Thank You Penelope Coffey!

Today we headed out to the Dupont Public Library to pick up some books that were on hold. I got a Pierce County Library card last week, after finding out that I could get a non-resident card. I looked through their online catalog and decided they had a better selection of books then my Timberland Library system. I love my local library, but if I can utilize two systems, then I will!

We walked into the library and I noticed a sign that said 5 magazines for $1.00. How did they know I was wanting some magazines to read? I started looking and found mostly Time and People, but then saw Parenting. I picked it up, and kept looking, then I saw 4 issues of Town and Country. It was done, I picked up my 5 magazines, the $1 goes to "friends of the Dupont Libary". 4 of those magazines were donated by Penelope Coffey. Then I saw a Kiosk that said, "Books Plus, To Go." These are non researvable books and DVD's. I picked up Kung Fu Panda for Josephine. I decided I really needed to take a look around this little library and see what else I could find. The Family Movie section was huge (not Blockbuster huge, but bigger then any library I have been to in the last couple of years) and had current titles. I picked up Horton Hears A Who.

Are you counting yet. I have 5 magazines, 2 DVD's, random books Josephine keeps taking off the shelves, and I still have not picked up my books on hold. I did remember my reusable shopping bag and after I got everything in it, it was heavy.

I LOVE the library!

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New Cast Iron!

I have been helping a friend out, by taking her daughter to classes with Josephine. Emma is two weeks older then Josephine, and they get along great. Josephine has enjoyed having someone to "talk" to, while riding in the car. Emma's mom is packing her house for an unexpected move, and when I asked her how it was going, she said she had too much "stuff". Some of the "stuff" she had, and didn't know what to do with, was a set of cast iron. I didn't hesitate to tell her I would take them off of her hands. I came home and instantly started seasoning the pans.

Here is the cast iron pan:

















I had been planning on making soup tonight, and thought this pan will is perfect for Pumpkin Curry Soup. I found this recipe a couple months ago and love it! I add mushrooms to the onion saute, and then use my own curry spice mixture instead of store bought spice. When the soup is done, I use my hand mixer and puree the onion and mushrooms. Yum!

Josephine helping me stir the soup:























Here is the almost finished soup:
















If you are wondering what goes in my Curry Spice Mixture, well here it is:
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp chili power

If you want to add spice, add some ground cayenne pepper (not too much!)

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I Heart Faces - Week 11 Kids: No Flash

This picture was taken with my 50mm lense. We were inside Taco Del Mar eating lunch with Grandma. The owner came over and gave Josephine a cookie, and she went straight for it. I have spent the last two days editing this photo in photoshop, only to discover I love the look of the photo straight out of the camera, with a crop. So, here it is, my "no flash" entry SOOC.


























See this weeks other kid entries at I heart faces

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I did it!

I've always wanted to make collages and story boards with the digital pictures that I have. Photoshop scares me, and I never learned how to use it properly, plus we have Photoshop 7. By my calculations, it's almost 10 years old. We could upgrade, but it would be $200.00. I recently went out and purchased Photo Shop Elements 7 for $50.00 after working on the trial version.

I made the new blog header, which may be changing daily, since I'm still trying to get the perfect look. I made the following story board after figuring out how to make the header.



I am so excited! This is the first version, and I will probably change the pictures to black and white, and maybe add some frames.....I will keep you updated.

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I Heart Faces - Week 11 Adults: No Flash

See more adult entries at I Heart Faces

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Under construction!

Please excuse the editing and bad formating, while I change the layout.

New and improved blog coming soon!

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She's growing up so fast!

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A day at Toddler Gym Jam

Josephine's grandmother came down from Puyallup, to join us at Toddler Gym. Toddler Gym is a 45 minute program where the kids 2 to 3 years old run around an enclosed room. There are two circle time's where we do songs, reading, parachute, and have a generally good time.









After Toddler Gym, Gerry took us out to Lunch. We went to Taco Del Mar, and Josephine impressed the owner with her good table manners. He gave her 2 cookies.

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I <3 Faces Week 9: Creative Crop Adults

Creative or Accident? Well, I was trying to be creative and take some self portraits. I ended up with a picture of just my eyes. I decided to work with it, and use in this weeks creative crop category for I heart faces.

After:







Before: I didn't do much to this photo except edit it in photo shop, and take out just a little extra around the edges.


Visit I heart faces to see other adult entries.

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I Heart Faces Week 9: Creative Crop Kids!

I was going through my picture files of Josephine last week, deleting pictures that we are no longer in need of. I came across this picture and her smile just made my heart melt all over again. I decided to play with it in photoshop and see what I could do with it.

After: I cropped and tilted Josephine's face just a little. Then I played with different elements in photoshop until I got this picture.




Before


To see more kids entries go to I heart faces.

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I heart faces Week 8: Messy Face

I am not a beginner, but I don't put my knowledge to use as often as I would like. Hopefully, this contest will make me practice more.

This weeks entry "messy face" is of my daughter eating a pork chop. She loves to eat meat off the bone.



See other entries atI heart faces.

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Coffee Roasting 101

Doug's brother, Steve, came over on Friday night to learn how to roast coffee. Doug has just started this new hobby. First you roast the green beans over a propane flame (outside).



Doug takes a look at the beans to see how they are doing.
When they are done, the chaff needs to be taken off of the beans, and they need to be cooled so they stop cooking.
On the left is dark roast, and on the right is espresso roast.

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