tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-353547892024-03-12T18:08:25.548-05:00knit fishabout Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-31135363060856781482013-04-15T22:33:00.003-05:002013-04-15T22:33:34.862-05:00Healthy Tangerine "Creamsicles"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zgU6X_DgNE/UWzDkrhtC2I/AAAAAAAAAcI/NCo-UH1uxuw/s1600/tangerinecreamsicle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zgU6X_DgNE/UWzDkrhtC2I/AAAAAAAAAcI/NCo-UH1uxuw/s400/tangerinecreamsicle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
These are SOOOOO yummy, and HEALTHY! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tangerine “Creamsicles” Recipe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ingredients</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mini tangerines (or roughly 1 cup of orange or tangerine juice)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7 Tbsp Greek yogurt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
¼ cup milk </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
¼ cup cooled brewed raspberry white tea (or other tea, juice,
or more milk)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adjust liquids to increase volume if needed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sweetener to taste (honey, agave nectar, stevia, etc.) *optional*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cut mini tangerines in half width wise, and remove peels. Place
mini tangerine pieces, yogurt, milk, tea, and vanilla together in a blender or
food processor. Blend until very smooth. This recipe leaves the pulp in, so you do get texture in your pops. I don't mind, since I am happy to have the extra fibre, but if you want popsicles that have a more traditional smooth uniform texture - ie. you don’t want pulp - you may choose to replace the tangerines with pulp-free orange juice, or use more mini tangerines and squeeze the juice out of them before adding other ingredients. </div>
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Pour mixture into popsicle molds and place in freezer for
several hours or until solid. </div>
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Makes ~6-7 popsicles.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nutritional Info for Tangerine “Creamsicles”*: </div>
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<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 467px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.1pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.8pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
mini tangerines</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="68">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
7</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.45pt;" valign="top" width="113">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
0</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67.55pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
259</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.1pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.8pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
vanilla greek yogurt</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="68">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
7T</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.45pt;" valign="top" width="113">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
3.9</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67.55pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
127.8</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.1pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.8pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
2% milk</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="68">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
1/4 c</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.45pt;" valign="top" width="113">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
1.25</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67.55pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
32.5</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.1pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.8pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
vanilla extract</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="68">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
1tsp</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.45pt;" valign="top" width="113">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
0</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67.55pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
0</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.1pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.8pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
raspberry white tea - brewed</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="68">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
1/4 c</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.45pt;" valign="top" width="113">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
0</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67.55pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
0</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.1pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.8pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
per batch</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="68"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.45pt;" valign="top" width="113">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
5</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67.55pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
419.3</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.1pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.8pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
per pop (1/7th of batch)</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="68"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.45pt;" valign="top" width="113">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
0.7</div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67.55pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
59.9</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
*Calories are figured out for recipe as is, without added sweetener.about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-58175091731176062013-04-15T16:15:00.000-05:002013-04-23T21:56:34.374-05:00Make Your Own Greek Yogurt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6Ca6kLFqYA/UWxfnKZZ8kI/AAAAAAAAAbY/YGpdpnam5zI/s1600/greekyogurt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6Ca6kLFqYA/UWxfnKZZ8kI/AAAAAAAAAbY/YGpdpnam5zI/s320/greekyogurt2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I love Greek yogurt. I LOVE, love it. I love how rich and creamy it is, without being fattening or calorific. I love how when I eat it, I feel like I am having a decadent treat, but I'm actually eating a snack that is ultra healthy - packed with protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients.<br />
<br />
What I don't love about store bought Greek yogurt is the price. A regular sized tub (~1/2 L) can cost anywhere from $5.00-$7.00. The other thing I don't love about store bought Greek yogurt is the artificial flavourings, fillers and other additives some brands contain.<br />
<br />
But there's good news! Greek yogurt is easy and inexpensive to make at home. I made my own the other day, and it is rich, creamy, and soooooo decadent. Best of all, it cost only ~$1.50 - $2.00 per 1/2 L to make it at home!<br />
<br />
Here's how I did it:<br />
<br />
You will need:<br />
A big pot, with a lid<br />
A large mixing bowl<br />
A large sieve, or collander that fits over your mixing bowl<br />
Thick paper towels (~ 3 pieces), cheesecloth, or very clean dish towel, to act as a fine strainer<br />
A kitchen thermometer that can read from 100° F - 180° F<br />
A whisk<br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
Milk (I used 2L to get 1L of yogurt)<br />
1 Tbsp Plain yogurt per L of milk (choose a brand that you love, to achieve similar results, and make sure that you choose one that is as fresh as possible, and contains live active culture. Ex. Danone).<br />
Vanilla (~1/2 Tbsp per L yogurt) *optional*<br />
Sweetener to taste (brown sugar, honey, stevia, agave nectar, etc.) *optional*<br />
Fruit preserves *optional*<br />
<br />
1. Pour the milk into the large pot, and stirring frequently, heat to 180° F. Make sure you scrape the bottom of the pot frequently, to prevent burning. OR you can heat your milk in a microwave for ~ 17 minutes according to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CN7938yu1s&feature=youtu.be"> this video tutorial </a> Which is a really great instructional video.<br />
EDIT:<em> I tried a batch using the microwave to heat the milk, and it didn't come out quite right. It was kind of goopy after incubating. It took twice as long to strain, although it did set alright and was ok the next day (not goopy any more), but definitely not as rich and creamy as my first batch. The only other thing that was different, was that I used a different oven, so perhaps the light was not as warm and incubation wasn't as effective? Either way, use the microwave at your own peril, I can't vouch for the results, as I didn't get great results when I made it this way.</em><br />
<br />
2. Once your milk has reached 180° F, cover it and let cool to ~100° F or just slightly warmer than room temp. Then add approximately 1 Tbsp of live culture yogurt to the milk, to inoculate the milk, and stir it well.<br />
<br />
3. Warm your oven to ~ 100° F, and turn on the oven light. Place your covered pot of inoculated milk into the warmed oven, and let incubate for ~6-12 hours. I also wrapped my pot in a dry dishtowel to provide additional insulation. If you make your yogurt before bed, it should be ready to strain by the time you wake up in the morning. When it is ready it should jiggle like jello, and be fairly thick and chunky.<br />
<br />
4. Once your yogurt has finished incubating, prepare the strainer. Place the colander or sieve over a large bowl, and line with two layers of paper towels, a cheesecloth, or a very clean dish towel. Spoon your yogurt into the strainer very gently, to prevent losing solids, or ripping your paper towel. Once the bottom of the strainer is covered in yogurt, you may gently pour the rest of the yogurt into the strainer.<br />
<br />
5. Cover your filled strainer with another paper towel, to reduce the amount of airborne stuff landing in your yogurt. Then place it into the fridge to strain for ~ 45 mins to 1 hour. You may need to empty the catch bowl of liquid whey part way through. When finished, you should end up with roughly equal parts yogurt and whey.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQp4koQQdfo/UWxs0kWipTI/AAAAAAAAAbo/O3bhXR4R25o/s1600/strainedyogurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQp4koQQdfo/UWxs0kWipTI/AAAAAAAAAbo/O3bhXR4R25o/s200/strainedyogurt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
6. Pour your whey into clean jars to use for other purposes, such as in baking. Uncover your yogurt, and dump upside down into the large bowl. Gently remove the paper towel, cheesecloth, or dishcloth (the top left picture shows my yogurt once I removed the paper towel. You can see how firm it is and even the slight impression of the paper towel on the yogurt ;-)<br />
<br />
7. With a whisk, whip your yogurt until nice and smooth. It is now ready to be poured into clean storage containers, if you prefer plain yogurt, or you may add sweeteners, vanilla, or fruit for flavoured yogurt. For my vanilla yogurt, I created a simple vanilla syrup by combining ~ 1/2 cup of demerrara sugar with a splash of whey and vanilla in a saucepan, over med-low heat, until the sugar was melted. I then whipped this into my yogurt, before pouring into storage containers. You can save a few Tbsp of yogurt as a culture for your next batch, and can store it even by freezing it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gm8iidf-UVc/UWxs-cVvmZI/AAAAAAAAAb0/OU-5ju_DpE4/s1600/stirredyogurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gm8iidf-UVc/UWxs-cVvmZI/AAAAAAAAAb0/OU-5ju_DpE4/s200/stirredyogurt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
8. Refrigerate yogurt for ~4 hours to let it set before consuming. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWxRGXpODdo/UWxtHy4X-2I/AAAAAAAAAb4/8WEOCNdT4Jg/s1600/finishedyogurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWxRGXpODdo/UWxtHy4X-2I/AAAAAAAAAb4/8WEOCNdT4Jg/s200/finishedyogurt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-71069190368587023602013-04-13T00:50:00.000-05:002013-04-13T00:54:04.046-05:00Healthy Homemade Pizza Pops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyCW2WbMd4Y/UWjxYraS0SI/AAAAAAAAAbA/t9IjR41zO7U/s1600/pizzapops2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyCW2WbMd4Y/UWjxYraS0SI/AAAAAAAAAbA/t9IjR41zO7U/s320/pizzapops2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My hubby LOVES pizza pops. He would eat them every day if he could! The problem is that they are loaded with preservatives, artificial flavouring, unhealthy fats, refined flour, and lots of calories. So tonight I made my own healthier version. This recipe makes a batch of ~15 4-5" pizza pops, so there will be plenty left over to freeze and have for quick and convenient meals.<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
Pizza dough (enough for 2 pizzas) - I used <a href="http://www.grouprecipes.com/46552/italian-thin-crust-pizza-dough.html"> this recipe </a>and subbed whole wheat flour for my crust.<br />
~ 2 cups Pizza sauce (<a href="http://www.kitchentreaty.com/our-very-favorite-homemade-pizza-sauce/"> Here's a good homemade sauce recipe</a>)<br />
~ 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (use reduced fat mozza for lower calories)<br />
1/2 Small Onion (diced)<br />
1-2 Cloves Garlic (minced)<br />
Other topping options include chopped tomato, spinach, feta cheese, lean ham, fresh pineapple, bell pepper, jalapenos, mushrooms ... etc.<br />
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Prepare pizza dough according to recipe. Form into a thick round patty and cut into ~ 15 equal pieces. Roll these into balls, place back in a bowl and cover with a tea towel to prevent them from drying out. Preheat oven to 375°.<br />
Grab one dough ball and roll out very thin ~1/2 cm thick. In the center place ~ 2T sauce, a tiny amount of onion, garlic, and veggies/meat/whatever you like, cover with ~2T of mozzarella. Carefully fold edges of dough together, pinch all the way around, and then fold edge over and pinch again. Lightly oil a baking pan with olive oil. Place each pizza pop on the pan. When you are about 1/2 way done filling the pizza pops you should have one pan full.<br />
Bake pizza pops for 15-20 minutes, or until crusts are lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand on tray for ~ 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.<br />
I haven't frozen and reheated my pizza pops yet, so I don't know the exact time. But I am going to bake them at 375° for 15-20 minutes, or until hot and golden browned. You could also microwave them for 1-2 minutes or until hot. Let sit for several minutes after re-heating.<br />
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I filled mine with regular fat mozza, pizza sauce, onions, garlic, spinach, and fresh tomato. When I calculated the fat & calories they came to 5.6 g fat, and 140 calories each (about 1/2 the fat and calories of regular pizza pops).<br />
Om nom nom! These are SO DELICIOUS! Way tastier and more filling than store bought pizza pops - and HEALTHIER of course~<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o7ImnTNupw/UWjxb2J0J6I/AAAAAAAAAbM/103xZcfOx7g/s1600/pizzapops3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o7ImnTNupw/UWjxb2J0J6I/AAAAAAAAAbM/103xZcfOx7g/s320/pizzapops3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-6030323272550635592013-03-05T21:37:00.000-06:002013-03-05T21:37:02.962-06:00Dragon TattooThis is just a quickie post to show you all the finished version of the WIP I posted last time.<br />
If you are interested in the tools that I used to draw this, check out the previous post, as I've listed and photographed them. The only thing to add is that I used a black charcoal stick to get the deep black of the clothing, without using up my pencils.<br />
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Here it is! <em>Dragon Tattoo</em><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdGLgnziOM4/UTa5lDicEnI/AAAAAAAAAak/TS3_Szn69sI/s1600/dragontattoobw_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdGLgnziOM4/UTa5lDicEnI/AAAAAAAAAak/TS3_Szn69sI/s400/dragontattoobw_sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<em><br /></em>about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-19361989200398348532013-03-03T19:12:00.001-06:002013-03-03T19:14:02.507-06:00Charcoal Portraits - practice, practice, practice<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
Lately, I've been working on my drawing skills. I have been drawing for years, since as far back as I can remember, really. I used to draw all of the time, but about ten years ago, knitting took over my life. As a nasty case of carpal tunnel has stopped me from knitting, I have turned back to other artistic pursuits, and recently began drawing again more seriously. I began by using an old set of Derwent Graphic pencils (H - 9B), but found that I was fighting against smudging, graphite shine, and a lack of depth (due to an inability to create a true black with graphite). After some great advice from other artists, and studying some portrait instruction texts, I switched to primarily using charcoal pencils. I still use a graphite mechanical pencil to do the layout sketch, and some of the eye detail, but the rest is done with charcoal pencils, which give greater depth and impact than graphite.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4i38gPSXDY/UTPuOmzuNVI/AAAAAAAAAaE/ZGJiLP3UCrQ/s1600/sheldonbw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4i38gPSXDY/UTPuOmzuNVI/AAAAAAAAAaE/ZGJiLP3UCrQ/s400/sheldonbw1.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
Here's a portrait I recently did of Sheldon Cooper, from <i>The Big Bang Theory</i>.<br />
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<img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_NwaMsmgrI/UTPugiDtrAI/AAAAAAAAAaU/C1PSHwllr0k/s400/charcoaldrawingsupplies.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Here is a pic of the tools that I use. I find that I sharpen my pencils frequently, or I use a foam sanding block to sharpen the tips (not shown here). You can pick up foam sanding blocks from any hardware store. Mine was ~ 1.5" thick x 3" wide, and I can't remember how long it was, but I cut it down to approx 1.5" long. I also use a regular Ziploc sandwich bag to catch the pencil and charcoal shavings. </div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMrxlP-PSwc/UTPuSFEThMI/AAAAAAAAAaM/W3Ih_is2M64/s400/dragontattoobwWIP1.jpg" width="342" /></div>
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This picture is of Mikael Blomkvist (as played by Daniel Craig), from <i>The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo</i>. This is a WIP that will include a profile of Lisbeth Salander (as played by Rooney Mara), and is from the movie poster.</div>
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For these portraits, the layout sketching, and the iris detail was done with the mechanical pencil (HB graphite), the light portions were mostly done using the General's Charcoal HB-hard, while the darker portions were done using the range of Primo Charcoal pencils. The darkest parts were achieved with the Derwent Charcoal -Dark pencil.</div>
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I always use a spray-on Workable Fixative to keep my work from smudging, and I also place paper towel over the finished portions while I am working on other parts of the image to prevent hand-smudging.</div>
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For info on pencils, and techniques for portrait drawing, check out J.D. Hillberry. He's pretty commercial, and I don't always like his subjects, and composition, but his book and youtube videos have some good info on realistic drawing techniques.</div>
<br />about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-87231214283118017442013-02-20T21:24:00.000-06:002013-02-20T21:24:15.722-06:00Sew Geeky - how to make a dice bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9L6DRHiJxZw/USWNMDSgliI/AAAAAAAAAY8/8aFaXKCwGUw/s1600/dicebag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9L6DRHiJxZw/USWNMDSgliI/AAAAAAAAAY8/8aFaXKCwGUw/s400/dicebag1.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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This next project is a perfect gift for the game geek you love, or make it for yourself! </div>
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Nothing says "Shiny!" like your own personalized dice bag, & it is oh sew simple to make.</div>
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The pattern is for a simple fabric drawstring bag, which can hold many little treasures, not *just* dice, for you non-gamers out there.</div>
<em>*Click on the pattern images to enlarge*</em><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUlpDYvNTZI/USWQa16y_7I/AAAAAAAAAZs/0LK3LRbXfiU/s1600/dicebag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUlpDYvNTZI/USWQa16y_7I/AAAAAAAAAZs/0LK3LRbXfiU/s640/dicebag1.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiRrr2bC6Hk/USWQc4lvyaI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/KPk571aL_m0/s1600/dicebag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiRrr2bC6Hk/USWQc4lvyaI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/KPk571aL_m0/s640/dicebag2.jpg" width="488" /></a><em><br /></em> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uF-NvfasTo/USWNNelYzzI/AAAAAAAAAZI/4LE0Bzy6yKw/s1600/dicebag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uF-NvfasTo/USWNNelYzzI/AAAAAAAAAZI/4LE0Bzy6yKw/s320/dicebag2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Personalize your bag with an awesome pic, quote, or meme! When using printable iron-on-transfers, don't forget to reverse your image prior to printing, so the writing doesn't come out backwards.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwSCZAericw/USWNRmsjpWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/D1g72tLlAnk/s1600/criticalhit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwSCZAericw/USWNRmsjpWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/D1g72tLlAnk/s320/criticalhit.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<em>This pattern is copyright Vanessa Carter 2013<br />www.knit-fish.blogspot.com</em></div>
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<em><br />Terms & Conditions:<br />You are welcome to use this pattern to sew items for yourself, for charity, and for gifts. You<br />may not distribute this pattern for free or for sale. </em>
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<em>Happy Crafting!</em></div>
<br />about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-41937823271405012412013-02-18T17:32:00.002-06:002013-02-18T17:35:48.617-06:00How to plan a crafternoonThis little project has been hanging out for a very long time, but I never blogged about it. I think this might have been my first 3D felt project! I made it at a needle felting craft night with the girls. My talented friend, Robin, knew all about needle felting, and had an inspiring book with lots of projects in it. She hosted a craft night and taught us all the basics of needle felting, and we each went home with our own adorable little felt item(s).<br />
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If you've never had a craft night, or crafternoon, here's how I do it:<br />
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<b>1. MAKE A LIST </b>of people who you love to spend time with, who are also crafty.<br />
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<b>2. CHOOSE A CRAFT PROJECT</b><b> </b>or make it a bring your own project event. Keep in mind that while some people love the organization of a one type of project for all event, where one person directs or teaches and everyone else makes the same or similar items, some people like to do their own thing, and feel restricted by this. Another option is to have a variety of craft supplies available for people who want to just follow their own creative flow. It is always a good idea to take a vote on project types if you choose to do one type of project for everyone.<br />
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<i><b>Here are some crafty ideas:</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/921488/how-make-needle-felted-penguin#221521">
Needle felted animals
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<a href="http://americanfeltandcraft.wordpress.com/category/felt-food/free-felt-food-tutorials-and-patterns/">
Sewn felt food
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<a href="http://www.styleathome.com/homes/gardens/how-to-create-a-whimsical-terrarium/a/41733">
Terrariums!
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<a href="http://www.penelopeandpip.com/diy-printables/">And a whole bunch of crafty projects </a><br />
More ideas include making papercraft gift cards, hand stamped gift cards, hand painted nesting dolls, small decoupaged items, small watercolour paintings, small sewn felt or fleece projects, small knitted or crocheted projects, decorated magnets, or scrapbook pages.<br />
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<b><i>Pick a Project for Success!</i></b><br />
The key is to choose a craft that will fit your time frame, and everyones skill level. Unless you've got a group of expert level crafters, you want to keep it fairly simple. For example, don't choose a knitting project, if some of your guests can't knit, unless you are having a crafternoon specifically to learn the basics of knitting.<br />
If you are doing a tutorial, keep it brief, so people can get to the fun part: crafting! <br />
Keep in mind that people craft at different speeds, and you don't really want your guests to go home with incomplete projects. So when in doubt, choose something small, then if there is time left over, your guests can make several items.<br />
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<b>3. SEND OUT INVITES</b> by mail, email or make a facebook event: <i>be sure to include these elements...</i><br />
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<b>When?</b><br />
You may choose to select several dates and have your friends vote on which works best for them. Otherwise, weekends afternoons often work well, or evenings on weekdays. Choose a time that works best and allow around 3-4 hours for the event to take place, depending on the craft you choose. Keep in mind that you will need to factor in arrival times, time to eat and chat, time to plan out projects, time for a tutorial (if some people haven't done the particular craft before), and time to craft! I would allow for about 1 - 1.5 hours for everything up to the tutorial and crafting.<br />
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<b>Where?</b><br />
It could be your home, ask for a volunteer to host if you can't, or take it to a local cafe or public space (imagine a picnic in the park crafternoon!)<br />
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<b>What to bring?</b><br />
I often make my crafternoons potluck, and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. I usually provide tea, and other beverages. I also either ask for each person to bring $5 to cover the cost of craft supplies, if I am picking up supplies, or to bring their own craft supplies. <i>Make sure you have extras of tools that everyone will need such as scissors, glue, sewing needles, pins, etc. Or you can ask that people bring their own.</i><br />
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<b>4. HAVE FUN!</b><i> </i>Remember, the aim is just to have fun crafting with friends. Don't put too much pressure on for everything to be perfect, and just enjoy the time :-)<i><br /></i><br />
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<br />about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-89442351403682018892013-01-15T15:46:00.001-06:002013-01-15T15:50:26.108-06:00I felt like a hummingbird...The world of needle felting is something that I picked up during my time working at my LYS (that's Local Yarn Shop for the uninitiated). It began with a little pin, <a href="http://knit-fish.blogspot.ca/2009/01/little-forest.html"> which I blogged about here</a>. Now I have moved on to more complex three dimensional shapes.... which you are all dying to see... so here you go!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUVgFXQ447g/UPXLCAbhA0I/AAAAAAAAAX0/pZHXl7l9jeY/s1600/hummingbirdformom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUVgFXQ447g/UPXLCAbhA0I/AAAAAAAAAX0/pZHXl7l9jeY/s320/hummingbirdformom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This little hummingbird was made for my mom for her birthday. <br />
I began with an ovoid body shape (made of the blue roving), and began to add the head shape through strategic needle work. Eventually I added the belly colour, and shaped the tail. Finally I worked on the wings separately , folding sections of roving into rough triangle shapes and working them from there into wings, then attached them to the main body, again, with the needle.<br />
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I think my experience working with clay really helped me out with this, because I am used to creating three dimensional shapes. It was just a matter of changing the medium and getting used to the technique of the felting needle. I use single needles to make my creations, in sizes 26, 28, and I think 30 or 31.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ucnv-dj2n8/UPXMtGzacoI/AAAAAAAAAYM/v580vXt6fig/s1600/hummingbirdformom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ucnv-dj2n8/UPXMtGzacoI/AAAAAAAAAYM/v580vXt6fig/s320/hummingbirdformom3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The first hummingbird was made from <a href="http://fleeceartist.com/yarns.html"> Fleece Artist</a> 100% Merino Sliver in the <i>Mermaid</i> colourway (for the head, back, wings, and tail), and 100% Merino Sliver in what I *think* is the <i>Blomidon</i> colourway (for the belly). The beak is made from another part of the
<i>Mermaid</i> colourway.<br />
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The second little hummingbird was made on commission for a friend. It is made of gorgeous <a href="http://fleeceartist.com/yarns.html"> Fleece Artist</a> Merino Silk Sliver in the <i>Aurora</i> colourway (for the head, back, wings, and tail), and 100% Merino Sliver in what I *think* is the <i>Blomidon</i> colourway (for the belly). The beak is made from some left over dark purple roving I had lying around. The eyes of both birds are made from little blue glass beads, sewn in after I needle felted little holes for them to go into.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Clm2OHDcqY/UPXIPaFeBvI/AAAAAAAAAXg/wOXizA1VXfU/s1600/hummingbird2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Clm2OHDcqY/UPXIPaFeBvI/AAAAAAAAAXg/wOXizA1VXfU/s320/hummingbird2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
If you enjoyed this post about needle felted hummingbirds, check back later as I will be posting more of my creations soon. I am also planning to do a tutorial post, at some point, where I will go through the process step-by-step.<br />
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<br />about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-67620806096324175742011-06-01T03:55:00.001-05:002011-06-01T03:55:40.541-05:00May in picturesWow! It's been a long time since I posted! I have been battling with my RS injury, so knitting has been out. I have been so busy that not much crafting has happened... but I've been taking some nice photos with my new Canon DSLR camera! Here is a little photo recap of May.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADTnivHoG3Y/TeX94aEhY3I/AAAAAAAAAUY/QFzcZYmMSlE/s1600/camas052011c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADTnivHoG3Y/TeX94aEhY3I/AAAAAAAAAUY/QFzcZYmMSlE/s320/camas052011c.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPKh6ZxofMo/TeX94kZYf1I/AAAAAAAAAUg/C4xecBi00Xo/s1600/dandilionseeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPKh6ZxofMo/TeX94kZYf1I/AAAAAAAAAUg/C4xecBi00Xo/s320/dandilionseeds.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxpeYcMov3U/TeX94jVwDaI/AAAAAAAAAUo/T0o5X2iRxEU/s1600/fiddlehead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxpeYcMov3U/TeX94jVwDaI/AAAAAAAAAUo/T0o5X2iRxEU/s320/fiddlehead.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6J103SlUAM/TeX-K_IS4EI/AAAAAAAAAVA/ib65rrCPEu8/s1600/redleaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6J103SlUAM/TeX-K_IS4EI/AAAAAAAAAVA/ib65rrCPEu8/s320/redleaves.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-hA5qdao2Y/TeX-KwLX8JI/AAAAAAAAAVI/2W7Cfvc2ri0/s1600/ivy052011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-hA5qdao2Y/TeX-KwLX8JI/AAAAAAAAAVI/2W7Cfvc2ri0/s320/ivy052011.jpg" /></a></div>about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-7352345309466319942010-12-03T00:31:00.004-06:002010-12-03T00:44:21.475-06:00something artsy....Wow! The fall just flew by and now it is winter here in Canada! I am kind of wondering what happened to November, because December is here and I just don't feel ready for it yet! I have no Christmas shopping done, nor do I have decorations up! i did make some pretty tasty mandarin orange marmalade with my mom yesterday, which felt pretty Christmasy. <br /><br />Anyways, I haven't posted anything artistic on here lately, so here are some little art tidbits to tide you over~<br /><br />The little raccoon is a watercolour card that I made for a friend, when she was going away to school. We worked together over the summer and sometimes dealt with baby raccoons and other wonderful wildlife.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TPiPG8NtSNI/AAAAAAAAASM/f54Y1hYwNT8/s1600/racooncopyright.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TPiPG8NtSNI/AAAAAAAAASM/f54Y1hYwNT8/s320/racooncopyright.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546340290512373970" /></a><br /><br />The next one is a little pen and ink sketch. I like tofu, especially the custard flavoured dessert tofu, but I always get flack for it when people catch me eating it. I get a response like, "Eeeewww... that's disgusting!" <br />Well Mr. Tofu has something to say to you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TPiPggAZhZI/AAAAAAAAASU/uYDfHlhWphs/s1600/tofu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TPiPggAZhZI/AAAAAAAAASU/uYDfHlhWphs/s320/tofu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546340729616958866" /></a><br /><br />Enjoy December and just try some dessert tofu, would ya!?about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-56169459434159543242010-10-11T23:55:00.010-05:002010-10-12T00:14:57.560-05:00dog dayOlive was pretty impressed by Jasper the dog's <a href="http://shibachacha.blogspot.com/">blog by a dog</a> and she decided that she wanted to do a guest post on Knit Fish:<br /><br />"Today mum and I went out into the world! We went to a place called Mount Doug.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPr_kAeEgI/AAAAAAAAARM/xf5vPu5PJ-E/s1600/oliveouting5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPr_kAeEgI/AAAAAAAAARM/xf5vPu5PJ-E/s320/oliveouting5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527020644943663618" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I saw that a mountain is a thing what is full of nature and goes up and more up! I don't know who is doug, but he has BIG mountain!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPrRuAdicI/AAAAAAAAARE/KIRYgXQDS_I/s1600/mtdougview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPrRuAdicI/AAAAAAAAARE/KIRYgXQDS_I/s320/mtdougview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527019857354000834" /></a><br /><br />At the top we could see the WHOLE WORLD I think! <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPq9t6CMDI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/mNPlsRPw4h8/s1600/oliveouting2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPq9t6CMDI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/mNPlsRPw4h8/s320/oliveouting2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527019513729658930" /></a><br /><br />I was so happy to see the world. It is bigger than I thought.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPspxLfvGI/AAAAAAAAARU/ZsQ0kKp0-X0/s1600/oliveouting4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPspxLfvGI/AAAAAAAAARU/ZsQ0kKp0-X0/s320/oliveouting4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527021370034076770" /></a><br /><br />That is me beside the world. There is railing so we dont fall off doug's mountain and onto the world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPtPue49kI/AAAAAAAAARc/GInO3311rII/s1600/beststickever.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPtPue49kI/AAAAAAAAARc/GInO3311rII/s320/beststickever.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527022022145144386" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes on mountains there are sticks. This is very good stick!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPtawkyeyI/AAAAAAAAARk/teCWVg8PWDU/s1600/beststickever2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPtawkyeyI/AAAAAAAAARk/teCWVg8PWDU/s320/beststickever2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527022211685317410" /></a><br /><br />This stick is good to chew. It has nice mountain smells.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPtno7OdoI/AAAAAAAAARs/mUpP1ruuadc/s1600/beststickever3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPtno7OdoI/AAAAAAAAARs/mUpP1ruuadc/s320/beststickever3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527022432970241666" /></a><br /><br />I'm bring it, okay?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPuGAtNUmI/AAAAAAAAAR0/pNtRvpVdUJ4/s1600/leavingsosoon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TLPuGAtNUmI/AAAAAAAAAR0/pNtRvpVdUJ4/s320/leavingsosoon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527022954749973090" /></a><br /><br />Leaving already? Lets see more world soon!"about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-24529558026881738572010-10-08T00:57:00.001-05:002010-10-08T01:00:19.224-05:00more pretty fall pics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TK6zK44wm2I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/FqcHlvX3KqU/s1600/wasp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TK6zK44wm2I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/FqcHlvX3KqU/s320/wasp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525550792480693090" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TK6zKhe_1eI/AAAAAAAAAQs/NvHqRUgpt8U/s1600/orchids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TK6zKhe_1eI/AAAAAAAAAQs/NvHqRUgpt8U/s320/orchids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525550786198623714" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TK6zKQsYyvI/AAAAAAAAAQk/qQ-OYX7h8BA/s1600/ladybug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TK6zKQsYyvI/AAAAAAAAAQk/qQ-OYX7h8BA/s320/ladybug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525550781691382514" /></a>about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-17384619976762394562010-10-06T02:27:00.002-05:002010-10-06T02:34:13.380-05:00Fall imagery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TKwlbq7EfzI/AAAAAAAAAQc/TLuwNX1NwHc/s1600/pinecones.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TKwlbq7EfzI/AAAAAAAAAQc/TLuwNX1NwHc/s320/pinecones.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524832000185499442" /></a><br /><br />Still no knitting... sorry, but my wrist is still battling with tendonitis or carpal tunnel or whatever you call it when your wrist gets all sore easily. But I have been playing with my new Canon Rebel DSLR camera and capturing some fall imagery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TKwlbUjzwOI/AAAAAAAAAQU/dXqyX9NzcW0/s1600/leaf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TKwlbUjzwOI/AAAAAAAAAQU/dXqyX9NzcW0/s320/leaf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524831994182353122" /></a><br /><br />Here on the West coast, we are enjoying some gorgeous fall weather. Warm sunshine, with just that little bit of crispness in the air. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TKwlbIyKIBI/AAAAAAAAAQM/qLYu1ks1E0E/s1600/twigs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TKwlbIyKIBI/AAAAAAAAAQM/qLYu1ks1E0E/s320/twigs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524831991021314066" /></a><br /><br />The little puppy has grown into a big puppy, but we think she's still pretty cute ;-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TKwla0lyY_I/AAAAAAAAAQE/mH83iZXi1D8/s1600/olivenose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TKwla0lyY_I/AAAAAAAAAQE/mH83iZXi1D8/s320/olivenose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524831985600717810" /></a><br /><br />Hope you are all enjoying the loveliness that is fall!about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-88116581713675194942010-08-07T03:37:00.003-05:002010-08-07T03:44:42.292-05:00one more baby saved!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TF0bXR97X2I/AAAAAAAAAP0/tUrZuBH8pNo/s1600/babyseal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TF0bXR97X2I/AAAAAAAAAP0/tUrZuBH8pNo/s320/babyseal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502584406490701666" /></a><br /><br />The SPCA <a href="http://bcspca.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=paws_home/">paws for a cause</a> fundraiser is coming up soon! This event is a major source of funds for the BCSPCA <a href="http://www.wildarc.com/">Wild Ark</a> rescue, which helps rehabilitate cuties like this who have lost their moms as well as injured wildlife here on Vancouver Island.<br /> The event is happening in 36 locations across British Columbia and supports the BCSPCA and its affiliates. Think about donating, or get some sponsors and be a part of the walk for a cause!about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-91581916020117332992010-06-28T01:21:00.003-05:002010-06-28T01:27:24.854-05:00You asked for it!Back by popular demand! The Wild Ark animal pics!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCg_nqe8QkI/AAAAAAAAAPs/UsCkZDFoJWc/s1600/babyseal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCg_nqe8QkI/AAAAAAAAAPs/UsCkZDFoJWc/s320/babyseal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487706096602464834" /></a><br /><br />The other night we had a veritable zoo in the isolation room! This tubby little seal was amongst the overnight visitors. We love his fat little chin rolls. He was sleeping with his face up against the corner of the kennel he was in, so you can't see his eyes. The craziest thing was that he smelled exactly like the ocean: all fishy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCg_nb-tPmI/AAAAAAAAAPk/1ZAegtXq9fE/s1600/babyseal2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCg_nb-tPmI/AAAAAAAAAPk/1ZAegtXq9fE/s320/babyseal2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487706092709166690" /></a><br /><br />I don't want to spoil you with too many pics at once, so more to come another time :-) You can check out the SPCA Wild Ark website at www.wildark.com to learn more!!about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-28496085267615033132010-06-23T17:09:00.002-05:002010-06-23T18:03:29.409-05:00homemade is always better.... and not just knitting...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCKGclx7L3I/AAAAAAAAAPc/7ap9SSCXnX4/s1600/nessashomemadepizza.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCKGclx7L3I/AAAAAAAAAPc/7ap9SSCXnX4/s320/nessashomemadepizza.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486095121826656114" /></a><br /><br />I love homemade pizza. I love it so much that I prefer it to take-out pizza any day! I've spent almost a decade perfecting my homemade pizza recipe and it is pretty awesome if I do say so myself! (and I do)<br />So I thought that some of you would perhaps like to try out my recipe for pizza success! <span style="font-style:italic;">NOTE: I use my breadmaker for the dough. If you don't have a breadmaker, you may want to try another recipe. OR you could try this one made by hand... I've never done it, so I can't vouch for it. You will want to check out other recipes for the basic dough making instructions. It takes the breadmaker 2 hours to prepare the dough, and it has a double rise. If making by hand, always *proof* the yeast for 5 minutes in warm water prior to adding to the dough, it should become nice and bubbly. If not, you need new yeast. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Nessa's Delicious Pizza Recipe</span><br /><br />INGREDIENTS:<br />Dough:<br />1. 1 1/2 cups beer (I prefer a nice amber or brown ale for a fuller flavour, but lager works too)<br />2. 1 1/2 tsp salt<br />3. 1 tbsp sugar<br />4. 2 tbsp olive oil margarine (or regular marg, but NOT oil)<br />5. 4 1/4 cups white flour (Health foodies won't like this, but after years of experimenting with both white and whole wheat crusts, we prefer white flour. It gives a lighter, fluffier crust than whole wheat)<br />6. 2 tsp yeast<br />7. A sprinking (maybe 1/2 tsp? herbes des provence)<br /><br />Put all ingredients, in order of listing, into breadmaker. Choose dough setting and hit start. Remove dough after 2 hours (when dough is finished) and cut into three peices (We make 3 8.5"X8.5" pizzas with 6 slices each, you can also probably get two med-lrg pizzas out of this). Roll pieces into balls and cover with a light coating of olive oil. To do this, I put a bit of oil into the palm of my hand and rub it over my palms. I then rub the dough ball with my hands to lightly coat it. Place the dough into a large bowl and cover with a tea towel. Take the first dough ball and roll out thin (~1/2 cm) cover pan with 1 1/2 cm over hang of dough. Roll dough back onto itself to create a puffed up edge. You can also fill this with thin strips of cheese for a stuffed crust! YUM! Repeat the rolling process for all three.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCKGb8y1d1I/AAAAAAAAAPM/5jAgZYi2-po/s1600/ale.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCKGb8y1d1I/AAAAAAAAAPM/5jAgZYi2-po/s320/ale.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486095110824621906" /></a> Nice amber or brown ales add a full bodied flavour to the dough. Enjoy the rest of the bottle with dinner!<br /><br />TOPPING:<br />Pizza sauce, I use spaghetti sauce for this, amount is dictated by preference really. I use about 1/4 large can of Hunt's four cheese tomato sauce. You can use whatever sauce you love. Layer bottom of pie with sauce, then a layer of chopped up fresh basil leaves. Top with whatever you like! For the top pizza, I did brown mushrooms, followed by some mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and yellow peppers, and a sprinkling of white Aged Canadian cheddar for extra flavour. The top was lightly sprinkled in Herbes des Provence before baking. I like to let my pizza sit for 15-20 minutes before baking them to get a nice fluffy crust. If you prefer a thinner crust, bake immediately after topping. Bake for ~25 mins in a 350 degree oven, broil two minutes until your cheese has nice golden flecks. Let cool for about 10 minutes before slicing.<br /><br />OTHER AWESOME TOPPINGS: <br />- diced onions on the sauce layer<br />- portabella mushrooms<br />- broccoli tops cut small<br />- veggie ground round (seriously, sooo good!)<br />- pepperoni (Jeff's fave, always put on top with a tiny sprinkle of cheese to get crispy pepperoni)<br />- olives<br />- sundried tomatoes<br />- feta cheese<br />- spinach (cut into small pieces and placed apart from each other)<br />- salami (see pepperoni instructions)<br />- all kinds of peppers (put them in the top layer, under a sprinkle of cheese to prevent soggy dough)<br />- artichoke hearts (under layer one of cheese)<br />- anything else you love! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCKGcFu0l6I/AAAAAAAAAPU/_PGYu9ZSgK4/s1600/nessapizza.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TCKGcFu0l6I/AAAAAAAAAPU/_PGYu9ZSgK4/s320/nessapizza.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486095113223706530" /></a><br />Veggie ground round is delicious under a sharp white cheddar topping.about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-2521728044172467202010-06-21T00:36:00.006-05:002010-06-21T00:43:01.947-05:00wild arkanother reason why I love my job...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TB77Eh67uNI/AAAAAAAAAPE/h-zObCINPl4/s1600/hummingbird.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TB77Eh67uNI/AAAAAAAAAPE/h-zObCINPl4/s320/hummingbird.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485097451427444946" /></a><br /><br />The vet hospital that I work at is a drop off point for Wild Ark, an SPCA affiliated wildlife rescue foundation. So, we often get cute injured or orphaned wild life brought here until the lovely people at Wild Ark can pick them up. Here is a cutie that was brought in today. At first he was a bit sick looking, but perked up by the time Wild Ark got him. This little bird will be cared for until he is healthy enough to be released back into the environment.<br /><br />Today is the first day I remembered to bring my camera, I will try to do it more often, because many photo opp's have been missed! We've had baby racoons, baby deer, ducklings, a baby heron, baby squirrels and injured seagulls to name a few...about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-83582257487407787502010-06-15T20:30:00.003-05:002010-06-15T20:47:56.855-05:00Don't you love Olives?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TBgrrrm_cVI/AAAAAAAAAOs/1Z0aHi5GKsk/s1600/olivekong.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TBgrrrm_cVI/AAAAAAAAAOs/1Z0aHi5GKsk/s320/olivekong.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483180575764214098" /></a><br /><br /><br />So for all of you who are a bit worried that this blog will turn into an "aren't my pets so precious??" type of blog... don't fear. I just haven't had much blog material lately, since the carpal tunnel in my hand keeps me from knitting and I have had my hands pretty full with the puppy, so drawing has fallen by the wayside. I will update with more art later, when I get time to make more art. The end of the art hiatus is in site...Olive is getting bigger, more well behaved and generally calmer. Tomorrow is her 2 week anniversary with us, or perhaps her 10 week birthday (we only have a guess as to which day she was born...) We are thinking she might have been born on, or very near, our anniversary, April 6th! This is kind of weird, because our cat, Roo, was also born on or near our anniversary. Completely unintentionally of course :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TBgrsH6iPoI/AAAAAAAAAO0/z-H17y5Y4wo/s1600/olivesit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TBgrsH6iPoI/AAAAAAAAAO0/z-H17y5Y4wo/s320/olivesit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483180583362379394" /></a><br /><br />Anyways, I can't believe how much she has grown! When we got her she was so little that she could walk under the coffee table with ease; now she is about head level to the top of it, so she can check out what's on top with ease (note to self: do not leave knitting on the coffee table). Last week when I took her to the vet, she weighed 10 lbs, when we got her at 8 weeks, she was 6 lbs. I know she weighs more now... I wonder if it is four more pounds again? This week she has gained heel, leave-it, let-go, off, gentle and stay to her repertoire of skills. I think she is doing fabulously well, especially considering she is a puppy! <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TBgrsf5q2bI/AAAAAAAAAO8/ge4BjjRyCkc/s1600/olivesleepy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TBgrsf5q2bI/AAAAAAAAAO8/ge4BjjRyCkc/s320/olivesleepy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483180589801200050" /></a><br /><br />One of her favourite things is getting scratches all over. I love her fur! Her head fur is so soft and silky and her body fur is scrunchy and wooly. It is like sinking your fingers into a recently shorn lambs wool: so satisfying. You knitters out there will understand what I mean ;-) <br />She's lovely.about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-17269558284617821582010-06-04T15:09:00.003-05:002010-06-04T15:54:01.048-05:00money can't buy me love?Sorry John, you forgot about this...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TAleTLs4a5I/AAAAAAAAAOM/oYzOIoxITEg/s1600/olive1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TAleTLs4a5I/AAAAAAAAAOM/oYzOIoxITEg/s320/olive1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479014105324481426" /></a><br /><br />This is Olive. She is our new 8 week old loveable mutt baby. <br />After almost a month of waiting and wading through the slow adoption process, not to mention about a years worth of pining for doggy love, we have finally welcomed a new puppy into our lives. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TAleT7cJHMI/AAAAAAAAAOc/AJM_N-NAmUM/s1600/olive3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TAleT7cJHMI/AAAAAAAAAOc/AJM_N-NAmUM/s320/olive3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479014118139174082" /></a><br /><br />We got her through Rest Haven Rescue in Victoria BC. For those of you who are looking for a new bundle of love, she has about 8 brothers and sisters (some of whom are gone now, but I'm sure some are still available). The process is a bit involved, requiring an adoption application with previous pet history, a home visit to assess suitability and a good match, meeting the dog, then filling out the adoption agreement and payment and finally you can take home your bundle of furry love. Although the process can seem tedious, it shows that the wonderful people at Rest Haven really care about the animals they save and want to make sure they are going to the best forever home possible.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TAleTa8trwI/AAAAAAAAAOU/pb7qu0AYWfo/s1600/olive2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TAleTa8trwI/AAAAAAAAAOU/pb7qu0AYWfo/s320/olive2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479014109417418498" /></a><br /><br />Olive is a love bug! She tries really hard to be a good puppy and we've already taught her to come, sit, and lets go (heel). She loves to chew but is learning which toys are acceptable and which are not (to her credit, she's only been with us for 2 days!!). She also has learned to have no separation anxiety. I am using Jan Fennell's book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Listener-Communicate-Willing-Cooperation/dp/0060089466">The dog listener + 30 day guide</a>which is amazingly simple, gentle and effective.<br /><br />And just so Roo doesn't get jealous, yes, we love you too roo!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TAleUH0aGZI/AAAAAAAAAOk/ebN2LxnxrNk/s1600/rootoo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/TAleUH0aGZI/AAAAAAAAAOk/ebN2LxnxrNk/s320/rootoo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479014121462176146" /></a>about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-46747305642364161672010-05-18T13:26:00.003-05:002010-05-19T12:49:54.279-05:00the owl and the pussycat giveaway contest!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S_Qkaqq1JkI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Kd3ZEf2Bn8I/s1600/bythelightofthemoon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S_Qkaqq1JkI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Kd3ZEf2Bn8I/s320/bythelightofthemoon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473039487711127106" /></a><br /><br />The WINNER is ......<br /><br />AMY!!!<br /><br />Thanks to all who participated in this contest! I will probably do more in the future. <br />Amy please leave me your email addy in the comments and I will email you regarding your mailing addy.<br /><br />~Nessaabout Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-46623761529811677692010-05-12T19:54:00.005-05:002010-05-12T20:04:54.953-05:00random reminiscing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S-tPNS22CWI/AAAAAAAAAN0/GBHvzlIAJ5E/s1600/badkitty3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S-tPNS22CWI/AAAAAAAAAN0/GBHvzlIAJ5E/s320/badkitty3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470553262190365026" /></a><br /><br />I've been thinking a lot about pets lately....<br />It could have something to do with the fact that I am working in a Veterinary hospital now... I'm around animals all day long. And not just animals, family pets, little furry family members. Some days are happy, like the day I came in to find a litter of puppies had been born in the night. Some days are sad, like when a sick animal dies.<br />It has made me appreciate my little furry baby so much more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S-tPVpCDdvI/AAAAAAAAAN8/PbQhy5-fuW0/s1600/badkitty4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S-tPVpCDdvI/AAAAAAAAAN8/PbQhy5-fuW0/s320/badkitty4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470553405581915890" /></a><br /><br />Love you Roo.about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-48801154799610404442010-04-29T21:19:00.003-05:002010-04-29T22:12:35.875-05:00Win a fine art print!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S9o__qgLRZI/AAAAAAAAANs/l6SDHetgSWc/s1600/owlandpussycat1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S9o__qgLRZI/AAAAAAAAANs/l6SDHetgSWc/s320/owlandpussycat1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465751460741072274" /></a><br /><br />Hey all!<br /><br />In celebration of summer, end of term and finishing my program, I am pleased to announce my first ever contest!<br />If you leave your name in the comments and tell me why you like the Knit Fish blog, you will be entered to win a signed print of "the owl and the pussycat"! <br />The contest ends Sunday, May 16th.<br /><br />The print is approximately 8.5" x 9.5" and is printed on premium quality glossy photo paper. The original was done in watercolours and black ink.<br /><br />ALSO~ visit my online shop at coy1.etsy.com and recieve a 15% discount on all merchandise until May 16th, just write KNITFISHBLOG in the comments to seller and don't pay right away so I can add on the discount.<br /><br /><br /><br />happy contesting!<br />~Nessaabout Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-21543191971730230142010-04-25T02:57:00.006-05:002010-05-19T12:50:42.108-05:00the owl and the pussycat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S9P2ABHQnVI/AAAAAAAAANM/OWSN9B21cBY/s1600/owlandpussycat2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S9P2ABHQnVI/AAAAAAAAANM/OWSN9B21cBY/s320/owlandpussycat2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463981253089860946" /></a><br /><br />The owl and the pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea green boat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S9P2MkOnm8I/AAAAAAAAANU/SftKmZlIgOQ/s1600/owl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S9P2MkOnm8I/AAAAAAAAANU/SftKmZlIgOQ/s320/owl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463981468674399170" /></a><br /><br />This is an illustration I did for a good friend's 25th birthday. She loves the owl and the pussycat poem by Edward Lear.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S9P2nBhjOSI/AAAAAAAAANk/BoxjlEKvit8/s1600/owlandpussycat1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S9P2nBhjOSI/AAAAAAAAANk/BoxjlEKvit8/s320/owlandpussycat1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463981923215030562" /></a>about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-77572260273193274732010-04-16T14:56:00.005-05:002010-04-16T15:08:01.016-05:00Presenting Percy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8jBIvgSePI/AAAAAAAAAM0/VcRhOudB-HI/s1600/percyface.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8jBIvgSePI/AAAAAAAAAM0/VcRhOudB-HI/s320/percyface.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460826904121735410" /></a><br /><br />Percival thinks he's all that and a jar of Grey Poupon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8jC-m8j5CI/AAAAAAAAAM8/SHfvBaMXQbQ/s1600/percyfeet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8jC-m8j5CI/AAAAAAAAAM8/SHfvBaMXQbQ/s320/percyfeet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460828929048962082" /></a><br /><br />He can't stand commoners & prefers the company of other sophisticates, like Lady Fluffington VII.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8jDK1HU2wI/AAAAAAAAANE/uJhheOWVIIo/s1600/percy2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8jDK1HU2wI/AAAAAAAAANE/uJhheOWVIIo/s320/percy2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460829139010640642" /></a>about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35354789.post-29646397610082965222010-04-14T15:15:00.006-05:002010-04-14T15:30:57.300-05:00Siamese Tea or Cafe au lait<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8YihV2pg4I/AAAAAAAAAMk/xxj007WmWC0/s1600/siamesetea5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8YihV2pg4I/AAAAAAAAAMk/xxj007WmWC0/s320/siamesetea5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460089554430690178" /></a><br /><br />Yet another one of my watercolours for the tea cards *NOW AVAILABLE* at Janet's Special Teas in Sidney BC!! I am also selling prints of this in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/coy1">my etsy shop</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8YjC-pXIXI/AAAAAAAAAMs/4FRLiYpE-cU/s1600/siamesetea.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dwWXXooGrF0/S8YjC-pXIXI/AAAAAAAAAMs/4FRLiYpE-cU/s320/siamesetea.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460090132316496242" /></a><br /><br />Here is the caption:<br />"Oscar loves all things Parisien. He especially loves sitting in a cafe by Le Champs Elysees and sipping a cup of cafe au lait."<br /><br />However, I'm sure Oscar could also be enjoying un tasse de thé.<br /><br />I brought the cards to Janet's shop yesterday and before I had even left the shop, she had already sold one!about Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08816674392204492382noreply@blogger.com0