Pistachio Mallow Salad Recipe

If you like ambrosia salad and pistachios, then you will love this recipe. SO easy. Takes no longer than 10 minutes to throw together. Also, pretty cheap of a recipe to make. Few things to mention about it though:

1- DO NOT DRAIN PINEAPPLE. I read this and questioned it. I ended up following the recipe and it turned out perfect. It seems really wet when you first add it, but it will absorb!

2- LET IT CHILL FOR HOURS. First time I made it it chilled in the fridge for only 1 hour. Second time I made it it chilled for 4 hours. Much better after 4 hours. It gets fluffier and absorbs all the liquid.

That is about it! Super easy recipe, Super quick blog post. The recipe can be found here http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Pistachio-Mallow-Salad

Book Recommendation #20

Title:The Cardmaker’s Workbook
Author: Jenn Mason

Book Review: (Taken From www.chapters.indigo.ca) “The Cardmaker’s Workbook is the only book on cardmaking that a crafter will ever need, and is formatted in a sturdy volume that can kept on the desk and referred to again and again. The book is divided into chapters focusing on composition, color, theme, construction and inspiration. Instructions are clear but concise, making room for large pictures and multiple variations. It has the look of a designer’s notebook with sketches and templates that show different card formats. Unlike other cardmaking books available that are occasion driven or aren’t stylized, The Cardmaker’s Workbook provides an inspiring and hands-on tool for paper addicts to use to expand their skills and stretch their imagination.
The designs cover many different styles, from detailed multi-layered beauties to simple cards that can be quickly made and given as a set of stationery.”

Thoughts / Opinions: I have enjoyed making cards for years and years. I am always looking for books / information on cards. This book is the first book in a few years that I have found that I really like. There are many cards in it that I hope to use for inspiration for future cards of mine. It also has a few pages on making envelopes (something I just recently started doing)

All books I recommend can be found HERE.

Book Recommendation #19

Title: Crease & Fold
Author: Sok Song

Book Review: (Taken From www.chapters.indigo.ca) “Inspired by traditional techniques, Sok Song captures the timeless spirit of origami in every modern model he designs. Inside, he shows how paper can be transformed into anything from an exquisite watercolor orchid to a wallet made from a subway map. These imaginative projects will teach you the fundamentals of origami as you create playful animals and other designs perfect for greeting cards, jewelry, and more.
SOK SONG’s passion for origami transformed his self-taught hobby into an award-winning design business. His paper artistry has been featured in magazines including Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, GQ, and Vogue; as contributions to other origami books; on TV on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and America’s Next Top Model; and in museums including the American Museum of Natural History.”

Thoughts / Opinions: As a child growing up I loved Origami. I remember going to the library and always taking out origami books. There was a particular book that I took out week after week. I don’t know if anyone else got to enjoy the book since I had it out so much! I loved practicing and eventually memorizing folds. There is no surprise that as a grown up (and working in a library now) I am still always flipping through craft books of all types. This book reminded me of being a child. It is however, much nicer than any of the books I remember. It has color photos throughout and neat projects. I hope that in the digital world we live in today, that people are still able to enjoy simple crafts such as these.

All books I recommend can be found HERE.

Black Bean Brownies

photo taken from http://seaandbescene.com/2012/01/the-legendary-black-bean-brownie/

I have been reading and hearing about black bean brownies for a long time now. What intrigued me the most was the claims that you would have no idea that there were beans in them. Not that I don’t like beans, I actually really love them, I just don’t think of black beans and chocolate together as that good. Anyways, I had an evening to myself the other day and figured I would bake something. This alone is a miracle, I am not one to bake. So, since I was doing something that I usually never do, I decided that heck, this was a good time to try something crazy!
I found this recipe just by googling black bean brownies. I ended up picking this one over the others because I actually had all the ingredients. It was super fast to throw together (now that is my kind of baking!). I made sure I blended it really well. The end result was kind of like the consistency of a boxed cake mix.
My first batch I made had no chocolate chips since I did not have any. My first impression of them when I tried them was that you actually would have no idea at all that there were beans (and lots of them). Now, here is something else I soon realized. The texture / consistency of the final product was pretty unique to anything I have eaten in the past. When I think brownies, I think thick, heavy, fudgy. These seemed to be in between a brownie and a cake. There was a neat “airiness” to them. I did blend the crap out of the batter, perhaps that is why. Anyways, very neat! They also were not deathly sweet. This was a wonderful change to the typical brownie that is super sugar sweet.
Now, the second batch I have made I included chocolate chips. I liked them a little bit better because they added some sweetness to the overall brownie. For the next time I make them, I will consider using chocolate chunks to add a little different texture to them.
Overall, HIGHLY recommend these for anyone looking to try something new. They make a great conversation starter and are a great option for people cutting wheat out of their diets. The full recipe and directions can be found here http://seaandbescene.com/2012/01/the-legendary-black-bean-brownie/ . Hope you enjoy these as much as I did!

Finally Started Another Piece

After what feels like forever, I started another piece today. I have been so busy lately with photography that I have had no time to do any art. Well, that may be a bit of a stretch. I am sure I have had time, just wasted it doing other things ha ha.
So I am working on another piece with paper rolled into circles. I still am not sure if I will add anything to it like I did with the marbles last time, I guess I will see how it goes. For now I have a little corner done, and I am happy with that.

Book Recommendation #18

Title: Please stop laughing at me
Author: Jodee Blanco

Book Review: (Taken From www.chapters.indigo.ca) “While other children were daydreaming about dances, first kisses, and college, Jodee Blanco was trying to figure out how to go from homeroom to study hall without being taunted or spit upon as she walked through the halls.
This powerful, unforgettable memoir chronicles how one child was shunned —and even physically abused —by her classmates from elementary school through high school. It is an unflinching look at what it means to be the outcast, how even the most loving parents can get it all wrong, why schools are often unable to prevent disaster, and how bullying has been misunderstood and mishandled by the mental health community.
You will be shocked, moved, and ultimately inspired by this harrowing tale of survival against insurmountable odds. This vivid story will open your eyes to the harsh realities and long-term consequences of bullying and how all of us can make a difference in the lives of teens today.”

All books I recommend can be found HERE.

Ned the Corgie

Meet Ned. He is a 10 week old Corgie puppy. Now I know all puppies are cute, but man o man was Ned extra cute! Just look at those huge paws and those big ears!

 

Book Recommendation #17

Title: It Sucked and Then I Cried
Author: Heather Armstrong

Book Review: (Taken From www.chapters.indigo.ca) “Heather Armstrong gave up a lot of things when she and her husband, Jon, decided to have a baby: beer, small boobs, free time — and antidepressants. The eighteen months that followed were filled with anxiety, constipation, nacho cheese Doritos, and an unconditional love that threatened to make her heart explode. Still, as baby Leta grew and her husband, Jon, returned to work, Heather faced lonely days, sleepless nights, and endless screaming that sometimes made her wish she’d never become a mother. Just as she was poised to throw another gallon of milk at her husband’s head, she committed herself for a short stay in a mental hospital — the best decision she ever made for her family.
To the dedicated millions who can’t get enough of Heather’s unforgettably unique style and hilarious stories on her hugely popular blog, there’s little she won’t share about her daily life as a recovering Mormon, liberal daughter of Republicans, wife of a charming geek, lover of television that exceeds at being really awful, and stay-at-home mom to five-year-old Leta and two willful dogs.In It Sucked and Then I Cried, Heather tells, with trademark wit, the heartfelt, unrelentingly honest story of her battle with postpartum depression and all the other minor details of pregnancy and motherhood that no one cares to mention. Like how boring it can be to care for someone whose primary means of communication is through her bowels. And how long it can possibly take to reconvene the procedure that got you into this whole parenthood mess in the first place. And how you sometimes think you can’t possibly go five more minutes without breathing in that utterly irresistible and totally redeemable fresh baby smell.
It Sucked and Then I Cried is a brave cautionary tale about crossing over that invisible line to the other side (the parenting side), where everything changes and it only gets worse. But most of all, it’s a celebration of a love so big it can break your heart into a million pieces.”

All books I recommend can be found HERE.

Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

Photo take from http://picky-palate.com/2012/09/20/pesto-ranch-crock-pot-chicken-thighs/

I am trying really hard to use my slow cooker more and more. As a result, I am always looking for new recipes. Once again, I have Pinterest to thank for this one. Many times I come across a recipe that sounds or looks really good, but when I read the ingredients I usually have practically none of them and it would end up costing too much to buy them all. This recipe however sounded simple with very few ingredients. It also calls for chicken thighs, and they are my favorite part of a chicken!

I threw this together in probably less then 5 minutes before work one day. I ended up being a little late coming home so they got cooked a little too long I think. This obviously would not be a problem if you have a slow cooker with a timer on it, I however do not. Anyways, I decided that spaghetti would go good with this dish since I love pesto on pasta.

This is where I took this recipe one step further. After removing the chicken from the slow cooker, I was left with lots of the pesto / ranch / chicken juices. I decided that I would use this on my pasta instead of throwing it away. After my spaghetti was done, I just threw it all into the slow cooker. I then stirred it really well and let it sit for about 5 minutes with the lid on to soak everything up. I also added some cooked mushrooms to it, I love mushrooms!

After sitting for those few minutes I served the chicken thighs with the spaghetti that now had delicious flavor enhanced pesto all over it. That was it. Super easy, super delicious meal that had leftovers as well! The full recipe with directions can be found here http://picky-palate.com/2012/09/20/pesto-ranch-crock-pot-chicken-thighs/ She does a lovely job explaining it and has many photos as well.

Oscar Trying To Look Tough

We were recently out in Cranbrook, BC for the weekend and took Oscar with us. I was trying to get a good photo of him all weekend, but the sun was so intense the shadows were horrible. I snapped this one of him sitting in the shade. He looks like he is trying to look all tough in it, I just love it!