi-mFqATCJN0aJ--GklObhXjC-dPMWXagrx1_ZqK2fA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="622" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3H6FiG-x0W8_EVlWGMq-ES7hJkBmpfBFNb9crEaxVuU4ggA1fNi0AzDPTZ5vIqU_it_TCOKYKoZyvb9oq4U0Q9UBi7kpDv1V02anRZWxwaqDRX34jdb-Nyfw0uv7HAe56cnD9fn69ojZe7OjQi-mFqATCJN0aJ--GklObhXjC-dPMWXagrx1_ZqK2fA=w501-h640" width="501" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have ZERO reason to feel this way; except that in the words of Lana Del Rey we are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bag1gUxuU0g" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ef9494;">Born to Die</span></a> and this FACT makes life even more fleeting than we already know it is. I want every second to count but the urgency is so crystal clear that I am impatient and want to get it all, do it all, succeed at it all RIGHT NOW, but know the scientific limitations of this -so frustrating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxIMayYGZbED70PZwacgMSL8c2xK7sV2DlGetUlarqcP9LTqLM-Du2LAjYqxOQ0idsJt_hXTFAw-BsJJvPmj7rCkvzSE5jBdpanjfBniwnFfhVjpaVXKfjU_Bnhq6eWU031lRkFbjZcnsUu1tLvThMmtMhCb21ZMr-5xtYqB6F4pw6rBHCaDrif2QkA/s1164/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-18%20at%208.12.17%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1164" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxIMayYGZbED70PZwacgMSL8c2xK7sV2DlGetUlarqcP9LTqLM-Du2LAjYqxOQ0idsJt_hXTFAw-BsJJvPmj7rCkvzSE5jBdpanjfBniwnFfhVjpaVXKfjU_Bnhq6eWU031lRkFbjZcnsUu1tLvThMmtMhCb21ZMr-5xtYqB6F4pw6rBHCaDrif2QkA/w640-h278/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-18%20at%208.12.17%20AM.png" title="Still from Lana Del Rey Official Video-Born to Die" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have an amazing Insta-friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkachan/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f2a7a7;">@Pinkachan</span></a><span style="color: #f4b7b7;"> </span>(Celena) who somehow I fell in love with. Initially it was her feed (we share a similar taste in fashion, history, art and music) and then a few other things like her untenable positivity and style. But it is also her personal story of an instant, life changing experience that would challenge even the toughest minds. But she is always high spirited as she looks forward. Of course she has bad days but she holds herself high and lives with such presence and joy and gratitude that on days that I feel the special sadness that I feel today-<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdrL3QxjyVw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #efa7a7;">Summertime Sadness</span></a>, in this case- I break with guilt. I guess it's a Lana Del Rey/Pinkachan kinda day?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3WlIcYSPimy-h2GSD49lRobpX0twG8DlcBZY6Sjp4IWcAwMhCvD_VWXn71q34APqTGyE-3DPGweTxWdV0ZHKgn7P76YKxQI7K0TXgpEtMKWrQhl-wa_bPvc-JC-cxG4kZWuJAt074UzMQ66zZXuSz3lFbtrfqTj_k01BgctFNnD2yNmNkcF9jWJlew/s1310/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-18%20at%208.25.39%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1310" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3WlIcYSPimy-h2GSD49lRobpX0twG8DlcBZY6Sjp4IWcAwMhCvD_VWXn71q34APqTGyE-3DPGweTxWdV0ZHKgn7P76YKxQI7K0TXgpEtMKWrQhl-wa_bPvc-JC-cxG4kZWuJAt074UzMQ66zZXuSz3lFbtrfqTj_k01BgctFNnD2yNmNkcF9jWJlew/w640-h348/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-18%20at%208.25.39%20AM.png" title="Still from official video Lana del Rey Summertime Sadness" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My whole life I've fought for something, but it always ended up being the wrong thing, or the wrong way or the wrong side, the wrong people, the wrong food, the list of wrongness - oy vey. Now that I am older, I am trying to fight for the right thing; sadly, I don't even know what the thing is nor why I still continue to have to fight. My world, with this hindsight perspective has shrunken to an exceedingly diminutive and sometimes questionable marble. (Note to self: Ask Philip Altstatt if he would do me the honor of a comissioned painting of marbles for a friend.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscHBnbFODc5xi8d_5n570V_N7F9oQ0mVSK9eLsyksAf4GlNOj0R7WVluGRI3DDKKxWo79RizOyCzGS6UwD7gYrNcTwsFz0JIs_sCq3yzkqXPqSOVNi1xyGK9csNRe3NddUv2owB7eNbaj26up-yfbGL4g3_38auKqR-9xMLgO-e5YTksAvQCCS55t8w/s774/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-18%20at%201.37.17%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="774" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscHBnbFODc5xi8d_5n570V_N7F9oQ0mVSK9eLsyksAf4GlNOj0R7WVluGRI3DDKKxWo79RizOyCzGS6UwD7gYrNcTwsFz0JIs_sCq3yzkqXPqSOVNi1xyGK9csNRe3NddUv2owB7eNbaj26up-yfbGL4g3_38auKqR-9xMLgO-e5YTksAvQCCS55t8w/w640-h590/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-18%20at%201.37.17%20PM.png" title="Fox-Searchlight The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spoke with a friend recently and while at one time we were close, I find that when we speak about "things," a euphemism for uncomfortable trendy politics, I feel exactly the opposite-not close to her. I rumenated about this and instead of feeling refreshed in my connection with my friend, I felt judged, put down and misunderstood. I felt like I had to bargain with her; sell something to her about my perception and experience-convince her of my viability as a thinking woman; it was clear that she considered her ideals better and smarter than mine. After this converstation, I woke up at 4:58 AM and instantly began digging into myself-the usual internal dialogue- "I'm not nice enough, I am not good enough, I don't deserve the sweetness of life..." It flung me into a dark little hole. This interaction, while small, was epiphanic. This questioning and this type of hurt from a person who you once felt was a 'ride or die,' actually served to increase my wisdom. Meditating brought me to a thoughtfulness in which then I could self-asses and therefore question as many angles of that tiny sphere as possible (of course a sphere has no angles).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCnfCbdxq1htPRPOWPoyASFeC43ylxXEZ8LX0oSX2Bm7X-YLmG8vFg_ohEhbd-WfCK664eg6y439IhMor5hNSjfX2qlXIyCW_KEIvwQ0nMH0enqxcuWMnrs6e7j82AFlgMax0Pen80XMeuYmfCMEW_qRdFLbVjHhmwxmREz7Ut936qsCv5iy2ciyP8A/s504/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%202.46.27%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="338" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCnfCbdxq1htPRPOWPoyASFeC43ylxXEZ8LX0oSX2Bm7X-YLmG8vFg_ohEhbd-WfCK664eg6y439IhMor5hNSjfX2qlXIyCW_KEIvwQ0nMH0enqxcuWMnrs6e7j82AFlgMax0Pen80XMeuYmfCMEW_qRdFLbVjHhmwxmREz7Ut936qsCv5iy2ciyP8A/w430-h640/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%202.46.27%20PM.png" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was an unnecessarily heady morning as these things swam in the sea of my mind. The only thing they were serving to do was push me under the water. <i><span style="color: #a64d79;">When a talk with a friend creates these kinds of feelings within you, what do you do?</span></i> This talk with my friend felt like an ending; this ending threw me into grief. To try to heal from this loss and to help sew up the mental badmouthing about myself in my mind, I called my sister-a divinely magical little creature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMgj3KKdzmmhN6dXXe-3sUsms_wE1eXvWNSMih8m7v4fYkUOhG_jIze8TnlW14QdYPQAKMAc_wc_AKs_PyvKUT0FPN4LcmLc122km3t1fw-k2hrphR-bw41mqb7enOH_W3ANQzUCgDjusgaKWIMoHQ8CxesduMJnXckk21YNRbIOdNAHCuCYwMGeIfg/s518/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%208.50.58%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="518" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMgj3KKdzmmhN6dXXe-3sUsms_wE1eXvWNSMih8m7v4fYkUOhG_jIze8TnlW14QdYPQAKMAc_wc_AKs_PyvKUT0FPN4LcmLc122km3t1fw-k2hrphR-bw41mqb7enOH_W3ANQzUCgDjusgaKWIMoHQ8CxesduMJnXckk21YNRbIOdNAHCuCYwMGeIfg/w400-h391/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%208.50.58%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My sister has a tendency to see a puzzle very clearly and then she can sometimes tell you how to put the puzzle together. This is one such instance. Not only did I feel the loss of this friendship, but I also still feel the loss of "home." With all the death, grief is sure to follow and anyone is hard pressed to go it alone. Marissa (my sister) reminded me that everything has a time and then read me a passage from Anne Frank - Diary of a Young Girl. Anne Frank was being hunted and yet, her faith remained: <i><span style="color: #a64d79;">"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy."</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4MsDpJhHrkTmZn_ImB3-0Z_QB7qI4-zO4CnSKT6F8Miu-tVZl0gJopBNPeSYk2PRaC8lSYwYR_odmNkPn2qx5l-n5QJ5pSWCzUzBXy81rN2H8dzF2j9lU8fxQYMjWVgkFx-fkPLladEbrCB9rYSSNMlyEfZu0hHoo0NG4s3nmQHZh7_2veBcNBK1bQ/s468/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%203.08.08%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="446" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4MsDpJhHrkTmZn_ImB3-0Z_QB7qI4-zO4CnSKT6F8Miu-tVZl0gJopBNPeSYk2PRaC8lSYwYR_odmNkPn2qx5l-n5QJ5pSWCzUzBXy81rN2H8dzF2j9lU8fxQYMjWVgkFx-fkPLladEbrCB9rYSSNMlyEfZu0hHoo0NG4s3nmQHZh7_2veBcNBK1bQ/w610-h640/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%203.08.08%20PM.png" width="610" /></a></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It pulled me instantaneously out of the pit I had cast myself into. I could feel my sprits lift and my self talk turn around. I went from saying, "I am worthless," to "I am priceless." With that one phrase by a 13 year old little girl, I was able to see more clearly. When you can feel that a relationship can no longer move forward in the direction you are going, it's ok to let the relationship go. Change is inevitable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you realize you are priceless on this planet as part of The One, you change how you see yourself and therefore how others see you as well. <span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Perhaps my friend sees me differently because I have gained a self assurance I did not have when we had begun our friendship? How have you changed with your friends? Have you lost friendships? Or gained them? Why and how did these changes happen? And, when you got to the other side of grief, did you feel the way I feel now-a little more gracious, a little more thankful, a little more resilient?</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBpMyjSKNfjJas6GZtRSXjHP8ZSjN-SSThXnnWRZKXggznLIE6xmVPZWtutfSTdR0jR4dkOZISvRNQRsfaHUj8TZs1ZRJPsqcaj6XDDei-NBt__SpGKVNnwKqZRnmYgDzYKwIVQltucOpPfzuwutoCId8Qx-rxGMZe1HPkh45U6HHOhx4KaorrjNaIQ/s670/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%202.56.29%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="670" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBpMyjSKNfjJas6GZtRSXjHP8ZSjN-SSThXnnWRZKXggznLIE6xmVPZWtutfSTdR0jR4dkOZISvRNQRsfaHUj8TZs1ZRJPsqcaj6XDDei-NBt__SpGKVNnwKqZRnmYgDzYKwIVQltucOpPfzuwutoCId8Qx-rxGMZe1HPkh45U6HHOhx4KaorrjNaIQ/w640-h352/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%202.56.29%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll leave you now with these cool pics, a couple of songs and some wisdom from an Instafriend with an incredible story of survival and a famous little girl who poured her heart out into a diary while hiding in a 300 square foot attic. Remember these small wisdoms - grief occurs in all kinds of ways and in all kinds of situations, loss is a reality of life so try not to abuse yourself; you are the one you are born with and die with. I have tried so hard to maintain relationships but the reality is that some just can't be saved. In the words of the great Jedi Master Yoda "The fear of loss is a path to the dark side. Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into The Force. Mourn them do not." You are exactly where you are supposed to be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-24615077015996855752021-12-29T19:24:00.003-05:002021-12-29T19:26:23.354-05:00Trader Joe's Pfeffernüsse Cookie Mix for Gwenny's Hermit Holiday Cookies<p>I love<a href="https://www.traderjoes.com/home" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;"> Trader Joe's</span></a>. It's the best snack store in the world! There are really specific items I go there for-Korean Green Onion Pancakes, Plantain Chips, Olive Tapenade and Cocobon Wine and this little goody around the holidays - Pfeffernüsse Cookie Mix. The cookies are ok, but I made a recipe with this box mix that is knock your socks off, holiday magic! But it all starts with the mix! </p><p>There are these cookies from New England called <a href="https://goodstuff.recipes/traditional-hermit-cookies/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Hermit's</span></a>. I have wanted that taste and texture all winter long. I made a recipe from <a href="https://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/4461-hermit-cookies" target="_blank"><span style="color: #efaaaa;">Cook's Illustrated</span></a> that I got years ago for Hermit cookies. But they weren't really the soft chewy texture I was looking for. Instead, they were more like plain old Ginger Bread. Don't get me wrong! I love Ginger Bread. But I was going for the taste and texture of something else so it was kind of a let down. </p><p>Then I remembered that I had this little mix in the cupboard. I added this and that, a little bit of love and whole lot of holiday magic and voila! I had a really hard time deciding on a name for these little treats. So I made sort of a mash up title. Either way, it all starts with this special mix from Trader Joe's.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV2lUJWdfrBvgRnOmeMeajx60mkn5zn5nEJcwfmHF30fPrngvCqwsz1HBtwyhXm940XFfrKZGtpW7qW0BatmN5H7Vxm8KGJ0nAivKvekETzWkUVOCjkf0z6NdDWvuhVvUNb1vj0fWLdqcpSJtZgo8rEpV7yu5iGpo69s-WZKuVwgyMZLXyhKNuCM51fA=s2922" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2892" data-original-width="2922" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV2lUJWdfrBvgRnOmeMeajx60mkn5zn5nEJcwfmHF30fPrngvCqwsz1HBtwyhXm940XFfrKZGtpW7qW0BatmN5H7Vxm8KGJ0nAivKvekETzWkUVOCjkf0z6NdDWvuhVvUNb1vj0fWLdqcpSJtZgo8rEpV7yu5iGpo69s-WZKuVwgyMZLXyhKNuCM51fA=w640-h634" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gwenny's Pfeffernüsse Hermit Holiday Cookies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trader Joe's Pfeffernüsse Cookie Mix </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Large Egg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Stick of butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4 Cup Molasses</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4 cup currants</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">`1/4 cup golden raisins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4 cup candied ginger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Directions:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Preheat oven to 325</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whip butter until creamed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add Egg and Cookie Mix, beat again with mixer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">add heavy cream and molasses and beat again</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">fold in currants, raisins and ginger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Create evenly sized cookie balls </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">put on a parchment lined cookie sheet and sprinkle with sanding sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and bake in the pre-heated oven for exactly 13 minutes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Voila! You will have the chewiest, tastiest Christmas cookies ever!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ3GbcIwm5Y7nSxqYjzCclTJuGpKRGoAOxL7ufb9QprhuxvMFed5LYcncgtrUYox0HUN3Fqgolg4UMe_H8H7kYHr3WgNMsDPTS9whl2BDm2UBhzTmXwQeUHBOP1YidxBaXqiLbjdX5Hi8XRuwddqQ6xQIlEt7ZowpXE6Q9ATrxu6OZ8MIr6lHWS0QFIA=s2446" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2408" data-original-width="2446" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ3GbcIwm5Y7nSxqYjzCclTJuGpKRGoAOxL7ufb9QprhuxvMFed5LYcncgtrUYox0HUN3Fqgolg4UMe_H8H7kYHr3WgNMsDPTS9whl2BDm2UBhzTmXwQeUHBOP1YidxBaXqiLbjdX5Hi8XRuwddqQ6xQIlEt7ZowpXE6Q9ATrxu6OZ8MIr6lHWS0QFIA=w640-h630" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeX-Ug4PEuXYKiv3biSGQlV9--88SDfPChBekJrPO1uHS7Dt5Tn6iNZsR7kE9gLJc81UMGXU3r4HrmpLM67falSsD-ctMwl-6CpjYInd8KGobC5c6aHR49tnlKJg3wxhddsAtUqo9DKcFZitcz_9VlSbr4mFZXiYQ3ZmCfk4SYawpslszMuZitv69KyQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeX-Ug4PEuXYKiv3biSGQlV9--88SDfPChBekJrPO1uHS7Dt5Tn6iNZsR7kE9gLJc81UMGXU3r4HrmpLM67falSsD-ctMwl-6CpjYInd8KGobC5c6aHR49tnlKJg3wxhddsAtUqo9DKcFZitcz_9VlSbr4mFZXiYQ3ZmCfk4SYawpslszMuZitv69KyQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAyZw_cTZ0IRGGr3JconO2YPOex45xxUnrCgmlAB4WzbVkCcd5ysBMhMELZN6hAP8aGbp8eTe_B19emrGbPEJO1KAOGipznFDt5dz1wMV8qeozP30GxNHU6Fs3255Ibfy8ucgeh5CJ7cgtdJvij3cOlJAandc3Q3SNNg5KbmZUzYIBormKEVMvctcPlQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAyZw_cTZ0IRGGr3JconO2YPOex45xxUnrCgmlAB4WzbVkCcd5ysBMhMELZN6hAP8aGbp8eTe_B19emrGbPEJO1KAOGipznFDt5dz1wMV8qeozP30GxNHU6Fs3255Ibfy8ucgeh5CJ7cgtdJvij3cOlJAandc3Q3SNNg5KbmZUzYIBormKEVMvctcPlQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUx5X4IG-cihe4jbTnVMFBRc21bEpK4K1NJZ6kBv8ahwrqvPmmUHtxYKpPSk6X0fZS9CKtbUtUyW4gzGe8VHPRzZ6MMWu-c1r5aFXlzk5Yexsfx9LoxR9H5WPoTuOmq1eQtqzWe8doRUpwCDTwD5Ue9FiJLPCS8LDGj3mm2H3JWZSsKU3kL4ZlypM_bQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUx5X4IG-cihe4jbTnVMFBRc21bEpK4K1NJZ6kBv8ahwrqvPmmUHtxYKpPSk6X0fZS9CKtbUtUyW4gzGe8VHPRzZ6MMWu-c1r5aFXlzk5Yexsfx9LoxR9H5WPoTuOmq1eQtqzWe8doRUpwCDTwD5Ue9FiJLPCS8LDGj3mm2H3JWZSsKU3kL4ZlypM_bQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3wPYZOrRuQ3QKCRGBTffFWRCTqGY4pfqkqZrZIq93s-kp3U3tuOMTtHw_va-B8VhMQs5vt_qQNrLb83Jiui8GwIBKdlTaN4wmN1rG_cSZviK4NlIZheQrQHId_SxWWLGMhIyMiVLZsuv_m1XRCAkenQ3MRj9pvSi2XvB117lALyRmPa_3tDo7cSVNFA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-JWC1TJgcI0Ir_SWFujK2C4-xHQ-QVemBrtruh37zUzB1Bqd_xVQtjq_BWD1uHR2DFEg28D7f-cr9pe_l5Kr2M75IW-NwjXeB3x7adFDNb3RfV_2eDN0cwDHILmDflOLMi_NtaZ0Wx0LzoweHzxgCrTdJXbD8VrIP9mYxkpc6y2vMjqIWMhvgp4o7yg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-JWC1TJgcI0Ir_SWFujK2C4-xHQ-QVemBrtruh37zUzB1Bqd_xVQtjq_BWD1uHR2DFEg28D7f-cr9pe_l5Kr2M75IW-NwjXeB3x7adFDNb3RfV_2eDN0cwDHILmDflOLMi_NtaZ0Wx0LzoweHzxgCrTdJXbD8VrIP9mYxkpc6y2vMjqIWMhvgp4o7yg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-14643873256504491482021-12-22T15:17:00.001-05:002021-12-22T15:23:33.607-05:00Winter Reading List<p>FICTION FIRST!</p><p>While none of these books scream "wintertime," there is something about the subjects of all of these reads that do, in fact, scream "wintertime." They all deal with the nebulous characteristics of time travel, re-life and/or choices. Something about winter gives us hope. Perhaps it's the short days, perhaps still it is the darkness and death all around us. As humans we tend to forget that we die or worse yet think we can cheat death. Memento Mori! All of these books, at least tough on the subject of everlasting life on earth and how that can be it's very own imprisonment. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuEBOZqXF5YXTsLXRnYM5wwzRsR69lm2K4DZgUsthZO-5e1QYl4uuA7dWNfHNFMo-VfRiOL7WWQoXeMTotPDod_7oqnte8df0M3IVnHGKf5KY_uVikjoI2VNoc0JP3c14CrYMSbgkhGKd4PTUWsYUuTWV3nzEcWmPlFsGt9WY98DsQvMYjL3Xiq4TqDw=s594" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="404" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuEBOZqXF5YXTsLXRnYM5wwzRsR69lm2K4DZgUsthZO-5e1QYl4uuA7dWNfHNFMo-VfRiOL7WWQoXeMTotPDod_7oqnte8df0M3IVnHGKf5KY_uVikjoI2VNoc0JP3c14CrYMSbgkhGKd4PTUWsYUuTWV3nzEcWmPlFsGt9WY98DsQvMYjL3Xiq4TqDw=w436-h640" width="436" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-Midnight-Library-A-Novel/dp/B085S8BSYS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NKFAYHCIX36C&keywords=THE+MIDnight+library&qid=1640201318&sprefix=the+midnight+libra%2Caps%2C339&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">The Midnight Library </span></a>is a fascinating book where the heroine try to kill herself but instead is put on each path she could have chosen. It is amazing and so well thought out that when it ends, you wish it hadn't. Matt Haig is an accomplished author and not one of his tomes have I completed and then found a waste of time. Never! He is a talent and this book will not disappoint.</div><p></p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQUD-K0OUBqv8E2Y-hG7nPO17fMoSwlhj0xp3garo5GasvMjOY_V4xGi0nE31oax32Bu6_32T1finuatDVqzCeGKfuKZE85TnSHXcI6tW-keUfX59NIRtSanIgSWmGPm5BEidMxz1Nl1EXvx8qz61hrmZvElASj-QVUxh1tJ68puDtq5Mlmv56V6buDg=s884" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="884" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQUD-K0OUBqv8E2Y-hG7nPO17fMoSwlhj0xp3garo5GasvMjOY_V4xGi0nE31oax32Bu6_32T1finuatDVqzCeGKfuKZE85TnSHXcI6tW-keUfX59NIRtSanIgSWmGPm5BEidMxz1Nl1EXvx8qz61hrmZvElASj-QVUxh1tJ68puDtq5Mlmv56V6buDg=w640-h562" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Life-Addie-LaRue/dp/B0844PWK76/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10J6G4QNEV6O8&keywords=the+invisible+life+of+addie+larue&qid=1640201375&s=audible&sprefix=the+invisible+life+of+addie+larue%2Caudible%2C128&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Addie LaRue </span></a>is another book where everlasting life on Earth takes precedence. Sadly, it is done by an unwitting and naive young girl who simply wants to avoid marrying a man with whom she is not in love. The thing is, is that when you bargain with the devil, hell is what you'll have. Such a great read! Like The Midnight Library, I couldn't put it down.</p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI97PTvcfHNwSNHOlM3roT9HmBEP4AU1aCPheXR2wFlDSiO8oHknS8UrbrfW6EfTdi-H9o37MVewuC0LmUIS70knUSxJOC5uoIlSprr_nNORKiAnKOWrypf40RgSOzqcGWBnbcAP2cMnQ6a0jZwiIxhitcuM8M_LCCky8hH4IQP5KKzCgd-sEQf7wvPw=s684" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="648" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI97PTvcfHNwSNHOlM3roT9HmBEP4AU1aCPheXR2wFlDSiO8oHknS8UrbrfW6EfTdi-H9o37MVewuC0LmUIS70knUSxJOC5uoIlSprr_nNORKiAnKOWrypf40RgSOzqcGWBnbcAP2cMnQ6a0jZwiIxhitcuM8M_LCCky8hH4IQP5KKzCgd-sEQf7wvPw=w606-h640" width="606" /></a></div></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Fifteen-Lives-Harry-August/dp/0316399612/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1640201441&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August </span></a>is a book that was so profound to me that I read it several times and suggested it to just about everyone. It is captivating as we see the struggle of good and evil, crossroads of choice, moral flexibility and a story wherein you sympathize with both the protagonist and antagonist at some point. During this time of Covid, I should revisit it again as the topics seem poignant as our lives have been turned upside down.</div><p></p></blockquote><p>COOKBOOKS!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwwheg4oxAHqdoKvnkBYZeS_XiHPQLBCIFVzOiQlNGnd1kPfb4byBfOC6ficwhnoNAVAg3IeBPD1gkfR_y0cnHNLE8DcBt5kniiKri4acZIGxCQLDxE7pbqngj46JJX4JGhQHrVS2IcGslX8LRzmBTvmmPSiEj5kLIwiSTNV7QD6za4qisx49-b5NEzw=s3762" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3762" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwwheg4oxAHqdoKvnkBYZeS_XiHPQLBCIFVzOiQlNGnd1kPfb4byBfOC6ficwhnoNAVAg3IeBPD1gkfR_y0cnHNLE8DcBt5kniiKri4acZIGxCQLDxE7pbqngj46JJX4JGhQHrVS2IcGslX8LRzmBTvmmPSiEj5kLIwiSTNV7QD6za4qisx49-b5NEzw=w514-h640" width="514" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Kitchen-Magical-Recipes/dp/1640210709/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NIK4KUUL2SQ3&keywords=once+upon+a+kitchen&qid=1640202989&sprefix=once+upon+a+kitche%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Once Upon A Kitchen</span></a> was an accidental treasure! I was looking for an oracle deck for my sister for Christma and came upon this little diamond! The photos are superb and the recipes are super with little stories and film histories accompanying them. I'll have to do a post about the things I have tried from this beautiful book. This is a crossover gift that doubles as a cookbook but also a fun read! And Leslie Bilderbeck is an amazing chef with an outstanding curriculum vitae! It is so worth the splurge.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIQnUxES0hzhcoYFnnY4IdEOdL_Wm7FQle_Qb1ziuPhNWNnyvog6dyutrCdUaEOMeuocClZFBU317zYfhKGxpohEwnPTrvDfjXZNyqpKraI44hjfEQ7VwJeJ3ZaES4mizLzWBN6stFXMt5cSTGr8PAQbgMvGZkBhfFbRSaiR9wKLQ-ZU_dVN93R-cMEg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIQnUxES0hzhcoYFnnY4IdEOdL_Wm7FQle_Qb1ziuPhNWNnyvog6dyutrCdUaEOMeuocClZFBU317zYfhKGxpohEwnPTrvDfjXZNyqpKraI44hjfEQ7VwJeJ3ZaES4mizLzWBN6stFXMt5cSTGr8PAQbgMvGZkBhfFbRSaiR9wKLQ-ZU_dVN93R-cMEg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Eat-Peach-Stories-Places/dp/1784724114/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9NO8DJ19US3T&keywords=How+to+Eat+a+Peach&qid=1640204131&sprefix=how+to+eat+a+peach%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">How to Eat a Peach</span></a> is an amazing book that was suggested to me by the same friend that suggest Harry August and what a dream cookbook. I love a menu and this book is a cookbook of menus! Fully planned menus that are calculated with panache and sophistication and the photos and food styling are unmatched. And everything is planned by season. Plus, the cover is fuzzy - like a peach!</p><p>If you have a book lover or a chef that still needs Christmas gift, Amazon has two day shipping and I bet you have a Barnes and Noble nearby.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-36649752477886713012021-12-06T00:00:00.000-05:002021-12-06T15:10:54.075-05:00Blueberry Scones<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scones are such a treat! But if you only knew how easy they can be, they'd be a real breakfast standard for you, I think. These ones are blueberry but you can make them with raisins, dried apricots, chocolate chips and candied orange peel or just plain old cinnamon and brown sugar. Anyway you slice it these are delicious, easy, fast and most importantly, a crowd pleaser! Instead of those cinnamon rolls you usually make for Christmas morning, why not try these?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1__TDnPUGEA/YZwIhHmxTcI/AAAAAAAASd8/ZG5D-5d1mxcTlSkKI2KJVIh2YegIDtG_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9296.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1__TDnPUGEA/YZwIhHmxTcI/AAAAAAAASd8/ZG5D-5d1mxcTlSkKI2KJVIh2YegIDtG_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_9296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_KPJKA1AXM/YZwIh3at_AI/AAAAAAAASeE/f_UXhz2yxMIL4gWvsFLxsAuxPRt7il3vACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_KPJKA1AXM/YZwIh3at_AI/AAAAAAAASeE/f_UXhz2yxMIL4gWvsFLxsAuxPRt7il3vACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9301.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aDhl_XIGzI/YZwI9DajzuI/AAAAAAAASec/z-uj3n5nEMMDIe_bPuviMDVjmEn_XDqlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aDhl_XIGzI/YZwI9DajzuI/AAAAAAAASec/z-uj3n5nEMMDIe_bPuviMDVjmEn_XDqlgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9302.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RitDQ2dDdy8/YZwI8ujO_jI/AAAAAAAASeY/aU85vIk5NNQfbUJ1PRXYAzOLv44OhHOVACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RitDQ2dDdy8/YZwI8ujO_jI/AAAAAAAASeY/aU85vIk5NNQfbUJ1PRXYAzOLv44OhHOVACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9303.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cE8v4RUkDVY/YZwI69NzVoI/AAAAAAAASeU/3aA5KjyTQQ4EiZM_21GTZmnGT9Of_zLVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cE8v4RUkDVY/YZwI69NzVoI/AAAAAAAASeU/3aA5KjyTQQ4EiZM_21GTZmnGT9Of_zLVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9304.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgFi-kVpj2U/YZwJWRQKtnI/AAAAAAAASeo/0PlteQMuQ80fnINPdkBN95U8KcHHZS__wCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgFi-kVpj2U/YZwJWRQKtnI/AAAAAAAASeo/0PlteQMuQ80fnINPdkBN95U8KcHHZS__wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9306.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbi2w4V6IaU/YZwJXkt-atI/AAAAAAAASew/nLPjizrisDMmbi9K_-M9QJq06f55ARcSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbi2w4V6IaU/YZwJXkt-atI/AAAAAAAASew/nLPjizrisDMmbi9K_-M9QJq06f55ARcSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9307.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChiFjghYekI/YZwJs_wrCiI/AAAAAAAASe8/h25EIRG4HN0YusaPA1W7CpjVemfBIH-AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChiFjghYekI/YZwJs_wrCiI/AAAAAAAASe8/h25EIRG4HN0YusaPA1W7CpjVemfBIH-AQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9308.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1aVGUEQUV0/YZwJzhhcRgI/AAAAAAAASfE/GOjQT1QI98gGsg_jb1jUbNWEzYOOx723wCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1aVGUEQUV0/YZwJzhhcRgI/AAAAAAAASfE/GOjQT1QI98gGsg_jb1jUbNWEzYOOx723wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9309.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjB0dPdaePQ/YZwJvUDhvzI/AAAAAAAASfA/KOhC6Gf9u7w7qK9o1659NZSIJAD_jB-fACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjB0dPdaePQ/YZwJvUDhvzI/AAAAAAAASfA/KOhC6Gf9u7w7qK9o1659NZSIJAD_jB-fACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9310.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div>The following recipe make four big scones to feed four regular people.</div><div><br /></div><div>Blueberry Scones-</div><div><br /></div>Ingredients:<div>1.5 Cups Bisquick</div><div>1/2 Cup frozen blueberries</div><div>1/2 Cup sugar</div><div>Milk (roughly 3/4 Cup but no real measurement)</div><div><br /></div><div>Directions:</div><div>Put Bisquick, blueberries and sugar in a bowl. Mix gently.</div><div>Add milk until the consistency of dough is sort of crumbly as oatmeal would be but so it sticks together.</div><div>I know this sounds sort of wishy washy but as you may know I love to eyeball stuff.</div><div>Drop the scones by a 1/4 measuring cup onto a baking sheet lined with parchment.</div><div>Sprinkle with sanding sugar</div><div>Bake at 400 until your kitchen is filled with a delightfully yummy aroma and the tops are golden brown about 10 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>This recipe is SO easy and people will think you worked your butt off to achieve this yumminess.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you make them, let me know what you think!</div><div><div><br /><div><br /> <p></p></div></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-28758542170643295522021-11-29T17:49:00.003-05:002021-11-29T17:51:01.991-05:00Artist Love - Shiori Matsumoto<p> I found <a href="http://www.ne.jp/asahi/secret/label/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Shiori Matsumoto</span></a> when I was looking for "Zig Zag Girl" images. You know the image. The lady who is the magicians assistant (of course the assistant and never the magician [eye roll]) gets in a box and then the box is separated into a zig zag pattern. The illusion insists that the female assistant has been turned into three separate pieces. In any case, I was looking for this image because it holds a special symbolism for me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKgk5OkMrmA/YaU3Umpq8mI/AAAAAAAASfo/0ZFnxtUOE5ggzuoVJmAVh8FYucRXQ-e1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s586/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-29%2Bat%2B3.24.57%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="440" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKgk5OkMrmA/YaU3Umpq8mI/AAAAAAAASfo/0ZFnxtUOE5ggzuoVJmAVh8FYucRXQ-e1gCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-29%2Bat%2B3.24.57%2BPM.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And what I found in my search was this morsel of goodness. First of all, the color theory is fantastic. But the imagery is tops. The dwarf baby child monster has such a cute tiny butt. Look at that little tushy! The round room, the tiny Fez, the realism of the girl. I love the whole thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRbP42MsV3s/YaU68ib13EI/AAAAAAAASfw/mUu52t4Tn5AVbyjPibl4iWVVIo7D3ZobACLcBGAsYHQ/s582/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-29%2Bat%2B3.40.27%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="452" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRbP42MsV3s/YaU68ib13EI/AAAAAAAASfw/mUu52t4Tn5AVbyjPibl4iWVVIo7D3ZobACLcBGAsYHQ/w498-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-29%2Bat%2B3.40.27%2BPM.png" width="498" /></a></div>Look at the creeper here behind the curtain. The imagery is great in an of itself. The bear engaging with the audience. The girl in the mirror. The bird with the lollipop. It's all so crazy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSvUkaao8-o/YaU6_7bMqfI/AAAAAAAASf0/h9nT1VgdUpA_PkBb6exknuF4ZWYlKDimwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1030/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-29%2Bat%2B11.36.22%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSvUkaao8-o/YaU6_7bMqfI/AAAAAAAASf0/h9nT1VgdUpA_PkBb6exknuF4ZWYlKDimwCLcBGAsYHQ/w494-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-29%2Bat%2B11.36.22%2BAM.png" width="494" /></a></div>And this one...so pretty! The title is "Door of Boundary." You can learn more about Shiori and see more of her work <a href="http://www.ne.jp/asahi/secret/label/gallery/2017.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">here</span></a>.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lncTX4QjCZQ/YaVW3io1lCI/AAAAAAAASgE/9vxuW-Mc4agB1a6UVEJAEGicV5GlJ23EgCLcBGAsYHQ/s870/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-29%2Bat%2B5.39.09%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="862" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lncTX4QjCZQ/YaVW3io1lCI/AAAAAAAASgE/9vxuW-Mc4agB1a6UVEJAEGicV5GlJ23EgCLcBGAsYHQ/w634-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-29%2Bat%2B5.39.09%2BPM.png" width="634" /></a></div><br />Shiori's pop-surreal expressions are reminiscent of Mark Ryden who I recently learned was the cover artist for the late great King of Pop Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" album. Mr. Ryden has a great instagram post about the 5 days that were required to come up with the concept. You can see it <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWv5FGgv98S/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">here</span></a>. Juxtapoz Magazine covers more on this piece <a href="https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/music/sound-and-vision-michael-jackson-s-dangerous-cover-artwork-by-mark-ryden/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">here</span></a>.<p></p><p>In a future post I will cover more of Mark Ryden's art. When I was in art school (a long time ago) he was whispered about. </p><p>I can't wait to cover more art. Stay tuned! </p><p>XO, Gwenny</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-57492218486851570482021-11-22T14:36:00.000-05:002021-11-22T14:36:31.612-05:00Fire Cider - All Natural Immunity Booster for Cold and Flu Season<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In mid-October or so, a friend of mine reached out about this stuff called Fire Cider. She asked, "Have you ever made this?" Not only had I never made it, I had never heard of it. But my friend is a bonafide "Earth Mother," so I knew she had a little secret resource that I had never hear of. My friend Jen is a researcher of energy work, a practitioner of natural life enhancements and a discoverer of unusual but helpful health impacts. This Fire Cider is one such health impact, natural life enhancement, that as we move into the "season of sick" you may find really super useful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She first found the recipe on <a href="https://homesteadandchill.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Homestead and Chill</span></a>. <a href="https://homesteadandchill.com/how-to-make-fire-cider-for-immune-health/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">You can see the recipe here</span></a>. But the original recipe is from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612120059/?tag=aiponsite-20&linkCode=ic5&ascsubtag=amzn1.idea.3OHLHYUBVVK58&creativeASIN=1612120059&ref=exp_deannacat3_lv_dp_vv_d" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Rosemary Gladstar's book: Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide. </span></a>I tried to follow the recipe exactly but found that up here in the remote Appalachian Mountains it can be difficult to find even the simplest ingredients which can be viewed as "exotic" by us mountain folks. Nevertheless, I did the best I could and so did Jen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also conducted more research. I had heard from my Uncle about the thieves of the plague having doused themselves with some concoction of vinegar and oils that staved off the contracting and eventual death from the Bubonic Plague. I found the Nourished Kitchen in which, Jenny, an herbalist and writer of the information mentions an entire history of this. It's really fascinating! She also has a recipe which she calls <a href="https://nourishedkitchen.com/four-thieves-vinegar-recipe/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">"Four Thieves Vinegar." </span></a> Although it is different from Fire Cider, I think I'll try it next because it's aim is still to increase our immunity. May as well! It certainly can't hurt. Plus, variety is the spice of life and now I'll have two brews to keep us healthy through the winter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We began our batches about 2 days apart from each other. I got all the ingredients on a Sunday and she got them a couple days later. You know everything is time dependent and we are both working ladies with families so we do what we can. We chopped, cut, minced, whirred and blended all of the stuff together and let it sit on the counter for a month, maybe a little longer even.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People said the most outlandish things to see this jar of "stuff" on our kitchen counter. My mom called it "mung" and said she would NEVER try it. My uncle said it sounded interesting. My sister-in-law said it stunk like feet. And my husband, God bless him, just hung out waiting for me to be done with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The reality is though, that we are headed into cold and flu season, not to mention the nightmare germ is around still so if this stuff can shorten the length of any viral symptoms then load me up with said "mung!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Young Living has an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thieves-Essential-15ml-Young-Living/dp/B00Z8D91D6/ref=asc_df_B00Z8D91D6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312168468121&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=760142700416759297&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011108&hvtargid=pla-437540925306&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61862750093&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312168468121&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=760142700416759297&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011108&hvtargid=pla-437540925306" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">essential oil called "Thieves."</span></a> And this acts similarly to that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a fun project to do with my friend. It was a reason for us to be in pretty constant communication and our feedback was real; Authentic trials and tribulations of trying something new and natural. </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Following are first my photos and notes, then I have posted Jen's photos and notes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiyT5EZe69M/YZvdEM5EppI/AAAAAAAASbc/3-Xk9WpKzjYjAQtSEm4vvbh8ONFZFgYNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Immunity%2BBoost%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2048" height="626" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiyT5EZe69M/YZvdEM5EppI/AAAAAAAASbc/3-Xk9WpKzjYjAQtSEm4vvbh8ONFZFgYNQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h626/Immunity%2BBoost%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I was lucky enough to source fresh herbs from my garden. But fresh horseradish was impossible to find so I used prepared horseradish. Also, the recipe on Homestead and Chill uses Eucalyptus essential oil. I didn't have any so I skipped it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dv6Vvy1OS7c/YZvdLrMRzfI/AAAAAAAASbg/UAbVDRmEumkLdDONBhSd7pReomoWdBAJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Immunity%2BBoost%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dv6Vvy1OS7c/YZvdLrMRzfI/AAAAAAAASbg/UAbVDRmEumkLdDONBhSd7pReomoWdBAJgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Immunity%2BBoost%2B2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>It looked so pretty in the blender.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZBkwCCxB6s/YZvdCJ7iL7I/AAAAAAAASbY/LfmxUf1apccy5-XlJNVtbns4Nq5A2m1JgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/Immunity%2BBoost%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZBkwCCxB6s/YZvdCJ7iL7I/AAAAAAAASbY/LfmxUf1apccy5-XlJNVtbns4Nq5A2m1JgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Immunity%2BBoost%2B3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>This is a photograph I took of the Fire Cider sitting on the counter right after I filled the jar. Everyday I shook the jar to mix it up. While it fermented the last thing we wanted was a mold batch too. Shaking the jar prevents it from growing fungus and instead spurs forth a healthy fermentation.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6__1Ox_ER3A/YZvdf38LyMI/AAAAAAAASb0/DWR9Mnrxqp8cm33DyKXFpiHnqT3QYi-oACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/immunity%2Bboost%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6__1Ox_ER3A/YZvdf38LyMI/AAAAAAAASb0/DWR9Mnrxqp8cm33DyKXFpiHnqT3QYi-oACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/immunity%2Bboost%2B4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Here it is on Day 35. I probably could've put in the jars it on Day 30 but I was sidetracked by all kinds of other things so I just let it sit there. This is the pic I took yesterday before I put it into the bottles.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onIO_nLDL_s/YZvdbzDb3PI/AAAAAAAASbw/MQjUk2BKQqQ0bS7na3FR8xUybKzNKABqACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/immunity%2Bboost%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onIO_nLDL_s/YZvdbzDb3PI/AAAAAAAASbw/MQjUk2BKQqQ0bS7na3FR8xUybKzNKABqACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/immunity%2Bboost%2B5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>From above too so you can see exactly what it looks like in the jar after the month long fermenting process.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4eAglAfj0PY/YZvdkRsUxXI/AAAAAAAASb4/G1i0mPuScjgK_ZsQARQbTC5c6-b74Q82wCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/immunity%2Bboost%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4eAglAfj0PY/YZvdkRsUxXI/AAAAAAAASb4/G1i0mPuScjgK_ZsQARQbTC5c6-b74Q82wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/immunity%2Bboost%2B6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>What a gorgeous color!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ERTJndGi8g/YZvduKHlP8I/AAAAAAAAScE/64Y36j8qaA8VfEjwyWaHvWt30BsK2hEKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/immunity%2Bboost%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ERTJndGi8g/YZvduKHlP8I/AAAAAAAAScE/64Y36j8qaA8VfEjwyWaHvWt30BsK2hEKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/immunity%2Bboost%2B7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>In the jars and ready to sip!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QlQUXjs7Vk/YZvdtnct83I/AAAAAAAAScA/NTACoTgm8HI8dwfVI_7OReDQWvZdR-xfACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/immunity%2Bboost%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QlQUXjs7Vk/YZvdtnct83I/AAAAAAAAScA/NTACoTgm8HI8dwfVI_7OReDQWvZdR-xfACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/immunity%2Bboost%2B8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I tried it out immediately. It is quite a tonic-very heavy on the vinegar and not really spicy enough for my tastes. But drinkable just the same. I hope it is potent. How did we as a society move so far away from natural medicine? It worked for grave robbers during the Black Death!<p></p><p>Below are Jen's pics and notes:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiLiSZEz070/YZvqjmMNzSI/AAAAAAAASdA/lCeVkgOdPIU2UcLBYsaLLgV4lKB-2FUlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Jens%2BFC2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiLiSZEz070/YZvqjmMNzSI/AAAAAAAASdA/lCeVkgOdPIU2UcLBYsaLLgV4lKB-2FUlwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Jens%2BFC2.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are Jen's ingredients. She processed her ingredients differently than I did. She cut all her ingredients and layered them in the jars. I whirred everything together in the blender. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgukDttogwg/YZvql-RKsrI/AAAAAAAASdI/w0HAg7Ps2xkuvJLTP_DH_JDlA8t3nGtUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Jens%2Bfc6.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1569" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgukDttogwg/YZvql-RKsrI/AAAAAAAASdI/w0HAg7Ps2xkuvJLTP_DH_JDlA8t3nGtUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w490-h640/Jens%2Bfc6.heic" width="490" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Here is a photo of her batch on her kitchen counter. Gorgeous colors! Mine were not this pretty but hopefully we were both successful in the fermentation of this medicine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--l9nQx5C90U/YZvsh7k1qlI/AAAAAAAASdg/fZJhN0CRiIUfHgjlWCs8eDeFbjz5Sry3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Jens%2Bfc4.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--l9nQx5C90U/YZvsh7k1qlI/AAAAAAAASdg/fZJhN0CRiIUfHgjlWCs8eDeFbjz5Sry3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w568-h640/Jens%2Bfc4.heic" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a month of fermentation, this was Jen's yield. That should last her through the winter. She just tried her tonic today and reported that it was spicy and not too vinegary. She says, "It tastes like Nature's Medicine!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQIyc_WlKjY/YZvt9T1JGDI/AAAAAAAASd0/Ck7rKc0N2JQ9Yel6v2DVu3-BOXyp8FUaACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Jens%2BFc7.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQIyc_WlKjY/YZvt9T1JGDI/AAAAAAAASd0/Ck7rKc0N2JQ9Yel6v2DVu3-BOXyp8FUaACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Jens%2BFc7.heic" width="480" /></a></div>Jen added the honey after the final fermentation and before she downed it. I added the honey a day before straining and bottling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved this project, I felt enthusiastic about this adventure the moment Jen reached out to me about it. Naturalist medicinals are just one of the ways Jen and I are soul sisters. We have known each other for years and have often compared notes about bohemian lifestyles, brewing concoctions, boat travel, cooking, crystals and energy work and exercise. We have had numerous adventures together not the least of which was a weekend at the <a href="https://sivanandayogafarm.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Yoga Farm Ashram </span></a>(which, if you haven't done, you won't be sorry. Try it!)</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-11301606013919915342021-11-05T17:30:00.010-04:002021-11-06T06:39:05.657-04:00It's Fall Y'all<p>Up here on the hill we are into fall, full swing. As we head closer to winter it is getting colder by the second. But the fall color up here never disappoints even as the days get shorter. I have been so inspired by this season that I think my photos have gotten better, my cooking seems to have better aromas, my creativity has been sparked and my physical fitness has been charged. I am, by body, a summer girl. But, by soul, an Autumn girl, no question. I am an October baby, born on the last day of Libra. It is said, that as a "cusper," I have a touch of Scorpio in me which makes me a full fledged Fall Baby!</p><p>These mood boards are the best visual way I can show you how I feel. Most of them below are from my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/poppiesandpaperbacks/mood-boards/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Pinterest board called Mood Boards</span></a>: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-St8X0zWiiIc/YYWHwZiLnuI/AAAAAAAASZY/TbPzO_4wMJwoVsona9TgoOh0-AP7APDzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s678/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.10.12%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="454" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-St8X0zWiiIc/YYWHwZiLnuI/AAAAAAAASZY/TbPzO_4wMJwoVsona9TgoOh0-AP7APDzgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.10.12%2BPM.png" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxTutaLltKU/YYWHv4QuLdI/AAAAAAAASZU/pf2ZAhaqmDw4DPdnhMnknC9COA-jfl0JQCLcBGAsYHQ/s672/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.10.28%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="442" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxTutaLltKU/YYWHv4QuLdI/AAAAAAAASZU/pf2ZAhaqmDw4DPdnhMnknC9COA-jfl0JQCLcBGAsYHQ/w420-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.10.28%2BPM.png" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaVXrwwjHrI/YYWHwowLzkI/AAAAAAAASZc/fYSIbo5P-eMcFTu2qWQEv5rXJJb_xAfyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s744/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.10.48%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="432" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaVXrwwjHrI/YYWHwowLzkI/AAAAAAAASZc/fYSIbo5P-eMcFTu2qWQEv5rXJJb_xAfyQCLcBGAsYHQ/w372-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.10.48%2BPM.png" width="372" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEsMZQLQMk4/YYWH2YAA4JI/AAAAAAAASZg/k6nR_vG0Yf8nad4Y_qZuki9ttvjH5_-EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s682/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.11.20%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="442" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEsMZQLQMk4/YYWH2YAA4JI/AAAAAAAASZg/k6nR_vG0Yf8nad4Y_qZuki9ttvjH5_-EQCLcBGAsYHQ/w414-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.11.20%2BPM.png" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24mT7t9C0WQ/YYWH82O1OXI/AAAAAAAASZk/pvl5TSvYgO04HHk-U97lXJGlmdlf_PD4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s820/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.12.25%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="440" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24mT7t9C0WQ/YYWH82O1OXI/AAAAAAAASZk/pvl5TSvYgO04HHk-U97lXJGlmdlf_PD4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w344-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.12.25%2BPM.png" width="344" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3VpNk472ig/YYWH9UXDN5I/AAAAAAAASZo/xWXH4U9fo7kkKKw2BhyMevZn0gcZGL61gCLcBGAsYHQ/s838/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.12.51%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3VpNk472ig/YYWH9UXDN5I/AAAAAAAASZo/xWXH4U9fo7kkKKw2BhyMevZn0gcZGL61gCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.12.51%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSKiFwAXOYQ/YYWIIcCByVI/AAAAAAAASZ8/4C6JGEUbp2QrVkB0bZpj2u9l7sLYobA8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1156/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.14.00%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1156" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSKiFwAXOYQ/YYWIIcCByVI/AAAAAAAASZ8/4C6JGEUbp2QrVkB0bZpj2u9l7sLYobA8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h386/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.14.00%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lKEcMxZQ4c/YYWILJW3RBI/AAAAAAAASaA/OIflyBaPJNEVBS7mTbjnahS_CaMB5XPbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1158/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.14.13%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1158" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lKEcMxZQ4c/YYWILJW3RBI/AAAAAAAASaA/OIflyBaPJNEVBS7mTbjnahS_CaMB5XPbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h390/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.14.13%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzVW3Q10530/YYWIEJx7cvI/AAAAAAAASZ0/soJTg1d08BAq9DTDNr0wyRaX0N8YMGCCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s452/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.15.25%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="292" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzVW3Q10530/YYWIEJx7cvI/AAAAAAAASZ0/soJTg1d08BAq9DTDNr0wyRaX0N8YMGCCQCLcBGAsYHQ/w414-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-05%2Bat%2B3.15.25%2BPM.png" width="414" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-54081433301113236672021-10-20T13:55:00.000-04:002021-10-20T13:55:41.621-04:00Another Brilliant Bread Recipe by My Husband - This Time Sourdough<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well, he did it again! If I wasn't already struggling with the COVID19 -- 15lbs, I sure am now with all this delicious sourdough bread! My husband, an avid and accomplished bread baker already, he has been working tirelessly to create his own sourdough bread recipe for our new environment here in the hills. <p></p><p>Moving from California left us wanting a few things that we took for granted. One of those things was a good crusty sourdough bread! We loved heading into <a href="https://tartinebakery.com/stories/country-bread" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Tartine</span></a> for a good loaf to bring home and devour. They have several really fantastic books, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tartine-Revised-Classic-Revisited-Favorites/dp/1452178739/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GYIS95EIWWQJ&dchild=1&keywords=tartine+cookbook&qid=1634742977&sprefix=tartine+%2Caps%2C311&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">like this one</span></a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tartine-Bread-Chad-Robertson/dp/0811870413/ref=pd_bxgy_img_1/131-5351802-5443212?pd_rd_w=pEufZ&pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&pf_rd_r=DWR3EHYHCF7QSZXFKX04&pd_rd_r=9c3e1d81-c1a2-49ed-8d12-e345bf275bb1&pd_rd_wg=OJVlE&pd_rd_i=0811870413&psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">this one</span> </a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tartine-Book-No-Ancient-Classic/dp/1452114307/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/131-5351802-5443212?pd_rd_w=pEufZ&pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&pf_rd_r=DWR3EHYHCF7QSZXFKX04&pd_rd_r=9c3e1d81-c1a2-49ed-8d12-e345bf275bb1&pd_rd_wg=OJVlE&pd_rd_i=1452114307&psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">this one, too</span></a>.</p><p>My sweetheart, (Bu or Brett for those of you who don't know him, yet), was at a hardware store here in the country and found, of all things, "Homemade Country Sourdough Bread," which had been made locally but was $10.00 for a small loaf. </p><p>I went home to California in September and was so missing sourdough that I bought three loaves from <a href="http://www.acmebread.com/sour-dough.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Acme</span></a> in San Francisco, because I couldn't reach <a href="https://tartinebakery.com/san-francisco/bakery" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Tartine</span></a> without an expensive Uber ride. I shipped them all home where Bu sliced them and froze them.</p><p>At the time he was perfecting his recipe and his starter had already been used on two loaves. But, he was struggling with rise and consistency but the flavor was top notch!</p><p>I think he was sort of miffed by having to slice the ones I sent home and also was determined to create his own so we wouldn't have to miss the crunch of a freshly toasted and buttered piece of Sourdough bread. </p><p>He's done it! And, he has written it out for me to share with you! If you try the recipe, please let me know how it went! I'll also post the pics on Instagram.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMl9b60j8sM/YW827agWOKI/AAAAAAAASU8/3JkBFzvuw7IhZ_V9VSG4CeRajXdrTnqJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMl9b60j8sM/YW827agWOKI/AAAAAAAASU8/3JkBFzvuw7IhZ_V9VSG4CeRajXdrTnqJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0650.jpg" title="Above and the three following photos are the first successful loaf using his fine tuned recipe. It is his own recipe!" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Above and the three following photos are the first successful loaf using his fine tuned recipe. It is his own recipe! </span><br style="text-align: left;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr7Vw2MAGxQ/YW82bS_yTxI/AAAAAAAASUk/QmRJigCzL9YFFjeVyHw4R9x3tgY87jJsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr7Vw2MAGxQ/YW82bS_yTxI/AAAAAAAASUk/QmRJigCzL9YFFjeVyHw4R9x3tgY87jJsQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0649.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b90ivE-Ptwg/YW82bxEWKdI/AAAAAAAASUs/r76XgJVmh-Q7jbOeiYH4ANr6igSMjUajACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b90ivE-Ptwg/YW82bxEWKdI/AAAAAAAASUs/r76XgJVmh-Q7jbOeiYH4ANr6igSMjUajACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0648.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NaSJP6sKvdU/YW82bzFRvVI/AAAAAAAASUo/u_n3Kz3B_M0YKSjWzaHhbb6Fa-pQQ85ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NaSJP6sKvdU/YW82bzFRvVI/AAAAAAAASUo/u_n3Kz3B_M0YKSjWzaHhbb6Fa-pQQ85ewCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0647.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZkH7Uw54AQ/YXADxGUE7pI/AAAAAAAASVc/Y4v4oewWBfUQ9RQQTSdnyYTtVBncdVxaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZkH7Uw54AQ/YXADxGUE7pI/AAAAAAAASVc/Y4v4oewWBfUQ9RQQTSdnyYTtVBncdVxaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0928.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This one (above and below) is his second successful loaf using the recipe down below. It is no fail recipe although it will take patience. Good Luck!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IF3iR0NG3Pg/YXADhdPP1LI/AAAAAAAASVU/qucVdWRyuUYgDL-SKKYQNvkX3NFkEN2XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IF3iR0NG3Pg/YXADhdPP1LI/AAAAAAAASVU/qucVdWRyuUYgDL-SKKYQNvkX3NFkEN2XwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0929.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30sBryh_WaE/YXBP3H-7g7I/AAAAAAAASV4/AqWcXr7NeQgHSQ2QvOuUIVbApBkstSBpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30sBryh_WaE/YXBP3H-7g7I/AAAAAAAASV4/AqWcXr7NeQgHSQ2QvOuUIVbApBkstSBpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0947.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, it's delicious. A toasty, buttery warm hug in your tummy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yzIOG1m1Ihk/YXBP2ifvvFI/AAAAAAAASV0/bQkz9G4P6_Q5Lkv6ZNM1mAHssrP_NHenACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yzIOG1m1Ihk/YXBP2ifvvFI/AAAAAAAASV0/bQkz9G4P6_Q5Lkv6ZNM1mAHssrP_NHenACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0949.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBzozT4hVqM/YXBP2rk53PI/AAAAAAAASVw/g_YE-TLQHGEk1G4yxn2s7IpjU8oYL4oqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBzozT4hVqM/YXBP2rk53PI/AAAAAAAASVw/g_YE-TLQHGEk1G4yxn2s7IpjU8oYL4oqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0948.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brett's Sourdough Bread Recipe </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>INGREDIENTS:</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">90 grams sourdough starter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">552 grams flour (He uses a combination of a 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour plus bread flour).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">346 grams of water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 tsp. salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Based on all of his trial and error, he has found that measuring by weight is better for the end result than just measuring by cup.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>DIRECTIONS:</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Mix starter and water together</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*add flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*add salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*mix all in a mixer with a dough hook for 10 minutes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*cover and let rest for 15 minutes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*use the stretch and fold method for 2 sets of folding and turn it seam side down <a href="https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/how-to-autolyse/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">(autolyzing)</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Cover it and let it rest another 15 minutes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Stretch it again for another two sets and turn it seam side down again (autolyzing)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Cover and let rise for 12 hours ( an overnight rise is ideal)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Stretch and fold two times, again (autolyzing)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*cover to rest for 15 minutes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Stretch and fold for another 2 sets (final autolyze)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*place the dough on parchment in a bowl and cover it to rise for 2 1/2 hours</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Sprinkle flour over dough after 2.5 hour rise</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*heat oven to 500F with the dutch oven in it (this will be your baking vessel)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Place the parchment/dough in the dutch oven</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Score the dough to your liking (Brett has used several designs - see the photos above for examples)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Bake in the dutch oven in the 500F degree oven for 25 minutes with the lid on the dutch oven</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*remove lid from dutch oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes (Internal temp should be 208 F)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Remove dutch oven, remove bread from dutch oven and place on cooling rack</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Once cool, slice and eat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ENJOY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-17240502275788408742020-04-26T13:12:00.000-04:002020-04-26T14:04:44.649-04:00Comforting Homemade Rye Bread Amidst Virus Mayhem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi from our house, in what used to be a bustling city. The devastation that SARS-CoV2 has wreaked is unimaginable, worldwide and disturbing. With such insurmountable unknowns and all the whispers around us, we are all looking for a little comfort. </div>
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I find comfort with the calm spirit of my husband, the gratitude that I feel and then record in a little jar, video chatting with friends and developing new skills like bread baking. </div>
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<b>I feel very reluctant though to put this on Facebook or Insta because with the unprecedented unemployment rate, people are struggling with feeding themselves and their families. I guess I feel sort of guilty and that it may be in bad taste? But I have donated both time and money to food banks. Maybe you could donate to help people who may be going to bed hungry <a href="https://support.sacramentofoodbank.org/give/126385/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkLb3lrSG6QIVjMJkCh0yugqhEAAYAiAAEgKEdvD_BwE#!/donation/checkout"><span style="color: #ea9999;">here</span></a> or <span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="https://ams.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=globaldonate&site=mowa&CampCode=AnnualCampaign&AplCode=AnnCampWeb&_gl=1*zon07b*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE1ODc5MTUwMzcuRUFJYUlRb2JDaE1JODd5N3RyU0c2UUlWalJpdEJoMDdXZ2dTRUFBWUJDQUFFZ0pfX3ZEX0J3RQ..&_ga=2.240767491.1855620947.1587915037-186651182.1587915037&_gac=1.19000076.1587915037.EAIaIQobChMI87y7trSG6QIVjRitBh07WggSEAAYBCAAEgJ__vD_BwE"><span style="color: #ea9999;">here</span></a>,</span> too?</b></div>
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I am thankful everyday for my job (I love it!) and the means to run around all over Sacramento trying to find the barterable commodity that is yeast. It took 3 weeks and every search possible to finally find yeast so I could learn to make bread. Phew! In my wildest imagination, I never thought yeast would be in shortage.</div>
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The bread baking adventure was spearheaded by Bu who is a very accomplished baker and pizza dough maker. But I wanted to give it a whirl too.</div>
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Bulent uses a recipe a friend shared with him (The 21 Hour Bread), but I found one at <a href="https://www.jennycancook.com/recipes/faster-no-knead-bread/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Jenny Can Cook</span></a>, that was faster (I struggle with impatience). You can see Jenny baking this bread <span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0t8ZAhb8lQ"><span style="color: #ea9999;">here.</span></a> </span>I built on her recipe and my bread turned out pretty good with the tweaks which included Caraway Seeds (usually Rye Bread has Rye flour but I don't have any on hand and didn't really give a hoot anyway). I have also made a walnut loaf with toasted walnut pieces using this same recipe.</div>
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Keep reading for the recipe of this delicious, fast bread loaf. You can do it! If you try it, will you comment on the Facebook post that this is attached to? I would love to hear about it!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQe0SloLLaU/XqWm183YJ-I/AAAAAAAAReU/62vRORGlhfYlC83fyBdCy4R-3FjrhPYygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bread4.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQe0SloLLaU/XqWm183YJ-I/AAAAAAAAReU/62vRORGlhfYlC83fyBdCy4R-3FjrhPYygCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/bread4.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh from the oven.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgJe_daaZVY/XqWmqzhd1II/AAAAAAAAReI/P7yTtwUoYAgKvQirlwxqDyBd9Ws7xDm7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bread1.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgJe_daaZVY/XqWmqzhd1II/AAAAAAAAReI/P7yTtwUoYAgKvQirlwxqDyBd9Ws7xDm7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/bread1.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crust was perfection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnqQ3wJZLI4/XqWmuTzxiRI/AAAAAAAAReM/lzwhYkmW9DAnwrKZpSKl7qt1biPoAbXTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bread2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnqQ3wJZLI4/XqWmuTzxiRI/AAAAAAAAReM/lzwhYkmW9DAnwrKZpSKl7qt1biPoAbXTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/bread2.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was in the oven for 30 minutes and then another 15 but the subsequent times I have made it, I skip the second bake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfurEqu1wCM/XqWmyKLxoUI/AAAAAAAAReQ/4wB20LrQKhcW0ll-qBEDwJvnHbPbyu9jQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bread3.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfurEqu1wCM/XqWmyKLxoUI/AAAAAAAAReQ/4wB20LrQKhcW0ll-qBEDwJvnHbPbyu9jQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/bread3.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toasted, with butter - the best way to see if I was successful!<br />
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<b>Quick No Knead Rye Bread (4 hours total!)</b></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Ingredients </span></div>
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<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #fb1f88; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">3 cups flour</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #fb1f88; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">1/4 tsp. yeast (any kind will do!)</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #fb1f88; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">1 tsp. salt (for flavor)</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #fb1f88; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">2 tsp. Caraway seeds</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #fb1f88; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">1 1/4 cup water</li>
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Instructions </div>
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<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">Add all dry ingredients to mixing bowl</li>
<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">Add water that has been heated to between 120 and 130 degrees fahrenheit. (You'll talk to yourself here and say it's too dry, but trust me, it's not. In Jenny's recipe (link above) she says 1 1/2 cups water but my dough was WAY too wet and stick which made forming it a real mess and then the bread loaf looked more like a puffy pancake than a loaf of bread.)</li>
<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise on the counter for 3 hours.</li>
<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">After the initial rise, flour your work surface - it's time to shape your dough. Put your dough on a freshly floured surface and shape it into a bread round - this will go into the hot dutch oven.</li>
<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">Line a clean bowl with parchment paper and put your shaped dough in the bowl. Cover with a towel.</li>
<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">Heat the oven to 450 fahrenheit. Use an oven safe temperature gauge so you can get it just right. Put a dutch oven in the oven to heat as well. </li>
<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">Once the oven has reached the baking temperature, put your shaped dough (on the parchment) into the dutch oven. If you're feeling fancy, score the bread dough - there are some really cute designs you can attempt and it dissuades a weird rupture.</li>
<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">Bake 25-30 minutes. Jenny's recipe calls for a second baking uncovered for another 15 minutes, but since I have removed some moisture, this recipe doesn't need the second uncovered baking. </li>
<li class="instruction" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px; text-align: left;">Enjoy!</li>
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<br />Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-50549592510369532192020-02-17T12:11:00.012-05:002020-07-18T10:29:44.272-04:00Crazy Doll LadyAs many of you know I have been in love with dolls for a better part of my life. At 10 years old, I fell in love with a <a href="https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images1/1/0311/06/corolle-doll-vintage-1981-refabert_1_3baaa827b85730c46019dd2962ebebda.jpg">French Corolle Doll Catherine Refabert in 1981</a> and saved and saved and saved all the money from my allowance and babysitting so I could possess this uncanny creature. When I look at her now, (yes, I still have her), I am not sure what captivated me so much; I love her still nevertheless.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tuMZcEEf2SY/Xkrd_exAm2I/AAAAAAAARUg/8A9MxM-YhHoY04IYQRLLKzsi7qVph2PNACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4861.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tuMZcEEf2SY/Xkrd_exAm2I/AAAAAAAARUg/8A9MxM-YhHoY04IYQRLLKzsi7qVph2PNACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_4861.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Sad Sunny. She is the first Takara Tomy Blythe that I customized on a <a href="https://www.juniemoonshop.com/blog/index.php/site/view/keep_an_eye_open_for_red_riding_hood_here_are_the_final_specifications_for_">Scotty Mum</a> base. She wears a dress set by <a href="https://www.chuthings.com/gallery">Chu Things</a> and a Boater Hat by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElGatoSobreElTejado">El Gato</a>. I really love her; if you look closely, you can see a tear on her cheek.</td></tr>
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<br />As I grew, my love for dolls simmered beneath my "I must be cool" exterior and so I sort of forgot about them. I did not indulge in that obsession until I saw "her" on Pinterest. I wish she was in my collection. I simply squirreled away this enchanting little "person" for a rainy day. Never did I think this would be the rabbit hole it has become and now I wonder what in the world I did without dolls.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMQun-4wRGE/XxMFd0uYKpI/AAAAAAAAR4I/MWOURxlFeKEhhY4u0OTg-OW8yvq9W7K9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s552/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-07-18%2Bat%2B7.10.55%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="366" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMQun-4wRGE/XxMFd0uYKpI/AAAAAAAAR4I/MWOURxlFeKEhhY4u0OTg-OW8yvq9W7K9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w331-h500/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-07-18%2Bat%2B7.10.55%2BAM.png" width="331" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll want to see more of Floriana's work at <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/almonddoll/" target="_blank">Almond Doll.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I am entirely shameless and couldn't give a fig about what anyone thinks about this obsession of mine becasue I really can't think of anything that "sparks joy" more than my hobby for these uncanny little creatures. Call me a crazy doll lady if you want, but everytime I capture a photo just right or make a new doll hobby friend or add a treasure to the collection or recieve dolly mail, it is a little gratitude ritual for me. And one of the greatest things about this love of mine is that I am not alone out there! I have doll friends all over the world and two of my best are right here in Elk Grove and Napa! Lucky me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oARYTgC1rL8/Xkqw9RFVzDI/AAAAAAAARRo/imbO8ui8fWg82LcFQPi396hkckrT8b9vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/03EE74B5-9739-4AD3-9E62-4257EB814AD5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oARYTgC1rL8/Xkqw9RFVzDI/AAAAAAAARRo/imbO8ui8fWg82LcFQPi396hkckrT8b9vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/03EE74B5-9739-4AD3-9E62-4257EB814AD5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet "Marion" customized by Kata at <a href="https://unniedolls.com/">Unnie Dolls</a>. She IS part of my collection and she is one of the sweetest little creatures I have ever seen.</td></tr>
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But it isn't just the dolls that are a draw for me. It's everything! The fashions for instance are AWESOME!! I almost love the fashion more than the dollies themselves. (Almost). And some of the fashion artists in our community have so much talent it's unreal!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FOza_sOCrk/Xkqy4xDFkiI/AAAAAAAARSA/IRErWiHBc8wZabNU8Lzoga4ta2R0icbzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-10%2Bat%2B7.55.31%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="752" height="393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FOza_sOCrk/Xkqy4xDFkiI/AAAAAAAARSA/IRErWiHBc8wZabNU8Lzoga4ta2R0icbzACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-10%2Bat%2B7.55.31%2BAM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Above are from </span><a href="https://moshimoshi-studio.com/collections/all" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Moshi Moshi Studio</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"> by my truly beautiful friend Hilary. She creates these little confections in a little craft cottage far away in Cornwall, England with the help of her little crew of Moshling's. I have a few of her creations (see above on Marion) but you can never have too many! If you want one of her designs you'll have to be quick and hope that paypal is up to date and that your cache is cleared and that your first born is ready to be traded. I'm very thankful that she is a personal friend. I love her and she has helped me on my own journey of sewing doll clothes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Below are all fashions by Maria at <a href="https://www.chuthings.com/gallery">Chu Things</a>. She is also one of my favorites. It's impossible to pick just one favorite because each doll has her own personality and therefore style.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_AdPwwpEKUU/Xkq3I38oruI/AAAAAAAARSs/x3Y6M8Gphkg5hOAWcVtYp6otl0LtPlgSwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-17%2Bat%2B7.51.35%2BAM.png"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_AdPwwpEKUU/Xkq3I38oruI/AAAAAAAARSs/x3Y6M8Gphkg5hOAWcVtYp6otl0LtPlgSwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-17%2Bat%2B7.51.35%2BAM.png" width="212" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LbQ3yent5Q/Xkq3GOSlwQI/AAAAAAAARSk/pOw6bSI7ToQUvNCrVnceEf4CqA452eppgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-17%2Bat%2B7.51.57%2BAM.png"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LbQ3yent5Q/Xkq3GOSlwQI/AAAAAAAARSk/pOw6bSI7ToQUvNCrVnceEf4CqA452eppgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-17%2Bat%2B7.51.57%2BAM.png" width="213" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSUEk7x4HWk/Xkq3DOI7F8I/AAAAAAAARSc/JZL3qExyCZYrFDj9OtXEQERulu1a7EJUQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-17%2Bat%2B7.52.52%2BAM.png"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSUEk7x4HWk/Xkq3DOI7F8I/AAAAAAAARSc/JZL3qExyCZYrFDj9OtXEQERulu1a7EJUQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-17%2Bat%2B7.52.52%2BAM.png" width="216" /></a></div>
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I customize dolls (see Sunny up there), but it takes me a very long time. And while I am not the best doll artist out there, I love the feeling of accomplishment I get after finishing a doll. I don't command the prices of <a href="https://erindeir.bigcartel.com/products">Erin Deir </a>or Casey of <a href="https://www.cupcakecurio.com/">Cupcake Curio</a> but I still feel like a part of an artists community. Below are a few of mine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrUp0gU8bJY/XkrLsP_dzSI/AAAAAAAARTo/sB53VMw-D7o9ixTgIkJBrzS0uVC6qgrhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0377.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrUp0gU8bJY/XkrLsP_dzSI/AAAAAAAARTo/sB53VMw-D7o9ixTgIkJBrzS0uVC6qgrhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0377.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is "Julia." I just completed her last week. She has gone to a new home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-a_S45OKgE/XkrcJRJI8BI/AAAAAAAARUE/hdXHZ6F5Kd8yEbBF-2aHuV0aJotMjUwTACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_4533.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-a_S45OKgE/XkrcJRJI8BI/AAAAAAAARUE/hdXHZ6F5Kd8yEbBF-2aHuV0aJotMjUwTACK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_4533.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Valentina. She is on an Icy Doll base. The Icy Doll is a sister mold to Blythe.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWAxVUaUBlo"> Learn more from Casey at Bebe Blythe</a>. She is wearing a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/pommepomme">Pomme Pomme</a> under skirt and stockings and a felt hat made by me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIqfXJz2gac/XkrmqIXxe1I/AAAAAAAARUw/SDznV0xRbj83lJYBR67Vte-ldg4FLsq3wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_4852%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIqfXJz2gac/XkrmqIXxe1I/AAAAAAAARUw/SDznV0xRbj83lJYBR67Vte-ldg4FLsq3wCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_4852%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And last but not least is Genevievre better known as Gigi my little "Dear One." She is wearing a skirt by <a href="https://moshimoshi-studio.com/">Moshi Moshi </a>and shirt and ears by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/pommepomme">Pomme Pomme.</a></td></tr>
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<br /></div></div>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-14917006063051685542019-04-10T16:48:00.000-04:002019-04-10T16:50:56.493-04:00Happy Birthday to My Baby Sister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSYoYVm8r7o/XK5WP4U9vDI/AAAAAAAAQzA/RWDVbO92v5QeVVpcyp_Tys7wvTKulfgqACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-03-25%2Bat%2B2.43.45%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="702" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSYoYVm8r7o/XK5WP4U9vDI/AAAAAAAAQzA/RWDVbO92v5QeVVpcyp_Tys7wvTKulfgqACLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-03-25%2Bat%2B2.43.45%2BPM.png" width="307" /></a></div>
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I love you, Sissy.</div>
Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-74882303593377736002018-11-06T16:00:00.001-05:002018-11-06T16:13:56.843-05:00Bring Your A Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2NN958p_0s/W-IEByDpMOI/AAAAAAAAPyo/MMwq_c6owZwr7LVBC8S_b3-lyL7jA7SVwCLcBGAs/s1600/printable-81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2NN958p_0s/W-IEByDpMOI/AAAAAAAAPyo/MMwq_c6owZwr7LVBC8S_b3-lyL7jA7SVwCLcBGAs/s400/printable-81.jpg" width="313" height="400" data-original-width="625" data-original-height="800" /></a></div>
<iframe height="250" src="https://8tracks.com/mixes/883165/player_v3_universal" style="border: 0px none;" width="300"></iframe>
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<a href="https://8tracks.com/poppiesandpaperbacks/bring-your-a-game?utm_medium=referral&utm_content=mix-page&utm_campaign=embed_button">Bring Your A Game</a> from <a href="http://8tracks.com/poppiesandpaperbacks?utm_medium=referral&utm_content=mix-page&utm_campaign=embed_button">poppiesandpaperbacks</a> on <a href="https://8tracks.com/?utm_medium=referral&utm_content=mix-page&utm_campaign=embed_button">8tracks Radio</a>.</div>
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It's a good Autumn Music Mix. I've published it before but 8 Tracks has since changed their formatting and so I am re-publishing it. Sadly, there are ads.<br />
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Also, I want to give a shout out to my standby therapist. If you need a boost today or any day, I never don't (pretty sure this is a double negative - let's go with it) learn something from <a href="https://thebloggess.com/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Jenny at The Bloggess</span></a>.
All the songs start with A!
1. Across the Sky - Emilie Autumn
2. Any Second Now - Depeche Mode
3. Another Sky - Scenic
4. Alfie - Lily Allen
5. Animal - Miike Snow
6. Actor Out of Work - St. Vincent
7. Adult Education - Hall and Oates
8. Addicted - Amy Winehouse
9. All I Believe In - The Magic Number + Amadou & Miriam
10. Aha! - Imogen Heap
11. Australia - The Shins
12. April In Paris - Count BasieGwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-70478375330922279932018-11-02T11:54:00.000-04:002018-11-02T11:54:39.753-04:00Wilted Chard with Citrus Vinaigrette and Roasted WalnutsIt's nearing the end of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chard"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Chard </span></a>season here in Northern California, so I thought it only appropriate to do something with some. My mom used to make "Swiss Chard" when we were young and pair it with a roast chicken. I got a great recipe for sausage and bean soup with Chard from a friend when I lived in Italy. And, now, it's a pretty common green (when it's in season) in our house. This recipe, even if you hate greens is really yummy and even though it seems really fancy (pinky up) it's super easy to make. (I really wish my photography skills were a little better - sorry, guys.)<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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1 bunch any color chard<br />
1/2 cup whole walnuts<br />
1 orange zested and juiced<br />
1 clove garlic crushed<br />
1/2 Cup + 1 Tbsp. olive oil<br />
3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar<br />
pinch sugar<br />
salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes (to taste)<br />
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Directions:<br />
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Roughly chop chard<br />
Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to pan on medium/low heat<br />
Add chard to pan and cook stirring frequently so you don't overcook it<br />
Add walnut halves in second pan, dry roast over medium low heat (watch them closely) and remove when they are brown with some "roasted" black bits - remove from heat<br />
When Chard is wilted (all leaves moistened and stalks a bit tender - cooking chard mellows the flavor of the green) remove from heat and set aside.<br />
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Now that both the walnuts and the greens are off the heat, time to assemble the dish<br />
Make the dressing using the rest of the olive oil, the vinegar, the orange juice and the crushed garlic, then add pinch sugar - emulsify<br />
Toss greens with dressing, scant orange zest (reserving the rest for garnish), some walnuts (also reserving the rest) and salt and pepper - plate on serving dish<br />
Grind some red pepper on top<br />
Garnish with the reserved orange zest and walnuts<br />
Enjoy!<br />
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Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-8050640959198186292018-10-19T13:30:00.002-04:002018-10-19T13:30:37.502-04:00Treasures 3 - Dear Dottie and Old Dead NedOh, man I love these two. Much to Dottie's dismay and every effort to thwart, Ned just won't take no for an answer. The poor dear; he's dead, for crying out loud.<br />
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Tara sent me Ned. He is actually a tiny finger puppet for tiny fingers. But somehow he made his way to Dottie. And why wouldn't he? She's a beauty. Dottie is a tiny (probably German) porcelain bust. Very tiny; about the size of the tip of your finger. But just the right size for Ned.<br />
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<br />Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-39542710274721259522018-06-06T13:37:00.000-04:002018-06-06T13:37:08.804-04:00The White Pepper ClothingI have been going nuts about this label I recently found - <a href="https://www.notjustalabel.com/designer/the-white-pepper">The White Pepper </a>. Perhaps it is the dolly influence in my life or the fact that I have finally embraced that I AM AN ARTIST - Shouty caps for personal impact - lest I forget. In any case these clothes are comfortable, well priced, made of natural fabrics (mostly) and are wear anywhere items. I mean they're not for sexy, sexy time, but they are super cute. I love a style/fashion house with a sense of friggin' humor. We all tend to take ourselves WAY too seriously in this world.<br />
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Check it out!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is my favorite of the examples I've posted here. Oh a pressed white anything makes me go nutty - but this is LEATHER!!!! MIND BLOWN! And that high/low hem tease - oh so great! And that contrasting lace? OY VEY! It is both little girlish and avantgarde. I need it!</td></tr>
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I've been enjoying looking for other little places that I can find high quality, fashionable clothing at a reasonable price. Here are few: <a href="https://oliveandpepper.com/collections/dresses/products/ava-black-embroidered-long-sleeve-mini-dress">Olive and Pepper</a>, the beloved <a href="https://www.lulus.com/products/garden-explorer-mustard-yellow-floral-print-mini-dress/607712.html">Lulu's</a> and how about this one called <a href="http://www.albumip.com/beige-popsicle-print-skate-sleeveless-dress">Albumip</a> (probably a Chinese company; great prices and interesting things) follow the links to see what I've found.<br />
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<br />Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-10869798155462007962018-04-20T12:12:00.001-04:002018-04-20T12:12:11.763-04:00Art!I have been away because in addition to tons of work travel and Walt Disney World, I have also been embroiled in making mass amounts of art. Blogging is sort of like your "network." Some people in your network have more priority than others. Family and work are obviously at the top of that hierarchy. Unfortunately, blogging had to take a little backseat. I am not one of those bloggers you see on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/ASnpLjmS_-08Wqik78OnHM6DU0eQk_qO4yQuRUm0M1HFBngJ9SXSGvc/">Pinterest, "Make $10,000 a month blogging."</a><br />
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I am part of a group show at <a href="http://artoftoys.com/">Art of Toys</a> in July and I am feverishly getting my little monsters together. I never want to let a garbage monster out of my paws though so I have had to work and rework some of these guys. I think you may know them if you follow my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/poppiesandpaperbacks/?hl=en">Poppies page on IG</a>. I haven't always thought of myself as an actual artist and I have certainly not called myself an artist but now that I am the age I am and have accrued the body of work that I have, I have crossed over and now actually quite confidently call myself an artist.<br />
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I have been sculpting monsters. Here are a few examples:<br />
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I was planning to post lots of other things since I last posted in December. Maybe I still can. I'd love to post our Christmas Dinner. Is it silly to post a winter meal in the Spring?Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-59733898031962122332017-12-15T19:02:00.000-05:002017-12-15T19:02:51.365-05:00Treasures 2 - A Knitted Spaceship and Wizzle, Twizzle and BettyWhen I was a little girl, we lived in Connecticut where my father practiced medicine in an office that was part of our house. Many of his patients were neighborhood folks, some of whom lacked resources with which to pay the doctor. So my father took tomatoes, pickles and hand knitted items in return for tetanus shots and check ups.<br />
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One such knitted item was this flying saucer. At the time, dad and I would sit in the evening and watch hours of Sagan and Nova. I think he probably shared some of this info with his patients. And now, I have inherited this magnificent piece of art.<br />
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It is one of my greatest treasures, although Wizzle, Twizzle and Betty only make their appearances during the Christmas season. Perhaps I'll keep them out all year 'round?<br />
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<br />Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-48858178814946979522017-12-04T22:58:00.003-05:002017-12-14T17:35:52.381-05:00What I Love About ChristmasSometimes, during the Christmas season, we get lost in the "GET."<br />
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But what really "FEELS" good are these things...<br />
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Whats the stuff that evokes your favorite Christmas feelings?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wondrlust.com/knowledge/happiness-is-found-in-helping-others/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">source</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Strickland_Goodall"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">John S. Goodall</span></a></td></tr>
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It's the whole ENTIRE film, guys! The whole thing!!! (Thanks You Tube!!!!)<br />
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<a href="http://projectbritain.com/Xmas/wassail.htm">And....THIS!</a> UNCLE!Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-757455165372421412017-11-20T12:27:00.002-05:002017-11-20T12:52:32.741-05:00Diversions #2 - How to Get Dressed I'd say I am what some might a call a "slave to fashion," or perhaps a "fashion maven," or a "clothes horse." whatever the nomenclature is, I'd say it's true. I, like my mother and grandmother and sister, truly love fashion. I love textiles, the culture of clothing and dressing, the fashion world glossy magazines and shopping. But I also love history. In fact, I have curated an art show about fashion and published an academic paper in a university art magazine about the fashion of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsa_Schiaparelli"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Elsa Schiaparelli</span></a> and the costumes of <a href="http://50watts.com/Walter-Schnackenberg-5"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Walter Schnakenberg</span></a>.<br />
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Today we will look over something like this:<br />
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A friend of mine shared this with me becasue she knows my great love of clothing and fashion history. She's pretty thoughtful.<br />
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In the 18th Century (Britain specifically - for our purposes), wealthy women had servants to dress them. They needed lots of help getting dressed becasue the chore was sheer drudgery. See the video below which delineates all of the extraordinary details and the great undertaking that getting dressed was. This was the time of the Rococo art movement in Europe so opulence was a mark of high society and the fashion reflects that as well as the art.<br />
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This is from <span style="color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://blog.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/2016/08/getting-dressed-in-the-18th-century/?utm_source=Slate&utm_campaign=Slate-article"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">The Lady Lever Art Gallery</span></a> </span><br />
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But you can read more <span style="color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/European-Culture-18th-Century/Eighteenth-Century-Clothing.html"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">here</span></a> </span>at the <span style="color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Encyclopedia of Fashion</span></a>.</span><br />
And <a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/0-9/18th-century-fashion/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">here</span></a> at the <a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Victoria and Albert Museum.</span></a><br />
And <a href="https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/tag/18th-century-dressing-rooms/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">here</span></a>, too, at <a href="https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Jane Austen's World.</span></a>Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-25641860801479388202017-11-13T16:22:00.001-05:002017-11-13T16:33:14.863-05:00A Gentleman in Moscow <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't posted about a book in a while. In fact, it's been years. But this was such a great read that I cannot pass it by. I want to share it with the world! It is "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles. My friend Joan told me about it. It was a selection for her book club (which I have inserted myself into). At first I was reluctant to read it (fearful it was a dramatic novel) but I am so glad I did. It is one of my Top 10 favorite books!<br />
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Below is the trailer for the brilliant novel "A Gentleman in Moscow." This little film is equally magnificent!<br />
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<a a="" gentleman="" href="https://vimeo.com/183310610" in="" moscow=""> </a></div>
<a a="" gentleman="" href="https://vimeo.com/183310610" in="" moscow="">from </a><a href="https://vimeo.com/delphineburrus">Delphine Burrus</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-90647681226773312082017-10-31T18:20:00.003-04:002017-10-31T18:20:29.797-04:00Happy Halloween 2017 - Poppy Barach and Julie Audet, PhotographersI found two great photographers who have flawlessly captured this mysterious time of year.<br />
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<a href="https://www.poppybarach.com/#/nature/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Poppy Barach's</span></a> images are haunting and rich. You can follow her on Instagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/poppybarach/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">here</span></a>.<br />
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And, <a href="http://julieaudetphoto.com/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Julie Audet</span></a>. Her images are filled with wisdom and magic. And she can be found on Instagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/julie_audet/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">here</span></a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://julieaudetphoto.com/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Julie Audet</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.poppybarach.com/#/nature/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Poppy Barach</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://julieaudetphoto.com/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Julie Audet</span></a></td></tr>
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<br />Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-52443314190429200032017-10-18T17:43:00.001-04:002017-11-01T10:28:21.484-04:00Diversions - A New Category - Crows and RavensI'm adding a new category. That is two new categories, this month! This one is called "Diversions" and it's for those days that I can't be asked to write something thoughtful, or to style some food that I just want to eat, or for those days that I am just not feeling all that creative. For lazy blogger days I guess you could say. But I think you'll find it entertaining. Hopefully, anyway. Or they might not be diverting in the least. That won't do! So see for yourselves and give me some feedback!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.craww.com/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Craww</span></a></td></tr>
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So, I'll start with something seasonal. How about Ravens, crows and other soft billed birds that are black and eat carrion?! <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48860/the-raven"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Seems so spooky a la Edgar Allan Poe</span></a>. But they are super intelligent, tool using ornithological specimens and are therefore noteworthy. It's such a shame my mother hates them. That's true. Her words, not mine. She hates them. I love them and in <a href="http://www.sactownmag.com/February-March-2017/Made-in-the-Shade/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Sacramento since we have the largest tree canopy in the world</span></a> (now surpassing Paris) we are home to many of these beautiful Corvidae. Here are these <span style="color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.avesnoir.com/10-amazing-crow-facts/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">10 Amazing Crow Facts</span></a> </span><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.whitewolfpack.com/2014/12/10-fascinating-facts-about-ravens.html"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">And 10 more about Ravens</span></a>. </span>Ravens frighten, amaze and intrigue us. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qxNSbQoasg"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">They are magnetic beings; clever, industrious, even creative</span></a>!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://audreykawasaki.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Audrey Kawasaki</span></a> </td></tr>
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Crows, Ravens and other Corvids are all terribly diverting. No? <a href="http://www.avesnoir.com/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Check this out, Aves Noir.</span></a> It is so elegant, haunting and ethereal. You might enjoy something like that this time of year. As an amateur ornithologist and a lover of big black birds, I visit quite often.<br />
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I love this time of year; I cannot emphasize it enough. May all Corvidae be blessed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qeGfJGYu-s/We-_2zlbScI/AAAAAAAAOaY/W7ZI1pWStjIl4QzrRitvbwxAC6wE1dPagCLcBGAs/s1600/c9a486b49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="620" height="544" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qeGfJGYu-s/We-_2zlbScI/AAAAAAAAOaY/W7ZI1pWStjIl4QzrRitvbwxAC6wE1dPagCLcBGAs/s640/c9a486b49.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.citylab.com/authors/ariel-aberg-riger/">Source</a><br />
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Eeeeee! I found</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="https://www.citylab.com/environment/2017/08/we-thought-we-would-be-ruled-by-robots/536118/" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">this one</span></a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">too! (Sacramento is mentioned; we are famous!)</span></td></tr>
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<br />Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12646495308484116469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532487232153932339.post-12441331978913969172017-10-13T03:00:00.000-04:002017-10-13T03:00:12.578-04:00Cream of Asparagus Soup - Keto!It's fall and therefore it's soup season around here. Bulo came into the kitchen the other day and exclaimed, "It's fall - soup time!" So for our menu's I've added soup to just about every night's meal. All the recipes for Cream of Asparagus that I found online called for a roux. I'd prefer to keep the flour out. So this recipe is senza flour or any grains and it is therefore a great Keto side dish. If you are unfamiliar with the Keto Lifestyle, <a href="https://www.ruled.me/ketogenic-diet-food-list/"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">here is a cool little visual aid</span></a> to help you better understand. That aside, this recipe, regardless of how you're eating, is warming and delicious especially served with baked salmon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No flour and only grass fed dairy. Try <a href="https://www.naturalbynaturedairy.com/products"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">Natural by Nature Dairy</span></a> products.</td></tr>
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<span class="yield" itemprop="recipeYield"><strong>Yield: </strong>4 Side Servings</span><span class="author" itemprop="author"><strong>Author: </strong>Poppies and Paperbacks</span><button class="printbutton" id="printbutton" onclick="printDiv('recipe'); return false;" type="button">Print Recipe</button></div>
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Cream of Asparagus Soup - Keto!</h3>
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No flour in this one! But it is hearty and delicious irrespective of the lack of grains or a roux.</div>
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INGREDIENTS:</h3>
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Cream of Asparagus Soup - Keto!<br />
<ul>
<li itemprop="ingredients">1 pound asparagus</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">1 yellow onion and 2 cloves garlic, diced</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">1/4 Cup heavy cream (grass fed, organic only)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">1 Tbs. Olive oil</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">2 lemons. 1 juiced and zested. Reserve the other.</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">2 Cups chicken stock (you can make your own bone broth to add to this if you prefer)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">4 Tbs. goat cheese (for garnish)</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">Salt and Pepper to taste</li>
<li itemprop="ingredients">Crushed red pepper (use sparingly)</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
INSTRUCTIONS:</h3>
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<br />
<ol>
<li itemprop="instructions">Remove woody part of stem from the asparagus and steam prepared asparagus.</li>
<li itemprop="instructions">Cook onion in olive oil until translucent.</li>
<li itemprop="instructions">Add both the asparagus and onion to food processor and process. (Reserve 4 asparagus stalks).</li>
<li itemprop="instructions">Add onion/asparagus to soup pot. Add the stock and heavy cream and bring to a simmer.</li>
<li itemprop="instructions">Turn off the heat and add lemon juice and seasonings.</li>
<li itemprop="instructions">Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with goat cheese, lemon zest and crushed red pepper. Serve with a slice of lemon to squeeze into soup before enjoying.</li>
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