tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29086833219862808492024-03-13T10:50:04.439-05:00My Runchey LifeKnit. Bake. Repeat.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.comBlogger366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-5147920569770244842016-11-18T13:05:00.001-06:002016-11-18T13:05:08.044-06:00I am over here now...I decided to start blogging again. Please come find me at <a href="http://mildlygranola.com/" target="_blank">mildlygranola.com</a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-29005228076340545532012-09-09T19:05:00.003-05:002012-09-09T19:07:12.460-05:00Grilled Pizza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After my swordfish success I decided to make grilled pizza. I went with a Cooks Illustrated recipe because I like detailed directions that when followed to the letter produce delicious results without fail. Unfortunately that also means that the recipe takes a long time and produces a dishwasher full of dishes (if the dishes are actually dishwasher safe).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is not a weeknight recipe. I needed to bring the card table out for all of the necessary items and ingredients to grill the pizzas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMuzXgUIeB0jayCcl9Prhyphenhyphen_RGD9G455jZGWmwXGd-WwS6hazsa69K9eHHknBWNpiiQyH2nf38B8y52E5EebDiUdSSPvNuSGWCf79cw6bv065ucF3CApGmLmWSQKHJr4I2xQePcXIh-Uih/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMuzXgUIeB0jayCcl9Prhyphenhyphen_RGD9G455jZGWmwXGd-WwS6hazsa69K9eHHknBWNpiiQyH2nf38B8y52E5EebDiUdSSPvNuSGWCf79cw6bv065ucF3CApGmLmWSQKHJr4I2xQePcXIh-Uih/s400/DSC_0080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We had lots of tomatoes from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CleverleyFarms" target="_blank">Cleverly Farms</a> and John's Mom, so I used them along with Fontina, Parmesan, and basil.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaDfVgSElHwjZz-Aw_qVttUanfFx-eR2CBGWJ5LrMcqQU98saFJpK7e1JM6pPGOqaAdXjfIuIDCnuZ3qhg7Zacy5kw9UJ5LvRmd3A2Mk3glGxieRcmSplzRp9WdxHF8iE4yllng9UILig/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaDfVgSElHwjZz-Aw_qVttUanfFx-eR2CBGWJ5LrMcqQU98saFJpK7e1JM6pPGOqaAdXjfIuIDCnuZ3qhg7Zacy5kw9UJ5LvRmd3A2Mk3glGxieRcmSplzRp9WdxHF8iE4yllng9UILig/s400/DSC_0081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Hot Toddy and Ivy were able to join us for dinner, which is good because the recipe makes four pizzas. Those pizzas are supposed to feed 6-8 people....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibqedb-KU4Hd8ZilYvj7aBrkgnhkhzoQk_5ani2ZVCbw_T4F9vJ_l4eBDpxMu05Zl_Ztc7JRHw12s890eqcUEovzjRJapVyKaIwQniJtZdTCSNpwcOo0_sYrICA7LjrX8OM3JcbyPf4s7/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibqedb-KU4Hd8ZilYvj7aBrkgnhkhzoQk_5ani2ZVCbw_T4F9vJ_l4eBDpxMu05Zl_Ztc7JRHw12s890eqcUEovzjRJapVyKaIwQniJtZdTCSNpwcOo0_sYrICA7LjrX8OM3JcbyPf4s7/s400/DSC_0085.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
...but we found that a pizza a person was a more appropriate size.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoG4Ejm93Nt19jAfpG63lo7zuj-3ZuTiyWap9F2TjiRYtc4XoyfU0FyiTVH5JgNLqMvyvHQNSZxC-SqUmJwof0f0Ya6n3ZBOIjFrr_kquXv2fierS3-AIIegEMNpYRpOaX5cO9qNZwXdLR/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoG4Ejm93Nt19jAfpG63lo7zuj-3ZuTiyWap9F2TjiRYtc4XoyfU0FyiTVH5JgNLqMvyvHQNSZxC-SqUmJwof0f0Ya6n3ZBOIjFrr_kquXv2fierS3-AIIegEMNpYRpOaX5cO9qNZwXdLR/s400/DSC_0089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Grilled pizza may have ended up being more work than I expected, but I'll probably try them again. They turned out great for my second attempt at grilling. I look forward to cooking something new on the grill soon.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-15971522566359398252012-08-19T21:22:00.000-05:002012-08-19T21:22:05.962-05:00Sunday Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I grilled dinner tonight. It's kind of a big deal. I've never grilled before. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It all started when John said he didn't want to grill tonight but he wouldn't mind if I did. I figured it was a good excuse to learn how to grill. It was also a good excuse to by a new kitchen gadget. I picked up a chimney starter at the hardware store and headed to the grocery store.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj06rCC9jZmvHTmIZN4mwzccrM_MpWfJ0iFAXlfMcx-K_u5BmA2iHOP9dpe9eSx8uXEqMDCqpbHflEKNgSHonOJVNyK5uXtigJfu4TnUaqkLWoqfIzBqC7yzO_aRjaE8UyuX7tKCAGL1xs/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj06rCC9jZmvHTmIZN4mwzccrM_MpWfJ0iFAXlfMcx-K_u5BmA2iHOP9dpe9eSx8uXEqMDCqpbHflEKNgSHonOJVNyK5uXtigJfu4TnUaqkLWoqfIzBqC7yzO_aRjaE8UyuX7tKCAGL1xs/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have been wanting to learn how to grill for a long time now. Why? Because you get to stand outside and drink beer while making dinner. That is the sort of activity that I'm very good at.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-ZxRPqLtVGD9LlySZMJbnv0NOzgG587WlzLuXhdGoVMYMg54gw00Bxv8fWraf-WO5ltM35P2lWIFyX2QTNaRO4hn_MAYUTZWhXjaR1ooqGTIyYT3ypQVhT9XQn1LNRz3PSGnGGbsh4_T/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-ZxRPqLtVGD9LlySZMJbnv0NOzgG587WlzLuXhdGoVMYMg54gw00Bxv8fWraf-WO5ltM35P2lWIFyX2QTNaRO4hn_MAYUTZWhXjaR1ooqGTIyYT3ypQVhT9XQn1LNRz3PSGnGGbsh4_T/s320/DSC_0072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I decided to jump into grilling with both feet. I made fingerling potatoes with onions, grilled garlic bread, and swordfish with a mango salsa.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU1eRFGlJ6zlrhPmVuqv6eZF674e1u4KJoGJY20V-Klaxgf7h2v0Nn9ljGaPbRAB3Yp0BRHYM71eX_vAEoFBJSt54JVFlmkLu3T9-3egXjkps7-EZi4qY8y6ikzoUpgrkrX8B727L1-Fb/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU1eRFGlJ6zlrhPmVuqv6eZF674e1u4KJoGJY20V-Klaxgf7h2v0Nn9ljGaPbRAB3Yp0BRHYM71eX_vAEoFBJSt54JVFlmkLu3T9-3egXjkps7-EZi4qY8y6ikzoUpgrkrX8B727L1-Fb/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It turned out great. It was the best meal I've had in a long time. I was shocked at how it all came together.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM-EFqHHvhNk7VdShre5jqJpcX32PS2vrNfgwNtGpM9sgo-44bhxUypuvrASSq9NiW0M6FyjSAeluC_VRFeczN1uDJ5SJSwIub4Sd74XCMbxStvgGYyIlf1lkAeJFOc-2ArgQ_EVyNk26/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM-EFqHHvhNk7VdShre5jqJpcX32PS2vrNfgwNtGpM9sgo-44bhxUypuvrASSq9NiW0M6FyjSAeluC_VRFeczN1uDJ5SJSwIub4Sd74XCMbxStvgGYyIlf1lkAeJFOc-2ArgQ_EVyNk26/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It turns out grilling is really easy. I don't know why I have never done it before. I'm looking forward to grilling again. I'm thinking I might try grilled pizza later this week. Before long I'll be like my Dad and I'll able to tell you how many beers it takes to grill my favorite items (Dad is 1.5 beers for pork chops, FYI).</div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-89978286232530433912012-08-19T21:08:00.001-05:002012-08-19T21:08:27.994-05:00Classy Lamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I've had an ugly lamp in my possession all of my adult life. It was in my house growing up. I'm sure it wasn't ugly when my parent's bought the lamp. But 40 or so year years later the lamp was looking pretty dated. The entire time I've lived in my house the lamp has been in the basement. I couldn't bring myself to give it up. I knew it had potential.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiznrgbcGsOZFQwzDlG9NlOTeGanXAiBSdX_MpJEZOA9HxrTWcIUFbfS-euh01PcvZUiO44Rem0ntzy2dY0CTONtQtKdJSLQ6jPmkPoI0cS2KOrU9h3t8GloX7JfS82JLww2YkpUlHJmBR/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiznrgbcGsOZFQwzDlG9NlOTeGanXAiBSdX_MpJEZOA9HxrTWcIUFbfS-euh01PcvZUiO44Rem0ntzy2dY0CTONtQtKdJSLQ6jPmkPoI0cS2KOrU9h3t8GloX7JfS82JLww2YkpUlHJmBR/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So today, after telling John for over a year I was going to do something with it, I did something with it. I cleaned it, primed it, and painted it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G0y7GccPtUxzMHW89xxAVXWc3XOWTrwN2zudH0BwZK5TmmgSgSpiOyhUIgOhbArzHY1PSuoY4bXwqrmTTU7M-jvDyZ729BqVkjPOjL6FuGyQgMJF8byuX7ERVeuX1hmCvpJc6Ln0KMHU/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G0y7GccPtUxzMHW89xxAVXWc3XOWTrwN2zudH0BwZK5TmmgSgSpiOyhUIgOhbArzHY1PSuoY4bXwqrmTTU7M-jvDyZ729BqVkjPOjL6FuGyQgMJF8byuX7ERVeuX1hmCvpJc6Ln0KMHU/s320/DSC_0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's now a shiny light blue. It is my new bedside lamp.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi252EOY3gZ4LU2Z2ZAje8G8TBZpRrhnvpQxvlRxGVpNXllMHPJ4dj3fGcAA5qqFRTd2w3-bK94bhU9sMBNGchRwIk2BX36YRMaqRY-SvVt2iWn8e5SkCaitvN5vS5SKjK58Jd8jQxcIi2V/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi252EOY3gZ4LU2Z2ZAje8G8TBZpRrhnvpQxvlRxGVpNXllMHPJ4dj3fGcAA5qqFRTd2w3-bK94bhU9sMBNGchRwIk2BX36YRMaqRY-SvVt2iWn8e5SkCaitvN5vS5SKjK58Jd8jQxcIi2V/s320/DSC_0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I love how it looks now. The paint and a new lampshade really glammed it up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gmBpDYVi6BoiuQ-OSXRNqoOl-Yg3G2IgRegalmUDoStEZAlQDXrw79RlhA8MTk_byLpB9XSWWCotNs7PHn-TTVIEQ5hPuMXCC4n3k0CvWvG9Hslx1vKKrKY7MCHgQv34R0hbMjGzE92G/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gmBpDYVi6BoiuQ-OSXRNqoOl-Yg3G2IgRegalmUDoStEZAlQDXrw79RlhA8MTk_byLpB9XSWWCotNs7PHn-TTVIEQ5hPuMXCC4n3k0CvWvG9Hslx1vKKrKY7MCHgQv34R0hbMjGzE92G/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-91144850931573538942012-08-19T20:47:00.001-05:002012-08-19T20:47:23.806-05:00Happy Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MbrehSOeBZ_3cYSpD-YWHluiSuS70ZjRNIg4olr4uVlzoG7rXjMMEffC_qNhv-uacVofRdqD3v05AIys2QOpO9rzlFDgiruTlbKPbm6GTedpNCiRQZsPPt8ppBTse0R0f65gMdk2g0fo/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MbrehSOeBZ_3cYSpD-YWHluiSuS70ZjRNIg4olr4uVlzoG7rXjMMEffC_qNhv-uacVofRdqD3v05AIys2QOpO9rzlFDgiruTlbKPbm6GTedpNCiRQZsPPt8ppBTse0R0f65gMdk2g0fo/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Wrigley is the happiest dog I have ever met. Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-81841739643869375962012-03-18T19:55:00.000-05:002012-03-18T19:55:31.367-05:00Crafty Jars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I spent Saturday hanging out with Kathleen, Mary-Claire, Deirdre, and Kathy. We had a crafty day. I got a lot of knitting done, but by far my favorite craft of the day was playing with Kathleen's <a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/">Shilhouette</a> cutter. <br />
<br />
I made a snack jar for work. I hope that the cheekiness of the jar will keep people from stealing my almonds. I'm not going to hold my breath.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDJv9ljhg-DrBdyTbc2xfL8V3Dyqr8qOl3NNFlxpDvkdqSjlV7VmlaFUBMo7-L8pQNqKAhTClDS-g0Lrk8HHyEq2-CXGi-G-O3ho8rhyphenhyphene7z7xswcRXWTXUIYDSh8RdTDvaEmIkgL8gJxL/s1600/Wrigley+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDJv9ljhg-DrBdyTbc2xfL8V3Dyqr8qOl3NNFlxpDvkdqSjlV7VmlaFUBMo7-L8pQNqKAhTClDS-g0Lrk8HHyEq2-CXGi-G-O3ho8rhyphenhyphene7z7xswcRXWTXUIYDSh8RdTDvaEmIkgL8gJxL/s320/Wrigley+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I made a jar to hold Wrigley's treats so I don't have to look at a Milk Bone box in the kitchen. The jar has a bone and says Wrigley's Treats. I was focusing on the super cute dog, so you don't get the best photo of the jar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xmRsa-Y6y0EyPYwM4TJ56Nxe_wQ4c4bDUIdVXYITCE8AXTQV0AOG3rfLdcmfcC9t-xj1LNASDV6_rEXV7rBYx_t_gEIqEJUN2Bzx-K2AvzgKH98EGBdoK4Ztc7Jh__wUbXsgh8tz5BMb/s1600/Wrigley+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xmRsa-Y6y0EyPYwM4TJ56Nxe_wQ4c4bDUIdVXYITCE8AXTQV0AOG3rfLdcmfcC9t-xj1LNASDV6_rEXV7rBYx_t_gEIqEJUN2Bzx-K2AvzgKH98EGBdoK4Ztc7Jh__wUbXsgh8tz5BMb/s320/Wrigley+029.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidt5ssMoZG9auwajFT-bnEV8f5IQ6b8DM8ZWhdVtErGO2bCxTIzUP262vaGU6YNWYsrCp8nxEt4zoMgWt8iH1b2H1024hSOdUh7EUVFhHcGGEGUpR7F2vgOnyXcdP_dNv32CI-6y4xajOe/s1600/Wrigley+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidt5ssMoZG9auwajFT-bnEV8f5IQ6b8DM8ZWhdVtErGO2bCxTIzUP262vaGU6YNWYsrCp8nxEt4zoMgWt8iH1b2H1024hSOdUh7EUVFhHcGGEGUpR7F2vgOnyXcdP_dNv32CI-6y4xajOe/s320/Wrigley+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyanr_S6-U7WRmvqYRusRrAuRfTyYekvPUXbrCTcPtFM7wbM_VCzTNLS3lyhxGgGdiKqR00K3SAvlip-s3Tgn-mcK4Yp1Na2Wfxar9K5CjaefgMxqgF6KIXXJO2PMzCbmVgwZfsGJFiKb/s1600/Wrigley+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyanr_S6-U7WRmvqYRusRrAuRfTyYekvPUXbrCTcPtFM7wbM_VCzTNLS3lyhxGgGdiKqR00K3SAvlip-s3Tgn-mcK4Yp1Na2Wfxar9K5CjaefgMxqgF6KIXXJO2PMzCbmVgwZfsGJFiKb/s320/Wrigley+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
She seems to like it.<br />
<br />
I would tell you about what a great time I had and how much I love hanging out with my family, but I'm not going to blog about how great they are until they update their blogs.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-86126508538790194692012-02-28T17:52:00.002-06:002012-02-28T17:52:28.407-06:00Monday Night Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxi81lJIAimRhNsa2qDT-VMou97UgEo7A5ZLKjHdEMyRTQBrhmNxiNkx4ITsYGRxaBI4OlXrUW-jzxVZALUlty9rtVc-9egLJafqNN4rNb5BKc9fUU-VO7rHWR9BLuW2UZOi4IQRpxJN-w/s1600/IMAG0552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxi81lJIAimRhNsa2qDT-VMou97UgEo7A5ZLKjHdEMyRTQBrhmNxiNkx4ITsYGRxaBI4OlXrUW-jzxVZALUlty9rtVc-9egLJafqNN4rNb5BKc9fUU-VO7rHWR9BLuW2UZOi4IQRpxJN-w/s320/IMAG0552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our awesome neighbors Ricky and Kelly had a party yesterday. It was a day long brewing party. We headed over after work to check out what they were brewing. I stuck to cider, because as I have previously noted, the rum raisin cider is the best cider I have ever had. I also tired the vanilla cream, which was like a lighter version of the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter.<br />
<br />
Heading to a party on a Monday was a good way to make the start of the week suck a little less. I think I'll try to do something fun every Monday to kick the week off on a positive note.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-51909220676960215142012-02-25T17:15:00.002-06:002012-02-25T17:20:58.348-06:00Wrigley's New Sweater<div>Wrigley doesn't have much body fat or hair, so the recent cold spell has been hard on her. Today I set out to find her a sweater to keep her warm.</div><div><br /></div><div>She might not look happy, but she does appear to love her new sweater. She's been snoozing all afternoon and for the first time hasn't snuggled under the blanket on the couch.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK7yLkGOb2EFo3DEtm0dn3jMnfqVY1Z8wmVRSerzwDARyeZAMh6SO1jm-l6YjyxkCsmyyC_bjwKvZxDnk6znHbQWcg7_lVOZiguraxa50zrUUkpsMI2H_LgC6dJFBlqvVVDuWvFxF0Yxm/s1600/Wrigley%2527s+new+sweater+009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK7yLkGOb2EFo3DEtm0dn3jMnfqVY1Z8wmVRSerzwDARyeZAMh6SO1jm-l6YjyxkCsmyyC_bjwKvZxDnk6znHbQWcg7_lVOZiguraxa50zrUUkpsMI2H_LgC6dJFBlqvVVDuWvFxF0Yxm/s320/Wrigley%2527s+new+sweater+009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713216366966123522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGeYFws8jwAwvSMvg2PbabVJVtYh0PNpI_oGeecjQjt2E4t97qs_34OjkjFPoYunJzdk-n_rO_bASJoygXV5DEzTCsDu1_iX4W-Kg9kUxYTnoy4mwO3qWnKxSz01STLJ1OjM_jiedOExR/s1600/Wrigley%2527s+new+sweater+005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGeYFws8jwAwvSMvg2PbabVJVtYh0PNpI_oGeecjQjt2E4t97qs_34OjkjFPoYunJzdk-n_rO_bASJoygXV5DEzTCsDu1_iX4W-Kg9kUxYTnoy4mwO3qWnKxSz01STLJ1OjM_jiedOExR/s320/Wrigley%2527s+new+sweater+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713216327645290242" /></a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-51705875526472517422012-02-19T21:18:00.002-06:002012-02-19T21:30:57.476-06:00Awesome Neighbors<div>John and I have lots of good neighbors. Two of our favorite neighbors are Ricky and Kelly. They are genuinely nice people, and they invite us over. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ricky is an accomplished home brewer with a five tap system in the basement. He makes delicious beer...and cider and bread and sake and tonic. This morning he stopped over with a pint fore me to try of his new rum raisin cider. It was by far the best cider I have ever had.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv78bciZ0tnZhr8n6yRD1LyIXJhmeAviRBQ0W8_y3LRvm517K8xO6PZkmlck8vsW_63XSUgLr28nVYW9LQ41LHaHRALaQysk1qVaU4dC69KiHO4iT1HSoXlFFDYBrw-VHU4jgKvTxVYiAT/s1600/IMAG0412.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv78bciZ0tnZhr8n6yRD1LyIXJhmeAviRBQ0W8_y3LRvm517K8xO6PZkmlck8vsW_63XSUgLr28nVYW9LQ41LHaHRALaQysk1qVaU4dC69KiHO4iT1HSoXlFFDYBrw-VHU4jgKvTxVYiAT/s320/IMAG0412.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711052335774218434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>John & I will be having Ricky and Kelly over soon, but we will be serving them store bought beverages. We'll just go overboard with homemade baked goods.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-71662072272791196852012-02-19T21:07:00.002-06:002012-02-19T21:17:29.382-06:00Chili and Cornbread<div>I've heard some people don't eat cornbread with chili. I don't understand those people. The slight sweetness of cornbread balances out the spiciness of chili beautifully.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had been dreaming of some time about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">yeasted</span> corn bread bowls for chili. After a lot of research I found a <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/yeastraised-cornbread-recipe.html">recipe </a>I could adapt. I make six <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bolles</span>, but eight probably would have made them a more appropriate size.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8BoCp7r4LwCC0XlDQI9kxOmXGjMDXV3Cw2IMVe6etvGicts819lVYXc9HFbV1U6D-EuLJIJPtib4XUUQLR6vCai-jX0VLLhOjNQ_WMhhobMsvdfGntHfbKuGa2Usz0zwkD9mrfTg4Kth/s1600/Blogfodder+027.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8BoCp7r4LwCC0XlDQI9kxOmXGjMDXV3Cw2IMVe6etvGicts819lVYXc9HFbV1U6D-EuLJIJPtib4XUUQLR6vCai-jX0VLLhOjNQ_WMhhobMsvdfGntHfbKuGa2Usz0zwkD9mrfTg4Kth/s320/Blogfodder+027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711049881735957426" /></a><div><br /></div><div>After we filled them with chili we topped them with cheese. It was pretty much the perfect meal for a snowy night.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDhjXR7u3PvukzwwUn_Y59HeVtjzHXedo4lxTVQHT4ptwWvl3oU32_kDaqHCUr8RYSjndI8b-GkATEd_UdFtAqH62J-QStZGfFnhpXcFov19UNPCdSPVebfeTVYBnn7Yh71hjy74RUfDs/s1600/Blogfodder+029.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDhjXR7u3PvukzwwUn_Y59HeVtjzHXedo4lxTVQHT4ptwWvl3oU32_kDaqHCUr8RYSjndI8b-GkATEd_UdFtAqH62J-QStZGfFnhpXcFov19UNPCdSPVebfeTVYBnn7Yh71hjy74RUfDs/s320/Blogfodder+029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711049873629327570" /></a><br /><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-26942427781685969742012-02-19T20:52:00.003-06:002012-02-19T21:06:32.890-06:00BirthdayFour photos that prove my birthday was awesome (none of which are of Wrigley): <div><br /></div><div>1. My co-worker knows that every girl loves a post-it and a granola bar.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEba1TEWVVFRfOn1QjivC8RqzPG3yil2ELouj3BeJNTdMfI-0Ggz2EooWelobu9cNMbXMGS62d1tr4rx7cEARTseRFO-1Kj2X5GSZbUGVlyHxkqeYXRr_IK-uB3Zo6-e-w4B4WwS78m29/s1600/IMAG0460.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEba1TEWVVFRfOn1QjivC8RqzPG3yil2ELouj3BeJNTdMfI-0Ggz2EooWelobu9cNMbXMGS62d1tr4rx7cEARTseRFO-1Kj2X5GSZbUGVlyHxkqeYXRr_IK-uB3Zo6-e-w4B4WwS78m29/s320/IMAG0460.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711046517529830434" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>2. <a href="http://iowawilsonfamily.blogspot.com/">Kathleen </a>made me a delicious a birthday cake. If she ever offers to make you a cake say yes, then insist on chocolate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">buttercream</span> frosting. Trust me. You're welcome in advance.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4zaXqti4a5QzF3OmU6oxf1Zg5tT3lY1eU88MInnH6ZV2kdrK_TZVMokrQ_ieVN_QT8PWM3cyvVpVr4gNXt2G0IPpv-uubhNwcJZafOK-RGMrzKyyJApGc6RnXDmTq4hLnk5zkRdDF8Io/s1600/IMAG0482.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4zaXqti4a5QzF3OmU6oxf1Zg5tT3lY1eU88MInnH6ZV2kdrK_TZVMokrQ_ieVN_QT8PWM3cyvVpVr4gNXt2G0IPpv-uubhNwcJZafOK-RGMrzKyyJApGc6RnXDmTq4hLnk5zkRdDF8Io/s320/IMAG0482.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711046513377027810" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>3. Emily made me a cake too. This one was strawberry with cream cheese frosting. And it was at a super bowl party with amazing food and wonderful friends. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-OaUzQMaj2aV_9G7SBsrFhbN18EKNasQ7z6JfenUqTOm7JuDXLJ2rUa39-v18fizef1ZwCEjedfp1YRvc32ngP6COdBecGUxkCntO3J9Ogea4Q2YULiOJCw76GPaWvSpNKvIEzbSJEt1/s1600/IMAG0469.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-OaUzQMaj2aV_9G7SBsrFhbN18EKNasQ7z6JfenUqTOm7JuDXLJ2rUa39-v18fizef1ZwCEjedfp1YRvc32ngP6COdBecGUxkCntO3J9Ogea4Q2YULiOJCw76GPaWvSpNKvIEzbSJEt1/s320/IMAG0469.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711046501356002130" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>4. Dinner at <a href="http://splash-seafood.com/">Splash</a>. I don't think I need to elaborate on this one. I'm pretty sure you're already drooling at the photo.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm2ZwzSyO2193-HwojM6k3qZLV-IwYY93hd0ZeVl9eTfWddGEK-sahvviyNYorU-2Jt8j9UsaAHgnaYyub5hA89anZdIwfPhkHbWCiIayyIU4vXHcNekQXvWBKF3AXwktNAZmScNIeTZu/s1600/IMAG0465.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm2ZwzSyO2193-HwojM6k3qZLV-IwYY93hd0ZeVl9eTfWddGEK-sahvviyNYorU-2Jt8j9UsaAHgnaYyub5hA89anZdIwfPhkHbWCiIayyIU4vXHcNekQXvWBKF3AXwktNAZmScNIeTZu/s320/IMAG0465.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711046495392531138" /></a><br /><br /><div>If this year is half as good as my birthday I'm in for a wonderful year.</div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-60004025570077874782012-02-19T20:46:00.002-06:002012-02-19T20:52:45.889-06:00Allyson & Ryan<div>Yesterday John & I threw a couples shower for Allyson & Ryan. We are very excited that they are getting married, so we threw them a party.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9v451eqi0r_yoQhh9QaKz5r6mDvN3XEewOyTYkhdFXCAJyk1NiNOiVNLwNJwxFJv-0YTDtjcuHia_JV_LfPVPoMPkbsaHcO853uzDYc7o81U-E8wog0K7EYFgXugZXspyosn_TUx72Fqd/s1600/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+046.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9v451eqi0r_yoQhh9QaKz5r6mDvN3XEewOyTYkhdFXCAJyk1NiNOiVNLwNJwxFJv-0YTDtjcuHia_JV_LfPVPoMPkbsaHcO853uzDYc7o81U-E8wog0K7EYFgXugZXspyosn_TUx72Fqd/s320/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711043996095561346" /></a><div><br /></div><div>The shower was a tailgate theme. Allyson is UNI fan (she has excellent taste) and Seymour is an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ISU</span> fan (we all have our faults). Of all of the treats that I made I am most proud of my Panther and Cyclone sandwich cookies. They were delicious and full of team spirit.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23_QFMm5pnCKyaz9QFGCuE2WrGa2qDvs0KdA4FRMpwwvgtD4wHB1XfLNXRQVxv4ad9efklw3cJ15YQpKO_Yi31y79gnB3RqPYnUbQXhg1ICEP6pHoHgXuhQ9J8H1iMpa3TIF8y__egayb/s1600/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23_QFMm5pnCKyaz9QFGCuE2WrGa2qDvs0KdA4FRMpwwvgtD4wHB1XfLNXRQVxv4ad9efklw3cJ15YQpKO_Yi31y79gnB3RqPYnUbQXhg1ICEP6pHoHgXuhQ9J8H1iMpa3TIF8y__egayb/s320/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711043986972453234" /></a><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-19738956754512242892012-02-19T20:29:00.003-06:002012-02-19T20:45:54.223-06:00Wrigley<div>John has given me some great presents over the years, but my birthday present this year takes the cake. WE GOT A DOG! </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBYegol4N2uzV1T9_NI_EChYqGkmzMB-A1Mx5bIXiN3OtZTqkYEo3GwQZAxoo7GnQ9uFxGNTq4nX_w94zkAI6qYTxKQhmqbDzo0WVHq_GiAHmNnKKZiKEOtLhRQU9fgVTbmWobUgiDbZN/s1600/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+055.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBYegol4N2uzV1T9_NI_EChYqGkmzMB-A1Mx5bIXiN3OtZTqkYEo3GwQZAxoo7GnQ9uFxGNTq4nX_w94zkAI6qYTxKQhmqbDzo0WVHq_GiAHmNnKKZiKEOtLhRQU9fgVTbmWobUgiDbZN/s320/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711040963443593874" /></a></div><div>Wrigley is a boxer mix we found through<a href="http://www.aheinz57.com/"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AHeinz</span>57</a> pet rescue. She is just over a year old and it full of energy and love.</div><div><br /></div><div>She is adorable, so I will probably be posting a lot of dog photos.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTW6sP2XUJFk6xsCzi7NG9s3pl8TCTP5j8kWtEjgGzQvElunqFUcFsHw-k8DVhaOWb1gJUFHmpGJ11qkjmfr-1twWbCLQ8sBoT-ruI7ZtIx4v22WRQuJDahFSH3L-VSdkwQL4MVza9cO-/s1600/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+060.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTW6sP2XUJFk6xsCzi7NG9s3pl8TCTP5j8kWtEjgGzQvElunqFUcFsHw-k8DVhaOWb1gJUFHmpGJ11qkjmfr-1twWbCLQ8sBoT-ruI7ZtIx4v22WRQuJDahFSH3L-VSdkwQL4MVza9cO-/s320/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711040956086586194" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI-m-LHFdK_tgaQIFnagOqlVAiJx4cDUmqnuvymYJNECakijumMe7L5bi-iJTnDGlWtmwBRvuOrN3qo88mG4taTutT9Df4eswFS-aOnw2VA-VPNcMkAbTtI7dyxb8-S7diCpdRMXVQr85/s1600/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI-m-LHFdK_tgaQIFnagOqlVAiJx4cDUmqnuvymYJNECakijumMe7L5bi-iJTnDGlWtmwBRvuOrN3qo88mG4taTutT9Df4eswFS-aOnw2VA-VPNcMkAbTtI7dyxb8-S7diCpdRMXVQr85/s320/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711040941740016514" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Doesn't she have a beautiful smile?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierMyqBhRDoJzg8OGFqTN_3dpjFSwzYC8GyX2tloz4RJ_FCc5yOcIXrUaZks4wsN483ADHnGZQ96V-Vaf6iv-wiVvxXgWBrVyf5Ulnu9Mn5K0ouMw4EjQAZvVUH6i43rstrWLv7A2QgYaF/s1600/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+052.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierMyqBhRDoJzg8OGFqTN_3dpjFSwzYC8GyX2tloz4RJ_FCc5yOcIXrUaZks4wsN483ADHnGZQ96V-Vaf6iv-wiVvxXgWBrVyf5Ulnu9Mn5K0ouMw4EjQAZvVUH6i43rstrWLv7A2QgYaF/s320/Allyson+%2526+Ryan+Wrigley+052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711040934349579730" /></a><br /><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-62562035540224460122012-01-18T19:28:00.005-06:002012-01-18T20:03:18.776-06:00You Must Make This Right NowI have a thing for <a href="http://www.larabar.com/about/larabar-101">Lara Bars</a>. These tasty bars contain three simple things: dried fruit, raw nuts, and spices. They are delicious and nutritious. There's only one drawback: they are very expensive.<div><br /></div><div>Luckily I recently fell in love with <a href="http://pinterest.com"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pinterest</span> </a>and discovered that my friend Sarah had located a <a href="http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/02/home-made-lara-bars-energy-bars-part-3.html">blog </a>with a recipe for homemade Lara bars. The recipe looked easy and all of the ingredients were in my kitchen (one of the perks of buying dried fruit and nuts in bulk at Costco).</div><div><br /></div><div>I've now made these bar three times in two weeks. They are amazing. You need to make them. All you need are dates, dried fruit, nuts, cinnamon, and a food processor. Don't have those things? Get off of your butt and go buy them. Now. Even if it means you need to buy a small appliance. That is how good these bars are. If you come to my house I will force-feed you them until you admit that you love them and your life will not be complete until you make them and have them in your refrigerator at all times.</div><div><br /></div><div>These are amazing bars. And they are so easy to make I was compelled to document the entire process in an effort to convert you. As you can see, these are bars so good they make you crazy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Step 1: Get Fruity</div><div>Put dried fruit into a food processor. I went with blueberries and dates and dried cherries and dates. Yes I love these bars so much I made two kinds in one day. Get off my back.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJewiMNbeUdu4qr-rh5d_x_ChlNslG5i18DVDrUQ7haAYlND1U_TiWy8JqF8iuYnBzuSvJv44EdS7QAh1MT5rFyW66UXpd0f4rClLpKXmtyHY8DPQmWvxSuZtZmy-NL5FrfOgdhFJb9oTT/s320/Blogfodder+013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699149998837345666" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div>If you are able to get these in the bowl without eating any dates I applaud you. I have a date addiction and need to constantly taste.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once the fruit is in the food processor, process it (I told you it was a simple recipe). You want it to go from this:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGmgukwdS99oG4F7yxfe-GMzFBKuwP7ohrvP6n9r6euVPLeSB2QrsolhyphWtUELI_ASb5NLr2b3Mk15bU0abgBafSdz-XbZeKg5sex9RJMMdXnXBkfo2Y3ycknUEV2a-X7O7n7g8z1q1/s1600/Blogfodder+009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGmgukwdS99oG4F7yxfe-GMzFBKuwP7ohrvP6n9r6euVPLeSB2QrsolhyphWtUELI_ASb5NLr2b3Mk15bU0abgBafSdz-XbZeKg5sex9RJMMdXnXBkfo2Y3ycknUEV2a-X7O7n7g8z1q1/s320/Blogfodder+009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699149141538407778" /></a></div><div>To this:</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5ZfwDF4c5ZJH1UJJnxNJ9apBTrXjVYT_vwITbB_w5TBXvfAvUhr-9KRH4BjjtTVgRULkf5gWtQ7Sii2xs762S2m0f47m10tsGGW5H6Rts5vpILIIuboN6nN34Vr10PcS1g9k1_x4yAOd/s320/Blogfodder+010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699149142763495522" /></div><div>When it is mushy like in the photo put it in a bowl.</div><div><br /></div><div>Step 2: Go Nuts</div><div>I've made the bars with almonds, pecans, and pistachios. Pecans are my favorite. Pick the nuts you want to go with and process them. </div><div>They should go from this:</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4B6md1NioyiqROR6Zc2Yn89KTdV6PThaL7pU_-BIStQflnfD6uTuTleZJXqCO4XYFlBxNxqpQrBnOAG_afol95qcBMFhCTN50rFeYD1vdx7m31pl0pWR0QT4Zg8J3YhfXBGqF0IisA5c/s320/Blogfodder+015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699150003760659250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div>To this:</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPQuxy1VOVz2j9EY1vB9Yzq0DirBjqQxRwrrj1Y6hpXc16aPXWYBbIjvh64C29lioVhGVCMqswiNT8YaKM2BBoUZSnzuRu6eBwdmV_3-mngoF04kXZ4p8qag7Y6e-7MbzWBlBigHCH-7a/s320/Blogfodder+018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699150007387625778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div>Once chopped, put it in the bowl with the fruit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Step 3: Spice it up</div><div>Add a dash of cinnamon.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKSiE_AKFXDtEYBakS5LTYNXTtRJNq-xNls5YBFXTiOIMlI00iNFvyRo82eccwvMmPclDPipHJ8FSe6qQl974Heq4yiRLCYDONghZOlrHbEuRfg0QsWX8OKlc7FwGMMqx52WMKOYq4GrC/s320/Blogfodder+022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699150678620992738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div>Your bowl should look like this. When you look in the bowl you will probably be questioning my love of these bars.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pV62XRhKw6XSjMSe2sG8CFbDbfRVxCVbvfwp7z7rAo9nNqJmHJg7SHJ1EacuZiOtREFt3s8p_TAlkH1v52khsIXIKMmZSEnNvWyLCAJ1dK6rq-JqIE4g6w-NWFKcIfJgUvLm5yt68GJP/s320/Blogfodder+020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699150011504525458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Step 4: Mix it up</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaFzHMemEArpUY5MOHNsF5py-rIMUFPOrK65-qzbfajGNT9s_lZEBy3IAJHjRuhy2FNKj96gNAE4JMHleQ435spwadKrWNV2sLR1W9jAei-lcojIs879apkHPbg9OdxSmlt_JxyvsJ-pC/s320/Blogfodder+021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699150670167219810" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div>You'll need to use your hands. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mash it up until it looks like this:</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG76qYehGexP4_TRVLvuqiL_Gb5ofFARWtog9ODaKH_jKJ4iB57NTYjK8lkG4NokzB1_5Ctnyud8fQ-iqErnXSkZ0dm1O8qLnyyp5Ay46cNvlX8Ki-tBfhLBbECCIMrzzcNQMkxDZ8Ud0_/s320/Blogfodder+024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699150681135772258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Step 5: Wrap it up</div><div><br /></div><div>Split the goo in half. Wrap your bars in saran wrap and store them in the fridge. When you are running out of the house and need to eat breakfast grab one on the go and congratulate yourself on being so prepared.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXecNvltUEDd5d_UePg8ZTNFyIlp7UtXB-fb4cDvAMIZDW5b96efY0a7Qp_TyAkIk6sDAEBCxla6ssjhCZ1czbL_uo0VxZ8jyiNXDEMiytPs2YSDNZ0FylOR8l3LYV2ZAfx4Izv8ftR_3-/s320/Blogfodder+025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699150688894429858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now head on over to<a href="http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/02/home-made-lara-bars-energy-bars-part-3.html"> Enlightened Cooking</a> to get the recipe and make these.</div><div><br /></div><div>You're welcome, America.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-83353501386649978962012-01-18T18:43:00.004-06:002012-01-18T19:28:13.710-06:00Apple Butter BarteringA few weeks ago I read on <a href="http://youcanteatalawn.blogspot.com/2012/01/homemade-apple-butter-part-two.html">Stacia's blog</a> about her apple butter making. I love apple butter. It is perfect on toast, especially in the dead of winter.<div><br /></div><div>I convinced Stacia to trade me one jar of delicious apple butter for a loaf of bread.</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6F2Z2zjlQqdxjp-1AVufk4_HXyNwB3XnN3E4P23OKYPZnYpRLTnsf7sMpXeY6EFdzBIjqlFXrDWRMMBVUvQCkxG9u5vqYynIYH9WR0RFMkaDYhyfxIfN9bY7svZ6IbWTbJTATxWhURmP/s320/Blogfodder+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699138037050028050" /></div><div>One loaf my favorite <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/01/light-wheat-bread/">light wheat</a> bread later I am now the proud owner of a jar of apple butter. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kvwQtJWJOo44T7OibXchucupmCFCsumKVG2a0njDfiQ5_ppqz2M2IUKUIw0KfHbuo_-9XJO9nxZi1HrA1VG4SD9x3vuYXPSqzx19oo9U-vDXZ49n9NWPNn0vYF5K2dxFDk4kl49pYiOI/s1600/Blogfodder+001.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kvwQtJWJOo44T7OibXchucupmCFCsumKVG2a0njDfiQ5_ppqz2M2IUKUIw0KfHbuo_-9XJO9nxZi1HrA1VG4SD9x3vuYXPSqzx19oo9U-vDXZ49n9NWPNn0vYF5K2dxFDk4kl49pYiOI/s320/Blogfodder+001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699140599100494770" /></a><br />I could really get into bartering.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I was at Stacia & Greg's dropping off the bread I was able to check out her worm composting system. It's incredibly cool and I am getting one at our new house.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZJmixRfhsVSfXYmXxhK9S2rEu26dKGVqEA-egxt3P6sU1-LsHs0WE2S_Cd-5oaZzqj9U6cfDaqL47bavrFiv_sCK1eZL1BC-A4qwlsFThyKMIIhhtF4WVnOwpfIw6hYjB-xChE1x7p7O/s1600/Blogfodder+007.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZJmixRfhsVSfXYmXxhK9S2rEu26dKGVqEA-egxt3P6sU1-LsHs0WE2S_Cd-5oaZzqj9U6cfDaqL47bavrFiv_sCK1eZL1BC-A4qwlsFThyKMIIhhtF4WVnOwpfIw6hYjB-xChE1x7p7O/s320/Blogfodder+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699140600539376370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div>So in short - I tried being a hippie and it's cool.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-9427941160681320142012-01-15T19:31:00.003-06:002012-01-15T19:38:20.927-06:00Slippers for MomOver Christmas Mom requested a pair of felted slippers. I recently finished a huge knitting project (photos to be posted as soon as possible), so I was ready for a a quick hit knitting project. <div><br /></div><div>I had stash yarn leftover from other projects. I found the <a href="http://mindie.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/duffers-a-quick-and-easy-19-row-felted-slipper-pattern/">Duffers </a> pattern on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Raverly</span> and got to work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Knitting items to be felted is fun, because you get to use big needles and act like you are knitting for a giant.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWPW9K-O9lKm7Uu6emvbOvYMkhZtZTuL9UzvJxEGf0sJnlm5jnhycNMso8JgZ0Y_nT-WWv0XKWYCBVKRpbTMli6rnIM-OQqRZUGX4hpkb29KDpuuCLmLR6hgNX2NPsiT-1D0q2_m3Qp4K/s1600/IMAG0415.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWPW9K-O9lKm7Uu6emvbOvYMkhZtZTuL9UzvJxEGf0sJnlm5jnhycNMso8JgZ0Y_nT-WWv0XKWYCBVKRpbTMli6rnIM-OQqRZUGX4hpkb29KDpuuCLmLR6hgNX2NPsiT-1D0q2_m3Qp4K/s320/IMAG0415.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698036590635197154" /></a></div><div>Once felted the slippers are toasty warm and much cuter.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-xgn1hLXCaSF5ONFqYSt0cgrYgTiliS3GSzxiFKgqJSQgegf1VRX08-k_V80Hpa72V_jp2QUY2TLGpsL7Hm9LNer1-F_b64mZM4QQsMfDsD7PKE01ICt53QoUNyeh7APOBQ1RHx0Oq8n/s320/IMAG0419.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698037769572270082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px; " /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-13788260997092490512012-01-15T19:16:00.002-06:002012-01-15T19:31:29.582-06:00UNI Game<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsvYR9TGSXBe4ppzZYwQ9HIUWewANLpvZGs98D0-3XhkkBaXZfGIjIn5G-FeyuvQsligmLBn1q7pPGhyphenhyphenUj5T0lhlT2p9sBJWUXMR0jdLi2oZL6F0r2i5YZO0dA6v76KnFVYKKkFGoK4tV/s1600/IMAG0407.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsvYR9TGSXBe4ppzZYwQ9HIUWewANLpvZGs98D0-3XhkkBaXZfGIjIn5G-FeyuvQsligmLBn1q7pPGhyphenhyphenUj5T0lhlT2p9sBJWUXMR0jdLi2oZL6F0r2i5YZO0dA6v76KnFVYKKkFGoK4tV/s320/IMAG0407.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698035902696181794" /></a><br />Last weekend we headed to Drake to watch UNI kick some butt at basketball. I neglected to take photos of my UNI friends at dinner before the game or at Justin and Amy's after the game, but I did remember to take a photo at the game. It shows what a good job Justin does at getting tickets for the whole group.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-42538763747271429742012-01-03T20:15:00.001-06:002012-01-03T20:17:27.145-06:00Iowa Nice<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLZZ6JD0g9Y"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qLZZ6JD0g9Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></a><div><br />If you haven't seen this yet you should watch it. They language may be offensive. I think it's funny even with the language.<br /><div><br /></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-64660352434317697322012-01-03T19:27:00.004-06:002012-01-03T20:04:21.304-06:00Republican Recap<div>Tonight is a big night in Iowa. After months of campaign commercials thousands of Iowans are headed out to Caucus for candidates they support. I am not caucusing, as my candidate in November already has a spot on the ballot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though I am not participating tonight, I have enjoyed learning about the candidates running for office. Along with my trusty<span > co-workers Brian and Angie I have gone to see five Republican candidates for office <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">over</span></span> the past two months. It has been quite an experience. </div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeC6ik3M9gPU24i9-szOIPfYkOAppyFGFHsE-5YxT6GOrjLGIieAOz7jmra1ZUVGPyjBu4sweKglyyoPR04MKaD3ciqKTs50nXsut29170lGnQ8K9xlAaU9Yc0S20BGKMuZjbY5Ja4loX/s320/IMAG0389.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693583243940395506" /><div><span >My trusty co-workers</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >One of the perks of working at a large insurance company is that Republicans line up to speak to your office. For you convenience I have arranged my comments in order from least crazy to totally crazy.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Not crazy: Mitt Romney</span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQbtywvlzVohLYu3_ocsVP7Q5z8xrZGmt0jRij5ilvoQqxM8fyE5jfSG-YxaeGKu_wDU2tFYipGom9a66b2C5UQuUfCf8rZ5qO75_9ZXQxKKQtYiD2IJR78_lfjocDU6jwtEvstOqmI2x/s320/IMAG0336.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693582775707144898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px; " /></div><div>Do I agree with this guy? No. Do I respect him? Yes. Unlike most other candidates I heard speak, he was not an enormous ass.</div><div><br /></div><div>Newt Gingrich: Angry Grandpa</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxOqv3KfaUKhp7nSbv4JGcSJogp1YqZcHZBfrnkjxu84icF8q4gvhlgYjBvy6wEw-EZOvXYJNakDpLNNMJdBRbQuGNs6NqxBYkmZfeD2KWMMz482MN020P0HyGdLlKcGLkWBCrngnlAUN/s320/IMAG0347.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693582780665924754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px; " /></div><div>Newt started off great. I liked the guy. Then his medication wore off and he started talking crazy. Having seen him answer questions off the cuff I can now easily imagine him shaking a rake at kids and yelling at them to get him off his lawn.<br /><br />Michele <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bachmann</span>: Not the craziest<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqxPRoxlJRDroZzcLeGjjjBWI9NHZMETOziFfPflxM_POFPSJu4sJGv63wWNMStfbczoJoJ51xGqh_8XoWmTsgtXtNAr-HwbAPJ1sRCzSCRcx9WzS3RrxH9Z5pGO5fp9AikCCQdhezGdL/s1600/IMAG0370.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqxPRoxlJRDroZzcLeGjjjBWI9NHZMETOziFfPflxM_POFPSJu4sJGv63wWNMStfbczoJoJ51xGqh_8XoWmTsgtXtNAr-HwbAPJ1sRCzSCRcx9WzS3RrxH9Z5pGO5fp9AikCCQdhezGdL/s320/IMAG0370.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693583238340199586" /></a></div><div>What does it say about the options that this lady is not the craziest? That's right. This tiny woman who thinks you can pray gay away and speaks of Obama like he is a disease not the president is not the craziest person I heard speak this fall.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Santorum</span>: He Probably Hates You</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewasUb4NwtlnTOIUl0Qwv0cacZpTUT6DrEfDCVh3uh4xHPMyfSk4at8RRbNX-9Ad9DpQW9N7u3UVfeOPdpHzMHGeD62zKoKIYuPKgmskkIH95gruGE2_tnHKoFtdBmlWLUSUuaUupQlSt/s320/IMAG0373.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693582792589300386" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px; " /></div><div>He spoke for 30 minutes. He didn't mention the economy until a question was asked about it. He hates gay people and women's rights. We don't exactly see eye to eye on the social issues.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rick Perry: Frightening Nut Job</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-h7a_UtxVIw6JBE-aZ_aGNg-_AD105qDUuiFGlpTg6iFdar2VyFfNMRyfXyFpc8jiuH7lx2bRnQrA2DtQak1_lJzvBn9brtSKeFrJWxXdNk3S-jkxdY3aIcBzOlStfxG3702CONdTKEl/s1600/IMAG0402.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-h7a_UtxVIw6JBE-aZ_aGNg-_AD105qDUuiFGlpTg6iFdar2VyFfNMRyfXyFpc8jiuH7lx2bRnQrA2DtQak1_lJzvBn9brtSKeFrJWxXdNk3S-jkxdY3aIcBzOlStfxG3702CONdTKEl/s320/IMAG0402.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693582797668160722" /></a></div><div>Imagine you are watching a sketch from Saturday Night Live about a politician giving a speech drunk. That's pretty much what listening to Rick Perry is like. He wants to privatize the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">TSA</span>. He's for states rights but for a constitutional amendment against gay marriage. He sited a story from the Bible and said God had picked him to run for president. He didn't even speak about his platform. He had Bobby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jindal</span> do that for him.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_V7YX61_3xYGGAynC7AZLU7-9mmnC7FPm9xi8Y78JV4q5loNzyc1atYGaBmxpH0LYdD1Y1AEXpNYnEWGacdw_O30MTbvLLb-Pmv8xUX9MEJuPRpfB0m1f_mXrBolS8VMhKOefwv4NNKz/s320/IMAG0403.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693583257509788290" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px; " /><br />If Bobby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Jindal</span> runs for president I'm pretty sure I would put him between Mitt and Newt. <br /><br />I am thankful for the opportunity to hear so many candidates speak. I hope that the next time I hear candidates speak they do not focus on how faith can heal our country. I think God has bigger things to do than think about tax law in the United States. I hope that candidates start focusing on how everyone can work together to keep our country great. If we spent half of the time we spend complaining about the other party working together we could accomplish a lot.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-68178340070217946202012-01-02T11:08:00.003-06:002012-01-02T11:19:51.813-06:00Happy New Year!<div>2011 was a busy year. I'm excited for a slower paced 2012.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKm7dz-QKWQyCQnArnlmzsU_5oFY4RgC6P2bdyTsk0OBGC3fgLN_cTvC3TkZpiqNIrjpAaShdp3YobVQqafaUWp5wZh0rozPgexJLNn1NlEJG9hOFhY_AHf7e7HKuqNJoLSmpnDcaLWtf/s1600/2012+020.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKm7dz-QKWQyCQnArnlmzsU_5oFY4RgC6P2bdyTsk0OBGC3fgLN_cTvC3TkZpiqNIrjpAaShdp3YobVQqafaUWp5wZh0rozPgexJLNn1NlEJG9hOFhY_AHf7e7HKuqNJoLSmpnDcaLWtf/s320/2012+020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693083692433739106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div>John & I rang in the New Year with the Ourtoberfest crew at Sbrocco. We like to celebrate NYE with a fancypants dinner. </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxA4dT11061xRgJrzl9vgL6-kMSwgYUAULq5qcW9bqdXwDKWLtRuSMnyfHxPtjZ3Y66ztOgrtDxP-SVk2IzRHnpy9FAOYI4puTdmH8Me-fk1HjskyMhnMhbnH-ZgZwBuQDuqxpTwKC3Jd/s320/2012+050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693083715676093106" /></div><div>It's hard to believe I've been friends with this group for 10 years. We all started in the Service Center at Allied. They are such wonderful friends. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGCodfLKtYWB3cNPRpfrtumJEsakc1iLjZTPtm2nL1jEL2kbROkl3F1KVmuW4uWA5e-UNva5k-Kma6vbvDIF82SZMkkK5sFKm-FRuOyQIXJBKWhlx6ApScqYdfoVUxr2exowEpInLsWr4/s1600/2012+005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGCodfLKtYWB3cNPRpfrtumJEsakc1iLjZTPtm2nL1jEL2kbROkl3F1KVmuW4uWA5e-UNva5k-Kma6vbvDIF82SZMkkK5sFKm-FRuOyQIXJBKWhlx6ApScqYdfoVUxr2exowEpInLsWr4/s320/2012+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693083706603133378" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJB2gYRBfkYx8Ty9gCVijsOsZgecM-InmBkM4mT5xWTU7ugUfXr245mMJqT98OIR32yUZV8EF8IBA3X_7lhyphenhyphenstXiEOToWs_yOYp-5U_vIJMDQ9try5TYSsme5WAh2JYPr8juIEzgnFwoN/s1600/2012+003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJB2gYRBfkYx8Ty9gCVijsOsZgecM-InmBkM4mT5xWTU7ugUfXr245mMJqT98OIR32yUZV8EF8IBA3X_7lhyphenhyphenstXiEOToWs_yOYp-5U_vIJMDQ9try5TYSsme5WAh2JYPr8juIEzgnFwoN/s320/2012+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693083695851536882" /></a></div><div>In addition to the regular Ourtoberfest crew Sarah and Ivy joined us this year. We are happy to welcome them to the Ourtoberfest community. We are hopeful they will join us at all of our upcoming Ourtoberfest events.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish you all a wonderful 2012. May this year be your best year yet.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-78060677150187471862011-11-21T17:09:00.002-06:002011-11-21T17:18:06.613-06:00Ice Skating<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;">This year is flying. I can't believe it's already the week of Thanksgiving. Late November means a few things to me: family, pie, loathing the end of Daylight Saving Time, and <a href="http://myruncheylife.blogspot.com/2009/11/ice-skating.html">Ice Skating</a>.</div><div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/6358072377/" title="IMAG0328"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6101/6358072377_1f5d3904b8.jpg" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" /></a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;">This year I convinced my coworker Brian to meet me at 6 am for some skating and bagels before work on opening day. We had a blast. He's currently looking for skates so we can spend the winter enjoying the ice. I hope with snowshoeing and ice skating I'm able to be outside and stay active this winter. It's hard to get moving when the couch is so </span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">comfortable</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"> and the house is so warm (confession - I'm putting off going for a run by blogging).</span></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-63278188974421866282011-11-09T18:40:00.005-06:002011-11-09T19:44:00.868-06:00Winter Squash Taste Test<div>There aren't many choices when it comes to local produce in Iowa in the winter. The exception to that is winter squash. John and I are both fans of <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/01/warm-butternut-squash-and-chickpea-salad/">butternut squash</a>. I am less of a fan of acorn squash, but with enough butter and brown sugar I find it unoffensive. Spaghetti squash is OK, but not something I would choose to make. </div><div><br /></div><div>I knew there were more varieties of winter squash than you find in the grocery store aisles, but I knew nothing about them. I decided to take advantage of the second to last <a href="http://desmoinesfarmersmarket.com/">farmers' market</a> and check out some squash. For just three dollars we were able to do an heirloom winter squash taste test.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBC2fZtwWX-Cm6iBptaNQO4jGrJQgRUpjznm_t17QVk-maWuLcjFdgdRJn9Gx4sSwwNmra5B1r-AhzGT7EUO2Aa6-lSA-XxggByYPytEQZLf1ITpqJMGVikwmOwQqchK91r0EkqN_xMEM/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673161458693765330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>First up - the <a href="http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_9b51.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">delicata</span></a>. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRLHxXiamCUo-80d1idUI4nUvCdeVwsPPSAG1mkw3yvrSn8gBA3C6KKGnEQ8hHl7dIIXmdNQ0TCTXUI9ohzbDAPyDOHMVgASVn6WnuzF-gPmsXKaZHAuZpZPIaM9BtSz3cIHaf2Wd721P/s1600/honeymoon%252C+squash+033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRLHxXiamCUo-80d1idUI4nUvCdeVwsPPSAG1mkw3yvrSn8gBA3C6KKGnEQ8hHl7dIIXmdNQ0TCTXUI9ohzbDAPyDOHMVgASVn6WnuzF-gPmsXKaZHAuZpZPIaM9BtSz3cIHaf2Wd721P/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673161451320761666" /></a></div><div>It has a lot of seeds, which I scraped out.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdmOqrPcDMqFSLb5WzvM86kPndHgkOB3Pzkv9ADjcaFCsgg1nvDhWaW4_c6EeOKunzXOVPJLND55QP5mlSj3WXs7mGUpzarIwuD3pPcPU0dT45ZsjxogCqV_vUyto-7HSgAzL6z7ichYA/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673162730090204418" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next up -Perhaps a <a href="http://localfoods.about.com/od/wintersquashpumpkin/ss/Types-Of-Winter-Squash_9.htm">Red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kuri</span></a> squash? I'm not sure of the name on this one. I don't remember what the nice people from <a href="http://www.coyote-run-farm.com/">Coyote Run</a> said it was, but I don't think it was Red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kuri</span>. I just googled winter squash and after about six pages Red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Krui</span> was the one that looked the most like this.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIiRG_WxGGUsP2GTJydzyxSsMUCfHBWezRBNsAAO5oSoczMOtzWepe3o1MnBa4OinJUctSpVY8HxYd38dfC20gpF7lnmhJm1nNAl6ua1fj_LRNy2aHa1Uq2SeqbAns1VA7WkxT2U351JR/s1600/honeymoon%252C+squash+032.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIiRG_WxGGUsP2GTJydzyxSsMUCfHBWezRBNsAAO5oSoczMOtzWepe3o1MnBa4OinJUctSpVY8HxYd38dfC20gpF7lnmhJm1nNAl6ua1fj_LRNy2aHa1Uq2SeqbAns1VA7WkxT2U351JR/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673161443887569890" /></a></div><div>Regardless of the name, it was really easy to clean. I like that.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0pJRf2poL4pybRCC1UxaJz56GiUqU1PCqvwY_LeYXobO2mP2hFyT8DwkJV2i3c7JWOsxAka52vfN0DB4uRJQQrVcbfYcckpbQJ5X6enps-SBNipAYc22l2t8vO2S3CPp_2hJ9_a1ZwoZ/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673161461701066626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Last up - <a href="http://gardening.about.com/od/wintersquash/ig/Winter-Squash-Varieties/Turks-Turban-Squash.htm">Turban Squash</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xNXiug_SlLLXdYivxGwC7W0RUTnOJhooBBlWhcKn-lVM1NhvU0ymLqfaLyU7g9BZXmNdF-Mm8ShR47shOjfAOmlcgnBLdI_kHUWTvrFaQ6uz81m4d-sFP_qKYNAhSsuPVnUZGGjUSLNe/s1600/honeymoon%252C+squash+029.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xNXiug_SlLLXdYivxGwC7W0RUTnOJhooBBlWhcKn-lVM1NhvU0ymLqfaLyU7g9BZXmNdF-Mm8ShR47shOjfAOmlcgnBLdI_kHUWTvrFaQ6uz81m4d-sFP_qKYNAhSsuPVnUZGGjUSLNe/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673161438146091698" /></a></div><div>This one looked the coolest, but was the most difficult to clean.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvhNhKg7GgfWZqIC5zsP-Ff8F7t27g0Q6FNy8I-XVepNAsw-co4dDKkKwF_9T0W4-QCiUX_W_Eu1qHg8MN8jZR2Ae0XpDmb3XznylzBMs6brJXQMJyjKs25sdCy8bNtbketQC8y4TawqQ/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673162733335084114" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Once cleaned I put them all in a baking dish and put a bit of butter and brown sugar in each half. I decided to dress them the way my Mom does. You really can't go wrong with cooking like my Mom.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoSBOE1TUKZadX5x1QJ-Irw5mDpLXCGJCt4JzDp50hnHv5kIGV94y9svGgU6u047pHvgenKZP7WcQ_L2lUJNH7uqBBreMDP27qDZq759eIxa1erZAoFPliGTs-WmvDqbQ5ecXns6az8hn/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673162736391733122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>The house smelled amazing while these baked. I cooked them at 350 for about an hour. I started to check them for tenderness after 30 minutes.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_XXj9TXxXQkT-wm0EEtxVHdkmodSgu1gfYoqDMsCsUjiziblv_vRTY3kjrzQlTYW3vlVo5lKojgJMYJBfI0Bk7y2X9zkiF-_g7FqjB1oPUl_a-y15dN9JrWB2n2TMqZxk_g3i4C0oh8Y/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673162742024831554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the end, I cleaned my plate and expanded my taste horizons. John didn't like any of them, so I would say if you hate acorn squash and don't love butternut squash you might want to pass on them.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">delicata</span> was delicious. It tasted like a cross between a sweet potato and a butternut squash.....but better. I bought five at the last market and hope to find them at the winter market in a few weeks. I have one for dinner once a week.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kuri</span> squash was also good. It tasted like a butternut squash. I would buy it again if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">delicata</span> wasn't available. I like that it is a personal sized squash. I can have a squash, John can have a tuna melt, and we're both happy.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Turban squash tasted like an acorn squash. I ate my half, but John gave up. I wouldn't buy this kind again as it would take far too much butter and brown sugar for it to be tasty enough for me to eat.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk7gb8aAoz5FWV4VoKyKKejdcSvmZ__6ELz7um7SpmjKQUgtknmOZBXHoOL3GzITxR4oVVvI55a0OKKMB-OIJw_eoOpRfgkMlTTyrtsStHC4EuK0l7nh-MGdzsTodCKUokaBD_gitb22O/s320/honeymoon%252C+squash+046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673162750609205106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>What is your favorite winter squash? How do you prepare it?</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-11101154237755389222011-10-09T19:48:00.001-05:002011-10-09T19:48:13.093-05:00Pumpkin Ice Cream<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/6223791911/" title="IMAG0253"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6223791911_842e712537.jpg" alt="IMAG0253 by sarah jane 77" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/6223791911/">IMAG0253</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/">sarah jane 77</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>It's not just hot enough to ride this October. It's hot enough to make ice cream. I made my first custard ice cream, a delicious pumpkin that tasted just like pie. I also made some smaller than usual molasses cookies so we could have fall themed ice cream sandwiches. It was pretty delicious.</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-3583043714815036902011-10-09T19:46:00.001-05:002011-10-09T19:46:08.926-05:00High Tressel Trail<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/6228054425/" title="IMAG0260"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6228054425_77a795121a.jpg" alt="IMAG0260 by sarah jane 77" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/6228054425/">IMAG0260</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/">sarah jane 77</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>This weekend John and I finally got over to Madrid to ride the High Tressel Trail. John biked from Des Moines and I met him in Slater. I was able to get an easy 20 miles in and John got 50. I am happy it is nice enough in October to ride in shorts.</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908683321986280849.post-24305420994268637632011-10-01T15:44:00.001-05:002011-10-01T15:44:11.417-05:00Fancy Dinner Club: Farm Edition<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/6201582470/" title="IMAG0251"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6201582470_5a2fa08283.jpg" alt="IMAG0251 by sarah jane 77" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/6201582470/">IMAG0251</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23742598@N05/">sarah jane 77</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Once a quarter Hot Toddy, Ivy, and I get together for a fancypants dinner. This quarter instead of heading out for an expensive dinner we opted for fancy cheeses, fruit, wine, and conversation on Ivy's farm. The view is beautiful, but not as beautiful as my friends.</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185341747130449307noreply@blogger.com0