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3.30.2012

Baby Bird - Feedback Friday

My Feedback Friday post for this week got pushed back a bit after this story about actress Alicia Silverstone's baby feeding technique was discussed on the Today Show yesterday. Alicia pre-chews the food of her 10 month old son and feeds him like a baby bird, from her own mouth.

You can watch the video clip of her feeding technique and some of the debate from the Today Show below:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Alicia blogged about it in her blog which you can read HERE. There you can read her own words and her reader's reactions.

It's Feedback Friday...

Do you think this feeding method is sweet, cute, yucky, gross, dangerous, harmless?


Any other thoughts?

3.29.2012

Apple Trick - Pinterest Pass or Fail



I save all my pins that make me say "Doh!" on my Great "Doh!" Moments board. You know, those tips that make you say, why didn't I think of that?!?

Sometimes the tips are a little too good to be true.

One of the first things I pinned was a tip for making an Apple Puzzle for school lunches. You were to cut up the apple then reassemble it using rubber bands to hold it together.

The theory was that it wouldn't turn brown because the interior wouldn't be exposed to the air. This pin originated at @ Home with Real Food blog.

So, we went for a little bike ride this weekend and I packed some snacks, and some apples:



We biked for about 2 hours then stopped for a break. We pulled the band off the apple with anticipation...



Brown. Darn. Pinterest fail.

What Pins have YOU tried this week?

3.28.2012

Test for Stroke



I attended a dinner last night with The Big Guy and the man next to us slowly began to sink toward the table top. Soon his head was resting on the table and he was hard to rouse, had lost control of his bodily functions, and was slurring his speech. My first thought was that I have been meaning to come up with a card to slip into my purse to help me recognize the signs of a stroke. I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

Stroke.org explains that treatment for stroke depends on time, time, time! If clot busting medicines can be administered within 3 hours of the event, long term disability can be avoided.

I don't know the outcome of the man beside us last night, but I did come right home and make my printable reminder card.

Print out the card above and slip it into your wallet, laminate it if you wish, you never know when you may need it.

3.26.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Endora Top:



Butter Dip Biscuits:



Marshmallow Daffodil Pops:



CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1 The Rose T-Shirt

#2 Fat Quarter Projects

#3 Lengthen a Short Skirt

Now it's YOUR turn!

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!

Hope Studios






Beer Can Chicken

Hello, I'm all buuubbly inside...

Years ago I watched an interview with Matthew Mcconaughey about...well...I'm not sure what except he did lots of leaning back, lots of lazy smiles, lots of Southern drawl...sigh...

Anyway, at some point he started talkin' about Beer Butt Chicken. I can remember the one sentence clearly "The beer gets aaallll buuubbly inside...mmmm..." That's it - I was in love and would never forget about how sexy he just made chicken preparation sound. The way he pronounced the word "bubbly" has stuck with me all this time.

Time passed and I never got around to making this chicken until last month's issue of Country Living came out with a recipe for Champagne Can Chicken. I was back on track and followed their recipe using the beer that Matthew talked about. You should try it, it's my new go-to for roast chicken:

Beer Can Chicken
(adapted from Country Living)

2 T. herbes de Provence

1 whole chicken (6-7 lbs)

1 1/2 T. butter

1 can of beer

2 cups chicken broth

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with a rack set in lower third of oven. In a small dish, combine herbes de Provence, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.

Remove neck and giblets from chicken; set neck aside and discard giblets. Rinse chicken inside and out, then pat dry with paper towels. Rub chicken cavity and skin with butter, then rub cavity with reserved herb mixture. Tuck wing tips under bird and set chicken aside.


Open beer and stand can in center of a medium roasting pan and place chicken's cavity over can so that the bird sits upright in pan. Place neck in pan.

Roast chicken, basting every 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer reaches 167 degrees F when inserted into thickest part of thigh, about 1 1/2 hours. Keeping chicken and can upright, remove both from pan. Carefully remove and discard hot can. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Meanwhile, pour pan drippings into a fat separator, or alternatively skim, and discard fat. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine defatted drippings, neck, and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Continue boiling until liquid is reduced to 2 cups, about 20 minutes. Strain jus, discarding neck bone. Serve chicken with jus on the side.

So, try it out and tell me what you think. I'm off the daydream about Matthew for a bit...

3.22.2012

Saying Goodbye to the Mountain



Our ski slope officially closed for the season last week and we said goodbye in the usual way with a fun spring ski and goodbye party! Though the snow gets slushy, it's always fun to ski in shorts and t-shirts near the end of the season:



We did a few last jumps:



We danced the hokey pokey:



And won the hula hoop contest:





Thanks for another great year, Hidden Valley!

3.19.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Master Bedroom Reveal:



Tagalong Cookie Pops:



Funky Fabric TuTu:




Scrap-tastic Fabric Cuff:



CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1 Are Essential Oils a Scam?

#2 What's for Dinner?

#3 Favorite Blogs Tour

Now it's YOUR turn!

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!

Hope Studios





Lemon Buttons



I found this delicate cookie at Madison Bistro blog and knew I had to try it - a cute little button of a cookie with a tart lemon frosting is a perfect treat for an afternoon with my Soul Sisters!

Lemon Button Cookies

¾ cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 ¼ cup flour
½ cup cornstarch
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Cream butter, lemon zest and juice until fluffy. In separate bowl, sift dry ingredients and mix into butter on low speed.

Divide in half. Shape each half into an 8×1 inch log and roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours (I stuck them in the freezer for 20 minutes because I'm impatient!).

Cut into ¼ inch rounds. Bake at 350 F for 12 minutes or until edges are just turning golden. Cool and frost.

I switched up the original frosting to a Tangy Lemon Frosting that gave the cookies more flavor:

Tangy Lemon Frosting:

¼ cup butter, softened

1 ½ cups powered sugar

½ tsp vanilla

3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh

1 Tbsp. lemon zest


Cream all ingredients together until mixture is well blended, light and fluffy.

Warning, this entire batch is easily eaten in one sitting of chatting with the girls!


**Hope Studios is featured at Helping Little Hands blog this week to help Polly get over the hump with her newborn baby. Go over and check out my own fave tutorials over the past few years of blogging**

3.16.2012

The Naked Face Project - Feedback Friday

Have you heard about two friends, Molly and Caitlin (founder and coach of Girls on the Run), who have challenged each other to forgo make up, hair products, shaving, and uncomfortable female clothing for 60 days? They decided to blog about it and named it The Naked Face Project and you can follow the journey each of them takes online.

The idea came to them after a discussion about what to say to girls when they asked why they wear make up. Neither of them had an answer to that question they felt comfortable with giving to a young girl, so this project was born to learn why they wear make up and how they would feel if they gave up their usual beauty routine.

I have gone sans make here a few times here. Once when I was describing my make up routine: Get your face on and once while reviewing a DIY Facial Peel from Pinterest. I wasn't 100% comfortable but it was easier the second time. It is worth considering however, why I wasn't comfortable.

It's Feedback Friday...

Why do you wear make up?

Would you be able to accept this challenge for 60 days? 30 days? A week?

Do you ever go out in public without make up?

What would you miss more - Make up, Shaving, Hair products, or Jewelry?

3.15.2012

Beware of Online Shopping

This Today Show story freaked me out since I do about 80% of all my shopping for Christmas online. It seems that counterfeiters have taken to the web and are selling fake items online. You or I could purchase an item and receive a total fake!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy



Let's all be careful when shopping online! Yikes!

3.14.2012

Computery Stuff - Pinterest Pass or Fail



My Computery Stuff Pinterest Board helps me organize all those little computery things I'm totally clueless about for my blog. I pinned a tutorial the other day to help me Add a Reply Button to my comments section for more interaction with comment-ers. The tutorial I used originated at Spice Up Your Blog and was a Pinterest Pass!

The instructions were simple and I had no trouble finding and entering codes (even while still learning my new computer!) to get the reply box installed. Blogger doesn't offer an option for the reply to go to the person's email like WordPress, but it is nice to have my reply line up under the correct comment.

**The only thing I will mention is that your comments need to be set up so they appear at the end of the page instead of in a pop up box, in order for the code to work (I cussed a few times before I figured that one out!).**

So, leave me a comment and I'll reply to you! Ha!

Trophy Wife blogged about a T-shirt Vest...

What pins have YOU tried lately? Drop me a link and I'll check out your post or pin!

3.12.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Drape Cardigan:



Duct Tape Bow Tie:



Bedroom Wall:



CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1 Beaded Bracelet Tutorial (I tried this one!!)

#2 was a tie!

Did Vaccines Cause My Son's Autism?

and

Modge Podge Glitter Nails

#3 Hair 101 Series

Now it's YOUR turn!

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!

Hope Studios





Button Flowers


So, this springing ahead has me a little lost for a tutorial for today. It's kind of "spring-ish" (47 degrees) out my window, so I'll bring back an old tutorial with a spring vibe from my archives:


Enjoy!

3.09.2012

A Baby Boy! Feedback Friday...



One of my son's previous teachers contacted me last month about a frame. She mentioned that she was about to deliver her second child any day. Before we communicated again, I heard through a mutual friend that she had indeed delivered a son and that he was born with Down's Syndrome (a diagnosis they were unaware of until birth). The mother had sent out an email explaining the situation to her friends and colleagues soon after birth.

When it was time to contact the mom I was conflicted about what to say to her. I knew I would congratulate her on the birth of her son, but should I also mention the diagnosis? How would I do it and what words would I use? My intent was to congratulate her and maybe acknowledge the diagnosis without sounding like I was sorry, because it isn't like a disease. This child could become the joy of her life.

Is it better to let her tell me personally before mentioning it? Is it even any of my business to worry about???

So, it's Feedback Friday...

What would you do?

3.08.2012

Enjoy!



I have been following Joy the Baker's blog for quite some time and have tried several of her recipes, like her Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread.

Well, Joy came up with this awesome idea called Enjoy! that is Brill. I. Ant. You subscribe to receive a surprise gift delivered to your door every three months. Simple, right? It's so fun! I mean, really people, once you pass the age of 12 it's hard to be genuinely surprised!

I got my first box this week and sat on the floor tearing it open like a deranged 5 year old at a birthday party while my husband looked on in confusion. I pulled out all my goodies and though they are fun and useful, more importantly they surprised me and I loved that feeling of anticipation. I can't wait for my next surprise!

Thanks, Joy. :)

3.07.2012

Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches - Pinterest Pass or Fail


I have Chick-fil-a down the street - waaaay too close by - and my kids are always asking to have it for dinner. Always. Asking.

I came across this Pin for making Chick-Fil-A Copy Cat Chicken (originating at the From Away Blog) at home and pinned it to my Copy Cat Recipe Board. I figured it couldn't hurt to try it.

Pinterest Pass! We loved it and though it's a bit different that the original, it was very tender and delicious. We used chicken tenders and whole wheat buns and will definitely try this recipe again. You get the slightly sweet batter by adding powdered sugar - brilliant!



Bugglesnug found a fun way to repair her kids jeans!



What Pins did YOU try? Drop me a link so I can check it out!

3.05.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Paper Wigs:



Book Vase:



Chinese Restaurant Donuts:



Simple Mercury Glass:




CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1 Short Hair Warning

#2 IKEA Kitchen

#3 Pinned it, Made it, Love it

Now it's YOUR turn!

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!

Hope Studios





Displaying Found Objects


Last week my friend Joy had some of the Soul Sisters over for lunch and I noticed a little vignette in her kitchen that drew my attention...because I'm nosy like that. She had arranged several "ordinary" objects under a glass cloche with a sketch behind it.

Simple but interesting and it made me want to look and learn about the objects displayed. She explained they were things they had found in and around her 100+ year old home, an old medicine bottle, a silver serving spoon, a little glass container, a porcelain figure...



What a great way to preserve history and memories! What could you display:

Seasonal leaves?

A shell collection?

Letters?

How to Avoid Stress At Work