tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76332597527714807822024-02-19T22:21:32.786-08:00Picnic At MarinaLife journey of our ordinary familyMarinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.comBlogger252125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-46085795168126104542014-02-07T15:44:00.001-08:002014-02-07T15:44:52.995-08:00The Northwest Flower & Garden Show (Photos)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For ideas, inspiration, and some good time we went to the Garden Show in Seattle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17hXDeK1nEPFbPSLqQ5wuL7HrQIrt8b9pfG_NYuAnGw2LwM0k0mGHlSvqCi8gsyDi0Qq_e86hAI6IiHJRDuAuWtd0-FB9eHOahSXmNTU6v-U4tOQhleP3K_ewTgxW800byA8IETOzDU0/s1600/GSgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17hXDeK1nEPFbPSLqQ5wuL7HrQIrt8b9pfG_NYuAnGw2LwM0k0mGHlSvqCi8gsyDi0Qq_e86hAI6IiHJRDuAuWtd0-FB9eHOahSXmNTU6v-U4tOQhleP3K_ewTgxW800byA8IETOzDU0/s1600/GSgarden.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Everyone needs a place to rest in privacy of a garden. Why not make it gorgeous? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZdYAFSSifr2xRX_-WiFwuQXwpBtJOZ-w47mGTsZNi9EbCqjz_a0LQ7oIEAFRhm_F_tnITIF5mbZ5oBSz84aV80gn66EPDNjToW1gHrA8cX2_zmntt-PDY6D08E_7JO4OTQx6u_FT7V8/s1600/GSflowersmetal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZdYAFSSifr2xRX_-WiFwuQXwpBtJOZ-w47mGTsZNi9EbCqjz_a0LQ7oIEAFRhm_F_tnITIF5mbZ5oBSz84aV80gn66EPDNjToW1gHrA8cX2_zmntt-PDY6D08E_7JO4OTQx6u_FT7V8/s1600/GSflowersmetal.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You would not believe what those flowers were made off. I didn't. Metal!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4idPwL8dU4BRxNDdiuzt0j3O4LOxTFozWvWhpEvTmt2TGxHhuxPDQUvOSQzzI7pXPSEUbd8kBxqRsKe1rBihVCX9J2roQdUTQC1ADRd5bgxWnZ6V_9DDMNvhfyLyZ_ymmn3FpegwL8CE/s1600/GSflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4idPwL8dU4BRxNDdiuzt0j3O4LOxTFozWvWhpEvTmt2TGxHhuxPDQUvOSQzzI7pXPSEUbd8kBxqRsKe1rBihVCX9J2roQdUTQC1ADRd5bgxWnZ6V_9DDMNvhfyLyZ_ymmn3FpegwL8CE/s1600/GSflowers.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Glass. Bamboo shoots were made of glass too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4vjwbFH3OzEwr-tmkykyvFVcY-qKjkYqwRiG4oAVsi1B53JHw42sPE5h9k1BZOkyX78kDecSKgHueiv6vQNUzlX43wPj2tQAEcbuWkx9i1uyBbtVh_LER923oF1QP_w0lZ3CWRxvDVw/s1600/GSflowersglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4vjwbFH3OzEwr-tmkykyvFVcY-qKjkYqwRiG4oAVsi1B53JHw42sPE5h9k1BZOkyX78kDecSKgHueiv6vQNUzlX43wPj2tQAEcbuWkx9i1uyBbtVh_LER923oF1QP_w0lZ3CWRxvDVw/s1600/GSflowersglass.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More glass.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9wNtwfFwSBGss_PwMf2ozKOGluTR4W5MqUs29qdS4qRIdQ9BXCyV7Q05Qum7mIHOaLqnBQm5SQxnhEDmQ0FejSc3GGe3rkuATJx-GhQ4X4rQV-CgVISvq4-m9_StSc9QJ_dGl0ywnFg/s1600/GSflowersglass1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9wNtwfFwSBGss_PwMf2ozKOGluTR4W5MqUs29qdS4qRIdQ9BXCyV7Q05Qum7mIHOaLqnBQm5SQxnhEDmQ0FejSc3GGe3rkuATJx-GhQ4X4rQV-CgVISvq4-m9_StSc9QJ_dGl0ywnFg/s1600/GSflowersglass1.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And some more glass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After all, this city is famous for it's glass work (think<a href="http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/community-partners" target="_blank"> Chihul</a><u>y</u>).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x5RsdIBCQxiSests1l5LMCA3jY2Hu6s5Dgow05PlsRkiDivFpYpfotA6FGYljIS-tD7WusBNOLWiM3NaKTQqSMFqzTvgsyg33KXE8JUe6amn5CfH8Iq5wBz72LWCWikA3H7exuQ_rtk/s1600/GardenGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x5RsdIBCQxiSests1l5LMCA3jY2Hu6s5Dgow05PlsRkiDivFpYpfotA6FGYljIS-tD7WusBNOLWiM3NaKTQqSMFqzTvgsyg33KXE8JUe6amn5CfH8Iq5wBz72LWCWikA3H7exuQ_rtk/s1600/GardenGS.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'd like to model my garden around a round table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I think it's cozy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ1pd3kBEBIuAd5ZgWpF-dNNJR_gZGaUeWADS6jd5lgk0yL4SP9zQ3N9rIJzhQE5G9qeBUXA4x0CHGCkQLZncIPvq5GhAWl59cLIWNtJzQxBiPCQBd9sqUJ4CCaH1LvUDHIv8aV0_-eU/s1600/GSfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ1pd3kBEBIuAd5ZgWpF-dNNJR_gZGaUeWADS6jd5lgk0yL4SP9zQ3N9rIJzhQE5G9qeBUXA4x0CHGCkQLZncIPvq5GhAWl59cLIWNtJzQxBiPCQBd9sqUJ4CCaH1LvUDHIv8aV0_-eU/s1600/GSfish.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How about a salmon as a garden decor? Very Northwest... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8P6sG47YFZkdth1g4KRmJyaJ6PwdWQLOpfSUxKYXNMq0ePA0ShYUYjFAO3pPnOv-Tjk8yY8rfRtN0ZdFqOWnil23HLt1067NV9de6oxDczBVd2_9ireEq0evYUqY8ccpO-GnBfkuo5s/s1600/GSfrogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8P6sG47YFZkdth1g4KRmJyaJ6PwdWQLOpfSUxKYXNMq0ePA0ShYUYjFAO3pPnOv-Tjk8yY8rfRtN0ZdFqOWnil23HLt1067NV9de6oxDczBVd2_9ireEq0evYUqY8ccpO-GnBfkuo5s/s1600/GSfrogs.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Or three little frogs? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIM6NI42VAUXy7HmDPTiUca9sOm1SzBcl-lro6aC2ho3B7_0rq6vkoZ-zBDOIKpVIqlN70yMMGpb9YyPufr-koPScmOfGZrUJRPvBewswt4ZBz3V2T_3LLbgQ3AGSmK1_jVvrNyOrzWA/s1600/GSgoats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIM6NI42VAUXy7HmDPTiUca9sOm1SzBcl-lro6aC2ho3B7_0rq6vkoZ-zBDOIKpVIqlN70yMMGpb9YyPufr-koPScmOfGZrUJRPvBewswt4ZBz3V2T_3LLbgQ3AGSmK1_jVvrNyOrzWA/s1600/GSgoats.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I would definitely find a place </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">in my garden</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> for this goat family.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcK8wwCtjPJX2cV5DNj-X-N1fsQCsrfbc0vkyFfV3M3pnROyOHO0Uf_uhD8j17peMXvIewtq7HWsB4uM7iPsv3vTGIioOKbQlr8UDFW4aSrbMgoPte_pL6ipQqm50DNxYG4pcrNaTHsE8/s1600/GSgarden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcK8wwCtjPJX2cV5DNj-X-N1fsQCsrfbc0vkyFfV3M3pnROyOHO0Uf_uhD8j17peMXvIewtq7HWsB4uM7iPsv3vTGIioOKbQlr8UDFW4aSrbMgoPte_pL6ipQqm50DNxYG4pcrNaTHsE8/s1600/GSgarden2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Another charming set, overlooking the Pike street and Puget Sound.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VZU7maC-fKp2hw4O7bSixiQZ8SF1RmNFCmvWVnYrB1N-DW8rhCMbNopx5A5ULZ7gFCfqY9VLleSS-kgpmk9lmfxHr-hfQZcxVzZoB9qx4xNI6hI26uJKWHT7I-6tAN-lhDHLdsFeq8Q/s1600/GSfountainwithglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VZU7maC-fKp2hw4O7bSixiQZ8SF1RmNFCmvWVnYrB1N-DW8rhCMbNopx5A5ULZ7gFCfqY9VLleSS-kgpmk9lmfxHr-hfQZcxVzZoB9qx4xNI6hI26uJKWHT7I-6tAN-lhDHLdsFeq8Q/s1600/GSfountainwithglass.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And the star of the show was this fountain, attracting a big crowd: everyone wanted to spend more time watching it. Somehow water, running in two different directions, had a powerful calming effect. Despite a background noise of the Convention Center, this spot was quiet and relaxed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Have a nice and relax weekend, my friends!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-87578445633938366112014-01-23T21:58:00.000-08:002014-01-23T21:58:00.885-08:00My Bare Garden<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/AVvXsEj3eTqc8hdP8ZYQBcO9IpjHVzNxLHKT53tpnwWO_NtRjLo1O9PrMALGrCCoNE9KEt8vy1v-MnXLewAcFpdGkwF3o91Lo3klixVgpyUJXoEw2UqeiEQcD9dGQZfU-DcaNvYM7zZ_55dS5jM/s1600/garden3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eTqc8hdP8ZYQBcO9IpjHVzNxLHKT53tpnwWO_NtRjLo1O9PrMALGrCCoNE9KEt8vy1v-MnXLewAcFpdGkwF3o91Lo3klixVgpyUJXoEw2UqeiEQcD9dGQZfU-DcaNvYM7zZ_55dS5jM/s1600/garden3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Three apple trees and two black currant bushes planted. </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxKt4pbzOQZ4PFD_E-Cds-v_p_qJl9Dt30r0MJBr5tUEiOMdN2EVhertR8oZ-sU4cDTWVFZg0EXhrnBTBw4-jFVhw-Sf7XcBBAWizso9tWYWjZVSpPLMoksujVQtAYiR4JlxzLTWN9BU/s1600/garden4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxKt4pbzOQZ4PFD_E-Cds-v_p_qJl9Dt30r0MJBr5tUEiOMdN2EVhertR8oZ-sU4cDTWVFZg0EXhrnBTBw4-jFVhw-Sf7XcBBAWizso9tWYWjZVSpPLMoksujVQtAYiR4JlxzLTWN9BU/s1600/garden4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Tool of the "trade": soil is a solid rock...</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I definitely needed something green for my eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A walk in a park was a perfect alternative to my bare garden.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXT_la-Hkq_KNecO8Rfwts829L6Rc4pHrbdwkrep7Rk8rrSDluX7JKC1GCEYUQ6fgPrBXFBpKcYJ8ZcFI_ACvdLMarp4GmoUmgn6DaBXfWrgWFODjZO0Cp1R7iWTmdUI9mIlKvER9ZxJk/s1600/IMG_0666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXT_la-Hkq_KNecO8Rfwts829L6Rc4pHrbdwkrep7Rk8rrSDluX7JKC1GCEYUQ6fgPrBXFBpKcYJ8ZcFI_ACvdLMarp4GmoUmgn6DaBXfWrgWFODjZO0Cp1R7iWTmdUI9mIlKvER9ZxJk/s1600/IMG_0666.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A big fat squirrel. Do you think she noticed me?<br /><br /></span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fYhxOIRH_QChPpbVs5gJY3kww2srz7fNUT7NdMLSNPDzFpp5lJGcMn-EJp5FAn1UtC4l0-pleT2t9eF-T27GM4o7DLJSUqUnOMKXyXlSWttHYaAVDt6Olwb4oMpmmGuDOcoJXHBvRso/s1600/ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fYhxOIRH_QChPpbVs5gJY3kww2srz7fNUT7NdMLSNPDzFpp5lJGcMn-EJp5FAn1UtC4l0-pleT2t9eF-T27GM4o7DLJSUqUnOMKXyXlSWttHYaAVDt6Olwb4oMpmmGuDOcoJXHBvRso/s1600/ducks.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Happy ducks. I like how they all have one foot off the ground. </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dwPh9jhWhHYYTsk57d8DaqAbssj217-rCfXmNgYrgWChXn_bf3sYCFua07mGV1Ktu5c5_dUS1MD6N_Im3Bt8cYyOpV_Kdb6xLLNGciDlaQIq7hWRKJmyGCqc87p9ERKVow_hqCsri6A/s1600/duck2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dwPh9jhWhHYYTsk57d8DaqAbssj217-rCfXmNgYrgWChXn_bf3sYCFua07mGV1Ktu5c5_dUS1MD6N_Im3Bt8cYyOpV_Kdb6xLLNGciDlaQIq7hWRKJmyGCqc87p9ERKVow_hqCsri6A/s1600/duck2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A drinking duck...</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZAEMgiQdezWzkSYIG3C5CBVdw9iDT9pp2whwNHSz5qX1YL4Nq8jHgHXdULTHFjQLpf3b3Ru_SILuttyOVitnpPC_eJfF90Ry8Ekq2Mpuj1Q6q09pjQnNwcYFt0QevuXVSCKz8KGjpAw/s1600/duck3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZAEMgiQdezWzkSYIG3C5CBVdw9iDT9pp2whwNHSz5qX1YL4Nq8jHgHXdULTHFjQLpf3b3Ru_SILuttyOVitnpPC_eJfF90Ry8Ekq2Mpuj1Q6q09pjQnNwcYFt0QevuXVSCKz8KGjpAw/s1600/duck3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A thinking "to-jump-or-not-to-jump" duck...</span></i></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then back to my garden to plant a cherry tree. </span><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/AVvXsEhNV9DFBcb0Mbk3BZZALL3GR7yqbqlS795xBa1Hpn2seMdzM77dA6XX9F9uitpKB-gk2lsNPY9dficzsgxN4w_GnckMta8p53G_rA4Aku_-QFhIvlnY4n64dCVUyuyz56lH2t1EAM8qPJ8/s1600/garden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNV9DFBcb0Mbk3BZZALL3GR7yqbqlS795xBa1Hpn2seMdzM77dA6XX9F9uitpKB-gk2lsNPY9dficzsgxN4w_GnckMta8p53G_rA4Aku_-QFhIvlnY4n64dCVUyuyz56lH2t1EAM8qPJ8/s1600/garden2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And that's all for today, my friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Or, maybe just one more picture. :)</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqXwav0WagkcGDJ7DYTs4CJCOTGiPMQgku_0WUuEPr7Q-J_kYi-Ju5lCGDdM5x8nwNRZnTVD8ywO9ZlCg1Ff6-03hmjmFQACNi5X3MTk-pH2WQIYyQxoZ9QSoLgCXi97ipNlEnccorsc/s1600/cloud2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqXwav0WagkcGDJ7DYTs4CJCOTGiPMQgku_0WUuEPr7Q-J_kYi-Ju5lCGDdM5x8nwNRZnTVD8ywO9ZlCg1Ff6-03hmjmFQACNi5X3MTk-pH2WQIYyQxoZ9QSoLgCXi97ipNlEnccorsc/s1600/cloud2.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Mt.Rainier. January 2014</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-25859822109351504742014-01-22T20:53:00.000-08:002014-01-22T20:53:45.392-08:00Hello From The Pacific NorthWest<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/AVvXsEj2RMZxwpbwnuTMJ0f8gxHPCwMlDSvTjnSFAL54cXLsjtnOGKb7jIiP_0uCvY4qDINfV9cwJ6dQrxIHD2ivSWAR8d910ua7wKVBIjsWe2W0WIb0wDlv5V6v2HKFP5P-P5NVEdbMLFwYUaI/s1600/cloud3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RMZxwpbwnuTMJ0f8gxHPCwMlDSvTjnSFAL54cXLsjtnOGKb7jIiP_0uCvY4qDINfV9cwJ6dQrxIHD2ivSWAR8d910ua7wKVBIjsWe2W0WIb0wDlv5V6v2HKFP5P-P5NVEdbMLFwYUaI/s1600/cloud3.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Interesting cloud formation above the Mt. Rainier. January 2014</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have received many e-mails asking me if I took time off from blogging, and when I am coming back. Those questions made me think whether I want to blog at all and if yes, then what direction would I go. And at this time I don't have a clear answer for myself and for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As you know, blogging is a full time job if you do it every day. My full time job during this transition after moving from Arkansas to Seattle is my family. A month ago we bought a house and are settling in, so here comes another unpacking. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Blogging brings a lot of joy to me, and to my friends and family. But there is a drop of negativism here and there coming from unhappy people in comments and e-mails. That is definitely not what I want on my blog. And while I try not to take it personally, it still makes a small scratch on my heart. My blog is to connect with my family and friends, and if someone doesn't like it then don't come. But if you came and decided to stay, be kind and positive. As simple as that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At this point I don't know if I want to blog the way I did before. Most likely I will post more photos (per my family's request), slightly less words and recipes, although I do have a few specific requests that I will honor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We shell see where this road would take us...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmwVvc-8jVzKlag390olcXZz9qk-NTG7b834z1YmPcjnOnaWuVFJK1ek4fMl4ghLHp8OVPgaFpUHq_RCvr_tnnLGZwlgCxfrU9GUUsoEqP7_NEOKJ0V-KlQ_suoh51UHfuH3A4FpvTjM/s1600/cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmwVvc-8jVzKlag390olcXZz9qk-NTG7b834z1YmPcjnOnaWuVFJK1ek4fMl4ghLHp8OVPgaFpUHq_RCvr_tnnLGZwlgCxfrU9GUUsoEqP7_NEOKJ0V-KlQ_suoh51UHfuH3A4FpvTjM/s1600/cloud.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Another cloud forming on Mt.Rainier. January 2014</span></i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfBie7m4qDJAXfXsm22yK6fqi6eEaIHmHOuWbsQHLw2_N4ghSiMMCsOUSgp37NDDijJv8WQe_0fpEOY3DgtZei-p6bVgxgfsJJTRU60Rf65fDxY0Q9QBg67WzH5s2NWou_HJ79xvVDLM/s1600/AmericanLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfBie7m4qDJAXfXsm22yK6fqi6eEaIHmHOuWbsQHLw2_N4ghSiMMCsOUSgp37NDDijJv8WQe_0fpEOY3DgtZei-p6bVgxgfsJJTRU60Rf65fDxY0Q9QBg67WzH5s2NWou_HJ79xvVDLM/s1600/AmericanLake.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This one is for my family: on American Lake. January 2014</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thank you all for visiting my blog! :)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Be kind, be gentle, be nice... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-27508460444894813532013-10-08T21:50:00.004-07:002013-10-08T21:50:47.793-07:00Wordless Wednesday<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/AVvXsEjz-Fql27qgopLbLt_Xkozsj326BFYl5ccqkO88zqgbaMsxl0hyphenhyphenMcq2TYuz2apEEVy87fSlCpUazr294dnpv0GzciXmBt1D2aw9dhVCMau0-LVI7t_z3SSP70Rcq-21vGboGqj9ew2S8DM/s1600/Mt.Rainier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-Fql27qgopLbLt_Xkozsj326BFYl5ccqkO88zqgbaMsxl0hyphenhyphenMcq2TYuz2apEEVy87fSlCpUazr294dnpv0GzciXmBt1D2aw9dhVCMau0-LVI7t_z3SSP70Rcq-21vGboGqj9ew2S8DM/s1600/Mt.Rainier.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mt.Rainier, October 2013</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-13745437263556411482013-10-02T15:58:00.000-07:002013-10-02T15:58:39.660-07:00Warm Kale and Roasted Corn Salad For The National Kale Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ-R00RrFyMN0AjIeabLJXzQStaF2mAwIjAnbc1orNjTGo1oZ5Abb0o8phdL6Vuo2uWMH4kjcLnLzqVosKYNP3KHQHYTVuzqPWrDKsrj8QQobYC1LxRiJbb9Eybslfm06pTJUgVtnkrE/s1600/kaleavocadosalad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ-R00RrFyMN0AjIeabLJXzQStaF2mAwIjAnbc1orNjTGo1oZ5Abb0o8phdL6Vuo2uWMH4kjcLnLzqVosKYNP3KHQHYTVuzqPWrDKsrj8QQobYC1LxRiJbb9Eybslfm06pTJUgVtnkrE/s1600/kaleavocadosalad.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did you know that today is the </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Que</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif;">en of Greens (a.k.a. kale) Day? </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif;">I didn't... until I opened the Facebook and there it was - The National Kale Day! Even more, it's Inaugural Kale Day, and one more reason to celebrate. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 21px;">As a big kale lover I couldn't ignore it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">I love kale in any form (except overcooked) and shape. I was chewing on my kale chips when I learned about the kale day. Every day is a kale day in this family. Some like it more (me), some eat it in salads without even noticing that it's a kale salad (my husband), and some don't care much about green leaves at all but eat it hidden in their foods (my kids). Kale salads, kale smoothies, kale micro greens, baby kale, kale soups, kale burger, and many other kale meals are made in my kitchen on a regular basis at any given season. When I started my blog I dedicated Tuesday to all things kale, and called it Kale Tuesdays. That's how much I love kale! I also love bitter melon (speaking of my taste!) but that's another story. :)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">This time of the year, when warm days are rare and sun is behind clouds most of the time in rainy Seattle, we like to make warm salads, and kale is one of the best greens for that as it keeps it's crunchiness and shape. Oh, and delicious too! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><u>Warm Kale and Roasted Corn Salad</u></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><i>Ingredients:</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 cup corn </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">1 bunch kale (or two generous handfuls</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"> of baby kale)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 avocado</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 lemon (juice and zest)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon Liquid Smoke</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: large;">salt to taste</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">If using kale leaves, tear it off a stem and into a bite size pieces. Wash, and dry it in a salad spinner or pat dry it with a towel.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Wash, cut, pit and mash an avocado. Mix it with a lemon juice.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Place the kale leaves in a large bowl, and gently massage the avocado mash into the kale leaves. Set aside.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Mix corn with a smoked paprika, olive oil and liquid smoke, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and place it on a baking sheet. Turn your oven to a broil and place the baking sheet with corn on a top rack. Broil for 5 to 8 minutes (until corn has some chars on it). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Immediately stir the broiled corn in the kale-avocado mix, toss it well with red pepper flakes and lemon zest, and add salt to your taste. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">This salad is often our dinner, lunch, or snack. It's quick, easy and so good for you! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Also, from now on The National Kale Day will be celebrated every year on first Wednesday in October. Yey to Kale!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><b><i>Are you on a Team Kale? </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><b><i>What is your favorite kale dish? </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><i>See you,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><i>Marina</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-54691368977496196662013-09-26T19:27:00.000-07:002013-09-26T19:27:55.966-07:00Pancake Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNXU93WS4-QXNL0m9SWBuFKJjr1aghtcySfrmkgVT_Y1OCQlvp9MpBbkW8PdyzaT4kw4kp3tfx3opsAqsp8Johw0aqsxmrKMLtpesRH3L2Q8gSuQKGfGmc2a3WCRqMftPMxaOfs554tM/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNXU93WS4-QXNL0m9SWBuFKJjr1aghtcySfrmkgVT_Y1OCQlvp9MpBbkW8PdyzaT4kw4kp3tfx3opsAqsp8Johw0aqsxmrKMLtpesRH3L2Q8gSuQKGfGmc2a3WCRqMftPMxaOfs554tM/s640/mushrooms.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This morning, before I went on with my daily routine, I had my morning cup of tea and a dose of Facebook. From there I've learned that today is a National Pancake Day. Well, it took care of my dinner plans and I carried on with my Thursday 'to do" list. Quite quickly I realized that I am missing a few ingredients for my pancakes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">See, what we call pancakes are actually crapes that come with different fillings. Some like it savory (me), and some like it sweet (the rest of my family). The sweet filling wasn't an issue: I have plenty preserves to cover a few miles of pancakes. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As of savory part I knew exactly what I wanted but I had to get it. If I were as good as my mother in mycology (part of biology that studies fungi) I would go foraging for some wild mushrooms, specifically chanterelles. But because of fear of being lost in the woods keeps me always on the hiking trail my chances to pick some mushrooms were very small. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So I went "foraging" to a local farm that sells chanterelle mushrooms, and qtoday it was as fresh as it could be (by looking at it I had suspicion it was picked this morning - that fresh!) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why did I want to go through all this trouble? Well, because a) it is a chanterelle season (and I guess all other mushrooms too), and b) I wanted my crapes stuffed with mushrooms and cheese. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAFHFxBUj2bsvc0_nIawurv9oNSt0yXtW22p6tj2QoEyL9qCuGrIQYO4Lyb-SGPyi1-rMFDB3Nm-COQr-8wDijJt3V-U4gInSAVhWQUHsB9QdxzTdCBaP9xtBBtwm2-F2Hu-BrtzaxVg/s1600/pancakes5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAFHFxBUj2bsvc0_nIawurv9oNSt0yXtW22p6tj2QoEyL9qCuGrIQYO4Lyb-SGPyi1-rMFDB3Nm-COQr-8wDijJt3V-U4gInSAVhWQUHsB9QdxzTdCBaP9xtBBtwm2-F2Hu-BrtzaxVg/s640/pancakes5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's no recipe today, everyone knows how to make crapes, right? or pancakes? Then just choose your topping. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For me it was fresh chanterelle mushrooms, sauteed in a little butter with shallots. Then I topped crapes with mushrooms and some Manchego cheese, folded it and warmed on one side in a skillet until cheese started to melt. Oh my! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For my sweet loving part of the family I made ricotta cheese filling with a touch of honey, and topped the crapes with raspberry preserve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As of that National Pancake Day, it's confusing. I've seen it being celebrated on February 5th; then on February 28th; then on September 26th, then in Russia it's a whole Pancake week before Great Lent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But then, do we need a reason to have a Pancake day? :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-72520390898063548382013-09-20T01:09:00.000-07:002013-09-20T01:09:17.023-07:00Welcome Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOUaEz4svCypdktDJlm1WVPjmLi7MnIjecRA3EHtIFSmgvU9kX0zZkLj1FXuh_ap9e_WxyYCeD1gGbnJ5FDvl7jAroemXvyW7kRoJKQbOS_HiyjAzj7df12kvRHWDdBpjPoEKLE4vWQc/s1600/fur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOUaEz4svCypdktDJlm1WVPjmLi7MnIjecRA3EHtIFSmgvU9kX0zZkLj1FXuh_ap9e_WxyYCeD1gGbnJ5FDvl7jAroemXvyW7kRoJKQbOS_HiyjAzj7df12kvRHWDdBpjPoEKLE4vWQc/s1600/fur.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We have moved!!! I think it said it all about why I wasn't here lately. I tried. But with packing, moving, two graduations, driving cross-country, unpacking, and everything in between... there wasn't much time left for blogging. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One evening, somewhere in Arizona, while struggling to connect to a hotel's wi-fi, my son said to me: "Why are you getting so anxious about posting? Take a break, everyone needs some vacation time, even a blogger". I looked at him with admiration: smart kid! "I think I might just do that!" was all I said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am so glad I did take a break. I was worn out both mentally and physically. Let me tell you, moving is no fun! Even if it sounds pretty exiting at first, when you get to the reality of actual process it's a lot of work. Well, you know that, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With all that said, I did miss all of you this Summer, no question there! I am so glad to be back indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Unpacking is not the only thing I did upon our arrival. Because we spent a good half of the Summer traveling my other goal was to catch the season by it's tail and preserve something for upcoming winter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For that I go to our Farmer's Market every Saturday, and, oh boy, what a bounty there is! I buy berries, fruits and vegetables in bulk. We eat it fresh as much as we can and the rest goes into jams, jellies, relishes, gets pickled and fermented. I experiment with the recipes, and I make things old fashioned way, a.k.a. my grandmother's and my mother's way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday I made this absolutely delicious tomato sauce, after which it would be really-really hard to use a store bought one. The recipe is from my mother (I am sure many home cooks have something similar in their recipe box), she always makes it in large quantities. We are talking about 50-70 liters per year here. I made a small batch to try. Tonight, teenager and his friend had last of the sauce with pork ribs. I guess I have to do more bulk shopping for tomatoes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0plej4-w1EpmowhWBw2wOYtgT2CnSLy-peKH3pyBrzSmTwpPkibwG7BcRC6FUlx2TvYqyVOtMKFpheIk6DqmjTCOWrQNSAO3t80jYgDw_LeFGNMJdvc91pKEZNKDxzHhfGAQG0Uhas8/s1600/tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0plej4-w1EpmowhWBw2wOYtgT2CnSLy-peKH3pyBrzSmTwpPkibwG7BcRC6FUlx2TvYqyVOtMKFpheIk6DqmjTCOWrQNSAO3t80jYgDw_LeFGNMJdvc91pKEZNKDxzHhfGAQG0Uhas8/s1600/tomato.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The recipe for this <i>basic tomato sauce</i> is very simple, the secret is in simmering this sauce for 1,5-2 hours, steering 20-25 minutes to prevent it from scorching. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 kg (5 Lb) tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">500 g (1,5 Lb) onions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Basil leaves</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Run the sauce through a food mill or tomato strainer, and it's ready to become a delicious pasta sauce (just add salt), or more intense meat sauce, or tomato soup base, or whatever you chose it to be. It tastes fantastic. Try to make it, you'll be glad you did. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
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<br />Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-78949283569243475872013-07-04T10:30:00.002-07:002013-07-04T10:30:40.363-07:00Graduation #2: AHEC-West<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last Saturday eight new doctors were graduated from <i>University of Arkansas for Medical Science Family Medicine Residency Program</i>. Congratulations to all, and especially to my husband! He worked really hard to become a doctor in the United States. We both are a first generations immigrants, that came to the Land of the Free with degree and some experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But here he had to start all over again: tests, more tests, and residency, which was not easy to find as most residency programs do look for a new medical graduates with five years cap. It wasn't easy, but all his hard work payed off </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">(he just came to me and said to correct to: "Our hard work").</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It took </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">just</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> eight years, and here he is: board certified and licensed new doctor in our family. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Receiving the Diploma</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY48hLiGx5KMNL2jqEqYYPFUElSXXhhw3J3uB2LnyzEbxvCkb0ldivq-Q-wGNDA9HrASkv997OzNozkPke1QZXyk7XtKeRqg5_mEn-4X_VRP2e8CH5W6iQomzgPZZlnAYZZj8A1kdDiH8/s700/ahec7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY48hLiGx5KMNL2jqEqYYPFUElSXXhhw3J3uB2LnyzEbxvCkb0ldivq-Q-wGNDA9HrASkv997OzNozkPke1QZXyk7XtKeRqg5_mEn-4X_VRP2e8CH5W6iQomzgPZZlnAYZZj8A1kdDiH8/s700/ahec7.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">With Former Program Director Dr. Acklin (left)</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK72t1-uzaPC3DDpr54hCnXaBJO6EngtBKaTcdp7OdKE-uyfJezsKV_ilKj47M-sffDXA7g8kUo9JtEScgQZ_2VoybCzSPJR7DvtQ8WmOdLhk1ETrm8Wq7M71e_Zr8XihwLja2Do4zfE/s700/ahec10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK72t1-uzaPC3DDpr54hCnXaBJO6EngtBKaTcdp7OdKE-uyfJezsKV_ilKj47M-sffDXA7g8kUo9JtEScgQZ_2VoybCzSPJR7DvtQ8WmOdLhk1ETrm8Wq7M71e_Zr8XihwLja2Do4zfE/s700/ahec10.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Our teenager (left) with guests</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMm4_3Q7FtYD_TrRrHuxaIzbC8Uo_fgP31xDxZMillOo12CYQEOFNmbC5xA1W-Fq3EgVb76_SGHNselMnzhM9bDW-iYddTEBl5lHjJfKRBhzbhKG9WOWofe3TFKibr93h0zJTKUwzkTk/s700/ahec11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMm4_3Q7FtYD_TrRrHuxaIzbC8Uo_fgP31xDxZMillOo12CYQEOFNmbC5xA1W-Fq3EgVb76_SGHNselMnzhM9bDW-iYddTEBl5lHjJfKRBhzbhKG9WOWofe3TFKibr93h0zJTKUwzkTk/s700/ahec11.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">We were happy to have our friends at the graduation</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9eguvyF6iHi4HFY-mCQAqev0NxBQ5Id4E01uh8uIfIKSrahlq9BcDPAS0kB71ZwlRYeTHvvMjAipqiAq_rvuDZbU-dsBdloGYdl-DXt6iyN6VxP9w1UJQ3dJttCFZOY2geqxHxrmdE8/s700/ahec13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9eguvyF6iHi4HFY-mCQAqev0NxBQ5Id4E01uh8uIfIKSrahlq9BcDPAS0kB71ZwlRYeTHvvMjAipqiAq_rvuDZbU-dsBdloGYdl-DXt6iyN6VxP9w1UJQ3dJttCFZOY2geqxHxrmdE8/s700/ahec13.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Our friend Lisa (left) and new program director Dr. E. Spradlin (right)</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEy6o01iSxRTyDmxsJ38Ten6WUzGDP5l-LUqFhrkCDXPWooVb-i7QYz1nAxtOYr1RDxwB6wD6SMmMqBPepk5F_gqIkT0b7AKBk6_lu97xzou3B-r4OQ6s2hSyMZJGm9-aC1lDom-3rNNo/s700/ahec30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEy6o01iSxRTyDmxsJ38Ten6WUzGDP5l-LUqFhrkCDXPWooVb-i7QYz1nAxtOYr1RDxwB6wD6SMmMqBPepk5F_gqIkT0b7AKBk6_lu97xzou3B-r4OQ6s2hSyMZJGm9-aC1lDom-3rNNo/s700/ahec30.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Graduates and attending physicians were having fun! </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzwBMyDgsFH_q5vIl2YkU0AfytO9eGI7sFPs00r8PEnyqvILaleW-dxda2gVpvlFAdxCO5elfTASo5TVc_hUfg59enGmEuLVKu-g_q2xTJbsNhAzPRdcoNRVl15tb-gsI6Pbu_LNk-ro/s700/ahecfamily1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzwBMyDgsFH_q5vIl2YkU0AfytO9eGI7sFPs00r8PEnyqvILaleW-dxda2gVpvlFAdxCO5elfTASo5TVc_hUfg59enGmEuLVKu-g_q2xTJbsNhAzPRdcoNRVl15tb-gsI6Pbu_LNk-ro/s700/ahecfamily1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Family... </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-00_8DPwgPoEOjQ9uYL6E1Dxv4h_lDLU14OSL2xEqbCpdlHSscjGMZ3vDZ5TIDYMHZdJa_dZ42NdT6iaksw5SXvlbAY3QIFO-JeDvj5xM1dAFi_v5ygOq1pfSQNbx6ADEdqFTAFuiPeU/s605/ahecgraduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-00_8DPwgPoEOjQ9uYL6E1Dxv4h_lDLU14OSL2xEqbCpdlHSscjGMZ3vDZ5TIDYMHZdJa_dZ42NdT6iaksw5SXvlbAY3QIFO-JeDvj5xM1dAFi_v5ygOq1pfSQNbx6ADEdqFTAFuiPeU/s605/ahecgraduation.jpg" height="542" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">and friends.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb20m5HrjZOBATeU0BLsVTvBr-jcc8AXfsmltKRCZg41ccq39_var3nOf0_95fGhQJ8J98ZvFi0U07QYrESQKVayu95lQ3q1k55pgl8D9JhQm8i959TOtTCpcZDCXuF_-5bVjGJd8Iz18/s800/ahecdiploma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb20m5HrjZOBATeU0BLsVTvBr-jcc8AXfsmltKRCZg41ccq39_var3nOf0_95fGhQJ8J98ZvFi0U07QYrESQKVayu95lQ3q1k55pgl8D9JhQm8i959TOtTCpcZDCXuF_-5bVjGJd8Iz18/s800/ahecdiploma.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">And here what it all was about...</span></i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations to all graduates! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations to my husband! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations to my dad, who's celebrating his birthday today! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> And Happy 4th of July to all! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">***</span></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-23934074831005715562013-05-26T13:35:00.001-07:002013-05-26T13:35:49.503-07:00High School Graduation<span style="font-size: large;"><i>May 23rd 2013</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Southside High School, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fort Smith, AR</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations to all grads! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">See you,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Marina</span></i><br />
<br />Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-88225160600818796472013-05-19T12:25:00.000-07:002013-05-19T12:25:33.970-07:00Mmm... Sun Kissed Cheesecake (with the recipe)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcre_Bp4f67kpHhSIAMCUXCKe-vHs5q2kHPDJy6UHzAZCxLJjyPcWwtR6aQ_fFJULwNpV-XDkP4qDHBtkCUHosOluCQNlE3hyKQsKjinSw4bjZOVXiptmaz4rfyattUomsj9Wkl5QnJgQ/s1600/cheesecake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcre_Bp4f67kpHhSIAMCUXCKe-vHs5q2kHPDJy6UHzAZCxLJjyPcWwtR6aQ_fFJULwNpV-XDkP4qDHBtkCUHosOluCQNlE3hyKQsKjinSw4bjZOVXiptmaz4rfyattUomsj9Wkl5QnJgQ/s1600/cheesecake2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">My son loves cheesecake. He always orders it when we go out to eat. He asks me to buy some for him at the store. And I never do. And I feel guilty... </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I love my kids so much that I can't force myself to buy them a cheesecake (or anything else for this matter), that would hurt them with all those chemical and artificial ingredients that should be kept locked in a lab under biohasard warning sign. </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd17b0PHnyLTt4Dw4cyp_y-1XEPzVqq3QX_1MIMLdQhOa1E-37HbFSkXHgX__MNmDbLw7YHoziB_8KIf7INwH-pQPZSPcMEBBhGUPaSgkLWgn5-Tg9QAoCAXdm627Fq9k_PT_ASVUKlg/s1600/strawberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd17b0PHnyLTt4Dw4cyp_y-1XEPzVqq3QX_1MIMLdQhOa1E-37HbFSkXHgX__MNmDbLw7YHoziB_8KIf7INwH-pQPZSPcMEBBhGUPaSgkLWgn5-Tg9QAoCAXdm627Fq9k_PT_ASVUKlg/s1600/strawberries.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I love my kids and I want them to enjoy food, the real food. And if I have to walk an extra mile looking for real food I'd do it.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwWXsyr4NOCSlENuRrkVIw2yazf4219H0HKdRPNw_e-o5HM-X86pG4R5Er9uOcbzd8KG0osjyNUUVgtgxN1Uiy5VpDdZ_GTaMdrhEdlhJknrKPF5_4DdZR9NwZqSuegG_wjbCfGx6bsE/s1600/road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwWXsyr4NOCSlENuRrkVIw2yazf4219H0HKdRPNw_e-o5HM-X86pG4R5Er9uOcbzd8KG0osjyNUUVgtgxN1Uiy5VpDdZ_GTaMdrhEdlhJknrKPF5_4DdZR9NwZqSuegG_wjbCfGx6bsE/s1600/road.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">So I start with a trip to a local farm, that raises happy goats and chickens, and all other animals on pasture. When it comes to food, I am a control freak: I need to know where did it come from, how it was raised and produced. I was excited to learn that in our neck of the woods natural farming exists, and I was able to find eggs from free range chickens, raw goat's milk, grass fed beef, naturally raised pork. All of this just a short drive to the <a href="http://www.hobbtowngrassfed.com/" target="_blank">Cedar Creek Farm</a> in Cedarville, AR. </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpS1ePYkW8aKTFcLHPLPF0utJogMwX50IJVmHLbVQBSozG5nDSLGT_AQtdGp0BUVYynqy0uFewxD7yzU5gli5R5YuEdhgUSMGVSC8ri0A26HxIRDW_JOrJsGTsuVCgFyiO1qk_lbXN_k/s1600/chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpS1ePYkW8aKTFcLHPLPF0utJogMwX50IJVmHLbVQBSozG5nDSLGT_AQtdGp0BUVYynqy0uFewxD7yzU5gli5R5YuEdhgUSMGVSC8ri0A26HxIRDW_JOrJsGTsuVCgFyiO1qk_lbXN_k/s1600/chickens.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Eggs come from this chickens, that roam free on this beautiful pasture and have full access to their favorite food: bugs, grass, seeds, rocks... </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCa0787JaapyzffDisRkN56GSuasTu_LO-D9HlJ5LDvhmZrQRECdTEe-SfjYwFS_hAKzjPLMQVajauHv39AstQeRfQVO-_2jfWVb1OJcgAgoHMmqIUAGBzBUFxbTyT3935VwxD9wJWrk/s1600/eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCa0787JaapyzffDisRkN56GSuasTu_LO-D9HlJ5LDvhmZrQRECdTEe-SfjYwFS_hAKzjPLMQVajauHv39AstQeRfQVO-_2jfWVb1OJcgAgoHMmqIUAGBzBUFxbTyT3935VwxD9wJWrk/s1600/eggs.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Milk for the cheese come from a friendly goats, that eat, play and rest on the sun all day long.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oEZxKK7DH8XCeqjKIMHvvUAcayDi5z_D_L38HeLDAnO92PZReoGxx-Ii35JMryee65xQGLB-zlbXz7antl-mNOGMidrRGJQ1wqefpushyphenhyphenV1Qu4aE9cttsV7UMi28sZhvtealt8URyT4/s1600/goats2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oEZxKK7DH8XCeqjKIMHvvUAcayDi5z_D_L38HeLDAnO92PZReoGxx-Ii35JMryee65xQGLB-zlbXz7antl-mNOGMidrRGJQ1wqefpushyphenhyphenV1Qu4aE9cttsV7UMi28sZhvtealt8URyT4/s1600/goats2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>First, I have a glass of fresh raw milk. It's a meditation moment: I close my eyes and smell a meadow. It puts a smile on my heart, and fills me with even more love. </i><i>Love is an important ingredient to put in your food, or anything you create. </i><i>And then I make a simple cottage (or farmer's) cheese for my cheesecake. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnelDWKN3MVeE1Cndl7ftCH2eP3yLLnyy-HKxDYc4n1y30Rx3-n2KawJPstlznz-mjd6EEVW1AgSAz-zG2BMyyOTc_MLLnVobiksjNEOtOOQS7Q2lhXveRVGXEiGUGrhBrFy8BsWUaoY/s1600/cheesecake3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnelDWKN3MVeE1Cndl7ftCH2eP3yLLnyy-HKxDYc4n1y30Rx3-n2KawJPstlznz-mjd6EEVW1AgSAz-zG2BMyyOTc_MLLnVobiksjNEOtOOQS7Q2lhXveRVGXEiGUGrhBrFy8BsWUaoY/s1600/cheesecake3.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<i><u><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><b>Sun Kissed Cheesecake</b></span></u></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup organic polenta (plus Tablespoon for dusting the baking dish)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">2/3 cup milk</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">1 Tablespoon butter (and some for greasing the baking dish)</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">4 cups farmer's cheese (drained overnight cottage cheese can be used)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">3 eggs</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup sugar </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">1 Tablespoon sour cream, or buttermilk, or kefir</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">1 teaspoon good quality vanilla extract</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">1 Tablespoon Grand Marnier (optional)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">pinch of salt (1/4 teaspoon)</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup raisins</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">1 cup boiling water</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Directions:</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">1. Pour boiling water over the raisins and let it soak for 20-30 minutes.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">2. Pour milk in a small sauce pan and bring it to a boil, stirring to prevent milk from scorching. Take off the heat and slowly add polenta, stir in the butter and mix well. Cover, and let it cool.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv8PBoVcenG6dR1rxO5IsGjKgt75cuay_BqBzOl6tQ4uuC2ICsC1byuHM3r8kYt7NJv2tslENODrHVEzU1O17lSCqfphFh7j3Vx57tNiGuxThoGFfM6QGbYRuHgkSbwsN0Uen-2apw2M/s1600/mash2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv8PBoVcenG6dR1rxO5IsGjKgt75cuay_BqBzOl6tQ4uuC2ICsC1byuHM3r8kYt7NJv2tslENODrHVEzU1O17lSCqfphFh7j3Vx57tNiGuxThoGFfM6QGbYRuHgkSbwsN0Uen-2apw2M/s1600/mash2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">3. Pre-heat oven to 180C/ 360F.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">4. Prepare an 8 or 9 inch spring form: lightly grease it with some butter, dust it with 1 Tablespon polenta, and tap to knock out the excess polenta.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">4. Drain the raisins and pat dry it.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">5. In a mixing bowl (or stand mixer if you have one) whisk together eggs and sugar. Add cheese, sour cream, Grand Marnier (if using), and vanilla, and beat well.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">6. Add polenta mash, and mix until all well blended.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKPR2OPxExW4eMYAreu73cEFt13SmvG4YAZLquXNPoFZNEMWzNviIj93AVeh-tMVpVpzQI0CT1-rvi9ah5ZuUpvy0SuiG85uuOSEG4nwYdwEGUCIdxGYdX1_IOJJZsMSff1fXrthyRts/s1600/batter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKPR2OPxExW4eMYAreu73cEFt13SmvG4YAZLquXNPoFZNEMWzNviIj93AVeh-tMVpVpzQI0CT1-rvi9ah5ZuUpvy0SuiG85uuOSEG4nwYdwEGUCIdxGYdX1_IOJJZsMSff1fXrthyRts/s1600/batter.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">7. Stir in raisins. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">8. Place the thick batter into prepared spring form and with a spatula even the top. </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyU9VcdzlJgotczQNeGL3w10NTEBp0juDuelA2JQb1kuDoqxXi2bYPbbessxX8ra1R0gk8yL6zdLyIbl93XFpR-2ipxnpsyu8xrZ94OAZF964OT6FbjYgOzXit5NXVyjIhlA47ghB0E8/s1600/springform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyU9VcdzlJgotczQNeGL3w10NTEBp0juDuelA2JQb1kuDoqxXi2bYPbbessxX8ra1R0gk8yL6zdLyIbl93XFpR-2ipxnpsyu8xrZ94OAZF964OT6FbjYgOzXit5NXVyjIhlA47ghB0E8/s1600/springform.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">9. Bake the cheesecake for 45-50 minutes. </span></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmndaD5xRVNMnHyavtGgMP4-lNHYkmgcWMN6TFlMA3QQ3BWVEqpWlnH1A1_oi3Ap7nzPwCcdgER2Dlw2Bxa6QATUlwKSbZ5RAl9A2Ygp3Uh371MHA1bgS47MEEJbbj5BiI8_3sfOHt3Ug/s1600/smallforms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmndaD5xRVNMnHyavtGgMP4-lNHYkmgcWMN6TFlMA3QQ3BWVEqpWlnH1A1_oi3Ap7nzPwCcdgER2Dlw2Bxa6QATUlwKSbZ5RAl9A2Ygp3Uh371MHA1bgS47MEEJbbj5BiI8_3sfOHt3Ug/s1600/smallforms.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It could be made in two small spring forms for a cute looking cakes</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Cool cheesecake completely and serve with sour cream and strawberries, dusted lightly with sugar powder (whipped cream can be used instead of sour cream, but try with sour cream first, you'll be surprised!).</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The recipe for cheesecake has been in our family for a very-very long time. And it was always made out of home made cottage cheese. Therefore I can't tell you what it would be if made out of store bought cheese. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Making your own soft cheese is very easy, and I will make a post about it. For now, enjoy the cake! Sun kissed indeed. :)</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">See you,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Marina</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>P.S. This Thursday is our son's graduation from the High School. On Friday container should be here for packing. It looks like a busy week ahead. So...</i><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 12.727272033691406px;"><span style="line-height: 22.727272033691406px;"> With all that said, my posts will be sporadic for the time being, until we move and settle somewhere. I also may not be visiting your lovely blogs as often as I'd like to. But I think of you all often. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your touching comments! </span></i></span><br />
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<i><br /></i>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-64503544877608523332013-05-17T08:09:00.000-07:002013-05-17T08:09:36.425-07:00Star Trek <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few months back while having lunch with my friend Bryan I found out that he is a big fan of the Star Trek series and over the years had gathered quite an impressive collection of Star Trek memorabilia. When I learned of a new movie coming to the theaters today I ask Bryan if we could do something special to post on my blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So... Are you Star Trek ready? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Written by <i>Bryan Fowler</i>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo props are courtesy of <i>Bryan</i>, except the cake.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the beginning, Star Trek took us on a galactic journey with Captain Kirk in command of the Starship Enterprise NCC-1701. The original television series began in 1966 and ran for three seasons. Its mission was to seek out other life forms and civilizations, and Russian cheesecake recipes. Also, the original cast was featured in 22 animated episodes in the mid 70's, and six movies between 1979 and 1991.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The second television series in the Star Trek universe brought us a new ship and crew, and took place on the Enterprise NCC-1701D over 150 years after the original series timeline. Star Trek: The Next Generation featured Captain Jean Luc Picard leading his crew on a seven year mission which was broadcast between 1987 and 1994, with summer breaks for eating cheesecake.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Borg are bad guys in the Star Trek universe, assimilating entire species into their collective. Their blend of advanced cybernetics and organic life forms presents an almost unstoppable force. They declare to those facing assimilation that Resistance is Futile, but they occasionally discover that it is not. We encourage you to resist assimilation by the Borg, and prepare to assimilate some cheesecake. You'll be glad you did.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">We had hard to describe fun working on this post, and after taking 157 photos we praised ourselves by a cup of tea with the cake, making of which (the cake) was a science experience by itself. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">Enjoy the movie, and come back <i>tomorrow</i> for the cake recipe! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 22.727272033691406px;">P.S. We are moving to Washington State. I've been packing, packing, and don't see the end of things that needs to go in boxes. </span><span style="line-height: 22.71875px;">Container</span><span style="line-height: 22.727272033691406px;"> will be here next Friday. Teenager graduation in on Thursday. I also have several other events to attend. </span></span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 22.727272033691406px;"><b>With all that said, my posts will be sporadic for the time being, until we move and settle somewhere. I also may not be visiting your lovely blogs as often as I'd like to. But I think of you all often. </b></span></i>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-41260337091951140502013-05-12T12:59:00.000-07:002013-05-12T13:01:08.101-07:00A Post for My Mother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t2etyYMW9f87eGbtGGK2kyrtlngRG2LUKREJNlzzMmM8NpPkQs1hEr7FTQa4mVyDvfsuqF9VmdLi4zfuIjFZIDYb34ixd7_rIUeKY1DXpYNOjvRIHSjP08pJhp0SA6dgNIAu_DWkT9M/s1600/lilac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t2etyYMW9f87eGbtGGK2kyrtlngRG2LUKREJNlzzMmM8NpPkQs1hEr7FTQa4mVyDvfsuqF9VmdLi4zfuIjFZIDYb34ixd7_rIUeKY1DXpYNOjvRIHSjP08pJhp0SA6dgNIAu_DWkT9M/s1600/lilac.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mother as any other mother in the world wants to know how her kids live, what they do, and she wants to be part of our life on a daily basis. Because she is six thousand miles away and lives on another continent she is happy for every bit of news from us. She likes to say that photos of our everyday life shrink the distance and she feels as she is here with us. So this post is my Mother's Day gift for my Mother. We love your Mom! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Yesterday we went to a place called Wild Things Farm to pick some strawberries.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>It was a lovely day to be outside. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We picked a few buckets of strawberries and a weekly dose of vitamin D.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Then we walked around the farm, didn't take the fun ride though. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Happy harvest... Can you imagine pies, jams, lemonades, and all other wild things that can be done with all this strawberries?!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Back at home I made a cheesecake. I've been working on the recipe for a week, and this one came out just right for our tastes. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>With it we all had a delicious tea time.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I love having tea time with my Mother... And I wish to have one sometime soon... </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Happy Mother's Day!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 12.727272033691406px;"><b style="line-height: 22.727272033691406px;">P.S.</b><span style="line-height: 22.727272033691406px;"> It looks like we will be moving back to Washington State in July. And we also have two graduations: our teenager is graduating from high school in May, and my husband is graduating from the residency in June. With all that said, my posts will be sporadic for the time being, until we move and settle somewhere. I also may not be visiting your lovely blogs as often as I'd like to. But I think of you all often. </span></i>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-31607919378919024582013-05-08T09:40:00.000-07:002013-05-08T09:40:13.570-07:00The Southside Rebels, and Graduation is Just Around the Corner (Photos)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last night when our Teenager received a Varsity Letter Award I was fighting tears. It was another moment of realization that my baby has become a grown man and in a few weeks he will graduate from high school and enter the real world. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtY3Dcl9SngIVEQnV-_ONjxAJPKXITZoNqO34s4XGzFvSYYAA4APGr6kFZAkdEPnHJUV6laDl76opSrYXiWb9r729nOuNckqOvDyHG7cnXey9W93GsZ2mS6IA4N9L9kQtlkONi2UmFaw/s1600/Seniors4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtY3Dcl9SngIVEQnV-_ONjxAJPKXITZoNqO34s4XGzFvSYYAA4APGr6kFZAkdEPnHJUV6laDl76opSrYXiWb9r729nOuNckqOvDyHG7cnXey9W93GsZ2mS6IA4N9L9kQtlkONi2UmFaw/s1600/Seniors4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When did he grew up?! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 12.727272033691406px;"><b style="line-height: 22.727272033691406px;">P.S.</b><span style="line-height: 22.727272033691406px;"> It looks like we will be moving back to Washington State in July. And we also have two graduations: our teenager is graduating from high school in May, and my husband is graduating from the residency in June. With all that said, my posts will be sporadic for the time being, until we move and settle somewhere. I also may not be visiting your lovely blogs as often as I'd like to. But I think of you all often. </span></i>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-6024805328263079342013-03-27T18:48:00.000-07:002013-03-27T18:48:27.130-07:00Kumquat Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnxLO-H0cxyNN5IFOMDK95i0mdPeiqjen8q36F8mfi0w1wf4U2RXiMd5rnahSyuMZJMPrVh-NhUCjeQN9Uqssp7SgGpcEej30QskyQSRlBr6dgMeepANcsXWQuEGbR4cT8bSiE1K28iw/s1600/kumquatjam1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnxLO-H0cxyNN5IFOMDK95i0mdPeiqjen8q36F8mfi0w1wf4U2RXiMd5rnahSyuMZJMPrVh-NhUCjeQN9Uqssp7SgGpcEej30QskyQSRlBr6dgMeepANcsXWQuEGbR4cT8bSiE1K28iw/s1600/kumquatjam1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One day at our local store a bright orange fruits caught my attention. I went by it once, than came back to the produce section to pick something else and looked at it again, then before I went to the register I came back to the produce section and couldn't resist to put in my basket a couple of kumquat packs. They were so sunny, so cheerful, and so happy looking at me, how could I had left without them?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOoK5Qxp9stYIc0YQZHJyla8sIFupvVVc1pUVq13nZWlxKexyq6lRyA-fQbDIXjFR6h4zK7IE0QmP3UBRN3MaWF0UcwYfSG4i7TPs9qcyhkxHo6XWmsCnwBl_TT0Ltwgwloh7SlRZ9us/s1600/kumquatjam2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOoK5Qxp9stYIc0YQZHJyla8sIFupvVVc1pUVq13nZWlxKexyq6lRyA-fQbDIXjFR6h4zK7IE0QmP3UBRN3MaWF0UcwYfSG4i7TPs9qcyhkxHo6XWmsCnwBl_TT0Ltwgwloh7SlRZ9us/s1600/kumquatjam2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I came home, had a few kumquats with all their flavor bursting up to my brain. Then I had a few more, then... well, by the end of the day we finished it. Needless to say that the very next morning I went back to the store and headed straight to the section, where the little sunshine fruits were sitting. I bought a few more boxes with a single thought: "I need to preserve some of it". I didn't know how and what I was going to make, I just wanted a jar of this fantastic flavor to be preserved. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4awjySSuDbKptINSWb-XHrZDLZT1MO3PI2_LwDWYYwgUK5teG_0-YQV_twYQ9Z9QtkG3Bh6HyCMzqSr-nkcqB7fWFz8SEi7gY4A05zpVUGWpGVQIuhm3ptUJPumkZGRKQITlI5n3zHA/s1600/kumquats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4awjySSuDbKptINSWb-XHrZDLZT1MO3PI2_LwDWYYwgUK5teG_0-YQV_twYQ9Z9QtkG3Bh6HyCMzqSr-nkcqB7fWFz8SEi7gY4A05zpVUGWpGVQIuhm3ptUJPumkZGRKQITlI5n3zHA/s1600/kumquats.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And here it is, Kumquat Jam. I made it traditionally by pre-soaking sliced kumquats in sugar overnight, then adding some grapefruit juice and cooking for 30 minutes. The hardest part was to slice those tiny fruits into half moons. It took me just two hours to get it done. :) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMok7n3nPE5_5xLlIk9i3cGA_CYoRbM1dpawh3z4REyVV-sO1rD42hBIK0rf0blOwzXb5XI3dbeZJuX-O7eNYruZw9eZxZg80JtxEJpy748PC8wMd1jOG4CIJOUOueSL4bn6_gPdJEq0/s1600/kumquatjam4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMok7n3nPE5_5xLlIk9i3cGA_CYoRbM1dpawh3z4REyVV-sO1rD42hBIK0rf0blOwzXb5XI3dbeZJuX-O7eNYruZw9eZxZg80JtxEJpy748PC8wMd1jOG4CIJOUOueSL4bn6_gPdJEq0/s1600/kumquatjam4.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 22.727272033691406px;">P.S.</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 22.727272033691406px;"> It looks like we will be moving back to Washington State in July. And we also have two graduations: our teenager is graduating from high school in May, and my husband is graduating from the residency in June. With all that said, my posts will be sporadic for the time being, until we move and settle somewhere. I also may not be visiting your lovely blogs as often as I'd like to. But I think of you all often. </span></i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-63496915016570631302013-03-18T17:51:00.000-07:002013-03-18T17:51:03.600-07:00Caught in action<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/AVvXsEhXB1sEtQHxTRzJSqnU7Lumk9i08dLzYlHgLNj3Jn76TjE2-wxNgkkVmBPsyO3rOooefhEDPK44swAX1yMU64jFDMv93b_w0B-kxmLAAmT2cFUVUAd0Q84lgDemVHZGeGkkt3rjE1ihl8w/s1600/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB1sEtQHxTRzJSqnU7Lumk9i08dLzYlHgLNj3Jn76TjE2-wxNgkkVmBPsyO3rOooefhEDPK44swAX1yMU64jFDMv93b_w0B-kxmLAAmT2cFUVUAd0Q84lgDemVHZGeGkkt3rjE1ihl8w/s1600/spring.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Tomato and </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;">homemade </i><i style="font-size: medium;">cheese tower</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last few weeks has been a bit hectic around here. You know: taxes, more taxes, some work (unpaid, but fun though), upcoming move and all other things called life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I was working on our taxes I attempted a few times to write a post. But except bad words, not much would come out from my fingertips. It wasn't about the taxes itself (although I do have some thoughts about it too), but the technical issues I encountered when trying to submit it. It took me a few days to resolve the issue, and as you may guess, a few strong words did slip off my tongue. Good thing no one heard it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One day, after a few hours on the phone with different people working on resolving tax submitting issue, I came out to the kitchen and caught my men in action.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByQOW8BRtE2vsc-N_7XvS4hFPbSNg5SdT7nTwnBuUHQGw0E7Eodxa52CkxU_yaYZEFVA28rKA_3U9puqGIPLCLVHe-e8Y_9bdxnhLo33DqY7wabVc5WuoQAUJB7qE2r1JsvOTjz9SGOw/s1600/mencooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByQOW8BRtE2vsc-N_7XvS4hFPbSNg5SdT7nTwnBuUHQGw0E7Eodxa52CkxU_yaYZEFVA28rKA_3U9puqGIPLCLVHe-e8Y_9bdxnhLo33DqY7wabVc5WuoQAUJB7qE2r1JsvOTjz9SGOw/s1600/mencooking.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium;">"...and if I ever need any guidance, who's a better consiglieri than my father?"</i><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: small;"> (from The Godfather)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are they up to? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvesGPAwn_z-CLhkTrqCH0n0jETeFqCYPBiPaIsX7XvpoYLR5lemLk0evxklMwaCSSPY71UdZenOXDfJCmiAml38eGyOsr07dw-kWBUql2bW0Z6UtES5UUQ5_FzfNwdwcQHunP3OqsVPo/s1600/mancooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvesGPAwn_z-CLhkTrqCH0n0jETeFqCYPBiPaIsX7XvpoYLR5lemLk0evxklMwaCSSPY71UdZenOXDfJCmiAml38eGyOsr07dw-kWBUql2bW0Z6UtES5UUQ5_FzfNwdwcQHunP3OqsVPo/s1600/mancooking.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Husband's cooking: doesn't happen very often! :)</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That must be our dinner...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3CoH33NE9n3FChjRTzdYWzcY_Ks0U5iIis3CMmtAjtNjI6X8xAvBXBJhAm8dtMXBBpBjssh9NQGt1gGJFmgcrVamjvdPdQO_XW-Lbf7zsHVnV11Iuww7fxTVp3tMHj-tvqEYXXeU3bk/s1600/crapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3CoH33NE9n3FChjRTzdYWzcY_Ks0U5iIis3CMmtAjtNjI6X8xAvBXBJhAm8dtMXBBpBjssh9NQGt1gGJFmgcrVamjvdPdQO_XW-Lbf7zsHVnV11Iuww7fxTVp3tMHj-tvqEYXXeU3bk/s1600/crapes.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you, boys! I am so proud of you! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>P.S.</b> It looks like we will be moving back to Washington State in July. And we also have two graduations: our teenager is graduating from high school in May, and my husband is graduating from the residency in June. With all that said, my posts will be sporadic for the time being, until we move and settle somewhere. I also may not be visiting your lovely blogs as often as I'd like to. But I think of you all often. </span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-75830388961085543292013-02-28T19:34:00.000-08:002013-02-28T19:34:15.666-08:00Improvising in the Kitchen Before Payday<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/AVvXsEhEuZ5_xgIzrMDAu6hdRAeB5ANngutt3qIzKpqblA63a342vTZ4ncdfVlnadfatSrTK8xAkG0OFYHsmausrApTpn_65RacN89QHBtwC5YkjLH6-pNNn6ju0FrpwefyIZamb3u5yfAj8B08/s1600/bird2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuZ5_xgIzrMDAu6hdRAeB5ANngutt3qIzKpqblA63a342vTZ4ncdfVlnadfatSrTK8xAkG0OFYHsmausrApTpn_65RacN89QHBtwC5YkjLH6-pNNn6ju0FrpwefyIZamb3u5yfAj8B08/s1600/bird2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It doesn't rain all the time in Seattle...</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we came back from our trip to Seattle, I did a small shopping for milk, vegetables and some fruits and decided to experiment: what if I don't go shopping anymore until the payday? We had milk, apples, flour, legumes, and different vegetables that I used for everyday cooking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Three days before payday I realized I am out of many fresh ingredients, so I had to be really creative to cook from what I had available. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzu-d4iPLONvaIE0XFCJXP7yshJC53vw_EepzIhHWT4G0WytbwUAgcgdnJr-i4BhtLMY6N4PA9ZfTd29dlLPFD1nkb7-Vs6YCR198CnyayH1ZvH0iwC1i5FcWEgJP5iTf86q07lgDITQ/s1600/soup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzu-d4iPLONvaIE0XFCJXP7yshJC53vw_EepzIhHWT4G0WytbwUAgcgdnJr-i4BhtLMY6N4PA9ZfTd29dlLPFD1nkb7-Vs6YCR198CnyayH1ZvH0iwC1i5FcWEgJP5iTf86q07lgDITQ/s1600/soup2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Three days before payday:</b> soup (a.k.a. Kale soup)</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a quick inventory of the refrigerator, I made a "Three days before payday" soup, also known as Kale and Potato Soup. A friend, that we visited in Seattle, gave me the recipe, and despite a few missing ingredients, this soup quickly became my men's favorite. To make it I had one potato, a small container of whipping cream, one onion, a few kale leaves, two cups chicken broth, salt and pepper, a tablespoon of butter or good quality olive oil. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cooking is just as easy: saute onions in fat of your choice, add chicken broth, bring it to a boil, add potato, cook until potato is done, add cream, salt and pepper to taste. Add kale leaves and turn the heat off. Quick, easy, and simple. Plus delicious, as my men said.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoLy9haxMKonM7_UlZ798d9ry9StO9phmKpUp5JYNB0nYDQkW8cWtymVzfDtGgkFCVq47fEOPf5CQW7yXwDV_rpta1N4DL2XSSiFgTqJz7HlBdHY9VAaF08CtSZ04qugr7zN9bBQNN9U/s1600/beets2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoLy9haxMKonM7_UlZ798d9ry9StO9phmKpUp5JYNB0nYDQkW8cWtymVzfDtGgkFCVq47fEOPf5CQW7yXwDV_rpta1N4DL2XSSiFgTqJz7HlBdHY9VAaF08CtSZ04qugr7zN9bBQNN9U/s1600/beets2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Two days before payday</b>: Beet salad with micro greens, and a meat filled pastry</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next day, I decided to make a meat filled pastry and a salad from a roasted beets and shoe box microgreens. "What?!" I hear you. Microgreens are a tiny green vegetables, that grow in shoe box (in my case), that rent a kitchen's window seal. Still have question? I guess it's about the shoe box. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, there was an empty plastic shoe box, that was traveling from one closet to another, than to the shoe rack, than back to the closet until one day I looked at it and... Evrika!, decided to plant my greens in it. I made a few holes in the box, filled it with a good soil (I don't have a garden, but I do have my worms, that eat our food scraps and make a perfect compost and tea for my plants), planted seeds, and in two weeks I had my first harvest of the most nutrient and ecofriendly greens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While I was making my pastry, beets were roasted at 400F for 90 minutes. Then I peeled it, sliced it, and mixed it with a sliced green onion. I seasoned it with a freshly grind black pepper and a good quality sea salt (I had Alaea Hawaiian sea salt), and served with a handful of micro greens (arugula, dill and lettuce), then drizzled a little olive oil on the top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Husband loved the salad, teenager however gave the greens a look and tried to push it to the side of the plate. I gave him my look (we have a long negotiated agreement that he finishes his salad before he eats any meat), and he asked me what was it. I told him it's lettuce, but a very small one. He scoffed but made a first bite. Then he quickly finished his salad and moved a bowl with meat filled pastry closer, giving it a soft hug. Kids... :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFjU_cxv_l_k6s42XkoI5pG8wj22Rvv6pNSkJO8OGSP8f8gN5WoTW4-y9X8aFpr-nuYO-JnRQ2eGT-pN8PV2NOdlrypnyM0CpF_GJO1FThW_-Kd5RKNE41ezYbWpOWLrlq-c_gWs40uo/s1600/polenta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFjU_cxv_l_k6s42XkoI5pG8wj22Rvv6pNSkJO8OGSP8f8gN5WoTW4-y9X8aFpr-nuYO-JnRQ2eGT-pN8PV2NOdlrypnyM0CpF_GJO1FThW_-Kd5RKNE41ezYbWpOWLrlq-c_gWs40uo/s1600/polenta.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>One day before payday:</b> Polenta with shallots and porcini mushrooms</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the morning of the third day I was inspired by Ottolenghi's recipe from his book <i>Plenty</i>, and had all available in my kitchen ingredients (polenta and dried porcini mushrooms) set on the kitchen counter to make polenta pizza for dinner. I don't have a book, hence I know only that this polenta pizza has mushroom topping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I prepared the mushroom with shallots and white wine, and all was left is to make the pizza crust from polenta. I was in the middle of making polenta when the husband came home with question that sounded more like a statement: "when's the dinner?" He rushed himself into the kitchen, looking for something to warm up. "Oh, polenta! Let me wash my hands!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I quickly changed my plans from pizza to simple polenta with porcini mushrooms: an always welcomed dinner in this house! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rOAzkBF_dgAGnupVVMxtIrz-2kMX6pECSyaMrUXCkjRnVumfaqdyzq9cfETMy9G1i0HCkTPP59IoL0YJrhOqdG4sW4mKHWXb9oj6Y_cDheDWw_mxjIBBZ8QeY28HGDq6oY7wx8MSzfw/s1600/pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rOAzkBF_dgAGnupVVMxtIrz-2kMX6pECSyaMrUXCkjRnVumfaqdyzq9cfETMy9G1i0HCkTPP59IoL0YJrhOqdG4sW4mKHWXb9oj6Y_cDheDWw_mxjIBBZ8QeY28HGDq6oY7wx8MSzfw/s1600/pie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Peach and berry pie</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was an interesting experiment that proves no extra shopping necessary</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> to make a good dinner. We often tend to over-complicate our food, forgetting that simple food tastes just as good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh, yes, we also had some pie! All before payday. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-78585539834915454262013-02-21T20:14:00.000-08:002013-02-21T20:14:25.593-08:00Mushroom Stuffed Eggs (for Chinese New Year)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chinese New Year started on February 10th, so I am just a few days late with this post. My intention, a very good intention I must tell you, was to make this post upon our arrival to Seattle, illustrating it with some photos from celebration in China Town. And it didn't happened the way I planned. The closest I got to the celebration was this sign in the Bellevue Square Mall:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because I already had this festive appetizer made, and also because I have two snakes in my home (I meant two people born in the year of Snake: my daughter and my husband), I decided to go for it and post. Better late than never, right? :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And what is the best food to welcome the Snake?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mushroom stuffed eggs. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Ingredients:</u></i></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 hard boiled eggs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 portabello mushrooms, cleaned and cubed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 medium onion, peeled and chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 clove garlic, peeled</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Table spoon olive oil</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon dry dill (optional)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">salt and pepper to taste</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a medium saute pan pre-heat olive oil, add onion, and saute until golden brown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add mushrooms, and cook on medium heat until all water evaporates, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cut eggs in half, remove from each half egg yolk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a food processor combine egg yolk, mushroom and onions, dill, garlic, and salt and pepper (start with a little pinch and taste). Pulse 2-3 times until all ingredients mix. Taste for salt and adjust if needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carefully fill each egg white with filling and serve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Variation</i>: use cooked chicken liver (my personal favorite) and follow the same direction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This appetizer is on top of 10 favorite appetizers: easy to make, and everyone loves it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Although, now that I am thinking, I may not even have 10 on that list, but anyway it's on the top of however many are there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Year of the Snake! May prosperity be with you!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-82162659705038729282013-02-20T11:49:00.000-08:002013-02-20T11:49:02.110-08:00La Conner, WA<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/AVvXsEgOB0N2WJfa9RY3albMPTKaQodIYtouSnexFx45TuTbZZwSgViAZ1ooYNuLZupM2cT8HELH8uZo40FUkoNbcL44AIXJyQ7h639aDvuzsJvtaGJeFmFjMgw_H8PYvsIcKWbdr0FyTs52jcM/s1600/tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB0N2WJfa9RY3albMPTKaQodIYtouSnexFx45TuTbZZwSgViAZ1ooYNuLZupM2cT8HELH8uZo40FUkoNbcL44AIXJyQ7h639aDvuzsJvtaGJeFmFjMgw_H8PYvsIcKWbdr0FyTs52jcM/s1600/tulips.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, April 2010</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last week my husband and I were in Seattle for business (and some pleasure). He had several job interviews in the area. I had planned to make a few food posts and maybe one or two posts about our journey. Well, it was a good plan, but didn't happened that way. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKKaNxtvk6945da4Sosaw3iit2us6Ry-mpTmg0B7KBL2goKmOv720aGwgFOjylF0rIc8mBeUJMoNwWTZLkC59-PT3kX8n6e18lUNntIKBpTsJwXKJhVHF7-lXLoKWqT9_wBl6WZy6Stk/s1600/sushi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKKaNxtvk6945da4Sosaw3iit2us6Ry-mpTmg0B7KBL2goKmOv720aGwgFOjylF0rIc8mBeUJMoNwWTZLkC59-PT3kX8n6e18lUNntIKBpTsJwXKJhVHF7-lXLoKWqT9_wBl6WZy6Stk/s1600/sushi2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't even look at the menu . The plates rotate on the conveyor belts that winds through the restaurant, and I just picked what looked at me. Isn't it pretty?!</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Upon our arrival our first stop was for food. We let our daughter to choose where to go, and lucky for us Sushi Me place it was. We love fish and everything seafood, and miss having a good seafood in the South. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwLH_8tmZzxLQMVU08RIPpVyfb36iTA1IGvQ-QAnbzCEM77RxXm73CMQz58zOnya6jMuSvfD3uhV4ffKuAHM9IM3DvYYI_1B7K15Ysqq0drfRiScMTUUryNQU2S5Jb8wVKkAHegtPg3Y/s1600/sushi3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwLH_8tmZzxLQMVU08RIPpVyfb36iTA1IGvQ-QAnbzCEM77RxXm73CMQz58zOnya6jMuSvfD3uhV4ffKuAHM9IM3DvYYI_1B7K15Ysqq0drfRiScMTUUryNQU2S5Jb8wVKkAHegtPg3Y/s1600/sushi3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Who can resist the famous Pacific Oysters? I couldn't, twice... </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH-GBn0DS98k5GZp_t536mUC1H9FS8PgyHVAn5fGislzH0ar_lKdffyHtuJfSAnoMstz9LlmMw_lJfnAipgsO6o3lzKVzphb0J-EBAt5lWUOJT9Fiww-DOwRyVv7nvENS7Gpg0sakgS8/s1600/sushi4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH-GBn0DS98k5GZp_t536mUC1H9FS8PgyHVAn5fGislzH0ar_lKdffyHtuJfSAnoMstz9LlmMw_lJfnAipgsO6o3lzKVzphb0J-EBAt5lWUOJT9Fiww-DOwRyVv7nvENS7Gpg0sakgS8/s1600/sushi4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">We couldn't resist this either, and 27 more plates! :) </span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After we made our bellies happy, we drove 65 miles North to a small town Mount Vernon, famous for it's tulip festival and several breweries. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE8eG4-wdIWjn9cklkZFQ8vtc8viCHVQf-KxFhYx56jjRBUpzY14NoGO3xxixr367-y6Mv7MgdqXPkCuV1GpUIDx8zT_8ZFsga_McMKb_c4aNITtFIQtkZCME-gexHxXkICYDXrWcoz4/s1600/tulips2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE8eG4-wdIWjn9cklkZFQ8vtc8viCHVQf-KxFhYx56jjRBUpzY14NoGO3xxixr367-y6Mv7MgdqXPkCuV1GpUIDx8zT_8ZFsga_McMKb_c4aNITtFIQtkZCME-gexHxXkICYDXrWcoz4/s1600/tulips2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I told you about the weather, so just ignore it and enjoy! <br />This photo is from our trip to Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April 2010.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next day, while my husband was performing his best on the first interview, I went to a little town <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Conner,_Washington" target="_blank">La Conner</a>, one of my favorite getaway place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Despite the rainy day (ignore the rain when in Pacific Northwest to enjoy your stay, really), I geared up for a little run: I needed to experience once again the mist in my face, beautiful 360 view, and air so fresh it made my lungs laugh! :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmcVdkTOakmH0tHHczv_1CupLfeEDrE3YM2UZuEV6IhD8xXeBerbtLk1hIrtQZ4lmMyVXnIqgLeVNOmqe4XDLWMroyREIGo8O9u_HOnHuLmwdZLRT4QayTuVymqjxZXWA3wTyTswHOqM/s1600/Rainbow_bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmcVdkTOakmH0tHHczv_1CupLfeEDrE3YM2UZuEV6IhD8xXeBerbtLk1hIrtQZ4lmMyVXnIqgLeVNOmqe4XDLWMroyREIGo8O9u_HOnHuLmwdZLRT4QayTuVymqjxZXWA3wTyTswHOqM/s1600/Rainbow_bridge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Rainbow Bridge, La Conner, WA. <br />Legend has it that the new bridge was supposed to be painted in the usual grey/green color, <br />but someone decided to add some orange to the town's landscape.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Three miles later I treated myself to a cup of tea and a slice of delicious pie. I don't remember how crust tasted, but the filling was melting in my mouth, warming up me from inside out. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_Hsdk8yfvIfOHJWrVIZmH7n_N4HXqsaYVDEcIChyRqKlyWM4K0rgzImZeaohMgI4ghr58HXrNymb8WMkqstCzNY4bFaEbk7048iKQfcMUjyVFzHoFXXgTMsU4-odIzTgMQi5bfWsNgQ/s1600/piecafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_Hsdk8yfvIfOHJWrVIZmH7n_N4HXqsaYVDEcIChyRqKlyWM4K0rgzImZeaohMgI4ghr58HXrNymb8WMkqstCzNY4bFaEbk7048iKQfcMUjyVFzHoFXXgTMsU4-odIzTgMQi5bfWsNgQ/s1600/piecafe.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't take picture of the pie, but this is the cafe where I had it.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I strolled along town's 1st Street, entering almost each open door on my way: museums, stores, until I burned all my pie calories and was hungry for lunch. Each time I am in La Conner, I always have lunch, or dinner, or just a pie at one of my favorite places there, at </span><a href="http://www.laconnerwaterfrontcafe.com/menu.aspx" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Waterfront Cafe</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjpcNcvp9znuFt_6n8tjPjhDXrp24bV6Hzh6HyNSut2fKT7pZOQkr5F4AHoes2E5Jld2lv__5qpnYUnoISwMN4JJAtiIBPcnfJyjFWzB3H86oFcNb0zHdZVCkqZYMDreAjVELiK8_mmo/s1600/mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjpcNcvp9znuFt_6n8tjPjhDXrp24bV6Hzh6HyNSut2fKT7pZOQkr5F4AHoes2E5Jld2lv__5qpnYUnoISwMN4JJAtiIBPcnfJyjFWzB3H86oFcNb0zHdZVCkqZYMDreAjVELiK8_mmo/s1600/mural.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Mural at Waterfront Cafe (by Jerry Ragg)</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The place is small and casual, but famous for it's fresh seafood, clam chowder, and... a view at spectacular mural painted by Jerry Ragg complimented by a river side view. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJfx5EJufoNQNUQiwyMWa13Gaa2tYZ1zZa4BKTWuE2JFRNWseR_DqcWgcqCTC7wvNX9_j9a1Kw24faAKLbN1XKmPTmMyyv2ctFcgDOn-odo1-v35V-P6nBkBnRAh3zfn0rS32LfO0PKU/s1600/clam+chowder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJfx5EJufoNQNUQiwyMWa13Gaa2tYZ1zZa4BKTWuE2JFRNWseR_DqcWgcqCTC7wvNX9_j9a1Kw24faAKLbN1XKmPTmMyyv2ctFcgDOn-odo1-v35V-P6nBkBnRAh3zfn0rS32LfO0PKU/s1600/clam+chowder.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Clam Chowder - hearty New England style chowder. <br />I loved it's silky texture with chunks of fresh clams and potatoes. </span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I ordered my favorites: clam chowder and Waterfront Cafe's signature dish Fish and Chips. It wasn't a rush time yet, so I enjoyed my food in quiet, immersed</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> in a pleasant view. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhf3KRy3p8yxqJZEusiEShfAjvX0vIgFmwdoceXB7ulRv77g1x8v8ts2HXi1acFFhRfzR_2pYXB4wFkR9WSFo6ay6cPWU0S4_TraMxor7vjtlsPyWIeu0SHUuIor2F7ZUvXLPD0KnUYo/s1600/fishchips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhf3KRy3p8yxqJZEusiEShfAjvX0vIgFmwdoceXB7ulRv77g1x8v8ts2HXi1acFFhRfzR_2pYXB4wFkR9WSFo6ay6cPWU0S4_TraMxor7vjtlsPyWIeu0SHUuIor2F7ZUvXLPD0KnUYo/s1600/fishchips.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fish and Chips, Waterfront Cafe's signature dish made with fresh Alaskan cod. <br /></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Under that golden crust is perfectly cooked flaky fish.<br />I guess they shake off the breading before frying as it has just enough of it to make a crust, but doesn't leave you wandering what was it: fish in bread crumbs or bread crumbs with slight flavor of old fish. <br />Here it is definitely the most delicate fish enveloped in light crust.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTzWt54QU2175VreE2ovEB_pMBbUGRoHfsPTikd3TPB_lQ-IiWieRUZa-4_Z7fU2Su4_45UUCb_NOF0foUhMef_k-f0rjumX2gLgCjepoUMgfpNfco-RbidRP2kkwmGVaDii9stwqBSQ/s1600/birds3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTzWt54QU2175VreE2ovEB_pMBbUGRoHfsPTikd3TPB_lQ-IiWieRUZa-4_Z7fU2Su4_45UUCb_NOF0foUhMef_k-f0rjumX2gLgCjepoUMgfpNfco-RbidRP2kkwmGVaDii9stwqBSQ/s1600/birds3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">Here's whom I met along my run. </span><br style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic;" /><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">This birds didn't even notice me or any other moving object like other runners, bikers and cars.<br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I left La Conner refreshed, re-energized</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, and emotionally re-charged. I was glad I was able to squeeze this de-tour in our hectic schedule. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYB3bmxdq47uKlStxqeA3-hohZlYz6WmqI6DnU2z5J9F-7TKcMUk5JI8s5iwilnQsn6ajSQu3cZGqAW9NL_AgXK1KSzpT4tb0jUxsO8bkhyJDzdbvxZF_IjzQHGWYMgQrYlAwX5xWUCA/s1600/curious_bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYB3bmxdq47uKlStxqeA3-hohZlYz6WmqI6DnU2z5J9F-7TKcMUk5JI8s5iwilnQsn6ajSQu3cZGqAW9NL_AgXK1KSzpT4tb0jUxsO8bkhyJDzdbvxZF_IjzQHGWYMgQrYlAwX5xWUCA/s1600/curious_bird.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't have my camera when I run, <br />but this curious bird made me come back later to take it's photo...</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">See you,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>P.S. All the meals were payed out of my own pocket. </i></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-31351786415899204662013-02-09T09:25:00.000-08:002013-02-17T18:53:44.390-08:00Cranberry and Quince Preserve<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0JIvRqDF7bRG5BgViJs3iNA3VNbO3f1vbpIaVGdq19mvqjJE-fMiA8jsH_W1lvCbGFZQJsKwSNPF27dfN3E52zJPd-E1GkdG6fxOISBixQdkndlmRqf8I8dYfcJlEiUjBWbiQXUMS5g/s1600/cran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0JIvRqDF7bRG5BgViJs3iNA3VNbO3f1vbpIaVGdq19mvqjJE-fMiA8jsH_W1lvCbGFZQJsKwSNPF27dfN3E52zJPd-E1GkdG6fxOISBixQdkndlmRqf8I8dYfcJlEiUjBWbiQXUMS5g/s1600/cran.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">February is a month when I least think of preserving. Nevertheless, I made some cranberry preserve that lasted not longer than a week (can you even call it a preserve if it didn't have any time to actually go through all the stages to be a mature preserve?!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A week ago, while I was doing my monthly shopping, I got stalked by bags of cranberries. Yes, those bags kept looking at me when I added to my basket carrots, leeks, beets, cabbages, onions, greens. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each time I put something in the basket, cranberries would appear either before my eyes or in the corner of my eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I reached for turnips, my hand somehow piked a bag of cranberries instead. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Oh, well, if you insist I might do something with you", was my thought, and I added another bag of cranberries to the basket. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Cranberries make a good winter drink, quick and easy, yet loaded with nutrients. It will make the teenager happy and help him fight his after practice thirst", I convinced myself.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0esw52mIKfjJtLHeD5ltp5NyU1wJ3KyRNstn4kbCc6_GMYGpje-d8n9lcg-N7civfBbUrcCv3br74zA5lRlKdORpSRyf1t7hYYkDyZGWX9CsFYkObyih0HuoVt-X06amN1iFhs7YNt2k/s1600/cran2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0esw52mIKfjJtLHeD5ltp5NyU1wJ3KyRNstn4kbCc6_GMYGpje-d8n9lcg-N7civfBbUrcCv3br74zA5lRlKdORpSRyf1t7hYYkDyZGWX9CsFYkObyih0HuoVt-X06amN1iFhs7YNt2k/s1600/cran2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I came home, washed the cranberries and set it aside, still deciding what to do with it. I rotated produce in my refrigerator (something I forced myself to do a few years back, and now doing it on autopilot: saves a lot of food, not to mention money), and found a lone quince. As soon as I looked at it, I smiled and my eyes lit with this spark of adventure: I know what I am going to do! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfsuKiDqALmvdNGVYVHqz5mRKACguYkw5lLkdi-Fd-Y5RbV0b2h4ExJpYHXqYPWwPSPIZszGglaIu99KXCbdAd3PZ23NAKpoTHiAHD2CKcQEM_sflC_bF3eEFPEYJKUlM5uTdsTYo_hs/s1600/cran4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfsuKiDqALmvdNGVYVHqz5mRKACguYkw5lLkdi-Fd-Y5RbV0b2h4ExJpYHXqYPWwPSPIZszGglaIu99KXCbdAd3PZ23NAKpoTHiAHD2CKcQEM_sflC_bF3eEFPEYJKUlM5uTdsTYo_hs/s1600/cran4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Cranberry and Quince preserve (sauce)</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cranberry and Quince Preserve</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Ingredients:</u></i></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 (12oz each) bags cranberries - 700 grams</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1,5 cups sugar </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 quince, cored and quartered</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 cups water</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a blender or food processor blend together washed cranberries, quince, and water. If you don't have any of the mentioned equipment, just crash the cranberries with the potato masher. Cut quince into a small cubes with the knife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Transfer all ingredients to a heavy-bottomed stainless steel or enameled cast iron 6+ Quarts pot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bring it to a boil, stirring a few times. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add sugar, r</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">educe the heat to a medium and simmer for 10 minutes, stir well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Turn off the stove, and let it rest (uncovered) until it cools down (2-3 hours at least).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bring the mixture to a boil again, stirring frequently (to prevent scorching), reduce the heat to a medium and boil for another 10 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Transfer hot preserve into a sterilized pint (500 ml) jar (s), leaving 1/2 inch from the top, wipe the rims of the jars with a clean damp cloth, close with sterilized lid. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let the jars cool completely (I usually leave it overnight), and refrigerate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This preserve keeps up to 4 months in the refrigerator (if it stays that long. Not in my house though!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you process it by boiling the jars for 10 minutes, it will stay for up to a year (USDA has a <a href="http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html" target="_blank">resource</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether you like it with turkey on your sandwich, or as a dessert with your tea (my personal preference), this cranberry preserve (sauce) would be another homemade addition to your pantry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two teaspoons dissolved in a cup of hot water will make a perfect cold remedy, loaded with vitamins and fiber. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B6-Q3L8i6Z6RiJrwyQ9kxwV39jIpbIsepgdA6R-5wvfp6NAsjAPQYlpg5I4LHXKmscwh5folOmi3weCE9ueFYIIGUHpBF__hcKb8U1szbgrrnkekMYsPWYCEqV9z785CQWtTArD2nTc/s1600/crandrink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B6-Q3L8i6Z6RiJrwyQ9kxwV39jIpbIsepgdA6R-5wvfp6NAsjAPQYlpg5I4LHXKmscwh5folOmi3weCE9ueFYIIGUHpBF__hcKb8U1szbgrrnkekMYsPWYCEqV9z785CQWtTArD2nTc/s1600/crandrink.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Cranberry drink</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Have you ever been "stalked" by a fruit or vegetable on a market? :)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
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Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-77061042107600925292013-02-03T17:33:00.002-08:002013-02-17T18:53:23.881-08:00Hot Water Soup, Also Known as Chicken Broth<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Really, what else do you put in a hot water soup?! :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Occasionally, I make a hot water soup too, although my hot water soup has a little bit more than just hot water, and it is my husband's favorite soup to have in the winter: the colder it gets, more often he asks for it! Often times just plain chicken broth (a.k.a. hot water soup) and a toast is all he wants. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8dAS4wWdbtGsVw7IwaI8xh7FkIbEl2vJ4QEtaCWopx2EQLRRXy-R7L0m3VWm2M99n3tiaU9C9djKN3o1Cfwqlt5NNjNtRTlVeDFR-0MlvrQfXs6c_0zE9UmPk1I-SuDLV6oi0YAyHx4/s1600/chickensoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8dAS4wWdbtGsVw7IwaI8xh7FkIbEl2vJ4QEtaCWopx2EQLRRXy-R7L0m3VWm2M99n3tiaU9C9djKN3o1Cfwqlt5NNjNtRTlVeDFR-0MlvrQfXs6c_0zE9UmPk1I-SuDLV6oi0YAyHx4/s1600/chickensoup.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I get "creative" and add a potato and a carrot with some herbs to it. But whether you add "extras" to it or not, the good chicken broth is a meal on it's own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It takes some time to make a good stock, but it is just time, not a work as you let it slowly cook for several hours (6-8, even 10-12), then leave overnight in the refrigerator. The next day you'll be praised with flavor of the most delicious chicken broth. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPz3E1hI1KktPincORboOvVyGAcqdk67EJKZh2ofb9as-Y5nSaz0XrRjFaCw0oZjU2c7-Wg20noH6D-WtRZ3o96pb_iU_jsc9RdghOerFnHCeU8XL3aETGOCT4JwufwZBmh8VeBM6VLw/s1600/chickstock2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPz3E1hI1KktPincORboOvVyGAcqdk67EJKZh2ofb9as-Y5nSaz0XrRjFaCw0oZjU2c7-Wg20noH6D-WtRZ3o96pb_iU_jsc9RdghOerFnHCeU8XL3aETGOCT4JwufwZBmh8VeBM6VLw/s1600/chickstock2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, a good stock starts with good ingredients, in this case a good natural chicken. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few years back we did experiment with a few chickens: one store bought natural (#1), another one was organic (#2), and a third was from a local farmer (#3), who was selling his free range chickens (for this one I had to be on a waiting list!). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made three stocks, using the same ingredients (except chickens), same cooking time. And can you guess which stock was the most popular and was gone before it even cooled down? If you picked #3, you were absolutely right. The color and rich flavor of the stock was amazing. The runner up was #1, made from natural store bought chicken (from Whole Foods): it's flavor was milder, yet it had good body. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chicken stock made of organic chicken was too plain to our tastes even with all the vegetables and herbs used, however it was still much better than the one you get from a box or a can. Waaay better, and worth all the effort.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Chicken Broth (Stock)</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Ingredients:</u></i></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3-4 chicken </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;">carcasses</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> or</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 1 good quality whole chicken</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 carrots, pilled</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 medium or large onion (peel and cut it in half or leave it whole)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 celery ribs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 parsley roots, peeled (if you can't find it, use one celery root, peeled and quartered)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 parsnip, peeled and cut in half</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/2 fennel bulb (optional)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 bay leaf</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 peppercorns</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2-3 clove garlic (optional)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4-5 parsley stems (no leaves)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2-3 dry dill "hay" (dry whole dill plant, that is usually used for pickling); dry dill seeds can be used instead</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4-5 dry lovage leaves (optional)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6-7 liters (1,5 gallon) cold water</span></li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK10sgRDnOMrc7FAMHKA8cMbaxr0mvI16dB9t7rG0bY-F1CkJiPi4R4TBIj6_29jR_eduA73N3g3Vu-vaxXM5opk3cy4X2FM2lf5Y3IRrIEuQNInbNCtcFhSm7wivC8Hu74UFGIHmAkI/s1600/parsleyroot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK10sgRDnOMrc7FAMHKA8cMbaxr0mvI16dB9t7rG0bY-F1CkJiPi4R4TBIj6_29jR_eduA73N3g3Vu-vaxXM5opk3cy4X2FM2lf5Y3IRrIEuQNInbNCtcFhSm7wivC8Hu74UFGIHmAkI/s1600/parsleyroot1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Parsley root</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Place chicken carcasses in a big stock pot, add water and bring it to a simmer (do not let it boil!), skim all the foam (scum) from the top (it will take you about 40-60 minutes, be patient). You do not have to stand there, just attend to it every 15-20 minutes, skim the scum, and come back to it in another 15-20 minutes. Then add all other ingredients, except bay leaf and simmer for 6-7 hours. Once again, simmer, do not bring it to a rapid boil (rapid boil will result in a grey cloudy stock!). Walk by the simmering stock every couple of hours to skim (if necessary) and add some water, if needed, although I rarely do it as I want my stock to have more gelatinous body and reach flavor.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTLb4khkmYUlhCKidoAos_UhkNKAtD31YIVvhqfh4e45qndQSjVXXkVfztUMITqjUTbBgo2wsGcr7uieqUXey_I6sJB5nwsuxzlgTrwIuelokndtMJd4Sr968M4QA2F-5QY32UEjAHVE/s1600/dillhey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTLb4khkmYUlhCKidoAos_UhkNKAtD31YIVvhqfh4e45qndQSjVXXkVfztUMITqjUTbBgo2wsGcr7uieqUXey_I6sJB5nwsuxzlgTrwIuelokndtMJd4Sr968M4QA2F-5QY32UEjAHVE/s1600/dillhey.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dill "hey" (left), dill seeds (center), dry lovage (right)</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After 6-7 hours of simmering the deep fragrant smell will invite you to check it out, and now you can add a bay leaf. The reason I add it in the end is because bay leaf can make your stock bitter in a very short time. Hence, add it in the end of cooking for 20-30 minutes and then discard it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Strain stock into another large pot, and refrigerate overnight. Next day remove solidified fat and store it in refrigerator for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to three months. Once again, I prefer to freeze it in a wide mouth glass jars. I tried different containers: BPA-free plastic, Ziploc bags, etc, and I can taste and smell plastic in my broth after de-frosting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now you can do with your broth/stock whatever you want: reduce it to make a velvety sauce, make a soup, cook some risotto, or just drink it plain with some fresh herbs and a little salt.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRSPLkymBYzEfar6xPiup5kaH9ytPPBHKOVQYbBfs3kYwSUb2tcEyELjd0-LTIFEX-ZZnLBPMP1YnpH4oz-GndiM0H1_LXnyGh-ygZQlO24RdaPJo4oHHnsj4zqQBWN7YR9BXHpqdEnA/s1600/chickstock3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRSPLkymBYzEfar6xPiup5kaH9ytPPBHKOVQYbBfs3kYwSUb2tcEyELjd0-LTIFEX-ZZnLBPMP1YnpH4oz-GndiM0H1_LXnyGh-ygZQlO24RdaPJo4oHHnsj4zqQBWN7YR9BXHpqdEnA/s1600/chickstock3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You don't have to use all listed ingredients. It is my preference and I usually have it all. But when I run out of fennel or can't find parsley root, I still make a tasty chicken stock. My mother, for example, uses only five ingredients: chicken, onion, bay leaf, dill "hay", and parsley root. And her stock is the most flavorful I have ever had (I am being subjective here, I know). :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The secret to any good stock is to cook it long and cook it slow. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Tw4xXm6DYBiGjSqslpZnJjmVSW11ZneoLWVyzV1Ap1WCgrOKIihr2oj_pAgleYB9hkGrSm7SKo92AY7RvAwZTCyMNCsOJ0LCv7WxEeANjGXmCzbFTUmOS-YPwRVdgpbEiDf15S9rdzg/s1600/cupofsoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Tw4xXm6DYBiGjSqslpZnJjmVSW11ZneoLWVyzV1Ap1WCgrOKIihr2oj_pAgleYB9hkGrSm7SKo92AY7RvAwZTCyMNCsOJ0LCv7WxEeANjGXmCzbFTUmOS-YPwRVdgpbEiDf15S9rdzg/s1600/cupofsoup.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot water soup, my way! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add a dash of Love to it, and you would have a cup full of healing power and health benefits. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
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Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-14892077528752375922013-01-29T21:15:00.002-08:002013-01-29T21:15:29.989-08:00Severe Weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtkX6YClL8i8zWP0iheZsEun5gtFwtE8k3CvyS3hs9AvDeQunCCVK889ZjFzcF08_c3Qi14Ofqc3MsGMot2jc-RrJRy6PV-mR1Hj1Pf439mJewqyOZanE0O-SgWik8iaC71BtXjEGJE8/s1600/sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtkX6YClL8i8zWP0iheZsEun5gtFwtE8k3CvyS3hs9AvDeQunCCVK889ZjFzcF08_c3Qi14Ofqc3MsGMot2jc-RrJRy6PV-mR1Hj1Pf439mJewqyOZanE0O-SgWik8iaC71BtXjEGJE8/s1600/sky.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My plan for today was different from what it turn out to be. And all because of the weather, severe weather in our area. I was glued to <a href="http://www.weather.gov/" target="_blank">National Weather Center</a>, <a href="http://www.spc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank">Storm Prediction Center</a>, and <a href="http://www.4029tv.com/weather" target="_blank">local news</a> after receiving a first weather warning</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> e-mail. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDD4KMMy-cIky5h_VhmjZBeoJ-RtSDqwK_LASqyAFUQB2P2u-nH0hqAJgi4Ro1JM_jPrF18sZUaAv_Yt705j1s1NTGOqNVFIoiJYSJcSSu9i6kq34nUq1aWtnmfUjS-h19B5nrJu6bP8/s1600/sky4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDD4KMMy-cIky5h_VhmjZBeoJ-RtSDqwK_LASqyAFUQB2P2u-nH0hqAJgi4Ro1JM_jPrF18sZUaAv_Yt705j1s1NTGOqNVFIoiJYSJcSSu9i6kq34nUq1aWtnmfUjS-h19B5nrJu6bP8/s1600/sky4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Such emails, while being informative and useful, don't make you at ease. You eyes, ears, and even senses are all weather, and your head becomes a mini radar. Today we had some sun, wind, rain, and even a tornado just a few miles North. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6sD8IilwowXlWTdYZtP0vUvCvt76e5c4GbySXCwrD0uaHcC32tuuxZ4xG0fPe1zI3w7EvMNNP2kyQEQh31yOxtPa7zIq2I6Jleao4h7apUimzLH-WG5on-2YnB38yBahyQrspg5NxNU/s1600/sky6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6sD8IilwowXlWTdYZtP0vUvCvt76e5c4GbySXCwrD0uaHcC32tuuxZ4xG0fPe1zI3w7EvMNNP2kyQEQh31yOxtPa7zIq2I6Jleao4h7apUimzLH-WG5on-2YnB38yBahyQrspg5NxNU/s1600/sky6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am grateful for the modern technology, that keeps us informed and safe. Today was a good time to check on the emergency plan and make an inventory of our emergency kit. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwqMAMSzDsrx-Fz_uioAN0kvVyVMFyC2oXyyejmyeWXNSvsixs_06TYqiDCNxOjIPUFPuAd569Ht0b5SdzQHyhBqvX36R71dpOPdfju3JICQ4a5CbgqXcZzFULv3IQqyKsDku9l_TSNc/s1600/river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwqMAMSzDsrx-Fz_uioAN0kvVyVMFyC2oXyyejmyeWXNSvsixs_06TYqiDCNxOjIPUFPuAd569Ht0b5SdzQHyhBqvX36R71dpOPdfju3JICQ4a5CbgqXcZzFULv3IQqyKsDku9l_TSNc/s1600/river.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Sidewalk under a few inches of water</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are you informed and prepared? </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi_WRemNJsNZqjfcMQ_sjEPwA81AzG6Y-Ua92fTVd8v6pOQfXvu65JrEGp1_PkE9TGr42LruYMcxCP8Q1x8j4fmRaufZ8-ACZgstNS2KcbP3ZN_18e4HB1kjGO8LfvsVf0v0nkc3xyFM/s1600/Elkins-Wx-Damage-3-JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi_WRemNJsNZqjfcMQ_sjEPwA81AzG6Y-Ua92fTVd8v6pOQfXvu65JrEGp1_PkE9TGr42LruYMcxCP8Q1x8j4fmRaufZ8-ACZgstNS2KcbP3ZN_18e4HB1kjGO8LfvsVf0v0nkc3xyFM/s1600/Elkins-Wx-Damage-3-JPG.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>After the storm (photo <a href="http://www.4029tv.com/weather" target="_blank">source</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be safe! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See you,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Marina</span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-38513037022728390162013-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:002013-01-27T20:30:40.408-08:00Mushroom Stock (Broth)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT0QPK0r2fbgPjPYJ6Fg8oscccR7rgdbhYHmbknztCiydm5iZ61LONnOT6sVQr8Dgi7qa4FyI04ebTWdYMxk9DCvDaFhT-mP7-plXTS2Orq7OAUEaYUaPhdyzo3l3YwOYMeENan7cGII/s1600/mushstock4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT0QPK0r2fbgPjPYJ6Fg8oscccR7rgdbhYHmbknztCiydm5iZ61LONnOT6sVQr8Dgi7qa4FyI04ebTWdYMxk9DCvDaFhT-mP7-plXTS2Orq7OAUEaYUaPhdyzo3l3YwOYMeENan7cGII/s1600/mushstock4.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cold winter days are perfect to stock up on some broths. Every other weekend I make a fresh broth to use in cooking during a week and to freeze for later (for hot summer months when just thinking of turning on the oven makes me hot!). I prefer to make my stock during weekends, uninterrupted by pick ups, drop offs, and other school activities that sometimes come on a moment notice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the stock I use portobello mushrooms as they have a little more flavor. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD-NpMBe9r_bh0FwH0ayjJ0pwWSuvDXnH6gXNL7ry986psk-P84xxXy7SudIMAlkZi6l8F3jtPcK5n7Mr780qhuTfNPVrQNslMXFh4WCMycHm9YCp932JKGQlMGdxTx7MpEzWPAt2A58/s1600/mushstock5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD-NpMBe9r_bh0FwH0ayjJ0pwWSuvDXnH6gXNL7ry986psk-P84xxXy7SudIMAlkZi6l8F3jtPcK5n7Mr780qhuTfNPVrQNslMXFh4WCMycHm9YCp932JKGQlMGdxTx7MpEzWPAt2A58/s1600/mushstock5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mushroom Stock (Broth)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><i>Ingredients:</i></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2-3 portobelo mushrooms, sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 carrots, washed and pilled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 leak, thoroughly washed white part, cut lenthwise in half</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 onion, sliced in half</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 celery root (you can use 2 celery stalks, just don't bake it, and add it with the seasoning), washed, pilled, and quartered</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 l (a little over a gallon ) water</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Seasoning:</u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon dill seeds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon black <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">peppercorn</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 bay leaf</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Preheat the oven to 350F (175 C).</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare all ingredients (clean and cut), and place on oiled baking sheet. Roast until golden brown (about 25-30 minutes depending on your oven).</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">Transfer all roasted vegetables to a big pot, add water and bring it to a simmer (never let your broth reach a rapid boil point!). If there is any foam, skim it with a slotted spoon. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">Simmer for about 3 hours.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">Add dill seeds and peppercorns and simmer for another 1-2 hours. Add bay leaf and simmer another 10 minutes. Cool, discard bay leaf, and refrigerate over night: let all the flavor develop and blend.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">Next day strain the broth, bring it to a simmer for about 15 minutes. Now it's ready to be used in your favorite risotto, soup, sauce. Shelf life in the refrigerator 3 days. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">I also freeze it in a freezer safe and labeled container (I personally like wide mouth jars) for up to 6 months. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">There's no salt in this broth as I prefer to control salt when I make a dish with it. However, from time to time I do add salt at the end and label it accordingly. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIejs5ZKEBb2ZzXabuH9aiQqaRNWDYYClm3nCAwpQ-0YSCdsZpFcoFKKTg66uPT0gymxRK8efkucdRAdspa39cRs7agxl_8z9ghjwz9TShNhQAy6txRnB4QYGdiH9uZPa09CFJ0jZlvas/s1600/mushstock6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIejs5ZKEBb2ZzXabuH9aiQqaRNWDYYClm3nCAwpQ-0YSCdsZpFcoFKKTg66uPT0gymxRK8efkucdRAdspa39cRs7agxl_8z9ghjwz9TShNhQAy6txRnB4QYGdiH9uZPa09CFJ0jZlvas/s1600/mushstock6.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><i>Can you smell it?! :)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><i>See you,</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><i>Marina</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span></span>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-70106796438487140922013-01-23T16:57:00.002-08:002013-01-23T16:57:44.292-08:00Confession of a Bookworm <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxtWFfF3fWBWOnRC1o2UGPCKJmdxlIBUZnIpebWIRPV4atWuNJu7p0AmMEwczouHasga622iDV-mqnN4fNKjYzM-ZEb8za_wloXrL3IqOjlv4rVC4U4C4BlrIpHw_fpp5oi5xLVZf6-k/s1600/ber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxtWFfF3fWBWOnRC1o2UGPCKJmdxlIBUZnIpebWIRPV4atWuNJu7p0AmMEwczouHasga622iDV-mqnN4fNKjYzM-ZEb8za_wloXrL3IqOjlv4rVC4U4C4BlrIpHw_fpp5oi5xLVZf6-k/s1600/ber.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"My wealth is not possession but enjoyment".</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henry David Tho</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">reau</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is something I need to tell you about myself: I have an addiction. A healthy one, but addiction. Addiction to books, specifically to fiction books. I can't tell you when it all started, but I remember my parents watching me: turning lights off and making sure I don't have a flashlight under my bed to keep reading after the light was switched off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also remember my dad bringing home a four volume book <i> Le Juif Errant</i> by Marie Joseph Eugene Sue, which I neatly placed on my night stand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Why did you keep all those books on your nightstand?"- my dad asked me later that day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I am going to read it",- was my natural respond.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"You are not going to read all of it soon, so why don't you keep one volume on your nightstand, and put the rest on the shelf?" - said my neat dad to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I don't want to get up in the middle of the night, and go to another room to switch volumes",- I replied.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Yes" - was dad's answer with an expression of a big doubt.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O956ukSFxNWGnYMtAp7gSYddxbQZXOLb9Va30JLVdSrMpQ_3J5t1Nb9m4ceTBcz_EwGCHxHpg3u-srh7LmVVZbZOWtRJJ2I8sKQpTTXAXwWwwMR6krm4kJiKb_vbMj5iFCPMGqydalg/s1600/twist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O956ukSFxNWGnYMtAp7gSYddxbQZXOLb9Va30JLVdSrMpQ_3J5t1Nb9m4ceTBcz_EwGCHxHpg3u-srh7LmVVZbZOWtRJJ2I8sKQpTTXAXwWwwMR6krm4kJiKb_vbMj5iFCPMGqydalg/s1600/twist.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That time I just came to my parents home for a summer vacation, and all I wanted was to take it easy after a whole month of tests and finals. I wanted to stay away from any academic textbooks, and immerse myself into an easy reading to clear up my mind (to clean my "hard drive" as I call it). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For a whole week I hardly left my room while I was reading this fascinating story day and night. By the end of the week, on Saturday morning, I closed the fourth volume of the book, and came into the new day all refreshed and quite happy (although the book didn't end on a happy note). My dad couldn't believe it: "Have you swallowed those thousand pages?" was his rhetorical question. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we had our morning coffee, he said: "Let me fill you in of what had happened in the last week... You definitely were in another century..." And he went on telling me all about local news.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My reading "escape" was a much needed therapeutic, healing, and mind cleaning task. But I also understood something about myself: when my hands hold a fiction book, my mind receives a "vacation" signal. Which means I am going to read a fiction book until I am through. For that reason I try to restrain myself from buying fiction books. I also keep myself away from fiction section in the library. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xla7ihM3rcqCvFkuBlVURpANZIy0XR_o8I6Bdu_-GRA8N8bR9MQ_6foeor9cOOUaCZFM7g4eNylzk4qTFcSUgdrV52BB2lbptCSTsbNPPfCMsQ1N60CJJE3sndax2Kfchecrxy3uiNE/s1600/grapevine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xla7ihM3rcqCvFkuBlVURpANZIy0XR_o8I6Bdu_-GRA8N8bR9MQ_6foeor9cOOUaCZFM7g4eNylzk4qTFcSUgdrV52BB2lbptCSTsbNPPfCMsQ1N60CJJE3sndax2Kfchecrxy3uiNE/s1600/grapevine.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But last Saturday a fiction book did slip into my bag and was checked out. From it's title: <i>Recipes and Wooden Spoons</i> (by Judy Baer), I thought I was checking out just one more recipe book. On Sunday night I took the book out of the bag to see what recipes are there, and was surprised not to see many. Then I started to read it to find out why there were only few recipes. Oh, boy! Good thing next Monday was a day off at school and I didn't have to get up early. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once again, I was immersed into a life of Grace Chapel Inn and a charming village of Acorn Hill in rural Pennsylvania. After I closed the book, I though: there was a reason this book slipped into my library bag. I needed a good story to read, I needed to refuel my brain, and my soul with a dose of goodness. The book made me feel really good, uplifted, joyful. My "battery" of life was once again charged. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This book made me grateful for who I am, and what I have. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
<br />Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-14884222227795320142013-01-17T14:17:00.000-08:002013-01-17T14:17:04.547-08:00Everything Roasted Warm Red Winter Wheat Berry Salad<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/AVvXsEh_VQ0xg325wMmEsMOohMtDEp6QAod5MuE2rqlk3HM8mV3wvuUpfgk4HKziETwO41d2ITPkfQISdrsKU2IPmeJkqm-mKJQvSiTwbzrFARESunPEDQTvCctAQ_pwjACGQUAj6V7_ADJzdMw/s1600/salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VQ0xg325wMmEsMOohMtDEp6QAod5MuE2rqlk3HM8mV3wvuUpfgk4HKziETwO41d2ITPkfQISdrsKU2IPmeJkqm-mKJQvSiTwbzrFARESunPEDQTvCctAQ_pwjACGQUAj6V7_ADJzdMw/s1600/salad.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Everything Roasted Warm Red Winter Wheat Berry Salad</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This morning was cold, very cold, -7C (19F) cold... So I let myself linger under a blanket for a few extra minutes before I rushed myself out of a bed. Then I had my traditional ritual "wake me up" dance (you know, the one when you move all your limbs in different directions), which this morning turned out to be a "warm me up dance". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You know I am not a morning person, not at all. And my kids, bless their hearts, have been so kind to let me sleep just a little longer, like 2-3 minutes longer on a school day mornings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today when I finally got out of the bed and came to the dining room, the teenager was doing the same "warm me up" dance. After a quick breakfast we left for the car, continue moving our limbs, almost performing a break dance on a parking lot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's when I thought of something warm and comfortable for lunch, and Everything Roasted Warm Winter Wheat Berry Salad idea came to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What else would you think of on a parking lot?! :)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6hYwH4WiC8B_XoRF_r7jbPVeGIvxvh9Rk1JSRR7pUGMN80rJqAsUgrcT7z6tLV9v5cMXxah84Hqs6ruo-CEonkVrqzw2JBYjDBJ_0gBoHOdVeckzxKdHbtIZ-XRqYBsRd_mSQORCR54/s1600/fennel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6hYwH4WiC8B_XoRF_r7jbPVeGIvxvh9Rk1JSRR7pUGMN80rJqAsUgrcT7z6tLV9v5cMXxah84Hqs6ruo-CEonkVrqzw2JBYjDBJ_0gBoHOdVeckzxKdHbtIZ-XRqYBsRd_mSQORCR54/s1600/fennel.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fennel</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">***</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Everything Roasted Warm Red Winter Wheat Berry Salad</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 cup cooked red winter wheat (see notes)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/2 fennel bulb</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 carrot</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/2 red pepper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 turnip</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 parsley root</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/2 squash</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Tablespoon chia seeds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon dried herbs mix (basil, oregano, rosemary, coriander, chives, marjoram)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Tablespoon olive oil</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2-3 Tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 Tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1OvCXfFPwJClr_ZpSOaOwfEdraadkYB7IjhBEFAQMUkm1M-6VVOtsjdq4uUfKvjIzNKTsqUZCb02Ap1GW3U3bDQKR1rw4SlGq1Pp0izTMxW-jr5Ga185mx_t1Yo-RqIS3eecCLE1Hy0/s1600/vegetables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1OvCXfFPwJClr_ZpSOaOwfEdraadkYB7IjhBEFAQMUkm1M-6VVOtsjdq4uUfKvjIzNKTsqUZCb02Ap1GW3U3bDQKR1rw4SlGq1Pp0izTMxW-jr5Ga185mx_t1Yo-RqIS3eecCLE1Hy0/s1600/vegetables.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Vegetables </span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cut fennel, carrot, red pepper, turnip, parsley root and squash into wedges, place in a large bowl, add dried herbs and olive oil, and mix. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Transfer all vegetables to a baking sheet, and bake 25-30 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wash and dry the bowl. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mix roasted vegetables and cooked wheat berries with lemon juice and chopped parsley.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sprinkle with chia seeds and serve.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5a3BG_XRZgZiNHD_aRPYyP4sukoJ8Cm_DBbxb8JriLJnM6lws7OfsXuBCo75wnQcN-ag9qa69OLiJgqiqOevqznuiVZJTfBmXr4klio5oY1XHzjjIIAqNXuMPDk1JAioUbpJaqO7OEE/s1600/wheatberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5a3BG_XRZgZiNHD_aRPYyP4sukoJ8Cm_DBbxb8JriLJnM6lws7OfsXuBCo75wnQcN-ag9qa69OLiJgqiqOevqznuiVZJTfBmXr4klio5oY1XHzjjIIAqNXuMPDk1JAioUbpJaqO7OEE/s1600/wheatberry.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Red Winter Wheat Berries</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Notes:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Dry wheat berries take a long time to cook, about 2-3 hours. If you pre-soak it for 8-10 hours, the cooking time will be reduced 30 minutes. I usually pre-soak wheat berries from 10 to 24 hours, rinsing it a few times before cooking. Then I keep cooked wheat berries in the refrigerator and add to my soups, salads, breads, and etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. This recipe has no salt in the ingredient list as it doesn't need any: you have all that flavor from the dried herbs, enhanced by the heat, plus lemon juice and fresh parsley. However, if you wish to, you can add salt and pepper to taste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">***</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3g6FAiCegB-YSfq_FplvzjQddqD7bIGU9DfDCEtk75d5zVsYLsmG2lD0zt320WQN0E3QWLfhvnQkjUTpREmf8lvVHuOorvnYR2FwgW2mkfo_FGmnAD6rorzsv1EGPqSPVBZEPHJi0dw/s1600/squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3g6FAiCegB-YSfq_FplvzjQddqD7bIGU9DfDCEtk75d5zVsYLsmG2lD0zt320WQN0E3QWLfhvnQkjUTpREmf8lvVHuOorvnYR2FwgW2mkfo_FGmnAD6rorzsv1EGPqSPVBZEPHJi0dw/s1600/squash.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, I am off to another dance, a happy belly dance!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>See you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Marina</i></span><br />
<br />Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633259752771480782.post-12008691205241572752013-01-12T17:38:00.000-08:002013-01-12T17:38:36.151-08:00Postcards from Seattle<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/AVvXsEjsudhW_Tn15kUcOkC3sbVGocbv5cLjtKWJAfjh07DlnyhsRc3tD9DozTp0W4b4_1iVFLUGwnOCnrrsqIjbZ8bBnpzOhN_HnuGNL5-noTDydFGkNssAO_Veo4OOgue4WwOYgZ4BUJJqbuc/s1600/ferry1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsudhW_Tn15kUcOkC3sbVGocbv5cLjtKWJAfjh07DlnyhsRc3tD9DozTp0W4b4_1iVFLUGwnOCnrrsqIjbZ8bBnpzOhN_HnuGNL5-noTDydFGkNssAO_Veo4OOgue4WwOYgZ4BUJJqbuc/s1600/ferry1.jpg" height="479" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ferry: one of the transportation in the area</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemqPAFtrZEkQastXA91G9FfVTWHIL3ZU0LMpRnBW82WxPbCglQY0mZMN62vxlZ6veekFF3QQZljATbq1ZeQIZp2mbBZ5aYozDmfj7_4HZ9b0UtVKEnJlUw09hyWE_5Nr7g5Cal-gpF7Q/s1600/spaceneedle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemqPAFtrZEkQastXA91G9FfVTWHIL3ZU0LMpRnBW82WxPbCglQY0mZMN62vxlZ6veekFF3QQZljATbq1ZeQIZp2mbBZ5aYozDmfj7_4HZ9b0UtVKEnJlUw09hyWE_5Nr7g5Cal-gpF7Q/s1600/spaceneedle3.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Space Needle</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQso8NjNeM642yZz5_M7Vnz6R6EK-2YJB2SMyQf1_1Jg60Damz7Kdu2bRzn0C_h7kkx6du8YQaasGLkA9RdZf2817gjpN9ukZgXrUzozsQhZntSNUh3uyErZbAcP7jgaYe4cJ-7ftGEY/s1600/MarinaSeattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQso8NjNeM642yZz5_M7Vnz6R6EK-2YJB2SMyQf1_1Jg60Damz7Kdu2bRzn0C_h7kkx6du8YQaasGLkA9RdZf2817gjpN9ukZgXrUzozsQhZntSNUh3uyErZbAcP7jgaYe4cJ-7ftGEY/s1600/MarinaSeattle.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the Seattle's Marinas</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvrloqsjA6K_LyyrvdDq2N0LCwb2jMlIyV4X14i0zqvXQRs25H4LSvlep-Jc66OLLlm51fEJJWHTkunNFMlb5E4fHhLDkhoFXABzuTN2JPFc5jAb9EpWi6sI4I-9dNkwK1ZjRJNEHF7s/s1600/seagal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvrloqsjA6K_LyyrvdDq2N0LCwb2jMlIyV4X14i0zqvXQRs25H4LSvlep-Jc66OLLlm51fEJJWHTkunNFMlb5E4fHhLDkhoFXABzuTN2JPFc5jAb9EpWi6sI4I-9dNkwK1ZjRJNEHF7s/s1600/seagal2.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Watching out for fish...</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My friend's daughter, also a teenager and a friend of my teenager, after reading my blog told me that she likes posts with stories and I should have a story with each post. Oh, boy! It doesn't work this way in my kitchen as often I am all by myself among my pots and pans, and ingredients. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, the point is taken. And while I am "cooking" some stories, here are a few cute photos from Seattle, taken by my lovely daughter. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaMIXJtMUvoe3D98CSIWgFuLx7e6rR2KzY0blgxKo0ftpWx_o2251MauvrNaJSqRaiMD7jMDNQ5b90cqaWO7vCOQYHahbGZU0HWmmKTTUSWCABp_hqsZlWRGVui0BCLHMUxSbOgNLq6o/s1600/Mar41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaMIXJtMUvoe3D98CSIWgFuLx7e6rR2KzY0blgxKo0ftpWx_o2251MauvrNaJSqRaiMD7jMDNQ5b90cqaWO7vCOQYHahbGZU0HWmmKTTUSWCABp_hqsZlWRGVui0BCLHMUxSbOgNLq6o/s1600/Mar41.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Author of all photos for this post</span></i></td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See you,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Marina</span></i>Marinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05573855440431259324noreply@blogger.com42