tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24860757260116627442024-02-18T18:03:11.039-08:00Sew SmartCostumes, Sewing, Crafts & MoreHenri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486075726011662744.post-81793836061045585792012-09-08T19:27:00.000-07:002012-09-08T19:27:58.780-07:00<h2>
Recipe--World's Best Potato Salad</h2>
Well, I see it's been more than 6 months since I posted on this here blog, so I guess it is safe to say that I've been ignoring it! Sorry, blog. I'll try not to do that again.<br />
<br />
My daughter (who is in college and comes home on the weekends) asked me if I would make a batch of potato salad. She loves my potato salad and has been craving it lately. I told her I would make it if she would help, and she did! (Well, she left when it was time to clean up, but she had a dinner date.)<br />
<br />
I've been making potato salad so long, that I can make it without a written recipe. I've refined the recipe through years of trial and error. While it was fresh on my mind after just making a batch, I thought I would write it all down and share it with you.<br />
<br />
As soon as it was done, my daughter ate a few bites and waxed rhapsodic about it (yes, rhapsodic is a word--look it up). Then she said, "I may be biased because I'm your offspring, but I think you make the best potato salad in the world." So that is what I named this recipe--World's Best Potato Salad. Your mileage may vary, but let me know what you think.<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">World’s Best Potato
Salad</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a
southern potato salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s chunky and
not very mustard-y. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is served cold or
at room temperature. I grew up eating potato salad and learned to make it from
both my mom and my dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their potato
salads were great, but I think mine is the best!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve refined my recipe over the years, and
there is a little flexibility in the recipe, too, if you want to vary the taste
a little. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I write
down a recipe, I always go into lots of detail about technique and specific
ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way, you can duplicate
my results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much of becoming a good
cook is learning through trial and error and finding what works best, so I’ll
just save you a little trial and error!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This recipe
makes about 2 quarts of potato salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can halve the recipe, double it, or even quadruple it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes out great any way.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ingredients:</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2 ½ pounds
of russet or Idaho potatoes. (You can use golden potatoes, or red potatoes, or
any other kind you like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the
texture of these potatoes, but your dish will be good with any kind.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6 eggs (If
you are vegan, you can omit the eggs and it will still be good.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">½ yellow
onion (You can use red or purple onion if you like—I don’t like white onions
for this because they are a little to onion-y, if you know what I mean.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1 large
stalk of celery (or 2 small stalks)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Whatever you do, do not cut off and throw away the celery leaves!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those things are delicious and add extra
flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chop them up fine when you chop
up the celery.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About 3
tablespoons of either dill pickle relish or chopped dill pickles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Some people like sweet relish or pickles in their
potato salad—you can substitute that if you like.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">¾ cup of
mayonnaise (I use plain-old Helmann’s mayo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can use Miracle Whip if you prefer that taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using low fat mayo or olive oil mayo will
change the taste, but, hey, go ahead and experiment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vegan’s can substitute vegan mayo for this
ingredient and leave out the next one.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">½ cup of
sour cream (You can use low fat sour cream—you will never taste the difference.
This is one of my secret ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think it adds just a little tartness and lightens up the dish.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2-3 tablespoons
of mustard<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I use Dijon mustard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can use whatever kind you like or have on
hand—yellow mustard, spicy mustard, brown mustard—it’s all good.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Zest from ½ lemon
(Another secret ingredient!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lemon zest
adds brightness to the flavors without giving it a distinctly lemony
taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use a micro-planer to zest my
lemon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fine side of the cheese
grater works okay, but the zest all seems to stick to the grater and you have
to scrape it off. )</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1 tsp salt<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I usually use Seasoned Salt, but regular
salt is fine.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">½ tsp pepper
(black or white)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">½ tsp celery
salt (Another of my secret ingredients—try not to leave this out, it really
punches up the flavor.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">½ tsp paprika
and more for garnish if you like</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1 tsp dill
weed (Fresh chopped dill is best, but if you don’t have it, you can leave it
out.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Optional Ingredients:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>¼ tsp garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of chopped
pimentos for color</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Technique:</span></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Scrub the
potatoes and put them in a big pot, cover with water and put them on to
boil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t time the boiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just keep checking the potatoes with a
knife or fork every few minutes to see when they are tender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a knife or fork goes in to the center of
the potato without much resistance, they are done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately drain them and leave them in the
colander or sink to cool a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Some
people peel and chop their potatoes before boiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will cook much faster this way, but I
find that they tend to become overcooked too easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want your chunks of potato to hold
together when mixed into the salad, not to turn into mush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you like your potato salad with the
potatoes mashed, then go ahead and peel and chop before you boil.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the same
time, put the eggs in a separate pot from the potatoes and cover them with cold
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put them on the burner on high
heat and watch closely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the eggs just
barely come to a boil, cover the pot and turn off the heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the eggs sit in the hot water until the
potatoes are done (or about 15 minutes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(I also put about 1 tablespoon of vinegar in the water at the start—it supposedly
helps make them easier to peel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not
really sure if that is true.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drain the
eggs and return them to the pot with some ice and cold water the help them cool
down.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While your
potatoes and eggs are cooking, dice the onion, celery and pickles into a fine
dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could use the food processor
for the onions and celery if you like, but don’t process them too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prefer just to chop with a knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take that long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put the chopped veggies in a medium sized
bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to the bowl all the rest of the
ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix the veggies, condiments
and spices well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, I always
taste the mixture to see if it needs something else (like more salt or pickles
or fairy dust).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the
potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can scrape the peels off easily with a paring knife—no need to use a
potato peeler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry if there are
few scraps of peel still on the potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Some people leave the peels on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do that if I’m using a potato with a very thin skin, like red or
golden potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like the
texture of the thicker skins, so I take them off—again, do what you like.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dice the
potatoes into about ½ inch dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
give you a nice chunk of potato that you can tell you are biting into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too large and the flavors of the dressing don’t
permeate the potato.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too small and you’re
back to the mashed potato salad (which is fine if that is what you like).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the
eggs are cool, peel them and dice them into about ¼ inch dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small dice allows the eggs to be
incorporated throughout the salad so you get some in every bite.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Place the
diced potatoes and eggs in a very large bowl and toss them together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then pour the dressing mixture over all and
stir gently with a large spoon until everything is mixed evenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find it is much easier to mix the potato salad
and not break up the potatoes and eggs too much if you mix all the veggies,
condiments and spices together first like I described here.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you want
a pretty presentation, press the potato salad into a nice dish and top with
sliced boiled eggs (you will need to boil a few extra if you do this) and
sprinkle with paprika.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how my mom
always made it!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can serve this immediately, or refrigerate
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it tastes better the second and
third days, as the flavors get a chance to meld.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are taking it to a picnic or barbeque,
pack it in an ice chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it sits out
at room temperature more than two hours, throw out the leftovers—food poisoning
is not worth it!</span></span>Henri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486075726011662744.post-60565298826701173562012-02-03T20:15:00.000-08:002012-02-03T20:15:38.318-08:00My Fair Lady<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few years ago I did the costumes for "My Fair Lady" at <a href="http://whartonplazatheatre.org/">The Plaza Theatre</a></span>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As usual, we had a limited budget, but I was determined to have professional looking costumes. With a lot of hard work and penny pinching, we succeeded! The most iconic scene is the Ascot scene. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Everyone was in black and white or gray. The men were all wearing "morning suits" with gray or black top hats.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEMjCmy6SWRhjdC9epRKzMLWOxhCuG5LJtlAQNJMzpwUScUUL8QTZ414nmgk10X2RYjzuLKESsiXtMZiLthtrvHXNf2SuaLEo9TaT2RU_1kSKp_CZADC5uyqCapYxObrqGgZjYKhBQDQ/s1600/myfairlady2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEMjCmy6SWRhjdC9epRKzMLWOxhCuG5LJtlAQNJMzpwUScUUL8QTZ414nmgk10X2RYjzuLKESsiXtMZiLthtrvHXNf2SuaLEo9TaT2RU_1kSKp_CZADC5uyqCapYxObrqGgZjYKhBQDQ/s320/myfairlady2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I recreated the white lace dress with black and white ribbon worn by Eliza in the movie. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKdfWgtGvXUdiDcdoxEqmcoXTWWbFbfUou0RShGMcZCUXDb5X65AZR9POaoUbLU03UnOMVKum99CX6VuBMR9-4A50JGuvt2lhK-R_Ac0K7qcXCCu_vbnDLNJnVzim3APh0sk_RZLEplY/s1600/myfairlady.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKdfWgtGvXUdiDcdoxEqmcoXTWWbFbfUou0RShGMcZCUXDb5X65AZR9POaoUbLU03UnOMVKum99CX6VuBMR9-4A50JGuvt2lhK-R_Ac0K7qcXCCu_vbnDLNJnVzim3APh0sk_RZLEplY/s320/myfairlady.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is what the original looked like.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVEjPoukkwhc7K4WQQvlKjVzSgtzOLGijCXKlWf_NjmJhCXJQTCWUHztua1bgyPFal_5fSBQdQK4RA_Y8OsUSs2pqFhd2LuPbzgJpgrWnMcIcSJYHu5KhEjUQhLK8nQHCBInHRMHddMY/s1600/my-fair-lady-1964-03-g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVEjPoukkwhc7K4WQQvlKjVzSgtzOLGijCXKlWf_NjmJhCXJQTCWUHztua1bgyPFal_5fSBQdQK4RA_Y8OsUSs2pqFhd2LuPbzgJpgrWnMcIcSJYHu5KhEjUQhLK8nQHCBInHRMHddMY/s320/my-fair-lady-1964-03-g.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The following is a brief description of how I recreated the dress. If you are in need of more detail, just email me and I'll try to help you out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First I had to figure out how to do the black and white trim. If you are lucky, maybe you will find a black and white striped fabric that you could use to make the trim. Me, I wasn't so lucky. It dawned on me that I could use grosgrain ribbon to recreate the look. I took 7/8" black and white grosgrain ribbon and butted them up next to each other and sewed them together with a wide zigzag stitch. I think I used white thread, but you could use black. Either way, the stitching wouldn't show from the stage. I used a whole lot of ribbon. As you can see, the rows are black, white, black, white, black. And there are bows involved. You will have to do the math yourself to see how much ribbon is needed. Once it was all sewn together, it was very easy to work with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then I had to make a lace dress. I knew I needed a lot of lace fabric for this dress so I kept my eyes open for sales. I stumbled across some lace fabric yardage that was very inexpensive (and looked very nice--also an important factor) for around $3 a yard. At that price, I bought the whole bolt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next step was the pattern. You see that dress Audrey Hepburn is wearing up there? There is no currently available commercial pattern for that dress. I had to create one. It had to be modified to work with our production and our actress, but still evoke the original. I went through my stash of patterns and put together parts of two or three different patterns that would result in the look I wanted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can't stress enough how important it is to have extensive measurements of your actress when you are making something this fitted. Bust, waist, hip is not nearly enough. You should measure across the shoulders in the back, above the bust, below the bust, neck to waist, and around the upper arm. There is nothing worse than making a garment that fits everywhere except in the circumference of the sleeves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then I started thinking about how a sheer lace would work as a dress. Obviously it would need a lining. But if you put a white lining behind a white lace, then the lace will disappear (especially on stage). I decided to use a beige or nude lining. This allows the lace to be seen. I did not line the sleeves or the lower ruffle. Our dress did not have a train like the original because it didn't work with our production (our stage is not that big, so people would be walking on it when the actors moved around).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once we added the purchased hat and parasol, I thought the effect was excellent. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later I will post some suggestions about how to purchase tuxedos very inexpensively. You will be surprised at how cheap they can be gotten!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy costuming!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Henri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486075726011662744.post-8671382297149758092012-02-03T18:39:00.000-08:002012-02-03T18:40:04.495-08:00A Bag Made From Plastic Bags!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am on a spring-cleaning binge. I'm also in a "let's save the earth by recycling" mindset, so that slows down the cleaning process quite a bit. I don't want to just throw things into the landfill. That's why I have a room full of boxes of stuff to sell at a garage sale. Soon, soon . . . .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So when I looked at the giant bag full of recyclable grocery bags in my pantry, I knew I needed to do something with them. Sure, I could take them back to the store and put them in that big "recycle your bags here" box, but who knows where they really go from there? I decided to make something from them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've run across pictures and tutorials about making things from "plarn" and I decided to try it. Plarn is yarn made from plastic bags. Basically, you cut the bags into strips that you loop together and then use them like yarn and crochet something. There are tons of tutorials for this process. Here is <a href="http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/02/17/instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-plastic-yarn/">one</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once you've made your plarn, you have to make something with it. Most people seem to make bags---like bags you can bring your groceries home in. I loved the concept--use plastic grocery bags to make a reusable plastic grocery bag! It's so reductive!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's what I made. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ48z4hx7mtx8VtIj5sLDIvfhX0r5m1b5eBNZXRV8T05U0GpsH9dVyyAYLbD_Dt3W6JQwdt01HgUzElC380S-oEdwBb-OElt0Y8aXxVyInV5XX5vvTgoINdOJtxkSL9jWM-Voe3RXe2-s/s1600/plarnbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ48z4hx7mtx8VtIj5sLDIvfhX0r5m1b5eBNZXRV8T05U0GpsH9dVyyAYLbD_Dt3W6JQwdt01HgUzElC380S-oEdwBb-OElt0Y8aXxVyInV5XX5vvTgoINdOJtxkSL9jWM-Voe3RXe2-s/s320/plarnbag.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I got real fancy and kept the different bags separate. The bottom half is Wal-Mart bags and the top half is HEB bags. It seems very sturdy. I believe you could probably carry a bowling ball in it! It is smaller than I thought it would turn out, but it is not as scratchy as I thought it would be.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's a picture with a 2 pound coffee can inside:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhWL1sAQ8Nj1nHgi4LEnKbvSnM3JxljAVuk99GV4oByJifyLy3F9Qy9Mg6L6mspwP9mj-2rV9T-8ezPNNbzFEs8NU9t2L8Xz8zweIgtIBTgk_VqxkKB8OyF2dmyCusvvnltGg1kNvPhc/s1600/plarnbag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhWL1sAQ8Nj1nHgi4LEnKbvSnM3JxljAVuk99GV4oByJifyLy3F9Qy9Mg6L6mspwP9mj-2rV9T-8ezPNNbzFEs8NU9t2L8Xz8zweIgtIBTgk_VqxkKB8OyF2dmyCusvvnltGg1kNvPhc/s320/plarnbag2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It was an interesting project. I'm not sure if I'll make another, but it was a good way to get rid of a ton of bags (I probably used at least 50 bags to make this one). If you are interested in trying it, there are lots of patterns available on the net. Here is a random <a href="http://theorganicsister.com/crocheting-with-plarn/">one</a></span>.Henri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486075726011662744.post-10453687987384838032012-01-25T17:53:00.000-08:002012-01-25T17:53:04.062-08:00Sweet Scallops Tote<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My daughter saw this <a href="http://seekatesew.blogspot.com/2011/10/sweet-scallops-tote-pattern.html">Sweet Scallops Tote</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">on Craftgawker and had to have it. <br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTdzBPfKCBsQdcTfMWtTX0ZIK5E7im_ExiWDk1OHJHu5caM1FAVf0DUcEoEINFncKXC2XhzcrtX5f296wjmV4uK9Kh9xyU27BzGOGWnqsun1Kc973RFUQ4WiyNf3HE3G5i5X1fvAMQhQ/s1600/scallop-tote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTdzBPfKCBsQdcTfMWtTX0ZIK5E7im_ExiWDk1OHJHu5caM1FAVf0DUcEoEINFncKXC2XhzcrtX5f296wjmV4uK9Kh9xyU27BzGOGWnqsun1Kc973RFUQ4WiyNf3HE3G5i5X1fvAMQhQ/s320/scallop-tote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The link is to the tutorial on how to make it. I have to say, <a href="http://seekatesew.blogspot.com/">See Kate Sew</a> is a pretty cool sewing blog. I made a few changes in the directions and this is what I came up with:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_6v9go8MFv6YRqFACW5ieDjchtc_sQnv1k11ddvGH0SETfrcrfV89nSqQhk8wN7XhZ5MG2D00dXFj7MDK0Zlh9EdX_7SqxuG-viPTWvj7mEYz-Aj_N9yRUvr7HBpZW4NJOBLwckG6JQ/s1600/bag.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_6v9go8MFv6YRqFACW5ieDjchtc_sQnv1k11ddvGH0SETfrcrfV89nSqQhk8wN7XhZ5MG2D00dXFj7MDK0Zlh9EdX_7SqxuG-viPTWvj7mEYz-Aj_N9yRUvr7HBpZW4NJOBLwckG6JQ/s320/bag.jpg.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sorry for my crappy photography! I just use my iPhone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My daughter picked out the fabrics she liked for the scallops. We varied the patterns, colors and textures, but all were cotton.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVqsXIFcKYhq9dShNH7xEOv-3JjRf2rp4fsVauISCdvxJNVp8AtOp7TYASXS2rGg2fEMuGahggoTdvRolYe0BbR-2p5L6-e4IdhNaMkSfuNU5d7QOfuys11BhdOkvn2J2_cJRqTbJiWA/s1600/fabrics.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVqsXIFcKYhq9dShNH7xEOv-3JjRf2rp4fsVauISCdvxJNVp8AtOp7TYASXS2rGg2fEMuGahggoTdvRolYe0BbR-2p5L6-e4IdhNaMkSfuNU5d7QOfuys11BhdOkvn2J2_cJRqTbJiWA/s320/fabrics.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The directions called for 1/4 yard of each scallop fabric, but that was enough for me to make two bags! After sewing the scallops together and trimming, turning and ironing, I arranged them in a pleasing pattern.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_paRwL6zqmA-d1n4LPuX4uV6BMnVo2HCMbMJyxPcO1FkJFq589M-VvdZwQ5ffDwSLKluZWS2Hq2CMtEl21Z8T6BvtEsQRXq0Kndz6_vIYp1ULDeF-feJSwU5rzn2B6WiSu-FvTUm1fVA/s1600/scallops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_paRwL6zqmA-d1n4LPuX4uV6BMnVo2HCMbMJyxPcO1FkJFq589M-VvdZwQ5ffDwSLKluZWS2Hq2CMtEl21Z8T6BvtEsQRXq0Kndz6_vIYp1ULDeF-feJSwU5rzn2B6WiSu-FvTUm1fVA/s320/scallops.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I sewed them on the simple rectangular canvas bag and added handles and lining. I sandwiched my handles between the lining and the bag instead of sewing them on the outside like the tutorial suggested.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIEOsxzvK-e8tOUkmQUT3J1ymvqzOVo8uU8bywrftV_eQsrntWRkThWphmp-6Qy2vAgxjWEQJmtcN97Kv8U4uRIiUrorWxQQSssxk6wB30DDwiZ92QTLaUi9OvxkYPpe4oRQAkn1dCGg/s1600/bags.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIEOsxzvK-e8tOUkmQUT3J1ymvqzOVo8uU8bywrftV_eQsrntWRkThWphmp-6Qy2vAgxjWEQJmtcN97Kv8U4uRIiUrorWxQQSssxk6wB30DDwiZ92QTLaUi9OvxkYPpe4oRQAkn1dCGg/s320/bags.jpg.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1548622155"></span><span id="goog_1548622156"></span> For a little visual interest, I added some fabric covered buttons. The lining is really cute too.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7z8uEgNILAtdPckhVhNbBDr1nfVGWkt_ad5h2J2MhPIk-cHhqbJa5zx7HnY4d8vTXGle02EEMqMhGBnF633cV7u9Y4-lUcRpR9be_pYgt99O2C45IhRCxtCibJ8KIDUUwLtnAWad9KmA/s1600/insidebag.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7z8uEgNILAtdPckhVhNbBDr1nfVGWkt_ad5h2J2MhPIk-cHhqbJa5zx7HnY4d8vTXGle02EEMqMhGBnF633cV7u9Y4-lUcRpR9be_pYgt99O2C45IhRCxtCibJ8KIDUUwLtnAWad9KmA/s320/insidebag.jpg.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'll try to get some photos of the bags in action</span>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They were very easy to make!</span>Henri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486075726011662744.post-16360920195741214242012-01-24T17:50:00.000-08:002012-01-24T17:53:29.882-08:00Perfect Sausage Cheese Balls<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I’ve been making sausage cheese balls for over 20
years. I have perfected the recipe. You can thank me after you eat them. Here are all the tips and tricks I’ve
learned, along with the recipe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVTRbqlAhITLuI3DJdEW5iMk4fwLos9Twi3cI-iXCQNgAH3g4-1-YfKqkHyUnL3uxhKRlovpaMLMETjViTcfCIMHfGGSoVCPr7-2arBbckgfu8njFvsqF0FoUpSeAxrtHRgx5-oexRbE/s1600/recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVTRbqlAhITLuI3DJdEW5iMk4fwLos9Twi3cI-iXCQNgAH3g4-1-YfKqkHyUnL3uxhKRlovpaMLMETjViTcfCIMHfGGSoVCPr7-2arBbckgfu8njFvsqF0FoUpSeAxrtHRgx5-oexRbE/s1600/recipe.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you can see, this recipe has been used a lot!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ingredients</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span> 2 pounds of Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage (this
is the only brand that gives me consistently good results—you can try another
brand, but I can’t vouch for the outcome)</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>1 ½ cups of Bisquik baking mix (Pioneer baking
mix works too)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>½ cup finely chopped celery</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>½ cup (or more) of finely chopped onion</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>2-4 cloves of finely chopped garlic or ½ tsp of
garlic powder (to taste)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Instructions:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCOnbu4meSVpHzRR77fKCLnMWIQI4jYdhj4kKs6ulEXdG-NyB607oD-Wa4YWmjGRQtFttRIKI3I-Ekj-rKSlpuB2r_xx9BK_xj2DwHm2GzC4P5JMRatR4rm9wvcqZA4j0VrjfxzwwHLM/s1600/scb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCOnbu4meSVpHzRR77fKCLnMWIQI4jYdhj4kKs6ulEXdG-NyB607oD-Wa4YWmjGRQtFttRIKI3I-Ekj-rKSlpuB2r_xx9BK_xj2DwHm2GzC4P5JMRatR4rm9wvcqZA4j0VrjfxzwwHLM/s320/scb1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Form into one inch balls and place on baking
sheets (they may be frozen at this point to bake later, but really, why?)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTuYBqO317cY3rZglrC6SBHqCDByJVznJLuCUsVPsAsoUnJSlWfQi58OOJo3dhBzvzn0JqN_PZ4H0cUNVJMICnie9wTKff8wSAxSSKrTYUD84DAoM27tfFmbrHhk-krcskAzMMXwDTPE/s1600/scb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTuYBqO317cY3rZglrC6SBHqCDByJVznJLuCUsVPsAsoUnJSlWfQi58OOJo3dhBzvzn0JqN_PZ4H0cUNVJMICnie9wTKff8wSAxSSKrTYUD84DAoM27tfFmbrHhk-krcskAzMMXwDTPE/s320/scb2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden
brown.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BVaVGeLnFhdDT9To04WhpD74qm8y1u-ljpl-jYHm4id_q0F-BRYw06JzbkJTq5JZtmhHFFKPOda_UxzBj1pl1WGnCVxxj47JWlas3XtvX2t_50B89pRyAiw33FDRcH1jDr-y8iWTuU/s1600/scb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BVaVGeLnFhdDT9To04WhpD74qm8y1u-ljpl-jYHm4id_q0F-BRYw06JzbkJTq5JZtmhHFFKPOda_UxzBj1pl1WGnCVxxj47JWlas3XtvX2t_50B89pRyAiw33FDRcH1jDr-y8iWTuU/s320/scb3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Tips to make this job 100% easier:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Take the sausage out of the refrigerator and let
it come to room temperature (at least an hour or so). It is almost impossible to mix the
ingredients thoroughly if the meat is cold.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Do not under any circumstances try to use plain
flour instead of baking mix. You will
get golf balls. Also, check the
expiration date on your baking mix. It
doesn’t last that long. If it is
expired, buy some fresh. Baking mix has
baking powder and other additives that flour doesn’t have that allow it to
rise. I keep mine in the refrigerator
after it is open to prolong the shelf life.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Use the biggest bowl you own to mix these
ingredients. The only way to mix them is
with your hands. Get them both in there
and mix it up good!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Line your baking sheets with parchment
paper. If you don’t have parchment
paper, buy some. Nothing else
works. Even though they have a lot of
fat in them, these will stick to the pan, whether greased or ungreased, they
will stick to aluminum foil, and they will fall apart when you try to pry them
off.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Try to make all your balls about the same
size. They cook more evenly that
way. I make mine about one inch in
diameter. You can use a rounded tablespoon
or a melon scoop if you can’t judge the size easily. Be sure to roll them in your palms to meld
the ingredients together.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>The balls may be placed very close together on
the baking sheets as they don’t enlarge much.
I can usually get a whole batch on two baking sheets. The recipe makes about 70 to 80 balls.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>After they are cooked, let them cool on the
baking sheet for a few minutes, then remove them to a container lined with
paper towels to soak up any grease.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>Henri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486075726011662744.post-66627722207619804022012-01-24T16:59:00.000-08:002012-01-24T17:53:08.983-08:00Frugal Costuming, Part I<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Most of my sewing revolves around creating costumes for a community theater. As a non-profit theater in a small town, we work on a tight budget. I've come up with lots of techniques to minimize the cost of creating costumes without the costumes looking "cheap". This will be the first in a series of articles about frugal costuming. I hope some of these ideas will help other community theaters or schools.</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Always check your costume inventory. You may have something that can be adapted or reused. For example, I made a jacket for the Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach by adapting a ladies green blazer I had by adding long green tails in the back made with matching fabric. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thrift stores are your best friends! I spend a lot of time in Salvation Army, Goodwill, and other local thrift stores. I always go armed with a list of what I need (including sizes). Some of the thrift stores that I shop frequently will even sometimes send an employee to search the racks to see if they have a particular item I'm looking for. They will also call me if they get in vintage items (which I always snap up if the price is right).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Develop an inventory of sewing patterns. I wait for the sales and then buy up dozens of patterns that I think might be useful. Joann Fabrics frequently puts one brand of pattern or another on sale for 99 cents or $1.99. I rarely pay list price for a pattern. Especially look for costume patterns that are frequently used. Sometimes I get them in several sizes. If I'm only going to buy one size I get the larger one. It's easier to make a pattern smaller than larger (in my opinion).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Keep a stash of basic fabrics that you find on sale. We have several area Wal-Mart stores that sell fabrics for $1 or $2 a yard. If you find a nice men's suiting fabric or a crushed velvet or a nice satin in a good color, buy it! Muslin can be used for lots of things (including costumes that you paint) so buy it up when you find it super-cheap. When I'm buying fabric that I don't have a particular use for at the time, if it is really cheap, I buy a lot--at least 5 yards. I've been known to buy a whole bolt of particularly nice fabric if it particularly cheap. Of course, always check your stash to see if you have something that will work before you go out and buy fabric for a particular costume.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">E-bay is also your friend! There is an amazing amount of clothing available on E-bay. Search for what you are looking for and you are likely to find it. I only buy things that are cheap. I only deal with reputable dealers who have tons of positive ratings. Don't forget about the E-bay stores. A search for auction items might not find things that are available in E-bay stores, so search them separately. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enlist the help of your actors and their families. Especially for our children's productions, I request that the actors provide certain basic items (e.g., black tights, black or white t-shirts, black shoes, etc.). I always give them written instructions on exactly what they need to bring with suggestions of where they might acquire the items if they don't already have them. Ask if anyone knows how to sew and might be able to help. You might be surprised at how much help you can get.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When using costume web sites, be sure to comparison shop. There are dozens of web sites that sell cheap costumes and most of them have very similar, if not identical, items. Bookmark several different sites and search for your item on each of them. You will find prices vary quite a bit. Don't forget to factor in the shipping costs--those can make a big difference as well. I don't buy much from the costume websites because the quality is usually quite poor and the costumes look cheap and don't stand up to the repeated wearing that is required when your show runs two or three weekends.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Garage sales and church rummage sales are another good source for inventory. Usually what I look for there are accessories like hats, purses, scarves, belts, ties, gloves, jewelry, and the like. Look for things that are vintage or look vintage. You will get a lot of use from them.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope you find these suggestions helpful. I plan to start posting photos of productions we have done at our theater so you can see how our costumes look on stage. I will also be posting detailed tutorials on how to make certain costumes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy sewing! </span>Henri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486075726011662744.post-919062409796337032012-01-19T16:28:00.000-08:002012-01-24T17:52:44.672-08:00Ear Bud Case<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So my daughter loves Craftgawker and Pinterest and she got me started perusing those sites as well. Usually she finds something she likes and says--"can you make this mom?" Then I do! She saw this ear bud case that you can hang on your key chain and had to have it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUnP6kq-Q-pTCj346Da_q6TZYve8CWj20bICGNLM0WkM_FLXfO8OiHg4vgwZfFc20Wtz6ZgKbAsFpybtRkkftehmn3LJXmglh43J86_pzFsJi2CVzvAtuo_Ax6F87uFjtnXL7pOsclvw/s1600/Featured_742-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUnP6kq-Q-pTCj346Da_q6TZYve8CWj20bICGNLM0WkM_FLXfO8OiHg4vgwZfFc20Wtz6ZgKbAsFpybtRkkftehmn3LJXmglh43J86_pzFsJi2CVzvAtuo_Ax6F87uFjtnXL7pOsclvw/s320/Featured_742-500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I followed the tutorial found at <a href="http://erinerickson.com/2011/11/circle-zip-earbud-pouch-tutorial/comment-page-1/#comment-1544">Dog Under My Desk </a>and created something very similar.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kCpushIndCeXQ8tqf6VK1NLi1cOxQ9RBFpcr42zTKDQtU14gBGmhSA_1BLHN4UL73llD34PVz4_Zkj5VUb_mx-WTBkWohAidzZUOKRdU2TCPbkP3ougie37afsrhuZP3notr2uVPszc/s1600/earbud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kCpushIndCeXQ8tqf6VK1NLi1cOxQ9RBFpcr42zTKDQtU14gBGmhSA_1BLHN4UL73llD34PVz4_Zkj5VUb_mx-WTBkWohAidzZUOKRdU2TCPbkP3ougie37afsrhuZP3notr2uVPszc/s320/earbud.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We used fabric from a pack of coordinating fat quarters that we bought at Wal-Mart. It was easy! I think you can do it too!</span> </span>Henri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2486075726011662744.post-21676959300448580102012-01-15T11:07:00.000-08:002012-01-15T11:36:02.404-08:00<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Welcome to my blog! I hope you like my totally generic title. It will have to do until I come up with something creative. The generic template will have to do as well until I can get my computer-genius son to help me spiff it up.<br />
<br />
As I said in my introduction, I've been sewing for over 40 years and making costumes for community
theater for the past ten years. I've made or adapted literally
thousands of costumes over that time. And because we are a "community"
theater, we don't have much money, so everything I do is done as cheaply
as possible. I thought there might be others out there who could
benefit from some of the tricks I've learned to create beautiful,
professional-looking costumes on the cheap. I also like to sew things
other than costumes, crochet, craft occasionally, and cook when I have
time. I'll try to blog about all these things on a semi-regular basis.<br />
<br />
I'll be happy to try and answer questions anyone has about any of my projects. Sometimes I will just post a photo of something I've made with a link to the instructions or inspiration I used. When I have time, I'll post detailed tutorials for particular projects. I hope to be able to link my posts to Pinterest and Craftgawker, my two favorite sites for inspiration these days.<br />
<br />
Here are a couple of photos of costumes I've made. These are Captain Hook's coat and vest.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KXcxxUFXKwgQQR1s9UK2Jxj7WaIG7Ow8sra8hhgfUq848zZ4VC3kIf7Wg7Y8Ltx63EH4D0zRS9noXCwlb3pNfgiMfSAvAWOfESD0UX0nyhI86oiq4MOuQmH6esV_LyOJynXPIYsHzEs/s1600/hookcoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KXcxxUFXKwgQQR1s9UK2Jxj7WaIG7Ow8sra8hhgfUq848zZ4VC3kIf7Wg7Y8Ltx63EH4D0zRS9noXCwlb3pNfgiMfSAvAWOfESD0UX0nyhI86oiq4MOuQmH6esV_LyOJynXPIYsHzEs/s320/hookcoat.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGQM0dVl0sDV-jFKstiyvhfFAu7Wq6hPFaOWopQffxHsORK6kFBiHC8JIzn51OeKTx_ZaGUTTJ3rvkV15efT7oKR2E2e0Xz7U-DjzwfO-4_SgINDJVHT-o45G1GMJL2mL-RDhQZE4Tbc/s1600/hookvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGQM0dVl0sDV-jFKstiyvhfFAu7Wq6hPFaOWopQffxHsORK6kFBiHC8JIzn51OeKTx_ZaGUTTJ3rvkV15efT7oKR2E2e0Xz7U-DjzwfO-4_SgINDJVHT-o45G1GMJL2mL-RDhQZE4Tbc/s320/hookvest.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Happy blogging! <br />
<br /></div>Henri-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539994227686529776noreply@blogger.com0