It's family fun time today. We took the kid to Safari Sam's to play, It's one of those indoor gym things with bounce houses and huge slides in it. He's enjoying himself and I have wifi. If it was later in the day, I would also have a beer sitting next to me. *laughs*
Got my pre-calc out of the way today. I left the computer at the house churning out reports. The best part, I can remote into my computer and check on stuffs. I love technology some days. It's nice to NOT be stuck at a desk.
I'm really pissed off at Congress. I'm so tired of them posturing around and me having to pay for it. Our congress reminds me of the House of Lords that existed back in English History. They only thought of themselves and no one else. I wish we could fire all the congressmen that are acting like 4 year olds and just replace them with people that give a crap about the everyday person.
In happier news, the sun has returned to PDX. It's still chilly but not as rainy. The monsoon has passed, it seems. Supposedly, it will be around 70 this weekend? Boo. I need to make some weekend plans, I want to go do something...but what? Hmmmm
I got a new book today..the new JR Ward book. YAY. That is what I'm doing later today. READING!!!!! I always slack off on her book release dates. *sighs* I love her writing style. It just rocks.
Okay...apparently we are now off to Target! Sweet!!!! I needed to go by there as it was.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Oh My! Yes!
I stumbled across this today:
via Apartment Therapy
via Apartment Therapy
Creamy Candy Bar Sauce
Adapted from Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros
Yields about 1 cup
Yields about 1 cup
12 fun-sized candy bars, like Milky Way, Snickers, and/or Three Musketeers
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
Tear the candy bars into pieces and place in a small saucepan along with the heavy cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is creamy, about 5 minutes. Serve warm over ice cream (or enjoy plain with a spoon.)
Leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator, and reheated on medium low.
Recipe Notes
- 12 fun-sized candy bars are approximately six ounces.
*I did not create this..see the link above for full credit where credit is due.
Sewing, Coffee and a million other little things.
I truly am an Aquarius. I have a million projects going and can seem to get to none of them. I am going to scrounge up all the thread I have. Trust me, right now, it's in a million different place around the house. Once that's done, I'm going to sit down and make the duvet cover for the bed.
I have a grand scheme in mind for the bedroom. However, it involves A HELL OF A LOT of purging and going through stuff. That's my downfall...I'm horrible at sitting and sticking to one task. I admit it, I need to seek a support group for scattered people. But, that should not stop me from making curtains, duvet cover and pillow shams. That can be done with the bedroom in the current configuration. Annd, install the lamps I purchased almost a week ago now! See! I get distracted so very easily.
Today, I'm going to park my butt on the floor and make the king size comforter. Yes, I am making one. That thread and needle I have readily handy-no hunting involved.
Besides my self proclaimed scatteredness, I got all my homework done. Just in time for the new round to be let loose tomorrow. -sighs- While I love learning and am in an occupation that demands a lifetime of learning, it gets old after a bit. I'm also in the mood for cinnamon buns and a loaf of bread. Must be the weather?
We are having another round of storms coming through. It's chilly, rather wet and blustery outside. Perfect day to stay INSIDE. It's even #NationalCoffeeDay, so I'm loving on my fancy schmancy espresso maker today. Although I swear it's #TeaSeason.
Other than that, there will be knitting going on as always. I want to finish the scarf I'm working on. I lost my other fave one and loved the yarn this one will be made of. Then I want to knit on a blanket I've been working on. Gonna need it. The Beaver blanket can't suffice for every occasion, now can it? See-that reminded me. I have some knitted pillow covers that I need backs for. Hello, same fabric from duvet can work for those! Yes! There is a method to the madness that I call a mind, I swear there is.
Remember all those socks I knitted? They are coming in handy now. Tis time. I love handknitted socks for running around the house in. They are house slippers that hug your tootsies.
As for now...the main project is hoovering/mopping/baking. Just need good music for that. I am music-ly motivated. I'm lucky that my computer is near the kitchen, I <3 on my Google Music Player.
Peek of the scarf:
I have a grand scheme in mind for the bedroom. However, it involves A HELL OF A LOT of purging and going through stuff. That's my downfall...I'm horrible at sitting and sticking to one task. I admit it, I need to seek a support group for scattered people. But, that should not stop me from making curtains, duvet cover and pillow shams. That can be done with the bedroom in the current configuration. Annd, install the lamps I purchased almost a week ago now! See! I get distracted so very easily.
Today, I'm going to park my butt on the floor and make the king size comforter. Yes, I am making one. That thread and needle I have readily handy-no hunting involved.
Besides my self proclaimed scatteredness, I got all my homework done. Just in time for the new round to be let loose tomorrow. -sighs- While I love learning and am in an occupation that demands a lifetime of learning, it gets old after a bit. I'm also in the mood for cinnamon buns and a loaf of bread. Must be the weather?
We are having another round of storms coming through. It's chilly, rather wet and blustery outside. Perfect day to stay INSIDE. It's even #NationalCoffeeDay, so I'm loving on my fancy schmancy espresso maker today. Although I swear it's #TeaSeason.
Other than that, there will be knitting going on as always. I want to finish the scarf I'm working on. I lost my other fave one and loved the yarn this one will be made of. Then I want to knit on a blanket I've been working on. Gonna need it. The Beaver blanket can't suffice for every occasion, now can it? See-that reminded me. I have some knitted pillow covers that I need backs for. Hello, same fabric from duvet can work for those! Yes! There is a method to the madness that I call a mind, I swear there is.
Remember all those socks I knitted? They are coming in handy now. Tis time. I love handknitted socks for running around the house in. They are house slippers that hug your tootsies.
As for now...the main project is hoovering/mopping/baking. Just need good music for that. I am music-ly motivated. I'm lucky that my computer is near the kitchen, I <3 on my Google Music Player.
Peek of the scarf:
I love the colors! It's a very simple yarn: Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in Dragonfly.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Fall/Bake-both have four letters!
I've been blog surfing and an amazing thing has happened. The baking season is upon us. All over the blogosphere people are talking about baking and sharing recipes. And here, I thought it was just me?
I've baked two batches of biscuits in the last two days. I like to start small and work my way up to the more complicated things. However, I'm really wanting to bake cookies and a cake now! And I vow by all that is holy...I will master pie crust this fall/winter! It truly can't be that complicated, right? Well..based on my attempts..it's is complicated. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.
Prior to the baking season, I have cleaned my kitchen to an inch of it's life. The counters are clear, the drawers thinned out. I think I'm ready to roll.
I've baked two batches of biscuits in the last two days. I like to start small and work my way up to the more complicated things. However, I'm really wanting to bake cookies and a cake now! And I vow by all that is holy...I will master pie crust this fall/winter! It truly can't be that complicated, right? Well..based on my attempts..it's is complicated. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.
Prior to the baking season, I have cleaned my kitchen to an inch of it's life. The counters are clear, the drawers thinned out. I think I'm ready to roll.
Plenty of workspace, that's the key. The table is right next to the counter for setting things to cool off on and such. I do have to admit, I have a good amount of counter space to work with.
My fave biscuit recipe: 2 cups of self-rising flour and 1 cup heavy whipping cream. Yep, that's it. Two ingredients makes it super easy to whip up. You roll it out, cut them out and back for 10 minutes in a 450 degree oven. If it was any easier they would come out of a can!
Monday, September 23, 2013
B is for super comfy bedding
It's officially fall and that means getting the house ready for the colder weather. The main thing is getting the bed winterized.
I bought a new mattress topper. Finding one for a king size bed is not easy. Well it is easy, the hard part is finding one that is not 500.00 or better! I found mine at Target. On Sale. Had a Target gift card. Had my 5% off Target card. Got that puppy for a mere 35.00! Now, I bet you think that was the hard part? Nope..ever tried to wrangle a king size anything onto a bed....by yourself? Yep, that's the hard part.
As is, my bed has a pillowtop to begin with. Plus it had a thick quilted mattress pad on it. Now it's got bascially three pillow tops on it. Hmm, yeah..feels like one of those plush beds from a fancy schmancy hotels. Tossed on some flannel sheets, all ten pillows and bam...one very comfy cushy bed perfectly suited for winter. Problem now..I can't get up in the damned thing. So I bought one of these, the Bekvam stool. It sucks to be short, I swear! Hm, I think it's gonna need staining. But that is for a later time and date. At least the cats like it. Isabella sniffed it, climbed up on it and was "hey...this makes it easier to get up with". Nothing is sacred in my house.
I also got two cute lamps to attach to the wall. The Arstid wall lamp. The current bedside table lamps take up so much room on what constitutes nightstands in my house - the ever so popular three shelf bookcase! Yeah, wall lights will be much better.
Last but not least...a new comforter. Well, it will be a new comforter once I'm done. Have you priced a down comforter for a king size bed. Yeah, we are back to that damn big bed syndrome issue. Well, I'm rather frugal. Ikea has comforters on sale. Twin size down comforter, winter rating of 3 on sale for 14.99. I simply bought two of them, plan to just stitch them together and then make a huge duvet cover for it all.
Bingo, king size thick down comforter for 30.00! Once I make the matching pillow shams and new curtains, I will have one luxurious bedroom.
One can never put a price on comfort. Well, you can, but it doesn't have to be hundreds of dollars. And let's face it, I'm kind of frugal.
I bought a new mattress topper. Finding one for a king size bed is not easy. Well it is easy, the hard part is finding one that is not 500.00 or better! I found mine at Target. On Sale. Had a Target gift card. Had my 5% off Target card. Got that puppy for a mere 35.00! Now, I bet you think that was the hard part? Nope..ever tried to wrangle a king size anything onto a bed....by yourself? Yep, that's the hard part.
As is, my bed has a pillowtop to begin with. Plus it had a thick quilted mattress pad on it. Now it's got bascially three pillow tops on it. Hmm, yeah..feels like one of those plush beds from a fancy schmancy hotels. Tossed on some flannel sheets, all ten pillows and bam...one very comfy cushy bed perfectly suited for winter. Problem now..I can't get up in the damned thing. So I bought one of these, the Bekvam stool. It sucks to be short, I swear! Hm, I think it's gonna need staining. But that is for a later time and date. At least the cats like it. Isabella sniffed it, climbed up on it and was "hey...this makes it easier to get up with". Nothing is sacred in my house.
I also got two cute lamps to attach to the wall. The Arstid wall lamp. The current bedside table lamps take up so much room on what constitutes nightstands in my house - the ever so popular three shelf bookcase! Yeah, wall lights will be much better.
Last but not least...a new comforter. Well, it will be a new comforter once I'm done. Have you priced a down comforter for a king size bed. Yeah, we are back to that damn big bed syndrome issue. Well, I'm rather frugal. Ikea has comforters on sale. Twin size down comforter, winter rating of 3 on sale for 14.99. I simply bought two of them, plan to just stitch them together and then make a huge duvet cover for it all.
Bingo, king size thick down comforter for 30.00! Once I make the matching pillow shams and new curtains, I will have one luxurious bedroom.
One can never put a price on comfort. Well, you can, but it doesn't have to be hundreds of dollars. And let's face it, I'm kind of frugal.
Grrrr
Dear Students on Academic Discussion Forums,
Wikipedia is NOT considered a reliable source for reference. Even Wikipedia tells you NOT to use it as research references, but to use it as a guide to the ones considered reliable by the academic world. Click on the link if you do not believe me!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Academic_use
Thank you
Person wanting to bash their head in because just because it's on the internet does not mean it's true!
Wikipedia is NOT considered a reliable source for reference. Even Wikipedia tells you NOT to use it as research references, but to use it as a guide to the ones considered reliable by the academic world. Click on the link if you do not believe me!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Academic_use
Thank you
Person wanting to bash their head in because just because it's on the internet does not mean it's true!
New Frosting Recipe!
The start of fall means it's time to bake again. That means I go searching for new things to try. This is one of them. It sounds so yummy. It's courtesy of StyleMePretty
* 5 large egg whites
* 1 ¼ cups extra-fine granulated sugar
* ¼ cup cold water
* 1 lb unsalted butter (at room temperature- about 35-45 mins out of the fridge)
* 1 tsp almond extract
* Candy thermometer
* 1 quart saucepan
step-1
Slice the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and set aside.
step-2
Measure 1 cup sugar and the water into the saucepan and stir gently. Pour the remaining ¼ cup sugar into a small bowl and set aside. Place the candy thermometer in the saucepan and heat the sugar water over medium-high heat. Partially cover with a lid.
step-3
While the sugar syrup is cooking, separate the egg whites into a standing mixer (fitted with the wire whip attachment). With the mixer on high speed, begin whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks. When the peaks are stiff, you have a meringue.
step-4
Pour the ¼ cup of sugar into the meringue while the mixer is running, and keep whipping.
step-5
Bring the sugar syrup to 245°F (raise the heat if you need to). When the syrup is at 245°F, remove the thermometer and slowly pour the syrup into the meringue while the mixer is running. After a few minutes reduce the mixer speed to medium-high for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the meringue is cooled. Add the almond extract, then add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Increase the mixer speed to high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the butter is fully incorporated.
* Makes 4-5 cups buttercream
Almond Italian Meringue Buttercream
Make 5 batches (25 cups)
Adapted from Warren Brown’s CakeLove Book
ingredients
* 5 large egg whites
* 1 ¼ cups extra-fine granulated sugar
* ¼ cup cold water
* 1 lb unsalted butter (at room temperature- about 35-45 mins out of the fridge)
* 1 tsp almond extract
* Candy thermometer
* 1 quart saucepan
directions
step-1
Slice the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and set aside.
step-2
Measure 1 cup sugar and the water into the saucepan and stir gently. Pour the remaining ¼ cup sugar into a small bowl and set aside. Place the candy thermometer in the saucepan and heat the sugar water over medium-high heat. Partially cover with a lid.
step-3
While the sugar syrup is cooking, separate the egg whites into a standing mixer (fitted with the wire whip attachment). With the mixer on high speed, begin whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks. When the peaks are stiff, you have a meringue.
step-4
Pour the ¼ cup of sugar into the meringue while the mixer is running, and keep whipping.
step-5
Bring the sugar syrup to 245°F (raise the heat if you need to). When the syrup is at 245°F, remove the thermometer and slowly pour the syrup into the meringue while the mixer is running. After a few minutes reduce the mixer speed to medium-high for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the meringue is cooled. Add the almond extract, then add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Increase the mixer speed to high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the butter is fully incorporated.
* Makes 4-5 cups buttercream
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