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Japanese Doll bought from a Garage Sale Today

Category: Off Topic | Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:40 pm

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The story is the doll came from Japan from a parent that served in the military. I don't have any more information than that. Anyone know much about these dolls?



This blog entry has been viewed 1129 times

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Missouri River Flood 2011 update

Category: Off Topic | Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:31 pm

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Good news, husband's 2 weeks of sandbag filling is done! Hurrah! He's not coming home covered head to toe in dirt anymore. He actually got an unexpected day off of work today!

They've moved most of the company to higher ground, which means he'll be driving 20 miles to work instead of 5. But, one can't really complain about that! The river should be at its highest level by Friday (if they don't have to release more water than predicted from upstream dams....I'm cautiously skeptical on anything "predicted", too many variables there). We should know if the levee is high enough very soon. More of a concern is that it will remain high for weeks, so the integrity of the levee is the main concern, not the height.

Picture updated....still holding...but water is starting to seep up on the "dry" side. Not sure how this will hold for two more months. This is a small portion of the levee, but the only view not blocked by trees.



Last edited: Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:53 pm

This blog entry has been viewed 1148 times

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Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Category: Off Topic | Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 4:40 am

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( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )

We have a local bakery/restaurant that makes some pretty good cinnamon rolls, but they're just "off". They use way too much butter and not enough cinnamon, no raisins (shame), and cream cheese frosting. Good for a bite or two, then it's just too much. So, after the disappointment, I had to make my own cinnamon rolls! I use the bread machine version, and usually use some ready-made vanilla frosting that I let melt on top while the rolls are still hot, although the honey butter icing would probably be quite good.

Grandma's Best Cinnamon Rolls

OATMEAL DOUGH
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups)
1/3 cup quick oats
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 package Fleischmann's® Active Dry or Rapid Rise Yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine (1/2 stick), cut up
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup water
1 egg

FILLING
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

HONEY BUTTER ICING
1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 tablespoons honey
Servings: 9
1. In large bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, oats, granulated sugar, undissolved yeast and salt. Heat 1/4 cup butter, milk, and water until very warm (120º to 130ºF). Gradually add to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add egg and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough.

2. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth, about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place 45 to 60 minutes or until doubled. Punch down dough. (With Rapid Rise Yeast, cover kneaded dough and let rest 10 minutes. Proceed with recipe.)

3. On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 18 × 8 inches; brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins, if desired, to within 1/2 inch of edges. Roll up tightly from long side, pinching seam to seal; cut into 9 equal pieces. Place, cut sides up, in greased 8 × 8-inch pan. Cover; let rise in warm place 45 to 60 minutes or until doubled.

4. Bake at 350ºF for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.

5. In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and softened butter with fork until blended; stir in honey until smooth. Drizzle or spread on rolls.


Yield: 9 Rolls

Notes: Bread Machine Variation (all-size machines): Measure dough ingredients into bread machine pan as suggested by manufacturer; use 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons Fleischmann's® Bread Machine Yeast. Process on dough/manual cycle. When complete, remove dough to floured surface; knead in additional flour to make dough easy to handle, if necessary. Roll out dough and proceed as directed.



This blog entry has been viewed 1196 times

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Garage Sale Finds

Category: Off Topic | Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:12 pm

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I haven't been going to garage sales in a few years because of the cost of gas. But, I was just in the mood to give it a try today. I found absolutely nothing for my yard, but a few things that are just ridiculous! (but fun)

I bought a marble chess set many years ago. Well, you can't just leave the pieces out because if it tips or a piece falls off, it can break. Kind of devalues the set. So.... I bought a Lord of the Rings chess set at a garage sale today & used the pieces on my chess table.





Then I found a Darth Vader Wilton cake pan, so I just had to buy it....must resist reselling it on eBay! lol



So, it wasn't a bad garage sale day, just a bit odd.

This blog entry has been viewed 456 times

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A bit off topic....but it's raining outside.

Category: Off Topic | Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:19 am

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It was raining outside, so I was in need of an indoor project for the day. My parents' 50th wedding anniversary is coming up, so I decided to re-do my mom's veil with new tule as it had yellowed badly over the years. $2 and one hour later, it's like new! She will be pleased. Now, if I could just get those wrinkles out of her dress. That is a challenge with frail fabric.


( photo / image / picture from Pianolady's Garden )





Last edited: Wed May 27, 2009 4:21 am

This blog entry has been viewed 932 times

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World War I Monument

Category: Off Topic | Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:32 pm

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Today, I took our daughter and her friend around town, each with a camera in-hand. We had a wonderful time taking photographs of our city's landmarks.

This monument is in Bayliss Park, in the center of our downtown area. I was trying to make this look like an old photograph you would find in a grandparent's photo album. Sepia toning & soft focus added to get this effect.



This photo is part of the fountain in the park, I just like the colors of the various stones.





Last edited: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:25 pm

This blog entry has been viewed 815 times

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