tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87227432897384779962024-03-15T21:09:59.424-04:00Five Simple ThingsMaria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-31797123745156726842020-08-12T10:30:00.004-04:002020-08-12T10:32:51.766-04:00Wordless Wednesday<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZco0CPjI_I/XzP8tESYtbI/AAAAAAAAP6g/WNk2DA_Q9xElOV7vcbJcsdLFLxM6G9FrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SAM_0419.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZco0CPjI_I/XzP8tESYtbI/AAAAAAAAP6g/WNk2DA_Q9xElOV7vcbJcsdLFLxM6G9FrACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/SAM_0419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> #wordlesswednesday<p></p>Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-19739980731568141512018-05-30T05:00:00.000-04:002018-05-30T05:00:05.195-04:00Wordless Wednesday May 30Happy Wednesday!<br />
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-56260775649065712982016-09-13T06:00:00.000-04:002018-05-29T18:06:47.170-04:00Preserving Fresh Lettuce - Salad from a jar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/09/preserving-fresh-lettuce-salad-from-jar.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EV6XCMXdZkc/V9c6Z02SD-I/AAAAAAAAPpU/1XcMVCSnUws3xe9yeNfDryoEVucnE68dwCEw/s320/salad_from_a_jar-maria_matter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a salad-lover!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could eat a salad every day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and I usually do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet I'm always throwing away</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">lettuce that has turned brown or wilted.</span></div>
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<b>note: </b>I don't actually throw it in</div>
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the trash bin, it goes to the chickens/compost.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, no more!!</span></div>
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(cue dramatic "ta-da"music here)</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjSNdj_LsTY/V9clLiXWOuI/AAAAAAAAPpE/SiC_fD4YkCMmz18zJTIMjag6RPF414SIACLcB/s1600/jars_of_salad-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Food saver, vacuuming sealing lettuce" border="0" height="468" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjSNdj_LsTY/V9clLiXWOuI/AAAAAAAAPpE/SiC_fD4YkCMmz18zJTIMjag6RPF414SIACLcB/s640/jars_of_salad-Maria_Matter.jpg" title="preserving fresh lettuce" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I now preserve my lettuce in canning jars</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">with my </span><span style="font-size: large;">handy dandy FoodSaver vacuum sealer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We purchased jar sealers for both regular</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and wide-mouth. These use the accessory </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">hose that comes with most FoodSaver models.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's how we do it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We use a mix of lettuce, whatever</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we're growing along with store-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. <b>Chop it</b> into bite-size pieces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. <b>Wash and DRY it</b> really well</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> in your salad spinner or with</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> paper towels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. <b>Pack</b> your mix of lettuce into </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> mason jars. Push in as much</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> as you can!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. <b>Place a lid* on the jar</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. <b>Place the jar sealer</b> over the lid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. <b>Attach the hose</b> to both the jar</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> sealer and your machine, hit</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> the vacuum button.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. <b>When it is finished, DETACH </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> the HOSE from the jar sealer </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> first</b>. You should hear a ping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Then <b>remove the jar sealer</b> from</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> your mason jar. <b>Test</b> the lid to make</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> sure its sealed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. Keep your<b> jars in the refrigerator</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> for up to seven days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxBplfIMOqw/V9clLQ_QcWI/AAAAAAAAPpA/3HhGRcIYvrwwz6qP75C7vRzrmcdKY5wHACLcB/s1600/jars_of-lettuce-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mason jars of salad, kitchen time savers, food saver, lettuce lasts longer" border="0" height="462" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxBplfIMOqw/V9clLQ_QcWI/AAAAAAAAPpA/3HhGRcIYvrwwz6qP75C7vRzrmcdKY5wHACLcB/s640/jars_of-lettuce-Maria_Matter.jpg" title="salad from a jar" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*</b> <u>you can use new lids </u>(and still use them for canning later) or</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>you can reuse old lids</u> as long as they aren't too banged up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Also</b>, this works for quart or pint jars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I use a pint because that is a perfect </span><span style="font-size: large;">serving size for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have been doing this for well over a year now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can experiment with different lettuce. More delicate leaves/spinach, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I know just starts to turn by the seventh day. However, </span><span style="font-size: large;">more sturdy </span><span style="font-size: large;">leaves such as romaine will last longer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EV6XCMXdZkc/V9c6Z02SD-I/AAAAAAAAPpU/zAE0Ug3xeHYo4LYkjFm_rGYDd_JsbsMAQCLcB/s1600/salad_from_a_jar-maria_matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="eat a salad, quick tips to eating healthy, canning lettuce" border="0" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EV6XCMXdZkc/V9c6Z02SD-I/AAAAAAAAPpU/zAE0Ug3xeHYo4LYkjFm_rGYDd_JsbsMAQCLcB/s640/salad_from_a_jar-maria_matter.jpg" title="preserving fresh lettuce, salad from a jar" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a huge time saver during the week. For lunch, I simply </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">grab a jar, </span><span style="font-size: large;">empty it onto my plate throw on a few toppings and </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm good </span><span style="font-size: large;">to go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a friend that takes a jar with her to work each day, she puts</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">her toppings in another container; grabs both on her way out the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">door. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm all about prepping for one day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">so I can eat for a week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any prepping shortcuts</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to share??</span></div>
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<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i>Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-9118741572396279502016-09-05T14:30:00.000-04:002016-09-05T15:12:11.401-04:00Happy Labor Day 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Monday!</div>
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and </div>
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Happy Labor Day </div>
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to those celebrating today!</div>
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If you have the day off,</div>
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I hope you're enjoying it.</div>
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/09/happy-labor-day-2016.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wMyNWsbQXG8/V825-cbjZTI/AAAAAAAAPoI/XTXtEvN0YA0vKObEKS4eFRhEYnSohUR3wCLcB/s640/picnic-Happy_Labor_Day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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September is going to be a busy month,</div>
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I'm hoping to stay on top of things and </div>
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take pictures to share here on the blog.</div>
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Have a blessed day!</div>
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<br />Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-11381284867731552782016-08-30T05:30:00.000-04:002016-08-30T05:30:00.268-04:00Easy Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting - Printable Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_GNG7ztKLE/V8SPsfK2zmI/AAAAAAAAPnA/BVSjmpKcfaAbs1G2HkGZAuD0KhEgowyWgCLcB/s1600/zucchini_cake-Maria_Matter-wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_GNG7ztKLE/V8SPsfK2zmI/AAAAAAAAPnA/BVSjmpKcfaAbs1G2HkGZAuD0KhEgowyWgCLcB/s320/zucchini_cake-Maria_Matter-wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last week I talked about my </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">stockpiles of shredded zucchini!</span><br />
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<a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/08/preserving-your-summer-squash-zucchini.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Food Saver bags of shredded zucchini" border="0" height="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGVGrJniRBA/V8SP3jSc2vI/AAAAAAAAPnI/v6MlTmPbK9EpA5uRss5LbprcIb3XDx9DwCEw/s400/squash_zucchini-food_saver.jpg" title="preserving your summer squash - zucchini" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, this week, I wanted to share one</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of my favorite recipes to make with</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that shredded goodness! </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8g7UvbO4ajI/V8SVXAuhEzI/AAAAAAAAPnU/WQ5Bf-KxNqYu-wASTuiCZvGgH9CYSDRvwCLcB/s1600/Zucchini_Cake_Maria_Matter-CU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="easy zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting" border="0" height="620" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8g7UvbO4ajI/V8SVXAuhEzI/AAAAAAAAPnU/WQ5Bf-KxNqYu-wASTuiCZvGgH9CYSDRvwCLcB/s640/Zucchini_Cake_Maria_Matter-CU.jpg" title="super moist zucchini cake" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Easy Zucchini Cake</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">with Cream Cheese Frosting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/asimplefive/easy-zucchini-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1" target="_blank">printable recipe</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2½ cups all purpose flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">½ teaspoon baking powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">½ teaspoon baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup vegetable oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups zucchini, shredded</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">½ cup walnuts, chopped (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">directions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, baking powder & baking soda in mixing bowl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Combine oil & eggs; add to dry ingredients, mix well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Add zucchini; stir until thoroughly combined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Fold in walnuts, if desired.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Pour batter into 13 in. x 9 in. x 2 in. baking pan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake @ 350°</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for 35-40 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">~Maria Matter<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_886503131"> </a></span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/">http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/</a></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Frosting</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 ounces unsalted butter, softened</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 ounces cream cheese, softened</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups powdered sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">directions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a large bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth and creamy. Beat in vanilla extract. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">note:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're using your frozen shredded zucchini,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">there may be quite a bit of liquid in the freezer bag</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">after thawing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DO NOT DRAIN! The zucchini "juice" helps keep</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this cake super moist!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbthmTiSjXY/V8SVW3sEf0I/AAAAAAAAPnY/_Ci8jxxXaoouDAinHtRX7qUlDpNr-0gfQCLcB/s1600/Zucchini_Cake-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="using your frozen shredded zucchini to make cakes" border="0" height="624" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbthmTiSjXY/V8SVW3sEf0I/AAAAAAAAPnY/_Ci8jxxXaoouDAinHtRX7qUlDpNr-0gfQCLcB/s640/Zucchini_Cake-Maria_Matter.jpg" title="zucchini recipes-cake" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Check out some of my other</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Zucchini recipes and ideas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/08/preserving-your-summer-squash-zucchini.html" target="_blank">How to preserve your summer squash-zucchini</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/08/preserving-your-summer-squash-zucchini.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBgCG6TZP1M/V8SPviAHzDI/AAAAAAAAPnE/TLA4BR_J1iwRwg6fSXoqYKTTRCTcsGZ-gCLcB/s200/Fresh_squash_zucchini.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2013/08/zucchini-bread-gift-set-joys-life.html" target="_blank">Zucchini Bread Gift Set idea</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2013/08/zucchini-bread-gift-set-joys-life.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSeAghovsxY/V8SjdX-wPoI/AAAAAAAAPnk/qEssjKZlniomks5VLPl6tYm9ypVipp7FgCLcB/s200/bread%2Bgift%2Bset.JPG" width="168" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/05/super-moist-zucchini-bread-printable.html" target="_blank">Super Moist Zucchini Bread</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/05/super-moist-zucchini-bread-printable.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxR7aEBTrb0/V8Sj6ZF52TI/AAAAAAAAPno/8f2IvCI677ohcPB7Wyk8in9SPc8rG9h8gCLcB/s200/zucc%2Bbread%2Bframed.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My pickiest eater actually requests </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">this recipe for his official birthday cake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yea, it's that good!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you'll give it a try (:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a blessed day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></div>
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<br />Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-10878442789192176922016-08-23T06:00:00.000-04:002016-08-23T10:06:50.266-04:00Preserving Your Summer Squash - Zucchini <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're someone who likes </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to share, </span><span style="font-size: large;">grow summer squash. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a very prolific plant!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OxU8G75EsY/V7JUE7-5DAI/AAAAAAAAPlo/9ECAwK-1KCIZjU-qO8NzID8UoaSgZk2GACLcB/s1600/Fresh_squash_zucchini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="homegrown zucchini" border="0" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OxU8G75EsY/V7JUE7-5DAI/AAAAAAAAPlo/9ECAwK-1KCIZjU-qO8NzID8UoaSgZk2GACLcB/s640/Fresh_squash_zucchini.jpg" title="green and golden summer squash zucchini" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We grew green & golden </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">zucchini summer squash </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">this season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, we started</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">our garden a bit late due</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to our May/June vacation</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">this year and it was just</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">when the squash "moths"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">were laying their eggs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't notice in time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and their larvae feasted</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">on our plants!</span></div>
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#sadface :(</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCJM7co8GPw/V7JVOITpB0I/AAAAAAAAPlw/U7aqyPC-xsMBJPxmdXhkPQLFcUdkBPu-gCLcB/s1600/squash_zucchini-food_saver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="green and golden zucchini squash ready for the freezer" border="0" height="498" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCJM7co8GPw/V7JVOITpB0I/AAAAAAAAPlw/U7aqyPC-xsMBJPxmdXhkPQLFcUdkBPu-gCLcB/s640/squash_zucchini-food_saver.jpg" title="shredded zucchini" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were able to pick a few before</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the vines started dying off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of my zucchini is shredded,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">preserved in FoodSaver bags and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">stacked in the freezer for later use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although you can add shredded</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">zucchini to a number of recipes</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to increase your veggie intake,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">our main uses are...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Zucchini Cake with Easy Cream Cheese Icing,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*<a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/05/super-moist-zucchini-bread-printable.html" target="_blank">Super Moist Zucchini Bread</a> and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Zesty Zucchini Relish.</span></div>
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I'll provide links above as I share my recipes here on the</div>
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blog in the coming days.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We use a food processor with</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a shredder blade.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u7HG3KA3glY/V7SxtTUSmsI/AAAAAAAAPmA/y6GsRiOj76Q4kju_4zho28X2lRUSkSHAwCLcB/s1600/food_processor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="shredding side of a food processor blade" border="0" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u7HG3KA3glY/V7SxtTUSmsI/AAAAAAAAPmA/y6GsRiOj76Q4kju_4zho28X2lRUSkSHAwCLcB/s400/food_processor.jpg" title="food processor shredder blade" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have a shredder for your</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kitchen-Aid mixer great, if not</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a hand grater would work too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we bag it up in 2 or 3 cup portions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 cups for the bread, 2 cups for the cake</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and relish. Freeze it flat then stack it to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">save space. No blanching required.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You could also slice your zucchini in</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">rounds and dehydrate it for use in soups</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and casseroles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sprinkle on some seasonings before </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">drying them for variety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whether you shred it, freeze it or </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">dehydrate it, Zucchini is easy to </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">preserve and a great </span><span style="font-size: large;">veggie to keep </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">on hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I'm off to bake a zucchini cake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you grow squash </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">in your garden?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is your favorite</span></div>
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<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post. </i></div>
Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-83546368499911477382016-08-09T06:00:00.000-04:002016-08-31T19:06:49.847-04:00DIY Notepad Cover - Recycle, Reduce, Repurpose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjGZZKbC_SA/V6X9Hk-I5DI/AAAAAAAAPkY/p0l46giN2f0RqXSaUO4Kfle8QMqEIdc_ACLcB/s400/Buy_it-Maria_Matter.jpg" width="246" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am definitely a "SHE" - </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sidetracked Home Executive </span>(via <a href="http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/who-is-flylady/pam-and-peggy/" target="_blank">Flylady</a>)<span style="font-size: large;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stationery supplies make my heart happy; </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">notebooks, </span><span style="font-size: large;">journals, papers, pens, markers, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">file folders, planners, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So when hubby & I went to some local </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">yard sales this </span><span style="font-size: large;">past weekend and I saw </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a fellow "SHE" selling a portion </span><span style="font-size: large;">of her </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">stash, I was like...</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDH0AQfQMao/V6ZE0lBTtbI/AAAAAAAAPk8/xCTUXJuBoGo2kJ1IbGzGzYis48STJkZVACLcB/s1600/julie-andrews-the-sound-of-music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDH0AQfQMao/V6ZE0lBTtbI/AAAAAAAAPk8/xCTUXJuBoGo2kJ1IbGzGzYis48STJkZVACLcB/s320/julie-andrews-the-sound-of-music.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then during a little crafty time, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I created a pretty cover for one</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of the notepads I had picked up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B2zyZGjU1gM/V6X9HrRyaeI/AAAAAAAAPkc/bCePqctq97QSLcny5cS_dCSXJwCxP8yEgCLcB/s1600/Buy-it-create-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B2zyZGjU1gM/V6X9HrRyaeI/AAAAAAAAPkc/bCePqctq97QSLcny5cS_dCSXJwCxP8yEgCLcB/s640/Buy-it-create-Maria_Matter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These lovely papers are from Echo Park,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the Record, they were in my scrap</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">box along with their stickers & trim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, the scraps weren't quite wide</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">enough to cover my pad so I pieced some</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">together. It worked out perfectly with a</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">little washi tape to hide things inside! (:</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYIj5-VCDss/V6X9HWx3cDI/AAAAAAAAPkU/MP37liUQTrMLwg0_1KiJnswtS-rXQRPgQCLcB/s1600/Buy-it-open-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYIj5-VCDss/V6X9HWx3cDI/AAAAAAAAPkU/MP37liUQTrMLwg0_1KiJnswtS-rXQRPgQCLcB/s640/Buy-it-open-Maria_Matter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I even found a little </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kMjtoNB1TA/V6X9HrFMSZI/AAAAAAAAPkg/0WfNB19P738rkWdkkVep3WPtUtTmcy0WQCLcB/s1600/buy-it_notepad-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kMjtoNB1TA/V6X9HrFMSZI/AAAAAAAAPkg/0WfNB19P738rkWdkkVep3WPtUtTmcy0WQCLcB/s640/buy-it_notepad-Maria_Matter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I now have a pretty covered </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">notepad for my purse...</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Chj0aELBkYM/V6ZA0_XHo3I/AAAAAAAAPkw/9q-lJq0c_MsUnj-qk_xfaj02MLs00SdMQCLcB/s1600/What%2527s_in_my_bag-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Chj0aELBkYM/V6ZA0_XHo3I/AAAAAAAAPkw/9q-lJq0c_MsUnj-qk_xfaj02MLs00SdMQCLcB/s640/What%2527s_in_my_bag-Maria_Matter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like when everything coordinates!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">check out the one</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I created for my</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2013/11/whats-on-your-christmas-list.html" target="_blank">Christmas list</a>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2013/11/whats-on-your-christmas-list.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWDvOrrJUt0/V6d5JXXeqfI/AAAAAAAAPlQ/2qKVIf-3S0Il-3HX-FxEujEou94E6JGlQCLcB/s200/ELF%2B2.JPG" style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjGZZKbC_SA/V6X9Hk-I5DI/AAAAAAAAPko/oSvvdlWHwd8Xn4K0BV9qKGuPAaVRUlFXACEw/s1600/Buy_it-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjGZZKbC_SA/V6X9Hk-I5DI/AAAAAAAAPko/oSvvdlWHwd8Xn4K0BV9qKGuPAaVRUlFXACEw/s640/Buy_it-Maria_Matter.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you a SHE?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></span></div>
Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-12453213251430935202016-08-02T06:00:00.000-04:002016-08-03T12:46:48.381-04:00Easy Melt & Pour Seashell Soaps<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/08/easy-melt-pour-seashell-soaps.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avcjPQyubJM/V50tfBmhqxI/AAAAAAAAPjg/-eBiqRlcpiYNNuPEeYI6d7bltDQoRrGsACLcB/s320/seashell_soap-Maria_Matter_framed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah, summertime...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">sun, sand, beach, seashells...seashell soap! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why not!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a fun activity to do with the kids!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You'll need a <b>melt & pour glycerin bar</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and some seashell candy or soap molds</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from your favorite craft store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then cut a few cubes from the bar and place</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">them in<b> a glass bowl for melting.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pop it in the<b> microwave and heat</b> it</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for 30 seconds, stir. Continue heating</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it at 30 sec. intervals until melted and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">its easy to stir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Separate the melted soap into different</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">glass bowls if you want to <b>add color</b> to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">your soaps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once colored, you'll simply <b>pour it into</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>your molds</b> and let it sit overnight until</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">firm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then <b>pop them out</b> of the molds to use</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">or give as gifts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Simple, huh?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLbTIZBPYp0/V5_upMmsmwI/AAAAAAAAPjw/pwCsM4qiIkoiVALd7R4brPAdVN-Cy1AJgCLcB/s1600/seashell_soap-Maria_Matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fish, seashell, starfish homemade soap" border="0" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLbTIZBPYp0/V5_upMmsmwI/AAAAAAAAPjw/pwCsM4qiIkoiVALd7R4brPAdVN-Cy1AJgCLcB/s640/seashell_soap-Maria_Matter.jpg" title="seashell soap using glycerin and spices" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We used food to color our soaps;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">brown sugar, paprika, dark cocoa and </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">blue "Jello" powder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Think of the possibilities...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">depending on the molds and colors</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">you use; you can coordinate seasons,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">holidays, sports, special events, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>side notes:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">if you notice bubbles in your melted</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">glycerin soap-and they bother you-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">you can put a little rubbing alcohol</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">in a spray bottle and lightly spray the</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">surface of the soap, the bubbles will</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">dissipate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, if you have older kids, this could be</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>a great fundraiser project</b>. I've given</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">you the basic instructions, but you </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">could get a little more involved by</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">purchasing soap fragrance and color</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">gels </span>(a little goes a LONG way!) <span style="font-size: large;">It can become </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">rather addictive, be warned!</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DuyR8u5B_I0/V5_z4NRB2LI/AAAAAAAAPj8/Tm1RIIMIzsMdZw7YP11t2_6NreoNh9akwCLcB/s1600/seashell_soap-Maria_Matter_framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="make custom made soap" border="0" height="482" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DuyR8u5B_I0/V5_z4NRB2LI/AAAAAAAAPj8/Tm1RIIMIzsMdZw7YP11t2_6NreoNh9akwCLcB/s640/seashell_soap-Maria_Matter_framed.jpg" title="Easy melt and pour seashell soap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever made</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">your own soap?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></span></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-33914223718620466392016-07-26T06:00:00.000-04:002016-07-26T06:00:21.753-04:00A Baby Giraffe Card - 5 minute cardmaking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">How to make a super quick card.</span></div>
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(I used a digital image and a stamped sentiment for this one.)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After I chose an appropriate image</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for my card, the process went like this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. print </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. cut to size</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. color</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. attach to card base</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. stamp a sentiment</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in less than five minutes I had</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This can be an important skill to know</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">when you completely forget you need a </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">card </span><span style="font-size: large;">five minutes before leaving the house</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for a party, shower or important event...just saying...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-So-19pNkSNg/V5Z4PF-BLkI/AAAAAAAAPjI/gFfsVDAfNnECZ8D39qcPzdPPs-evqkIVwCEw/s1600/baby_giraffe_card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-So-19pNkSNg/V5Z4PF-BLkI/AAAAAAAAPjI/gFfsVDAfNnECZ8D39qcPzdPPs-evqkIVwCEw/s640/baby_giraffe_card.jpg" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copic markers, foam adhesive squares,<br />MFT sentiment stamp, Memento ink, white gelly roll pen.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I dotted the blue spots with a </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sakura white Gelly Roll pen to add</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a bit of whimsy but I see they're not</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">showing up in the photo. </span>{{sad face}}</div>
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*side note:</div>
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I think this was the last baby card for awhile, I promise. (:</div>
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However, if you need more baby card inspiration, click <a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/search?q=Baby" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks so much for stopping by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a blessed day!</span></div>
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<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-30119471110933364412016-07-19T05:00:00.000-04:002016-07-19T05:00:03.028-04:00Simple, Sparkly and Recycled - Birthday Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcR68U_Wp_U/V4084G87FGI/AAAAAAAAPic/eLwTuW7Rr_sVrV6eAmAojPuVxooTZs6VACLcB/s1600/Recycled_birthday_card_2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Recycle, ReUse old cards, cardmaking" border="0" height="293" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcR68U_Wp_U/V4084G87FGI/AAAAAAAAPic/eLwTuW7Rr_sVrV6eAmAojPuVxooTZs6VACLcB/s320/Recycled_birthday_card_2016.jpg" title="Recycling a birthday card" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few months ago, my son</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">received this cute birthday </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">card below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was bright, fun and sparkly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And honestly, it was the sparkly</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">parts that saved this card from</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the bin when he was finished with it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/07/simple-sparkly-and-recycled-birthday.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dy_y2TKPLf8/V405Vp3aBaI/AAAAAAAAPiQ/3Bq0_hScLHEmhwv88ZP9zG3jwOWpCk3wACLcB/s640/Recycle_birthday_card.jpg" width="563" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, with a piece of white cardstock</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and a trimmer, a new birthday </span><span style="font-size: large;">card</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">was born. Simple, huh?!</span></div>
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/07/simple-sparkly-and-recycled-birthday.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vm0swh33_-s/V408-7q__-I/AAAAAAAAPig/OipIfHSEOcAECz1O5MxKowUP0SMdAbxkACLcB/s640/Recycled_birthday_card_sparkly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you see the sparkly glittery parts??? </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh my heart be still! (: </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcR68U_Wp_U/V4084G87FGI/AAAAAAAAPic/eLwTuW7Rr_sVrV6eAmAojPuVxooTZs6VACLcB/s1600/Recycled_birthday_card_2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Recycling cards, Happy Birthday" border="0" height="586" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcR68U_Wp_U/V4084G87FGI/AAAAAAAAPic/eLwTuW7Rr_sVrV6eAmAojPuVxooTZs6VACLcB/s640/Recycled_birthday_card_2016.jpg" title="Simple, Sparkly and Recycled Birthday card" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">white cardstock, personal trimmer, foam dots</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"So that which is old becomes new."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Works great for Christmas cards too!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy your day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do you do with</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">your old birthday cards?</span></div>
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<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></div>
Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-88718968420687532802016-07-13T13:00:00.000-04:002016-07-13T14:53:16.913-04:00my "But for the Grace of God" bench - Home Decor<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a22eI2WzuOQ/V31Fo9LVnEI/AAAAAAAAPhE/Iag2raAf3_IeF6QOWYHSaNB2OlbVn7PTACLcB/s1600/bench_Grace_of_God-blog16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a22eI2WzuOQ/V31Fo9LVnEI/AAAAAAAAPhE/Iag2raAf3_IeF6QOWYHSaNB2OlbVn7PTACLcB/s400/bench_Grace_of_God-blog16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Quite a few years ago, my eldest son </span></div>
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(with a wee bit of help from my carpenter husband)<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">made me a lovely bench for Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He left it unfinished so I could </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">paint it to match where ever I </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">wanted to use it...so sweet.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIsuzRApqaE/VWE_nx3LbpI/AAAAAAAAO6Q/tsWxMQXnr7Y/s1600/bench%2BDJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIsuzRApqaE/VWE_nx3LbpI/AAAAAAAAO6Q/tsWxMQXnr7Y/s640/bench%2BDJ.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a beautiful bench, buttery smooth</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and I debated whether to just leave it</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">as is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I was inspired...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://keithurban.net/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSyKmU8GBp4/V4Z-kxOZ4TI/AAAAAAAAPh4/obr_jaCqSLsKzEMITvNzB7QdvGfqBnXCgCLcB/s400/keith_urban.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith Urban 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by a Keith Urban song, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<a href="https://youtu.be/O5Cn-yorQQo?t=24s" target="_blank">But For the Grace of God</a>!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a #1 hit back in 2001</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but it's one of my favorites</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">from him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I originally used my Cricut to </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">getting underneath it...what a mess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I pretty much free-handed it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sketching the letters with pencil,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">painting with acrylic </span><span style="font-size: large;">then using a </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">my hand was unsteady. whew!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSee8Ej2Mho/VWFBrnPWymI/AAAAAAAAO6k/bCIbIvy5Fkc/s1600/bench%2BDJ%2Bpainted%2Bclose%2Bup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSee8Ej2Mho/VWFBrnPWymI/AAAAAAAAO6k/bCIbIvy5Fkc/s640/bench%2BDJ%2Bpainted%2Bclose%2Bup.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Determination always succeeds!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you're having a great day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings!</span></div>
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<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-65950046566360497812016-07-08T06:00:00.000-04:002016-07-12T09:18:59.445-04:00A Doodlebug Onesie for Baby - Cricut Craftroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to Baby Card Central!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the series continues...</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjFkTK23ZNo/V3v8lTQQixI/AAAAAAAAPgU/mik1lkiUSQUBk2HNm5b3JSe8AdkaD6EdACLcB/s1600/Baby_card_Doodlebug-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjFkTK23ZNo/V3v8lTQQixI/AAAAAAAAPgU/mik1lkiUSQUBk2HNm5b3JSe8AdkaD6EdACLcB/s320/Baby_card_Doodlebug-1.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm stilling using my Doodlebug Design papers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">they are so sweet! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 12.32px; line-height: 17.248px;">Cricut Craft Room basics, Cricut, Memento ink,</span><br />
<a href="http://www.doodlebug.ws/Catalog/Catalog.aspx?CatID=1711" style="background-color: white; color: #33aaff; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 12.32px; line-height: 17.248px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Doodlebug Designs</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 12.32px; line-height: 17.248px;"> paper (Snips & Snails),<br />kraft paper, button, baker's twine, SU! Congrats sentiment</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Cricut Craftroom offers some </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">basic cuts and this is one of my </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">favorites for <strike>baby making</strike> baby </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">card making! (:</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o3CORBg57Go/V3v-SmdKi5I/AAAAAAAAPgk/xv8DxG_KSWsH3RR3oz43p856QyTXV_3-wCLcB/s1600/Baby_card_Doodblebug-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o3CORBg57Go/V3v-SmdKi5I/AAAAAAAAPgk/xv8DxG_KSWsH3RR3oz43p856QyTXV_3-wCLcB/s400/Baby_card_Doodblebug-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So many babies, so little time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe I have two more cards</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to share; another boy & a girl card</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">finally. Stay tuned.</span></div>
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More baby card inspiration...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJbU1ioXhSk/V349VXhRHkI/AAAAAAAAPhU/hX1QIXVM_WU7Ju4yvbnx5jO5SiRG9lIDACLcB/s1600/A%2BCAS%2BDoodlebug%2BBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJbU1ioXhSk/V349VXhRHkI/AAAAAAAAPhU/hX1QIXVM_WU7Ju4yvbnx5jO5SiRG9lIDACLcB/s1600/A%2BCAS%2BDoodlebug%2BBaby.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-clean-and-simple-doodlebug-baby.html" target="_blank">CAS Doodlebug Baby</a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNMlA-ftnYc/V349dJBaGFI/AAAAAAAAPhY/5pS10gseGgspm0r5FyTO_lDpIR6nXhpkACLcB/s1600/rubber-ducky-baby-card%2B-wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNMlA-ftnYc/V349dJBaGFI/AAAAAAAAPhY/5pS10gseGgspm0r5FyTO_lDpIR6nXhpkACLcB/s200/rubber-ducky-baby-card%2B-wm.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-rubber-ducky-baby-card-cricut-craft.html" target="_blank">A Rubber Ducky Baby card</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 12.32px; line-height: 17.248px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>Thanks so much for stopping by.<br />
Have a blessed Thursday!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; line-height: 17.248px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 17.248px; text-align: center;">scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</span></i></span>Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-43005195500597884142016-07-05T10:00:00.000-04:002016-07-12T09:17:21.226-04:00Cricut Wall Art - Bless This Home - Cutting Vinyl<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Playing with my beloved Cricut, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made this fun little vinyl sign</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the other day.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-U0kc8agu4/VWE6AmeSerI/AAAAAAAAO6A/xQ5dYuEGKno/s1600/Bless%2BThis%2BHome%2B-%2BCricut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="simple Bless This Home vinyl sign" border="0" height="584" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-U0kc8agu4/VWE6AmeSerI/AAAAAAAAO6A/xQ5dYuEGKno/s640/Bless%2BThis%2BHome%2B-%2BCricut.JPG" title="DIY vinyl Cricut wall art project "Bless This Home"" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had cut out this phrase some time</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">ago when the Cricut </span><span style="font-size: large;">Craftroom had</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it for free. (It's now available <a href="https://shop.cricut.com/en_us/catalog/product/view/sku/7001634" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for $1.99)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The three boards were cut at 3.5"x12.5"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">then glued and stapled together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After my acrylic paint dried, I placed</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the vinyl and made sure there were </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">no air bubbles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The vinyl on the paint is "moveable"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">at this point using transfer paper if</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">you need to adjust it but be careful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I then painted a thin coat of Mod Podge</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">over it, left it dry overnight and wrapped</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the cord around three times. The cord</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">is knotted in the back and stapled down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">when cutting vinyl on your Cricut,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">your blade should be at 3 and the </span></div>
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(I used my Cricut Expression)</div>
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<img alt="simple Bless This Home vinyl wall art" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-U0kc8agu4/VWE6AmeSerI/AAAAAAAAO6A/xQ5dYuEGKno/s400/Bless%2BThis%2BHome%2B-%2BCricut.JPG" title="Cricut vinyl sign" width="400" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you use an</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for you DIY projects?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #676767; font-family: lato, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></span></span></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-73835381889226524182016-07-01T06:00:00.000-04:002016-07-02T10:07:58.458-04:00Books to Read - The Summer Reading Program - Are you Signed Up?<span style="font-size: large;">I picked up a book at the library </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the other day and saw that their</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">summer reading program had </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">started...is it summer already?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love to read!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We even have a library </span><span style="font-size: large;">room in our </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">home; the shelves filled with classics </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and books </span><span style="font-size: large;">I want to read "someday"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...does </span><span style="font-size: large;">someday ever come????</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I signed up for the adult read!</span><br />
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/06/books-to-read-summer-reading-program.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RL8mNKXkb5M/V3RU7OTTa4I/AAAAAAAAPf8/uxPv0H7OwsYSkUsCoJZQB-80p4rsBmL8QCLcB/s400/Books_to_read-local_library_program.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we read at least eight books we'll</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">be entered to win some fun prizes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not too concerned with a prize</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but I did get a pretty lanyard just for</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">signing up!<i> score!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I'm challenging myself to read </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">eight books off my "someday" shelf!</span></div>
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/06/books-to-read-summer-reading-program.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiAXeN6ptgI/V3RTpL5AMbI/AAAAAAAAPfw/6rxZxhRSJSQzy-HkLao2ykJ6shChKN7-QCLcB/s400/Book_shelf_in_library.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My first book is John A. MacMillan's </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>The Authority of the Believer</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What will you be reading</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">over the summer?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Does your local library have a</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you signed up?</span></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-21734696073250953112016-06-29T11:00:00.000-04:002016-06-29T14:51:24.224-04:00Road Trip, a New Journal and Coming Soon on Five Simple Things!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Gosh, life gets busy, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">days go by and all of a sudden half the year is over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stop this crazy, spinning world for a moment, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I need to get off!</span></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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itG-edkcWPg/V3LkOE7aQcI/AAAAAAAAPeA/RV3S4XbQ2_8ORR6f4VZdt2-wFPl5ponlQCLcB/s1600/Road_Trip_Spring_2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="travel photos" border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itG-edkcWPg/V3LkOE7aQcI/AAAAAAAAPeA/RV3S4XbQ2_8ORR6f4VZdt2-wFPl5ponlQCLcB/s640/Road_Trip_Spring_2016.jpg" title="road trip VA" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia IS for Lovers!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So much has happened since I last spoke with you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've traveled the highways and by-ways of the U.S.A.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visited some lovely folk and saw some amazing </span><span style="font-size: large;">sites!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMeELwf5PUg/V3LmNkw3x4I/AAAAAAAAPeM/Q-e-VMTmdrw6B7yFe-5RZHMAEDn2bLmjwCLcB/s1600/Salt_River_Canyon_AZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Salt River Canyon" border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMeELwf5PUg/V3LmNkw3x4I/AAAAAAAAPeM/Q-e-VMTmdrw6B7yFe-5RZHMAEDn2bLmjwCLcB/s640/Salt_River_Canyon_AZ.jpg" title="road trip AZ" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arizona...but it's a dry heat!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then came home to massive gardening chores.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H63GXS2Gb4s/V3PPxfYaJBI/AAAAAAAAPeg/bNM02CzCzn4h3xpAbmkgj3nQbsTSwjLGwCLcB/s1600/Plants_2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="herbs and vegetables custom made garden box" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H63GXS2Gb4s/V3PPxfYaJBI/AAAAAAAAPeg/bNM02CzCzn4h3xpAbmkgj3nQbsTSwjLGwCLcB/s640/Plants_2016.jpg" title="elevated garden box veggies to plant" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel built me more garden boxes to fill!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Planting veggies, herbs, trees and bushes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're starting a bit late since we didn't want</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to plant everything before we traveled, so </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we'll see how it all turns out. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3enT2d_1VAg/V3PYKFdXvlI/AAAAAAAAPe8/6aiwIB4xsuEao6CSqZLNtXRZbM9GLBjFACLcB/s1600/Nursery_Gratz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3enT2d_1VAg/V3PYKFdXvlI/AAAAAAAAPe8/6aiwIB4xsuEao6CSqZLNtXRZbM9GLBjFACLcB/s640/Nursery_Gratz.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">purchasing trees & bushes at the nursery.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also started a new planner system to organize & </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">journal our exciting </span><span style="font-size: large;">life {{grin}}</span></div>
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<a href="https://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/04/my-to-do-list-altered-notebook-bella.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJG7FAnMeOQ/V3PiP97kLHI/AAAAAAAAPfM/2P66IKY-vPMKiMVrRigHWiXMmTePbEvYACLcB/s200/to-do_list_notebook-bullet_journal.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More on that later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought a new faith journal. I have always</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">just used a plain notebook but during our travels</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I came across this lovely little notebook and it </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">called to me & reminded me that I was on the last</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">pages of my current journal. kinda.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it pretty???</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5AaTM3zCX8/V3KZJriU44I/AAAAAAAAPdI/AUL05eoMMI0kCgbg8nN-AXwPm5D2MSAdQCLcB/s1600/Faith%2BJournal%2Bnew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bible journaling" border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5AaTM3zCX8/V3KZJriU44I/AAAAAAAAPdI/AUL05eoMMI0kCgbg8nN-AXwPm5D2MSAdQCLcB/s640/Faith%2BJournal%2Bnew.JPG" title="pretty new faith journal" width="508" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wanna see what my personal faith journal looks like</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">inside? Stay tuned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have some other fun things to share with you now</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that I'm back home and settled into my air-conditioned</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">lair for the summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great Wednesday!</span></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-14245383465311562272016-05-18T05:00:00.000-04:002016-05-18T05:00:27.371-04:00Super Moist Zucchini Bread - printable recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sharing a long-time family </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">favorite recipe today!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVMDsBP8Stk/VzugfFzCR2I/AAAAAAAAPKc/G3OppK4BAgcI9KLhgBCTVGT8trdx09KwwCLcB/s1600/zucc%2Bbread%2Bframed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="zucchini bread" border="0" height="206" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVMDsBP8Stk/VzugfFzCR2I/AAAAAAAAPKc/G3OppK4BAgcI9KLhgBCTVGT8trdx09KwwCLcB/s320/zucc%2Bbread%2Bframed.jpg" title="super moist zucchini bread" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When our garden explodes with </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">zucchini every summer, I work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">feverishly to process it for </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">freezer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shredding, measuring and bagging</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it with my beloved Food Saver!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The uniformly bagged zucchini </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">occupies a </span><span style="font-size: large;">designated corner of </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">our chest freezer to be used in a</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">variety of dishes throughout the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">year!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6xufpDNQlk/U9ruwfgQiUI/AAAAAAAAOaE/3mSoiLrDUNY/s1600/zucc+bread+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Easy Zucchini bread recipe" border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6xufpDNQlk/U9ruwfgQiUI/AAAAAAAAOaE/3mSoiLrDUNY/s1600/zucc+bread+2.jpg" title="Easy and Moist bread" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">zucchini bread</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Adding shredded zucchini to recipes </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">is a great way to increase your veggie </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">consumption as it doesn't have a </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, there are two main recipes </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">in our home that quickly deplete my </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">pretty little frozen piles; this super </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">moist zucchini </span><span style="font-size: large;">bread and our rather</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">sassy zucchini relish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both are well loved by adults, children</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and assorted family & friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I'll share our bread recipe...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Zucchini Bread</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/asimplefive/zucchini-bread?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1" target="_blank">printable recipe</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3 eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2 cups sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 cup oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3 cups zucchini, shredded</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3 teaspoons vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3 cups flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon baking Soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">¼ teaspoon baking Powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3 teaspoon cinnamon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 cup raisins (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven 350 degrees (Fahrenheit)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. Beat eggs until foamy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. Add sugar, mix well</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. Add remaining ingredients, mix well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grease & flour 8-9 mini loaf pans, fill half full.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bake @ 350° for 40-50 minutes.</span></div>
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~Maria Matter <i>http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lAebpJv3-k/U9ruEBQ_HuI/AAAAAAAAOZ8/aB6zUPjEIUk/s1600/zucc+bread+framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zucchini bread recipe, easy to make" border="0" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lAebpJv3-k/U9ruEBQ_HuI/AAAAAAAAOZ8/aB6zUPjEIUk/s640/zucc+bread+framed.jpg" title="Super Moist Zucchini Bread with printable recipe" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to pin it for this summer's</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">zucchini harvest!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you a</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zucchini lover?</span></div>
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<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-63593039340664431992016-05-12T05:00:00.000-04:002016-05-12T05:00:18.994-04:00Easy Crockpot Mushrooms with Ranch & Parmesan - 4 ingredients<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A simple mushroom recipe!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOdVyJNPIKY/VzOKGeLtZtI/AAAAAAAAPJk/AI9yXAFp9lke2RDKRN8_mRQC6ICW3owMgCLcB/s1600/mushrooms-framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="steak and shrooms, green beans, easy recipes" border="0" height="252" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOdVyJNPIKY/VzOKGeLtZtI/AAAAAAAAPJk/AI9yXAFp9lke2RDKRN8_mRQC6ICW3owMgCLcB/s320/mushrooms-framed.jpg" title="crockpot mushrooms" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am a carnivore!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">yep, I'm a red meat </span><span style="font-size: large;">eater and </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">if that red </span><span style="font-size: large;">meat is in the form</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">of a steak, all the better...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and if that steak is topped with</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">savory mushrooms...well, that's the best!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Only 4 Ingredients</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6tAAcRedJQ/VzOLDws2CFI/AAAAAAAAPJ4/3ssHdtop7FcGxhN2L3tnYQ3lPk6kGEhvwCLcB/s1600/crockpot-mushrooms-ingred..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6tAAcRedJQ/VzOLDws2CFI/AAAAAAAAPJ4/3ssHdtop7FcGxhN2L3tnYQ3lPk6kGEhvwCLcB/s320/crockpot-mushrooms-ingred..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Simply combine the four </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">ingredients in a crockpot for </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">four hours then serve!</span></div>
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/05/easy-crockpot-mushrooms-with-ranch.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PM1POC0PmXM/VzOKQkIC5JI/AAAAAAAAPJw/TjOZNnakIm0utHoWJLydzsX_Fb1ew_TmACLcB/s640/Mushrooms-Ranch-dressing-mix.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You can slice the mushrooms </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">or leave them whole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I used mushrooms I had </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">processed and froze from</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">this past year and they were</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">actually still a bit frozen </span><span style="font-size: large;">when </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I put them in the crockpot. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So fresh or frozen, though </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">fresh is just a bit better! (:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ItUd9EWbCOA/VzOKOlXgB9I/AAAAAAAAPJs/10JEkE0SQMIg9ae__vLXtG7ZTy80hXLbgCLcB/s1600/mushrooms-served-atop-steak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="steak and mushrooms, Crockpot recipe mushroom, Parmesan cheese, ranch dressing mix" border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ItUd9EWbCOA/VzOKOlXgB9I/AAAAAAAAPJs/10JEkE0SQMIg9ae__vLXtG7ZTy80hXLbgCLcB/s640/mushrooms-served-atop-steak.JPG" title="Easy Crockpot mushroom recipe" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's the handy dandy recipe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Crockpot Mushrooms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/asimplefive/crockpot-mushrooms?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1" target="_blank">printable recipe</a>) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 pound mushrooms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">½ cup (1 stick) butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 ounce (6 tsp.) ranch dressing mix (powder)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese, grated</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Cook 4 hours on high in Crockpot or until tender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*note: if you're <u>not</u> using them immediately,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">refrigerate in all their juices to reheat later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maria Matter </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOdVyJNPIKY/VzOKGeLtZtI/AAAAAAAAPJ0/Re1qU8HyUv8P67ABsZBnmgl5kJ905hctACKgB/s1600/mushrooms-framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kraft Parmesan cheese, Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix, Steak and mushrooms, slow cooker recipe " border="0" height="506" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOdVyJNPIKY/VzOKGeLtZtI/AAAAAAAAPJ0/Re1qU8HyUv8P67ABsZBnmgl5kJ905hctACKgB/s640/mushrooms-framed.jpg" title="4 ingredients Crockpot mushrooms with Ranch" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like easy recipes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out my </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mariamatter/easy-recipes/" target="_blank">Easy Recipes</a>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">board on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mariamatter/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.</span></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-5738812010963913852016-05-10T00:01:00.000-04:002016-05-10T00:01:07.066-04:00Birthday Cardmaking with My Mind's Eye and Paper Smooches!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Quick morning cardmaking!</span></div>
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMMQk2Rxffw/VzDU-tCpVgI/AAAAAAAAPJQ/tMDi9deHsBUQoNZtjJdp6iLCqACk1j94gCKgB/s200/Hey-Chickie-2.JPG" width="172" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I decluttered my crafting </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">supplies, oh my, I found that I </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">had somewhat of a paper fetish!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, with so many designer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">paper pads it's quite easy to be</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">inspired.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For this birthday card, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">MME's Happy Day pad</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">caught my eye.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Hey Chickie!</b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMMQk2Rxffw/VzDU-tCpVgI/AAAAAAAAPJQ/hgLHNhkLUJYPLYyybUKGDoAnyn3mFhANwCLcB/s1600/Hey-Chickie-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a quick birthday card, CAS, Paper Smooches stamps, My Mind's Eye Happy Day papers" border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMMQk2Rxffw/VzDU-tCpVgI/AAAAAAAAPJQ/hgLHNhkLUJYPLYyybUKGDoAnyn3mFhANwCLcB/s640/Hey-Chickie-2.JPG" title="Quick Birthday Card - Paper Smooches, MME" width="552" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mind's Eye-Happy Day papers, <a href="http://shop.thetwinery.com/product/lemondrop-yellow-white-bakers-twine" target="_blank">The Twinery twine</a>,<br />
Paper Smooches-<a href="http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/Chubby_Chums_p/m2s-11-016.htm" target="_blank">Chubby Chums</a>, Memento ink</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So <strike>tweet</strike> sweet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyone else have </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">a paper fetish?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know I'm not alone </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on this one! </span></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-6418774558731282402016-05-03T00:01:00.000-04:002016-05-03T00:01:10.625-04:00Giant Soft Sugar Cookies - Printable Recipe<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">Giant Soft Sugar Cookies...are there four sweeter words?!</span></div>
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/04/giant-soft-sugar-cookies-printable.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcdcHKcdmyU/VyFRIqwT_yI/AAAAAAAAPH8/RQMBTiE7sq8iQli0IaUACltLf89Bb9xsgCLcB/s320/Giant-sugar-cookies-vintage-cake-carrier-framed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Excluding chocolate chip cookies, these are my favorites!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have a local grocery store that sells giant sugar cookies, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">six to a plastic box. When the kids were little, it would be a </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">treat to buy a box so we each would get one giant cookie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then we found this recipe...and OH are they good...and soft! </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ACREAy4L28/VyFVmKsDumI/AAAAAAAAPII/usa-vs15tI0NQBxSXjNsdaN4GkTLPAuggCLcB/s1600/Giant-Sugar%2B-Cookies-wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="baking extra big extra soft sugar cookies" border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ACREAy4L28/VyFVmKsDumI/AAAAAAAAPII/usa-vs15tI0NQBxSXjNsdaN4GkTLPAuggCLcB/s640/Giant-Sugar%2B-Cookies-wm.jpg" title="Giant Sugar Cookies" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you can see from the title, the cookies are to be made</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">giant, larger than your average cookie, but I promise the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cookie police will not show up at your door if you choose</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to make them regular size. (:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They just seem a bit more special when you can fill up </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a plate with four cookies. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gam_PJVqThA/VyFV0KmjnfI/AAAAAAAAPIU/-VZJhaV59TAAX8cNKCkJNSNtKILbbUkSwCKgB/s1600/Giant-sugar-cookies-vintage-cake-carrier-wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="huge, extra large, drop sugar cookies" border="0" height="586" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gam_PJVqThA/VyFV0KmjnfI/AAAAAAAAPIU/-VZJhaV59TAAX8cNKCkJNSNtKILbbUkSwCKgB/s640/Giant-sugar-cookies-vintage-cake-carrier-wm.jpg" title="Soft Sugar Cookie recipe" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's the handy dandy recipe!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Giant Soft Sugar Cookies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/asimplefive/giant-soft-sugar-cookies?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1" target="_blank">printable recipe</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">makes 24 cookies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1<span style="text-align: center;">½ cups sugar</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ¾ cups butter, melted</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 2 eggs</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 1 cup buttermilk*</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 1 tsp vanilla</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 3 cups flour</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> dash of salt</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 1 tsp baking soda</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> coarse sugar for topping</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cream together sugar, butter & eggs</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add buttermilk, mix well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add vanilla, mix</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Combine flour, salt & soda.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add dry ingredients to bowl, mix well on LOW speed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drop large spoonfuls of batter on parchment papered</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">cookie sheets. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sprinkle with coarse sugar on cookies before baking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bake @ 350</span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">° for 10 minutes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maria Matter @ </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*substitute buttermilk </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">with 1 cup milk + 1 Tablespoon vinegar, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">let set for a few minutes before adding to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the recipe. works great!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcdcHKcdmyU/VyFRIqwT_yI/AAAAAAAAPIA/2Dn-P3g5HJMcPPcTzfmeK5LlYaOjfpm6gCKgB/s1600/Giant-sugar-cookies-vintage-cake-carrier-framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="easy recipe for soft sugar cookies" border="0" height="411" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcdcHKcdmyU/VyFRIqwT_yI/AAAAAAAAPIA/2Dn-P3g5HJMcPPcTzfmeK5LlYaOjfpm6gCKgB/s640/Giant-sugar-cookies-vintage-cake-carrier-framed.jpg" title="Printable Recipe - Giant Sugar Cookies" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Super easy to make, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">super easy to eat, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and they share well!</span></div>
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<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/04/giant-soft-sugar-cookies-printable.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdkhE73O7Xw/VyFcrw2JQbI/AAAAAAAAPIg/J38CPvXpNU4Jy_GCXFD6IL0OuZeezwZlACLcB/s400/Giant-Sugar-Cookies-2-wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">What's your favorite </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cookie</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">?</span></span></div>
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<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-16357864947132386152016-04-26T00:01:00.000-04:002016-04-26T00:01:27.863-04:00A Rubber Ducky Baby card - Cricut Craft Room<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My <i>Doodlebug Designs</i> papers are at it again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shared a <a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-clean-and-simple-doodlebug-baby.html" target="_blank">CAS baby card</a> the other week and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here's the second one in my "baby series!"</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zz10cOWFswA/Vx6X75SZhEI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/Vqoz9DoZn5c5x76mNymjFK3jAI5nLjKSQCKgB/s1600/rubber-ducky-baby-card%2B-wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="baby card using a Cricut die cut duck" border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zz10cOWFswA/Vx6X75SZhEI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/Vqoz9DoZn5c5x76mNymjFK3jAI5nLjKSQCKgB/s320/rubber-ducky-baby-card%2B-wm.jpg" title="Rubber Ducky baby card" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This sweet little rubber ducky die cut was made</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">using my beloved Cricut and a free cart from</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Cricut Craft Room. </span></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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BHE1xCTUTn4/Vx6X37mjv3I/AAAAAAAAPHM/Cl1z3FHfgREnL6bKHEmP4ijPZ0kOWGrzQCLcB/s1600/rubber-ducky-baby-card-Cricut-wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="baby card using the free software from Cricut" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BHE1xCTUTn4/Vx6X37mjv3I/AAAAAAAAPHM/Cl1z3FHfgREnL6bKHEmP4ijPZ0kOWGrzQCLcB/s640/rubber-ducky-baby-card-Cricut-wm.jpg" title="Cricut Craft Room baby card" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 12.32px; line-height: 17.248px;">Cricut Craft Room basics, Cricut, Inkadinkado sentiment stamp,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 12.32px; line-height: 17.248px;" /><a href="http://www.doodlebug.ws/Catalog/Catalog.aspx?CatID=1711" style="background-color: white; color: #33aaff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 12.32px; line-height: 17.248px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Doodlebug Designs</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 12.32px; line-height: 17.248px;"> paper (Snips & Snails),<br />kraft cardstock, flower button, jute twine</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rubber ducky song kept going through my</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">head as I was making this card.</span></div>
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<i>Rubber Ducky you're the one,</i></div>
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<i>you make bath time lots of fun...</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zz10cOWFswA/Vx6X75SZhEI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/adLYyH1b1tcP6ZPcI6bgWYHvREZbgcYtQCLcB/s1600/rubber-ducky-baby-card%2B-wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Congratulations baby card, with Doodlebug Designs paper, Inkadinkado stamps" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zz10cOWFswA/Vx6X75SZhEI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/adLYyH1b1tcP6ZPcI6bgWYHvREZbgcYtQCLcB/s640/rubber-ducky-baby-card%2B-wm.jpg" title="Rubber Duck Cricut baby card" width="542" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this post brought a little smile to your face!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This baby card series will </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">continue in the coming </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">weeks. (:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you own a Cricut,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">have you ever used the free</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">online Cricut Craft Room?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></span></div>
</div>
Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-18088461014596638382016-04-22T09:00:00.000-04:002016-05-02T16:45:16.259-04:00My TO-DO List Altered notebook - Bella BLVD<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Earth Day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's a fun little recycle/upcycle - reuse</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">project I've been wanting to share.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9uz8wn07vc/Vw--T08zkFI/AAAAAAAAPEk/s8017twr8V0sUjPGRmyf-NYGmauyx19GQCKgB/s1600/notebook%2Bspring%2B16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9uz8wn07vc/Vw--T08zkFI/AAAAAAAAPEk/s8017twr8V0sUjPGRmyf-NYGmauyx19GQCKgB/s200/notebook%2Bspring%2B16.JPG" title="" width="163" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am an admitted list-maker, yep, it's right there</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on my "<a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">About Me</a>" page! Lists are a constant in</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mind naturally works in lists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I have a project to do, I see the steps in</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">list form before my pen even hits paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So where does a prolific list-maker keep her lists?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Notebooks!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9uz8wn07vc/Vw--T08zkFI/AAAAAAAAPEk/poezoz--Y9oUP85BeBI-sd4lpiE-bdtDQCLcB/s1600/notebook%2Bspring%2B16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="altering a notebook, recycle, my to do list notebook" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9uz8wn07vc/Vw--T08zkFI/AAAAAAAAPEk/poezoz--Y9oUP85BeBI-sd4lpiE-bdtDQCLcB/s640/notebook%2Bspring%2B16.JPG" title="My TO-DO list notebook" width="524" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I'm a crafter too, so they need to be</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">embellished notebooks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I make one for each season. (:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BU-hefirqdY/Vxk1YCCq2wI/AAAAAAAAPGU/irtKnZPpAzAsUae2XU5SPWYIBEEl3OeiwCLcB/s1600/notebooks%2Bfor%2Bsummer%2B15%2Bwinter%2B16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BU-hefirqdY/Vxk1YCCq2wI/AAAAAAAAPGU/irtKnZPpAzAsUae2XU5SPWYIBEEl3OeiwCLcB/s400/notebooks%2Bfor%2Bsummer%2B15%2Bwinter%2B16.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">notebooks - Summer '15 & Winter '16</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Recycling or is it Upcycling?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I use the kids old composition books; they </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">never use all the pages. Would that be </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">recycling or upcycling?</span></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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WBvARX7YLk/VxlNNxJCjUI/AAAAAAAAPGs/rp0Gd-z5ETEJe8wHH9fDZZ9bBleivK3aACLcB/s1600/notebook%2Brecycle%2Breuse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WBvARX7YLk/VxlNNxJCjUI/AAAAAAAAPGs/rp0Gd-z5ETEJe8wHH9fDZZ9bBleivK3aACLcB/s400/notebook%2Brecycle%2Breuse.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Upcycling the kids old notebooks.<br />The used pages are carefully cut out and<br />the cover is joyfully altered.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most notebooks have more than half of</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">their pages unused, in that case I just </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">alter the cover. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, my current edition was pretty</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">much thinned out so I made a quick </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bookcover from kraft wrapping paper.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This will allow me to transfer </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">my spring </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cover to another book when this one</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is finished before the end of the season.</span></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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhe-7UViaeU/Vw--RuwtunI/AAAAAAAAPEg/J7nzVXCDNVwp7C2DZg8FuTBw2dODTKfDwCLcB/s1600/notebook%2Bcover%2Bkraft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhe-7UViaeU/Vw--RuwtunI/AAAAAAAAPEg/J7nzVXCDNVwp7C2DZg8FuTBw2dODTKfDwCLcB/s640/notebook%2Bcover%2Bkraft.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">creating a kraft paper book cover</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ironically, some of Bella Blvd's <u>winter</u> papers </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">were perfect for my <u>spring</u> notebook!</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLgg4rQCq7k/Vw--aXa9w9I/AAAAAAAAPEo/UQztWGYRw9QSC-PXOrhm5MkJMt7zCJIVwCLcB/s1600/notebook%2Bopen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLgg4rQCq7k/Vw--aXa9w9I/AAAAAAAAPEo/UQztWGYRw9QSC-PXOrhm5MkJMt7zCJIVwCLcB/s640/notebook%2Bopen.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bella Blvd Winter Wonder </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">design papers were</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">used, earlier in the year, for both my winter notebook </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">my 2016 daily planner, I really </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">liked the color scheme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--03er64w9d8/Vxk1bepSEYI/AAAAAAAAPGY/h7071EixxfQMfWhr2sILwYQZyo8kfERZgCLcB/s1600/notebook%2Bwinter%2B16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--03er64w9d8/Vxk1bepSEYI/AAAAAAAAPGY/h7071EixxfQMfWhr2sILwYQZyo8kfERZgCLcB/s640/notebook%2Bwinter%2B16.JPG" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Winter '16 with Bella Blvd design papers</span><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUA0ViPvOpE/Vw--doJdzyI/AAAAAAAAPEs/X_x3BEWCu0Y0ddpqbBKh2NuK9Wzgn6c2wCLcB/s1600/Planner%2BDaily%2B2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUA0ViPvOpE/Vw--doJdzyI/AAAAAAAAPEs/X_x3BEWCu0Y0ddpqbBKh2NuK9Wzgn6c2wCLcB/s640/Planner%2BDaily%2B2016.JPG" width="552" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2016 daily planner using Bella Blvd Winter Wonder papers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9uz8wn07vc/Vw--T08zkFI/AAAAAAAAPEk/poezoz--Y9oUP85BeBI-sd4lpiE-bdtDQCLcB/s1600/notebook%2Bspring%2B16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9uz8wn07vc/Vw--T08zkFI/AAAAAAAAPEk/poezoz--Y9oUP85BeBI-sd4lpiE-bdtDQCLcB/s640/notebook%2Bspring%2B16.JPG" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring 2016 To-Do list notebook</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you a list-maker?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you keep notebooks of notes?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">For more fun projects...</span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</i></div>
</div>
Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-33983568544013163892016-04-20T11:30:00.000-04:002016-04-20T11:30:21.913-04:005 Favorite Books from My Childhood<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've been de-cluttering our home for the last two </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">years. I think I can claim that I'm a minimalist now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a lot of work but it feels sooo good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And you find things you haven't seen in years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mother had kept my favorite childhood books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to pass onto my children, hoping they would enjoy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them as much as I did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm happy to report, they loved them too!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qAs_HpAtc0/VxeOziEw8UI/AAAAAAAAPFw/C_jsxeolLQkGp_EIk-J-yAJWg_RzRpmBACLcB/s1600/Gus%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qAs_HpAtc0/VxeOziEw8UI/AAAAAAAAPFw/C_jsxeolLQkGp_EIk-J-yAJWg_RzRpmBACLcB/s400/Gus%2B2.JPG" width="375" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gus was a Friendly Ghost</b> - I loved how kind Gus </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was and how patient he was with that mouse!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9J1pYkBDjPE/VxeO8zfj1DI/AAAAAAAAPF4/22jmA5doynQVlOtPT16Gx5Mpccr98RuygCLcB/s1600/living%2Bin%2Ba%2Bhse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9J1pYkBDjPE/VxeO8zfj1DI/AAAAAAAAPF4/22jmA5doynQVlOtPT16Gx5Mpccr98RuygCLcB/s400/living%2Bin%2Ba%2Bhse.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We Were Tired of Living in a House</b> - this was</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">such a wonderful adventure to me and gave me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a warm, cozy feeling when they ended up back</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> home. Ooops, maybe I should have labeled</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that a "spoiler alert"! (:</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzXAg1RNcMU/VxeO9TTuG_I/AAAAAAAAPGA/7-lb9MMZ2AI3aGuZ8itG75DijUSRjpQ6QCLcB/s1600/monkey%2Band%2Bcroc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzXAg1RNcMU/VxeO9TTuG_I/AAAAAAAAPGA/7-lb9MMZ2AI3aGuZ8itG75DijUSRjpQ6QCLcB/s400/monkey%2Band%2Bcroc.JPG" width="371" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Monkey and the Crocodile</b> - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was impressed at how clever the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">monkey was!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Han7BoQ3dpY/VxeO80FFAKI/AAAAAAAAPGM/lxb39C5NrjEMl6gxOcaEXlVIU265FK6uwCKgB/s1600/down%2Bthe%2Bmtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Han7BoQ3dpY/VxeO80FFAKI/AAAAAAAAPGM/lxb39C5NrjEMl6gxOcaEXlVIU265FK6uwCKgB/s400/down%2Bthe%2Bmtn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Down Down The Mountain</b> -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">such a sweet story and a great</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lesson that generosity is somehow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">always rewarded. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dt19l7D7EE4/VxeO8zzvIXI/AAAAAAAAPGE/kwml1e4KLPM4Lnk5qj-NLaT-9OgfrbzVgCKgB/s1600/frog%2Bprince.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dt19l7D7EE4/VxeO8zzvIXI/AAAAAAAAPGE/kwml1e4KLPM4Lnk5qj-NLaT-9OgfrbzVgCKgB/s400/frog%2Bprince.JPG" width="361" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Strange Story of The Frog Who Became a Prince</b> -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not sure why I like this book so much, maybe the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">black & white sketch-like drawings or maybe it was just</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a funny story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll admit...when de-cluttering uncovered these books,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read through each one...and enjoyed them all over </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">again! (:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessings!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you remember your</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">favorite childhood books?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-85460664581220312982016-04-19T11:00:00.000-04:002016-04-19T11:00:00.178-04:00Cheesy Bacon Quiche - Printable Recipe<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Quiche is one of my go-to meals!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I have an easy one to share with you today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2_0Jf33lKA/VxVpI0C_IqI/AAAAAAAAPFE/TY6pj2YydgkHq5wFApMoPRr1GwNDQLpdgCLcB/s1600/Quiche%2Bovervw%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a basic quiche recipe Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Quiche" border="0" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2_0Jf33lKA/VxVpI0C_IqI/AAAAAAAAPFE/TY6pj2YydgkHq5wFApMoPRr1GwNDQLpdgCLcB/s400/Quiche%2Bovervw%2B2.JPG" title="Cheesy Bacon Quiche printable recipe" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> quiche: (keesh) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> is an open-face pastry crust with a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> filling of eggs and milk which, when</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> baked, becomes a custard. It can be </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> made with vegetables, meat and seafood.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This definition tells me that as long as I have</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">milk and eggs, I can pretty much dump any</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">thing else I have in a pie crust and have </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dinner on the table in about 30 minutes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's a winner in my book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the fact that you can "customize"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">your quiche for your family puts this</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">meal over the top!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today's recipe is a very basic one, you could </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">switch out the bacon for any meat or seafood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and use any cheese that compliments the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">protein you chose.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">OR</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Use whatever you have on hand; leftovers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">work great!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80W6kbsm4cI/VxV1aV9oMyI/AAAAAAAAPFU/cAnHO7apTk4m_1IYMkb6I3dUFr3cioPcACKgB/s1600/Quiche%2Bbacon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="chopping bacon for quiche" border="0" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80W6kbsm4cI/VxV1aV9oMyI/AAAAAAAAPFU/cAnHO7apTk4m_1IYMkb6I3dUFr3cioPcACKgB/s400/Quiche%2Bbacon.JPG" title="extra bacon" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My hubby likes to make a big breakfast for the family</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over the weekend; bacon, eggs, pancakes and french</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">toast. Its a regular breakfast bar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this past weekend, I asked him to make some extra</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bacon so I could make quiche this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, you would have thought I spoke in a foreign </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">language, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">both my son & hubby cocked their </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">heads and in unison said, "There is no such</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thing as "extra" bacon!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ooookay!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I just bagged some up before bringing it </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to the breakfast table and no one even noticed</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This quiche starts simply by putting your pie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">crust in the pie plate. Homemade crust or</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">store bought, both work fine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LvckQDhNZXg/VxV1a2J9UKI/AAAAAAAAPFg/AIdgycu9yQg9YWTtnW_vjV39q2KTM3u6wCLcB/s1600/Quiche%2Bprep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="add bacon and shredded cheddar to pie crust" border="0" height="302" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LvckQDhNZXg/VxV1a2J9UKI/AAAAAAAAPFg/AIdgycu9yQg9YWTtnW_vjV39q2KTM3u6wCLcB/s400/Quiche%2Bprep.JPG" title="quick quiche prep" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feel free to make a pretty crimped edge,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just throw my store bought crust in this</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">time and didn't worry about the pretty part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then <strike>toss</strike> gently place your bacon and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shredded cheese in the crust.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beat your eggs, milk, salt and pepper together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and pour it into the crust.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hu9auYQk0Qw/VxV1akzM1oI/AAAAAAAAPFk/B-fMV9DRrh0PY5h8vCHdUABrM823WNwWACKgB/s1600/Quiche%2Bovervw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cut piece of baked cheesy bacon quiche" border="0" height="336" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hu9auYQk0Qw/VxV1akzM1oI/AAAAAAAAPFk/B-fMV9DRrh0PY5h8vCHdUABrM823WNwWACKgB/s400/Quiche%2Bovervw.JPG" title="baked cheesy bacon quiche" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pop it in the oven and in about 30 minutes you'll</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">be enjoying a yummy meal with your family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's that easy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GdpeYwZZsFM/VxV1aY8WdfI/AAAAAAAAPFc/Ft_h5dFeNyY-xQI2dgQlFturVQkuKJ9WQCKgB/s1600/Quiche%2Bpc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="have a piece cheesy bacon quiche" border="0" height="271" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GdpeYwZZsFM/VxV1aY8WdfI/AAAAAAAAPFc/Ft_h5dFeNyY-xQI2dgQlFturVQkuKJ9WQCKgB/s400/Quiche%2Bpc.JPG" title="a piece of baked cheesy bacon quiche" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's the handy dandy printable recipe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you'll give it a try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blessings!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cheesy Bacon Quiche</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/asimplefive/cheesy-bacon-quiche?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1" target="_blank">printable recipe</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pastry for 9 inch pie</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5-6 stripes of bacon, cooked and crumbled/chopped</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon salt</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">½ teaspoon ground black pepper</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 large eggs, beaten</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">½ </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">cup milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">Directions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">1. Preheat oven, 375 degrees</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">2. Fit pie crust into pie plate, fold ends under and crimp.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">3. Spread shredded cheese and bacon evenly in pie crust.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">4. Beat salt, pepper, eggs and milk until well blended,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">5. Pour over cheese and bacon in pie plate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">Bake 30-40 minutes or until set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">yield: 6 servings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">Maria Matter </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;">@ </span><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2_0Jf33lKA/VxVpI0C_IqI/AAAAAAAAPFI/7nlw53nKKqA1SQWnPwEqbic_DXOe0LfkQCKgB/s1600/Quiche%2Bovervw%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="quiche recipe" border="0" height="486" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2_0Jf33lKA/VxVpI0C_IqI/AAAAAAAAPFI/7nlw53nKKqA1SQWnPwEqbic_DXOe0LfkQCKgB/s640/Quiche%2Bovervw%2B2.JPG" title="Cheesy Bacon Quiche a basic quiche recipe" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you like this recipe,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">be sure to check out my</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2015/01/sausage-cheddar-quiche-printable-recipe.html" target="_blank">Sausage Cheddar Quiche</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it's a bit more spicy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's your go-to meal?</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.</span></i></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-90048933260495547702016-04-13T12:00:00.000-04:002016-04-25T18:39:09.532-04:00A Clean and Simple Doodlebug Baby<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIQz5Nn_SXE/Vw5QlJMverI/AAAAAAAAPEU/AGwC9YuzC4o0R9-oiUyOLHSGJC2aFpJng/s1600/A%2BCAS%2BDoodlebug%2BBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CAS baby card, Doodlebug Designs, MFT" border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIQz5Nn_SXE/Vw5QlJMverI/AAAAAAAAPEU/AGwC9YuzC4o0R9-oiUyOLHSGJC2aFpJng/s200/A%2BCAS%2BDoodlebug%2BBaby.jpg" title="CAS baby card" width="173" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A CAS baby card</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The end of the world is NOT near!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I just thought I would put that out there today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How do I know?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because of the un-naturally high number</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of babies being born over the next few</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">months to friends & loved ones!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With all that new freshness coming into our</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">world...the world can't possibly be near it's end!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIQz5Nn_SXE/Vw5QlJMverI/AAAAAAAAPEQ/FHHGVOCY8GoMsDwvCRVAgyGaKFaVDMeeACLcB/s1600/A%2BCAS%2BDoodlebug%2BBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="CAS baby card made with Cricut, Doodlebug Designs paper, My Favorite Things stamps" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIQz5Nn_SXE/Vw5QlJMverI/AAAAAAAAPEQ/FHHGVOCY8GoMsDwvCRVAgyGaKFaVDMeeACLcB/s640/A%2BCAS%2BDoodlebug%2BBaby.jpg" title="A Clean and Simple Doodlebug Designs Baby Card" width="553" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cricut Craft Room basics, Cricut, Memento ink,<br />
<a href="http://www.doodlebug.ws/Catalog/Catalog.aspx?CatID=1711" target="_blank">Doodlebug Designs</a> paper (Snips & Snails),<br />
<a href="http://www.mftstamps.com/" target="_blank">My Favorite Things</a> (DC stamps: notched tags)</td></tr>
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CAS (clean and simple) cards are </div>
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definitely my go-to approach to</div>
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cardmaking, it fits nicely with</div>
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my minimalistic lifestyle!</div>
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Doodlebug Designs: Snips & Snails paper </div>
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was perfect for all the baby boys cards I </div>
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crafted; love this monkey print!</div>
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Then I used my beloved Cricut and the </div>
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Cricut Craft Room basics cart, available</div>
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for free online, to cut my little onesies.</div>
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This design would be great for mass </div>
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production but I wanted to get a bit </div>
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creative with each of the cards I made.</div>
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Stay tuned for a "series" of baby cards</div>
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over the next few weeks!</div>
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Thanks for stopping by, have a blessed day!</div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722743289738477996.post-57048866154333241142016-04-11T15:00:00.000-04:002016-04-12T13:07:17.131-04:00Springtime Centerpiece - Chicken Wire Flower Cage<div style="text-align: center;">
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Spring has sprung!</div>
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So I thought it appropriate to dust the </div>
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cobwebs from my blog and say HELLO!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCChBk4ZFM4/VvxpJt7LnrI/AAAAAAAAPCs/806ppFSJDCoaF5nFNCtG-BISAkvtSTq-g/s1600/forsythia%2Bwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="forsythia bush" border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCChBk4ZFM4/VvxpJt7LnrI/AAAAAAAAPCs/806ppFSJDCoaF5nFNCtG-BISAkvtSTq-g/s400/forsythia%2Bwm.jpg" title="forsythia bush" width="400" /></a></div>
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This past winter season was a busy one<br />
in our home, more on that later but I<br />
wanted to share <b>my first spring project</b><br />
with you.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Chicken Wire Flower Cage</span></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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7sS83wPN-M/Vvxyf6laHcI/AAAAAAAAPC8/2af4_6UTzBEa_abfYOw5NHHFfDSEjpvCA/s1600/spring%2Bflower%2Bcage%2Bwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="recycled bottles wood and chicken wire for a springtime flower centerpiece" border="0" height="314" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7sS83wPN-M/Vvxyf6laHcI/AAAAAAAAPC8/2af4_6UTzBEa_abfYOw5NHHFfDSEjpvCA/s640/spring%2Bflower%2Bcage%2Bwm.jpg" title="Springtime Centerpiece Chicken Wire Flower Cage" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">centerpiece using recycled bottles</td></tr>
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My original idea was to place</div>
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single stem flowers in plain </div>
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clear bottles spaced across my</div>
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table. Cute idea, right?</div>
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Turns out it was not very practical </div>
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once I needed to move them every</div>
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evening for meal time. So hubby </div>
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made me this sweet chicken wire cage!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So simple but I'm lovin' it!</span></div>
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<u>general materials used:</u><br />
soda/beer bottles, labels removed.<br />
flower bouquet (Walmart $3.00),<br />
snipped to separate stems.<br />
scrap wood.<br />
chicken wire.<br />
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*side note...we have a very long<br />
farm table (nine foot long) so I<br />
needed at least seven bottles to<br />
make the piece look right. If you<br />
have a normal size dining room table,<br />
and you wanted to make a similar<br />
centerpiece you could probably get<br />
away with using only 3 to 5 bottles.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMlN3_ER9Wg/Vwvu1p2zZDI/AAAAAAAAPDo/ZGkdL81DNx0lVGo1lLX-HFx0FkZgOePqw/s1600/spring%2Bflower%2Bcage%2Btitled%2Bwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="springtime centerpiece chicken wire flower cage recycled " border="0" height="195" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMlN3_ER9Wg/Vwvu1p2zZDI/AAAAAAAAPDo/ZGkdL81DNx0lVGo1lLX-HFx0FkZgOePqw/s400/spring%2Bflower%2Bcage%2Btitled%2Bwm.jpg" title="Springtime Centerpiece, Chicken Wire Flower Cage" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet & Simple</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do you think?</span></div>
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Maria Matterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02845915281160333904noreply@blogger.com2