tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859167656726797622024-03-13T11:19:53.498-04:00 Sharm's OutletUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger661125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-73041344430026921552018-09-06T10:25:00.000-04:002018-09-06T10:25:03.189-04:00Plant Rehab Continues. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am planting a few more succulents I have rescued from my visit to the store. I have done the potting most and had three more, and I think that is all for this summer/fall of 2018. </div>
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I have created almost like an altar for my crazy collection of plants. I am enjoying them very thoroughly. I can't wait to record the progress of these tiny plants in the future. I hope I won't put them to rest! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-42662195865337260772018-09-05T10:27:00.001-04:002018-09-05T10:27:24.686-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am beginning to enjoy my morning walks, and they are just around my neighborhood. I am so happy that I can walk without excruciating pain in my legs. Each week I am adding a bit more to my morning walk like walking around another block or training to carry weights less than 5 lbs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am also noticing the nature. How some individuals have gone out of the way to take care of their gardens. I am fortunate to friends with a few expert gardeners in the town. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have so much work in our garden to get done during this fall, and I genuinely think I can if I can make more progress on my health. I couldn't help myself today by taking a few of these pictures during my walk. The cactuses called me to stop and adore them, and that is what I exactly did here. Morning glories are so beautiful and peaking them through the white picket fence was like out of this world. How could anyone past them not capture their delicate beauty? Nature has its way of healing, and I cannot walk by not taking it entirely. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-75490707957511453082018-09-04T13:07:00.001-04:002018-09-05T10:28:01.554-04:00Indoor Plants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I developed a love of planting when I was very young. It all started way back in Sri Lanka. I remember when I left my home I had collected many including outdoor and indoor plants. I would rotate them by bringing them inside. When I moved to the US, I began to answer this nature calling by taking a few cuttings from a parent dinner night from a former student, and the rest was history. I went to a creating a jungle. I recall that I moved with my plant collection. My son used to enjoy watering the plants when I stick them outside for summer. Then I had to make this big move from VA to NY - Long Island I gave my jungle away to friends and family. I decided never to have any house plants it was hard, I had a great collection of African violets, and they died due to my traveling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am rekindling my love for plants for the past few years. I have a tiny collection some I keep at work and some I stay at home. I mainly take care of rehab plants in other words plants that need some attention. However, I have also purchased a few. I hope I won't get too crazy about my interest in plants. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To my surprise, I find my daughter wants to keep a couple in her room, and how could I resist her interest. Well, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Here I am rooting/ rehabilitating a few succulents, Devil's ivy (Epipremnum), and Silver Pothos, (Pothos Argenteus) are a handful of ubiquitous houseplants. </span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-25027158909882881222017-11-20T17:36:00.000-05:002017-11-20T17:38:29.207-05:00Thanksgiving Menu 2017 <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Bradley Hand"; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Thanksgiving Menu 2017 </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Thanksgiving Meal 2017 Created by Nicolette and Amma</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Hearts of Romaine with Crisp Red Apples, Celery and Cider Vinaigrette</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">New England Clam Chowder</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Linguiça Sausage stuffing with mushrooms and Caramelized Onions</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sweet Potato Purée with Pecan Streusel </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Green Beans with Lemon-Butter Bread Crumbs and Toasted Almonds </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Key Lime Custard Tart</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Honey Roasted Bosc Pears with Sticky Toffee Pudding Ice Cream</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Photo Credit goes to JDH Wealth Management, LLC </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-87569570885099461462017-08-04T16:04:00.000-04:002017-08-05T00:01:36.998-04:00Our little bit of EARTH...<span style="font-size: large;">It's being a while I have written something in here. I have not visited this space mainly I have been in school, travelling, injured, and everything in between. However, the creativity has been in always progressing. Well enough of that, I want to share some pictures from 2017 urban gardening. Straight from our backyard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are garden runner beans, when I was in the UK last summer, I saw these in a friend's garden. They were not that big I immediately walked towards it because of the lovely flowers. This past spring one of my friends did an art show, and she had these beautiful plants incorporated into her art exhibition. So far they are not producing many beans but a ton of flowers and few beans here and there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have stopped buying dill from my local nursery mainly because every spring I get few plants from the previous year's seeds. So it so cool to see them going into seeds. I also like them in my salads, and of course, I am looking forward to pickling some runner beans with dill if I am lucky with my beans. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv2if0_Fg3UgovCa5uN1RvIIiwBW_zyOQgoHyz76UE7wgGeNfePeHi5GasVhzSZ-WJ32v4jlhohudQt_3oYh7rRgRZGBAcRilPRLzQYDo2e8e5bD9w1TfJQ9KlqVq_FjqaGoWUM7uFLM/s1600/IMG_6532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv2if0_Fg3UgovCa5uN1RvIIiwBW_zyOQgoHyz76UE7wgGeNfePeHi5GasVhzSZ-WJ32v4jlhohudQt_3oYh7rRgRZGBAcRilPRLzQYDo2e8e5bD9w1TfJQ9KlqVq_FjqaGoWUM7uFLM/s640/IMG_6532.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I changed the spot for eggplants from last year, and unfortunately, they are not doing well this year. I see one flower and the bees are buzzing around it. Hoping to see at least one eggplant this summer. Few more happenings at home; besides summer courses this summer we are making popsicles at home and celebrating the month of August with canning. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYik2gTn_OZFUOk4JVsruXHccDQk1Nz8iayYRokjIKT4P8ymUfa9e8pag2zJVCsvxGzP-RA_67aQ4ETRfhPpv7mADrA-GLPZwA6Nx19ttdLji5WiKVI2Hl6zlaN3jP5xB3gtzg_kJTsI/s1600/IMG_6537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYik2gTn_OZFUOk4JVsruXHccDQk1Nz8iayYRokjIKT4P8ymUfa9e8pag2zJVCsvxGzP-RA_67aQ4ETRfhPpv7mADrA-GLPZwA6Nx19ttdLji5WiKVI2Hl6zlaN3jP5xB3gtzg_kJTsI/s640/IMG_6537.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A pot of strawberry jam simmering while I time myself outside pulling weeds and attending to our garden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We loved the honey peach popsicles with a hint of lemon!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-78214077535959561942016-09-12T11:43:00.002-04:002016-09-16T19:31:42.041-04:00Knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5vkMujSJ65dbOWM97nB_V7iA4m4ZsSsL9jmb-TEYl4F7pxHh0TkDSbxgg7C5sU3pJs-9nBWn9_K71IYpEgUT58FfXdMI6v9Lep-LSWznHQnC3FlUHjH4u_UVd62-QWW6XiM0vo7gvVE/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5vkMujSJ65dbOWM97nB_V7iA4m4ZsSsL9jmb-TEYl4F7pxHh0TkDSbxgg7C5sU3pJs-9nBWn9_K71IYpEgUT58FfXdMI6v9Lep-LSWznHQnC3FlUHjH4u_UVd62-QWW6XiM0vo7gvVE/s640/IMG_5342.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love knitting and in 2016 I decided to knit few pieces every month. I did not get to knit during the month of August. I tend to my foot and spend few hours in our yard. However, during summer I was able to knit few pieces when I was in England and then it stopped. I am always winning new ideas to knit this month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love knitting cowls and hats especially the winter up north could be a hash. Getting out of the house to the car, from car to work, and around school could be tricky. If I don't have the right gear, I am not a happy camper. Besides its fun to knit, I know that repetition does so much to the brain according to various researchers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love knitting; this also gives me an opportunity to make those lovely handmade items as gifts for close friends and families. I don't come from a knitting family no one in my family knits. I hope this holiday I can hone my skills to another level by making few unique pieces. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-90652117864643185192016-09-12T11:43:00.000-04:002016-09-16T19:27:01.341-04:00Eating my vegetables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I occasionally I enjoy cooking when I am not stressed about dinner. Mainly weekends have been lately busy with classes and catching up with friends and finishing up projects. This weekend I had a great time cooking and prepping food for the upcoming school week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year I have started to prep food for a week and froze them mainly meat including fish. It is almost like the blue apron but not much cutting on weeknights. I like coming home when dinner is ready to go and to tackle classes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a super easy vegetable dish we all love. The recipe includes cauliflower, carrots, and potatoes. Our little miss helped me to cut vegetables, and she was so proud that she gets to help me to cook. Not only that she was so happy to finish all her food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year Nicolette is taking, swimming, karate, and music. I am super excited for her, and she is too. I am looking forward to seeing her creating music. </span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-70049069561793189702016-09-06T20:47:00.000-04:002016-09-06T20:52:11.527-04:00Summer 2016 Gardening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47qnXLW5GSo-txtvdhyphenhyphengKC5mQ2JFC946CBWrRQiJZakmpeWD099yuqRYpViv0bznbLw2vkK8ALIP4IXXKkI9l5wHyiNIe0jAYStHj8Rr7hOzLnBnpviCTyOv02enCww3g7TiQ4tnNDco/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47qnXLW5GSo-txtvdhyphenhyphengKC5mQ2JFC946CBWrRQiJZakmpeWD099yuqRYpViv0bznbLw2vkK8ALIP4IXXKkI9l5wHyiNIe0jAYStHj8Rr7hOzLnBnpviCTyOv02enCww3g7TiQ4tnNDco/s640/IMG_5268.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I always planned this somewhere in January. Yes, I think that is where the itch of planning the garden starts. I know by March I am looking for potted plants. I guess it is a gardening thing you can say. I was unsuccessful this spring planting beans. Out of all plants green beans, that is how I embarked into 2016 gardening. I planted about three to four packages of green and wax beans and still have not harvested nor cooked a single green bean from our garden. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">This year I dug out few plants from my compost and as usual, they were wines. At first with no clue what they are going to be I nursed them with love and care and off I went to hurt myself to another country. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Later found out of three wines I have planted, they have been producing butternut squash. We have harvested total of five squashes and shared them with neighbors, co-workers, and there is still more to harvest. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Kale seems to be doing great this year, our first crop of broccoli was delicious with stir-fried pork. The children and the husband loved it! I have been gathering kale, beet tops, Swiss chard, and New-Zealand spinach often this summer. We also pulled a couple of beets, picked few cucumbers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Garlic harvest was tiny, but individual bulbs were fleshy. We also add another raised bed to our small backyard, and I planted eight eggplants. Out of eight four are Italian while other an Asian variety. So we have been blessed with eggplants. As of chillies, I planted four plants of green peppers and this summer I have not bought green chillies to cook! There is also this unlimited supply of herbs such as; sage, thyme, flat parsley, basil, fennel, cilantro, and mint. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The tomatoes have been the queen of the crop this season; I think mainly to the lack of rain and the heat they have been just producing pounds and pounds of tomatoes. I want to say I have harvested more than fifty and made sauces out of it. Chickens are laying but not on a regular basis, but we have had eight eggs few days this summer, and we are not complaining. </span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-59460531091667340232016-09-04T23:19:00.003-04:002016-09-04T23:19:48.029-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSXXjDAwYUY68YabYJjcFN0SFgyQpSpH36TSkX57oGK-JxC73OiVqjLVfkSDmHX3x3-7PXO15ISm9G40gU_EZvrYiIKLcNTzH9Uh-T2qTErTGx8xpb9Hi6L3cHBNbcQ1ZG9ATzUIwjFg/s1600/DSC_0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSXXjDAwYUY68YabYJjcFN0SFgyQpSpH36TSkX57oGK-JxC73OiVqjLVfkSDmHX3x3-7PXO15ISm9G40gU_EZvrYiIKLcNTzH9Uh-T2qTErTGx8xpb9Hi6L3cHBNbcQ1ZG9ATzUIwjFg/s640/DSC_0365.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Summer has been a Summer that I won't forget for many reasons. Tearing my Achilles Tendon while many miles away from home has been a life experience. Study abroad has given me an opportunity to become a planner and thus understand those tedious plans never work the way it supposed to be. Yes, It was a hard lesson to learn! I travelled to Manchester, United Kingdom this summer alone mainly to study but came home on an air-boot with crutches! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Learned to heal, and that is not easy for someone who always wants to be on the go. I didn't mean that in a bad way. I like to be independent and to do things by myself. I couldn't take a shower; I had to rethink every little thing. I did to the point, how to get into a vehicle with crutches. Then the bad ugly happened I re-ruptured my ankle during the process of healing. It was hard to stay cool wearing a boot in the mid-August. I don't know how I did it, but I did it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am in a bit of a happy place; I am on my way to recovery. To be exactly the third stage. I took the inserts out, and I am walking without crutches, and that is a huge success! I am getting some of my school work done, I have got two incompletes this Summer and that is my first. I am glad that each night I get to work a bit on my papers and past due homework. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the other hand, I still reap some benefits of over planning such as planned meals. Prepared meals have become a life saver when it comes to dinner!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-41738400445236461142016-08-18T20:06:00.000-04:002016-08-18T20:06:28.525-04:00Visitng Sol Lewitt's Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbsGPrjD_agyZLWBNaqzPcR8PlqgHj_LGTQkMqLEoMLPI0Xao5uOxf3EalT24KeiNDQNOpF-mpNZNjuE8oCWM2ZRTzHG5msGSu7sdLNDsh48IjWIfjJfcSKXNT63YTVua0V0wQCenDt4/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbsGPrjD_agyZLWBNaqzPcR8PlqgHj_LGTQkMqLEoMLPI0Xao5uOxf3EalT24KeiNDQNOpF-mpNZNjuE8oCWM2ZRTzHG5msGSu7sdLNDsh48IjWIfjJfcSKXNT63YTVua0V0wQCenDt4/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was a trip we made in February, we went to western mass and I fell in love with the Berkshires. What a lovely place to visit. I have block my calandar to visit the MassMoca. I enjoyed this installation by Sol Lewitt. </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-58121770103556069412016-04-05T21:32:00.004-04:002016-04-05T21:32:55.213-04:00Is it worth making Jewelery @ home?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocEpW9-G0xDCVa1hNCS-731lvITbKI5VlRCn-Z8KEDJ4FLr9UINe1aAlgGyT-3IjJ5NVONu6UJQkVZiztLOQRNl4ZLqedLqPWKU34NUmX8fB5e4V6zoPcGfvT6-TGZ9I7uFHodIaKNwY/s1600/IMG_3822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocEpW9-G0xDCVa1hNCS-731lvITbKI5VlRCn-Z8KEDJ4FLr9UINe1aAlgGyT-3IjJ5NVONu6UJQkVZiztLOQRNl4ZLqedLqPWKU34NUmX8fB5e4V6zoPcGfvT6-TGZ9I7uFHodIaKNwY/s640/IMG_3822.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I lost my favorite store due to recessions. Then altogether I gave up shopping and then I began working this year. I love getting acessories, I am conscious about my purchases and try to refrain from unnecessary purchases. </span></span><span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">A close college recommended me another store for clothing.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I found my self visiting couple of times at this store and I felt I really don’t need acessories. I would like to simply some of my clothes and acessories. It has always been a challenge! I take the road to make something pretty at home and it is fun to wear something I have made at home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then, when you tally up the time, energy, money, and creativity is it worth? Well, I was in bit of a pickle when I was considering to buy these but I ended up buying them anyway. Conclusion at the moment due to timing I think It is much economical to buy acessories. </span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-6471734457721800222016-04-01T05:00:00.000-04:002016-04-01T05:31:23.049-04:00Mighty Nest - a greener home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8-wh-6zGvue5W_B9zT3fcbDBLKlHBb_KyGw47NNefqcdhsr_jg25q2bv9oVIZI9e9-1oj3p_ayQrkfdqLh0tbYhYosYn8tyNGcZZ3E06kHVqsoMcPKdeqjdapkpj_sHdP1Kv7VYehbk/s1600/IMG_3812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8-wh-6zGvue5W_B9zT3fcbDBLKlHBb_KyGw47NNefqcdhsr_jg25q2bv9oVIZI9e9-1oj3p_ayQrkfdqLh0tbYhYosYn8tyNGcZZ3E06kHVqsoMcPKdeqjdapkpj_sHdP1Kv7VYehbk/s640/IMG_3812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I have had a chance to read few articles about greener living. Which, I enjoy and it helps me making healthy choices for myself and my family! Might Nest has been in my list for couple of years now and this year I decided to do a simple subscription for us. Despite the fact that we get something new from mail every month, it is very helpful to gain insight to new healthy and greener products. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When I am traveling I am conscious to take my water bottle with me so I can refill. Most places have water fountains I can refill and cut down buying plastic bottles. It came with a lovely card how to defuse drinking water with herbs and many more other options. This has lead me to take a cup to the coffee shop and if I don’t have my cup altogether I opt out going to the coffee shop. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The next product was bees wax food wrapping cloths. They were super nice and I don't use plastic wraps to wrap a sandwich or other food. I had to get use to it, again it is a conscious decision. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For the month of March I received a set of cloth towels. Super absorbent I can use them instead of paper towels. I place a little bucket under my sink and throw them in there and add them to my laundry. I can reuse it again and again! </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I personally use a cloth napkin and a placemat when I pack my lunch again there is no paper napkins. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">These are tiny steps to make a greener Earth and they add up during the course of a day and a year! </span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-2028107535806344552016-03-30T05:30:00.000-04:002016-03-30T06:11:31.478-04:00International Day - Boston <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXqYtJmAE1EiC9jIpZj1hFIV6Dc9DYhREmqFwBkKUDuaVSPS-BNTANnhQ8gAJIDO1UO6ht77h4ZxPm9HSFcNrkycTcncPa-OMpvzpTfgSZI9o8n2yu6AqJ-CLem5-IqvxiIaobg_Kmk0/s1600/IMG_3650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXqYtJmAE1EiC9jIpZj1hFIV6Dc9DYhREmqFwBkKUDuaVSPS-BNTANnhQ8gAJIDO1UO6ht77h4ZxPm9HSFcNrkycTcncPa-OMpvzpTfgSZI9o8n2yu6AqJ-CLem5-IqvxiIaobg_Kmk0/s640/IMG_3650.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We have started a new thing. Well, I can’t say this is entirely new but we are going to try our best to go to a new restaurant each month. Mainly to try food from another country. Why because this could lead to explorations since we have a seven year old and an eighteen year old! Technically the oldest is an adult at this point. So this mainly for the younger one who is so picky. Older one is beginning to appreciate the food and the culture. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So for the month of february we went to a restaurant which offers food from Afghanistan! We were into a lovely surprise. It all began with serving a thin bread with a choice of sauces. We all ordered different food and shared few along the way as well. I ordered rice and a vegetable dish. Others ordered rice with meat. The staple food seems to be bread and rice which is mostly typical to this area. We enjoyed our first endeavor of trying different food from another culture!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What caught my eye at the restaurant is the artifacts. They were displayed beautifully and was blended well with the inside decor. </span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-5543907528035641482016-03-28T07:00:00.000-04:002016-03-28T19:47:32.734-04:00Making Tea at work!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ5iOSr3DaxBiFD9XMfpxzeX4rGBF_bL8FEq8Yb_4Mgoh1AeIZptmfMS52rclWQ_8C7hJMvIRw5ly14QZVoasNlv0-zTJzm8bhFVBiPugQjX5M9YUCwtPiOBVP5Vp3swTQk1x_M-fWzc/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ5iOSr3DaxBiFD9XMfpxzeX4rGBF_bL8FEq8Yb_4Mgoh1AeIZptmfMS52rclWQ_8C7hJMvIRw5ly14QZVoasNlv0-zTJzm8bhFVBiPugQjX5M9YUCwtPiOBVP5Vp3swTQk1x_M-fWzc/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am working this year and that’s mean making materials as well. That is the ugly and the fun part </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">of my work! </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">On the other hand I get to introduce whatever I want as long as it fits the pedagogy parameters. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One of the staff members in our school has introduce tea making to this community. I fell in love with it and I wonder why? Well, some of you who knows me well; knows that I love tea so I guess it just worked for me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The flip side of this is I had to find everything, and then of course something is always missing and this teacher who was so nice and helpful offered one of her extra aprons for me. I know I owe her very much. I need to get my act together and sew some aprons soon. I will soon and I promise. Because she shared this </span>awesome idea how to make them as well.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> I also feels like I am growing in this school. Learning, making, and presenting all happening at the same time. Makes me ten years younger! We will just assume that for at least my sanity. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I found this local thrift store thanks to my neighbor. It has been my life saver yes, literary it has been my life saver. I found all these at the thrift store and children has been in my room pouring, seeping, sipping, and repeating all these steps with joy!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am seriously considering writing about this; how to make tea. I have become more of a herbal tea drinker. Which, I have come to love and enjoy. My next project will be how to make herbal tea at home. This was just one project I have assemble together at work. I am extremely happy with this one! </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The list consists of :</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 tea pot</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2 small spoons one for serving sugar and the other for </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">string </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 small jar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 small bowl</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 tray porcelen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2 place mats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2 napkin rings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2 cups</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2 saucers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 tray for carrying the tea pot if the child feels too warm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1 apron (others know the activity is not available for another)</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-22335358427635277922016-03-20T19:14:00.001-04:002016-03-20T19:14:25.203-04:00Pumpkin Waffles...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDE_8KMD_j1c311zB_yA0KpwBsHpeCvG-87QP4WuXUgV7_VWjXfH0CvQUzawu0QMZ7LK7iualND4sY91FS5uv8DTtJoW252aIvox39VR1oBrK0BY7-5h4j3IYM1uNA9aToknXLs-qF7Q/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDE_8KMD_j1c311zB_yA0KpwBsHpeCvG-87QP4WuXUgV7_VWjXfH0CvQUzawu0QMZ7LK7iualND4sY91FS5uv8DTtJoW252aIvox39VR1oBrK0BY7-5h4j3IYM1uNA9aToknXLs-qF7Q/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It’s a tradition at our house to make pumpkin waffles in the fall. I guess that is the best time to make everything possible with pumpkins. This is an old picture I had in my collection. I believe I have taken this to publish but never get to work on it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bad thing about this post is it is all most time for fall. I know I know it is spring then it will be summer and then fall. Well, I am glad I get to publish before the fall season. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-14366235053449980362016-03-17T20:56:00.003-04:002016-03-17T20:56:24.980-04:00Tree House...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVog8Z_GLY1mDPU5X4BuX7Z5j2cbnDRTNjp6woofy0pq5qqf58skCkweJCOUrLwwawy1LFRIIJNmxkxeN8r6QPNKo-T8BpOMOHkuk-0GQ2noq2IwaE_9D4HxMKSokvDeorIAxqKVHm3nw/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVog8Z_GLY1mDPU5X4BuX7Z5j2cbnDRTNjp6woofy0pq5qqf58skCkweJCOUrLwwawy1LFRIIJNmxkxeN8r6QPNKo-T8BpOMOHkuk-0GQ2noq2IwaE_9D4HxMKSokvDeorIAxqKVHm3nw/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We never get to officially open our tree house. Hopefully this summer, we might have to pick a day to have a little house warming party. I managed to spend couple of days up there to finish my some work. It is truly amazing to work outside. I love hearing the bird callings, dapple sun, watching darting birds from in and out of nests they have build to raise their young. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was equally motivated and distracted to finish my work. I am glad that Fall semester is over!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We have officially finished our tree house; perhaps we need to add few add ons such as lights and a comfy seating area. The best thing about this tree house is the chicken coop is right below the tree house. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Which allow us to spend more time outside watching our girls running around the yard!</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-82253159165975884492016-01-05T21:50:00.000-05:002016-01-05T21:50:04.390-05:00Seven Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYjUKg4QByorp8ybSH6TdeZ8DV75wGWMPNOoqIhU-ouAp8RWHLBRcR9APDNr53LpJiIGJFIhWB2hWOlOpPIiOGs_IC0cf6T9KuESBML9enfVXsbq3ZjHl6LJq2hE8NKYJYtdhdCubfSs/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYjUKg4QByorp8ybSH6TdeZ8DV75wGWMPNOoqIhU-ouAp8RWHLBRcR9APDNr53LpJiIGJFIhWB2hWOlOpPIiOGs_IC0cf6T9KuESBML9enfVXsbq3ZjHl6LJq2hE8NKYJYtdhdCubfSs/s640/DSC_0027.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nicolette’s 7th B’day was in NY. Yes, we planned it that way. Mainly we wanted to spend some quality time together as a family. Niegel is off to college next year and probably this summer will be crazy him getting ready to go to college. Our trip to NY all worked up being OK at the end.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We reached NY by mid afternoon almost time for lunch. Everyone enjoyed a mixture of Chinese and Vietnamese food. Nicolette learned to eat spring rolls wrapped in herbs with lettuce and she liked it. Dipping the whole mess in the fish sauce was a bit tricky but she tried it at the end. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is always so much to do and see in NY. I loved the decorations and store fronts. </span></span><br />
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Nicolette had a blast waking up to see her goody bags while Niegel ran in the central park. We joined him and headed to the MFA and it was a treat. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of course with many choices on food we decided to enjoy a well known Indian food buffet in Jackson Heights, NY. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then we visited family to head home. It was a long drive back home but glad we did and planned all this and to spend few more days at home catching up. Mainly to do fun things we always craved such as reading, knitting, stocking, reading, watching TV, and sleeping.</span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-38167227330312903372015-12-28T21:51:00.001-05:002015-12-28T21:51:43.158-05:002015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKDaGfZ5IyhV7WWXIyn02AdJ_gDUbUNVvqQ1YKHJm2wKCZJtV4Vm82CGNc15lBT34Oket-aLmnbE9gY8xIPX1lN8__0-g6OcNRmyJk6zmDNpQqDj1Tsz2581iOMViCHBk-rF-TfR1juY/s1600/IMG_3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKDaGfZ5IyhV7WWXIyn02AdJ_gDUbUNVvqQ1YKHJm2wKCZJtV4Vm82CGNc15lBT34Oket-aLmnbE9gY8xIPX1lN8__0-g6OcNRmyJk6zmDNpQqDj1Tsz2581iOMViCHBk-rF-TfR1juY/s640/IMG_3377.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It is so far the busiest year for ALL of us, but in a good way. I completed two studio classes while working </span>full time<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> I would not do that again, I mean taking two studio classes together. I was at the Dr.’s office more than four times. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I did two surgeries hopefully all taken care of. I went to a reunion and had a great time with friends. If you have not </span>attended<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> a one I highly recommend it. My oldest became a senior at high school and yes we went through the process of college applications. He did an AWSOME job getting everything together of course with reminders and I am happy for him. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Little one started the first grade and went through a learning curve. She survived and did a wonderful performance at school for holidays. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am teaching this year and loving it! It is WORK but I love the group of children and the staff I get to work with everyday. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish I blogged more but I simply could not. I learned that I do have to put things away and this was one of those I had to place on hold. I am working on getting back on it. </span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-43075488578737462822015-10-25T20:13:00.001-04:002015-10-25T20:15:03.893-04:00Fall pumpkin festival...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t9Gf58xFgZiBVc26vAUGn_DBrAr71TDmCY8qEZEFs-yFg_5Nv1wI0ex_SQh5hEJbs__ht3W1r-6-oMLg6ZH_yWp7szjD26aut97UkmWygzU9rY71myRwvRrDTx7DN1AJ9IxBvFOsOlo/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t9Gf58xFgZiBVc26vAUGn_DBrAr71TDmCY8qEZEFs-yFg_5Nv1wI0ex_SQh5hEJbs__ht3W1r-6-oMLg6ZH_yWp7szjD26aut97UkmWygzU9rY71myRwvRrDTx7DN1AJ9IxBvFOsOlo/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One late afternoon we decided to see the pumpkin carvings done by the students over next town. It was a cold afternoon but it was a perfect day for it! Needless to say some weekends at our neck woods are packed with things to catch up! This was that kind of a weekend but we all had a great time!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-10528465677087849512015-10-04T22:10:00.001-04:002015-10-04T22:11:06.145-04:00Eggplant + Pasta = Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKT4md9q7s1Azftk6dFsBVMBshozOaLn98wYV4Byxv2mBW70psVzrWMbZl5bfGMgmvtcFsG7ZJfDXTXCerLQZwf5ZPAzwGaNPogSqJ9k_PBHNagzsDh0wihFT-vFeOnkb1bIL4bojirk/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKT4md9q7s1Azftk6dFsBVMBshozOaLn98wYV4Byxv2mBW70psVzrWMbZl5bfGMgmvtcFsG7ZJfDXTXCerLQZwf5ZPAzwGaNPogSqJ9k_PBHNagzsDh0wihFT-vFeOnkb1bIL4bojirk/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our local grocery store is flooded with eggplants and of course I stumble upon this recipe from a blog which I frequently visits. I thought I should give this a try mainly it was the season, We love egg plant, and wanted to add a twist to our regular mundane pasta dishes. The results were amazing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At the end we had more reasons to love this dish and a bonus no meat in this dish at all. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I loved the subtle mint flavor and the kick from red peppers. Cheese makes it so much better. I took this for lunch at work and works great with a small salad. My oldest had this for dinner and he liked it very much. We will be making this few times this year. At least before the end of the egg plant season. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 pint cherry tomatoes</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3 cloves garlic, whole</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3 tablespoons olive oil</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon salt</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon red pepper flakes</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/4 cup toasted pine nuts</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 pound rigatoni pasta</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/4 cup torn fresh mint leaves</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup grated Parmesan</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Directions</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Watch how to make this recipe.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In a large bowl combine the eggplant, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">pepper flakes. Spread the vegetables out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven until the vegetables are tender and the eggplant is golden, about 35 minutes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While the vegetables are roasting, place the pine nuts in a small baking dish. Place in the oven on the rack below the vegetables. Roast until golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and reserve.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor. Add the torn mint leaves and extra-virgin olive oil. Puree the vegetables.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Transfer the pureed vegetables to the bowl with the pasta and add the Parmesan. Stir to combine, adding the pasta cooking liquid 1/2 cup at a time until the pasta is saucy. Sprinkle the pine nuts over the top and serve.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis</span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-25404552123797815982015-09-08T06:31:00.002-04:002015-09-08T06:31:37.885-04:00First Day of School to ALL...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes, we survived the very first week of school. I am very excited to teach this year and to go to campus in the night. Children survived the first week only two days but it was adjusting to the new schedules and meeting friends. Speaking of friends I was glad to make new friends as well. Lot to learn with record keeping which I hate and love at the same time. What I heard so far is once you get it down it seems to help plan the lesson plan can’t wait to get use to it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nicolette is happy to find new friends and some of her old friends in first grade. She will be joining the before and after care for few days this year and she is very excited about it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Niegel is a senior in high school and I am happy for him working on his SAT and the meets. I know he is going to like his classes this school year!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I am simply getting use to all the new schedules and planning. One last thing I love my classes as well this year.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-37495791527499630452015-08-03T21:29:00.003-04:002015-08-03T21:29:49.041-04:00Canning freshness straight out from the garden…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Yes, I don't know what better way to explain this new interest or rather a process of mine. I have been navigating the internet how to pickle beans (I mean green beans) and I found a way which I like very much. No idea how it all going to turn out but sounds like a great plan to lock away the freshness of backyard vegetables.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps for some Bloody Mary’s in future and I feel it is not that fancy without pickles as a garnish. Moreover you need few pickles after drinking few of those. I also found out that I cannot find okra pickles from MA because that is not a northern thing. I had to buy a bottle while I was in VA. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One thing I like about this particular recipe is it really adds heat to pickles with few black peppers and red chillies. I can’t wait to try some with my salad. </span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-32072374625640238252015-08-03T10:35:00.002-04:002015-08-03T10:35:20.390-04:00A bit late post about 4th of July...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This is our first official Hydrangea bush and they were tiny when I first planted them. I love these mainly for two reasons one for the neat flowers the other during Fall the </span>foilage<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> turned into this beautiful deep maroon like red. I truly love a four season garden and I am still working on this tiny stamp size garden. It is always a working progress…</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While we were in VA, Niegel decided to run a 5K ( we did planned this before hand) and It was fun. He did great but most of all he enjoyed it very much because he consider this as his home town.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">As always Nicolette managed to find a dog to pet while her brother finishes the race. It was a great joy to watch her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px;">We were able to carve some time to sneak into the National Gallery of Art. We all took turns in enjoying various parts of the museum. Mostly the early paintings…</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a long stroll we were hungry and it was almost time to have dinner we all unanimously decided to dine at China Town, DC. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px;">Found a spot see the fire works and not too far from the capital; yes it was smokey but had a great time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had plenty to cover from taking care of the house, to running a 5K, visiting the museums, having dinner at China Town, and finally finding a spot to watch the fireworks. It was a great week!</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-32329630889129942582015-08-01T20:34:00.001-04:002015-08-01T20:34:04.021-04:00Our first gathering for 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">For 2015, gathering was much better term mainly because we received few vegetables from our friends as well. Largely few neighbors who is growing in their backyards. Some went to ladies who is always get anxious if I am at the compost bin(</span>chickens)<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We love our wax and green beans from our yard because they are so tender and yummy. I am working on canning few for winter so I can have some at school lunch. I have heard from few friends they are so crisp. Hard part is not picking them when they are in abundance. Tomatoes are all steak this year and I hope I might get a bumber crop this year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is a delightful experience to go to our tiny backyard and pick few eggs from the coopand at the same time pick few vegetables for a meal. Tender turnips adds so much flavor to a salad. I traded few eggs for handful of summer squashes this year. Beets were doing much better this year and we had it twice so far and there is few more to pull. </span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385916765672679762.post-70686733441261510102015-07-30T21:32:00.002-04:002015-07-30T21:34:05.165-04:00Butterfly Bush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Some plants stay with you no matter where you move. Our first butterfly bush is dead and gone in VA I have no idea what happened but I planted total of three bushes at our MA house why? because I love them so much. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This spring I was able to cut down one bush to my heart content but I had to stop because there was a finch family residing in one of the bird houses and I did not want to bother muma bird and she was bit feisty. I fled the scene and decided to head inside. we have not seen much of the butterflies this season yet but when we do I love recording them. Little Nicolette loves observing them and keeps a great track how many visits per day. Her data accumulation is very interesting and hilarious too. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The other day I was able to capture this image of this flower which was </span>porking out from the bush.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Purple adds a cooler tone to the garden during warmer months. Butterfly bushes come in various colors including white but it is well known for its sweet nectar which attracts butterflies. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: center;">Visiting the idea why I stick with the butterfly bush is very clear because it attracks butterflies and humming birds. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: center;"> </span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0