tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30599164591865587522024-03-26T20:23:27.307-07:00My Pinterest Board: LiveA place for experimentation in cooking, baking, crafting, cosplay, and pretty much anything else that strikes my fancy.Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.comBlogger541125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-66159581966814808412018-09-28T14:26:00.002-07:002018-09-28T14:26:33.955-07:00It has been a hot minuteHail Friends!<br />
<br />
It has been a hot minute or 7 since I posted last and for that, I cannot apologize. I have a very different workload than I once did between being a wife, a mother of a now 2 year, a pregnant lady yet again (due in November), working full time with a long enough commute to make it that I can't pop home during the day, and being in graduate school. Plus, attempting to have a social calendar as well as running my own Dungeons and Dragons campaign from time to time, I am amazed I am on my feet come 6 pm most days.<br />
<br />
That all being said, I have been cooking occasionally and I thought I should share with you a current hit in my household.<br />
<br />
We picked apples at my Aunt's house (she has MacIntosh trees) and I thought this was the best use of the apples and also being able to share with our D&D crew (one of whom is vegan) was an added bonus.<br />
<br />
<u>Vegan Apple Crisp</u><br />
Ingredients<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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FOR THE FILLING<o:p></o:p></div>
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6 medium apples, diced into chunks (about 6 1/2 cups worth)<o:p></o:p></div>
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5 teaspoons lemon juice<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/4 cup sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/4 cup brown sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
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3/4 teaspoon cinnamon<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/4 teaspoon sea salt<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 tablespoons cornstarch<o:p></o:p></div>
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FOR THE TOPPING<o:p></o:p></div>
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3/4 cup brown sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/2 cup whole wheat flour<o:p></o:p></div>
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3/4 cup rolled oats<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/4 teaspoon sea salt<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/2 cup coconut oil, melted<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/2 cup of pecans, pieces </div>
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Directions<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cut apples into chunks and place in a large bowl<o:p></o:p></div>
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Add remaining filling ingredients to the bowl (lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, sea salt, and cornstarch) and toss with the apples until well combined<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a separate bowl, combine all ingredients for the topping. Melt the coconut oil before adding to the mixture. The topping should resemble wet sand once mixed well.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pour apple mixture into a pan (I used a 9" pie dish)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cover evenly with the topping<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes, or until the apples are bubbly and the top starts to brown<o:p></o:p></div>
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Allow to cool/rest for 15-20 minutes before serving<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Serve alone or with (vegan) ice cream to keep it vegan!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-60055130483893785892018-06-01T10:49:00.000-07:002018-06-01T10:49:00.138-07:005th Anniversary: This Year's International Breakfast ChallengeSo over the first 2 years of our marriage, I made a different Breakfast for Husband every week. It was something I challenged myself to-do and Husband doubted I could even make it a year. I sure showed him. To see what I mean, heck out these links: <a href="http://my-pinterest-board-live.blogspot.com/2014/06/breakfasts-for-my-husband-year-in.html">Year 1</a> and <a href="http://my-pinterest-board-live.blogspot.com/2015/06/bfmh-year-two-round-up-breakfast-68.html">Year 2</a><br />
<br />
So this time around, I thought, why not get us in the mood to do some traveling so these are the breakfasts I mean to make us over the course of our 5th year of marriage:<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>English</strong><br />
Baked beans, mushrooms, sausages, rasher bacon, fried eggs and tomatoes, brown sauce, toast, hash browns, black Pudding<br />
Beans on toast<br />
<br />
<strong>Irish</strong><br />
Baked beans, mushrooms, sausages, rasher bacon, fried eggs and tomatoes, hash browns, white (no blood) and black Pudding soda bread, soda bread vegetable roll<br />
Boxty<br />
<br />
<strong>Scottish</strong><br />
Scotch Eggs<br />
Scottish Oat Cakes (quick bread)<br />
Tattie scones<br />
<br />
<strong>Hawaiian</strong><br />
Fruit Fruit and more Fruit with a bagel<br />
<br />
<strong>Swedish</strong><br />
Swedish Pancakes with lingonberry<br />
<br />
<strong>Swizterland</strong><strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong>Muesli with fruit<br />
<br />
<strong>Greece</strong><br />
grilled roll or fresh fruit with yogurt<br />
<br />
<strong>American</strong><br />
strip bacon with sunny side up eggs and hash browns<br />
American pancakes<br />
Cereal<br />
Beignets<br />
Biscuits and Gravy<br />
<br />
<strong>Brazilian</strong><br />
Meat and cheese with bread butter and jam<br />
<br />
<strong>Israeli</strong><br />
Hard and Soft Cheeses, juice, olives, and jams and butter with sesame and poppy seed rolls<br />
<br />
<strong>Netherlands</strong><br />
Apple pancakes with "stroop" Dutch Syrup - made from molasses, cinnamon, vanilla, butter, and sugar<br />
<br />
<strong>Poland</strong><br />
scrambled eggs with kielbasa and potato pancakes<br />
Nalesniki (Polish pancake- like a blintz)<br />
<br />
<strong>Spanish</strong><br />
Bread with tomato paste and garlic with ham and cheese<br />
<br />
<strong>Iceland</strong><br />
oatmeal porridge with raisins, nuts, and brown sugar<br />
<br />
<b>Portugal</b><br />
croissant stuffed with veggies cheese and meat<br />
<br />
<b>Australia</b><br />
bread with Vegemite (possible topped with cheese)<br />
<br />
<b>Italian</b><br />
Cappuccino and croissant<br />
<br />
<b>Welsh</b><br />
Welsh Rarebit<br />
<br />
<b>Denmark</b><br />
Rye bread, salami, cheeses, pate, honey, and ham. thin chocolate crisps<br />
<br />
<b>Philippines</b><br />
mangoes, little sausages, sticky rice, (Do more research)<br />
<br />
<b>German</b><br />
wursts, local cheeses, fresh bread<br />
Bauernfruhstuck - like potatoes O'Brien with bacon and cheese and egg<br />
<br />
<b>French</b><br />
Croissant with almonds, butter, chocolate, or cream<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>India</b><br />
Native- rosemary potatoes, tofu scramble, lentils, veggie sausage, banana pepper toast<br />
English - Kedegree<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bangladesh</b><br />
Khichdi - rice, lentils and spices with deep fried eggplant, yogurt<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Thailand</b><br />
sweet and spicy pork over rice, minty spicy fish<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Argentina</b><br />
Mate tea or a ducle de leche with Facturas (croissant like)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Canada</b><br />
Perogies with toast and sausages<br />
<br />
<b>Mexico</b><br />
Chilequiles and beef tips with cheese and beans<br />
Huevos Rancheros<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Russia</b><br />
Oladi, like popovers or Yorkshire puddings, with sour cream, honey, jam and fresh berries<br />
Syrniki - cheese based pancakes<br />
Blini - blintz like<br />
Kasha - a type of porridge<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Myanmar</b><br />
Mohinga - fish broth, rice noodles, lemon grass, garlic, ginger, onion, and fried fish cakes<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Peru</b><br />
Ceviche<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bolivia</b><br />
Saltenas (like empanadas crossed with Cornish pastries) sweetened meat and veggies inside<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Malaysia</b><br />
Mee - noodles with egg veggies and spices<br />
Nasi Lemak - in breakfast form - coconut rice, cucumber, anchovies, peanuts, hard eggs, and sambal served in a banana leaf, or brown paper<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Belize</b><br />
Fry jacks with beans and eggs or jam and honey<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Hungary</b><br />
Pagachel / Pogacsz - kinda like a scone<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Korea</b><br />
Kimchi, bowl of rice and and a bowl of vegetable stock toast<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Pakistan</b><br />
Aloo Partha - Naan with ghee and vegetables<br />
khichidi - Lentils and whole-grain rice are spiced and cooked together and then served alongside pickles, veggies and occasionally yogurt for a<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Estonia</b><br />
Curd cheese (ricotta) on toast<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Jordan</b><br />
Falafel with olive oil, lamb sausage, and Mortadella<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Venezuela</b><br />
Empanadas or Cachapas - fresh corn pancake or Perico Venezolano scrambled eggs<br />
Arepas - bread filled wit butter and salty cheese with meat chicken, avocado salad, eggs and beans<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Colombia</b><br />
Changua (made from milk, cheese, and scallions)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ghana</b><br />
Waakye - beans and rice<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Uganda</b><br />
Katogo - green banana mixed with beef stew or in a sauce with veggies<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bahamas</b><br />
grits with meat and prawns<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Costa Rica</b><br />
Gallo Pinto - black beans, rice, sour cream, salsa, and corn tortilla with avocado, plantain or cold meat on the side.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Dominican Republic</b><br />
Mangu - mashed plantains with butter and either salami, cheese or eggs<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Turkey</b><br />
cheese, butter, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jam, honey, spicy meat<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Cuba</b><br />
Cuban bread dunked in sweetened coffee (with a bit of salt)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Honduras</b><br />
Baleadas - flour tortilla with beans and cheese<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Caribbean</b><br />
Banana brad<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>China</b><br />
Bao<br />
Tea Eggs(?)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Eygpt</b><br />
Beid Hamine - slow cooked eggs<br />
Ful Medames - a hummus made from Fava beans with parsley, olive oil, onion, garlic, and lemon juice<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>North African/Morocco</b><br />
Chakchouka - poached eggs in pepper (tomato?) ragout<br />
Breakfast Tagine - slow cooked stew with lamb and herbs, cooked in a clay pot<br />
<br />
<b>Italy</b><br />
Frittata<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Persia (Iran?)</b><br />
Kookoo Sabzi - Herbed Omelet<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ecuador</b><br />
Llapingachos - potato and cheese patties<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Israel</b><br />
Matzo Brei - flat bread with eggs<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Japan</b><br />
Misoshiru - miso soup<br />
beaten egg poured over hot rice<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>France</b><br />
Quiche Lorraine<br />
Crepes<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Vietnam</b><br />
Pho Bo - Beef noodle soup<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>New Zealand</b><br />
Sausage Rolls - stuffed puff pastry<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Finland</b><br />
Finnish pancakes (souffle Style)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Sri Lanka</b><br />
Appam - bowl shaped pancakes aka hoppers made with fermented rice flour and can be served with coconut cream, egg, honey or spicy sauce<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Belgium</b><br />
Belgium Waffles (tourist)<br />
bread with Nutella, jam, nut spread with chocolate bar and meat and cheese<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Indonesia</b><br />
Jasmine tea, chile and garlic fried rice, butter white bread with chocolate sprinkles (meises) papaya, leftover curry<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Nigeria</b><br />
Kosai - cake of ground beans that are fried<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-43629362927062725462018-04-10T12:46:00.000-07:002018-04-13T10:22:37.021-07:00My 34 before 34 List and my 34 birthday!<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Happy birthday to me! I am 34 today and that is awesome.<br />
As many of you know, I attempt to do a list of during each year of life. Here is how 34 before 34 shook out this time around!<o:p></o:p><br />
One things that wasn't on the list originally did occur this past month, I DMed my first Dungeons and Dragons Campaign!<br />
<br /></div>
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<b><u>Health</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<s>1) Run a 5k<o:p></o:p></s></div>
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2) Run a 10k - didn't do, but did a 10k over the course of 2 days.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<s>3) Complete 90 Day BBM
Challenge<o:p></o:p></s></div>
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4) Get to Pre Baby Weight 135 - Started at 155 Ended<o:p></o:p><br />
Made it to 148 Pounds - I don't think I every really committed to a weight loss diet and exercise plan at the same time...so that'll make it hard to loose weight, obviously.</div>
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<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Creativity</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>1) Recreate 1 thing from my
“recreate” list<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
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<strike>2) Knit or Crochet a project</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<s>3) Learn to use my Sewing
Machine<o:p></o:p></s></div>
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<strike>4) Cosplay of Rosie Beestinger<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Just Cuz</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>1) Throw a Mid Winter Party<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
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<strike>2) Throw a Cocktail Party</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>3) Organize Vanity Table and Wardrobe <o:p></o:p></strike></div>
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<strike>4) Organize Baby stuff in the basement</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u>Cooking</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>1) Learn to make a "cornerstone"</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<s>2) Learn to Decorate a Cake
- Buttercream specifically<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<s>3) Do a week of meal
planning/Meal prep for a Month<o:p></o:p></s></div>
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<strike>4) Meal Prep for a month</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u>Adventure</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1) Go Ziplinging with MiL - still hasn't happened :(<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>2) Go on an unplanned Weekend
Trip - Phoenix</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>3) go on a hike </strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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4) Get pregnant with second child - there is a grace period for this one. I'll let you know...lol<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Travel</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>1) Go to Michigan with
Golomskis</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>2) Go visit Honey moon friends</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>3) Plan Canada Road Trip</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>4) Got to PAX South</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Quarters</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>1) 2 things TBD on my 1/4
birthday July 10th <o:p></o:p></strike></div>
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<strike>A) Go Back to school and become
a teacher<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike>B) See A<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>2) 2 things in any category
TBD on my 1/2 birthday October 10<sup><span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">th</span></sup><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike>A) Go Back to school and become a teacher</strike><br />
<strike>B) See A</strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>3) 2 things TBD on my 3/4
birthday January 10<sup><span style="font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">th</span></sup><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike>A) Go Back to school and become a teacher</strike><br />
<strike>B) See A</strike></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Learning</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>1) Go Back to school and become
a teacher<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>2) See Number 1<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>3) See Number 2</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<strike>4) 34 Books To read: (4
Classics) DONE!</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>1. If you ask me, but of course you won't. - Betty White</strike></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>2. Blood Rites - Jim
Butcher</strike></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><b><strike>3.</strike></b></i><o:p></o:p><strike><i> The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher</i></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>4. <o:p></o:p>Serefina and the Splintered Heart - Robert Beatty</strike></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>5. Bury Your Dead - Louis Penny</strike></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike><i>6. Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg</i><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>7. The Go Giver - Bob Burg</strike></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike><i>8. Station Eleven- St John Mandel</i><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>9. The Slow Regard of Silent Things - Patrick Rothfuss</strike></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><s>10. The Happiest Baby on the Block – Dr Harvey K</s><strike>arp </strike></i><strike><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><b><strike>11. Classic – Walden – Henry
David Thoreau</strike></b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><strike>12. I'm a Stranger Here Myself - Bill Bryson</strike></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>13. 5 Love Languages of Children - Gary Chapman</strike></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>14. Serefina and the Twisted Staff - Robert Beatty</strike></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><strike>15. Serefina and the Block Cloak - Robert Beatty</strike></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;">16. Fantastic Beast - J.K. Rowling</span></i><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "" "calibri" "" , serif;"><strike>17. A Distant Mirror - Barbara W. Tuchman</strike></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<em><s><span style="background: white;">18. Eligible
– Curtis Sittenfield </span></s></em><s><o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<em><s><span style="background: white;">19.
Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child – Bob Spitz <o:p></o:p></span></s></em></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<em><span style="background: white;"><strike>20. Keep Moving - Dick Van Dyke</strike></span></em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<em><span style="background: white;"><strike>21. The Bad
Beginning - Lemony Snicket</strike></span></em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<em><span style="background: white;"><strike>22. The Reptile
Room - Lemony Snicket</strike></span></em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<em><span style="background: white;"><strike>23. The Wide
Window - Lemony Snicket</strike></span></em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike><em><span style="background: white;">24. </span></em><em> The Miserable Mill -
Lemony Snicket</em></strike><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<em><strike>25. The Austere Academy - Lemony
Snicket</strike></em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike><i>26. The Ersatz Elevator -
Lemony Snicket</i><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike><em>27. The Vile Village - Lemony
Snicket</em><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<em><strike>28. The Hostile
Hospital - Lemony Snicket</strike></em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike><em>29. The Carnivorous Carnival-
Lemony Snicket</em><o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strike><em>30. The Slippery Slope- Lemony
Snicket </em><i><o:p></o:p></i></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<em><strike>31. The Grim Grotto- Lemony Snicket </strike><o:p></o:p></em></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<em><strike>32. The Penultimate Peril- Lemony Sni</strike>cket</em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<em><strike>33. The End- Lemony
Snicket</strike></em></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<em><s>34. Classic – Dracula – Bram Stoker<o:p></o:p></s></em></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-46128295442772504322018-03-29T09:32:00.002-07:002018-03-29T09:32:56.816-07:00Edible Eggless Cookie Dough<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So this is all the rage right now, not gonna make you sick raw cookie dough. So I figured I should give it a try. This is the recipe I used: </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><b>Edible Eggless Cookie Dough Recipe</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This Edible Eggless Cookie Dough Recipe is safe to eat
raw! There's no flour, we use homemade oat flour instead, & is free of
eggs! Edible cookie dough for the win!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Ingredients<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter softened
to room temperature<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1/3 cup granulated sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1/2 cup brown sugar packed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 tablespoons milk room temperature<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 1/2 cup homemade oat flour directions
below (you'll need about 2 cups old fashioned oats)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1/2 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2/3 cups chocolate chips<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Instructions<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, brown
sugar, vanilla, and milk until fluffy, about 60 seconds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Beat in oat flour and salt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Once combined, stir in chocolate chips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Serve immediately or store in the fridge, covered, for
later!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Recipe Notes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Homemade Oat Flour:<br />
Place about 2 cups old fashioned oats in food processor. Process until it
resembles fine flour. Measure out 1 and 1/2 cups and proceed with recipe above!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
If you're gluten free, make sure your oats are, too!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
This turned out VERY rich and quite yummy, but nothing like the stuff you can buy from the food truck. If anyone can get their hands on that recipe Half Baked uses, pass it along to me!.</div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-91187585020539721392017-10-03T09:06:00.003-07:002017-10-03T09:06:33.819-07:00In response to the horrific Las Vegas Shooting...<div class="_UZe kno-fb-ctx" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 4px;">
<div style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 13px;">
This hymn is in my heart right now. I hope that MiniGSki will be the peace in the world in years to come as well..</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 13px;">
Let there be peace on earth<br />And let it begin with me<br />Let There Be Peace on Earth<br />The peace that was meant to be</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 13px;">
With God as our Father<br />Brothers all are we<br />Let me walk with my brother<br />In perfect harmony.</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 13px;">
Let peace begin with me<br />Let this be the moment now.</div>
</div>
<div class="_UZe kno-fb-ctx" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 4px;">
<div class="_Nvn" data-mh="-1" style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 0px;">
With ev'ry step I take<br />Let this be my solemn vow<br />To take each moment and live<br />Each moment in peace eternally<br />Let there be peace on earth<br />And let it begin with me.</div>
<div class="_Nvn" data-mh="-1" style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="_Nvn" data-mh="-1" style="line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54); font-size: 12px;">Songwriters: Jill Jackson / Sy Miller</span></div>
</div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-6242438054898803392017-08-09T13:39:00.000-07:002018-04-13T10:22:02.064-07:00Cosplays: L'illusion's Next ProjectsAs some of you know, I love me some Cosplay. I even made up a handle to use when cosplaying, not that I have any sort of following. L'illusion<br />
You know, for my stature and the whole "illusion" thing that is cosplay.<br />
<br />
Here are some of the Cosplays I have been thinking about making:<br />
Riddler from BTAS - Lady version<br />
Zatanna<br />
Dr Harley Quinnel<br />
Velma from Scooby do <br />
Rogue - black body suit with Green Crop<br />
Arya Stark: House of black and white<br />
Doctor Who: 1950s Faceless Rose<br />
Doctor Who: Clara<br />
Catwoman (Golden Era)<br />
Batwoman: (Golden Era)<br />
Diablo: Leah<br />
Hell Cat<br />
<br />
Any thoughts or opinions? I can't decide which one to start on currently. Mainly because I have my post baby body right now, which is more like right after baby body. I need to work on my physical fitness before I invest in the money of another costume I feel like, but that might be small minded of me.Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-58057805173403187982017-05-17T07:29:00.000-07:002017-09-18T12:14:28.380-07:00Lactation CookiesDo not try to double this recipe unless you have one of those big KitchenAids.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lifestylehunting.com/blog/the-miracle-milk-cookie">The Miracle Milk Cookie</a><br />
Ingredients:<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 Tbsp. flaxseed meal {or linseed can be used} <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
4 Tbsp. water<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 cup butter, softened<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 cup white sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 cup brown sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 large eggs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 tsp. vanilla<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 cups all purpose flour (Note: I've also used
self-rising flour for this recipe, if you use self-rising flour do not add
baking soda or salt to the recipe)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 tsp. baking soda<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 tsp. salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2-6 Tbsp. Brewer’s Yeast {This is the active ingredient,
so the more the better. I used about 3 Tbsp. and it worked great!}<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3 cups quick oats<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 cup chocolate chips<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Directions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2. Mix together the flaxseed and
water and let sit for 5 minutes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3. Meanwhile, cream together the
butter and sugars.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
4. Add eggs one at a time and mix
well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5. Add flaxseed mix and vanilla.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
6. In a medium bowl, combine
together flour, baking soda, salt, Brewer’s Yeast, and oats.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
7. Add to the butter mixture 1/2
cup at a time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
8. Once the dough is mixed
together well, add chocolate chips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
9. Bake for 9-11 minutes.<o:p></o:p></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-57831163277005352822017-05-10T14:43:00.000-07:002017-05-10T14:43:03.379-07:00Poblano Chili 3 Ways - Way 3: Chili Stroganoff<br />
This was really good. While not my FAVORITE of the 3 dishes, it was a strong contender and a great choice to help use up sour cream.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ9u9-5LX4OzLIOk4vUaDIhaU2sHFd90AnPtI64u6dXm3k8l13Og6Y-2cnuIQY6o6jSQmALw4O1NBEuwmHDjNddrsmQta3I3E_dgXlsNWq-EZXdu5rJHusQYgJbVh1bps-M6cYW7IGmfD/s1600/1610p65-chili-stroganoff-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ9u9-5LX4OzLIOk4vUaDIhaU2sHFd90AnPtI64u6dXm3k8l13Og6Y-2cnuIQY6o6jSQmALw4O1NBEuwmHDjNddrsmQta3I3E_dgXlsNWq-EZXdu5rJHusQYgJbVh1bps-M6cYW7IGmfD/s400/1610p65-chili-stroganoff-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Chili Stroganoff</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ingredients</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">8 ounces uncooked wide egg noodles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 tablespoon olive oil </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">12 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 teaspoons smoked paprika </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">5 garlic cloves, minced </span><br />
<a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/smoky-beef-poblano-chili"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 cups cooked
chili (from Smoky Beef and Poblano Chili</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/2 teaspoon kosher salt </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/3 cup chopped green onions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">How to Make It</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt
and fat; drain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add
mushrooms; cook 6 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Add thyme,
paprika, cinnamon, and garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add chili;
cook 5 minutes or until almost all of the liquid has evaporated, stirring
frequently. Remove pan from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Combine sour cream and
milk in a bowl; stir into chili mixture. Stir in salt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Divide pasta evenly among 4 plates; top evenly with chili
mixture. Sprinkle with green onions.</span><br />
<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-19901154924447687502017-05-03T14:42:00.000-07:002017-05-03T14:42:00.650-07:00Poblano Chili 3 Ways - Way 2: Chili Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuitsyes yes yes yes yes yes yes....<br />
Why are you not making this yet?<br />
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Chili Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuits</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ingredients</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 tablespoon olive oil </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/4 teaspoon kosher salt </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 (11-oz.) pkg. diced peeled butternut squash </span><br />
<a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/smoky-beef-poblano-chili"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">5 cups cooked
chili (from Smoky Beef and Poblano Chili), divided</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup plus 3 Tbsp.),
divided </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cooking spray </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/4 cup plain yellow cornmeal </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 teaspoons baking powder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 tablespoons frozen unsalted butter, grated </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3 ounces grated cheddar cheese (about 3/4 cup) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">How to Make It</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Preheat oven to 475°F.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add salt and
butternut squash; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to
medium-high and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine 1 cup chili and
3 tablespoons flour in a bowl; add to pan. Add remaining 4 cups chili to pan;
bring to a simmer. Spoon chili mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated
with cooking spray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Combine remaining 1 cup flour, cornmeal, and baking
powder in a bowl. Cut butter and cheese into flour mixture using a pastry
blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in buttermilk
just until combined. Drop flour mixture evenly over chili to form 24 biscuits
(about 2 teaspoons each). Bake at 475°F for 15 minutes or until biscuits are golden
brown. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.</span><br />
<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-34633560899982746132017-04-26T14:40:00.000-07:002017-04-26T14:40:01.527-07:00Poblano Chili 3 Ways - Way 1: ChiliThis one was perfect. I thought 3 Poblano chilis would be too much so I only used 2. TOTALLY could have done 3. Follow the recipe and you will be golden!<br />
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Photo is not by me again. I failed to take a photo when I made this. Forgive me.<br />
<br />
<br />
Smoky Beef and Poblano Chili<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ingredients</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cooking spray </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 1/2 pounds 93% lean ground beef, divided </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3 cups chopped yellow onion (about 2 large) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3 cups seeded, chopped poblano peppers (about 3) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3 tablespoons chopped garlic </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3 tablespoons chili powder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 tablespoon ground cumin </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 tablespoons unsalted tomato paste </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 (12-oz.) bottle Mexican lager </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4 cups unsalted beef stock, divided </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/2 cup chopped fresh oregano </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3/4 teaspoon kosher salt </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 (28-oz.) cans whole peeled plum tomatoes, drained and
crushed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 cup diced ripe avocado </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 tablespoons sliced red Fresno chile (optional) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cilantro sprigs </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">How to Make It</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Heat a large Dutch oven over high heat. Coat pan with
cooking spray. Add 1 1/4 pounds beef to pan; cook 4 minutes or until browned,
stirring to crumble. Place cooked beef in a bowl. Repeat procedure with cooking
spray and remaining 1 1/4 pounds beef.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Add onion, poblano pepper, and garlic to pan; cook 5
minutes, stirring occasionally. Return beef to pan. Stir in chili powder,
chipotle chile powder, and cumin; cook 1 minute. Add tomato paste and beer,
scraping pan to loosen browned bits; cook 2 minutes. Add 3 1/2 cups beef stock
to pan; bring to a boil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Combine remaining 1/2 cup beef stock and flour in a bowl,
stirring with a whisk. Add flour mixture to pan, stirring constantly with a
whisk. Stir in oregano, salt, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat,
cover, and simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat.
Reserve 7 cups chili for </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Chili Potpie with Cheddar Biscuits</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> and </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Chili
Stroganoff</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Divide remaining 6 cups chili among 4 bowls; top evenly
with diced avocado, sliced fresh chiles, if desired, and cilantro sprigs.</span><br />
<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-91097495898810693432017-04-19T14:35:00.000-07:002017-04-19T14:35:00.242-07:00Mushroom Thyme Pot Pies<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now, to be clear, these were SUPER YUMMY...but...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They were just too much dang work. Even when I wasn't a mom, these would have been too much work in my opinion. I will use the dough in the future for a different pot pie, but I will not be putting in 3 days worth of work for something like this again.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60S3THikZ5g3N3m0cwU-qYvG94UU8SMlvAHeYqlJxW4nTHTht4gCJu5HguUJ8er0mfcfocDGaTydw6hncfcesm8Jyf7vU4u8I90syr-OpQdqMA2wZY1sMtWo22_TeaZUgzWz7krsyGhJc/s1600/mushroom-thyme-pot-pies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60S3THikZ5g3N3m0cwU-qYvG94UU8SMlvAHeYqlJxW4nTHTht4gCJu5HguUJ8er0mfcfocDGaTydw6hncfcesm8Jyf7vU4u8I90syr-OpQdqMA2wZY1sMtWo22_TeaZUgzWz7krsyGhJc/s400/mushroom-thyme-pot-pies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Please note the Picture is not mine. This is the photo from Bon Appetit Magazine that made me want to make them.</div>
<strong><u><br /></u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Mushroom Thyme Pot Pies</u></strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ingredients</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Makes 8 Servings</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dough</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2¼ cups all-purpose flour</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1½ teaspoon kosher salt</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">½ cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 large egg, beaten to blend</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mushroom Gravy</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 tablespoons olive oil</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 medium onion, chopped</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 tablespoon tomato paste</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 pound crimini mushrooms, stems trimmed, quartered </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">½ cup dry sherry</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4 cups low-sodium chicken broth</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">¼ cup dried porcini mushrooms</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3 tablespoons all-purpose flour</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Assembly</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">½ fennel bulb, chopped (I used a bit of fennel seed with
celery instead)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 cup red pearl onions, peeled (I just used diced white)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 sprigs thyme, plus leaves for serving</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">8 ounces oyster or maitake mushrooms (I just used
crimini)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">All-purpose flour (for surface)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1 large egg</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Flaky sea salt</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Special Equipment</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Eight 6-oz. ramekins</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Preparation</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dough – I made
this on Monday before I made this dish on Wednesday</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Whisk flour and salt in a large bowl. Work in butter with
your fingers until only pea-size pieces remain. Combine egg, vinegar, and ⅓ cup
ice water in a small bowl and drizzle over flour mixture; quickly work in with
your fingers until a shaggy dough forms.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Turn out dough onto a work surface and press together,
working just enough to form a smooth ball with no dry spots. Wrap in plastic
and chill until very cold, at least 2 hours.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Do Ahead: Dough can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mushroom Gravy – I
made this on Sunday before I made this dish on Wednesday</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Heat oil and 2 Tbsp. butter in a medium saucepan over
medium. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 10–12 minutes. Add
tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until color darkens and paste completely
coats onion, about 1 minute. Add button mushrooms and cook, stirring
occasionally, until softened and any liquid has evaporated, 12–15 minutes. Add
sherry and cook until almost completely evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add broth
and porcini mushrooms. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half (about
2½ cups), about 1 hour. Strain mushroom broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a
medium bowl, pressing down on solids; discard solids.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Heat remaining 3 Tbsp. butter in a large saucepan over
medium. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking often, until flour begins to smell
nutty, about 4 minutes. Whisking vigorously to prevent lumps, add mushroom
broth and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a simmer and cook 1 minute.
Remove from heat.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Do Ahead: Gravy can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover
and chill.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Assembly - I assembled them on Tuesday before baking them on Wednesday</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 425°. Combine
fennel, onions, 1 Tbsp. butter, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan; season
with kosher salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high, cover, and
reduce heat. Simmer until fennel and onions are crisp-tender, 5–8 minutes.
Uncover; cook until liquid evaporates, 15–18 minutes. Let cool.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over
medium. Cook thyme sprigs and mushrooms, tossing occasionally, until mushrooms
are browned and tender, 6–8 minutes. Let cool; pluck out thyme.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Divide fennel mixture and mushrooms among ramekins. Spoon
gravy over top. Divide dough in half. Working with one at a time, roll out to
¼" thick. Cut out 2 rounds about ½" wider than the diameter of
ramekins. Gather up scraps, reroll, and cut out 2 more rounds (for 8 total).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Whisk egg, a pinch of kosher salt, and 1 tsp. water in a
small bowl. Brush dough with egg wash; place over ramekins, brushed side down.
Press firmly around sides to adhere. Brush tops of dough with egg wash;
sprinkle with thyme leaves and sea salt. Set pot pies on a rimmed baking sheet
and bake until crusts are golden brown and domed, 25–35 minutes.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Do Ahead: Pot pies (without brushing outside of pastry
and topping) can be assembled 1 day ahead. Cover pot pies and extra egg wash
separately and chill.</span></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-85681158211395708772017-04-10T14:21:00.000-07:002017-09-18T12:39:38.965-07:0034 ere 34: a birthday goal list to apologize for missing 2 yearsHere I am, It has been 2 birthdays since I last attempted one of these lists. Between moving cross-country, starting a new job, buying a house, being pregnant, and now having a baby, I am not surprised I feel off the wagon of resolutions and Bucket Lists. Now, though, I am ready to have an outlet of fun and excitement for the next year of my life. Though it is not complete currently I will update as the year goes. Thus I give you:<br />
<br />
<br />
34 before 34!<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></u></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Health</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1) Run a 5k</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2) Run a 10k</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3) Complete 90 Day BBM Challenge</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4) Get to Pre Baby Weight 135</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Creativity</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1) Recreate 1 thing from my “recreate” list</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2) Knit or Crochet Gifts for Christmas</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3) Learn to use my Sewing Machine</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Just Cuz</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1) Throw a Dinner Party</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cooking</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1) Learn to Debone a Chicken</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2) Learn to Decorate a Cake - Buttercream specifically</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3) Do a week of meal planning/Meal prep for a Month</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Adventure</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1) Go Ziplinging with MiL</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2) Go on an unplanned Weekend Trip</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3) </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Travel</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1) Go to Michigan with Golomskis</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2) Go Somewhere with Bocks</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3) </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4) </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Quarters </span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1) 2 things TBD on my 1/4 birthday July 10th </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A) </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">B)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2) 2 things in any category TBD on my 1/2 birthday October
10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A) </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">B)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3) 2 things TBD on my 3/4 birthday January 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A) </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">B)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Learning </span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">3)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4) 34 Books To read: (4 Classics)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1. A
Slow Regard of Silent Things - Patrick Rothfuss</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2. Blood Rites - Jim
Butcher</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">3. Dead Beat -
Jim Butcher</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">4. Proven
Guilty - Jim Butcher</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">5. White Night -
Jim Butcher</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">6. Small Favor -
Jim Butcher</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">7. Turn Coat -
Jim Butcher</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">8. Changes - Jim
Butcher</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">9. Ghost Story -
Jim Butcher</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em><span style="background-color: cyan;">10. </span></em><em><span style="background-color: cyan;">Classic - </span> </em></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="background-color: cyan;"><em>11. </em><em>Classic - Walden - Henry David Thoreau</em></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">12. Definitely
Dead - Charlaine Harris</span></i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">13. All Together Dead
(Lucky) - Charlaine Harris</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">14. From Dead to Worse
(Gift Wrap) – C. Harris</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">15. Dead and Gone (Two
Blondes) - C. Harris</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri";">16. Dead in the Family
(Small-Town Wedding) -Charlaine Harris</span></i></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri";">17. Dead
Reckoning - Charlaine Harris</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri";"><em>18. </em><em>The Fault in Our Stars - John Green</em></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri";"><em><span style="background-color: cyan;">19. </span></em><em><span style="background-color: cyan;">Classic -</span> </em></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri";"><em>20. </em><em>Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency</em> <em>- Douglas Adams</em></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri";"><em>21. The Bad Beginning</em><em> - Lemony Snicket</em></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri";"><em>22. The Reptile Room</em><em> - Lemony Snicket</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri";"><em>23. The Wide Window</em><em> - Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em><span style="background-color: white;">24. </span> The Miserable Mill</em><em> - Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>25. The Austere Academy</em><em> - Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">26. The Ersatz Elevator - Lemony Snicket</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>27. The Vile Village </em><em>- Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>28. The Hostile Hospital </em><em>- Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>29. The Carnivorous Carnival</em><em>- Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>30. The Slippery Slope</em><em>- Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>31. The Grim Grotto</em><em>- Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>32. The Penultimate Peril</em><em>- Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>33. The End</em><em>- Lemony Snicket</em></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: cyan;"><em>34. </em><em>Classic - Dracula - Bram Stoker</em></span></span></span></span></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-73183908486898401002017-02-14T07:00:00.000-08:002017-02-17T07:17:15.220-08:00An Updated Reading List in Preparation for my 34 by 34 List<br />
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<span style="color: #bbbbbb; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #bbbbbb; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">A few years ago, I called upon my audience to help me come up with the "MUST be read in your Lifetime" Book List. I have recently updated that list to reflect what I have read thus far in my 32+ years. What else needs to be on this list in your opinion? I am not talking about books on the Best Sellers List or anything, I mean books that have impacted your life and that are works of art. Let me know what else I need to read.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">For my 4 classics for the 34th year of my life, I am planning on ready Walden, Dracula, Fahrenheit 451, and Watership Down.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjrvZ2Ne8CVJL2Kv5tdh2uoeBGvcjZ6LAH4xQ8KgeAU5YqdrRvyB-mk7sQowpnkQZ9nUTT5eZkTOTIZV-7kSzOtAtjwINbiC7fyeoDdHGCIYBI6o_jyRtK8XM4T40MbyRbjxpmynW04il/s1600/20150903173413-books-shop-fair-library-used-bookshelf-literature-study-textbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjrvZ2Ne8CVJL2Kv5tdh2uoeBGvcjZ6LAH4xQ8KgeAU5YqdrRvyB-mk7sQowpnkQZ9nUTT5eZkTOTIZV-7kSzOtAtjwINbiC7fyeoDdHGCIYBI6o_jyRtK8XM4T40MbyRbjxpmynW04il/s320/20150903173413-books-shop-fair-library-used-bookshelf-literature-study-textbooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><u>Little Cat's Little List of Books</u></strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">1984 </span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Adventures of Augie March</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Age of Innocence</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Alice in Wonderland/Through
the Looking Glass</span></s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">American Gods</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Are you There God? It’s Me
Margaret </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Art of War</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">As I Lay Dying </span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Atlas Shrugged </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Atonement</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Awakening</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bell Jar</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Beloved<br />
<s>Beowulf </s></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Best Science Fiction of
Isaac Asimov </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Blind Assassin</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Book Thief</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bossypants</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Brave New World</span></s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Brideshead Revisited </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bridge of San Juis Rey</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bridget Jones Diary </span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">A Brief History of Time</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Brothers Karamazou</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span></span></s><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Call of the Wild</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Candide </span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Canterbury Tales</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Catch 22</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Catcher in the Rye</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Charlotte's Web<br />
The Color Purple</span></s></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Common Sense <br />
The Confessions of Nat Turner</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Constitution of the USA</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Count of Monte Cristo</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>
</strong><span style="font-size: large;">Crime and Punishment</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><s><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dangerous Liaison</span></s></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">David Copperfield</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Deliverance</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Divine Comedy</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Doctor Zhivago</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Don Quixote</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Don't Sweat the Small Stuff</span></s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dracula</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><s><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Electra</span></s></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ender's Game</span></s></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span></span><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Everything is Illuminated</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fahrenheit 451</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">For Whom the Bell Tolls</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Fountainhead</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Frankenstein</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Franny and Zooey</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><s><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Gilead</span></s></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Giver (the subsequent sequels</span></s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Glass Castle</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Gone with the Wind</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grapes of Wrath</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Great Expectations</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Great Gatsby</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Gulliver’s Travels</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Handmaid’s Tale</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Harry Potter Series</span></s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Heart of Darkness </span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">His Dark Materials Trilogy<br />
The Historian</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I, Robot</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Iliad </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Inferno </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Interpretation of Dream by Freud</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Invisible Man</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><s><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jane Eyre</span></s></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Janet Evanovich Mysteries </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Joy Luck Club</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Jungle</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><s><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Killer Angels</span></s></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kite Runner </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><s><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lady Chatterley’s Lover</span></s></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Last of the Mohicans</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><strike>Le Morte d’Arthur</strike></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Legends of the Fall</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Les Miserable</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Life of Pi</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Little Women</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lolita</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Look Homeward, Angel</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lord of the Flies</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Madame Bovary</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><strike>Mathilda</strike></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Medea</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mein Kampf</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Metamorphosis</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Middlemarch</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Moby Dick</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mrs Dalloway</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Murder on the Orient Express</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Naked Lunch</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Never Let Me Go</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Odyssey</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Oedipus Rex</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Of Mice and Men</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Old Man and The Sea</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">On the Road</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">One Hundred Years of Silence</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">One Thousand and One Arabian Nights</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paradise Lost</span></s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Peter Pan</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Phaedra</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Picture of Dorian Grey</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Poisonwood Bible </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Portrait of the Lady</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Postman Always Rings Twice</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Princess Bride</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ragtime</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Red Badge of Courage</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Red Tent</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Robinson Crusoe</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Saint Joan</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Scarlet Letter</span></s></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Siddhartha</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sirens of Titan </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Six Characters in Search of an Author</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Slaughterhouse-Five</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sophie’s Choice</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stranger in a Strange Land</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Starship Troopers</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Sun Also Rises</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">A Tale of Two Cities</span></s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Things Fall Apart</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Three Musketeers</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Time Machine</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">To Kill a Mocking Bird</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tom Jones</span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Treasure Island </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ulysses</span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Unbearable Lightness of Being</span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Uncle Tom’s Cabin</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Vanity Fair</span></span></span></div>
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</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Wuthering Heights</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Watership Down</span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">War of the Worlds</span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">War and Peace</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Walden</span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Waiting for Godot</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Wanderer’s Necklace</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Wind and the Willows</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Series</span></s></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><s><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Collected Works of Austen Collect Works of Chekhov<br />
Collected Works of Ibsen<br />
Collected Works of Moliere<br />
Collected Works and Sonnets of Shakespeare</span></s></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Collect Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle </span></s></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bbbbbb; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><s><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Collected Works of Edgar Allen Poe</span></s></span></span></span></span></div>
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-30539648959369488412016-11-14T09:11:00.000-08:002016-11-28T09:13:41.301-08:00The Pioneer Woman: PB&J Struesel MuffinsAs you might have gathered with the choice of recipes I decide to try, I really like The Pioneer Woman. I think that she is an intelligent, talented woman and I enjoy her blog posts. <br />
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<br />
This one was a simple recipe, and while it was very rich, I will make it again in the future. I think though that only one half an English Muffin is needed per adult, unless they have a very sweet tooth.<br />
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<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/pbj-streusel-muffins/">PB&J Streusel Muffins</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ingredients</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/2 stick Cold Salted Butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/2 cup Flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/2 cup Brown Sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2 Tablespoons Oats (Quick Or Old-fashioned)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dash Of Salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">4 whole Whole Wheat English Muffins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/4 cup Peanut Butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/4 cup Jelly Or Jam Of Your Choice</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Method</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl, use a pastry
cutter to cut together the butter, flour, brown sugar, oats, and salt until the
mixture is slightly crumbly. Sprinkle in a couple of tablespoons of water if it
seems too dry.<br />
Split the muffins and spread on a thin layer of peanut butter, followed by
jelly. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the 8 muffins and pop it in
the oven for 10 minutes. Turn up the heat to 350 and bake for another couple of
minutes or until slightly golden on top. </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfvUzxd3bmRuAG8syURsll70-vbP91MelXOK8A3IZOTm1TmOE8N5WTx3fVE_9EL2OH1z1OE3wVC616PqV0RW0N5pnAHtIEyLnPttgZcPpCNK-DUPAJ9VMp_VHazL-DOh4GSFecuqZJF0F/s400/IMG_3110.JPG" width="300" /></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-31960230768446211402016-10-31T07:10:00.002-07:002016-10-31T07:10:44.191-07:00What I actually "needed" in my hospital bag<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hello all,</div>
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Well, Miniski has entered the world and the first 3 months have gone swimmingly. Seriously. We have a baby with the best temperament ever. He only cried when something was wrong for the first 2 months (he likes to let us know more things now, though I suppose his "hey I'm over here cry" is more of a whine then a cry), he started sleeping well a month in, and he latched while in recovery and our breastfeeding relationship has been solid and mostly pain free.</div>
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Looking back on my birth experience and story, I see how incredibly fortunate I was. I got everything I wanted in my birth plan: </div>
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I had my husband in the operating room with me.</div>
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I had my family (blood, step, and inlaws) in the room before going into surgery, but they cleared out right when they needed to.</div>
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My Anesthesiologist was an old pro and got me numb quickly and calmly.</div>
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The nursing team assisting my doctor was skilled, comforting, and supportive.</div>
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My Baby was delivered by my doctor.</div>
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I had a planned C-Section as it was the safest way for Baby and I to get through the process</div>
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I had skin to skin in recovery and Baby managed to latch while we were there.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My husband and I named our son based on what name he looked like, not the names we loved.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then while we were in mother/baby, the nursing staff was stellar and knowledgeable.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">A lacation consultent stopped by everyday to see how we were doing. When it was looking like baby would most likely be losig 10% of his body weight, we started supplementing via the Five French Technique per the suggestion of our night nurse Jenn who brough us all the things to do so and taught us how BEFORE I got stressed out about the verdict that baby losing so much weight. I am forever grateful to Nurse Jenn's thinking ahead on this.</span><br />
<br /><br />
So here is what I found that I needed from my original list. Obviously, this might not be what YOU need in your hospital bag, but now I have a reference for the *next* time.<br />
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<strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hospital Bags</strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Clothes:</strong><br /><strike>Robe</strike> <Nope, we had a thermostat in the room so I was a comfortable as could be><br />2 sets of loose lounge Pants <I lived in a hospital gown the 2 of the 4 days, so one pair was really enough, though it was nice to have a back up in case of bleeding through><br /><strike>2 Easy Nursing PJ blouse</strike> <Again, the hospital gown was awesome so only one of these was necessary><br /><strike>Nursing Tanks</strike> - 2 <Now that I have a vague idea of how to breast feed, I would use these, but when I was learning to over the 4 days in the hospital, these weren't used as they just seemed to get in my way. granted, I pretty much just hung out naked when it was just Husband and I><br /><em>Nursing Bra</em> - 1 <specifically sleeping nursing bra, and I should have had two or three. I pretty much lived in the one I had and my lounge pants><br /><em>Warm Socks</em> (with slip protection) - 2 <These were used, not for warmth, but for germ protectors on my feet. It was warm enough in my room, but my slippers didn't fit my (even more) swollen feet><br /><strike>Slippers</strike> - 1 <didn't use as they were moccasin style and didn't fit my swollen feet><br /><em>Black maternity pants and blouse</em> - for possible Photos and for going home <this was a good idea, both for the photos, but also for feeling like a looked a LITTLE slimmer in the coming home photos and blended into the background><br /><em>Comfy Cardigan</em> (for use in hospital and going home) <This was used as I am prone to feeling comforted with something wrapped around me. Fortunately, I packed a light one so that it wasn't too hot><br /><strike>Cozy Scarf</strike> (for use in hospital and going home) <didn't need due to thermostat and SUMMER><br /><em>Slip on Shoes</em> (for going home) <Fortunately, I packed Flip Flops which I used all the time thank to fat feet><br /><strike>Absorbing Panties aka Depends</strike> (dignity is left at the door after another person enters the world via you) - <Didn't need as the hospital provided me with MEGA PADS><br /><strike>Granny Panties to hold in the pads</strike> - <these were also provided by my hospital and actually held up the mega pads as well as being comfy, though I can understand someone not liking them and want their own version of granny panties><br /><em>Pillow</em> (in a colored pillow case) <yes, this was great because it felt a little like home><br /><strike>Front Opening Fleece/sweater/jacket</strike> (for use in hospital) <didn't need due to in room thermostat><br /><br /></span><br />
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<strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Snacks:</strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>Pineapple Juice</em> <yes because I love it and crave it even when I am not preggers/delivered. It supposedly helps with clogged ducts with breast feeding, but I don't think that was a thing for me at the time><br /><strike>Applesauce</strike> <didn't have, didn't miss><br /><strike>Dry Cereal</strike> <didn't pack didn't miss because I had GRANOLA BARS which were super helpful for both husband and I><br /><strike>Hard Candy</strike> <I have a couple dum dums (my fave lollipops) and they were welcome><br /><em>Gift for Husband</em> <I gave him a 6 pack of not your father's root beer at the hospital which he had one of at the hospital and enjoyed the rest later at home. I later gifted him with Bluetooth headphones for while he was out working in the yard. He appreciated that I thought of him, and gift giving is one of my love languages so I think he felt the extra love knowing what it means to me to give a gift><br /><br /></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Toiletries & Makeup (light and natural):</strong> usual stuff</span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Only needed a brush, Shampoo Conditioner, tooth brush, tooth paste, and deodorant. Didn't bother with makeup (though some women might want to)<br /></span><br />
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<strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tech Kit:</strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strike>DSLR, Batteries, Battery Charger, SD Card</strike> - <My DSLR is dated and the iPhone ended up taking a clearer picture, but if it had been a newer model, then this would have been used more><br /><em>Kindle, Kindle Charger</em> - <Not as needed since I have an iphone, but was nice to use for youtube, email, internet since I don't like having my phone near my head (or baby's!) more than necessary thanks to brain cancer from cellular waves><br /><em>Headphones</em> - <yes, I was bunked with my husband and we though we slept when baby slept, I sometimes needed a relaxation you tube video in order to fall asleep><br /><em>Cell Phone, Cell Phone Charger</em> - <I put it on airplane mode with WiFi active most of the weekend to keep the cellular waves away from my son's brain as well as mine. Also I figured anyone who wanted/needed to stop by, would know to contact my Husband, the person who didn't just have major surgery><br /><strike>Music Device, Bluetooth Speaker</strike> - <Didn't bring, but I sort of wish we had for listening to music on our phones or something like that><br /><em>Notepad and Pen</em> - <yes, but I like making notes and lists on real paper. I kept a list of people to write thank you cards to after they stopped by with a present or something. I think thank you notes are important so I found that useful.></span><br />
<<Addition: <strong>Thank you cards, address book, and stamps</strong>. These are important to me, so I am happy I though to bring them. I then had the cards written for any gifts or visits I thought deserved a card be fore I left the hospital and the real work started.>><br />
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<strong>Mommy After Delivery Kit:</strong><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /><em>Gum</em> - <didn't bring, kinda wish I had some for a quick freshen up for when guests came by.><br /><em>Wisps</em> (Disposable toothbrush) - <see above><br /><strike>Nursing pads</strike> - <didn't need as my milk didn't come in until the day I went home from the hospital<br /><strike>Sanitizer</strike> - <hospital had a dispenser of it at the door, so didn't need><br /><strike>Sea Bands</strike> - <never felt like I would have needed these><br /><strike>Nipple Butter</strike> - <didn't bring, got some of the GOOD stuff from the lactation consultant/nurses (I asked a few of them so I went home with 4 mini tubes)><br /><strike>Tums</strike> - <didn't need, but was glad to have it as husband needed them after some cafeteria food<br /><strong><em>Lip Balm -</em></strong> <YES BRING THIS><br /><strike>Stool Softener pills</strike> - <forgot to bring. I can't remember, but I think the hospital provided these for me><br /><strike>Spray Bottle</strike> - <didn't need, also hospital provided><br /><strike>Witch Hazel</strike> - <didn't need><br /><strike>MAXI pads</strike> - <Hospital provided><br /><strike>Flushable wipes</strike> - didn't bring, but would have been nice.<br /><em>Prenatal Vitamins</em> - I forgot to bring these, but should have<br /><em>Handheld Back Massager (with batteries)</em> - YES, even if you are have a C section. Being bed bound makes for some crazy back pains sometimes. As I understand it, this would be extra awesome during labor.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><<Addition: <strong>A BACK SCRATCHER</strong>. this was a life saver for me.>><br /></span><br />
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<strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dad Hospital Bag:</strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>Wallet/ID</em> - duh<br /><em>Cell Phone Charger, Cell Phone</em> - duh<br /><em>A Change of clothes</em> (with button down shirt for skin to skin) - Should have though this through and had him bring more since he stayed the whole 4 days with me and baby was having a great time spitting up<br /><em>A set of Pjs in case of sleep -</em> again he stayed all 4 days so 2 sets would have been better. I ended up (with help from my auntie) sending him home for a meal, a beer, shower, and prepping the home for baby (aka diapers) on Sunday (the 3rd day). He needed to get out. He was getting some major cabin fever. So keep that in mind when packing your partner's bag. He might just need to visit the land of the not in the hospital for a couple hours one day.<br /><em>Pillow</em> (colored Case) - better quality pillow than a hospital pillow, easy to recognize and felt comforting<br /><em>Blanket</em> - the hospital provided him with one, but I was happy to have my fuzzy Doctor Who blanket as it made me feel like I was in a comfortable place<br /><em><strike>Change for vending machine</strike></em> - there weren't any close. It was more money for the cafeteria/I always ordered more food than I needed so I had a snack for him</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>iPad charger, iPad</em> - he used it a few times<br /><em>Book to pass time</em> - HAH what time?<br /><strike>Bible</strike> - had it on his phone<br /><em>Ibuprofen</em> - YES he had a headache and body aches from sleep deprivation and the bed thing so these were a good idea<br /><em>Water bottles</em> - good idea, though the nurses stand had a great water dispenser, so really he just needed a reusable one<br /><em>Pre made gift bags for nurses/nurses station</em> - YES, I made 2 and gave one to the night crew the first day I was there and the other to the day crew on the morning of my 3rd day so all the nurses serving me had a chance to get some noms. THEY LOVEd IT! I put these together a month before I was due after a quick trip to the dollar store. If you think about it, do this. <br /><em>Extra bag for gifts/hospital free bees</em> - YUP, I also rather craftily slowly emptied the bassinet of items like the newborn diapers, wipes, and pacis etc so that they refilled it the 2nd night Iwas there. Worth it<br /><em>Who to call/text list</em> - I ended up prepping an email with everyone on a blind cc that we wanted to let know and then filled in the specifics: Name, Date, Time, Length, Weight, and Picture. Be warned though. About 10 minutes after we sent out the email, the picture and info was posted on Facebook by 3 people who weren't at the birth. Perhaps I should have written a request saying that we would like to announce it on Facebook. I ended up asking the people to adjust the posts to not include his middle name was all, expressing my desire to protect his privacy while I could.<br /><strike>Cash for valet</strike> - it is free valet (no tipping!) at our hospital so wasn't needed<br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Dopp kit:</strong> Usual stuff </span><br />
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<strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Baby Hospital Bag</strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>Car seat</em> - duh<br /><em>Go home outfits</em> (2 in case of accident) - didn't do anything crazy for this like some people might want to. We just a couple pairs of pants/shorts and then the shirt the hospital provided (they provided 2) and a little T-shirt that we had received as a hand me down.<br /><strike>Cozy hat</strike> - hospital provided<br /><strike>Romper</strike> - NOPE, because of belly button tag<br /><strike>Socks/booties</strike> - didn't use because summer<br /><strike>Nail mittens</strike> - didn't use and still don't<br /><strike>Finger nail clippers</strike> - I brought them but didn't need them until he was about 6 days old.<br /><strike>Receiving blanket</strike> - Hospital provided<br /><em>Book for photo/to read to baby</em> - YES bring all the things for this. I also filled in things while I was sitting in my hospital bed, unable to get up, and couldn't sleep<br /></span><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Diaper Bag: We didn't need any of this as the hospital either provided it or it wasn't something needed for a 4 day old child in the hospital. Though this is a good reference for later on.</strong><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>Diapers </em><em>- </em>Hospital Provides.<br /><em>Butt paste - </em>Didn't need anyway<br /><em>Wipes - </em>Hospital Provides.<br /><em>Extra outfit </em><em>- </em>Hospital Provides a shirt.<br /><em>2 burp clothes - </em>Hospital Provides.<br /><em>Stuffed animal</em> - Baby doesn't know the difference yet.<br /><em>Changing pad - </em>Hospital Provides.<br /><em>Pacifier - </em>Hospital Provides.<br /><em>Nursing cover</em> - as mentioned before, I was just topless the whole time. Or I used the receiving blanket if I thought it necessary. Or I just used feeding baby as an excuse to kick people out.<br /><em>Swaddle blanket - </em>Hospital Provides.<br /><em>Baby lotion</em><em> - </em>Didn't need anyway<br /><em>Breast pump -</em> I started pumping while I was in the hospital. Next time, I will start even earlier with the colostrum. Hospital Provides.<br /><em>Pump bottles - </em>Hospital Provides.<br /></span><br />
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<strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Paper Work File:</strong></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>Hospital Admission Forms</em> - I preregistered my birth online<br /><em>Driver's License</em> - duh<br /><em>OB Contact Info</em> - yes<br /><em>Pediatrician Contact Info</em> - yes<br /><em><strike>Copy of Social Security Card</strike></em> - yes, though I just had my actual one<br /><em><strike>Copy of Insurance Card</strike></em> - yes, though I just had my actual one<br /><em><strike>Copy of Driver's License</strike></em> - yes, though I just had my actual one as noted above<br /><strike><em>Paperwork for Baby's birth certificate, Social Security Number, and Insurance</em> -</strike> Birth certificate paperwork came from the hospital, the Social Security Number paperwork also came from the hospital, and the Insurance just needed to be handled in 30 days from the day he was born so I handled that when I got home.<br /><em>Insurance phone number to let them know I am leaving for maternity leave aka first day out of office call</em> - I did do this.</span></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-30075800856508798762016-06-01T14:16:00.000-07:002016-06-02T14:26:30.983-07:00What's in my hospital bag...<br />
Hello all!<br />
<br /><br />
Sorry I have been so absent. Between the job (which I have been at for nearly a year now!), the extreme exhaustion of pregnancy, and the readying the house for Mini-Ski, I have been terribly MIA. I have feeling this will continue for the 2 months of pregnancy and at least the first 6 months of my child's life. With that in mind, I wanted to ask you, the readers, as mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc., if you had anything thoughts and suggestions for what should be in my Hospital bags for when Mini-Ski joins us! Here is what I have so far....it feels like too much currently, so people who have gone through this, let me know your thoughts:<br />
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<strong>Hospital
Bags</strong></div>
<strong>Clothes:</strong><br />
Robe<br />
2 sets of loose lounge Pants<br />
2 Easy Nursing PJ blouse <br />
Nursing Tanks - 2<br />
Nursing Bra - 1<br />
Warm Socks (with slip protection) - 2<br />
Slippers - 1<br />
Black maternity pants and blouse for possible Photos and for going
home<br />
Comfy Cardigan (for use in hospital and going home)<br />
Cozy Scarf (for use in hospital and going home)<br />
Slip on Shoes (for going home)<br />
Absorbing Panties aka Depends (dignity is left at the door after another person enters the world via you)<br />
Granny Panties to hold in the pads<br />
Pillow (in a colored pillow case)<br />
Front Opening Fleece/sweater/jacket (for use in hospital)<br />
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<strong>Snacks:</strong></div>
Pineapple Juice<br />
Applesauce<br />
Dry Cereal<br />
Hard Candy<br />
Gift for Husband<br />
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<strong>Toiletries & Makeup (light and
natural):</strong> usual stuff</div>
<br /><br />
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<strong>Tech Kit:</strong></div>
DSLR<br />
Batteries<br />
Battery Charger<br />
SD Card<br />
Kindle<br />
Kindle Charger<br />
Headphones<br />
Cell Phone<br />
Cell Phone Charger<br />
Music Device<br />
Bluetooth Speaker<br />
Notepad and Pen<br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>Mommy After-Delivery
Kit:</strong><br />
Gum<br />
Wisps (Disposable toothbrush)<br />
Nursing pads<br />
Sanitizer<br />
Sea Bands<br />
Nipple Butter<br />
Tums<br />
Lip Balm<br />
Stool Softener pills<br />
Spray Bottle<br />
Witch Hazel<br />
MAXI pads<br />
Flushable wipes<br />
Prenatal Vitamins<br />
Handheld Back Massager (with batteries)<br />
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<strong>Dad Hospital Bag:</strong></div>
Wallet/ID<br />
Cell Phone Charger<br />
Cell Phone <br />
A Change of clothes (with button down shirt)<br />
A set of Pjs in case of sleep<br />
Pillow (colored Case)<br />
Blanket<br />
Change for vending machine<br />
iPad charger<br />
iPad<br />
Book to pass time<br />
Bible<br />
Ibuprofen<br />
Water bottles<br />
Pre made gift bags for nurses/nurses station<br />
Extra bag for gifts/hospital free bees<br />
Who to call/text list<br />
Cash for valet<br />
<br /><br />
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<strong>Dopp kit:</strong> Usual stuff </div>
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<strong>Baby Hospital Bag</strong></div>
Car seat<br />
Go home outfits (2 in case of accident)<br />
Cozy hat<br />
Romper<br />
Socks/booties<br />
Nail mittens<br />
Finger nail clippers<br />
Receiving blanket<br />
Book for photo/to read to baby<br />
<br /><br />
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<strong>Diaper Bag:</strong></div>
Diapers<br />
Butt paste<br />
Wipes<br />
Extra outfit<br />
2 burp clothes<br />
Stuffed animal<br />
Changing pad<br />
Pacifier<br />
Nursing cover<br />
Swaddle blanket<br />
Baby lotion<br />
Breast pump<br />
Pump bottles<br />
<br /><br />
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<strong>Paper Work File:</strong></div>
Hospital Admission Forms<br />
Driver's License<br />
OB Contact Info<br />
Pediatrician Contact Info<br />
Copy of Social Security Card<br />
Copy of Insurance<br />
Copy of Driver's License<br />
Paperwork for Baby's birth certificate, Social Security
Number, and Insurance<br />
Insurance phone number to let them know I am leaving for
maternity leave aka first day out of office call<br />
<br /><br />
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-68848011335808895902016-05-02T09:00:00.000-07:002016-05-03T07:53:21.827-07:00Guest Post<div>
My best friend has been a whole mess of stuff lately (and is still in the midst of most of it currently). One of those things that she has had to deal with is a miscarriage. She wrote a piece about her experience and I thought that perhaps I could spread her experiences to other women who might be going through the same thing. I think that it is something that needs to be talked about more, by everyone.<br />
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Why are we told not to say we are pregnant until 12 weeks in? Why is this a thing? Most people know that “rule” and follow it. Maybe you tell your closest family members or best friend but the reveal is always right before a bump starts showing and the first trimester is behind you. </div>
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Not only do I think this is an archaic tradition, but also detrimental and unhealthy for women and couples.</div>
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We have this rule because of the risk of miscarriage. Because in the tradition of English standard decorum we do not want to trouble our friends and family with the uncomfortable feelings of loss. We are supposed to carry that burden solemnly and privately, many times women feeling utterly alone as a man can have a hard time understanding the pain and mental anguish of a loss he never saw or connected with.</div>
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So why, when the rest of the world gets to spew every thought in their head these days with all of our social media and instant information, half of the population is supposed to keep quiet about the most exciting news that person may ever have to tell? Because they might have to announce they lost the pregnancy? </div>
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<br /></div>
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20-25%. That’s how many pregnancies end in miscarriage. 20-25%! And yet almost every time a woman experiences a miscarriage she feels alone and responsible – because no one around her has ever shared that they too went through a miscarriage. Then, behind closed doors with her close friends and family, she tells them the sad news and she start to hear about this aunt or that friend or how HER OWN MOM went through the same thing. </div>
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WHY IS THIS A THING?!</div>
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We need to be open about miscarriage. We need to not be afraid to talk about it. The more women that open up and share the more women will be able to move on and not feel so alone, responsible, and distraught. How do we do this? </div>
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We let our friends and family know the moment we find out we are pregnant. </div>
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Celebrate and let them in to the happy news right away. That way everyone can feel what 20-25% feels like. When that no longer feels like a surprising number, we will all be able to handle the sadness of loss in a healthy, open way.</div>
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I found out I was pregnant 1/12/16. I had 4 weeks of pregnancy joy. Then the ultrasound around week 8 showed no growth or heartbeat. I had what is called a blighted ovum which basically means the embryo stopped growing. On 2/23/16 I had to have what is called a D&C (Dilation & Curettage) procedure to remove everything as my body was not taking care of the miscarriage naturally. It was horrifying and very painful. So painful that the doctor had to stop the procedure and reschedule me later in the day so I could be put under anesthetically. </div>
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I am not ashamed. I know I did nothing wrong. On the contrary, I did everything they tell you to do to have a healthy pregnancy. My husband and I had been so excited to have our first child. But 20-25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. And my pregnancy was one of them. And that is ok.</div>
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Please Share. #mymiscarriage</div>
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-22135611534803324612016-03-25T13:34:00.000-07:002016-03-25T13:34:05.300-07:00Easter Center Piece<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
How to make a simple, yet cheerful, Easter Center Piece!</div>
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<strong>Materials Needed:</strong></div>
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Large Vase</div>
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Smaller vase or bottle (can fit within the larger with breathing room)</div>
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Easter Basket "Grass"</div>
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Easter Eggs (I used the smaller kind ones which fit better in the vase) </div>
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Real or Fake Daffodils</div>
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I used a small bottle filled partially with water to hold up the live daffodils in the large vase. I surrounded said bottle with green Easter basket "grass" and topped with mini plastic Easter Eggs. Candy within said Easter Eggs is optional.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEh9xPgZD3JDLt_mrrUpyGJTA7jEylftUtnhrcx_Y010Dl7bz1pOms2tVE_8uImXRTk77WJNP4UbXtW7Z_7a9fU2nerafRQx3KmCq3oQXZZMvmeNGrvjE-1ljHRWXaNQMCdYrYSDC_iVacB5/s640/blogger-image--49026054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xPgZD3JDLt_mrrUpyGJTA7jEylftUtnhrcx_Y010Dl7bz1pOms2tVE_8uImXRTk77WJNP4UbXtW7Z_7a9fU2nerafRQx3KmCq3oQXZZMvmeNGrvjE-1ljHRWXaNQMCdYrYSDC_iVacB5/s640/blogger-image--49026054.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viola!</td></tr>
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-31670016743702943552016-03-18T13:30:00.000-07:002016-03-24T13:30:16.448-07:00Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJepkpsCBq691Uo0TwrTyoaMWK2wOl-xbH3sQxTlz6mkrswcOIV8imc4c3TSKXSLz9h_DjTHm5hGwQJsHqpHAd5wYyL3nTObrXgYpxS6jq8SxnxHB3AZi17GC8zTTVnnMJaTiYhq2wCkR/s640/blogger-image-525469333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJepkpsCBq691Uo0TwrTyoaMWK2wOl-xbH3sQxTlz6mkrswcOIV8imc4c3TSKXSLz9h_DjTHm5hGwQJsHqpHAd5wYyL3nTObrXgYpxS6jq8SxnxHB3AZi17GC8zTTVnnMJaTiYhq2wCkR/s640/blogger-image-525469333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
This cake as delicious. I will probably make this for many St Patrick's Days to come it was SO yummy.<br />
<br /><br />
<strong>
Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce</strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ingredients</div>
Cake <br />
3 cups all-purpose flour <br />
1 Tbsp baking powder <br />
1/2 tsp salt <br />
1/4 tsp of each ground ginger, nutmeg & allspice <br />
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold, diced into small pieces <br />
1 cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, divided <br />
1 1/2 lbs granny smith apples (about 5 medium) <br />
3/4 cup milk <br />
2 large eggs <br />
1 tsp vanilla extract <br />
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon <br />
Custard Sauce <br />
1 1/2 cups whole milk <br />
1 pinch salt <br />
6 large egg yolks <br />
1/2 cup granulated sugar <br />
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract <br />
Directions<br />
For the cake: <br />
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch
springform pan, set aside. <br />
In a very large mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking
powder, salt, ginger, nutmeg and allspice for 20 seconds. Add butter pieces and
rub into mixture using fingertips until it resembles fine crumbs. Stir in 1 cup
sugar. <br />
Peel apples, slice in half, core and stem, then laying
apples on flat side, slice downward into pieces slightly less than 1/4-inch
thick, then dice those pieces into smaller chunks (about 2 or 3 chunks
depending on size of apples). Add apples to flour mixture and toss well to
evenly coat, while working to separate any apples that may be stuck together. <br />
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs and
vanilla until well combined. Pour milk mixture over apple/flour mixture and
using clean hands, toss just until combined (batter will be slightly lumpy but
that's fine, just don't over-mix). <br />
Pour batter into prepared baking dish and spread into an
even layer. In a small bowl stir together remaining 2 Tbsp sugar plus 1/2 tsp
cinnamon, sprinkle evenly over cake. Bake in preheated oven 45 - 50 minutes
until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool about 5 minutes on a
wire rack then remove ring from springform pan and allow cake to cool to
desired temperature. Serve warm drizzled with warm custard sauce (or cool with
cold custard sauce, however you prefer). <br />
For the custard sauce: <br />
Heat milk with a pinch of salt over medium heat, and
bring just to a light boil (keep an eye on it and remove from burner if needed
before letting it rapidly boil). Meanwhile, add egg yolks and sugar to a medium
mixing bowl and whisk vigorously until pale and fluffy, about 2 - 3 minutes
(alternately you can do this with an electric hand mixer on high speed for
about 30 seconds if you don't want to mix that long by hand). Reduce burner to
medium-low heat, then while whisking egg yolk mixture, slowly pour in 1/2 cup
hot milk mixture. Then, while whisking milk in saucepan slowly pour egg yolk
mixture into saucepan. Cook mixture, whisking constantly, until thickened and
mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon, about 3 - 4 minutes (be careful not
to over-heat it, if you cook it too long or don't whisk well the eggs will
curdle). Immediately pour into a glass container, stir in vanilla and whisk
about 20 seconds to cool slightly, then cover with plastic wrap pressing
against surface to prevent a skin from forming. Serve warm over cake (or cold).
Store in refrigerator in an airtight container. <br />
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<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/AVvXsEgpgLtvCfnsGIH3UK8UfTqC5WkHHSE2WAxs5xyvV6SIEfHde9bdl0uQVdaMTzFnDWrZDuamFzKn93otk31mauQR70M-tBihSqpM9H1rqGrrhs8bedcx0hVzZwIXgvwcOYJ7N3ggECdtYhNO/s640/blogger-image-335494689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgLtvCfnsGIH3UK8UfTqC5WkHHSE2WAxs5xyvV6SIEfHde9bdl0uQVdaMTzFnDWrZDuamFzKn93otk31mauQR70M-tBihSqpM9H1rqGrrhs8bedcx0hVzZwIXgvwcOYJ7N3ggECdtYhNO/s640/blogger-image-335494689.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran out of regular sugar so I used Brown and Powdered on top for dusting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJepkpsCBq691Uo0TwrTyoaMWK2wOl-xbH3sQxTlz6mkrswcOIV8imc4c3TSKXSLz9h_DjTHm5hGwQJsHqpHAd5wYyL3nTObrXgYpxS6jq8SxnxHB3AZi17GC8zTTVnnMJaTiYhq2wCkR/s640/blogger-image-525469333.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Custard (or without), this was a win!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-71182316156808244442016-03-16T11:34:00.001-07:002016-03-16T11:56:27.269-07:00Irish Potato Candy<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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As everyone should be aware, St Patrick's Day is coming up! So I found this wonderful and easy (though a bit time consuming) candy you can make a few days ahead of time for all your St Patty's Party needs.</div>
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Irish Potato Candy:</div>
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1⁄4 cup softened <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">butter</span></div>
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4 ounces <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">cream cheese</span>, softened</div>
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1 teaspoon <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">vanilla
extract</span></div>
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1 (16 ounce) package <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">confectioners' sugar</span></div>
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7 ounces <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">sweetened
flaked coconut</span> (2 1/2 cups)</div>
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1 tablespoon <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">ground cinnamon</span></div>
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Directions</div>
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NOTE: Be sure to use regular cream cheese, not whipped or
reduced fat type.</div>
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In a large bowl, cream together the butter and cream
cheese.</div>
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Add vanilla and confectioners' sugar.</div>
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Beat until mixture forms a ball.</div>
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Stir in coconut with a spoon.</div>
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Roll the mixture between your hands to form small
potato-shaped candies or roll into small balls.</div>
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Place cinnamon in a shallow dish and roll the balls in
it.</div>
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Place the balls on a cookie sheet and chill for about 1
hour or until firm.</div>
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If you prefer "dirtier potatoes" roll the candy
a second time after they have chilled.</div>
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Alternatively dip in melted chocolate for Easter eggs.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEgIi3rWI83y1uW07KdkeHpajCFe1GEROE92KPJPZ_5yAlh7Y-DMlvqwsWcekndTmPvkQISoYM8-1BSmVYGZfb4osdbEhFEv99r2JBRwjyGYJAoaL9Giq6-g3INODKcxkc6shjjVEoI5jOUz/s640/blogger-image--1757987995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi3rWI83y1uW07KdkeHpajCFe1GEROE92KPJPZ_5yAlh7Y-DMlvqwsWcekndTmPvkQISoYM8-1BSmVYGZfb4osdbEhFEv99r2JBRwjyGYJAoaL9Giq6-g3INODKcxkc6shjjVEoI5jOUz/s400/blogger-image--1757987995.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the Fridge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I don't care for Cinnamon enough for that to be the only thing on the outside of these candies, so I halves the cinnamon with cocoa. Unfortunately, I only have unsweetened cocoa, it would have been better with sweetened cocoa.</div>
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This look like little mini potatoes (or moose turds, depending on who you ask) and they taste is very nice. I think that next time I make them, I will pulse the coconut in the food processer a little bit to ensure a nice potato shape without any wild "roots" popping out as well as use a sweetened cocoa with a little less cinnamon.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxomIzjPieLJvs8YdE-InRR3jmPuTiAOgtrTa_Ccpn-juQ6sK5xgihBzVHXwZ6Qf2EFfpCxrlNGjh-h4UfkO2ncDrw83BZfMHFKNHVp1VkfslBoEpHf6u3GKKYwGFKXE5rGg9B5lDqwnv/s640/blogger-image-1753500918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxomIzjPieLJvs8YdE-InRR3jmPuTiAOgtrTa_Ccpn-juQ6sK5xgihBzVHXwZ6Qf2EFfpCxrlNGjh-h4UfkO2ncDrw83BZfMHFKNHVp1VkfslBoEpHf6u3GKKYwGFKXE5rGg9B5lDqwnv/s640/blogger-image-1753500918.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is one in all its glory!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Until next time, cook it up!</div>
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<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-52932006313961766122016-03-11T13:35:00.000-08:002016-03-24T13:38:14.043-07:00Why I don't do my hair or makeup regularly....
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why I don’t wear
makeup or do my hair regularly:</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have never been terribly interested in hair and makeup.
Don’t get me wrong, I like playing with both, but I have never felt like it was
necessary. Maybe it was because I grew up with only brothers or perhaps it is
because I like to sleep until the very last minute possible in the mornings,
but I have never been one to constantly wear make-up or primp my hair to
perfection.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t get me wrong, I like to throw on a little bit of
eyeliner and mascara about once a week, but there are a few things I have learned
after spending a majority of my lifetime without a face full of make-up. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Makeup and Hair
History </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me give you a background about my relationship with
makeup and hair, so you know where I am coming from.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mother and I had a deal when I was growing up: On
Sundays I either had to let her curl my hair or wear a dress. Both of these
things were abhorrent to me. During the summer I would do the dress thing with
biker shorts underneath and the winter I typically would let her curl my hair,
which was fine because it then would warm up my head in the morning. This ended
around the age of 11 when I decided to get my hair cut short as I hated being
told I had to do something with it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oddly enough, this transitioned into me wanting to start
wearing makeup, which was probably due to a desire to balance the tomboyish
nature of my look at the time. Nevertheless, my mother assured me that I didn’t
need wear makeup. I didn’t have any unsightly blemishes or discolorations that
needed to be hidden or evened out. I had excellent eye lashes naturally that
didn’t require the constant application of mascara and eye liner. After a bit
of persistence, I was allowed to wear powder on a daily basis if I so wished
and mascara for holidays and when we went to the opera, which was about once a
month as we were season ticket holders.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After I proved that I wouldn’t overdo it with those two
items, and that I could apply them well, I was granted the approval I for which
I had earned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom took me to the
makeup counter at the mall to get my skin assessed and I was taught the basics.
Mind you, my mother was always well coiffed and made up to an acceptable
standard; never overly done, but rarely caught undone. She sat with me while I
spoke to the representative about my skin and then took notes while I had a
light and tasteful amount of makeup applied. She then helped me keep it
tastefully light when I practiced at home and reminded me regularly that the
makeup should never make me look like anyone other than myself and was for
special occasions. She taught me why it was important to wash my face after
wearing it and suggested gentle that I should never feel like I HAD to wear
makeup. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My friend Leah, who lived in California, loved make up as
an adolescent so summer times spent in SoCal where full of sun, swimming, and
experiments in how to keep your mascara from running at the beach. I learned
the hard way about the stinging nature of the makeup, eyes, and water, be it
chlorine or salt. I quickly decided to only do water proof mascara and
sunscreen over the summers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I let my hair grow out again slowly, and, while I never
had much success with the curling iron, I attempted to look nice for certain
occasions. Thanks to theatre and dance, I learned the magic of bobby pins and
clips, though with my baby fine hair, they were a lost cause for the most part
as well.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After mom passed away when I was 14, I kept up what I had
learned, keeping it mostly natural and light. That was also during the
unfortunate trend of blue eye liner and blue mascara (which has made a return
as of late). I attempted to keep up with the fashions a bit, but reverted a bit
to my middle school look of powder (concealer if needed now) and mascara only.
Oh, and then came lip gloss. Literally all the lip glosses I could get my hands
on. My friend Iris and I had a lip gloss addiction. The more tingle it gave,
the better. The more glittery it was the better. That then morphed to the Y2K
makeup fashion of glitter and silver everywhere. I have little glitter eye
sequins and glitter eyeshadows. Fortunately, by the time I got into Sophomore year
of high school, that dissipated into again, the middle school make up look. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had been doing theatre at this point and learned things
that I had missed under the tutelage of my mother, like learning to apply blush
and eyeliner in different ways. Sounds simple, but you have to remember that
this is pre You Tube Tutorials. High school was a roller coaster of wearing a
full face of makeup to no makeup depending on my mood and if I was in a show or
not or it was competition season for Choir. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">College was another story. I was trying to attract the
opposite gender and “keep up” with the other GORGEOUS women in Conservatory.
Eyeliner and Mascara were still my daily makeup choices, but they were an
everyday occurrence the first 2 years which ultimately did a number on my eyes.
Even after college, mainly when I was single, I would apply makeup regularly.
Ironically, I never had skin issues in Middle, Junior High, or High school or
even College. It was when I moved to a dry climate of California that suddenly
I had skin issues so makeup was worn with regularity for a different reason
until I got it under control. After years of annoyance, I finally started to
work my way away from makeup every day or any kind and have been happier for
it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">QUESTIONS AND
COMMENTS </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For years, when I have chosen consciously to now wear
makeup as well as the days I was just a bit too lazy to make it happen, I have
gotten a ton of comments and questions about why I don't wear makeup.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While the amount of grief I get about it varies from
season to season, year to year, and job to job (as well as my reasons to
refrain), it has never changed my opinion on myself. I like what I look like on
a regular basis without being done up to the 9s.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Either way, I will say I am sick of hearing the following
comments/questions:</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know a little *insert
makeup type* would look so *insert positive adjective*on you!</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I look good right now. Lay off. I know that it would look
nice on me, but I don’t want it on me so I would rather be happy than extra
beautiful today.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 78.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know, a little
bit of eyeliner really makes your eyes pop! </span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I know it makes my eyes pop, but it also makes them
itch and water like crazy. And I best not be rubbing my face at all if I have
any on as that is the recipe for raccoon eyes.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you not know how
to put on makeup?</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honey, I know a lot of things, and yes, applying makeup
is one of those things. I also know how to reformat a hard drive, but you don’t
see me wanting to do that everyday either.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It makes you look
so beautiful, I bet your husband(or Significant Other) would like it!</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Great news, he does like it. Better news, he thinks I am
beautiful me without it too.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, he loves the fact that I take an hour to do my
makeup and my hair regularly because on a whole, I'm pretty low-maintenance and
we get out the door pretty quick. Also, my average budget for Hair and Makeup
Products every month is about $20: Sunscreen, Shampoo, Conditioner, and either
a refill on something I have used up or something for a specific event (or
costume)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And let’s just keep one thing in mind: While makeup can
enhance a woman’s natural beauty, I more often see it as a cover up and a
complete face change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is impressive
what one can do with makeup, but if you are doing that on the regular, I feel
like you would never want your Significant Other to see you bare faced.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me do your
makeup, it won’t look like your wearing any.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honey, I will promise you that it will look like I am
wearing makeup because I will be. More importantly, it will FEEL like I am
wearing makeup. Whether or not I look like I am wearing makeup isn’t the point
really.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is some sort of
statement?</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No, this isn’t a feminist rant about being controlled by
men and the media’s expectations of beauty and blah blah blah. I am a humanist,
not a feminist. I think that there should be an opportunity for equality in all
things. Understand, that I believe that men are naturally better at some things
(ie Upper body strength) than women (lower body strength) as women are better
than men at other things. Neither are should be viewed as secondary citizens or
better citizens because of those differences, nor does that mean a person of
one gender can’t do the things a better than or as well as the opposite gender.
We all have our super power s and strengths given to us by God. Nothing about
our gender should dictate what we can and can’t do. Besides child birth. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of the above rant being ranted, all I mean to say is
that I hope that women love the way they look without makeup, even if they
still wear it regularly.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So do you think I
am pathetic for being addicted to my makeup?</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No? If you like makeup, that's fine. There is a concern
that you used the word addicted and I hope you are using good facial cleansing
practices is all. You, do you.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lord, you look
tired/sick/wrecked!</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh Lord, how is this ever ok? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are SO brave to
go out in public like that!</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When people always compliment me on how brave I am to go
into public without make-up and hair, I just laugh. I am just doing me. Incidentally,
thanks for the backhanded compliment. I am happy to know I am not up to your
standards. I am clean, clean cut, and fully dressed. There shouldn’t be an
issue just because I am a young female.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reasons I Don’t
Wear Makeup or Do My Hair Regularly</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are lots of negative reasons people claim to not
use makeup. Much like Skinny Woman Shaming or Fat Woman Shaming, negativity on
this subject does nothing, but tear other women down. Thus let me attempt to
clarify my reasons without sounding like I am judging anyone who does
themselves up to the 9s on a regular basis. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is not because I think I am embracing my “true self”
or my “natural beauty” more than someone else. For fear of sounding vain, I
know that I am attractive. I have never felt like I was a standout beauty or
anything, but I know that I am not an eyesore without makeup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t had to battle with skin conditions
as much as most women (and men) so that is also part of it I am sure. I have
never really been shaken about my bone structure and looks. I have a fine
quality of hair without having to go beyond the simple shampoo and condition.
Because of this, I have never felt any extra attention was necessary. In my
mind, the time it took to primp and prime was time that could be spent with
otherwise. I feel the same way about the money that would be spent on such
luxuries. I never had to get the latest lipstick color or haircut, as my face
was always in style because that it how it looked. I have a horrible habit of
rubbing my eyes during allergy season, which gives me even more reason to not
wear eye makeup. I don’t like the feeling of a full face of makeup typically,
which really is the best reason in my opinion to not wear makeup. There are
plenty of reasons to love makeup and having your hair did. As long as you love
the way you look with and without it, we're good.Though I don’t think I will ever understand women who put on a full face for the gym. If it is left over from the day, that is fine. In summation, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I respect women who want to live their lives that way,
but it can’t adopt that life style for myself is all.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now to wrap it all up with Bible passages that suggest to live simply:</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Timothy 2:9-10</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> - Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable
apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or
pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess
godliness—with good works. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Peter 3:3-4</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> - Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the
putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be
the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and
quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 John 2:15-16</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves
the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the
world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in
possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Song of Solomon 4:7</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> - You are altogether beautiful, my love;
there is no flaw in you. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proverbs 31:30</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> - Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the
Lord is to be praised. </span></i></div>
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-48087825551756798882016-02-15T13:42:00.000-08:002016-10-31T07:28:57.743-07:00Valentine's Day Strawberries<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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For Valentine's day I requested that we make (not buy) chocolate covered strawberries. It was super easy in the double boiler that I got for Christmas and they turned out very yummy. All I did was melt some semi sweet chips in the double boiler, dipped a strawberry, placed on parchment paper lined baking sheet, refrigerate until consumption.</div>
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Here are some pictures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHb2Z2nCIxs4bdRcDT6ARQxED4ET8JtqoWyWS7NAJhs5axbyUlGcnR2P9kwTalxB1nHK5iMCQIs29TvLp4i5QpyW2GojmOnXdEW29r2aR6jo30DJ6fCaK82lXIjLtlvYmIHH2JH0mxnHo/s640/blogger-image-1118456337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHb2Z2nCIxs4bdRcDT6ARQxED4ET8JtqoWyWS7NAJhs5axbyUlGcnR2P9kwTalxB1nHK5iMCQIs29TvLp4i5QpyW2GojmOnXdEW29r2aR6jo30DJ6fCaK82lXIjLtlvYmIHH2JH0mxnHo/s640/blogger-image-1118456337.jpg" /></a></div>
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NOM NOM NOM</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWU1TJ6GTzJj0sxeNOo9rooxXfGa_-WWWsoAWsIyzT-8M5ghsX9ht5RHu6dzSGijKa_xhLj_BzI5PtmDiX3KXEVzKkzY2ZR89hesv78ChkDyF5IiiVO8WbdDrxPzKUiE63diPSky8R9Rj/s640/blogger-image--153020422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWU1TJ6GTzJj0sxeNOo9rooxXfGa_-WWWsoAWsIyzT-8M5ghsX9ht5RHu6dzSGijKa_xhLj_BzI5PtmDiX3KXEVzKkzY2ZR89hesv78ChkDyF5IiiVO8WbdDrxPzKUiE63diPSky8R9Rj/s640/blogger-image--153020422.jpg" /></a></div>
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Much berry, such chocolate.</div>
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-63651881446978769512016-02-03T11:47:00.000-08:002016-02-03T11:47:01.730-08:00Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Pork Lion<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFmbYCuObhDpNCP6QE6isx2Ovr1PnBXEoO4PScMG4LQCQ2YoUlF4hDRMR96f6NkzrnMPK9zVXZ4WuAEfv9SFphDPRq2br7HHbgx4M-j9KE1jrE8QseR8XR5D1NJN9mghHm_sTkv_zG6Gr/s640/blogger-image--1971857940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
It was my mother in love's (MiL) birthday recently. She normally does all the cooking and such for any sort of birthday celebration for the family, so Husband and I insisted that we at least make the entrée. Little brother brought a couple of Gooey Looey Gooey Butter Cakes (AMAZEBALLS, seriously, try them!) and MiL ended up making a salad because she is super good and them and felt bad that I was cooking when I had to work all day. I try to explain to her the beauty of a slow cooker and I think that is the only reason she agreed to it either way. <br />
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For family dinner when I am feeding 6 people, I typically go for something that is less protein based so that it will keep cost down. This dish, though, has a perfect amount protein for the price thanks to pork being less that $4/lb and it being on sale at Shop and Save early that week!<br />
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<a href="http://wickedspatula.com/slow-cooker-apple-cinnamon-pork-loin/">Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin</a><br />
Ingredients<br />
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1lb pork loin (I used a 3.75 pound loin)</div>
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2 tablespoons olive oil</div>
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2 apples, one diced and one sliced (I used a 5, 2 sliced the rest cubed)</div>
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1 large sweet potato (I used a 4, diced) </div>
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1 red onion (I left this out because Little Brother doesn't do onion)</div>
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1 tablespoon honey</div>
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1/2 tablespoon cinnamon</div>
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1 teaspoon salt</div>
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1/2 teaspoon pepper</div>
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Instructions</div>
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<li class="blog-yumprint-method-item" yumprintitem="0">Season pork loin with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.</li>
<li class="blog-yumprint-method-item" yumprintitem="1">Place diced sweet potato, one diced apple, and diced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with remaining salt and pepper.</li>
<li class="blog-yumprint-method-item" yumprintitem="2">Make slits in the pork loin and stuff with the other sliced apple. Transfer to slow cooker and sprinkle the entire mix with cinnamon and drizzle with honey.</li>
<li class="blog-yumprint-method-item" yumprintitem="3">Cook on low 7-8 hours. (Mine cooked for 10 hours or so due to the larger amount of meat and my work schedule in general with commute)</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_I7GDtyfhiNB0jpoArl2o6wLVFFRYtLY_cFIj6CBNdJCC1XtqIDzL2zGAEIdneGb8CZeAueqa0rFWcqDPfJ-NyIk3Thwfptl80lY9zKTp9172UWYNNP1BGEOlqDKxQR7JD3Z9nN2Jq2U/s640/blogger-image--2135685358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_I7GDtyfhiNB0jpoArl2o6wLVFFRYtLY_cFIj6CBNdJCC1XtqIDzL2zGAEIdneGb8CZeAueqa0rFWcqDPfJ-NyIk3Thwfptl80lY9zKTp9172UWYNNP1BGEOlqDKxQR7JD3Z9nN2Jq2U/s640/blogger-image--2135685358.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFmbYCuObhDpNCP6QE6isx2Ovr1PnBXEoO4PScMG4LQCQ2YoUlF4hDRMR96f6NkzrnMPK9zVXZ4WuAEfv9SFphDPRq2br7HHbgx4M-j9KE1jrE8QseR8XR5D1NJN9mghHm_sTkv_zG6Gr/s640/blogger-image--1971857940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potatoes and apples!<br />
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Until next time...cook it up!Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-20094029691137495632016-01-25T12:05:00.000-08:002016-02-02T12:11:20.487-08:00BFMH: Chocolate Chip Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa-HS3qvRJ7FI-SVujdUYHUwruRHUR3WKDs0i9xFbn_9GpYP1uTPFeBr1uCk46Bjkw4ldduYBCXL7bnc4WYkfJSI5bcOEh5WEWvxphrIOeNl9P5pqvTYCFZmjiWmYFLEoL-dqhnrH-f-L/s640/blogger-image-1450494956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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I really wanted a baked good the other day, but didn't want to spend any extra dough on it so I decided that was the day to make muffins.<br />
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<a href="http://dinnersdishesanddesserts.com/coconut-chocolate-chip-muffins/">Chocolate Chip Muffins</a><br />
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<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1½ cups flour</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">¾ cup sugar</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">½ tsp salt</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">⅓ cup vegetable oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 egg</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">½ cup Silk Original Coconut milk (I didn't have any, so I went with soy milk)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup chocolate chips</li>
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<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups or line with muffin liners.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in chocolate chips. Mix together vegetable oil, egg, and coconut in a small bowl. Gently mix with flour mixture until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Fill muffin cups about ⅔ full (makes approx 10 muffins). Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips if desired.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Bake for 14 to 16 minutes.</li>
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<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/AVvXsEiWwSUBlq5cTPej155yru8dgmXdXJbRx0gH0JIa8DGyXzjpF5HVvW4XE0sqZcCX-O5NU3_niHjWzwaU4UOMLqLXrsFM8JL9W6fxPyDfASxpSrPMnygihRAGFHC3MlgBN8fh6tpzySBUpQey/s640/blogger-image-1124742050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwSUBlq5cTPej155yru8dgmXdXJbRx0gH0JIa8DGyXzjpF5HVvW4XE0sqZcCX-O5NU3_niHjWzwaU4UOMLqLXrsFM8JL9W6fxPyDfASxpSrPMnygihRAGFHC3MlgBN8fh6tpzySBUpQey/s640/blogger-image-1124742050.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only kept them in the oven for 13 minutes, they needed the 14.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa-HS3qvRJ7FI-SVujdUYHUwruRHUR3WKDs0i9xFbn_9GpYP1uTPFeBr1uCk46Bjkw4ldduYBCXL7bnc4WYkfJSI5bcOEh5WEWvxphrIOeNl9P5pqvTYCFZmjiWmYFLEoL-dqhnrH-f-L/s640/blogger-image-1450494956.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super moist yet still light!</td></tr>
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<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059916459186558752.post-86124769822375207722016-01-22T08:50:00.000-08:002016-01-22T08:59:36.954-08:00Fondue dinner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Finally got in the mood to do some coking again after a 3 month hiatus of doing anything outside of my family standards which I have already posted on. I was reminded by my dear friend "Hey what happened to you blog?" so I figured it was time to post, even if there wasn't a lot of content.<br />
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This past week I made Fondue cuz it is cold and it was appropriate. I served it with a side salad which I totally didn't eat. Ain't no one got time for salad when cheese is on the line!<br />
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<strong>Classic Swiss Fondue</strong></div>
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Ingredients</div>
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½ clove of garlic</div>
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4-6 fluid oz. dry white wine</div>
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1 teaspoon lemon juice</div>
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8 oz. grated Gruyere cheese</div>
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8 oz. grated Emmental Cheese</div>
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1 teaspoon cornstarch </div>
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1 tablespoon kirsch</div>
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Method</div>
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Rub inside of the fondue pot with cut clove of garlic and put wine and lemon juice into the fondue pot and heat over medium heat until bubbling</div>
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Reduce heat and carefully stir in the grated cheese. Keep stirring always until the cheese is melted and well combined. This takes a long time but do not be tempted to turn up the heat. Just Keep Stirring</div>
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Blend Cornstarch with kirsch in a small bowl and then add to cheese mixture. Cook for another 2 – 3 mins, stirring always. Do not let fondue come to a boil.</div>
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Transfer to table burner and serve.</div>
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Serve with:</div>
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Green apple</div>
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French bread</div>
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Mushrooms</div>
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Asparagus</div>
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05151822860950552412noreply@blogger.com0