tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88613851913066529132024-02-07T21:57:51.953-05:00Queen of TidesLife, Food and Art EscapadesQueen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-82274371002324726132012-05-13T19:04:00.001-04:002012-05-13T19:52:05.155-04:00Pinch Me!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I Am Done!!!</span></b></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh_5MPZlGQnjSj1EpIM768U1Opmqel4VoRAGlO8GyTPnjOdjjX2g1xj9ddZHRB-7McF4hl3uFq43wQdDT5hPjh6iDHHfrz3wWIymHAyoza4x9VSMzq_yDMNOyFdNX-xS30APwAIjhe1z6/s1600/RockyPoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh_5MPZlGQnjSj1EpIM768U1Opmqel4VoRAGlO8GyTPnjOdjjX2g1xj9ddZHRB-7McF4hl3uFq43wQdDT5hPjh6iDHHfrz3wWIymHAyoza4x9VSMzq_yDMNOyFdNX-xS30APwAIjhe1z6/s1600/RockyPoster.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling very Rocky-like...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After going back to college to prepare myself for a new career in web
development, I'm finally finished. In two and a half years, I've taken 50
credits (give or take), worth of classes, spent countless hours reading
textbooks, taking notes, researching topics, completing homework assignments
and class projects, and studying for quizzes and exams. I won't lie, it was
hard. </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really hard</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I think it was the hardest thing I have ever done. It required
many sacrifices, not just on my part, but on the part of my entire family. I
missed my kids’ concerts, soccer games, conferences, holiday events and more.
Many times, my family ate meals out of cans, boxes or the drive-thru. I spent more
time with my laptop than my family. I spent many late nights working on school
work, up way, way, waaay past midnight, getting by on just a few hours of
sleep. I shed a good number of tears over code, sometimes privately, sometimes
not. My husband, who owns his own business and already works well over 40 hours
a week, picked up the slack, how, I'll never know. My parents, extended family
and friends were tireless in their support of my endeavor, offering encouraging
words (many times on facebook) and forgiving me a multitude of times for not
visiting, not returning calls and not staying in touch outside of school
breaks. I missed birthdays, get-togethers and sadly, several funerals as well. I
neglected my flower and vegetable gardens along with a lot of home maintenance.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In the end, though, I
accomplished what I set out to do. I gained a new skill set and got a job doing
what I love. Actually, I got a <i><u>dream</u></i> job. I went in to interview for an internship
and left with a job I couldn’t wait to start! I’ve been feeling like the
luckiest person on the planet lately, but when I think about what it took to
get to where I am right now, I have to say, I contributed a lot to that “luck.”
I worked incredibly hard (harder than my first time through college, in all
honesty), made many sacrifices, stayed determined and kept a positive attitude
throughout this adventure. Unlike my first time through college (when I was a
very young adult), this time around, I knew what I wanted, what I was working
for and where I wanted to go with my future. My eye never left the prize, not
once. I often said, “I’m on a mission,” and I meant it. Still, I do feel very
lucky that NMC offered the web developer program, that my husband was so
supportive, that I was able to rewire my brain to think like a coder, and that
the company that hired me exists in my town and needed someone like me when I
needed a position. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I <i>am</i> done... <b>and so</b> <b>incredibly thankful and joyful!!!</b><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-26780544086471701062012-01-13T18:30:00.000-05:002012-01-13T18:30:18.241-05:00Baking Bonanza Snow Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyON1iARvs2NpwZcyluaEzlyAfrgW2GgBR6hXtn_f6jiGuq6_elJg-jxfGjDrRlFTGHpRT0rre6-e0Y6rTCya0ZMxW3lR-h_wiyM3dBJuJbO6jzVVajtLRp3MoW08MRKZQkO7uRvcSs8sy/s1600/CarrotMuffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyON1iARvs2NpwZcyluaEzlyAfrgW2GgBR6hXtn_f6jiGuq6_elJg-jxfGjDrRlFTGHpRT0rre6-e0Y6rTCya0ZMxW3lR-h_wiyM3dBJuJbO6jzVVajtLRp3MoW08MRKZQkO7uRvcSs8sy/s200/CarrotMuffins.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Carrot-Muffins-15101" target="_blank">Carrot Muffins</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It is my youngest daughter's birthday today AND the second snow day of the school year. The kids have MLK Day off on Monday, so a four day weekend for them! I, of course, start back to class at the local community college on Monday. Needless to say, I have been in the mood to get my baking "on" and spent the afternoon making muffins and a raspberry "jellyroll," something I have never made before. My kitchen is nice and toasty, and the house smells just divine. I'm lucky my kids like to eat my cooking/baking (usually), and hope to freeze some of the muffins for breakfast and their lunches for the next couple of weeks. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynxbVE7Oz_eSsSCzfmpC8Qwk3g3iiWWOesC_Ce7A0hQI3UnLlJGX0r51siEfEY57qm5UjX_qo67zhPhMKMJOA4gWgHa7G-CEKezbKuLocbye-D8Cf9oygz0VCDLq_Xk0JQk9IHFD-voFG/s1600/Jellyroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynxbVE7Oz_eSsSCzfmpC8Qwk3g3iiWWOesC_Ce7A0hQI3UnLlJGX0r51siEfEY57qm5UjX_qo67zhPhMKMJOA4gWgHa7G-CEKezbKuLocbye-D8Cf9oygz0VCDLq_Xk0JQk9IHFD-voFG/s1600/Jellyroll.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cookcanread.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/lemme-see-your-jelly-rollllll/?like=1" target="_blank">Raspberry Jellyroll</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> My oldest son saw all the food porn on facebook and asked if we planned to go for a long run after eating all these goodies, and I had to laugh if he thinks we will eat ALL of this in one day! If you want the recipes, just click on the caption, except for the Blueberry Bran muffins, I'll add it to the end of my post, that one is not online. I also modified the Carrot Muffin recipe by substituting 1/3 cup melted butter, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt (full fat) and 1/3 cup vegetable oil for the corn oil. It took an extra 10 minutes for them to bake due to my modifications, so keep that in mind.<br />
With all the snow, gingerbread sounded so good, I had to find a recipe for gingerbread muffins. I modified the recipe I found to make just a third of the batter, since I wanted to try them first before making so many. Although the flavor is excellent, I let mine go an extra 5 minutes since they did not seem close to ready at the original time. However, 5 extra minutes was probably 2 minutes too long, they were just a little dry. However, a smear of butter will fix that. My birthday girl loved them though, without any butter or glass of milk. The Gingerbread muffins did not include a glaze, but I added one. It is just the juice from half a lemon mixed with enough powdered sugar to make a thick glaze, really simple. Just be sure to stir until there are no visible lumps of sugar left. Drizzle while muffins are still warm, but not hot.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7h6IPxCrMJrphCopSUc51ScbxILwTTs3UnDVxhyNA-p3Aq4fYNs5t5vb-gwg2aZP4jVb_BfXjncAKwNkfPSIz-BAKw9Bosoptgm5PBvIhFnHaq8FuaZFUxjxlaNRaJa1he3NzdQRFoG4N/s1600/GingerbreadMuffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7h6IPxCrMJrphCopSUc51ScbxILwTTs3UnDVxhyNA-p3Aq4fYNs5t5vb-gwg2aZP4jVb_BfXjncAKwNkfPSIz-BAKw9Bosoptgm5PBvIhFnHaq8FuaZFUxjxlaNRaJa1he3NzdQRFoG4N/s320/GingerbreadMuffins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/gingerbread-muffins-66209" target="_blank">Gingerbread Muffins with Lemon Glaze</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> The Raspberry Jellyroll was something I have never attempted before. I had no concept about how to do this, though I have admired them for years. This recipe was posted on another blog, <a href="http://cookcanread.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/lemme-see-your-jelly-rollllll/?like=1" target="_blank">Cook Can Read</a>, using a recipe from <a href="http://marthafoose.com/" target="_blank">Martha Foose</a>, a lovely chef I had the pleasure to meet at the <a href="http://www.epicureanclassic.com/" target="_blank">Epicurean Classic</a> a few years ago. It is from her latest cookbook, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Southerly-Course-Recipes-Stories-Close/dp/0307464288/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326495028&sr=8-1" target="_blank">A Southerly Course</a>. Its actually her Blackberry Jellyroll recipe, but I did not have blackberry jam on hand, so I used raspberry jam instead. I had to push it through a strainer first, in order to get rid of all the seeds. I have to say, I am pleased as punch at how it turned out! I added some fresh blackberries, which I did have, and whipped cream. It was sublime. The cake is light, flavorful and a perfect foil for the jam. I can't wait to make this again, though I will try to use blackberry jam next time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bZmUSeFjp2s5w_3UpEBSIDdMPESFO0G4A9_eqOViKgFOnG2t0SFkjuXeL0bFr6NfIq3vYHXjBvpDPTNGikhRCH7nxo-pqS5w2HUYuz91gbM6nxbGJeK_zeTR3mby1bJ3r64yP-JdJMrm/s1600/BlueberryBranMuffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bZmUSeFjp2s5w_3UpEBSIDdMPESFO0G4A9_eqOViKgFOnG2t0SFkjuXeL0bFr6NfIq3vYHXjBvpDPTNGikhRCH7nxo-pqS5w2HUYuz91gbM6nxbGJeK_zeTR3mby1bJ3r64yP-JdJMrm/s200/BlueberryBranMuffins.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry Bran Muffins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The hardest part of making the jellyroll was beating the room temp eggs for at least 6 minutes on high, which is the minimum that Martha suggests. I beat it for 7 minutes and then quite a bit more after adding the sugar. Other than that, the ingredients are simple and the directions are easy to follow. If you have never made a jellyroll before, I urge you to give it a whirl. One last tip though, beat the eggs in a medium to large bowl, they seem to triple in volume.<br />
The Blueberry Bran muffins are the healthiest muffins I made today. I have made these before, usually during blueberry season though. They have wheat bran, whole wheat flour, and applesauce in place of butter or oil. I love these for breakfast with a glass of milk. I modified the original recipe to include some lemon zest, cinnamon and an extra 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries. I have made them with frozen, and they turn out just fine. Here is the recipe if you are so inclined to make them...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 1.5em;">Blueberry Bran Muffins </span>Makes 12 muffins<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Preheat oven to 375<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">°</span>F<span style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg 2', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">1 ½ C bran (I use wheat bran, but don’t see why you couldn’t use oat bran or another type)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">1C milk (I use skim)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">1 egg lightly beaten<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">2/3 C brown sugar<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">½ C unsweetened applesauce or plain yogurt (could try vanilla, lemon or blueberry I bet)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">1 tsp lemon or orange zest (optional)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">1 tsp vanilla<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">½ C whole wheat flour<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">½ C unbleached all purpose flour<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">1 tsp baking soda<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">1 tsp baking powder<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">½ tsp salt<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">1 ½ C fresh blueberries (original recipe calls for 1 cup, but I like a LOT of blueberries in my muffins!)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Combine bran and milk in medium bowl and soak for 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Combine egg, sugar, applesauce (or yogurt), lemon (or orange) zest and vanilla in a separate bowl and then add to bran and milk mixture.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining dry ingredients: flours, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Add wet mixture to dry mixture and mix until just combined.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Gently fold in blueberries.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Fill lined or greased muffin tin.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick or knife inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
Happy Baking Y'all!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-64947391642666835702011-12-29T19:23:00.000-05:002011-12-29T19:23:45.990-05:00Wrapping up 2011<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGqyA8_PjgGnpdLAAZssFgV5hTgyoe_4tDT8q7HeOXwmWDD7CMQy73EP0CUOsLwq1NygsuU9mg2LXeaDeq3AbXS4ZiISj72FFpKEvYjSgT61mrjJ-43f8BAweaTYYqv4qIzX6z_NdOD6T/s1600/XmasLights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGqyA8_PjgGnpdLAAZssFgV5hTgyoe_4tDT8q7HeOXwmWDD7CMQy73EP0CUOsLwq1NygsuU9mg2LXeaDeq3AbXS4ZiISj72FFpKEvYjSgT61mrjJ-43f8BAweaTYYqv4qIzX6z_NdOD6T/s320/XmasLights.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Light Show Extravaganza</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Here we are, on the precipice of 2012 with just a couple days left to 2011. Since it has been quite some time since I've updated my blog, I am going to do a year-end wrap up, and then jump right into the new year, all fresh and shiny! I have a small journal that I have used as an address book for at least 20 years now, and I occasionally make journal entries, usually right around this time of year. Unfortunately, I have just about run out of pages to write in and will have to transfer all the "good" addresses to a new journal soon. There is something about this time of year that makes me want to take stock and review the last year, writing it down for posterity, though I don't even know if anyone other than myself will ever read it. I know I am not alone in this, I know many other people write letters (my father-in-law), recount the year's happenings in a pretty and roomy Christmas card (my mom) or blog. However, I struggle with how much to write and where.<br />
In my journal, with pen or pencil, I write the highlights, hitting mostly the highs, just touching on the lows, careful not to write anything that might hurt one of my kids in the future, should they happen to read it. With this blog, I am also careful not to step on toes or write anything that I would not want everyone in the world to read, because you just never know who will end up reading your blog someday, really. So as I look back over the year, how important is it that I am totally open, in my journal or here? Do I want to look back at bad feelings or miserable situations in 10 years? I don't think so. Why don't I think so? Because when I think back on all those things that were such a big deal 20 years ago, things that hurt me or got my blood boiling with rage (yes, rage sometimes), I find that I am so over them and look at them as so insignificant and silly, I wish I had not wasted any emotional or mental time on them. Really wishing I had had the maturity to let so much of it just go and not affect my life so much at the time. But I suppose that is part of gaining wisdom, living long enough to reflect on days past and being able to put things into perspective in a healthy way, letting go of anger and resentments that steal away our ability to focus and enjoy the good things in our lives. I think I am most grateful that I can now recognize similar situations when they arise and no longer let myself get lost in negative emotion, but have learned how to process what is really upsetting me and figure out what I need to do to let go or move on to a better place.<br />
Don't get me wrong, I am no saint, I still have to process difficult things, vent and explore why they are upsetting to me or why someone I care about did something that was hurtful, cruel, unkind or deceitful, but I don't have to think about it 24 hours a day, for days on end, which is incredibly freeing, believe me. I am also thoughtless, even cruel sometimes, and I can be very blunt, but if I catch myself or if someone else does, I try to apologize and make things right. But I am human, as we all are, and I cut myself slack the same way I cut others slack, because you just don't know what is going on. Like icebergs, we just see the tip above the water and have no idea how big it really is beneath the surface. And don't get me started on boundaries, I could write a book on setting personal boundaries. But, obviously, I have digressed...<br />
So I don't include a lot of details of personal or family turmoil. People and situations change, I've lived long enough to see it for myself. Instead, I choose to record those things that I will be happy to read about in 5, 10, 15 or more years, those things that will make me happy to remember and that will make my family happy if they ever read them. Besides, there is enough negative, shocking and crazy on TV these days with all the reality shows, I just couldn't compete with all that!<br />
Which brings me to my year in review, or at least the last several months. I have to start with my survival of this past semester of classes. Object Oriented Programming (OOP), SQL Database Management, JavaScript and Drawing I. Passed them all, hallelujah! SQL was my least favorite, though it was taught by one of my favorite instructors. Databases are so valuable, but I am happy to have an understanding of them and have already accepted that it is one area that I will always have to hire out, and that is OK. Drawing I was quite a surprise. I can actually draw, no really, I can! All my life I have believed that because I could not<br />
"color inside the lines" as a kid, that I could never learn to draw well. If anyone reading this has ever dreamed of learning to draw, listen to me now and go register for a drawing class. It kept the right side of my brain active and very happy, so much so that I am taking Drawing II next semester. I may scan a couple of my drawings and upload them later, but no promises. I loved OOP and JavaScript, though both were extremely challenging. Overall, I had a very good semester and am further committed to becoming a web developer.<br />
Maybe you are wondering about my new grandson? Grandpa and I went to visit in August and fell in love, as I knew we would. He is the most adorable baby on the planet and I wish my son and his family lived so much closer! We saw him again in December when my daughter-in-law came for a visit, but it was too short of course. At least there is such a thing as Skype and my son sends me pictures and videos right to my phone. You have to love technology! He'll be 6 months in January, time is just flying by.<br />
We added a new lion head bunny, "PJ," to our family but lost our beloved pet bunny, "Stella," this year. So far, "PJ" is pretty well traveled. We have taken him on a couple of road trips this year and he has been a trooper. Luckily, he is only 3 1/2 lbs, so he is easy to take along for a few days. He has also become a house bunny, which sounds funny now that I write it. Apparently, if you want to move a rabbit to the outdoors, you have to start in the summer, so they have time to develop a winter coat by the time the colder months roll around. We started too late and the vet said "no." Which means we have a rabbit in our living room for the winter. We let him out often and love to watch him hop and leap around the room, he is very cute.<br />
I spent less time cooking than I would have liked, but the summer was so hot and humid, the kitchen was the second to last place I wanted to be (outside was the very last place I wanted to be). School was so busy, no time to cook this fall or winter either, except for a couple days when I had a couple extra free hours, but those were rare. But I had a lovely time putting on a high tea baby shower for my daughter-in-law in June, picking strawberries with my husband and making freezer jam and making my own Italian ragu meat sauce for the first time. I missed my kitchen, but it isn't going anywhere.<br />
There were some great new discoveries this year including:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Pinterest (a social networking site that lets you "pin" images from all over the web</li>
<li>Google Chrome Developer Tools (OMG, love, love, love!!!)</li>
<li>Polish Market downstate on Dequinder and 15 Mile Rd</li>
<li>New Dim Sum restaurant "East Lake" in Rochester, MI</li>
<li>Conte crayon and canson paper</li>
<li>Google Chrome browser (can't live without it now!)</li>
<li>Polish mushroom cream cheese (Bagel, cracker, butter knife)</li>
<li>Words With Friends facebook word game</li>
<li>Fennel (new favorite veggie, I think that was this year)</li>
<li>Local pasty truck and local falafel cart</li>
<li>Southern Sweet Tea!</li>
<li>TV shows -- Bones, Torchwood and True Blood</li>
</ul><br />
I think it has been a healthy, productive, inspiring, exciting and overall excellent year...hope next year is just as great!Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-44622760710404162442011-10-01T15:12:00.000-04:002011-10-01T15:12:08.611-04:00Drive by post...Perfectly Prepped article in Whole Living magazine <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.purplekale.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/2mins_dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.purplekale.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/2mins_dinner.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From this...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> My latest issue of Whole Living magazine has a wonderful article with recipes for stocking your fridge with ready to go components of great meals. This means that with some simple prep work every few days, you can have wonderful meals ready to whip up in just a few minutes every night. I already tried this in part and it works great! You have to buy the magazine to read the article since it is just out, but here is a link to another article about the woman behind this <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mise_en_place">mise en place</a>, </i>a technique that every restaurant already uses to prep and put things together quickly. I have decided that I will be keeping pasta in the fridge always, along with either cous cous, rice, polenta or other whole grain that keeps its shape well under refrigeration. I am also going to keep some type of pesto on hand, two seasonal veggies (pumpkin going into the oven later today) and two proteins, like slow roasted pork shoulder and roasted chicken on hand. I'll experiment with other things like the balsamic poached figs, carmelized onion jam and golden raisin vinaigrette that are mentioned in the Whole Living article too. Lastly, I'll just keep some basic parmesean and sharp cheddar around too. Now off to make the cous cous and noodles for this week...pork shoulder is already done. <a href="http://brooklynbased.net/email/2010/10/secrets-of-a-well-stocked-fridge/">http://brooklynbased.net/email/2010/10/secrets-of-a-well-stocked-fridge/</a> I'd love to hear what you all think of this whole concept, I am so excited, being so busy with school lately.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nonabrooklyn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/purplekalefridge_20101112033910_400.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://nonabrooklyn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/purplekalefridge_20101112033910_400.png" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "prepped" fridge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.purplekale.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/our_story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.purplekale.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/our_story.jpg" width="233" /></a><br />
...to this!Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-57683178932353726432011-07-20T14:03:00.001-04:002011-07-20T14:08:14.997-04:00Gumballs and Dreamweaver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsU6ciZd8uafoQHSQMsqbsI7vSkfk2ihXJqiiXoPccrLrPBVHOJxnKAh0PUWZQfD43-Y7FPvXNZ6zPuOXNXpT6EFZ8Mf_nIC_LPpAOU0hTOnc4ylnhrDI_AB3J-XB2IVRrQ0kDZUBuqm4N/s1600/sugar-free-gumballs-19lbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsU6ciZd8uafoQHSQMsqbsI7vSkfk2ihXJqiiXoPccrLrPBVHOJxnKAh0PUWZQfD43-Y7FPvXNZ6zPuOXNXpT6EFZ8Mf_nIC_LPpAOU0hTOnc4ylnhrDI_AB3J-XB2IVRrQ0kDZUBuqm4N/s1600/sugar-free-gumballs-19lbs.jpg" /></a></div> My art for yesterday and today is not here. I am helping my youngest create a website. She is taking a class for kids at the college this week and as one of the youngest, is having a hard time understanding Adobe Dreamweaver. I can't say that I don't understand her position, after all, she is only eleven. So we have been spending some quality time with her "TC Gumball" website. Of course, she has the vision of a kid, wants a bright pink background and light pink text, my eyes hurt even now, just thinking about it. I don't want to steer her too much at this age, I just want her to enjoy the process of creating. So it is hard to read, heck, hard to even look at for any length of time, but she is very happy so far. Of course, the good thing about all this is that it is forcing me to practice using Dreamweaver myself, and I realize now that I am going to have to go through my "Dreamweaver Classroom in a Book," text that I bought last year. I bought the book because the instructor was not so great and knew that I would need to teach a lot of it to myself. I get the HTML and CSS, but the program is very complex with so many menus bars and tool bars, I knew I needed to spend more time with it. Now that I am helping my daughter, I see why, I had just forgotten to get to it.<br />
By the way, you can try out the Bubblegum Run Widget she wanted to include on her "Game" page below. If you click the link, you can copy and embed the game in your own page as well, or maybe your child's? It was a fun little thing we found that she wanted to include on her site.<br />
Of course, this all reminds me that I am supposed to be teaching myself Javascript this summer, as well as basic SQL and reviewing C#, Access and XML. All of a sudden I have butterflies in my stomach! I think after this weekend, I will be creating a daily schedule for myself until I get back to school, in about 5 weeks! I have to squeeze in some time to visit my new grandson as well, but I can always take one of the books with me and my laptop...oh, I always have such good intentions!<br />
<br />
<script src="http://cdn.widgetserver.com/syndication/subscriber/InsertWidget.js" type="text/javascript">
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</script><noscript>Get the &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/bubblegum-run"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Bubblegum Run&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; widget and many other &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;great free widgets&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; at &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.widgetbox.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Widgetbox&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;! Not seeing a widget? (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://docs.widgetbox.com/using-widgets/installing-widgets/why-cant-i-see-my-widget/"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;More info&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;)</noscript>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-81412820937196712592011-07-18T19:46:00.008-04:002011-07-18T20:07:55.156-04:00Daily Art Post July 18, 2011<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q44DhpTS9BXtP3_U68xpJT69uDo98MlR9Q2WVzgMpC904PEl1DA1sZS2YiLF_U0kL2sk4uM2tKYsMKCOBwDilhhXYjaoHCt-vaymMoaQVdIVxJ0Y7iVagNn4oUPXLL-A7dD7XlkWrb3P/s1600/summertimeBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q44DhpTS9BXtP3_U68xpJT69uDo98MlR9Q2WVzgMpC904PEl1DA1sZS2YiLF_U0kL2sk4uM2tKYsMKCOBwDilhhXYjaoHCt-vaymMoaQVdIVxJ0Y7iVagNn4oUPXLL-A7dD7XlkWrb3P/s400/summertimeBanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summertime! banner created with InDesign and Photoshop CS4</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Today I played with a photograph I took of some of my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianthus">Dianthus</a> flowers last summer. I wanted to make a banner in <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/indesign.html">Adobe InDesign</a>, so I started with the flowers, since I wanted to create letters with the Dianthus image as the "color" of the text. I am posting the process in backward order just to be difficult.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBtWmOMQ7EMerbY9hmby_TJN1JJRZN1nGdf1F39NeR3e07w34GFLtLWbBKrG2MZeHHVUEwY7KRnuEz-iJx74-SS_BKBw-JePHE5i2i0vAke3d9dniq1M9EB_zNJwsg_IYjttgVgTlJqZr/s1600/summertime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBtWmOMQ7EMerbY9hmby_TJN1JJRZN1nGdf1F39NeR3e07w34GFLtLWbBKrG2MZeHHVUEwY7KRnuEz-iJx74-SS_BKBw-JePHE5i2i0vAke3d9dniq1M9EB_zNJwsg_IYjttgVgTlJqZr/s320/summertime.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The InDesign piece before I imported it to Photoshop</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The very top banner is the finished banner, cropped in <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html">Photoshop</a> and with two borders added, also in Photoshop.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivemS-qbV993_aQsieDi1FE8ku2aQzpziJpted6iT3xPmljFPnylnDq16NCZfcu4qoMJggTxy9FEfRBAP2yMmLc8UrcwEdh6tptUJRW46HiOniLzl8tCG01yC0liByFGujAe6rlEg_SLAL/s1600/DianthusRainbowPosterizedCutoutStep4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivemS-qbV993_aQsieDi1FE8ku2aQzpziJpted6iT3xPmljFPnylnDq16NCZfcu4qoMJggTxy9FEfRBAP2yMmLc8UrcwEdh6tptUJRW46HiOniLzl8tCG01yC0liByFGujAe6rlEg_SLAL/s320/DianthusRainbowPosterizedCutoutStep4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filters: Paint Daub, Posterize, Cutout</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
The second image is the "Summertime!" lettering<br />
and background created in InDesign. I converted the type to outlines so I could put the Dianthus image into it. After I added a fun yellow stroke detail to the letters, I added the bright and sunny yellow background. I saved as I went along, nothing like losing all your work because the program quit, which has happened before, maddening is putting it mildly. After I saved it as an InDesign file, I exported it as a JPEG file. I closed out of InDesign and then opened up Photoshop! I wish I had CS5 or CS5.5, but I am still very happy with what I can do using CS4. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuyeXVSmj-S3XeYiG-mJiujHB_ZAag_pK-aBkuVBmZtCsXrRvZUpwL__Pe99NDJkZGU9ltBNyeS0b_YvBo4FY74P60WK57jADtJgoq9bVxlk-PZnanSA-4zTa9x6TcjnWiJv4gKTSmELE/s1600/DianthusRainbowPosterizedStep3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuyeXVSmj-S3XeYiG-mJiujHB_ZAag_pK-aBkuVBmZtCsXrRvZUpwL__Pe99NDJkZGU9ltBNyeS0b_YvBo4FY74P60WK57jADtJgoq9bVxlk-PZnanSA-4zTa9x6TcjnWiJv4gKTSmELE/s320/DianthusRainbowPosterizedStep3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filter order: Paint Daub, Posterized</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
Photoshop filters are so much fun, I could spend hours playing with them and never getting off just one image, they are addictive! I started with the first<br />
Dianthus image at the bottom of my post here. I<br />
cropped it and then adjusted the red color intensity and it created this cool rainbow effect. I think I used the "paint daub" filter after that, which softened it all up, but might have been another filter, I forgot already, big surprise. I really liked the softened rainbow look a lot and will probably do something else with it later, maybe use it in a ATC. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31X4_egwD21mV-YSFMwjIO2knjWFBG9YJw8sIDhskRU_EPTeOsSff7CEyLUgQGq0g6a7uircUytFI07MgCO6TFgRUS-FhLc9ThrVEK0940hWU1ZEcXoDGCaFewEk-On98ywFJX0r_gGhx/s1600/DianthusRainbowStep2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31X4_egwD21mV-YSFMwjIO2knjWFBG9YJw8sIDhskRU_EPTeOsSff7CEyLUgQGq0g6a7uircUytFI07MgCO6TFgRUS-FhLc9ThrVEK0940hWU1ZEcXoDGCaFewEk-On98ywFJX0r_gGhx/s320/DianthusRainbowStep2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red hue adjusted all the way to the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Once I had the softened painterly image, I decided it needed a bit more of an edge,<br />
<br />
so I used the "posterize" filter. It added a black edge and made the flowers "pop" a bit more. You can see that it also darkened the image, which is more of what I wanted to use to fill in my lettering. If you click on the photo, you will see a larger image with more detail. After using the posterize filter, I decided to use one last filter to take a little bit of the edge off the posterizing results. I chose the "Cutout" filter, which simplifies the image. It did cause the loss of the rainbow effect that I liked so much, but I decided I was happier with the cutout filter effect and that is what I went with.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilG6-Rb4d8DvsS9lvZU9nzXDbJ1aR6C-zMgAnzJbfhOE827OI_R96cnRzdLVmRNbdHx8t7tB_RfD80m9diiSSw3Mv5jya_im5HBd6_5kmWMJ5MVgJvPtJ2uxbXAUEKcFGMkHQmsRyGjCpo/s1600/DianthusStart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilG6-Rb4d8DvsS9lvZU9nzXDbJ1aR6C-zMgAnzJbfhOE827OI_R96cnRzdLVmRNbdHx8t7tB_RfD80m9diiSSw3Mv5jya_im5HBd6_5kmWMJ5MVgJvPtJ2uxbXAUEKcFGMkHQmsRyGjCpo/s320/DianthusStart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My original photograph</td></tr>
</tbody></table> My last steps were to save the image as a JPEG file and then<br />
<br />
"Place" it into the InDesign file I had already started. I selected it and "cut" it from the place where I had placed it and then selected the lettering outlines and selected "Place into." I moved the image around and resized it a few times to get it right where I wanted it.<br />
Let me just say (not again!), creating art everyday is more time consuming than I thought it would be, I am not meeting my own personal quota of one piece everyday. But I feel wonderful every time I create something new, especially when I get a chance to use those programs I spent so much time learning over the last two years in school. It makes me happy. Really happy.<br />
So if you are itching to make something yourself, anything at all, I have just one thing to tell you..."do it!"Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-84979851881130346782011-07-18T16:48:00.001-04:002011-07-18T17:55:17.158-04:00Drive-by post: Border's bookstore, the end of an era<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvB6lQ5kzPwF2JnHCAMj3oTxU06fY3wvh7tdav3wWLg9Ht0DG63fA4Bw8sSMLJHrte9jCWcrazY7RPUd9c-R74vsG6IqSuWCw4RIBB0ZsC7LWzQaKjIItptsDAZefeorAtR7bOKnprIl4h/s1600/TCBordersBooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvB6lQ5kzPwF2JnHCAMj3oTxU06fY3wvh7tdav3wWLg9Ht0DG63fA4Bw8sSMLJHrte9jCWcrazY7RPUd9c-R74vsG6IqSuWCw4RIBB0ZsC7LWzQaKjIItptsDAZefeorAtR7bOKnprIl4h/s320/TCBordersBooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Say it isn't so! Just heard the news today, I am beyond sad, beyond blue, beyond heartbroken! I love my local <a href="http://www.borders.com/online/store/Home">Border's bookstore</a> and have spent countless hours and money at many others around the state of Michigan and in Austin,TX. I feel like a huge part of my reading life is over, I am soooooooooooo bummed. I admit that I spend money on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon</a> and at our big local book store, <a href="http://www.horizonbooks.com/">Horizon Books</a>, but I still spend money at Border's. I guess it wasn't enough. I am going to get over it, I know, but I do have so many wonderful memories of time spent at Border's. I had my first yoga class there, believe it or not. I've bought art books, self help books, a zillion children's books for my kids, journals and hundreds of magazines. I thought the last <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201607/">Harry Potter</a> movie was the end of an era, ha! This closing of a beloved bookstore is really the end of an era. Maybe I'll wake up in a moment and it will have just been a bad dream? Or maybe there will be a white knight, and he/she will save the company? I feel as if I will be lamenting about this for a very long time. I feel just awful. You can read more about this sad news <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110717/COL01/107170485/Mitch-Albom-Borders-fades-does-bookstore-magic?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|p">here</a>. It is a story by <a href="http://mitchalbom.com/">Mitch Albom</a> from yesterday, which I only just read. Pity party anyone?Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-14454034182872959772011-07-16T21:26:00.002-04:002011-07-17T20:00:23.222-04:00Daily Art Post July 16, 2011<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoL9Ef5YLa5aTLLrJAQniIw2nk2ndPwlNL-6H0kbCF5ExFs9cWx_ZDZxKa4ppaTcqIZUlTaWoThzPUo3isZi8uhx6kk8eyeQbAF7jmrd2ZTsTp9GPf3uAwPWnP_F9Dc24ovTrvw-VJsMf/s1600/MushroomHouse7-16-11BWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoL9Ef5YLa5aTLLrJAQniIw2nk2ndPwlNL-6H0kbCF5ExFs9cWx_ZDZxKa4ppaTcqIZUlTaWoThzPUo3isZi8uhx6kk8eyeQbAF7jmrd2ZTsTp9GPf3uAwPWnP_F9Dc24ovTrvw-VJsMf/s320/MushroomHouse7-16-11BWeb.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom House pencil sketch B</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Again, a bit behind on the art posting. I'm not going to throw out any excuses though, just going to post a couple images of my "Mushroom Houses." I love to draw these for some strange reason. One of my Flash animation projects included a mushroom house I drew and then brought to life. I love miniature things, I always have. I know kids love miniature things, mine always did. My son liked micro machines, those tiny little cars and my daughters both like the Polly Pocket and Littlest Petshop toys. I have never outgrown my fascination for miniature things, and I can actually remember when my fascination began, believe it or not. I was pretty young, maybe seven or eight years old. I saw an episode of "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_of_the_Giants">Land of the Giants</a>," and was so taken with it, I dreamed of having little people to "play" with for a long time after that. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gz-l9pCS7DQJSj31GhiZD9pPh30Puhh1lcDhtpFEMJEdpjYrNrF-VDx-5dbEXSiQyU8k4e_z4j4K8GTwJtp-zagYCcn8tQFbyrCLnjn8HP2xwmjYHawnqhfavm0y9m4SVFB2L2s7E3D3/s1600/mushroomHouse7-16-11AWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gz-l9pCS7DQJSj31GhiZD9pPh30Puhh1lcDhtpFEMJEdpjYrNrF-VDx-5dbEXSiQyU8k4e_z4j4K8GTwJtp-zagYCcn8tQFbyrCLnjn8HP2xwmjYHawnqhfavm0y9m4SVFB2L2s7E3D3/s320/mushroomHouse7-16-11AWeb.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom House pencil sketch A</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Maybe that seems strange, but ever since then, I have loved the idea of little houses and little people. There was also a series of books illustrated by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cyndy-Szekeres/e/B001HCY100">Cyndy Szekeres</a>, with small animals that lived in homes that included cast off things from the world of people. Anyway, I have made miniature fairy cottage beads, "dress" beads and many other miniature things out of glass as well. You would think that with my love of all things small I would be into doll houses and all that, but I am not. I appreciate them, but I think I like the idea of making the small things myself instead of buying them already made with perfect details. I'm funny like that, ha ha.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4cD-en-y9r3TtOezghk-E_l9cwXZOkLbvgFR1vw-xuevHiBnA7tu8QyJDCLelQBJilmMn2gYGfDN_1DGnkQ8BfIeGhcGIbNFpnk7_n23jgAxs-FaCKCSmEExBLg2An6TTEI7bt2hR1QS/s1600/FairyHouseLisle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4cD-en-y9r3TtOezghk-E_l9cwXZOkLbvgFR1vw-xuevHiBnA7tu8QyJDCLelQBJilmMn2gYGfDN_1DGnkQ8BfIeGhcGIbNFpnk7_n23jgAxs-FaCKCSmEExBLg2An6TTEI7bt2hR1QS/s200/FairyHouseLisle.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy Cottage Lampwork glass bead</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I am also posting one of the fairy cottage beads I made a couple years ago, long sold on Etsy as well as some of my mushroom houses created with Illustrator and Photoshop, both CS4 for my Flash animation class last fall. Notice that one of them is a "morel" mushroom house. I created the tall, plainer mushroom in Illustrator and the other <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PXre6BhHfahe7MFY-v3TSRpTsZtB_lC_WK_IHoDkLMg8NCN3FHTTAwVWLowyC9p52_GkDrfrLPHQX-927KGHZtSVxEnZPPalSW7N4HLd9tX4CGk8_d2sX_JOf-MwKLSd6okSErM2ToEK/s1600/mushroom-village-BWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PXre6BhHfahe7MFY-v3TSRpTsZtB_lC_WK_IHoDkLMg8NCN3FHTTAwVWLowyC9p52_GkDrfrLPHQX-927KGHZtSVxEnZPPalSW7N4HLd9tX4CGk8_d2sX_JOf-MwKLSd6okSErM2ToEK/s320/mushroom-village-BWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom Village for Flash animation class project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>two in Photoshop, playing around with photographs and simplifying them with the "cutout" filter, one of my favorites. But they did start out with initial drawings, just so I could get my ideas out of my head, you know? I'll see if I can find the original drawings for the mushroom village and post them at a later date, maybe a follow-up mushroom art post?Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-68234151288374218772011-07-15T15:37:00.004-04:002011-07-15T15:44:28.899-04:00Wednesday, er, Friday Fab Finds!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL117b0Szrf2vBn5RiUWOtK_fiKQx5uNl1xPNzWIRducTjNtT0ZrTwG60P2IX6R4SUG32XhaHqBh0YMvipN1vO-gLb60sXybF_dKNoVJ_drOITvULalfQIsDOERk1wvDaZRbLL6ThCdazn/s1600/ShipMoonPrint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL117b0Szrf2vBn5RiUWOtK_fiKQx5uNl1xPNzWIRducTjNtT0ZrTwG60P2IX6R4SUG32XhaHqBh0YMvipN1vO-gLb60sXybF_dKNoVJ_drOITvULalfQIsDOERk1wvDaZRbLL6ThCdazn/s320/ShipMoonPrint.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage moonlight print</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Ok, so I am two day late with this post, but considering that I became a Grandmama on Tuesday, I actually have a very good excuse for not getting this post up any sooner. If you want to see pictures and video of my new grandson, click <a href="http://thequeenoftides.blogspot.com/2011/07/new-grandson-video.html">here</a> or <a href="http://thequeenoftides.blogspot.com/2011/07/just-call-me-grandmama.html">here</a>. He is in another state far away, which means I won't see him for a few weeks yet, but he comes home from the hospital today and I just know my son will be Skyping me so I can have a virtual visit. What a boon technology is sometimes.<br />
Alrighty, back to my Fab Finds for this week. The first is a print of a ship sailing under the moonlight. I think it is from the 20's or 30's because of the frame and print style. I actually collect these kind of prints, I think they are charming and romantic. I only collect moonlight scenes though, so that is a challenge. I have three or four so far, and I love them all. This one came from an estate sale in my own neighborhood. I sent my daughter over on the half off day and she asked them hold it for me. It was $8 but I got it for $4, so I was a very happy camper. I have rules about the things I collect. I won't pay more than a certain amount, no matter what it is. I won't pay over $10 for a moonlight print from that era, but they don't usually have more than $4-$20 on them. I also like to wait until the half off day, unless I am in love with a certain piece, but it still has to fall within the budget I've set for that type of object.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqkRCEuAGKSRUcdPyCyBbQS-f2Dg5NoGrWpOLy-sz94LTBFJmTHRZ0X4SY9PupF0alXz8S9etKM_679fccjvoSRU32XqzzNXUAcl6on-mn6aUnCZM-slgfe7OwEbBOI0oawTUOzOhHnx4/s1600/LuncheonSetInd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqkRCEuAGKSRUcdPyCyBbQS-f2Dg5NoGrWpOLy-sz94LTBFJmTHRZ0X4SY9PupF0alXz8S9etKM_679fccjvoSRU32XqzzNXUAcl6on-mn6aUnCZM-slgfe7OwEbBOI0oawTUOzOhHnx4/s320/LuncheonSetInd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack or luncheon set, one of four sets</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Moving on, the next find is a snack set. The rectangular glass bottom is so decorative and the emerald green cup so striking in contrast, I thought they would be fun to actually use sometime with family or company. There were four sets that came in the original box, though it was very worn out, the sets were in mint condition. I think these were popular wedding gifts that were rarely used. Meant for a particular type of entertaining that was well imagined, but obviously not very popular. I see these sets at thrift shops, resale stores, garage sales and estate sales, usually priced on the low side and many times missing either the trays, or cups or a combination thereof. This set is gorgeous and I can't wait to use them to serve lunch or an evening snack here at home. I made the mistake of photographing only one set on a very textured background, which hides a lot of the fun detail in the tray. When I serve something with them I'll take a better photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_j4dgvV5M_flVReCz3Nn7MaGIKw87uQAdeDwqZK9XJXT7o_ztuFbFY33HdcMatr1cRZ711P3s8GbMEjNbxTi4YXerWrjjc_Z3b4XFF-OKhHysrtt5v26ZqNBDZ44jRYnaoWp54dqvWv9/s1600/BirdFamilyFigurine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_j4dgvV5M_flVReCz3Nn7MaGIKw87uQAdeDwqZK9XJXT7o_ztuFbFY33HdcMatr1cRZ711P3s8GbMEjNbxTi4YXerWrjjc_Z3b4XFF-OKhHysrtt5v26ZqNBDZ44jRYnaoWp54dqvWv9/s200/BirdFamilyFigurine.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird family figurine</td></tr>
</tbody></table> My next find was this sweet and charming (let me just say now that I am a sucker for anything I deem "charming," so that will be in the description of many finds). It is a mother bird with two baby birds or fledglings. The glaze colors are soft and muted, almost dreamy. The trio are well placed and hold my interest. There is no identifying mark or name on the bottom, but it is definitely not a piece made within the last 20 years, of that much I am sure. Either way, it is a small figurine that I can tuck in anywhere among my treasure in my house and it was marked $1, so on the half off day at the estate sale I bought it from, I paid .50 cents. Wouldn't it be great to find out it is a rare and costly piece someday? But even if it isn't I bought this piece for the pleasure it gives me to see it, not as a resale investment, though I don't discount that possibility someday. My home can only hold so many treasures...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcPLtbXIutJdKlJZkiQKgCS7tDkF9DceiDQF2K6-fs21J6gjInVUBwW7HNKmnwp1gKBUte0cclodS4ydpXNH0lnP_3mruu-hNQRaHrj1dCoUN245vt0_UJlIdGnKxT7x739n6sBbldh88/s1600/NapkinUmbrella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcPLtbXIutJdKlJZkiQKgCS7tDkF9DceiDQF2K6-fs21J6gjInVUBwW7HNKmnwp1gKBUte0cclodS4ydpXNH0lnP_3mruu-hNQRaHrj1dCoUN245vt0_UJlIdGnKxT7x739n6sBbldh88/s320/NapkinUmbrella.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbrella napkin holder</td></tr>
</tbody></table> My last fab find for today's show and tell is also my favorite. I have never seen such a thing and although it is a cheap little thing, I absolutely fell in love with it! I think you can tell by just looking at the photo what it is, but if not, let me enlighten you. It is an umbrella luncheon napkin holder. The napkins are folded a certain way (similar to folding paper to cut out paper snowflakes) and the point of each one is then inserted into a narrow slot near the bottom and then that point rests on a little ledge just below the slot it was passed through. The end result is the most charming (see, what did I tell you?) napkin umbrella! I got this at a local thrift shop for the unheard of price of .75 cents!!! I would have gladly paid 20 times that (shh, but don't tell anyone), it is so unique and right up my alley as someone who likes to have "tea" and enjoys all the <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/accoutrements">accoutrements</a> of tea. I love the curved umbrella handle too, the whole thing is just so clever.<br />
Next week, I have some fun pieces to show off that I have been modifying...hope they are finished by then, I'm still working on my t-shirt redo and my daughter's tunic. Not hard, but becoming a Grandmama threw me off my game. But I have the weekend ahead of me and I can't wait to finish those projects. I will post the finished photos as soon as they are done, promise. I feel like we are going to have a stellar weekend, I wish the same for all of you!<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0062007319&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0811836738&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1845972066&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-75726758214684201182011-07-13T13:11:00.003-04:002011-07-13T13:28:12.431-04:00New Grandson Video!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVnfpGCe5DqkQ1okulb3VbeaWrv-uG3iAwSfqazRcLyCHYq_7frUABPurQLVXsxvVDujpfhmG4Yn9vAaVlqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> A second video of my new grandson. My son sent it to me this morning after I requested "more." Oh how I wish I was there and could hold my sweet little grandson right this moment! His glucose level was a bit low so the hospital has him on a glucose drip for now, he was four weeks early. A couple more photos to share as well. Oh the joy of falling in love with a baby, I feel completely blissful today.<br />
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Wednesday Fab Finds is not cancelled, I will post that separately later today...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l5vI3Zm4rwjt6tlU0rwJsOF73JSKLdCvMaDvD2IbDfp011xu5fsv2nYXNsvisJlST-GsG-yA-vv62gk2_926Lq_hyphenhyphenj5uXvSkdQWL4OJbb7GxaNrb6N0IriA4bbT3haw8AUtqfoySRX8U/s1600/BabyWes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l5vI3Zm4rwjt6tlU0rwJsOF73JSKLdCvMaDvD2IbDfp011xu5fsv2nYXNsvisJlST-GsG-yA-vv62gk2_926Lq_hyphenhyphenj5uXvSkdQWL4OJbb7GxaNrb6N0IriA4bbT3haw8AUtqfoySRX8U/s400/BabyWes3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All a-snooze</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCq6VedoYNSxhlizsQLurcditLOPqGvSS8oyTtBv8qVe3d8CcF2BSishbsLaZkxpxkW0sdgxokX01MhF1toNn2wHBa_rBhZmL71hi08N4vtYtcGDZaNMP6V1FpKpN89Ee7uStFiW8EZiM/s1600/BabyWes4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCq6VedoYNSxhlizsQLurcditLOPqGvSS8oyTtBv8qVe3d8CcF2BSishbsLaZkxpxkW0sdgxokX01MhF1toNn2wHBa_rBhZmL71hi08N4vtYtcGDZaNMP6V1FpKpN89Ee7uStFiW8EZiM/s400/BabyWes4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peering out into the new world</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWHdrf1taKyyXPDQuFxq-qc1XzDMInpufbu6qalbDw54wZzgNEXA6zaQKcziVRm3o2JjMiOiRmvntTIzXHgO9oRB5kfSzO09Vp8p07GJOVfNhB_lIRS3fE4ABi4oDFjImUFT-47awvlG1/s1600/BabyWes5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWHdrf1taKyyXPDQuFxq-qc1XzDMInpufbu6qalbDw54wZzgNEXA6zaQKcziVRm3o2JjMiOiRmvntTIzXHgO9oRB5kfSzO09Vp8p07GJOVfNhB_lIRS3fE4ABi4oDFjImUFT-47awvlG1/s400/BabyWes5.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My phone's new screensaver, so in Love!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-5097566888051228902011-07-12T18:55:00.004-04:002011-07-12T22:34:29.737-04:00Just call me Grandmama!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyTZ6p_G6SU69siBWY4HiWyIyPjBIygtHLN4D9SYbkT81qVDoMrpzQ7azEcAQfajkTyoW_aroYejUTBF4h11g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> <br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xOu3ibvBGb0Rg3ZHUYdVld11FdjKL5WA4VHzDub_2ioJaCFcRFyoKZw2-byPNSI2M8IuDBKj_7CDV937E94wBbl6GJq2Kiia5NVY999L1xh7No6eixEtmP4q8uxZQbMSpDv3pbJF532p/s1600/BabyWes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xOu3ibvBGb0Rg3ZHUYdVld11FdjKL5WA4VHzDub_2ioJaCFcRFyoKZw2-byPNSI2M8IuDBKj_7CDV937E94wBbl6GJq2Kiia5NVY999L1xh7No6eixEtmP4q8uxZQbMSpDv3pbJF532p/s400/BabyWes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All swaddled and snoozing</td></tr>
</tbody></table> It is now official, I am a grandmother, abuelita, grandma, etc. My heart has grown another chamber, so in love with my new grandson and I haven't even had the opportunity to hold him yet! But soon enough, though really it won't be soon enough. He arrived this morning, weighing in at 6 lbs 10.6 oz and 18.25 inches long. He is a perfect little angel, I'm in love all over again. You think after you are done having your own children that you won't feel that intense love for another baby, but it is just as intense. The heartstrings pass from you, through your children and connect to their children, oh it is such a sweet ache. Here are a few more photos my son sent to me from the hospital...Baby love, my baby love...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBdykGFzvIQlNHZwWJMxgJJkmVaOSGtcfe9W1puSPs0aHO3UmNEKtVCzAG_d-o0x4jFWIm_OMgALBMbODnov2wbck9Q8OUwjzhG2zGlK_jqvDFYoddZv3V2IZRjrbLZb1lZzfstfwpdhQ/s1600/KarlAndWes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBdykGFzvIQlNHZwWJMxgJJkmVaOSGtcfe9W1puSPs0aHO3UmNEKtVCzAG_d-o0x4jFWIm_OMgALBMbODnov2wbck9Q8OUwjzhG2zGlK_jqvDFYoddZv3V2IZRjrbLZb1lZzfstfwpdhQ/s320/KarlAndWes.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Wes with his proud papa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapxmoom3J5A2KI4Z-sCm6WdUFUS_hj7zCHHxdqatJHvSGMh7EHBQaNKVKNWN7XINxk5u-xDbXbxr7tiYKKUXVTEn50tfOu1lspmmw4ViyQ3aJWkEz8EAeoflv0WsvNZs6ImFcOastL97C/s1600/BabyWes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapxmoom3J5A2KI4Z-sCm6WdUFUS_hj7zCHHxdqatJHvSGMh7EHBQaNKVKNWN7XINxk5u-xDbXbxr7tiYKKUXVTEn50tfOu1lspmmw4ViyQ3aJWkEz8EAeoflv0WsvNZs6ImFcOastL97C/s320/BabyWes2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A miraculous bundle of joy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-43758428092494357662011-07-12T01:06:00.000-04:002011-07-12T01:06:05.463-04:00Baby on the Way!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMdkvxkco74h7Bnqit4fglMwMLe98NEkZD3pHKIHQR-yl4_1O1mWl7VWw-u8qUDjUDd5BDWRO4v4xD_gbNsWJIRzKEEWUpAmpPvVPwWcsHdFN9KKzcgYRxqxtmWpwqbKtYqLjdmin66Ww/s1600/VintageStorkBabyB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMdkvxkco74h7Bnqit4fglMwMLe98NEkZD3pHKIHQR-yl4_1O1mWl7VWw-u8qUDjUDd5BDWRO4v4xD_gbNsWJIRzKEEWUpAmpPvVPwWcsHdFN9KKzcgYRxqxtmWpwqbKtYqLjdmin66Ww/s320/VintageStorkBabyB.jpg" width="244" /></a></div> Ok, this is it! My son called just after midnight with the news that my daughter-in-law's water just broke and they were headed to the hospital! Baby is 36 weeks, a bit early, but 37-40 weeks is full term, so he is pretty close. How will I ever sleep tonight? I'm sure when I do finally fall asleep I will be dreaming of a sweet little baby grandson, wrapped in blue and babbling away. So late, I will update my blog with pics as soon as my son sends me a few sometime today I am willing to bet!!!<br />
Sweet dreams y'all...Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-23724731116083914052011-07-11T08:37:00.000-04:002011-07-11T08:37:09.745-04:00Daily Art Post for July 10<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo9y7MyK_hDHud5Xf28gFNsf3Gbq-LjXqoqOMNSe1EClwWHKbxcMJwzGIH9AvLZsrlmrTUltWxBFyQ-Uv1f43eIBAjYiefBi-Her-zfSAY84w3qZr6OhKuOEGdBx4mE-4E1CoR5utLjg1/s1600/BrushSelfPortraitWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo9y7MyK_hDHud5Xf28gFNsf3Gbq-LjXqoqOMNSe1EClwWHKbxcMJwzGIH9AvLZsrlmrTUltWxBFyQ-Uv1f43eIBAjYiefBi-Her-zfSAY84w3qZr6OhKuOEGdBx4mE-4E1CoR5utLjg1/s320/BrushSelfPortraitWeb.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to Celebrate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I was inspired to create this piece after my oldest son called me yesterday to let me know my daughter-in-law was in labor and they were on their way to the hospital. It was very exciting, he called and sent messages throughout the day and evening. Being so far away (he is in Texas), I wanted to do something to celebrate the impending birth of my new grandson. I used Photoshop CS4 and traced an old image of myself and used brushes and filters to build a colorful and layered piece. However, my son called after midnight to let me know that the contractions had slowed and they were sending my daughter-in-law home...again! This is the second false start they have experienced, so I think my new grandson is going to keep them jumping through hoops once he finally arrives. Sooo, no grandson yet, but maybe today? Or tomorrow? I have a good feeling about today...Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-18560474763818136672011-07-10T00:19:00.000-04:002011-07-10T00:19:17.084-04:00Drive-by post: Daily Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr9NvHypjffnDMJj-VsEHMGol0x3wLBRYTif0TV6fH8esxMpKI9awFtHpBIBQZRH3x6i6TV4_sqK4xRNcjJnkzFoA1kZLR4vyzlFci-XoZeE3aa2fE18bzH7iQ_jb1fXcoHg66v0Smspm/s1600/July09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr9NvHypjffnDMJj-VsEHMGol0x3wLBRYTif0TV6fH8esxMpKI9awFtHpBIBQZRH3x6i6TV4_sqK4xRNcjJnkzFoA1kZLR4vyzlFci-XoZeE3aa2fE18bzH7iQ_jb1fXcoHg66v0Smspm/s320/July09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A textured gradient created in Photoshop CS4. I just love color and filters. Might play around with In Design tomorrow or modify some of the fireworks photos I took tonight. Once I open up Photoshop, In Design, Illustrator or Flash, I just want to spend hours playing around. Fun stuff...Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-7002461293837256152011-07-08T19:05:00.005-04:002011-07-08T19:13:07.767-04:00Drive-by post: Art for July 8, 2011<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DWjJCCl_f_67Ckb9JLauMM_Kb8RtE_jMg5Khf1paAOix02ymkJdyHI4dMiH1IzrXKrsHYDYk8kqV9e4DydpWKvKLtxd9e3C5bib8E7xLLJeC0BVcR0aUGvCfA8Ob5D8TTEbBeHPZeG4Y/s1600/FerrisWheelFilters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DWjJCCl_f_67Ckb9JLauMM_Kb8RtE_jMg5Khf1paAOix02ymkJdyHI4dMiH1IzrXKrsHYDYk8kqV9e4DydpWKvKLtxd9e3C5bib8E7xLLJeC0BVcR0aUGvCfA8Ob5D8TTEbBeHPZeG4Y/s320/FerrisWheelFilters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut out filtered Ferris Wheel (Click for larger view)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Today's art work is the result of using filters in Photoshop CS4 with two of my favorite images from the Midway during Cherry Festival yesterday. The first image is of the ferris wheel, shot from below, my husband and daughter were about to get on when I took this one. I used the "cut out" filter to simplify the image and give if more of a painted feel. The "cut out" filter is one of my favorites, it can distill images in my opinion, and these often, but not always, appeal to me.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x460NNl7xycrX8vooPT98zAalxnUUEQhdE1ohZiRW2WOi0TDOpFgzWzloTa_HiovzSaKoWx-Y9sd48QxS-MzJnqqOqXOr-JkUoA4ii3UEyPy1Ng7_Jl82iVceNu9YCylQBHPDLbIgbAC/s1600/SwingRideStamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x460NNl7xycrX8vooPT98zAalxnUUEQhdE1ohZiRW2WOi0TDOpFgzWzloTa_HiovzSaKoWx-Y9sd48QxS-MzJnqqOqXOr-JkUoA4ii3UEyPy1Ng7_Jl82iVceNu9YCylQBHPDLbIgbAC/s320/SwingRideStamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stamp filter Swing Ride (Click for larger view)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The second image is the swing ride, changed with the "stamp" filter. This renders the image in black and white, a stark contrast to all the original color of the<br />
image, but no less appealing to me. Each of the filters I used includes multiple controls to adjust the levels of this or that (a technical term), including sharpness, so it takes a while to play with them and get them just right. Of course, I could use quite a few other filters for dramatically different results, but this is about me and what I am in the mood to create at any given time each day, so this is what I came up with today. I love them, hope you do too.Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-20637149184906510692011-07-08T15:51:00.001-04:002011-07-08T15:52:45.853-04:00Foodie Friday!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr-c7HrDpPEc_OtNizhtNaXoyJaSw0MqK9lySr2X4XJ2-w68q7xR_0hhdm3d-vLEGMOWqzUid4JaF-AW8VuK6oJMH-ZNz9uJVGAWc7BdfDgOLRSHEKb8aA4yk26p0ErLZhhGLqBd1bgZZ/s1600/Sunflowerbutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr-c7HrDpPEc_OtNizhtNaXoyJaSw0MqK9lySr2X4XJ2-w68q7xR_0hhdm3d-vLEGMOWqzUid4JaF-AW8VuK6oJMH-ZNz9uJVGAWc7BdfDgOLRSHEKb8aA4yk26p0ErLZhhGLqBd1bgZZ/s320/Sunflowerbutter.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Sunflower Butter</td></tr>
</tbody></table> After working in the <a href="http://www.benjamintwiggs.com/">Benjamin Twiggs</a> cherry products booth for a couple days this week for <a href="http://visit.cherryfestival.org/">Cherry Festival</a>, I got a real hankering to try the peanut and nut butters in the booth across from us. The <a href="http://www.naturallynutty.com/"> Naturally Nutty</a> people were so very nice and the products sounded soooo good, I had to try them. And they were wonderful, incredibly good butters. I ended up buying a jar of the Chocolate Sunflower Butter with flax and hemp seed and also a jar of the White Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter. Holy Moly, are these ever amazing! The kind of thing you just want to scoop out with a spoon and eat without anything else. I love the texture, not such a paste, like the store brands, but with tiny bits of the nuts to chew. I can't recommend this product enough. And so many varieties, it was hard to choose. Check out their website, most of the products are there. The <a href="http://www.naturallynutty.com/Products-Cashew_Butters.html">Cashew Butter</a> was another favorite, but it was a bit too pricey for me, maybe in a few months I'll splurge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP84SS-ohAWfz2tHs0IQWVLLWoWFLfL3CyLsEiaQogX9XVa0iFAmWt8vvc3G5UzsUFzuJOb1dBfewE1oil3YDbTVJsG5LBYtqxGgXDGzuDHuhX4MF0V4Elz23f3cYLUZO7CUFDzDyqqgnY/s1600/WhtChocCoconut.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP84SS-ohAWfz2tHs0IQWVLLWoWFLfL3CyLsEiaQogX9XVa0iFAmWt8vvc3G5UzsUFzuJOb1dBfewE1oil3YDbTVJsG5LBYtqxGgXDGzuDHuhX4MF0V4Elz23f3cYLUZO7CUFDzDyqqgnY/s200/WhtChocCoconut.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div> I almost forgot to mention, she had peanut butter cups made locally at the <a href="http://www.chocolateden.com/">Chocolate Den</a> with Naturally Nutty peanut butter, 4 for $2. I wish I'd bought $10 worth of those things, put Reeses to shame, let me tell you!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div> Ok one last thing, these nut butters are all organic, isn't that a lovely bonus? Makes you feel good about buying and eating it, right?<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0060562765&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-40773579871938540582011-07-07T19:24:00.006-04:002011-07-10T23:43:52.294-04:00Cherry Fest 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14EUdTzxITqbjIcx8naORC4tXjCHU-ULpBLSaptTN3Gj01TBZxGHlK04briftbanoiWLEXN_ipj7tSXCD8zoGspNZSOT8DhNBEgK9Xm8guk1L-iYWqZmzyG5j36mwsgh-HNvGfPTE9Jsc/s1600/CherriesWatercolorPencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14EUdTzxITqbjIcx8naORC4tXjCHU-ULpBLSaptTN3Gj01TBZxGHlK04briftbanoiWLEXN_ipj7tSXCD8zoGspNZSOT8DhNBEgK9Xm8guk1L-iYWqZmzyG5j36mwsgh-HNvGfPTE9Jsc/s200/CherriesWatercolorPencil.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watercolor pencil cherries</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We did it up today! Ate what we wanted, rode the train and walked all over the open space and midway. What a blast we had too! I got my Jumbo Smoked Turkey Leg (really), roasted corn on the cob ($3, no lie), cotton candy and even a Funnel Cake with powdered sugar. Yes, we Lived! My youngest daughter rode a few rides and my husband and I enjoyed her delight. I've never been much for those stomach dropping or spinning rides, but I love to watch my kids having fun.<br />
The cherries to the left are my art for yesterday, done with watercolor pencils, though not very well, I'm sorry to say. But I have a<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sgnvWjLTO5cnsHDW7lzRe2BwVsL8ns98Bap5ERjCr0dyiRr1BASBwIFC9yG_XYnl6gMInyh_kuRKdxjk8ghf-p_A8OeQlK1bwLBElACN39dOZh3moJ-CPJeH-viRAfx4CduJ9KY6ecCZ/s1600/TurkeyLeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sgnvWjLTO5cnsHDW7lzRe2BwVsL8ns98Bap5ERjCr0dyiRr1BASBwIFC9yG_XYnl6gMInyh_kuRKdxjk8ghf-p_A8OeQlK1bwLBElACN39dOZh3moJ-CPJeH-viRAfx4CduJ9KY6ecCZ/s400/TurkeyLeg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best $8 turkey leg I've ever had!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Drawing I class this fall and I hope the next time I draw cherries (next year) they are spectacular! My National Cherry Festival photos are my art for today. They were so much fun to take. The Jumbo Smoked Turkey Legs shot came out blurry from the train, but I had to include it, too much fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqHOX3ymP2e2nQSAuBLRl7zCepJELUZ44QswSuDm4D2MSo_fdTjxY345wwqxm1dlv8AWADFgVwNUjVT09sceIBvHI7rrkTqfEWxq2e9IT0JTgUWv6pLrQiHY-MRcT_yavTjYNMU_4HeEz/s1600/Midway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqHOX3ymP2e2nQSAuBLRl7zCepJELUZ44QswSuDm4D2MSo_fdTjxY345wwqxm1dlv8AWADFgVwNUjVT09sceIBvHI7rrkTqfEWxq2e9IT0JTgUWv6pLrQiHY-MRcT_yavTjYNMU_4HeEz/s400/Midway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Midway as seen from the train</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00quxjMY-7kEuzM_fyJrdaBbsYQwcO5hMV6Oixl2eP6E1Xhau9_G0GyGUwUWoxNYhx-1Z8dGMyXvvGTOxT1r_7Cdx528DmVF4P5v6BADzh-j56um6qd484bObpsvH3-jv2VVvythvkXRW/s1600/TurkeyAndCorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00quxjMY-7kEuzM_fyJrdaBbsYQwcO5hMV6Oixl2eP6E1Xhau9_G0GyGUwUWoxNYhx-1Z8dGMyXvvGTOxT1r_7Cdx528DmVF4P5v6BADzh-j56um6qd484bObpsvH3-jv2VVvythvkXRW/s400/TurkeyAndCorn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumbo Smoked Turkey Leg and corn on the cob. It was soooo good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UMyF7vTOvBN1IeWD9r03XOxV4CDCAjjvHGSHKYcOKopn9WKlzcDEXnD_H6mplYfgiEnA_IofsZJ9Baw7ljjp78aMMihxCppVVeFQRO7tfx6RE67zrgpJfKC3Fe0WgymG0gzJWV40MW4y/s1600/FerrisWheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UMyF7vTOvBN1IeWD9r03XOxV4CDCAjjvHGSHKYcOKopn9WKlzcDEXnD_H6mplYfgiEnA_IofsZJ9Baw7ljjp78aMMihxCppVVeFQRO7tfx6RE67zrgpJfKC3Fe0WgymG0gzJWV40MW4y/s400/FerrisWheel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two ferris wheels on the Midway</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90R23IHgYGMjnTiuUIS0s7VPl-zD2JlXbtvdDituKqUVxjcVCXqsl5VuF3iYK-VdCBm4Y2MKouETCOPJrCAKChG-RVkDyL7SGkmq_wIiEoD7gKyndGxU2DRov6OmLtOpW14E8Yk3QW8ju/s1600/CornDogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90R23IHgYGMjnTiuUIS0s7VPl-zD2JlXbtvdDituKqUVxjcVCXqsl5VuF3iYK-VdCBm4Y2MKouETCOPJrCAKChG-RVkDyL7SGkmq_wIiEoD7gKyndGxU2DRov6OmLtOpW14E8Yk3QW8ju/s400/CornDogs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby and youngest posing for me by one of the "fun" food stands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqEL041KHxHHsNKDetpmUy60FvcFJKc5bVL_84tnbkh-nr1flMUtbb4BPM5ZEMqSIxDxn9DlpRTisiTDUr5njgMioUQPpbwRrz9eNPxlzeoNRf_g8tWvLBimMNyITVPgTVvTrnlEivvCt/s1600/CaramelApples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqEL041KHxHHsNKDetpmUy60FvcFJKc5bVL_84tnbkh-nr1flMUtbb4BPM5ZEMqSIxDxn9DlpRTisiTDUr5njgMioUQPpbwRrz9eNPxlzeoNRf_g8tWvLBimMNyITVPgTVvTrnlEivvCt/s400/CaramelApples.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Caramel apples and Carousel reflection</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD-Lagpv2tZKYkhNPew9wET27g6e2S9kHsAYyjGDVrB7DamvKsCFwiUtqgB3uGRXEaDs6zCdCMRA-dFm57QkT-LQJJn9cGtckQpi7N5jH4DHK6wQluwjqjVMNkmz3geIjNWmFRPiHxP0w/s1600/Midway4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD-Lagpv2tZKYkhNPew9wET27g6e2S9kHsAYyjGDVrB7DamvKsCFwiUtqgB3uGRXEaDs6zCdCMRA-dFm57QkT-LQJJn9cGtckQpi7N5jH4DHK6wQluwjqjVMNkmz3geIjNWmFRPiHxP0w/s400/Midway4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun house, such fun colors!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiJ7jhaStuZtu4XckxErfkZbhBOW65Xivihn_tTnM0BSBtd-Ygt81eo2wZpCUM9nijCdwVDX6XRFr2y-FbZORXndmiYWzeF1wDU8yJE_bhTtFB3T4q6QuqufKWSs8b3herE6j5RY5S_0_/s1600/Midway5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiJ7jhaStuZtu4XckxErfkZbhBOW65Xivihn_tTnM0BSBtd-Ygt81eo2wZpCUM9nijCdwVDX6XRFr2y-FbZORXndmiYWzeF1wDU8yJE_bhTtFB3T4q6QuqufKWSs8b3herE6j5RY5S_0_/s400/Midway5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumper cars, we didn't ride them this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbXr4ISidqiifODiEo0MLDrmbVryeQeE42HaFmru2-Ad4FCbSf7VIwdq4AOzo8-5iFZ_Fx3B9ViUK4_PwYWUxVi-xCCPWz6XNUozE4Pheg8m1p-O8ZHUFg45KY8mp6w4gstnpghSPLh9u/s1600/Midway6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbXr4ISidqiifODiEo0MLDrmbVryeQeE42HaFmru2-Ad4FCbSf7VIwdq4AOzo8-5iFZ_Fx3B9ViUK4_PwYWUxVi-xCCPWz6XNUozE4Pheg8m1p-O8ZHUFg45KY8mp6w4gstnpghSPLh9u/s400/Midway6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sinful food row...you can hear arteries seizing up</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsMhmQ7e8zg6O4OzITg0c1WsLbIUS1aQ5SfPRHV96dAWaB_08jKZgsYL232e_twpvYj32ZuUX1iR47eWvNhEVKXZMGlfT_zg5D2kag2YWcdLRYGY6haNmafkjLU-wm3LQfw0fwg-QJR9h/s1600/SwingRide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsMhmQ7e8zg6O4OzITg0c1WsLbIUS1aQ5SfPRHV96dAWaB_08jKZgsYL232e_twpvYj32ZuUX1iR47eWvNhEVKXZMGlfT_zg5D2kag2YWcdLRYGY6haNmafkjLU-wm3LQfw0fwg-QJR9h/s400/SwingRide.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swing ride on the Midway</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_I43m3e-lNNFWzCjkM7aXBlePe1fmcM88sfIVjDM_0JSbDE3DgCtBAnF5RvBEnR507V0nH78Bz7vuLEXvLvLk6BOj2cDOCENX1nH_2dvUcGYOzvwS2eYuanCR25u0E1eCS0luMmds4Mc/s1600/BeachTrainView.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_I43m3e-lNNFWzCjkM7aXBlePe1fmcM88sfIVjDM_0JSbDE3DgCtBAnF5RvBEnR507V0nH78Bz7vuLEXvLvLk6BOj2cDOCENX1nH_2dvUcGYOzvwS2eYuanCR25u0E1eCS0luMmds4Mc/s400/BeachTrainView.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train ride view of the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcIiW958K_97TdipEW7OPeF74QdWzl12oxxmc9msnMB0naiNdW8Z8lE8r_TMVAWvJdHBgv9LsSl8CTGdgSFhCuTv3vgoNh0EF2lpt78c5dIZH0l6NmiA8HAfFdlx4AAsrqNPpsf214A51/s1600/BungeeJump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcIiW958K_97TdipEW7OPeF74QdWzl12oxxmc9msnMB0naiNdW8Z8lE8r_TMVAWvJdHBgv9LsSl8CTGdgSFhCuTv3vgoNh0EF2lpt78c5dIZH0l6NmiA8HAfFdlx4AAsrqNPpsf214A51/s400/BungeeJump.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bungee Jump, I'll pass thank you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-40339478507422824042011-07-06T14:23:00.002-04:002011-07-06T14:28:57.372-04:00Fab Find Wednesday!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhft_lPK5G362fAd2uuEabHHIGkBK8MdNcNBGIjfRoWiZZhXhPk_Ogn47HlJXIS-u10SjnuLGM3yuUtLsWw20AEHh3fnTlGJoJtoTZBn_ateChXjLBXU0n8O4QLsJn1yebKE_OsmYR-1Bn/s1600/AladdinLamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhft_lPK5G362fAd2uuEabHHIGkBK8MdNcNBGIjfRoWiZZhXhPk_Ogn47HlJXIS-u10SjnuLGM3yuUtLsWw20AEHh3fnTlGJoJtoTZBn_ateChXjLBXU0n8O4QLsJn1yebKE_OsmYR-1Bn/s320/AladdinLamp.jpg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aladdin alacite lamp</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Although it is easy enough to buy new things in every style imaginable, I love old things. Antique, vintage and hand crafted pieces call out to me whenever I walk through an antique shop. However, I can't really afford to shop in antique shops all the time, so estate, garage and yard sales, coupled with thrift and resale shops give me the chance to find hidden treasures that haven't yet made it to the higher priced antique shops. Over the last couple weeks, I've found some fabulous things, which is always exciting! I have, on occasion, found some really valuable things and sold them for extra pocket money, especially when they are things I appreciate but don't really collect or have a place for among my treasures. The lamp pictured to the left may be one of those things, I haven't decided yet. It is an Aladdin lamp from the mid 1900's, really beautiful with slightly translucent glass (alacite). One of the local thrift shops had it for $8 but sold it to me for $4, I think lamps were half off that day or something like that. I just thought it looked like it was worth more than $8 and had possibility either in my house or as something to sell later on Etsy or eBay. Turns out that it is worth a bit more than the $4 I paid. The lowest price I found online was $84.95 and the highest was $145 on eBay. But I haven't decided what to do with it yet, I kinda think I'm going to keep it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIb7u2bWsoprPk4lix-VoTSdjaBTuoaQ9LmujNBM06BRUQj9r9ly5wfG99IDVVSBz_YImJU4qRxtkWHNIa59gW_YCedynQGczYt1ohj6OtYvnfE3DJcvbltyYXoZNBQyIthrp8jDeknIq/s1600/Train-case-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIb7u2bWsoprPk4lix-VoTSdjaBTuoaQ9LmujNBM06BRUQj9r9ly5wfG99IDVVSBz_YImJU4qRxtkWHNIa59gW_YCedynQGczYt1ohj6OtYvnfE3DJcvbltyYXoZNBQyIthrp8jDeknIq/s200/Train-case-4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Samsonite train case</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Then there is a new train case I found at a new resale shop in Interlochen, a little town just a few miles away. The shop didn't seem like much at first, a bit junky, but after nosing around, I found the train case, in great condition inside and out for only $4.50! And also a cute pair of white, all cotton, summer pajamas, which I had already been searching for new all over town without any luck. I love the storage possibilities of train cases. I like to store my art supplies in them and then tuck them out of the way. Then if I am going somewhere, I can grab a case and take my supplies with me. Of course, these are too big to take and work from at the park or Dr.'s office while I am waiting, but they are great for visits to my Mom and Dad's or for vacation. I just clean them up and sometimes embellish them if they need it and voila! This one is in really good shape, so I don't think I'm going to mess with it at this point, but we'll see, sometimes I can't help myself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCrCJFNWdC1b4jC-GMss-MbeHIqiPWJeJLKjabY9l6NECuQBtEzKh5oUFx68Mdt0XtMCkkXMN6dkY2dRO3oNIWGioV4_0hGhjQSSBrVpda4_qMVYpKpGqJIa7jt81CFppJk-2pjpRhfgg/s1600/HarpShelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCrCJFNWdC1b4jC-GMss-MbeHIqiPWJeJLKjabY9l6NECuQBtEzKh5oUFx68Mdt0XtMCkkXMN6dkY2dRO3oNIWGioV4_0hGhjQSSBrVpda4_qMVYpKpGqJIa7jt81CFppJk-2pjpRhfgg/s320/HarpShelf.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small harp wall shelf</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB-KFFv5tKO4Y4pH7AvRGZE_iARiNClUP5UWnC9VkC87233I6Lve3qS07a7uJi5LhYW-SCy7TkMxvnhF8HN94UajxrpwS6-aFlCbbfJc2Q7Vhj2GZPJ_tcO-KRL_97CIVis9su0yb3z-j/s1600/SmallMirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB-KFFv5tKO4Y4pH7AvRGZE_iARiNClUP5UWnC9VkC87233I6Lve3qS07a7uJi5LhYW-SCy7TkMxvnhF8HN94UajxrpwS6-aFlCbbfJc2Q7Vhj2GZPJ_tcO-KRL_97CIVis9su0yb3z-j/s200/SmallMirror.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3" x 3" mirror</td></tr>
</tbody></table> At an estate sale last week, I found a few great pieces for display. The little harp shaped piece to the left is one of them. It was stained dark brown, but I painted it today, along with the small mirror shown here too. I love small little things like this that can easily be hung just about anywhere in the house. They add bits of charm and character and can also be easily rearranged when the mood strikes me.<br />
I should probably come clean about what I collect. When you collect a lot of things, it is easy to find something you love when you are out and about. Let's see now...I collect vintage platters, the smaller size, mostly American made like Homer Laughlin, china tea cups and saucers, mirrors, single salt or pepper shakers as well as pairs if they "speak" to me, bark cloth, Block Optic depression glass, small rabbit/bunny figurines of all types but resin, heart pins/brooches, single cordial classes, vintage linens and hankies, small fancy frames for wallet photos, lace, silver silver ware and interesting stainless silverware, pansy dishes...I think I better stop for now, you get the idea though. Someday, when I die, my kids are going to want to kill me all over again...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOTj4qs33gtTAkawAZ2KpddxyWUCrRSm4GGBCiq8t6vS1yThYL_FpmZ-E1Y1Jwzt9Tlri9i4zZ5LkEWyGN86ibEZDHZTwUELRDNe7wMXas99P3MTl42zcXxj5qSQ7eBIfUImvfeg3X-Cz/s1600/VintageAirBrushLady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOTj4qs33gtTAkawAZ2KpddxyWUCrRSm4GGBCiq8t6vS1yThYL_FpmZ-E1Y1Jwzt9Tlri9i4zZ5LkEWyGN86ibEZDHZTwUELRDNe7wMXas99P3MTl42zcXxj5qSQ7eBIfUImvfeg3X-Cz/s320/VintageAirBrushLady.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guild signed vintage air brush watercolor</td></tr>
</tbody></table> My last fab find for today is a vintage airbrush watercolor from the 1940's, signed by Guild. I have no idea who or what Guild is, I couldn't find out too much about the signature, just that there were other vintage air brush watercolors with the Guild signature out there. I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it. It is loose in the frame and the frame itself needs some tightening, but her expression and the softness of the airbrushing is just sublime. I think these type of pieces were done with stencils. I hope to hang her in my bedroom as soon as I get the frame tightened up. It was $45, but I was there on the 1/2 off day and it does have a small scratch on the skirt, so I got it for $14. I looked it up online after I got home and it is going for $300 <a href="http://www.antiques.com/classified/1102974/Antique-Framed-Print-of-Charming-Victorian-Lady-Signed-by-Guild">here</a>! Also, I did find out that there are these types of pieces in the early episodes of "I Love Lucy," and also in the movie "Batteries Not Included," which I have but haven't had time to watch lately. The piece is pretty big, 30" x 35", a nice focal piece. Right now it is on my fireplace mantel, just leaning against the wall, but she doesn't go with the deep turquoise of the room, so she can't stay there. But at least I can admire her everyday. <br />
Thanks for stopping by today and checking out my fab finds, if you found something fab, let me know, I'll post a link to your find on my blog.Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-58301298223065772162011-07-05T22:31:00.001-04:002011-07-05T22:51:25.319-04:00Torchwood, "M" and Noodle Bowl Supper<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvXi_TqxiMs4I8OxHP6Q5RMwm7ijlZ_hDn6lADjazioF2ydBiaScPRx7JkvyqkEAAm1N8JO7qRh-JSDhOImSXtiqYjbXkd_0dlt3XSqfMkYxxlrtaenIenR7Z2VC8u5AAy-8gJ8_D7kVf/s1600/Torchwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvXi_TqxiMs4I8OxHP6Q5RMwm7ijlZ_hDn6lADjazioF2ydBiaScPRx7JkvyqkEAAm1N8JO7qRh-JSDhOImSXtiqYjbXkd_0dlt3XSqfMkYxxlrtaenIenR7Z2VC8u5AAy-8gJ8_D7kVf/s1600/Torchwood.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torchwood</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I have discovered "Torchwood." It is a sci-fi British television show that is currently available on Netflix. At first I thought it was a little cheesy and risque (hope that is the correct word here), but it got better and I admit, I am hooked. There is a new Torchwood series starting in a few days and if I am lucky, I will get to watch it on Netflix, otherwise, I'll just have to wait till it eventually becomes available. Netflix keeps telling me that based on my current likes, I should like "Dr. Who," but I don't know. I tried to watch one of those episodes a while ago and it seemed extremely campy, which I don't usually love. I may have to give it another shot though, since one of my favorite tv personalities, Craig Ferguson, loves it. I'll get back to you all on this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJz2nirhd-41ETi62aY4wjrvIXStZ_MNCNS1lrLBJ8PGB5JAXPr6yEUAZ6caswhqynPvShyphenhyphenclaw_cm7m-Nws_u_dCJrhm635x_fnSn2fvxzq268UChOLuoEPzc4CgrfpKws4g-UuZ9R88/s1600/M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJz2nirhd-41ETi62aY4wjrvIXStZ_MNCNS1lrLBJ8PGB5JAXPr6yEUAZ6caswhqynPvShyphenhyphenclaw_cm7m-Nws_u_dCJrhm635x_fnSn2fvxzq268UChOLuoEPzc4CgrfpKws4g-UuZ9R88/s200/M.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ATC "<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">M</span></i></b>"</td></tr>
</tbody></table> As part of my new commitment to creating art everyday, I did make a new ATC very early this morning, during a particularly intense period of insomnia (no sleep till 5 a.m.). It is a little tribute to the letter "M," my first initial and all of "Mmmm," which is usually connected to food, but not always. I uploaded the image to Facebook and it is taking forever to show up, so I may end up publishing this post and adding the ATC image later tonight. I don't know why I think that creating an ATC will only take me a half hour or so, when it always takes me at least 3 or more hours to create one. I can only attribute it to my horrible sense of time, it is legendary, just ask my husband. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-right: 1em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx75ZXXVwmeWAyk60Z7u8gjGc2muuYHVMlNF2yo1Bo-McfdIRex0DFw9S8paSz3dp4satahFq4lzp644DCk_7E789zUPq0bTLfj4g2KSaNP9qaU2wctJGopSiogl1lYGWMGLdGgV0aVIdL/s1600/CashewGingerChickenUdon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx75ZXXVwmeWAyk60Z7u8gjGc2muuYHVMlNF2yo1Bo-McfdIRex0DFw9S8paSz3dp4satahFq4lzp644DCk_7E789zUPq0bTLfj4g2KSaNP9qaU2wctJGopSiogl1lYGWMGLdGgV0aVIdL/s320/CashewGingerChickenUdon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Cashew Ginger Chicken Noodle Bowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I did get bonus points for cooking today though. I uploaded this image first and it showed up right away. It is a noodle bowl. Cashew Ginger Chicken udon noodles. I made it up. It has tempura shrimp, baby bok choy, carrots, snow peas (from our garden!), and gingered chicken. All covered with a cashew, ginger, garlic sauce. I feel so happy when I get to have a noodle bowl. I love all the little treasures and mix of flavors and textures, all in one bowl. Basically, happiness in a bowl. Tomorrow I work at the Cherry Festival, but I am hoping to make some gnocchi, we'll see if I can get to it. If not, I'll make it on Thursday night. \<br />
Tomorrow is Fab Find Wednesday, and I have pics of my estate sale and garage sale finds to share, along with some art...stop by and visit if you get a chance.<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002MGJSRQ&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1581808488&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0025TZ51S&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-74448531595298025562011-07-05T03:18:00.001-04:002011-07-05T10:12:20.103-04:004th of July Holiday Pledge Do-Over<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvRwWc7kizOUEmHs8ogZyAVUlU6gRJa3i95hEHNlj5CiR_rGJbu5G5halxtknGZcpFv7inemqQkJg5A0aGd9qP8rjvL3UcFlEeR-VqfRf2E7TDv8M6r1J_6nshihdz0iiE17I-n5s1V2I/s1600/Vintage4thOfJuly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvRwWc7kizOUEmHs8ogZyAVUlU6gRJa3i95hEHNlj5CiR_rGJbu5G5halxtknGZcpFv7inemqQkJg5A0aGd9qP8rjvL3UcFlEeR-VqfRf2E7TDv8M6r1J_6nshihdz0iiE17I-n5s1V2I/s320/Vintage4thOfJuly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage 4th of July Postcard</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Okay, okay, okay...I have not posted a piece of art everyday, and even worse, I haven't <i><b>made</b></i> a piece of art everyday, as pledged, how lame is that? But I have to say, in my defense, being out of town without my art supplies made it quite the handicap. But isn't that just a sorry excuse on my part? Yeah...I think so. Apparently, I had not thought all this through very well, eh? I see that I am going to have to create a small and portable art kit for the car and travel if I am serious about this pledge. I love to work with my artist crayons, but they stand a good chance of melting in the summer heat, so they are out (plus they cost a fortune!) Little tubes of water colors, with those tiny caps, can easily come open and make a mess, so they are out too (also not cheap.) I need something simple and easy to transport. I think a small pad of drawing paper, pencils and sharpener might be what I need. No melting or messiness. If I include watercolor pencils and a couple brushes, it will be even more versatile. I can make a cool little carrying case to keep everything tidy and portable. Seems like I have resolved the art supply issue, right? So what else could keep me from making art everyday?<br />
Well, when I moved "making art" into those upper echelons of my priorities, I failed to take into account that there were already other priorities, quite well established ones, already holding court there, some that might be in direct conflict with "making art," at certain times. And that's exactly what happened. The 4th of July holiday weekend festivities included uncomfortable travel (94+ degree heat and no A/C in our car for four hours) and visiting with relatives we haven't seen in ages. How do you "make art" when you are so uncomfortable you don't feel the least bit artistic? Or when you are visiting with relatives, having a great time, how do you "make art" without being rude or separating yourself from all the fun? I didn't felt like I could excuse myself from any conversations and truthfully, I didn't want to. I had a lovely time and was sorry when we had to say goodbye to everyone. I didn't realize that my commitment to creating art everyday would require working in uncomfortable circumstances or sacrificing important things I love, not just the silly telly and Facebook time. Obviously, I really, REALLY did not think it all through. So how do I make this commitment, this pledge to create art everyday when some days I won't be able to or even want to do it?<br />
I have come to the realization that I am looking at this all wrong. I <b><i>DO</i></b> have to put it on top of my priority list, at least for a certain period of time. And during that time, despite difficult circumstances, fun or otherwise, I will <b><i>have to</i></b> find a way to create art, even if it is just a simple line drawing or an interesting photo taken with my cell phone. If anything, more challenging situations should force me to be even more creative in my efforts to create. Now that I've taken the time to think this through, I'm giving myself another chance, I hope you will too. I can already hear <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Gunn">Tim Gunn's</a> voice in my head saying, "Make it work."<br />
I feel really good about this. I pledge to create a piece of art everyday, take two!Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-18930182720358113712011-07-02T00:00:00.003-04:002011-07-02T00:08:48.747-04:00Everyday Art: Day 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh_aYELZpIN8n13RoMitjG7XNN1ar3wz9o7UwUzd7QHntrbKXfUrnGj5_M-USyXJ9-HJ9xa_Fu29cIjFZTFipzIzF0YO847UkUubWrQFTJSzw8ZSWGh6Cmwsx6v3Q7hsn92hy5-wG2kEI/s1600/ILoveSummerATCWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh_aYELZpIN8n13RoMitjG7XNN1ar3wz9o7UwUzd7QHntrbKXfUrnGj5_M-USyXJ9-HJ9xa_Fu29cIjFZTFipzIzF0YO847UkUubWrQFTJSzw8ZSWGh6Cmwsx6v3Q7hsn92hy5-wG2kEI/s200/ILoveSummerATCWeb.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i love summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Alright, day two and I'm getting the art for today in just under the wire I think, at least for my time zone. It is an ATC, "i love summer." We have had some glorious days and I wanted to commemorate them with an artful keepsake. So much sunshine, I wish we had it all year. I will probably continue to add to this piece, I can't seem to stop messing around with collage based art. The details: created with CARAN d'ACHE Neocolor II Watersoluble artist crayons (I am sooo addicted to these, wish I owned every single color!), Sharpie markers, PITT markers, gel pens, a transparent bingo marker and a rhinestone. Also scraps of magazine pages for the edges. It measures the same size as a playing card, which is the typical ATC size. It did take some time to create, so I realize that I will have to create other pieces of quicker art some days. Wheels are spinning...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zjSnwbd1Z00FE_F9c-v0s7Q8czFQha-lpmzTIPM-N_2T8zhwmF0QvJ0VHisXZsJH16b_BGuPR6QQzgRmqLkFKA_7QZaG5rlYpiTj3wVNmXL59b4mDbyESeObqctPqdf7gaeeMAPcViPo/s1600/VeggiePizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zjSnwbd1Z00FE_F9c-v0s7Q8czFQha-lpmzTIPM-N_2T8zhwmF0QvJ0VHisXZsJH16b_BGuPR6QQzgRmqLkFKA_7QZaG5rlYpiTj3wVNmXL59b4mDbyESeObqctPqdf7gaeeMAPcViPo/s320/VeggiePizza.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Veggie Pizza</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I also made a wonderful fresh veggie pizza for dinner, and it was very creative, so it is my bonus "art" today. I love the ones that are always made at the Pampered Chef home parties, which I have not been to or even been invited to in years. I decided to make up my own recipe, but it started the same as the ones I've had at the parties, with refrigerated crescent roll dough, unrolled, but kept as a sheet and baked. I added an herb cream cheese and sour cream topping, followed by lots of fresh veggies. It satisfied a huge veggie craving and I didn't feel too guilty since the topping was made with 1/3 less fat cream cheese. Tomorrow I know I'll be making enchiladas and Spanish rice, but have no idea what other art I'll be creating, wish me luck!<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B004P5ONOU&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>One last thing, I read a wonderful book yesterday, "City of Thieves," and it was incredible! A great summer read if you are looking for something exciting, fun, and sad with great historical content. I couldn't put it down and stayed up late just to finish it. There are a few "difficult" parts, but necessary to the story. I can't say enough good things about this book, but I don't want to give anything away. I can't wait to pass it around to family and friends, 5 out of 5 stars!Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-80127870293839821932011-06-30T20:08:00.002-04:002011-06-30T20:14:06.516-04:00A New Pledge: Create at least one piece of art everyday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t9Wdh1q_oj_eWIngpogNJiW-wZ0-CFU7X9x7sUNtn9gJfSPNv6xAg_8YlOIa-q0o2CEISn6hYHVKR0GPG1NTi_VVm-f7LEiAmMdX38AbiBdVe85gdxBqzPcPf_1hi5Uocjgr-kHNr4Py/s1600/ArtA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t9Wdh1q_oj_eWIngpogNJiW-wZ0-CFU7X9x7sUNtn9gJfSPNv6xAg_8YlOIa-q0o2CEISn6hYHVKR0GPG1NTi_VVm-f7LEiAmMdX38AbiBdVe85gdxBqzPcPf_1hi5Uocjgr-kHNr4Py/s320/ArtA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art Everyday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> So here I am, heading towards the middle of the summer and I have hardly created any art, outside of artful food! I admit, I have spent many hours on Facebook and Netflix, but in my defense, I had a lot of catching up to do. But as the summer is coming into full swing, I am feeling the loss of art-making time. Sooo...I have decided that I need to prioritize and move "creating art" to the upper echelons, where it belongs! I have also decided that any medium is allowed here, including food, but only in a pinch, or as a bonus. My goal is to take a photo of each piece of work and post it here. I am hoping that this declaration on my blog, for all the world to see, will further cement my personal commitment to creating art everyday. (But I really don't need that, do I?)<br />
I will have to sacrifice some other, not-as-important things, like facebook time and TV time, but I'm ready to do that. My first piece today is the "art Everyday!" image above. Created with Photoshop CS4 using<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tbtkd1M6ZZ1LZmL5uohvkBv2ooIbfxvFgM2HTnjsgFHB8c3CJnHA8QifvXiQz_Or3zF7Tm6mQSUY2P4HGR3Ho-5IMC81UMMeoISsa7_9MGYMwpCFLu6741s4JuymVkVIX-307SUN8jv7/s1600/strawberryFreezerJam2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tbtkd1M6ZZ1LZmL5uohvkBv2ooIbfxvFgM2HTnjsgFHB8c3CJnHA8QifvXiQz_Or3zF7Tm6mQSUY2P4HGR3Ho-5IMC81UMMeoISsa7_9MGYMwpCFLu6741s4JuymVkVIX-307SUN8jv7/s320/strawberryFreezerJam2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>gradients, filters and brushes. And, I did make strawberry freezer jam today, which is a form of foodie art to me. If I get my new projects done soon, I can add them to the day they are completed, or is that cheating? Anyway, I feel like I might be on a roll here...Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-36640527198853983102011-06-29T23:05:00.003-04:002011-06-29T23:46:59.823-04:00Wednesday Fab Finds<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNMIH49sSoLX7uMyYLs4189LrNG7BE6jq1Bgijpzqmhe45pr1MT6ppveiRTP0auvSaGGaU2JpjlY_tNAjL2pBjlfK89mWUeEzTI8Q3lHRS1-RT5B3QlDEa4H59jOElieZ9lR4g594XVnx/s1600/Strawberries2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNMIH49sSoLX7uMyYLs4189LrNG7BE6jq1Bgijpzqmhe45pr1MT6ppveiRTP0auvSaGGaU2JpjlY_tNAjL2pBjlfK89mWUeEzTI8Q3lHRS1-RT5B3QlDEa4H59jOElieZ9lR4g594XVnx/s1600/Strawberries2011.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franco Farms Berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Welcome to the first Wednesday Fab Finds! Wednesday posts will be about anything I find during the week that I think is fabulous in some way, shape or form. I love to go to flea markets, estate sales, garage/yard sales, thrift stores and resale shops. I also love to take back roads and try new restaurants. And I have a thing for books, novels, historical, sci-fi/fantasy and culinary. Anyway, I feel like I am finding wonderful things all the time and want to share my treasures with you.<br />
Starting with today, we found a new place to pick strawberries not too far from home. We normally love to pick at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guntzvillers-Berry-and-Vegetable-Farm/184103951641965?sk=info">Gunzvillers</a> in Elk Rapids, but that is a 45 minute drive. We took a risk and went to "Franco's," which is about 5 miles out of Traverse City heading south on US 31. Great berries, beautiful flavor and sweet! Check out the <a href="http://localdifference.org/">Taste the Local Difference</a> website for places in MI to pick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ajzFiXQKv38ETHtAsL5Ilxiv9Xv2CWsKWkZDki88icWExYm-aYTEU8W4WoX1-l5cnqQ4O7-Ya6iZqi-8J__Xt0VyvFEj1WlA3DVI2IPWDnS_vTk6oUeYs01hyphenhyphenNlsNOT0oQAmIQkgbEGF/s1600/PJBunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ajzFiXQKv38ETHtAsL5Ilxiv9Xv2CWsKWkZDki88icWExYm-aYTEU8W4WoX1-l5cnqQ4O7-Ya6iZqi-8J__Xt0VyvFEj1WlA3DVI2IPWDnS_vTk6oUeYs01hyphenhyphenNlsNOT0oQAmIQkgbEGF/s320/PJBunny.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perseus Jackson "PJ" our new Lion Head bunny</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The next find is our new <a href="http://lionheadrabbit.net/">Lion Head</a> bunny, Perseus Jackson, or PJ for short. We found him at the <a href="http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/">Pet Supplies Plus</a> store thanks to a family we met at the TC Balloon Classic two weeks ago. They brought their Lion Head bunny to the open space and we just happened to sit down behind them. We fell in love with their little bunny, so fluffy and social. Also, weighed less than 2.5 lbs, the size of bunny we have been looking for. Anyway, we are all madly in love with our new pet!<br />
Find numero tres (3) is something I found at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Cali's+cotton&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Cali's+cotton&hnear=0x881e32b2d7da29dd:0x47bfdc3f3f745621,Traverse+City,+MI&cid=16370974482982677457">Cali's</a>, a local shop in downtown TC. "Haikubes," a box of dice that have words on each side that you use to create haikus. I love these, they are so cool!!! Now I just have to find a<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5tM6GOJE4AOqPWuK9MzNFTD965QpFRlXaqAlGaD3RK-iPaqOhS8OhI1dg2WlhwB-7fNFWsiOAKB0yIfwXTq_yCY_dTJyaEW930-yd-HQSEhNeK_b2Wn2AklLufrSDoby53Lu-5QgHqVu/s1600/Haikubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5tM6GOJE4AOqPWuK9MzNFTD965QpFRlXaqAlGaD3RK-iPaqOhS8OhI1dg2WlhwB-7fNFWsiOAKB0yIfwXTq_yCY_dTJyaEW930-yd-HQSEhNeK_b2Wn2AklLufrSDoby53Lu-5QgHqVu/s200/Haikubes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haikubes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>really sweet transparent container to keep them in and also on display in the living room so anyone can just dump them out, have some fun and easily put them away.<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0811869385&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>And just so you know, I paid $25 for my set, should have known I could find a better deal online! At least I did support a locally owned business that I am very fond of, that is a good thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs2yAvTWnZiGQQOX8ip1gKHNvB1LEiq5n-ZkIQwxUu1vREIJF0M0WSQBqPWJEQmVJeCFKXXyAkE_eNZ3o8oMim6645EakIAw76cFLRn_FECpFRu9R1mOSV7E8SqCHTjyH0fDW_PYSrDT3/s1600/ThreeNutsForCinderella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs2yAvTWnZiGQQOX8ip1gKHNvB1LEiq5n-ZkIQwxUu1vREIJF0M0WSQBqPWJEQmVJeCFKXXyAkE_eNZ3o8oMim6645EakIAw76cFLRn_FECpFRu9R1mOSV7E8SqCHTjyH0fDW_PYSrDT3/s320/ThreeNutsForCinderella.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tri Oreshki Dlya Zollushki</td></tr>
</tbody></table> My last find this week is a movie on YouTube, "Tri Oreshki Dlya Zollushki," or "Three Nuts for Cinderella," or "Three Gifts for Cinderella." I saw this movie on a PBS station, I think, a long, long time ago, and loved it. I finally found it on YouTube and enjoyed it all over again with my daughter. It is a Czech film that I think was very well done for the time it was produced, over 30 years ago at least. Click <a href="http://youtu.be/qlceyKgA9vI">here</a> to watch the six part film.<br />
Hope you are finding wonderful treasures of your own like a perfect peach, an old photo or a new china cup and saucer for your collection!Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-46780491485831469222011-06-29T01:30:00.001-04:002011-06-29T01:50:34.840-04:00Let the Summer Projects Begin!!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j3Acptb3-nrsfZv9UeuhQzaZAMqhUtvQ5tY_yykWarMB5yrm2xCtN2Kglg1VKXIxzLgoJOzLYUi_Qq98oPJxcPbTg7TwlgGP3_flVmAl5TDtnexT4ZfEeG6dNkczvvDBHFNWYJiouV2q/s1600/MexicanDressTunic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j3Acptb3-nrsfZv9UeuhQzaZAMqhUtvQ5tY_yykWarMB5yrm2xCtN2Kglg1VKXIxzLgoJOzLYUi_Qq98oPJxcPbTg7TwlgGP3_flVmAl5TDtnexT4ZfEeG6dNkczvvDBHFNWYJiouV2q/s320/MexicanDressTunic.jpg" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Folk Dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table> So here is the first project, turning the pictured yellow Mexican folk dress into a more modern tunic for my daughter. I just saw the how-to for this on one of the blogs I love, <a href="http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/">The Crafty Chica</a>, and lo and behold, yesterday, my daughter and I spot the exact type of dress needed for this project in a thrift shop for five bucks! How can you not try it for that? I have cut the bottom off and pinned it, but have to hem the side slits and bottom hem yet. My daughter also wants pleated panels set into the side slits to avoid any muffin top type of event or showing. I think that should be easy enough with the fabric I cut off. At least right now I think it will be easy enough, I'll get back to y'all on that. When finished, it should look like the black tunic <a href="http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-transform-mexican-embroidered.html">here</a>.<br />
Next up is this t-shirt I want to refashion into a more flattering and feminine style. I saw what <a href="http://voodoonotes.blogspot.com/">Rice Zachery Freeman</a> did with a shirt (among other amazingly cool clothing reconstructions and embellishments) and decided to give it a try. I am always trying to find cool t-shirts in a price range I can afford, but rarely do those two things coincide. I can count on one hand, not even using all the fingers, how many times I have found such a thing. This is a heavy cotton t-shirt by Liz and Jane, dyed a<br />
cool shade of periwinkle blue, which you cannot tell in the first shot because I took the photo in the evening with florescent type lighting. But the second photo is almost<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeDDv-fTm9k0U9VQCtv-kcebBQ8AnPXA7xdTW1inzTLwni9bTkHcS-vGgmVKy-HfgS0BVSCRj260I3wC13cvsT6pykjjVw-ucUoYBZUcizsn9QHKurEMA7GOBDzn35cD_WmO4TQw5kecO/s1600/LizJaneTshirtRefashion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeDDv-fTm9k0U9VQCtv-kcebBQ8AnPXA7xdTW1inzTLwni9bTkHcS-vGgmVKy-HfgS0BVSCRj260I3wC13cvsT6pykjjVw-ucUoYBZUcizsn9QHKurEMA7GOBDzn35cD_WmO4TQw5kecO/s200/LizJaneTshirtRefashion.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-shirt pre-refashion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>right on in color. You can see the cuts I've made and some of my initial pinning. I want to add a raw edge trim, such as silk or that soft netting I've seen on some expensive t-shirts, but don't know what to call it. I hope to get to the fabric store tomorrow or the day after to choose something for the edges. My goal is to make it look more feminine with a more fitted shape and to add a raw edge trim for contrast and fun. I am really excited about both of these projects because I think I can finish them and actually achieve what I envision! I will post the finished pieces as soon as I'm done. I am even considering adding a hand beaded edge as another layer over the raw edge trim, but we'll see how it goes. If I plan on doing too much, I know I will overwhelm myself and then it will sit and nothing will happen, and I so want to complete these projects, among other thing, by<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubnDAEhVvc1Xf4n_PR52IPU4tTjI23MK6a854PQUv2QF31Sa54hoZXEpvyz0zzkwe1ehqz5xgCy17uzCwZTCeq4LDtqcgoEy4j-R0dABa1Vj12E1qBgIAQszO9hEnakE7yh_VA-QlBpQL/s1600/LizJaneTshirtRefashionB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubnDAEhVvc1Xf4n_PR52IPU4tTjI23MK6a854PQUv2QF31Sa54hoZXEpvyz0zzkwe1ehqz5xgCy17uzCwZTCeq4LDtqcgoEy4j-R0dABa1Vj12E1qBgIAQszO9hEnakE7yh_VA-QlBpQL/s200/LizJaneTshirtRefashionB.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-shirt, progress report</td></tr>
</tbody></table>next week at the latest so I can start something else I have been thinking about.<br />
On to some foodie porn with a picture of the <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/smores-snack-cake-193453">S'mores cake</a> I made yesterday for my family. I use a bag of mini marshmallows instead of the topping the recipe calls for, which is marshmallow creme and chocolate chips, swirled. After the cake is done, I pour the mini marshmallows on top and put the cake back into the oven, second rack from the top, and turn on the broiler to toast the marshmallows. Doesn't take long, but I keep the door open and pull the rack out periodically to rotate or shift the pan so the marshmallows toast evenly and don't catch on fire! <b><u>You cannot take your eyes off the cake while the marshmallows are toasting, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">and</span> you have to pull the oven rack out to rotate the pan so you don't burn your hand under the broiler.</u></b> Anyway, the cake disappeared in less than 24 hours, and I did not eat it alone! But since it is now gone, I think I am going to move on to eclairs. I watched "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145893/">Simply Irresistible</a>" last night and every time I do, I get this insane urge to make those caramel eclairs that Sarah Michelle Geller makes in the movie. I have all the ingredients and the S'more cake is toast, so I have my fingers crossed that sometime tomorrow, I will be posting photos of the eclairs!<br />
Finally, my new "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleta">Paletas</a>" recipe book arrived today, and it looks like it is going to be a lot of fun to play with this summer. The recipes include Cantaloupe, Lime<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUIbPA8U4U7gKH7lrh-Wv9lVraMa2L4L1YLTZQrZxwYnNYKbpVs4yyDlhLeR5SSVS8r-VT035J_PAIU_8JIi1vR6vVFzLgBbPfmpjm1zthMfFfZEoO3ArSs0XyiY6b-YYGBkKbyKV-7iB/s1600/smoresCake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUIbPA8U4U7gKH7lrh-Wv9lVraMa2L4L1YLTZQrZxwYnNYKbpVs4yyDlhLeR5SSVS8r-VT035J_PAIU_8JIi1vR6vVFzLgBbPfmpjm1zthMfFfZEoO3ArSs0XyiY6b-YYGBkKbyKV-7iB/s200/smoresCake.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S'mores Cake with toasted marshmallow top!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Pie (think Key lime pie), Avocado, Apricot-Chamomile, Sour Cream-Cherry and Tequilla, Roasted Banana, Passion Fruit Cream, Mexican Chocolate and oh so many more. I'll post pics of those too as we try them out. For those of you who are not familiar with paletas, they are just like ultra fruity or flavorful popsicles, usually with less sugar. They come in a wide variety of flavors, many regional. I can get them at TC Latino Grocery here in Traverse City, but they sell them from carts in the more<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=queoftid20-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1607740354&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
metropolitan areas of the country. The rice pudding paletas are my very favorite so far, but I've only had five different flavors. It is creamy, refreshing and so satisfying, I hope to make those within the next week or two. Anyway, paletas are amazing, you'll never want a regular popsicle again after you have a paleta. Well, at least that is how I feel.<br />
Tomorrow I am introducing "Wednesday Fab Finds." A weekly to bi-weekly post about my latest treasures from estate sales, garage/yard sales, thrift stores and resale shops. Lots of goodies for tomorrow!Queen of Tideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519248451898425630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861385191306652913.post-68777862255963083022011-06-26T00:25:00.009-04:002011-06-26T11:46:00.649-04:00Trattoria Stella, restaurant heaven!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDDbKPnsg_syGnyfAVZuhqjdNWXOiEfyR2db1JG8KUez_z21ho-_7sWTs4S-dMEy2c6_2KGy794hO0F4jx3PRRICceM6Hjc2LsCv3t5UmTrjqeZBC3js9RcRgtX2_TMfNssdPXT9it1T0/s1600/StellaOutsideNight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDDbKPnsg_syGnyfAVZuhqjdNWXOiEfyR2db1JG8KUez_z21ho-_7sWTs4S-dMEy2c6_2KGy794hO0F4jx3PRRICceM6Hjc2LsCv3t5UmTrjqeZBC3js9RcRgtX2_TMfNssdPXT9it1T0/s320/StellaOutsideNight.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stellatc.com/">Trattoria Stella</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> Wednesday was my dear friend Julie's birthday, and to celebrate, we went to dinner last night at one of my very favorite restaurants on the planet, <a href="http://www.stellatc.com/">Trattoria Stella</a> here in Traverse City. The restaurant is within the refurbished Building 50, originally the largest building on the <a href="http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~asylums/northern_mi/index.html">Traverse City State Hospital</a> (an asylum) grounds, way back when. The hospital was actually a self sustaining mental institution. There are several large barns and other smaller buildings on the property, some already converted to new uses and others still awaiting rebirth. There was a serious effort by the Traverse City community to save these buildings a while back. They were supposed to be demolished, but the architecture and bones of the buildings were still sound and some people with vision and resources committed to restoring and bringing these buildings back to life. Building 50, with it's 388,000 square ft of space is the largest structure on the commons, or more formally, "The Village at Grand Traverse Commons." I have walked around the exterior perimeter of this building, it takes about 20 minutes. I have also been up in one of those cool towers, what a view! But back to my culinary adventure at Stella...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ67Du3p-1j-UMvW5DogWlmHSlHPrTUcHI4y6_bcVa5yTo_wBCNsb5R0Kc5kZx0skngJL_uLwoZlYnI5D7UbEbnH7scdgYd109MtTW2PzZNQtnNgkBOMt6FUOzokbbJpjVTxbns0hrP-W/s1600/PorkBrainTortellini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ67Du3p-1j-UMvW5DogWlmHSlHPrTUcHI4y6_bcVa5yTo_wBCNsb5R0Kc5kZx0skngJL_uLwoZlYnI5D7UbEbnH7scdgYd109MtTW2PzZNQtnNgkBOMt6FUOzokbbJpjVTxbns0hrP-W/s200/PorkBrainTortellini.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pig Brain Tortellini</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We ordered drinks first and then appetizers to share, an amazing start to the evening. I had a wonderful Pinot Noir, "<a href="http://www.blackstarfarms.com/winery/wines/?wine_id=605">A Capella</a>," from <a href="http://www.blackstarfarms.com/winery/">Black Star Farms</a>, a local winery, but only two glasses, so I would remember our dinner very well and still drive myself home. I am just going to list what we had with bullets for the sake of clarity and explain here and there and sprinkle the photos around too. Some are a bit blurry, but it is hard to take a good photo with my sorry cell phone in dim light, but I tried anyway. Let me start with our appetizers...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2r4SiAEGgWXibBu_MR3NqGObAdmgPa2Np-MNc9Mv2Nlt4ZGqTAREX1y8Mdr7jSGrGjLs4krKYtxKkdWo_XwUYQ04uUnWqjZeFrVtMAGyu8G7pCzlmpL5N7TlnOrMCnl-SwxwpuXqgAt6/s1600/CornmealAsparagus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2r4SiAEGgWXibBu_MR3NqGObAdmgPa2Np-MNc9Mv2Nlt4ZGqTAREX1y8Mdr7jSGrGjLs4krKYtxKkdWo_XwUYQ04uUnWqjZeFrVtMAGyu8G7pCzlmpL5N7TlnOrMCnl-SwxwpuXqgAt6/s200/CornmealAsparagus.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cornmeal Battered Asparagus</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>Cornmeal battered and fried asparagus with lemon crema and basil pesto (OMG, orgasmic!)</li>
<li>Hard-seared <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras">foie gras</a> with lemon-dressed arugula and five hour sauce (Swoon worthy!)</li>
<li>Pig brain tortellini with some incredible sauce I cannot name because it was a special (you just can't be squeamish about these kind of things, otherwise you miss out on the most amazing dishes, I loved it!)</li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIKB27fQq5jaQ-fhZDsre0KBdXEkvVrbPvepEKurZknQ9Tg0Np3u2hQx-5rZ7hY9cxI4mz1heBMpAdKZ2ke0t8HntmHRWkW6I10c2xs_NfqAFJXsLbL0dxCzEVkn7StEdj0zdRn7xV8sV/s1600/FoieGras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIKB27fQq5jaQ-fhZDsre0KBdXEkvVrbPvepEKurZknQ9Tg0Np3u2hQx-5rZ7hY9cxI4mz1heBMpAdKZ2ke0t8HntmHRWkW6I10c2xs_NfqAFJXsLbL0dxCzEVkn7StEdj0zdRn7xV8sV/s200/FoieGras.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foie Gras!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div> After those delightful appetizers, we continued to peruse the menu, trying to decide what to order next, between conversation, gift opening and laughter. We picked two different salads. I ordered one of my favorites, the cold beet salad. Every time I have this, I tell myself that I am going to start cooking and keeping beets on hand to make this kind of thing whenever my heart desires, but do I? Um, no. I don't. Thankfully, this appears on the menu often. Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the salads and desserts, sorry to be such a food porn tease!<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Char-grilled, chilled beets with kalamata olives, house-made mozzarella cheese and extra virgin olive oil</li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heirloom_tomato">Heirloom tomatoes</a> with house-made mozzarella, torn basil leaves and extra virgin olive oil</li>
</ul><br />
Next up we ordered our main course, we each chose something different, so it was fun to try all three, which we all agreed were fabulous! I had the Ahi Tuna, and it was an emotional experience, stars aligned, perfection, and that is putting it mildly. My second fav was the duck, it was outstanding and the giant raviolo filling was dreamy.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrQJ0Se__8wqGCWVTzkICzpvMq1mK11Cnnx-MU0PX9hGLheiuWQ-NcxfWZrMvzAVStBAG9m1BsWPd6l67vF3ARw5xGVmEd48Q11i-4W53tj-sP3-Az8VDG3G8ejbTjx7Jmi5SvbYsMLqR/s1600/SteakCauliflowerPotatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrQJ0Se__8wqGCWVTzkICzpvMq1mK11Cnnx-MU0PX9hGLheiuWQ-NcxfWZrMvzAVStBAG9m1BsWPd6l67vF3ARw5xGVmEd48Q11i-4W53tj-sP3-Az8VDG3G8ejbTjx7Jmi5SvbYsMLqR/s320/SteakCauliflowerPotatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wagyu Top Sirloin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>Hard-seared breast of <a href="http://www.imafoodblog.com/index.php/2009/01/26/getting-to-know-your-meat-duck">Long Island duck</a> (aka Peking duck), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravioli">raviolo</a> of leg with <a href="http://www.cheese.com/Description.asp?Name=mascarpone">mascarpone</a>, carrots, roasted apples and thyme brodo.</li>
<li>Char-grilled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagy%C5%AB">Wagyu</a> top sirloin with oven-baked white potatoes and cauliflower alla Siciliana, veal stock</li>
<li>Pepper-dusted and pan-seared <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ahi">Ahi tuna</a> with grape tomatoes, candied<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_nut"> pignoli</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risotto">risotto</a> and <a href="http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices/fennel-pollen">fennel pollen</a>.</li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54GaGG6OFLj2_lOrrfmKkgillcl9OeTh6bB_ur5h7i0qRJxh1v55hpJv2B4Y8NGGJoWJBnpBuylCi5K83zcocC3glAYF17fnItpXy45nukSBdCG-rOse-leMikadGkRMd8a9byuwTP8Ek/s1600/AhiTunaPinenutRisotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54GaGG6OFLj2_lOrrfmKkgillcl9OeTh6bB_ur5h7i0qRJxh1v55hpJv2B4Y8NGGJoWJBnpBuylCi5K83zcocC3glAYF17fnItpXy45nukSBdCG-rOse-leMikadGkRMd8a9byuwTP8Ek/s320/AhiTunaPinenutRisotto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahi Tuna with Candied Pinenut Risotto</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Did I mention that we spent 4 1/2 hours over this meal? We ate a course, chatted up a storm and then ordered the next one, taking our time and savoring every single bite. Even so, you'd think after all the food listed above we would not have room for dessert, Ha! We each ordered a different dessert and shared those too. The Rhubarb Crostata was my fav, but they were all a piece of heaven!<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://whatscookingamerica.net/PannaCotta.htm">Panna Cotta</a> with strawberry sauce and fresh strawberries (I love panna cotta and make it at home once in a while)</li>
<li>Flourless chocolate cake</li>
<li>Rhubarb <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crostata">Crostata</a> with caramel and sea salt gelato</li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFZDEWNLUgyf1SfzPqdCN1V8l6A6kGSrG4cCC7vFizFEyBvEZAUR7aQViGUWG28TWZpgpanDRuT2xpOEkJLYzoJGQ_Bbby_az07xG4GkKR5gMcrb5mT2E1mrIPKaW73TMLQxTrurQA92c/s1600/DuckRavioloMascarpone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFZDEWNLUgyf1SfzPqdCN1V8l6A6kGSrG4cCC7vFizFEyBvEZAUR7aQViGUWG28TWZpgpanDRuT2xpOEkJLYzoJGQ_Bbby_az07xG4GkKR5gMcrb5mT2E1mrIPKaW73TMLQxTrurQA92c/s320/DuckRavioloMascarpone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long Island Duck with Raviolo of Leg and Mascarpone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Two of us also had the most excellent cappuccino with dessert and I have to say, I have not had such a lovely cappuccino in ages. We lingered over everything, we caught up, we shared worries and current hopes, we listened, we laughed (hysterically at times) and made plans to do this every year! It was the loveliest of evenings. I left completely content and satiated on every level, physical, mental and emotional. Thank you my friends and thank you Trattoria Stella!<br />
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