tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307630202884919622024-02-20T17:54:27.816-07:00Minivan StilettoJenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-56674930527618279342013-02-15T09:30:00.000-07:002014-03-18T16:14:05.420-06:00Soft Raisin Cookies #52cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a cookie my Mom used to make when I was a child
but I haven’t made it in forever because I live with a raisin hater!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, Hubby HATES raisins – so much so that he wouldn’t
even try one of these cookies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst
part about his hate for raisins is it seems he has somehow passed on the genetic
hate of raisins to our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
both tried a cookie but they picked out the raisins!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Freaking crazy kids!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh and when I told them that raisins were merely just tried
grapes – they did not believe me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, I like these cookies but they were not a panel
favourite and now that I have had some feedback and looked at the ingredients,
they are more of a muffin than a cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So if you are looking for an excuse to eat cookies for breakfast – here you
go!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>At Home Panel:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Little Boy:</b>
(as he is spitting out a raisin) it’s good, I like them, I don’t like the
raisins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are very soft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Little Girl: </b>Are
there raisins in them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like
raisins. They are tasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hubby:</b> refused
to allow a raisin to pass his lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>At Work Panel:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Brent:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a muffin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good muffin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tastes like a chocolate chip muffin
without the chocolate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bryce:</b> Good,
unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would call it a breakfast
cookie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sandee:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too dry, they don’t have a lot of
flavour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The raisins are good, I like
that they are round and thick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Barb:</b> Not my
favourite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would probably like them
if you liked scones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Adam:</b> Like grandma’s
cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(He came back for more.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.5 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sarah:</b> I like
the softness, needs more raisins or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something is missing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
spice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cinnamon maybe?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Average rating:
2.9 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fg1cxCXMRI_iiY-JlveLfw49g85SRen4OOe0SUzL7LhbcEZ6EKVLtD2rLAtMaCcMaT_KCR-y4NQeMALncbIz2PvwGNmnRvOQeIKq1nndILJC3s8GmBFlFj3oA5Sr4C1KnSu5aSplMhdm/s1600/P1020311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fg1cxCXMRI_iiY-JlveLfw49g85SRen4OOe0SUzL7LhbcEZ6EKVLtD2rLAtMaCcMaT_KCR-y4NQeMALncbIz2PvwGNmnRvOQeIKq1nndILJC3s8GmBFlFj3oA5Sr4C1KnSu5aSplMhdm/s400/P1020311.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Soft Raisin
Cookies<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">¾ teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup butter, at room temperature<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">2/3 cup sour cream<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups lightly packed brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon vanilla<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 eggs, lightly beaten<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">¾ teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup raisins<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 375F.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Using either a stand mixer or by hand, beat together the
butter and sour cream until well mixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Add in the brown sugar, vanilla and eggs and continue mixing, scraping
down the sides as needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly add the
flour mixture and mix until just combined, then add in the raisins and stir
until incorporated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Drop by rounded tablespoon onto parchment lined baking
sheets and bake for 12-14 minutes until nicely browned and set.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yield: 3 1/3 – 4 dozen cookies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEh71te32oFQa9pRJtY0GU3UqFuTSfI1E_0O6F6IvEbmMIbUbhxIkgV3qPbQf4h0kya4NVMZ5WYORlRlxhpvOqIUAfX-FrAbPgwfxaJ6eAA_JJNtLuXpP5npfgJ1hME6q78otmUgPf2vKMSx/s1600/P1020299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71te32oFQa9pRJtY0GU3UqFuTSfI1E_0O6F6IvEbmMIbUbhxIkgV3qPbQf4h0kya4NVMZ5WYORlRlxhpvOqIUAfX-FrAbPgwfxaJ6eAA_JJNtLuXpP5npfgJ1hME6q78otmUgPf2vKMSx/s400/P1020299.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Girl's plate of picked out raisins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
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Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-64402005622490338982013-02-06T08:30:00.000-07:002013-02-06T08:30:01.721-07:00Family Photos<script type="text/java_script">
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</script>I realized I haven't shared these photos with you all yet, so I'm going to share picture overload, there are just too many good ones I can't pick only one or two.<br />
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They were taken back in September at <a href="http://www.sprucemeadows.com/">Spruce Meadows</a> on an extremely hot day where I insisted everyone where jeans; can you tell we are over heating in these pictures?<br />
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A little note about <a href="http://www.sprucemeadows.com/">Spruce Meadows</a>: it's open to the public 7 days a week when they don't have a show on. You're welcome to walk through the barns, bring your dog, and don't forget a bag of carrots!Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-72075555990227980482013-02-04T08:00:00.000-07:002013-02-04T08:00:05.589-07:00#52cookies - Chocolate Florentines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv456dw1C0haoMYvQ7HLmVGIlWBhANyK7sA6jXCe7CniUKECbSpkcM7DvfoPiJ4tbzehoKc5Pm37vPD5PVuhizeRab7hv7JHbdd5myGgeR4vuLTW08_MvozA5hQpE5Pkxu1w7P37XgFzGR/s1600/P1020274_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv456dw1C0haoMYvQ7HLmVGIlWBhANyK7sA6jXCe7CniUKECbSpkcM7DvfoPiJ4tbzehoKc5Pm37vPD5PVuhizeRab7hv7JHbdd5myGgeR4vuLTW08_MvozA5hQpE5Pkxu1w7P37XgFzGR/s400/P1020274_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the best parts about this cookie challenge is I am making cookies I normally wouldn’t make and finding out my family likes them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I tended to stick to sugar cookies, chocolate chip and the odd peanut butter thrown in, but now – well I obviously need to expand my repertoire if I am going to get 52 different cookies made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have never made Florentines before and I think I might have only ever eaten one, so there was a little trial and error and I also wasn’t really sure what I was looking for in texture etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully my At Work panel was very knowledgeable in Florentines and gave me some great info / feedback.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">At Home Panel:</b> (The chocolate had not had a chance to harden; hence their comments about the mess.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Little Girl:</b> Kinda slimy, kinda chocolaty inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit messy.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Little Boy:</b> Sandwich cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really like it.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 out of 5stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hubby:</b> Extremely chocolaty, it’s almost a little overpowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty messy.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">At Work Panel:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Barb: </b>Very tasty; hard – are they supposed to be hard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine is hard on the outside.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.5 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sarah:</b> These are good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 out of 5!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One cookie is enough at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soft fancy cookie.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sandee:</b> I love Florentines; I usually have the nougat ones, I’ve never had this kind before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are chewy but not too much so they tick in your teeth.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 out of 5stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Andy:</b> It’s very good; but anything chocolate is a hit for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the texture; I like chewy cookies.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 out of 5stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bryce:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the oatmeal part; a bit too sweet because the chocolate is so sweet.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Brent:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an overload of my favourite cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely needs a coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the right amount of crunchy and chewy.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amber:</b> Delish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good cookie to chocolate ratio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like that they are chewy.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.5 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My notes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The original recipe calls for milk chocolate chips, I only had semi-sweet chocolate chips so that is what I used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you used milk chocolate they wouldn’t be as sweet, and you could use dark too if that was your favourite chocolate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I used 2 different cookie sheets to make these; one was a nice thick one and the other one is thin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cookies made on the thick sheet turned out better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were softer and chewyer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is very easy to under cook these cookies, if you under cook them THEY WILL NOT COME OFF THE FOIL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time it is pretty easy to overcook them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suggest if you are making these and need specific amount, make extra – the first few might not turn out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is also quite a long process of baking (unless you have 10 cookie sheets which I do not).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So plan for the time – you need to let you cookie sheets cool down between batches – I ended up using my 2 thick cookie sheets once I learned the thin ones don’t work as well and it really slowed down my afternoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But these are cookie made to impress, they look great and a definitely taste good.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chocolate Florentines<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2/3 cup butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups quick oats</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup white sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2/3 cup all-purpose flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">¼ cup corn syrup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">¼ cup milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">¼ teaspoon salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet or dark)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 375F.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Line baking sheets with foil and spray lightly with cookie spray.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, remove from heat and stir in the oats, white sugar, flour, corn syrup, milk and vanilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stir until fully incorporated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Using a scoop (small) or rounded teaspoon, drop onto cookie sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure to give lots of space since these cookies will spread a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use a rubber spatula to spread the cookies out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until theyare just starting to turn golden. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on wire rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once cooled, peel off the foil.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Take your time, there is a bit of trial and error to getting the right doneness of the cookies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once all your cookies are done, melt the chocolate in the microwave in 20-30 second intervals stirring in-between until smooth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spread chocolate on the bottom side of one cookie and top with another one to make a sandwich.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Allow to set for a few hours before consuming.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yield: 2-3 dozen cookies (depending on how big you make them).</span></div>
<br />
Enjoy!<script type="text/java_script">
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</script>Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-2233311673922647522013-01-31T08:00:00.000-07:002013-01-31T08:00:06.718-07:00Pork Piccata<span style="font-family: inherit;">This recipe is originally Chicken Piccata and I’ve made
it before and the whole family loved it, but the other day I pulled out a pork tenderloin
from the freezer with no plan for it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I came home from work with 2 hungry kids in tow, I
had to come up with a plan fast, and although there are so many ways to make /
work with a pork tenderloin, nothing was speaking to me and I didn’t have time
for it to marinate (my favourite way to eat it, marinated and BBQed).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I modified this recipe to be a pork dish because pork
is such mild flavour it worked very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The kids thought it was chicken (and ate it well) and Hubby and I both
went back for seconds.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajzU23_eg4pOKjbNSPsIpE-NdcP5E07NXmXWxBOrMN3GzLsuCOTWJ1K2udTMPieDVfW4wRXzFMDAXrN7eMam2YDXYNY4b4dwN6NroudXTi38AhMA6dMBSE9E2mmdC83OiZJCREligWrox/s1600/P1020295_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajzU23_eg4pOKjbNSPsIpE-NdcP5E07NXmXWxBOrMN3GzLsuCOTWJ1K2udTMPieDVfW4wRXzFMDAXrN7eMam2YDXYNY4b4dwN6NroudXTi38AhMA6dMBSE9E2mmdC83OiZJCREligWrox/s400/P1020295_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Pork Piccata<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 pork tenderloin<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
½ cup all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
4 tablespoon butter<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 tablespoon olive oil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¼ cup capers, drained<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To prepare the pork tenderloin, first cut remove silver skin,
then cut into thirds, take each third and butterfly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using a meat mallet to pound out each piece to
an even thickness (I got mine to about 1.5 cm thick).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sprinkle both sides of each piece with salt and pepper,
then dredge both sides in the flour.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with
olive oil; once hot cook the pork pieces on both sides until just brown (about
3 minutes / side).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure not to over
crowd your pan, you might need to do 2 batches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remove pork from pan and set aside.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Add chicken broth, lemon juice and capers, bring to a
boil and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Return the pork to the pan, turning over to
coat in the sauce and simmer until cooked through (5-7 minutes depending on the
thickness of your pork).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using tongs
take the pork out of the pan and place on serving platter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of
butter, then remove from heat and pour sauce over the pork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garnish with parsley and serve alongside your
choice of starch (I did rice).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yield: 4 servings.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Source: Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis’ recipe in Giada’s
Family Dinners cookbook.</span>Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-35508147122774313562013-01-28T08:00:00.000-07:002013-01-28T08:00:10.024-07:00Soft Ginger Cookies - #52cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ7ATQe6kcfZOeAMetbAM3NbAmBso7fx1Lk3bHfh88WAUUbFvd3NgPPIddYmTnfcu2RXG2wIRTsuru5W8Hmy4AwHz7a9_fSFG9pFy3AYh9_cJlGj_jZadtuwX189apAGA0HOm3yfONJ4g/s1600/P1020239edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ7ATQe6kcfZOeAMetbAM3NbAmBso7fx1Lk3bHfh88WAUUbFvd3NgPPIddYmTnfcu2RXG2wIRTsuru5W8Hmy4AwHz7a9_fSFG9pFy3AYh9_cJlGj_jZadtuwX189apAGA0HOm3yfONJ4g/s400/P1020239edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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</script><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have some very fond memories of soft ginger cookies; to
me they are a cold winter, comfort food cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now I am sure I could have called my Mom and had her dig through her
recipes to maybe find the one from my childhood, but instead I scoured the
internet for one that sounded good and I thought would bring back some memories.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now the interesting thing about this cookie is that it
was not good warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too soft and
gooey and it actually stuck in your teeth, but cold, well that is a different
story – so different in fact that I had Hubby try one again the next day and
allowed him to revise his earlier opinion of the cookie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This cookie pairs very well with a cup of tea or coffee –
it’s not really a dunkable cookie because it is so soft, but it is yummy and
has just the right flavour to pair with coffee or tea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">At home panel:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></u></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Little Girl:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gingery; so sprinkly; gummy in my teeth (eating it warm); sugary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">6 out of 5 stars (We might need to work on that a little
still.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Little Boy:</strong> yummy; sprinkly; brown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>2 out of 5 stars</em> (Not sure he understands this either
since he kept asking for more.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Hubby:</strong> (Trying it warm) Too gummy, sticks in your teeth;
I don’t really like them but I will eat them because they are sweet and cookies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>1 out of 5 stars</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Hubby:</strong> (Trying it the next day cold) Much better today,
too crunchy with all the big sugar crystals, not bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>3 out of 5 stars</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u>At work panel:<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Brent:</strong> Damn good!!! Chewy, I like chewy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good flavour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This would go even better with a coffee, can I have another one, I need
to go and get a coffee now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>4.7 out of 5</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Sandee:</strong> Ohhh, I like the softness; too much sugar on top,
the one I tried rolled in regular sugar I liked better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect consistency, perfect ginger balance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>4.5 out of 5 stars</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Barb:</strong> Mmmmm, I would make these and feed them to my
family, nope, I would eat them all myself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like the sugar is crunchy and the cookie is soft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>4 out of 5 stars</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Sarah:</strong> Too much molasses; not enough salt; good softness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>3 out of 5 stars</em></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Bryce:</strong> Too much sugar, good consistency, nice and soft,
good amount of ginger.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>4 out of 5 stars</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Andy:</strong> Really good; moist & sugary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favourite so far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>4.5 out of 5</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Amber:</strong> Perfect, buttery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like that they are not over molassesy or
gingery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the sugar texture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>5 out of 5</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5</strong></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B1VLggLFPnN42CZ9Kl59bI_QfVsbaaUjt8AMsAbOLQT0eoZNuX6paofh6Bdn_9a47SnADqtmMHeLkXxQeHcyqNnXtyIPHjrvmSXXq_rSGZomj_egl1hGM71ks1ze6orkW1n_b9c3wEgg/s1600/P1020247edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B1VLggLFPnN42CZ9Kl59bI_QfVsbaaUjt8AMsAbOLQT0eoZNuX6paofh6Bdn_9a47SnADqtmMHeLkXxQeHcyqNnXtyIPHjrvmSXXq_rSGZomj_egl1hGM71ks1ze6orkW1n_b9c3wEgg/s400/P1020247edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <strong>Soft Ginger Cookies<o:p></o:p></strong></span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 teaspoon powdered ginger<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
½ teaspoon ground cloves<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¼ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¾ cup butter, softened<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 cup white sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 egg<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 tablespoon water<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¼ cup molasses<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Sugar for rolling*<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 350 F.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Whisk together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon,
cloves and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Using a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until soft
and fluffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add in the egg, water and
molasses, scrape down the sides and beat until well combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then slowly add the flour mixture and mix
until fully incorporated.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Form walnut sized cookies and roll them in sugar.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Removed from oven and allow to
cool for 5 minutes on the sheet before removing to a wire rack to fully cool.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">*I used a coarse decorator’s sugar for rolling and
although a few people liked the crunch it provided (and it is much prettier)
the overall feeling was the cookies were better rolled in regular white sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yield: 2 ½ dozen cookies.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2012/11/soft-ginger-cookies.html">Source</a></div>
</div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-368942502717420502013-01-23T08:00:00.000-07:002013-01-23T08:00:03.405-07:00Spicy Sausage Pasta<script type="text/java_script">
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</script><span style="font-family: inherit;">If I am lucky I can walk through the front door with the
kids just before 5 pm and I know for a lot of working parents that is living in
a dream world but for me it is still on the late side.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You see once we walk in the door, I have to deal with the
dog, change out of my work clothes, get a snack for the kids, make dinner and
be sitting down to eat all within 45-60 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So you can imagine that one dish meals on a week night
are one of my best friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This dish did not disappoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used a spicy petite cut tomatoes as I
indicated so it had some kick, but you could use a non-spicy version if you are
not a fan of spice.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, it was good, easy and fast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Spicy Sausage Pasta<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tablespoon olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 lb. sausage, raw & sliced<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 onion, diced<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cloves garlic, minced<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups low-sodium chicken broth<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 can (540 ml) petite cut tomatoes*<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8 oz. (2 ½ cups) raw fusilli pasta<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">½ cup heavy cream<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 green onions, thinly sliced<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large skillet or pot, heat olive oil over medium
high heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the sausage and onion and
cook until lightly browned 3-4 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds stirring to make sure it doesn’t
burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add in the chicken broth, canned
tomatoes, pasta, cream, salt and pepper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes
stirring occasionally until pasta is done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheese.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Serve with remaining cheese and sliced green onions.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*I used Spicy Red Pepper – but you could use any type you
like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Source: Modified from <a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/spicy-sausage-pasta.html">Kevin & Amanda.</a></span></div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-10189990311377567802013-01-21T08:00:00.000-07:002014-03-19T05:49:10.338-06:0052 Cookies - Chunky Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ckTWfaw5AZrOs9bLOkxVw3Gc_IGSUNWSCPuc2pgZNdunf9jOucuzwfEaLvlSMuKcoBZp8UpMdGUr54yDNYEv-RIyyUJ-Cc5oF-po-UxHHBfs-TOom5y2ZDdxQ70rhXyVfyrfM-_Fe6T3/s1600/P1020173edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ckTWfaw5AZrOs9bLOkxVw3Gc_IGSUNWSCPuc2pgZNdunf9jOucuzwfEaLvlSMuKcoBZp8UpMdGUr54yDNYEv-RIyyUJ-Cc5oF-po-UxHHBfs-TOom5y2ZDdxQ70rhXyVfyrfM-_Fe6T3/s400/P1020173edited.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This cookie comes to us from the Nestle Toll House
Best-Ever Cookies cookbook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have owned this cookbook for quite a while and I make
their chocolate chip cookie recipe as my standard but I haven’t tried a lot of
other recipes yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The overall rating on this cookie is more positive than
negative but you will notice one major trend, everyone wanted more peanut
butter in this cookie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I did make a few minor changes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The original recipe called for 2 cups of chocolate chips
– I dropped it down to 1 ½ cups because there was a good chocolate chip ratio
at 1 ½ cups – add more if you want, but I don’t think you need the full 2 cups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The original recipe also said to bake them for 7-10
minutes – mine were nowhere near ready at 7 minutes and although I probably
could’ve taken them out at 10 minutes, I wanted them to have a bit of colour –
but I also got asked if they were a bit over cooked by one person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe25rh9pkaL95lNO8sW_YDYR7XAiMzGVMcBYJAJqgMVo75OX1z6bXJJvmJqImUecCEvVmULGZSvd0wW7G06RASpUt79xDsoPlH6j9QqprwwnZHxxTIhjRFPPGUZI4U8SvrYynQqvsAReF/s1600/P1020165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe25rh9pkaL95lNO8sW_YDYR7XAiMzGVMcBYJAJqgMVo75OX1z6bXJJvmJqImUecCEvVmULGZSvd0wW7G06RASpUt79xDsoPlH6j9QqprwwnZHxxTIhjRFPPGUZI4U8SvrYynQqvsAReF/s400/P1020165.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u>At Home Panel:</u></strong></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Little Girl:</strong> Yummy; It tastes like peanut butter inside
and chocolate chips!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the whole
flavour; it was delicious! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>100 out of 5 stars</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Little Boy:</strong> I like chocolate chip and peanut butter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>A billion out of 5 stars</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Hubby:</strong> A little heavy on the chocolate chips, there is a
small hint of peanut butter but the chocolate outweighs it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needs more peanuts and peanut butter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>4 out of 5 stars</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Me:</strong> A good cookie but the peanut butter is lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the added crunch of the chopped
peanuts but it felt more like a chocolate chip cookie instead of a peanut
butter cookie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>3.5 out of 5 stars<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u>At Work Panel:</u></strong></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Andy:</strong> Really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Really sweet and yet moist – I hate dry cookies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>4 out of 5 stars</em></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Brent:</strong> Needs more peanut butter – about 30% more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little too dry, good chocolate chip
balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a confused cookie – it’s
not chocolate chip, and it’s not peanut butter – but it is trying to be
both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tasty, just needs more peanut
butter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>3 out of 5 stars</em></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Sandee: </strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Good but too crisp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like softer cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needs more
peanut butter; I like the lots of chocolate chips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>3.5 out of 5 stars</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Sarah:</strong> These cookies are a solid 5 out of 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice balance of sweet and salty… and I was
glad they were moderately soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well
done!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>5 out of 5 stars</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Bryce:</strong> It has more of a peanut butter after taste than a
real peanut butter taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little too
sweet for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>3.5 out of 5 stars</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Shani:</strong> Needs more peanut butter, I like the crunch, but
it is unratable because it is lacking one major ingredient – peanut butter.</span></div>
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</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Overall rating: 3.8</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Even though I explained to the kids how a 5 star rating goes, they did not quite get it and I laugh everything I think about their answers.</em></span></div>
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<em>We had cookies for dessert the following day and they wanted me to write down their thoughts again about the cookie, this is going to be a fun year and I feel sorry for anyone that gives them a cookie after we have done a few more months of this.</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Chunky Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Nestle Toll House Best-Ever Cookies book<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">¾ cup butter, softened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ cup white sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ cup brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ cup creamy peanut butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 egg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 1 ½ cups chocolate chips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ cup coarsely chopped salted peanuts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 375 F.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Using a stand mixer, cream the butter, white sugar, brown sugar and peanut butter until soft and fluffy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Scrape down the sides and then add in the egg and vanilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once incorporated, slowly add the flour mixture and mix until combined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix in the chocolate chips and peanuts with a wooden spoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Drop onto parchment lined baking sheets in rounded tablespoons (I used a 2 tablespoon scoop).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flatten slightly with a fork and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centres are still soft.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cool on baking sheet for 4 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yield: 3 dozen cookies.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-40084803164108285422013-01-18T17:45:00.000-07:002013-01-18T17:45:00.215-07:00The Mom Card Revoke<script type="text/java_script">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me start with a little story.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last spring I signed Little Girl up for soccer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is 5 so she plays on the U5 team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the first day of soccer it is cold, rainy, and yucky;
she is not 100% she wants to be there anymore –but we persevere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We check in and are told to go to a specific spot – there
are 4 fields where 8 different teams are going to be playing / practicing –
some of the teams are U5 and some are U6.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I work my Mom magic (complete with placebo magic
soccer pills that help calm her nerves) and we have our first practice / game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But at the end of the game we find out we are on the
wrong team – she has been playing on one of the U6 teams!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well damn it! That would explain why so many
of the other kids were so much better than her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So off we go to join our team and the rest of the season
is hunky dory. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEiPwigElcFgPZO9Kd95LYCoGNgjA8cdUKyixelPAhOOndoUq8BcVmPpk-SW0mD9msBn_BfIy2xoT9ITuaP_pbf9CvgTvU3IW0XduMD11CwFIwzQqy9ch3oJpJk-uNovb9jVwksvgPA0Qxz6/s1600/IMG_4744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwigElcFgPZO9Kd95LYCoGNgjA8cdUKyixelPAhOOndoUq8BcVmPpk-SW0mD9msBn_BfIy2xoT9ITuaP_pbf9CvgTvU3IW0XduMD11CwFIwzQqy9ch3oJpJk-uNovb9jVwksvgPA0Qxz6/s400/IMG_4744.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Jersey = Wrong Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEgXRrx9xMMp3r-VAwn1iic8po1VlLFo15wEo6l5V8MqPXZ8HMgAwYFYb17kjDsVdtTU7OFIbDKUoZfds_oBQ_Wled032K3Dg1Wh7xQiC1POQNPTNovEpHhLjtx5R25PGStuur1-Gv5wF5mb/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRrx9xMMp3r-VAwn1iic8po1VlLFo15wEo6l5V8MqPXZ8HMgAwYFYb17kjDsVdtTU7OFIbDKUoZfds_oBQ_Wled032K3Dg1Wh7xQiC1POQNPTNovEpHhLjtx5R25PGStuur1-Gv5wF5mb/s400/IMG_4760.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Jersey = Right Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s fast forward to last night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last night was Little Girl’s first skating lesson and it
also happened to be preschool registration night for Little Boy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So again I work my Mom Magic and Hubby goes to stand in
line for preschool registration, I wrangle the kids with a multitude of food /
snacks and Little Boy’s LeapPad to keep him happy (didn’t quite work – I ran out
of food).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But anyway, we get to the arena yesterday straight from
day home and Little Girl’s name is not on the list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I pull up my handy receipt on my email – and voila –
she is registered in the Wednesday class!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So we missed the first class already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well a huge thank you to the City’s recreation department
because they let her join a class last night and next week we will go on the
CORRECT night for skating lessons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><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/AVvXsEjLTHp-Kj8hU9BoYgL0I42Kiw4zvmhRFTDWT9UnVD1FlqDqDd7cJufj1mLPrbF-LuN8JwWvE1KF4a6zm76IUxdthPAKwcTh8a4kqLnioL3Dz2ydeLG7n3vNKFg6NtiZukTN7s2-FqWI-DhH/s1600/j+skating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTHp-Kj8hU9BoYgL0I42Kiw4zvmhRFTDWT9UnVD1FlqDqDd7cJufj1mLPrbF-LuN8JwWvE1KF4a6zm76IUxdthPAKwcTh8a4kqLnioL3Dz2ydeLG7n3vNKFg6NtiZukTN7s2-FqWI-DhH/s400/j+skating.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But really, I am surprised my Sports Mom Card doesn’t get
revoked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are taking both kids for skiing lessons tomorrow
morning – but Hubby booked them so we should be okay?!</span></div>
<img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRrx9xMMp3r-VAwn1iic8po1VlLFo15wEo6l5V8MqPXZ8HMgAwYFYb17kjDsVdtTU7OFIbDKUoZfds_oBQ_Wled032K3Dg1Wh7xQiC1POQNPTNovEpHhLjtx5R25PGStuur1-Gv5wF5mb/s320/IMG_4760.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 509px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 537px;" width="72" />Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-58563626000077431252013-01-17T08:00:00.000-07:002013-01-17T08:00:00.679-07:00Cookies, Cookies and More Cookies<script type="text/java_script">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A long time ago I stumbled onto a blog a woman was
writing where she was baking her way through a cookie cook book.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then there was Julie Powell who cooked her way
through Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and not only blogged
about it, but got a book and movie deal out of it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now I am not looking to become famous, write a book or
even have a movie made about me (however I would like to say that if this does
happen, I want Jennifer Garner to play me), but I just love the concept of
cooking through a cookbook or baking with a specific reason / target in mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So after years and years of thinking about it, I am
taking the plunge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am not going to bake through a cookbook, but I am going
to take on a 52 Cookie Challenge.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My goal is to bake 52 different types of cookies and blog
about it over the course of a year, and since it is already the middle of
January I have some catching up to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But here is what I am doing:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am not getting my recipes from one specific cookbook.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be making cookie recipes that somewhat appeal to
me and also recipes that I don’t normally make.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be getting a panel to judge each cookie each week,
give me their thought and a rating out of 5.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be blogging this whole process and sharing the
recipes with you all.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be making the cookies on Sunday, having my home
panel give me their thoughts and then bringing cookies into work on Monday and
Monday morning my work panel will give me their thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I haven’t quite worked out what day I will get each post
up but I do know I will be working one week ahead – this will give me time to
put together the post not have to kill myself on Monday nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But the first post will be up Monday January 21st, but here is a sneak peek for you...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhLdCsgoPFRNHb8XpoOQNy-n1Dy5f5tiWNlFeLRfw2aQp-eRgK_nNNBYtsbb2RNOai1o0cMhGrC6PatUY3dL4iILzf4QCcLP2V9SOBT0Cxs5w7QsLGStgUtadQIRDooLDhFo0RztkJ276/s1600/P1020178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhLdCsgoPFRNHb8XpoOQNy-n1Dy5f5tiWNlFeLRfw2aQp-eRgK_nNNBYtsbb2RNOai1o0cMhGrC6PatUY3dL4iILzf4QCcLP2V9SOBT0Cxs5w7QsLGStgUtadQIRDooLDhFo0RztkJ276/s400/P1020178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-21288299451869246642012-12-07T09:00:00.000-07:002012-12-07T09:00:03.111-07:00The Anti-Bucket List<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby and I were watching comedian <a href="http://www.johnpinette.com/">John Pinette</a> on TV the a little while ago; he had a brilliant idea that I
thought I would share with you all, because I am in love with it.<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He called it his Anti-Bucket List – or his F*&k-it
List!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a list you keep of all the things you never want
to do in your life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I honestly can’t remember what his was, probably an extreme
sport or something, but I laughed and love this list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fast forward a few days later and Hubby and I are
watching the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was story about
a woman who was walking across Antarctica; I turned to hubby and instantly said
– “That is on my F*&k-it List!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another thing on my list is climbing a mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t mean one of those hills they have in Ontario
they call a mountain – I mean I never want to have to use ropes, carabiners or
any special equipment to climb up a hill let alone a mountain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEgZsHd4WyPMX7l1g6ugJcFzI2Y4r9ojxHU_u0JQ3rOF37hZPcw3RsLeblBknPExhqfGx808Q41Ds9Ic6NUQvoEXcnQiRQCL4AQc59WAh4jM8m3LgljgAuN8bu_jWdguKZBusyI0H3kmceOd/s1600/mountain_climbing_wallpaper_01_1280x960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsHd4WyPMX7l1g6ugJcFzI2Y4r9ojxHU_u0JQ3rOF37hZPcw3RsLeblBknPExhqfGx808Q41Ds9Ic6NUQvoEXcnQiRQCL4AQc59WAh4jM8m3LgljgAuN8bu_jWdguKZBusyI0H3kmceOd/s320/mountain_climbing_wallpaper_01_1280x960.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, not for me thanks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I admire anyone that does want to do these things, but they are just not <u>ever</u> going to be on my must do bucket list.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What about you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is on your ‘I have no desire what-so-ever to do it’ list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or F*&k-it List as I like to call it.</span></div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-66952677607607163442012-12-03T09:00:00.000-07:002012-12-04T07:35:57.107-07:00Nuts and Bolts<script type="text/java_script">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Isn’t it funny how the things you did as a child at
Christmas often dictate what traditions you do as an adult too?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My Mom used to make Nuts & Bolts every Christmas, and
although I haven’t made them for a few year, this year I knew I needed them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I posted a picture on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MinivanStiletto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and Instagram <em>(MrsJennyHill if you'd like to follow me)</em> on Saturday
and very soon after I had a few requests for my recipe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So here you go:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it
is in my opinion the perfect balance, not too much sauce, but with enough
flavour to bring back a million Christmas memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1TipMKLq3cOJcL0nYOkh7LWk3RHBh3T8nU728UCoT8x9m4qgWNueW74vme6Sn0QSQp7ijDzGT7YqmIiZXHY0pOZsOk8mTTUMpsUVeEP4Hv40av1R_9NS_4QofD4tcR-q86F7DgqXTfrV/s1600/P1020105-resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1TipMKLq3cOJcL0nYOkh7LWk3RHBh3T8nU728UCoT8x9m4qgWNueW74vme6Sn0QSQp7ijDzGT7YqmIiZXHY0pOZsOk8mTTUMpsUVeEP4Hv40av1R_9NS_4QofD4tcR-q86F7DgqXTfrV/s400/P1020105-resized.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Nuts & Bolts</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 box Shreddies (550g)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 box Cherrios (500g)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 box Crispix (350g)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 package pretzels (400g)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 1 package roasted & salted peanuts (600g)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Additional nuts if you want<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup Worcestershire sauce<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 7 garlic cloves, pressed<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 teaspoons salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 teaspoons onion powder<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 dashes Tabasco sauce<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 250 F. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Using a few large bowls, mix the Shreddies, Cherrios,
Crispix, pretzels and peanuts until evenly combined.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melt the butter in a sauce pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once melted, add the Worcestershire sauce,
salt, onion powder and Tabasco sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mix until well combined and salt is dissolved.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pour on to cereal mixture and stir well to coat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spread into large roasting pans and bake for 2 hours, stirring
every 30 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once cooled store in Ziplok bags or air tight containers in the freezer.</span><br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-60125637248049040582012-11-29T18:30:00.000-07:002012-11-29T18:30:02.177-07:00Rainbow Cupcakes and a Birthday<script type="text/java_script">
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</script><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my blogging absence I missed sharing with you all
Little Boy’s birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is now 4!</span></o:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We kept it simple this year and just had family over for
dinner and cake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd3AoxagDoBZ_1kwlKzIsEdPPurmuyBMxtapVz7Efb5yp5EknQb7L4JyMBaFv1V0ov2VM1pPQLuCyocpIMoHItIN8H8yIrE2PelK7DeRm0q-QTxEMa1QVvOCoYJecVPFhqEzJwRoH-EV5/s1600/IMG_6071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd3AoxagDoBZ_1kwlKzIsEdPPurmuyBMxtapVz7Efb5yp5EknQb7L4JyMBaFv1V0ov2VM1pPQLuCyocpIMoHItIN8H8yIrE2PelK7DeRm0q-QTxEMa1QVvOCoYJecVPFhqEzJwRoH-EV5/s400/IMG_6071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He asked for a rainbow cake, so off I go to Google and Pinterest stalk I went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came across </span><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/256688/rainbow-cake"><span style="font-family: inherit;">this recipe</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and made a few
changes, the main one being cupcakes instead of a cake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUetkyNA_dUW-hYlmjVAkjrOxrYDwdsv74oZD6qK-WT-sUaxwO_Tnb7H7gXrQorQUf5a8mEx0DmtR4SIczfr8oq80u8w9qIYvz2x4WR2JgUCj970aORHcYXK0GWLNtfYJlhNf9RozEgsz_/s1600/IMG_6072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUetkyNA_dUW-hYlmjVAkjrOxrYDwdsv74oZD6qK-WT-sUaxwO_Tnb7H7gXrQorQUf5a8mEx0DmtR4SIczfr8oq80u8w9qIYvz2x4WR2JgUCj970aORHcYXK0GWLNtfYJlhNf9RozEgsz_/s400/IMG_6072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUypXFETZuDbq5r9Uh6gB7F-enzpYa-Snw2nA-ddz05n5RtvUgcMSx8d0s9_-k91zGvGZySPe1h1Vj-dlKP8tg6eDBUOFBE5GhviUD3BohliYALraeFl-qQl5CW-2yMiRPGxBl7lyBpHF3/s1600/IMG_6069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUypXFETZuDbq5r9Uh6gB7F-enzpYa-Snw2nA-ddz05n5RtvUgcMSx8d0s9_-k91zGvGZySPe1h1Vj-dlKP8tg6eDBUOFBE5GhviUD3BohliYALraeFl-qQl5CW-2yMiRPGxBl7lyBpHF3/s400/IMG_6069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The kids both LOVED these and now I am making rainbow
cupcakes for Little Girls birthday too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These are actually just a white cake, you can cheat and
use a box mix but that is like swearing in my house – I am a firm believer of
cake from scratch vs. cake from box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCondI2UcYMcruTcVY3oQutq4VuSHFLJmtZIdlMddnw-IWnw5Qh6DlF_uZH1o_APwGQptteG0du3zUle1WzoHDEVpjvUQYdVOgaEIQg-aXNNFbURkj3N9cwICNIeUY9Trxf21mq5_76EVC/s1600/P1020064+-+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCondI2UcYMcruTcVY3oQutq4VuSHFLJmtZIdlMddnw-IWnw5Qh6DlF_uZH1o_APwGQptteG0du3zUle1WzoHDEVpjvUQYdVOgaEIQg-aXNNFbURkj3N9cwICNIeUY9Trxf21mq5_76EVC/s400/P1020064+-+resized.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Rainbow Cupcakes</strong> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These are a bit painstaking to make, but it's worth it.
Everyone loves them (young and old), but I am not saying anyone in particular
is old.3 cups all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
4 teaspoons baking powder<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 1/3 cups white sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
3 large eggs<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 teaspoons vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 ½ cups milk<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 350 F.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Line 24 cupcake tins with papers, set aside.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl,
set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream
together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla and
mix until well incorporated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the
flour and milk in alternating additions, beginning with the flour and ending
with the milk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix until well combined,
scraping down the sides as needed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Divide the cake batter evenly between 6 bowls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Add food colouring and then spoon 1-2 tablespoons of each
colour into the cupcake tins, spreading out each colour evenly as much as
possible.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rainbow food colouring chart: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(I used the cheap food colouring you can buy in the grocery store for
this and it worked great.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Purple: 9 red and 6 blue drops<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blue: 12 drops<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Green: 12 drops<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yellow: 12 drops<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Orange: 12 yellow and 4 red drops<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Red: 18 drops<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Bake for 20-25 minutes until cake tester comes out clean.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once cooled ice with your favourite icing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first batch (the one pictured) I used a
cooked icing – it tastes great but is a bitch to work with in a piping bag, I
strongly recommend a nice butter cream, much easier to work with and pipe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yield: 24 cupcakes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoy!</span></div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-39429674125450907432012-11-02T09:00:00.000-06:002012-11-02T09:00:06.702-06:00Kindergarten Photos"Wow, your daughter looks so much like you!" <br />
I hear this statement a lot!!<br />
<br />
So I thought I would show you all - side-by-side - here is my Kindergarten photo with her Kindergarten photo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd5sd74Xx2Q1RmdXKa_ICls_P7F9Lyz1-l9nMT7tb7RR6_Wx9zhLrxzhsOqJ1cabrRBx3zl40B7CsTqufKBMmrIgodfT2cdVuZRWClJ16WIAObph_CrueKfVF0Jw8JESEQuS863cttj1j/s1600/Kindergarten+photo+comparison+-+smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd5sd74Xx2Q1RmdXKa_ICls_P7F9Lyz1-l9nMT7tb7RR6_Wx9zhLrxzhsOqJ1cabrRBx3zl40B7CsTqufKBMmrIgodfT2cdVuZRWClJ16WIAObph_CrueKfVF0Jw8JESEQuS863cttj1j/s400/Kindergarten+photo+comparison+-+smaller.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
What do you think? Do we look a like?Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-9689216035788344482012-11-01T09:00:00.000-06:002012-11-01T09:00:06.840-06:00Spiderman & Barbie<script type="text/java_script">
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</script>Happy Halloween! <br />
Or should I say happy candy hangover day!<br />
<br />
We had a great Halloween this year, there was snow on the ground and it was cold, but we live in Canada, we are tough and this is what memories are made of.<br />
<br />
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<br />
This kids are well layered under their costumes - 3 layers each! And they did great. Lasted way longer than I thought they would last - I was prepared to bring them home to warm up and then go back out, but after they warmed up they wanted to go and see Anna (out old day home lady). So I threw them in the van and off we went for a little Halloween visit.<br />
<br />
Over all a great night - lots of kids still in our neighborhood in spite of the weather. How was your Halloween? Lots of kids?<br />
<br />
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Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-12570604448254847992012-10-19T19:00:00.000-06:002012-10-19T19:00:04.543-06:00Conversation with a 3 Year Old<script type="text/java_script">
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</script><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks ago Hubby was out of town, I was in the
kitchen making the kids breakfast, they were watching TV (whatever, don’t judge
me – we all do it).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Little boy goes to the washroom where I assume he pees,
then comes out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Little Boy: MOM, I HAVE THE BIGGEST <span style="font-size: large;">PENIS</span> EVER!!!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Me:</strong> (oh dear god, what do I say?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Congratulations, you’ll be very happy 10-12
years from now.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ignore him and maybe this will never get said in
the grocery store?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But thankfully Little Girl came to my rescue.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Little Girl:</strong> No you don’t, Daddy does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-3209897055581483352012-10-09T19:00:00.000-06:002012-10-09T19:00:01.314-06:00Salted Pecan Pie Bars<script type="text/java_script">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have no idea why I do this not just to myself but to
you my readers too?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why was I gone for a
month?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Honestly it felt like I was gone for maybe 2 weeks at the
most, time has gone into warp speed and the blog was one of the casualties.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been busy with Little Girl getting used to school
(and me for that matter since I volunteered to be her class’ Room Mom).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Work has been busy and we have just generally been busy
trying to take advantage of the last few days of our fantastic fall weather
before winter and snow hit us.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, it was our anniversary this past weekend, so
because I love my husband dearly and know him very well, I made him Salted
Pecan Pie Bars and gave him the entire tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know pathetic – but he loves them and is food really not flowers for
men?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So recipe follows, this is a <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennyjenny99/">Pinterest</a> find and the
original (<a href="http://pinchofyum.com/salted-maple-pecan-pie-bars">found here</a>) actually had maple syrup in it and I did make them that
way but you can’t taste the maple at all – so I have left it out of the recipe
(you can thank me for saving you some maple syrup for your pancakes).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8N4-yt5fgg5iZPZa9zcVRzRr17otxkfUbOAVTMl7EXiY2Q5G3UzkzHO5Fw8LF_kLnyrRUA0D6rdlRdy_7o52qGjtJEt1BKFvpNqyp-C2wPfqh3q28g1kO85yFOBqoyrt5G5QmkzujyV_/s1600/P1020049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8N4-yt5fgg5iZPZa9zcVRzRr17otxkfUbOAVTMl7EXiY2Q5G3UzkzHO5Fw8LF_kLnyrRUA0D6rdlRdy_7o52qGjtJEt1BKFvpNqyp-C2wPfqh3q28g1kO85yFOBqoyrt5G5QmkzujyV_/s400/P1020049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Salted Pecan Pie Bars<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup butter, softened<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 cup packed brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 cups flour<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 large eggs<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¾ cup corn syrup<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¾ cup packed brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 teaspoon vanilla<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 cups pecan halves<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
½ - 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 375F.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Using a stand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until
combined, add in the flour and beat until crumbly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Press into your prepared pan and bake for
12-15 minutes or until the top appears dry – you don’t want to overcook it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While the crust is cooking, mix together the eggs, corn
syrup, brown sugar and vanilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stir in
the pecans and pour over the cooked crust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Spread out evenly making sure the pecans cover the entire
thing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Return to oven and cook for an additional 15-20
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove from oven when the
filling appears mostly set.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cool completely in the fridge before cutting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEh63DtgiIynrnuGlNAodfOKWXjwS1ioB97cJhtlTlAtjyHxNh6tUuemvau7cFlZM1KZaBTEkYAEKsLQfcT7009C27ZhSnbeWPRQ-_5Faw9XaOl-2lMB-cL7GoBmR1ZIejqyeDjKosT6-A_f/s1600/F1030052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63DtgiIynrnuGlNAodfOKWXjwS1ioB97cJhtlTlAtjyHxNh6tUuemvau7cFlZM1KZaBTEkYAEKsLQfcT7009C27ZhSnbeWPRQ-_5Faw9XaOl-2lMB-cL7GoBmR1ZIejqyeDjKosT6-A_f/s400/F1030052.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEi9rw6psdWUk2QPXvC_uguqHBocpHZ3PVnsd-4vgoI_cqrW0beYojPJVUEq0d_tADfIDRdQJv-Af4uC2jGK-3GhXhe3MWPSyamiHzvLjV775ri16SiD3mJH8n3-WgH-FYZHGRoGY2nCA_R_/s1600/hill+032+-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rw6psdWUk2QPXvC_uguqHBocpHZ3PVnsd-4vgoI_cqrW0beYojPJVUEq0d_tADfIDRdQJv-Af4uC2jGK-3GhXhe3MWPSyamiHzvLjV775ri16SiD3mJH8n3-WgH-FYZHGRoGY2nCA_R_/s400/hill+032+-+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-56761230114891539352012-09-11T09:00:00.000-06:002012-09-11T09:00:01.208-06:00Chicken Vesuvio<script type="text/java_script">
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</script><span style="font-family: inherit;">The other day I pulled out a couple of chicken breasts
from the freezer before going to work and then came home without a dinner
plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sound familiar?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So a quick look through Giada De Laurentiis’ cookbook and
I found this little gem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have I ever mentioned how much I love one-dish
meals?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love, love, love them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have used a few more veggies in this
one and although it could work with a few roasted red peppers, I like it as
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time I will serve a plate of
fresh veggies or a salad on the side maybe…. maybe….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizox6VeX4Z43_DLXZSSgqyp5FhU7KGqWo9UduIEX1dBM04YHywMz4EzDuJ_Eu0UC6r5FH0dt70hFWUNI0F_TEOSnHlneFVgoOJNzmtcPtxO_N2kjYVf4wLo4XGoh1TV9qcGVK1f5WPPwIS/s1600/P1000979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizox6VeX4Z43_DLXZSSgqyp5FhU7KGqWo9UduIEX1dBM04YHywMz4EzDuJ_Eu0UC6r5FH0dt70hFWUNI0F_TEOSnHlneFVgoOJNzmtcPtxO_N2kjYVf4wLo4XGoh1TV9qcGVK1f5WPPwIS/s400/P1000979.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chicken Vesuvio<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 tablespoons olive oil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Salt & freshly ground black pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 ½ pounds small potatoes, halved<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
6 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¾ cup white wine<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¾ cup chicken broth<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
¾ teaspoon dried rosemary, or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh, minced<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2 tablespoons butter<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 450 F.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven (or a large skillet or pot
that has a lid and can go into the oven) over medium-high heat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Brown the chicken pieces on both sides, you might have to
work in batches depending on how much chicken you are using and how large your
pot is – you don’t want to over crowd them though otherwise they will not brown
nicely.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once chicken is browned (4-5 minutes / side), remove from
pot and set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Add more oil if needed; add potatoes to the pot, stir to
coat and cook for about 10 minutes until they are golden brown, stirring
occasionally.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Add the garlic to the potatoes and sauté about 1 minute, then
add the wine and broth, scraping up any grown bits on the bottom of the
pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the oregano and rosemary bring
to a boil and then return the chicken to the pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cover the pot, place in the oven and bake for 15
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check the doneness of the
chicken pieces and potatoes, you might have to remove the chicken and set aside
and continue cooking the potatoes an additional 5 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once the potatoes are done, spoon them on top of the
chicken pieces and cover with foil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Return the pot to the stove on medium-high heat; add in the artichokes
and butter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stir until the butter has
melted, the artichokes are hot and the sauce starts to thicken slightly – about
5 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Spoon sauce over top of potatoes and chicken and serve.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yield: Depending on how many pieces of chicken you use –
this will serve 2-4 people.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-42212097138594859082012-09-10T09:30:00.000-06:002012-09-10T09:30:00.539-06:00On My Nightstand - The Paris Wife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JomiF3dgs8erhoEs-cksMm_wgXLQOCFbtru_5rKxPE2MJXFosBTnajbd-A1hr19ezaZV7VUGzsQF30wl87_s0fyb0t5gEsgPw1CCD19NW0QwywnNwWFwN9QnybNnDuiCjbawqBiH_X9s/s1600/the+paris+wife.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JomiF3dgs8erhoEs-cksMm_wgXLQOCFbtru_5rKxPE2MJXFosBTnajbd-A1hr19ezaZV7VUGzsQF30wl87_s0fyb0t5gEsgPw1CCD19NW0QwywnNwWFwN9QnybNnDuiCjbawqBiH_X9s/s400/the+paris+wife.gif" width="267" /></a></div>
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</script><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The Paris Wife by Paula McLain<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Book Summary (<a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/features/paula_mclain/index.php">source</a>):<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A deeply
evocative story of ambition and betrayal, <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Paris Wife</span></em>
captures a remarkable period of time—Paris in the twenties—and an extraordinary
love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife
Hadley.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Chicago in
1920, Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given
up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and finds herself
captivated by his good looks, intensity, and passionate desire to write.
Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where
they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group of expatriates
that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But the
hard-drinking and fast-living café life does not celebrate traditional notions
of family and monogamy. As Hadley struggles with jealousy and self-doubt and
Ernest wrestles with his burgeoning writing career, they must confront a
deception that could prove the undoing of one of the great romances in literary
history<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>My thoughts:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I kept seeing this book come up in my recommended reads
(you know from Chapters on line) and after reading the book description, I
quickly knew this book was not something I was interested in.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then it gets picked for book club, so I borrowed it
from the library, did not read the description again and started reading it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was instantly drawn in and had a hard time putting this
book down and actually had to Google Earnest Hemmingway to learn more about him
because I was so drawn into the story and fascinated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Trust me – this book is fantastic!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My rating: 5 out of 5!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-87334074390568611372012-09-07T09:00:00.000-06:002012-09-07T09:00:04.773-06:00First Day of Kindergarten<script type="text/java_script">
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</script>So here is where I shamelessly show off pictures of Little Girl from her first day of Kindergarten.<br />
<br />
Trust me, you are lucky, if you worked with me, you would have had to already endure me pulling out my iPhone and showing you my pictures and waiting for the required awwwwwww.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I dropped her off at her dayhome; she took the bus (along with all the other kids from the dayhome) and then I drove to the school and waited for her to arrive.<br />
<br />
I wish I had gotten a picture of her on the bus and although I could have given my camera to the dayhome lady, I didn't want to stress Little Girl out more than I already feared she was stressing.<br />
<br />
She was beyond excited and only showed some of her nervousness while we were lined up waiting for the bell to ring, but she didn't cry and went happily into the school with her class and teacher.<br />
(On a side note - I didn't cry either - yeah!!!)<br />
<br />
When I picked her up from dayhome at the end of the day, she came running up to me exclaiming how much fun school had been and she can't wait to go back, and then she proceeded to talk my ear off all the way home and the whole time I was making dinner about every little thing they did.<br />
<br />
Alright, I think she is going to enjoy it - for now - we will re-visit this when she hits high school.<br />
<br />Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-23060436701428422442012-09-06T09:00:00.000-06:002012-09-06T09:00:08.837-06:00Spanish Rice & Chicken<script type="text/java_script">
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</script>I love cookbooks!<br />
My husband might even say I have a cookbook problem, but I call it a collection.<br />
I fell in love with cookbooks back when I was in high school and I still have plenty if not all of my first cookbooks.<br />
<br />
The other thing I love is the cookbook magazines you can buy in grocery stores.<br />
My very first ever cookbook magazine was Taste of Home - Oct / Nov 1994 edition.<br />
<br />
I read that magazine over and over again - I made so many different recipes from it, most of which were really good.<br />
But as all things go, the old get pushed aside and the new becomes front and centre.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, I was looking for an old recipe and I stumbled onto this Taste of Home magazine, and as I thumbed through it and remember all those recipes I tried way back as a teenager, I found my dinner idea for the next day.<br />
<br />
The last time I made this recipe, I was in high school!<br />
<br />
I made a few changes, and both hubby and I really liked it, the kids, ate the chicken and rice but turned their noses up at the peppers as they usually do.<br />
But I know a recipe is really good when I look over and the green peppers have not be picked out by my husband - he inhaled this one!<br />
<br />
This is perfect for a fall or winter day - comfort food.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TVn-MJ_tbC_117JhN_AKyOlf2QVjjLSvprUd3s6fp6S-O1vUtItLviTNrhk-FGLDWNcSXMkTsioPe_In9OpyrnfGuK387jqL3dM_z1OCrrmSC22fJ-Lk_-CemQWlziMVcQuoV92XktOZ/s1600/P1000942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TVn-MJ_tbC_117JhN_AKyOlf2QVjjLSvprUd3s6fp6S-O1vUtItLviTNrhk-FGLDWNcSXMkTsioPe_In9OpyrnfGuK387jqL3dM_z1OCrrmSC22fJ-Lk_-CemQWlziMVcQuoV92XktOZ/s400/P1000942.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Spanish Rice & Chicken<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2-3 pounds bone in chicken pieces (I used drumsticks and
thighs)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 teaspoon garlic powder<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 teaspoon celery salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 teaspoon paprika<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 ½ cups chicken broth<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 Roma tomatoes, roughly chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 ½ teaspoons salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 ½ teaspoons chili powder<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup uncooked rice<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 medium onion, chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ green pepper, chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ yellow pepper, chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Preheat oven to 425 F (if you have convection – set to
400 F convection), place chicken in a 9 x 13 casserole dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combine garlic powder, celery salt and
paprika; sprinkle evenly over both sides of each chicken piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place in oven and cook uncovered for 20
minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile bring chicken broth, tomatoes, salt and chili
powder to a boil in a saucepan.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once chicken has cooked for 20 minutes, add the rice,
onion, green and yellow peppers, then pour chicken broth mixture on top, stir a
little bit (you might need to move the chicken pieces around to make sure the
rice is mixed in).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cover with a lid or foil and return to oven and continue
to bake for an additional 45 minutes or until the chicken is done and the rice
is tender.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yield: serves 4 adults.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Source: Taste of Home Oct/Nov 1994 edition<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zGMjQ6TF4vSQ6sJTIhH7kG9tQbwQ6nIewOZ7flplPGuDMY05wb9wZj4EQGEeY9zt2XFBTGqc0q_-n80GLQLyD9LEielN0VRRKFBfVLcnY2-iOWQaOVHeqB0-Kji2dLFsdNIkXSPf9y5c/s1600/P1000950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zGMjQ6TF4vSQ6sJTIhH7kG9tQbwQ6nIewOZ7flplPGuDMY05wb9wZj4EQGEeY9zt2XFBTGqc0q_-n80GLQLyD9LEielN0VRRKFBfVLcnY2-iOWQaOVHeqB0-Kji2dLFsdNIkXSPf9y5c/s400/P1000950.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-11405593318767762542012-09-04T09:00:00.000-06:002012-09-04T09:00:03.929-06:00Changing Dayhomes<script type="text/java_script">
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</script><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last Friday was our last day at our dayhome.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
It was a day of mixed feelings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><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/AVvXsEj7mMCVm1MvBbYZffsL0QNFRczs_roIvsXsfph3s3rJTxia4MBuWoQSpsaYNXgrtua6iYF8WVq2H2uHRoJlrb3ZrU-UFk7PSTAcVnRSOcnQah_IhXKWhqHQqq97Qk9SqcjgvPsJImoXlJcj/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mMCVm1MvBbYZffsL0QNFRczs_roIvsXsfph3s3rJTxia4MBuWoQSpsaYNXgrtua6iYF8WVq2H2uHRoJlrb3ZrU-UFk7PSTAcVnRSOcnQah_IhXKWhqHQqq97Qk9SqcjgvPsJImoXlJcj/s400/IMG_0104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna and Little Girl at her Christmas party in 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sad because we have been with Anna since Little Girl was
one and I went back to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Sad because she has become part of our family and we love
her, the kids love her and she loves our children as though they are her own
grandchildren.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy because Little Girl has aged out of her care (she
doesn't do before and after school care).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Happy because we are growing and starting school in a few
days.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Happy because we have found another dayhome that I think
will be just as good.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Happy because today they started at their new dayhome and went happily and no crying.</span><br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEh5jcy9uomFj20vBvtwe2oeY23Ee0xyTQVKh8DbihgpVfSdWT2fZW_9JiYIaOoNN8XPrpB9MDRANyjGYpMPa5ZY9MhxozjlG8CPZIDiSZJSg7MuVvHnc4BiRSsE6-kb65yPIJMxTDTlEtTa/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jcy9uomFj20vBvtwe2oeY23Ee0xyTQVKh8DbihgpVfSdWT2fZW_9JiYIaOoNN8XPrpB9MDRANyjGYpMPa5ZY9MhxozjlG8CPZIDiSZJSg7MuVvHnc4BiRSsE6-kb65yPIJMxTDTlEtTa/s400/IMG_0116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Boy getting his present from Santa at Anna's annual<br />
Christmas party. (2009</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/AVvXsEjyEiXgj1QKzypeq29hy2Ix4-XVH39SIMtXB2I9__oX1j8fn_YCXedPEQJDaEYHf6U7wE5J5VLerQkcthhPPfLp-G9Ikw6q8oqQTnl1PoUdPJvdTewumCq37rxvsyYpToiYrey2uBK9rYmi/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEiXgj1QKzypeq29hy2Ix4-XVH39SIMtXB2I9__oX1j8fn_YCXedPEQJDaEYHf6U7wE5J5VLerQkcthhPPfLp-G9Ikw6q8oqQTnl1PoUdPJvdTewumCq37rxvsyYpToiYrey2uBK9rYmi/s400/IMG_0117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Girl and Santa (2009)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you use a dayhome for your children?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you been a fortunate as we have to have
found someone that has become an extension of your family?</span></div>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-43078512996952771612012-09-03T09:00:00.000-06:002012-09-03T09:00:08.344-06:00Pura-Kiki BPA-Free Baby Bottles GIVEAWAY #babygifts<script type="text/java_script">
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</script>Right around the time Little Boy was born, the whole BPA in plastics scare happened, so now I had a cupboard full of bottles and sippy cups that were unsafe. As companies scrambled to develop products that were BPA-Free, so did parents like me scramble to the stores to find these products.<br />
<br />
One fantastic product that is out now is stainless steel bottles and <a href="http://www.purastainless.com/">Pura-Kiki</a> has some wonderful bottles and sippy cups.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zc8NrSSnU3BxXEMMc8Zgd5K60BkZSrhGDLhlIYfUrASBXf_035j0izPMW5wSQNuje0Jhul46O-9CQcNXNzSBb8f4B7plHo5PpqY9_jmcAY-b6alFu1Q4OFUF64cOInR05g1wdws-chnM/s1600/pura+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zc8NrSSnU3BxXEMMc8Zgd5K60BkZSrhGDLhlIYfUrASBXf_035j0izPMW5wSQNuje0Jhul46O-9CQcNXNzSBb8f4B7plHo5PpqY9_jmcAY-b6alFu1Q4OFUF64cOInR05g1wdws-chnM/s400/pura+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Infant & Toddler Bottles that Adapt to the Needs of your Child: The Kiki is the only 100% plastic free bottle on the market and the feeding system grows with your child - turning from a bottle with slow-flow silicone nipple to a medium-flow bottle and then ultimately a spill-proof sippy bottle with sip spout. And, if your child has a strong preference for another manufacturer's nipple or spout, our bottle will probably work with those as well. <br />
<br />
Made of safe, food-grade stainless steel<br />
No Internal Liner<br />
Non-toxic and truly 100% BPA-free</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTCodn4o1Q6XcW_RupyGl18QHf3HxXqzhyphenhyphenGiQBPuZ057ypLhXEuI8cPI7oOZh9QxdQEu8ADmQHe0u191Fybj5tTvzPoRKj3xg3O_8UYjofzLXjSemZRsO9t98TNf-Elln2RtZ57AUlLQc/s1600/pura+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTCodn4o1Q6XcW_RupyGl18QHf3HxXqzhyphenhyphenGiQBPuZ057ypLhXEuI8cPI7oOZh9QxdQEu8ADmQHe0u191Fybj5tTvzPoRKj3xg3O_8UYjofzLXjSemZRsO9t98TNf-Elln2RtZ57AUlLQc/s400/pura+logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_41D3ahm0-rrer0lBqzcnCRHiWmZVsO_c2LsI0Miva4Cz0seW5miqhOFj5Wa7-g7-NBIUD0STqRvOL5i4EKWRwd2MvVVIheyyzFEb_DJyAt_epXThzWOTShAwj-R0zXWpytQRUAIoTHY/s1600/pura+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_41D3ahm0-rrer0lBqzcnCRHiWmZVsO_c2LsI0Miva4Cz0seW5miqhOFj5Wa7-g7-NBIUD0STqRvOL5i4EKWRwd2MvVVIheyyzFEb_DJyAt_epXThzWOTShAwj-R0zXWpytQRUAIoTHY/s400/pura+4.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>The prize</strong> is a <a href="http://www.purastainless.com/products/infants/">$100 prize pack of Pura Kiki Stainless Steel bottles</a>!<br />
<br />
This giveaway run until September 24, 2012 at 12:01am EST and is open to both US and Canada.<br />
<br />
Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter:<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ab4bb455/" id="rc-ab4bb455" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
Thank you to <a href="http://ahensnest.com/">A Hen's Nest</a> for organizing this fun giveaway! Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-36036538413541741372012-09-01T09:00:00.000-06:002012-09-01T09:00:02.315-06:00PRK Baby Food & Drink Organizer GIVEAWAY #babygifts<script type="text/java_script">
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</script>I really wish I had taken a picture of what our bottle and sippy cupboard looked like back when we were using both of those for 2 kids.<br />
Can we say messy and missing pieces all the time?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.prkproductsinc.com/">PRK Products</a> had a wonderful solution. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkgd4m5DyWGLUM49KZjB9ljyC7dNmee1AkoAi8307ni1bFn20dVyiDLUk6QgLGIbLnqwPovqrynw0-r4kcHhz1UY0lJkCVu5BnjFs3jJoH4LOuje_Pe2KOjXwWbDACBT8y48eoXvnLy4R/s1600/baby+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkgd4m5DyWGLUM49KZjB9ljyC7dNmee1AkoAi8307ni1bFn20dVyiDLUk6QgLGIbLnqwPovqrynw0-r4kcHhz1UY0lJkCVu5BnjFs3jJoH4LOuje_Pe2KOjXwWbDACBT8y48eoXvnLy4R/s400/baby+food.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Maximize cabinet space and tame the chaos in kitchen cabinets with efficient baby food and beverage container organizers from PRK™ Products. No more multiple parts of bottles and sippy cups taking up valuable kitchen space, the Universal Baby Bottle & Sippy Cup Organizer keeps all the parts in one tidy place. The Universal Baby Food Jar Organizer stores 16 jars and even acts as a shelf, allowing for other items to be stacked on top of it. PRK™ Products are dishwasher safe, BPA and phthalate free and can be stored in the pantry, fridge or freezer (great for store bought or homemade baby food). </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<strong>The prize</strong> is a set of <a href="https://www.prkproductsinc.com/">1 Universal Baby Bottle & Sippy Cup Organizer and 1 Universal Baby Food Jar Organizer</a> (ARV $59.99) <br />
<br />
This giveaway runs until September 24, 2012 at 12:01am EST and is open to both US and Canada.<br />
<br />
Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter:<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ab4bb453/" id="rc-ab4bb453" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<br />
<br />
Thank you to <a href="http://ahensnest.com/">A Hen's Nest</a> for organizing this fun giveaway! <script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-3491141675542225192012-08-31T09:00:00.000-06:002012-08-31T09:00:03.637-06:00School Lunch Ideas<span style="font-family: inherit;">Little Girl starts school is just under a week,
Kindergarten for her is all day Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon – so
that means, 2 times a week she gets to bring her lunch.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
This also means 2 times a week, I get to make her lunch.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out what I found for her:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><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/AVvXsEiRTmPt7A31jE7UuNd4oKnsUei_K5EcjwxAY1e4aOhTZLFrFBJ01joEqTjs3gCY_QdBImqQjTHZ34du0SwMHMQ8iacKWmONYnDgMnEJz9g9-WPlkIywIeuttEfwCnc3Rl-gi8FSg8C28NUE/s1600/P1000962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTmPt7A31jE7UuNd4oKnsUei_K5EcjwxAY1e4aOhTZLFrFBJ01joEqTjs3gCY_QdBImqQjTHZ34du0SwMHMQ8iacKWmONYnDgMnEJz9g9-WPlkIywIeuttEfwCnc3Rl-gi8FSg8C28NUE/s400/P1000962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thermos brand - found at Superstore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I was in grade school and taking my lunch, my
parents never made my lunch – all 4 of us kids made our own lunch.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know this is what some “experts” say helps kids eat
their lunch – having them make it themselves – and I do agree it helps kids put
in the foods they are likely to eat, but I think instead the child should be
involved in the process, but not completely responsible for the whole lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And honestly, I have no problem making her lunch – I am
actually excited and looking forward to it – so much so that I have been
pinning blog posts and blogs with school lunch ideas since early spring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But last week I asked Little Girl what kind of food she
would like to bring; you want to know what her first response was? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
“Peanuts!”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Seriously? Peanuts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only thing she is not allowed to bring – contraband peanuts, she
wants to bring?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So after explaining to her about allergies and how no
peanuts were allowed in the schools, etc, etc. she came up with some ideas:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Ham & cheese wrap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Pickles<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Carrots (from my garden)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Granola bar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Fishy crackers<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am in love with the Bento lunch idea (the simple ones
that look like this):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEjoaX9LeIpnvw5NTwQXvqTNCMRijbVUR3hyphenhyphenOf0KVPM8N9xVDdkTuKx3SxmWNePnLoCfpq16XycCjoaTn3tGMUurDQJ-9YKgnppAGt4CPfqjs7-qyminhag9uorzxNGnDn_pdcFKgazFzc6K/s1600/bento+lunch+-+cool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaX9LeIpnvw5NTwQXvqTNCMRijbVUR3hyphenhyphenOf0KVPM8N9xVDdkTuKx3SxmWNePnLoCfpq16XycCjoaTn3tGMUurDQJ-9YKgnppAGt4CPfqjs7-qyminhag9uorzxNGnDn_pdcFKgazFzc6K/s400/bento+lunch+-+cool.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.bentonbetterlunches.com/">Bent on Better Lunches</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not the crazy ones that look like this:</span><br />
<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/AVvXsEiaNgnuc2Kta7721MSBG-8uP1JWYsFC2BzgUJL3sQ1bndrdpov3xDb4_GiLF2wnzwCSy-ueh1MQz0en9D20MUgYNnzSjGIu-VnpDaj9CpxIqUICnwxZvCYaisIeKeLPAATgXjd6rgXaYky5/s1600/bento+lunch+-+crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNgnuc2Kta7721MSBG-8uP1JWYsFC2BzgUJL3sQ1bndrdpov3xDb4_GiLF2wnzwCSy-ueh1MQz0en9D20MUgYNnzSjGIu-VnpDaj9CpxIqUICnwxZvCYaisIeKeLPAATgXjd6rgXaYky5/s400/bento+lunch+-+crazy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute, but someone has way too much time on their hands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some of my ideas for school lunches:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Banana bread<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Mini muffins<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Hard boiled egg<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Crackers & cheese<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Gold fish crackers<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Pretzels<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Pickles<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Cheese string<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Rice cakes<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Pepperoni<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Yogurt raisins<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Raisins<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Popcorn <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Granola bars<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Entrees:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Cold chicken fingers<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Cold grilled cheese<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Cold perogies<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Wraps<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Rolled up deli meat<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Pasta<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Soup with crackers<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Bocconcini & tomato salad<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Quesadilla <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Mini quiche<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Mini frittata<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fruit<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Apple slices<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Strawberries<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Grapes<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Cantaloupe<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Pineapple<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Orange slices<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Mandarin orange<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Fruit salad<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Fruit kabobs (on toothpicks or straws for little
kids)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Apple sauce<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Veggies<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Cucumber slices<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Cherry tomatoes<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Carrot sticks<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Red pepper slices<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Steamed broccoli (cold)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Snap peas<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Hummus and veggies to dip</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you making school lunches this year, or do you have a few years under your belt already? Have any ideas for me?</span></strong>Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1930763020288491962.post-42014577911700904852012-08-30T08:00:00.000-06:002012-08-30T08:00:08.789-06:00Halo Crib Set GIVEAWAY #babygiftsBabies need only a few things: love, food and sleep.<br />
The love and food part usually come naturally, it is the sleep part that often takes some work.<br />
<br />
When Little Girl was a newborn, she loved to be swaddled. She slept swaddled from new born to 10 months old when she was at that point in time able to get herself out of the swaddle.<br />
We used receiving blankets and became very good at the triangle fold and swaddle, but I would have loved one of these swaddle sleep sacks from <a href="https://www.halosleep.com/">Halo</a> had I known about them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUveAI7G8nqfpc9oDagHHtX7rQYDpB2ke1xWyTlgji_7sPfqR5taPGGxWphyYWw2U529a1p0bvpjo2-naav9mu5y6PnrBiWT_ZTY0WcwlW75KL2qP7trCYvDLkwohhrC87oJptWlKvMsR/s1600/halo+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUveAI7G8nqfpc9oDagHHtX7rQYDpB2ke1xWyTlgji_7sPfqR5taPGGxWphyYWw2U529a1p0bvpjo2-naav9mu5y6PnrBiWT_ZTY0WcwlW75KL2qP7trCYvDLkwohhrC87oJptWlKvMsR/s400/halo+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I love that there are 2 options, the swaddle and the sleep sack - because Little Boy did not like to be swaddled.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfenSUkuM9FjnOlL7mOep0PD02dAdDeO6n_jCE-Ddpe9ZiZLmpRAFPP4bR5Z4f9J12ZMoD95rlX5QUIIGXRXinWHrqcSBOseMGnakzCjyZcuUtcsb9Za8npLI5-Z_ksqVTLn1_ap1tI9r9/s1600/halo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfenSUkuM9FjnOlL7mOep0PD02dAdDeO6n_jCE-Ddpe9ZiZLmpRAFPP4bR5Z4f9J12ZMoD95rlX5QUIIGXRXinWHrqcSBOseMGnakzCjyZcuUtcsb9Za8npLI5-Z_ksqVTLn1_ap1tI9r9/s320/halo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Here is what <a href="https://www.halosleep.com/">Halo</a> has to say about their product:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"With the American Academy of Pediatrics now saying "no" to crib bumpers, HALO Innovations has introduced its own Safe Sleep Crib SetTM<strong> </strong>designed to create an attractive and safe sleep environment for babies."<br />
<br />
"The five-piece HALO Safe Sleep Crib Set consists of a HALO SleepSack wearable blanket, SleepSack Swaddle, both in 100% cotton; two coordinating crib sheets in soft cotton jersey; and a matching crib skirt."<br />
<br />
"Too often parents 'overdress' the crib with quilt and bumpers, both of which can pose a breathing threat for baby," comments Bill Schmid, founder of Halo Innovations. "The Halo SleepSack and SleepSack Swaddle are the only things a baby needs in the crib to stay warm and sleeping safely, and the soft jersey sheet provides a snug fit on the mattress."<br />
<br />
"The new HALO Safe Sleep Crib Sets are available on <a href="http://amazon.com/">amazon.com</a> and <a href="http://babiesrus.com/">babiesrus.com</a>. The set comes in six patterns including pink, blue and neutral tones."</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fu84D_qsw7JOdEKGrJ0vVE75VgXz7f5bqFesNZE9cmYUGke9pSZqy_X8pZjl3EpbDH82xD1bc-ZYbAoknY1-9hg5PNFCJgwHgjX3sbyvc_TIlGhXv4KK63PezgTQ1jhXcPL-9YzuBGaM/s1600/halo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fu84D_qsw7JOdEKGrJ0vVE75VgXz7f5bqFesNZE9cmYUGke9pSZqy_X8pZjl3EpbDH82xD1bc-ZYbAoknY1-9hg5PNFCJgwHgjX3sbyvc_TIlGhXv4KK63PezgTQ1jhXcPL-9YzuBGaM/s400/halo+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>The prize</strong> is a <a href="https://www.halosleep.com/products/detail/174/sleepsack_crib_set/1317/halo_sleepsack_crib_set/">HALO Safe Sleep Crib Set</a> (ARV $115) color choice based upon availability.<br />
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This giveaway will run until September 24, 2012 at 12:01am EST and is open to both US and Canada.<br />
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Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter.<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ab4bb449/" id="rc-ab4bb449" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Thank you to <a href="http://ahensnest.com/">A Hen's Nest</a> for organizing this fun giveaway! Jenny Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262146711859794442noreply@blogger.com2