tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53732307830177071632024-03-18T22:49:19.472-07:00RED VINES FOR BREAKFASTValeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.comBlogger328125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-90422098305648754022012-04-22T13:14:00.001-07:002012-04-22T13:14:45.965-07:00Slow Cooker Carnitas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpJk6C1k2RKvVKdAw54N6vlmg_1hXoPzq-t2jXHPhSgvOu2clRrXhTu6Ny_Gbkp19d2G5Qsw8rO8-tu3R04QPETYUbLuweAmoFHaBT25WPtWDrBYyflg-VAEhGR3QYBXiZlo3s0GGLC4k/s1600/carnitas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpJk6C1k2RKvVKdAw54N6vlmg_1hXoPzq-t2jXHPhSgvOu2clRrXhTu6Ny_Gbkp19d2G5Qsw8rO8-tu3R04QPETYUbLuweAmoFHaBT25WPtWDrBYyflg-VAEhGR3QYBXiZlo3s0GGLC4k/s400/carnitas.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Since <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/01/brady-taylor.html">Brady's</a> been born, I've relied heavily on the slow cooker. I've been branching out and trying new recipes and this is a new favorite in our house. It's simple to prepare, makes enough for plenty of leftovers, is so delicious. I use the carnitas for tacos, but you could also do burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, etc. <div>
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<u><b>Slow Cooker Carnitas</b></u> (adapted from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/">allrecipes.com</a>) </div>
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<div class="ingredients" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ingredients</span></h3>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 teaspoon salt</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 teaspoon garlic powder</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 teaspoon ground cumin</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.5 teaspoon crumbled dried oregano</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.5 teaspoon ground coriander</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 (4 pound) boneless pork shoulder roast</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 bay leaves</span></li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups chicken broth</span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 300px;">
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<div class="directions" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<h3 style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #7a7a7a; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Directions</span></h3>
<ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix together salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and coriander in a bowl. Coat pork with the spice mixture. Place the bay leaves in the bottom of a slow cooker and place the pork on top. Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the pork, being careful not to rinse off the spice mixture.</span></span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cover and cook on Low until the pork shreds easily with a fork, about 10 hours. When the pork is tender, remove from slow cooker, and shred with two forks. Use cooking liquid as needed to moisten the meat.</span></span></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-7115547022608989682012-01-24T06:29:00.000-08:002012-01-24T06:29:31.506-08:00Gooey Butter Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrJMfdwFxvYoaZ8KRzt1xZGKTvbz23ekO8kEc1xPCgJxn0nO0fjLInq-uImR51ZrPrL0XpZJ9UVj0wAoqdHSUZDGtHume9jmckk6FbDNXibvtewwGGZUz4GWT7nk0uPMYWxAKeOAHA3WU/s1600/cookie1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrJMfdwFxvYoaZ8KRzt1xZGKTvbz23ekO8kEc1xPCgJxn0nO0fjLInq-uImR51ZrPrL0XpZJ9UVj0wAoqdHSUZDGtHume9jmckk6FbDNXibvtewwGGZUz4GWT7nk0uPMYWxAKeOAHA3WU/s400/cookie1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LD_1kGCup8EzrBoGVskZ4N1eh-oKXyusjwZY9KuCj-hLvKcHy2SwIaLQ4Zel7cmPFAYWjYHcbwWDrSEpTNNCZm-qBHDa0NGtPBbydNuhOz4Z20V10aB4TMQ8hs7pNFkmQHqbwzeO8F4O/s1600/cookie2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LD_1kGCup8EzrBoGVskZ4N1eh-oKXyusjwZY9KuCj-hLvKcHy2SwIaLQ4Zel7cmPFAYWjYHcbwWDrSEpTNNCZm-qBHDa0NGtPBbydNuhOz4Z20V10aB4TMQ8hs7pNFkmQHqbwzeO8F4O/s400/cookie2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvEOMPjQZcFwrXzNlScrFUXHlRCmvIkLaCIpldoXtvWIBq2h2ZemyGUlZdqf_JC4IFOvdDij9E9BSTcH4GAGlKyoE2g2Q-4aUqOrpRsfBfDSAjHn6Kij_qj8SCzipkTHHCiTv0Ib4QGtk/s1600/cookie3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvEOMPjQZcFwrXzNlScrFUXHlRCmvIkLaCIpldoXtvWIBq2h2ZemyGUlZdqf_JC4IFOvdDij9E9BSTcH4GAGlKyoE2g2Q-4aUqOrpRsfBfDSAjHn6Kij_qj8SCzipkTHHCiTv0Ib4QGtk/s400/cookie3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM5epQK3_ihNa8H6YDm9CAks0tmH70hxO7JV50sASxBt_dMkiPiobxILGA9ocogJv2xpIDxVqtCCnVArPAFwPq7WOUGw5IBwDhgXjpW30TK5I62pjNhoaz1hwktuoVtVUq4YvgCxXKQdR/s1600/cookie4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM5epQK3_ihNa8H6YDm9CAks0tmH70hxO7JV50sASxBt_dMkiPiobxILGA9ocogJv2xpIDxVqtCCnVArPAFwPq7WOUGw5IBwDhgXjpW30TK5I62pjNhoaz1hwktuoVtVUq4YvgCxXKQdR/s400/cookie4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I made these cookies for Christmas and they were absolutely divine. They were a bit sweet as well as a bit savory and light and fluffy (so you can eat 25 before feeling ill- I know this from experience). <br />
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<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong><a href="http://www.lottieanddoof.com/2011/12/day-5-mathew-rice-and-gooey-butter-cookies/">Gooey Butter Cookies</a></strong> (recipe by Mathew Rice of Nightwood Restaurant)</div><ul style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; list-style-type: none; padding-left: 0px;"><li>4 1/2 cups all purpose flour</li>
<li>4 teaspoons baking powder</li>
<li>1 1/2 teaspoons salt</li>
<li>1 pound cream cheese</li>
<li>2 sticks unsalted butter</li>
<li>1/2 vanilla bean, scraped (optional (Tim thinks it is optional, but important))</li>
<li>3 cups sugar</li>
<li>2 eggs</li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
<li>Confectioner’s sugar for rolling and dusting</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese, butter, vanilla bean seeds, and sugar together until fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Incorporate the flour mixture. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Scoop roughly 1-ounce balls and toss in the confectioner’s sugar. Place on a baking sheet, lined with parchment, a couple of inches apart. Bake at 325° F until they spread and puff slightly, about 12-16 minutes. They will be really soft in the center. If they start to brown, they’ve gone too far. Cool to room temperature.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The recipe recommended refrigerating them from here and I was skeptical but decided to try it and they were even better cold! Try them both ways and see which you prefer.</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-36799684368896566012012-01-18T10:59:00.000-08:002012-01-24T05:59:39.625-08:00Brady Taylor<div style="text-align: center;">at the hospital</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-rjaZXi7UjJrn6uT5z2yTPNkdzdWTYINfmdNSd2In54mD1IKdJw_jaZ-KirAue0owEFGNn58HI1diUnCLoDEnvQweAhb9fflCcl94-4e_Q9zM-aFt-3pt_yM6ccNzyl4rQ7ISvVKShMC/s1600/bt10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-rjaZXi7UjJrn6uT5z2yTPNkdzdWTYINfmdNSd2In54mD1IKdJw_jaZ-KirAue0owEFGNn58HI1diUnCLoDEnvQweAhb9fflCcl94-4e_Q9zM-aFt-3pt_yM6ccNzyl4rQ7ISvVKShMC/s400/bt10.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIUIRlQkVtElfV-5GvEiqOLSmO8iHwDIYP6PU8zBcwJQqLlG2Mx2aiDwfcYJ3VeAfgBhvUCJRrCvg-DqwBGVzZNqWss-Iyuy4wGKaZ7ZvNNtLfHb42GKfaMCZNlDNjlFL44ZkgLFW3O2t/s1600/bt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIUIRlQkVtElfV-5GvEiqOLSmO8iHwDIYP6PU8zBcwJQqLlG2Mx2aiDwfcYJ3VeAfgBhvUCJRrCvg-DqwBGVzZNqWss-Iyuy4wGKaZ7ZvNNtLfHb42GKfaMCZNlDNjlFL44ZkgLFW3O2t/s400/bt4.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9nU4huOxXJ6ec_IQbPuXdkYVpAdtkdP6VvGv_9BakbGpnhpoeXVLC0dm0TEvMgYvPDFL9xIU-ToavKpT7xUJz5Qu1XBm47zeKCtsw-3-Va8SzSmn7WxT-tx3P15qsIhDH9phCNNHeU_q/s1600/bt5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9nU4huOxXJ6ec_IQbPuXdkYVpAdtkdP6VvGv_9BakbGpnhpoeXVLC0dm0TEvMgYvPDFL9xIU-ToavKpT7xUJz5Qu1XBm47zeKCtsw-3-Va8SzSmn7WxT-tx3P15qsIhDH9phCNNHeU_q/s400/bt5.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">dressed up for Christmas dinner</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1S9n52HFEdYa75AibGxjpqZmTR0LqA_sCxzXdUW3uu48sUoif7SEi_O9KcTQ9Ikq3SCuZwcvRANLyco7SP4dokYeHXrBxqrhqx7VSPzlschxXw4HLlr_-ZKYjqAL0tExQCWmCKOS-L_jR/s1600/brady4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1S9n52HFEdYa75AibGxjpqZmTR0LqA_sCxzXdUW3uu48sUoif7SEi_O9KcTQ9Ikq3SCuZwcvRANLyco7SP4dokYeHXrBxqrhqx7VSPzlschxXw4HLlr_-ZKYjqAL0tExQCWmCKOS-L_jR/s400/brady4.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqhyMBitCcGb0HgGcueTpUrROFKaQ3xrlYBnEWT_iX3i87wHbZ7BuKqGoKch-3ctyqdLyfPmEilv4zzM71p3zcsEG0urxOSlRjnJ47WD3rfWRcNC6y_CiT9lDGI7cQfZZA3CSbYYtm3Ok/s1600/bt7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqhyMBitCcGb0HgGcueTpUrROFKaQ3xrlYBnEWT_iX3i87wHbZ7BuKqGoKch-3ctyqdLyfPmEilv4zzM71p3zcsEG0urxOSlRjnJ47WD3rfWRcNC6y_CiT9lDGI7cQfZZA3CSbYYtm3Ok/s400/bt7.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWB_fjKoZLAFPmD3kGexFNBIxVHjiK7igR9mC2bpnhMKB-2AD8vs4nJFhSYLN0GJpZTnUGXeONAjGw9uEktvuZYDRKhMhQIQKZX7VmiiYnlysGwJr-Q3FTiIDHYCAaM5eDY4H7vTg_bJIi/s1600/bt8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWB_fjKoZLAFPmD3kGexFNBIxVHjiK7igR9mC2bpnhMKB-2AD8vs4nJFhSYLN0GJpZTnUGXeONAjGw9uEktvuZYDRKhMhQIQKZX7VmiiYnlysGwJr-Q3FTiIDHYCAaM5eDY4H7vTg_bJIi/s400/bt8.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">bath time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6seX7UbKE1P8tqNWXuStqFxO-pOffwLMTgi_Jn7jmHqa9LpcqvjkX2170FsyDshN6FqYXhBWBbecJPcj3zYia_lxaAWae1t-_JvwlygMMh60y6mvPisP8AVtC7m5o9G-qU6XTdD29zgk/s1600/b7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6seX7UbKE1P8tqNWXuStqFxO-pOffwLMTgi_Jn7jmHqa9LpcqvjkX2170FsyDshN6FqYXhBWBbecJPcj3zYia_lxaAWae1t-_JvwlygMMh60y6mvPisP8AVtC7m5o9G-qU6XTdD29zgk/s400/b7.JPG" width="293" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZu1sszUovCurJSMgVDw9jOgYgDiqpL2aDadkQN2s6ulVvUyP_UIEqj8P-zAzHiCok0uTYlWw30R0WP-hSxDFxP7I2MxoT0LH4jjkmCeOwkRTUY7ouhvKa6tW-Lq8pcd3hyphenhyphenQ-nQNSdLQX/s1600/b8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZu1sszUovCurJSMgVDw9jOgYgDiqpL2aDadkQN2s6ulVvUyP_UIEqj8P-zAzHiCok0uTYlWw30R0WP-hSxDFxP7I2MxoT0LH4jjkmCeOwkRTUY7ouhvKa6tW-Lq8pcd3hyphenhyphenQ-nQNSdLQX/s400/b8.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wy_tX9BH-RvsGRIFOdjkWsEpola6RsZcoCSE9tk-MIky_BD5t6jOs1MhRtV5Dwabl3EmeftzbZ1gP72O8GOonNf6-WRaa_F9ytFuzRSg54xf6fpARXcuBxRAzBjnFxF7ptwCQoUfPBxn/s1600/b9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wy_tX9BH-RvsGRIFOdjkWsEpola6RsZcoCSE9tk-MIky_BD5t6jOs1MhRtV5Dwabl3EmeftzbZ1gP72O8GOonNf6-WRaa_F9ytFuzRSg54xf6fpARXcuBxRAzBjnFxF7ptwCQoUfPBxn/s400/b9.JPG" width="323" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">checking himself out in the mirror</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZLnmiLuXnG6NeUe_tWE2pnQ5hF7BADbc4ir0wLyq47-WWc9kYL7QGv_ziz11eQuXzsPhN0dgRoKXMQhEWLCOZhpGxOdlGxlbSkdzcD7QwyLq1jD7KJ9RNS3_U9MMAPxPBtZZrW5k4gAj/s1600/b10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZLnmiLuXnG6NeUe_tWE2pnQ5hF7BADbc4ir0wLyq47-WWc9kYL7QGv_ziz11eQuXzsPhN0dgRoKXMQhEWLCOZhpGxOdlGxlbSkdzcD7QwyLq1jD7KJ9RNS3_U9MMAPxPBtZZrW5k4gAj/s400/b10.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Almost 8 weeks ago, we welcomed Brady Taylor into the world at 7 pounds 1 ounce, 19.5 inches long. It's incredible how much love and joy this tiny little guy has brought to our lives. The instant we met him, we felt like he filled a space in our hearts we didn't even know was there and we suddenly couldn't imagine how we ever lived without him. He's growing and changing every day and now weighs in at 11 pounds! His current interests are smiling, cooing, cuddling, and checking himself out in the mirror. These photos represent his first 8 weeks, in chronological order.</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-23557314700749320452011-10-31T06:37:00.000-07:002011-10-31T06:37:54.678-07:00Salted Chocolate Shortbread Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjzXmqwOu6v4a9tPzhH9dy1TQOLp0KwviDNdY7KwmGA2wSfBjsAlyhUtP3zx4HDi6qNzzLswG18kmdD94_qfVMoLjFi0FnX2lYBZzeLKaTPkjSZt0x4FP-iP4i3oRXqXdPCppplhVH0oN/s1600/shortbread5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjzXmqwOu6v4a9tPzhH9dy1TQOLp0KwviDNdY7KwmGA2wSfBjsAlyhUtP3zx4HDi6qNzzLswG18kmdD94_qfVMoLjFi0FnX2lYBZzeLKaTPkjSZt0x4FP-iP4i3oRXqXdPCppplhVH0oN/s400/shortbread5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ94lxIJqfna-AoVAWftQmwcoOEjkIxIhuiKKrZ-eoe6uqw-rP4jPw6Hn-PQdKvGwEBfRgdiUTKHv4jwe8k_Wn-agw90g2LvX4kACx1VXjG6ncYXBjoGVBrsU0lVgjOuRhYiASlJK8eRdO/s1600/shortbread2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ94lxIJqfna-AoVAWftQmwcoOEjkIxIhuiKKrZ-eoe6uqw-rP4jPw6Hn-PQdKvGwEBfRgdiUTKHv4jwe8k_Wn-agw90g2LvX4kACx1VXjG6ncYXBjoGVBrsU0lVgjOuRhYiASlJK8eRdO/s400/shortbread2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmwcdHqgd6VEJ4samBeKrve5AklLH-hb3Skae_ClBJIRh2VLiOKlLnBfHNxWLENxwj069qIPAi182GEmJVdhCSYTnyCXwZUARXSjZsa0ajsjT2SWfi4LJqkaEe8R2uK3Jru7w11ZKIitj/s1600/shortbread3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmwcdHqgd6VEJ4samBeKrve5AklLH-hb3Skae_ClBJIRh2VLiOKlLnBfHNxWLENxwj069qIPAi182GEmJVdhCSYTnyCXwZUARXSjZsa0ajsjT2SWfi4LJqkaEe8R2uK3Jru7w11ZKIitj/s400/shortbread3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I1Zl1XKqWdljl0M1C5RoMxikL_MtxUF4lcdvnVwLcmQpf0fBkYQ_PKU5ZIu9LbyDDLHQ0V5SuOulcAmCrv6m-5MuydgQjTb4nn-tATHMkxSt_pF1pRv1kO-tW0X_ylbUFtCN9TqbFX4a/s1600/shortbread4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I1Zl1XKqWdljl0M1C5RoMxikL_MtxUF4lcdvnVwLcmQpf0fBkYQ_PKU5ZIu9LbyDDLHQ0V5SuOulcAmCrv6m-5MuydgQjTb4nn-tATHMkxSt_pF1pRv1kO-tW0X_ylbUFtCN9TqbFX4a/s400/shortbread4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga79dUJAtGbgVmIXkjQkC53xARXMsG0EOwUqbbu04XUsJMTHyVvEooS9uMjILJ1O9cgAteagUtoGKQ1dnx2Vaok8EYL8SNydcCdQBOK6FTH1ifm60JGVrLnKkWc4v_rav-9uusGnLw6PXM/s1600/shortbread6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga79dUJAtGbgVmIXkjQkC53xARXMsG0EOwUqbbu04XUsJMTHyVvEooS9uMjILJ1O9cgAteagUtoGKQ1dnx2Vaok8EYL8SNydcCdQBOK6FTH1ifm60JGVrLnKkWc4v_rav-9uusGnLw6PXM/s400/shortbread6.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZVfjn70hCO7dzoXyUSMwwAkzkYUlrNdHAqFC6AX-IWr7bf3j5tiXi5UOQHWf8nNaY1KOpzzONshWuCcQlimM33m_X0yhFOAja5oGBZlBZM7d_05b2RWJjxadCNBMA6cnOnjHT5X0mphk/s1600/shortbread7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZVfjn70hCO7dzoXyUSMwwAkzkYUlrNdHAqFC6AX-IWr7bf3j5tiXi5UOQHWf8nNaY1KOpzzONshWuCcQlimM33m_X0yhFOAja5oGBZlBZM7d_05b2RWJjxadCNBMA6cnOnjHT5X0mphk/s400/shortbread7.JPG" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have less than 4 weeks left until my due date and my sweet cravings are in full effect. I'm definitely starting to get a bit uncomfortable and sugar cures everything, right? I've always loved traditional shortbread cookies so I decided to try making a chocolate version and they were glorious. The mixture of salty and sweet was perfectly balanced and my only complaint was that I couldn't stop eating them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/08/05/salted-chocolate-shortbread-cookies/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Salted Chocolate Shortbread Cookies</span></a></strong></span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1¼ cups all-purpose flour</span></span><br />
<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder</span></span><br />
<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon baking soda</span></span><br />
<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 stick plus 3 tablespoons (11 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature</span></span><br />
<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2/3 cup light brown sugar</span></span><br />
<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">¼ granulated sugar</span></span><br />
<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon fleur de sel <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">or</span> ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling</span></span><br />
<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Whisk together the flour, cocoa and baking soda in a small bowl; set aside.</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add both sugars, the salt and vanilla extract and beat for 2 minutes more.</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3. With the mixer off, add the dry ingredients. Turn the mixer on and off low speed (pulse) for a second or two about 5 times so that the flour mixture gets incorporated. Then mix on low speed for about 30 seconds, just until the flour disappears into the dough (the dough will look crumbly).</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4. Turn the dough out onto a work surface and divide it in two. Shape each half into a 9-inch log. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. (The dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If you’ve frozen the dough, you don’t need to defrost before baking – just slice the logs into cookies and baking the cookies 1 minute longer.)</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">5. Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">6. Using a sharp thin knife, slice the logs into rounds that are ½-inch thick. Arrange the rounds on the baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them. Sprinkle a small amount of extra salt on top of each round.</span></span></div><div style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.571em;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">7. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12 minutes – they won’t look done, and won’t be firm, but that’s how they should be. Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack and let the cookies rest until they are only just warm, at which point you can serve them or let them reach room temperature. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.</span></span></div></div></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-25029604806102764762011-10-24T03:31:00.000-07:002011-10-24T03:31:53.624-07:00Fettuccine with Turkey Meatballs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtQ_4DkwuA-uUSnFDTwgt72RvSWVrZQfHbnDqw_EILmAL3BN8BpEAG4JeylaSpgPufhU5JDBmrPSolWI2mBycbSYCQKyh4fBfaP2qhNVA2hQiXX1iXbzXMi9mG-F4TYEBpc6SBzUeCnlT/s1600/fettuccine7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtQ_4DkwuA-uUSnFDTwgt72RvSWVrZQfHbnDqw_EILmAL3BN8BpEAG4JeylaSpgPufhU5JDBmrPSolWI2mBycbSYCQKyh4fBfaP2qhNVA2hQiXX1iXbzXMi9mG-F4TYEBpc6SBzUeCnlT/s400/fettuccine7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR8xPShUWx8_H-UpDTAwNLdTPciVy5qlnNHiQTORd1FbbBASJ8uE4X2PncDjDk4RamPBH8wFJs3uxanabHrMrE2BoSucnZZhNw1LehDBOOnZPiZqnP3O_fWjf9g0Slz_6JJPtUdCgOHE9/s1600/fettuccine3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR8xPShUWx8_H-UpDTAwNLdTPciVy5qlnNHiQTORd1FbbBASJ8uE4X2PncDjDk4RamPBH8wFJs3uxanabHrMrE2BoSucnZZhNw1LehDBOOnZPiZqnP3O_fWjf9g0Slz_6JJPtUdCgOHE9/s400/fettuccine3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQQhPkrNHtZWHwi5JhKjFb3zcBTWa1EsBd0PitcSpqTvGOY_NA3k6F4YhiP5jvUIVYRuuWC2My4SxHTJeqXF3hmyTDfP3Js3iLL4PpHftd1lxfBGoV90eUtPCCg3mCSrJiB1jBj_y24mw/s1600/fettuccine5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQQhPkrNHtZWHwi5JhKjFb3zcBTWa1EsBd0PitcSpqTvGOY_NA3k6F4YhiP5jvUIVYRuuWC2My4SxHTJeqXF3hmyTDfP3Js3iLL4PpHftd1lxfBGoV90eUtPCCg3mCSrJiB1jBj_y24mw/s400/fettuccine5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQe-ugu2xOSLZdZG1rvqT2n8SEcSCvV_EXrMLoHTysKWtVSB6UtzvmNNnqpAuQG7SBe0dtMnLv8VXZqRkRm40OkVOxQDUIxtSVlfxoRzlh3jAV9Tb82XBORwS7VrvNDRPSBusuyw_3g1ii/s1600/fettuccine6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQe-ugu2xOSLZdZG1rvqT2n8SEcSCvV_EXrMLoHTysKWtVSB6UtzvmNNnqpAuQG7SBe0dtMnLv8VXZqRkRm40OkVOxQDUIxtSVlfxoRzlh3jAV9Tb82XBORwS7VrvNDRPSBusuyw_3g1ii/s400/fettuccine6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I can't get enough comfort food these days and have been trying lots of new pasta recipes. Gabe loves meatballs so I tried <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-with-turkey-meatballs-recipe2/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">this recipe</span></a> for Turkey Meatballs in marinara sauce recently and it was fantastic. Although the sauce took some time, it was absolutely worth it in the end and as you can see, we had lots of leftovers for the next few days.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-69234598211579189852011-10-17T05:47:00.000-07:002011-10-17T05:47:44.673-07:00Tomato and White Bean Quinoa Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkOwCPiYSwsT8gFNgZpwCSvXkpVxidjN4JQcNHbIMbesmHQJVkqQEdsyTCXHWWZiOYEpuh9DrUAguQujTkT9bhSJh30Voqp0Pjwucfx-AXi12WGA11W1HFhJ-i-yDUgdBr7cT0KKLkAhH/s1600/soup4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkOwCPiYSwsT8gFNgZpwCSvXkpVxidjN4JQcNHbIMbesmHQJVkqQEdsyTCXHWWZiOYEpuh9DrUAguQujTkT9bhSJh30Voqp0Pjwucfx-AXi12WGA11W1HFhJ-i-yDUgdBr7cT0KKLkAhH/s400/soup4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT310AkCGKkbTTI20DTtvjxRELqbVJXBx_1VPpiBpnq5M-zzhRw57ffBfAEC8Jpu9-WnrNPPrmmSA3_W18El70DlJlmHy9JopO1V3WpPcdE8TkIyxu0L4SBuN29e1bRntvjedcLn6dzFm4/s1600/soup2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT310AkCGKkbTTI20DTtvjxRELqbVJXBx_1VPpiBpnq5M-zzhRw57ffBfAEC8Jpu9-WnrNPPrmmSA3_W18El70DlJlmHy9JopO1V3WpPcdE8TkIyxu0L4SBuN29e1bRntvjedcLn6dzFm4/s400/soup2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz98XLIV3D6NxBM06paDwj5y1xqGptxk0CwxnThViCpEBmBX1-3EVL4JyrHOwJPxXuZRau5H9c39jLuwhCq9C5P865-Bt18PXkYUMKdATf2IeKETc59YzhwujiAQjmV5LnWXoW6sMieRm/s1600/soup5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz98XLIV3D6NxBM06paDwj5y1xqGptxk0CwxnThViCpEBmBX1-3EVL4JyrHOwJPxXuZRau5H9c39jLuwhCq9C5P865-Bt18PXkYUMKdATf2IeKETc59YzhwujiAQjmV5LnWXoW6sMieRm/s400/soup5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4dp-bV_z5wBTqdOBOYVRk9nzH-iche3mb1cmGaRpiGb8Pj83PaC-lkMGvzX9N3QQpJQ9xqmB8LCmSPxtrTmR6F8N9OzxicldknGZfHqkvqAoiBw5aZui9hAqddkqI_mNBWJ0AtHIfSJX/s1600/soup6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4dp-bV_z5wBTqdOBOYVRk9nzH-iche3mb1cmGaRpiGb8Pj83PaC-lkMGvzX9N3QQpJQ9xqmB8LCmSPxtrTmR6F8N9OzxicldknGZfHqkvqAoiBw5aZui9hAqddkqI_mNBWJ0AtHIfSJX/s400/soup6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I love soup this time of year and I'm always looking for new recipes. I generally prefer broth based soups that have lots of vegetables and thought this Tomato and White Bean Quinoa Soup looked interesting. I'm so glad I tried it because it's now my new favorite soup. It was rich and hearty, but super healthy and made a huge pot so we had lots of leftovers. In fact, I think it was more flavorful the next day. <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: Cabin; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tomato and White Bean Soup with Quinoa (Adapted from <a href="http://www.thefirstmess.com/2011/09/07/white-bean-quinoa-soup/">The First Mess</a>)</strong></div><div style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup dry beans soaked overnight and drained (I used navy beans)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">2 tbsp olive oil</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">1 medium onion, diced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">1 rib celery, diced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">1 bay leaf</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">3 sprigs thyme, leaves chopped fine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">1 sprig rosemary, leaves chopped fine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">1/4 cup tomato paste</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">2 quarts vegetable stock</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">2 cups diced vegetables (I used zucchini, green beans, and more celery)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">1/2 cup quinoa, soaked (or rice or millet or small pasta etc etc)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">5 sprigs of parsley, leaves chopped fine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">salt and pepper</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Heat the oil in a big soup pot over medium. Add the onions and cook until they soften up just a bit, about 5 minutes. I kind of like to stew the onion in the oil for a while so that it gets really soft and blends right in with the soup. Add the celery and bay leaf and cook until the celery softens, another 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and rosemary. Cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fbf9f9; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Add the tomato paste and stir continuously until paste is broken up and its flavour is cooked out, about 5-7 minutes. Add the beans and tomatoes and stir to coat in the tomato paste mixture. Add about 1/2 cup of the stock and scrape the bottom of the pot to get any browned bits up. Add the rest of the stock and bring to a boil. Simmer until the beans soften but still have some bite, about 2-3 hours or more. Add the quinoa and stir. Cook for 10-15 minutes and serve. </span></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-1549700293602963692011-10-10T03:00:00.000-07:002011-10-10T06:45:00.486-07:00Smores Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuKxdsR5mXbp8D6pL9AvK_ThCCkUOu8XzzcMC56JjwEkYboh8duuPJQ4hnbMM3LWj7PuS2Ysotl-erDgf4APo7dvdUxcpeU5fCpJGGeEOSyLYoq_LNrUy3erbFTtZ7IXFxMU67vJM-TL-/s1600/smores8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuKxdsR5mXbp8D6pL9AvK_ThCCkUOu8XzzcMC56JjwEkYboh8duuPJQ4hnbMM3LWj7PuS2Ysotl-erDgf4APo7dvdUxcpeU5fCpJGGeEOSyLYoq_LNrUy3erbFTtZ7IXFxMU67vJM-TL-/s400/smores8.JPG" width="281" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3EUlH7yi8VbQRBic44I3UmefGh2SM7U3HCZbBchkldUy_FIsNY6xG5JQiL5lYJ5YdJZlPFlVTnRpMeCqbcLUMWBN4CHz96nYGnn4AVQpRu_-OnUba2IhE9R8f0ClE29k3fdhDSHSUXhQ/s1600/smores1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3EUlH7yi8VbQRBic44I3UmefGh2SM7U3HCZbBchkldUy_FIsNY6xG5JQiL5lYJ5YdJZlPFlVTnRpMeCqbcLUMWBN4CHz96nYGnn4AVQpRu_-OnUba2IhE9R8f0ClE29k3fdhDSHSUXhQ/s400/smores1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wDID8VEU_QlfU65EJxxifi-IXcF0FEykbUenSPuKhW19fjc9jZxJOEuWwrNkWoCklgI_dr8XLeKqDpXV5L_fWxD3LA9FpDA-efzO5W5UgHvepf-nraa_VwPi7b1J4QmuWDm72HH-Hp5L/s1600/smores7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wDID8VEU_QlfU65EJxxifi-IXcF0FEykbUenSPuKhW19fjc9jZxJOEuWwrNkWoCklgI_dr8XLeKqDpXV5L_fWxD3LA9FpDA-efzO5W5UgHvepf-nraa_VwPi7b1J4QmuWDm72HH-Hp5L/s400/smores7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEt9BkR3TOzi2j-QT8MTgzaFp2JmRjxlejKJeug06aZimd8Zbzn-Qv2VsSyPoK7ECCFQr-m9TBGjMJNZxD8DbXk0s5Tl28czcoy04lRPdgiDyu-dCrY-w4sOuPadk6uDm1gporLqzEqjO/s1600/smores.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEt9BkR3TOzi2j-QT8MTgzaFp2JmRjxlejKJeug06aZimd8Zbzn-Qv2VsSyPoK7ECCFQr-m9TBGjMJNZxD8DbXk0s5Tl28czcoy04lRPdgiDyu-dCrY-w4sOuPadk6uDm1gporLqzEqjO/s400/smores.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u3vOstPdNFJvU2bGPu3tZVhNiBPrhLxhAVh2C8EkuwTYQ1SU5xpAh1xFCWrO1NF9ddGQjT60es0q4VNlPaXY-37iPtzGD-VBYY4GISq68wam26GKho1-mEPLxPUuA8BMYCrubBBY_uSA/s1600/smores6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u3vOstPdNFJvU2bGPu3tZVhNiBPrhLxhAVh2C8EkuwTYQ1SU5xpAh1xFCWrO1NF9ddGQjT60es0q4VNlPaXY-37iPtzGD-VBYY4GISq68wam26GKho1-mEPLxPUuA8BMYCrubBBY_uSA/s400/smores6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">These smores cookies are the perfect example of a creative twist on an old favorite (my last smores dessert can be found <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2010/07/smores-bars.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>). I made them over the weekend to take to a friend's house and they were a huge hit. They were rich, sweet, and gooey (all things I look for in a dessert). I'm already looking for an excuse to make them again. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;"><b>Smores Cookies </b>(adapted from <a href="http://www.cookiemadness.net/2006/02/smores-cookies/">Cookie Madness</a>)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 3/4 cups flour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup graham cracker crumbs</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">1 tsp. baking soda</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">1 tsp. salt</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">1 cup/ 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">3/4 cup sugar</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">3/4 cup light brown sugar</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">2 tsp. vanilla</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">2 eggs</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">2 cups miniature chocolate chips</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">3 regular Hershey bars, roughly chopped</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">In a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugars and mix until fluffy. Mix in the eggs and vanilla until combined. Add the flour, graham crackers, salt and baking soda and mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips then cover and refrigerate the dough for about one hour. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 375 F. Take a tablespoon of the dough, roll into a ball, and drop onto a greased baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of dough, leaving about 2 inches between each to allow it to spread. Bake for 6 minutes, then remove from the oven. Push a 3 - 5 marshmallows and a few pieces of a Hershey's bar into each cookie. Return to oven and bake for another 2 - 3 minutes until golden brown and the marshmallows are a bit toasted. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!</span><br />
</span></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-35570213624345938542011-10-02T07:56:00.000-07:002012-08-08T12:58:05.947-07:00Slow Cooker Pot Roast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99ozI_cNABbsxQ45s6TLWGNsdBewe88W-wX_rTglii_onjEBW1Rxyss1TEiyOpLJ13oteAmMQvkl9QpoQOufVeyAyPhtaGG23Afdf_7A4fDfEGN6pMCGSSc62GkoUx5TKi_d6Vu_IL8St/s1600/potroast5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99ozI_cNABbsxQ45s6TLWGNsdBewe88W-wX_rTglii_onjEBW1Rxyss1TEiyOpLJ13oteAmMQvkl9QpoQOufVeyAyPhtaGG23Afdf_7A4fDfEGN6pMCGSSc62GkoUx5TKi_d6Vu_IL8St/s400/potroast5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuJFuid7qYgsOjYlimuVAXSLIUGrTtpxjl2UDeINJHgVuEa_xWJxiHeEnM2PS1VV6TJtFr6YCHbXOkczOjHs8-3E1aaysgsRDDDYFm7NpqMKrGRNVhR83hxZwQfGRyN-gDYmsvH3-tUI_/s1600/potroast1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuJFuid7qYgsOjYlimuVAXSLIUGrTtpxjl2UDeINJHgVuEa_xWJxiHeEnM2PS1VV6TJtFr6YCHbXOkczOjHs8-3E1aaysgsRDDDYFm7NpqMKrGRNVhR83hxZwQfGRyN-gDYmsvH3-tUI_/s400/potroast1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MX2xir7lGn2fJrxSlRgUTkHJP-Idn_Xv9-lTipmWD-n7KS4GArKadBcaUXU_WSjmr34NOkop41BYnc7IJuucOynwk05hNmpmhxoVwgDylmuZHp1O4JWjAzeQXiLiJPSNEKzs5vMgby3X/s1600/potroast2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MX2xir7lGn2fJrxSlRgUTkHJP-Idn_Xv9-lTipmWD-n7KS4GArKadBcaUXU_WSjmr34NOkop41BYnc7IJuucOynwk05hNmpmhxoVwgDylmuZHp1O4JWjAzeQXiLiJPSNEKzs5vMgby3X/s400/potroast2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We've had a cold, rainy week here with temperatures down to 40 degrees. Gabe and I are scrambling to get gloves, hats, warm sweaters, and coats in order to prepare ourselves for a Michigan winter. Comfort food is also at the top of my list of cold weather necessities and I'm planning on getting the most out of my slow cooker this year. Pot Roast is one of my favorite slow cooker meals and this one really hit the spot. I loved the addition of portobello mushrooms and eggplant. I'll definitely be making it again soon.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>Pot Roast</b></u> (adapted from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/maries-easy-slow-cooker-pot-roast/detail.aspx">allrecipes</a> and <a href="http://homecooking.about.com/od/beefrecipes/r/blbeef161.htm">about.com</a>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div class="ingredients" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ingredients</span><br />
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 pounds chuck roast</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">salt and pepper to taste</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cloves garlic</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp tomato paste</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup red wine</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup beef broth (add more if necessary)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp Worcestershire sauce</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 packet dry onion soup mix</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8 ounces baby portobello mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 small eggplant, chopped into large pieces</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 carrots, chopped</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 onion, chopped</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 potatoes, peeled and cubed</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 stalk celery, chopped</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 300px;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Directions</span><ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Take the chuck roast and season with salt and pepper to taste. Brown on all sides in a large skillet over high heat. Remove from pan and add onions and chopped garlic. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Saut</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9f7f1;">é </span><span style="background-color: white;">until soft. Add tomato paste and cook down for about 5-8 minutes. </span></span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Place roast, onions, and garlic in the slow cooker and add the soup mix, broth, Worcestershire sauce, wine.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Add mushrooms, eggplant, carrots, potatoes, celery. I add them after about 4-5 hours because I like them a bit more firm. </span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours, add salt and pepper if necessary.</span> </span></span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="recipe-details-lg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;">
</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-48617994232472119102011-09-14T06:59:00.000-07:002011-09-14T06:59:08.303-07:0029 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLujpIQhD2tDu7avQ00Cb1GnOLE5BkiKQ9-rNpQGDgvOSfx8ysQYl-fOjjGZ5tbSyOMR1ihjF3IO-ZSPh_29hxDlOzL56Q2Rl3mCVOWJ0Bsh4mGDInGcNMwZ6wMb1wG8CJuMnxlI_s1zIe/s1600/29+weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLujpIQhD2tDu7avQ00Cb1GnOLE5BkiKQ9-rNpQGDgvOSfx8ysQYl-fOjjGZ5tbSyOMR1ihjF3IO-ZSPh_29hxDlOzL56Q2Rl3mCVOWJ0Bsh4mGDInGcNMwZ6wMb1wG8CJuMnxlI_s1zIe/s400/29+weeks.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>As expected, my belly continues to grow. I'm now 29 weeks and feeling great! My energy level is slowly decreasing and I'm constantly hungry (big surprise). The weather's starting to change here and feel like Fall, which reintroduces the issue of finding clothes that fit. I've been working on getting the nursery together and buying all the gear we'll need. It's been a fun process, but who knew one little baby would need so much stuff? I'll post nursery pictures when it's finished.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-66334693909629515182011-08-29T02:00:00.000-07:002011-08-29T15:29:07.080-07:00Foolproof Blueberry Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxTnfcc7YfW60euALCQDtks_IR8ly_TKkOf70oJssnOUIZzqRks13h_bBSP9dYEDTIsz2tkVU1iH4OcSV1GxzShz2fdFE_mhgsGE-ZvEFuCQlMY15EPWqcEWZGvta9v0v4-lffkbZeh4g/s1600/bpie12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxTnfcc7YfW60euALCQDtks_IR8ly_TKkOf70oJssnOUIZzqRks13h_bBSP9dYEDTIsz2tkVU1iH4OcSV1GxzShz2fdFE_mhgsGE-ZvEFuCQlMY15EPWqcEWZGvta9v0v4-lffkbZeh4g/s400/bpie12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmRk09v0yGXMTm7ltx1XrL8M8sP95ig32vZYCnGUEy_r6jT-zq8n989gjTg0b5ZFyifKPbIZ2vAWgmyRatAoiTJsOL39-jyKqWFhXRmWN0TJw9XhRVJkvwBFH1tM522JknqRgoVGVvkPG/s1600/bpie2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmRk09v0yGXMTm7ltx1XrL8M8sP95ig32vZYCnGUEy_r6jT-zq8n989gjTg0b5ZFyifKPbIZ2vAWgmyRatAoiTJsOL39-jyKqWFhXRmWN0TJw9XhRVJkvwBFH1tM522JknqRgoVGVvkPG/s400/bpie2.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made the dough the day before and let it chill overnight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrMv4Zd_7-NySpL6K-uBtnsI6sjdPHezMfwYgyQZw0Q-SBzJb9hfg4VNVGq4GxiS2Ee0MMCTiha7thXAyCRdACJN-BtIK3hvNdL3WnVsS_thl31pa4cn94v9RqN764KY2Gr24Lg09SCgK/s1600/bpie3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrMv4Zd_7-NySpL6K-uBtnsI6sjdPHezMfwYgyQZw0Q-SBzJb9hfg4VNVGq4GxiS2Ee0MMCTiha7thXAyCRdACJN-BtIK3hvNdL3WnVsS_thl31pa4cn94v9RqN764KY2Gr24Lg09SCgK/s400/bpie3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ylzofwjs8idwWac9ts96HgpzKmMKXynihIZmUMdFaX_pe2m22TM8wg6vIGBKwnwgY_ZMZxCv53XTPo8xfOzAhXk5rHhPqt3r57GVNnDWVE5P7abpObBmUKyjQWGfL0s60u8nRMYGvim5/s1600/bpie4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ylzofwjs8idwWac9ts96HgpzKmMKXynihIZmUMdFaX_pe2m22TM8wg6vIGBKwnwgY_ZMZxCv53XTPo8xfOzAhXk5rHhPqt3r57GVNnDWVE5P7abpObBmUKyjQWGfL0s60u8nRMYGvim5/s400/bpie4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cooking half the berries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyrewHkyVPDgE3VqWRNUqV2haRM3wMwCUAMxqlHRCEFg-5byyU0pSLvNyd4bfsEw98lEk0R8wmTzU92wsyYkhCXzumpaWUUAkN7eFUNpEmIT61lxRo7R5fe6F57XPt7Gnk8FqpAgO2xVZ/s1600/bpie6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyrewHkyVPDgE3VqWRNUqV2haRM3wMwCUAMxqlHRCEFg-5byyU0pSLvNyd4bfsEw98lEk0R8wmTzU92wsyYkhCXzumpaWUUAkN7eFUNpEmIT61lxRo7R5fe6F57XPt7Gnk8FqpAgO2xVZ/s400/bpie6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBAEZ1Fwwy2fQtsCZTaF0DS7s4Ifex8IwRBRXWzW7ecDobTjLuwHzF9lTG-5gIfcxyAWAkiI1MhkQoR_BhQfOi1RMz-ewgucX1h6JP9EvHCUDmUZOGXzBRMosE4vt-_NVLkk25lLRhCSw/s1600/bpie7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBAEZ1Fwwy2fQtsCZTaF0DS7s4Ifex8IwRBRXWzW7ecDobTjLuwHzF9lTG-5gIfcxyAWAkiI1MhkQoR_BhQfOi1RMz-ewgucX1h6JP9EvHCUDmUZOGXzBRMosE4vt-_NVLkk25lLRhCSw/s400/bpie7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjker1BoVtii2tMJ9_Jfp22LMQq9z1F56UV6WREz0GNRY-cdgxBVr8HEh2k35OUzTyXA3m7HaYu9TXfylkgqeseH_NgQ7kgiyIeROXE7foyXBvbtgOK1ATmWJEtqnRubHOqazq1546NT2OS/s1600/bpie9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjker1BoVtii2tMJ9_Jfp22LMQq9z1F56UV6WREz0GNRY-cdgxBVr8HEh2k35OUzTyXA3m7HaYu9TXfylkgqeseH_NgQ7kgiyIeROXE7foyXBvbtgOK1ATmWJEtqnRubHOqazq1546NT2OS/s400/bpie9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Tdo7lG9f4iHOqH_2vVUqDZjjG6B3TaydcCtQdyVlFmMy-w3WR3PEUQulV8FvbtFLvMjQGUBvHJabz3SKRxz15TtFJ18T4tDdDwUFII4P54n-lmQBXxAl-JeK2M63tN1PEDBSkXDsuwYH/s1600/bpie10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Tdo7lG9f4iHOqH_2vVUqDZjjG6B3TaydcCtQdyVlFmMy-w3WR3PEUQulV8FvbtFLvMjQGUBvHJabz3SKRxz15TtFJ18T4tDdDwUFII4P54n-lmQBXxAl-JeK2M63tN1PEDBSkXDsuwYH/s400/bpie10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFZWWW72yyNeFzIbCA4LtAHJm0FgyJyWJuUm3wDUlOaiwhVWSbFDYgVpstmKzo4qnPuJtIi-CT9MaHdqEnLfJC-9QwX7Pw7x5rNVor1Cyh9EuQHFvMroA6j85Lzz1YJkDVx9rdArTVnzQ/s1600/bpie11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFZWWW72yyNeFzIbCA4LtAHJm0FgyJyWJuUm3wDUlOaiwhVWSbFDYgVpstmKzo4qnPuJtIi-CT9MaHdqEnLfJC-9QwX7Pw7x5rNVor1Cyh9EuQHFvMroA6j85Lzz1YJkDVx9rdArTVnzQ/s400/bpie11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfJuemQaMr0viwrOQbhfQC8zXVzPfCZoVWYbJaVo28MkqKMpPboNv-pD-ROXdREV7JZ5ewEvQPKPE5MkyM0fooXsWqB8R55XLWNZ2Hl6xOZdpBE66HmIUCO4f3Fp1vDUs4kNxD_PLH-GM/s1600/bpie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfJuemQaMr0viwrOQbhfQC8zXVzPfCZoVWYbJaVo28MkqKMpPboNv-pD-ROXdREV7JZ5ewEvQPKPE5MkyM0fooXsWqB8R55XLWNZ2Hl6xOZdpBE66HmIUCO4f3Fp1vDUs4kNxD_PLH-GM/s400/bpie.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>As I've mentioned <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2010/09/sweet-lady-jane.html">here</a>, Gabe loves blueberry pie. Now that we live in Michigan, I didn't have the luxury of buying one from Sweet Lady Jane and had to actually try to make one. Let me defend myself by saying I've tried making them in the past and the crust never seems to come out quite right. This time I tried a new recipe that my dad told me about from <a href="http://www.americastestkitchen.com/">America's Test Kitchen</a> and it made all the difference. This recipe uses vodka in the crust to add extra moisture, making the crust more workable without making it tough. The alcohol vaporizes while cooking and the final crust turns out tender and flaky. And it was just that. The crust was perfect, easy to shape, and tasted amazing. The filling was an ideal consistency, full of plump berries that didn't run all over the place when we cut into it. All in all, I think the pie was a huge success, if I do say so myself. I'll definitely continue using this crust recipe for all my future pies. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 7px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Best Blueberry Pie with Foolproof Pie Dough</strong></div>Recipe by: <a href="http://www.americastestkitchentv.com/recipe.asp?recipeids=5058&iSeason=9" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1c9bdc; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_new">America’s Test Kitchen</a><br />
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Crust Ingredients</strong>:<br />
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12 1/2 ounces)<br />
1 teaspoon table salt<br />
2 tablespoons sugar<br />
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), cut into 1/4-inch slices (I put the slices of butter and shortening in the freezer for about 30minutes before using)<br />
1/2 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces (I use butter flavor)<br />
1/4 cup vodka, cold<br />
1/4 cup cold water<br />
1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water<br />
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<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blueberry Filling Ingredients</strong>:<br />
6 cups fresh blueberries (about 30 ounces)*<br />
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated on large holes of box grater<br />
2 teaspoons grated zest and 2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon<br />
3/4 cup sugar (5 1/4 ounces)<br />
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca, ground*<br />
Pinch table salt<br />
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces<br />
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<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Directions</strong>:<br />
1. For The Pie Dough: Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about two 1-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogenous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds; dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour. Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.<br />
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2. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Divide dough into 2 even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.<br />
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3. Remove 1 disk of dough from refrigerator and roll out on generously floured (up to 1/4 cup) work surface to 12-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll into pie plate, leaving at least 1-inch overhang on each side. Working around circumference, ease dough into plate by gently lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand. Leave dough that overhangs plate in place; refrigerate while preparing filling until dough is firm, about 30 minutes.<br />
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4. For The Filling: Adjust oven rack to lowest position, place rimmed baking sheet on oven rack, and heat oven to 400 degrees. Place 3 cups berries in medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Using potato masher, mash berries several times to release juices. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and mashing occasionally, until about half of berries have broken down and mixture is thickened and reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly.<br />
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5. Place grated apple in clean kitchen towel and wring dry. Transfer apple to large bowl. Add cooked berries, remaining 3 cups uncooked berries, lemon zest, juice, sugar, tapioca, and salt; toss to combine. Transfer mixture to dough-lined pie plate and scatter butter pieces over filling.<br />
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6. Roll out second disk of dough on generously floured (up to 1/4 cup) work surface to 11-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Using 1 1/4-inch round biscuit cutter, cut round from center of dough. Cut another 6 rounds from dough, 1 1/2 inches from edge of center hole and equally spaced around center hole. Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll over pie, leaving at least 1/2-inch overhang on each side.<br />
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7. Using kitchen shears, trim bottom layer of overhanging dough, leaving 1/2-inch overhang. Fold dough under itself so that edge of fold is flush with outer rim of pie plate. Flute edges using thumb and forefinger or press with tines of fork to seal. Brush top and edges of pie with egg mixture. If dough is very soft, chill in freezer for 10 minutes.<br />
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8. Place pie on heated baking sheet and bake 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to bake until juices bubble and crust is deep golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes longer. Transfer pie to wire rack; cool to room temperature, at least 4 hours. Cut into wedges and serve.<br />
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*This recipe was developed using fresh blueberries, but unthawed frozen blueberries (our favorite brands are Wyman’s and Cascadian Farm) will work as well. In step 4, cook half the frozen berries over medium-high heat, without mashing, until reduced to 1 1/4 cups, 12 to 15 minutes. Grind the tapioca to a powder in a spice grinder or mini food processor. If using pearl tapioca, reduce the amount to 5 teaspoons. Vodka is essential to the texture of the crust and imparts no flavor; do not substitute.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-82007128415834826782011-08-25T06:41:00.000-07:002011-08-25T06:41:58.530-07:00Happy Birthday to Gabe<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Enjoying a mojito at the Beach House in Kauai</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeX1MHumkpFXJ90Rv1417-TJdNXRZUzSKtJhyphenhyphenqKGIqv7L8AZCwyCQYVOO9V8Piub9YPQjNd_ivy4xIN8GFcJNqh8cZ67r4YZB8MWd56V1676rS2MUTKPnKJeIPOZ_0bgLFAA_wwW8JR5T/s1600/gbday1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeX1MHumkpFXJ90Rv1417-TJdNXRZUzSKtJhyphenhyphenqKGIqv7L8AZCwyCQYVOO9V8Piub9YPQjNd_ivy4xIN8GFcJNqh8cZ67r4YZB8MWd56V1676rS2MUTKPnKJeIPOZ_0bgLFAA_wwW8JR5T/s400/gbday1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Gabe's fellowship graduation, following the 5,000th liver transplant at UCLA.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDtJUEAZwhgqHqHw23hGi5caD2jMh7Oszg4GbkBrZbUHDy290XN1rIh3xXIOGujiXonm48cnrlBbkINHfVC5eXNFJx6G2BgtUi5ffKBDfFfhBVFCM2KR-JRF1og-o53VQfM0Y8Mg90I35/s1600/gbday4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDtJUEAZwhgqHqHw23hGi5caD2jMh7Oszg4GbkBrZbUHDy290XN1rIh3xXIOGujiXonm48cnrlBbkINHfVC5eXNFJx6G2BgtUi5ffKBDfFfhBVFCM2KR-JRF1og-o53VQfM0Y8Mg90I35/s400/gbday4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Celebrating our last night in L.A.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qETLsA8MuPv3QcDWuo_Grfx4y2M81pu16aqKP_W4TpPRTksTmEd6qlGpi2z3jmVgn99XFW8enFRUjMtEcNQwQ70KD9GRUPfrl-4Eeh3VRR2aoi7-bGnHiDLp6_ahvT90ud8cE2C0G029/s1600/gbday3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qETLsA8MuPv3QcDWuo_Grfx4y2M81pu16aqKP_W4TpPRTksTmEd6qlGpi2z3jmVgn99XFW8enFRUjMtEcNQwQ70KD9GRUPfrl-4Eeh3VRR2aoi7-bGnHiDLp6_ahvT90ud8cE2C0G029/s400/gbday3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Today is Gabe's birthday! We're planning on celebrating by going to dinner with friends tonight (fingers crossed Gabe doesn't get called into work). Happy Birthday to the best husband I can imagine. I'm so proud of you and all you've accomplished this year! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-33040012515544741152011-08-24T08:48:00.000-07:002011-08-25T06:19:48.834-07:00Penne Bolognese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3j3blx2z4fF7x7mCjfhDOtSjOsLGjstfz2Gc8g3UVnggEBfPPASuWdP0DmyCCQG1uxfUNTs8IQCdyIH8qPuCu1OMVzuTg8OsyQur455JZDlzlkL97MRzb_UM0NH3FPjKo4llThBmheER/s1600/bolognese5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3j3blx2z4fF7x7mCjfhDOtSjOsLGjstfz2Gc8g3UVnggEBfPPASuWdP0DmyCCQG1uxfUNTs8IQCdyIH8qPuCu1OMVzuTg8OsyQur455JZDlzlkL97MRzb_UM0NH3FPjKo4llThBmheER/s400/bolognese5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32LC2K_Ow33WjcM9Gyu7dPbABUD3Yq7dKfS3AarY34CX9TslK0yGCAM09EwiEjK3PahRkjgK1oxKLa4eBgwwE6qi7eLkN5eI7sFERt5ic2zmew4LwPjR2vAbl-DoMKm7doE7I0SKKo8j0/s1600/bolognese2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32LC2K_Ow33WjcM9Gyu7dPbABUD3Yq7dKfS3AarY34CX9TslK0yGCAM09EwiEjK3PahRkjgK1oxKLa4eBgwwE6qi7eLkN5eI7sFERt5ic2zmew4LwPjR2vAbl-DoMKm7doE7I0SKKo8j0/s400/bolognese2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm2Dh4pvkFJ5DL-9C9qq6HzCNQqiK4I289oEexe6l0tM94CennggrRBvD_enZruf9-RCsyrIYNHdh32-Aa226cldQdtdz_IRwytmFmS6zYRZTDCifl-jK4uFi88z3eRCI_v8JRH6NmEL0/s1600/bolognese1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm2Dh4pvkFJ5DL-9C9qq6HzCNQqiK4I289oEexe6l0tM94CennggrRBvD_enZruf9-RCsyrIYNHdh32-Aa226cldQdtdz_IRwytmFmS6zYRZTDCifl-jK4uFi88z3eRCI_v8JRH6NmEL0/s400/bolognese1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEmqTUhxuqtPAbDj2VbcTfUFMx_QVXWot33qEEb2yY-KOZBmwdYFEzWiNiM75ctkzYvkXfLaeEi0u0uQIf6oK5g-lj02oba4M6uTwqzPv2czvDu8Bl6h5SDAvvXFV9BwSKB0oUdEtRxe2/s1600/bolognese3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEmqTUhxuqtPAbDj2VbcTfUFMx_QVXWot33qEEb2yY-KOZBmwdYFEzWiNiM75ctkzYvkXfLaeEi0u0uQIf6oK5g-lj02oba4M6uTwqzPv2czvDu8Bl6h5SDAvvXFV9BwSKB0oUdEtRxe2/s400/bolognese3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRuPaZgSnwCgkXL0MED7OPxj_MYI_r-2JVP9hrgaCRHVNKREJWcSN5nUjLJz2vYdbMJ3KkFYOwTakxEVNhd5o8fDVblWQ8H50Yz2cedR7wHfGYa0DQEVqpDJupiGBdnjS77hPp630r7Ga/s1600/bolognese6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRuPaZgSnwCgkXL0MED7OPxj_MYI_r-2JVP9hrgaCRHVNKREJWcSN5nUjLJz2vYdbMJ3KkFYOwTakxEVNhd5o8fDVblWQ8H50Yz2cedR7wHfGYa0DQEVqpDJupiGBdnjS77hPp630r7Ga/s400/bolognese6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRkdIxknI0k1UueIdV0CDgp9r0-Y4jUBq9ocO7sv4ofQW0aGrUm3tapOmkAqrip_C22Dyfndlv_MHQHVRwlYWyaoxCxm_UPWnGavauds4z5TcpE3M8Ej6WbbybkSg-mzNg-hqgdWAv-JA/s1600/bolognese4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRkdIxknI0k1UueIdV0CDgp9r0-Y4jUBq9ocO7sv4ofQW0aGrUm3tapOmkAqrip_C22Dyfndlv_MHQHVRwlYWyaoxCxm_UPWnGavauds4z5TcpE3M8Ej6WbbybkSg-mzNg-hqgdWAv-JA/s400/bolognese4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I'm starting to feel settled here in Michigan and have been happily making myself at home in the kitchen. After Gabe's first liver transplant as an attending (which went well), I decided to try making one of his favorite meals to celebrate, Penne Bolognese. It was a first for me, so I was thankful it went well and Gabe and I both loved the results. It was hearty, comforting, and so delicious. I used <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/simple-bolognese-recipe2/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">this recipe</span></a>, substituting the ground beef chuck for ground sirloin, which was a little leaner but still full of flavor. If you love Bolognese, this is definitely a great recipe that doesn't require hours in the kitchen. Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-10535592103958810652011-08-18T03:26:00.000-07:002011-08-18T03:26:36.364-07:00Baby Shower Brunch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQetL9r_d432h-3tKtcLC_O1CglI4JPeJBGJFxigx6_zAAl4eAw6mZlFLZl87Q2waQxg7vYC0UJl3-0RJAzjVe2m-sDYBl5_Xqey9SVD7gV9fRkseWoUq1M05MqJ1ShftWHouYYDZP0P4P/s1600/shower5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQetL9r_d432h-3tKtcLC_O1CglI4JPeJBGJFxigx6_zAAl4eAw6mZlFLZl87Q2waQxg7vYC0UJl3-0RJAzjVe2m-sDYBl5_Xqey9SVD7gV9fRkseWoUq1M05MqJ1ShftWHouYYDZP0P4P/s400/shower5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEq9ZBnE1HsbAxm2VZelsTc2pylHUIPY1YJd0IsShW9CcWAZdu7XH-gFC6h985CC4DX1NiUaV5eTsbaES_hv9PfWV0i5Li-ogo1k-m7Zo84Wf2EuFPD4uqonO8fnyOeZbEykpaHIatecU/s1600/shower12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEq9ZBnE1HsbAxm2VZelsTc2pylHUIPY1YJd0IsShW9CcWAZdu7XH-gFC6h985CC4DX1NiUaV5eTsbaES_hv9PfWV0i5Li-ogo1k-m7Zo84Wf2EuFPD4uqonO8fnyOeZbEykpaHIatecU/s400/shower12.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEf8X60x3VR7QIxsuQH-B4l6NhqIdCrdnvx57HfCEiAFEXI55vbZN-PpTc1-JkUk40Z_VlYtEd28QycZQ6B5Mnw4YHk64pOrjTueOwIFaFB5UBY0IHDG10wxz9pslmpcWBjKmLxoef9Id/s1600/shower1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEf8X60x3VR7QIxsuQH-B4l6NhqIdCrdnvx57HfCEiAFEXI55vbZN-PpTc1-JkUk40Z_VlYtEd28QycZQ6B5Mnw4YHk64pOrjTueOwIFaFB5UBY0IHDG10wxz9pslmpcWBjKmLxoef9Id/s400/shower1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H_Q5S2cc4JM5D4hwGXlLKBh2YE0IAEZIwMYG1tEJPBO0ZYATbDEDp3kC5PJ6LDaK6ZbMkClj7mHJkZCD5301ZCMwZJbzjELfAiF42dk65KZlwfGB-s8WFHgffHLJR_rIvaU_zo7C1yva/s1600/shower2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H_Q5S2cc4JM5D4hwGXlLKBh2YE0IAEZIwMYG1tEJPBO0ZYATbDEDp3kC5PJ6LDaK6ZbMkClj7mHJkZCD5301ZCMwZJbzjELfAiF42dk65KZlwfGB-s8WFHgffHLJR_rIvaU_zo7C1yva/s400/shower2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I mentioned <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2011/08/hawaii-recap.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>, you'll be seeing this dress a lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmoYZiO9gjO2fUtJyCsfREopOPhsQxcF9ouxXnG9Jkz8qWCcHNaVx2C0kAi3bXGS_Mv5CuIlFBKW-zZ_Ns4y1NwCwUUc5tTaCdf_sO8ACCHzc7olM_PicgsdnLHhwIT19AgBcZACXRFrb/s1600/shower3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmoYZiO9gjO2fUtJyCsfREopOPhsQxcF9ouxXnG9Jkz8qWCcHNaVx2C0kAi3bXGS_Mv5CuIlFBKW-zZ_Ns4y1NwCwUUc5tTaCdf_sO8ACCHzc7olM_PicgsdnLHhwIT19AgBcZACXRFrb/s400/shower3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabiM8EvwlSK98cgy78JEGngRIm_iFA6ACm-VdpFhuwY0_1dTTJUeB48BovCnhlDSZLmWyyCGU92wVsFaWFmD3f2S0EmmPFCkdE7iHQSqgcT9BVW9Psu7Elmeum91q7pBsNsZVCijW2UI6/s1600/shower6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabiM8EvwlSK98cgy78JEGngRIm_iFA6ACm-VdpFhuwY0_1dTTJUeB48BovCnhlDSZLmWyyCGU92wVsFaWFmD3f2S0EmmPFCkdE7iHQSqgcT9BVW9Psu7Elmeum91q7pBsNsZVCijW2UI6/s400/shower6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk5SvyW-DDa6zV2YYcX4pSVsqsCFk_FBi31UCGCwWhv5SBiuVirMxT1GrRN0d9jt0QMsyJEvhULhu5uYYj8XBBgM-2y9ArfU4zMvSGPw3KVSQ2d1_Jn21WLfqiX4ZAv2IAF60L76JmAYo/s1600/shower7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk5SvyW-DDa6zV2YYcX4pSVsqsCFk_FBi31UCGCwWhv5SBiuVirMxT1GrRN0d9jt0QMsyJEvhULhu5uYYj8XBBgM-2y9ArfU4zMvSGPw3KVSQ2d1_Jn21WLfqiX4ZAv2IAF60L76JmAYo/s400/shower7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm still dreaming about this cake. It was glorious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVycA2REgAYXtt8_ZhoyFw-Hoz69yJ5WjuseiVMrmtEqqPGksBHVPctLeBRPxj5lEnGMTBXMli51kIxdm1rR-0f5jZx2sSf804EhAU4vd9xmX6-P68Zva3WK4OGNodpMkFYD-US9ElL7J/s1600/shower8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVycA2REgAYXtt8_ZhoyFw-Hoz69yJ5WjuseiVMrmtEqqPGksBHVPctLeBRPxj5lEnGMTBXMli51kIxdm1rR-0f5jZx2sSf804EhAU4vd9xmX6-P68Zva3WK4OGNodpMkFYD-US9ElL7J/s400/shower8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a boy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeCmk_6It4RrkqxmwmWA11aW1McFPdvj6IdwRPugwXcU1YUd31xjb5lcf0toKlu2UuEaLZ53zSySWLzchPxK200wpaDj49zHPBFyBJv_EGgK5TED1_RNN1eeK_PjKQYbhOxLPUC2igOUg/s1600/shower9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeCmk_6It4RrkqxmwmWA11aW1McFPdvj6IdwRPugwXcU1YUd31xjb5lcf0toKlu2UuEaLZ53zSySWLzchPxK200wpaDj49zHPBFyBJv_EGgK5TED1_RNN1eeK_PjKQYbhOxLPUC2igOUg/s400/shower9.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCPiK4QjA1bZ0F5u5wbxPFMYOft5QdfTUHOhihXLoRPvDLqNeXUMvObOofM4qMVolINwrPfaRLjBrZW2-OC6K25aig7SphABfWNzmUjo8i7yEdwh3BjW0po7pcke5Frh9aeC54vpnl9_p/s1600/shower10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCPiK4QjA1bZ0F5u5wbxPFMYOft5QdfTUHOhihXLoRPvDLqNeXUMvObOofM4qMVolINwrPfaRLjBrZW2-OC6K25aig7SphABfWNzmUjo8i7yEdwh3BjW0po7pcke5Frh9aeC54vpnl9_p/s400/shower10.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>Before I left for Michigan, Jessica and Whitney threw me the most beautiful baby shower. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged from the purple tulips (my favorite) and outdoor venue (<a href="http://www.primitivowinebistro.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Primitivo</span></a>) to the delicious funfetti flavored cake from <a href="http://www.susiecakesbakery.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Susiecakes</span></a>. We had the best time catching up, chatting about baby gear, eating delicious food, and listening to the acoustic live music playing on the Primitivo patio. The entire day was absolutely perfect and it was so much fun celebrating the upcoming addition to our family!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-42185313679122227252011-08-14T08:14:00.000-07:002011-08-14T08:17:52.333-07:00Hawaii Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVE7om8kdM6zEhgaOGKSNNWi-lrAYYTyfl6ZMzWbMgJGQhkBQFDVZYrRGyQeqXQYHsvDw_NWF-585nHX54-HH5XnZ2Gb-GfSFJm2S_yoiU5uVBVyzeOrwBqvDwixlxuG7ttRjJXK2Jlr8/s1600/k6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVE7om8kdM6zEhgaOGKSNNWi-lrAYYTyfl6ZMzWbMgJGQhkBQFDVZYrRGyQeqXQYHsvDw_NWF-585nHX54-HH5XnZ2Gb-GfSFJm2S_yoiU5uVBVyzeOrwBqvDwixlxuG7ttRjJXK2Jlr8/s400/k6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs9DJmXD3T6zIiaevxBWflX_WKDPd1HY6wHi75-KWcPHQ3TlALoGbmx338pOaobzeScA_jOqiYuEvtBBNE4bhNxOuEGJRhb3vCWH5UeKCcS1Z43qZL0KAoZH3mLYSxyQMul4loIIlIgCt/s1600/k10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs9DJmXD3T6zIiaevxBWflX_WKDPd1HY6wHi75-KWcPHQ3TlALoGbmx338pOaobzeScA_jOqiYuEvtBBNE4bhNxOuEGJRhb3vCWH5UeKCcS1Z43qZL0KAoZH3mLYSxyQMul4loIIlIgCt/s400/k10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X1zCwuVJZn-fwXx4UoZifgjGcqwVDxfAxDhTCNrTxQiu37Ed_1pwtjIw5CrMSQOrl0OoXm-2jpBdVcYwu9DfgaOhWqAMcHes2_lQojEodL5IaoK6n1R5GMg4FP_W3a2lKWP-W9MlHxrr/s1600/k13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X1zCwuVJZn-fwXx4UoZifgjGcqwVDxfAxDhTCNrTxQiu37Ed_1pwtjIw5CrMSQOrl0OoXm-2jpBdVcYwu9DfgaOhWqAMcHes2_lQojEodL5IaoK6n1R5GMg4FP_W3a2lKWP-W9MlHxrr/s400/k13.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmQC1UrHOOd3mrt7aYrQYtLtg-VpsDteSIgwogSlKBOInToJjhSvxrAYwoUgGP8XfV5zhcaz9h6OBgiIME0AV2ujOSxnqU-QEyYXGEDyjQD32HRrSdwCNAffww7zKk8XJ4X5MXflr0ZdM/s1600/k1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmQC1UrHOOd3mrt7aYrQYtLtg-VpsDteSIgwogSlKBOInToJjhSvxrAYwoUgGP8XfV5zhcaz9h6OBgiIME0AV2ujOSxnqU-QEyYXGEDyjQD32HRrSdwCNAffww7zKk8XJ4X5MXflr0ZdM/s400/k1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Gabe relaxing by the pool</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO7ygBRAbNFsee7ivJh-NQvXDiHomu6CE93ZXcydjMcbAZy0bdF7pUJ2hsf3giSqXRvB5EK4SQm6A6Mz-xv038TOouDdXXr6LB2U75hfGK-pMSwDAyVTpQ4zeU4CBVGx49fI1IbrpV1G0/s1600/k2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO7ygBRAbNFsee7ivJh-NQvXDiHomu6CE93ZXcydjMcbAZy0bdF7pUJ2hsf3giSqXRvB5EK4SQm6A6Mz-xv038TOouDdXXr6LB2U75hfGK-pMSwDAyVTpQ4zeU4CBVGx49fI1IbrpV1G0/s400/k2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner at the Beach House</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgtVaTMN4OEsbY59MaBmGsXwZAUjpm90XA1VxOlN8p2tNaxpNUot-vP2ZxGQVTV0CE06WTxRU3okrm3vjn8xNLKzGYDsBLXV-cw3SE7FVUjn7N8PETLunc5mj3FrompB_hQ9EsanOcpgP/s1600/k4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgtVaTMN4OEsbY59MaBmGsXwZAUjpm90XA1VxOlN8p2tNaxpNUot-vP2ZxGQVTV0CE06WTxRU3okrm3vjn8xNLKzGYDsBLXV-cw3SE7FVUjn7N8PETLunc5mj3FrompB_hQ9EsanOcpgP/s400/k4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
my virgin lava flow</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjlXn9jfDTqsRqQt4X71J6M3g0yKssATgLLkaBifwe8sYNk7PHbvhgmBMGaMxOB25F_CObqR1RqGiYTGnv89Ybwra3YtQhSzFmBhW1ysu-h_nFemkA9GlUM4EsbG1ThyXaXpooQfpN6PL/s1600/k5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjlXn9jfDTqsRqQt4X71J6M3g0yKssATgLLkaBifwe8sYNk7PHbvhgmBMGaMxOB25F_CObqR1RqGiYTGnv89Ybwra3YtQhSzFmBhW1ysu-h_nFemkA9GlUM4EsbG1ThyXaXpooQfpN6PL/s400/k5.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll be seeing a lot of this dress, it's one of the only things that fits me right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgSHMN09CuiTE_md05NovymYVgIzi-Rf1l4Fp4X_RzdIns_PKmg09rxtzz3bpLD4ortuJe_7CTEM-NdHYnFr3Obq8KXtNKP47MVANSdoG4xHT_Nizg7PHo52BK1b6vepXsPw2d26MfYak/s1600/k7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgSHMN09CuiTE_md05NovymYVgIzi-Rf1l4Fp4X_RzdIns_PKmg09rxtzz3bpLD4ortuJe_7CTEM-NdHYnFr3Obq8KXtNKP47MVANSdoG4xHT_Nizg7PHo52BK1b6vepXsPw2d26MfYak/s400/k7.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">my belly at 20 weeks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTZtXqhbEEpEx_0xjG7RjfzX0mrfxnKMwBlklwub4fl4A1m5oiXCScg_lUGa2DnXd4Gk0IkhVvzXpnNoNi2GuI9hEonth9kqIxCippAoiWGVuSyH6DPJ5oMCcfDCoFgDeDCLb3kVGdfyp/s1600/k8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTZtXqhbEEpEx_0xjG7RjfzX0mrfxnKMwBlklwub4fl4A1m5oiXCScg_lUGa2DnXd4Gk0IkhVvzXpnNoNi2GuI9hEonth9kqIxCippAoiWGVuSyH6DPJ5oMCcfDCoFgDeDCLb3kVGdfyp/s400/k8.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTV2P5fM8Fde39FpzUzYb9Y6e3YJxw0pRYPEqBAGqzrZZhWIRK9yyso-Nhu8D15mydFVyqKr5AOz2Ph4iABGcysWnbITFKtaFZe8gxdhp6U0pS-0OnWxEQ4Kq2QvknqsL-nGzC7g-S8_u/s1600/k11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTV2P5fM8Fde39FpzUzYb9Y6e3YJxw0pRYPEqBAGqzrZZhWIRK9yyso-Nhu8D15mydFVyqKr5AOz2Ph4iABGcysWnbITFKtaFZe8gxdhp6U0pS-0OnWxEQ4Kq2QvknqsL-nGzC7g-S8_u/s400/k11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">the view from our hotel room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup-6MwczMLh74CCrHV4rE9ThYF-MSXr5vxUTPUf0GYPyDPXWAGgShVXylpOpJxQlnZ9sawKKuKj8wGYIT2Ays0QJVdLYtBSDFMLIycDhthOkxPmLKEdUHwLNQjN6JsQkGPuP_2DsV5LH8/s1600/k12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup-6MwczMLh74CCrHV4rE9ThYF-MSXr5vxUTPUf0GYPyDPXWAGgShVXylpOpJxQlnZ9sawKKuKj8wGYIT2Ays0QJVdLYtBSDFMLIycDhthOkxPmLKEdUHwLNQjN6JsQkGPuP_2DsV5LH8/s400/k12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We made it to Michigan and are working on getting organized and settled (pictures to come). The last few months have been so crazy, I haven't had a chance (or the internet) to upload any of my pictures until now. So as I upload my pictures, I'll try to catch everyone up on the move and everything else that's going on with us. I decided to start with our trip to Kauai in July (our last two trips seen <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2010/04/honeymoon-reunion.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a> and <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2010/05/kauai.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>). We had so much to celebrate (Gabe graduating from fellowship and his new job, our 3 year wedding anniversary, and baby moon) and the trip couldn't have been better. It was so relaxing, beautiful and exactly what we needed. We came home feeling refreshed and ready for the big move. Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-30703160773586859032011-06-02T01:00:00.000-07:002011-06-02T01:00:08.463-07:00Big News<div style="text-align: center;">This was a few weeks ago, at 3 months pregnant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C8RkLBtvPE5-zDw2Dy84b89s7fGX0H706hxAADQZSivVoVWcMYpDVpr19gPUrmiRaEPCjcdTufwCYzuNsHlCd9hQ9ooBFQ8wHRwmEnrTXMgwb411dSwqvW9OyhE1p7KCqJvJQzYmYsGP/s1600/gabevaljune.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C8RkLBtvPE5-zDw2Dy84b89s7fGX0H706hxAADQZSivVoVWcMYpDVpr19gPUrmiRaEPCjcdTufwCYzuNsHlCd9hQ9ooBFQ8wHRwmEnrTXMgwb411dSwqvW9OyhE1p7KCqJvJQzYmYsGP/s400/gabevaljune.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY3pQjQjbHgsk4HjfxP2-NiFSCjDCZNmuL5trpI6GEff3Y1z0gai_-xTtsm0lLaTN48zuktwiEfrUjgdoQLMygZ3FNA868mIuB_ZWLTehBW7eYgXjX8FJfl8tNhB5gi_DVRPeaOSWTPSC/s1600/detroit+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY3pQjQjbHgsk4HjfxP2-NiFSCjDCZNmuL5trpI6GEff3Y1z0gai_-xTtsm0lLaTN48zuktwiEfrUjgdoQLMygZ3FNA868mIuB_ZWLTehBW7eYgXjX8FJfl8tNhB5gi_DVRPeaOSWTPSC/s400/detroit+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After taking a much needed break from blogging, I'm happy to be back (albeit more sporadically) and excited to share our big news with everyone. Gabe and I are expecting a baby in November! We're overjoyed to be starting a family and aside from a ton of morning sickness, a little insomnia, and some serious nacho cravings, everything is going great. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And...we're moving to Michigan in July! Gabe accepted his ideal job at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and we'll be living in either Birmingham or Royal Oak. We're planning a visit there in a few weeks to decide on a place to live and can't wait to get acquainted with the area (our last visit seen <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2011/04/michigan-recap.html">here</a>). Thank you to everyone who checked in on me when I wasn't posting. I really appreciated all the sweet messages I received from you. </div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-35564312430887058792011-04-25T01:00:00.001-07:002011-04-25T01:00:01.559-07:00Red Velvet Cheesecake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0JGRN8rHT_QEYcDmDuv9fN8adt_stZpTKzMsY9a0hVjrGyta7S4fgJyERmdKDXq_1LxSotgmLoyy2J4FOeyN6_v7GxdurzuSKE6ScfRkVdR6znnMfJ9gaZCGinLAgECY2Z8mYyFCAwNc/s1600/rv11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0JGRN8rHT_QEYcDmDuv9fN8adt_stZpTKzMsY9a0hVjrGyta7S4fgJyERmdKDXq_1LxSotgmLoyy2J4FOeyN6_v7GxdurzuSKE6ScfRkVdR6znnMfJ9gaZCGinLAgECY2Z8mYyFCAwNc/s400/rv11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01u65hfnLBOKDmCl6BvFW2wzNVpdQUadz2XoXWOD5DPhuFYdpK_fGr3-Cww-a2vjJ_AEapZoc2AK88qDMw-GaWtC8azOw-Cfi2s0ZAjYOKnmqopE-v4-Li-lvRqqyCXM6eMWWzBl2gAiw/s1600/rv1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01u65hfnLBOKDmCl6BvFW2wzNVpdQUadz2XoXWOD5DPhuFYdpK_fGr3-Cww-a2vjJ_AEapZoc2AK88qDMw-GaWtC8azOw-Cfi2s0ZAjYOKnmqopE-v4-Li-lvRqqyCXM6eMWWzBl2gAiw/s400/rv1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I baked it in a water bath to avoid cracks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAinEbKTpAOigecNKwV2bo12Y_Od7XCT9ZlRFnymLYqcFrwb_9vhygfy4S41PJDtgBM0eQzn9H2ZcrUv6shT5MddBr612Nbm-cx3aHtJdqNptzON8mFRopvj4J9Mt90Q4UwiyTDGD-Xlj7/s1600/rv4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAinEbKTpAOigecNKwV2bo12Y_Od7XCT9ZlRFnymLYqcFrwb_9vhygfy4S41PJDtgBM0eQzn9H2ZcrUv6shT5MddBr612Nbm-cx3aHtJdqNptzON8mFRopvj4J9Mt90Q4UwiyTDGD-Xlj7/s400/rv4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivPFpzBr7haqjUwocAF34OSN2nx2EcW_t-2GmgfI_K180d879z3cahD7WT_GSR0mkiC44hBNcnpZRPyF-v8PLp_x8gmLW3y5yzrF1WP4bCbOYjB2QV3EUiSMlPbt34AntAXAg5FmWw9v3/s1600/rv5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivPFpzBr7haqjUwocAF34OSN2nx2EcW_t-2GmgfI_K180d879z3cahD7WT_GSR0mkiC44hBNcnpZRPyF-v8PLp_x8gmLW3y5yzrF1WP4bCbOYjB2QV3EUiSMlPbt34AntAXAg5FmWw9v3/s400/rv5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbccy2phyphenhyphenpC0kVxoUA1_qsyXwA12kvHLSSxCiN4T_m-ABNsgyyR-hboEWu00qDgat1N8gdC2dUem4H1rYTiFiSZz-D8HwrdMEdfU0qUEyn6TYZSR6gVFKwBy6_emploQJbfuhC5YeJ1Nl/s1600/rvc3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbccy2phyphenhyphenpC0kVxoUA1_qsyXwA12kvHLSSxCiN4T_m-ABNsgyyR-hboEWu00qDgat1N8gdC2dUem4H1rYTiFiSZz-D8HwrdMEdfU0qUEyn6TYZSR6gVFKwBy6_emploQJbfuhC5YeJ1Nl/s400/rvc3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZoPMFDJ4B7-5NfWExYGO_-sWkf2_X7YEEXxswExaov39U36eyNkLwg0Vyd5QSZwoOJyMknhJnABaXX_zzT6ZE3KkmicMEbTsQMdAySd5BWfXyfPLLvRH4ibFScm62acIVuXaYRCQ6inY/s1600/rvc1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZoPMFDJ4B7-5NfWExYGO_-sWkf2_X7YEEXxswExaov39U36eyNkLwg0Vyd5QSZwoOJyMknhJnABaXX_zzT6ZE3KkmicMEbTsQMdAySd5BWfXyfPLLvRH4ibFScm62acIVuXaYRCQ6inY/s400/rvc1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I was trying to find something an interesting dessert to make for Easter and came across this <a href="http://www.recipegirl.com/2007/01/05/red-velvet-cheesecake/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Red Velvet Cheesecake</span></a> that I couldn't turn down. As a huge fan of both red velvet and cheesecake (seen <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2011/02/red-velvet-whoopie-pies.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a> and <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2010/12/reeses-peanut-butter-cup-cheesecake.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>), combining the two was genius. It was the perfect end to our Easter meal.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-3009467566289984762011-04-21T01:00:00.000-07:002011-04-21T01:00:01.412-07:00Almost Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHlKW9mIJXDbaWxpMaSBVlFB5qPMf5KfFM8IhI5Y32jHRkpmSA3kCnWZu4QshHOVT9MFBuOKmdVlwoFjdxyvthk1dncF3q-d-cAY-LWQwcnDRMG4ObMOCApMrKGqOyeVsGEDgJJenwzRM/s1600/peep4+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHlKW9mIJXDbaWxpMaSBVlFB5qPMf5KfFM8IhI5Y32jHRkpmSA3kCnWZu4QshHOVT9MFBuOKmdVlwoFjdxyvthk1dncF3q-d-cAY-LWQwcnDRMG4ObMOCApMrKGqOyeVsGEDgJJenwzRM/s400/peep4+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://journeytoonederland.wordpress.com/category/general/">via</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kUfpy2GPmA2dErZl79a6om7BaSjAvLIITI_Qg7Oi2Zbvcogp0_ENo0ETGPmMR567vNF9cOGe3wlqnB138t-O_TAUQl2OUgKq0fYiXUJNVGV7o-qP6j9Eox9gQSpFdGNTr9LNM2GPXLyb/s1600/tumblr_l96ji0pObd1qdyk6fo1_500_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kUfpy2GPmA2dErZl79a6om7BaSjAvLIITI_Qg7Oi2Zbvcogp0_ENo0ETGPmMR567vNF9cOGe3wlqnB138t-O_TAUQl2OUgKq0fYiXUJNVGV7o-qP6j9Eox9gQSpFdGNTr9LNM2GPXLyb/s400/tumblr_l96ji0pObd1qdyk6fo1_500_large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/8441730">via</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ll_QyrodFB1ecq0dbwlmTEAkrFxFoU6bCrKGh4cbscWOpn64r34D_HkSY5sfJR1hs1X0rIk0B11VxwwZTkctGInBoW-BzjZutsbUqORpLdDvx_uncG-cx2_VKa_lxqkNEFo-1IdydlnY/s1600/candy+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ll_QyrodFB1ecq0dbwlmTEAkrFxFoU6bCrKGh4cbscWOpn64r34D_HkSY5sfJR1hs1X0rIk0B11VxwwZTkctGInBoW-BzjZutsbUqORpLdDvx_uncG-cx2_VKa_lxqkNEFo-1IdydlnY/s400/candy+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOam_oOsF5onL8HuOUK3Gl2mnSfDIuyNJwyMi83l2jjYvKteR5rNZ4TtGnZJeUV4avhyPHSDqyHzPW2pHf04nmxWDS_QyO4ZsSs4vvkLZdEXzf7cfi3YXfJfFoc5F1cZu9wA_QZVb4RAT/s1600/easter-candy-by-sea-turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOam_oOsF5onL8HuOUK3Gl2mnSfDIuyNJwyMi83l2jjYvKteR5rNZ4TtGnZJeUV4avhyPHSDqyHzPW2pHf04nmxWDS_QyO4ZsSs4vvkLZdEXzf7cfi3YXfJfFoc5F1cZu9wA_QZVb4RAT/s400/easter-candy-by-sea-turtle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://food.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/03/leftover_easter_candy.php">via</a></i></span></div>As I mentioned <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2010/04/easter-candy.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a>, there's something about Easter candy that's so much better than the sweets offered for other holidays. I can't seem to get enough of the huge Reese's pieces eggs, Cadbury caramel eggs, and the enormous Reese's peanut butter cups. And this year, <a href="http://www.lindt.com/ca/swf/eng/products/easter/lindt-gold-bunny-gift-sets/lindt-gold-bunny-lindor-egg-gift-box/">Lindt</a> has joined the club with their incredibly rich and delicious Lindor truffle eggs. I'm looking forward to a long weekend of splurging on candy, cooking some new recipes, time with friends, and dinners with Gabe. I'll be back on Monday to tell you about it. Have a great weekend!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-88570073649600019942011-04-20T01:00:00.002-07:002011-04-20T01:00:03.163-07:00Vegetable Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">baby heirloom tomatoes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0t1ZA4aqZtoB2VZ2sm1ycCtS_w74DEt6xb_yqEUKI9vpl31hnhIJXMn4cn6HQDEH-WD7JaAfJc1nvkt2QAhsPRAN1P0rGFLoGBBOZD8hsuCCfwXx5xhnIHZ2wGdC6G4lpmdyO1l_CKM9o/s1600/heirloom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0t1ZA4aqZtoB2VZ2sm1ycCtS_w74DEt6xb_yqEUKI9vpl31hnhIJXMn4cn6HQDEH-WD7JaAfJc1nvkt2QAhsPRAN1P0rGFLoGBBOZD8hsuCCfwXx5xhnIHZ2wGdC6G4lpmdyO1l_CKM9o/s400/heirloom.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">salads with lots of colors and texture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BRtG1kQ8tg1C34R80IFLbaQK8x0rNbUkDxUVk8BtawJceykLdApNuIJk66gK98t-8HtRvuJc7wi4CNUOU_5-nBYEBypXhNBx4gbqMHbu-4tgaWrv76yx0nLaxoRrWNfnKrXw62FIJ8-Y/s1600/salads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BRtG1kQ8tg1C34R80IFLbaQK8x0rNbUkDxUVk8BtawJceykLdApNuIJk66gK98t-8HtRvuJc7wi4CNUOU_5-nBYEBypXhNBx4gbqMHbu-4tgaWrv76yx0nLaxoRrWNfnKrXw62FIJ8-Y/s400/salads.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/285423/tofu-stir-fry">tofu stir fry</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzPrIoV3mNb6Pa0p2FJucoN2hek-v8gYeD0ZJ0DHsPhgF1WEV-scK5O4tTnWSU9LdpTU3ojMTHB4pYKofASaHAiBZwZTjwmh9XGZlkoAMTMfrBoFjCklZcqw7dxy0YfUTBYsLeytRw1jT/s1600/tofu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzPrIoV3mNb6Pa0p2FJucoN2hek-v8gYeD0ZJ0DHsPhgF1WEV-scK5O4tTnWSU9LdpTU3ojMTHB4pYKofASaHAiBZwZTjwmh9XGZlkoAMTMfrBoFjCklZcqw7dxy0YfUTBYsLeytRw1jT/s400/tofu.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rpFRYWRO-EmkcJMkwicjNgNlDgzagej9wsknOdPCNjFXcGum4t7D41sBXbUZI0eDsCO5ShjrbxA8SV75fSa3m38oLjVtG-273hx_OU7YZ5MQCbYyvpQzxOQfGVJ3-wz4bPQRO2rfZLom/s1600/tofustirfry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rpFRYWRO-EmkcJMkwicjNgNlDgzagej9wsknOdPCNjFXcGum4t7D41sBXbUZI0eDsCO5ShjrbxA8SV75fSa3m38oLjVtG-273hx_OU7YZ5MQCbYyvpQzxOQfGVJ3-wz4bPQRO2rfZLom/s400/tofustirfry.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO-RmC_JOPDNOfkgFFIimIvVkGLhscTS-KaT1juB7VrW64ZrRnYdc4QEhe-Y4IOmW35ntz4UMKOBMzU2DHybMVmFpTsOprnotctqGaf_fRPiFZNKOW8PExp_-e6XhcYqidkUT4Z7BpLZB/s1600/zucchini.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO-RmC_JOPDNOfkgFFIimIvVkGLhscTS-KaT1juB7VrW64ZrRnYdc4QEhe-Y4IOmW35ntz4UMKOBMzU2DHybMVmFpTsOprnotctqGaf_fRPiFZNKOW8PExp_-e6XhcYqidkUT4Z7BpLZB/s400/zucchini.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">roasted brussel sprouts and zucchini</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMYt7GO7piBlWvgS5QXPMZGoVk9j_6CXE6iCIoOUPTX9Yxm_xfJAbImQX2-JxaEfNsizAa6Yim1ztpnw6356y4TTaQe8rm_TdagBJxe7IN-Nocfk7SNy95-hCnyw12yK0pdsmSDjrDruA/s1600/roasted+brussel+sprouts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMYt7GO7piBlWvgS5QXPMZGoVk9j_6CXE6iCIoOUPTX9Yxm_xfJAbImQX2-JxaEfNsizAa6Yim1ztpnw6356y4TTaQe8rm_TdagBJxe7IN-Nocfk7SNy95-hCnyw12yK0pdsmSDjrDruA/s400/roasted+brussel+sprouts.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After watching Oprah's episode about the <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Oprah-and-378-Staffers-Take-a-Vegan-Challenge">vegan challenge</a>, I've been trying to incorporate more vegetables into my diet. I'm certainly not cutting out meat or seafood, but I do see the benefit of adding more greens to my meals ("leaning in" as Oprah calls it). I do love vegetables, but I generally eat the same ones over and over and get tired of them quickly. Here are a few ways I've been trying to mix it up with new varieties and recipes (as seen <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2011/04/chicken-spinach-and-mushroom-enchiladas.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">here</span></a> with my spinach and mushroom enchiladas). What are your quick/delicious ways to prepare vegetables?Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-68036050841167196762011-04-19T01:00:00.001-07:002011-04-19T01:00:10.390-07:00Favorite Product: The Microdelivery Peel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaGU6gd4M7c6my0eL7KOrTEH8Jty9n2xU_Ol2b9fnLvaBLywuQEFmaJoEdGUPY8hYL3AkcFpKhfwwjcW4vlo5kp4vv4IY8iQrdhDzAA8QA4fPAyboD6o897Mg_fjM_uxj7nAvVYKBLQwb/s1600/philosophy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaGU6gd4M7c6my0eL7KOrTEH8Jty9n2xU_Ol2b9fnLvaBLywuQEFmaJoEdGUPY8hYL3AkcFpKhfwwjcW4vlo5kp4vv4IY8iQrdhDzAA8QA4fPAyboD6o897Mg_fjM_uxj7nAvVYKBLQwb/s400/philosophy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A few years ago, I received a sample of this product with my Sephora order and have been hooked ever since. I've used countless masks/exfoliants in the past and nothing compares to <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P72504&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=3866"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Philosophy's Microdelivery Peel</span></a>. It's simple to use, takes only a few minutes, and leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth, and instantly refreshed, as if I just had a professional facial. I use it weekly and have seen a noticeable difference in my skin. Stock up now through April 21st at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Sephora</span></a> and get 15% off by entering coupon code <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">chic</span>. Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-38701185051704455512011-04-18T01:00:00.001-07:002011-04-18T06:18:16.820-07:00Scenes from the Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RIfQ77cWwNMrXgJII6P2cxX13bqKMGpZybYXOBYFCXxWgsRyDpP7NEl9VBTQ7xEBwppNtAmXe2FsZJe9rTOWsisUqjA8V4q1YcguutbFfvtt6LMQUxBY_lelsMfi3mFnhviFsBhDGV9_/s1600/weekend7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RIfQ77cWwNMrXgJII6P2cxX13bqKMGpZybYXOBYFCXxWgsRyDpP7NEl9VBTQ7xEBwppNtAmXe2FsZJe9rTOWsisUqjA8V4q1YcguutbFfvtt6LMQUxBY_lelsMfi3mFnhviFsBhDGV9_/s400/weekend7.JPG" width="288" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our walks by the beach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0AaQi6k0Byq-uKfMOhuIfzsyEUvuiDKzkPZM8sY3yx1AIqfYHcs7Ea1DVbh2lVDLFgREZb1VFUi-fCngFbvPOAoIrtAFWdN_PJ0I5CEoQghkNrAI8IDLH-Sls2pIRbsbGPkuJHKmQh-5/s1600/weekend6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0AaQi6k0Byq-uKfMOhuIfzsyEUvuiDKzkPZM8sY3yx1AIqfYHcs7Ea1DVbh2lVDLFgREZb1VFUi-fCngFbvPOAoIrtAFWdN_PJ0I5CEoQghkNrAI8IDLH-Sls2pIRbsbGPkuJHKmQh-5/s400/weekend6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gabe's enjoying the view</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmDn1ogxX_J6oRAlcWjvUv3zXWbMsZ5taB4BaZKlDpcWtnXiZNUjkjMH1mQdX6WYTXvAKLlfiSz8qwVBwfUVOBwf5dVF9EfCLaZ6Ie1F56tjFCKK2N4-NLeX8xeIxnIckcAzwXbQECZjZ/s1600/weekend8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmDn1ogxX_J6oRAlcWjvUv3zXWbMsZ5taB4BaZKlDpcWtnXiZNUjkjMH1mQdX6WYTXvAKLlfiSz8qwVBwfUVOBwf5dVF9EfCLaZ6Ie1F56tjFCKK2N4-NLeX8xeIxnIckcAzwXbQECZjZ/s400/weekend8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMq4tcjoWsBhiyyxjO6Lb4HgEaFrpV2YNXNIrZsWiR2gfXdHF67Vk0KQ6ZFRvdS3pTOhliM4A7qWKgm8lViZn14bQGH9EC8AqIbwC6DXylsc_d1h0jMJW2TudT2vaVB0XapB8dasBHxkI/s1600/weekend1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMq4tcjoWsBhiyyxjO6Lb4HgEaFrpV2YNXNIrZsWiR2gfXdHF67Vk0KQ6ZFRvdS3pTOhliM4A7qWKgm8lViZn14bQGH9EC8AqIbwC6DXylsc_d1h0jMJW2TudT2vaVB0XapB8dasBHxkI/s400/weekend1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">a crystal light slurpee, my favorite</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOEbxiy3g4KLRMrwZrXYthGgBA81fAyXTONPXedBMEjmI7AyVd6_j3loaGqNbx9uOL_6t6H37VcfHz9a6MFiB6Gx6fHVy-wRTZRChSXvxPyTcZvpmjpnaq6iQwAHWiCZ1Qy4ZdyUS1NBA/s1600/weekend9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOEbxiy3g4KLRMrwZrXYthGgBA81fAyXTONPXedBMEjmI7AyVd6_j3loaGqNbx9uOL_6t6H37VcfHz9a6MFiB6Gx6fHVy-wRTZRChSXvxPyTcZvpmjpnaq6iQwAHWiCZ1Qy4ZdyUS1NBA/s400/weekend9.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taco night</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKFP86Rf-6FIfgoyAeYabXmMsUW_8qPehSF6miDfnQnPaR7nz_Mv7jHomDgNZ2GxcUOZOgfVKs2S1ScRHz7mIaiCYJyNBvA6XO82xBsC9jv-BNAFz7S4wZSzY7EPVsP8a8EBVpqQ5izpt/s1600/weekend2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKFP86Rf-6FIfgoyAeYabXmMsUW_8qPehSF6miDfnQnPaR7nz_Mv7jHomDgNZ2GxcUOZOgfVKs2S1ScRHz7mIaiCYJyNBvA6XO82xBsC9jv-BNAFz7S4wZSzY7EPVsP8a8EBVpqQ5izpt/s400/weekend2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thai Spring rolls at <a href="http://www.bangkokwestthaicuisine.com/">Bangkok West</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rBw3s8IR9N6qzUXhHI9_whseM4YBdUNaJjFaNNZedmefhyHer_xJSUiVHWMGovf8odNBL07CCUBVAaVrEFDuFbLmqIA6WpLjoR6uzQSYORck_8XI8o0M-yfgstKctIne4j3yRZdCJSN0/s1600/weekend4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rBw3s8IR9N6qzUXhHI9_whseM4YBdUNaJjFaNNZedmefhyHer_xJSUiVHWMGovf8odNBL07CCUBVAaVrEFDuFbLmqIA6WpLjoR6uzQSYORck_8XI8o0M-yfgstKctIne4j3yRZdCJSN0/s400/weekend4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had the most relaxing weekend, filled with long walks, beach side bike rides, Thai food, tacos, and a movie night at home (we finally saw <i>The Fighter</i> and loved it). It feels like Spring has finally arrived and we took full advantage of the 80 degree weather by spending most of our time outdoors. How was your weekend?</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-34879647424170969882011-04-15T01:00:00.000-07:002011-04-15T01:00:11.303-07:00Map My Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_2FhRw0O3uJoBWr8IlO4hCp2BjGdHOHA-rpkB5AmDrvH8-TCS0pOY7qndQuVPLnNN-ILt2feCJXau8A87oYBhZeDrEjYYTLVfj3SVMDTfDxlqU1q9WUvb4cnDms4gVGLup1mEbLPezxK/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_2FhRw0O3uJoBWr8IlO4hCp2BjGdHOHA-rpkB5AmDrvH8-TCS0pOY7qndQuVPLnNN-ILt2feCJXau8A87oYBhZeDrEjYYTLVfj3SVMDTfDxlqU1q9WUvb4cnDms4gVGLup1mEbLPezxK/s400/map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://weheartit.com/">via</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoejbSoN-NCOEExguMAVlYATMFz-S_qhhMbU76wLf_UTjxVB22g9kW7v7_m1ozLM9KfawLHeID35es2JtnNPfCPxNb2ifBg6TyKYoyGf9CTAhI8P7S-oDg5t582YR53PJTrb19IijNb2ta/s1600/run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoejbSoN-NCOEExguMAVlYATMFz-S_qhhMbU76wLf_UTjxVB22g9kW7v7_m1ozLM9KfawLHeID35es2JtnNPfCPxNb2ifBg6TyKYoyGf9CTAhI8P7S-oDg5t582YR53PJTrb19IijNb2ta/s400/run.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://myhoneyandbunnies.blogspot.com/">Nicole</a> introduced me to <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">MapMyRun</span></a> years ago and I've been hooked ever since. Running is one of my favorite ways to exercise and relieve stress and I'd usually prefer to be outside versus on a treadmill. But I also like knowing exactly how far I'm running and where I'm going before I get started. Enter <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/">MapMyRun</a>. This site helps you find favorite running paths in your area, lets you create your own runs, log your workouts, and even find running groups in your city. They even have an iPhone app that I use when I'm on vacation. If you're a runner, you should definitely check this out. Have a great weekend!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-48990294410382464302011-04-14T01:00:00.000-07:002011-04-14T01:00:12.679-07:00Enjoli's Bridal Shower<div style="text-align: center;">the beautiful bride-to-be</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddZrcMFHxVmgHDyZ6nWHnCiwTBTLa-XDI_PPgmpRKeEI2Lk1hrC9GpcAWsGcQC4S3GLHp0lo442gXr_ldFnCwIJHWHz6y_gP3cZNIfwef-IYyUe308nS03YsPF7Ym1KdtZRcGbZmjpn8J/s1600/enj5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddZrcMFHxVmgHDyZ6nWHnCiwTBTLa-XDI_PPgmpRKeEI2Lk1hrC9GpcAWsGcQC4S3GLHp0lo442gXr_ldFnCwIJHWHz6y_gP3cZNIfwef-IYyUe308nS03YsPF7Ym1KdtZRcGbZmjpn8J/s400/enj5.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KW-rxpMMjvCqISu8mHxOQiwaA6WETPjmWtYZC285eSeBZRszYj40UJTJ2n6kS1iRbvsE1G_hBetrWIC18NWzFNYH8Zqa1UH4mXXAM3gaI0AkeemTaI9IVsTsxz97ria9JRFR0XBAgRJ7/s1600/enj2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KW-rxpMMjvCqISu8mHxOQiwaA6WETPjmWtYZC285eSeBZRszYj40UJTJ2n6kS1iRbvsE1G_hBetrWIC18NWzFNYH8Zqa1UH4mXXAM3gaI0AkeemTaI9IVsTsxz97ria9JRFR0XBAgRJ7/s400/enj2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Becca and Enjoli</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MwNabq5-nrTjh4VfEjmcZQPOheSwnrb0Rn0oN_PZa_HdNTM6JzSBvUg5m9CG6OB860ZRca7qjgjf5XQSO-H9IFDULwmrs9tdFXuOK-aRYzTguOXvpPP_9qhWmQRPlbWss1I7BHyeDpF-/s1600/enj6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MwNabq5-nrTjh4VfEjmcZQPOheSwnrb0Rn0oN_PZa_HdNTM6JzSBvUg5m9CG6OB860ZRca7qjgjf5XQSO-H9IFDULwmrs9tdFXuOK-aRYzTguOXvpPP_9qhWmQRPlbWss1I7BHyeDpF-/s400/enj6.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZjVSJJs79DkCnCkdGDPPkDR1wa44ShUaZOJrJGYwI3ik8PlRJBQlOw8FabfdZo9ZOqrYvkBrWr4fjA4heYcgQdLTE80MJ1prcAqoyLE8RQ3lxf12Jl9Z9KYPJkFpgjUbu5hleHVWSHQC/s1600/enj7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZjVSJJs79DkCnCkdGDPPkDR1wa44ShUaZOJrJGYwI3ik8PlRJBQlOw8FabfdZo9ZOqrYvkBrWr4fjA4heYcgQdLTE80MJ1prcAqoyLE8RQ3lxf12Jl9Z9KYPJkFpgjUbu5hleHVWSHQC/s400/enj7.JPG" width="281" /></a></div>I had the best time celebrating Enjoli at her bridal shower on Sunday. The black and pink decor was so pretty (as was the bride-to-be), the food was excellent, and everyone was overjoyed to be there. I'm so happy for Enjoli and Mike and can't wait to celebrate again at their wedding in June!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-44564857249305220752011-04-13T01:00:00.000-07:002011-04-13T01:00:00.830-07:00Chicken, Spinach, and Mushroom Enchiladas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXj6zM56rxwF0b5Xo3qOcBFjbX4kWSoFdFtcXpSF5NEV85e2cMla4Ov_w-alTCCY3K6dfF8Yd-gRK19Lh1PQSKAdXGvdYRqdgWA8JwckfJjldu4Qnyexc3k1tZZNzQcMLN_UhzvT2OKiQ/s1600/enchiladas4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXj6zM56rxwF0b5Xo3qOcBFjbX4kWSoFdFtcXpSF5NEV85e2cMla4Ov_w-alTCCY3K6dfF8Yd-gRK19Lh1PQSKAdXGvdYRqdgWA8JwckfJjldu4Qnyexc3k1tZZNzQcMLN_UhzvT2OKiQ/s400/enchiladas4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ0rmx9kXrkh1ZWHVhlsYiVH46J4VVwh4UDMx8ijro3uvydity9vlVGPNFdWnV3g9MqcZWhfw_SskwgAlZGXJPvoe14-DdZzxHUFwcjHkh8kej2wWY42hV1PUSy4bPbaI04JY3tqBBuEO/s1600/enchiladas7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ0rmx9kXrkh1ZWHVhlsYiVH46J4VVwh4UDMx8ijro3uvydity9vlVGPNFdWnV3g9MqcZWhfw_SskwgAlZGXJPvoe14-DdZzxHUFwcjHkh8kej2wWY42hV1PUSy4bPbaI04JY3tqBBuEO/s400/enchiladas7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQXPMkcTUATOUR9OWxm0REELrd9EFo8rsAOceKDp-YmI0pY-2vMw3fwMPpT5ONORJ-R0XEYVDUSVpsUE_qgjNecsR5pqXq8mT6nPeh-fm8kjyKaOGqdMd9RwSQ9UrpE8zh9uYQEci13ek/s1600/enchiladas8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQXPMkcTUATOUR9OWxm0REELrd9EFo8rsAOceKDp-YmI0pY-2vMw3fwMPpT5ONORJ-R0XEYVDUSVpsUE_qgjNecsR5pqXq8mT6nPeh-fm8kjyKaOGqdMd9RwSQ9UrpE8zh9uYQEci13ek/s400/enchiladas8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Gabe and I are always scouting out new Mexican restaurants in our area and for some reason have continually been disappointed. The biggest problem is that Santa Monica tries to make Mexican food "fancy" which is not generally what we have in mind. Since I usually order enchiladas, I decided to try making them at home and they were surprisingly easy and so delicious. I added the spinach and mushrooms to my half and left Gabe's half with just chicken and cheese. He was happy about that. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><u><b>Chicken, Spinach, and Mushroom Enchiladas</b></u></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 small white onion diced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2-3 cups cheese (I used cheddar and pepper jack)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 10oz back fresh spinach</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">10oz chopped mushrooms</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3 chicken breasts</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">10 tortillas (I used <a href="http://www.latortillafactory.com/product-5-overview.aspx">La Tortilla </a>whole grain)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2 bottles enchilada sauce (I used Trader Joe's)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Directions:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-Place chicken breasts in boiling water for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Drain, cool, and shred with two forks. Pour about 1 cup of enchilada sauce over shredded chicken and mix until blended.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-Saute<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">é onions and garlic over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add spinach and mushrooms and saute</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">é for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain any liquid.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-Coat a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and a thin layer of enchilada sauce. Spoon a few teaspoons of chicken, spinach mixture, and cheese into each tortilla. Then roll and place seem side down. Continue until pan is filled then top with remaining enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbling. </span></span>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-25761297507990053242011-04-12T01:00:00.000-07:002011-04-12T01:00:08.896-07:00Michigan Recap<div style="text-align: center;">downtown Birmingham</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOg6kFwDnextfs1wibkYtH1mGd6X7ySiOeNNrrDN48iZzqb7WoSFpqEEFmVAwKmQjG0tawONNzVy0OlUn0uvdnAU40UDlRHCsme00q_xeMOJXZrp0QtJcc6zSR5d4JaXfjG4ZF0p7Fk2H/s1600/mich3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOg6kFwDnextfs1wibkYtH1mGd6X7ySiOeNNrrDN48iZzqb7WoSFpqEEFmVAwKmQjG0tawONNzVy0OlUn0uvdnAU40UDlRHCsme00q_xeMOJXZrp0QtJcc6zSR5d4JaXfjG4ZF0p7Fk2H/s400/mich3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the lobby of our hotel (<a href="http://www.townsendhotel.com/">The Townsend</a>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXePGoXhjHYpjWjyQ60O05J1MH_MXaPSd_wxnhxMv28JD5zBS5S3Aet3gejwllBVzYo4oWtn0SAOiSOmxzv-RLoyAecS7sjk1X95oH1oZ3-_wIw4zsVOPSmxTkl7mw3JLH9yHvR0ZyJlz/s1600/mich8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXePGoXhjHYpjWjyQ60O05J1MH_MXaPSd_wxnhxMv28JD5zBS5S3Aet3gejwllBVzYo4oWtn0SAOiSOmxzv-RLoyAecS7sjk1X95oH1oZ3-_wIw4zsVOPSmxTkl7mw3JLH9yHvR0ZyJlz/s400/mich8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93su0BATIMZWqP-eBLJQ-fuqzdU5Mazgj0TosA9DIJI-e2Xrl7e8zGBCM9QnHPjSHm21BFEUTjpFXygXCzyok87g_FeUmBH1ClLy0euce_g0CJn6tAH4KufspIn_mVcMWCVsefv74eyno/s1600/mich1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93su0BATIMZWqP-eBLJQ-fuqzdU5Mazgj0TosA9DIJI-e2Xrl7e8zGBCM9QnHPjSHm21BFEUTjpFXygXCzyok87g_FeUmBH1ClLy0euce_g0CJn6tAH4KufspIn_mVcMWCVsefv74eyno/s400/mich1.JPG" width="293" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On our way to dinner</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc8J3jVdPzez0EwSLgS_sNQwB7bJZElcT5LcOiN7N7uC8v4sFq244fJ-GjCP0pzfFkt_PeapTyFerw00ru_QZukaI52UvJqugcSiYfhI8UFKKBXm9T5aAAEIOghJFhP8p0NC8GU3yuX04/s1600/mich2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc8J3jVdPzez0EwSLgS_sNQwB7bJZElcT5LcOiN7N7uC8v4sFq244fJ-GjCP0pzfFkt_PeapTyFerw00ru_QZukaI52UvJqugcSiYfhI8UFKKBXm9T5aAAEIOghJFhP8p0NC8GU3yuX04/s400/mich2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJaUVHyheFJG7LytTJhMFJamda6mnZ-QXYsCcZWc_9HXLgzlRQ4GNFsq8YmYySR7YXgyxtjQ3nHbn4geYcaiHqcitRvgJ4b2sql_ZnYpFnTtpooZ_f8W2HTLdn3U6YRJpBfwMHUQH5zJ4/s1600/mich4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJaUVHyheFJG7LytTJhMFJamda6mnZ-QXYsCcZWc_9HXLgzlRQ4GNFsq8YmYySR7YXgyxtjQ3nHbn4geYcaiHqcitRvgJ4b2sql_ZnYpFnTtpooZ_f8W2HTLdn3U6YRJpBfwMHUQH5zJ4/s400/mich4.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rLqRsERJ9HqBW3-kXL0lcr9Stg707rbRmTpt06TLpRDZJbt059j7bDNMd_4L_4u8ABrDHgeR31fonP-sBEnex_WpwE6FjFyhH16lCMsipV56CCOA3FcxfQ2gg6L5GfoIS_bxjn1avdoK/s1600/mich5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rLqRsERJ9HqBW3-kXL0lcr9Stg707rbRmTpt06TLpRDZJbt059j7bDNMd_4L_4u8ABrDHgeR31fonP-sBEnex_WpwE6FjFyhH16lCMsipV56CCOA3FcxfQ2gg6L5GfoIS_bxjn1avdoK/s400/mich5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">breakfast biscotti at our hotel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fsujsfd1JGS6J36obHnmNW_vJzbMSMMyS3g3BOY2cHPZm_tYO-Wn5zTYyyfOYqywuUSw3Df3FOLYCtyth1iOVpUat6Fjcpxteqw67tQ2-S47jsw5NTA2pBPmMxQ3cvkPJ4oBk0o_E3dw/s1600/mich6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fsujsfd1JGS6J36obHnmNW_vJzbMSMMyS3g3BOY2cHPZm_tYO-Wn5zTYyyfOYqywuUSw3Df3FOLYCtyth1iOVpUat6Fjcpxteqw67tQ2-S47jsw5NTA2pBPmMxQ3cvkPJ4oBk0o_E3dw/s400/mich6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Henry Ford Hospital</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvfPr-C4nBVJVihBTqJ296NDd1QKJ2RHLewJZPRw6Xq0A4-TVOtaroaN0KKpf2E0MZ4NN3GcKxprzXbi9JofEelPS0V2q8sDsmN_5qZdYWY14DsbYd6HLMf-DXzPE4Mt2kcMzbTot4sCt/s1600/mich7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvfPr-C4nBVJVihBTqJ296NDd1QKJ2RHLewJZPRw6Xq0A4-TVOtaroaN0KKpf2E0MZ4NN3GcKxprzXbi9JofEelPS0V2q8sDsmN_5qZdYWY14DsbYd6HLMf-DXzPE4Mt2kcMzbTot4sCt/s400/mich7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Gabe and I are back from <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2011/04/potato-chip-capital-of-world.html">Detroit</a> and had a fantastic trip. We actually stayed in Birmingham, which is about 30 minutes outside the city. We checked out the suburban areas and were pleasantly surprised with how much we liked it there! Birmingham and its surrounding towns were charming and quaint with cute little downtown areas, neighborhoods with huge beautiful homes (and spacious yards), tree lined streets, great restaurants, and friendly people. Here are a few pictures from our trip.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373230783017707163.post-61875874254352445712011-04-11T01:00:00.000-07:002011-04-11T01:00:04.313-07:00Strawberry Shortcake Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEAbe-TWIbIUld0fkJZ05RdHEtMPEqil9niUIVUY7-5vOO-TLNrhKYzDBpgQVbkFhY3q_4ZiixaiVbjyjfhYpd1rV25Lu4MQJOY-2LDN0jRamc3UjTBQiJa9tUZd6GR1IEeMeHwMFSvad/s1600/ssc7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEAbe-TWIbIUld0fkJZ05RdHEtMPEqil9niUIVUY7-5vOO-TLNrhKYzDBpgQVbkFhY3q_4ZiixaiVbjyjfhYpd1rV25Lu4MQJOY-2LDN0jRamc3UjTBQiJa9tUZd6GR1IEeMeHwMFSvad/s400/ssc7.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wseNj3an-18GKoPfLPrQmu0Ty0NF3LM0cOSY3sZWOn0rQEatkcJXS7MGIzzx1yan_Oxg74jUMxnLkYpib8Nrjd6TIBwLyG7cC8hr3RTZsFl4n7VkReca27m5u2xG_Wdbs4X11QUYKxV5/s1600/ssc5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wseNj3an-18GKoPfLPrQmu0Ty0NF3LM0cOSY3sZWOn0rQEatkcJXS7MGIzzx1yan_Oxg74jUMxnLkYpib8Nrjd6TIBwLyG7cC8hr3RTZsFl4n7VkReca27m5u2xG_Wdbs4X11QUYKxV5/s400/ssc5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjMD_M0BXZQM7Edo80CnOLQBoDbfVQJQXlZjHsdmt_00mjn37x65yU8WIo_0NmqPdCc1MonDXR_hty30M_d4XklzG60uN4eFNyApdM4hg4lASPuJ-5ZSv-7Q8eTS25faZB6tCsQbYhVfV/s1600/ssc6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjMD_M0BXZQM7Edo80CnOLQBoDbfVQJQXlZjHsdmt_00mjn37x65yU8WIo_0NmqPdCc1MonDXR_hty30M_d4XklzG60uN4eFNyApdM4hg4lASPuJ-5ZSv-7Q8eTS25faZB6tCsQbYhVfV/s400/ssc6.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Strawberry shortcake is one of my all time favorite desserts, but until this weekend I had never heard of it coming in the form of a cookie. Once I came across <a href="http://addapinch.com/cooking/2011/03/24/strawberry-shortcake-cookies/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">this recipe</span></a>, I had to make them right away. I used a mixture of dried strawberries, cherries, and blueberries because that's what I had so technically mine could be called "Berry Shortcake Cookies". They were chewy, fluffy, sweet, and a little salty. They were excellent.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860112614244208090noreply@blogger.com28