Sunday, March 31, 2013

Macro Monday Spring is coming?

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I'm still waiting for the snow to melt - it has started, finally.  In the mean time I am buying my spring, lol.

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MM3

Macro Monday is easy to play, snap a macro (or any close-up) photo, post it on your blog and come back here and sign MckLinky. :) MM started on Sept 29, 2008 - THANX to all of you for helping make it such a fun start to the week!





Sunday, March 24, 2013

Seed Thief Macro Monday

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MM3

Macro Monday is easy to play, snap a macro (or any close-up) photo, post it on your blog and come back here and sign MckLinky. :) MM started on Sept 29, 2008 - THANX to all of you for helping make it such a fun start to the week!





Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Yarn bombing the Prius

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I was looking for a small project yesterday while the snow piled up outside, so I whipped up a cozy for my gearshift, lol.

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The Prius is not getting out today, so much snow and wind!

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The Jeep had no trouble plowing right through it though. :) Was able to get out and get the needles I need to make a sweater.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Snowy Macro Monday

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We are destined to have 3-5 fresh inches of snow throughout the day Monday. Will this winter never end?

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I absolutely love snow. . .just not past the middle of March.

MM3

Macro Monday is easy to play, snap a macro (or any close-up) photo, post it on your blog and come back here and sign MckLinky. :) MM started on Sept 29, 2008 - THANX to all of you for helping make it such a fun start to the week!





Thursday, March 14, 2013

Making Yogurt

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Homemade yogurt has become a staple in our house.  We have a bowl every morning for breakfast.  Yogurt is amazingly simple to make. All you need is some milk and some starter.  After making it a couple of times a week since January, we have got it exactly the way we like it.

Let's start by putting the milk in the pan, start heating it.  I'm using 5 cups of whole milk - you can use 2%, soy, almond, whatever you want - those will take a longer time to grow.  I'm using this amount because that's what fits in my maker.  If you want to use a heating pad to grow your culture you can start heating a half gallon milk.

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While the milk heats you want your starter to sit out and get room temperature.  I have read varying amounts to use from 2 tablespoons up.  I use one small container of Dannon Oikos Plain Yogurt.  You can use any PLAIN/unflavored yogurt.  I've had good success using the same small container when making a half gallon as well.

At some point while your milk if heating you'll want to add in about 1/4 cup of dry milk.  This just helps make the yogurt thicker.  If you like thinner yogurt you can leave this out.

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Get the milk to about 190 degrees Fahrenheit, whisking frequently.  When the milk gets near ready, turn your yogurt machine on to preheat a bit, OR, if you're using a heating pad, plug it in and turn it on medium.  Remove from heat when it reaches temperature.  At this point, you can let it sit and check it periodically until it reaches 105-110 degrees, OR, since this takes about an hour, I have found a shortcut. . .

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Partially fill a sink with cold water (add ice if you like) then take your pot and sit it in the cold water.  I whisk the milk while it's cooling.  Doing it this way cuts the cooling to about 15 minutes or less.  I like to remove it from the cold water when it reaches 109 degrees.

Whisk in the starter yogurt.  Once you have made yogurt you can use some of it for your start next time.  I generally use what I've made for 4-5 times then get a new starter.

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Pour the yogurt into your jars, cover and set the timer to 9 hours.  I really like how it turns out at 9 hours.  If you're using 2%, almond, etc, you will need more time, most like 10-12 hours, you'll have to play with it to see what you like.

If you don't have a maker you can leave your yogurt in the pan with a lid on it.  Sit the pan on the heating pad set at medium, cover with a bath towel or two and leave it be for 8-9 hours.  Once the time is up just pour it into containers and refrigerate.

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When the time is up, put lids on the jars and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before enjoying.  It will last up to 10 days, never makes it that long around here though.

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I add a scoop of protein powder to my yogurt, then whatever fruit I'm in the mood for.  I usually combine more than one fruit as you can see, and I chop up a couple of Brazil nuts to toss in.  Get creative and find what you like.  Great way to start the day!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Macro Monday Bird Friends

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I wanted to share some of the visitors I've been enjoying at my feeders. :) I love watching the antics of the nuthatches - the white-breasted like this one and the red-breasted ones. IMG_7543

 

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Finches abound, lol.  Sometimes, I have 30 or so house finches and goldfinches out there.

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I've been happy to watch some crossbills coming around.

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It would be thrilling to have the cardinals raise their babies here again.  Such beauties!

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I just love the little pine siskin screaming her head off at the crossbill, and he's just doing what he wants.IMG_7717

MM3

Macro Monday is easy to play, snap a macro (or any close-up) photo, post it on your blog and come back here and sign MckLinky. :) MM started on Sept 29, 2008 - THANX to all of you for helping make it such a fun start to the week!





Sunday, March 3, 2013

Humming Macro Monday

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While many of us are buried in snow I decided to grab a photo or two from last summer to remind me of the spring that is soon around the corner.

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MM3

Macro Monday is easy to play, snap a macro (or any close-up) photo, post it on your blog and come back here and sign MckLinky. :) MM started on Sept 29, 2008 - THANX to all of you for helping make it such a fun start to the week!