tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32627398665569906612024-03-05T20:40:43.057-05:00A Bit BetterWe are just trying to make the little things in life
A Bit Better.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-88914267834091337402009-10-24T17:30:00.004-04:002009-10-24T17:40:03.717-04:00ParadiseI've been lucky enough to have spent the past week in the most amazing <a href="http://www.bolthousejamaica.com/">Bolt House</a>, on the inaugural Lithe Escape. I will write more when I get home tomorrow, but wanted to share some of Lauren's photos now. Check them out at on Lauren's <a href="http://www.fithiphealthy.com/fithiphealthy/">blog</a> NOW. Lauren just reminded me that I've worked out 12 hours this week - which is about 12 hours more than usual. I've also worked for 0 hours, which is really amazing. I'm tan, detoxed and I feel stronger. I hope that Jed will be as excited about 1308's new nutrition and exercise regime as I am.<br /><br />I strongly recommend a trip like this for your 30th birthday.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-51680813797367725172009-10-03T10:05:00.002-04:002009-10-03T10:06:54.401-04:00AB Made ThisA while back, I told you about the <a href="http://abitbetter.blogspot.com/2009/08/party-dress.html">party dress</a> I made. I just wore it for the first time to dh's wedding shower. What do you think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SsdaYCO1Y6I/AAAAAAAACxk/SOtJZ2Q-Mrk/s1600-h/CIMG0077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SsdaYCO1Y6I/AAAAAAAACxk/SOtJZ2Q-Mrk/s320/CIMG0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388374848134538146" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-30508265164311960922009-10-01T15:05:00.001-04:002009-10-01T15:09:22.780-04:00Birthday Present Ideas...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SsT9jdc1QfI/AAAAAAAACxc/z7vFtSJiXK0/s1600-h/jaws100109.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387709839884763634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SsT9jdc1QfI/AAAAAAAACxc/z7vFtSJiXK0/s320/jaws100109.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 30: Enya Kim from the Natural History department at auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields stands inside one of the world's largest set of shark jaws comprised of about 180 fossil teeth from the prehistoric species, Carcharocles megalodon, which grew to the size of a school bus, at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino September 30, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bonhams & Butterfields hope the fossil will fetch about USD 900,000-1.2 million when it is auctioned off on October 3 at the Venetian as part of their Natural History auction. The centerpiece of the lot of 50 fossils being auctioned is a 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton dubbed 'Samson.' The 40-foot-long female dinosaur fossil, excavated in South Dakota in, contains about 170 bones and is said to be the third most complete T. rex skeleton ever unearthed. Bonhams & Butterfields is hoping Samson will fetch more than USD 6 million at the auction. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (From <a href="http://jezebel.com/5371885/above-the-jaw">Jezebel.com</a>)</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-2628838154292912352009-09-19T09:43:00.004-04:002009-09-19T10:28:30.244-04:00One Night Only! It's back and better than ever!<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SrThW_xkAXI/AAAAAAAACxU/UZDcWy5iFV8/s1600-h/One+Night+Only%21+front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SrThW_xkAXI/AAAAAAAACxU/UZDcWy5iFV8/s320/One+Night+Only%21+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383175239807271282" border="0" /></a><br /> <div><strong>Please join us on Friday, October 2</strong> <strong>at Luxe Home</strong> for a very special party to benefit <a href="http://womensmedicalfund.org/index.php/stories">Women's Medical Fund</a>. Your ticket includes drinks, delicious food and the promise of a great evening. <br /><br />Did you know that women on Medicaid are not covered by their federal policy for abortions? <br />Did you know that any woman receiving medical benefits through the federal government is ineligible to access funding for their own reproductive choice? That includes all federal employees, all soldiers, all women using Peace Corps insurance. <br /><br />Healthcare reform is very complex and we've all heard the debates about a public option and the unfortunate truth that the people who have the least to loose fight the loudest. I am am terrified that women and children are being left out of the reform debate because they are not represented by powerful, wealthy lobbying groups. Believe what you will about the future of our country's healthcare services, but know that it is a FACT that women will be negatively effected disproportionately than men; and poor women will be hit hardest. WMF believes that reproductive choice is essential, but recognizes that without access, choice is meaningless. By providing direct financial assistance to low-income women, they equalize the playing field, giving poor females the same options that have always been available to their better-heeled peers.<br /><br />Supporting WMF is an easy act of activism. The money you donate will go <span style="font-weight: bold;">directly</span> to the organization. It will not be used in national marketing campaigns and you will not see any specially colored products at the store claiming to raise awareness about this cause. I am asking you, as one who has previously fundraised for another major event in October, honor me and my "survivorness" by making a donation to WMF. Sadly, the money you donate to Komen next month (or any month) will not do as much good as claimed in protecting young women from getting breast cancer. The money you donate to WMF will literally change a woman's life IN YOUR COMMUNITY. This is your chance. And all you have to do is buy a ticket to a really fun party. <br /><br />Can't come on Oct. 2? No problem. <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/366462098">You can buy raffle tickets for $10 each and take your shot at winning 1 of the 3 amazing grand prizes:</a><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.luxehomepa.com/">Luxe Home </a>package that includes a sofa valued at $2,500 and design consultation session</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size:100%;">2-night stay (with dinner) at the <a href="http://www.hotelduvillage.com/">Hotel Du Village</a> in New Hope</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://moorebrothers.com/">Moore Brothers Wine Company</a> "Tutored Tasting" for 24-36 people to be held at your home (or another suitable location)<br /></span></span></li></ul><a href="http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/06/18/womens-medical-fund-helps-where-government-fails">Check out this awesome article about WMF</a>. Hope to see you on Oct. 2. <br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div><br /></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-55570557275174363712009-08-23T21:41:00.003-04:002009-08-23T21:48:31.033-04:00garden revisited<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQq76PwoxoXBY5D6ARmWrsgCr7nq4BMsaHgF8CtNU2V2HdgyfX8eYnEu5SPKHnE2kYVxY7jZLAv6BvgAAEu0o7O7Z4AYnlj_R_SMywZUA-Jf7SvYnzPtXkx8a8aOBdXGhf6ApqfHL78E/s1600-h/IMG_3262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQq76PwoxoXBY5D6ARmWrsgCr7nq4BMsaHgF8CtNU2V2HdgyfX8eYnEu5SPKHnE2kYVxY7jZLAv6BvgAAEu0o7O7Z4AYnlj_R_SMywZUA-Jf7SvYnzPtXkx8a8aOBdXGhf6ApqfHL78E/s320/IMG_3262.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373339941477123698" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">every day when i come home from work i check on my tomatoes. finally, after waiting almost a month, these two beauties made their debut. they are the first two to ripen, but i know their appearance is the beginning of an onslaught of tomato goodness.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFOWhL5F4wtbfcXYTgZngTx4N-X76SSfdKMivdAFDnPqDRcDzCB1zPaMSYiTUGodxoSrqS9NCs-HQip0rLNGoK6XYwpLHoWq7xXse_dpji3yyfAsVYNFUVKSGT6a3K7WAD46d02HrHYc/s1600-h/IMG_3260.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFOWhL5F4wtbfcXYTgZngTx4N-X76SSfdKMivdAFDnPqDRcDzCB1zPaMSYiTUGodxoSrqS9NCs-HQip0rLNGoK6XYwpLHoWq7xXse_dpji3yyfAsVYNFUVKSGT6a3K7WAD46d02HrHYc/s320/IMG_3260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373339934860226706" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">i threw some radish seeds in the ground about a month ago and after seeing the worms had gotten to the leaves, pretty much gave up on them. to my surprise, when i was weeding this afternoon i saw the top of a radish poking out of the ground. i probably could have waited for them to get a bit bigger, but in my excitement, i pulled them all. some of them are pretty small but considering i had written them off, i would call it a success.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-55997009841295827062009-08-05T07:39:00.004-04:002009-08-05T07:48:08.122-04:00Party Dress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SnlvmiADPsI/AAAAAAAACwc/yd0xJeN_WQs/s1600-h/CIMG0028.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/_tXuiwcrna1M/SnlvmiADPsI/AAAAAAAACwc/yd0xJeN_WQs/s320/CIMG0028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366443138741386946" /></a><br />I did it!! Thanks to Cathy, an amazing teacher at <a href="http://www.spoolsewing.com/">Spool</a>, I sewed a dress from a pattern! I took the 4 week Party Dress class and learned so much about darts, zippers, lining and skirt gathering. I met some awesome women, including a fellow CHOP worker. I learned that I cannot just decide which aspects of a pattern I want to include in my finished product and I learned that being mindful when I cut a pattern is key. <div><br /></div><div>As you may imagine from my gorgeous model above, the dress doesn't exactly fit me like a glove (granted, it is NOT zippered on jed). It looks much cuter with a belt, and I just might wear it to one of the 7 wedding related parties i have in the next 3 months. Or maybe i'll sew myself up something that fits better. Either way, I am a proud as a peacock and can't wait to keep up the (better) work. </div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-28809048400402878932009-08-03T12:21:00.002-04:002009-08-03T12:41:25.663-04:00weekend recap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix6GphX5Uy4V-1xlK_I0QfgrZtk8UjYbmASav9YafRhSPcrbfw8Sr7nAdzAxboALi_GsFMlIVrnpg-DESn_a8Rd9Qb3OzARZJ9nrDe1zIOglPD7jyzOxLp90ocb419SRuP4Rd-Hlfuy0/s1600-h/still+life.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365774242338775394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix6GphX5Uy4V-1xlK_I0QfgrZtk8UjYbmASav9YafRhSPcrbfw8Sr7nAdzAxboALi_GsFMlIVrnpg-DESn_a8Rd9Qb3OzARZJ9nrDe1zIOglPD7jyzOxLp90ocb419SRuP4Rd-Hlfuy0/s320/still+life.JPG" border="0" /></a> basil, squash, sage and thyme from my garden. my laziness in not harvesting the dill resulted in some beautiful flowers for my table. sometimes laziness does pay off.<br /><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XoZwwTSdB9RX-LO7PxAdN1oJ17mmmqnOwbPrdABUQVQLCLSe4TYgbvXhMrlHOsxNXo7zFLFFLTmXzbq9WeDLZmYXmVvP7m-ft7VepbY_-rtzbkN5-vN8t842-W-j6MXV4NbHCV4n3g4/s1600-h/smoothies.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365774232050123202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XoZwwTSdB9RX-LO7PxAdN1oJ17mmmqnOwbPrdABUQVQLCLSe4TYgbvXhMrlHOsxNXo7zFLFFLTmXzbq9WeDLZmYXmVvP7m-ft7VepbY_-rtzbkN5-vN8t842-W-j6MXV4NbHCV4n3g4/s320/smoothies.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>fresh smoothies for breakfast. strawberry, cherry, blueberry, banana with some trader joe's organic vanilla yogurt (which has now edged out stoneyfield farms as my fave)</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv3Q5IDNBvTcDd0pAZBnc5O_tpZkwJfIfwBs7HA3RF6U7yQDMQWGguGtUw-Wup4YZVzSLXngdueh4jzJ4a-KsiqLXIF8B8_2eR9rk8i0GmE4Ewp2LEPRtYx6AD0w9Ovbwd4GYvVxnonA/s1600-h/shuka+floor.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365774227156732226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv3Q5IDNBvTcDd0pAZBnc5O_tpZkwJfIfwBs7HA3RF6U7yQDMQWGguGtUw-Wup4YZVzSLXngdueh4jzJ4a-KsiqLXIF8B8_2eR9rk8i0GmE4Ewp2LEPRtYx6AD0w9Ovbwd4GYvVxnonA/s320/shuka+floor.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>photo shoot with the Shuka. she's been staying with us for the past month but she's going home to her mom soon. she pretends she doesn't like us, but i know the truth.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMNGAOPrslmiYEiO_GTn0yVMtMg0wU3ogdq53DGaLPAUE6Vmq-svH2wW5AzroNZfCq0EsYA9q4_HWCdvAvb9wz9q98P_e_7rgqulRrb2FHCIoGmcXDe8stqOLZUPjjnrjhcpYR_Q1yx4/s1600-h/samosas.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365774226802892098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMNGAOPrslmiYEiO_GTn0yVMtMg0wU3ogdq53DGaLPAUE6Vmq-svH2wW5AzroNZfCq0EsYA9q4_HWCdvAvb9wz9q98P_e_7rgqulRrb2FHCIoGmcXDe8stqOLZUPjjnrjhcpYR_Q1yx4/s320/samosas.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p align="center"></a> <a href="http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2008/12/potato-samosa-phyllo-triangles">potato samosas </a>for a party i went to on saturday night. a little more effort than i usually make but oh so worth it.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365774248522589874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoss-GVwAc7ZbNfR8YEHA2IU1-OH-qQU2hZm4J5CiRJKm0iwwNO5dPYlU3QsYc2zv-Cm0DPVphKU4DTRG9E5a4_zwva5c7MbyZ0DcVEzT3e5_cFhCRdHtK2OnlmppUv30JLhsKmfq3thI/s320/jess+jam.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">went to <a href="http://www.fallenfruit.org/">fallen fruit's</a> annual <a href="http://machineproject.com/events/2009/08/02/i-wanna-jam-with-you/">Fruit Jam</a>, where you bring home-grown or found fruit (i cheated and bought oranges at the farmers market) and everyone gathers together and makes jam. i am now the proud owner of four jars of mixed berry jam. delish.</p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-53850914403164137902009-07-29T15:17:00.003-04:002009-07-29T15:26:26.614-04:00simple salads<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4RFGeJdykSz_YfhJFih0XT7pXDHNklKL4t1A9_tkWxym2CGvevN9yd4Bi7BmkE1oQ2RYCIfk-Vdm5tbY6mEkguV-V5_wbJ6USoZaOB7eqEIhHO4fXK74KxKz-XO0sWp1ZiZVo6aSCHQ/s1600-h/simple+salads.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363964130002990770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4RFGeJdykSz_YfhJFih0XT7pXDHNklKL4t1A9_tkWxym2CGvevN9yd4Bi7BmkE1oQ2RYCIfk-Vdm5tbY6mEkguV-V5_wbJ6USoZaOB7eqEIhHO4fXK74KxKz-XO0sWp1ZiZVo6aSCHQ/s320/simple+salads.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />image courtesy of the New York Times</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> <br /></div><div align="left">Wednesday is my favorite day of the work week. Ok, just kidding, Friday is obviously my favorite day, but Wednesdays aren’t so bad for me either, mostly because it is the day that the New York Times updates its <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/pages/dining/index.html">Dining and Wine</a> section (and now that I am a West Coast gal, I love me some LA Times <a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/food/">Food</a> section as well). I usually snag 3 or 4 new recipes to store in my “Things I want to Make One Day” folder which probably should be called my “Things I Will Probably Never Have Time to Make but OMG They Look So Good” folder. I love when I see articles like Mark Bittman’s recent “<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/dining/22mlist.html">101 Simple Salads for the Season</a>". I love salad, especially during the summer, but I tend to fall into a rut and make the same salad over and over again, which, don't get me wrong, is totally delish, but can get boring. Hopefully this will help me out expand my salad horizons. Also, there are links to a bunch of homemade salad dressings. If you haven’t jumped on the homemade salad dressing bandwagon you just don’t know what you are missing.<br /><br />I can’t wait to try:<br /><br />39. Yucatecan street food as salad: Roast fresh corn kernels in a pan with a little oil; toss with cayenne or minced chilis, lime juice and a little queso fresco. Cherry tomatoes are optional.<br /><br />76. Slice fresh figs — many, if you live where they grow — and top with crumbled bacon, balsamic vinegar (the best you have) and crumbled blue cheese.<br /><br />99. Toss cooked quinoa with fresh sliced apricots, cherries, pecans, and enough lemon and black pepper to make the whole thing savory. </div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-68960682299965860202009-07-22T13:32:00.003-04:002009-07-22T13:52:31.362-04:00eat well guide<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn23x1Cz6Q4iwkw-WEp1ay17eM6uOzlIfezKZVk0oyDuHqHy3bW54beTxHnxurDXq827aUOl5y9GxW-J5iZ7tLqqycWtmup0m98It9bDmrdXRukK4wdAr9uw2kRVXtv6S_YwSKFiwVhZU/s1600-h/logo-tag.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361338769561460578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 98px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn23x1Cz6Q4iwkw-WEp1ay17eM6uOzlIfezKZVk0oyDuHqHy3bW54beTxHnxurDXq827aUOl5y9GxW-J5iZ7tLqqycWtmup0m98It9bDmrdXRukK4wdAr9uw2kRVXtv6S_YwSKFiwVhZU/s320/logo-tag.png" border="0" /></a><br />Want to find a farmers market near you or a baker that uses local organic ingredients? Or maybe you are going on a road trip and want to avoid the mostly fast food options out on the road? Try the <a href="http://eatwellguide.org/search/advanced">Eat Well Guide</a>. I found a baker near my house that I hadn't known about, a few more smaller farmers markets in the area to supplement my big Sunday trip, as well as a ton of restaurants to add to my to-try list. After a little browsing, I found using the city, state as a search term instead of the zip code gave me more results.<br /><div></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-62397016573108957632009-07-21T18:04:00.004-04:002009-07-21T18:09:17.261-04:00harvest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhRpe5GKI3Q5tQYCIYwe8HAkS0JnFq0X3vFh0TRRpHBg6DMkfC-vHkQ9s6ynHqdEidp448oB9ekfph7nV_m8epRbYPxcHL8VDjsKfC59GUEwcS8rqwDExjn4a_bWFSCDHs6Lt0QmCnO4/s1600-h/squash.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361038067772081410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhRpe5GKI3Q5tQYCIYwe8HAkS0JnFq0X3vFh0TRRpHBg6DMkfC-vHkQ9s6ynHqdEidp448oB9ekfph7nV_m8epRbYPxcHL8VDjsKfC59GUEwcS8rqwDExjn4a_bWFSCDHs6Lt0QmCnO4/s320/squash.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>first harvest of patty pan squash from the garden. cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, radishes and beets on the way. my mind is already on expansion of quantity and variety for next summer. stir-fry on the menu for tonight. there is nothing quite like growing your own food.</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-25229242733524666392009-07-17T12:42:00.003-04:002009-07-17T13:20:06.107-04:00Plea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SmCyoy-Bg6I/AAAAAAAACpE/5eh08FHjONc/s1600-h/re-lemon-ice-cream-sandwiches-with-blueberry-swirl-608.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SmCyoy-Bg6I/AAAAAAAACpE/5eh08FHjONc/s320/re-lemon-ice-cream-sandwiches-with-blueberry-swirl-608.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359479970517320610" /></a><br />The August issue of Gourmet was in today's mail. The cover recipe is the most delicious looking photograph I have ever seen. I want to eat the page. <b>Lemon Ice Cream Sandwiches with Blueberry Swirl. </b><div><br /></div><div>Jessica Mae, when you come to visit NEXT MONTH, will you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">puhleese</span> collaborate with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">RKM</span> and make these for me??? </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bestie</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-37923990130210411742009-07-15T16:20:00.003-04:002009-07-15T16:27:37.583-04:00images from the weekend, on wednesday<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaJyLvuchkp4S3JcC8Mkd_N3c5GY2U4-LxvkrE1F02Y-as04blN5eUrYL_wdc0zqqGvLTtWn7-dQPPmizkkin2gjvfdlK2ozddBkRmoQGcHu52aAnNbzcIesYP3AYCb1dVYaVDtGh7j0/s1600-h/table.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358784591480097026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaJyLvuchkp4S3JcC8Mkd_N3c5GY2U4-LxvkrE1F02Y-as04blN5eUrYL_wdc0zqqGvLTtWn7-dQPPmizkkin2gjvfdlK2ozddBkRmoQGcHu52aAnNbzcIesYP3AYCb1dVYaVDtGh7j0/s320/table.jpg" border="0" /></a> another attempt at making bread. not totally successful, but i think i am on the right track.</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF38LjDoaoKX76UF_1Xd5JRdbXcXwm9aesFtbPmZWyjPdvcj99hbEu9zHFA3xgJI4Uo31TGoB25RRx0SN58yuhaz6O_TQLQ7kLqdhZbRfqP51xWBo-RL9XZzcE249Xt-0Y-bY0eH4PIyo/s1600-h/radish.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358784588281285282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF38LjDoaoKX76UF_1Xd5JRdbXcXwm9aesFtbPmZWyjPdvcj99hbEu9zHFA3xgJI4Uo31TGoB25RRx0SN58yuhaz6O_TQLQ7kLqdhZbRfqP51xWBo-RL9XZzcE249Xt-0Y-bY0eH4PIyo/s320/radish.jpg" border="0" /></a>baby radish leaf, from a bunch of radishes from the farmers market. the realization that you can eat the radish greens made me sad for all the previous bunches that were tossed.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUAfotcqVs5QjojJBB1ZyIqKeOpjZZtn-007R6A0AQzJT3v72hvdn3CXxW85leCafvSAvRLH-OPlC3RaYN9Y88jkJdMpaTOPTgGsyMZUa_XeIHFsz0vQX5hsZ79w3tNiire4Ha1bA0s4/s1600-h/lunch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358784579697326994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUAfotcqVs5QjojJBB1ZyIqKeOpjZZtn-007R6A0AQzJT3v72hvdn3CXxW85leCafvSAvRLH-OPlC3RaYN9Y88jkJdMpaTOPTgGsyMZUa_XeIHFsz0vQX5hsZ79w3tNiire4Ha1bA0s4/s320/lunch.jpg" border="0" /></a>the perfect summer lunch. discovered my new favorite tomato, the red zebra. it's red with orange stripes. almost too pretty to eat. almost.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-45086028545967955092009-07-14T13:30:00.002-04:002009-07-14T13:36:44.328-04:00it's offical. it's summer.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEX4pqRVhR5D8jX4P3oZGYTZGr_nziEJHWvGSHgSGWSjnv4OebtBB6BPtD_aO3ik9KdwxOfRXdnJrlicQ8DzyXH8-ZLtwZp-08ThYkyClrckOQGWOOozh5rMTf7A2HAT4sEomme85i1M/s1600-h/ice+cream.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358369704331764642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEX4pqRVhR5D8jX4P3oZGYTZGr_nziEJHWvGSHgSGWSjnv4OebtBB6BPtD_aO3ik9KdwxOfRXdnJrlicQ8DzyXH8-ZLtwZp-08ThYkyClrckOQGWOOozh5rMTf7A2HAT4sEomme85i1M/s320/ice+cream.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br />The first batch of the season, a delicious and creamy mint chocolate chip from my hero Alice Water's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Simple-Food-Delicious-Revolution/dp/0307336794">The Art of Simple Food</a>. I made a special trip to the store to get ice cream cones for Pete, my guess is they will be gone by the end of the week. What flavor to do next? Coffee or buttermilk?Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-74539641038366848862009-07-13T20:55:00.003-04:002009-07-13T21:01:03.260-04:00Holler at our Girl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SlvXq5haHOI/AAAAAAAACo8/OywW_W-3VWA/s1600-h/Rach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SlvXq5haHOI/AAAAAAAACo8/OywW_W-3VWA/s320/Rach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358113313682758882" border="0" /></a>Rach was just featured for her amazing "Better for You" desserts in Philadelphia magazine's <a href="http://www.phillymag.com/health/articles/five_super_tasty_and_way_better_for_you_dessert_recipes_for_the_fourth/">Health & Wellness section</a>. <br /><br />I'm blowing up her spot because she would never do it herself. In fact, our ABB readers likely don't know that RKM is the brains (and muscle and baker) behind <a href="http://sweetpeabanana.tumblr.com/">Sweet Pea Nourishment's</a> baked goods/desserts. Way to go Rach!<br /><br /><strong>Carrot-Ginger Oat Cookies</strong><br />From Rachel Myers, Sweet Pea Nourishment<br />Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies<p>1 cup whole wheat pastry flour<br />1 tsp. baking powder<br />1/2 tsp. sea salt, fine grain<br />1 cup rolled oats<br />2/3 cup pecans, chopped<br />1 cup carrots, shredded<br />1/2 cup real maple syrup, room temperature<br />1/2 cup unrefined (fragrant) coconut oil, warmed until just melted<br />1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated<br /><br />1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.<br />2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and oats in a large bowl. Add the nuts and carrots.<br />3. In a smaller bowl, whisk to combine the maple syrup, coconut oil, and grated ginger. Add this to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.<br />4. Drop cookie batter onto prepared baking sheets, one tablespoon at a time, leaving 2 or so inches between each cookie. Bake in the top third of the oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are golden on top and bottom.</p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-88140098779098989582009-07-09T11:11:00.004-04:002009-07-09T12:06:25.266-04:00OMGranola<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SlYJElGePsI/AAAAAAAACTM/xVCOHLVsrfg/s1600-h/granola.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/_tXuiwcrna1M/SlYJElGePsI/AAAAAAAACTM/xVCOHLVsrfg/s320/granola.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356478781087170242" /></a>I love granola, but I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to the crunchy stuff. I'm like Goldilocks (<a href="http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/illustrations/goldilocks/images/woodroffe_3bears1.jpg">this one</a>, not <a href="http://goldiebox.blogspot.com/">this one</a>) in that my granola has to be <i>just right</i>, which means not too sweet, not too dry, not to boring. <a href="http://www.metropolitanbakery.com/sweets-and-treats.html">Metropolitian's </a>is the indisputable best, followed by Grocery's. However, paying $8-10/lb for oats and dried fruit is a little tough for me to justify. <br /><div><br /></div><div>I consulted several cookbooks to find a recipe with a combination of oil and sweetener that felt right to me. Some recipes call for butter or oil in varying amounts. Ultimately, I loosely followed the Joy of Cooking recipe, using ingredients from my pantry. Results are amazing. I've been eating it plain, sprinkling it on my morning oatmeal and dreaming about putting it on yogurt. The best thing about the recipe is that you can use what you have, in the quantities that make sense for you. Love dried cherries? Add more! Hate walnuts? Leave them out! </div><div><br /></div><div>This is definitely a permanent addition to the Bronstein catalogue of tricks. Maybe it will even be this year's holiday gift.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Granola, adapted from Joy of Cooking</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup canola oil</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup pure maple syrup</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 cup brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">3 cups old fashioned oats (not quick cooking - hint, buy from the bulk section of Whole Foods or other store)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup dried cranberries</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup roasted salted almond, roughly chopped </div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup chopped walnuts</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup flaked coconut</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Preheat oven to 300 degrees.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.</div><div style="text-align: left;">In a saucepan, heat oil and syrup on low heat, for about 5 minutes. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pour warm liquid mixture into mixing bowl and stir to combine. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Spread evenly on large cookie tray/baking sheet. Use 2 if necessary. </div><div style="text-align: left;">After 20 minutes of baking, check on granola every 5-10 min. You are looking for toasting and browning of all ingredients. </div><div style="text-align: left;">*Note, this recipe will not form a single "granola bar." Do not wait for that to form - if you do, the mixture will burn. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Store granola in air-tight container until you finish it and need to make a new batch, about 5 days. </div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-65946894270303512492009-06-30T20:44:00.003-04:002009-06-30T21:03:44.736-04:00Cold Brewed Iced Coffee, or the best thing to happen this summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SkqxnoUcw6I/AAAAAAAACO8/CjmG9TJ_i4M/s1600-h/icedCoffee.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SkqxnoUcw6I/AAAAAAAACO8/CjmG9TJ_i4M/s320/icedCoffee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353286401479459746" border="0" /></a>Sometimes, in the evening, do you ever sit on the couch and think that you should get up and program your coffee maker so you have fresh coffee in the a.m., but the thought of actually getting up and grinding the coffee and measuring the water and probably cleaning out the old filter, is just way too much for you? Happens to me all the time. Last night was one of those nights. I knew I was going to want a.m. coffee, but since it's iced coffee time, I debated making a pot at night and then just sticking the carafe in the fridge so that it would be ready for me when I was running out of the house.<br /><br />Somewhere in the cobwebs of my brain, I remembered that last year, jessica mae was very excited about CBIC and since she screened my call, I turned to the interwebs for answers. I wasn't surprised when I found what I was looking for on <a href="http:/http://www.blogger.com/http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/cold-brewed-iced-coffee">Smitten Kitchen</a>.<br /><br />Seriously, you guys, this COULDN'T BE EASIER. And so delicious and really better than hot-coffee-chilled-in-the-fridge. And I get to use my own beans. And it requires NO cleaning out the filter. And I am still going after leaving my house at 6.15 a.m. and working all day and going to yoga.<br /><br />Cold-brewed iced coffee (from Smitten Kitchen) - Makes 2 16 oz servings<br />8 tbs ground coffee (or 2/3 cup)<br />4 cups of water<br /><br />Pour could water into 4 cup measuring cup. Add ground coffee. Put measuring cup in the fridge over night. In the morning, strain the liquid gold and enjoy over ice, with CSA milk and VT maple syrup. Drink with a straw. Be thankful that you won't have to clean out another coffee filter this summer.<br /><a href="http://baristamagazine.com/blog/"><br />*image of delicious looking coffee comes from a blog that you totally want to check out</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-12266840698433204132009-06-24T12:22:00.002-04:002009-06-24T12:40:21.298-04:00things i am loving<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LpZ_o8wD77HHta-itVgo2vdgyuJV2zwWpKpwdoXC-fEYrn05bMZyuYbryTxTyVJLwWUsJ7aEQsRHOaXomdcKY_xq-5_nw2ziyrey1vnNQndC72S9AyRRI1ZqVXlLbiFgqr3l7IFXjAg/s1600-h/limeade.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350930433428713906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LpZ_o8wD77HHta-itVgo2vdgyuJV2zwWpKpwdoXC-fEYrn05bMZyuYbryTxTyVJLwWUsJ7aEQsRHOaXomdcKY_xq-5_nw2ziyrey1vnNQndC72S9AyRRI1ZqVXlLbiFgqr3l7IFXjAg/s320/limeade.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />*limeade with mint. so easy to make and so refreshing, this is definitely my new summer beverage. it tastes even better when you drink it while you read in the backyard with the sun shining down on you.<br /><br />*driving to work. not necessarily the driving part, but the whole being able to listen to npr part.<br /><br />*stone fruit at the farmers market. the sadness of losing cherries is tempered by the arrival of plums, peaches, and pluots. i had never heard of a pluot until i moved to california, but now i am smitten.<br /><br />*the fact that in one week i will be in puerto rico!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-48146333618991127312009-06-19T12:12:00.003-04:002009-06-19T12:14:51.770-04:00Clarification<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/Sju5HW78OVI/AAAAAAAABw0/4U24h06jncI/s1600-h/CIMG0023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/Sju5HW78OVI/AAAAAAAABw0/4U24h06jncI/s320/CIMG0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349072518499809618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">This is my new bike<span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></span> The pictures in the last bike post were the ones we traded to get the new bikes. Jed rode to work today. Excited to spend time riding around this weekend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-28481881426508821412009-06-17T21:56:00.000-04:002009-06-18T00:56:58.714-04:00cherries jubilee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qSqFM8zf8VgSwibuyUW1-z0_TdSzCzCAAdeRNdwEvTDJLEXMcLX2wB1qWjg7HNCuQ7ahh-_Pi45ElFftb4GQ_uZhsJrD1fVPoNW8yo0N5IOceWd7ZqeVBEAmVWgbpgg50bgd7m55D44/s1600-h/IMG_2374.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qSqFM8zf8VgSwibuyUW1-z0_TdSzCzCAAdeRNdwEvTDJLEXMcLX2wB1qWjg7HNCuQ7ahh-_Pi45ElFftb4GQ_uZhsJrD1fVPoNW8yo0N5IOceWd7ZqeVBEAmVWgbpgg50bgd7m55D44/s320/IMG_2374.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348525561861521442" /><br /></a><br />i finished the last of these beauties last night. there's only a few more weeks of cherry season left, and i'm feeling the need to make the most of it. i think a visit to a pick your own needs to be on the agenda for the weekend. i have visions of making jam and other assorted delish pastries, but i know most of them will end up in my belly. could be worse.</span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-86340307541038072452009-06-15T12:20:00.003-04:002009-06-15T12:37:07.913-04:00images from the weekend<div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta9s1KIKo2KefX_2wPSnUmimP7xjnUnzlMgsPZMhjeTwkRoaVE35GUVOu7OK0IgL0iDBhX4pGqz8Op00xI_iQSrHEf00O6pw8qWRbz3SWaMCyOkvuWXL08Kxx-OKyr7rWO4fCzze9vio/s1600-h/five+guys.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347590458837661858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta9s1KIKo2KefX_2wPSnUmimP7xjnUnzlMgsPZMhjeTwkRoaVE35GUVOu7OK0IgL0iDBhX4pGqz8Op00xI_iQSrHEf00O6pw8qWRbz3SWaMCyOkvuWXL08Kxx-OKyr7rWO4fCzze9vio/s320/five+guys.JPG" border="0" /></a> consumed the perfect hangover cure after seeing the most amazing band down on venice pier<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347590467656402594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zp4006BmIRSEA-TgL4KMCk_K3opnX5ZuyOx_q2AsWnp4ej0ueQwf0ttg1d0MKQFlauppTgkbuzsCl3ueKcaEg0qlQqmtD2wqt3cpw-8R2SXVzt-vX-3nGdhNMwMn5zZ3vDfoc5ZY5oE/s320/bike+ride.JPG" border="0" />rode bikes to our new favorite <a href="http://www.ronniesdiner.com/index.html">breakfast spot </a>then continued down the bike path to the beach</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347590472226129522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsa9Kjbq5w4sEw7Y0rdGBIct34zc1pNGbwyhzAjqba88h8MMuK5qRANfabSF6pWexmXL3Z7j_IyM1Xkgku-I9BgPTUhiQJ74HYcZ_PsjxD6ZEueYzhCK3FlmiFVamDbFP7oRZAtVYQ4w/s320/bee.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">visited the garden center where we saw this guy with about nine million pounds of pollen on his legs and looking like he wasn't done any time soon.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347590476610555538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF04wy8m7S0mrbqRbtpYXEcSEc5WGDXEfLovWyfQukVRMTWJ0OKdI-BVEC2U7XBDzseVnDdzXiPzcLpy7IzBsieCGtiHK9dia4VtAEEDRxF5Rj8zjdtUxjCpyxxqommJhbg88Zj8aNc0/s320/patio.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">strung the lights over our work in progress patio. it's well on it's way to becoming our lush garden oasis.</p><p> </p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-19181119180250793922009-06-14T23:47:00.005-04:002009-06-14T23:52:20.993-04:00Before & After - Kitchen Shelves<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Before:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjXEgg_dETI/AAAAAAAABwE/24nJDQ-leyQ/s1600-h/CIMG0020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjXEgg_dETI/AAAAAAAABwE/24nJDQ-leyQ/s320/CIMG0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347396195463270706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">After:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjXEtGD0SLI/AAAAAAAABwM/Bh8UtZgD1t8/s1600-h/CIMG0023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjXEtGD0SLI/AAAAAAAABwM/Bh8UtZgD1t8/s320/CIMG0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347396411572111538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjXE9d7mAlI/AAAAAAAABwU/6HlD8f0Ty9c/s1600-h/CIMG0024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjXE9d7mAlI/AAAAAAAABwU/6HlD8f0Ty9c/s320/CIMG0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347396692857979474" border="0" /></a><br />The kitchen looks better after every weekend. Loving the way the orange looks with the walls and counter tops. I have one more project up my sleeves for this week, and then I'm pretty sure I'll focus on sewing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-22002827111000047802009-06-12T09:23:00.007-04:002009-06-12T09:35:34.219-04:00The Details Confuse Me Too<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjJX-UR2rzI/AAAAAAAABvc/tgJNr-WFCo8/s1600-h/CIMG0005+22-29-44+(1).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjJX-UR2rzI/AAAAAAAABvc/tgJNr-WFCo8/s320/CIMG0005+22-29-44+(1).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346432435749302066" /></a><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/SjJX6urj1NI/AAAAAAAABvU/CsqjoJW4Qpk/s320/CIMG0001+(1).JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346432374116963538" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Old bikes out of our basesment, traded for newer bikes. The balance for the new bikes paid from the insureance money of our stolen bikes. Long story short, we will finally have appropriate city bikes that will hopefully stick around for much longer than a month. I will be so happy if the new bikes are all tuned up and ready for their new home today. Bike ride anyone?</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-53998219908882439072009-06-11T16:58:00.004-04:002009-06-11T17:27:31.560-04:00some sweets for your thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMuLK46Antm8eVlWGbhZqoiHxqZ5fiDGsJOyuEwUso0NlQQKDTA1MQKvRDvCQ973R0yg5UPGtsCg8LALAudbWjKPgKzmbM3lhDkOZ1AuOYdf6GIzigzbrm2vBx37ULL6o5RB8y6jxqbc/s1600-h/brownies.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346178068348036866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMuLK46Antm8eVlWGbhZqoiHxqZ5fiDGsJOyuEwUso0NlQQKDTA1MQKvRDvCQ973R0yg5UPGtsCg8LALAudbWjKPgKzmbM3lhDkOZ1AuOYdf6GIzigzbrm2vBx37ULL6o5RB8y6jxqbc/s320/brownies.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div></div><div></div><div>Last night I baked brownies from what has become our new go-to <a href="http://www.alexandracooks.com/2009/04/26/hearst-ranch-grass-fed-steaks-oven-roasted-potatoes-all-time-favorite-brownies/">brownie recipe</a>. I used vanilla extract that I made last year and I am afraid I can never go back to store bought. Three vanilla beans, split and stuffed into a bottle, fill it up to the top with vodka, store it in a dark place and 6 months later, deliciousness.</div></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-45648611945249930552009-06-10T21:50:00.000-04:002009-06-11T00:49:20.879-04:00wednesday, i wish you were friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ofL0OLLf_MFqAAXOlAP48FE-nZconOhQPtHuksSnFnjSvw5IFCJArMvm1DVtz8xxKwm1LLabJ3oSfEUSGCDNEvtxEtr68HzujTTBVcGr73lKazFAFF6AFBf1taFHMpdP0VKLoTeOjJE/s1600-h/IMG_2393.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ofL0OLLf_MFqAAXOlAP48FE-nZconOhQPtHuksSnFnjSvw5IFCJArMvm1DVtz8xxKwm1LLabJ3oSfEUSGCDNEvtxEtr68HzujTTBVcGr73lKazFAFF6AFBf1taFHMpdP0VKLoTeOjJE/s320/IMG_2393.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345926516960937474" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">checking out at whole foods, the cashier looks up at me, sighs, then says "it's wednesday, it's all downhill from here". then he went back to scanning my mangos. guess he's ready for the weekend too.<br /></div></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123934354100996516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262739866556990661.post-68879043986016177232009-06-09T22:47:00.003-04:002009-06-09T22:53:19.609-04:00Stellar Tuesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/Si8fE7k1_1I/AAAAAAAABu0/9743ss555jk/s1600-h/CIMG0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tXuiwcrna1M/Si8fE7k1_1I/AAAAAAAABu0/9743ss555jk/s400/CIMG0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345525452284231506" border="0" /></a>My day began with the earliest of early meetings, but I was able to watch the most amazing 8a.m. thunder storm from the 14th floor of my building. Also included in said day: excellent conversations, checks off my to-do list, yoga, delicious homemade dinner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2