tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40222715872792534962024-03-05T01:33:54.102-05:00Dark-SideA bit about my life as a stay at home Pagan mom in the wilds of Chicago.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-82188802472072314772012-05-04T18:13:00.003-04:002012-05-04T18:13:25.651-04:00Holy shit, when did I get old, and why VH1 is to blame. (not really please don't sue me, I have nothing!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am not even 30 yet, and I already feel old. My oldest niece is about to be married and has graduated high school. My nephew, whom I took care of as a teeny little baby is about to graduate high school in a few weeks. My other niece is a mother for pete's sake! I changed her diapers. This shit is not right. I protest! Someone who is not even 30 should NOT have nieces and nephews that are mothers, wives, and high school graduates. There is an imbalance in the universe. Though I may be a 20 something great aunt, at least I am not a 50 something great-great aunt. Oh my poor aunts! What a day.<br />
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I blame this all on VH1 and their One Hit Wonders show. I was just innocently surfing channels and ran across <a href="http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=177213" target="_blank">One Hit Wonders of the 90s</a> and then I was hit with flashback after flashback of the great ol' days. Cause I am so old apparently. What is really sad is that I finally understand why my mom likes all those godawful songs from the 50's and 60's (though some are pretty good I must admit). It is a reminder of being an awesome teenager. It is a true mark of "getting old" when you can relate to your parents. NOT COOL VH1! You made me relate to my mother. Bad VH1.<br />
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On that note, let's rock out 90's style everyone.<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-67096023839730039072012-03-05T14:12:00.000-05:002012-03-05T14:14:06.838-05:00Movie and TV badasses and why I love them<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So it has been awhile since I posted about my awesome <a href="http://darksideofmom.blogspot.com/2012/02/wall-tats.html" target="_blank">wall tats</a>. This is mainly because I have been really extra busy playing <a href="http://thesims.com/en_us/home" target="_blank">the Sims</a> because it is an awesome game. Also my husband decided to drag me out on a 3 hour, 3 store grocery shopping marathon, that in the long run did actually save us money, but more on that in a different post. This post is about my realization that I love bad guys. Not in real life though. I love the villains in TV or movies. Waaaaay more than the one that I am "supposed" to like.<br />
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Such as:<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severus_Snape" target="_blank">Severus Snape</a>: <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pardon for using Wikipedia but it gives very extensive explanation of the character.) </span>He is dark, greasy, and throughout most of the <a href="http://harrypotter.scholastic.com/" target="_blank">"Harry Potter"</a> books he was thought to be the worst sort of traitor. Even before the amazing <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000614/" target="_blank">Mr. Rickman</a> played the part in the movies I was in love with Snape. While many saw him as those terrible things I mentioned above I saw him as lonely, scared, tired, compassionate, loving, dedicated, and in dire need of a friend. And boy howdy how I wished I could have been that friend. This character was the type of person that once he let down his guard enough to be a friend, he was one damn loyal and loving friend. The character I was supposed to have loved was Harry Potter and the <a href="http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/18800000/The-Golden-Trio-harry-potter-18891949-501-469.jpg" target="_blank">Golden Trio</a>, but to me, while yes, they were and still are amazing, I could have totally read the books from the POV of Snape. Don't kill me Harry Potter fans! I am one of you! I grew up with these books and am currently trying to get my kids to love them as much as I do. I am still working on that, damn kids these days, grumble grumble. <br />
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<a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time/bios/mr-gold" target="_blank">Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin</a>: I mean come on, he is Rumpelstiltskin. The dude stole babies for kicks. But this one, played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001015/" target="_blank">Robert Carlyle</a> whom though I have never seen in any other roles besides this one, is one goddamn amazing actor. You have GOT to see him in action to understand this. Watch this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrRt3vZOy8g" target="_blank">linky</a> to understand what I am talking about. Freaking chills amiright? Now, I am supposed to be enamored with <a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time/bios/prince-charming" target="_blank">Prince Charming</a>. I don't see it. Prince Charming is too brash, loud, whiney, boring, sappy, plain annoying for me. I love Mr. Gold because he is so complex. There is the evil, yes, you can't have Rumpelstiltskin without that, but there is also a huge desire to be loved and wanted. In the <a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time/index" target="_blank">"Once Upon a Time"</a> series he became this evil monster to save his young son from going to a war where he would defiantly die. He was the Beast in the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. Belle saw underneath to who he really was, and he let her. It was damn beautiful. Much better, in my opinion, than the love story between Snow White and Prince Charming. Of course, being who he was, it didn't end well, but it did show that he was just a lonely, sad man, also in dire need of friendship and love. Again, I would have been first in line for that job.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nbc.com/grimm/about/bios/silas-weir-mitchell/" target="_blank">Monroe:</a> The not so badass anymore Wieder Blutbad in the new series <a href="http://www.nbc.com/grimm/" target="_blank">"Grimm"</a>. While he isn't so much a "villian", he isn't the main charater, the one I am supposed to be focused on. He is the sometimes informant to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0248146/" target="_blank">Detective/Grimm Nick Burckhardt</a>, the main character by the way. I am much more of a Monroe fan than a Nick fan. Monroe is so damn normal and nerdy it is sexy, considering he is a Blutbad, which is the Big Bad wolf from Little Red Riding Hood. I mean the man works on clocks/watches for a living, is a vegetarian, and wears huge clunky sweaters all the time. Plus he keeps the neatest house I have ever seen. Ever. But, when he is needed, holy shit does he go all Big Bad Wolf on that ass. I love that. He is so unassuming at first glance, but someone needs his help, watch out, he will rip your throat out. That is why I like him so much more than Nick. Nick is cool in his own way, but he just seems so one dimensional to me. Wooo! A Grimm (basically the police of the fairy tale world) is a police man in this world. Who would have seen that one coming. I mean really? I would not have seen the sweet, watch nerd, classical music loving, vegetarian, clunky sweater collector, next door neighbor as the FREAKING BIG BAD WOLF! He deserves more airtime then he is getting, for sure.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_(Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer)" target="_blank">Spike:</a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(more wikipedia, sorry again) </span>Ahhh, Spike. He is by far the best character on Buffy. Then Willow is next, then Giles, the rest ehh. Now back to Spike. He was such a baddy. But then he wasn't. He was just damn adorable throughout the entire series. He was again, very complex. He loved, he hated, he wasn't freaking perfect in everything he did. He wasn't the perfect baddy, he loved, a batshit crazy chick, but he still felt that emotion. He was damn sure not a perfect good guy. Good lord was that man messed up when he was "good", but so, so damn adorable. He just wanted some love Buffy! Dammit. Now, compare that with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_(Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer)" target="_blank">Angel</a>, the one I was supposed to love, which I really didn't, not on Buffy anyhow. On his own show he was decent enough. Angel was the most uber perfect boyfriend and good guy you could find anywhere. When he was good, he was too good. It was to sicking, I needed to see him trip or have a boogy or something for pete's sake. And when he was bad, he was BAAADD. No emotion, no love, no anything, just kill all the things! In other words, he was also just one dimensional. Nothing to make him seem like he could possibly be real. He was just to....everything. It wasn't right. Spike on the other hand, he was messed up, like everyone.<br />
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And now to my all time favorite baddy and the first one who set me upon the trail of loving the ones not meant to be.<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0011179/bio" target="_blank">Jareth:</a> Oh yes, the Goblin King. The whole reason I love the shit out of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000309/" target="_blank">David Bowie</a>. Why do I love Jareth? Because dammit, he just wanted someone to love and to love him! Yes, his methods of getting that could have been a bit better, i.e. don't steal babies, but again, he just wanted a friend, a lover, someone besides those dumb as a box of rocks goblins. Those guys were idiots. I love his so much that in fact I totally despise the main character <a href="http://labyrinthfilm.com/characters/sarah/" target="_blank">Sarah</a>. She is such a whiny little bad word I shouldn't say. Selfish. I cannot stand to even hear her voice most of the time. Giving poor Jareth such false hope. Bah, she needs a smack upside the head. Plus that she damn near lost her baby brother. Again, selfish, and I should stop talking about her before I devolve into just spitting at pictures of her. She didn't deserve Jareth anyway. I mean <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt2zoY45508" target="_blank">see</a>? He just wanted a chance to tell her she was beautiful and he cared about her. Does she let him? Freaking no. Bah. Well, I will concede he shouldn't have drugged her to do that. Also they REALLY shouldn't have cast someone that looked 12 to play the love interest of someone who looks 40. That was a bit creepy, even when I was 8.<br />
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Anyhow, as you can see, I love the complicated, misunderstood, dark guy in the corner. Which now that I think about it, explains a lot about why I love my husband. I just want to be these guys friend. They just need HUGS! I can give hugs. Lots and lots.<br />
Anyhow, I just had to get it out there that in many cases the supposed "bad guy" is in fact the most complex one in the entire story. Look a bit deeper, and don't judge them based on what others think. And that goes for the real world as well.<br />
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And now a photo collage of the movie men I love, for well, my pleasure really.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2Mffdvdm02HHaWoWYX5Sf7p3i7tx9Tw71aIQZuT0GjRPxGnN7YC4c7RQqYyUDxRnszVnSuwEwrtKJnPzmEE6C_H6BW3yhKwNyWrvDiWYGM9ASdv9B1aAv7CCl0UK-K3x-Gg8erYbkn0/s1600/snape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2Mffdvdm02HHaWoWYX5Sf7p3i7tx9Tw71aIQZuT0GjRPxGnN7YC4c7RQqYyUDxRnszVnSuwEwrtKJnPzmEE6C_H6BW3yhKwNyWrvDiWYGM9ASdv9B1aAv7CCl0UK-K3x-Gg8erYbkn0/s320/snape.jpg" width="224" /></a><a href="http://static-l3.blogcritics.org/11/11/13/171065/once-upon-a-time-robert-carlyle-4.jpg?t=20111113220138" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://static-l3.blogcritics.org/11/11/13/171065/once-upon-a-time-robert-carlyle-4.jpg?t=20111113220138" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://nerdreactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Spike-James-Marsters-spike-2968475-599-700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://nerdreactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Spike-James-Marsters-spike-2968475-599-700.jpg" width="273" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s320/jareth.jpg" width="216" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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They are all amazingly HOT. Good day. And you are welcome. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghslJurv2LigwZ8mvnyV0zrphyphenhyphenVJGnIygNAk88pldtbGBMsgEPvfMeqZABZc5VBuW5tjI0tO3W12_jb_wDOX8bu1XGNhdzJgjVzsFN3hN09dGDlKuVS0ZRLtwfT_hTpcaeWJS-aMPd2Eid/s1600/jareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-36216106973097496112012-02-28T16:05:00.000-05:002012-02-28T16:05:42.086-05:00Wall Tats!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yesterday, I may have mentioned that <a href="http://darksideofmom.blogspot.com/2012/02/blogging-ideas-and-insomnia.html" target="_blank">my walls are nice people</a>. Since they really are good folk, I decided to give them some tattoos, cause who doesn't want ink, amiright?<br />
Behold my walls new ink<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3jXSDOw2fSFBafHE-Cz5XY4XxO2FXMKeRoNs_iIyh8rffElJBTAmtcp3ELdHlrzET0vvrQw__vHfWAjHgGlENL9bqPqQ3HCUoyHhEiLBT7n7YF8kqPTzEMvY-JztEfwa-CTBnC9lisg/s1600/2012-02-24+13.08.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3jXSDOw2fSFBafHE-Cz5XY4XxO2FXMKeRoNs_iIyh8rffElJBTAmtcp3ELdHlrzET0vvrQw__vHfWAjHgGlENL9bqPqQ3HCUoyHhEiLBT7n7YF8kqPTzEMvY-JztEfwa-CTBnC9lisg/s320/2012-02-24+13.08.42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That one says, "Every Child is an Artist." Picasso.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBqLZNR2r6oziuInUxJs57TSICIdFmU3clqbbiO3Oidonlbc5L04Ae2WgRNzplCLI5uO9RQdIotO8eetBWllc5VyQaY5D_JnhX2RU0ezOIZ0z5w_kRce-GCc2aWSVvyJatthepGb-BQk/s1600/2012-02-24+13.09.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBqLZNR2r6oziuInUxJs57TSICIdFmU3clqbbiO3Oidonlbc5L04Ae2WgRNzplCLI5uO9RQdIotO8eetBWllc5VyQaY5D_JnhX2RU0ezOIZ0z5w_kRce-GCc2aWSVvyJatthepGb-BQk/s320/2012-02-24+13.09.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That is a tree full of birds, because who doesn't want to think about having birds attack you on the way down to a dark, and scary basement that also doubles as a playroom for my messy as hell kids? I know I do!<br />
<br />
I love doing this kind of thing when the husband is at work.<br />
<br />
He comes home, throws all his crap down and starts walking to his office.<br />
I, meanwhile am sitting innocently on the couch, just waiting for it.<br />
There is the sounds of typing, paper shuffling, a sigh.<br />
Footsteps back into the living room.<br />
"Soooo, when did we get money for all this, and really? Every Child is an Artist? Really?"<br />
Innocent stare from me.<br />
Sigh from him.<br />
Steps back into the office.<br />
<br />
I like to spice shit up for him. Also, we have had this stuff lying around here for years, I just never did anything with it, so :P<br />
<br />
Also, I finally got some sleep last night! This calls for an UBER Awesome.<br />
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-20102036616008815322012-02-27T10:13:00.000-05:002012-02-27T10:13:05.708-05:00Blogging ideas and Insomnia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I am having the most persistent feeling that I had the best blog idea I will ever have last night. Can’t remember what the hell it was, not even a little bit. Why is it that I have these simply AMAZING blog ideas when I am trying to go to sleep, which keep me from sleep (Insomnia is a bitch that I would like to slap so HARD), but the next day, once I have struggled through the haze of a whole 3 hours sleep, I cannot remember one damn word of the million awesome ideas I had all night long? I am going to have to start bringing a pen and pad to bed with me. At least then I will have a productive sleepless night, though the walls might miss me staring at them. I think they will understand though. They seem nice. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I really need to get more sleep. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNTvZRO64aI/T0rIrcuxhpI/AAAAAAAAB0s/zJ_wm2o44DU/s1600/Phone+pics+157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNTvZRO64aI/T0rIrcuxhpI/AAAAAAAAB0s/zJ_wm2o44DU/s320/Phone+pics+157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">That kind of sleep would be much appreciated.. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-3438637965918780602012-02-24T17:30:00.000-05:002012-02-24T17:30:32.800-05:00New everything<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, It is has been like, ever since I have posted anything on here. And time for another shift to this thing. At some point I am sure I will have a clear focus on where I want this blog to go, but who knows when that will be? <br />
<br />
Anyhow, New Everything. Yes, New Year, new town, new house.<br />
<br />
We moved to Chicago in June of 2011 from the much despised South Carolina. Not that I hated South Carolina. I loved the friends we made, and the times we shared, but holy shit is the weather there horrible. Hot, humid, and alligators every two inches. I have always wanted to experience this thing known as "seasons". I have seen this phenomenon on TV where the leaves actually change color and fall off the trees, and white stuff falls from the sky. I thought this was Hollywood trickery until a last October. Who knew that was real? It gets realllly pretty around here in the fall. I wish I had a greater talent in photo taking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYgx56y_SiBmNcM939O0LKbFoF91zrYFwOVYO4tVZdiXeuX0uM5bfun6moBGkSStF9HmgzfNMtUooTWF-kxd-Wn4r9xaWkZ_N-wG9V1ujHrxirygqu4tKPlV3zTZrlTGZWeu9RT7sKNU/s1600/2011-11-08+15.10.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYgx56y_SiBmNcM939O0LKbFoF91zrYFwOVYO4tVZdiXeuX0uM5bfun6moBGkSStF9HmgzfNMtUooTWF-kxd-Wn4r9xaWkZ_N-wG9V1ujHrxirygqu4tKPlV3zTZrlTGZWeu9RT7sKNU/s320/2011-11-08+15.10.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I mean is that not awesome?<br />
And look at what happens in "Winter" here<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh4NMTn4LgI/T0gNJ5IO2QI/AAAAAAAAA0w/ZGtj1szH1b0/w617-h463-k/2012-01-20+16.49.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh4NMTn4LgI/T0gNJ5IO2QI/AAAAAAAAA0w/ZGtj1szH1b0/w617-h463-k/2012-01-20+16.49.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>HOLY CRAP! Yeah, and that wasn't filtered or edited in anyway. My camera actually caught how damn cold it was that day. So basically I lost where I was going with this, but to sum it all up, all that Hollywood "seasons" crap, It's real!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-30693648746766196692010-11-05T13:21:00.000-04:002010-11-05T13:21:16.640-04:00One of those daysIt's like the most perfect day ever. It's cold as hell, I have on a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gFFa4XuWliFOtjiSQPvUt6Ilf1QZvTGNx7Ci2kfAQjYyh954ppVj-9VFdxIH-T-XzgXfjmfbJdz0SdxBAkIV1oWD5NDblgo5ShfZpjG9LyEETlWnYCvIzTkM012LDT7EXomnj8NJkVNJ/s400/big+sweater.jpg">huge sweater</a>, there was coffee involved earlier today, and all the windows in the house are open, ANNNDDD it's Friday. Not that Friday means much to me anymore, due to you know, not being gainfully employed anymore. *sigh* I am depressed as hell.<div><br />
</div><div>I love the cold weather, coffee and huge sweaters, so you would think, I would be all, HELLZ YEAH! and shit. Not really. My exchange student spent the night with a friend last night, just called and asked to spend another night. Great, I knew I was boring as shit, but now I think she hates us. I may be a touch paranoid about it, but that is how I feel. There shall be no balloon releasing done today. I am too depressed. I think I will just sit in the dark house, listening to <a href="http://www.nickjr.com/ni-hao-kai-lan/">Mi Hao Kai-lan</a>, and wondering where it allll went wrong. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-25956674764183727342010-11-04T13:31:00.000-04:002010-11-04T13:31:56.724-04:00The Balloon ExperimentSo, this is my surprise I was hinting at in an <a href="http://darksideofmom.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html">earlier post</a>. It's a bit late, yeah, sorry about that. I got a severe case of the don't wannas. Anyhow, ON TO THE SURPRISE!!<br />
<br />
When I was a kid (which was when the dinosaurs walked the earth, so the girls say), on the 100th day of school, we all went outside and released one hundred balloons with messages attached that had the school address on it, and for the rest of the year we would get mail telling us where that particular balloon was found. It was my favorite part of the year. Apparently they can't do that anymore, something about birds or some shit, which saddened me, but then DING! I got an idea.<br />
<br />
I would do it may damn self. Not a hundred all at once mind you. My car is not that big. I would use my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738711373/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0977370372&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0JZRJYCZW71QWCY3T4JS">Llwewllyn 2010 Witches' Companion</a> (that one is the 2011, Christmas idea!! :) ) that told me the best color for that day, get a simple latex balloon in that color or at least as close as Kroger can provide me, tie a message to that bitch and let 'er go. I am going to do this for one hundred days.<br />
<br />
I am really excited about getting an email or a letter telling me where they landed. I am doing the "excited can't wait dance" in my chair as we type. I have released two balloons so far, a red one and a blue one. No messages yet, but I must learn to be patient *hits refresh on email again*. I said I had to LEARN I didn't say I was. Here are the pictures from the first two releases, and I will post the emails/letters that I get, if I ever get any *refresh* Nope not yet........still nothing. I CAN'T WAIT!<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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNBqOGy3ejI/AAAAAAAAAJc/ZnzciDNaSGk/s320/balloon2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of the message</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNBqNl-hqNI/AAAAAAAAAJU/jIHtg5ABAoQ/s320/ballon4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the message. That quote is from Christy Moore's "Burning Times"</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNBqN4qebnI/AAAAAAAAAJY/OHqLYbgLfoY/s320/balloon.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kiddos, they saw a balloon and went insane.</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNBqNRY5HOI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/g-4OTweXPws/s320/ballon3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and had to help.</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNBqOcUtH6I/AAAAAAAAAJg/LJtchKzH62g/s320/balloon5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the journey.</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNBqZnrP8hI/AAAAAAAAAJo/U5uKpkfMVHg/s320/balloon6.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNBqZ_eULnI/AAAAAAAAAJs/PMvAd-t5ehQ/s320/balloon7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weird lighting on this one, but if you look a bit above the center , that black dot is the balloon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Day two:<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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNLkWt9aBxI/AAAAAAAAANM/5mpAOlC1WCo/s320/2010-11-04%2012.32.37.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't do a good job of laminating this one. Ehh it's one of those f*** it days.</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNLko5OWV9I/AAAAAAAAANQ/hn4-WNqfrsE/s320/2010-11-04%2012.32.53.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back, with a Pagan quote on it.</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNLkyvWZFlI/AAAAAAAAANU/9O2d8jFHHvw/s320/2010-11-04%2012.33.01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cat.</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNLlFNDz6AI/AAAAAAAAANY/78-WJGOB_HY/s320/2010-11-04%2012.33.39.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess they are going to be involved in this too, dammit. :)</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNLlOpJBA0I/AAAAAAAAANc/_dr8CKl5Rv4/s320/2010-11-04%2012.34.19.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it's off.</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNLlZDXqIoI/AAAAAAAAANg/4zlxo2d3js4/s320/2010-11-04%2012.34.23.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope lightening doesn't hit it, though that would be COOL.</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;"><img height="320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2ibrxWtUvkM/TNLlib2Hl5I/AAAAAAAAANs/Bpqrx7YIATk/s320/2010-11-04%2012.34.29.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GoGoGOGOGOGOGOG!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>Well, there is my surprise. Yay and stuff. I am going to do this every day, so at least I will have something to blog about. I REALLY want to get a message telling me a balloon was found already! *refresh* DAMMIT...*sigh*.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-70388944333255945642010-11-02T15:34:00.001-04:002010-11-02T15:47:17.618-04:00Samhain in its glory!Ok, so this year was awesome. We got TONS of candy, I mean TONS. We are going to be eating this stuff to like Ostara, sheesh. The girls where all adorable of course, I don't think they would have it any other way.<br />
<br />
<img height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_V1i2_O0-4J0/TM4EDVCAaFI/AAAAAAAAJ48/qpXl_mjWoGs/s320/P1010027.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Here they are before the battle of candy began.<br />
<br />
<img height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_V1i2_O0-4J0/TM4EICEtB5I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/Rc4_aXAqlwI/s320/P1010036.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Halfway through, (Fern was exhausted by this time. The girls thought that the only way to move was by running.)<br />
<br />
<img height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_V1i2_O0-4J0/TM4EKmdXxQI/AAAAAAAAJ5g/0MBIbu43E64/s320/P1010039.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
I reluctantly post this, due to me being in it, but it was a good picture of the kiddos, and boy is Emily sparkling. You should have seen the amount of glitter applied to both of them. I would like to point out also that I was NOT dressed up. This is a normal outfit for me...what??<br />
<br />
<img height="240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_V1i2_O0-4J0/TM4ELp1qmwI/AAAAAAAAJ5k/ivqt-Q57_Wo/s320/P1010040.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
And the Dumb Supper with what was called in the house "The Witches Brew". I didn't make that up, I swear! The pink one did.<br />
<br />
<img height="240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_V1i2_O0-4J0/TM4Xr7vA9uI/AAAAAAAAJ6I/2OYuP9NNybg/s320/P1010001.JPG" width="320" /><br />
I told you they wore the poor girl out. Please note she is asleep ON her candy.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, that is enough of all the pictures and such. On to the juicy fun type stuff.<br />
<br />
Now, a normal Samhain supper is done with dark breads, pork of some sort and apples. Mine was not. This year I chose to make dishes that my grandmother made all the time, and that I loved (and still do).The first dish is called Walking Taco dip, which consists of bean dip, avocados, sour cream, mayo, taco seasoning, black olives, scallions, tomatoes, and cheese. It is amazing! And reminds me so very much of grandma that I couldn't help but think it was perfect for Samhain. I just have to hear the name of this dish and I am transported back to summer's spent at her house. Great times, and I really miss her.<br />
The next dish I made was called Mexican Dish in One. It has A LOT of stuff in it. Corn, ranch style beans, meat, taco seasoning, a bunch of different seasonings, cheese, tortillas, and mushroom soup. Yes I know, I thought that last one was a bit weird myself, but WOW that made the dish. I made this without the mushroom soup for the ones who don't like green things, (which is any sort of veggie even if it isn't green), and it tasted no where near as good as the mushroomed one. I have never had this dish, at least not that I can remember, but I found it written in my grandma's hand on a very old yellow bit of paper in my mother's old cookbook. I had to make that, of course.<br />
So, it was a very different Samhain than traditionally had, but it was perfection for us. The girls asked me who came up with these yummy dishes and why hadn't we ever had them before, and I got to talk to them about my grandma, which they were of course awed that my adult and so OLLLLDD self could have EVER had a grandma, just like them. I am just glad they got to know a little about her. We then put out some candles for my grandma and a friend who was killed this year, so they could find there way to the yummy food we had left for them. All, in all, it was stellar and awesome and all that, plus as I said earlier there is TONS and TONS of candy in my house...I will be back in a bit. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-53067079684428470132010-10-29T12:54:00.001-04:002010-10-29T12:57:21.882-04:00Samhain Quick UpdateI am going to post a much longer and more detailed blog later, but for now here is a quick rundown of my plans for the Witches New Year!<br />
<br />
I am totally going to have a Dumb Supper, but a lot different from the traditional fare, in honor of my grandmother and my friend who died this year.<br />
<br />
Of course we are Trick or Treating, I have little kids, how could I NOT? There would be a riot.<br />
<br />
I have to carve more pumpkins, due to the hot weather here this last week causing all of my other ones to cave in on me. *grumble grumble*<br />
<br />
And, in honor of the New Year, I have a little something up my sleeve that I am very excited about! You will have to wait until Samhain to hear about it. Granted that isn't too long of a wait, I am sure you can handle the suspense.<br />
<br />
There is my quick rundown. I will elaborate more when I don't have to go the the grocery store and clean the house. Ahhh the life of a domesticated witch.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-22512547998549770882010-09-24T14:56:00.000-04:002010-09-24T14:56:39.015-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whew! That was one hell of a Mabon. It took me two days to recover from. I was cooking for nearly eight hours on Wednesday, but it was pure AWESOME! I would like to say that apple tarts are like sex, truly. I have never had a food that tasted as good as that thing did. I promised pictures and I shall deliver. Sadly, I was so busy I didn't think to take a bunch at the time. I was just really happy when I didn't have to stand in front of a 450 F oven anymore. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLytPWZP6aVctC2IE3w08WZ_PyHih1kdUL8ETULnoFZcoJqAaKvcMPkdtRC7QcIImiDc4UHn6wVL1BUAD-MwkZ6AjtZTGRwuo6Vo_RRlgmlfyGL8xVdhuR1LdcUiLDwnuXT8Fbi7WSLM/s1600/2010-09-22+17.20.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLytPWZP6aVctC2IE3w08WZ_PyHih1kdUL8ETULnoFZcoJqAaKvcMPkdtRC7QcIImiDc4UHn6wVL1BUAD-MwkZ6AjtZTGRwuo6Vo_RRlgmlfyGL8xVdhuR1LdcUiLDwnuXT8Fbi7WSLM/s200/2010-09-22+17.20.36.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Beef and Barley Veggie Soup. In about the 3rd hour of cooking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXyQ27s1iWIz-5ztChO2BwBSt0jq3SUaw0Av-dAzPdfKiMgQX6YbmyEGYt881U6y-6URK5NSAMsGKEDKBO5aNRXzRc5nVU8ksFMD1OgJs34zM0WNn2AbkmUMqVHE0Ewhmks7_lZGNLPw/s1600/2010-09-22+14.11.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXyQ27s1iWIz-5ztChO2BwBSt0jq3SUaw0Av-dAzPdfKiMgQX6YbmyEGYt881U6y-6URK5NSAMsGKEDKBO5aNRXzRc5nVU8ksFMD1OgJs34zM0WNn2AbkmUMqVHE0Ewhmks7_lZGNLPw/s200/2010-09-22+14.11.04.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning stages of my homemade cornucopia and the book that helped me make it ( and my awesome Halloween socks) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLv5KqB-bxV-Mi-bUYRFcqBsPvgRRQmy8X4687vQNcejUAnDfBFPmfVrQI3waQyTcloOmQFCja08IE8x0MKsPZIpjkuMmoTeJ73DZfkFxFOvt9ucnp3EyKrga8M8pbOQujbY9flnh9ys/s1600/2010-09-22+14.57.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLv5KqB-bxV-Mi-bUYRFcqBsPvgRRQmy8X4687vQNcejUAnDfBFPmfVrQI3waQyTcloOmQFCja08IE8x0MKsPZIpjkuMmoTeJ73DZfkFxFOvt9ucnp3EyKrga8M8pbOQujbY9flnh9ys/s200/2010-09-22+14.57.22.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, here is the frame from the cornucopia. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHnO_5o7o9vQcDCCisKe8kn_kt8CRpZKsqhn2P7GkBis0muJCJnPSx_jsdmivlo7F1qSXEwA6vHDVYf2YC4PhnMLoZDROXELEoJwn0LW9Zyiz4ncyry62FjOv1ytuo3FbqpPn63hIGro/s1600/2010-09-22+14.57.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHnO_5o7o9vQcDCCisKe8kn_kt8CRpZKsqhn2P7GkBis0muJCJnPSx_jsdmivlo7F1qSXEwA6vHDVYf2YC4PhnMLoZDROXELEoJwn0LW9Zyiz4ncyry62FjOv1ytuo3FbqpPn63hIGro/s200/2010-09-22+14.57.31.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of the above photo. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9R8MoH1MkncZWUV24qIgPtVhyphenhyphenKlJUBcrLzah1-uY9iBnuz7TKHdHOyoCUgG7c3qr0Hvo3ymRF-juipgveg94dMNhYxh1-CZIM9WZySVXNYrd1uAie2pfK4fa8rj95G8hglKe8ufF6-k/s1600/2010-09-22+14.57.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9R8MoH1MkncZWUV24qIgPtVhyphenhyphenKlJUBcrLzah1-uY9iBnuz7TKHdHOyoCUgG7c3qr0Hvo3ymRF-juipgveg94dMNhYxh1-CZIM9WZySVXNYrd1uAie2pfK4fa8rj95G8hglKe8ufF6-k/s200/2010-09-22+14.57.52.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beef and Barley Veggie Stew in about the 2nd hour of cooking. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXWUiJKaKw39NdTS0qGyocIeKZKvFthdEvzvbwh17HaJ22N3Uij0aLJkn9HxYJpaeY_py1suLJ9cZhBVl9RwuA-Id6mVTKKcgkUAsZl8_XBpjjul3FqTCiPGZvH0XP1RQTgwCzeu1tmc/s1600/2010-09-22+14.58.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXWUiJKaKw39NdTS0qGyocIeKZKvFthdEvzvbwh17HaJ22N3Uij0aLJkn9HxYJpaeY_py1suLJ9cZhBVl9RwuA-Id6mVTKKcgkUAsZl8_XBpjjul3FqTCiPGZvH0XP1RQTgwCzeu1tmc/s200/2010-09-22+14.58.08.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Honey Whole Wheat bread before it is about to go into the oven. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1zL7KyOUZC4FyguMnf0wIhaJ0mlpI3GxAH_3pDJMEQtqPjGQ_1t-cYmzbQNmZFh2VPwuce6XOizoTGnCr3wZeV09OqW1CDNYScexL03qrsywP5U3-471xVnfSdaeySFLx3RRTaSD2jY/s1600/2010-09-22+17.20.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1zL7KyOUZC4FyguMnf0wIhaJ0mlpI3GxAH_3pDJMEQtqPjGQ_1t-cYmzbQNmZFh2VPwuce6XOizoTGnCr3wZeV09OqW1CDNYScexL03qrsywP5U3-471xVnfSdaeySFLx3RRTaSD2jY/s200/2010-09-22+17.20.26.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed bread. </td></tr>
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</div><div>The dinner didn't end till nearly 10pm, but man it was good. Plus it was great to hang out with my neighbors, play with my kids, and eat sex on a crust (the tart). Oh my, I think I see where they get the derogatory term tart from now. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyhow, off to clean the house, and make Thai Papaya Salad with my exchange student tonight! That is another post all together.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4022271587279253496.post-85510070451016379332010-09-21T17:39:00.000-04:002010-09-21T17:39:35.032-04:00Mabon tomorrow!!I am beyond thrilled that tomorrow is the start of my favorite time of year, FALL! In celebration of that I am going to be throwing a Mabon feast that has my mouth watering just thinking about it. SQQUUUEEEEE! Of course I am also going to be making a cornucopia and re-doing my front door wreath to show those fall colors, ANNNDDD lighting my millions (i.e. three) fall candles that I have hoarded for nearly two months waiting on this glorious day. I am so friggen excited it hurts a little!!! Ok, ok, ok. Here is my mouth watering menu (of course properly accredited, I ain't no damn thief).<br />
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<div style="direction: ltr;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 0pt; direction: ltr;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="border-width: 0pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 6.6576in;"> <div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">BEEF & BARLEY VEGETABLE SOUP</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-width: 0pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 6.6576in;"> <div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">3 pounds Soup Meat</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">2 Tablespoons Fat</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">2 quarts Water</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1 1/2 Tablespoons Salt</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1/4 Tablespoon Pepper</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1/2 cup Barley </div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1 cup Carrots, cubed</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1/4 cup Onion, chopped</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1/2 cup Celery, chopped</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">2 cups Canned Tomatoes, drained</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1 cup Peas</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Brown meat with bones in hot fat. Place meat, soup bone, water, seasonings and parsley in a soup kettle. Cover tightly and simmer 1 hour. Add barley and simmer another hour. Cool and skim off excess fat. Remove soup bone. Add carrots, onion, celery and tomatoes. Simmer 45 minutes. Add fresh peas and continue cooking 15 minutes. If leftover soup becomes to thick, dilute with beef broth. Can be doubled or tripled and freezes well.</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"></div><div style="direction: ltr;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 0pt; direction: ltr;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="border-width: 0pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 6.6576in;"> <div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">GARLIC - ROASTED POTATOES & GREENS</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-width: 0pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 6.6576in;"> <div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">2 pounds Red-Skinned Potatoes, sliced</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">6 large Cloves Garlic, sliced lengthwise</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1/3 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">3 Tablespoons Wine Vinegar</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Salt</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Pepper</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">4 cups Watercress Sprigs, rinsed</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">2 Tablespoons Chives, chopped</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Mix potatoes, garlic and oil in a 10 x 15" rimmed pan. Bake at 450 degrees until well browned, about 1 1/4 hours. Turn vegetables with a wide spatula every 10-15 minutes. Pour vinegar into pan, scraping with spatula to release browned bits and to mix with potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour potatoes into a wide, shallow bowl. Chop half the watercress and mix with potatoes. Tuck remaining watercress around potatoes and sprinkle with chives.</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"></div><div style="direction: ltr;"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 0pt; direction: ltr;" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="border-width: 0pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 6.6576in;"> <div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">HONEY WHOLE WHEAT BREAD</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-width: 0pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 6.6576in;"> <div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">9 cups whole-wheat flour</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">4 teaspoons salt</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">2 pkg. active dry yeast</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1 1/2 cups milk</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1 1/2 cups water</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">6 tablespoons butter</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">1/2 cup honey</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Sift together 3 cups flour, salt, and yeast. Combine milk, water, butter, and honey in a saucepan and heat over low heat until liquids are warm (butter need not melt completely). Gradually add to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes. Add remaining flour a cup full at a time until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and allow to rest 10 minutes. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in large greased bowl and turn to grease all sides of dough. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about one hour.</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Punch dough down and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half and shape each half into a loaf. Place into greased loaf pans. Cover and let rise in warm place until double in bulk, about one hour. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on racks. </div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">(all from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.unc.edu/~reddeer/recipe/rec_mabon.html">this damn fine site.</a>)</span></div><div style="color: #311800; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">and what I am considering the piece d' resistance</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Apple Tarts</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1/2 cup butter (room temperature)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1/3 cup white sugar</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1 cup all-purpose flour</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1(8 ounce) package cream cheese (room temperature)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1/4 cup white sugar</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1 egg</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1/4 teaspoon almond extract</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">6 apples - peeled, corred and sliced very thing</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1/3 cup white sugar</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1/4 cup sliced almonds</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Directions:</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">2. Cream together butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour. Press crust mixture into the flat bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. (This is where small hands are an advantage!) Set aside.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">3. In a medium bowl, blend softened cream cheese and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Pour cheese mixture over crust. Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon. Spread apple mixture over all.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">4. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 degrees F (22 degrees C) and continue baking for 25 minutes. Sprinkle almonds over top of torte. Continue baking until almonds are lightly browned. (Watch closely so they don't burn. it should only take a few minutes.) Cool before removing from pan.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">(from the most awesome pagan sight for parents EVAR! </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.pookapages.com/">Pooka Pages</a> )</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: medium;"> )</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The little ones will help me with the tarts. They have already been helping me decorate by coloring and pasting puff leaves to everything. I am loving it. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I will defiantly have to see if I can figure out how to post pictures here and put everything we do tomorrow up. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Again, YAY FOR MABON!!!</span></span></span></div></td> </tr>
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</tbody></table></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10056690448441975835noreply@blogger.com0