tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13820829748342411332024-02-20T01:27:45.305-08:00Running In Cheetah LeggingsShinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-4493647381478784782020-10-06T00:00:00.029-07:002020-10-06T00:00:06.482-07:00Get Boo-ing 2020<p> It's my favorite time of year. Halloween! You know me and costumes!! And being extra!!! And gift giveaway planning!!!!</p><br />All these factors combined, <i>obviously </i>I can't wait each year to kick off the boo-ing tradition my neighborhood. If you're not familiar with the boo concept, here's the summary:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcS0VfnEwZM0uRsx2rBKXpF1c9cGGsdrbNLXUW464fAR8pduowalsZGJMK0Rxy4R9mbTpxgxr26s6U7R7tjBWa64t55-bpISl15u1X5RfIEvuHTZgHeC9uHtjwfpPQXp0DyaTqWhT4xs/s1600/been+booed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1051" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcS0VfnEwZM0uRsx2rBKXpF1c9cGGsdrbNLXUW464fAR8pduowalsZGJMK0Rxy4R9mbTpxgxr26s6U7R7tjBWa64t55-bpISl15u1X5RfIEvuHTZgHeC9uHtjwfpPQXp0DyaTqWhT4xs/s640/been+booed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />There seems to be a relatively good boo basket participation in my neighborhood, though in 2019 I never got a basket myself (whomp whomp - oh well). Since I love giving these out, I could care less though if I get anything in return.<br /><br />Here's the two baskets I pulled together for 2020. I bought the tin boo buckets at the end of 2018 on clearance not thinking about the fact that I can't use them on the same people that I've already "boo'd", so I had to skip using it for one of the two houses.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7ZZaqoLTPDWIg4ew_5GwaNDF_f5UhY5jNC3WIuXOuxD7W906LkHHpE-F6xXnZ1fteU0vDg3TbiqmFoT8IRiHewYzmpDyCciZw_Hc58cvfJg54Wt8K2J2R364O192zFcnqDJM8pkOsKg/s2048/3614B5CD-5365-4DCC-AB40-F23CB1E2CF2A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1690" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7ZZaqoLTPDWIg4ew_5GwaNDF_f5UhY5jNC3WIuXOuxD7W906LkHHpE-F6xXnZ1fteU0vDg3TbiqmFoT8IRiHewYzmpDyCciZw_Hc58cvfJg54Wt8K2J2R364O192zFcnqDJM8pkOsKg/s320/3614B5CD-5365-4DCC-AB40-F23CB1E2CF2A.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCIzEzNb8iTUl5dqGR0MbICZix-XUr2y_9e_GSlqkUERIQY-psObYlgqJTnizLliXuaihUYArWdF8oY2J2O5iDqiYG3ZxQS9iarcViT614Rt7Slv0moz5UohO8mBSx8Ak0Bjmq886SSM/s2048/8F3FFD5D-FDDF-43C0-BBD8-0E3A9B940D13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1403" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCIzEzNb8iTUl5dqGR0MbICZix-XUr2y_9e_GSlqkUERIQY-psObYlgqJTnizLliXuaihUYArWdF8oY2J2O5iDqiYG3ZxQS9iarcViT614Rt7Slv0moz5UohO8mBSx8Ak0Bjmq886SSM/s320/8F3FFD5D-FDDF-43C0-BBD8-0E3A9B940D13.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjffC2SYk7KjIMKVn3Rd2rd5Alz_Hhd5xEGQCulpyw9E2HLA8xahK9xt6PbOErDhZr4TUxczWX5QIXwS6MEnmC1iZ365TWFko1M8iZVmmM8br7OUEK8D3_3WpmeQumSxaA_sThVRzhBqE/s2048/9870137B-3381-4AF2-BF39-FF071DBE2FC6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjffC2SYk7KjIMKVn3Rd2rd5Alz_Hhd5xEGQCulpyw9E2HLA8xahK9xt6PbOErDhZr4TUxczWX5QIXwS6MEnmC1iZ365TWFko1M8iZVmmM8br7OUEK8D3_3WpmeQumSxaA_sThVRzhBqE/s320/9870137B-3381-4AF2-BF39-FF071DBE2FC6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktddwyVTs5RiOV4v71VEx57IvwxM3b_yDAK4wwxVB7NnSfQcYdf7JtZuLwo5TNWKs25gXXkjqUIkCo4WpQhVGKjgNFNtg8itGdxc03mln_Z6qfevgHfW3AROrMKlxBbZo_JZbrfOm7l8/s2048/762B85FD-7BFE-4C87-9ED0-930ED2D95C02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1865" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktddwyVTs5RiOV4v71VEx57IvwxM3b_yDAK4wwxVB7NnSfQcYdf7JtZuLwo5TNWKs25gXXkjqUIkCo4WpQhVGKjgNFNtg8itGdxc03mln_Z6qfevgHfW3AROrMKlxBbZo_JZbrfOm7l8/s320/762B85FD-7BFE-4C87-9ED0-930ED2D95C02.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />The second gift, in the orange bag, was supposed to be a transplanted aloe in a skeleton head planter, but I've been having an issue with the plants in my house (we apparently picked up fungus gnats from a new plant we added to our collection late spring/early summer - a super huge pain in the ass). Rather than gift the plant and potentially spread that issue to someone else's house plants, I added a note to the gift that the plant would come later. Hopefully before month end I will have a transplant aloe I can gift them. If not, I will empty and sanitize the planter and fill it with a new plant from the local nursery.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I wait to see ... did my excitement catch again this year? Will boo-ing spread through the neighborhood?<br /><br />If I get a boo basket myself, I'll be sure to update! :-)<br /><br /><br />---<br /><br /><br />Do you boo in your neighborhood? What kind of basket do you build? Add your comments below!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-3711117238832904852020-09-15T12:07:00.000-07:002020-09-15T12:07:15.804-07:00A Tiny Progression<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dtFPW2icYjcxLGdahCXLy4eJBuXA87-Cu4SehYUXrbYmmn6roalQE3HregruQtLCd0zpiMRjX8SnLSBNzeyseSW593E4n0Qo0RmF3Q31iS2VkjrPejUCMqNEm4b1EZAVnnK-zcKqTYY/s1142/119632295_2607102866286603_6600254283856886884_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1051" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dtFPW2icYjcxLGdahCXLy4eJBuXA87-Cu4SehYUXrbYmmn6roalQE3HregruQtLCd0zpiMRjX8SnLSBNzeyseSW593E4n0Qo0RmF3Q31iS2VkjrPejUCMqNEm4b1EZAVnnK-zcKqTYY/s320/119632295_2607102866286603_6600254283856886884_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8zDcq5VqyYwDkEodDgmjupXoE-8kVTDmrO_EekKKsrc9rNCeUcNzvLAW_vlBiE90Yfow4x0fmORvGbIOFgqvwlP8vigOEFxg0pI45GotiEXmSiqv94IeaZk__8fEM5AJEoHbyiVDeHs/s2048/119560794_337161584192436_9125133156317738859_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8zDcq5VqyYwDkEodDgmjupXoE-8kVTDmrO_EekKKsrc9rNCeUcNzvLAW_vlBiE90Yfow4x0fmORvGbIOFgqvwlP8vigOEFxg0pI45GotiEXmSiqv94IeaZk__8fEM5AJEoHbyiVDeHs/s320/119560794_337161584192436_9125133156317738859_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPG_kHOJBjfvZp57DYlG3gTvCn0Eorrz4ad81oBdgQVH7Tanxf4aO6paJggnE5vLa1EFTyDABMFDhztZ_8mGv9fPIasMppVwycJRfV2LaM_hRWhPoDlAujOLxIdWUWC_293_K0_X8t60/s961/119736472_646974042635500_8506581964042646820_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPG_kHOJBjfvZp57DYlG3gTvCn0Eorrz4ad81oBdgQVH7Tanxf4aO6paJggnE5vLa1EFTyDABMFDhztZ_8mGv9fPIasMppVwycJRfV2LaM_hRWhPoDlAujOLxIdWUWC_293_K0_X8t60/s320/119736472_646974042635500_8506581964042646820_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNLNbTU9NTN4q1xrzNXWwFd04jkzbMP4Imaz4vQiBvGbAcs7MtkCu48oyfcTlUJKMiIrNgS5f4TFQNIG3fN10bSKwiNhATNVn5erX9O3xa7KGJXhYYXkfGh0XzVhnWOFSE0qItcx9VTo/s2048/119635497_323078352367032_289221830637974327_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1449" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNLNbTU9NTN4q1xrzNXWwFd04jkzbMP4Imaz4vQiBvGbAcs7MtkCu48oyfcTlUJKMiIrNgS5f4TFQNIG3fN10bSKwiNhATNVn5erX9O3xa7KGJXhYYXkfGh0XzVhnWOFSE0qItcx9VTo/s320/119635497_323078352367032_289221830637974327_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwi0Tt3sHWmDtI6Zb3Yh1-QMRkODepearOF8c0ycWv7jtRGvNwPGnNYzPEZlhLMqBtcxyjA2nYeDvLp_XtO4KUAzu9eNZD_KnLiNmLipR9klMKVy2Bw7ln0zAqd-KObMOByjjw2hPt07s/s2048/119551512_2094084947381897_7767079919606968995_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwi0Tt3sHWmDtI6Zb3Yh1-QMRkODepearOF8c0ycWv7jtRGvNwPGnNYzPEZlhLMqBtcxyjA2nYeDvLp_XtO4KUAzu9eNZD_KnLiNmLipR9klMKVy2Bw7ln0zAqd-KObMOByjjw2hPt07s/s320/119551512_2094084947381897_7767079919606968995_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-12264637305944844802020-07-28T00:00:00.001-07:002020-07-28T00:00:18.057-07:00Art JournalingWith everything going on these days, lately I've been feeling like ... I need something else in life. <div><br /></div><div>Being stuck at home is stale. Granted my state is open for most things, but I am not about to join the masses who are choosing to self sacrifice right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Things feel even more stale on days where it's super hot or rainy outside and I am stuck indoors. And being it's summer in Minnesota, that happens quite a lot. Not that I am complaining, I would take summer over winter right now, that's for sure!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>After a couple of weeks of that good ol' stale feeling, in June I started looking for another creative outlet besides cross stitching (and no I don't mean self barbering - which yes I am doing for my entire family including myself). This is how I ended up challenging my sister's kids into art journaling. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's how it works:</div><div><br /></div><div>(1) Each week, one of the three of us comes up with a theme word. Then, we create. </div><div><br /></div><div>(2) Since I'm Auntie, I get to make 2 pieces (one for each kid). I've been making most of my works on textured card stock that I had left over from ... true story, making stuff for my wedding about 15 years ago (face palm). The card stock is 8.5x11", and I slice each sheet in half for a finished work size of about 5.5x8.5". Mediums used each week vary based on my mood and the theme, but mostly I use acrylic paint, watercolor, marker or colored pencils.</div><div><br /></div><div>(3) I throw my finished works in a mailer when I know the kids are close to completing their works. I use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VSR52TW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">this envelope as an inner to protect each work</a>, and just for fun I close the inner with a wax seal. I use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AI622FC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">this envelope as the mailer</a>. USPS confirmed that I can use 3 standard forever stamps to put this in the mail, in case you're curious.</div><div><br /></div><div>(4) When the kids finish their works, it's time to unveil what came in the mail. Though I've been told it's quite a process opening my works, as the kids try to salvage each wax seal LOL. Once opened, each work slides into a plastic protective sheet in a mini 3 ring binder, and a printed label with the theme word is affixed to the bottom right of the plastic sleeve.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's it - pretty easy!</div><div><br /></div><div>While I may not be making 100% original works, since I use Google and YouTube for inspiration, the new creative outlet has helped improve my mood and gives me something new to look forward to each week. And since I'm crafty, my investment has been minimal, as I already have a ton of art supplies in my house. So, the real win is, I can finally brush the dust off my supplies and put them to work again.</div><div><br /></div><div>With the above explanation complete, let's get to the fun part of this post. Here's what I've made so far, with theme noted above each picture.</div><div><br /></div><div>And before I go ... if this inspires you and you begin to do something similar, post links to your finished works in the comments below!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><font color="#ff00fe">Sky</font></h2><div style="text-align: center;">Watercolor, Marker & Colored Pencil</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6bjnlBOjMA-kbLhmhJEjnR9n9umw7cp0DmmbBJm_kNccxI0BMgS_iwtSM56F53o24NSZWXKs3zhVqTr13p5c58EeuXscaOhvgiQB6eFfU2n2FmCzi5lehdm1eg8oceCVpWcpyGKuaiw/s640/sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6bjnlBOjMA-kbLhmhJEjnR9n9umw7cp0DmmbBJm_kNccxI0BMgS_iwtSM56F53o24NSZWXKs3zhVqTr13p5c58EeuXscaOhvgiQB6eFfU2n2FmCzi5lehdm1eg8oceCVpWcpyGKuaiw/w400-h310/sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><font color="#ff00fe">Joy</font></h2><div style="text-align: center;">Acrylic Paint</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI4mxHLzie-WMDO_EEXh1D85pcKk6YZV5rqKnQsWz79_ZhKcEOo5ZqeyszQluDwp9UgpOU7a5wraI74XjT2KMokwSEF5VF8c5iEijYh-UiJZDxv_FrnjNP4e-cbagpJho389ekL_YveY/s2048/joy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI4mxHLzie-WMDO_EEXh1D85pcKk6YZV5rqKnQsWz79_ZhKcEOo5ZqeyszQluDwp9UgpOU7a5wraI74XjT2KMokwSEF5VF8c5iEijYh-UiJZDxv_FrnjNP4e-cbagpJho389ekL_YveY/s320/joy+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQSN8VsWTm41seeVR0qVEguTThhWdOspHVfHZ3V4ArTykRhedbmbt_ivpBmimc0I_2fOJzLSUzupbG4wWtWY_vb56sNDOwMIpzroOyndQvasUMrgVHRpAslmWEXayCSLLbRoSKM8dB60/s2048/joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQSN8VsWTm41seeVR0qVEguTThhWdOspHVfHZ3V4ArTykRhedbmbt_ivpBmimc0I_2fOJzLSUzupbG4wWtWY_vb56sNDOwMIpzroOyndQvasUMrgVHRpAslmWEXayCSLLbRoSKM8dB60/s320/joy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><font color="#ff00fe">Nature</font></h2><div style="text-align: center;">Sharpie Marker</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBEh2wSEp_50oMzlPf-ahOsPwaaFpSoyRndybeCU1N4fdIWq-Xu2IQkewbbUlfFZukmYF_DBVA34ic2JPHp52lmJPBaLjUbBIyKPpp07i5S7-1DFNldkg_fQRXImlU_8JCaImQNBhLu0/s640/nature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="498" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBEh2wSEp_50oMzlPf-ahOsPwaaFpSoyRndybeCU1N4fdIWq-Xu2IQkewbbUlfFZukmYF_DBVA34ic2JPHp52lmJPBaLjUbBIyKPpp07i5S7-1DFNldkg_fQRXImlU_8JCaImQNBhLu0/w389-h500/nature.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><font color="#ff00fe">Mystic</font></h2><div style="text-align: center;">Acrylic Paint</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1ac34tPysOG1YuWyaahIxi4tjyol5wvLvDP2dczt6ru1DISxW811frVWwTKb-qwC2lF-kEmSXvjWvh8diFGhONql-QPpF_iPx-pbPxIIqDfoot0T0XeAoAp1LSR9_WtipIlOBry6R40/s640/Mystic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1ac34tPysOG1YuWyaahIxi4tjyol5wvLvDP2dczt6ru1DISxW811frVWwTKb-qwC2lF-kEmSXvjWvh8diFGhONql-QPpF_iPx-pbPxIIqDfoot0T0XeAoAp1LSR9_WtipIlOBry6R40/w400-h310/Mystic+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_soZ58cotpNlJ2f2dtqTffWEQTmIDoeALSpHAaF6JXcIRunSbE1w1qoRvoJfK1H3fAPlkMKI90eOiIc1TrBdBKmBTHyWmvBWBripAb3rcy1Gq-kBgRy9Gh317Kz0Xhem1T6QVBmnrsr8/s640/Mystic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="640" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_soZ58cotpNlJ2f2dtqTffWEQTmIDoeALSpHAaF6JXcIRunSbE1w1qoRvoJfK1H3fAPlkMKI90eOiIc1TrBdBKmBTHyWmvBWBripAb3rcy1Gq-kBgRy9Gh317Kz0Xhem1T6QVBmnrsr8/w400-h281/Mystic+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><font color="#ff00fe">YouTube</font></h2><div style="text-align: center;">Acrylic Paint / Tutorial on YouTube</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKNsz9xgmxksVBOsNRr_i2ALd400qfINkwgq-SeNnrgw_ZjTfknwxpC4coubHs0tg2tMgGpXCnOKSDvAFbkv8kDQYA2R_S0AsdIoxYgiKpiGxlcC0XVFzKmsqfcEpy8sCtF2KCbTi-0U/s2048/mandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKNsz9xgmxksVBOsNRr_i2ALd400qfINkwgq-SeNnrgw_ZjTfknwxpC4coubHs0tg2tMgGpXCnOKSDvAFbkv8kDQYA2R_S0AsdIoxYgiKpiGxlcC0XVFzKmsqfcEpy8sCtF2KCbTi-0U/w375-h500/mandala.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-15389989425279786902020-05-19T02:00:00.000-07:002020-05-19T02:00:05.192-07:00Current Stichin' Projects - Winter/Spring 2020<div style="text-align: left;">
Since early 2019, I've been quite prolific in creating cross stitch works. You've already seen some of what I've made in previous posts, but today I've got more to add to the collection (in rough chronological order).<br />
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Before I bombard you with photos - yes, I would be happy to make something via request ... pending size and subject matter. Meaning: I don't want to take on anything too huge, and want to make sure it would be something fun for me to make as well. </div>
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If you have something in mind, let's chat!<br />
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Wrapping up with Valentine's Day, I finished a cross stitch for my husband. Usually I don't give him stuff like this, but I ended up with a 2020 copy of Cross Stitch Magazine and this pattern was in it, so I couldn't resist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIwcCtdLA_H809Yop0AKw5kC9AXQwYFoZGQoQYTHVU5df3vg2fhukbhgsPnzRuLZ4JiD45xPIPaCNMxNN5Uu_Rzl65TgWGi_AcE9Avu-2_tQD5sp7K6oq0ESqZ7LvJZTXV3v5SP8VzPw/s1600/dill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="832" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIwcCtdLA_H809Yop0AKw5kC9AXQwYFoZGQoQYTHVU5df3vg2fhukbhgsPnzRuLZ4JiD45xPIPaCNMxNN5Uu_Rzl65TgWGi_AcE9Avu-2_tQD5sp7K6oq0ESqZ7LvJZTXV3v5SP8VzPw/s400/dill.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>
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After completing the above, I had some various scrap threads and a hunk of fabric left over. Knowing I had to mail a payment to a tour guide for an upcoming visit to Salem, I threw this in the envelope. Of course, things have changed quite a bit since I mailed this, and my trip was totally cancelled, but ... the art remains anyway! :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbYXafJCRxPWju6Ipkb8LwvrYKf04lB-yayIIrgzfbz4P47HV_n0tryaijVqCTmYWDBCSBJE-h11c42RUM9LHj9rFQZzhTtSctrkDXsqdN8nJdeY6kXtfNoU3AJ-7TJT3wRgcvEcSHfE/s1600/puritan+witch+attach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="557" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbYXafJCRxPWju6Ipkb8LwvrYKf04lB-yayIIrgzfbz4P47HV_n0tryaijVqCTmYWDBCSBJE-h11c42RUM9LHj9rFQZzhTtSctrkDXsqdN8nJdeY6kXtfNoU3AJ-7TJT3wRgcvEcSHfE/s400/puritan+witch+attach.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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Still behind in my abstract horse, I took a break on that and made a bookmark gift for a Reddit exchange.<br />
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Then I finally got around to killing that damn horse project (every crafter out there knows how much fun it is to start something new, but sometimes the loss of focus that happens when you're close to finishing).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdmv2WVSitNLJvvmeaFfTal_WAgpsCtjU8mYPaPJ52qDvFOF0rJRbH3qQf4eGudRfX7vdtQvzZuRje1BYLTrSE8UdHeLfTQkCRsAcbBgft07qxvqQ23t6BoeXR_Vx_xLQ5VJ-HVws4mA/s1600/DB1E94F7-D3ED-4556-BD77-B6915C4ADC28.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1425" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdmv2WVSitNLJvvmeaFfTal_WAgpsCtjU8mYPaPJ52qDvFOF0rJRbH3qQf4eGudRfX7vdtQvzZuRje1BYLTrSE8UdHeLfTQkCRsAcbBgft07qxvqQ23t6BoeXR_Vx_xLQ5VJ-HVws4mA/s400/DB1E94F7-D3ED-4556-BD77-B6915C4ADC28.jpeg" width="356" /></a></div>
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Of course, I finished the horse MOSTLY because this wonderful thing called "stay at home orders" surfaced, which means I had nothing but time on my hands ... queue me pumping out a backlog of squirreled away patterns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFLN8bqz9lNXqX_njH57nt_6AWdWKUWTDgean5RTuVozf9N5E3f6mxXBuPtvKyHUCgQSXNUERF1ZSg3eUC07lVI0ry8AoTbgsUHw_mRPeV56uWhVAUh9JQ2Z2ThVdiKzfFQl6sPo2Qqc/s1600/736B4BE9-D3FA-4B9F-906D-F02A465B78CA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1305" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFLN8bqz9lNXqX_njH57nt_6AWdWKUWTDgean5RTuVozf9N5E3f6mxXBuPtvKyHUCgQSXNUERF1ZSg3eUC07lVI0ry8AoTbgsUHw_mRPeV56uWhVAUh9JQ2Z2ThVdiKzfFQl6sPo2Qqc/s400/736B4BE9-D3FA-4B9F-906D-F02A465B78CA.jpeg" width="325" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjca5-yI5HmAh0U6PI6hMpo_U2Jipr4hVb1Smdt1mQXA8qVWdd29fLszjbHxLIu-C1d-czpecqvP3kUraAHJtPvBJMOOh_LxukDkM5L4HYLU1nbrrIN-dRQ-EKkDpdL5Jsh1HDAbHfnmu8/s1600/6CC52211-5034-4E70-9A48-BA6725645941.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1338" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjca5-yI5HmAh0U6PI6hMpo_U2Jipr4hVb1Smdt1mQXA8qVWdd29fLszjbHxLIu-C1d-czpecqvP3kUraAHJtPvBJMOOh_LxukDkM5L4HYLU1nbrrIN-dRQ-EKkDpdL5Jsh1HDAbHfnmu8/s400/6CC52211-5034-4E70-9A48-BA6725645941.jpeg" width="333" /></a></div>
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I particularly like how Rosie turned out, because her back stitching details were so intricate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52BlmTnILDDG_Wx3rC_C0yh__TzjuLo-SLbbhqchAOwyNcVSPNMnmYITcLP91zuL5cDztYhq5i1EoZ14eO3fCJPVDhVgcgCuZKMLZtNJg8Li745EF2rlxHqX7AqK94wC9J7S4GQ7x3po/s1600/95495556_10157443417383753_2150693882650689536_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52BlmTnILDDG_Wx3rC_C0yh__TzjuLo-SLbbhqchAOwyNcVSPNMnmYITcLP91zuL5cDztYhq5i1EoZ14eO3fCJPVDhVgcgCuZKMLZtNJg8Li745EF2rlxHqX7AqK94wC9J7S4GQ7x3po/s640/95495556_10157443417383753_2150693882650689536_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Foot note: the white knots on her headband were my later addition, I felt like she just wasn't quite Rosie without them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5NTEQX11ipGOsEjR3Agfe0S_e_9sDaPRnCy80SQnm9Yhy9EXojaFbYymoxrjdGHF3RhtLIEkRfjjASZkEG6XGkT21V8pojyKf0Lsz2IBUpItj5cRz2JCubOSRKOeeYwdTBd3iPPKb1M/s1600/242067CD-37EE-47FD-AAF0-6391AD1C7FC6.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="464" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5NTEQX11ipGOsEjR3Agfe0S_e_9sDaPRnCy80SQnm9Yhy9EXojaFbYymoxrjdGHF3RhtLIEkRfjjASZkEG6XGkT21V8pojyKf0Lsz2IBUpItj5cRz2JCubOSRKOeeYwdTBd3iPPKb1M/s400/242067CD-37EE-47FD-AAF0-6391AD1C7FC6.JPEG" width="290" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovtD5U7rne3Kd5EOybIr2TtjJMEkJPK4Wkb5weAlNJ-rLmWWuwZex8ogQwYGRIOsvbFKZJFlr7Fn6b82wMokt3HUQR_STBQJhnp-i-lzZugtHY_TvM3qjauhU47ge3DJBGhQcoZyFzFk/s1600/5312F6F7-844B-498B-A4EB-CBE2E6DC5D8A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1489" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovtD5U7rne3Kd5EOybIr2TtjJMEkJPK4Wkb5weAlNJ-rLmWWuwZex8ogQwYGRIOsvbFKZJFlr7Fn6b82wMokt3HUQR_STBQJhnp-i-lzZugtHY_TvM3qjauhU47ge3DJBGhQcoZyFzFk/s400/5312F6F7-844B-498B-A4EB-CBE2E6DC5D8A.jpeg" width="371" /></a></div>
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Among the above, I also started my largest project to date, a gift requested by a coworker of mine. While I've made it abundantly clear it will be done no time soon, here's my progression so far:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-FIgHzOvegib94VVr2WiQpYRLsFLVEjnfz5AczaMypa9VYhUcrjdu-cFXndXjyzgkQw9q-RkKFm9b0hlnj1XQZQPZ-RJCL60_5BX_ds6Z61bT0MqpmbOwS4wVU-v6Olgb9G_jQg2Gi8/s1600/92594006_10157368243508753_1223576336556097536_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-FIgHzOvegib94VVr2WiQpYRLsFLVEjnfz5AczaMypa9VYhUcrjdu-cFXndXjyzgkQw9q-RkKFm9b0hlnj1XQZQPZ-RJCL60_5BX_ds6Z61bT0MqpmbOwS4wVU-v6Olgb9G_jQg2Gi8/s640/92594006_10157368243508753_1223576336556097536_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HA2kwISaddnEy5ADsLpZUlzFB81uQU2IWvwUdguICcL2MHclCnMDa8J4xwHj6_WgVwwhphy1CTLmrrrgN3XCoaXEPgqyLtXOXytaSu_XwR9_xom8A5L8ofLG6kXH3twf1SxrinWvpaI/s1600/93397368_10157387674108753_5487902034491342848_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="915" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HA2kwISaddnEy5ADsLpZUlzFB81uQU2IWvwUdguICcL2MHclCnMDa8J4xwHj6_WgVwwhphy1CTLmrrrgN3XCoaXEPgqyLtXOXytaSu_XwR9_xom8A5L8ofLG6kXH3twf1SxrinWvpaI/s400/93397368_10157387674108753_5487902034491342848_o.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>
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And that's about all for now ... lol, like the above was a small feat. Ha! More updates to come, as isolation doesn't seem to be ending any time soon!<br />
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Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-33064274783598025512020-05-12T07:53:00.000-07:002020-05-12T07:53:06.860-07:00Recipe: Delicious Breakfast - Overnight Cinnamon RollsWhile most of my recipes on this blog are fairly healthy, I'm going to post this one with the premise that it is obviously ... uh ...<br />
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As I mentioned in the pizza crust post, we are now the proud owners of a slowly consumed 2 lb block of yeast. And being stuck in isolation during both my son and my birthdays, I simply decided to make the best of this <strike>hoard</strike> stockpile.<br />
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In the process, the below has likely become a new family tradition - fresh cinnamon rolls for breakfast on your birthday. Since most of the prep is done the night before, it's really not too intimidating to get up a little over an hour ahead of time to allow for final rise and bake time. Hopefully this new tradition sticks for our family.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Overnight Cinnamon Rolls</b></span></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<b>Rolls</b><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup warm milk (105-115 degrees, this is important so check!)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 tablespoon active dry yeast</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">4 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3 cups + 2-4 tablespoons flour, divided</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 egg at room temperature</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided and melted</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
</ul>
<div itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">
</div>
<b>Cinnamon Filling</b><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and divided</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup granulated sugar</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 tablespoon ground cinnamon</li>
</ul>
<b>Cream Cheese Icing</b><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">4 ounces cream cheese, softened</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup powdered sugar</li>
</ul>
<u><br /></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><u>Directions</u><br />
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In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, add warm milk and sprinkle with yeast. Let sit uncovered for 7 minutes at room temperature. Add 1/2 cup flour, and 2 tablespoons sugar, whisk until blended. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 35-45 minutes (or in a 100 degree oven for 25 minutes - do not over heat or you will kill the yeast). Mixture will look puffy.<br />
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Whisk in egg, remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of melted butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt.<br />
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Using the dough hook on speed 2, add flour 1/2 cup at a time, letting it blend with each addition. After 2 1/2 cups, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time just until dough is no longer sticking to fingertips or the walls of the bowl as it mixes. Knead for 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 2 hours (or in 100 degree oven for 1 hour). Dough should double in size.<br />
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Generously dust flour over a clean work surface and place dough in the center. Sprinkle dough with flour (just enough to keep rolling pin from sticking) and roll into an even 17"x10" rectangle. Dot the top of the dough with 6 tablespoons of softened butter and spread it out gently with a spatula. (TRUTH: I suck at this and always damage the dough, so I cheat and melt the butter in a microwave, spreading with a cooking brush. This does cause the filling to become a little sloppy at roll up time, but it's not terribly unmanageable if you keep the bulk of the mixture away from the final roll edge, and quickly transfer the rolls once you cut them).<br />
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Stir together 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon and sprinkle all of it evenly on the buttered dough. Roll the dough up starting with one of the longer sides, keeping a tight roll. Once it's rolled up, push ends in slightly to make them more uniform then slice into 12 equal sized rolls. (Note: some people claim using unflavored dental floss makes this process easier. I hate that crap, it usually just makes more mess for me. Instead, I gently cut with a serrated knife, trying to avoid pushing too hard and "crushing" the roll. Also, since you want evenly sized rolls, cut as follows: slice entire roll into 2 halves, then those portions into 2 halves again - for a total of 4 sections ... then slice each of the 4 sections into 3 rolls each. It's much easier to make 12 evenly sized rolls this way.)<br />
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Butter sides and bottom of a 9x13 baking pan with 1 tablespoon butter and evenly space rolls in pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (up to 18 hours).<br />
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When ready to cook, remove rolls from fridge and keeping them covered, let rise at room temperature for 1-1.5 hours (or in a 100 degree oven for 35 minutes) or until puffy. While this is in process, don't forget to pull out the butter and cream cheese for the icing, to allow it to soften as well.<br />
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Before baking, brush tops with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-24 minutes or until tops are light golden brown. Let cool in pan 15 minutes then frost warm buns generously with the cream cheese icing.<br />
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How to make icing: cream together 4 tablespoons softened butter and 4 ounces cream cheese. Once creamy and smooth, add 1 tablespoon vanilla and mix again. Follow with 1 cup powdered sugar and mix until fluffy (3-4 minutes), scraping down the bowl as needed.</div>
Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-10745436144123301272020-05-07T07:07:00.000-07:002020-05-07T07:07:09.178-07:00Recipe: Delicious Breads - Easy Pizza DoughAs I mentioned in my previous posts, I've taken in an exchange student through the end of the school year 2020. She is scheduled to be with us through mid June.<br />
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The below is one of many new discoveries I will post during her stay in my home. This one, of course, is thanks to the stay home orders and having nothing but time to bake. Thankfully - or I think thankfully, I am not quite sure - my husband found an online wholesaler of yeast. So while we were without for about a week once the food shortages started here, we eventually became proud owners of a 2 lb brick of yeast. Um ... hooray, I think?!<br />
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And credit to my student, as she's the one who proposed the recipe to try.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Easy Pizza Dough</b></span></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 1/2 cups warm water (105-115 degrees F - this is important, so check the temp!)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3 3/4 cups flour</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 tablespoons olive oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 teaspoons salt</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon sugar</li>
</ul>
<div itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">
</div>
<u><br /></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><u>Directions</u><br />
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After checking for proper temperature, pour water into mixer bowl and sprinkle in yeast. Allow yeast to proof for 5 minutes or until dissolved (as long as the yeast seems active, it is OK to mix the yeast until dissolved after the 5 minutes are up).<br />
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Add salt, sugar and olive oil to yeast mixture and gently whisk.<br />
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Starting with the mixer's paddle attachment, add flour 1/2 cup at a time and mix at level 2 until fully incorporated, scraping down the bowl if needed. When the dough starts to form, switch to the hook attachment and continue adding flour until full amount is mixed in.<br />
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Knead dough on level 2 for 7-10 minutes, or by hand. The dough should be a little sticky or tacky to the touch when done. If too wet, sprinkle in a little more flour.<br />
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Remove dough from mixer bowl and spread a thin later of olive oil over the inside. Place dough back into bowl and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 2+ hours (or place in your oven on the "dough rise" setting for 1-2 hours). Dough should double or triple in size.<br />
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Remove dough from oven if you are proofing there, and begin preheat to 450-475 degrees for pizza cooking.<br />
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Sprinkle a work surface with flour, turning the dough to coat. Divide dough into 2-4 pizzas, depending on volume of rise and your desired finished pizza size. You can let the divided portions rise for another 15 minutes if you like, or proceed immediately to the next step.<br />
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One portion at a time, hand stretch or push the dough into a round shape with a rolling pin. Sprinkle all surfaces with flour as needed to avoid sticking. The dough will stretch and contract several times before it holds shape - take time to allow this process to happen.<br />
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When desired size/shape has been achieved, transfer dough to pizza pan and top with sauces and toppings. Bake fully dressed pizza in a preheated oven at 450-475 degrees until edges and toppings have slightly browned, 15-20 minutes depending on size of pizza and volume of toppings.<br />
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Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-64149088453556539562020-05-05T02:00:00.000-07:002020-05-05T02:00:01.648-07:00Recipe: Delicious Soup - Easy Carrot SoupAs I mentioned in my previous post, I've taken in an exchange student through the end of the school year 2020. She is scheduled to be with us through mid June.<br />
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Her mild food allergies have inspired me to get back on track and cooking using fresh ingredients. It's also has challenged me to find new recipes that meet both her needs and my family's pallet.<br />
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The below is one of many new discoveries I will post during her stay in my home. It, in particular, was inspired by some of the things I purchased specifically to keep my pantry stocked during stay home orders ... and to cover for a mistake where I somehow kept buying bags of baby carrots every week and suddenly discovered I had 4 or 5 different bags in my fridge. <br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Easy Carrot Soup</b></span></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 tablespoon butter</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 medium onion, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 stalk celery, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3-4 cloves garlic, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1-2 teaspoons dried thyme</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon ground sage</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">5 cups chopped carrots (or one large bag baby carrots, in my case)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 cups water</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">½ cup half-and-half (optional - we used non dairy)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Kosher Salt to taste</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Freshly ground pepper to taste</li>
</ul>
<div itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">
</div>
<u><br /></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><u>Directions</u><br />
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Saute butter, oil, onion and celery in dutch oven until vegetables are softened / around 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, herbs, and salt and pepper, cooking until fragrant / about 1 minute.<br />
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Add in carrots, water and chicken stock. Bring to a "lively" simmer over high heat. Reduce heat but maintain the "lively" simmer for 25-30 minutes. Carrots should be cooked through and very tender.<br />
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Remove pot from heat. Use an immersion blender to cream the soup. Stir in cream with a spoon, then blend a second time to incorporate, at the same time ensuring you've blended any stray chunks. Adjust salt and pepper to taste prior to serving.<br />
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Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-59683435132016229882020-04-28T02:00:00.000-07:002020-04-28T02:00:01.149-07:00Recipe: Delicious Dinner - Orange Cauliflower "Chicken"As I mentioned in my previous post, I've taken in an exchange student through the end of the school year 2020. She is scheduled to be with us through mid June.<br />
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Her mild food allergies have inspired me to get back on track and cooking using fresh ingredients. It's also has challenged me to find new recipes that meet both her needs and my family's pallet.<br />
<br />
The below is one of many new discoveries I will post during her stay in my home. This is actually one she found and suggested, and I have to say ... it was actually really good!<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Orange Cauliflower "Chicken"</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhom8WkMUqrqVI7fyG30YWuEevIG2tDBjZ2GGaSNBSZDQuvY5KTxHZhcadG6C5NpBFrJwq1hMXch1MX9cpa8CpiLwV1n_nxWIB-Lqr-wP_FHZdudGQ8AiHDVaRN6_PAtiqd09vl2odo-ZY/s1600/orange+cali+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="474" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhom8WkMUqrqVI7fyG30YWuEevIG2tDBjZ2GGaSNBSZDQuvY5KTxHZhcadG6C5NpBFrJwq1hMXch1MX9cpa8CpiLwV1n_nxWIB-Lqr-wP_FHZdudGQ8AiHDVaRN6_PAtiqd09vl2odo-ZY/s320/orange+cali+chicken.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">nonstick cooking spray, for greasing</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 cups non dairy milk</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 cups all purpose flour</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 teaspoons kosher salt</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cauliflower, cut into 1 1/2 inch florets</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 tablespoon canola oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3 cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 piece fresh ginger, minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">½ cup orange juice</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">½ cup brown sugar</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">¼ cup distilled white vinegar</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">¼ cup soy sauce</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 tablespoons cornstarch</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 tablespoons cold water</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon sesame oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">white rice, for serving (we used quinoa)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3 scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish</li>
</ul>
<div itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">
</div>
<u><br /></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><u>Directions</u><br />
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Preheat oven to 450ËšF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and grease with nonstick spray.<br /><br /><div>
In a medium bowl, whisk together the non-dairy milk, flour, and salt. One at a time, dip each cauliflower floret in the batter to coat, letting any excess batter drip off. Arrange the battered cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they aren’t touching one another. Lightly spray with cooking spray.</div>
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<div>
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the coating is crispy and beginning to brown.</div>
<div>
<br />While the cauliflower is baking, make the sauce: heat the canola oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add the orange juice, brown sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture begins to simmer.</div>
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<div>
In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and cold water with a fork. Add the slurry to the sauce, stirring to combine. Simmer for another 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Mix in the sesame oil, then transfer the sauce to a large bowl.</div>
<div>
<br />Toss the hot cauliflower florets in the sauce until well coated.</div>
<div>
<br />Serve the cauliflower over rice (or quinoa) and garnish with the scallions.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-4994810767310451422020-04-23T02:00:00.000-07:002020-04-23T02:00:07.933-07:00Recipe: Delicious Soup - Split Pea in a Slow CookerAs I mentioned in my previous post, I've taken in an exchange student through the end of the school year 2020. She is scheduled to be with us through mid June.<br />
<br />
Her mild food allergies have inspired me to get back on track and cooking using fresh ingredients. It's also has challenged me to find new recipes that meet both her needs and my family's pallet.<br />
<br />
The below is one of many new discoveries I will post during her stay in my home. It, in particular, was inspired by some of the things I purchased specifically to keep my pantry stocked during stay home orders.<br />
<br />
And ... with nothing to do with our free time <i>outside </i>of the home ... it paired well with our fresh, homemade sourdough bread.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup</b></span></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 one pound bag of dried split peas </li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 large onion, diced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 stalks celery, cleaned and chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3 cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3 springs thyme (I used dried, as I had it on hand)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon ground ginger</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">6 cups broth, low sodium chicken or vegetable</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Kosher salt</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Fresh ground pepper</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Optional: small ham steak (approximately 6" round size), or slow cook with ham bone in soup</li>
</ul>
<div itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">
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<u><br /></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><u>Directions</u><br />
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In a slow cooker combine split peas, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour broth over mixture, season with salt and pepper. (If you are using a ham bone, you would add it now - remove it prior to blending and shred, then reincorporate it like I mention below for the ham steak).<br />
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Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 6 to 8, until peas are completely soft. <br />
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About 30 minutes from serving, use immersion blender to incorporate vegetables fully into soup. (I prefer a slightly lumpier texture, so I did not blend until fully smoothed.) After done blending, finely dice warmed ham steak and stir in. Allow soup to slow cook for another 30 minutes or until ready to serve.</div>
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Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-39531602640208153832020-04-21T02:00:00.000-07:002020-04-21T02:00:05.509-07:00Recipe: Delicious Dinner - Summer Vegetables with Sausage and PotatoesAs I mentioned in my previous post, I've taken in an exchange student through the end of the school year 2020. She is scheduled to be with us through mid June.<br />
<br />
Her mild food allergies have inspired me to get back on track and cooking using fresh ingredients. It's also has challenged me to find new recipes that meet both her needs and my family's pallet.<br />
<br />
The below is one of many new discoveries I will post during her stay in my home.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Summer Vegetables with Sausage & Potatoes</b></span></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 pound baby red potatoes, quartered</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 tablespoons olive oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 teaspoon garlic powder</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Kosher salt</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Fresh cracked pepper</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 large onion, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 red bell pepper, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 green bell pepper, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cups zucchini, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3-4 fresh cloves of garlic, diced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 tablespoons fresh rosemary</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">4-6 Italian sausage links</li>
</ul>
<div itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">
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<u><br /></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><u>Directions</u><br />
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.<br />
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Toss potatoes in olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a portion of fresh rosemary. When oven is to temperature, begin roasting potatoes. Roasting will take 45 minutes to an hour, so you can do all other food prep after the potatoes are in to roast. (NOTE: original recipe had you skillet fry the potatoes, but with all the other vegetables I figured this would be a giant mess to stir once everything was in the pot ... not to mention, the potatoes would likely be hell sticking to the pan. Since I prefer roasted potatoes anyway, with their slightly crispy outsides, I modified the recipe.)<br />
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When potatoes are about 15-20 minutes from being done, in a non stick skillet, begin cooking Italian sausages.<br />
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In a separate flat bottomed skillet, warm some olive oil. Add fresh garlic and saute until fragrant. Mix in chopped peppers and onions, remaining rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat on pan and stir until the onions become slightly brown. Add zucchini and cook about 5 more minutes.<br />
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While zucchini cooks, check sausages to ensure they are cooked through. When fully cooked, slice into bite sized rounds and add to vegetable skillet. You can add the sausage even if the zucchini is still cooking, the vegetables will gain some flavor from the sausage this way.<br />
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When fully roasted, add the potatoes to the skillet. Stir to incorporate and serve.<br />
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<br />Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-5737860861490826752020-04-14T02:00:00.000-07:002020-04-14T02:00:08.676-07:00Recipe: Delicious Dinner - One Pan Mexican QuinoaAs I mentioned in my previous post, I've taken in an exchange student through the end of the school year 2020. She is scheduled to be with us through mid June.<br />
<br />
Her mild food allergies have inspired me to get back on track and cooking using fresh ingredients. It's also has challenged me to find new recipes that meet both her needs and my family's pallet.<br />
<br />
The below is one of many new discoveries I will post during her stay in my home.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>One Pan Mexican </b></span><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Quinoa</b></span></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 tablespoon olive oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 medium onion, diced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 jalapeno, minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup quinoa (I increase this to 1.5 cups to have a little extra)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup vegetable broth (also increase this 1/2 cup if you increase quinoa)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 (14.5 oz.) can fire roasted diced tomatoes (I used a larger can with the increased quinoa)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup frozen corn kernels (these can be microwaved separately and added at time of serving if you have food allergies)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon chili powder</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 teaspoon cumin</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 avocado, diced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Juice of 1 lime</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">chopped fresh cilantro for garnish</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">OPTIONAL: you can top with a little shredded cheese, sour cream, or your favorite salsas. I'd also think you could easily add in your favorite cooked meat at the end, though I haven't done this yet ... maybe chorizo would add some interesting flavor? And of course, because I'm always thinking to add more vegetables, I'm debating adding chopped bell pepper in with the onions while they cook ... decisions, decisions!</li>
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<u><br /></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><u>Directions</u><br />
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeno. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion starts to sweat, about 2-3 minutes.<br />
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Stir in quinoa, vegetable broth, beans, tomatoes, corn (or save corn to the end if you have food allergies), chili powder and cumin; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until quinoa is cooked through, about 20 minutes. (If you increase quinoa and tomatoes, you may need to increase your seasoning as well).<br />
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Stir in lime juice (and any fully cooked meats, if you choose to add them).<br />
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Serve individual portion with avocado, cilantro, and any other toppings as you choose.Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-4842615710685169112020-04-09T02:00:00.000-07:002020-04-09T02:00:10.966-07:00Recipe: Delicious Dinner - Buttered ChickenYikes.<br />
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In preparing this post, I realized that I haven't published a new recipe idea in over a year. Which only serves to highlight how poorly I've been managing my diet since I had a baby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-_G-l-mT3-R1fOyq1MR6X9LVBJdxd-5CbGIv2THLrzEwsz9-SbGbn2yN-FXvNOgQPuk9ncVAgstFgoYSDHdhV27sD5Jyfaw6lwJNtAwuuDIKcXgDxFXVBRu-0zicm1ojX7Ty6wHnenc/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="500" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-_G-l-mT3-R1fOyq1MR6X9LVBJdxd-5CbGIv2THLrzEwsz9-SbGbn2yN-FXvNOgQPuk9ncVAgstFgoYSDHdhV27sD5Jyfaw6lwJNtAwuuDIKcXgDxFXVBRu-0zicm1ojX7Ty6wHnenc/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, bygones are bygones. I can't change the past at this point, so I'm not going to dwell on it.<br />
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As I mentioned in my previous post, I've taken in an exchange student through the end of the school year 2020. Which ... now with everything going on, that statement has a very unsure meaning. I guess I should clarify that she is scheduled to be with us through mid June.<br />
<br />
Anyway - our exchange student has some mild food allergies which has inspired me to get back on track and cooking using fresh ingredients. It's also has challenged me to find new recipes that meet both her needs and my family's pallet.<br />
<br />
The below is one of many new discoveries I will post during her stay in my home.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Buttered Chicken</b></span></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 medium-large onion, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3 cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 one inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon garam masala, divided</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 teaspoon and 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric, divided</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">3/4 teaspoon and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, divided</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Kosher salt</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">Fresh ground pepper</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">6 tablespoons unsalted butter</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cinnamon stick (I substituted about 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 tablespoon tomato paste (I wanted extra sauce to cover vegetables, so I used an entire small can)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce (I wanted extra sauce to cover vegetables, so I used an entire 28 oz. can of whole plum tomatoes, blended in a blender with the tomato paste)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 1/4 cups water (I skipped this due to the extra tomato)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 cup heavy cream (I substituted in So Delicious non dairy creamer)</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 table spoon lemon juice</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">chopped fresh cilantro for garnish</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">serve with basmati rice (or in my case, quiona) and naan bread</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">OPTIONAL: since I always want more vegetables in my dishes, I opted to add in a small bag of frozen cut green beans, and also a drained and rinsed can of chickpeas </li>
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<u><br /></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><u>Directions</u><br />
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In a small bowl: combine 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric, 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin. (If you are using the ground cinnamon, you can also add it here. If you are using the extra tomato sauce like I did, pump up your seasonings just a bit.) Set aside.<br />
<br />In a large bowl: combine 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin in a large bowl. Cut 2 pounds chicken into 1-inch pieces, add to the the large bowl, season with kosher salt and black pepper, and toss to evenly coat.<div>
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Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate; it might not be cooked through. <br /><br />Add the onion mixture to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the spices from the small bowl, cinnamon stick, and 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and cook 1 minute more. <br /><br />Add the can of tomato sauce, 1 1/4 cups water, and the chicken and any accumulated juices, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the sauce slightly thickens and the chicken is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.<br /><br />(Since I had the tomato and paste in the blender, I just poured that all in at once instead of putting the tomato paste in with the cooking onions. I also added in my extra vegetables at this point. Since my pot was considerably more full, I let this simmer closer to 20 minutes ... partly because I had the quinoa cooking at the same time, and was waiting on it to finish).<br /><br />Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the chicken, and stir to combine. Taste and season with salt as needed. Garnish with the cilantro and serve over basmati rice or with naan. </div>
Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-83302452506449329212020-04-07T02:00:00.000-07:002020-04-07T02:00:07.911-07:00St. Pat's Extra Mom 2020Well ...<br />
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A lot has changed since I last posted a blog here. Weeks ago, I thought I would originally come back with an update that we volunteered to emergency host a foreign exchange student from Belgium. Turns out, that's just the tip of the iceberg.<br />
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Yeah, I've found myself saying "that escalated quickly" quite a bit these days.<br />
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Despite the virus and everything else going on, I've tried to maintain a little bit of normalcy around the house. Easier said than done when Minnesota Government orders a stay home protocol, and only essential work can be completed. Not to mention I have zero desire to be out in the general public any more than I absolutely have to right now. <br />
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Which means basically no shopping trips for me.<br />
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Thankfully, I'm a planner ... and I've had a lot of things in the works for a looooooong time ...<br />
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So regardless of stay home orders, I've been able to have a little bit of seasonal fun. Even if I might have spaced out and forgotten to take my usual insta-worthy photos. Since I've been a little ... disorganized in the chaos as of late ... I totally didn't take ANY staged photos of St. Patty's day stuff. <br />
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Thankfully, I used some of the same things from my <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/02/reddit-st-patricks-day.html">Reddit St. Pat's exchange in 2019</a> as teachers gifts this year, so let's pretend my <strike>photoshop</strike> Microsoft paint skills aren't garbage and I'll reuse that picture.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not shown, but also included - a small, green glittered clip in hair bow</span></div>
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Lucky for me, I had purchased a bunch of this stuff in bulk, on clearance in 2018 with the intention of using them as teacher's gifts in the future. But when 2019 rolled around, I had only used the headbands out of my stash (thanks to stumbling upon <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/05/st-pats-extra-mom-2019.html">$2 clearance bottles of strawberry booze</a>, LOL!). <br />
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While this wasn't as ... impactful is maybe the word? ... as some of my teacher gifts have been historically, all I can do is shrug. Given the situation, at least it was something. And aside from that fact, the teachers were all utilizing at least a portion of the gift when I came to do pickup, so it must have been at least a partial success.<br />
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The night prior, I had given both my son ... and my new "exchange daughter" their St. Pat's gifts so that they could plan them into their outfits for the next day. Since the local high school was already closed down due to the virus, my exchange student wasn't able to show her swag off to her peers, but she played along and wore it anyway.<br />
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The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071YTSRWF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">earrings were from Amazon</a> if you're curious, and actually the socks I got weren't actually those ... what I chose had more on them - pots of gold, shamrocks, and I think the heel and trim was actually green ... whatever, you get the idea.<br />
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Of course, my son was more than thrilled to wear his gift, despite me not being able to find youth sized St. Pat's socks and defaulting to the next best option in green. Although his socks might not have been totally on point for the holiday, the rest of his outfit was. Plus, he came home from daycare covered in shamrock tattoos (he brought them to school to "share"), so he was appropriately festive in plenty of other ways.<br />
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Since the socks and other items were fairly small, I had packaged the gifts for the kids in a Target dollar section jute gift bag. It was similar to this one, but covered in mini lucky charms associated with St. Patty's day like horse shoes and shamrocks.<br />
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Since I myself wasn't feeling the most festive due to the stress of current events weighing heavily on my mind, I declined to do too much at work or on a personal level. I did manage to at least thrown on a pair of fun leggings for work, anyway. (Yes, I was still being asked to report in to work at that point).<br />
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And of course, to round out the day, I served up a crockpot meal of corned beef and cabbage when I got home. Can't skip that!<br />
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So there's my St. Pat's 2020 report. Mostly normal, but also a little off kilter with everything that started simmering up around that time. Here's to hoping 2021's celebration is a little better.<br />
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<br />Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-6425262990567912132020-02-14T02:00:00.000-08:002020-02-14T02:00:06.209-08:00Valentines Day 2020Well ... it's about that time to start talking love and all that mushy stuff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhld9-0oxafwPzmKPWetMGXBmFkBnedvSeSGM2vHcCi1CVmLfu7P_P2zHJ4NDUMCaHzENZN-q-7zmR6hp8dAj5a21ww6Salaz9rTylPVLKNGJosklhJFgYvD3u2psVIPX6e_x9U941I1BA/s1600/isNm0Su.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhld9-0oxafwPzmKPWetMGXBmFkBnedvSeSGM2vHcCi1CVmLfu7P_P2zHJ4NDUMCaHzENZN-q-7zmR6hp8dAj5a21ww6Salaz9rTylPVLKNGJosklhJFgYvD3u2psVIPX6e_x9U941I1BA/s320/isNm0Su.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or we can skip all that crap and just talk about food. I mean, why not?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUDTSgj8Z9xEPvEYN4XFubbL_amKo9W9a3QtSOyFLFISxEupWd_CtlI3NdTuPzb0UysJ4Nu5XMK2bvXXZld8ijRFJPxujG0e3Vt4BuGTUe2GQSGUJzNXCLD6_UlYQhX4rclui-S9FR48/s1600/tumblr_lyg7m8J7Vx1qklv6wo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="500" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUDTSgj8Z9xEPvEYN4XFubbL_amKo9W9a3QtSOyFLFISxEupWd_CtlI3NdTuPzb0UysJ4Nu5XMK2bvXXZld8ijRFJPxujG0e3Vt4BuGTUe2GQSGUJzNXCLD6_UlYQhX4rclui-S9FR48/s320/tumblr_lyg7m8J7Vx1qklv6wo1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Using that as my segue ... if you recall over the last few years, I've sent my son to school with rather unique Valentine's Day gifts for his classmates. It all stemmed from his love for his play kitchen when he was just barely old enough to stand on his own ... and his love for bananas.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4BRSZjkiYqVX4I3VSUCO8lS4ogJpFKnyIweL1DAxXfmIR_-XXziYgIX5NcvSdu7WQeCN17CE_PhaPCK0Rakw3glW5BS_ALqWQA8MOgH2OjwvqemrpqsypXSekjJF1Ayp2HKscCFFwHs/s320/il_570xN.1448430615_hldq.jpg" /></div>
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Then, the following year, building on the crochet food collection, apples were the selection.<br />
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For 2020, I asked my son about doing another food item and he was excited for it, so ... straying from produce and moving into proteins ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt_u4qqq9wGKj9Nisy8HZtUD67KS6pF_cJT9-kx-VKcRO9kSnSHI7ijqQxR_NKZV-MQ3vFT29UNoRFMMw59l5p_O6fiYZG_-lJixDxfwGb1SnWJI0o5vhHw8gXmd6iVDcgY1np_0PYlM/s1600/82728934_10157105557453753_5074961132507103232_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="606" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt_u4qqq9wGKj9Nisy8HZtUD67KS6pF_cJT9-kx-VKcRO9kSnSHI7ijqQxR_NKZV-MQ3vFT29UNoRFMMw59l5p_O6fiYZG_-lJixDxfwGb1SnWJI0o5vhHw8gXmd6iVDcgY1np_0PYlM/s400/82728934_10157105557453753_5074961132507103232_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yeah, that's a strip of bacon and an egg. And I must say, while my son is very excited about giving this out on Valentine's Day (case in point, he walked around the house all evening singing "bacon and eggs, bacon and eggs" after helping me kit these up) ... I was a little less than thrilled with the assembly process myself ...<br />
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<span id="goog_344585399"></span><span id="goog_344585400"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In case you want your own custom play food,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">check out <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BellasBoutiqueMN?ref=search_shop_redirect">BellasBoutiqueMN</a> on Etsy</span></div>
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*Face palm.* Being cute and unique always comes with a price! Oh well, hopefully it's worth it, as I have no clue where these actually end up. I have grand visions of my son's classmates slowly collecting a play kitchen of hand made food items, but who really knows what happens with them after they leave my house?!<br />
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Anyway! With the above completed, I moved on to the teacher's gift. Which I have to laugh about, because the necklace alone retailed originally for almost $50 ... so when I picked up three necklaces at Nordstrom Rack (along with a pair of zippered wristlets on clearance for a future gifting need), my receipt told me I saved over $330 in retail value.<br />
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Well, thank you Nordstrom Rack. Thank you very much. Though in real life I'd never pay $50 for this necklace, Baublebar brand or not.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyj8YJyCT399hJtj_8dD1PwLg13qqLH2qB3KKQB6GbD7wgu-4yiW66b2cVzN42HZJnHRq4wRR3qQRLlRe04b8bQE1Myxa46EZPnRU1xRgKIKKtAGNgL6ewyL5HuoGvW7LWv1foZvQ-Ww/s1600/t10_2x_baublebar-amelie-necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyj8YJyCT399hJtj_8dD1PwLg13qqLH2qB3KKQB6GbD7wgu-4yiW66b2cVzN42HZJnHRq4wRR3qQRLlRe04b8bQE1Myxa46EZPnRU1xRgKIKKtAGNgL6ewyL5HuoGvW7LWv1foZvQ-Ww/s400/t10_2x_baublebar-amelie-necklace.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Actually, the Baublebar necklace above was an after thought. As you saw in my previous <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-year-of-rat-2020.html">Chinese New Year post</a>, I had already lined up a ring dish and jewelry tree set from Target's 2019 Valentine clearance ... and the only reason I added the necklace was because the price was good and it would help demonstrate the purpose of the gift for the recipients. <br />
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In case you forgot, here's the ring dish I previously gifted for Chinese New Year:<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt7iTOVMCjP2vZTOEKMEaKh8TVDC2ZbfkX2hVsdTcIt8VXIokx_hP-iLpsQfMoRZwUWH8SLtme5VBQbey_4s7Ur4YMz-PP0XaHkcrGX2LS9WSMbVg9K9CCziK9788ogq8Ah9N90Y_-h4/s320/GUEST_bead9552-bce8-4a0b-b645-2fb3b5cde8ba.jpg" /></div>
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And here's the accompanying tree that I intended for Valentine's Day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfCUASDCeQinq9ns6CitnBvgCDlbgD-VxV9_YHecunWQHuUq2fQQMdL5LwL96qoMnmhyphenhyphenIeQ_vQLFvgzwffFv3yoJhQ5wXBKOFtviko_bVwTVVbFC5AB9j3joFdHTvfDyDujoVDOL6tJw/s1600/df61dacae156fc58e2c121900b401406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfCUASDCeQinq9ns6CitnBvgCDlbgD-VxV9_YHecunWQHuUq2fQQMdL5LwL96qoMnmhyphenhyphenIeQ_vQLFvgzwffFv3yoJhQ5wXBKOFtviko_bVwTVVbFC5AB9j3joFdHTvfDyDujoVDOL6tJw/s320/df61dacae156fc58e2c121900b401406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Honestly, I think they make a really pretty set. But that's just me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip2DT_ndpqPlIjORT5iLpFHn_xymNmNm9hQ-uUWVd9_zxdT1nYzxN45M5qbr4IGksriwd0V8n6ssucr-oumKVQIv-8FCmo4jDrvRNZoWQ8fu7eY8032WGyB8mhTdqyUyn2ykNi6MhKIA/s1600/m_5c719d070cb5aa105c6f5476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="580" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip2DT_ndpqPlIjORT5iLpFHn_xymNmNm9hQ-uUWVd9_zxdT1nYzxN45M5qbr4IGksriwd0V8n6ssucr-oumKVQIv-8FCmo4jDrvRNZoWQ8fu7eY8032WGyB8mhTdqyUyn2ykNi6MhKIA/s320/m_5c719d070cb5aa105c6f5476.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the tree, with the necklace attached - and the end result once wrapped.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ9hZz4cRoQLx4hDKZ3nS4x9-Y49eks52jFjCfPF-xkKYZpOn00Sfd1XMY3iNrf6rRdGxSChKMmlGv20YJpUc5OIsVeqpyxnp71DbkMaPi1ntuFxgCoJaGbQuXpIDSflfAnhDmS3TTgg/s1600/2D5F58D6-3E5B-4F8D-B3F2-9288F07B60F8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ9hZz4cRoQLx4hDKZ3nS4x9-Y49eks52jFjCfPF-xkKYZpOn00Sfd1XMY3iNrf6rRdGxSChKMmlGv20YJpUc5OIsVeqpyxnp71DbkMaPi1ntuFxgCoJaGbQuXpIDSflfAnhDmS3TTgg/s400/2D5F58D6-3E5B-4F8D-B3F2-9288F07B60F8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, I fully admit the gift box ended up being a bit, uh ... largish. Because the weighted stand on the jewelry tree was so wide, my options were either to put these in an oversized gift box that I already had and only spend $2.99 total on a roll of wrapping paper at HomeGoods - OR - drop something stupid like $4.99 each on an extra wide base gift bag.<br />
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So whatever. I chose overly large gift boxes. Bigger is better, right?<br />
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RIGHT?!<br />
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Now, you'd think I'd be done spewing information at you by now. But you'd think wrong. Because NEW FOR 2020!!!! I am also going to show you my handy work for my friends and other various gifts. Because WHY NOT?!?!<br />
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So, as you saw in a previous cross stitch post, here's what I made for a few coworker friends.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z1MaINBJlofDoYfor1XKJAH1OgDAU465AE0zgct29Dr8WowS2KCjIydfYMKbOtSbSZm8-8Qj_23244KCU7B5adojeWmzZfdUo1c8ELxF328qx6BkEMGW-XjLkehVQMprLfj730bkqZU/s640/48C84777-A2A0-43D8-AAA8-8DB72BDDCB65.jpeg" /></div>
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And in addition to that, I picked up some very special socks for my husband and a reversible scented donut pillow for my son.<br />
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Because as you well know, nothing says sexy romance like pillows and socks ...<br />
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BZZZZZZ WRONG! THERE'S SOMETHING EVEN SEXIER!!!!!! BECAUSE I'M GOING TO MONSTER JAM ON FEBRUARY 15TH - just in time for a late Valentine's family date. LOL!<br />
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Oh man, the things you do for your kids. Wish me luck - and that I keep my hearing the day after Monster Jam.<br />
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Happy Valentines Day 2020 everyone!<br />
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<br />Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-25179777537759202962020-02-04T02:00:00.000-08:002020-02-04T02:00:00.387-08:00Current Stichin' Projects - Valentines 2020<div style="text-align: left;">
Since early 2019, I've been quite prolific in creating cross stitch works. You've already seen some of what I've made in previous posts, but today I've got more to add to the collection (in rough chronological order).<br />
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Before I bombard you with photos - yes, I would be happy to make something via request ... pending size and subject matter. Meaning: I don't want to take on anything too huge, and want to make sure it would be something fun for me to make as well. </div>
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If you have something in mind, let's chat!<br />
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Before I could start on my Valentine works for 2020, I had to close out a 2019 remnant. Though to be fair, I was just waiting on birth info to complete the stitch.<br />
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With the baby work done, I also finally <i>started </i>on a 2019 remnant - it's a larger project that's a "choose your own" cross stitch gift from Christmas, meaning I told the person I would make them whatever they wanted as their 2019 Christmas gift. I'm finally getting close on finishing - hopefully within the next week or so I'll be done.</div>
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Interspersed between the horse work, I did a few minis in preparation for Valentines Day at work.</div>
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And since my son was jealous, I made him a decoration for his room as well - in rainbow variegated floss, because I knew he'd love it.</div>
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Well, that about does it for now. Let's see what other fun finishes 2020 brings!</div>
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Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-1199344075872588702020-01-24T02:00:00.000-08:002020-01-24T02:00:03.625-08:00The Year of the Rat - 2020As I said in the past ... it's no secret that I'm a Chinese New Year enthusiast. I mean ... you don't study Chinese language from the age of 12 without getting a little joy out of celebrating what is now more commonly known as the Lunar New Year.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Me, age 17, preforming YangGui Fei Zui Jiu in TianJin, China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Basically, I'm one of the hottest consorts of Chinese history, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">but I have recently lost favor with the Emperor, and am debating suicide. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">LOL! So not me in real life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyX-L-GUYTwdrajkxpxErk7YSjdY4ydU498cFMifKLTa7oFMzHrWBcZXa3wZ6fnKMBBZ538xbs_wfn-NYFq0jPaMdXnNJtYHNotyuZU43SeAY9pFVutJQluNPVbg3dGouoIB3J5JLr9w/s1600/6E47B315-791A-4852-95E1-0F37E557AE1C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyX-L-GUYTwdrajkxpxErk7YSjdY4ydU498cFMifKLTa7oFMzHrWBcZXa3wZ6fnKMBBZ538xbs_wfn-NYFq0jPaMdXnNJtYHNotyuZU43SeAY9pFVutJQluNPVbg3dGouoIB3J5JLr9w/s640/6E47B315-791A-4852-95E1-0F37E557AE1C.jpeg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Take down Christmas decor, put up Chinese New Year decor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Keep the festivities rolling, that's what I say.</span></div>
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So, what's an extra mom like me to do in the year of the rat? Well ... let me tell you!<br />
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First, let's talk about recycling. For 2020, I once again sent a kid friendly book to school about the New Year that my son's teachers could read in class:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81EEZ5p63DVvh2V0_zeLFkrH_jEOuvaeSR0iQ0fnK8Z0-Yx96chpGIUOKcttjBOkjygH15tKYJ6Qb2VZOk7JM1e5tkRt_KohyKLW8yez5nKPs3ekbJRVM-rLoMmmIx8OHZuKMbE15S4s/s1600/61fS%252BXZBBUL._SY405_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="500" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81EEZ5p63DVvh2V0_zeLFkrH_jEOuvaeSR0iQ0fnK8Z0-Yx96chpGIUOKcttjBOkjygH15tKYJ6Qb2VZOk7JM1e5tkRt_KohyKLW8yez5nKPs3ekbJRVM-rLoMmmIx8OHZuKMbE15S4s/s320/61fS%252BXZBBUL._SY405_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385753659/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bringing in the New Year</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A book about traditional celebration practices by Grace Lin</span></div>
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But since he's getting old enough now to follow longer story lines, I also sent this to read as well:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygJMbcXuHUnYPC4ZJFQdRKwYvLGOQkXmEnvgCyh2ZWChSQaEO9WcDsUceAvsR-P-OGfKaVeC0zaSXpGzpsdtcm6GHxJMkX5FvAIfR87GDpgCId61d1KMHRAm9ngns4_8AKD8EDFrz2vI/s1600/download.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygJMbcXuHUnYPC4ZJFQdRKwYvLGOQkXmEnvgCyh2ZWChSQaEO9WcDsUceAvsR-P-OGfKaVeC0zaSXpGzpsdtcm6GHxJMkX5FvAIfR87GDpgCId61d1KMHRAm9ngns4_8AKD8EDFrz2vI/s1600/download.webp" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Race-Story-Chinese-Zodiac/dp/1786030659/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=chinese+zodiac+childrens+book&qid=1579619768&sr=8-2"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac, Christopher Corr</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">FYI, this also has the origin story as to why cats hate mice - LOL!</span></div>
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And recycling ideas from previous years, I found a new coloring sheet and finger puppet gift for his classmates to take home as well:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBowM7wmIoquH-kWy-NulkGnGeynj3CrDyrshmUyrQthDKjKNDHZm1KhTaymkm9oIiZaTPeVFmNSpMGaLgW-VqsSo3AqrUTbTKrXyW4Q1He1_F78GSpVg2-Ihd-iU2YUYlxxr_mod-bVg/s1600/14575396_f1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1024" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBowM7wmIoquH-kWy-NulkGnGeynj3CrDyrshmUyrQthDKjKNDHZm1KhTaymkm9oIiZaTPeVFmNSpMGaLgW-VqsSo3AqrUTbTKrXyW4Q1He1_F78GSpVg2-Ihd-iU2YUYlxxr_mod-bVg/s400/14575396_f1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I opted to go a little different for the kids this year, and purchased zippered coin pouches to put the mice in ... more or less, an upscale gift bag without the cinch string. Since I bought these at bargain bin costs (Chinese factory direct), quality wasn't great, but the presentation was cute at least.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gWQAQ1ePE7et3iNnTJR4B8iHuWr7EyiL_Y3wGn-wq10aqNPKwpB9D-VKtlFyhtGuzN8pCEfKqzFidzH-4EYkRv1sxRvq2kTGkedBrOze28seilZ0ZuG-KdX1x1U02-Qb0yzAhtxFnbM/s1600/coin+pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="657" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gWQAQ1ePE7et3iNnTJR4B8iHuWr7EyiL_Y3wGn-wq10aqNPKwpB9D-VKtlFyhtGuzN8pCEfKqzFidzH-4EYkRv1sxRvq2kTGkedBrOze28seilZ0ZuG-KdX1x1U02-Qb0yzAhtxFnbM/s400/coin+pouch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course, a tag applied outside each of the gifts:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGehvlruM1nqWPzR4KDN8in61-20YO7yICXSSKgbB_wufXjAmqorREdsfjixfqFtCWgmP1p085ZOLj-VuATDN3rdq4w4iJWx13StVr7jhoOUwIG0xOL2_qAh2kEAs0LKVHvHfzJTG-nDs/s1600/2-191203152221R0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="410" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGehvlruM1nqWPzR4KDN8in61-20YO7yICXSSKgbB_wufXjAmqorREdsfjixfqFtCWgmP1p085ZOLj-VuATDN3rdq4w4iJWx13StVr7jhoOUwIG0xOL2_qAh2kEAs0LKVHvHfzJTG-nDs/s320/2-191203152221R0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The end result for the kids:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr_ECbaS3K08bHF557OTZlIp6PhOuR6WnNHH-3KZuCMEh7a16S4Yq7blthVM_cez3QHP5FjdKjO9p50FoQcZCk7c0dKtuvqFNHVYZ73MiYIhrAs5JaKkAsiulLAFJ-oxCKd-5nzROIr0/s1600/EBF37025-A4E6-40ED-9AF9-963D911D1DEF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr_ECbaS3K08bHF557OTZlIp6PhOuR6WnNHH-3KZuCMEh7a16S4Yq7blthVM_cez3QHP5FjdKjO9p50FoQcZCk7c0dKtuvqFNHVYZ73MiYIhrAs5JaKkAsiulLAFJ-oxCKd-5nzROIr0/s640/EBF37025-A4E6-40ED-9AF9-963D911D1DEF.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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As always, for the teachers, I found an assortment of adult appropriate goodies - one each of a gold flower (I think it's meant to be a ring dish), a novelty Year of the Rat charm, and a larger version of the kid's zippered bag:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt7iTOVMCjP2vZTOEKMEaKh8TVDC2ZbfkX2hVsdTcIt8VXIokx_hP-iLpsQfMoRZwUWH8SLtme5VBQbey_4s7Ur4YMz-PP0XaHkcrGX2LS9WSMbVg9K9CCziK9788ogq8Ah9N90Y_-h4/s1600/GUEST_bead9552-bce8-4a0b-b645-2fb3b5cde8ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt7iTOVMCjP2vZTOEKMEaKh8TVDC2ZbfkX2hVsdTcIt8VXIokx_hP-iLpsQfMoRZwUWH8SLtme5VBQbey_4s7Ur4YMz-PP0XaHkcrGX2LS9WSMbVg9K9CCziK9788ogq8Ah9N90Y_-h4/s320/GUEST_bead9552-bce8-4a0b-b645-2fb3b5cde8ba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The adult gift came together to look like this:</div>
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In addition to sending gifts to school, this year my son was old enough to attend a Chinese New Year celebration, so we made an effort to find a family friendly event ... and drove to it the weekend prior to Lunar New Year, despite the previous night's major snow storm and extremely icy roads. This was no small undertaking from the South West suburbs to downtown Minneapolis, let me tell you.</div>
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By the way - Midtown Global Market's Chinese New Year celebration is great! My son will be four in April, and I saw kids up through late grade school there (all of which seemed to be enjoying the event). I highly recommend the celebration for anyone with kids in that age range. </div>
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Activities in 2020 included: making a dragon out of a paper plate and egg cartons, coloring sheets, Chinese fortune telling, getting a Chinese name, making a "porcelain" necklace (unfortunately ours broke on the way home, darn), learning proper dumpling technique, and lots of other fun booths. We didn't partake in everything due to the fact that my son is still technically three and he's not quite developed enough to be able to do some things ... like intricate paper cutting ... but again, it was all very fun. Over the course of the afternoon, my son even ended up with two "hong bao" (red envelopes, which are traditionally given to children with cash inside ... but these included a golden foiled chocolate coin and a $1 coupon to buy a snack at the food stands).</div>
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Plus of course, there were performers:</div>
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My son was adamant that he was "not afraid" of the lions because they were "just a costume" ... all said while he very "confidently" stood ... <i>behind </i>me and stuck his head around to take a peek, or stood next to me with a death grip on my hand. LOL! To be fair, they are a little different than anything in standard American culture, and when you factor in the extremely loud percussion music that accompanies the performance, it's understandable that a kid would be overwhelmed. After all, he's only three ... and some his age were actually crying at the performance. </div>
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"Don't cry, Mei-Mei!" That was a favorite quote at our house well before Chinese New Year season even began! LOL! I think every house needs this board book. Hahahaha!</div>
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So there you have it. Another year of Lunar celebrations on the books. Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!</div>
Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-31407834651901344352020-01-09T06:43:00.000-08:002020-01-09T08:50:16.489-08:00Current Stichin' Projects - Early 2020 (and 2019 Leftovers)<div style="text-align: left;">
Since early 2019, I've been quite prolific in creating cross stitch works. You've already seen some of what I've made in previous posts, but today I've got more to add to the collection (in rough chronological order).<br />
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Before I bombard you with photos - yes, I would be happy to make something via request ... pending size and subject matter. Meaning: I don't want to take on anything too huge, and want to make sure it would be something fun for me to make as well. </div>
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If you have something in mind, let's chat!<br />
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To begin, a few backlogged photos from end of 2019 and Christmas gifting:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcT8emvOCgdmiVibeMa0NXvUiiyeE5p9Cf9VjBbssbCp1uWMllbkJL4SiSrKFyhA1Lx3GcH1Fg5j1O6LVj6t3MpxSu2i6ZIszLzS7CMYbQBNvBzdQ2avDYVE8n84rKRR2Kilt8GDVsYc/s1600/3DA9177A-8559-4577-89D7-089F373263B8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcT8emvOCgdmiVibeMa0NXvUiiyeE5p9Cf9VjBbssbCp1uWMllbkJL4SiSrKFyhA1Lx3GcH1Fg5j1O6LVj6t3MpxSu2i6ZIszLzS7CMYbQBNvBzdQ2avDYVE8n84rKRR2Kilt8GDVsYc/s640/3DA9177A-8559-4577-89D7-089F373263B8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is a semi-finished place mat set, all that's left is to have the edges completed with a sewing machine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The set was made from a kit that my husband's late Grandmother gifted my mother in law years ago, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">of which it ended up in my hands ... completed ... and then gifted back to my mother in law!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-eUCP0SdwzX5Fg2lf4XivWg-AOozgNmDbogP3FRPS8lh8sFSzRCHsoWmYojMcFdmJbvtuhuRuPXueEKblgnoWwqOai5FMq1kYEn5rjunuWEH3qZ3TixjSnd6wUmKPxc0AJcn2WHiriw/s1600/odri4ww1w9841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-eUCP0SdwzX5Fg2lf4XivWg-AOozgNmDbogP3FRPS8lh8sFSzRCHsoWmYojMcFdmJbvtuhuRuPXueEKblgnoWwqOai5FMq1kYEn5rjunuWEH3qZ3TixjSnd6wUmKPxc0AJcn2WHiriw/s640/odri4ww1w9841.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I like this one because you can actually see the scale of the work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">You will see below that I've become enamored with these dual paned glass tension frames.</span></div>
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Speaking of 2019 final finishes, why not showcase my first finishes of 2020?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0TXsaSMCHKoNfOLdjS9kdEfq5bkeSdbZmROIZUjvNzvPkeAljv7G5vP-SJsdBZx69Yd0ld-eiAt3fzSEdZo8WcPl3hFgComrh-TS42buc7QcM6u36nJhqHO9Mc_CaCCKfGP4Oa1r9F0/s1600/girl+valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="640" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0TXsaSMCHKoNfOLdjS9kdEfq5bkeSdbZmROIZUjvNzvPkeAljv7G5vP-SJsdBZx69Yd0ld-eiAt3fzSEdZo8WcPl3hFgComrh-TS42buc7QcM6u36nJhqHO9Mc_CaCCKfGP4Oa1r9F0/s400/girl+valentine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTH0L333g3JRgoOa43apLJryHOW7y0gqWSbAE1DGBcUntIxNyyO6Pg0euE-hI5kmUseJb2_plSa8xrnZXZW333sQc7fPwli1oZozryBwNCLQ7d5tksU-6CKc08YeDHm79s2t1nQVNd84/s1600/dino+valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="626" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTH0L333g3JRgoOa43apLJryHOW7y0gqWSbAE1DGBcUntIxNyyO6Pg0euE-hI5kmUseJb2_plSa8xrnZXZW333sQc7fPwli1oZozryBwNCLQ7d5tksU-6CKc08YeDHm79s2t1nQVNd84/s400/dino+valentine.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
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I particularly like how these frames function, since you can see the back side of the finished work as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7THtmbfo3t21_yRAQoDU6jj20hgEDEi88z2pkVOGAr59PfnwniidA6dtASXV9WrgmsTOrTvGO_22s17iUMc_ULh3CbeZUGzGkr6ybXnsF392wY4axwkh4h5-nvCcYC6PCMXFH_Va1PA/s1600/girl+valentine+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="588" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7THtmbfo3t21_yRAQoDU6jj20hgEDEi88z2pkVOGAr59PfnwniidA6dtASXV9WrgmsTOrTvGO_22s17iUMc_ULh3CbeZUGzGkr6ybXnsF392wY4axwkh4h5-nvCcYC6PCMXFH_Va1PA/s400/girl+valentine+back.jpg" width="367" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44sIbXSiqXRU1L_7J5aJhNWRL8tM5z66ZdCYfjVykJclw8GztWFDqSGoJ-iJNT1vLo9uJp2D_Mptjkaj0lVQqDgTVCcqv-WZeoe_ZjPxk8m8mGSIS7y8ieWNDBrm1G_g__urG_iD6BYo/s1600/dino+valentine+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44sIbXSiqXRU1L_7J5aJhNWRL8tM5z66ZdCYfjVykJclw8GztWFDqSGoJ-iJNT1vLo9uJp2D_Mptjkaj0lVQqDgTVCcqv-WZeoe_ZjPxk8m8mGSIS7y8ieWNDBrm1G_g__urG_iD6BYo/s400/dino+valentine+back.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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In case you're a "completionist" like me, here's a photo stitch of the entire Valentine collection:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesx8kay7XZWjlMXgeAeGZdJxr5CZXrF_cunSwirCO5MhccNB2TiJJayiA5SY1_03cTIZfCo_lO1DJ-JH4_6VZtWaGS9A2me5rTAU5QujkxrhpUSusQA-if04DsG_Uu4haJeCCpiaMoV8/s1600/valentine+pic+stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesx8kay7XZWjlMXgeAeGZdJxr5CZXrF_cunSwirCO5MhccNB2TiJJayiA5SY1_03cTIZfCo_lO1DJ-JH4_6VZtWaGS9A2me5rTAU5QujkxrhpUSusQA-if04DsG_Uu4haJeCCpiaMoV8/s640/valentine+pic+stitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that about does it for now. Let's see what other fun finishes 2020 brings!</div>
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Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-23727989418809062062019-12-23T02:00:00.000-08:002019-12-23T02:00:05.955-08:00Reddit Secret Santa 2019Last year, of all the dumb things, Pee-Wee Herman convinced me I needed to start doing Reddit Secret Santa. I'm not kidding, <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2018/11/reddit-secret-santa-2018.html">this is a true story</a>.<br />
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I had a great time coming up with gifts for <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2018/12/reddit-secret-santa-2018-my-giftee.html">my match</a>, and even though <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/02/reddit-st-patricks-day.html">my gift never made it</a> to me due to issues clearing customs, I still had zero regrets participating. So much so that I continued on to do various themed gifting events into 2019 such as:<br />
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<a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/03/reddit-st-patricks-day-giftee-received.html">St. Pat's</a><br />
<a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/05/reddit-gifts-colors-and-rematching-gifts.html">"Colors"</a><br />
<a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/05/reddit-gifts-colors-and-rematching-gifts.html">Pirates</a><br />
<a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/08/reddit-gifts-arbitrary-day-2019.html">Arbitrary Day</a> (AKA Christmas in July)<br />
<a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/10/reddit-gifts-awesome-packaging-2019.html">Awesome Packaging</a> (and Halloween, both exchanges in the same recap)<br />
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Of course, when Secret Santa Christmas edition 2019 rolled around, I knew I needed to sign up. And on matching day, I was not disappointed with my match.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhafn20DJ3gdg_VVi-1QiK9reJB9tvXkY-UYugA86H1Btlcp-utQSx4slNzX-tWwNME0sAKnW_3vMZOebOkmECiBrUy_ZQNiai-krliWhFeDzUa92jmum2gQZ7UlYzNIztFXC6vqLEl9M/s1600/2502F7C4-8487-43BA-9064-FA7850C0B9E8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="827" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhafn20DJ3gdg_VVi-1QiK9reJB9tvXkY-UYugA86H1Btlcp-utQSx4slNzX-tWwNME0sAKnW_3vMZOebOkmECiBrUy_ZQNiai-krliWhFeDzUa92jmum2gQZ7UlYzNIztFXC6vqLEl9M/s640/2502F7C4-8487-43BA-9064-FA7850C0B9E8.png" width="394" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ7mVWCYV4yC_7Wabul0rPVr2EUV9iofKUlug2wuQcAKkWdt6HGkTY35qa9axjP42StDCW-2VkxvpHTmrUTFRvlvGejHBFw3HfdVpEcRlYHnZr34WZbbNk4bnYtcK8TF9vRP9V9e9icY/s1600/F0DFDCEB-9614-4279-A24B-A7072AE9AB1B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="799" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ7mVWCYV4yC_7Wabul0rPVr2EUV9iofKUlug2wuQcAKkWdt6HGkTY35qa9axjP42StDCW-2VkxvpHTmrUTFRvlvGejHBFw3HfdVpEcRlYHnZr34WZbbNk4bnYtcK8TF9vRP9V9e9icY/s400/F0DFDCEB-9614-4279-A24B-A7072AE9AB1B.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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With a very similar background to my husband, I couldn't help but laugh at my luck. At least I had an idea on how to start shopping!<br />
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Latching on to nautical maps, gadgets, and space info, I selected gifts as follows:<br />
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A book about one of the oldest maps known</div>
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A retro inspired tangle cube</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQMgB5QdUk0Q60F1L7zhK8FXlUFEZwKWNI1qkwFtVeE3dfDz0bzS_So6N6M7zQXriK2EPWuRBNH2S10GLK6tBWLEmP-Zr1_5DB5IGpf1MtSI1KYHraFNQDQKkmjTN9clfm0EvZLYRVwo/s1600/41XcNa3YKGL._AC_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="499" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQMgB5QdUk0Q60F1L7zhK8FXlUFEZwKWNI1qkwFtVeE3dfDz0bzS_So6N6M7zQXriK2EPWuRBNH2S10GLK6tBWLEmP-Zr1_5DB5IGpf1MtSI1KYHraFNQDQKkmjTN9clfm0EvZLYRVwo/s320/41XcNa3YKGL._AC_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A hand made cross stitch (by me) of Saturn V</div>
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I wanted to ensure the book could be sent back to Amazon if my partner already had it, so I sent that Amazon direct with a gift receipt. However, for the tangle cube and the cross stitch, I wrapped those and shipped them myself ... with my standard included letter explaining my gift, of course.</div>
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Unfortunately, in my desperation to use the wax seal stamp I received in my awesome packaging exchange, I forced a stamp on this package, and the results were ... uh ...</div>
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Lesson learned, don't use such thick cording with a wax seal. Dear giftee, I promise I don't have a cat and that's not vomit. LOL!<br />
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With my end complete, now I sit and anxiously await feedback on my gift, and receipt of my very own presents. I'll let you know what happens next!!!Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-50697337454002101702019-12-19T02:00:00.000-08:002019-12-19T07:58:36.902-08:00Tie Blanket CrazinessMy posts have been a tad sporadic lately, as I haven't had much to chat about. Of course I've been busting it on cross stitch work in preparation for Christmas. And, in addition to that, my son has been heavy into both swim AND ski lessons the last month, so my nights and weekends have been packed.<br />
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On the plus side, I can work out while my son has swim, so I've been getting more cardio in.<br />
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On the negative side, my right knee has been off ever since I started cranking up my activity levels again. Like serious pain issues. So ... knock on wood about that.<br />
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Aside from cross stitching, I ended up getting a bee in my bonnet that some visitors coming to my house on December 23rd needed a bunch of holiday gifts. In addition to getting them all matching Christmas PJs, stuffed animals tailored to their individual tastes, and silly socks ... I decided I needed MORE on my plate and started cranking out fleece tie blankets, too.<br />
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Why do I do this to myself?<br />
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Short answer - I don't know.<br />
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Long answer - also includes I don't know. Glutton for punishment or something?<br />
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Here's the work. I think it was worth it. Fingers crossed the kids agree.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS - this one comes with a plush llama, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I just screwed up and wrapped the llama before the final picture</span></div>
<br />Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-11708532091263350302019-12-17T02:00:00.000-08:002019-12-17T02:00:01.210-08:00Current Stichin' Projects - Late 2019<div style="text-align: left;">
Since early 2019, I've been quite prolific in creating cross stitch works. You've already seen some of what I've made in previous posts, but today I've got more to add to the collection (in rough chronological order).<br />
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Although ... technically the frog should have been in my summer collection, and somehow I missed that, so I'm adding it today.</div>
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And before I bombard you with photos - yes, I would be happy to make something via request ... pending size and subject matter. Meaning: I don't want to take on anything too huge, and want to make sure it would be something fun for me to make as well. </div>
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If you have something in mind, let's chat!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sixvzSoF83gZ-EO0fdXHwzZN8Ue-YCJQjFzn08MoVgAU4WrELrW7n5gwcvr5Rq2fKQ72TcMwPwfkDAy_NCt7xHIN4cy23nkD5lG9u3vBPVb3VHICfIBiXPgDp0DkTlwReTEO-vQ6vdA/s1600/frog+cross+stitch.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sixvzSoF83gZ-EO0fdXHwzZN8Ue-YCJQjFzn08MoVgAU4WrELrW7n5gwcvr5Rq2fKQ72TcMwPwfkDAy_NCt7xHIN4cy23nkD5lG9u3vBPVb3VHICfIBiXPgDp0DkTlwReTEO-vQ6vdA/s400/frog+cross+stitch.jpeg" width="323" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiD8F1WWudUImDUX0aWMITdxSyRGILyf53F-ryn1Isot_Fc3MswXG-qL5QwlJGkfnPiJqaK_mBn2JqFVEAizJInFkZrM10tgzd7vlB3zibG2UI5yVpK0q3kzBg837KE9eVS_MR_kc0_s/s1600/butterfly+cross+stitch+finished.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiD8F1WWudUImDUX0aWMITdxSyRGILyf53F-ryn1Isot_Fc3MswXG-qL5QwlJGkfnPiJqaK_mBn2JqFVEAizJInFkZrM10tgzd7vlB3zibG2UI5yVpK0q3kzBg837KE9eVS_MR_kc0_s/s400/butterfly+cross+stitch+finished.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> These two side by side comparisons of the same work are kind of fun to look at for:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1- the difference framing can make</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 - the difference fabric can make</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I repeated this design because I wanted to gift it to two different people, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">and also </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wanted to </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"test" out my first ever piece on linen fabric (best to do on a pattern you're familiar</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> with).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZwQyeqt_Sld8YyLA5tdkMXQHWZczTguUUpa1ugCYqBBtU-3uY2LmSAO-dcl5w12n3q3Xk4ILmJaIMea6Q3UZbYNg1GEU_qt_G-WG3pYE2F8P29QjjXVcP2l90dOaK7D0b5PhkEnF5RA/s1600/0379343C-B531-4C46-B046-F4F947F497B2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="481" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZwQyeqt_Sld8YyLA5tdkMXQHWZczTguUUpa1ugCYqBBtU-3uY2LmSAO-dcl5w12n3q3Xk4ILmJaIMea6Q3UZbYNg1GEU_qt_G-WG3pYE2F8P29QjjXVcP2l90dOaK7D0b5PhkEnF5RA/s640/0379343C-B531-4C46-B046-F4F947F497B2.jpeg" width="192" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCW-isNjhGBmiZLT8Wjj_6EV-YFvOpJfsIqzUlUb3ZYgDPLITBnVwQU6iP8BQdBBBtKcgGafZAOzaaJNlD6X_volLFUPHTHSwAVMz6F25YkyYXgbKUj8aTdVShysfZ-wmPbcGaOVIITo/s1600/07583C9E-3B95-417C-826F-DF2374238437.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="388" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCW-isNjhGBmiZLT8Wjj_6EV-YFvOpJfsIqzUlUb3ZYgDPLITBnVwQU6iP8BQdBBBtKcgGafZAOzaaJNlD6X_volLFUPHTHSwAVMz6F25YkyYXgbKUj8aTdVShysfZ-wmPbcGaOVIITo/s640/07583C9E-3B95-417C-826F-DF2374238437.jpeg" width="154" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I shot this bookmark on two different backgrounds ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Why? I couldn't decide what would look better LOL!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMZdjvhvXAv56Dwq7tz0Il-HZxHvvCYv5BxLzfXQ50IiBil6TBYEQqfwq167M4W1i1_Qomm8uEYnezVe294kk-d2Qc2avcgfervYiF0kTmKNapgrkcJivZborqcnR_K5fHen82MsElaE/s1600/80273536_10157016121378753_7654162197177696256_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMZdjvhvXAv56Dwq7tz0Il-HZxHvvCYv5BxLzfXQ50IiBil6TBYEQqfwq167M4W1i1_Qomm8uEYnezVe294kk-d2Qc2avcgfervYiF0kTmKNapgrkcJivZborqcnR_K5fHen82MsElaE/s640/80273536_10157016121378753_7654162197177696256_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This one is a work in progress that I finally framed as follows ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I posted both pics because the glass glare is pretty bad in the final pic</span></div>
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Of course, the above doesn't include Christmas gifts I'm madly working to complete now. Those will come in a future post. Ta-ta for now!</div>
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Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-36525428246264981552019-11-14T07:52:00.000-08:002019-11-14T07:52:09.404-08:00Uno Carrera de los Muertos 5K 2019 (Hydraulics)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwhQJI5JAcWo26Y9wakDQloZl0ikHZ4ADTtlgqvVsx4BZjNKVTWVIrg4c7C84hITRCOXPKUCNZWkFXKRwzF4IBQVYx6G9uHZPye-yalWA6EfwmDh_0upAHFBU7Cx_ssUCltlHV8_CZTA/s1600/70890712_10156829315538721_8680729650881626112_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="505" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwhQJI5JAcWo26Y9wakDQloZl0ikHZ4ADTtlgqvVsx4BZjNKVTWVIrg4c7C84hITRCOXPKUCNZWkFXKRwzF4IBQVYx6G9uHZPye-yalWA6EfwmDh_0upAHFBU7Cx_ssUCltlHV8_CZTA/s200/70890712_10156829315538721_8680729650881626112_n.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong>Carrera de los Muertos 5K (3.15 miles)</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Let's not talk about pace this time ...</b></span></div>
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I ran this race <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2016/11/uno-carrera-de-los-muertos-5k-2016-yee.html">three years ago</a>, on it's 10th anniversary.<br />
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Three years isn't so long ... or at least, it doesn't seem like it ... until you revisit the recap photos from that year:<br />
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OMG my baby!! How has he gotten so big?!<br />
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Just for reference, a similarly skeleton clad photo from Halloween this year:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-rWzzjGzKX6QiXqgVpso8PvW4kKBxQT28LbHw-I3ZpygXBJtONgP7sWx6oESOEbBCEL7dI8sHX3KgYYhE7RpP7V5kZWzZ91l_AbXB9KqN-ByZ9TFPo4AvkCDmGqQ7UT-17JFarZjjFc/s1600/75472736_418785795720882_2498052871702970368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="507" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-rWzzjGzKX6QiXqgVpso8PvW4kKBxQT28LbHw-I3ZpygXBJtONgP7sWx6oESOEbBCEL7dI8sHX3KgYYhE7RpP7V5kZWzZ91l_AbXB9KqN-ByZ9TFPo4AvkCDmGqQ7UT-17JFarZjjFc/s320/75472736_418785795720882_2498052871702970368_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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Ah! I miss my cute, squishy mushy baby. But he's sure fun to hang out with now, too, when he can tell me stories and funny jokes. Plus there's the no diapers thing. Trade offs ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXlQQIxDIdUdPoK1STd9AF2Q_BGBwYyUeC9ESp6U2Of66gZ7msGDJATvUcCG3UWotjHA1Ggzo6BSpTW8v-q114Yx5eoWCdGsUoEfwWSSByzyS0nTVY3T2gsOI0btZQwx5h0bKBtlFyH0/s1600/umyb.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="406" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXlQQIxDIdUdPoK1STd9AF2Q_BGBwYyUeC9ESp6U2Of66gZ7msGDJATvUcCG3UWotjHA1Ggzo6BSpTW8v-q114Yx5eoWCdGsUoEfwWSSByzyS0nTVY3T2gsOI0btZQwx5h0bKBtlFyH0/s320/umyb.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, this is a race recap. Not a mom post. Moving on ...<br />
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As I mentioned in my <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2019/10/minneapolis-halloween-half-marathon-5k.html">previous race recap</a>, since I enjoyed this race in 2016, I decided to use the 2019 version as a motivator to get me back into running. Because what better than skeletons and a post Halloween trip to Chicago to get me motivated, right?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23pI9EY6_vTncDO4iDm9oKzxQDXF7fOjNGokRs3npf4jDyRhIIgKTfVAP9OzIVdCdRoPx0aZZsyRMEA61A56YhWyW8Zn2DBsWdhZm_fwbASI_Fh5ZJI2UCXodIIcJQdJzT-PmuV3TRvw/s1600/72943766_10156889683038721_8074742196714078208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23pI9EY6_vTncDO4iDm9oKzxQDXF7fOjNGokRs3npf4jDyRhIIgKTfVAP9OzIVdCdRoPx0aZZsyRMEA61A56YhWyW8Zn2DBsWdhZm_fwbASI_Fh5ZJI2UCXodIIcJQdJzT-PmuV3TRvw/s320/72943766_10156889683038721_8074742196714078208_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-aCmdgQmJUTyBirU1ifIHxq8vcY9HMyP-B8GFBgfDhiRXzFlzPLN9r5Trje6zqJ751A-gMi9vZpIkrU-KHPGRa76qtOXVQbrfhptpZoD-3Un8FHfi3OhDrdd60COtVSsZYH78B3vAsM/s1600/74426185_10156943824318721_1907069202884198400_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-aCmdgQmJUTyBirU1ifIHxq8vcY9HMyP-B8GFBgfDhiRXzFlzPLN9r5Trje6zqJ751A-gMi9vZpIkrU-KHPGRa76qtOXVQbrfhptpZoD-3Un8FHfi3OhDrdd60COtVSsZYH78B3vAsM/s320/74426185_10156943824318721_1907069202884198400_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Beyond the excellent race swag, what I remembered liking about this race held true in 2019 as well - a festive pre race atmosphere, a unique cultural immersion, and beautiful artwork on course.<br />
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New to this year (or at least, I didn't see this in 2016), a SUPER SWEET hydraulics car display.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK4ZzhglTyrval6Z2UXBZgH21f4bG5SyZ3X-mmSVoJ-E3gQXPyd2uGig92KzGXFxfD05X4ejEh528lBp7vorBG8dbEcIMU8zGGfpYgU6TfmhjP7-buISbfsLi3KmZQALPRQw49a4OId8/s1600/74310946_10156917732088753_4196676789042413568_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK4ZzhglTyrval6Z2UXBZgH21f4bG5SyZ3X-mmSVoJ-E3gQXPyd2uGig92KzGXFxfD05X4ejEh528lBp7vorBG8dbEcIMU8zGGfpYgU6TfmhjP7-buISbfsLi3KmZQALPRQw49a4OId8/s640/74310946_10156917732088753_4196676789042413568_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Note: this car drove away post race honking its horn, and yes - it played La Cucaracha.<br />
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Other items to add into the plus column for this race: an on time race start, well organized race corrals (though, plenty of people thought they could "walk" a 10 minute mile, so there's that ... but race organizers can't fix stupid), and even an on site cotton candy vendor!!!<br />
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Not going to lie, I was VERY tempted to purchase a bag to bring back to the hotel for my son. But ... Halloween literally JUST happened a little over 24 hours prior.<br />
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I think that's plenty of candy for a three year old, no?!<br />
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In addition to other positive race attributes for this 5K, there's also the AMAZING placement awards. While I'll never likely qualify for these skulls, I can still admire them ... right?!<br />
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Ugh - I do have to say, I'm never so jealous of fast runners as I am at this race.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VcmQoOZx7tlvJLTWwT4AplmtQVx6o-mK3me-0FVjmWBaK2UiluxSe02BBZ7BANZVAWhd2w3vi6PJGNduEHHpzaZc3o9_U5pKo8OAUZlR5wNDa5NoPrO1gCmm5O1R4R7oapy4WkLuioo/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VcmQoOZx7tlvJLTWwT4AplmtQVx6o-mK3me-0FVjmWBaK2UiluxSe02BBZ7BANZVAWhd2w3vi6PJGNduEHHpzaZc3o9_U5pKo8OAUZlR5wNDa5NoPrO1gCmm5O1R4R7oapy4WkLuioo/s1600/giphy.gif" /></a></div>
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<br />
Oh - and what else served as a good motivator for me to get back into running shape for this race? Getting someone else to do this with me so we're both holding each other accountable, of course!! <br />
<br />
Since my sister is <i>usually </i>game for my shenanigans, together we committed to training for this race ... though we totally spaced and didn't take any photos together to document the experience. And even though I held back this recap about 2 weeks to allow for race day photos to be published, still no luck. DAMN! Oh well.<br />
<br />
Speaking of race down sides - though the race had plenty of positives as mentioned above, there were a few negatives as well.<br />
<br />
The biggest negative was no packet pickup in the days most immediately prior to the race. I was very confused by this - how is an out of town runner supposed to pick up their bib and shirt when the only dates available for pickup are the Saturday, Sunday and Monday the weekend BEFORE the race?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlAFKuKE0x6Nuh6y31a9YD8hCIAaFaf0eKgebQoiMlRDdPXEOWgGklFgISbG3xEBy6PCkTZlu1rlsy3rviB4IZ-zm9o_CYuoZQGeOCF_7qeaM3EPdse-zBEAQNoTgs40wYl2FnE54f0E/s1600/72997011_10156925785893721_1417165544972353536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlAFKuKE0x6Nuh6y31a9YD8hCIAaFaf0eKgebQoiMlRDdPXEOWgGklFgISbG3xEBy6PCkTZlu1rlsy3rviB4IZ-zm9o_CYuoZQGeOCF_7qeaM3EPdse-zBEAQNoTgs40wYl2FnE54f0E/s640/72997011_10156925785893721_1417165544972353536_n.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Other negatives for this race were a general lack of organization and communication. Using the above as an example - notice the address for packet pickup is the same for both pre race and race day? Yeah ... that's very wrong. Pre race pickup was at a local run shop, but same day pickup was at the school hosting the race. Two totally separate addresses roughly a mile apart. I actually messaged race organizers directly about this <u>twice</u> before they realized the error and fixed it. Which means that all their social media posts for the weeks prior to the race, and the e-blasts for pickup reminder ... were all wrong. Oops.<br />
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Another example of the lack of organization paired well (or rather, <i>poorly</i>) with this race day packet pickup issue. Because if you're expecting a fair percentage of your runners to pick up their shirts just prior to running ... you'd think runners might want to know where bag drop is, right? I mean, I myself don't particularly enjoy being a pack mule ...<br />
<br />
When I asked at check in where the bag drop tent was, I got a deer in the headlights look and a "Uh ... I don't think we have one, sorry."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzEJoKbBvj6ATxTr6yRm-fqhjkHOjqRG7eKzu6kS6h-NXxSe8o48nPqzD5UZQ9Hf8ikj0uiIxCokO1PV_QbP3Y6slofx7Ki9Cmo_wEnsB990wKT7hSz3ZIry5PI9THEZ1Yfaj7Lk51cU/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzEJoKbBvj6ATxTr6yRm-fqhjkHOjqRG7eKzu6kS6h-NXxSe8o48nPqzD5UZQ9Hf8ikj0uiIxCokO1PV_QbP3Y6slofx7Ki9Cmo_wEnsB990wKT7hSz3ZIry5PI9THEZ1Yfaj7Lk51cU/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Good thing I was really motivated to <u>not</u> run with an extra jacket, a race shirt, and a reusable bag I brought along for bag drop ... which I discovered I didn't need to bring. After a lot of aimless wandering, I finally found the "GEAR CHECK" tent, where they were providing clear bags for drop off. (And yes, when I found the bag drop area, I explained to them the confusion at check-in. I was answered with a very peppy "got it!" and a girl ran off to take care of the issue for others.)<br />
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Honestly, the minor negatives of a forced race day packet pickup and a slight feeling of disorganization from event planners isn't enough for me to take issue with this race. So, I won't get too hung up on it.<br />
<br />
I can get hung up on the crap weather, though. Yuck! I forgot how nasty a cold, pre-race morning can be. On the plus side, I'm glad I last second panic packed a run cap, a long sleeve base later, gloves, and a bag drop fleece jacket - because I needed ALL of it, and then some. #frozentoes #wishIpackedHotHands<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Pj0YGLn1UDODk-K-HfsG0Ofpit8AI66ciFr03epojR318gx3ltkEHfH_s5j079-n0Pvmx0R-xmjPPid3uifvp12vEDl8T1LgKEhA1zdrsDZcNFU7bGUI_ytza-ifR-iEelZ1nUilLP0/s1600/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Pj0YGLn1UDODk-K-HfsG0Ofpit8AI66ciFr03epojR318gx3ltkEHfH_s5j079-n0Pvmx0R-xmjPPid3uifvp12vEDl8T1LgKEhA1zdrsDZcNFU7bGUI_ytza-ifR-iEelZ1nUilLP0/s320/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Me, actual race day live stream. </span></div>
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After a melting pot of excitement for the morning - both good (cotton candy, hooray!) and bad (can't find the bag drop, boo!) - it was finally time to settle into our start points. And before we could even get too uncomfortable from standing still in the cold, it was time to take off!!<br />
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Overall, the race course felt like what I remembered from 2016. All I noticed was a minor adjustment in start and finish points, which I thought was actually a vast improvement over 2016.<br />
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2016:<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFMR9v-iM65NqdLkGqvNw2i1XAwMHdFNh4s_UC7TXVSwByVR-tXbuUEqVyfovje2Mi5TxtSAixOaf2poylMazqHOHSsmxe6TPyiiHckJT2w2mE6H9U-7C35R1osWJg9YW8zHIyvT2XX0/s640/carrera+map.jpg" /><br />
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2019:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhreZCMrJ-44k9PobVSnt3SSy7WgspGThZHHEBuq27B9urQtkbi8tAbW5YiMjugVtIqEtQ7fo_WFzu4JVwhUxk4uQ5xVtQLtPWOgLRjh-LlOkatzdkaPvmE4u0yOQ2mEHJrSwOLZi9IoU/s1600/75278357_439334283437919_2092206383813361664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="828" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhreZCMrJ-44k9PobVSnt3SSy7WgspGThZHHEBuq27B9urQtkbi8tAbW5YiMjugVtIqEtQ7fo_WFzu4JVwhUxk4uQ5xVtQLtPWOgLRjh-LlOkatzdkaPvmE4u0yOQ2mEHJrSwOLZi9IoU/s640/75278357_439334283437919_2092206383813361664_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Though looking at the maps for comparison now, I see there was quite a bit of difference. But, the "essence" for this course ... at least for me ... are the murals on 16th and 18th. Which you can see in both courses takes up the majority of the route.<br />
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Here's some photos (from current and past years) for reference:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSnwKS_EA6bWgG5yoXNOpwlhFks_-Q3S_U1DQ6NTUNW5C2brISq8RUiuCz8knsMGOrvNuo53K4knmQUeyPFTbHXl1lRaOBME-iCyiGrBGZl6lkq7xMyWfJ3qzULj1kD3KqicR41Q1zq8/s1600/mural+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="925" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSnwKS_EA6bWgG5yoXNOpwlhFks_-Q3S_U1DQ6NTUNW5C2brISq8RUiuCz8knsMGOrvNuo53K4knmQUeyPFTbHXl1lRaOBME-iCyiGrBGZl6lkq7xMyWfJ3qzULj1kD3KqicR41Q1zq8/s400/mural+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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With everything to hear, look at, or just mentally process - the first mile cruised past. And even stopping for walk breaks with my sister, with all the local folks offering entertainment on course (mostly DJ based, but also some traditional dancers, etc) the course just flew by.<br />
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Here's a video demonstrating what I mean about the stimulus overload:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=430420604341365">https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=430420604341365</a><br />
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At some point, I don't even know when, I saw a bichon frise dog dressed as a unicorn.<br />
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Yes, it was running with its owner.<br />
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Yes ... it was beating me to the finish. (I'm not too proud to admit this, after all ... I have been beaten to the finish <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2013/05/wichita-dog-n-jog-5k-dmn-weiners.html">by wiener dogs</a> in the past, so ... breed upgrade at least???)<br />
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Of course, there were a lot of other amazing things to process on course as well. But before I could even absorb them all and think about how to express them here, a woman was yelling on the side of the course ...<br />
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"Around this corner - THIS IS IT!!! YOU CAN SEE THE FINISH LINE!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!"<br />
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And then we were there, and that was it. My sister and I logged another race for the books.<br />
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But damn it, if I didn't omit my free churro again this year. With a line easily 100+ people deep, and already over 10+ minutes lost trying to get my dropped bag back, I just couldn't handle the cold anymore. So, instead - I dialed up a Lyft back to the hotel and mentally prepared for a steaming hot post race shower ... that I may or may not have had to fight my sister for first dibs on LOL!<br />
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Oh well to the churro - thanks anyway Pilsen, it was fun!!<br />
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---<br />
<br />
And that's the story of how race bib #85 joined my collection. Here's to another race soon ... though I doubt it will be in 2019, since I'm a bit of a wilted flower after this cold race. What can I say?! I live in Minnesota, yes ... but I sure hate running outside when the temps get below freezing!Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-13395718091965479022019-10-31T09:19:00.004-07:002019-10-31T09:19:47.201-07:00Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon, 5K & 10K 2019 (Mr. T)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong>Minneapolis Halloween 5K (3.15 miles)</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Let's not talk about pace this time ...</b></span></div>
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Good lord. I just looked back in my blog history to try and figure out how to recap this race. Doing so has forced me to acknowledge a sad fact: I haven't run in a timed competition since <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2017/10/terror-trot-5k-2017-deflating-wings.html">this 5K</a> back in 2017.<br />
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Ooof. Two years ago pretty much to the day. No wonder why running sucks so much for me right now. Which reminds me, I should state something before I get too far into this post: I'm not going to bother reporting my time or pace from this race.<br />
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Why? Because I'm not running right now for speed. I'm running for mental sanity.<br />
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In the last two years, I've dialed back my fitness routine WAAAYYY too much, and I've turned into a giant crab as a result.<br />
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No, not like the cute kind:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVGmeMWdtJPJ3eJeqqAJZBQv3XbKIWtiKGMZE_qv64UGqXuTepSP1IFXHSHe6tL1PZJ1PRNl5IDr02Q-7bFDHAF849IT4-C-24F8CER8Ec5dHuFdtVwt2DDorPx2p4M-PXXbtfAnctI4/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVGmeMWdtJPJ3eJeqqAJZBQv3XbKIWtiKGMZE_qv64UGqXuTepSP1IFXHSHe6tL1PZJ1PRNl5IDr02Q-7bFDHAF849IT4-C-24F8CER8Ec5dHuFdtVwt2DDorPx2p4M-PXXbtfAnctI4/s1600/giphy.gif" /></a></div>
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More like the stabby kind:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp6jHOQIUdK_3SXDuI7X-EfziF-FUzyEczZZ9d29MEu69MVriDujh_rak_r0SKqDXM-a_FrJEGEKzTGQF3174pvGXGQ4SqbcxcLOzZLXQQa00DvcdF6HXROdT7uJLqB4lFECYM2N_pXk/s1600/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp6jHOQIUdK_3SXDuI7X-EfziF-FUzyEczZZ9d29MEu69MVriDujh_rak_r0SKqDXM-a_FrJEGEKzTGQF3174pvGXGQ4SqbcxcLOzZLXQQa00DvcdF6HXROdT7uJLqB4lFECYM2N_pXk/s320/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yeah. It hasn't been good. And although there's other things making me generally crabby (issues at work, the stress of moving houses last year still wearing off, mom life, etc.) ... really, at the end of the day, working out less has contributed to my overall bad attitude quite a bit.<br />
<br />
In an attempt to rectify my situation, back in August I decided to register for <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2016/11/uno-carrera-de-los-muertos-5k-2016-yee.html">one of my all time favorite races</a> with my sister. (Side note, that's a spoiler for a future post). While that registration did help me get back into a routine some - I am once again holding myself accountable for 2 body pump classes a week, plus teaching my Tuesday night strength/cardio class, and have done a bit of running - I will fully admit I slacked more on the running part that I ought to have in the last two months.<br />
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Instead of faulting myself for not training enough for a casual 5K, I'm going to be positive and say: at least I got back into a fitness routine of some sort. The rest I'll worry about improving on in the future, ok?!<br />
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In the meantime, let's talk costumes, because after all ... this IS a Halloween 5K.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzMenDcjUpkI9hyFyIxNjnva3TcNUnR-7kekQRmJxYiTLJTH_EmR_nTbaPkSuoijspf4HvOYT9gOY2WHDEIq20SK30qdTXkYkT5B_AAcw_aj9puWy8l1S_XEUKkSrm0TW4rusdF9JdDI/s1600/tenor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzMenDcjUpkI9hyFyIxNjnva3TcNUnR-7kekQRmJxYiTLJTH_EmR_nTbaPkSuoijspf4HvOYT9gOY2WHDEIq20SK30qdTXkYkT5B_AAcw_aj9puWy8l1S_XEUKkSrm0TW4rusdF9JdDI/s1600/tenor.gif" /></a></div>
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Ok, yep - I skipped any kind of preamble and just spoiled it.<br />
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Let's face it. After years of running races in pretty much any kind of costume imaginable, I've become somewhat unable to top myself. I mean, think about it. Here's my list (and this isn't even 100% of what I've actually done):<br />
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unicorns (yes, two different kinds as evidence <a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2014/10/chaska-skeleton-run-2014-unofficial-5k.html">here </a>and <a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2015/10/mankato-10k-2015-12yo-groupies.html">here</a>)<br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2015/05/lake-minnetonka-half-marathon-relay.html">skeleton</a> and <a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2015/10/patriot-power-run-5k-2015-big-little.html">calevera</a><br />
<a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2016/08/gandy-dancer-fly-in-trail-run-5k-2016.html">flight attendant</a><br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2015/05/chicago-cinco-de-miler-2015-amigos-in.html">mariachi</a><br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2015/03/tri-u-mah-2015-first-ever-tri.html">robot</a><br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2017/10/howl-oween-5k-kids-run-2017-burger.html">Hamburgler</a><br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2015/07/siren-freedom-five-5k-2015-most-memed.html">Statue of Liberty (with torch)</a><br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2017/05/bay-to-breakers-2017-rainbow-beads.html">giant winged butterfly</a><br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2017/09/lake-run-5k-2017-three-sea-migos.html">mermaid</a><br />
<a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2016/07/siren-freedom-five-5k-2016-poopy-feet.html">Wonder Woman</a><br />
two different versions of a ball of flames (<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2015/06/run-inferno-5k-2015-commander-bob.html">this </a>and <a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2013/10/monster-dash-half-marathon-2013-on-fire.html">this</a>)<br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2013/08/serpent-run-kung-fu-kick.html">ninja turtle</a><br />
<a href="http://shinianen.blogspot.com/2014/03/get-lucky-7k-2014-dude-wheres-my-beer.html">a rainbow with a pot of gold</a> <br />
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Seriously! What the hell is left BESIDES Mr. T, right?<br />
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I PITY THIS FOOL!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oaFwtfricXkjPKEeNL0wREYuPXGneoDYpGB0V2U2kPzgxXTsI2XiAb9QQQpyIPn9huwAS3OMNeFQ8i6N_gZTTYDMfVZK0OIr9hrMEx8Vrz4Hy5Z2JRn_fJMPXmhsBlL3zaP5fmHZERo/s1600/75231778_10156892676598753_625972035780083712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oaFwtfricXkjPKEeNL0wREYuPXGneoDYpGB0V2U2kPzgxXTsI2XiAb9QQQpyIPn9huwAS3OMNeFQ8i6N_gZTTYDMfVZK0OIr9hrMEx8Vrz4Hy5Z2JRn_fJMPXmhsBlL3zaP5fmHZERo/s400/75231778_10156892676598753_625972035780083712_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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---<br />
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Race day.<br />
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Since I already did (a very uneventful in-store) packet pickup the Thursday prior, my only job on race day was to show up.<br />
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Oh - side note, here's what the advertised race swag was:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgwm3EIDNQSm0WAo5pBhkyaocAQl57IdVtXGk3zAEiAnx_Uo3NnlRcy7DDasNq725W-3cbrlo-zXRG4uRxQGeNnIcZH1gzdaYR62W9k-lupBRmOdpVdqrG7NfnNAZ4St7oD3jNure7kc/s1600/HH-Promo.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgwm3EIDNQSm0WAo5pBhkyaocAQl57IdVtXGk3zAEiAnx_Uo3NnlRcy7DDasNq725W-3cbrlo-zXRG4uRxQGeNnIcZH1gzdaYR62W9k-lupBRmOdpVdqrG7NfnNAZ4St7oD3jNure7kc/s400/HH-Promo.webp" width="400" /></a></div>
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FYI, that the shirt is actually more of a purple/gray space died tech t.<br />
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And being a Halloween fan, I couldn't skip out on the optional (for purchase) socks:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhzQ2nu-cu-0NsoQSgKrrT8V-UNNbjK2zcVt2bHBQKKyDoBx6Hmf539Pj3l_uez5qcX4FOLpzCoAtKjKuG27-XiK7MQl8F4aVDkmsnGM2-FmOOHKn0XLfCZhwB2toTnm-AxjMBdrML3k/s1600/84BAAAD3-78BF-4DD7-906D-5ED389DD1A4B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhzQ2nu-cu-0NsoQSgKrrT8V-UNNbjK2zcVt2bHBQKKyDoBx6Hmf539Pj3l_uez5qcX4FOLpzCoAtKjKuG27-XiK7MQl8F4aVDkmsnGM2-FmOOHKn0XLfCZhwB2toTnm-AxjMBdrML3k/s320/84BAAAD3-78BF-4DD7-906D-5ED389DD1A4B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_ItHiE6EBkXjPXNFG42leEjTL5VomlSxFoZZOuUS9FzcpQCuwQUdEOysOJgGsjbNMrYbi3BePhPJevMbKB3GkTFUYNYzPG3my1x1PKhOOcEo0F87A9-WjEyPkGomCEewDDQOaiVAqSI/s1600/B911B7EC-7E90-4E88-A519-AB4DD86BAC84.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_ItHiE6EBkXjPXNFG42leEjTL5VomlSxFoZZOuUS9FzcpQCuwQUdEOysOJgGsjbNMrYbi3BePhPJevMbKB3GkTFUYNYzPG3my1x1PKhOOcEo0F87A9-WjEyPkGomCEewDDQOaiVAqSI/s320/B911B7EC-7E90-4E88-A519-AB4DD86BAC84.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Anyway, on race morning ... since I am woefully OUT of practice on this, I hobbled together some sort of "what's supposed to be normal?!" routine of eating a smallish breakfast and trying to poop.<br />
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Yes, I said poop. This is a runner's recap, you shouldn't be surprised by that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGahcRWz8p-_KHDrPYAqyOd0EE7T1h_XK7VyZjjGcXHETtWkXu5KRM-L3shcZ_N-ixgl00Wlzxtcbii4vegYOaG-Afg469TSoXFFsT-qF7704i7VGcaWgYyKjyT8ChS_7FhuBUdbUzkis/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="498" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGahcRWz8p-_KHDrPYAqyOd0EE7T1h_XK7VyZjjGcXHETtWkXu5KRM-L3shcZ_N-ixgl00Wlzxtcbii4vegYOaG-Afg469TSoXFFsT-qF7704i7VGcaWgYyKjyT8ChS_7FhuBUdbUzkis/s200/giphy.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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After a quick coffee and peanut butter toast (my bananas were over ripe and I was afraid to try other "untested" fruits), my partner in crime showed up and we took off.<br />
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Following the parking guidance, we ended up on the wrong side of the river for race start. Based on the course map below, somehow the organizers though having us park near where it says 5K (in black & white) was a good idea ... ??? I don't get that at all, because there are surface lots on the proper side of the river, within 2 blocks of the start line.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdZSUId2cC14iL98KkQAJXw5Q_hL6z6ZEYgQCLq42X3f-tOMfiEAZF8j4RD3CKrSD0STvgTF8gBBCVp6URAJyrTtkz_20JUHboMcyrd9Nc7D7-C9WqZ5hXVSi9YmGlvkv79V1RUlVtyk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-10-21+at+9_20_04+AM.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="579" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdZSUId2cC14iL98KkQAJXw5Q_hL6z6ZEYgQCLq42X3f-tOMfiEAZF8j4RD3CKrSD0STvgTF8gBBCVp6URAJyrTtkz_20JUHboMcyrd9Nc7D7-C9WqZ5hXVSi9YmGlvkv79V1RUlVtyk/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-10-21+at+9_20_04+AM.webp" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh well, whatever. Since the walk from the parking lot (I think it was 5th & Washington) wasn't terrible, and we had plenty of time, I didn't bother moving my car. And actually, it was an unexpected win, because I was only charged $3 upon exit. #NOTBAD!<br />
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My co-runner in this race had selected the option of having her bib mailed to her pre race, so that meant she needed to do shirt pickup on race morning. After grabbing her shirt, which was a painless process, we then headed over to bag drop. That was ... interesting, to say the least. Leaving your bag in a giant, unmonitored pile, in a public park's race pavilion downtown Minneapolis was a ... concept ... that's for sure. I still can't believe there was no kind of check in / check out process with the bags, and I wonder how many things got lost or stolen. So weird.<br />
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With all our pre race needs met, we dilly-dallied around for awhile, and even managed to talk some volunteers into letting us take pictures with the official finish tape:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7C43mW5Ayx0P96CcORKI_FAOYwp7mLq1LRS28QAR6dW68njXv9RkCvd9fk6Je8IhvCvnSBjdijbMqia714StODj1mlPjuYflAZ95FETOww0N-9tgefGVh5PdTi0Doj-CRVV2ySLB-L0/s1600/76728939_10157751271728035_1956286100712456192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7C43mW5Ayx0P96CcORKI_FAOYwp7mLq1LRS28QAR6dW68njXv9RkCvd9fk6Je8IhvCvnSBjdijbMqia714StODj1mlPjuYflAZ95FETOww0N-9tgefGVh5PdTi0Doj-CRVV2ySLB-L0/s400/76728939_10157751271728035_1956286100712456192_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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While we killed time waiting to run, both my friend and I remarked how boring this year's costumes seemed to be. Less than 50% of runners were wearing anything even remotely festive - and once you factored out basic things like tutus and leggings, the amount of actual costumed runners was maybe 25%, if that.<br />
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">BOO MINNEAPOLIS! YOU CAN DO BETTER!</span></b><br />
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Eventually, it was time to line up. Not going to lie, I had a lot of unnecessary dread building up at this point. Knowing I was in zero shape to run, I had no idea how this run would go. My friend and I both kept audibly telling each other that "this is just a 5K", and that it would "be just fine".<br />
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Then the announcer said go, and we were off!<br />
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Surprisingly, the first mile went better than I anticipated. Of course, running the two (smallish) hills, didn't help my endurance much, but I was happy to know I could manage. Even if I was at a fairly conservative pace.<br />
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Of course, people watching as we went helped. A few of the more remarkable costumes we picked out as we plodded along included various versions of Nintendo characters (Mario Kart, Classic Mario & Luigi, Yoshi), the typical Things 1&2, various character onesies or inflatable costumes and so forth.<br />
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Being passed by the tight pants guys on the second hill was entertaining:<br />
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And somewhere in the mix was a pretty good chicken & The Colonel (he was even carrying a real KFC bucket):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUUycoYFjDrflKzyXlUpofPvMDKS7YTDnukred_u2z1O898MJS8I-a_FATkDACZ8QgMmdE7NJxM9GP_MMzq60wsCvF7UABELKSUbEvSh5hGxaXixybin4WMWz9VNfPU5WEAjPBJDj1wU/s1600/76702409_2325139734279572_4463380381084680192_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUUycoYFjDrflKzyXlUpofPvMDKS7YTDnukred_u2z1O898MJS8I-a_FATkDACZ8QgMmdE7NJxM9GP_MMzq60wsCvF7UABELKSUbEvSh5hGxaXixybin4WMWz9VNfPU5WEAjPBJDj1wU/s400/76702409_2325139734279572_4463380381084680192_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Speaking of carrying accessories, I had to give this duo credit (having run as Lady Liberty more than once, I know carrying something as you run is definitely a commitment):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVqqlgAXNGfb-zRtKKfZGdeZOFrw4SkK9iltwe27bFLdCMJXSJ3qHcWyk1S7GRdYFAe1wUzyP4D6iq7QN3_bAzxlYq2-lzTq_Vk9I2197NilfwUKQ7CEytaPzyzzcLEdVRw0Jr4sPnI4/s1600/74360261_2325146967612182_2887692373515567104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVqqlgAXNGfb-zRtKKfZGdeZOFrw4SkK9iltwe27bFLdCMJXSJ3qHcWyk1S7GRdYFAe1wUzyP4D6iq7QN3_bAzxlYq2-lzTq_Vk9I2197NilfwUKQ7CEytaPzyzzcLEdVRw0Jr4sPnI4/s400/74360261_2325146967612182_2887692373515567104_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Around the 1.25-1.35 mile mark or so, my running partner and I slowed for a walk break. This is where I was disappointed to discover that the 5K course had no water stop. In fact, after a bit of consideration, I realized there was basically no course support of any kind (aside from police at intersections). While technically a water stop on a 5K is unnecessary, since I forgot my pre-race routine of a large glass of water, I was a little desperate for a drink. <br />
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Of course, this grated on me a bit. I mean - I paid $35 to run this thing ... is a water stop too much to ask for?! LOL! #BitterOuttaShapeRunner<br />
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Trying to bury my unjustified resentment, I redirected my focus. Time to get moving again.<br />
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Prior to the 2 mile mark, it was time to run once more. Since I was afraid I wouldn't make another continuous mile plus stretch, and didn't want my partner to suffer because of it, I told her to not worry about my pace and just go. Mostly, we kept up with each other, though I was a bit behind and off to her right. However, the crowd got in between us enough that I eventually lost visual site of her until after the finish.<br />
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No matter, I had other things to look at as I carried on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2XVMag5mAasZaabOul_LYOYJjFAt_Gpv3pBQNLSck26IuWirTBOyFONF7h5hdwCXLgZ0CuSgg1dJwuWSOlwZ9i4fiGsfIgjTbNzW5E6ZAkGw-kU0bYZTDwDFzRPRJEOH6Lhyphenhyphen-FnU0UA/s1600/73183692_2326472064146339_4308378185352871936_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2XVMag5mAasZaabOul_LYOYJjFAt_Gpv3pBQNLSck26IuWirTBOyFONF7h5hdwCXLgZ0CuSgg1dJwuWSOlwZ9i4fiGsfIgjTbNzW5E6ZAkGw-kU0bYZTDwDFzRPRJEOH6Lhyphenhyphen-FnU0UA/s400/73183692_2326472064146339_4308378185352871936_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC5DLgjU7xdRLXQcvLbNvEHUeOqIGqXJJPriTSxwrCHlcyq6fdlhT5bkesUuggr7w7VcV9K7nr5xk2MRyQxMwk_ixre_bZ7s1BnFD6Af12_Uqo2EiF4BiMl78nEG1UnR0qoNz9_eZuw4/s1600/73302273_2325134887613390_823411905715503104_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC5DLgjU7xdRLXQcvLbNvEHUeOqIGqXJJPriTSxwrCHlcyq6fdlhT5bkesUuggr7w7VcV9K7nr5xk2MRyQxMwk_ixre_bZ7s1BnFD6Af12_Uqo2EiF4BiMl78nEG1UnR0qoNz9_eZuw4/s400/73302273_2325134887613390_823411905715503104_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Side note - don't you hate the jerks that bid $1 more?! I do!</span></div>
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The final stretch of this race followed along the Stone Arch Bridge. Knowing the finish line couldn't be far, I decided to <strike>force</strike> commit myself to finishing strong and held my (slow) running pace. Which means I was thrilled to hit the finish being able to say I only took one walk break. Of course, it helped that the announcer called out "And here comes Natalie ... I PITY THE FOOL!!!"<br />
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Yes! At least one person appreciated the joke that was my costume. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8LnlNSUm3cwZIWr-bQYQBBNCm0Q50UNCJuwF0S3tVTZ2jk2VFT7iB-wLe5MdHtZnU-EzOrAUyWSQe5DdD3DoOfO_yc5JLYL5Ik-KwlIGMHPycPRl60OiwdTjpV4kFuf2sCEL0E7Heyg/s1600/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8LnlNSUm3cwZIWr-bQYQBBNCm0Q50UNCJuwF0S3tVTZ2jk2VFT7iB-wLe5MdHtZnU-EzOrAUyWSQe5DdD3DoOfO_yc5JLYL5Ik-KwlIGMHPycPRl60OiwdTjpV4kFuf2sCEL0E7Heyg/s320/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dang millennials not knowing 80's culture. Maybe if they got off their dang e-phones and i-kindles, they'd know a thing or two.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MMf-nWZYreqmdmWAqN0_CfERPMZ3uEejugaggitz3lIxnh0w9bRACEuHMumJDazTYDF0m_gWXlMqUcjBX-FlPozdRbWhwSUkEnU1ba1T6NwK_LWwiEMm1F3htnwZ_6Zy9zIaD-Wgmls/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MMf-nWZYreqmdmWAqN0_CfERPMZ3uEejugaggitz3lIxnh0w9bRACEuHMumJDazTYDF0m_gWXlMqUcjBX-FlPozdRbWhwSUkEnU1ba1T6NwK_LWwiEMm1F3htnwZ_6Zy9zIaD-Wgmls/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Despite the lack of on course amenities for the 5K, at the finish line all was redeemed. Picking up metals, water and post race snacks was a smooth process, and in fact better than most other races I've been too. So for that ... OK fine, maybe I'll run this race again some time. (wink)<br />
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But ... since it was the weekend before Halloween ... we didn't stay around much longer after finishing. With all the other Halloween events in the cities going on, how could we?!<br />
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And ... that's the story of how race bib #84 joined my collection. Since it's been FAR too long since I've done this ... here's to another race soon!!Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-18571548024646176072019-10-29T05:55:00.000-07:002019-10-29T05:55:27.459-07:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwztnAQ0iO65mOCQCxDE6X-PzS10BaEGQjrhjCbotLI-LSrVL6FWEPxqLektac1fg1fyqGQDkm9oYXLUbOKGZk5vbES_MGN059zXJC6WOXBJKDpN5Eg6LnCNu8OUrPpUIQpnUOQk4ok9s/s1600/64FBF00A-301A-4217-BC0F-A4323562904F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="497" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwztnAQ0iO65mOCQCxDE6X-PzS10BaEGQjrhjCbotLI-LSrVL6FWEPxqLektac1fg1fyqGQDkm9oYXLUbOKGZk5vbES_MGN059zXJC6WOXBJKDpN5Eg6LnCNu8OUrPpUIQpnUOQk4ok9s/s640/64FBF00A-301A-4217-BC0F-A4323562904F.jpeg" width="518" /></a></div>
<br />Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-60168170382403786182019-10-15T02:00:00.000-07:002019-10-15T02:00:03.928-07:00Reddit Gifts Awesome Packaging 2019I've already put a few posts up on this blog about Reddit Gifts, so I won't do a re-introduction on what that is. Instead, I'll open today's blog by saying ... the exchange that most people get excited for on Reddit Gifts is the Christmas/Holiday-centric one that opens in November.<div>
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Me on the other hand ... I have spent the last 6 months fan-girling for the Trick-or-Treat exchange. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7qPO5bLKBDtICYxTHkprvyOATgd4k8FLNpDxMmDm00VsHKynccsX90lmxAL6rP1E0gwvXzrH160f7KxcqNrYOQzryhwE1k99aizZSTO3JHEymFoJSFPhdLCYpf-X20bcGHRzeLh1V4s/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="480" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7qPO5bLKBDtICYxTHkprvyOATgd4k8FLNpDxMmDm00VsHKynccsX90lmxAL6rP1E0gwvXzrH160f7KxcqNrYOQzryhwE1k99aizZSTO3JHEymFoJSFPhdLCYpf-X20bcGHRzeLh1V4s/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, until my partner for that one specifically asked for a charitable donation. And only a charitable donation. </div>
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Whomp-whomp.</div>
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Lucky for me, I was overly tempted this round and actually singed up for two exchanges - something I never do. But with an exchange open where awesome packaging was the end goal, and everything else was open to interpretation ... how could I not?! I mean, that's the most creative I can be in all the exchanges!!!</div>
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So with my Halloween exchange thwarted, I decided to add a Halloween twist to my awesome packaging gift instead. Being that my partner said they liked "hometown" type gifts, and I love Halloween sooooo much ... I mean, sending a Halloween themed gift is kind of like coming to my house for Halloween, right?!</div>
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With my "theme" of sorts planned out, my goal in mind was now: create a package that makes you feel like you're at my house for Halloween.</div>
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First off, the main gift box. </div>
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For my "real job", I work as a buyer. Which means at the holidays, I'm inundated with various sugary treats. So great for someone trying to manage their weight ... so great. (D'oh!)</div>
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Anyway, a few years back I received some cookies in a wooden presentation box. Actually, two years in a row I got cookies this way. </div>
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It's a little hard to tell in this photo, but the box is essentially two pieces: </div>
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(1) a flat piece of wood that serves as a lid</div>
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(2) a box base with an extended "lip" on two sides, which has a channel cut into it </div>
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To close the box, you feed the lid into the channels of the box and gently slide it shut.</div>
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The above shows various box sizes, but the boxes I have are a bit smaller than a shoe box. </div>
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These boxes were too cool, and I could never quite bear to throw them out. Solid wood, with a sliding top panel? How can you put that in the trash?!</div>
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So ... back on topic. After simmering for awhile about what would equal "awesome packaging", I decided to repurpose one of these boxes. A little acrylic paint, some Martha Steward stencils, and some orange raffia later ... viola!</div>
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Of course, I forgot to take photos of the box until I had already loaded it with goodies and tied a bow on it. Dang it. At least you get the concept.</div>
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Since one of my gifts to include in the package was too large for the wooden box, I wrapped it in a second side package. And being that another add in - a sequin pumpkin - was cute even without packaging ... I left that one "naked". The final gift collection looked something like this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YkOk865zGk2wvE_e_HldPTPrI0PwSG2t8f0RY36VZmT-xSimULnOdlauaVZSnqwFRE-l9zzckWW5sSIwmXXLCHLXyYgAf2BWkEEDh2KXeymRWCjhrV0nLEI02AIvIM1PZZNji7RAOsI/s1600/7DB3F6C4-4B53-44C7-9CFD-5481DB4B0A7F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YkOk865zGk2wvE_e_HldPTPrI0PwSG2t8f0RY36VZmT-xSimULnOdlauaVZSnqwFRE-l9zzckWW5sSIwmXXLCHLXyYgAf2BWkEEDh2KXeymRWCjhrV0nLEI02AIvIM1PZZNji7RAOsI/s640/7DB3F6C4-4B53-44C7-9CFD-5481DB4B0A7F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not shown, an orange envelope which included a letter explaining why I selected the gifts. Since you won't get to see that letter, the general gist is:</div>
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(1) I included a skull cross stitch made by me, with a sequined pumpkin to complement it</div>
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(2) Two squishy mystery toys (the item I'm actually handing out to trick-or-treaters that ring my bell), and some Halloween crackers for her kids</div>
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(3) Pearson's candy (the receiver specifically mentioned they like local treats), with napkins</div>
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(4) Halloween "Christmas" ornaments (the receiver specifically mentioned they like ornaments)</div>
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And since you now know the contents, may as well show you the end result!</div>
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So now I wait ... will I get something awesomely wrapped as well? Time will tell! (I'll be sure to update if I do).</div>
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Happy Halloween everyone! </div>
Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382082974834241133.post-10031360336320477452019-10-03T11:44:00.000-07:002019-10-03T11:44:00.525-07:00Get Boo-ing 2019It's my favorite time of year. Halloween! You know me and costumes!! And being extra!!! And gift giveaway planning!!!!<br />
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All these factors combined, <i>obviously </i>I can't wait each year to kick off the boo-ing tradition my neighborhood. Especially since I had so much fun with it <a href="https://shinianen.blogspot.com/2018/10/get-boo-ing.html">last year</a>. And since October is here ...<br />
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Oh! If you're not familiar with the boo concept, here's the summary - I borrowed inspiration from the internet but re-wrote the poem to make it less wordy:<br />
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Anyway, back on subject.<br />
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There seemed to be a relatively good boo basket participation in my neighborhood in 2018. So in anticipation of repeating the trend for 2019, during Halloween clearance last year I picked up a TON of potential basket fodder.<br />
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Which of course left me chomping at the bit to dole out baskets October first.<br />
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Here's the two baskets I pulled together. You can likely tell which house is primarily adult, and which has two tween/teen girls:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilqQtkA0zOQoHQuSoeQkXs3V_fbI1bVJmadMBtYqmvLkpTNW80fT3-YJXD1Q58QDm3VjLQ6yVK7B6Pai2frbGatdr4hZQibE3IBdYluO5KlxOgYfOXwNj-mlHMqr0UeafMNu-rZjrdXI/s1600/A01BB87C-93F8-4854-A0E3-6B366492F4BE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilqQtkA0zOQoHQuSoeQkXs3V_fbI1bVJmadMBtYqmvLkpTNW80fT3-YJXD1Q58QDm3VjLQ6yVK7B6Pai2frbGatdr4hZQibE3IBdYluO5KlxOgYfOXwNj-mlHMqr0UeafMNu-rZjrdXI/s400/A01BB87C-93F8-4854-A0E3-6B366492F4BE.jpeg" width="335" /></a></div>
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Now I wait to see ... did my excitement catch again this year? Will boo-ing spread through the neighborhood?<br />
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If I get a boo basket myself, I'll be sure to update! :-)<br />
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Do you boo in your neighborhood? What kind of basket do you build? Add your comments below!<br />
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<br />Shinianenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.com0