Home Repair Minimalist

Easter Herb and Vegetable Tips

If you're preparing Easter dinner this year, here are some tips that will make the most of your ingredients and maybe give your menu a little added zip:

Herb conversion - If you're cooking with herbs and have some fresh varieties around, the conversion from fresh to dry is three to one. That means for every tablespoon of fresh herbs in a recipe, use 1 teaspoon of dry herbs. The flip side of

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Finally got smart – taking a break!

Do you ever stress over what to put in your heading to make it jump out at your followers and have them want to click on your blog???
I’m having that problem…no catch words are coming to me…nothing has been happening here to call for a catchy word or phrase…just plain ole living and doing what one needs to do daily – is that boring or what?

So the heading here says it all for what is happening here….I put my website on HOLD FOR 2 MONTHS – I’m not getting anything made for my shows and that just won’t fly come August if there’s very little made.
I am not getting rich with my website but I do get orders in regular – to the point I can’t work on anything else.
So if anyone was wanting something quickly just e-mail me…I’m doing things like that for people but just not website orders from the shopping cart for now.
Oh and if only I was taking a break to do just what the picture shows….sun and sand – HOW FUN!

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I’m sure you are all getting ready for your Easter weekend – we’re having just our youngest son and family and then our oldest grandson for Sunday dinner.
We’ll also be celebrating our granddaughters Confirmation.
Last Sunday she got confirmed and last night she took her first communion.

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Our middle son is heading for Florida for a week tonight – I just realized he’s getting to do what my picture is showing !!!!
Oh well, they certainly deserve it. He works for a printing company and puts in many, many hours above and beyond and his wife works 2 jobs – think they need a vacation? I do.

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Our oldest will be at home with his in-laws – always a fun time there…lots of little ones to be happy about the Easter Bunny.

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Do you ever get tired of eating ‘right’ and need something greasy and yummy…well that was me last night – I needed grease and lots of it so we had grilled pork chops and fried potatoes…YUM…yes there are 4 chops – I only at half of one but they are great cold to nibble on don’t ya think?

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Have you ever tried the ‘Simply Potatoes’ ? They are awesome and taste like fresh cut potatoes. I won’t ever cut up another whole potato to fry since we found these – they are so fresh and flavorful. We also buy the shredded ones too.
You just have to try them. http://www.simplypotatoes.com/

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So what have I been up to besides stitching…just about nothing – so see how hard it was to come up with something to post.
Maybe it’s time to take a break here too and then just maybe I’ll have something interesting to post about….BUT I;M NOT…YOU JUST WON’T SEE MANY CREATIVE POSTS UNTIL SOMETHING HITS ME!
Haven’t been shopping to buy any new treasures lately either.

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Oh I have to say though – my husband got the 3-D Sports channel on our TV yesterday and he/(me kind of) watched the Masters in 3-D – boy it looked like you were right there on the course with them – every hill, flower, tee, greens – all so real. That was interesting huh?

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All the while I was stitching yesterday my little Lola slept next to me (always – she’s my shadow!).
She has a sweet habit of covering her eyes when she sleeps.

So I’ll leave you with her picture and wish you all a very HAPPY EASTER

Karen

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Easter Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by my friends’ new Etsy shop: Sister Time Creations! Remember, cute baskets aren’t just for Easter! Keep them in mind anytime you want a fun and unique gift idea (especially if you happen to know some birds-that-are-angry fans).

The winner of the beadboard sign giveaway is

Angie @ Knick of Time! Congratulations, Angie! I will be e-mailing you.

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Lavender Pepper Recipe

Dried Lavender Blossoms

Lavender pepper is one of those designer spice blend that's gained prominence in the last couple of years. It actually makes a very nice seasoning for beef, chicken and especially seafood. I particularly like it on shrimp. Lavender actually works surprisingly well with pepper. It offers a flowery note that stands up to the peppery bite without tasting bitter.

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About Herbs

Walk Through the Garden Gate (and start an herb garden)

I ran into an old work friend at my local garden center yesterday. She was interested in planting a few herbs in her garden this season. She isn't a great herb enthusiast or a lover of the cozy cottage garden look in outdoor landscaping. She isn't a dedicated cook, either.

She shared some interesting information about herself I didn't

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Easter Baskets & a Giveaway!

Two of my good friends have ventured into Etsy territory! They are selling all sorts of painstakingly crocheted Easter baskets under the name Sister Time Creations.

What have they got to offer? Well, take a look!

There are bunnies in all colors…

…a couple of bugs…

…and my personal favorites…the “birds who look angry.”

In all seriousness, Etsy can’t allow my friends advertise these under the famous name that probably popped into your head! I suggested they call these “PerturBirds.”

Think it would catch on??

…and their ~~friends~~ enemies!

There is still time to order these cute baskets before Easter! And at $10 per basket, they are a bargain!

Now for the giveaway portion of this blog post.

I am offering one hand-painted 24” x 7” beadboard sign (below are a few examples, but use your imagination)! If you want one larger than that, I will credit you the price of the smaller sign.

Two ways to enter!

Simply visit Sister Time Creations Etsy shop, and come back leave me a comment telling me what your favorite basket is.
Tweet, blog, or facebook about this giveaway for another entry! Leave a separate comment telling me how you shared.

That’s it! Giveaway will end Wednesday, April 4.

Please note: I cannot make the winner’s sign after April 9.

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Wedding Signs

A bride-to-be contacted me about making one of my “Happily Ever After” signs for her December wedding, and I was happy to oblige.

She wanted it to look really old and rustic, so for the first time I did not use an old cupboard door for this sign. Instead, I bought a piece of rough plywood that was knotty, uneven, and splinter-y! (I sanded the splinters off. Or they came off in my fingers. A little of both happened.)

I also made a “coordinating” sign for a display of family wedding pictures (what a fun idea!)…