tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16491504377976257052024-03-13T12:06:16.358-04:00.: the expat files :.- my life on the other side of the oceanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-65723558351305976402015-12-14T08:16:00.001-05:002015-12-14T08:16:19.898-05:00If you'd like to keep reading...Hi everyone,<br />
<br />
Just a drop a quick note (a year later, ha-ha) that the continuation of this blog has moved to its new blogger home :)<br />
<br />
Keep reading on http://homemadetrialsfiles.blogspot.ca/<br />
<br />
<i>Cheers,</i><br />
<i>Nadia</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-63897335620825750752014-11-28T12:49:00.000-05:002014-11-28T12:51:30.956-05:00Advent Calendar - Kid's EditionWow, so it’s been AWHILE I posted anything here, but it’s that time of the year again – the festive season! I know that not everyone out there enjoys this time of the year (with the temperatures plummeting and the lack of sunshine outside), but I just love it. Just think about it – hot chocolate, warm socks, decorations and music.<br />
<br />
It’s been more than a few weeks now that most of the stores started selling advent calendars, you know, the kind with chocolates in them. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE CHOCOLATE, but I think it’s not what the holiday season is about after all.<br />
<br />
So this year I’ve decided to do something different. Miss V is 4 now, so she totally gets the concept of Christmas and gift-giving and such. I decided to create an advent calendar for her that it made up of activities (there’ll be some chocolate eating in there too, of course!). Some will be easy tasks (week nights) and others will be more elaborate (weekends).<br />
<br />
There are LOTS of ideas out there, especially if you are a fan of Pinterest. I browsed some stuff, and after getting better acquainted with what this is all about, I’ve come up with something we’ll be doing this year – it’s cheap, it’s simple, anyone can do it!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">What you’ll need</span><span style="color: #990000;">:</span></strong><br />
<br />
* <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/80278188/" target="_blank">Festive paper bags</a> – ours were purchased for $9.99 from IKEA; they even come with numbered stickers from 1 to 24, in case, like me, you want to use them for an advent calendar (so we’ll have 24 activities). Of course, you can always make your our bags, socks, pouches, whatever else your heart desires! :) I just don’t have that kind of time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WOck-NJEZ0Q/VHi0lUwOvgI/AAAAAAAADKQ/XSciJ5yOtAA/s1600/advent01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WOck-NJEZ0Q/VHi0lUwOvgI/AAAAAAAADKQ/XSciJ5yOtAA/s1600/advent01.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
* Some sort of word-processing application and a printer (alternatively, you can just cut up pieces of paper and write out activities by hand; I did ours in a spreadsheet program and added a small embellishment of holly, I couldn't resist!).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMwiRROXJnQ/VHi0uHfzdbI/AAAAAAAADKY/GH1K5WAWlzI/s1600/advent02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMwiRROXJnQ/VHi0uHfzdbI/AAAAAAAADKY/GH1K5WAWlzI/s1600/advent02.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Print them up & cut them up</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
* Ribbon (or something else to hang the activities).<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">Our activities</span><span style="color: #990000;">:</span></strong>
<br />
<em>(W designates 6 weekend day activities)</em><br />
<ol>
<li>Decorate the tree</li>
<li>Take a photo with Santa</li>
<li>Make Christmas cookies (W)</li>
<li>Build a gingerbread house</li>
<li>Read a Christmas story</li>
<li>Hang stockings</li>
<li>Make paper snowflakes (<a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/2011/12/85-let-it-snow.html" target="_blank">here's how I usually do it</a>)</li>
<li>Buy a gift for charity</li>
<li>Listen to Christmas music</li>
<li>Buy a gift for daddy</li>
<li>Buy a gift for mommy</li>
<li>Make gifts for your teachers (W)</li>
<li>Make & send special cards to babushka and deda (our out-of-country grandparents) (W)</li>
<li>Read a Christmas story</li>
<li>Snuggle with mom & dad by the fire</li>
<li>Watch Christmas cartoons</li>
<li>Enjoy a candy cane</li>
<li>Give a gift to A (Miss V's special friend) (W)</li>
<li>Buy Christmas jammies (W)</li>
<li>Wrap presents</li>
<li>Make special cards for your teachers (W)</li>
<li>Read a Christmas story</li>
<li>Drink hot chocolate</li>
<li>Make s'mores</li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdAHeihcHXY/VHi06KSrUHI/AAAAAAAADKg/emasmvclaqo/s1600/advent03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdAHeihcHXY/VHi06KSrUHI/AAAAAAAADKg/emasmvclaqo/s1600/advent03.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>I lined up the bags into weekly rows and sorted the activities that way :)</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you might notice, some of these activities aren't really activities (like, enjoying a candy cane, for example) and some are super easy or are repeated (reading a Christmas story), but given that we are busy during the week, we'll do just that - simple things to keep out advent countdown going.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy our list - feel free to borrow some or all of it!<br />
<br />
Happy Holidays everyone! :)<br />
<br />
<em>Read my older blog posts on the subject of Christmas </em><a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/search/label/Christmas" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a><em> :)</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-91166402138871351722014-04-04T21:17:00.001-04:002014-04-04T21:17:55.673-04:00Russian-style Apple PieYes, long-overdue, but here's another post! :D<br />
<br />
This is probably the easiest thing you can make, I promise! I've tried a number of different apple pie recipes, but most North American recipes call for the typical crust-fruit-crust type of a pie. Being from Belarus, I'm used to more of a "mixed" pie variety (I might've commented on this before :P), some people would call that a tart.<br />
<br />
I've made this <a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/2011/06/apple-pie.html" target="_blank">Apple Pie</a> before (a recipe from a Russian book I have), but it takes a bit of a commitment and I was feeling really lazy... So anyways, I was browsing on a Russian-language website and found this easy recipe of Sharlotka (aka Russian apple pie, or a Charlotte, if you will). I guarantee it, you'll love it! Minimal ingredients and depending on the type of apple you pick and the amount of sugar you use, it can be tart or sweet, or somewhere in between - the choice is yours!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeUPxLPW-ww/Uz9U099AYuI/AAAAAAAADC0/Y-ut40ShTEE/s1600/Pie(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeUPxLPW-ww/Uz9U099AYuI/AAAAAAAADC0/Y-ut40ShTEE/s1600/Pie(7).jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Here's how it goes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gG9wONzu4OU/Uz9UL3qRtTI/AAAAAAAADCs/6qCSd8PYVxg/s1600/Pie(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gG9wONzu4OU/Uz9UL3qRtTI/AAAAAAAADCs/6qCSd8PYVxg/s1600/Pie(1).jpg" height="320" width="296" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span><br />
* 2-4 apples (amount depends on their size; I used 3)<br />
* 3 eggs<br />
* 3-4 tbsp of sugar<br />
* 3-4 tbsp of flour with a heap<br />
* soda & vinegar (half a tsp of each)<br />
* cinnamon (<i>optional</i>)<br />
* (<i>the photo here shows butter, which I planned on using to rub the pan, but ended up skipping that)</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Directions:</u></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTbYzLyxVAk/Uz9Vvk-UtYI/AAAAAAAADDA/gGIWrr64Vyg/s1600/Pie(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTbYzLyxVAk/Uz9Vvk-UtYI/AAAAAAAADDA/gGIWrr64Vyg/s1600/Pie(2).jpg" height="200" width="186" /></a></div>
1. Wash and chop up the apples (you can peel them as well, if that's your preference). Here's a trick I use to get through this task - I half the apples and scoop out the middle with the melon "baller" (whatever you call that thing, LOL!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GA-kz-RAYh0/Uz9V3DYgeXI/AAAAAAAADDI/tRx2_y40vr0/s1600/Pie(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GA-kz-RAYh0/Uz9V3DYgeXI/AAAAAAAADDI/tRx2_y40vr0/s1600/Pie(3).jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a></div>
2. Evenly distribute the chopped apples in the pan that you'll use for your pie (<i>I used a 10-inch silicone pan, which I found a bit too large for this recipe; use an 8-inch and you should get a thicker pie</i>).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GPlEPkJ59Sg/Uz9WSe7NnmI/AAAAAAAADDQ/agC2EQ89xjU/s1600/Pie(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GPlEPkJ59Sg/Uz9WSe7NnmI/AAAAAAAADDQ/agC2EQ89xjU/s1600/Pie(4).jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a></div>
3. Whip the eggs and sugar together (until it appears that the sugar has more or less dissolved). <i>I used 3 tbsp of sugar, but you can add more if you are using tart apples or prefer a sweeter pie.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXpIUYDk3GY/Uz9WvA2bBzI/AAAAAAAADDY/59PiSrniWrQ/s1600/Pie(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXpIUYDk3GY/Uz9WvA2bBzI/AAAAAAAADDY/59PiSrniWrQ/s1600/Pie(5).jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a></div>
4. Preheat the oven to 350<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">°</span></span>F.<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->Start adding flour slowly (one tbsp at a time). I used a handheld mixer to ensure it mixed well, but you can achieve the same result with a whisk/fork.<br />
<br />
Pour a little vinegar over half a tbs of soda (it'll get fizzy) and add that to the mix (it'll help your dough rise a bit). You can use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Mix everything well (it'll be of a thick but liquid consistency, sort of like sour cream).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-kdwQoFbHI/Uz9YKgIEDOI/AAAAAAAADDk/viIHMIWFrHo/s1600/Pie(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-kdwQoFbHI/Uz9YKgIEDOI/AAAAAAAADDk/viIHMIWFrHo/s1600/Pie(6).jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
5. Pour the mix over the apples - since my pan was a bit too wide, you can see the apples more; just ensure to distribute the dough mix evenly.<br />
<br />
Bake for approximately 40-50 minutes; poke the pie and check that the toothpick/knife comes out clean.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="fr"><span class="hps">Bon appétit!</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="fr"><span class="hps">Nadia </span></span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-92029330366224788862014-02-28T21:35:00.000-05:002014-04-11T13:42:52.537-04:00Barcelona: AccommodationsI started my search for affordable accommodations as soon as I decided I wanted to go to Barcelona... Actually, no, I first considered Paris, and started looking for accommodations there. Prices in Paris are pretty steep (for me, anyways), even for February, so after having searched in vain for affordable accommodations in central Paris, I was pleasantly surprised how much of it is available in Barcelona (and I'm talking walking-distance-touristy part of Barcelona).<br />
<br />
The options are plenty - hotels, hostels, inns, condos and so on. Of course, something like a condo might cost $400-500 per night; however, it often accommodates 6+ people, so you're looking at playing max $100 per night, if you travel in a group.<br />
<br />
I read reviews, consulted various websites for deals, and eventually
ended booking though Expedia.ca, which gave me an option to pay at the
hotel (and the ability to cancel 24 hours prior). I ended up choosing <a href="http://www.hoteljazz.com/default-en.html" target="_blank">Hotel Jazz</a>, a slick and modern hotel just steps away from La Rambla, a busy tourist street, and almost everything else that you'd want to see here. Although this hotel is ranked as 3 stars, I personally feel that is a 3.5 :))) (they could probably make it a 4-star hotel, if they spent a bit of money and gave it a facelift). But we found our room to be comfortable and larger than expected! Even the beds were listed as "single" were wider that one would expect. And the hotel's location is just PRIMO!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
You might read comments that it's noisy at hotels in this area because of all the tourist traffic. Though I can't speak for all of the hotels here, ours have soundproof balcony door, which made the room almost completely silent! Finally, had it been summertime, we would've been able to take advantage of the pool and patio on our hotel's rooftop (I did go to check it out - super nice!).<br />
<br />
Here are a few photos below of our accommodations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnYnbiOd3qo/UxFFt2d0u_I/AAAAAAAADBY/Juq2CucmF-M/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnYnbiOd3qo/UxFFt2d0u_I/AAAAAAAADBY/Juq2CucmF-M/s1600/001.jpg" height="481" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6u7dfwYWqI/UxFFt256D_I/AAAAAAAADBc/x17oeYS52IU/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6u7dfwYWqI/UxFFt256D_I/AAAAAAAADBc/x17oeYS52IU/s1600/002.jpg" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zgqBLoXNzg/UxFFt61LDXI/AAAAAAAADBU/867DwMivR8Y/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zgqBLoXNzg/UxFFt61LDXI/AAAAAAAADBU/867DwMivR8Y/s1600/003.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wslXYJkqUrk/UxFFuv6O5lI/AAAAAAAADBk/PmtvcVVYMBQ/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wslXYJkqUrk/UxFFuv6O5lI/AAAAAAAADBk/PmtvcVVYMBQ/s1600/004.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSKU2gMyY44/UxFFuwWcPAI/AAAAAAAADBo/eTxZ9Y6yqSk/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSKU2gMyY44/UxFFuwWcPAI/AAAAAAAADBo/eTxZ9Y6yqSk/s1600/005.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfgkMj7jCXM/UxFFvMMze8I/AAAAAAAADB4/hbvCzpPmd2s/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfgkMj7jCXM/UxFFvMMze8I/AAAAAAAADB4/hbvCzpPmd2s/s1600/006.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Both the elevator and the lights in our room operated ONLY with the room key card</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuFjbVDKGZQ/UxFFvdt_NYI/AAAAAAAADCA/m_Nj0BiOSoY/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuFjbVDKGZQ/UxFFvdt_NYI/AAAAAAAADCA/m_Nj0BiOSoY/s1600/007.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Six nights ended up costing 560 euros (taxes in). I would say that it's a deal! :)<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<i>Nadia R.</i> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-23801138715782737942014-02-17T20:43:00.002-05:002014-02-28T21:31:51.072-05:00Barcelona Aquarium (L’Aquàrium de Barcelona)So... I'm back! I won't bore you with the details of where I've been for the past 3+ months; as usual, I have too many grand plans, but little time.<br />
<br />
Last week something happened that is actually worth sharing: I traveled to the beautiful Barcelona, Spain!!!<br />
I spent 7 nights there and that definitely was NOT enough...<br />
<br />
Let me share some highlights with you - up first, <a href="http://www.aquariumbcn.com/?lang=en" target="_blank">L’Aquàrium de Barcelona</a> (Barcelona Aquarium). This place is great (this is my third aquarium) - cost: only €20. I say "only" because it's totally worth it given what it offers. First, its Oceanarium is unique in Europe and is its largest aquarium.<br />
<br />
Here are its parameters:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9pKJIZ0ADMw/UwKiNlSIYhI/AAAAAAAAC_E/_tjJKbdnPwo/s1600/01+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9pKJIZ0ADMw/UwKiNlSIYhI/AAAAAAAAC_E/_tjJKbdnPwo/s1600/01+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="281" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Can you imagine - it holds 4,500,000 litres of water!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pY6mBQ_Jww/UwK1x4wWBpI/AAAAAAAADAk/fFf7SV8R1cY/s1600/12+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pY6mBQ_Jww/UwK1x4wWBpI/AAAAAAAADAk/fFf7SV8R1cY/s1600/12+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My sister and I were able to take our time and set our camera for a nice shot</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Second, they also have many many many tropical, salt-water and fresh-water aquariums as well. This place claims to be the largest Mediterranean-themed aquarium in the world! The nice thing is that their tanks all have flat front glass, which makes taking photos that much easier (unlike the new aquarium in Toronto with its curvy tanks).<br />
<br />
Finally, they've got a few themed aquariums/terrariums with penguins, salamanders, iguanas, frogs, and a touch tank with rays. They also have a nice play & explore area for kids with a cool submarine that they can play-pretend inside.<br />
<br />
<i>*** TIP: the aquarium is open pretty late (earliest closing time is 21h00, later at busier times of the year), so I recommend giving yourself a few hours, but coming closer to their closing time. Even though the touch tanks might be closed, you'll avoid huge crowds, school groups etc.</i> <br />
<br />
Here are a few of the highlights (but as I already mentioned, this is a must-see place in Barcelona):<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X5q2nB1yENw/UwK1voV9WxI/AAAAAAAAC_c/MBjlgIWkVzQ/s1600/02+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X5q2nB1yENw/UwK1voV9WxI/AAAAAAAAC_c/MBjlgIWkVzQ/s1600/02+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Wreathy-tuft tube-worms</span></span></i><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWHuOEie5XU/UwK1voUJLlI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/fj1wT2d_NFs/s1600/03+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWHuOEie5XU/UwK1voUJLlI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/fj1wT2d_NFs/s1600/03+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sea horses (3 tanks full of them!)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRbGij6Vu9E/UwK1vlqD9BI/AAAAAAAAC_U/_HH-5Pm7H3A/s1600/04+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRbGij6Vu9E/UwK1vlqD9BI/AAAAAAAAC_U/_HH-5Pm7H3A/s1600/04+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rtuSKplROc/UwK1wOL7hjI/AAAAAAAAC_o/sCU7HYzOWx8/s1600/05+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rtuSKplROc/UwK1wOL7hjI/AAAAAAAAC_o/sCU7HYzOWx8/s1600/05+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pink anemone</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhyIqv2pKLo/UwK1wVL2xsI/AAAAAAAAC_8/5ey_pWhOnw4/s1600/06+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhyIqv2pKLo/UwK1wVL2xsI/AAAAAAAAC_8/5ey_pWhOnw4/s1600/06+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of many gorgonians (aka sea fans)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lfzqfzT3yuk/UwK4IQVoDzI/AAAAAAAADAw/RKGCog_Q3wQ/s1600/13+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lfzqfzT3yuk/UwK4IQVoDzI/AAAAAAAADAw/RKGCog_Q3wQ/s1600/13+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another sea fan</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0L5Eym5yE1g/UwK1wVjYASI/AAAAAAAAC_w/7r1rtYLrGkU/s1600/07+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0L5Eym5yE1g/UwK1wVjYASI/AAAAAAAAC_w/7r1rtYLrGkU/s1600/07+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Longhorn cowfish</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9GaQATXC-oI/UwK1w2o0PuI/AAAAAAAAC_4/tjd8Rbi5lvQ/s1600/08+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9GaQATXC-oI/UwK1w2o0PuI/AAAAAAAAC_4/tjd8Rbi5lvQ/s1600/08+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of many Mediterranean-themed fishtanks</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NJxiJO6CXc/UwK1xPvO8GI/AAAAAAAADAE/eFsEH32HaXA/s1600/09+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NJxiJO6CXc/UwK1xPvO8GI/AAAAAAAADAE/eFsEH32HaXA/s1600/09+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Red lionfish (in a <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">tank was filled with poisonous species)</span></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWC9ZSVO7-4/UwK1xe9vSJI/AAAAAAAADAg/UDGioqDPZAA/s1600/10+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWC9ZSVO7-4/UwK1xe9vSJI/AAAAAAAADAg/UDGioqDPZAA/s1600/10+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Octopus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Am6YE7u9unk/UwK1xurkL9I/AAAAAAAADAQ/vdZDZvYtorw/s1600/11+-+Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Am6YE7u9unk/UwK1xurkL9I/AAAAAAAADAQ/vdZDZvYtorw/s1600/11+-+Aquarium.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Ambystoma mexicanum (aka Mexican salamander)</span></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you happen to visit this Barcelona attraction, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! :)<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Nadia R.</i></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-84383833719035788202013-10-25T19:12:00.000-04:002014-04-11T13:51:01.189-04:00Last days of autumnThis is my 15th autumn in Canada (wow... it felt weird writing that, AS IF it's been that long already!), and think this was by far the best fall weather I've experienced here. I figured it wouldn't last long, so we might as well enjoy it a little. Armed with my favourite possession, my camera, we headed just a short drive away to Gatineau Park a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
The colours on the hills and in the valley were breathtaking! We took a ski lift up & down (well, actually we thought of hiking down, but only mountain bikers could get off the lift at the top). Here are some photos for your enjoyment!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcHuKEw2lx8/Umr13l0d1eI/AAAAAAAAC6U/CfhmFKTZxws/s1600/Gatineau2013-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcHuKEw2lx8/Umr13l0d1eI/AAAAAAAAC6U/CfhmFKTZxws/s1600/Gatineau2013-01.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View from the ski lift</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrKoCv8hn_k/Umr1361CKtI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/G6eemzatuKg/s1600/Gatineau2013-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrKoCv8hn_k/Umr1361CKtI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/G6eemzatuKg/s1600/Gatineau2013-02.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>at Belvedere Lookout</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5pWNx2AVfA/Umr13_G_ZII/AAAAAAAAC6c/B3OgRgNwXag/s1600/Gatineau2013-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5pWNx2AVfA/Umr13_G_ZII/AAAAAAAAC6c/B3OgRgNwXag/s1600/Gatineau2013-03.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Along the hiking trail at Champlain Lookout</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QteuCcByEwg/Umr14Z75SvI/AAAAAAAAC6g/rZ2EOiolYoY/s1600/Gatineau2013-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QteuCcByEwg/Umr14Z75SvI/AAAAAAAAC6g/rZ2EOiolYoY/s1600/Gatineau2013-04.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When in Gatineau Park, I recommend stops over at Champlain, Belvedere and Pink Lake lookouts (all free of charge) as well as a visit to MacKenzie King Estate (this one isn't free, but it's absolutely worth it!).<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers,
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-624350565860727572013-10-03T21:19:00.003-04:002013-11-19T23:22:33.188-05:00Green Tomato RelishWhat can I say... This recipe is simply delicious and VERY unexpected also! Because the fall is upon us and because the temperature was starting to dip low at night, we figured that it was time to pick the remainder (a large remainder) of our tomatoes before they got damaged by the frost (never mind this AWESOME stretch of weather we're currently on!). Aside from a few really nice ripe fruits, we had lots of green tomatoes... lots!<br />
<br />
What to do with all of them? The only thing we've ever really done with green tomatoes back in my native country was to pickle them (they are delicious, might I add!). But I felt like I wanted to do something interesting instead.<br />
<br />
Once again, I scoured the Internet for an idea... I found 3 or 4 interesting things, but finally stopped at a recipe for a Green Tomato Relish. Although I WAS hesitant at first (I'm not a big fan of relish), but I decided to give it a try, and I was not disappointed that I did! It's sweet, yet soft and mild, there is something about it that makes me want to put it on everything!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Green Tomato Relish</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRvwgndmSCU/UkzDv37ZTbI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/oOlp6UJ0tvg/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRvwgndmSCU/UkzDv37ZTbI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/oOlp6UJ0tvg/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span><br />
<br />
* about 2-2.5 kilos of green tomatoes <i>(I used 2.3 kg, which is about 5 lbs; the original recipe called for 20 medium tomatoes... I just don't know how you quantify that...)</i><br />
* 3 large green bell peppers<br />
* 1 large red bell pepper<br />
* 1 extra large yellow onion <i>(it can, of course, be substituted with multiples of smaller yellow onions, which is what I did)</i><br />
* 1 tbsp+2 tsp of yellow mustard seeds <br />
* 1 tbsp+2 tsp of table salt <i>(the original recipe calls for kosher salt... I don't what the difference is)</i><br />
* 1 tbsp of celery seeds<br />
* 2 cups of cider vinegar<br />
* 2 cups of granulated sugar<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYkUo9ji7Nc/Uk4OajoqzEI/AAAAAAAAC2g/AtG0NXvdQQs/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYkUo9ji7Nc/Uk4OajoqzEI/AAAAAAAAC2g/AtG0NXvdQQs/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Directions:</u></span><br />
<br />
1. Wash all of the tomatoes and peppers. Start by chopping/grating all of the tomatoes... If you have a kitchen appliance that'll do that for you, you WILL save some major time. Chopping of 2.3 kg of tomatoes took something like 1 hour (!) AND my fingers started to prune... There is one handy kitchen tool I have that is proving to be VERY useful - it's a strawberry hollowing tool, that I used to hollow the tomatoes - super quick and easy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zj8_Ndou0U8/Uk4QA-XmfcI/AAAAAAAAC2s/x1kdkEerySQ/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zj8_Ndou0U8/Uk4QA-XmfcI/AAAAAAAAC2s/x1kdkEerySQ/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0ricWXPfJg/Uk4QbeYgFPI/AAAAAAAAC20/5Hi9Uck1Q80/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0ricWXPfJg/Uk4QbeYgFPI/AAAAAAAAC20/5Hi9Uck1Q80/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
2. Next, seed and dice peppers; chop up all of the onions. Mix the three vegetables in a large pot (I used a stock pot as my biggest "regular" pot wasn't big enough).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCh2rv2Ghyw/Uk4QrauF9SI/AAAAAAAAC28/6tWjI0qneOY/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCh2rv2Ghyw/Uk4QrauF9SI/AAAAAAAAC28/6tWjI0qneOY/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
3. Add mustard seeds, salt and celery seeds. Mix well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bn7scpwQxNw/Uk4Q4F_fbaI/AAAAAAAAC3E/25hFB5db0_8/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bn7scpwQxNw/Uk4Q4F_fbaI/AAAAAAAAC3E/25hFB5db0_8/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
4. Add sugar and mix well (well enough).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbuDg7YNLOI/Uk4RFHGAoSI/AAAAAAAAC3M/q1mj57CO8CY/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbuDg7YNLOI/Uk4RFHGAoSI/AAAAAAAAC3M/q1mj57CO8CY/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
5. Add all of the vinegar and all of the relish ingredients mix well. Now it's ready to be cooked!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ3vezSw3jQ/Uk4RojfbhMI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/iXeOiM-ZgvM/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ3vezSw3jQ/Uk4RojfbhMI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/iXeOiM-ZgvM/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
6. Simmer the pot over medium heat. Cook stirring OFTEN (the original recipe calls for skimming, but I didn't find that it was necessary at all).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwzU5uVEUZ4/Uk4SFRmNDVI/AAAAAAAAC3g/umtzB8-cue8/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwzU5uVEUZ4/Uk4SFRmNDVI/AAAAAAAAC3g/umtzB8-cue8/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
7. The relish will have to be cooked for about 2 hours (stirring often!). You'll notice it starting to thicken and cook down a bit also (of course, it'll change colour as well). I have to be honest, I was a bit concerned with a smell of vinegar... I thought I ruined all of these veggies!... I was WRONG, relish turned out to be delicious!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
8. While cooking, get your jars & lids sterilized and ready (I do this beforehand). Most traditional recipes note that hot preserves should be poured into hot jars, but... c'mon, I don't have space for that! My jars & lids were all sterilized, but NOT hot at all; it didn't matter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMaGWoLN7Dk/Uk4TVsaG5mI/AAAAAAAAC3s/3I67DCus8bE/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMaGWoLN7Dk/Uk4TVsaG5mI/AAAAAAAAC3s/3I67DCus8bE/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
9. Once 2 hours or so has passed, your relish is ready for canning. I have a few simple tools to help me through this process (such as a $4 preserve funnel). Pour hot mixture into jars; make sure to leave some space at the rim (can you see it in the photo?).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFVU7AuFwCE/Uk4TyGMZsMI/AAAAAAAAC30/n7jTM3_3rlg/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFVU7AuFwCE/Uk4TyGMZsMI/AAAAAAAAC30/n7jTM3_3rlg/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
10. Wipe clean every jar rim with a paper towel to ensure that any residue and liquid is removed. This will ensure each lid seals for safe storing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHvy1jilWJQ/Uk4VJ-E3dEI/AAAAAAAAC4A/3BZ-_Jz_BV8/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHvy1jilWJQ/Uk4VJ-E3dEI/AAAAAAAAC4A/3BZ-_Jz_BV8/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish12.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
11. Place the lids over jars and tighten the rigs (do NOT over-tighten!). You CAN stop here - my lids started to "pop" (in other words, seal) at this point.<br />
<br />
<i>THIS RECIPE MADE 13 JARS (3x125 ml, 4x236ml, 6x250ml)</i><br />
<br />
I decided to follow all of the instructions and follow through with a "<a href="http://foodpreservation.about.com/od/Canning/ss/How-To-Process-Food-In-A-Boiling-Water-Bath.htm" target="_blank">hot bath</a>", which apparently ensures a proper seal. I did 10 minutes for bigger jars and 5 minutes for smaller jars.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zJ9dkM24Ojg/Uk4WCAFMkHI/AAAAAAAAC4M/uOJlR6NqPVs/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zJ9dkM24Ojg/Uk4WCAFMkHI/AAAAAAAAC4M/uOJlR6NqPVs/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
12. Remove the jars VERY CAREFULLY from the boiling water and let them cool on the counter undisturbed overnight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhTtoEkk3z4/Uk4XacEmz-I/AAAAAAAAC4Y/HI_8nJIeFLU/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhTtoEkk3z4/Uk4XacEmz-I/AAAAAAAAC4Y/HI_8nJIeFLU/s1600/GreenTomatoRelish14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-6720175814937618962013-10-02T20:42:00.001-04:002013-10-02T20:48:18.890-04:00Homemade SalsaHERE WE GO!<br />
<br />
As promised, and a bit overdue, I'm sharing a recipe of salsa I made for the first time ever. I've never actually made salsa before - my adventures in preserving have mostly been in jams (posted <a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/2011/08/73-time-for-jam.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/2011/08/74-yup-more-jam.html" target="_blank">here</a>). But this year our garden provided us with an overabundance of tomatoes, so it was TIME to do something about it. After looking around the net for a few simple, but interesting recipe, I stopped at one that I felt would be a) easy to prep and b) easy to modify - I adopted (and tweaked) from the <a href="http://www.stoplookingetcookin.com/about/" target="_blank">Stop Lookin Get Cookin</a> blog. <br />
<br />
And here it finally is! <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Note that I skipped the step of peeling the skins off tomatoes and I did NOT add sugar to the jars before pouring in the cooked salsa, in part because I just forgot, but also because there's enough sugar as it is.) </i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Homemade Salsa </span></b></span><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQmE-Tb8hBk/Uky-xgA-e6I/AAAAAAAAC2A/fA0WJ1T_xrY/s1600/Salsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQmE-Tb8hBk/Uky-xgA-e6I/AAAAAAAAC2A/fA0WJ1T_xrY/s1600/Salsa.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span><br />
<br />
* 5 pounds of tomatoes<br />
* 4 green peppers<br />
* 1 large onion<br />
* some jalapeno or other hot peppers (amount will depend on how spicy you want your salsa to be; I made mine fairly mild so that my 3-year-old could enjoy it)<br />
* 4 tablespoons minced garlic<br />
* 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro (since I didn't have any fresh, I added dried cilantro)<br />
* 1/2 cup vinegar (5% acidity)<br />
* 4 teaspoons salt<br />
* 2 teaspoons of sugar for every pint filled (not added, as I already mentioned - if you do decide to use sugar, put 2 tsp in each jar before filling them with hot salsa)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Directions:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(the original recipe called for blanching tomatoes and skinning them as a first step, which I skipped - I don't feel that it affected the flavour of my salsa in any way)</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myNnWMr0Gjc/Uky6CQAcMVI/AAAAAAAAC1M/lrhvUz4e3Oc/s1600/Salsa01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myNnWMr0Gjc/Uky6CQAcMVI/AAAAAAAAC1M/lrhvUz4e3Oc/s1600/Salsa01.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a>1. Chop tomatoes into small chunks (as fine or as chunky as you prefer).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPjWw2viBB0/Uky6iMv8wfI/AAAAAAAAC1U/JZhBvXUGqPc/s1600/Salsa02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPjWw2viBB0/Uky6iMv8wfI/AAAAAAAAC1U/JZhBvXUGqPc/s1600/Salsa02.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
2. Cut up the onions and all of your peppers into small chucks/pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLzUQi10zNY/Uky79R5p5sI/AAAAAAAAC1o/eaGfJFftec0/s1600/Salsa03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLzUQi10zNY/Uky79R5p5sI/AAAAAAAAC1o/eaGfJFftec0/s1600/Salsa03.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
3. Put all of the ingredients (except sugar if you're using it) into a large pan and bring to a boil.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v88R_0xhMKI/Uky7f_yW97I/AAAAAAAAC1g/U02n5QxHTdE/s1600/Salsa04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v88R_0xhMKI/Uky7f_yW97I/AAAAAAAAC1g/U02n5QxHTdE/s1600/Salsa04.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
4. Once the mixture has boiled, reduce the heat to medium and cook it for approximately 1 hour (eventually, the amount will reduce by about half). Mix it frequently, or it'll burn.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. Immediately after your salsa is finished its cooking stage, pour it out into sterilized jars (don't forget to sterilize the lids also!) and make sure to leave a little space at the top of the jar.<br />
<br />
6. Wipe the rims of the jar with a paper towel to ensure that they are clean and dry. Put lids on jars and seal tightly (but not too tight!). Careful, the jars will become very hot very quickly!.<br />
<br />
7. Wait to hear the “pop”, meaning that the jars sealed properly (the hot liquid that you just poured should seal the jars on their own, but if you feel more comfortable, go ahead and use a hot bath for your jars, this will not affect the salsa).<br />
<br />
<i>We ate some it immediately and had to exercise our will-power NOT to eat all of the salsa at once!</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KagPMQyjea8/Uky9HVRRkMI/AAAAAAAAC10/qBWIZNf6ewU/s1600/Salsa05e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KagPMQyjea8/Uky9HVRRkMI/AAAAAAAAC10/qBWIZNf6ewU/s1600/Salsa05e.jpg" height="366" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-44399476464551003272013-09-24T21:21:00.000-04:002013-10-24T13:27:59.122-04:00Quick updateMy poor forgotten blog... well, not exactly forgotten, since I have been thinking of several things to share with you, but as usual, life got in the way!<br />
<br />
<i>(*** also, if you're wondering why the number of posts on my blog decreased, that's because I've decided to clean up a little and also to remove some photos of my little miss)</i> <br />
<br />
A few good "keeper" recipes ARE coming your way, I promise! But for now... Here are a few photos of this year's harvest :) We're definitely enjoying all of the yummy tomatoes; the biggest one we picked this year weighed in at an impressive 703 grams!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9YYheWHrWCQ/UkI43NZ2P1I/AAAAAAAAC0o/i2c8ST0KVec/s1600/2013garden03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9YYheWHrWCQ/UkI43NZ2P1I/AAAAAAAAC0o/i2c8ST0KVec/s640/2013garden03.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IIETw9rd_4/UkI4te6-YuI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/pvCBGlV6pqw/s1600/2013garden01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IIETw9rd_4/UkI4te6-YuI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/pvCBGlV6pqw/s640/2013garden01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImTlv4AQDFI/UkI4ztFy1HI/AAAAAAAAC0g/Grvxei6_-rQ/s1600/2013garden02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImTlv4AQDFI/UkI4ztFy1HI/AAAAAAAAC0g/Grvxei6_-rQ/s320/2013garden02.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-82657635116894075722013-07-15T22:05:00.000-04:002013-10-24T12:29:03.108-04:00Postcard CollectionHello friends,<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just a quick update to tell you that I started another blog where I'll be sharing my awesome growing postcard collection! I think it's time you see how one can learn a little bit about the world without leaving the house.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stay tuned as I post the images for my 250+ cards :) and I'll try to keep you up-to-date with weeklies.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's the link: <a href="http://postcrossingworld.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Postcrossing World</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-82249694661003406052013-06-26T15:01:00.001-04:002013-06-26T15:12:35.234-04:00Russian Strawberry Compote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I remember when I was a young I used to LOVE when the first harvest of berries came around our dacha. My grandparents always had an abundance of strawberries growing in the yard. So usually, after we would feast ourselves on said berries, there were enough left over to prep and preserve them for the winter. There was LOTS of jam (and I'm making some this summer!), but there were also large 3L jars of berries compote.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is my first time making this beverage (and if preserved properly, it keeps well into the winter months), so I decided to search for a recipe online. Of course, if you search for "strawberry compote", you will find a recipe for something that has a syrup-like consistency and is meant to be poared over pancakes, ice creams, etc. Though there is nothing wrong with that (yum!), it wasn't what I was looking for.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So instead, I ended up searching for "клубничный компот" and finding what I needed :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(in Russian, of course). It looks and tastes more like a strawberry juice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you enjoy it as much I do!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vQqNqcWVOoU/Ucjwu92Gf6I/AAAAAAAACnU/wFEGPpDXPFs/s1600/StrawbCompote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vQqNqcWVOoU/Ucjwu92Gf6I/AAAAAAAACnU/wFEGPpDXPFs/s1600/StrawbCompote.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><u><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(doubled from the original recipe that I found)</span></em><br />
* 2 cups of halved/quartered strawberries (quarter the larger ones)<br />
* 4 cups of water<br />
* 4 tbsp of sugar (amount really depends on how sweet you like your beverages)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wrYh5xZ4SY/Ucjws1mNCDI/AAAAAAAACm4/0sW0sjXkNP8/s1600/StrawbComp01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wrYh5xZ4SY/Ucjws1mNCDI/AAAAAAAACm4/0sW0sjXkNP8/s1600/StrawbComp01.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></u><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks-s4W8uMdk/UcjwtcLvcDI/AAAAAAAACnE/h2TbT2YUxFY/s1600/StrawbComp02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks-s4W8uMdk/UcjwtcLvcDI/AAAAAAAACnE/h2TbT2YUxFY/s1600/StrawbComp02.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a>1. Remove stems, wash and cut, if necessary (I halved or even quartered the bigger ones).</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Add strawberries, water and sugar into a saucepan.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzrgiYGNrho/UcjwteS_G_I/AAAAAAAACm8/Uof_NZsf8cM/s1600/StrawbComp03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzrgiYGNrho/UcjwteS_G_I/AAAAAAAACm8/Uof_NZsf8cM/s1600/StrawbComp03.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
2. Cover the saucepan, but leave a small crack. Heat and bring to a boil over med-low heat (you want the strawberries to "cook" slowly to let all of the juices come out).</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbL23KC4cyQ/Ucjwt248E4I/AAAAAAAACnA/leUMQQZU6B8/s1600/StrawbComp04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbL23KC4cyQ/Ucjwt248E4I/AAAAAAAACnA/leUMQQZU6B8/s1600/StrawbComp04.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a>3. Swirl from time to time with a spoon. Once boiled, remove from heat and let the saucepan (with the lid on) to sit for another 4-5 minutes. You'll notice that the strawberries will become pinkish and mushy.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDzOxhC7yZQ/UcjwuovMSeI/AAAAAAAACnQ/LfCn1ZXxgKc/s1600/StrawbComp05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDzOxhC7yZQ/UcjwuovMSeI/AAAAAAAACnQ/LfCn1ZXxgKc/s1600/StrawbComp05.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
4. Use a strainer to remove the berries (let it sit on the cup a bit to get all of the juice out).</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCCiOstnHds/UcjwuZ7O6HI/AAAAAAAACnY/nTUXSllgc-I/s1600/StrawbComp06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCCiOstnHds/UcjwuZ7O6HI/AAAAAAAACnY/nTUXSllgc-I/s1600/StrawbComp06.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
5. Let it cool down and enjoy!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>OPTIONAL: for preserving - pour out into sterilized jars and seal them while the beverage is still hot.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-75636691092435218212013-04-26T10:08:00.004-04:002013-10-24T13:24:53.652-04:00Spring's in the air (and on our skin)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKfM2d5Lrzk/UXqHUtZ1LII/AAAAAAAACi4/OTmRF2O-4So/s1600/cartoon_beach.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" lwa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKfM2d5Lrzk/UXqHUtZ1LII/AAAAAAAACi4/OTmRF2O-4So/s1600/cartoon_beach.gif" /></a></div>
The sun is out more and more every day, and the spring has definitely (and finally!) arrived. This means that it’s that time of the year where we should look in busting out that sunscreen (at least for the pasty pale folks such as me)!<br />
<br />
Most people have a bottle or two from last summer, hanging somewhere around the house. But before you slather yourself and your kiddies with that, there are <strong>few things that you should keep in mind:</strong><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<strong>(1)</strong> Always check the expiry date - why? The active ingredients in the cream/lotion/spray lose their protective properties after the date stamped on the bottle, so using expired sunscreen would be like applying a pretty useless moisturizer.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<strong>(2)</strong> Try to steer clear from <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/oxybenzone" target="_blank">OXYBENZONE</a></span> and <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/octinoxate" target="_blank">OCTINOXATE</a></span>. These chemicals and absorbed by our skin and penetrate the lower layers of the skin; this may cause allergic reactions (in my case, severe - and this is very recent!), disrupt your body’s hormonal balance and produce harmful free radicals. Basically, as my daughter puts it, they are "yucky!"</div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<strong>(3)</strong> Better options are sunscreens instead containing <a href="http://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/avobenzone" target="_blank">AVOBENZONE</a>; best - TITANIUM DIOXIDE and ZINC OXIDE. The latter two are inert fillers that help protect against UV rays by light scattering and physically blocking the light pathway into the dermal layers.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Now onto the various brands available at your neighbourhood pharmacy/store… I consider one of the biggest offenders to be NEUTROGENA! Oxybenzone and octinoxate added in every single sunscreen product, even their children’s options. :( Of course, this is the brand I used when I broke out into a wicked rash almost all over the upper half of my body, so I reeeeeaaaaaaally look down on this brand now. Similar story is with brands like BANANA BOAT, HAWAIIAN TROPIC, some of the AVEENO products, etc.</div>
</div>
<br />
Better option is OMBRELLE. They add Avobenzone. AVEENO SENSITIVE SKIN seems to only contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, so kudos for that as well. <em>BUT - READ THE LABEL PEOPLE - AVEENO BABY sunscreen still contains the nasties that I mentioned above (I’m outraged at that!)</em><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Moving on… My recent allergy outbursts <em>(“you’re never too old to develop an allergy”</em> - words of my dermatologist) got me thinking about how I treat my skin. I consider myself lucky to have fairly problem-free and clear complexion. I never had to follow a regiment, so facial allergic rash came as a shock! I am much more careful now about the things I put on my face.</div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEXFncYGAlk/UXqFzixTZ_I/AAAAAAAACik/8qR22sLlCj8/s1600/VichyKidsSPF50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" lwa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEXFncYGAlk/UXqFzixTZ_I/AAAAAAAACik/8qR22sLlCj8/s200/VichyKidsSPF50.jpg" unselectable="on" width="200" /></a>If like me, you are willing/ can afford to spend a bit more on a better sunscreen (at least for your face and you children) I suggest looking into brands like <a href="http://www.en.vichy.ca/Capital-Soleil/Children-Protection/Children-s-LOTION-SPF-50-FACE-AND-BODY-p949.aspx" target="_blank">VICHY</a> (we use their children’s sunscreen for the entire family), <a href="http://www.en.laroche-posay.ca/products-treatments/Anthelios/Anthelios-Dermo-Kids-Velvet-soft-Lotion-SPF-45-p4867.aspx" target="_blank">LA ROCHE-POSAY</a>, <a href="http://www.aveneusa.com/products/product-lines/sun-care/high-protection-mineral-cream-spf-50" target="_blank">AVÈNE</a>, and other higher-end brands. Most, if not all, are paraben-free, fragrance-free, oxybenzone- & octinoxate-free. Of course, there are other brands that you can find in various baby boutiques (GREEN BEAVER brand comes to mind, though I have not seen their ingredient mix) or other health stores.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYqi15nMgvk/UXqF0aNyrEI/AAAAAAAACis/90Q-VpeB510/s1600/AntheliosKidsSPF45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" lwa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYqi15nMgvk/UXqF0aNyrEI/AAAAAAAACis/90Q-VpeB510/s200/AntheliosKidsSPF45.jpg" width="110" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
A little tip, choosing children’s sunscreen for everyone is a great option - it’s usually made to be less harsh on your skin and is often water-resistant as well! Also think this when you read a label: chemical = absorbtion, mineral = reflection (this refers to the way in which a particular sunscreen protects our skin).</div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
All this to say, whatever brand of sunscreen you choose, read the label, use your judgement and stay safe. And of course, don’t forget to have some aloe vera gel on hand or other after sun care product! :) My personal favourite - <a href="http://www.en.vichy.ca/Capital-Soleil/After-Sun/Cellular-SOS-Repair-Balm-p838.aspx" target="_blank">Vichy’s After Sun Cellular SOS Repair Balm</a> (hyloallergenic and paraben-free).</div>
</div>
<br />
Got a few extra minutes - browse some of the articles available here: <a href="http://www.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/" target="_blank">EWG's Sunscreen Guide</a><br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<img height="77" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEXFncYGAlk/UXqFzixTZ_I/AAAAAAAACik/8qR22sLlCj8/s200/VichyKidsSPF50.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 579px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 816px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-55193233612116137132013-02-25T14:55:00.000-05:002014-04-04T21:20:11.204-04:00Who doesn't like cake? ("Rotten Tree Stump Cake")Playing catch-up has been tough so blogging's been on the back burner a little...<br />
This recipe was supposed to be shared with you, oh... about a month and a half ago! But, of course, life got in the way.<br />
<br />
While vacationing in Belarus in January, my sister and I (well, more like my sister ONLY, I was mostly taking photos) made a delicious cake, whose name doesn't do it justice.<br />
<br />
I do hope you attempt to make it as it is SO so easy! Here's a little preview:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMDGaVW2BTo/USvBccJlaFI/AAAAAAAAChI/Txt8UBgvw40/s1600/pie10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMDGaVW2BTo/USvBccJlaFI/AAAAAAAAChI/Txt8UBgvw40/s640/pie10.jpg" gsa="true" height="483" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>What is up with the title of this cake recipe?! Well, it's a direct translation of "трухлявый пень" from Russian. And the reason this cake is called that is because all kinds of "things" can live in a rotten tree stump and so you can put anything you want in this cake - be it raisins, dried apricot, jam, fresh berries or some nuts, it'll taste great all the same!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8YDzBEmYKCJn_pGm3iV86j3gDR7R7o46kqV-tRDzse0AV6P9tlXJl5KFJTpv2orJDTMCbUBJCbo-WbCP-kVD-40GOW7nETpSfU53b5_p3JppuswQWvcvEAfW8zSnmFCtp2NBveAPbOs/s1600/pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8YDzBEmYKCJn_pGm3iV86j3gDR7R7o46kqV-tRDzse0AV6P9tlXJl5KFJTpv2orJDTMCbUBJCbo-WbCP-kVD-40GOW7nETpSfU53b5_p3JppuswQWvcvEAfW8zSnmFCtp2NBveAPbOs/s1600/pie.jpg" gsa="true" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Rotten Tree Stump" cake</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The recipe is fairly free-flowing, it's not one of those rigid do-it-like-so-or-you'll-mess-it-up cakes.<br />
<br />
You'll need the following ingredients:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC4uM-O9Ns6uuetuFHoapvyOYw9cw2HGwJ5MRzbK2AmzrLuN2MnqO7O77OU95XycoqCp56LSZDfg5kMl9oGOIWEC4AFcacQkDB-eyYD3Slt9VB7oEx4z9ABE27Z3G3jcoCFanuUDkV1c/s1600/pie01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC4uM-O9Ns6uuetuFHoapvyOYw9cw2HGwJ5MRzbK2AmzrLuN2MnqO7O77OU95XycoqCp56LSZDfg5kMl9oGOIWEC4AFcacQkDB-eyYD3Slt9VB7oEx4z9ABE27Z3G3jcoCFanuUDkV1c/s1600/pie01.jpg" gsa="true" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
* 2 eggs<br />
* 1 cup of sugar<br />
* 1 cup of kefir <i>(usually sold at Superstores or health food stores)</i><br />
* 2 tsp of baking soda <i>(don't "react" it with anything)</i><br />
* 1 cup of jam <i>(OR cranberries and sugar; read what I mean by that below)</i><br />
* 2 1/2 cups of flour<br />
* 500 g of sour cream<br />
* 1 cup of sugar <i>(this amount can be more or less depending how sweet you want your cream to be)</i><br />
* <i>Optional: as mentioned above, you can add anything you have on hand that you think will taste good in a cake. We added cut-up dried apricot.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWoOgx0hNod1gfA3UcSSRjpnoIPBjEDN-7bpsr537Uw8eSDAyEVJlSPRfj7poVkZWrfNV21C8-n82xSbAX3Uy82LgAvFXaPDWhAy6o7dTouFOkKmsQLEk_c08dsGAOnfVx7f8NvHVD-g/s1600/pie02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWoOgx0hNod1gfA3UcSSRjpnoIPBjEDN-7bpsr537Uw8eSDAyEVJlSPRfj7poVkZWrfNV21C8-n82xSbAX3Uy82LgAvFXaPDWhAy6o7dTouFOkKmsQLEk_c08dsGAOnfVx7f8NvHVD-g/s1600/pie02.jpg" gsa="true" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
1. [<i>skip this step if using jam</i>] Throw your cranberries into a food processor to chop them up into a fairly fine mass. Mix in some sugar (amounts of both ingredients are totally up to you).</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX8lEGPVZbAFmEAHzN0ylfSv3OVdwPq_d6SPkgkzcAPrEbAFk1qTu8Gv1RxNjQ_KVpFUIBb1RYDqYz9GACwUpbfE0T6UQiWm4glZVVjkE1oPqoHugrHzuFtW4TFYLR8ApsmZMWr8mCQk/s1600/pie03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX8lEGPVZbAFmEAHzN0ylfSv3OVdwPq_d6SPkgkzcAPrEbAFk1qTu8Gv1RxNjQ_KVpFUIBb1RYDqYz9GACwUpbfE0T6UQiWm4glZVVjkE1oPqoHugrHzuFtW4TFYLR8ApsmZMWr8mCQk/s1600/pie03.jpg" gsa="true" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
2. In a large bowl, mix 2 eggs and 1 cup of sugar with either a wisk or a hand mixer.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTwxwIVBy3ZIIECQKaJDxCB1wP0sF3_6yZkDbCzXQQC9HypIH3E6VBPTk9no7kTd9ExczGCfgdntBzjJkoyIawVmS6PAKLe4CpFH67m02RNVRhOw87RfE_BSXC8eV_XWwpBz6BixwLrk/s1600/pie04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTwxwIVBy3ZIIECQKaJDxCB1wP0sF3_6yZkDbCzXQQC9HypIH3E6VBPTk9no7kTd9ExczGCfgdntBzjJkoyIawVmS6PAKLe4CpFH67m02RNVRhOw87RfE_BSXC8eV_XWwpBz6BixwLrk/s1600/pie04.jpg" gsa="true" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
3. Add kefir and soda (which will "react" with kefir) and mix everything once more. It'll become kind of foamy.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdb9XG2lZYe9BTmoVoxyjjS4a6S38DAOwWJDc58sGtdQBkki6R8acxiJz4t9JiXQJnLxRmzleQvGnSrho7MApgY0q5n7nK1f__7cgEXM2rhZ0dwX3GdOzjibVmeH5Vcw09d9z29L7gUYM/s1600/pie05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdb9XG2lZYe9BTmoVoxyjjS4a6S38DAOwWJDc58sGtdQBkki6R8acxiJz4t9JiXQJnLxRmzleQvGnSrho7MApgY0q5n7nK1f__7cgEXM2rhZ0dwX3GdOzjibVmeH5Vcw09d9z29L7gUYM/s1600/pie05.jpg" gsa="true" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
4. Now add jam, or the cranberries+sugar mass, and blend well.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUz82glMQarkFVDkykeWDCyyjcAVzb-ZSaHLIxV29hw1Ymq9oOZBleJBmuUrAYOA0HY7L7SxR_2_UM0SAEONATS8QdiftliPoM0-Uz7GXZUodE-gKUFnJhwz-a0OUEW878D_nVxsLG0Y/s1600/pie06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUz82glMQarkFVDkykeWDCyyjcAVzb-ZSaHLIxV29hw1Ymq9oOZBleJBmuUrAYOA0HY7L7SxR_2_UM0SAEONATS8QdiftliPoM0-Uz7GXZUodE-gKUFnJhwz-a0OUEW878D_nVxsLG0Y/s1600/pie06.jpg" gsa="true" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
5. Finally, for our flour - add in small amounts at a time for easier mixing and avoidance of major clumps. The final consistency should be about that of a pancake mix (kind of thick).</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
At this point, pour about half of the amount into your cake pan and stick it in the oven for about 20-30 minutes on 350˚F (that's right, it's better and quicker to bake it in 2 parts). Add optional ingredients to the remainder of your mix (or to the whole batch, if you wish).</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Keep checking to see when your first layer is ready (the clean toothpick method). Follow the same baking instruction for the remainder of the cake mix.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
While your cake is baking, you can make the cream:</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7y4y8VGGkSs4N4J8yDX5MNYgTbjH8YJoccnpsLo2qCvT7o6AL826yjeZJeVlatG8oR2I3OMTJ8-R23TJt7oXyFaAnNEH8A3U_fm0ylPAuo1EmcY2CE-kzsvdJ7fCFeBmiOop5X_Xpko/s1600/pie07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7y4y8VGGkSs4N4J8yDX5MNYgTbjH8YJoccnpsLo2qCvT7o6AL826yjeZJeVlatG8oR2I3OMTJ8-R23TJt7oXyFaAnNEH8A3U_fm0ylPAuo1EmcY2CE-kzsvdJ7fCFeBmiOop5X_Xpko/s1600/pie07.jpg" gsa="true" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
6. This cream is simple and super easy to make! Just use your hang mixer to mix sour cream (1 tub, so about 500 g) and 1 cup of sugar. Done!</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<i>(you can fancy it up if you wish, just add 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract to this mix)</i></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xUiNvP-atgtVwICU9EMpD6Q-l77IzKiXgzfWywcYAhxMsyHy0yu8jBR7jpZ80pP2DIIK0JHOHk3kJPI0HmPoEeGimidTooLwkEGInVxnE3gBmI6fAniwLDgij5cMnHbh-dDACkx1HnA/s1600/pie08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xUiNvP-atgtVwICU9EMpD6Q-l77IzKiXgzfWywcYAhxMsyHy0yu8jBR7jpZ80pP2DIIK0JHOHk3kJPI0HmPoEeGimidTooLwkEGInVxnE3gBmI6fAniwLDgij5cMnHbh-dDACkx1HnA/s1600/pie08.jpg" gsa="true" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
7. Once your 2 cake layers are ready, let them cool a bit. Once cooled, slice each layer once to make 2 layers (so, 4 layers overall). <i>Here you see the layer with cut-up dried apricots added - we alternated our layers.</i></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL83wEIQ2IpS5-Bo6Uqxzi6aTb5qCV0OvvlyQLv_9z28JlK55j20zwCfPDGa9mIwaP1TGH6-_umAqC4KF2-h7i_bjTO_dLgRGhjN3GHuKxdsK2eEBwCDbyn9JPyuJ_WmeMkJqQVTZ96Q/s1600/pie09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL83wEIQ2IpS5-Bo6Uqxzi6aTb5qCV0OvvlyQLv_9z28JlK55j20zwCfPDGa9mIwaP1TGH6-_umAqC4KF2-h7i_bjTO_dLgRGhjN3GHuKxdsK2eEBwCDbyn9JPyuJ_WmeMkJqQVTZ96Q/s1600/pie09.jpg" gsa="true" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
8. Almost there! Now for the final step - assembly of the cake. You can use some water, water+jam, or juice for this one.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Add a small amount of your chosen liquid to the first layer of your cake; soak the layer through (not too too much though); spread some cream over the layer. Add the next layer on top and repeat the procedure. Once, the final layer of the cake has been fully covered by cream, you can sprinkle some chocolate powder or crushed walnut (either is optional).</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
It is best to let this cake sit in the fridge for at least a few hours (to left it over night) to let the water/jam/juice and cream soak through all the layers as this will make your cake really moist.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Enjoy! </div>
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-1225901711085813442013-01-19T17:01:00.001-05:002013-10-24T13:24:05.130-04:00Evening at the balletThose of you that have seen <a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/p/101-things-in-1001-days.html" target="_blank">my list</a> know that an outing to the ballet has made it on. However, it's been such a long time that I didn't even know where to start, whom to ask for company, etc. partly because we don't have a dedicated Opera & Ballet Theatre here, but mostly because it HAS been too long.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then my sister told me that she got tickets for my mom and I to go to the ballet while I visited them in Minsk. I was stoked! I've always loved that theatre and going there with my mom, just the two of us, would be nice; that too we haven't done in a long while.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The ballet was called <i>Бахчисарайский фонтан</i> (English: The Fountain of Bakhchisarai) based on a poem by the same name written by A. Pushkin. The stage decorations, the costumes, the dancers - everything looked beautiful and well put together. It wasn't your typical classical "Swan Lake" sort of a ballet, it was full of colours and movement; I enjoyed the costumes being non-traditional, it was refreshing. This made me wanting to get back to seeing ballet more often (gotta check out what we have at NAC). Let me know if you're interested in joining me!<br />
<br />
Here are just a few shots of what we enjoyed for 2.5 hours :)<br />
(there is a LOT more to see)<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzzklY00vsM/UPsVWdN-lDI/AAAAAAAACdg/PTxSuMAevmw/s1600/Ballet00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzzklY00vsM/UPsVWdN-lDI/AAAAAAAACdg/PTxSuMAevmw/s640/Ballet00.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>National Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Opera and Ballet of the Republic of Belarus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-408ekz9tmyM/UPsUqUk8gTI/AAAAAAAACdI/9d3ZH-aSlrQ/s1600/Ballet01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-408ekz9tmyM/UPsUqUk8gTI/AAAAAAAACdI/9d3ZH-aSlrQ/s640/Ballet01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaC8sGELUpc/UPsUyNjtfyI/AAAAAAAACdQ/KWPcdRquNMI/s1600/Ballet02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaC8sGELUpc/UPsUyNjtfyI/AAAAAAAACdQ/KWPcdRquNMI/s640/Ballet02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I love the interior of this theatre! :)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v5IoNxmc7fU/UPsU7BkirpI/AAAAAAAACdY/Ul--QB73T_A/s1600/Ballet04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v5IoNxmc7fU/UPsU7BkirpI/AAAAAAAACdY/Ul--QB73T_A/s640/Ballet04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAMjXi-hWyY/UPsWTYBDtDI/AAAAAAAACds/mIbGeakkGEI/s1600/Ballet05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAMjXi-hWyY/UPsWTYBDtDI/AAAAAAAACds/mIbGeakkGEI/s400/Ballet05.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-UAlBEs03M/UPsWg7tr0UI/AAAAAAAACd8/VB_d8pclADM/s1600/Ballet06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-UAlBEs03M/UPsWg7tr0UI/AAAAAAAACd8/VB_d8pclADM/s640/Ballet06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kC1G-0-jKu8/UPsWguiFKdI/AAAAAAAACd0/iri041UjvCY/s1600/Ballet07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kC1G-0-jKu8/UPsWguiFKdI/AAAAAAAACd0/iri041UjvCY/s640/Ballet07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cheers,</div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-38828383112616769132012-10-17T21:07:00.001-04:002013-06-15T09:57:05.858-04:00North Pole, the New York state's edition :)So to continue with some more of our trip to Lake Placid, NY... On our way to the <a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/2012/10/our-trip-to-lake-placid-ny-whiteface.html" target="_blank">Whiteface Mountain</a> we passed a sight pointing to "North Pole". I immediately told hubby that will be our next stop after going up & down the mountain. After a bit of reluctance, he agreed.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(click on images to enlarge)</span></i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YL60P7XyvKQ/UH9Lsk7PXUI/AAAAAAAACYo/40SUrl6hwYk/s1600/npole01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YL60P7XyvKQ/UH9Lsk7PXUI/AAAAAAAACYo/40SUrl6hwYk/s640/npole01.jpg" height="329" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Welcome to the North Pole!<br />(one of many around the world)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Only a short ride away, we drove up to the parking lot of <a href="http://www.northpoleny.com/" target="_blank">Santa's Workshop</a>. I gotta admit, it's a bit weird to be there surrounded by "elves" wearing Christmas hats when it's +20C outside and you're wearing sandals! :) To be honest, I forget how much our admission was, but our under-2 toddler was free-of-charge (which is funny, considering that most of the things inside are focused on entertaining children).<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVOuIwlRXDY/UH9PLgGbviI/AAAAAAAACZI/q8EbbVqg16M/s1600/npole5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVOuIwlRXDY/UH9PLgGbviI/AAAAAAAACZI/q8EbbVqg16M/s640/npole5.jpg" height="230" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Inside the village you will find Santa's House, Santa's Reindeer Barn and Santa's Bake Shop along with many other "huts"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq_SEneNkiU/UH9OQmwyCUI/AAAAAAAACZA/yHqQ7-ejOJY/s1600/npole04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6YglJKHhaM/UH9OCK0juqI/AAAAAAAACYw/AM3toht2L9o/s1600/npole02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6YglJKHhaM/UH9OCK0juqI/AAAAAAAACYw/AM3toht2L9o/s320/npole02.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a>Anyhow, the inside of the park reminded me of the time I was a kid, going to park to ride some of those Soviet-era roller coasters - many of them could use a fresh coat of paint and some screech so loudly, it actually scared our kid! Some activities were great though - Christmas Carousel, Choo-Choo Train that did a few laps around, the Reindeer barn - there, you could pet and feed Dasher and Prancer and Vixen, etc. only Rudolf was MIA..., tons of workshops where you could build a little toy, have some pastries, get a personalized elf hat; they also have a great selection of Christmas tree decorations...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ksZa0Rxr54k/UH9WK-ihIoI/AAAAAAAACaU/_VXieM3zrlE/s1600/npole07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ksZa0Rxr54k/UH9WK-ihIoI/AAAAAAAACaU/_VXieM3zrlE/s640/npole07.jpg" height="329" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Tip: </i><i>P</i><i>ick up a paper snowman on a stick for each of your kids! Each workshop you visit will stamp it for them (no purchase necessary). These snowmen are available at every shop, it'll make a nice keepsake for the kids.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Missy's favourite was a bouncy castle. Though REALLY skeptical at first, we couldn't get her out of these after she got into all the bouncing!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
All in all, it was a great way to spend an afternoon, so I would recommend it for the kiddies :)<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-37929145699547050552012-10-05T22:17:00.002-04:002012-10-17T21:16:00.029-04:00Our trip to Lake Placid, NY - Whiteface MountainThere are tons of activities at Lake Placid as this is, afterall, a tourist village. The town itself seems fairly small; it feels like it was built specifically to serve the needs of athletes/tourists and be the Olympic village (who knows, maybe it was, I didn't ask). Actually, let me back up a step...<br />
<br />
According to Wikipedia, Lake Placid, NY was founded in the early 19th century to help with operations of iron ore mining. A man by the name of Melvil Dewey founded a social & recreation club there (on Mirror Lake) in 1895, which drew rich & famous to the area. The Lake Placid Club was the headquarters for the International Olympic Committee for the 1932 and the 1980 <em>Winter Olympics</em> in Lake Placid. Many of the Olympic facilities are still in operation and offer unforgettable experiences for visitors (of course, some activities are rather $$$). There are also a number of sporting events and other festivals that take place every year.<br />
<br />
Some people find it a bit weird that the village is called Lake Placid considering it's mostly on Mirror Lake...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdz5_fTS-Pg/UGyIMM_2bsI/AAAAAAAACWY/K_IIFhPVaEg/s1600/mapLP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdz5_fTS-Pg/UGyIMM_2bsI/AAAAAAAACWY/K_IIFhPVaEg/s400/mapLP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
But I digressed... First thing's first!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
The <strong><u><a href="http://www.whiteface.com/" target="_blank">Whiteface Mountain</a></u></strong> is definitely a place you HAVE to visit. There is a toll at the bottom of the road going up the mountain (called Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway, but it's affordable - $16 ($10 for the car + driver, $6 for each additional passenger, baby's entry was free). Check for times of operation as the toll-road is NOT open 24/7.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0maRyrO4G_g/UG-NP8WqSFI/AAAAAAAACW4/IX7rqmSewCI/s1600/blog00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0maRyrO4G_g/UG-NP8WqSFI/AAAAAAAACW4/IX7rqmSewCI/s400/blog00.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Note - visibility is IMPORTANT! read why below...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, be aware and go relatively slowly as the road is rather bumpy! But I know you'll go slow, maybe even stop frequently (as we did) as every turn of this road offers a breathtaking view. I wanted to photograph everything, but no photograph can fully show you how amazing it is (eventhough it's relatively not as high above the sea level as, say, the Rockies, but still).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVMbFQmJoDA/UG-QWHqErlI/AAAAAAAACXo/5EIXiPz9NyM/s1600/blog06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVMbFQmJoDA/UG-QWHqErlI/AAAAAAAACXo/5EIXiPz9NyM/s320/blog06.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<u>A bit of background</u> (again, thanks to Wikipedia): Whiteface Mountain is the fifth highest mountain in the New York state; its elevation is 4,867 ft (1,483 m). It's part of the Adirondack range of mountains (though they don't actually form a range like the Rockies do).<br />
<br />
Also, unlike other mountain ranges that run along fault lines, the Adirondack mountains resemble a dome consisting of many peaks, either isolated or in groups, often with little apparent order. There are over 100 summits, ranging from under 1,200 ft (366 m) to over 5,000 ft (1,524 m) in elevation; the highest peak, Mount Marcy stands at 5,344 ft (1,629 m). The Adirondacks were formed by an uplift deep under the Earth's crust. They are bordered on the east by Lake Champlain and Lake George, which separate them from the Green Mountains in Vermont.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o470vvCZBKI/UG-NjCdCAMI/AAAAAAAACXA/phFzuQicktA/s1600/blog01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o470vvCZBKI/UG-NjCdCAMI/AAAAAAAACXA/phFzuQicktA/s640/blog01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Er6iVQJg4fQ/UG-Nsjj4fBI/AAAAAAAACXI/VB72gaHtBdY/s1600/blog02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Er6iVQJg4fQ/UG-Nsjj4fBI/AAAAAAAACXI/VB72gaHtBdY/s640/blog02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4WQgMGeIcU/UG-N2FbXhNI/AAAAAAAACXQ/AVd5rjNcKrM/s1600/blog03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="433" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4WQgMGeIcU/UG-N2FbXhNI/AAAAAAAACXQ/AVd5rjNcKrM/s640/blog03.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A lot of "zig-zag"-ing, but it's worth it! :)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOjPRlEzHtc/UG-OGX7sQVI/AAAAAAAACXY/WuWPy1Pb7Jo/s1600/blog04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOjPRlEzHtc/UG-OGX7sQVI/AAAAAAAACXY/WuWPy1Pb7Jo/s640/blog04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>See that tiny thing sticking out on top of the peak on the left? That's the Whiteface Castle at the summit.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once you get to the top, there is a parking lot. And then - you have 2 choices: either (1) climb up, or (2) take the elevator. The climb isn't very steep, but since we had a stroller with us, climbing was not an option. In retrospect, taking the elevator was interesting because the elevator is INSIDE of the mountain!!! What the did to access it was to blow up a tunnel... The tunnel is cool, but I gotta be honest, it's a bit creepy... It's relatively dark, even with the added lights, and it's cold (they told us it was +8C inside the tunnel). I could imagine how miners feel, and it's not a good feeling... It's 424 feet long; you're literally walking into the heart of the mountain. The elevator itself is operated by the designated individual and the ride is quick; he'll tell you a few bits of history as well. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c6JrTmaY0tk/UG-OXKBv8AI/AAAAAAAACXg/Byj8kWeBqxk/s1600/blog05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c6JrTmaY0tk/UG-OXKBv8AI/AAAAAAAACXg/Byj8kWeBqxk/s640/blog05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvkpKiPZKmE/UG-QcE7zZeI/AAAAAAAACXw/tjl-Yzi5L68/s1600/blog07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvkpKiPZKmE/UG-QcE7zZeI/AAAAAAAACXw/tjl-Yzi5L68/s640/blog07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The view from the top! Three lakes that you see on the map with Lake Placid located to the left.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is why you want to go the top when visibility is good: people told us that they [the people "managing" the mountain access] used to close said access when it was too cloudy. Now however, the road is open basically every day, which could mean that you arrive to the top and cannot see ANYTHING. We got lucky, there was only one cloud, which only start to grow as we were leaving.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMoicwWiY0M/UG-SB3KqFlI/AAAAAAAACX4/tM-Klan_LhI/s1600/blog08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMoicwWiY0M/UG-SB3KqFlI/AAAAAAAACX4/tM-Klan_LhI/s640/blog08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>See what I mean?!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, this is just a neat little building that has bathrooms and gives you an opportunity to grab a snack. People call it the Whiteface Mountain Castle :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWUQoRTu_eQ/UG-TDdzQ4FI/AAAAAAAACYA/aNo3gkCYHqg/s1600/blog09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWUQoRTu_eQ/UG-TDdzQ4FI/AAAAAAAACYA/aNo3gkCYHqg/s640/blog09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Some tips... remember to grab a light jacket, wear comfortable (maybe even hiking) shoes, bring some cash, and, of course, don't forget your camera!!! And also, take a moment to enjoy the view, I found it truly peaceful up there :)<br />
<br />
Finally, something to think about: Whiteface is higher than Aspen (Colorado);, Park City (Utah); Killington, Stowe, Jay Peak, and Stratton (all in Vermont); Sugarloaf (Maine); Lake Louise (Alberta); and Mont Tremblant (Quebec).<br />
<br />
More to come!<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-85830210908573863352012-10-03T11:15:00.002-04:002014-04-11T13:40:38.748-04:00Our trip to Lake Placid, NY - Our HotelAs promised, I'm going to tell you a little bit about our trip to Lake Placid, NY that we took over the long weekend of Labour Day!<br />
<br />
We started out on the high: things were packed in advance and we actually left on, if not before, the time tha we were planning. The drive was smooth until we merged onto the Hwy 417 and stopped... for an hour and a half!... because some dummy rear-ended an OPP cruiser pulled over on the shoulder. Anyways, apparently there were no fatalities and after a long-ish detour we were back on course to the Canada-US border.<br />
<br />
We eventually got to our hotel, tired and hungry, at around 5 pm. Let me tell you, the hotel was beautiful!!!<br />
<br />
We stayed at Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club on top of the hill. Yes, it's pricier than other places in town (there are TONS of places at Lake Placid) - 2 nights here would've paid for 3 nights somewhere else - but we thought it was worth it!<br />
<br />
Let me share some photos of this place:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmv9JeY6yCM/UGxPWvluEII/AAAAAAAACUY/v6Cy-FUtRfI/s1600/Hotel02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmv9JeY6yCM/UGxPWvluEII/AAAAAAAACUY/v6Cy-FUtRfI/s320/Hotel02.jpg" height="216" mea="true" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltrkMDmg-XA/UGxPRAdLYVI/AAAAAAAACUQ/Q-viaeg1QWE/s1600/Hotel01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltrkMDmg-XA/UGxPRAdLYVI/AAAAAAAACUQ/Q-viaeg1QWE/s320/Hotel01.jpg" height="216" mea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCng4mT5oMs/UGxRHQZBD2I/AAAAAAAACUo/SKgmjJyCoCM/s1600/Hotel04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCng4mT5oMs/UGxRHQZBD2I/AAAAAAAACUo/SKgmjJyCoCM/s400/Hotel04.jpg" height="270" mea="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The Great Room</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a>The entrance provides a nice view of the lake (Mirror Lake that is) and the montains. It's truly beautiful and puts you at ease; you just know that this will be a great vacation!<br />
<br />
Their lounge (photo on the right) has both indoor seating and an outdoor area were you CAN bring out food & drinks. It faces the same lake view as well.<br />
<br />
This hotel/resort has rather large grounds and a wide variety of rooms - it's a bit funny how they basically just "attached" different buildings together, but the outcome resulted in a huge grass field in front, which is great for kids to run around as it's fairly flat. We also saw a few couples take their wedding shots there because the background is the lake view again (can you tell I liked the view?!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDNf1UvDieI/UGxQ-rsxCKI/AAAAAAAACUg/UtWGtQ_8jgw/s1600/Hotel03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDNf1UvDieI/UGxQ-rsxCKI/AAAAAAAACUg/UtWGtQ_8jgw/s640/Hotel03.jpg" height="432" mea="true" width="640" /></a></div>
We had a Traditional, 2 Queen Beds, Lakeview room (with a balcony):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yzMwcwpy_tM/UGxSIZEcRRI/AAAAAAAACUw/lujiLruawiM/s1600/Hotel05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yzMwcwpy_tM/UGxSIZEcRRI/AAAAAAAACUw/lujiLruawiM/s640/Hotel05.jpg" height="432" mea="true" width="640" /></a></div>
We were on the third floor (of the 4-floor building) and it suited our needs perfectly: we had a mini fridge, microwave, an LCD HDTV, a big (and sturdy) table where our daughter was able to eat and draw. The bathroom was of excellent size as well. I've read comments that their A/Cs are too loud - yes, they look old... But we travelled in September, so we had no need of either heat or the A/C to be on while we were in the room.<br />
<em>(So you might motice that one of the beds does not appear to be made up nicely because this photo was taken upon our departure... I made the bed quickly for this shot)</em><br />
<br />
And again, here's THE LAKEVIEW from our balcony:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Na1TvnyANJI/UGxTMX3vVUI/AAAAAAAACU4/nyaf4QKWui8/s1600/Hotel06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Na1TvnyANJI/UGxTMX3vVUI/AAAAAAAACU4/nyaf4QKWui8/s640/Hotel06.jpg" height="432" mea="true" width="640" /></a></div>
Isn't it awesome?! And notice how tidy the grounds are!<br />
<br />
Okay, now... you might read some complaints from people about this huge hill that you have to climb to get to the hotel... IT IS TRUE (read my "spin" on this below):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOMqRVIsxYE/UGxT0ZMPOCI/AAAAAAAACVI/qBUd3V95D0M/s1600/Hotel08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOMqRVIsxYE/UGxT0ZMPOCI/AAAAAAAACVI/qBUd3V95D0M/s320/Hotel08.jpg" height="216" mea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
However, (i) think of it as a small exercise to shake off that dinner you just gobbled in the city below AND (ii) how do you expect to have a great view of the lake and the mountains without sitting a bit higher? And it's not like you'll be lugging bags and bags of stuff up the hill... Anyways, I think that the location of this place has been chosen perfectly! <em>(note that it was mmy hubby pushing the stroller up the hill, he-he :P)</em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TplOoESa3gM/UGxTy2V6KBI/AAAAAAAACVA/GSyDyqVdFrw/s1600/Hotel07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TplOoESa3gM/UGxTy2V6KBI/AAAAAAAACVA/GSyDyqVdFrw/s320/Hotel07.jpg" height="216" mea="true" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Finally, on of the most beautiful things for me was the abundance of flower at the hotel. Our daughter just LOVED them! She had to touch and smell everything (she WAS gentle):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjeHb_MYRfk/UGxVGVfW78I/AAAAAAAACVQ/C_sKYZDAw-Q/s1600/Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjeHb_MYRfk/UGxVGVfW78I/AAAAAAAACVQ/C_sKYZDAw-Q/s640/Hotel.jpg" height="316" mea="true" width="640" /></a></div>
We also took advantage of their pool and a jacuzzi, but did not visit their golf course (kind of hard with a 2-year-old), but apparently it was remodeled by Alister MacKenzie, who designed Augusta National that is the home of the Masters.<br />
<br />
Coming up next, I will tell you about our drive up Whiteface Mountain.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-848603672001838062012-09-13T10:41:00.001-04:002013-10-24T13:25:52.816-04:00Cherry Bomb Jello ShotPast weekend, we finally had an adult party at our house, which to me means LOTS OF BOOZE, he-he :) Of course, there's your usual selection of beer, wine and hard liquor to mix with various juices... BUT I wanted something fun! Like the good old days when parties had jello shots, remember?! Also a kick-ass punch (stay tuned for that one).<br />
<br />
I scoured the Internet in search for a perfect recipe... Finally, I came across 2, which I sort of combined (they had different quantities of ingredients, and only one of them had instructions)... Anyways, here is it!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chHOXJVGWeo/UFHwYPelfOI/AAAAAAAACRs/ZYHyrukxtik/s1600/JelloShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chHOXJVGWeo/UFHwYPelfOI/AAAAAAAACRs/ZYHyrukxtik/s400/JelloShot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Cherry Bomb Jello Shot</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
* 1 cup of vodka<br />
* 1 cup of Red Bull<br />
* 1 package of cherry Jello<br />
* Marashino cherries with a stem<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></u><br />
1. Heat the Red Bull in the microwave (about 2 minutes, hot enough for the powder to dissolve)<br />
2. Mix in the jello powder till it's dissolved.<br />
3. Add vodka and mix again.<br />
4. Pour out into the little plastic shot glasses and drop a cherry into each one (the stem is your wick!).<br />
5. Leave in the fridge overnight & enjoy!<br />
<br />
<em>*** This should make approximately 3 douzen of shots (depending on the size of your shot glasses, of course).</em><br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-74617192059737360592012-08-26T22:05:00.002-04:002013-10-24T13:26:28.493-04:00Russian Meat PieLet me start this post by saying that I've never done anything like this from scratch. Come to think of it, I don't remember ever having a truly homemade meat pie before either. Usually it's one of those prepared from frozen meat pies (which we don't often), and those are alright, but I've always found the top crust a bit... tasteless...<br />
<br />
Now, I don't know whether this is a truly Russian recipe (it's probably not), but I found and translated this recipe from a Russian-language website. What intrigued me about it was the use of eggs - 6 eggs to be exact! (I know, what???!!!) - also the dough for its crust, which is a basic non-sweet pastry dough. One of the more important outcomes from this was that hubby liked it!!! Oh and did I mention that he does NOT eat eggs?<br />
<br />
So, without further ado, here's the <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Russian Meat Pie</u></b></span> recipe.<br />
<i>(as usual, click on the image to enlarge)</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNYqnay9uBg/UDrL7KfQRaI/AAAAAAAACPM/ez5fgvtkF34/s1600/Pie+(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNYqnay9uBg/UDrL7KfQRaI/AAAAAAAACPM/ez5fgvtkF34/s400/Pie+(16).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Meat pie, complete with delicious moist crust!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u><br />
<a name='more'></a><u><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
<b>~ FOR THE DOUGH</b><br />
* 3 eggs<br />
* 1 cup of all-purpose flour <i>(of wholewheat for the health conscious)</i><br />
* 1/2 cup of sour cream <i>(or kefir, if you know what it is and can find it)</i><br />
* 1/2 cup of mayonnaise<br />
* 1/2 tsp of baking soda <i>(don't "react" it with anything)</i><br />
* 1 tsp of salt<br />
<br />
<b>~ FOR STUFFING</b><br />
* 3 eggs (hard-boiled)<br />
* 400-500 g of ground meat <i>(I used about a pound of ground beef+pork+veal mix; ground chicken I imagine would be delicious as well)</i><br />
* 1/2 of medium onion <i>(I also added garlic cause I love garlic!)</i><br />
* salt & pepper to taste<br />
* <i>Optional: I had leftover corn so I added that in as well; I think that peas and even carrots would be great as well.</i><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></u><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3JII07thX0/UDrPV3mdALI/AAAAAAAACPo/cHxhKmFSXxk/s1600/Pie+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3JII07thX0/UDrPV3mdALI/AAAAAAAACPo/cHxhKmFSXxk/s200/Pie+(1).jpg" width="200" /></a>1. Mix together sour cream and mayonnaise.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9-NMRKuDr0/UDrPkBXPFvI/AAAAAAAACPw/u82RlsRp794/s1600/Pie+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9-NMRKuDr0/UDrPkBXPFvI/AAAAAAAACPw/u82RlsRp794/s200/Pie+(2).jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2. In a bowl combine the eggs, sour cream+mayo, soda and salt; mix well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0j9sK7-k7v0/UDrQJXq8y9I/AAAAAAAACP4/UnwqsAhmmSM/s1600/Pie+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0j9sK7-k7v0/UDrQJXq8y9I/AAAAAAAACP4/UnwqsAhmmSM/s200/Pie+(4).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
3. Mix in the flour; make sure you have no clumps.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c3Nd-ovlJMA/UDrQdZabT3I/AAAAAAAACQA/jBWgvKXG-Dg/s1600/Pie+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c3Nd-ovlJMA/UDrQdZabT3I/AAAAAAAACQA/jBWgvKXG-Dg/s200/Pie+(5).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
4. Once you mix all of the dough ingredients, it should have consistency of think sour cream (note that if you used kefir, it'll be a bit thinner).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiOxawvTKAc/UDrRLraniHI/AAAAAAAACQI/TCvXpL9mS3Y/s1600/Pie+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiOxawvTKAc/UDrRLraniHI/AAAAAAAACQI/TCvXpL9mS3Y/s200/Pie+(6).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
5. Now for the stuffing... Chop the onion as coarse or as fine as you like it; saute till golden (add garlic if that's your thing).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gms46tUQ4Hw/UDrRlw72sHI/AAAAAAAACQQ/_iVTCHaRVKs/s1600/Pie+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gms46tUQ4Hw/UDrRlw72sHI/AAAAAAAACQQ/_iVTCHaRVKs/s200/Pie+(7).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
6. Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook on medium-low separating and making sure that all is mixed well.<br />
<b>~ Depending on how fast your oven heats up, preheat the oven to about 390<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">°</span>F (200<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">°</span>C)</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HaoixaRbpQ/UDrR_6E5KvI/AAAAAAAACQY/1uOIBBVxqSA/s1600/Pie+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HaoixaRbpQ/UDrR_6E5KvI/AAAAAAAACQY/1uOIBBVxqSA/s200/Pie+(8).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
7. Continue mixing till the meat is cooked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnjAdeC_Y4w/UDrSLxHtD1I/AAAAAAAACQg/Sie14Wrz6Tg/s1600/Pie+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnjAdeC_Y4w/UDrSLxHtD1I/AAAAAAAACQg/Sie14Wrz6Tg/s200/Pie+(9).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
8. While your meat is cooking, finely chop the hard-boiled eggs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_GTCMUNr0Y/UDrStPFhsVI/AAAAAAAACQo/p6gtw_THnqo/s1600/Pie+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_GTCMUNr0Y/UDrStPFhsVI/AAAAAAAACQo/p6gtw_THnqo/s200/Pie+(10).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
9. Once your meat is cooked, mix in your optionals (if you're using any).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxt20WxKyb0/UDrS6-Ew35I/AAAAAAAACQw/TS_9exwUF6g/s1600/Pie+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxt20WxKyb0/UDrS6-Ew35I/AAAAAAAACQw/TS_9exwUF6g/s200/Pie+(12).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
10. Now all you have to do is assemble your pie and bake it. Pour about one half of the dough mixture into the pie form.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNI4wHqGHH0/UDrTiFUGK-I/AAAAAAAACQ4/PfGkuv-r0Fk/s1600/Pie+(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNI4wHqGHH0/UDrTiFUGK-I/AAAAAAAACQ4/PfGkuv-r0Fk/s200/Pie+(13).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
11. Layer the meat stuffing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDU0Vr2SAPo/UDrTppkCsOI/AAAAAAAACRA/cR4dtCtOF-o/s1600/Pie+(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDU0Vr2SAPo/UDrTppkCsOI/AAAAAAAACRA/cR4dtCtOF-o/s200/Pie+(14).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
12. Layer the chopped hard-boiled eggs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_xrLZ1Icjc/UDrTzNQbTOI/AAAAAAAACRI/01iyIBQmA-w/s1600/Pie+(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_xrLZ1Icjc/UDrTzNQbTOI/AAAAAAAACRI/01iyIBQmA-w/s200/Pie+(15).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
13. Pour the rest of the dough mixture over top. Mine was a bit thick, so spreading it was kind of a challenge; just take your time with it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
14. Bake at 390<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">°</span>F for about 30-40 minutes, until the crust is golden. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<i>Here are a few time-saving tips:</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>~ start by boiling your eggs; this way by the time you're ready to chop them they are nice and cooled down</i><br />
<i>~ mix the dough while the meat is cooking</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-87829682716331274512012-08-08T19:06:00.001-04:002013-10-24T12:23:40.887-04:00Mini stay-cationLast weekend we were camping at Ivy Lea Campground at a Thousand Islands. What a beautiful place it is (not necessarily the campground itself, but rather the area it is in)! On our second day there we decided to be tourists for a day and go on one of those day cruises (well, 5.5 hours actually) and visit the Boldt Castle as well. What I didn’t realize, of course, is that this castle is located in the state of New York! Thankfully, I thought ahead and brought our Canadian passports as everyone getting off the boat at the island is required to go through passport control.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Let me tell you a little bit about our trip…</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The <a href="http://www.pr1000.com/abouttheregion.html" target="_blank">Thousand Islands</a> themselves are beautiful. They are a huge cluster of over 1,800 islands located in the Saint Lawrence Seaway along the Canada-US border (in the province of Ontario and the state of New York). They range in size from 100 square km to some really tiny-weenie ones. I looked it up – you can actually buy yourself a small island for $40,000! Approximately twenty of these islands form the St. Lawrence Islands National Park, which is considered to be the smallest of Canada’s national parks. The Thousand Islands <a href="http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=CAN+12&mode=all" target="_blank">Frontenac Arch</a> region was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002. The US islands include numerous New York state parks, including Wellesley Island State Park, and Robert Moses State Park - Thousand Islands located on an island in the St. Lawrence.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We were taken with beautiful cottages situated all along the coast and on the larger islands, ESPECIALLY the so-called Millionaire’s Row! One word “WOW”… </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RbUqqtO0Q0/UCLtmVWZUOI/AAAAAAAACNU/BFhodN5wCNM/s1600/IMG_8904edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RbUqqtO0Q0/UCLtmVWZUOI/AAAAAAAACNU/BFhodN5wCNM/s400/IMG_8904edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Our destination was Heart Island, NY, upon which a beautiful house sits – the <a href="http://www.boldtcastle.com/visitorinfo/" target="_blank">Boldt Castle</a>. According to its history, <i>“at the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island. The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise.”</i> However, she died suddenly in 1904, and all the work on this building was halted. George never returned to the island, and the castle fell into despair left to the mercy of the elements. Finally, in 1977, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977 for $1 with a promise that through the use of all net revenues from the castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Several rooms have been fully finished while others still stand as they were.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gGB6MYq3zs/UCLuAwSQyjI/AAAAAAAACNc/M6UKBeYWwdI/s1600/IMG_9001edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gGB6MYq3zs/UCLuAwSQyjI/AAAAAAAACNc/M6UKBeYWwdI/s640/IMG_9001edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Power House of Boldt Castle, the first thing you see coming around the corner...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pot-ZfaZGXE/UCLuDKtk3mI/AAAAAAAACNk/9yj1qM6k6kE/s1600/IMG_9010ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pot-ZfaZGXE/UCLuDKtk3mI/AAAAAAAACNk/9yj1qM6k6kE/s640/IMG_9010ed.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Bodlt Castle itself</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XY50WSXbTjI/UCLuFib7QEI/AAAAAAAACNs/SmrqvpsncQk/s1600/IMG_9036edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XY50WSXbTjI/UCLuFib7QEI/AAAAAAAACNs/SmrqvpsncQk/s640/IMG_9036edit.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the few finished rooms</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkU5avlm9mM/UCLuHcjFhUI/AAAAAAAACN0/ksDUdefSHfs/s1600/IMG_9060edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkU5avlm9mM/UCLuHcjFhUI/AAAAAAAACN0/ksDUdefSHfs/s640/IMG_9060edit.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the MANY unfinished rooms.<br />Imagine the possibilities!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><u>Things to remember:</u></i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
* Bring your passports<br />
* Pack a picnic (the ground have a lovely picnic area in the shade)<br />
* Entry to the island is extra $8 for adults and $5.50 for children over 6<br />
<br />
The Boldt Castle is a display of beautiful architecture and is worth a trip, I think. Though I could't escape the feeling that this is just some rich guy’s house that didn't get finished… Still, the finished rooms are beautiful and the unfinished ones give visitors the opportunity to imagine what they would have looked like in the early 1900s had they been finished; they are of beautiful shapes and grandiose size.</div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze3cQBhCGYU/UCLvLqljWdI/AAAAAAAACN8/2aTWMAY6Aws/s1600/0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze3cQBhCGYU/UCLvLqljWdI/AAAAAAAACN8/2aTWMAY6Aws/s640/0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yummy salt water taffy I tried for the first time :)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
We were allotted approximately 2 hours on the island before going back to Canadian soil. The boat took us around the other way (north and around), and we were able to see a handful of notable islands such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer_Island_(Thousand_Islands)" target="_blank">Deer Island</a> (owned by the Skull and Bones Society of Yale University), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longue_Vue_Island" target="_blank">Longue Vue Island</a> (the region’s only artificial island) and Zavikon Island.<br />
<br />
This last island I just mentioned is interesting: technically, it consists of a large island that has a large cottage on it (with some lawn even) and a tiny island with only a tall cross standing. The tour operator told us that the large island in located in Canada while the small one is in the US. The bridge connecting the two is the world’s smallest international bridge. Naturally, I photographed it. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0pZFMrMwG8k/UCLwACzS_zI/AAAAAAAACOE/VziGfzdlYtE/s1600/IMG_9134edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0pZFMrMwG8k/UCLwACzS_zI/AAAAAAAACOE/VziGfzdlYtE/s640/IMG_9134edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Zavikon Islands and the "world's smallest international bridge"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But it sparked my curiosity…<br />
<br />
Why is it that I’ve never heard of this before given how close all of this is to Ottawa? I took to the Internet and found out that what we were told was simply NOT TRUE! Both islands are within Canada (see the map below)! Apparently this fact is a popular tale among the local tour guides.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8phakOPYR0/UCL7hlIsu9I/AAAAAAAACOo/p_5C2P7Ku9s/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8phakOPYR0/UCL7hlIsu9I/AAAAAAAACOo/p_5C2P7Ku9s/s640/map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>courtesy of Google Maps</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the end of it all, it was a great day and we enjoy a wonderful sunset on our way back to Gananoque.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NLXpmsXKWQY/UCLweeeoV3I/AAAAAAAACOM/1fcRYxa7c8w/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NLXpmsXKWQY/UCLweeeoV3I/AAAAAAAACOM/1fcRYxa7c8w/s640/IMG_9189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-76036831326168531992012-08-06T21:13:00.001-04:002012-10-02T17:41:38.842-04:00Fresh Summer SaladA few people were over having supper with us the other day and I made a simple salad that I think goes well with on a side of anything. It's packed with fresh veggies and herbs, dressed with simple oil and it just delicious. I was asked how to make it and I didn't even think about because it's SO easy! I swear to you that this is probably the easiest salad you'll ever make.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3MbznjurPY/UCBp5VMSLkI/AAAAAAAACM4/hKKEYKvihkc/s1600/IMG_8868edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3MbznjurPY/UCBp5VMSLkI/AAAAAAAACM4/hKKEYKvihkc/s400/IMG_8868edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u><br />
<a name='more'></a><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></b></u><br />
<br />
* Romaine lettuce (I guess you could use other leafy salad, but I prefer <a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/2011/06/goodness-of-romaine.html">the goodness of Romaine</a>; one head should be good for 4 people)<br />
* Tomatoes<br />
* Cucumbers (when I used the ones from our garden, I shaved off some of the skin because it was just too rough)<br />
* Bell pepper (any colour, and it's optional)<br />
* Fresh/ dried herbs, depending on the season, of course (any and all of you favourites though I like to stick to dill, chives and parsley)<br />
* Onion<br />
* Garlic (fresh, dried or powder)<br />
* Oil (olive or sunflower)<br />
* Salt & pepper to taste<br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></u></b><br />
<br />
1. Wash & chop all of the ingredient to the desired size.<br />
2. Toss with all and serve.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-73754486486441122782012-07-26T18:40:00.000-04:002012-10-02T17:41:48.766-04:00Zucchini PancakesFor those that know a little bit about my home country of Belarus know that most, if not all of our national dishes are usually made with potatoes. That's right, I come from the potato land (and I love potatoes)! However, this year, once again, I let our first zucchini overgrow in our vegetable garden... to about 4 lbs!<br />
<br />
What to do... I love potato pancakes, they are a staple in Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian cuisine. Originally, my plan was to make potato-zucchini pancakes, but since I ran out of potatoes this weekend, it became just <u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Zucchini Pancakes</b></span></u>. They are sooooo easy to make and so quick that I didn't feel the need (and frankly, had no time) to make illustrations. I'm sure you'll be able to figure this out, it's that easy :)<br />
<br />
Hubby had them with maple syrup. Being true to my Slavic roots, I had mine with sour cream.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyRjvBiAN4o/UBHJvVg0ojI/AAAAAAAACMs/Fp7HasWgZcM/s1600/ZuccPancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyRjvBiAN4o/UBHJvVg0ojI/AAAAAAAACMs/Fp7HasWgZcM/s400/ZuccPancakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u><br />
<a name='more'></a><u><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
<br />
* about 4-5 small zucchinis (I'd say, about 1 lbs or so)<br />
* 2 eggs<br />
* 4 tbsp of flour<br />
* garlic powder<br />
* salt & pepper<br />
* cooking oil (I use olive oil)<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></u><br />
<br />
1. Grate zucchini (skin on) and drain the liquid.<br />
<br />
2. Mix in 2 eggs, garlic powder (amount is up to you), salt and pepper to taste.<br />
<br />
3. Add flour; if the mixture appears to be too liquidy add more flour.<br />
<br />
4. Heat oil in the skillet over medium heat; spoon the zucchini mass into small pancakes; cook on each side till golden-brown (each side literally takes only about 1 minute).<br />
<br />
5. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-5408102781611229622012-07-25T17:43:00.000-04:002012-10-02T17:42:04.670-04:00Delicious Meatball SoupLet me tell you - my kid LOVES soup! Sometimes she wakes up and her first food-related request is "I want soup". I admit that up until very recently I've mostly been buying already prepared soups thinking it saves on time and it's relatively inexpensive, even with premium brands.<br />
<br />
But a few days ago I've decided that enough is enough! I gotta make my own soups: if I make a big batch, I can always take some as lunch or even freeze it. Frankly, having soup for lunch is a much healthier option than, say, a sandwich because soup fills me up, but I don't feel stuffed and sleepy afterwards. And a regular bowl of soup generally runs at about 200 cals per portion (provided it's not one of those creamy soup variety).<br />
<br />
So anyways, my first "by the book" soup (as opposed to something I'd just thrown together). In English, I guess you could call it <strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Meatball Soup</span></u></strong>, but we call it Soup with Frikadelkas (суп с фрикадельками). Even just hearing the name of this soup instantly reminds me of home, my childhood and of my mom making it because I just LOVE it (especially the meatballs, he-he)! It's light on the stomach & easy of the prep. So, here it is.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnlqDdHyu1Y/UBBgqSLs9ZI/AAAAAAAACLU/3UzNEGpYm-E/s1600/MeatballSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnlqDdHyu1Y/UBBgqSLs9ZI/AAAAAAAACLU/3UzNEGpYm-E/s400/MeatballSoup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yum!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">* 300-350 g of ground meat of any kind - <i>I used ground chicken</i><br />* 3 medium potatoes (about 300 g)<br />* 1 small onion<br />* 1 medium carrot<br />* 1/2 sweet red pepper (optional) - <i>I use a whole pepper, and it was a bit too much</i><br />* tiny pasta or rice (optional) - <i>I use Filini (see below)</i><br />* salt & pepper</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">* 3 bay leaves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Directions:</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-isxr2K8rKVQ/UBBiihqMojI/AAAAAAAACLc/7i4lhAr9CMI/s1600/MeatballSoup+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-isxr2K8rKVQ/UBBiihqMojI/AAAAAAAACLc/7i4lhAr9CMI/s320/MeatballSoup+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">1. Chop up pepper, carrot and onion (try to chop the onion an fine as possible, you'll need it for your ground meat).</span><br />
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EujU_jg1Nkk/UBBjXuc5epI/AAAAAAAACLk/P1z2hJHVWXk/s1600/MeatballSoup+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EujU_jg1Nkk/UBBjXuc5epI/AAAAAAAACLk/P1z2hJHVWXk/s320/MeatballSoup+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a><u> </u><br />
<div>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<span style="background-color: white;">2. Peel, wash and chop potatoes into cubes.</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAB_J6Rl-WI/UBBjtUkL0iI/AAAAAAAACLs/kfIRU3Xfxy8/s1600/MeatballSoup+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAB_J6Rl-WI/UBBjtUkL0iI/AAAAAAAACLs/kfIRU3Xfxy8/s320/MeatballSoup+(3).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">3. Add some onion, salt and pepper into the ground meat; mix well and set aside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkByCxXJ22w/UBBki6SCnHI/AAAAAAAACL0/FMRK1-let4A/s1600/MeatballSoup+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkByCxXJ22w/UBBki6SCnHI/AAAAAAAACL0/FMRK1-let4A/s320/MeatballSoup+(4).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">4. (<i>Optional step</i>) Lightly stir-fry pepper + carrot + onion till golden.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CuuTlv3HXLU/UBBlP02CsYI/AAAAAAAACL8/ZmVX--XjVeY/s1600/MeatballSoup+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CuuTlv3HXLU/UBBlP02CsYI/AAAAAAAACL8/ZmVX--XjVeY/s320/MeatballSoup+(5).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">5. Bring 1.5-2 L of water to boil (the amount of water depends on how "brothy" you want your soup to be; I used 2 L). Add the pepper + carrot + onion mixture and gently boil for 5-7 minutes. Add potatoes and bring to a boil again.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5BXPmLGMsg/UBBl4oKZ_oI/AAAAAAAACME/T7jq3fLuYNo/s1600/MeatballSoup+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5BXPmLGMsg/UBBl4oKZ_oI/AAAAAAAACME/T7jq3fLuYNo/s320/MeatballSoup+(6).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">6. Now on to the meatballs! Grab small amounts of your meat mixture and make small, compact (really squish it) balls the size of a walnut (maximum, you don't want them too large, they won't cook through quickly). Drop them one by one into the soup. Add some salt and pepper and cook on low for about 15 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smvHtanse_s/UBBnB_1d9VI/AAAAAAAACMM/TVjopaXygfI/s1600/MeatballSoup+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smvHtanse_s/UBBnB_1d9VI/AAAAAAAACMM/TVjopaXygfI/s320/MeatballSoup+(7).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">7. If you're adding rice, throw it in right after the meatballs (you'll only need about a handful). If using pasta, like I was, throw it in 5 minutes after the last meatball. <i>The recipe called for 1 handful of pasta, but since I used 2 L of water instead of 1.5 L, I added 3 handfuls</i>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7EiViWahQo/UBBnm8BLoRI/AAAAAAAACMU/R_gjOSoPbAw/s1600/MeatballSoup+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7EiViWahQo/UBBnm8BLoRI/AAAAAAAACMU/R_gjOSoPbAw/s320/MeatballSoup+(8).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">8. After about 7-10 minutes of cooking, add the bay leaves (variations are limitless - you can add basil, chives, parsley, etc. - I say, the more the better when it comes to greens!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">You can serve it with a dollop of sour cream and top it with greens (again, chives, parsley, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">Enjoy!</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-64922122348385184062012-07-21T10:00:00.000-04:002012-07-21T10:02:12.873-04:00Not a spring clean-up, but clean-up nonethelessLooking back at some of the things I've posted over the years I've come to the conclusion that clean-up is required. I also considered switching blogging platforms... I even checked out a few others such as wordpress, posterous and livejournal. After giving it some thought, I've decided to stick with blogger, at least for now. So over the next little while I'm going to delete some posts, I'm going to stop numbering them, etc.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649150437797625705.post-47622893675236835452012-05-30T11:46:00.000-04:002013-10-24T12:27:27.821-04:00Yet another 5K runRemember my post on <a href="http://stumbling-on-happiness.blogspot.ca/2011/05/my-5k-run-challenge.html" target="_blank">My post-baby 5K run challenge</a> last year? Yes, I did it again this year! :)<br />
<br />
The course was the same (which was nice), but the amount of people was even larger! Imagine this - 42,000 participated in this year's two-day event, with about 8,000 runners/walkers doing the 5K race.<br />
<br />
It's crazy to think that people finished this distance in 15:38.9, while I crawled to the finish line in 2345th place overall with a time of 32:17.2. I guess it's not bad considering that I was 135th among 588 females between the ages of 25 and 29 AND I placed 940th out of 4,907 women. :)))<br />
<br />
Aside from being proud of myself and all of your encouraging comments, here's the real reason I do this - apart from the obvious health benefits of running, of course ;) - MY FINISHER'S MEDAL!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tN4b4zsLcvk/T8Y33JMj7rI/AAAAAAAACGs/hokZD06Afxw/s1600/5K2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tN4b4zsLcvk/T8Y33JMj7rI/AAAAAAAACGs/hokZD06Afxw/s400/5K2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh and props to all of those men and women well into their golden ages who managed to not only participate, but to run and some finishing in less that 40 minutes! You are the real inspiration!!!<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/3848174BDC02F5A1A85FF003D3A41E66.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0