tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82071504100577088482024-03-12T20:00:40.653-04:00Los CaldwellsRyliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-62246125234277091672012-02-03T09:40:00.000-05:002012-02-03T09:40:17.728-05:00Humbled by Home RenovationHave you ever been searching for a specific item in your home so hard and so long that you begin to convince yourself that you can turn something you have found into the perfect solution? This happened to me recently and I just have to share. After Bryan and I got married we went through the process of selling pretty much everything we owned on Craigslist so we could start over and pick new things for our new house together! Sounds like fun, right? Well...it was! The only problem is that I could not find 2 accent chairs for our place that were both comfortable (for B) and looked great (for me). <br />
<br />
One Saturday we were out chair hunting and stumbled upon a furniture store that was going out of business. There, in the lobby when we entered were two chairs. Better yet, they were discounted by over HALF of their original price! The only downfall was that the chairs were slightly....well...hideous. After the months of searching online, at every store in the city, on Craigslist and everywhere else I could think of I was convinced that I had to make something work and THIS WAS IT!!! <br />
<br />
After convincing Bryan that I could "totally reupholster"...with a questioning look from the sales lady...we settled up and took home the chairs.<br />
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When we brought them inside we noticed right away that they were way bigger in our small living room than they were in the enormous sales warehouse. They made our couches look tiny! They were actually taller than our couch and didn't even match the aesthetic. What was I thinking?! <br />
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We had just bought them so I decided to try and make them work and visited a cool fabric store in Atlanta. After browsing the aisles I realized that it would cost me a lot more to purchase the fabric for this reupholstery project than I had assumed...sigh...another harsh reality. I left the store with a few samples and came home to research online how to reupholster. After watching a few videos it was clear that this was going to be more complicated than I imagined...way out of my league!<br />
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Still hopeful, I called a reupholstery store to get pricing and the cost was going to be double what we had just paid for the chairs. <br />
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I came out of my office and looked once again at what I thought was once a bargain.<br />
<br />
Turned back around into my office and immediately posted them on Craigslist...haha.<br />
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Weeks go by, then months. The price reductions are many and deep. Finally, I realize that no one is crazy enough to buy these chairs. We call a furniture donation company to come and pick them up and I must say I have never been so happy to get rid of a piece of furniture before!<br />
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Lessons learned:<br />
1) Avoid furniture store closing sales.<br />
2) I cannot reupholster.<br />
3) Measure existing furniture and have measurements with you before purchasing additional pieces.<br />
4) Never buy something you cannot return.<br />
5) When even the sales lady looks at you with concern...you may want to rethink your purchase.<br />
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And here they are folks....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVavCRvKRWVY-DbdYnqaD9b2KDaj1wXkqgkQX2WDWvKpuFygySCLEL9lviQ9YN4jQM9em8WTcVKUPaA1QH0-zqd1tPdFmJnUPar83yClNPRSjXKYuIKEq80FrB5jVyozZyETO_xFQwsDOB/s1600/green+chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVavCRvKRWVY-DbdYnqaD9b2KDaj1wXkqgkQX2WDWvKpuFygySCLEL9lviQ9YN4jQM9em8WTcVKUPaA1QH0-zqd1tPdFmJnUPar83yClNPRSjXKYuIKEq80FrB5jVyozZyETO_xFQwsDOB/s320/green+chairs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTc_AJ8IOegsPpNovfFpNxFWyXTMZ5sLSdpz22DaJKDP_DVoqjPKAFZRG2fZqPBcFD3L0yG15hktxEP25v7cJv8IPr5wlckNH_4-FDFaKdSvUoi5glVHftKlGIDzYUdThsPnAGPNa6fqz/s1600/green+chairs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTc_AJ8IOegsPpNovfFpNxFWyXTMZ5sLSdpz22DaJKDP_DVoqjPKAFZRG2fZqPBcFD3L0yG15hktxEP25v7cJv8IPr5wlckNH_4-FDFaKdSvUoi5glVHftKlGIDzYUdThsPnAGPNa6fqz/s320/green+chairs2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-12468167858605363312012-01-31T09:59:00.001-05:002012-01-31T10:03:47.829-05:00Superman Birthday Cake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzqEAbADOPEA5eEACEcm9ZHHZRF-a7aCTm-B8ZtJ3ozhWAGo74d-6wk3lhm4fADqJ2hfaTnz7kBcAKbZv03HPBjwVs5Yfzc-2AiiV_ufg79x6GL2TpeKsi-E6cSInS8odbw07FM9F3Rhy/s1600/superman+cake3+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzqEAbADOPEA5eEACEcm9ZHHZRF-a7aCTm-B8ZtJ3ozhWAGo74d-6wk3lhm4fADqJ2hfaTnz7kBcAKbZv03HPBjwVs5Yfzc-2AiiV_ufg79x6GL2TpeKsi-E6cSInS8odbw07FM9F3Rhy/s320/superman+cake3+(1+of+1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My nephew celebrated his third birthday party this past weekend and the theme was Superman! It look a long time to come to the decision and understanding that only one theme could be chosen for the little guy. I thought I was going to have to pull off a Batman/Superman cake and was totally perplexed about that one until he finally settled on the idea of a Superman party! It was a really fun event at a kids gym with lots of things to jump on, into and off of...the kids (and adults) had a blast! My sister made super cute capes for all the kids and had some fun themed treats out to set the theme. The only request that my nephew had was that the cake be chocolate with chocolate frosting so I used my favorite recipe from <a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/">http://www.kevinandamanda.com/</a> and a frosting recipe I came across from <a href="http://www.savorysweetlife.com/">http://www.savorysweetlife.com/</a>. The recipes I used are below:<br />
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<br />
<div class="ERHead"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Cake:</strong></span></div><div class="ERHead"><div style="background-color: white; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div class="highlight" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">The Best Chocolate Cake Ever</div><br />
1 box devil’s food cake mix<br />
1 small pkg Jello instant chocolate pudding mix<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
1 cup vegetable oil<br />
4 eggs, beaten<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
2 cups mini chocolate chips<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a very large bowl, mix together everything except chocolate chips. Batter will be thick. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour batter into cake pan of choice (I normally use two 9-inch pie pans). For cooking time, I use the cooking times on the back of the devil’s food cake box as a guide and usually add 10 mins to whatever it says. Then I do the toothpick check, and if it’s not done, I check on it every 5 mins after that. It usually takes around 45 mins for two, 9-inch pie pans. <br />
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Read More <a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dessert/the-best-chocolate-cake.html#ixzz1l2y4nLn3" style="color: #003399;">http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dessert/the-best-chocolate-cake.html#ixzz1l2y4nLn3</a></div></div><div class="ERHead"></div><div class="ERHead"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Frosting:</strong></span></div><div class="ERHead"></div><div class="ERHead" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chocolate Buttercream Frosting</span></div><ul><li><div class="ERHead"> 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or 1/2 pound), softened (but not melted!) </div></li>
<li class="ingredient">3 1/2 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar </li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 cup cocoa powder </li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 teaspoon table salt </li>
<li class="ingredient">2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon almond extract </li>
<li class="ingredient">4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream </li>
</ul><div class="ERInstructionsHeader">Instructions</div><div class="instructions"><ol><li class="instruction">Cream butter for a few minutes in a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Turn off the mixer. Sift 3 cups powdered sugar and cocoa into the mixing bowl. Turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the dry ingredients do not blow everywhere) until the sugar and cocoa are absorbed by the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add a little more sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time. </li>
</ol></div><div class="ERPTagline">Recipe by <span class="ERPBlogname">Savory Sweet Life - Easy Recipes from an Everyday Home Cook</span> at <a href="http://savorysweetlife.com/2011/04/chocolate-buttercream-frosting/">http://savorysweetlife.com/2011/04/chocolate-buttercream-frosting/</a></div><div class="ERPTagline"></div><div class="ERPTagline"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vn1SRkX9hFajCb-1h78SLR7fu9HCwnelQp5QUy91_FcpBvSQEfRNo4hs24-enMYnPMlWAEQhAN5GhdsIZGZ8wku_KHJoDAZpO2kmokvO8P_gOLmfjZtbyvNvetx8AuQaLTBiDcgXvKoa/s1600/superman+cake2+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vn1SRkX9hFajCb-1h78SLR7fu9HCwnelQp5QUy91_FcpBvSQEfRNo4hs24-enMYnPMlWAEQhAN5GhdsIZGZ8wku_KHJoDAZpO2kmokvO8P_gOLmfjZtbyvNvetx8AuQaLTBiDcgXvKoa/s320/superman+cake2+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="ERPTagline"></div><div class="ERPTagline"></div><div class="ERPTagline">Using the above recipes my process went a little something like this:</div><div class="ERPTagline"></div><div class="ERPTagline">1. Prep cake and bake first two layers in 2 square pans.</div><div class="ERPTagline">2. Prep frosting while first layers bake.</div><div class="ERPTagline">3. Remove cake from oven, wait 10 mins, release onto cooling racks.</div><div class="ERPTagline">4. Bake the second two layers.</div><div class="ERPTagline">5. More frosting...weeee!!! The mixer is only so big...not large enough for 4 batches of frosting!</div><div class="ERPTagline">6. Remove cake from oven, wait 10 mins, release onto cooling racks.</div><div class="ERPTagline">7. Cut portion off of first two layers to make Superman shape.</div><div class="ERPTagline">8. Place full sized square cake on wax paper covered cardboard, then frost, second full square, frost. Here I inserted a few straws into the cake and cut them at the top of the frosting to keep the layers together as I stacked. </div><div class="ERPTagline">9. Place cut layer on top of stack, frost, next layer, frost...then frost the whole thing!...Like I said...there is always lots of frosting on my birthday cakes!</div><div class="ERPTagline">10. Start decorating! I printed an image of the Superman logo and set it next to the cake and then applied Sixlets candies (I bought mine at Party City) to the top of the cake to achieve the logo first. </div><div class="ERPTagline">11. Then I would go around the four sides and follow a pattern of sixlets around and around so it looked like they were angled stripes...I think it turned out super cute!</div><div class="ERPTagline">12. With the remainder cake (cut from the square layer to make Superman Logo), I attempted to make Cake Balls. I mixed the cake with frosting and then dropped spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and put it in the freezer for a few minutes. Then I removed the sheet, rolled the spoonfuls into a ball shape and dipped them in Candy Coating and applied cute deco to jazz it up!</div><div class="ERPTagline"></div><div class="ERPTagline"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkC6a3tf79c7Uv3-6nUqu3pYwKzXgqJB5aU8r-mKqJalfOzUT6xhBjzxmuefcUkeQpl2LJLMUQbHKdYWzIaGbuFUCkB_P2Cp4gVbiw42xVrGyXVT8X1LavEPSbdKswxAw8zCp13FEUUP3P/s1600/superman+cake+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkC6a3tf79c7Uv3-6nUqu3pYwKzXgqJB5aU8r-mKqJalfOzUT6xhBjzxmuefcUkeQpl2LJLMUQbHKdYWzIaGbuFUCkB_P2Cp4gVbiw42xVrGyXVT8X1LavEPSbdKswxAw8zCp13FEUUP3P/s320/superman+cake+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="ERPTagline"></div><div class="ERPTagline">I was so happy that this cake came together and it was a big hit at the party! I am always holding my breath the whole way driving to the party when have a cake like this on my lap. I kept telling myself..."it's ok...if he hits a pot hole we can just go to Publix...it will all be fine..." Haha...luckily we didn't have to make any stops on our way there!</div><div class="ERPTagline" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="ERPTagline" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Happy Baking and Happy Superman Birthday to my Super Nephew!</div><div class="ERPTagline" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYst5VG7n4-qxmzE943qMNnptgQd92c_p1KIZHSxMQ6AK29D-LkK45xP9fgCuryTaoLLJE_ot66J63_S6uvAl-pUCWPaAqL_L0xATyuSG93xbHE-PUAG2HH2VPnPuhEXIWkXWMCZ14RKj1/s1600/superman+cake4+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYst5VG7n4-qxmzE943qMNnptgQd92c_p1KIZHSxMQ6AK29D-LkK45xP9fgCuryTaoLLJE_ot66J63_S6uvAl-pUCWPaAqL_L0xATyuSG93xbHE-PUAG2HH2VPnPuhEXIWkXWMCZ14RKj1/s320/superman+cake4+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div class="ERPTagline" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-78869105920499388282012-01-26T10:07:00.000-05:002012-01-26T10:07:35.029-05:00Healthy Eggplant LasagnaThis dish...although it sounds too healthy to be yummy...is SO yummy! It seems like I am always looking for a healthy, delicious recipe and this may be my new go to! I found the recipe online at Food.com after hearing about interesting diet guidelines from several friends who are on the Paleo diet. The pictures below are from my lasagna (Bryan LOVED it by the way...even without noodles) which I think turned out so pretty. The picture embedded in the recipe below is from Food.com. Just look at all that cheesy lasagna goodness in my pics...YUM!!! Let me know what you think!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg205_5Dqc217fIovlzivIZ5Y7IdOclrHFds4Wl255CmlNQzQCCTDzVVYnZO19qxMisoI8xY6Tq4xNrgYUAmDcjRfllFHKNhK_4UqiJ6-piFBad4N8j-qnJNhM5lJSb9HPm_BC4sF5-bfv5/s1600/eggplant+lasagna+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg205_5Dqc217fIovlzivIZ5Y7IdOclrHFds4Wl255CmlNQzQCCTDzVVYnZO19qxMisoI8xY6Tq4xNrgYUAmDcjRfllFHKNhK_4UqiJ6-piFBad4N8j-qnJNhM5lJSb9HPm_BC4sF5-bfv5/s320/eggplant+lasagna+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtMAwENInnB-VBOQ5XeY6eS3tqqR8ppsJWJzFx7VMcrVc8tLjpR9HUpJCi6-CfBLs277J56s427JF4fZ9M-nuYnxKkYgMZG1Or2P2LDZrpPklf1Ma-lQRl8I0sNgHp6EmKIfEdsgVo2fr/s1600/eggplant+lasagna2+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtMAwENInnB-VBOQ5XeY6eS3tqqR8ppsJWJzFx7VMcrVc8tLjpR9HUpJCi6-CfBLs277J56s427JF4fZ9M-nuYnxKkYgMZG1Or2P2LDZrpPklf1Ma-lQRl8I0sNgHp6EmKIfEdsgVo2fr/s320/eggplant+lasagna2+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="page" sizcache="12" sizset="0"><div class="block top" sizcache="12" sizset="0"><div class="section clrfix heading"><img alt="Food.com" class="logo" height="27" id="logo-lg" src="http://food.sndimg.com/2011/print/food-logo-small.png" width="88" /> <h1 class="section-title">I Lost My Noodles! Low Carb/South Beach Eggplant Lasagna</h1><div class="credit">By PattiCakeB on February 09, 2004</div></div><div class="section clrfix photo-lg"><img alt="Photo" height="120" src="http://food.sndimg.com/img/recipes/83/46/4/small/picF81cbg.jpg" width="160" /> <div class="credit">Photo by Tea Jenny</div></div><div class="section clrfix rating" sizcache="12" sizset="0"><span class="inline-rating small"><img src="http://food.sndimg.com/2011/print/star50.png" /> </span>109 Reviews </div><div class="section clrfix time"><ul class="clrfix"><li class="timer"><img alt="timer" height="24" src="http://food.sndimg.com/2010/print/timer.png" width="31" /> </li>
<li class="cook"><strong>Prep Time:</strong> 15 mins </li>
<li><strong>Total Time:</strong> 1 hrs 45 mins </li>
<li class="last"><strong>Servings:</strong> 8 </li>
</ul></div><div class="section clrfix about"><h2>About This Recipe</h2>"I was looking for a yummy South Beach recipe to curb my Italian Cravings. I found a vegetarian lasagna recipe using eggplant slices as noodles, substituted my own meat sauce, and voila! A low carb keeper in our home! The eggplant taste is indistinguishable with all of the bold italian flavors, and adds the needed texture of the missing noodles. I've also seen zucchini strips used as the mock noodles. Try it!" </div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" sizcache="12" sizset="1"><h2 class="section=title">Ingredients </h2><ul sizcache="12" sizset="1"><h2>Mock Noodles</h2><ul class="multi" sizcache="12" sizset="1"><li sizcache="12" sizset="1"><span>2 large eggplants, peeled, sliced lengthwise into 1/4 inch noodle-like strips </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="2"><span>cooking spray ( olive oil spray is best) </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="3"><span>salt and pepper </span></li>
</ul><h2>Meat Sauce</h2><ul class="multi" sizcache="12" sizset="4"><li sizcache="12" sizset="4"><span>1 1/2 lbs ground sirloin or 1 1/2 lbs turkey breast or 1 1/2 lbs Italian sausage </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="5"><span>2 tablespoons olive oil </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="6"><span>2 onions, chopped </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="7"><span>3 cloves chopped garlic </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="8"><span>1 red peppers, chopped </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="9"><span>1 (16 ounce) packages sliced mushrooms </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="10"><span>2 tablespoons italian seasoning ( or mix of oregano, basil and thyme) </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="11"><span>1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional) </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="12"><span>salt and pepper </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="13"><span>1 teaspoon red pepper flakes ( if you dare!) (optional) </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="14"><span>1 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="15"><span>1 cup red wine (optional) or 1 cup vodka (optional) </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="16"><span>1 (28 ounce) cans tomato sauce ( or large jar sugar free sauce if you can find it) </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="17"><span>1 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes ( for less sugar, 3 chopped roma tomatoes) </span></li>
</ul><h2>Cheese Mixture</h2><ul class="multi" sizcache="12" sizset="18"><li sizcache="12" sizset="18"><span>2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese </span></li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="19"><span>2 eggs </span></li>
</ul></ul></div></div></div><div class="page-break" style="clear: left; page-break-before: always;"></div><div class="page" sizcache="12" sizset="20"><div class="page-header" sizcache="12" sizset="20"><span class="page-num">Page 2 of 2</span>I Lost My Noodles! Low Carb/South Beach Eggplant Lasagna (cont.)</div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" sizcache="12" sizset="21"><h2 class="section=title">Ingredients </h2><ul sizcache="12" sizset="21"><li class="loose" sizcache="12" sizset="21"><span>3 green onions, chopped </span></li>
<li class="loose" sizcache="12" sizset="22"><span>3 cups shredded lowfat mozzarella cheese </span></li>
<li class="loose" sizcache="12" sizset="23"><span>1/2 cup parmesan cheese </span></li>
</ul></div><div class="section clrfix directions" sizcache="12" sizset="24"><h2>Directions</h2><ol sizcache="12" sizset="24"><li sizcache="12" sizset="24"><span>Preheat oven to 425 degrees.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="25"><span>Spray cookie sheet, arrange eggplant slices and season with salt and pepper.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="26"><span>Cook slices 5 minutes on each side.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="27"><span>Lower oven temp to 375.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="28"><span>Brown meat, onion and garlic in olive oil for 5 minutes.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="29"><span>Add red pepper and mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="30"><span>Add spinach, tomatoes, spices and wine and simmer for 5-10 minutes.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="31"><span>Blend ricotta, egg and onion mixture.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="32"><span>Spread 1/3 of meat sauce in bottom of 9” x 13” glass pan.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="33"><span>Layer ½ eggplant slices, ½ ricotta, 1/3 mozzarella and parmesan.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="34"><span>Repeat.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="35"><span>Add last layer of sauce, then mozzarella and parmesan on top.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="36"><span>Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="37"><span>Remove foil and bake or broil another 5-10 minutes until cheese is browned.</span> </li>
<li sizcache="12" sizset="38"><span>Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing, if you can wait that long!</span> </li>
</ol></div><h3 class="col1" sizcache="12" sizset="39">Nutrition Facts</h3><div class="col1" sizcache="12" sizset="39">Serving Size: 1 (651 g)</div><div class="col1" sizcache="12" sizset="39">Servings Per Recipe: 8</div><div class="col1" sizcache="12" sizset="39">Amount Per Serving % Daily Value</div><div class="cals nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="39">Calories 449.3 </div><div class="cals nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="39">Calories from Fat 187 41% </div><div class="col2" sizcache="12" sizset="39">Total Fat <span class="value">20.8</span><span class="type">g</span> 32% </div><div class="sub nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="41">Saturated Fat <span class="value">8.5</span><span class="type">g</span> 42% </div><div class="nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="43">Cholesterol <span class="value">126.3</span><span class="type">mg</span> 42% </div><div class="sub nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="45">Sugars <span class="value" sizcache="12" sizset="46"><span class="fiber">12.6</span></span><span class="type"> g</span> </div><div class="nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="48">Sodium <span class="value">811.3</span><span class="type">mg</span> 33% </div><div class="nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="50">Total Carbohydrate <span class="value">33.4</span><span class="type">g</span> 11% </div><div class="sub nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="52">Dietary Fiber <span class="value">9.7</span><span class="type">g</span> 39% </div><div class="sub nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="54">Sugars <span class="value" sizcache="12" sizset="55"><span class="fiber">12.6</span></span><span class="type"> g</span> 50% </div><div class="last nutrition" sizcache="12" sizset="57">Protein <span class="value">36.1</span><span class="type">g</span> 72% </div></div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-13248970736291762122012-01-24T17:43:00.000-05:002012-01-24T17:43:32.518-05:00Long time no blog!Ok, sorry it has been so long since I have blogged! Is it sad to say that I am finally recovered from the holidays and it's almost February?! Hehe!<br />
<br />
We have been busy around the house lately and I wanted to share a few projects! I finally had a few photos from our wedding printed and used <a href="http://www.myphotopipe.com/">http://www.myphotopipe.com</a>. What a great website! I was having a hard time finding a way to get prints made for a reasonable price to fit specific frames and this site was perfect. Very easy and inexpensive! I printed four 10X13 pics and framed them in our long hallway. I think it looks great...minimalist, clean, but still pretty...just how I like it! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxxNbrP7pqOu_DOtIHiJ7BHgVMdwxM0qYBsAUvE36ei82Z-il-25vJWb909skc7C2hk-JZmB573nDQTdzpR3MuzQsZt5V_okqn_5wTDBOetaVYqxEx4QCC-rXBD2qi52jhWIW5sCfpGQA/s1600/hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxxNbrP7pqOu_DOtIHiJ7BHgVMdwxM0qYBsAUvE36ei82Z-il-25vJWb909skc7C2hk-JZmB573nDQTdzpR3MuzQsZt5V_okqn_5wTDBOetaVYqxEx4QCC-rXBD2qi52jhWIW5sCfpGQA/s200/hall.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried about 10 times to get this pic to rotate but alas I cannot get it to turn...just tilt your head to the left...yes...that's it! :)<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next project I took on was to make a headboard! Our bedroom is definitely lacking attention as far as our house goes and it was high time to give our bed an update. I found an awesome curtain at Cost Plus World Market that I thought would pull the pillow colors and the colors of our IKEA rug all together well. Bryan and I went to Home Depot and picked up a piece of wood (just inexpensive chip wood...our piece was only $6!). It works out perfectly there because you can have it cut to exactly the size you need...love that! Then I went to JoAnn's Fabrics and picked up padding (which was half off...YAY!) and a few buttons. I brought everything home and laid the curtain out flat on the floor after ironing it. Next I drilled 3 holes in the wood so I could "sew" the buttons through the backing and ensure that there was a puff of padding around the buttons and also attached two picture hanging thingies to the back. Then I wrapped the wood with the padding and laid it on top of the curtain...careful to make sure the remaining fabric on either side of the wood was equal so the pattern would not be askew. Then I used a staple gun to attach the curtain to the wood starting with the short sides first, then the long sides. Make sure you pull the fabric taught and try to staple in the same place along the edge so the pattern won't get nutty. Next up is the buttons! I started in the back and used a needle and thread to go through the hole I previously drilled, pierce the fabric and then attach the button on the front. I pulled it tight, inserted the need back into the front of the fabric and pulled it back through the hole in the back. There was pretty much not way to go back to the front after the initial pull so I just made that single attempt very strong. I attached the thread to the two hanging thingies and a screw that I added just above the hole on the back. It sounds confusing but it was really somewhat easy! Last of all is hanging it on the wall and Voila!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlliB5ZaLw8gicm5aB2_Qs_QuGFuqT9q3rtMFm32wS3bZlP5xqsNip2br5oszDL0MSG0AIWdLqZ9tLNtV2drhvSfBY__nSHMd0aBeRzFe8xRi3xFVVll4pgNPsmOGdZnG3FUMg38JaVj9/s1600/headboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlliB5ZaLw8gicm5aB2_Qs_QuGFuqT9q3rtMFm32wS3bZlP5xqsNip2br5oszDL0MSG0AIWdLqZ9tLNtV2drhvSfBY__nSHMd0aBeRzFe8xRi3xFVVll4pgNPsmOGdZnG3FUMg38JaVj9/s320/headboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsWF_PIcYqTmi3-bXX7fjZB5teLYqgpBZ_BbLkJGVI7dFKXEE-9iXZznXNXcBvDT02rNeIeDxecHEEeqIp6kOIJNjmndC82XdOVTE__XJtMy2PWIsWobwk4C9vKYD066qkqZ1mPeYvRxz/s1600/headboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsWF_PIcYqTmi3-bXX7fjZB5teLYqgpBZ_BbLkJGVI7dFKXEE-9iXZznXNXcBvDT02rNeIeDxecHEEeqIp6kOIJNjmndC82XdOVTE__XJtMy2PWIsWobwk4C9vKYD066qkqZ1mPeYvRxz/s320/headboard2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was so proud!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After removing all of our Christmas decor (so sad) our house looked a little barren! I, of course, was able to remedy this with a trip to IKEA and Home Goods. :) <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8uYXf8VDhAiEMoEMsuIkfIfOdj6soq_qFNUZ61mqVOG-_fjwyKFLV9h83BTb06ZRf94JPKgyJw_8WWWVWMdhyH_G3CXp3NNDi1i1eFwk71XBR6sqOLMJBcgYmOWRiBRvCAWYMvlXu4XR/s1600/mantle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8uYXf8VDhAiEMoEMsuIkfIfOdj6soq_qFNUZ61mqVOG-_fjwyKFLV9h83BTb06ZRf94JPKgyJw_8WWWVWMdhyH_G3CXp3NNDi1i1eFwk71XBR6sqOLMJBcgYmOWRiBRvCAWYMvlXu4XR/s320/mantle2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok...this is going to be a problem...does anyone know how to turn these pics??<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am loving having a home that I can decorate and make changes to! Our love nest is starting to feel more homey with every trip to Home Depot I make! My husband is a doll and always willing to help me with my ideas...he's the best!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5d6AhNn5eRg9t32LSuZv6kh9L7W9IBp_Wa9srQAJCsioFbOleQaUjA3U2_PviPkwbeNhlikAP9uTsuKNE2CyNiB0fr05ul5mxVABzsoZOyWqgksogb7U1ZHv8yX-AoosIsMkMCcjrs8i/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5d6AhNn5eRg9t32LSuZv6kh9L7W9IBp_Wa9srQAJCsioFbOleQaUjA3U2_PviPkwbeNhlikAP9uTsuKNE2CyNiB0fr05ul5mxVABzsoZOyWqgksogb7U1ZHv8yX-AoosIsMkMCcjrs8i/s320/b2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And what a stud muffin...whew!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-66454846751793141242012-01-04T15:41:00.001-05:002012-01-04T18:05:27.905-05:00Holiday gifts!This Christmas brought so many blessings and such an abundance of family time and special moments. We were in Texas visiting my family this year and just had a wonderful visit! I was thrilled to also be able to create two Christmas gifts for 'clients' and am posting the images below. I was excited to do the portrait of one client and her daughter as a gift for her parents and was told they loved their gift! The beach house drawing was a lot of fun to do as well and was a gift for my sister's in laws who have a new beach house that is currently under construction. Their original beach home was completely destroyed by a hurricane several years ago and so this has been an exciting new venture for them. They loved it as well and even mentioned to my sister that they would like a similar drawing done of their original beach home so they can hang the drawings side by side...I love this idea! I hope you like them! Feel free to contact me if you'd like a special drawing or piece of artwork! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_jW4fOFofM/TwS364yF79I/AAAAAAAAAPE/slVeb8gIeMk/s1600/Conner0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_jW4fOFofM/TwS364yF79I/AAAAAAAAAPE/slVeb8gIeMk/s200/Conner0001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNiqZuFxYGg/TwS4gE2HHMI/AAAAAAAAAPM/Jx7yxM9neP0/s1600/hog_heaven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNiqZuFxYGg/TwS4gE2HHMI/AAAAAAAAAPM/Jx7yxM9neP0/s200/hog_heaven.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-9336470704074261812011-12-14T17:01:00.001-05:002011-12-14T17:01:21.894-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y0XJ_lGubj66zOQCffcyyIvpVTmTuAjjpa7V_g9Z-bEdsVP5WDJ1usIoaBNGcdG9-WLIpEG0dopD08hQJrEBwPAc8gIvuSwXHqUvZqQn9RX0kAeLotgB2fM3LK6NYPAx4R9GLmzFZa88/s1600/BOLYU+Happy+Holiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y0XJ_lGubj66zOQCffcyyIvpVTmTuAjjpa7V_g9Z-bEdsVP5WDJ1usIoaBNGcdG9-WLIpEG0dopD08hQJrEBwPAc8gIvuSwXHqUvZqQn9RX0kAeLotgB2fM3LK6NYPAx4R9GLmzFZa88/s320/BOLYU+Happy+Holiday.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-74949910343568317432011-12-14T10:52:00.000-05:002011-12-14T10:52:30.509-05:00Deck the Halls!We are officially ready for Christmas! I have decorated the house, the presents are wrapped and our apple cider recipe is perfected! My sister gave me a great tip on decorating this year that I thought I would share. At Home Depot if you go to the area outside where the Christmas Trees are you will see a bin of scraps. They are free and make beautiful decorations for the mantle...and did I mention they are FREE?! :) I added a few silk poinsettia flowers and other decorations to the mantle, TV stand and our accent wall and I must say the house is full of Christmas cheer!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_yc5JIAJwwXpB6iHbpQxA3zqL9ExYGgCpKYM4tmPW2Q3yXHga_G3ZlvhnaPdQsZvP-wnL_R0G34hh_DeTFwbEdQR_RoZFejrdKU6hxPRGgVZbR3KIjmB_SDShMPhyphenhyphenKWzx9hHtQjtyFHT/s1600/100_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_yc5JIAJwwXpB6iHbpQxA3zqL9ExYGgCpKYM4tmPW2Q3yXHga_G3ZlvhnaPdQsZvP-wnL_R0G34hh_DeTFwbEdQR_RoZFejrdKU6hxPRGgVZbR3KIjmB_SDShMPhyphenhyphenKWzx9hHtQjtyFHT/s200/100_1547.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mantle is a combination of lights, tree limb scraps, poinsettia leaves and silver pinecone branch.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iH1LA_Yolu6tzo1xXbJfjTMcDcmdALX4ANB14NjnukRNbLVWfzp7pnq7YtoBswhykQpoMAsmLK4fjZwjMAHBjiCFatUgU8R67GYzF7gTjB6UNQIRQt3X0KNCSHnVGDhMujDeN218ICXv/s1600/100_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iH1LA_Yolu6tzo1xXbJfjTMcDcmdALX4ANB14NjnukRNbLVWfzp7pnq7YtoBswhykQpoMAsmLK4fjZwjMAHBjiCFatUgU8R67GYzF7gTjB6UNQIRQt3X0KNCSHnVGDhMujDeN218ICXv/s200/100_1568.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our little tree! We bought this tree the first year we were dating and it has been 'our tree' every Christmas since. This year I added a few more poinsettia flowers to try and jazz it up a bit!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrRHjphObRkSGWj0MnFA_2MqykWgmxgPTrVSdH6dPqYC2cXXmknq7Stz95E_FswELqk-XIRjIdh5JKeabNNnZ8OlclwL-1ABC3wrFKipraownWF1JGVFl96KCXGMyj0n_ZU0-LM4NdpAs/s1600/100_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrRHjphObRkSGWj0MnFA_2MqykWgmxgPTrVSdH6dPqYC2cXXmknq7Stz95E_FswELqk-XIRjIdh5JKeabNNnZ8OlclwL-1ABC3wrFKipraownWF1JGVFl96KCXGMyj0n_ZU0-LM4NdpAs/s200/100_1571.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The TV stand got a little spruce up.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoYpuiVrAFZQWSqJHJouURrPtN8J5NqC5ec-7seE05B5xW7C2hcMAStYYdWogyBLx_djeCvMsjGKT-TtAdWhuwr98dZ6fbSYv-jXZkQcbqW6krjpt1vi2NUrxCKgVIaUlu7FmVrot0RT2/s1600/100_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoYpuiVrAFZQWSqJHJouURrPtN8J5NqC5ec-7seE05B5xW7C2hcMAStYYdWogyBLx_djeCvMsjGKT-TtAdWhuwr98dZ6fbSYv-jXZkQcbqW6krjpt1vi2NUrxCKgVIaUlu7FmVrot0RT2/s200/100_1572.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And even Hamburger is ready for Christmas!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-40784876224966470762011-12-11T19:28:00.001-05:002011-12-11T19:31:27.214-05:00Rylie vs. Red Velvet CakeMy mom makes the most fabulous Red Velvet Cake every year for the holidays. It is something I always look forward to at Christmas and everyone in our family just loves it! We were invited to a dinner party recently and I had the idea to bring over my mom's famous cake for dessert...knowing everyone would love it just as much as me! The recipe is as follows:<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Red Velvet Cake</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />
1/2 c Crisco<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 oz red food color<br />
2 c flour<br />
1 tsp vinegar<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 1/2 c sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
2 tsp cocoa<br />
1 c buttermilk<br />
2 tsp baking soda<br />
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<strong>Directions:</strong><br />
1. Cream crisco and sugar then add eggs one at a time, beating in between.<br />
2. Add food coloring and vanilla. <br />
3. Sift flour and cocoa together, adding alternately with buttermilk, stirring between each addition.<br />
4. Mix vinegar and soda together then add in and mix all together.<br />
5. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Icing: (This is different than traditional cream cheese but SO yummy!)</strong></span><br />
<strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />
1 c Milk<br />
pinch of salt<br />
1 stick margarine<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1/4 c flour<br />
1 c sugar<br />
1/2 c crisco<br />
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<strong>Directions:</strong><br />
1. Cook milk and flour in pan over low hear and add a pinch of salt until it thickens like a paste. <br />
2. Set aside and let cool<br />
3. Beat sugar, margarine, crisco and vanilla<br />
4. Add flour mixure to crisco mixture and beat until light and fluffy<br />
5. Ice cake...enjoy!<br />
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Here are a few pics of the steps above that I followed....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJYhkQ7iJ1chmWz-WoHAV8fw7CykSyTPpfCnu-ESLQXnWbWLkBvRrtv7cmtTFhF_-48933jhu9IdrOCi36lKaBD5mjBDpxVRrLzG21LvkV1FVHuBVtbbfuZgmIllDoAZpfSQNaZT-FIm3/s1600/100_1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJYhkQ7iJ1chmWz-WoHAV8fw7CykSyTPpfCnu-ESLQXnWbWLkBvRrtv7cmtTFhF_-48933jhu9IdrOCi36lKaBD5mjBDpxVRrLzG21LvkV1FVHuBVtbbfuZgmIllDoAZpfSQNaZT-FIm3/s200/100_1551.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All the ingredients you will need...except Milk...I forgot to set that out!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kXW8APoVzmeCuUjWS3WaJgbm8iGwzKx00vqD0a9HCnZhvLvm4_FEtE5UirkjIbj0eHPpysplq760CWNede0T1XJ0reh5DsgsZKDqp9IBriyD53fEhHCMI_96lNnxO1txFjXUKhmGV5Mj/s1600/100_1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kXW8APoVzmeCuUjWS3WaJgbm8iGwzKx00vqD0a9HCnZhvLvm4_FEtE5UirkjIbj0eHPpysplq760CWNede0T1XJ0reh5DsgsZKDqp9IBriyD53fEhHCMI_96lNnxO1txFjXUKhmGV5Mj/s200/100_1552.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Creaming the crisco and sugar and then....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB6ZkjFvX3fTWjmxizjboOGnBc5KzJ3l90HxUa3JF-pHX8KB2ddojHcIK2Wx0kI7VFBkLkqbnimV3CqG_fKsIyuSfYRqppga7-vuh1QouyUbdXDpQrUwO80JHBkRTxqBhf59D5qW2zucL/s1600/100_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB6ZkjFvX3fTWjmxizjboOGnBc5KzJ3l90HxUa3JF-pHX8KB2ddojHcIK2Wx0kI7VFBkLkqbnimV3CqG_fKsIyuSfYRqppga7-vuh1QouyUbdXDpQrUwO80JHBkRTxqBhf59D5qW2zucL/s200/100_1554.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">adding an egg one at a time.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xD7kww4Os8B1EgysI9EaiPhcUiJh3UQy6Jlby4mCA3DLXZGKXHF1RDr13671ECSm0bkMEFIcQUbnPS9TIvFDCI3nBgEXXbtcdyQEtMnLTgT7y0Rcp7m3f3X3YCt2P2M3v1KE_4nQDk9J/s1600/100_1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xD7kww4Os8B1EgysI9EaiPhcUiJh3UQy6Jlby4mCA3DLXZGKXHF1RDr13671ECSm0bkMEFIcQUbnPS9TIvFDCI3nBgEXXbtcdyQEtMnLTgT7y0Rcp7m3f3X3YCt2P2M3v1KE_4nQDk9J/s200/100_1556.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, I added food coloring to the mix </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspk5GcEJGrdVVL_sPBlXH0apmIzmMM4gUBh92p7kLstNhLqurZhs4HHvCuL6MJgWXd-2z6Epgajr-IK-AvMPv_YxBwDdk7_k5D1fbreyIwDRsSOUWluBdwuxOoDPK18Yi3bJpQxVRmibf/s1600/100_1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspk5GcEJGrdVVL_sPBlXH0apmIzmMM4gUBh92p7kLstNhLqurZhs4HHvCuL6MJgWXd-2z6Epgajr-IK-AvMPv_YxBwDdk7_k5D1fbreyIwDRsSOUWluBdwuxOoDPK18Yi3bJpQxVRmibf/s200/100_1557.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and got this beautiful color.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqAF8fQp9KVE1HO6zItz9kWLjBEdkuEwQa2JVJwC6seN2kLD6Wiy4UmsEYNRnYyltJCUOY4dCfpzDepE2qHEtrQz5YiccJy_ZowPhpv15CjMLdF6uy9vK338KBPcWBH3PE5ZAP_0pLMBL/s1600/100_1558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqAF8fQp9KVE1HO6zItz9kWLjBEdkuEwQa2JVJwC6seN2kLD6Wiy4UmsEYNRnYyltJCUOY4dCfpzDepE2qHEtrQz5YiccJy_ZowPhpv15CjMLdF6uy9vK338KBPcWBH3PE5ZAP_0pLMBL/s200/100_1558.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I sifted the flour into the mix, added the soda and baked the cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I cleaned up the kitchen, fixed myself a Diet Coke and sat on the couch watching a Christmas movie and anxiously awaited the cake to bake! I was so excited when I heard the timer beep!! I opened the oven door and low and behold.....!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzba9yqba9CTEVYyojtZw40DU-CyEELOEGOyTrj3_qDLWGr2x9buF1yFzvfRjbwIyjHGeUqcWJFjzQUANk-bJbl9U3ZGGkxsoDct9Ktuz_lrRZDo6TQxwkYRcKCkCU5Duw_ObPz12Kkup/s1600/100_1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzba9yqba9CTEVYyojtZw40DU-CyEELOEGOyTrj3_qDLWGr2x9buF1yFzvfRjbwIyjHGeUqcWJFjzQUANk-bJbl9U3ZGGkxsoDct9Ktuz_lrRZDo6TQxwkYRcKCkCU5Duw_ObPz12Kkup/s200/100_1560.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*insert sound here* (wah wah wahhhhhhh.....)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Huge failure! I was so disappointed and totally confused!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4izKLDDrQzak2665s_-8ftvLYyOt_OvgMoYo36g8wnrK-1MSy5lh_F_QPGLNBb9uJZGpTs95jbJ3OQPyQriXyqfjUWhsMXu9XoVtxnxdfXcpS-1TyMv6N6O9nwz5kQV_yg8VjIYHfo-s/s1600/100_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4izKLDDrQzak2665s_-8ftvLYyOt_OvgMoYo36g8wnrK-1MSy5lh_F_QPGLNBb9uJZGpTs95jbJ3OQPyQriXyqfjUWhsMXu9XoVtxnxdfXcpS-1TyMv6N6O9nwz5kQV_yg8VjIYHfo-s/s200/100_1561.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still insist I followed my mom's directions perfectly but somehow things did not go as planned!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxlmae2sbOTRry5e678RR42IA1yhQSG18DOAJ9PnX9raiwsjqDyA5JqpzZYKSaKqH2c0GqqS45IguHR81LW8q4WZbtJP0cPqv8HbSugGd3EJTY1mqHyMa2L1XjcSO8LttRhyadgtN2Xkj/s1600/100_1563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxlmae2sbOTRry5e678RR42IA1yhQSG18DOAJ9PnX9raiwsjqDyA5JqpzZYKSaKqH2c0GqqS45IguHR81LW8q4WZbtJP0cPqv8HbSugGd3EJTY1mqHyMa2L1XjcSO8LttRhyadgtN2Xkj/s200/100_1563.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BIG bummer! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am looking forward to heading home for Christmas and getting a private lesson from my mom on how to properly execute the famed Red Velvet Cake! Stay tuned! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since I was unsuccessful at baking the Red Velvet Cake I turned to a cookbook that includes recipes from some of the most delicious restaurants in Atlanta. One recipe for a cake called, "A Very Good Chocolate Cake" sounded promising and was from a great restaurant, Watershed, so I decided to give it a shot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>A Very Good Chocolate Cake-Watershed</strong></span></div><h3 class="subheads">Ingredients:</h3><div id="ingredientsBoxL"><ul class="ultext">For the cake: Butter and flour for pans, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1 cup hot double-strength brewed coffee, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs, room temperature, 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature </ul><ul class="ultext">For the frosting: 1 cup heavy cream, 1 stick unsalted butter, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/4 cup double-strength brewed coffee </ul></div><div class="subheads"><h3>Instructions:</h3></div><div class="text">Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans. <br />
To make the cake: In a bowl, sift together sugar, flour, salt and baking soda; set aside. Stir 4 ounces chocolate into the hot coffee and allow to melt completely. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture and blend well. Add the flour mixture in 1/3 increments, stirring well after each addition. Divide batter among prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. <br />
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To make the frosting: Heat the cream, butter, sugar and salt over low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted and smooth. Add vanilla and coffee; stir until blended. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature and to a spreadable consistency. Frost the top of one layer, top with second layer, then frost the top and sides. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this was my result:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBbu43dP19F9GTJVNo1YpCe27SfFbJL7BriYAfBHaPp7TgPPREi1lIMNIE5vWmd3ob3B1oLT0vkZPES5dcVGAymlGb_Vy6_RGhJ1s-2orYld8dO3R1j-MaSMuJtW5CwUWMyKiHZ7hqxu-/s1600/100_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBbu43dP19F9GTJVNo1YpCe27SfFbJL7BriYAfBHaPp7TgPPREi1lIMNIE5vWmd3ob3B1oLT0vkZPES5dcVGAymlGb_Vy6_RGhJ1s-2orYld8dO3R1j-MaSMuJtW5CwUWMyKiHZ7hqxu-/s200/100_1564.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was happy to have something to take to our dinner party and it was a BIG hit as well!! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-88763072824695437022011-12-01T17:29:00.002-05:002011-12-01T21:19:49.540-05:00Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWZ5QmDx8G7bq1uPTdwP_TkssYu_JlzXEIXA23aoeY1Eq0LeLN6UO4SKZSUuAXD1kTEKSEDUZt9FGrdmD5poCkaiENNuNQLjo2mJPqatUeeQ98PLDWfhQT6_XT1U4bHwsIA0vQ7Ouwfyh/s1600/cake5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWZ5QmDx8G7bq1uPTdwP_TkssYu_JlzXEIXA23aoeY1Eq0LeLN6UO4SKZSUuAXD1kTEKSEDUZt9FGrdmD5poCkaiENNuNQLjo2mJPqatUeeQ98PLDWfhQT6_XT1U4bHwsIA0vQ7Ouwfyh/s200/cake5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy December! I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving! If it was anything like mine your ate WAY too much but enjoyed every single second of it! For Thanksgiving this year my sisters and I and our families all got together and had a huge spread. It was pretty funny because initially our plan was to have a very casual day, a simple meal, etc....well that plan totally fell through! Everyone ended up having to bring their favorite dishes so the meal included all of the following:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Turkey </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ham</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mashed Potatoes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gravy (white and dark)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Broccoli Casserole</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Squash Casserole</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sweet Potato Casserole</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Roasted Veggies</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Collard Greens</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rolls with Herbed Butter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cranberries</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stuffing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Green Bean Casserole</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spinach Dip</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Macaroni & Cheese</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pumpkin Cake</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chocolate Cream Pie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Key Lime Pie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Bites</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This cracks me up writing all of this out! We only fed 5 adults and 2 kids...needless to say we had a TON of leftovers! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The dish I brought that I was most proud of was Pumpkin Cake. It turned out SO moist and delicious! Feel free to check out the recipe below and Happy Baking! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbxWPTbyKOK14kmMCSb1P5zC2ekVy1qb1uNaNXYXUikF7p4aIrTOtCvgeAC2j0hGFwPg1lxUAyyZXQwRTaO3w_E2Yzqh3wrpcPUR9D_Ud-3aa5RjRCR9wqUMzrE7_AIb_e1nJPieUNRza/s1600/cake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbxWPTbyKOK14kmMCSb1P5zC2ekVy1qb1uNaNXYXUikF7p4aIrTOtCvgeAC2j0hGFwPg1lxUAyyZXQwRTaO3w_E2Yzqh3wrpcPUR9D_Ud-3aa5RjRCR9wqUMzrE7_AIb_e1nJPieUNRza/s320/cake+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyx68_C2pTDlh4iQoHu8vMmnKkNfd6Kek59s8JU1boO0ZvUby3YnlcTYpvm4zPxIFCfQDl1DjMuOypcjkijyAiBaf91W4GyH_lsztTDyav2yq7pNYmY1NRRjoIDTu-5WUuqHnpPmKHF66s/s1600/cake+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyx68_C2pTDlh4iQoHu8vMmnKkNfd6Kek59s8JU1boO0ZvUby3YnlcTYpvm4zPxIFCfQDl1DjMuOypcjkijyAiBaf91W4GyH_lsztTDyav2yq7pNYmY1NRRjoIDTu-5WUuqHnpPmKHF66s/s320/cake+3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8TUC3PdwEprAelrjFE43Z1Cy5vXQeq0vJtodQpS46Q2RBQLOc4L7kI0UwqRPIsBAE1wOE-RTTeicbjX7S1VnVU5mafA0GAR0CRnDtXJn0wCjIKJDsGfsqY2NibV-Ve_vrQzMmXzA5wmF/s1600/cake+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8TUC3PdwEprAelrjFE43Z1Cy5vXQeq0vJtodQpS46Q2RBQLOc4L7kI0UwqRPIsBAE1wOE-RTTeicbjX7S1VnVU5mafA0GAR0CRnDtXJn0wCjIKJDsGfsqY2NibV-Ve_vrQzMmXzA5wmF/s320/cake+4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VWIKCg6UHur6M59YjoVj0SZCxCp_66lMoRaCgYCnhMS2gD6GXxSlpCM3I28V0ULQhGxv30U8gysccxXX0vrYgYlGR62AUMRTGrSV8WA6nS4G9Bv_ju2ZIodOarAZEkkeO1-timgD7Ua-/s1600/cake5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VWIKCg6UHur6M59YjoVj0SZCxCp_66lMoRaCgYCnhMS2gD6GXxSlpCM3I28V0ULQhGxv30U8gysccxXX0vrYgYlGR62AUMRTGrSV8WA6nS4G9Bv_ju2ZIodOarAZEkkeO1-timgD7Ua-/s320/cake5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Pumpkin Cake</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 box yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines)<br />
1/2 c. cooking oil<br />
1 c. canned pumpkin<br />
3/4 c. sugar<br />
1/4 c. water<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 tsp. cinnamon<br />
1/8 tsp. nutmeg</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #772222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mix all ingredients well until smooth. Bake in a 2 greased and floured pans at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Top with icing and sugared walnuts (I made mine homemade but you can buy them also)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #772222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting (adopted from Picky Palate.com)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #772222; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: #772222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8 tablespoons softened cream cheese</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #772222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8 tablespoons softened unsalted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8TUC3PdwEprAelrjFE43Z1Cy5vXQeq0vJtodQpS46Q2RBQLOc4L7kI0UwqRPIsBAE1wOE-RTTeicbjX7S1VnVU5mafA0GAR0CRnDtXJn0wCjIKJDsGfsqY2NibV-Ve_vrQzMmXzA5wmF/s320/cake+4.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 527px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 587px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">8 cups powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To prepare frosting, place butter and cream cheese into a mixing bowl, beating until creamy and smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar until you get the consistency you desire….between 3 and 4 cups. Stir in cinnamon then frost over cake, adding walnuts last! Enjoy! </span>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-8980568883698125922011-11-11T18:00:00.001-05:002011-11-11T12:40:33.780-05:00Stationary for Grandma!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg_Njx-qgRYs0QlZTcycWNa_Nd07XForExPWp7vEVNqdGSGaGpEft2UPyvO9xXoG62gtB_hEUowzegoeyCinNuR9gScmAJN0oLw9fo-Jtefas1lMyfA9PeUf3IiULhk6sg7CKIbKu8WAd/s1600/small+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg_Njx-qgRYs0QlZTcycWNa_Nd07XForExPWp7vEVNqdGSGaGpEft2UPyvO9xXoG62gtB_hEUowzegoeyCinNuR9gScmAJN0oLw9fo-Jtefas1lMyfA9PeUf3IiULhk6sg7CKIbKu8WAd/s320/small+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My grandmother is quite a special lady! I have so many fond memories of sitting around the kitchen table with her and my sisters and her teaching us how to paint. We usually painted in watercolor and always destroyed her brushes by making our trees by just smashing the brush onto the paper. She was a good sport, never complaining much about her brushes and encouraged us onward in our creativity. I remember looking so forward to her taking her special art bag out of her suitcase and showing me what she wanted us to paint. Those are such special times in my memory. I am grateful that she spent countless hours with us and found something so special to bond with my sisters and I over every visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I attribute a lot of my love for art to my grandmother. We are leaving today to visit my grandmother (Bryan's first visit to Grandma's!) and I made a special gift to give her on this visit. Her mailbox is very unique and was built by my dad and his brother. It arches out elegantly towards the street from the tree branch it rests on and always serves as a great welcome to her home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to make her a unique gift and since she loves beautiful stationary (she has been known to cut and paste them just to reuse a beautiful card...haha) I thought a card with an ink drawing of her special mailbox would do just fine! I created the drawing first and then printed the cards out with her name on them on cardstock paper and folded them. I hope she will love her gift and remember our special times sitting around the table painting together each time she takes one out of the box!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZlfpB-bcz67D_mV8WP-MHgcLU9bqm8xxpuWKtydTe88c8t1e0sQAZxirY1f6hQrqoczeRTo7yjetXoh8moAp5YC4Z2PxdBy38663WAcWXIWNbNO-OTDJbwgjTILVK4W33W_0Ktw7TiAt/s1600/small+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZlfpB-bcz67D_mV8WP-MHgcLU9bqm8xxpuWKtydTe88c8t1e0sQAZxirY1f6hQrqoczeRTo7yjetXoh8moAp5YC4Z2PxdBy38663WAcWXIWNbNO-OTDJbwgjTILVK4W33W_0Ktw7TiAt/s320/small+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMHERvQ7YG-MR_V8cILr3tpBweYIt2XmhP6PNbijU32lhOwRzpKd-oYdSVtxeUb7S3tlolIaF6ECV1CX_DpJpPh6K0-Pww1BgKyzppCOeYKChw7GtgV596fpM_Zsv34HVt_sAmvvuAqBu/s1600/small+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMHERvQ7YG-MR_V8cILr3tpBweYIt2XmhP6PNbijU32lhOwRzpKd-oYdSVtxeUb7S3tlolIaF6ECV1CX_DpJpPh6K0-Pww1BgKyzppCOeYKChw7GtgV596fpM_Zsv34HVt_sAmvvuAqBu/s320/small+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>See the original drawing <a href="http://loscaldwells.blogspot.com/p/rylies-artwork.html">here</a>.<br />
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Please<a href="mailto:ryliecaldwell@gmail.com"> email me</a> if you would like to have your own personalized stationary...I would love to create it for you!Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-12833475093246158632011-11-10T19:55:00.001-05:002011-11-10T19:56:21.661-05:00Peanut Butter Pretzel Delights!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Br8fGcoXLb_El-cAiWF5NhpwyQrOYd9NGNnf8RETe66rutUOjPxYYDFPmXmJVwMOtB0W5U2qq8K0LRn3AhWMCT5rk5gC6saa0-UB-NyAjmteRwLdor2hnXZcP8tfSX-Zicy_DpXHZfuY/s320/100_1524.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the new posting in <a href="http://loscaldwells.blogspot.com/p/recipes.html">Kitchen Creations</a>!</div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-88474184241179046302011-11-06T19:37:00.002-05:002011-11-06T19:42:15.709-05:00Cotton Gin Festival<div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP-HvUlCAv9U2E0lZYp59vxH_moF0UOx3ylXY3yuBdG2TATih0GRfyC7aUEqIZQ_ToYNBCMyOiHRo_HsQzsJB3xyhMVsEHWfIqgJ2I8IJc_4o_bjCiGC5yCRbNyB1KSImpLKq4Hxjsyci/s200/shed.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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This past weekend Bryan and I visited the Cotton Gin Festival in Bostwick, GA. It was a really neat experience to see the cotton growing in the fields and then see it being processed in the cotton gin. I hope you enjoy a few pictures from our visit!</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCWlsc0K5RAqP4__VCTMS1wAzO6-ZAro087YGaUtIA1idX2GVRzMKwGhptGnCEb3Jna-e1UsKdoaWg0GkpTu1o_r3he4-jm1Al5hymT4Y_UnhJOcr8DtQ28da26lutebXtOnDWnqIbqrr/s1600/hay+bales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCWlsc0K5RAqP4__VCTMS1wAzO6-ZAro087YGaUtIA1idX2GVRzMKwGhptGnCEb3Jna-e1UsKdoaWg0GkpTu1o_r3he4-jm1Al5hymT4Y_UnhJOcr8DtQ28da26lutebXtOnDWnqIbqrr/s200/hay+bales.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvBzhz3u-7WUWttJogkkxl6SHX9FNIOIjLLNDYQdgiwg2j2LawVlr9MthyphenhyphenxsMnbWP39MEM07UT4DoPSqI302gFLDCrlIsHogCzB1wZnkyogT-HrTT_GPQkiDssQsoGRB5zB5Dp7uCPAev/s1600/gin+viewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvBzhz3u-7WUWttJogkkxl6SHX9FNIOIjLLNDYQdgiwg2j2LawVlr9MthyphenhyphenxsMnbWP39MEM07UT4DoPSqI302gFLDCrlIsHogCzB1wZnkyogT-HrTT_GPQkiDssQsoGRB5zB5Dp7uCPAev/s200/gin+viewing.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVX9Klq7aqlNWLLq_ECGLTrf0l-QlKVhWwwuY3PM5L07rAr7kmohJl575BcGPlTwlHXv7GIEHP2Fj7Msph3bVzS4p9XmpuOJ7mv3DE4nCCU1RLFhc0I66ee3UrDNOiSPEyhYO0dxevtk7/s1600/cotton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVX9Klq7aqlNWLLq_ECGLTrf0l-QlKVhWwwuY3PM5L07rAr7kmohJl575BcGPlTwlHXv7GIEHP2Fj7Msph3bVzS4p9XmpuOJ7mv3DE4nCCU1RLFhc0I66ee3UrDNOiSPEyhYO0dxevtk7/s200/cotton.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXPopJolooH9aFSkt_WM-71X7cKSERJhyphenhyphenvSMvOXcYR3tT0F0ue_W26C0q3dsOFPPCHP66FJENmhNCQFHmIwpN2psE72Xr0Tmog1CZGxebR9pLTnmvRvgeew5PTPpdBLgMW5iRn91Tj2jh/s1600/296813_10101212762536034_8319025_76786670_1659386024_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXPopJolooH9aFSkt_WM-71X7cKSERJhyphenhyphenvSMvOXcYR3tT0F0ue_W26C0q3dsOFPPCHP66FJENmhNCQFHmIwpN2psE72Xr0Tmog1CZGxebR9pLTnmvRvgeew5PTPpdBLgMW5iRn91Tj2jh/s320/296813_10101212762536034_8319025_76786670_1659386024_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-83122854005799807732011-10-31T00:10:00.000-04:002011-10-31T00:10:24.352-04:00Cake baking adventure!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeTHO8hQLHUxRS236BPENDt1is0fkRa-z0zDoVrMDEU32ugkvEzdKpLTaVgbWoEvr5-DgKoBup_DtN3CjJyVdgHdkFv8OpimOJ4Jv3n6v1midS1OsI5v2wS56-nmfXXDTIfO_LKHW3SeD/s1600/final+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeTHO8hQLHUxRS236BPENDt1is0fkRa-z0zDoVrMDEU32ugkvEzdKpLTaVgbWoEvr5-DgKoBup_DtN3CjJyVdgHdkFv8OpimOJ4Jv3n6v1midS1OsI5v2wS56-nmfXXDTIfO_LKHW3SeD/s200/final+3.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><br />
Be sure to check out the <a href="http://loscaldwells.blogspot.com/p/recipes.html">Kitchen Creations</a> page to see the cake I made for my nephew's birthday!Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-80698545841165140512011-10-24T19:15:00.000-04:002011-10-24T20:00:41.842-04:00Dining a la Mug Shot!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vWJFlDmQTd9MaJANmJU0ClogiaDAPDUbl2YylSQsmHQgyM248T05sDdErX3h_77RKjGrIn7v5rpTYpt1y5AE7Z0BEfOE9ccj-ngDcD-rd65Rxa-GBpKjqBQsXIjjwnve86em4Vz39uZW/s1600/table2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vWJFlDmQTd9MaJANmJU0ClogiaDAPDUbl2YylSQsmHQgyM248T05sDdErX3h_77RKjGrIn7v5rpTYpt1y5AE7Z0BEfOE9ccj-ngDcD-rd65Rxa-GBpKjqBQsXIjjwnve86em4Vz39uZW/s200/table2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_er4AT0Lx7iLMwOQzESi6JjevQq0pHy1B2itAbi0fiOggiqKb83BpeX_Vg1bvJUVCSothdNFBMqEoxXZY91nHYVKNjT9Lp4vuClYyzeAbqlrcMYHTeaTmk1uEIGT3y12bvKsZqqSgzAXw/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_er4AT0Lx7iLMwOQzESi6JjevQq0pHy1B2itAbi0fiOggiqKb83BpeX_Vg1bvJUVCSothdNFBMqEoxXZY91nHYVKNjT9Lp4vuClYyzeAbqlrcMYHTeaTmk1uEIGT3y12bvKsZqqSgzAXw/s200/table.jpg" width="200" /></a>Bryan was out of town working for two weeks and when he came home our new dining room was waiting for him! What a surprise! I made the dining room table out of two wine racks from World Market and the table top was something I put together with supplies from Home Depot. I took 3 long planks, connected them underneath with smaller pieces of wood, then stained the table top, weathered it with sandpaper and a screwdriver (there is probably a tool for that?) and finally laquered the entire top with 2 coats before applying it to the wine rack legs. For the lighting I took mason jars from Target and put small candles inside which I think look really neat all lit up on the shelves...also from Target! The chairs are super cool and from IKEA...they even rock slightly which is a great little feature. The painting is a Rylie Caldwell special and it certainly provided the shock value I was looking for when he walked in the door! When I did the painting I thought it would be clever and a conversation piece. I didn't plan on it looking like a cow mug shot!! Haha...I laughed so hard hanging this up on the wall. It will definitely be interesting to see what our guests have to say about it until we change it up!</div>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-45303482115257476342011-10-24T18:30:00.001-04:002011-10-24T18:30:13.962-04:00Under Construction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HlWvreo9JcWP5sHFz-zgRVERlW7QyzM-pHOfjSOmZaDGDsgHlfhf3nH_zl1szGFExkiMIPf-Mw5h-AeLBXsEP1z-jxEb0-HEOIUIM9FLGMD6EkDiyUWUFgN0LVVUyzedbrGMBeWSycMi/s1600/entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HlWvreo9JcWP5sHFz-zgRVERlW7QyzM-pHOfjSOmZaDGDsgHlfhf3nH_zl1szGFExkiMIPf-Mw5h-AeLBXsEP1z-jxEb0-HEOIUIM9FLGMD6EkDiyUWUFgN0LVVUyzedbrGMBeWSycMi/s320/entry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Before our renovation projects....Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207150410057708848.post-82950738390935510652011-09-06T10:55:00.000-04:002011-09-06T10:55:37.582-04:00Welcome to our Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP_8NDGTui3nvRtpqoSa_XVoHMFruPHniYh8QqEISlnDpwazUTUnFIMIIfiiWC9LwIv0TVAlNtBTJf9dUzMm13DG9PkzeK42-YAFKxRcclW7Ib073WAIcnyNi30VAIRqfJGSu73E4UzUu/s1600/SHP_DeyoeCaldwell_Wedding+9999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP_8NDGTui3nvRtpqoSa_XVoHMFruPHniYh8QqEISlnDpwazUTUnFIMIIfiiWC9LwIv0TVAlNtBTJf9dUzMm13DG9PkzeK42-YAFKxRcclW7Ib073WAIcnyNi30VAIRqfJGSu73E4UzUu/s320/SHP_DeyoeCaldwell_Wedding+9999.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><a name='more'></a>Hello friends and family! Welcome to our blog! We have had a busy and fun filled start to life as Los Caldwell's! Shortly after our return from our honeymoon we started the process of moving all of my things into Bryan's condo. And by shortly I mean...the day after we got back from our honeymoon! We were jolted back into reality as we loaded all of my belongings into boxes, down the steps, into the UHaul, up the steps and into our love nest! We have since made it our new mission to shape up our home and have sold TONS of our things on Craigslist and then refurnished with new finds. Gotta love Craigslist! I will post before and after pictures soon of our place soon but for now I will leave the link to our wedding pictures for you to check out. Lots of love!<br />
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<a href="http://stephenhunton.zenfolio.com/caldwelldeyoewedding">http://stephenhunton.zenfolio.com/caldwelldeyoewedding</a>Ryliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545903729922303060noreply@blogger.com0