tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40463334920078605532024-03-16T06:58:03.124-07:00Miss Mandy Makes StuffUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-49831481229883009232024-03-16T06:57:00.000-07:002024-03-16T06:57:31.154-07:00Catching Up<p> I took a few weeks hiatus from cooking because I went on vacation. No sense in cooking when I'm going out of town, right?</p><p>When I got back from New Orleans, where I ate ALL the good food, I got back into making a few dishes. </p><p>For DISCONTINUED, I had it in my mind to recreate the Bell Beefer taco burger from Taco Bell, back in the eighties. My father took my younger brother to the Bell as a treat every Saturday afternoon, just the two of them. He always got the Bell Beefer. He'd come home and tell me all about it. He was three at the time, and couldn't pronounce it quite right, which made it all the more cute. </p><p>I decided on a meatless version. I am the only one home now, so if I make a batch of taco beef, I will be the only one eating it. That's too much beef for me, as I need to watch my cholesterol. I thought about substituting ground poultry. I then found a recipe for making taco meat out of tofu. I do love tofu, so I gave that a try.</p><p>I followed the procedure for making fake ground beef, and turned that into taco meat. The taste was okay, but it was a little too wet, texture-wise. I put it on a bun with some of my favorite toppings: iceburg, avocado slices, and some jack cheese. I made two burgers, but didn't thoroughly enjoy them.</p><p>I made a salad with the remaining toppings and fake meat, and enjoyed that much better. I just don't think taco meat belongs on a burger bun, even if it were made out of real beef. There are so many more exciting things to do with taco meat. I don't think I'll make the tofu meat again, either. It was too much work for something I didn't love.</p><p>I think the Bell Beefer only appealed to toddlers, like my brother, and that is why it was discontinued. Some things are better off not making a comeback.</p><p>Now, for WEEK 8: BULBS, I was more successful. I already had a few bulbs of garlic in the fridge, beginning to sprout. I decided to make my own roasted garlic hummus. I buy hummus all the time: it's my go-to snack food. I really don't know why I am not making my own. My hummus turned out soooo good. It had perfect consistency and taste. It is not the most beautiful dish to photograph, but I did my best.</p><p><br /></p><p>I am going to continue to make my own hummus throughout the year, replicating this recipe and perhaps trying some different flavor combinations. I usually eat it with mini-naan and cucumbers either for a snack or even a light meal. I do have a good chicken-hummus bowl recipe I make in the summer as well.</p><p>The next few weeks, my challenges are PARAGUAY, BALLING, CREAM, POETIC, KNIFEWORK, and LOCAL PRODUCE. </p><p>I am a little stuck on Paraguay. Most of the recipes I've come across aren't really practical for one person. I may try a rora, which is similar to grits. That sounds right up my alley.</p><p>I will make protein balls for balling. I have a recipe I've made before. A few protein balls and a cup of hot tea makes a terrific snack.</p><p>I will attempt cream swiss chard for cream, and a recipe from a site called New West Knifeworks for knifework, For POETIC, I will make Grace's signature brussel sprout recipe, as she is my favorite poet. </p><p>Local produce is a bit tough in Upstate NY, as nothing is growing in the springtime up here. We do grow the absolute best apples in the fall. There is nothing better than locally grown Cortlands or Empires bought directly from the orchards. I will honor this fruit by making some sort of apple dish, even though I can't use my beloved local apples at this time. </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-33203859326602858542024-02-09T08:41:00.000-08:002024-02-09T08:41:06.192-08:00Normandy<p> I so badly wanted to make Mussels Normandy. I love mussels, but have never cooked them at home. I also never tried this dish. Unfortunately, I could not find mussels anywhere in town. </p><p>I settled for some Normandy Chicken. </p><p>I used the following recipe.</p><p><a href="https://gradfood.com/poulet-vallee-dauge/">https://gradfood.com/poulet-vallee-dauge/</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The resulting dish was a success, although if I make it again, I would probably brown the chicken in a pan instead of the oven. I didn't get the skin browned enough. </p><p>I love the taste of the apples, brandy and leeks together. This is one of those dishes that gets more flavorful as it sits, leftover, in the fridge. I have thoroughly enjoyed it all week. I just can't help thinking how good it would be with mussels instead of chicken. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8dm6yxH3fWIjC4dFwb9-JM_8t23TagDuzsrsGVpxiEOcWRSmZLm_aFmYxNMDwg7Xp8KKzEpnJFcxQ7CCGSHrp3_Q-4463C-LZ6Gy51oM4kREclU9OldjjrnjUVAJwSwMvFUzF5ff7MGkC9mmv3qLJF0dYcULVzJW-WOayoie2S5Su1PQebX4K0CT_b5U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8dm6yxH3fWIjC4dFwb9-JM_8t23TagDuzsrsGVpxiEOcWRSmZLm_aFmYxNMDwg7Xp8KKzEpnJFcxQ7CCGSHrp3_Q-4463C-LZ6Gy51oM4kREclU9OldjjrnjUVAJwSwMvFUzF5ff7MGkC9mmv3qLJF0dYcULVzJW-WOayoie2S5Su1PQebX4K0CT_b5U=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-58166758413687121522024-01-29T15:44:00.000-08:002024-02-06T14:10:41.252-08:00Starry Starry Night....<p> "Celestial" is this weeks post. It didn't take too long for me to figure out what to do, as I had quite a large bag of star anise leftover from holiday cooking. I also had a few. half-bottles of red wine leftover from holiday drinking! I though making some mulling spices was in order.</p><p>I pulled out all the whole forms of things in my spice cabinet..cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, whole cloves, some black peppercorns. I peeled and baked some orange peels and added them. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMgNhaWdE11EogbFJIeM1hwkWNdBHfABGQgj2flC1d3GgNxXTKjdoz3-yPYfBxaP5hRYAr8_UKnX8Ty6h1QBxqLpN0XpUp1-90HYIKAbTST0dw03kaH9H5cYQrlqAVqzUcm5x5bymDxvKz5XL5FexgydnHFVto0_XYrZ_3uQ-OZ5N3yWVgk_gBuQvizyU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMgNhaWdE11EogbFJIeM1hwkWNdBHfABGQgj2flC1d3GgNxXTKjdoz3-yPYfBxaP5hRYAr8_UKnX8Ty6h1QBxqLpN0XpUp1-90HYIKAbTST0dw03kaH9H5cYQrlqAVqzUcm5x5bymDxvKz5XL5FexgydnHFVto0_XYrZ_3uQ-OZ5N3yWVgk_gBuQvizyU" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjstffWawhl2nrYkopptpeBJcLjtZ2mlpyBkLj8mALyBOaQV2GuXnfNXcEtKY3nZwr7zi0WdtrDUktksM_zg2F7ldW0qd6hm0JkSDWsRhmuyW9h0Lw4eKQlX4LhcYh1MnLJY5sxFTOWpsL_ifdyJce-zxRZjFCaR8Us5FsZwg5CfbA2pKTY8V76r9ALtM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="2461" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjstffWawhl2nrYkopptpeBJcLjtZ2mlpyBkLj8mALyBOaQV2GuXnfNXcEtKY3nZwr7zi0WdtrDUktksM_zg2F7ldW0qd6hm0JkSDWsRhmuyW9h0Lw4eKQlX4LhcYh1MnLJY5sxFTOWpsL_ifdyJce-zxRZjFCaR8Us5FsZwg5CfbA2pKTY8V76r9ALtM" width="280" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I crushed them up slightly in a plastic bag. Then I mulled me some wine. Delicious! Perfect for a winter night. Those half-bottles are going fast.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjn1NrrX-o6e2BTBagZfo01R3bWij8YYDXRteTrCRJtGKrUYy4i6VMuvqqHPFaFtqD6yx0F8_tymQ38wJmAsWQaUSDzwam9ItxuLybGdyuqqv5ZEuP83tKpfu1wH3gXTTMYy0vjPAV3l4JWcQ01V94d8j-dV9wDNjBGy3WrlYBAwFanKFSnxE-sO9TOhw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjn1NrrX-o6e2BTBagZfo01R3bWij8YYDXRteTrCRJtGKrUYy4i6VMuvqqHPFaFtqD6yx0F8_tymQ38wJmAsWQaUSDzwam9ItxuLybGdyuqqv5ZEuP83tKpfu1wH3gXTTMYy0vjPAV3l4JWcQ01V94d8j-dV9wDNjBGy3WrlYBAwFanKFSnxE-sO9TOhw" width="180" /></a></div><br />I am also working on infusing some vodka. I had some leftover Moscow-mule ingredients, and this should spice things up a bit.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4hYKIoVmm0yby8PJu0HLJKW5ffP_1vpt6xO_PKGwqeRBrmpre_1sNasxNwWEQERCtoNCmgdp03Jce4YGEe07-NY5RRkAtjChr_JojB7CcR7NP79XomlHpGHV9H4DuY8LVH_0UbtQVHwA10pAuE7vc0jk5FVfFsormDm-MZkG0-ht8TAgqizetHAqud4M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4hYKIoVmm0yby8PJu0HLJKW5ffP_1vpt6xO_PKGwqeRBrmpre_1sNasxNwWEQERCtoNCmgdp03Jce4YGEe07-NY5RRkAtjChr_JojB7CcR7NP79XomlHpGHV9H4DuY8LVH_0UbtQVHwA10pAuE7vc0jk5FVfFsormDm-MZkG0-ht8TAgqizetHAqud4M" width="180" /></a></div><br />In a week or so, I'll make some spicy Moscow mules, and update this post.<div><br /></div><div>UPDATE: Best damn Moscow Mules I ever had! I absolutely loved that infused vodka. Each time I made myself one, I'd have to make another right away. I've already made up more mulling spices to get me through the long winter.<br /><div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-32114576540240316772024-01-23T08:22:00.000-08:002024-01-23T08:22:18.396-08:00Peeling Some PotatoesSometimes these prompts propel me to learn something new, and sometimes they prompt me to use what I have on hand.<div><br /></div><div>For the prompt of "peeling," I had no choice but to peel some potatoes. I had a bag of them about to turn to dust, a leftover from the holiday grocery haul. I also was isolated and sick at home with Covid and the energy just wasn't there. I went for ease and comfort, and made some air-fryer fries.</div><div><br /></div><div>I used to make these more often, using different seasonings or even sweet potatoes. This time, I used a mix of herbs, salt and fresh black pepper. It's an easy snack or side dish, and it was a delightful thing to eat when home alone and unwell. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ2Cu7nBuCOrOqP8B5etj1yNF_YCw05zbXE3QHbZ6JzenXulH327xpg2DtsZpoUr9XVfh2kQLrihQ5_LA158PCZ28qBLZ3Gvm8NqH27UG6nAQA3KunLAduUPGJKIIGInaaAlqfnEdPT9GFpu9BBuk7R6xzniAXqquEg0Nk2uH3P24GC9-loHjNIpw4EfQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ2Cu7nBuCOrOqP8B5etj1yNF_YCw05zbXE3QHbZ6JzenXulH327xpg2DtsZpoUr9XVfh2kQLrihQ5_LA158PCZ28qBLZ3Gvm8NqH27UG6nAQA3KunLAduUPGJKIIGInaaAlqfnEdPT9GFpu9BBuk7R6xzniAXqquEg0Nk2uH3P24GC9-loHjNIpw4EfQ" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRwc5qoZ4RE1S6UeXeHN_17bFL2YuMaZ5heBJ5IvfnrdWyXz-H_fbM8x0Tq1iNs7FA_0m-_QGBvjzyK4x3toYeYQi2nhrQad1TG2PhqSqLtDk3gK8zVMv7KJRo0sOlGUNKie2ANflvcXtXC653-q6-wKBSh-k2UoYEdkqG7xuWzFKu0lq5xL7rAIbEUmc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRwc5qoZ4RE1S6UeXeHN_17bFL2YuMaZ5heBJ5IvfnrdWyXz-H_fbM8x0Tq1iNs7FA_0m-_QGBvjzyK4x3toYeYQi2nhrQad1TG2PhqSqLtDk3gK8zVMv7KJRo0sOlGUNKie2ANflvcXtXC653-q6-wKBSh-k2UoYEdkqG7xuWzFKu0lq5xL7rAIbEUmc" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-25944454697102463542024-01-20T14:32:00.000-08:002024-01-20T14:32:05.686-08:00Let's try Goat!<p>This week had me doing a little research into Kashmiri cooking. I found some great blogs, but to make an authentic recreation would require ingredients not available near me. I decided on a lamb curry at first, but when I learned that goat was also part of the cuisine, I thought, why not? Although I have to drive an hour to get a dragon fruit, I do have access to goat. </p><p>My small little town happens to have a meat market which carries all kinds of wild things, from kangaroo to rattlesnake. I stopped in and bought some goat meat, which was only a dollar more expensive than lamb. I have never had it before, and I am always up for new things. </p><p>I read that goat could sometimes be tough, so I slow cooked my curry. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir3-lhsYTliuGs4uaZEMfsll6iNIde4NMErtXpmc5KepeZCDq1BWNyPEs7axTrHx1zLhdTztka6I3Bh_wuiCrEkddKewkC_UzenT0rstz_8oGZk-qp8-E_DzMio9KJZ12EwQSP5lPRgxrx0e39p7sSkkiNSyCXsAP-vrcWW3ZtBhiZjfR2BpStgjdMSEQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="3260" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir3-lhsYTliuGs4uaZEMfsll6iNIde4NMErtXpmc5KepeZCDq1BWNyPEs7axTrHx1zLhdTztka6I3Bh_wuiCrEkddKewkC_UzenT0rstz_8oGZk-qp8-E_DzMio9KJZ12EwQSP5lPRgxrx0e39p7sSkkiNSyCXsAP-vrcWW3ZtBhiZjfR2BpStgjdMSEQ=w400-h368" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I served it over some rice, with naan on the side. This wasn't the best curry I ever made, but I liked it. The goat was a nice change of pace. </p><p><br /></p><p>I have already cooked next week's entree, and planned the one after that. Bad weather and illness are upon me now, so I pretty much have to really on what i have. It certainly won't be as exciting as goat curry!</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-81362571522117907622024-01-07T15:44:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:59:50.689-08:00Playing with Dragon Fruti<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Week two of the challenge wasYear of the Dragon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My mind immediately thought of stir fry, and how I used to make really great ones but haven't made any in recent years. But then I went to the Asian Market in Syracuse and saw this little beauty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a beautiful fruit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN6cy8sYSSHMjWH_CnxZQg0raT5smZ3daIWNFgIRFFor_d6vWJy7Pw6UVUQkNjPEkzOHabfionYB3X5KK__DgVY7n5ZyPeuWlzmabklp1XGcBBuwRyYOlhtZRW5wHYcIr9JuT9pllm-rH9PQSnlZ_53nqvK0QzrY3ZnXzCDirIihmwWoc0Ag1VY81Ld1k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN6cy8sYSSHMjWH_CnxZQg0raT5smZ3daIWNFgIRFFor_d6vWJy7Pw6UVUQkNjPEkzOHabfionYB3X5KK__DgVY7n5ZyPeuWlzmabklp1XGcBBuwRyYOlhtZRW5wHYcIr9JuT9pllm-rH9PQSnlZ_53nqvK0QzrY3ZnXzCDirIihmwWoc0Ag1VY81Ld1k=w400-h331" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since i have never had a dragon fruit before, I had to go for it. I picked up a fresh one and a bag of frozen chunks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the fresh fruit, I cut it into chunks and made a fruit salad. I used the fruits we had on hand, grapes and oranges. I added some whipped honey and called it a day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dragon fruit had a very mild flavor, which matched well with the more intensely flavored fruits. And honey makes everything better. Everyone liked it, which is not surprising. All fruits disappear rather quickly in my house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the combo of dragon fruit with other fruits, and I vow to buy one whenever our paths cross.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCPIsNadSDAnQVrKwFKivt02q671FY6hSBrrrEX8tVc3lVr1zQdjib_CbcZrGPir4cEhi4TLV7fk3nugUBlnnUgTTfYpScOTylV8ztNKQ8UG_VGkxUl9qsURiHZR_FYTm1e7iMFj5i-ecjYHoxX2u4E6JehFbAKCfBrj5NpTufnGNX7SLgJ6OZEJjSpco" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCPIsNadSDAnQVrKwFKivt02q671FY6hSBrrrEX8tVc3lVr1zQdjib_CbcZrGPir4cEhi4TLV7fk3nugUBlnnUgTTfYpScOTylV8ztNKQ8UG_VGkxUl9qsURiHZR_FYTm1e7iMFj5i-ecjYHoxX2u4E6JehFbAKCfBrj5NpTufnGNX7SLgJ6OZEJjSpco=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My plan for the frozen chunks was to make an overnight chia seed pudding with dragon-fruit smoothie topping. I found the recipe online, and it looked so damned pretty. I made the chia pudding first, and it did not set overnight, so my dish was a fail. Instead, I blended the fruit with the liquidy pudding and some almond milk and honey and made a very very bright, Christmasy red smoothie. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tasted a little the day I made it, but never had a glass because it disappeared. My fruit-loving family also loves smoothies. They know I am doing this challenge, however, and were thoughtful enough to photograph it for me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0vVrHVZx6yiXbfhmUXEH_rN21vMULAFvbkgXvGZ9yMDXIAo2yhnI81euAJ_UXhoz6Q3fhCeCxM_QOctPP5-jgl32QPzAP6ucUH18OtKjPfQ2zAOPf2hsg1ctNy9XpjDa1xdcE5ufg25oWGj9C0sMWpS4e1Kbg2fuM_xfrXJQceKYtPFkkM5prBfAWp94" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3217" data-original-width="3021" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0vVrHVZx6yiXbfhmUXEH_rN21vMULAFvbkgXvGZ9yMDXIAo2yhnI81euAJ_UXhoz6Q3fhCeCxM_QOctPP5-jgl32QPzAP6ucUH18OtKjPfQ2zAOPf2hsg1ctNy9XpjDa1xdcE5ufg25oWGj9C0sMWpS4e1Kbg2fuM_xfrXJQceKYtPFkkM5prBfAWp94" width="225" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8NyhSmCF2WaKuOYtok-qro8vmN6qGukRku_8czTqy4I3gFx6YkmkU8g9x2TMuO9pP6e01eJQH9tufNUwDRcPU_EsPFYnQ4Np9yHsr017827KMQk2h6Djhe74h3ecxPE9eaO1OehfQ5d8wYKk8N3xfM4Mr5cAmTpf3eRovZ-wtTWNG9iCoGw63BVPExyI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8NyhSmCF2WaKuOYtok-qro8vmN6qGukRku_8czTqy4I3gFx6YkmkU8g9x2TMuO9pP6e01eJQH9tufNUwDRcPU_EsPFYnQ4Np9yHsr017827KMQk2h6Djhe74h3ecxPE9eaO1OehfQ5d8wYKk8N3xfM4Mr5cAmTpf3eRovZ-wtTWNG9iCoGw63BVPExyI=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /> Speaking of photographs, I really need to step up my game. I am a good travel photographer, but food in my home is another story. I have terrible lighting, which doesn't help matters. Some of the pictures other Reddit users post are just amazing...like, they could be in cookbooks. <p></p><p>In conclusion, I do like the dragon fruit. It is nice and mild, and has a very pretty color to it. I do always love to try new things, so although my "cooking" was not really cooking this week, I enjoyed the experience. Exotic fruit is hard to come by in Oswego NY, so I will have to make a point of going to Syracuse more often. Next time, I am going to buy a durian!</p><p>Speaking of new things, I think next week, I might try goat... if I can find it, that is.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-9322126487644408682024-01-02T14:36:00.000-08:002024-01-06T06:46:31.610-08:00Depression-Era Green Bean Soup<p> Beans...There are so many kinds of beans. I could have gone with coffee, or legumes, or perhaps a Mexican refried bean dish. The first bean to pop in my head, however, was the green bean.</p><p> Green beans are a vegetable that I am not always crazy about. Fresh green beans taste pretty good, but the way they are usually presented is pretty boring. A plain old side of cooked beans on a plate does not excite me. Canned and frozen green beans kind of suck. Don't even get me started on that mushroom soup-infested travesty of a casserole everyone likes to make on Thanksgiving. Yuck! </p><p>While I was thinking of a new way to make green beans palatable for me, I remembered a soup my mom used to make. It was milky, had green beans and ham, and I used to love it! I definitely wanted to recreate that soup, which actually was something she ate in her childhood. I was told it hails from the depression era. </p><p>I began researching recipes. Many of them had green beans just floating around in milk, and I thought that would be weird. I decided on chicken broth with milk added. I also found some Hungarian bean soup recipes that have paprika in them, yielding a beautiful orange-golden broth. My end goal was to recreate my mom's soup, but to make it less milky and add paprika for a bit more richness in flavor.</p><p>I sauteed an onion and my beans, added chicken broth and the paprika. After simmering that for thirty minutes, I added some pan-fried ham steak cut up in cubes, and a mix of milk, sour cream and cornstarch. The dairy products (or the corn starch, I'm really not sure) immediately curdled up into tiny white microdots, making my soup look absolutely horrifying. I thought, "Yay! Starting the new year off with a failure!" But then I tasted it, and it was delicious. My youngest daughter was home for the holidays with me, and she enjoyed it as well.</p><p>Despite looking like one of the ingredients was a a pulverized stick of chalk, this dish was warm, cozy, tasty and light. It was also pretty easy to make. I liked it so much I am going to put it in a regular rotation this winter, although I will have to work on that curdling problem.</p><p> And guess what? I ate every last green bean. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmy2HrKcmj2VkgJ9HlYHtgwFzhzQjEmseUj9Ku01dtYk66XQX7rO9_oIbsjfbL_1AA3szuahTqi9aBD5LKILKXf_NKSKoAfdJuXEBTTUYfLx36S3OPmCvVR2DqMI6dTnoj6VgizSdBbCatFBmdyl7HfgPHH59E1x9deiSULNEz796OSV6ufS7FMcdRiPg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="878" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmy2HrKcmj2VkgJ9HlYHtgwFzhzQjEmseUj9Ku01dtYk66XQX7rO9_oIbsjfbL_1AA3szuahTqi9aBD5LKILKXf_NKSKoAfdJuXEBTTUYfLx36S3OPmCvVR2DqMI6dTnoj6VgizSdBbCatFBmdyl7HfgPHH59E1x9deiSULNEz796OSV6ufS7FMcdRiPg" width="235" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf6Zxa8CmxwG1nAJOedRlJ3MMGLY-B5uGfZIBsHMTj3kufMRTTBzAk0LTZDWdRW5iofdu__zoTcbD_6S1tTY58Ng7YFQTwepnovqfCSX58fZdxYf5ZddJ5Fcy5h8YK87129pyeC6FRhfAx_T2MxcgLp-7wy1W9LCF2nqjE2hEZHknmWkzUhP20wua59a4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf6Zxa8CmxwG1nAJOedRlJ3MMGLY-B5uGfZIBsHMTj3kufMRTTBzAk0LTZDWdRW5iofdu__zoTcbD_6S1tTY58Ng7YFQTwepnovqfCSX58fZdxYf5ZddJ5Fcy5h8YK87129pyeC6FRhfAx_T2MxcgLp-7wy1W9LCF2nqjE2hEZHknmWkzUhP20wua59a4" width="320" /></a></div><br />UPDATE: Grace, my middle daughter, came home the following day and also loved the soup. None of my girls like ham, so they were surprised they enjoyed it. I will update again when I remake it with just milk instead of the sour cream/ cornstarch mixture next time.<div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-5986512833121569702023-12-18T16:29:00.000-08:002023-12-18T17:46:11.208-08:0052 Weeks of Cooking!!<p> My oldest daughter, Holly, has done every baking challenge in Reddit's 52 Weeks of Baking challenge for 2023, and she has made some wonderful things. A few examples:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVKgO9HRsyiqLlCd9_lWpYK7_YQl5J3t720fzys3gqI9vlrVuYw47ed19XhFL8zO6vvJVwpytY0XrGzWOnFBq0Chkutzta_UYSS68s_RA1nTbGBlLmNc6H_scoy8sytl16SXyXM2FXMJimB9HKdtBxmhU6o4OJgOqOiBBZGt-DT1-dhBm7ilFrxwV0y4/s1440/375065231_6823964887625104_5813318469139137562_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVKgO9HRsyiqLlCd9_lWpYK7_YQl5J3t720fzys3gqI9vlrVuYw47ed19XhFL8zO6vvJVwpytY0XrGzWOnFBq0Chkutzta_UYSS68s_RA1nTbGBlLmNc6H_scoy8sytl16SXyXM2FXMJimB9HKdtBxmhU6o4OJgOqOiBBZGt-DT1-dhBm7ilFrxwV0y4/s320/375065231_6823964887625104_5813318469139137562_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxDyOIJzCdnliZKnzB-xZ9vBgq2a59zrSoICvTrT7I-Z79Vegx1twCv-z93xhoCrcWDT7KrvPMRRAf6bRL-E68WcnpxZ2SeP-0k-FDVuVAp3G3v2mUM37LlXnY7RhV72cJdgb_rwSiWuGrEN6qnVLZG5H0_8pEKTiD7HgTcnGG-YdwZtH3mezy4zazXQ/s1440/396714141_7027756653912592_4259328748898903433_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxDyOIJzCdnliZKnzB-xZ9vBgq2a59zrSoICvTrT7I-Z79Vegx1twCv-z93xhoCrcWDT7KrvPMRRAf6bRL-E68WcnpxZ2SeP-0k-FDVuVAp3G3v2mUM37LlXnY7RhV72cJdgb_rwSiWuGrEN6qnVLZG5H0_8pEKTiD7HgTcnGG-YdwZtH3mezy4zazXQ/s320/396714141_7027756653912592_4259328748898903433_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b4d7oGLujI_hqwwTVSLXEbUCX_NEpCV3eQoP6Woe88lcvwBp7VBYnAysjO2LRkN_y4Ii0EDKAvI5Zc9upR-J9eOzHiAdRczKMem_Xjx4HIno2RLNdgcGxd4M-w5u-GA1OIYGWHQ4GBboHUyNe42pZikPjRyA4i9doDliJraPnZrfceQd2yqIwpyucCM/s1440/400397802_7090924660929124_5379442629485152739_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b4d7oGLujI_hqwwTVSLXEbUCX_NEpCV3eQoP6Woe88lcvwBp7VBYnAysjO2LRkN_y4Ii0EDKAvI5Zc9upR-J9eOzHiAdRczKMem_Xjx4HIno2RLNdgcGxd4M-w5u-GA1OIYGWHQ4GBboHUyNe42pZikPjRyA4i9doDliJraPnZrfceQd2yqIwpyucCM/s320/400397802_7090924660929124_5379442629485152739_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn0fHjMQ7I4DvpFon25F1nmonjZKbpaUQTfddfmNnt1YZnqZG1-02HUUqsPWLcpo0pc6k4rAyLph7MIMG9RonhO_T9apZduMfF8qr2DtMJ5fDaGMOShs7m3SKdvDVOo4QZeVfYmzQ82OmNZGk1BMLhM36HCY-lAdpoXueAyBuqJchKOS0KPAWXYrsI4s/s1440/406987027_7176345532387036_6735754225555814568_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn0fHjMQ7I4DvpFon25F1nmonjZKbpaUQTfddfmNnt1YZnqZG1-02HUUqsPWLcpo0pc6k4rAyLph7MIMG9RonhO_T9apZduMfF8qr2DtMJ5fDaGMOShs7m3SKdvDVOo4QZeVfYmzQ82OmNZGk1BMLhM36HCY-lAdpoXueAyBuqJchKOS0KPAWXYrsI4s/s320/406987027_7176345532387036_6735754225555814568_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmgMhcjOF2SxeHfiUbv_Hzivw2C9Per3LABq9vYFaorYH942TvlxgAGdLuA88teG37FISE7Jh9xFSMwA_mJIdXeEzvWnCAb2OjhTYrhCRwYOPsYDN2LRqkb_5bFHy94O1CXaoa5WEvnohyphenhyphen3PzGqhsAB21u7KIzulR97Cz1NQW_bC_F6ZnY5yamm4_ezI/s1440/407313149_7176345539053702_7393797347749084517_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmgMhcjOF2SxeHfiUbv_Hzivw2C9Per3LABq9vYFaorYH942TvlxgAGdLuA88teG37FISE7Jh9xFSMwA_mJIdXeEzvWnCAb2OjhTYrhCRwYOPsYDN2LRqkb_5bFHy94O1CXaoa5WEvnohyphenhyphen3PzGqhsAB21u7KIzulR97Cz1NQW_bC_F6ZnY5yamm4_ezI/s320/407313149_7176345539053702_7393797347749084517_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>She's so talented. And that photography...wow!</p><p>I love the idea of this challenge, but am not really into baking and desserts. The 52 Weeks of Cooking challenge is more my style. The first prompt of 2024 is out and I am ready to get started! I've never been one to stick with something, but Holly has inspired me to give it a go. </p><p>I will start the year off with beans....</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-4951112285782725282021-06-09T03:13:00.000-07:002021-06-09T03:13:02.127-07:00Lasting Memories 550<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAwbob8gz4DJyJlTb7dkUNSuh-WlifEO5FTj1VpSBqgXFFevYde6SG7VYxQCbDxLH-Zv4S6ifpwLAMCAh3EY1tDLdIJ6WFIa4MxSsrSXyNECRAs1TvRCtOAwdFYJTFNr8d7WHWu-rknE/s4100/IMG_3014+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3669" data-original-width="4100" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAwbob8gz4DJyJlTb7dkUNSuh-WlifEO5FTj1VpSBqgXFFevYde6SG7VYxQCbDxLH-Zv4S6ifpwLAMCAh3EY1tDLdIJ6WFIa4MxSsrSXyNECRAs1TvRCtOAwdFYJTFNr8d7WHWu-rknE/w640-h572/IMG_3014+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Challenge 550 calls for using three or more photos on a layout. I love to do multiphoto pages. They can be challenging, because you don't have as much room for fun products or techniques. I am starting to print my photos a bit smaller instead of the 4x6 I've been ordering for 20 years. On this page, I cut one photo pretty small and framed with chipboard. That frame was a blue Christmas-themed one, and when I adhered it to the page, I found it too colorful. I took some white gesso and toned it down, which made me happy!!</p><p>I love to use both old and new stash on my pages. The papers are new here..Hip Kit Club and a sea-themed collection I bought or this trip. The little sea-themed dies are new as well. But the little word phrases I have had in my stash at least ten years! They were the only two words left on the sticker sheet, and now I get to throw the whole thing out. </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-70250769976002183422021-04-22T19:28:00.000-07:002021-04-22T19:28:00.916-07:00Summer Besties! <p> This is a My Creative Scrapbook Sketch for April 2021!</p><p>My sister is a proffessional photographer, and she tries to get a picture of all the cousins together each year when we visit. This pic is from 2019, which was the last time I saw my family in Ohio due to this damned virus. I had to cancel my 2020 trip! Oh how I miss these kids! </p><p>The title is pretty true. My three daughters and the two older cousis in the pic have been the best of friends every summer since they were born. And now there is a younger cousin, who absolutely adores when all her older cousins are around. They are a pack of five with a little tag-along!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFIHEbABgVsgEl7e-Z2RpEFOCwX5OGpG3XuKFRlQaH6jK2m_E9Ms0Nx1rDY0Do8ermP7geF2qbFRrZXEqKwf_0yC5TTI7YmqEU9E8oUweHmTQuOxJz-fVrOkDjIc3v8III-80E4tuPcg/s800/April+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFIHEbABgVsgEl7e-Z2RpEFOCwX5OGpG3XuKFRlQaH6jK2m_E9Ms0Nx1rDY0Do8ermP7geF2qbFRrZXEqKwf_0yC5TTI7YmqEU9E8oUweHmTQuOxJz-fVrOkDjIc3v8III-80E4tuPcg/s320/April+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFOgpCcY_wN2hD2jxT7EI_J6BqDr1pWjxXz9R-dvJXPCFiCk5-mrwTle0E9m3hgqzhIGKV3beYRFVOJyvWkqiHEwneqCQossOlMpWlt06RHxmK8J4e1G2PgAlROAU_5_YRcbxGLgdRSk/s2048/2021-04-22+12.28.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFOgpCcY_wN2hD2jxT7EI_J6BqDr1pWjxXz9R-dvJXPCFiCk5-mrwTle0E9m3hgqzhIGKV3beYRFVOJyvWkqiHEwneqCQossOlMpWlt06RHxmK8J4e1G2PgAlROAU_5_YRcbxGLgdRSk/w640-h480/2021-04-22+12.28.58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>tfl!</p><p>Mandy</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-49564322223006047762021-04-19T03:19:00.001-07:002021-04-19T03:19:10.365-07:00Graduation day! This one I did for Lasting Memories April challenge to use a 4x4 photo. This is my new favorite size. I just started printing out pictures that way this year! <div>This one has a lot of journaling. Miranda's graduation day was pretty emotional for me, and not in a good way. I just had been so forward to my last child's graduation .. symbolizing getting all my kids through school and into adulthood. And she had such a great high school career. She has amazing friends, was a good student, and an accomplished track athlete. The day of graduation was when it the affects of quarantine and dealing with this virus finally hit me. She had so much taken away from her. It took me the weekend to shake off the heartbreak and get back to carrying on. </div><div><br /></div><div>I usually don't journal this much on a page. It was a bit challenging to fit all that plus three photos. But in this case, the pics weren't that great. We only had about five minutes in the gym to get a photo. The rest of the time was spent in the car!! On the bright side, I didn't have to buy a new outfit.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZH24MOQLNItEO7vJcEktALfqCdUC1JhksEk9LGTAT9uodUZ5dmDQ7hsAhZTSGeuTcq7aDrA-6zFOojQfgsb0K5nqEk6WQfxbZxZ5SEGe1H6n05ev3S8Xq3UK2UoUWnXtkqZizEel3FU/s2048/2021-04-17+15.15.54+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZH24MOQLNItEO7vJcEktALfqCdUC1JhksEk9LGTAT9uodUZ5dmDQ7hsAhZTSGeuTcq7aDrA-6zFOojQfgsb0K5nqEk6WQfxbZxZ5SEGe1H6n05ev3S8Xq3UK2UoUWnXtkqZizEel3FU/w620-h640/2021-04-17+15.15.54+%25282%2529.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><br /><div>TFL!</div><div>Mandy</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-45533246276029240102021-04-19T02:59:00.002-07:002021-04-19T03:03:59.722-07:00Lasting Memories in April 2021Hmm...I haven't posted since 2019! I really only use this blog to share layouts I do for challenges. I've still been doing challenges, but on sites with their own galleries. I decided I really should fan out and check out some other sites. I have not done a challenge on Lasting Memories in a few years and am glad they are still going strong. This month I did two, including this one .<div><br /></div><div>The challenge was to use something for each letter of the word EASTER. I used:</div><div>Enamel dots</div><div>American Crafts white cardstock (my go-to)</div><div>Stickers, stars</div><div>Torn edges</div><div>Epoxy..made my own flair out of a clear epoxy circle</div><div>Ribbon...black self-adhesive ribbon used as a border under the green star paper</div><div><br /></div><div>This challege got me looking through my stash and using things I may not have used, but glad I did! That self-adhesive ribbon has been in my stash over ten years! And I just got the clear epoxy circles to make flair, but haven't done it until now. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsYDV3u1eG8ZcrtlpKtcOHYmvotVC3gQB2zbfAMkKrjh5fVV_iU52fQ61MKQcQdYMQkM-57U3v2gKA9sx0q1PmBnIwVpRb29eOcV-lORHiBt38xmwJJ-GD5cRof1RciFOn_Y_VQObAts/s2048/2021-04-18+16.31.12+%25282%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2023" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsYDV3u1eG8ZcrtlpKtcOHYmvotVC3gQB2zbfAMkKrjh5fVV_iU52fQ61MKQcQdYMQkM-57U3v2gKA9sx0q1PmBnIwVpRb29eOcV-lORHiBt38xmwJJ-GD5cRof1RciFOn_Y_VQObAts/s600/2021-04-18+16.31.12+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a>TFL!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mandy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-18035383845124660292019-11-03T13:20:00.001-08:002019-11-03T13:20:07.355-08:00We Go TogetherMystical Scrapbook's journaling-themed challenge inspired me to finally get this Halloween page done from a few years ago. I already did a page of the girls in their cute costumes, but I wanted to further elaborate on their friendship and how they have been dressing up together for Halloween since first grade. At first, they dressed as the same thing (flamingos, soldiers, wizards, crayons, etc) but they got more elaborate in high school, dressing as things that go together....<br />
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Handwriting is the way to go for pages like this. It makes it more personal for my memories to come from my handwriting, after all!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs31WKHh_F7TB3bHyHRUahKVHM2crIK4hF4bVkn0p7ihVStuv4KRianZavVXka1fgrf5DtOFLh1aCGkppGgrx9vLXmsCzGxetNu5z1vytr1A0c3R8TeLFtrOJf-NRT6_ws8CZw9wTJXyQ/s1600/IMG_2540+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1561" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs31WKHh_F7TB3bHyHRUahKVHM2crIK4hF4bVkn0p7ihVStuv4KRianZavVXka1fgrf5DtOFLh1aCGkppGgrx9vLXmsCzGxetNu5z1vytr1A0c3R8TeLFtrOJf-NRT6_ws8CZw9wTJXyQ/s640/IMG_2540+%25282%2529.JPG" width="624" /></a></div>
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TFL!!!<br />
MandyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-50741547632704732352019-10-23T13:57:00.001-07:002019-10-23T13:57:31.476-07:00Jingle BallsLasting Memories #466<br />
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<a href="http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/09/lm-466-mixed-bag-pick-3.html">http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/09/lm-466-mixed-bag-pick-3.html</a><br />
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Here is a list of items for the challenge, and I was to use at least three:<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>Hearts</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>3 photos</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>polka dots</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>List style journaling</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>tags</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>doily</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>stickers - puffy, chipboard, cardstock, etc.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>washi tape </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e1e1b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.26px; text-align: center;">
<b>buttons</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>So for my entry, I used Polka Dots, washi tape and stickers for this Christmas themed baseball page</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5AzZnftpejoz5Y2TjypYHqIfgGp2PJVfo_RvQpALzunXulnblGLW9SeJs__UgY5W9KX_82EYN9X_SjEabT1uaE8XNUD1QCgcA2t6thZc6vC-EglmSMJz66Gil1IVRRIWEyDnZVNcRhQ/s1600/IMG_2521+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5AzZnftpejoz5Y2TjypYHqIfgGp2PJVfo_RvQpALzunXulnblGLW9SeJs__UgY5W9KX_82EYN9X_SjEabT1uaE8XNUD1QCgcA2t6thZc6vC-EglmSMJz66Gil1IVRRIWEyDnZVNcRhQ/s640/IMG_2521+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Mandy</b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-67068893295316334062019-10-23T13:47:00.001-07:002019-10-23T13:47:35.987-07:00The Owl's NestIcon paper is the challenge at Lasting Memories #469!!<br />
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I love the look of icon paper, but find it too busy to use sometimes. Here, I grouped and matted the photos and half-covered the bottom of the page with a calmer patterned paper. Also, using non-busy and somewhat monochromic photos (like these close-ups) don't get washed out as much by busier paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims74Zy7WcYKqUN8Fnx7iX40rInDq1H8AuwsoQ9JtFD1-8PHTXZuwOeggWUg6U42eN2wwvyTF3qtwNCjhyphenhyphendyzFSu-dJVvPrcM0Qf1XXSFui99jqDOF6X5EQlZD0Z44IB9ouTwGoLenKw0/s1600/IMG_2495+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="1600" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims74Zy7WcYKqUN8Fnx7iX40rInDq1H8AuwsoQ9JtFD1-8PHTXZuwOeggWUg6U42eN2wwvyTF3qtwNCjhyphenhyphendyzFSu-dJVvPrcM0Qf1XXSFui99jqDOF6X5EQlZD0Z44IB9ouTwGoLenKw0/s640/IMG_2495+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's the link to the challenge!!<br />
<a href="http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/10/lm-469-mixed-bag-icon-paper.html">http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/10/lm-469-mixed-bag-icon-paper.html</a><br />
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tfl, MANDYUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-82235660999252097582019-10-22T19:13:00.002-07:002019-10-23T13:51:37.702-07:00King of the GrillAt Challenge up your life this month, the challenge is frames. I had the little leather frame for more than a decade! I thought it was so cute, purchased it, and never used it. I pimped it out with a hamburger sticker and a word for this page.<br />
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<a href="http://challengeupyourlife.blogspot.com/">http://challengeupyourlife.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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<br />
At Archiscraps, the October Challenge is distressing or tearing, a technique which I used to do back in the day, and have only recently began using again. I love to tear vellum...it adds quite a bit of depth. I've been tearing vellum photo mats lately....like in this page.<br />
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Torn edges is a theme with challenges this month, as it is also Lasting Memories chal. no. 467<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOuWopUlUM33ZJnCmQxR_zahoE5sDdZJtgLoTsyPoqRThVrt0MctigeQTPgS5k7ePjNV9yMbbPzU065mROD-YZ7LlfzvQ84NwO-ZyZj7uP_BREpAHAsNKQ9_AxQWqmgvAhbJD9jBE-IE/s1600/IMG_2509+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1600" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOuWopUlUM33ZJnCmQxR_zahoE5sDdZJtgLoTsyPoqRThVrt0MctigeQTPgS5k7ePjNV9yMbbPzU065mROD-YZ7LlfzvQ84NwO-ZyZj7uP_BREpAHAsNKQ9_AxQWqmgvAhbJD9jBE-IE/s640/IMG_2509+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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MandyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-32624431882492505862018-07-08T18:47:00.000-07:002018-07-08T18:47:03.178-07:00Paper GirlsI think this site is a new one for me..I don't believe I have ever done a challenge here.<br />
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<a href="http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2018/07/challenge-155-buttons.html">http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2018/07/challenge-155-buttons.html</a><br />
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This next challege is BUTTONS!! Easy, I love buttons! I do not use them often, though, which is another thing I love about challenges...it gets me using my stash.<br />
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I have placed some tiny buttons on the stickers, to add to the cuteness and fun of the page. The animal stickers are about 13 years old! I used some of them a long time ago, and decided to finish off the sheet. I love using my old products.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5nV_rYhLOmJjsazDx7kP3mwhDzsXJdk98kql8L7IVyq22tOIQ7HDJXSWYNixdMWO9723CrL-vqu6BQXg99K05BbzzNgvSTMDewop6IKt0ZnWY__YZs6xn8lAt1zmz4EWR5621LIBhGg/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1600" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5nV_rYhLOmJjsazDx7kP3mwhDzsXJdk98kql8L7IVyq22tOIQ7HDJXSWYNixdMWO9723CrL-vqu6BQXg99K05BbzzNgvSTMDewop6IKt0ZnWY__YZs6xn8lAt1zmz4EWR5621LIBhGg/s640/DSC_0011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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TFL!<br />
MandyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-15330844040241729892018-07-08T18:05:00.000-07:002018-07-08T18:40:37.928-07:00Archscraps, July: colorful neighborhoods!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
This month at Archiscraps:<br />
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<a href="http://archiscraps.blogspot.com/2018/06/july-challenge.html">http://archiscraps.blogspot.com/2018/06/july-challenge.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK0jrGE1rdY_LneQlh6lyheuRToTWSCFqtRkq8KJfvaUwc4yw1F56NIA-Bjv13zo6P3MMbZTLGZYoOOHGMOd1Ub18GGSMHyWJJI8JfAdNGEtQh8JaBdT7A_8s48SatHL9SMRMdMM6TdU/s1600/25446425_809586235909001_5103245181848539439_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK0jrGE1rdY_LneQlh6lyheuRToTWSCFqtRkq8KJfvaUwc4yw1F56NIA-Bjv13zo6P3MMbZTLGZYoOOHGMOd1Ub18GGSMHyWJJI8JfAdNGEtQh8JaBdT7A_8s48SatHL9SMRMdMM6TdU/s320/25446425_809586235909001_5103245181848539439_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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What a great picture! I would love to go there.<br />
The challenge is to use lots of color. I was inspired to scrap a street scene in bold colors for some very old photos of a night out on the town.<br />
I used a coloring page city. I like the look of the black and white on very bright paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikumPQzdxcp_4hxL4TULGByrRYsozODH3PfiJ4gW-5SPaIPslceTeqiCvW4LR0Ne4jyOVUWbwFNsYfg2wZGv_UIbkApYn7EUp1GEpuvQcjVnvEVkia71vcJ9vq7Sj0SC0YsmA1SfRqwak/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikumPQzdxcp_4hxL4TULGByrRYsozODH3PfiJ4gW-5SPaIPslceTeqiCvW4LR0Ne4jyOVUWbwFNsYfg2wZGv_UIbkApYn7EUp1GEpuvQcjVnvEVkia71vcJ9vq7Sj0SC0YsmA1SfRqwak/s640/DSC_0013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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tfl!<br />
MandyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-22795719343642888782018-06-03T11:07:00.001-07:002018-06-03T11:10:08.004-07:00New projects!I haven't been posting too many projects because I am able to bypass posting on a blog on many sites, and I forget to add them here!<br />
I will try to be better. I plan on doing many this month because school is ending and life is calming down<br />
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This one I did for Bitten by the Bug 2...<br />
You know I love my Cricut..always will. I have so many cute animals on cartridges but don't use them often. They go perfect on a "cute" page, which is what I worked on this time...<br />
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These are pics from Halloween 2017. Although my kids are in high school and college, they still love to dress up in costumes. Miranda still goes trick-or-treating, even though she's 16! Mir and her best friend dressed up like spaghetti and parmesan cheese, costumes they made themselves. I was skeptical when I heard the idea, but it turned out pretty cute!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRagqZ_hXd4Rh0ospg_jT8qg8ioCT7u6ZzA9J4iC_CgpWzJAhYTXjjQuYDvE1z9j9LbZ1huBLJp6dISCiS6Daz2_Rwj2dSvRyp0y3q1UOdhMI8trW1wt-lpfalpDxqscGfvz15jxGZzc/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1600" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRagqZ_hXd4Rh0ospg_jT8qg8ioCT7u6ZzA9J4iC_CgpWzJAhYTXjjQuYDvE1z9j9LbZ1huBLJp6dISCiS6Daz2_Rwj2dSvRyp0y3q1UOdhMI8trW1wt-lpfalpDxqscGfvz15jxGZzc/s640/DSC_0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used a little mouse from Create a Critter<br />
Here's the link at BBTB2<br />
<a href="http://heather-bittenbythebug2.blogspot.com/2018/05/animals.html">http://heather-bittenbythebug2.blogspot.com/2018/05/animals.html</a><br />
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tfl,<br />
MandyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-59481719222477963812017-09-09T21:38:00.002-07:002017-11-22T06:20:08.539-08:00Another Studio ChallengeThis time, a sketch!<br />
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<a href="http://thestudiochallenges.blogspot.com/2017/08/27th-august-sketch.html">http://thestudiochallenges.blogspot.com/2017/08/27th-august-sketch.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5KxM5yQGwt_s_e9GExPbBy8INdlbAUohNVoShLy46ExQRP5Y4Ds3cfqfsnym1MBOGRjpQU4T7kDLbAiNW97sOk1-mgqTvGoyLPVtGQzQGe9Q2NLukZAn343SOqFpeGp-hZof6wGh3es/s1600/August+17+Sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5KxM5yQGwt_s_e9GExPbBy8INdlbAUohNVoShLy46ExQRP5Y4Ds3cfqfsnym1MBOGRjpQU4T7kDLbAiNW97sOk1-mgqTvGoyLPVtGQzQGe9Q2NLukZAn343SOqFpeGp-hZof6wGh3es/s640/August+17+Sketch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I played around with some paints and gelatos to make circles, which I then cut out.<br />
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TFL,,,MANDYUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-30215485084171619102017-09-09T21:33:00.001-07:002017-09-09T21:34:28.294-07:00The Studio Challenges..........Winery<br />
The August Tic Tac Toe challenge at Studio Challenges :<br />
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<a href="http://thestudiochallenges.blogspot.com/2017/08/13th-august-tic-tac-toe.html">http://thestudiochallenges.blogspot.com/2017/08/13th-august-tic-tac-toe.html</a><br />
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I chose lace doilies, one flair button, and the color brown for this page depicting a recent trip to wine country here in Upstate NY.<br />
I love the combination of wood and lace.<br />
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I used some very old Jolie's purple flowers here, which kind of looked like grapes. Also some Creative Memories flower and leaf stickers...again, very old. I stamped an ink pad onto the lace doilies. Thanks for lookin!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-43687086301713906022017-06-10T15:48:00.002-07:002017-06-10T15:48:24.853-07:00The Stream....June at Use your Stuff<br />
<a href="http://useyourstuff.blogspot.ca/2017/06/266-patterned-papers.html">http://useyourstuff.blogspot.ca/2017/06/266-patterned-papers.html</a><br />
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Oh, a challenge to use five or more patterned papers? Challenge accepted! There are so many ways to incorporate patterned papers together. I don't do it often, but when I do, I think it's fun. Here, I mixed five different patterns and they are all from different manufacturers. I simply looked through my stash and chose things that had a soft green or blue tone to them. I am on a mission to use my super-old stuff, and often mix it with the new. Here, everything I used was rather old.<br />
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The photo is one of my favorites depicted the Changdeochong Stream in Seoul...I may have spelled that wrong. Getting all the Korean names right has been quite challenging. I have to look it up every time. The stream was a great place.... a nice walking area right down below from the busy streets. I headed down there many times during my eight-day stay.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-77017935583348392212017-05-20T20:51:00.000-07:002017-05-20T20:51:05.091-07:00The Scrap Suite May 2017There are four May challenges over at the Scrap Suite. One was to add three wooden items to a page, which I did here:<br />
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I love how the wood goes so well with the fallish colors and the cozy feel of the page. These are my daughters at our favorite restaurant. My older two are in college now, so we are not all together that often anymore. When we are, we go to this place!<br />
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Tfl<br />
Mandy<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-35991156930197714082017-05-20T11:05:00.003-07:002017-05-20T11:05:58.627-07:00Scrapbook GenerationAnother site new to me, and also addicted to!<br />
I participated in the NSD crop there, and played along with many fun games in addition to doing some challenges. The crop goes until May 31, so I may do a few more. Who knows!<br />
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A One-page layout. Easy!<br />
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A monochromatic layout featuring BLUE</div>
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AND a tic-tac-toe utilizing border punches, twine and washi<br />
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More to come ....<br />
tfl MandyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046333492007860553.post-81411847285277764932017-05-20T10:57:00.000-07:002017-05-20T10:57:01.811-07:00HIP KIT CLUB NSD 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This site was new for me...and I'm totally impressed with the style, the kits, and the blog. I have been perusing the site for the past few weeks and considering joining a monthly kit subscription....Kinda pricey but possibly worth it.<br />
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Anyway, I loved the challenges. Here are some that I did...<br />
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Handcut title<br />
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playing with mixed media color kits. This is one of my faves, using gelatos, which I enjoy playing with although I am still a bit of a novice. I love the pic too, with all the stuffed animals in the background and the giant Rastafarian Banana doing some photo-bombing. I Cricut-cut some tiny bananas as well.<br />
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Using Border Punches. Love border punches!<br />
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Travel based page. Beautiful Creative Memories papers and some sequins to add a little something.<br />
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Use A Grid- a grid is a great way to showcase close-up photos, like these close-ups of street food.<br />
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Design Principles- I used principles of balance and anchoring. Funny, I use principles of design all the time without realizing it. I just do what looks right to me.<br />
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Border Punches yet again- I love playing with the CM border system. So many possibilities!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0