Inspire. Create. Bake.: March 2010

Mar 31

Fruity goodness

Fruity goodness — no, not the healthy kind, but substituting Fruity Pebbles (FP) for Rice Krispies in one of my favorite treats. I came across a recipe for FP cupcakes and I immediately thought, I want those in a bar. These treats are very simple to make and takes maybe 10 minutes. I think it's the perfect time of year for so much color. Spring is finally here and with Easter being just around the corner, you could make these for your kiddos (and adults). You could even mold them into egg shapes.

Growing up, I didn't eat a lot of sugary cereals, and I've continued this habit into my adult life. I aim for cereals with 9 grams of sugar or less and try to stay away from the word enriched. I am very conscious of what I eat. I read the labels on everything I put into my cart. I look at trans fat, saturated fat, sodium and sugar. But sometimes, I want a treat — that's where Fruity Pebbles comes in and the other desserts I make. I just have to eat them in moderation and watch my portions. Another time for treats — I have a serving size portion of sugary cereal after a workout. I've read that high glucose food helps repair your muscles after a workout. Just make sure you are eating a serving size. So if I want a treat, I need to hit the gym first. When I go, I get a little reward for it.

Fruity Pebbles Treats
INGREDIENTS
6 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 bag mini marshmallows
6 cups Fruity Pebbles

DIRECTIONS
Melt butter in a large pot. Use a spoon to scoop out a small amount of butter, and coat the bottom of a baking sheet. Add marshmallows to pot until fully melted.
Add Fruity Pebbles and mix well. I've found a wooden spoon works best. Pour mixture onto baking sheet. Using back of spoon, spread out evenly until desired thickness is achieved. (Or your hands, but make sure to wash them!) Let cool before devouring. Cut into bars.

Read More 3 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 30

I heart faces weekly challenge

This week’s photo challenge theme is: Dramatic B&W
Here's my entry.

My niece Breyya at the age of 3 1/2. She's nine now, but this photo has always been a favorite of mine. Her tiny whisps of hair in front and her pigtails on the sides. Her cute but crazy eyebrows and those beautiful eyes. A precious child of God.

Check out other B & W submissions at I Heart Faces.

Read More 7 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 29

Book club pick for April

SYNOPSIS

The narrator of The Lovely Bones, Susie Salmon, is a normal fourteen year-old girl. She has just received her first kiss and is looking forward to going to high school next year. She is on her way home from school when she is stopped by a man who wants to show her something in the cornfield. Susie thinks she can trust this man because he is a neighbor who knows her parents. Unfortunately, this man, George Harvey, is a serial killer who rapes and murders Susie.

Susie is quickly taken to heaven, where she meets Franny, her guide in the afterlife. Heaven can be whatever she wants, and Susie chooses to create her heaven in the image of her hometown high school. However, the only thing Susie truly wants is to be back on Earth, growing up with the people she loves. This is the one thing Susie cannot have in heaven, but there is one way Susie can keep up with her family. From heaven, Susie can look down and watch her family as they struggle with their own feelings about her murder.

The Salmon family is forever changed as a result of Susie’s murder. Susie watches as her parents drift apart and her siblings and friends grow up and have experiences Susie can only witness. Her mother, Abigail, wants to run away from her feelings, whereas her father, Jack, wants to confront those feelings head on. Jack Salmon, unsatisfied with Len Fenerman’s investigation, begins his own investigation of Susie’s murder. This investigation leads Jack to suspect George Harvey. However, police cannot arrest Harvey because there is no evidence linking Harvey to Susie.

Susie follows her sister Lindsey’s life from heaven. Lindsey experiences major life milestones witnessed vicariously by Susie. Susie cannot herself grow up, but can have a basic understanding of the process by watching her sister. She watches as Lindsey grows into a strong young woman who also shares her father’s determination to find Susie’s killer. Lindsey learns from Grandma Lynn the name of the man her father believes killed Susie. Lindsey begins watching Harvey’s house, committing his schedule to her memory, and waiting for her opportunity.

Family members are not the only people affected by Susie’s death. Ray Singh, the first and only boy Susie kisses, is at first a suspect. He is quickly ruled out by police, by remains haunted by the memory of Susie’s death. Ruth Connors, an unpopular girl in Susie’s class, is also impacted by Susie’s death. She is the last person Susie touches as her spirit leaves Earth. As a result, Ruth becomes obsessed with death and even begins seeing the dead on Earth. Ray and Ruth become forever linked in their shared grief and understanding.

George Harvey, Susie’s killer, is also watched by Susie. In heaven, Susie meets and learns the stories of all of his victims. She sees Harvey hide her body, lie to her father and the police, and run from the crimes he has committed. Susie wants to help the living apprehend her killer, but can only watch as the police and her family try to gather evidence and find her murderer.

Synopsis from: WikiSummaries

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 29

The time has come

My design room is officially organized and clean! I'm not sure why it took me so long to tackle. We've been in our house for 1 1/2 years. Maybe I was overwhelmed by it all, but now I feel so much better about it. It did take the majority of my Saturday to clean, and I stayed focused. I know where everything is and most everything has its own place. I even parted ways with a few things I've had since school, even high school. I talked myself out of a lot — Really? I mean really, do I need this? Will I ever use this? (Probably yes, but now it's in the trash).

This will be kind of temporary though. As you can see we, have studs up, bare cement walls and cold floors. We are in the process of finishing the basement and currently waiting on the electrical to happen. I envision a lot of shelving and painted walls.
I hung a few of my paintings on the wall to help inspire me to do more paintings. The one on the far right is the first one I did sophmore year in high school, about 14 years ago. Wow, really ... did I just say that? The one next to it is the last one I worked on, probably seven years ago. The older I get, the faster time seems to move. I better start using the talents God gave me! I have a project to work on for one of my friends, so that will really help motivate me to paint.

Here's the view from the other direction. See all the wonderful organization...

This hutch belonged to my Grandma. She gave it to me when they moved out of their house and into an apartment. Grandma was a painter and all-around crafter so this hutch has some sentimental value to me. She painted up until arthritis got the best of her hands. She does a lot of sewing now with the programmable sewing machine. Grandma always seems to be busy with something — I think I take after her in that aspect — and we are both lefties.

Read More 7 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 27

March March March

I'm very excited to be a part of March for Babies this year. I'm walking with my friends Maranda, Jimmy and their triplets Lily, Audrey and Izzy (AS PICTURED). They are a sweet, wonderful family I met a couple years ago. Here's a link to the Wilson's site so you get a better understanding of why they are so passionate about March of Dimes.
The Wilson Triplets
Please help me reach my goal by making a donation to my walk, or feel free to donate over on the Wilson's page. It`s easy and secure - just click through to make your donation. Anything helps!
Your gift will fund March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.
Please support this important work. You can make a donation through Payapal with your credit card, or if you prefer, cash or a check is fine, too. Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start!

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 25

Fix-it Friday

It's time for another installment of Fix-it Friday.

ORIGINAL

This little girl could not be any cuter!!

EDITED V1

V1: I used Camera Raw and PS — CS3. I didn't want to do too much photo retouch for the first version. This really is a great photo. It just needs exposed a bit more.

In Camera Raw, I warmed the temperature to +13. I exposed the photo to +.80. I bumped the recovery and the contrast up a bit. I also brought the saturation level down but only to -3.

In Photoshop, I cleaned the image using the clone tool. I really wanted her skin to be smooth, so I removed shadows that were a bit too distracting. I intensifed her eyes using the dodge tool on her iris and the burn tool on her pupil. I cropped the photo so she's off center and to the right. Lastly, I adjusted the magenta levels in the "Selective Color" adjustment. I wanted to change the hat color.They are set to — C +23 M -68 Y -76 K 0

EDITED V2

V2: I picked up from the edits on V1, since the image is already retouched. I converted the image to b/w as an adjustment layer. (Not in the image mode). That way, I am able to adjust the channels within the B/W adjustment layer. Below are my settings. I really pulled the magenta level down so the hat would be darker. I wanted her hat to frame her face more.

EDITED V3
V3: I flattened the V2 edits and converted to B/W in the image mode and changed back to RGB mode. In Image > Adjustment > Variations, I added a click of yellow and a click of red. I desaturated the photo to -43 and added in a texture to the left. It is set to Multiply with 38% fill. Again, a beautiful subject to work with!

Check out other Fix-it Friday edited photos at iheartfaces.blogspot.com

Read More 9 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 24

TtV in the park

I realized a few days ago, I haven't posted the rest of my TtV shots from the one gorgeous day we had in Wichita several weeks ago. I posted a few of my favorites in a previous post and here and the rest. On a different note — I really am looking forward to seeing green grass, new leaves and blooming flowers soon. Spring is such a beautiful time of year. I feel we've had a long winter with a lot of cold days, and I'm ready for something new.

Read More 2 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 23

Caramel chocolate sponge cake

This past weekend was full of March Madness games and catching up with good friends. I wanted to make a dessert for game watching and an after dinner treat.
I went to a bookstore recently and picked up a dessert book I thought was worth purchasing. I really don't buy cookbooks anymore because I've found amazing free resources online, but it was only $8, and I still have a gift card to use from Christmas.
This serves twelve so I had plenty to go around. Caramel being one of my favorite things in life, I had to give this a try. Next time, I will use a stick of salted butter in the caramel sauce instead of unsalted. The recipe is actually called salty caramel chocolate sponge cake. I couldn't figure out what was so salty about it, but realized it called for salted butter. I am so used to throwing in unsalted and didn't think twice about it. It was still caramel delightful though.

Caramel Chocolate Sponge Cake
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CAKE
2 sticks unsalted butter, diced
1 cup sugar, plus two tablespoons
3 medium eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 1/3 cup cake flour, sifted
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cocoa, sifted
2 tsp. baking powder, sifted
FOR THE SAUCE
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
pinch of salt
2/3 cup heavy cream
FOR THE CREAM
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp. sugar

DIRECTIONS
FOR THE CAKE

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 12x9 inch baking pan. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add butter and one cup of sugar and beat until pale and fluffy, about four minutes. Add eggs in, one at a time, scraping down sides when necessary. Add milk. In a separate bowl mix sifted flour, salt, cocoa and baking power together. Gradually add dry ingredients into mixer.
Transfer batter to a baking pan, smoothing the surface. Scatter a couple tbsp. of sugar over the top and bake for 30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 20-30 minutes while making the sauce.
FOR THE SAUCE
Heat the sugar, butter and cream in a small saucepan, whisking until smooth.
FOR THE CREAM

Using an immersion blender, or regular blender, whip heavy cream until thickened. Add sugar and whip again until desired consistency is reached.

Serve the cake cut into squares with the warm caramel sauce spooned over them.

Source: Adapted from Gorgeous Desserts

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 22

Burrito Pie

I've had this recipe for several years and made it several times. I've found it's easiest to use an electric skillet to brown the beef mixture, since there is a lot of it. If you're having company over, this is a hearty meal to serve, plus it feeds 16. It's easy to prepare and you can make it ahead of time; just reheat in the oven at 375.

Burrito Pie
INGREDIENTS
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 oz. can diced green chilis
10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilis
16 oz. jar taco sauce
2 16 oz. can fat-free refried beans
16 oz. black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
12 whole-wheat tortillas
9 oz. colby cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350. Saute beef for five minutes. Add onion and garlic. Cook until browned. Drain fat.

Add green chilis, tomatoes, taco sauce and beans. Mix well. Let simmer, covered for 20 minutes.
Spread thin layer of meat mixture in bottom of an oven safe dish. Cover with tortillas, meat again then cheese. After a few layers add cilantro. If you are using two dished use 1/8 cup per dish. Repeat tortillas, meat and cheese, ending with meat and cheese.

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until cheese is slightly brown and bubbly.
Source: unknown

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 21

Hot potato salad

I wasn't sure what to expect from this recipe. When I see potato salad I think of potatoes covered in mayo and mustard and that's not my favorite thing. Come to think of it, I don't really like potato salad. When I read through the ingredients and found cream cheese and no mayo, I wanted to give this a try. It reminds me of a dish created around the holidays. Next time, I'll either add more potatoes or use just one block of cream cheese. (I adjusted this in the listed ingredients.) It was very creamy, as you can see from the before pic below. The addition of fresh herbs makes it very flavorful and the bread crumbs gives it a nice crunch which balances well with the creaminess. Serves six.

Hot Potato Salad

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CASSEROLE

2 lb. baby red potatoes, quartered
1 package cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 cup cheddar, shredded
2 tbsp. fresh chives, chopped
1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp. fresh dill, minced
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
FOR THE TOPPING
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp. paprika

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 425. Coat a 2-qt. casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water oven high heat until fork tender, 12 to 15 minutes; drain and set aside.

Combine cream cheese and buttermilk in a large bowl until blended. Stir in cheddar, chives, 1 tbsp. parsley, dill and cayenne; season to taste.

Stir hot potatoes into cream cheese mixture until well coated; transfer to prepared baking dish.

Combine bread crumbs, parmesan, 1 tbsp. parsley and paprika in a small bowl. Season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle topping over potato salad.

Bake until potatoes are completely soft and topping is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Adapted from Cuisine at home, Issue No.80 April 2010

Transfer potato mixture to prepared baking dish

Sprinkle topping over potato salad

Out of the oven

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 20

Linguine with turkey sausage and peppers

A fairly common dish in our house. It's easy to make and quite healthy. You can add orange peppers into the mix if you desire, or use just one color. Plus it serves six; plenty of leftovers.

Linguine with Turkey Sausage and Peppers

INGREDIENTS

16 oz. linguine
1 lb. turkey sausage (in the chub)
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 red bell peppers, sliced
2 yellow bell peppers, sliced
3 tbsp. butter
8 oz. fresh spinach, cleaned and torn
coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

grated parmesan

DIRECTIONS
Cook linguine. Drain and reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water; return pasta to pot.

Cook sausage and two tbsp. water in a large covered non-stick skillet over medium heat until fat renders, about five minutes. Uncover; raise heat to medium-high. Brown sausage, breaking it up with a spoon.

Add garlic, bell peppers and 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water; cook until peppers soften, about six minutes. Add 3/4 cup pasta water and butter; swirl to combine.

Transfer to pot. Add spinach, season with salt and pepper. Toss. Cover with lid until spinach is wilted. Add more pasta water as desired. Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Adapted from Great Food Fast - Martha Stewart

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 19

A trip through Blarney Castle

Today in pics, we are revisiting the Blarney Castle. It's one of Ireland's most popular landmarks and was built over 600 years ago. At the top of the castle, people were lined up to kiss the Blarney Stone. We were in line too, but not to kiss the stone. It's a very small space at the top of the tower so we were just passing through. I couldn't bring myself to kiss a stone that millions of other people kissed. It's just not my thing. As you can see this is an extraordinary place.

Walking up to the castle

Opposite side of the castle. In the front is a watchtower.

Making our way up through the castle. This is one of the walls.

This is one of my favorite shots from the trip. I believe this used to be a mess hall. I'm sure they had a different name for it, but you get the gist. There would of been a floor there between the windows.

A closer look

At the very top of the castle. I didn't take a picture of the Blarney stone, but it's to the right of this. It's literally a stone that you have to lie down on your back and kiss the rock upside down. I just watched.

View from the top, looking toward the watchtower.

After the castle, we walked around in the garden area. We were there for hours and didn't get through all of it. These were extremely large plants, and there were a lot of them. I haven't seen anything quite like this before (or since).

Small stream in the same area.

Me being goofy. I wish I had this tree in my backyard. I could totally take a nap in it.

The shapes of these trees were something else.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 19

My new find

A new pair of shoes. Target is currently having a buy one get one half sale online. And if you spend $50 or more - free shipping. I originally went online to get a black pair of shoes I kept seeing in stores. I tried three Targets and none had my size. I'm happy I stumbled upon these.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Mar 18

Ireland in pics part 4

A sign I came across and loved. I'm not sure what it's for though.

Our Bed and Breakfast in Killarney. We were fed a traditional Irish breakfast every morning. That is our tiny car out front too. We stayed in B&Bs throughout the trip until we were in Dublin. I highly recommend it. It was quite different to sleep in other people's houses (that's what it felt like) but it was a unique experience. The first B&B we stayed in had no water pressure when we showered. I felt like Seinfeld when the low flow shower head was put in. Good times. But it was worth it.

There were churches on every corner it felt like. If the architecture looked interesting, I pulled over. The churches were always unlocked, so I just went inside and took pictures. I am fascinated by the woodwork.

Gaelic signage

Another cemetery

Church in Killarney

Inside the church - The detailed stained glass was truly amazing.

Notice the flat panel screens. My guess is the view from either side of center is blocked from the stone pillars.

In Killarney

Detail of cross

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Anonymous |

Graphic designer, baker and a photo taker. Inspired by Jesus, photography, stellar design, all things creative, cooking, the arts and funny stuff. I prefer to visually tell stories through photographs; whether a trip I was on, a dessert I made or a recent vintage find. Art is all around me, and I capture it whenever I can.

Fruity goodness

I heart faces weekly challenge

Book club pick for April

The time has come

March March March

Fix-it Friday

TtV in the park

Caramel chocolate sponge cake

Burrito Pie

Hot potato salad

Linguine with turkey sausage and peppers

A trip through Blarney Castle

My new find

Ireland in pics part 4

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