Guest Blogger

the art of crystallizing flowers at home by karen toocheck

February 13, 2012
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the art of crystallizing flowers at home by karen toocheck

  I would like to welcome my friend and talented flower artist, Karen Toocheck, to ChinDeep today for a very special Valentine’s post! She is the proprietor of a wonderful business called The Crystallized Flower Company located in Willoughby Ohio and has generously agreed to share some of the magic and wisdom that goes into crystallizing flowers. I can’t wait to try this! I’m already thinking of all sorts of ways to use these gorgeous little blooms! Without further adieu, here’s Karen … When my favorite ‘Flower Fairy’(AKA Melissa Placzek) asked me to write a short, guest blog about the inception of my company, Crystallized Flower Company and the art of crystallizing flowers, I wasn’t sure if I could really introduce any new concepts to the process of crystallizing...

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confetti quinoa

November 7, 2011
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confetti quinoa

~ confetti quinoa ~ by Maria Denise Davis I have never really been a fan of rice. In fact I used to be a meat and potatoes kind of girl. Now that I’ve cut meat and animal products out of my diet, I’m just a potatoes girl. So I’ve really had to work to get protein back into my diet. A while back I made fish for the family, and as a side, I cooked couscous. Amy loved it, but Kaela wasn’t so sure. The next time around, I found quinoa to serve with the fish, which looked similar but took a bit longer to cook. Like many grains, it took on the flavor of the liquid in which it was cooked. I liked the texture and the higher...

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vegan pumpkin muffins

November 4, 2011
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vegan pumpkin muffins

~ vegan pumpkin muffins ~ This is a wonderful recipe for spicy, good for you, vegan pumpkin muffins that was given to me by my friend Shelly. I omitted the dried fruit (because I didn’t have any on hand) and I added a tiny bit more nutmeg and cinnamon than the recipe calls for. They turned out awesome! Thanks, Shel! 2 cups sifted whole wheat pastry flour (or any wheat flour) 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup (or a little less) oil (I use olive oil, grapeseed is nice, too) 3/4 cup sugar or maple syrup 1 tsp+ vanilla extract 1 cup cooked, pureed pumpkin or canned 1 cup raisins 1 cup nuts (pecans and/or walnuts) Combine the dry ingredients....

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forestedge winery ~ by guest blogger rachel heinrich

October 3, 2011
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forestedge winery ~ by guest blogger rachel heinrich

In a world dominated by grape varieties, Forestedge Winery has found a niche producing high quality fruit wines.  No grapes here … instead you’ll find raw ingredients like apples, chokecherries, strawberries, and rhubarb!  While some ingredients – notably the rhubarb – are grown right onsite, many come from local suppliers.  This can lead to years when a particular fruit is the star … currently there is a large batch of plum wine in the works from a good harvest two seasons back. A visit to Forestedge may include a free tasting session by one of the owners and a tour of the operation.  Fruit wines can taste a bit different from grape wines although many are similar to one or another variety of grape wine.  If you’re looking for...

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the front porch ~ by sandy erdman

September 29, 2011
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the front porch ~ by sandy erdman

~Scenes from a Front Porch in Autumn~ by Sandy Erdman As we remember enjoying the summer parade from the front porch, life has slowed down with the arrival of Autumn.  The porch continues to be a favorite gathering place for our family and friends, even if the chill of fall has settled in. The front porch, adorned with wicker rocking chairs and footstool, invites us to settle in. A creaky porch swing provides a comfortable place for reading or a quaint place to enjoy a cup of coffee with a neighbor. In a cozy corner on the front porch, two adorable fluffy black kittens cuddle close to their mother and snuggle in to keep warm for a peaceful afternoon nap so safe and warm, you can almost hear their...

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not the usual list of questions

September 23, 2011
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not the usual list of questions

(source) My friends and I had fun putting a silly list of questions together for your enjoyment. Pass it along to your friends. Have fun! Happy Friday! (answered by Melissa) 1.      What’s your favorite Sesame Street character? Cookie Monster 2.      What type of fence are you — white picket, chain link or barbed wire? invisible 3.      Splits or cartwheels? splits 4.      Would you rather eat monkey brains or suck out the juice of a cockroach? no 5.      Shower or bath? bath 6.      Tweeze, shave or wax? laser 7.      Palm reader psychic or tarot cards? psychic 8.      What color are your socks? pink 9.      You find $15 in the dryer — what do you spend it on? wine 10.  Something explodes in your kitchen — would you rather it be...

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Fun Fall Luxuries ~ by Sandy Erdman

September 2, 2011
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Fun Fall Luxuries ~ by Sandy Erdman

~Fun Fall Luxuries~ Fall will be arriving soon! Along with turning leaves and brisk air, she will usher in a wintry chill. Here are some Autumn luxuries that will give you a little escape and help you enjoy this beautiful, unpredictable season.  ~Celebrate grape harvest by collecting colorful wine labels. They’re great for decoupage trays, boxes, cabinets and almost any flat surface.  If you just imbibe occasionally, and need a little help with your collection,  contact grapestompers.com for free labels. Or, just for fun, go to a wine tasting event at a vineyard in your area. ~Pick apples at a local orchard. A wonderful resource for fresh apples, low prices and a great outdoor exercise.  For an apple map and directory that will help you locate “pick your own”...

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I LOVE Quizzes ~ by Dana Stenholtz

September 1, 2011
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I LOVE Quizzes ~ by Dana Stenholtz

I would like to welcome Dana Stenholtz to Chin Deep. She is one of my best friends and one of the best writers I know. Just for the record, I’d rather hear her answers than Angelina’s any day. Maybe not Johnny’s, but Angelina’s FOR SURE! Hee hee… Enjoy! I’m obsessed with answering questions about myself. You know what I’m talking about. Those online quizzes that supposedly pin-point what drink you would be, what character from Harry Potter you would be, what genre of movie best depicts your life… all discovered after answering a mere five or ten questions about your favorite pizza topping, what you listen to on the radio, and what color your socks are. It’s astounding! I have spent HOURS answering these things. Not all in one...

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inspiration ~ by dana stenholtz

August 12, 2011
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inspiration ~ by dana stenholtz

When I see an old soul soaking up life like a sponge full of dirty dishwater— still managing to breathe— I am in love with humanity all over again. Life can feel like a betrayal some days, like a kindred spirit lover who took a wrong turn somewhere. I want to thrash about on the rocky shores and abhor this infidelity, but God help me, I still love Life more than I hate it. When I watch the sun melt into the horizon— crayons in a fire pit— I cannot help but be full to bursting, not with dirty dishwater, but with the flow of a thousand mountain springs. The beauty of this chaotic, messy world is that it holds so much promise. I want every soul that breathes...

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luna salad

July 15, 2011
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luna salad

~luna salad~ I thought, in celebration of the “Full Thunder Moon,” the only full moon this month, I would post one of my favorite salads called “Luna Salad.” My sister Robin shared this recipe with me a few years ago, and we just love the combination of flavors. Crisp, bright spring greens, chewy craisins, crunchy-sweet vanilla almonds, creamy feta, and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette. You can serve this salad as a first course for a big meal, or, do what we do… add grilled chicken breast strips to the salad and it becomes the main course. This recipe is inspired by the “Luna Salad” from the “Luna Cafe” in Spokane Washington. arrange in this order… on each plate: spring greens or Romaine lettuce thinly sliced red onion 2 Tablespoons...

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