tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26423337672419824562024-03-14T04:54:26.713-04:00✩ Lootin' Shinies! ✩Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-91598228254936831132015-01-20T19:20:00.002-05:002015-01-20T19:20:28.559-05:00I Learned Something Today!There's a thing called the American Dialect Society.<br />
<br />
This is a way better idea than dictionaries naming their word of the year.<br />
<br />
Read more: http://mentalfloss.com/article/61052/american-dialect-societys-word-yearCarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-76707979473801234502014-05-10T19:40:00.001-04:002014-05-11T16:15:18.672-04:00Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring, Banana BREAD!...doop dooby dooby doop!<br />
<br />
My Favorite <b>Banana Bread</b> Recipe!<br />
<br />
Adapted from the recipe posted at<a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fvegweb.com%2Findex.php%3Ftopic%3D5715.0&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzcP9wuXSHZ4S0yZvpbk_gH6QVJlEg" id="" shape="rect" target="_blank"> http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=5715.0</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
Ingredients:<br />
<ul>
<li>1-3/4 cups flour</li>
<ul>
<li>can mix flour types! </li>
</ul>
<li>1-1/2 cups sugar</li>
<ul>
<li>can mix white & brown!</li>
<li>can use -way- less sugar, especially if your bananas are really ripe</li>
</ul>
<li>1 teaspoon baking soda</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1 cup mashed bananas</li>
<ul>
<li>about 2-3 bananas, definitely eyeball-able, so use what you've got on hand </li>
</ul>
<li>1/2 cup vegetable oil</li>
<ul>
<li>can sub. applesauce for oil</li>
</ul>
<li>equivalent of 2 or 3 eggs</li>
<ul>
<li>use Ener-G egg replacer to make it vegan</li>
</ul>
<li>1/3 cup soy-buttermilk</li>
<ul>
<li>make your own: 1/3 cup soymilk (or regular milk!) + 1/3 tsp. lemon juice</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Instructions:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.</li>
<li>Mix flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl.</li>
<li>Mix bananas, oil, and buttermilk in a medium mixing bowl.</li>
<li>Combine the <span class="highlight">banana</span>
mixture with the large bowl containing dry ingredients, and stir well. </li>
<li>Add eggs, stir well.</li>
<li>If you want to, you can add 1/2 cup of extras as well. Chocolate chips are DELICIOUS and make this basically a dessert. Nuts would also work, and eventually I want to try it with shredded coconut. But, it's delicious without any additions, too!</li>
<li>Pour into an oiled 9x5 inch <span class="highlight">bread</span> pan.</li>
<li>Bake in 325 degree oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until a toothpick in the middle comes out clean.</li>
</ol>
Tips: The closer your bread pan is to the oven's heating coils, the more likely the top will get burnt. Put it on a rack in the middle of the oven (and if you have a double-oven with a smaller and a larger oven? Use the bigger one. Learned that the hard way...!)<br />
<br />
Also, the leftovers have a strange way of getting MORE moist, instead of drying out like traditional banana bread recipes! Yummm. <br />
<br />
Check out the comments at the original recipe's link for more suggestions on tweaking it! :)</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-88086202422124410682014-05-05T23:10:00.000-04:002014-05-05T23:10:46.238-04:00Spot-on Advice.Felicia Day is one of my role models because she is so dang creative, smart, funny, and holy moly productive! I really like this video where she gives advice on writing, which can translate to pretty much any kind of creative undertaking.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ewUy64JfpDg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
Love it!Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-73905869643106193642014-05-04T17:33:00.000-04:002014-05-04T17:33:21.452-04:00Haters Gon' Hate.Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is one of my favorite shows, because it always makes me laugh. Sometimes they have something meant to be funny that hits home for me in more than just a comedic way, though. I love this video so much. Thanks to everyone who was involved, and Mr. Cano for being a good sport!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0b9rOji_PWY" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
I think it's a pretty good metaphor for experiencing horrible comments on the internet. It's easy to say anything, until that person is standing in front of your face! I love how comedy can show the truths of the world in such a clear way, but still be entertaining, too. That's the best way to learn!<br />
<br />
<br />Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-398320015661720272014-04-24T14:07:00.000-04:002014-04-24T14:08:32.593-04:00Throwback Thursday: Missy<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Cvq7mrHVPXg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
If you thought I sound like I'm 12 now, check out this video from when I probably was 12! These are a few home movie clips I transferred off VHS of my family's cat Missy, who was my grandma's cat until she passed away and I somehow convinced my parents to take her in (even though she was mean to everyone except my grandma). She stayed in our basement in that cat bed for a good three months, and after what I like to think of as her time of mourning, she emerged a whole new cat. That "elderly" cat became a kitten, following us around, always wanting attention, and being super playful! It was really amazing. She lived to be around 21-22 years old, the oldest cat I've ever known!Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-48614226377538419952014-04-16T15:13:00.001-04:002014-04-16T15:13:06.991-04:00A (not) quick hello! (or goodbye)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ZfvyFyHfZc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-73487329388610780642014-03-17T08:05:00.000-04:002014-03-17T08:05:12.222-04:00On JoyToday's Truth Bomb from Danielle LaPorte says, "Speak of your joy. Often."<br />
<br />
<a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/47639708532812045/"></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<br />
A couple things that popped into my head upon reading this: Daffodils. Hellebores. Coffee. Video games. Friends on Twitter and Facebook. Art journalling and <a href="http://effywild.com/">Effy Wild</a>'s classes. Inspiring YouTubers and fun podcasters. Pokemon on Netflix. Incense. And New Age Shops!<br />
<br />
And so, I want to share this little candle with you that I purchased recently.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5N1XszIHQMbw5B0kJKf2qEyY1OcBzsXwABhcnKpUWh8Pbz_e-TR4IUAUepVutvFlHSFBErLOnlaGQI7hK7lenpMpEHt8GbeZGHyQbxAAHE9PtQqXziZBeHgkTjNrBm62f8rmGRp7V3yO/s1600/joy02.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5N1XszIHQMbw5B0kJKf2qEyY1OcBzsXwABhcnKpUWh8Pbz_e-TR4IUAUepVutvFlHSFBErLOnlaGQI7hK7lenpMpEHt8GbeZGHyQbxAAHE9PtQqXziZBeHgkTjNrBm62f8rmGRp7V3yO/s1600/joy02.PNG" height="310" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cheeeeeeese!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A little backstory: On my to-do list for quite awhile was the task to pick up some frankincense resin and a charcoal incense setup, since I've usually only burned incense sticks. My dear friend, Effy recommended the actual resin tears - okay I want to call them blobs, they look like blobs! - so I avoided buying any frankincense till I found those since I'm trying to spend money wisely these days.<br />
<br />
Another thing on my to-do list was to check out this store in town that I kept seeing in the <a href="http://www.williamsburgmag.com/">Williamsburg Magazine</a>, which is one of those freebie publications you can pick up around town that are generally meant for tourists but I find quite useful. The store is called Stick Stone & Bone and from the advertisements, I got the feeling that it might be a metaphysical or new age shop, even though it wasn't explicitly stated as such.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiUOXEuCpWXFf_B4mKgxbVJE-qrVhBT9gojen4YyUpjTsxti8DaLniAibD48BIFJkKOSP307yBBE3Yjvw0xb4F4yUOPM63YTFDdHfysuuOBTYh4fxeRH2jY5ru6MTkZTa-ONuS4xYp-0t/s1600/ssb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiUOXEuCpWXFf_B4mKgxbVJE-qrVhBT9gojen4YyUpjTsxti8DaLniAibD48BIFJkKOSP307yBBE3Yjvw0xb4F4yUOPM63YTFDdHfysuuOBTYh4fxeRH2jY5ru6MTkZTa-ONuS4xYp-0t/s1600/ssb.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ad from Williamsburg Magazine</span></div>
<br />
I can't blame them - in the conservative little town of Williamsburg, a "gift shop" would probably go over better than a new age shop. I had some extra time the other day between errands and I know their
hours are a little wonky compared to my schedule lately, so I decided it'd be a
perfect time to try checking a couple things off my to-do list with one stop.<br />
<br />
When I went in and saw the kinds of things they sell and the atmosphere of the store, I knew it was <i>my</i> kind of store. The owner, Linda, was super friendly, answered all of my questions, and didn't make me feel weird or uncomfortable at all. I told her I was looking for frankinsence and she not only showed me the options they had and where they were in the store, but when I told her I was new to the whole charcoal burning thing, she explained to me how to do it! In such detail that I was able to figure it out on my own once I got home, woohoo!<br />
<br />
I thought the prices were super reasonable. I picked up two bags of loose incense for $2 each, and the reiki charged JOY candle for a little under $3. Honestly, I would have bought this candle no matter what it rang up as, because it smells SO GOOD!!! It came with a little paper that says it has the essential oils of plumeria, jasmine, and sandalwood in it, which I must like because I want to eat it but eating candles is bad so yeah.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76KyCxcuNLXEhNqIAGCWZAtTq9mdT_R6gc_xFRk-suTybkNAbNRSYjezQYxBWVZIfnwTyJ3y5TYBBB4sisqzc7wv60Y-WAUkE0vJGBIudtqdzSpeL5WAzoNAldzLbf6K6VFzVsPOcGist/s1600/joy01.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76KyCxcuNLXEhNqIAGCWZAtTq9mdT_R6gc_xFRk-suTybkNAbNRSYjezQYxBWVZIfnwTyJ3y5TYBBB4sisqzc7wv60Y-WAUkE0vJGBIudtqdzSpeL5WAzoNAldzLbf6K6VFzVsPOcGist/s1600/joy01.PNG" height="320" width="269" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The little paper that came with the candle.</span></div>
<br />
So this is how Danielle LaPorte's Truth Bomb ties in - I'm sharing the JOY candle, along with the joy of finding a new age shop in my area! WOOT! I had this thing on my nightstand and every night as I'd fall asleep, I'd think, oh gosh it smells so good, I can't wait to burn it in the morning! and then I'd wake up and get busy and forget, until the night as I smelled it again as I was falling asleep. Sheesh. ^_^ But today, it's burning and I am so happy!<br />
<br />
From what I gather, Stick Stone & Bone was set up in New York, but since the owner is relocating to Williamsburg, she's set up the shop here - and I am so grateful to have a store where I don't have to travel to Newport News, Norfolk, or Richmond to spend mah moneys on shinies!<br />
<br />
I also wanted to share this store with you because I know metaphysical shops are stereotypically difficult to keep open. There is no website yet for Stick Stone & Bone. It's on Richmond Road between
Saigon Pearl and Ripley's Believe it or Not, nestled back in the corner. If you find yourself in the area, take a moment to pop in to Stick Stone & Bone. It's a small store, but the prices are very reasonable for the beautiful things they sell. They have stones, incense, candles!, tarot cards, pendulums, books, essential oils, and jewelry that all caught my eye.<br />
<br />
I've noticed that the things I purchase when I'm on vacation end up meaning more to me, because they bring back memories of the trip along with whatever purpose the doodads actually serve, so this is a perfect place to hit up if you're vacationing in Williamsburg to take a little magic home with you.<br />
<br />
Let me know if you check it out, what you think of it, and what you bought! I'm looking forward to going back and hope all my friends find joy in this new store as well! Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-36411918067859016482014-02-24T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-17T08:29:53.874-04:00after class rambles<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube3" mytubeid="mytube3" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/L9is8oTMqDw?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-4278654424314491532014-02-23T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-17T08:27:52.811-04:00whhhhhuuuuaaaahhhhh<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube2" mytubeid="mytube2" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MBCmqawwprQ?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-53871497894379456792014-02-22T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-17T08:27:38.616-04:00bedhead diary<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube2" mytubeid="mytube2" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Sen5v3NSMWQ?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div class="mytube-div" id="mytube2popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube2" style="left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 322px; width: 557px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-no-repeat" for="mytube2loop" id="mytube2loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube2loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube2loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-play" for="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube2onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube2onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><div class="mytube-notification-status mytube-notification-status-exclamation" id="mytube2desktopNotificationIconSpan" notificationtype="4" style="margin-left: 5px;" title="Sound: Off">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input disabled="" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube2autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><div class="inline">
<label for="mytube2autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube2estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
Will start buffering when initialized.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
<a class="donate-link" href="http://smartvideo.ashishmishra.in/donate?from=firefox" target="_blank">Donate to SmartVideo!</a><div class="inline settings-span" id="mytube2prefs">
Global Preferences</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-7963070761568912692014-02-20T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-17T08:29:21.722-04:00ipsy - February 2014<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube1" mytubeid="mytube1" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Wme6J-AyWlU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div class="mytube-div" id="mytube1popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube1" style="display: none; left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 322px; width: 557px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-no-repeat" for="mytube1loop" id="mytube1loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-play" for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube1onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube1onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><br />
<div class="mytube-notification-status mytube-notification-status-exclamation" id="mytube1desktopNotificationIconSpan" notificationtype="4" style="margin-left: 5px;" title="Sound: Off">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input disabled="" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><br />
<div class="inline">
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube1estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
Will start buffering when initialized.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
<a class="donate-link" href="http://smartvideo.ashishmishra.in/donate?from=firefox" target="_blank">Donate to SmartVideo!</a><br />
<div class="inline settings-span" id="mytube1prefs">
Global Preferences</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
My ipsy referral link: <a href="http://www.ipsy.com/r/4v3p">http://www.ipsy.com/r/4v3p</a><br />
<div class="mytube-div" id="mytube2popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube2" style="display: none; left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 322px; width: 557px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-no-repeat" for="mytube2loop" id="mytube2loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube2loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube2loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-play" for="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube2onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube2onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><div class="mytube-notification-status mytube-notification-status-exclamation" id="mytube2desktopNotificationIconSpan" notificationtype="4" style="margin-left: 5px;" title="Sound: Off">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input disabled="" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube2autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><div class="inline">
<label for="mytube2autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube2estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
Will start buffering when initialized.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
<a class="donate-link" href="http://smartvideo.ashishmishra.in/donate?from=firefox" target="_blank">Donate to SmartVideo!</a><div class="inline settings-span" id="mytube2prefs">
Global Preferences</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-32237291590100269362014-02-19T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-17T08:27:31.246-04:00sunset vlog with Ian<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube1" mytubeid="mytube1" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KAFmSox9PGY?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div class="mytube-div" id="mytube1popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube1" style="display: none; left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 322px; width: 557px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-no-repeat" for="mytube1loop" id="mytube1loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-play" for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube1onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube1onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><div class="mytube-notification-status mytube-notification-status-exclamation" id="mytube1desktopNotificationIconSpan" notificationtype="4" style="margin-left: 5px;" title="Sound: Off">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input disabled="" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><div class="inline">
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube1estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
Will start buffering when initialized.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
<a class="donate-link" href="http://smartvideo.ashishmishra.in/donate?from=firefox" target="_blank">Donate to SmartVideo!</a><div class="inline settings-span" id="mytube1prefs">
Global Preferences</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-72579459872156108652014-02-18T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-17T08:27:56.450-04:00Cara goes outside<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube2" mytubeid="mytube2" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ISDTJCrX6A4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div class="mytube-div" id="mytube2popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube2" style="left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 322px; width: 557px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-no-repeat" for="mytube2loop" id="mytube2loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube2loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube2loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-play" for="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube2autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube2onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube2onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><br />
<div class="mytube-notification-status mytube-notification-status-exclamation" id="mytube2desktopNotificationIconSpan" notificationtype="4" style="margin-left: 5px;" title="Sound: Off">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input disabled="" id="mytube2autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube2autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><br />
<div class="inline">
<label for="mytube2autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube2estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
Will start buffering when initialized.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
<a class="donate-link" href="http://smartvideo.ashishmishra.in/donate?from=firefox" target="_blank">Donate to SmartVideo!</a><br />
<div class="inline settings-span" id="mytube2prefs">
Global Preferences</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="mytube-div" id="mytube1popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube1" style="display: none; left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 322px; width: 557px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-no-repeat" for="mytube1loop" id="mytube1loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-play" for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube1onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube1onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><div class="mytube-notification-status mytube-notification-status-exclamation" id="mytube1desktopNotificationIconSpan" notificationtype="4" style="margin-left: 5px;" title="Sound: Off">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input disabled="" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><div class="inline">
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube1estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
Will start buffering when initialized.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
<a class="donate-link" href="http://smartvideo.ashishmishra.in/donate?from=firefox" target="_blank">Donate to SmartVideo!</a><div class="inline settings-span" id="mytube1prefs">
Global Preferences</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-6870246517046484792014-02-17T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-17T08:28:00.173-04:00sleepy Cara is sleepy<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube1" mytubeid="mytube1" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yy5O1PmQ0mU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div class="mytube-div" id="mytube1popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube1" style="display: none; left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 322px; width: 557px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-no-repeat" for="mytube1loop" id="mytube1loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-play" for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube1onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube1onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><br />
<div class="mytube-notification-status mytube-notification-status-exclamation" id="mytube1desktopNotificationIconSpan" notificationtype="4" style="margin-left: 5px;" title="Sound: Off">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input disabled="" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><br />
<div class="inline">
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube1estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
Will start buffering when initialized.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
<a class="donate-link" href="http://smartvideo.ashishmishra.in/donate?from=firefox" target="_blank">Donate to SmartVideo!</a><br />
<div class="inline settings-span" id="mytube1prefs">
Global Preferences</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<mytubeelement data="{"bundle":{"label_delimitor":":","percentage":"%","smart_buffer":"Smart Buffer","start_playing_when_buffered":"Start playing when buffered","sound":"Sound","desktop_notification":"Desktop Notification","continuation_on_next_line":"-","loop":"Loop","only_notify":"Only Notify","estimated_time":"Estimated Time","global_preferences":"Global Preferences","no_notification_supported_on_your_browser":"No notification style supported on your browser version","video_buffered":"Video Buffered","buffered":"Buffered","hyphen":"-","buffered_message":"The video has been buffered as requested and is ready to play.","not_supported":"Not Supported","on":"On","off":"Off","click_to_enable_for_this_site":"Click to enable for this site","desktop_notification_denied":"You have denied permission for desktop notification for this site","notification_status_delimitor":";","error":"Error","adblock_interferance_message":"Adblock (or similar extension) is known to interfere with SmartVideo. Please add this url to adblock whitelist.","calculating":"Calculating","waiting":"Waiting","will_start_buffering_when_initialized":"Will start buffering when initialized","will_start_playing_when_initialized":"Will start playing when initialized","completed":"Completed","buffering_stalled":"Buffering is stalled. Will stop.","stopped":"Stopped","hr":"Hr","min":"Min","sec":"Sec","any_moment":"Any Moment","popup_donate_to":"Donate to","extension_id":null},"prefs":{"desktopNotification":true,"soundNotification":false,"logLevel":0,"enable":true,"loop":false,"hidePopup":false,"autoPlay":false,"autoBuffer":true,"autoPlayOnBuffer":true,"autoPlayOnBufferPercentage":42,"autoPlayOnSmartBuffer":true,"quality":"highres","fshd":true,"onlyNotification":true,"enableFullScreen":true,"saveBandwidth":true,"hideAnnotations":true,"turnOffPagedBuffering":true}}" event="preferencesUpdated" id="myTubeRelayElementToPage"></mytubeelement><mytubeelement data="{"loadBundle":true}" event="relayPrefs" id="myTubeRelayElementToTab"></mytubeelement><div class="mytube-div" id="mytube1popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube1" style="display: none; left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 322px; width: 557px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox" for="mytube1loop" id="mytube1loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox" for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube1onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube1onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><div class="inline" id="mytube1desktopNotificationIconSpan" style="margin-left: 5px;">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input id="mytube1autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><div class="inline">
<label for="mytube1autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube1estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
<a class="donate-link" href="http://smartvideo.ashishmishra.in/donate?from=firefox" target="_blank">Donate to SmartVideo!</a><div class="inline settings-span" id="mytube1prefs">
Global Preferences</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-66948522478097870362014-02-16T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-17T08:28:03.334-04:00because reasons<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube4" mytubeid="mytube4" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XmhQmsJvPT8?rel=0" width="480"></iframe><br />
<div class="mytube-div" id="mytube4popup" mytubeactivetubeid="mytube4" style="display: none; left: 15px; position: absolute; top: 367px; width: 478px; z-index: 99999;">
<table><tbody>
<tr class="first-tr"><td class="first-td"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-no-repeat" for="mytube4loop" id="mytube4loop-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube4loop" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube4loop">Loop</label></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="first-td" rowspan="3"><label class="mytube-styled-checkbox mytube-play" for="mytube4autoPlayOnBuffer" id="mytube4autoPlayOnBuffer-container"><input class="mytube-icon-checkbox" id="mytube4autoPlayOnBuffer" type="checkbox" /></label></td><td class="last-td"><div>
<label for="mytube4autoPlayOnBuffer">Start playing when buffered</label> (<input id="mytube4onlyNotification" type="checkbox" /> <label for="mytube4onlyNotification">Only Notify</label><br />
<div class="mytube-notification-status mytube-notification-status-exclamation" id="mytube4desktopNotificationIconSpan" notificationtype="4" style="margin-left: 5px;" title="Sound: Off">
</div>
) -</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<input disabled="" id="mytube4autoPlayOnBufferPercentage" maxlength="3" style="width: 30px;" type="text" /> %<input id="mytube4autoPlayOnSmartBuffer" style="margin-left: 10px;" type="checkbox" /><br />
<div class="inline">
<label for="mytube4autoPlayOnSmartBuffer"> Smart Buffer</label></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="last-td"><div>
<div class="inline">
Estimated Time:</div>
<div class="inline" id="mytube4estimated" style="margin-left: 5px;">
Will start buffering when initialized.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="last-tr"><td class="last-td" colspan="2" style="height: 20px; text-align: right;"><div>
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Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-86329765058548055762013-12-24T07:45:00.001-05:002013-12-24T07:45:07.877-05:00Interesting InternetsJust a few things I've found interesting on the internet lately: <br />
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Because I'll be turning 30 soon: <a href="http://www.doyouyoga.com/30-life-things-celebration-getting-older/">30 Life Things – A Celebration Of Getting Older</a><br />
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Because I like the message at the end: <a href="http://wildhunt.org/2013/12/keeping-the-soul-in-solstice.html">Keeping the So(u)l in Solstice</a><br />
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Because I wish more people like her were in government: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-israel/why-i-will-vote-for-maria_b_4472588.html">Why I Will Vote for Marianne Williamson for Any Office For Which She Runs </a><br />
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Because I play a mage in World of Warcraft: <a href="http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/12/20/arcane-brilliance-fun-and-frivolity-for-mages/">Arcane Brilliance: Fun and frivolity for mages</a><br />
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Because I adore my friends who allow me to expand: <a href="http://www.daniellelaporte.com/real-reason-people-bad/">The real reason that some people are bad for you.</a><br />
<br />Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-56095376518487768002013-10-09T09:01:00.002-04:002013-10-09T09:01:49.646-04:00Because I'm an adult, that's why!Lately I have been on a huge ice cream kick. After discovering that I can safely eat ice cream again without completely congesting up, I went on a bit of a whirlwind spree of "MUST HAVE ICE CREAM" there for awhile. I've made a spoken vow that once the ice cream currently in the freezer is gone, I'm not buying any more. Well, not unless we go to a frozen yogurt place, of course - and goodness knows, Williamsburg has enough of 'em. Not for health reasons or anything, but mainly because nobody <i>needs</i> ice cream on a nightly basis - not even my inner child. But it seems to totally satisfy those midnight snack cravings perfectly! My favorite as of late is <a href="http://www.turkeyhill.com/products/premium-ice-cream-flavors.aspx?pID=131">Turkey Hill's chocolate chip cookie dough</a>. So, so good. I didn't even realize it wasn't vanilla flavored ice cream until I took the time to read the last carton. *facepalm* <br />
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For awhile I was also on a huge nacho kick, too. I love nachos, and I don't even know why! Maybe from watching too much Beavis and Butt-head as a kid?<br />
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<a href="http://www.myteespot.com/images/Images_d/img_kbVaDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.myteespot.com/images/Images_d/img_kbVaDR.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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(For the record, I totally used to own this shirt.)</div>
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It bugs me that so many brands of tortilla chips are SO salty, though. I don't need the combo of salty chips <i>and </i>spicy salsa to burn my mouth in two ways, sorry. I finally got to the point where I was eating them as a taco salad with more lettuce-to-chips ratio to tone down the saltiness a bit. But there's something about tortilla chips smothered in a variety of toppings that makes me a happy Cara... especially when the boyfriend is pretty much the King of Nachos. He works magic with food, that one.<br />
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Here are a couple pics of some impressive plates: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguepHqkrwXcTSMEBgLsVK8-cTA9lgQYh5nBpp7oV93yDPKlQUWw-hhcEPq4-WEQ4vusgkSbph6zYcvCW5cbVUIlKeBXMcqOrQ4a1m81-Eglj3YQ_NNyRc3jQ43z3o54E2Ep_vtxXsRneB/s1600/nacho1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguepHqkrwXcTSMEBgLsVK8-cTA9lgQYh5nBpp7oV93yDPKlQUWw-hhcEPq4-WEQ4vusgkSbph6zYcvCW5cbVUIlKeBXMcqOrQ4a1m81-Eglj3YQ_NNyRc3jQ43z3o54E2Ep_vtxXsRneB/s400/nacho1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Can you tell I like sour cream? I've since learned that it's easier to put the toppings in a bowl and scoop them out with the chips when eating at the computer... which I do without shame. I have a washable keyboard, after all. ;)<br />
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This post is sort of a memorial to the two. I think I'm about done with the run of "OMG I WANT TO EAT THIS EVERY DAY" for both. Of course, I wouldn't say no if a giant plate of delicious nachos magically appeared in front of me! *waits for nachos...* Darn.<br />
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My question to you: Are there any foods that are totally jiving with you lately, that you just can't seem to get enough of?Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-68231592127305972122013-09-15T13:21:00.000-04:002013-09-15T13:21:17.202-04:00Growth comes in many formsIf you haven't checked out <a href="http://effywild.com/">Effy Wild</a>'s <a href="http://effywild.com/bod-2013-session-2/">Book of Days</a> art journaling program yet, you're totally missing out. Psst, registration opens again in October so go sign up for her newsletter and keep an eye out! ;D That said, I've been a total fangirl for anything Effy for some time now and my Book of Days practice has taken on a new evolution with <a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/ideas.php">Project Life</a>!<br />
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I hadn't heard about Project Life until Shelly posted on her blog, <a href="http://inspirationeverywhere.blogspot.com/">Inspiration Everywhere</a>, about it. Besides the fact that her art is amazing and her own Project Life book is something I drool over, can we just talk about her handwriting for a second? *fans self* If I could download her handwriting as a font into my brain to be able to write like that... ahhh! Okay, anyway, enough fangirling again.<br />
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After pondering over this for a couple weeks, I got a coupon from Michael's arts and crafts store for 40% off one item and picked up a big ol' variety box of page protectors. These are really cool because they are all 12x12 standard scrapbook page size, but with pockets split into 3x4, 4x6, and 6x6 sizes so you can insert a bunch of stuff without having to make a traditional scrapbook layout on a big 12x12 page. Now all I have to do is find my scrapbook binder that's hiding somewhere amongst my stuff... ;)<br />
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Until then, I'm trying to put in a little insert for every day. I haven't really succeeded in that goal just yet, so I'm just making it work till I find my groove. But instead of using the traditional Project Life cards that are available for purchase, I'm using index cards because somewhere along the way I decided I needed like 3000 index cards and they are a good, plain background for any kind of arting. I also have a ton of scrapbook paper to use, along with tons of bits and bobs for accents. I am trying to make do with what I have and only buy things that will truly serve me in my interests and growth, so I like to think this is helping me with that goal.<br />
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I have a few reasons I wanted to try this. First, because my most recent altered book art journal is nearly full, so it was about time to find a new one to work with anyway. Second, my previous Books of Days (Book of Dayses? haha) are all kinds of stuck together. Super sad face! I mean, who knew a page with glued-on stuff would stick to another page with,
you guessed it, glued-on stuff? LAWL, common sense, I have none. I know there are ways to prevent this, like sticking wax paper between the sheets, using a spray-on fixitif, or rubbing the page with beeswax. But I was lazy and didn't do any of these, so peeling apart the pages of books that are now at least a year old is a little heartbreaking!<br />
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BUT, it's all about the journey when it comes to arting for me, not so much the outcome. <a href="http://effywild.com/2013/09/12/epiphanies-a-few-steps-back-an-epic-kermit-flail/">Effy wrote a great blog about this</a> recently that you should read if you're a creative type. :)<br />
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So anyway, I wanted to make my Book of Days worry-free when it comes to having things stick together. Another reason I wanted to try this was due to the varying sizes the page protectors allow. I've found I prefer working with a smaller canvas, so the small sized pockets work great. And if I want to go all out, I can work with a 12x12 page and put that in there with a standard scrapbook page protector, too! So it seems really easy to customize to whatever I feel like that day I sit down to slap paint and glue on the page.<br />
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Yesterday I had another 40% off coupon for Michael's (by the way, they have a <a href="http://weeklyad.michaels.com/coupons/">50% off coupon</a> now... they really are good at having me give them money willingly) and went in there expecting to get one of the kits of pocket inserts. They didn't have any of the designs I was eyeballing online, so I picked up a teensy tiny <a href="http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/Pen-Archival">Sakura Micron pen</a> instead for $1.90. Yay! I think it was fate reinforcing that idea that I don't need pre-made stuff when I can make do with what I have. But all my black pens (all 50,000 of them, it seems) were regular ol' ball point pens with black-but-not-quite-black ink, or fat bullet-tipped Sharpie markers. That's my justification for that purchase, okay? Don't judge me!<br />
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OKAY OKAY OKAY. *waves hands* Now the whole purpose of me writing all that is to work up the courage to show you what I've done, art journaling-wise, for this new Book of Days. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/theglitterhood/">The Glitterhood</a> group is doing the <a href="http://29faces.blogspot.com/">29 Faces</a> project this month, so that inspired me to try a face.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNAxG_mSboO0HHrG3a8le_5HbMG9MfYGvEJyDOUYVR1zrmH5N1xcuJzObgpIICHCE85VweWh2GneKgNCxLyHNePAORqiEU22b7i_h5Y8PeEIsTr0oIdCrlXYj1T2UPbWE7ssuI9BFNpe1/s1600/DSC00853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNAxG_mSboO0HHrG3a8le_5HbMG9MfYGvEJyDOUYVR1zrmH5N1xcuJzObgpIICHCE85VweWh2GneKgNCxLyHNePAORqiEU22b7i_h5Y8PeEIsTr0oIdCrlXYj1T2UPbWE7ssuI9BFNpe1/s400/DSC00853.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Once I have a page or two complete I'll show the whole layout, but for now I'm kind of proud of this little chicky. She looks... like a person! Granted, she's ghastly white because I haven't gotten the hang of shading yet (let's just focus on making the people-drawings look like people first). But she's there! On the page! Eeeee!<br />
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...anyway, it's a start. :)<br />
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So that's my Sunday Shiny for ya. <a href="http://effywild.com/2013/09/15/the-return-of-sunday-swoon/">Head over to Effy's blog to see more swoon-worthy posts and share your own</a>. Thanks for reading!Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-62516290487035382532013-09-14T13:05:00.001-04:002013-09-14T13:05:01.885-04:00Oh, duh! It's a dogwood tree!It occurred to me after writing about the funky seed pods on the tree at Trader Joe's that I had taken pictures of trees there before (they're just fascinating!). I found these pictures from May:<br />
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Turns out those are dogwood trees... the state flower and tree of Virginia! I find it amusing that these pretty flowers turn into a big ol' pokey looking seed ball. I never would have guessed that if I hadn't put two and two together from these past pictures. I'm sure this is super common knowledge to a ton of people, but for me, learning about the simple things in nature still brings me so much happiness and wonder with every light-bulb moment that occurs.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Gardening is an active participation in the deepest mysteries of the universe.” ~ Thomas Berry</i></span> Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-35919018558684267012013-09-12T09:58:00.001-04:002013-09-12T09:58:14.219-04:00You are an explorer.<div style="text-align: center;">
When I was shopping at my local Trader Joe's store, </div>
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I saw this plant out front and was compelled to take pictures of it.
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I have no idea what it is...
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But it sure is pretty!
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Are those seed pods? Fruits? I have no idea.
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Finding wonder in the mundane world isn't hard, if you just keep your eyes open. :)</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-40867911259114332382013-09-08T08:41:00.001-04:002013-09-08T08:41:32.354-04:00Weird Al taught me it's weird to eat marbles.What happens when you go a little too long without going grocery shopping? You end up eating up most of what's in the fridge and freezer and make a nice dent in the cupboard, too. And then, you go grocery shopping and <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/x-all-the-y">BUY ALL THE THINGS</a>! Observe:<br />
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This was after making dinner and shoving things around to find room for leftovers. I may have went just a teensy bit overboard! Now the goal is to use it all up before it goes bad. As far as cupboard space went, I stocked up on coffee since it was on sale, got some of Trader Joe's variation on Wheat Thins (a little more healthy!), and my new favorite snack: pretzel slims with goat cheese.<br />
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Oh. My. Gosh. These. Are. So. GOOD. They are basically flat pretzels that aren't too salty and in a flattened shape that makes plopping toppings (hee hee, plopping toppings) on them super easy. Almost too easy, because I ate like half the bag and half a log of goat cheese in one night. OMNOMNOM.<br />
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So besides snacking, we've had a couple Cara-made meals that weren't exactly gourmet but still edible and tasted okay! HALLELUJAH, I didn't wreck the food! I guess it wasn't too hard when I used a lot of pre-made stuff, but for a cooking noob, I like to cut myself some slack. I found pre-packaged bags of ready-to-make chopped salad at Harris Teeter, then tossed them with spinach and romaine to bulk it up. This one was actually good enough that I'd buy it again if I were in the mood for it:<br />
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<a href="http://grocery.harristeeter.com/pd/H-T-Traders/Chopped-Asian-Salad/13-oz/072036881847/"><img border="0" src="http://ct.mywebgrocer.com/legacy/productimagesroot/DJ/4/1109474.jpg" /></a></div>
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It came with a mix of veggies, then a packet of dry ingredients - this one included sliced almonds and fried wonton noodles - and a packet of salad dressing. I got the southwest variety as well to try since they were new-to-me and I adore chopped salads!<br />
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Next up: homemade pizza! Well, I made it at home, so it counts. I found some of these funky flatbreads that are perfectly sized for a sheet pan and as thin as a tortilla. The package suggested using them to make pizza, and of course the grocery store marketing was genius by putting Boar's Head pepperoni right next to them. Okay, okay, I'm easily suggestible when it comes to food! So I made that tonight but thankfully there are plenty of leftover ingredients to try again, because - note to self - with a crust that thin, you need to go skimpy on the toppings! I loaded that thing with mozzarella slices and pepperoni like a crazy woman and the poor pizza was all kinds of floppy. But, the flatbreads had good flavor, from what I could tell amongst the overwhelming flavors of the toppings, anyway. There are 3 more in the package so I'm looking forward to making more pizzas!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flatoutbread.com/products/pinwheel-lavash-flatbread/classic-white/"><img border="0" src="http://www.flatoutbread.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bag-lavash.jpg" /></a></div>
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I guess it's so thin because it's meant to be rolled? Ah well. Turns out this brand has specific flavors to use for pizza, but they didn't have any at my store. These will do for now! I'm thinking I might try some kind of baked pizza spiral-y wrap or something. But, if I were feeling ambitious, Trader Joe's makes some great ready-made pizza dough I've used many times in the past. This, however, is a good option for when you don't feel like spending the time to mess around stretching out the dough, or don't have time to let the dough come to room temperature. It's good to switch things up once in awhile, anyway.<br />
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I've realized that I'm so good about taking pictures of all the incredibly delicious food that Ian makes for me, but when I make something I forget about the camera and just dive in like a hungry hungry hippo starving for marbles. So instead of pictures of salad and a sad looking pizza, I will leave you with a photo of my cat sleeping on his face.<br />
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Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-51923141170468382642013-08-29T08:56:00.002-04:002013-08-29T08:56:20.889-04:00Erm, how is August almost over already?Effy's Blogalong for August is almost over, and I totally fell off the bandwagon. Much like a pattern I have when starting anything new, I go gung-ho at the start, almost overboard. Then it feels like I've used up all my brain and stop cold turkey. I guess I should work on that. :)<br />
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But, I still feel like the purpose of the blogalong worked: blogging, for me, is<i> a thing</i> now. It's inspired me to elaborate on my thoughts, and think more deeply on how the media I consume on a daily basis effects me personally... among other things.<br />
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This snippet from <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/making_things">The Oatmeal</a> totally summarizes my experience lately, though. Sometimes, no matter how much I <i>want</i> to write, when I sit in front of a blank screen my brain goes all "duhhhhhhh" at me. So, I've allowed myself to keep on inputting stuff in my brain, and letting the output come when I'm inspired.<br />
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<a href="http://effythewild.com/blog/2013/8/27/blogalong-with-effy-2730-a-sweaty-cranky-vlog">Effy vlogged about the importance of keeping your practice</a>. - this is a really great reminder that it helps to be grounded in your practice, and to find a practice that helps ground you for when situations in life get all poopy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.veledastower.com/wordpress/?p=217">Becky made some AWESOME gaming-inspired cakes!</a>! - sugar and gaming go together like Doritos and Mountain Dew.<br />
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<a href="http://www.topfloortreasures.com/perfection-thats-not-for-me/">Zoe muses on letting go of perfectionism with your art journaling</a>. - the simple act of art journaling is the thing I love most about it. I can start with something on a page and end up with something entirely different by the end. It's really amazing what kind of journeys you go on when you just open up and allow the creative juices to flow by slapping down some paint and glue without worrying about what it "should" look like.<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/-2V7t09zqxE">Gabrielle Bernstein talks about how to maintain your sense of self when you fall in love</a>. - this is a huge one for me. I wish we were all taught this as children. It's such an important message. I re-watched an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where Data installs a romance program to be in a relationship and totally changes everything about himself that made homegirl like him in the first place. He became a huge creeper, too. >_<<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/xk18_3a9dsU">Ivy Moon made an awesome video about her goals and dreams</a>. - Not only is she radiant, but I totally share some of her dreams and goals so this video hit home for me. I really like how she collected her ideas and put them out into the universe this way.<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/3erBNeOqMuM">Halcyon talks about the idea of snark vs. sparkle at Burning Man</a>, but I think it applies to life, too. :)<br />
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Before I overwhelm you with awesome stuff to read and watch, I'll leave it at that for today. Enjoy! :DCarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-33292767681163637952013-08-13T23:01:00.002-04:002013-08-14T02:11:29.993-04:00♪ Music to My Ears! ♪Things like this are what amuses me throughout my day: While sitting at a red light in my car, I picked up my bottle of water and opened the cap. As I lifted it to my mouth to take a sip, the song on the radio, "Give It Away" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, sang, "drink a little wah-tah!" Heeee. :)<br />
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I've always loved the color scheme (if you want to call it that) of this video. GLITTERY and SHINY and METALLIC oh yes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQFbwV2KeLw34suA2MWFbULTruXV5bqIQ31glgiOwvsGvkSy30HJxJLc7IftYhE3oPdpnBeJgauJTvor4nql98bsX0ZnuPhOgLgPBV0gmvTpUJeLxic7G-y6lG3k6xpPd7T20v_5PkkSl/s1600/shiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQFbwV2KeLw34suA2MWFbULTruXV5bqIQ31glgiOwvsGvkSy30HJxJLc7IftYhE3oPdpnBeJgauJTvor4nql98bsX0ZnuPhOgLgPBV0gmvTpUJeLxic7G-y6lG3k6xpPd7T20v_5PkkSl/s320/shiny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ian pointed out that this song and video is now over 20 years old. WHAT. How. 1991 wasn't that long ago, was it?! AUGH! *feels old* (even though I got told at a doctor visit today I look 16. I'm going to totally go back to high school like that Drew Barrymore movie current high schoolers totally wouldn't know about, wahhh)<br />
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Okay, time to not feel so old: NEW MUSIC! WEEEEEE!<br />
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I heard Katy Perry's new song "Roar" on the radio, too, and ...I think I like it. Not really for the music, but I like the lyrics a lot. And now that I've watched her lyric video for it, I might just like it even more... emojis and OMG KITTY at the end!<br />
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Cuuuuuuuuuuute :D<br />
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Another new song I'm like eeeeeeeeeeeee! super duper squeal-y excited about is Lady Gaga's "Applause." Okay, so I admit, I have a poster of Lady Gaga in my closet. Not because I'm a closet Gaga fan, haha, but because looking at her when I'm picking out my clothes inspires me and makes me happy. I kinda love her. :) So my expectations for her new music are like WAAAAAAY up there. So on my first listen, I'm not as squeeful as I expected to be, but that's okay. I'm waiting for someone to make a remix that focuses on bringing out what I hear as the Marilyn Manson style in her voice. Or, a dubstep remix, because right after the "applause" x54695867 lyric build-up, I feel like there could totally be a gnarly dubstep breakdown.<br />
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But yeah, tell me this promo video doesn't give you a Manson-style creepy vibe!<br />
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And this outfit?<br />
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Aaand here's the song itself:<br />
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I can't wait to see a music video for this (soooooooooon). This song is an example of one where I'm kind of "eh" about the lyrics but I can see it being something good to listen to while running or exercising to get yourself totally pumped up.<br />
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But yeah, I think if anyone can mix Manson and Dubstep, it'd be Gaga. Either way, I'm totally looking forward to more of her new "ARTPOP" era.<br />
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And somehow this turned into a music post. Weeeee! I find there are very few "top hits" that I enjoy as I get older, but with music on the internet it's so much easier to find independent and obscure singers and bands that make my ears happy.<br />
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Are there any new-to-you songs or bands lately that you just can't get enough of?Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-89135802932144519332013-08-11T12:52:00.003-04:002013-08-11T12:52:40.506-04:00Rain + no coffee = oh crap I slept all dayHappy Sunday y'all!<br />
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Ah, it's been rainy and stormy here. This not only makes my face feel like it's in a vice (thanks, sinuses!) but it makes me sleeeeeepy. The sound of rain is so soothing! So, I ended up sleeping pretty much all day yesterday, between the rain and drinking no coffee. Oops. So then I slept more last night, woke up and had some coffee this morning, and since it's still rainy I totally want to just crawl in bed but I am trying my best to stay awake! The cats make it look so alluring and comfy though... *sigh* I am constantly battling my Circadian Rhythm. Just like my dancing rhythm, it appears I have none.<br />
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Since it's Sunday, I'm feeling inspired. Here are some inspire-y bits I've found around the web lately!<br />
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I really like this quote from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/williamsonmarianne">Marianne Williamson</a> that was posted on her Facebook: <i>The ego says, "Once everything falls into place, I'll feel peace." The spirit says, "Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place."</i><br />
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You may have heard of <a href="http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090323/7-rules-for-eating">Michael Pollen's 7 Words and 7 Rules for Eating</a>. They resonate a lot with me, and I especially like the one about not eating anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food. It makes me giggle to think of mine coming along with me to the grocery store and oogling in the aisles. Sometimes I feel as fascinated as they might be when I look at all the prepackaged stuff. Darn newfangled contraptions! *shakes fist in air* hee hee.<i> </i><br />
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I really like this article: <a href="http://gigigriffis.com/the-try-something-new-manifesto/">The Try Something New Manifesto</a>. Ever since I first read it, I have tried to incorporate trying new things into my daily life. Branching out of my comfort zone is a little scary sometimes but for the most part it's exciting to accomplish something different!<br />
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Lately I have been totally enamoured by <a href="http://www.joannadevoe.com/">Joanna Devoe</a>, who I recently found via her podcast when searching iTunes for witchy and pagan things. She reminds me a lot of myself when it comes to the merge of pagan and new thought kind of ideas.<br />
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Wise words from Gabrielle Bernstein.</div>
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I hope you have an awesome day! Namaste :)Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642333767241982456.post-41125037824330809262013-08-09T22:21:00.000-04:002013-08-09T22:21:11.166-04:00“I am not a glutton - I am an explorer of food.” ~ Erma BombeckApparently today I am channeling my inner foodie nerd, because today has been all about food!<br />
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I have a tendency to graze when at home with no real meal plan. I ended up focusing on trying to use up the fresh foods in the fridge because food waste is one of my biggest pet peeves. I mean c'mon Past Cara, why did you leave just one slice of Swiss cheese in the drawer? Oh well, Present Cara enjoyed it well enough. :)<br />
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OMNOMNOM ALERT!!!</div>
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I always forget how good these taste until I eat one and then want to immediately eat another one. This is what I ate this morning to put something in my belly before I felt like cooking. Some flavors of Larabars I'm not a fan of, some are okay, but this one is seriously my favorite. Ian's a fan of the pecan pie flavor, but for some reason it's hard to find around here. These babies are usually $1-2 each, so I stock up when they're on sale for $1 or less with a coupon.<br />
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Recently I decided to make my own Ranch dressing/dip. (Still working on the ratios of ingredients my tastebuds prefer, I'll share it when it comes out perfect!) One of the ingredients was buttermilk, which is used to thin it out from a dip into a dressing. Welp, we ate the whole batch as a dip with cut up veggies, so I had this little container of buttermilk left in the fridge that I just realized needed to be used. So, I searched my trusty <a href="http://www.evernote.com/">Evernote</a> - my recipe collection database of choice - for recipes that used buttermilk.<br />
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I ended up trying <a href="http://www.redflycreations.com/2012/10/the-amazing-amish-cinnamon-bread.html">this recipe for Amish Cinnamon Bread</a>. I halved it since I only own one loaf pan, but it didn't turn out exactly like I remember from my day of eating endless amounts of Amish Cinnamon Bread from having a zillion starters. Maybe next time I will use the batter in muffins instead of a loaf, since it took so long for the loaf to set the batter, it made the edges a bit dry. As you can see in the picture, the top layer of cinnamon sugar became it's own monster, too. Muffins might fare a little better! But, I don't know that I have a whole cup of buttermilk left so I will use one of my other recipes that use less this go 'round.<br />
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As you can see, I had a cooking fail today, too. I was trying to use up the garlic left in the house. Some of it I had peeled and put in a container in the fridge for the convenience of not having to peel it when you want to use some in cooking, but apparently if you do that and leave it in there too long it starts to grow. Oops! I grabbed the other few cloves that weren't peeled, too, and cut it all up and threw it in a pan, covered 'em in olive oil, and tossed them in the oven. Buuuuuuuuuuuut I totally didn't cover them with enough oil because they kinda scorched. Gross. Ah well, at least I tried! Sometimes cooking is just about trial and error, and learning from your errors - especially the inedible ones.<br />
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The bit about trying, that's a big one for me. Because my boyfriend is an amazing cook, and talented, he can cook anything 3x as fast as I could, and 3x better, too. So I get discouraged when it comes to even bothering attempting to cook because it feels like a waste of time and ingredients. But I go through phases where I just have this random inspiration to get in the kitchen and Just Do It. I am thankful when I have enough energy to do that! Sometimes it's all I can do to microwave something, so actually preparing "real food" makes me really happy.<br />
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I admire people who call themselves Kitchen Witches, because I do find that cooking can be a sacred, spiritual act. I think part of my desire to cook sometimes has to do with that, to be part of the alchemical process of turning a bunch of ingredients into something else totally different. I mean, that cinnamon bread wasn't anything like bread when it was a pile of ingredients on the counter. People who say magic doesn't exist apparently have never tried baking something from scratch! When I kept poking the skewer through the middle of the loaf to check if it would come out clean to tell that it was done, and it would be gooey, I'd pout and set the timer for another 10 minutes. And all of a sudden, after doing that what seemed like 8 times because my oven is finicky and in dire need of a good cleaning, it went from gooey to fluffy. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN!? Okay, I know there's science behind it, but thinking of it as magic makes it so much more fun!<br />
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I attempted one other cooking feat today that actually worked: we had a green bell pepper in the fridge, as well as a
medium-sized onion. I cut them both up into fajita-style strips and
cooked them in the oven for awhile till they were floppy. Next step? Wait for Boyfriend to get home from work and help me incorporate them into nachos. Is it mean that he cooks all day and then he comes home and cooks some more? Haha. That's part of what I want to be a better cook, too. Both he and Mario Batali have the same philosophy: the best tasting meal is one that is cooked by someone else for you.<br />
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I'll leave you with one last note of foody goodness: A new blog I am
enjoying is fellow WoW player Ghemit's new project, <a href="http://alonefordinner.wordpress.com/">Alone for Dinner</a>. Check it out, and give it a follow, especially if you're around DC for local recommendations! Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835657869931114755noreply@blogger.com3