tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37021236379953236092024-03-04T21:34:28.749-08:00A Bit of This & A Bit of That<center>When I go on-line to find information I frequently land in someone's blog, so I wanted an on-line identity to thank and interact with the many people who provide me with needed information and inspiration.</center>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-90822501562663048442016-04-15T21:19:00.000-07:002016-04-15T21:19:20.888-07:00March Against Monsanto on Saturday, May 21, 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Join the cause...</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Check to see if there is a march in a town near you</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.march-against-monsanto.com/may21/">http://www.march-against-monsanto.com/may21/</a></div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-59636607688632375722015-09-14T20:19:00.000-07:002015-09-14T20:19:23.025-07:00University Scientists Caught Conspiring With Biotech Industry to Manipulate Public Opinion on GMOs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What happens when a private company with a long history of producing some of the most toxic chemicals on the planet and now produces our food starts facing public pressure from a growing national grassroots movement to label their products to conform with basic principles of democracy and transparency? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, if the company in question is Monsanto, then you take a page out of Big Tobacco’s playbook and hatch a secret plan to <b>enlist public university scientists to bury the potential harm of your genetically engineered crops by whitewashing negative studies and systematically demonizing your opponents in the media to mislead elected officials and the American public about the safety of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and their accompanying toxic pesticides."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Get the rest of the story <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2015/09/12/scientists-conspire-monsanto-gmos/">here at EcoWatch</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">And another interesting article from my favorite consumer advocate, The Food Babe:</span><br />
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<a href="http://foodbabe.com/2015/09/08/proof-monsanto-pays-public-scientists-discredit-movement-submitting-foia-request/">The Shocking Email From Monsanto: Why I am submitting a FOIA request</a></h1>
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<a href="http://foodbabe.com/2015/09/08/proof-monsanto-pays-public-scientists-discredit-movement-submitting-foia-request/">By <span style="color: #0088cc;"><span style="word-break: break-word;">Food Babe</span></span></a></div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-77200484723590921862015-07-19T10:46:00.000-07:002015-07-19T10:46:43.445-07:00Take a Stand...Say NO to GMOs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been quite a battle to get GMO food labeled as such, fortunately the "non-GMO" companies have stepped up to the plate and started labeling their products so that consumers can make informed decisions about what they buy to nourish their bodies. When I buy non-organic food, I seek out food that is labeled non-GMO. If Monsanto has its way, we won't have that right. Next week the HR 1599 bill will be going before congress, and this morning I took the time to<a href="http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/stop_Monsantos_corruption_of_science_and_democracy/?t=3&akid=1605.1111865.SPTF_r"> write President Obama, my members of Congress, and the FDA</a>, and asked them to vote no on HR 1599*.<br />
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This bill was brought to my attention this morning on one of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/2015/07/why-ive-asked-my-congress-critter-to-vote-no-on-hr-1599/">A Garden for the House</a>, by Kevin Lee Jacobs. He stated, "<span style="line-height: 115%;">HR 1599 is a
Monsanto-backed bill that would ban both the federal government and individuals
states from labeling genetically-modified foods. The legislation would also
prevent cities and counties from banning genetically-engineered crops even if
local farmers and residents want them to.”</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;">He also stated that, “The bill potentially prevents business that don’t
use GMO products – and wish to inform you of that – from using their own
voluntary label.”</span><br />
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It is no secret that the Monsanto company is pushing the bill to get passed. Not only is our health affected by this bill, but the future of the American farmers is affected also.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mN2oG8B34YM" width="560"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rsNUqK6saMU" width="560"></iframe><br />
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*If you want to take a stand against GMOs you can write your members of Congress by going to <a href="http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/stop_Monsantos_corruption_of_science_and_democracy/?t=3&akid=1605.1111865.SPTF_r">Food Democracy Now!</a> and using their computer formatted form. You also have the option of adding your comment to the letter they provide for you. Here is the comment I added to the form:<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After being
diagnosed with an autoimmune disease I have made a conscious effort to become
more aware of the food in which I am eating to nourish my body and help it
heal. I am working hard to avoid unnecessary preservatives or toxins in the
food I eat. I depend upon labels to help me stay informed. I do not wish to eat
GMOs, so I rely on the food label to help me find foods that will help in my
healing process. It frightens me that Monsanto feels it has the power to take
that right away from me. As the person elected to lead our great country, I
hope you give the citizens and the states the right to label food so we can
stay informed about what we are putting into our bodies. Please, do not let
Monsanto corrupt science, democracy and our food supply, please vote NO on HR
1599. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Normally I'm not an advocate, but I feel strongly about this issue. I don't want to preach, I just want to get the word out.</span></div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-9557222298955910152013-04-22T23:01:00.000-07:002013-04-22T23:01:47.610-07:00Celebrating Earth Day...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">with a walk on the wild side. It was a beautiful day so I decided to go out after work to enjoy nature. It was warm and breezy and the sun was golden.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EVYXlus84c0cTkyx7iNL6rrjt3Zqkpa2pfqxMXea6ImtU7_kLyF0-tIDkmeXKfqt8OyKWmUuscKRXUVRD2FN6jVpqzqxG6RfvWQwhawElR7ovJL40qmntlM8qUtzNDjOhJQJkP7Aw8A/s1600/bl042Breeze.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EVYXlus84c0cTkyx7iNL6rrjt3Zqkpa2pfqxMXea6ImtU7_kLyF0-tIDkmeXKfqt8OyKWmUuscKRXUVRD2FN6jVpqzqxG6RfvWQwhawElR7ovJL40qmntlM8qUtzNDjOhJQJkP7Aw8A/s640/bl042Breeze.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudjL-9dYxLN-VT2uTwKYYJLs5u7pUPwdaui8Ou-VQAU2iVdMiVXERXsTA709mlMOzZqFexR67DSL8bvgPsKZnBjMH9xIrWBcypjHMPq0MwDPQ8JnKiL2SjEiyDXivRwv9edSmPuxb0P0/s1600/bled204b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudjL-9dYxLN-VT2uTwKYYJLs5u7pUPwdaui8Ou-VQAU2iVdMiVXERXsTA709mlMOzZqFexR67DSL8bvgPsKZnBjMH9xIrWBcypjHMPq0MwDPQ8JnKiL2SjEiyDXivRwv9edSmPuxb0P0/s640/bled204b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4GsC26TlQvCBe5ejcZ8QZ5PaJLnc4yujxIRuhUyZ3bqhjXN-xjtR8SJyM5bTN-b8dh-_LnHg9_UyaTIN-4sGoYLMIzfPyFp4bWfzU8ZMgMZs9nYd26_p4oNDC6_eoLW7GYpNmP8ea_I/s1600/ed029b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4GsC26TlQvCBe5ejcZ8QZ5PaJLnc4yujxIRuhUyZ3bqhjXN-xjtR8SJyM5bTN-b8dh-_LnHg9_UyaTIN-4sGoYLMIzfPyFp4bWfzU8ZMgMZs9nYd26_p4oNDC6_eoLW7GYpNmP8ea_I/s640/ed029b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IX6BNNMdlxhhoZe2msfSucACJ28SUgmB0054V0xoPaPMwxT1XSGFMZK0hWoMvUBfJbPOTg6sl1lEMyovi9QjOjYQCfuWHMZ7kIfJSwdMAOcuNIeGUESPhs2SiUhXcfHdpKMmN84dNC4/s1600/bled068bShrpTpz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IX6BNNMdlxhhoZe2msfSucACJ28SUgmB0054V0xoPaPMwxT1XSGFMZK0hWoMvUBfJbPOTg6sl1lEMyovi9QjOjYQCfuWHMZ7kIfJSwdMAOcuNIeGUESPhs2SiUhXcfHdpKMmN84dNC4/s640/bled068bShrpTpz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTV9maUouvuS0-nAC-nIM2pXId_ANcJvpPei5fP96s82_CccD0H4UMZsx6J8eoF1xxhA6P0Q18Yew7mfSIwN5pF5nDF6Da3NfbBe16gYnq1PP5RZgsPqGEVPDl7VxE1Av2w-MvINDOUM/s1600/bled145bTpz3qtr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTV9maUouvuS0-nAC-nIM2pXId_ANcJvpPei5fP96s82_CccD0H4UMZsx6J8eoF1xxhA6P0Q18Yew7mfSIwN5pF5nDF6Da3NfbBe16gYnq1PP5RZgsPqGEVPDl7VxE1Av2w-MvINDOUM/s640/bled145bTpz3qtr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUufhFjUEQExifIluPDQk5OhbDcT8h3nb_1L_hneAR7cA7PG2OkL-lxs8Qg6GUNUtjp6-sy2ZvwHN25L5IUVPxZzn6nV8DIlFouRS5H6V18995usMUz4t9Xx0-G3EX3UH6mTmXfmtsQc/s1600/bl148SquirrelGif3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUufhFjUEQExifIluPDQk5OhbDcT8h3nb_1L_hneAR7cA7PG2OkL-lxs8Qg6GUNUtjp6-sy2ZvwHN25L5IUVPxZzn6nV8DIlFouRS5H6V18995usMUz4t9Xx0-G3EX3UH6mTmXfmtsQc/s640/bl148SquirrelGif3.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-muF_bFR_anIQZISjK4WLyAnQWAZ0o2CaieqJBO4t9Z_pHCFh7jURIhQvjp4U07OZUgK1IsqjbKGPDNBB5casQgVkuebGOKw_aFj3Der32exbL2D4YdD-QvfWKvpHOqS4W84KivETnyg/s1600/bled342b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-muF_bFR_anIQZISjK4WLyAnQWAZ0o2CaieqJBO4t9Z_pHCFh7jURIhQvjp4U07OZUgK1IsqjbKGPDNBB5casQgVkuebGOKw_aFj3Der32exbL2D4YdD-QvfWKvpHOqS4W84KivETnyg/s640/bled342b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;">All photos taken on Earth Day, April 22, 2013.</span></div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-11206380334407055112013-04-17T19:29:00.000-07:002013-04-21T22:36:39.699-07:00Creative License Friday on Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">
This week's challenge for <a href="http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/2013/03/creative-license-friday-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SheWhoCarriesCamera+(She+Who+Carries+Camera)" rel="nofollow">Creative License Friday</a> was provided by <a href="http://wwwsueann.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">SueAnn @ SueAnne's Journey</a>. SueAnn provided this wonderful image of a weather vane.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklKdzrdo0pDVRHSHiFSO2SZHVEb7M9-r5IDYL6WPpbv5_I2MDnikW-yh8kBxCSvSrX2eCaT-ZgWFuRcwQnEb3l9m22h047ermSCCZGnyVU2X4TnyIc42GWVxkDbFzCejhWYzqi1Z77rY/s1600/CLF+-+SueAnn2+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklKdzrdo0pDVRHSHiFSO2SZHVEb7M9-r5IDYL6WPpbv5_I2MDnikW-yh8kBxCSvSrX2eCaT-ZgWFuRcwQnEb3l9m22h047ermSCCZGnyVU2X4TnyIc42GWVxkDbFzCejhWYzqi1Z77rY/s400/CLF+-+SueAnn2+a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To Edit the photo, I decided to have a go at my collection of editing programs and some textures.</div>
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Here is my first try at the photo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5nQkY6iP-YRWLE538SHYlRCd8Jo6fbWXc-Qk_AKgDl5sM1DnN4Ms7aMXmd90S7SXSo6x-GQiQI69YVZvRl8x9BmRtv-G432kplYuFaEyZQv0WjJaPsFVIpeaRzRiwvEdXhX2e2lDlzs/s1600/CLF+-+SueAnn2+a8x10TpzRdLbFrKsTex2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5nQkY6iP-YRWLE538SHYlRCd8Jo6fbWXc-Qk_AKgDl5sM1DnN4Ms7aMXmd90S7SXSo6x-GQiQI69YVZvRl8x9BmRtv-G432kplYuFaEyZQv0WjJaPsFVIpeaRzRiwvEdXhX2e2lDlzs/s640/CLF+-+SueAnn2+a8x10TpzRdLbFrKsTex2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cropped the photo to an 8x10 size and added the following edits as shown in the following Gif.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCch45DIPrLOW2S4OtMMkIhPYkvZwF5zu6l84bCjsPtsYL1FyZBqlAG5xIOfQ8oecB52L738tSbzzus10qd7wm-Nc-0RZeOHDcj0s9uVAPZLXD02EXY5T9oOzLaDYelH-x6yr_eQ0VfI/s1600/CLF---SueAnn2-Gif2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCch45DIPrLOW2S4OtMMkIhPYkvZwF5zu6l84bCjsPtsYL1FyZBqlAG5xIOfQ8oecB52L738tSbzzus10qd7wm-Nc-0RZeOHDcj0s9uVAPZLXD02EXY5T9oOzLaDYelH-x6yr_eQ0VfI/s400/CLF---SueAnn2-Gif2.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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For my next edit I decided to use PicMonkey. I used a bit of this and a bit of that, and come up with this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY4S59EsEJGZlXccsX1u_d3SyA39wC9UDceo1kJtaP3wCvRtpJ5pn8dnp8aA4S-XA5pe11PtFq6zF9DHHeAeuaTSETLiuoSSt7sY4uH_RDfyPqkNZ9SSUYX-RK5JQchSqgy2GYNJyD7k/s1600/CLF+-+SueAnn2+a+SlvEfPkMk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY4S59EsEJGZlXccsX1u_d3SyA39wC9UDceo1kJtaP3wCvRtpJ5pn8dnp8aA4S-XA5pe11PtFq6zF9DHHeAeuaTSETLiuoSSt7sY4uH_RDfyPqkNZ9SSUYX-RK5JQchSqgy2GYNJyD7k/s640/CLF+-+SueAnn2+a+SlvEfPkMk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the effect of the daguerreotype edit and framing with the addition of photo corners. It has an <br />
old-time weathered feel to it.</div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">If you enjoy photo editing, and want a good challenge, </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">come on over and join us at</span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/2013/03/creative-license-friday-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SheWhoCarriesCamera+(She+Who+Carries+Camera)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">Creative License Friday</span></a></div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-71266133372713606142013-04-03T19:06:00.001-07:002013-04-03T19:06:54.925-07:00Creative License Friday on Wednesday...well, at least I made it before the deadline ; )<br />
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This week's photo challenge for <a href="http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/2013/03/creative-license-friday-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SheWhoCarriesCamera+(She+Who+Carries+Camera)" rel="nofollow">Creative License Friday</a> was provided by <a href="http://hereiamkaycee.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2013-03-31T06:15:00+10:00&max-results=5" rel="nofollow">Kerrie @ THE RAGAMUFFIN</a>. Kerrie provided this wonderful image of an Australian water dragon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZUvkeEV7njZ0GNqF8ffdhUdouNBYVyWBuJGIiVFJt1hLLWMi0kHoJT_ZLUeiBxHk7eUDzda-EyZ74D2LMomVsZ0YIVJRFqnAULnQ6L7BTm_bm_RMvd4fYETOrIGwmWybNjHggMclXHA/s1600/CLF+K2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZUvkeEV7njZ0GNqF8ffdhUdouNBYVyWBuJGIiVFJt1hLLWMi0kHoJT_ZLUeiBxHk7eUDzda-EyZ74D2LMomVsZ0YIVJRFqnAULnQ6L7BTm_bm_RMvd4fYETOrIGwmWybNjHggMclXHA/s400/CLF+K2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As it is a water dragon, I decided to send it on a little vacation up the California coast to the Pt. Arena Light house. It really seems to be enjoying the view from the cliff.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbdyG9HO7S4jgP1SjDHdz_GBcO25pTHlvklKICuMNzhH0iN_IcODrUC0vYdVkXD3bF542wFUL79Q7Ai3ZMP_3c70e-xqi7K8bekLBtLCNuTW3fNe5_AQABwI-hJWTCmBgSBvNd8A5jGw/s1600/CLF+K2+Fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbdyG9HO7S4jgP1SjDHdz_GBcO25pTHlvklKICuMNzhH0iN_IcODrUC0vYdVkXD3bF542wFUL79Q7Ai3ZMP_3c70e-xqi7K8bekLBtLCNuTW3fNe5_AQABwI-hJWTCmBgSBvNd8A5jGw/s640/CLF+K2+Fix.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is what I did for my edit:<br />
I edited both photos using the Topaz Simplify plug-in with these settings:<br />
-<strong>Painting</strong> => Painting IV =><strong>Finishing
Touches</strong> => Transparency at 45% => <strong>Global
Adjustment</strong> => <strong>Adjust</strong> => Dynamics at 125% =>
Structural Boost 125%<br />
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Then I horizontally flipped the position of the dragon and layered it onto the light house photo.<br />
Next, I used the paint brush to remove the background from the dragon photo. And that was it!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now it is time to see what everyone else has created with their edits over at</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/search/label/Creative%20License%20Friday">Creative License Friday</a></span></span></div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-42308695625672728712013-03-16T13:33:00.000-07:002013-03-16T13:33:09.067-07:00Editing Fun at Creative License FridayIt's that time of the week for <a href="http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/2013/03/creative-license-friday-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SheWhoCarriesCamera+(She+Who+Carries+Camera)" rel="nofollow">Creative License Friday</a> over at <a href="http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/" rel="nofollow">she who carries a camera</a>. Last week I had the good fortune of discovering this fun edit challenge, and this week I have the honor of providing a photo for the challenge. Thank you so much Jill for hosting this challenge, and giving me the opportunity to see what others can do with this photo!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CwwOJNvR_-nEgmn4rQTzJEWP_v15HTd9H3ah-Hwb-G732LpniCl0jL1xJsiCrxtCb0pJrK34HxB974rbCdO_B_Qt4D6osXbNfxPBGA4UzpXUlEvAoHyr0O5fytoiiztYM0DRhEvFUh8/s1600/ed248orig+Pt+Lobos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CwwOJNvR_-nEgmn4rQTzJEWP_v15HTd9H3ah-Hwb-G732LpniCl0jL1xJsiCrxtCb0pJrK34HxB974rbCdO_B_Qt4D6osXbNfxPBGA4UzpXUlEvAoHyr0O5fytoiiztYM0DRhEvFUh8/s640/ed248orig+Pt+Lobos.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took this photo back in October at the shore of the Sutro Baths on Point Lobos Avenue in San Francisco. When I arrived, the sun was glaring overhead. I knew it wasn't the ideal condition for taking photos, but I was struck by the rock with the hollowed out heart and the view of the ocean through it. I decided I'd worry about the editing later. Well five months have passed, and until this challenge I was still without a clue how to edit the photo. Last week I discovered a new texture artist, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenabem-anna/8076905224/in/set-72157624082271697">Lenabem-Anna</a>, from the participants in the Creative License Friday challenge. I thought her moon and sun textures were amazing, so I downloaded them. Once I submitted this photo for the challenge, I realized Anna's texture, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenabem-anna/8076905224/in/set-72157624082271697">Background-Night</a>, would add the perfect touch. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdPdSih9lx_mlEJuVmbSmQOu4uYUGBrX-YVx7FO7TpMSoGUR3yQ1QhUNNziPoFKUlAoqMU6iw4yH9EcGkphqj8GEqSLM6V7kobS9SyqaL6TOASlquUxXimWHiG2M7oKv5RcbX1SmcDbA/s1600/zed248orig+Pt+Lobos+3TpzCln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdPdSih9lx_mlEJuVmbSmQOu4uYUGBrX-YVx7FO7TpMSoGUR3yQ1QhUNNziPoFKUlAoqMU6iw4yH9EcGkphqj8GEqSLM6V7kobS9SyqaL6TOASlquUxXimWHiG2M7oKv5RcbX1SmcDbA/s640/zed248orig+Pt+Lobos+3TpzCln.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted to tone down the glaring sun, so I decided to turn it into a night scene. Here is what I did:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1nthxZueZWc3koW4GfJ-KC7TY3UW02Aor-cKqj8224Sb3rh4SakJf9pYQrZiLRp2roW2AVNNSQiwO5wJJN5NzLbEe7mLQYJVWJ-GTcgKu139J-SiCq5NkVyY8JedLD7wo9TZ9pg9zNY/s1600/zed248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1nthxZueZWc3koW4GfJ-KC7TY3UW02Aor-cKqj8224Sb3rh4SakJf9pYQrZiLRp2roW2AVNNSQiwO5wJJN5NzLbEe7mLQYJVWJ-GTcgKu139J-SiCq5NkVyY8JedLD7wo9TZ9pg9zNY/s320/zed248.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>
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I first used Anne's Background Night at 81%<br />
Then used the <a href="http://rhwest.blogspot.com/2013/03/bloom-true.html" rel="nofollow">RHWest</a> Levi texture at 52%<br />
Brightened it a bit<br />
RH West Denim texture at 74%<br />
Pumped up the hue saturation a bit<br />
RH West Robin texture at 8%<br />
Defined and sharpened<br />
Ran it through Topaz Simplify to soften and bring out the color<br />
and that is it.<br />
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I couldn't stop at one edit, so I also ran the final edit through RadLab for a darker edit, and Silver Efex for a black and white edit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UCWc4xnVWAZ-oZI1v_2iVPdk5IcbvWzXNej96xVJiKEegm20-cg4eJj4_tDP6Y7nmo_3Ls6wLsz6OAgJIGtxqXZzkLpKhwxA1FEa2gFG2sj4oCe0FCKEvDJHrqNrT7ZZtuolqafeeI4/s1600/zed248orig+Pt+Lobos+3TpzOrigRdLb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UCWc4xnVWAZ-oZI1v_2iVPdk5IcbvWzXNej96xVJiKEegm20-cg4eJj4_tDP6Y7nmo_3Ls6wLsz6OAgJIGtxqXZzkLpKhwxA1FEa2gFG2sj4oCe0FCKEvDJHrqNrT7ZZtuolqafeeI4/s640/zed248orig+Pt+Lobos+3TpzOrigRdLb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb1gR6f1qFDHQJnQzh5tOgIkp2qYoylwjooz2VA7RsO9mUKP79UTJ1qDmgZEjx7MjSO7lj34ax7He4qv1nfx0MuOKAfPC_nFfyGlwjuoAUtV8_ryOMjIcu7E4IoyGiWBfmtPNF2W_eDg/s1600/zed248orig+Pt+Lobos+3TpzOrigSlvEf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb1gR6f1qFDHQJnQzh5tOgIkp2qYoylwjooz2VA7RsO9mUKP79UTJ1qDmgZEjx7MjSO7lj34ax7He4qv1nfx0MuOKAfPC_nFfyGlwjuoAUtV8_ryOMjIcu7E4IoyGiWBfmtPNF2W_eDg/s640/zed248orig+Pt+Lobos+3TpzOrigSlvEf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now it's time to go see what amazing things have been done to my photo over at </div>
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<a href="http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/2013/03/creative-license-friday-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SheWhoCarriesCamera+(She+Who+Carries+Camera)" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">Creative License Friday</span></a></center>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-32044820810204006142013-03-10T13:33:00.000-07:002013-03-10T13:33:37.789-07:00Editing Fun I discovered this fun edit challenge while reading a post by Deanna at <a href="http://deannaswauger.blogspot.com/2013/03/playing-around-on-saturday-morn-tutorial.html" rel="nofollow">Snippets From Springdale</a>. I love editing photos, so I was excited to find "Creative License Friday" over at <a href="http://www.shewhocarriescamera.com/" rel="nofollow">"she who carries a camera"</a>. Each week a photo is posted and anyone is allowed to edit and post their version of the photo. <br />
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Here is the original photo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP3C-qrwMXlGokUxNqznk9oE-6PQbutLpRbwoboSyZU_nVOVp8m3Hng-EP7_NA6Jn05780__gf-NhVyAXvosYjz-7k42gEwebFdrsTIEJe39WUhfoLpopDgPlG84fX0Kp8x2dcoZLdEs/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP3C-qrwMXlGokUxNqznk9oE-6PQbutLpRbwoboSyZU_nVOVp8m3Hng-EP7_NA6Jn05780__gf-NhVyAXvosYjz-7k42gEwebFdrsTIEJe39WUhfoLpopDgPlG84fX0Kp8x2dcoZLdEs/s400/DSC_0165.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is my version. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjNZL0zDdEmzQuI7qqFpH20zDuykusjlmpwGXCUrtaCgIdvSV4mkow6jrnAJAtYkwcSL9eFXtOyqBCMn6JWJPbzSWyU0yh3QKDnY9QMZLHHVDj5yzPNlDxnRZxmQbOM1UETMpN61EEM0/s1600/ed110bird3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjNZL0zDdEmzQuI7qqFpH20zDuykusjlmpwGXCUrtaCgIdvSV4mkow6jrnAJAtYkwcSL9eFXtOyqBCMn6JWJPbzSWyU0yh3QKDnY9QMZLHHVDj5yzPNlDxnRZxmQbOM1UETMpN61EEM0/s640/ed110bird3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I thought this bird would look lovely resting on a branch full of spring blossoms. I think it adds the perfect touch to my photo : )</div>
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After seeing the fun edit from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56455393@N07/8540408378/in/photostream">thesmittenimage</a>, I decided to stray from my first try and go a bit out of the box to add it to a photo of my own.
Here is what I did to achieve this edit: <br />
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1. I uploaded both photos and reduced my photo by 50% because it was too large in comparison to the bird photo.</div>
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2. I layered the bird photo onto my photo and brushed out all of the background.</div>
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3. I then used ctrl+T to transform by enlarging and placing the bird where I wanted it.</div>
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4. I added the texture Comfort by <a href="http://rhwest.blogspot.com/2013/03/bloom-true.html" rel="nofollow">RHWest</a>
at 75% on soft light.<br />
5. I then ran it through the Topaz Simplify plug-in<br />
-<strong>Painting</strong> => Painting IV =><strong>Finishing Touches</strong> => Transparency at 45% => <strong>Global Adjustment</strong> => <strong>Adjust</strong> => Dynamics at 125% => Structural Boost 125%<br />
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And that was that.</div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-75867856339689899202013-03-05T20:09:00.000-08:002013-04-21T22:35:54.412-07:00Blue Skies<div style="text-align: center;">
and magnolia blossoms are the subject of this weeks Texture Tuesday "Free & Easy" Challenge. <br />
Everything is in bloom, and I am enjoying it because it won't be long before the summer drought comes and dries up all the plants.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gk9voJLmITnWCq0Dykeo5Ej_OIp3hvrZ-7QbNbZXfb2wlq9ivrosupaKzkvaywDfLRpZHchNbwjCNPIgrMTb9MfbWyCJYZetzw6M2WgetbbragdD-ZlYIF4pcNaIbcNVyOVUwIIqX8A/s1600/ed355TpzKKIsobAnna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gk9voJLmITnWCq0Dykeo5Ej_OIp3hvrZ-7QbNbZXfb2wlq9ivrosupaKzkvaywDfLRpZHchNbwjCNPIgrMTb9MfbWyCJYZetzw6M2WgetbbragdD-ZlYIF4pcNaIbcNVyOVUwIIqX8A/s640/ed355TpzKKIsobAnna.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-small;">Kim Klassen textures used: Isobel & Anna</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_OAblMiqQMMtJd-kwf4IPkGoTGn4wut7l1c-XnmL3Q7mqgLG7xnAr-4TQdKj-15QlMJNVNAy4LrggLvjerEWYQ2805qtx1Ue959fyNsEhIwW3d4g5AVoeEyBtdL-xXtSgQbedgoftJ4/s1600/ed009TpzRdLbCombo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_OAblMiqQMMtJd-kwf4IPkGoTGn4wut7l1c-XnmL3Q7mqgLG7xnAr-4TQdKj-15QlMJNVNAy4LrggLvjerEWYQ2805qtx1Ue959fyNsEhIwW3d4g5AVoeEyBtdL-xXtSgQbedgoftJ4/s640/ed009TpzRdLbCombo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-small;">Kim Klassen textures used: Grunged Up & Happy Heart</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJsyhD00J3olQaUuKDVgkUMo47U6HjUuebTBIvrJ6bkiHFZRFAedkJIR9LQMPVmoP7muU1LwL7NtBDKwAKJ7NPTUDluD87k77mhcAXyfANWsnDtB8yv090x5udlWXpv9MaT3h8vsYW40/s1600/ed288TpzKKIsobSunKst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJsyhD00J3olQaUuKDVgkUMo47U6HjUuebTBIvrJ6bkiHFZRFAedkJIR9LQMPVmoP7muU1LwL7NtBDKwAKJ7NPTUDluD87k77mhcAXyfANWsnDtB8yv090x5udlWXpv9MaT3h8vsYW40/s640/ed288TpzKKIsobSunKst.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Kim Klassen textures used: Isobel & Sunkist</span></div>
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I'm heading over to see what everyone has posted this week at... </div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-72445173417409267592013-02-26T20:14:00.000-08:002013-02-26T20:14:34.493-08:00The Birds and the Bees...<span style="color: #783f04;">are enjoying the spring blossoms as much as I am, so they are starring in my Texture Tuesday challenge: "<strong>Show us your dream-like photos, soft, gentle, whispery..."</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJN_p_qcDbS13vEsa_hki2ent4RvaaOTds3Znkg1rS4FOnXLYpFaXwjKWWi3wr4H4r3_i3mQF49HTWlDksrLniieqWNZ6yBZbNNKXQbNzZYfKao4IrW4Xpu8P04LbwEPGhqvcFPqvj5Aw/s1600/ed034bee2bCoraSybGrng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJN_p_qcDbS13vEsa_hki2ent4RvaaOTds3Znkg1rS4FOnXLYpFaXwjKWWi3wr4H4r3_i3mQF49HTWlDksrLniieqWNZ6yBZbNNKXQbNzZYfKao4IrW4Xpu8P04LbwEPGhqvcFPqvj5Aw/s640/ed034bee2bCoraSybGrng.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-small;">K.K. textures used: Cora, Sybil, Happy Heart & Grunged-up_2</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSm5T3_1feppzr9vcL_S-Mn199e1_0whFOovsBV7YL6prZ_i0ACOIf7W-Co_UTm6EZH8ccahBY-HCjD8fDSNv6Qks573sx9SvNXBE9XUzzf5i0IKBgCZ-ZVRG2JLWSLBbCUBCtThd_Wcc/s640/zed208CoraGrngHrtTpzDbl3.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">K.K. textures used: Cora, Happy Heart &</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Grunged-up_2</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EtY0WDn8uDsza8mpScVxsgGf-9BNLoy3xspUjl12XvGtgdU5Okz0_bR7zo41f2cAHPaUehTrqz-Rz6fPqWRT7hnioR0k51qMYTOY3Lj5mbKvrWp6LZYzd03V8xVoqPspP_KWLD-rgbQ/s1600/zed004bRdLb2KKProvSerShrpGrdFl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EtY0WDn8uDsza8mpScVxsgGf-9BNLoy3xspUjl12XvGtgdU5Okz0_bR7zo41f2cAHPaUehTrqz-Rz6fPqWRT7hnioR0k51qMYTOY3Lj5mbKvrWp6LZYzd03V8xVoqPspP_KWLD-rgbQ/s640/zed004bRdLb2KKProvSerShrpGrdFl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">K.K. textures used: Providence & Serendipity along with the "<strong><span style="color: #e06666;">dreamy blanket of light tutorial"</span></strong> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Time to get posting over at...</span></div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-80540592866971700722013-02-19T19:23:00.000-08:002013-02-19T19:23:07.968-08:00Early Signs of Spring<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Yesterday I had fun capturing the beautiful spring blossoms of the ornamental trees in the area. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;">I used Kim Klassen's Downton textures to edit them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsnWeb74o30PhmfPDrC1YZp7xGgNpt6uf2D__iGLZmjnyB9fL4V1gRWMwdhm8bGyVfW7EffdTx3mz1DLMnQXwhB5bqZa44db_I6AmZ8BGn1I5OiX5fRoI9iy1f0kHHClE7z_kzk3yNCI/s1600/zed160KKtexCoraAnna1nTpzDbl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsnWeb74o30PhmfPDrC1YZp7xGgNpt6uf2D__iGLZmjnyB9fL4V1gRWMwdhm8bGyVfW7EffdTx3mz1DLMnQXwhB5bqZa44db_I6AmZ8BGn1I5OiX5fRoI9iy1f0kHHClE7z_kzk3yNCI/s640/zed160KKtexCoraAnna1nTpzDbl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;">edited with the cora and anna textures</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqgYjkXrdAEgXCEiedXqJzeeF6zsfTpUh6tcvXHoUnu8RCzxGbNMcwxOLWHSt4lZkLT2dZxV6NyyhwO7G7kS4XCiBKgLvDytZGXUp30MuT-NCIubK46i2DClWgwKvfCNBZOzd861JflM/s1600/zed119TexCorSybnTpzDbl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqgYjkXrdAEgXCEiedXqJzeeF6zsfTpUh6tcvXHoUnu8RCzxGbNMcwxOLWHSt4lZkLT2dZxV6NyyhwO7G7kS4XCiBKgLvDytZGXUp30MuT-NCIubK46i2DClWgwKvfCNBZOzd861JflM/s640/zed119TexCorSybnTpzDbl2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;">edited with the cora and sybil textures</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcPcHRA1vXqv7U1jf20u2OKo4hdtFqeogHv6TTFHhavn-tjYEYwv89t-BjkkHoWoxsalJkI6SpYJnrxWHik59pOACYCt2OBfeT7gNVshhxDKFedl8U-Y6kDpATbFus0pnCyyRcxPhRDY/s1600/zed108kkTexCorSybTpz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcPcHRA1vXqv7U1jf20u2OKo4hdtFqeogHv6TTFHhavn-tjYEYwv89t-BjkkHoWoxsalJkI6SpYJnrxWHik59pOACYCt2OBfeT7gNVshhxDKFedl8U-Y6kDpATbFus0pnCyyRcxPhRDY/s640/zed108kkTexCorSybTpz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">I also used the Topaz Simplify plug-in to give the photos some richness and a tad bit of a printerly effect, after using the Downton textures.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">I'm posting and checking how others used the Downton textures over at...</span></div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-89535098813966814262013-02-10T14:49:00.000-08:002013-02-10T14:49:59.824-08:00In Search of...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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a painterly effect. After seeing all the beautiful painterly photos created using iPhone apps, I have been searching for editing programs that work the same way on a PC. I haven't had much luck. I've been playing around with the 30 day free trial of Topaz Simplify 4 plug-in. I like the watercolor effect, but I am still wanting the grunge effect that is achieved with the many apps available for iPhone photos.
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I would love to hear if you know of any tutorials, or editing devices you have used to mimic iPhone photo apps. Although I don't own an iPhone, I still go to <a href="http://www.iartchronicles.com/">iArt Chronicles</a> to admire the iPhone artists and their beautiful work.
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Here are a few of my simple painterly edits with Topaz Simplify 4...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapo0zhaWbSXxS4Lq_NyjcmlfDGZMH07DdCzgBmCZgMUhZUCatJEVvfmn_s9rSLV7SZFiVKmbpstUWrE0SMD7CevLTsGryVFF3haqqp3Juzq9qcF6ZtcNGJRbXfA9vGwN8m2UqB1pwnNk/s1600/ed129Tpz2+5x7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapo0zhaWbSXxS4Lq_NyjcmlfDGZMH07DdCzgBmCZgMUhZUCatJEVvfmn_s9rSLV7SZFiVKmbpstUWrE0SMD7CevLTsGryVFF3haqqp3Juzq9qcF6ZtcNGJRbXfA9vGwN8m2UqB1pwnNk/s640/ed129Tpz2+5x7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Golden Hills of Mt. Diablo</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DnGy0VxqVUwXAkHyDDedyeovYJRc_IjP2a8x-GHL9ozf32ivazAQHXj0SMBEUYfvjRH3V1FnRl6FnD9oLsvSgXl3m5YcPk_am96-3Qc0O3EDxM8eaMg-sWM2Sm9drU8ioAKdQnDxaRI/s1600/c156Tpz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DnGy0VxqVUwXAkHyDDedyeovYJRc_IjP2a8x-GHL9ozf32ivazAQHXj0SMBEUYfvjRH3V1FnRl6FnD9oLsvSgXl3m5YcPk_am96-3Qc0O3EDxM8eaMg-sWM2Sm9drU8ioAKdQnDxaRI/s640/c156Tpz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Scraggley Coastal Oak on Mt. Diablo</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9oja17YOA7XoZtXvtGTt0RjfMX2nR1t3Wysne2OJKWMdEgUaqiPn0Oo4kIoWSsvh2NFsNl2cwo3QoLwbzjLZ2w-WEGvKB9pCo1juUdcak0yHPnU7fgYro_bS4Gzul5nxVghbTXQPuAM/s1600/ed014Tpz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9oja17YOA7XoZtXvtGTt0RjfMX2nR1t3Wysne2OJKWMdEgUaqiPn0Oo4kIoWSsvh2NFsNl2cwo3QoLwbzjLZ2w-WEGvKB9pCo1juUdcak0yHPnU7fgYro_bS4Gzul5nxVghbTXQPuAM/s640/ed014Tpz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tree at the Entrance of China Camp on the S.F. Bay Shoreline</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29C_2qgARUgohlm7ZXHD0NdpvKUMa540pEe_RcvSfKAJf-j9yGov1ca8zyMGoKpbIKim6PmDMJa3PBolU0YRb7576mofynoku0iOLqXxV2NNgbqzmNDcgTsrTuLmewxLB61H63x4A0Gk/s1600/ed067bTpzAdjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29C_2qgARUgohlm7ZXHD0NdpvKUMa540pEe_RcvSfKAJf-j9yGov1ca8zyMGoKpbIKim6PmDMJa3PBolU0YRb7576mofynoku0iOLqXxV2NNgbqzmNDcgTsrTuLmewxLB61H63x4A0Gk/s640/ed067bTpzAdjusted.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My favorite winter tree at Mt. View Cemetery</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFNgkEaMbuT-XlqGq37-UDajJYx7yfKy-O3ESOwgTOIrYlccbzendg0Bj_nFmiDBUtWS-8puitsQ6fmfqg-x_yg4My7ra1XlrF4RED0yftb3fbKDcDJXcChejbWBRJ5PztVb6K_HspKU/s1600/ed058TpzbStrn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFNgkEaMbuT-XlqGq37-UDajJYx7yfKy-O3ESOwgTOIrYlccbzendg0Bj_nFmiDBUtWS-8puitsQ6fmfqg-x_yg4My7ra1XlrF4RED0yftb3fbKDcDJXcChejbWBRJ5PztVb6K_HspKU/s640/ed058TpzbStrn2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Coit Tower atop a San Francisco Hill</div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-7178200518634780782012-11-11T22:36:00.000-08:002012-11-11T23:32:52.253-08:00Fresh Cranberry MousseHere is a delicious cranberry dish that has fresh cranberries, not the canned jelly kind. My sister discovered it about 15 years ago, and we have been making it every year since. It is a great dish for Thanksgiving, but also a wonderful addition to the holiday dinners that fall somewhere in December. Not only is it delicious, it is easy too!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzG-tNHArPDFakcY7Yy9WzshMa6bH38XXxC2vhGJ0GAHfZf7U2ri7LhHBJ-3E1diBjAat1RLCxA162Feus8xxreCi4zL1aKzKD6Lxx4oYBM_J_21xeG825XD4AZdXtMVuzn1Zpi4-xyw/s1600/Cranberry+Mousse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzG-tNHArPDFakcY7Yy9WzshMa6bH38XXxC2vhGJ0GAHfZf7U2ri7LhHBJ-3E1diBjAat1RLCxA162Feus8xxreCi4zL1aKzKD6Lxx4oYBM_J_21xeG825XD4AZdXtMVuzn1Zpi4-xyw/s400/Cranberry+Mousse.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cranberry Mousse</span></b> <br />
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12 oz. fresh cranberries - sorted and rinsed
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1 sm. 8 oz. can of crushed* pineapple - drained
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8 oz. cream cheese
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1/2-3/4 cup powdered sugar**
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4-6 oz. of Cool Whip*** - thawed
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Grind cranberries coarsely in a food grinder. Combine in a bowl with drained pineapple. Blend cream cheese and sugar with a mixer. Fold Cool Whip in by hand. Add to cranberry and pineapple mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Refrigerate for at least an hour, but longer if possible to let it set.
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*if you can't get crushed pineapple, get the tidbits or chunks and grind them coarsly like the cranberries.<br />
** I can't promise good results if any other type of sugar is used.<br />
***the original recipe calls for 8oz. of Cool Whip, but from my experience, it makes the mousse too soupy.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">I hope you try this recipe and make it a part of your holiday celebrations just as I have!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I'm posting over at...</span></div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-70226780997861986732012-10-14T12:33:00.000-07:002012-10-14T12:33:39.472-07:00Time To Get Your Ghoul On...Over at <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" rel="nofollow">PicMonkey</a>. I couldn't help but play around with the Halloween editing tools to turn one of my selfies into a ghoul. Below is a gif showing the transformation, and I did it all in the PicMonkey editing program. I am a combination of a zombie, vampire, witch, and demon. It is great fun, you should give it a try! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXY535ZAwcQOelhCbhV3T_nm7VbRDgnPLhpGxT1GBV5mTrhKsPGxcVZogEDWfXB8CMjnMYMKvSKaK7Sn2K1Z_8hOeWTpNxdoi1WpjeZ3PtFySQsShi5yLcXWhVYrHiGdvd5CndBfJrKgE/s1600/zMe-Ghoul+1pt0.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXY535ZAwcQOelhCbhV3T_nm7VbRDgnPLhpGxT1GBV5mTrhKsPGxcVZogEDWfXB8CMjnMYMKvSKaK7Sn2K1Z_8hOeWTpNxdoi1WpjeZ3PtFySQsShi5yLcXWhVYrHiGdvd5CndBfJrKgE/s400/zMe-Ghoul+1pt0.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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You don't even have to start with a great photo because there are a lot of regular tools in PicMonkey to fix it up, but hey we're turning them into ghouls, so who cares : ) My eyes are squinty because I'm a but tipsy in the picture. I hate taking selfies, so the only time I will let down my guard is when I've had a few drinks...it is a big joke with my friends over on flickr.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-47437596328066071352012-09-03T19:49:00.000-07:002012-09-03T20:30:26.349-07:00A Glorious Morning For this week's <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday" rel="nofollow">Texture Tuesday</a> Anything Goes eDition I decided to post some pictures I edited with the Rad Lab editing program. I was introduced to the program by one of Kim's posts and really enjoyed using it on the photos I took of the fog and light in the redwoods. I used various Rad Lab stylets on these photos to give the fog and light an ethereal/surreal look and feel.<br />
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There were lots of spider webs throughout the redwoods. Luckily they were made visible by the fog.</div>
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It was absolutely exhilarating, and somewhat of a holy moment to witness this light show.</div>
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Each photo has different stylets used on them to achieve the warm soft effects, along with various cloning or straightening done in <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" rel="nofollow">PicMonkey</a>. </div>
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It's time to get posting to see what everyone else is up to over at...</div>
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-53834263017451737562012-08-06T20:42:00.000-07:002012-08-07T20:35:38.371-07:00Amazing Mango SalsaI wasn't going to post a recipe today, but when I started cutting up this mango to make mango salsa, I couldn't resist taking a photo of the starburst cuts in it. Then after tasting the salsa, I just had to share the recipe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY58z4ARZGz9dVDovRscb9_JxitgS7bFYiQdm5UR8JBx2yEVfgejW1VML1cfipGcsTsiggo846iT3i5SbwWAEdOQbDfD6-ofLqYz_EOvVidb4EQKJGERbBEeZcxstJ8gW9Ku74KiN0PYQ/s1600/zed036bRdLb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY58z4ARZGz9dVDovRscb9_JxitgS7bFYiQdm5UR8JBx2yEVfgejW1VML1cfipGcsTsiggo846iT3i5SbwWAEdOQbDfD6-ofLqYz_EOvVidb4EQKJGERbBEeZcxstJ8gW9Ku74KiN0PYQ/s640/zed036bRdLb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Martha Stewart showed this technique for cutting mangos on one of her shows, and I have cut mine like that ever since. Here is a video to show you a few ways to cut a mango:</div>
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<strong>The secret to making a great mango salsa is having a fresh, sweet mango that is firm, yet ripe.</strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Fresh Mango Salsa</span></strong></div>
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1 large ripe Mango, diced</div>
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1/2 cup diced Pineapple or small can of crushed (drained)</div>
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6-7 stems of Cilantro chopped (leaves only)</div>
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2 green onions chopped</div>
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1/2 chopped Jalepeno Pepper (adds some seeds for a bit of a pop)</div>
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1/4 cup diced Sweet Peppers (Red or Orange, see photo above)</div>
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1 Garlic clove finely chopped or 1/2 teas. Garlic in the refrigerated tube</div>
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juice of 1/2 fresh Lime</div>
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2 Tbl. of Olive Oil</div>
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salt or pepper to taste (I don't use it though :)</div>
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After chopping and dicing all the ingredients, combine them in a bowl. Squeeze the lime over the chopped ingredients and then add the olive oil. Stir thoroughly to combine the flavors. If you can, allow the ingredients to mingle for 1/2 hour before eating. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips. Serves 4 as an appetizer with other food.</div>
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The beauty of this recipe is that you can use it simply as a guideline, and add more or less of an ingredient to suit your taste.<br />
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<strong>If you try this recipe, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do : )</strong></div>
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Time to get posting over at...<br />
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<center><a border="0" href="http://www.back4secondsblog.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r625/back4seconds/button2.png"/></a></center>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-8181998140484848192012-07-30T20:37:00.000-07:002012-08-07T10:27:09.853-07:00Moist, Dense, and Delicious...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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describes the carrot cake that I am sharing today. I can't take credit for this easy and delicious recipe because I found it on the back of Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour bag. When I read the recipe it looked easy enough, so I gave it a try and have been making it for the past year whenever I want a quick and simple desert. If you can grate a few carrots and chop some walnuts, you can make this easy recipe. I usually make the cake and not the frosting, but I thought I would give the frosting a try so I could taste it to see if the recipe was good enough to post, and it is : )
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Here is the recipe from the back of the pastry flour bag, and the credit that was given to the woman who created the recipe...<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Carrot Cake</span></strong></div>
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This uncommonly moist and flavorful Carrot Cake recipe was the "Grand Prize winner" in a recent Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods Baking Contest. Thanks to Nola Silver of Seattle, Washington for her baking skill and recipe.</div>
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1/2 cup Brown Sugar 2 Eggs</div>
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1/2 cup White Sugar 1/2 tsp Salt</div>
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1/2 cup Canola Oil 1tsp Cinnamon</div>
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Mix all ingredients well. Add the following:</div>
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1 cup Bob's Red Mill 1/4 cup Chopped Walnuts</div>
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Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 8 ounces Crushed Pineapple, Drained</div>
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1 cup Grated Carrots 3/4 tsp Baking Soda</div>
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1 tsp Baking Powder</div>
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Mix. Bake at 350 degrees F. in a greased 8"x8" or 9"x9" pan until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. About 50 minutes.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Cream Cheese Frosting</span></strong> </div>
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3 Tbsp Cream Cheese, softened* 1/2 tsp Vanilla</div>
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3 Tbsp Margarine, softened** Powdered Sugar, 1/4 to 1/3 cup***</div>
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Using a wooden spoon, whip the cream cheese, margarine and vanilla until smooth. Sift in the powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp at a time, and stir until a creamy smooth frosting is achieved.</div>
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*I just used 2 oz. as it was easier to measure.</div>
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**I used butter instead of margarine.</div>
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***I used 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.</div>
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And that was that! Mmm...now I must go finish off that piece of cake I used for these photos.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrpGofqs6hEL3kRHfsChTBoP4OCkm6mMSrxRhXXY1_29S80Ul8vDvSIYRShFLwaDohFgY9rwoBpL485ZgFPQrD6NrFncVGlKhQPHNRvrXDbII25kGvic7gszxmgOYd5OxLZqyPpoAY4c/s1600/edz527bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrpGofqs6hEL3kRHfsChTBoP4OCkm6mMSrxRhXXY1_29S80Ul8vDvSIYRShFLwaDohFgY9rwoBpL485ZgFPQrD6NrFncVGlKhQPHNRvrXDbII25kGvic7gszxmgOYd5OxLZqyPpoAY4c/s640/edz527bb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong>I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy it as much as I do!</strong></div>
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Time to get posting over at...</div>
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<img alt="http://salttree.net/" height="125" src="http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd394/salttree/newbutton125x125.jpg" width="125" /></center>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-80167291427147284972012-07-23T22:16:00.000-07:002012-07-24T12:52:49.494-07:00Sloppy Joe SlidersI love scouring food blogs for recipes that are familiar, and made from scratch. I am on a mission to cook and eat healthier by ridding my kitchen of processed foods. I know I can't possibly get rid of all processed foods, as I love condiments and cheeses, but I am working on replacing boxed and canned foods with homemade versions I make from scratch.
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When I post or recommend a recipe, I like to make it more than once to be sure that the flavor and texture is consistent. Too many times I've read posts where the commenters got different results when they tried out the same recipe. I also like to make sure it is a recipe that I would try more than once simply because I like it and want to incorporate it into my cooking routine. Today's recipes are ones that I will continue to make, and share with family and friends.
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Here's how to make a delicous sloppy joe slider...</strong></span>
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Today's sloppy joe recipe came from a blog I discovered last month, <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/sloppy-joes/" rel="nofollow">The Pioneer Woman</a>. I not only enjoy her recipes, I really enjoy reading her humorous posts.
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The rolls for the sloppy joe sliders came from another blog I discovered last month, <a href="http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2010/11/whole-wheat-dinner-rolls.html" rel="nofollow">For The Love of Cooking</a>. I enjoy reading through her recipes as they are simple to make, and taste delicious.
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To see and print the recipes from today's post, go here for the <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/sloppy-joes/" rel="nofollow">sloppy joe</a> recipe, and here for the <a href="http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2010/11/whole-wheat-dinner-rolls.html" rel="nofollow">whole wheat rolls</a> recipe. I thought it would be easier to just send you to their sites as they have a print button and I haven't figured out how to install one yet, and perhaps you will look around and find some wonderful recipes from their blogs to try : )
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Although I am a grown woman, I have to admit that I still love sloppy joe. I like to make a big batch and take it for my lunch during the week, and freeze some for when I want a quick snack or perhaps dinner. Unfortunately, my recipe uses a can of that manly sloppy joe mix, but I also doctored it up with ketchup, bbq sauce, green pepper, and onion. Not only did I like my recipe, but many people have asked me for it and used it on special occasions. I even sold it at the specialty meat market and deli I used to work at before I moved to California. So I especially like The Pioneer Woman's sloppy joe recipe because it tastes just like my recipe, only it doesn't have the can of processed sloppy joe mix, or the processed bbq sauce. It does use ketchup, but I got over my guilt by buying organic ketchup ; )
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Gotta have pickles with my sloppy joe!</div>
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I was so excited when I found the whole wheat roll recipe as I was feeling a bit guilty for using white bread flour in the new <a href="http://cathy-abitofthisabitofthat.blogspot.com/2012/07/in-knead-of-dough.html" rel="nofollow">Mom's Dinner Rolls</a> recipe I blogged about last week. This whole wheat roll recipe has all the same ingredients as the Mom's Dinner Rolls recipe except that you exchange 1 1/4 cups of whole wheat flour for 1 1/4 cups of the white bread flour. Also, the whole wheat roll recipe insists that you not use plastic wrap to cover the rolls while they rise. I have to admit that I covered them with plastic wrap and was ready to let them rise, but then I quickly replaced it with a towel because I had put to much time into making them to take a chance at ruining them. See...<br />
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If you print the recipe for the whole wheat rolls, be sure to write the baking temperature which is 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. It was included in the blog post, but forgotten on the printable recipe.<br />
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While making the sloppy joe, I cut the recipe in half. I used 1/2 Tbls. worchestershire sauce, and the tomato paste that was an optional ingredient. I didn't use the butter or hot sauce though.<br />
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<strong>If you decide to try these delicious recipes, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do : )</strong></div>
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O.K., I'm off to post over at...</div>
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<br />Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-29512986780665978782012-07-15T18:21:00.000-07:002012-07-24T12:50:33.802-07:00In Knead of Dough...This past year I have been thinking back to my childhood and remembering the wonderful rolls my mother used to make. Mom never told us when she was going to make rolls or bread, we would just come home from school to find the dining room table filled with her wonderful rolls and loaves of bread. It was usually the first warm, sunny day in April. She would have soft butter and homemade strawberry jam waiting for us to slather on the rolls. All this left me and my siblings sighing as though we had gone to heaven.
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My Mother was from Kentucky, and was a great Southern cook. I learned to cook a lot of recipes from my mom by hanging out in the kitchen when I was growing up, but one thing I never learned to make was my mother's rolls. The reason for this is because my mother only made bread dough when I was at school. Maybe she thought rising dough was too delicate a matter, and didn't want kids underfoot. Really, I am not sure and I never seriously thought about it until recently. I think perhaps this has something to do with my fear of baking with yeast, I was never instructed how to do it properly.
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In my quest to to replicate that wonderful flavor, I've tried to use frozen dough, and even bought a bread machine, but they both were lacking that homemade taste and texture. Along with the yeasty flavor, my mother's rolls and bread had more of a yellow color and a salty taste, which was lacking in the white breads I've tasted. <br />
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As luck would have it, a few weeks ago I came across a recipe for "Mom's Rolls" while browsing <a href="http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2008/12/moms-dinner-rolls.html" rel="nofollow">For the Love of Cooking</a> blog. I wondered if these rolls could be similar to the rolls my mother made. After reading the recipe, I wasted no time trying it out.
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What I like most about the recipe is that it is made in the bread machine using the dough cycle, then allowed to rise on a cookie sheet, and finally is baked in the oven. I knew I could do that, so here is my "Mom's Roll" success story...
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My first try : )</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mom's Dinner Rolls</span></strong></div>
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<strong>Adapted from: <a href="http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2008/12/moms-dinner-rolls.html" rel="nofollow">For the Love of Cooking</a> </strong></div>
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<li>1 cup of water</li>
<li>2 tbsp of butter, softened</li>
<li>1 egg (hold under warm water before breaking it)</li>
<li>3 1/4 cup of bread flour</li>
<li>1/4 cup of sugar</li>
<li>1 tsp salt</li>
<li>3 tsp regular active dry yeast</li>
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Place all dough ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed. Select the dough cycle and press start. Once the bread machine stops (it was one and a half hours on my machine). <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I added this step from my bread machine directions as the dough was too sticky coming out of the breadmachine.)</span><br />
Lightly sprinkle all-purpose flour onto a pastry mat or board. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, remove dough from the bread pan and place on lightly floured surface. Knead by hand 2-3 times* to release the air. <br />
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Grease a cookie sheet. Divide dough into 15 pieces and shape each piece into a ball. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Brush with butter** then cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place 30 to 40 minutes or until doubled in size.<br />
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!<br />
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* For more of a bread-like texture to use as buns, knead for about a minute to get the air out of the dough.<br />
** I sprayed the 2nd and 3rd batch I made with cooking spray before rising, and brushed with butter right after they came out of the oven.<br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is my try at this recipe and the stages just before they go in the oven</span></div>
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This is the first batch of rolls I made. In the left picture the rolls have dimples because I had to pop the big air bubbles that formed when I didn't knead the dough. For the 2nd and 3rd batch I made, I kneaded the dough as stated above and didn't have that problem.<br />
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Well if you are wondering if these rolls are just like my mom's, not exactly, but I love them anyway. These rolls are really delicious and make a nice all-purpose roll. I use them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They don't have preservatives, so toasting or grilling them after a few days keeps 'ems soft when making a sandwich. These rolls can be frozen and taken out before needed to keep them fresh for a longer period of time. They also make great mini panini sandwiches when they are a day or two old.<br />
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I hope this recipe inspires those of you who have a bread machine gathering dust on a shelf. Give this recipe a try, you won't regret it...really!<br />
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<center>I'm hooking up with these sites to see what other delicious recipes I can find...</center></div>
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<center><a href="http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/07/makin-you-crave-monday_15.html" rel="nofollow">Mrs. Happy Homemaker~Making You Crave Monday</a></CENTER>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-64513141402540768392012-07-10T20:47:00.000-07:002012-09-03T19:42:13.082-07:00Texture Tuesday~Natural eDition<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Natural Happiness</span>
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When I see these bright yellow gerber daisies, I can't help but feel happiness, so naturally I had to use them for the theme this week at <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday" rel="nofollow">Texture Tuesday</a>
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Kim Klassen Textures Used:<br />
1st photo: Zen Thing, Happy Heart<br />
2nd photo: Zen Thing, Cool Grunge (Reversed)<br />
3rd photo: Zen Thing, Cool Grunge (Reversed)<br />
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Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-33978671259110372442012-07-02T22:25:00.000-07:002012-07-13T13:29:34.416-07:00What to do when life gives you lemons?Make lemon curd of course!
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As part of my quest to find healthy and delicious recipes, and to rid my kitchen of processed food, I've decided to post one recipe a week that has no processed food and is made with organic ingredients when ever possible. My first recipe is lemon curd.
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Last week my sister shared her bumper crop of lemons with me, and I decided to make some lemon curd. I had never made it before, so I searched the internet for recipes and came up with this one.
I liked that all the ingredients were mixed at the beginning, and that the egg wasn't added after it was heated.
For the most part, I used <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-curd/" rel="nofollow">a recipe from allrecipes.com</a> as a guide, and here is what I came up with.
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fresh Lemon Curd</span></strong>
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<strong>Ingredients:</strong>
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3 eggs + 1 yolk (i took all the white squiggly things off the yolks)
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1 cup of sugar
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1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (4 med. size lemons)<br />
1 TBL grated lemon peel<br />
1/4 cup of butter, melted<br />
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<strong>Directions:</strong><br />
1. In a heatproof bowl use a whisk to beat the eggs until the whites and yolks are combined.
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2. Add the sugar and combine with the eggs.
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3. Add the lemon juice, zest, & butter and combine with the egg and sugar mixture.
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4. After all the ingredients are thoroughly combined, sit the bowl over a pan* of gently simmering water, making sure the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl.<br />
5. Continue to stir with a whisk for 15 minutes. The lemon curd will start to thicken around 5 mins. into the cooking, but I cooked it the entire 15 mins. because of the raw eggs.
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6. Remove the lemon curd from the heat and set aside to cool, stirring occasionally to keep a skin from forming over the top.
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7. Once cooled, spoon the lemon curd into containers and refrigerate until ready to use.<br />
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<strong>Step 1 photo:</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlO3WEP3_ZH8Hh0sU_7h2Hz-ACeMPNBa9eW7jRID-p_GGRwMEHEDRuui0e3rY_OxDiO4jem5ID-X6Emj7TqRcb9c5utZ0fUuGjRZ204VA-aJSIo3nPrjR5Pst2dM1G1QDJOxPNptST54/s1600/ed019b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlO3WEP3_ZH8Hh0sU_7h2Hz-ACeMPNBa9eW7jRID-p_GGRwMEHEDRuui0e3rY_OxDiO4jem5ID-X6Emj7TqRcb9c5utZ0fUuGjRZ204VA-aJSIo3nPrjR5Pst2dM1G1QDJOxPNptST54/s400/ed019b.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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Oops, there is no lemon zest here, it is my second batch and the lemon skins were too soft to get the zest from them, </div>
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so I did without. It didn't have as tart a flavor as the first batch did. I preferred the zest : )</div>
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<strong>Step 4 photo:</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvR7TI63EMWY8kNuUZE2kSHfNHjHs-kg_3HaewchfR659YsgWL7I5EoLk_SnTk8MOGLCjX3yrZLjl0p3uSFadg56i3nnAdIzoh_Lnl-qU-mjr98mtRxwnT7S5IXHeSlx-bly5SkIJ_b8/s1600/ed032b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvR7TI63EMWY8kNuUZE2kSHfNHjHs-kg_3HaewchfR659YsgWL7I5EoLk_SnTk8MOGLCjX3yrZLjl0p3uSFadg56i3nnAdIzoh_Lnl-qU-mjr98mtRxwnT7S5IXHeSlx-bly5SkIJ_b8/s400/ed032b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Step 5 photo:</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uu7_Cu_5QR-6oeSwz1aZ6RoIG4OwtpETYHKATr8azi1R4Qf9XlCCIlCuwzc-6YvceojXMHx9AY6pmCJfMYRdLmHGBejkt2aIO-QylXaoPfkZrEgZdArsOmrKwN4_36f4JKDnv4R3spE/s1600/ed038b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uu7_Cu_5QR-6oeSwz1aZ6RoIG4OwtpETYHKATr8azi1R4Qf9XlCCIlCuwzc-6YvceojXMHx9AY6pmCJfMYRdLmHGBejkt2aIO-QylXaoPfkZrEgZdArsOmrKwN4_36f4JKDnv4R3spE/s320/ed038b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is starting to coat the sides of the bowl and is getting air bubbles.</div>
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<strong>Step 7 photo:</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoude2XgguGy9Eg9pBp2pMtoTV_pAP2EL-q5HKST0DAszrHfb0g4t6P2y2cl_Q1sKrCcvpTPNN2OGYQ_ualWr_4fXAsFaIW2Lq1A5l5I7D2R4W8jleOsTshvTknpp5dJbucHDCW75zLJs/s1600/ed056b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoude2XgguGy9Eg9pBp2pMtoTV_pAP2EL-q5HKST0DAszrHfb0g4t6P2y2cl_Q1sKrCcvpTPNN2OGYQ_ualWr_4fXAsFaIW2Lq1A5l5I7D2R4W8jleOsTshvTknpp5dJbucHDCW75zLJs/s400/ed056b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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This recipe made three 4 ounce containers and a wee bit left over for me to enjoy : )</div>
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This is my second batch and I still have some in refrigerator from the first, </div>
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so I put it in plastic containers to see how it holds up in the freezer. I'll update if it works out.</div>
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<strong>P.S.</strong> I made thumbprint cookies to fill with the lemon curd. They were delicious, but they were too rich to pair with the richness of the lemon curd. Eventhough they were tasty, I wouldn't pair them up again, that is why I didn't include the recipe.<br />
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*This is what I used to cook my lemon curd. It is a makeshift double boiler, but it got the job done. <span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H8wY6MRZmb6hpF-g80GkHxtDvCQmeJ0ks71tCWepbcWcDAJiG3QMfbDHy-ZfMq1i2LXOPmNSMRL-EPeHzm0Cb82VrjyJzt1v_JIEX2TDvDmjluBAsHmqcuZ5hpRDdeL1wAkb2RtsHhM/s1600/PicMonkey+CollageWords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H8wY6MRZmb6hpF-g80GkHxtDvCQmeJ0ks71tCWepbcWcDAJiG3QMfbDHy-ZfMq1i2LXOPmNSMRL-EPeHzm0Cb82VrjyJzt1v_JIEX2TDvDmjluBAsHmqcuZ5hpRDdeL1wAkb2RtsHhM/s400/PicMonkey+CollageWords.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Test to be sure that the bowl doesn't touch the water. Do this by adding 1/2 inch of water to the pan and setting the bowl in it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Check the bottom of the bowl to see if it is wet. If it is wet, the bowl is sitting too low so you will need a wider bowl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really enjoyed making this recipe, and the delicious lemon curd that it made, I hope you will too!</span></div>
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These are my favorite photos this week, so I'm hooking up with Texture Tuesday...this Tuesday is the first Tuesday of the month which means it's <strong>'Not Necessarily Texture Tuesday</strong>'! Basically this allows you to link up any fav photo you like... textured or not, processed or not... anything goes.... Just share your most recent fav photo with the TT community.</div>
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I can't wait to see what everyone else has come up with!</div>
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<center><a href="http://kimklassen.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="kimklassendotcom" src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/graphics/kk_ttbuton.jpg" /></a></center>
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<center>I'm also linking up with...</center>
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<center><a href="http://www.crispphotoworks.com/category/food-photography-challenge/"><img src="http://www.crispphotoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/weekly-stew.png" alt="Food Photography Challenge" style="border:0;weight:150px;height:150px"/></a></center>
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<center><a href="http://www.creationsbykara.com/"><br /> <img alt="Creations by Kara" border="0" src="http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac266/karablogs/creations%20by%20kara/look-what-i-made.gif" title="Creations by Kara" width="150" /></a></center>
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<br />
<center><br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/g00dy2sh0es/linky2.jpg" /></a><br /> </center>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-57846497211809348072012-06-26T20:44:00.000-07:002012-06-26T20:44:40.984-07:00Texture Tuesday ~ The Posey eDitionI planned on getting my <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday" rel="nofollow">Texture Tuesday</a> posey photo when I went up to Mt. Diablo on Monday. I had gone to Mt. Diablo in the middle of the summer last year, and there were some huge thistle flowers, only they were dried up already. So I thought perhaps I could go early in the summer and catch them while they were all purple and freshly blooming, but still I was too late. Not only were they dried up already, they were really scarce. I only found one small clump of them, while last year they were everywhere to be found. Well, they were still beautiful in their dried up state, and looked even lovelier when I added <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/" rel="nofollow">Kim Klassen's</a> textures to them. Here is what I was able to capture of the thistles.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iBMP9lZO4XsbczAJyRSxrW8SHUpq6G06a33sJ6vRU0L8GFkxT5Sw6VMYIq7h4LsJTZuZjIYlJEBeP9MC5yTsdeIgwG8GqKyZSX75GREZkm6Hm2x5QolAtyroItMfqt3GoiV-hEqsgeQ/s1600/kked117kkRev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iBMP9lZO4XsbczAJyRSxrW8SHUpq6G06a33sJ6vRU0L8GFkxT5Sw6VMYIq7h4LsJTZuZjIYlJEBeP9MC5yTsdeIgwG8GqKyZSX75GREZkm6Hm2x5QolAtyroItMfqt3GoiV-hEqsgeQ/s640/kked117kkRev.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">On this photo I only used Kim's new texture, Reverie. I like how it lightened and softened the photo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodThXkvr_AXzojboA2hz-amikWrlIgh-wmPS6H7J6wUl1CspsfW7Rhhvbp-cmpYimzDPy38YOpDWdTKPKK3AciRf84zB2tAeO8K35YptbIdiiyPh76X2YmhZQLkJELcapyeYwa93i8Mc/s1600/kked183kkSerRevMaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodThXkvr_AXzojboA2hz-amikWrlIgh-wmPS6H7J6wUl1CspsfW7Rhhvbp-cmpYimzDPy38YOpDWdTKPKK3AciRf84zB2tAeO8K35YptbIdiiyPh76X2YmhZQLkJELcapyeYwa93i8Mc/s640/kked183kkSerRevMaz.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">Textures used: Serendipity<span style="color: black;">,</span></span><span style="color: black;"> Mayzee, & Reverie</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOD3mmHgqWNVjLvxkg1FWrZrmj4VQmjHYmEdTAKmYsPsMjhSr1aZOKcy-nJrTWMvdUiuwZOefv4matRxbdGT93G0xEZ8WI5s5KKMtyQvekiit8-SiIj0xeA2scd1XMJCxtv2q6ICdlKwg/s1600/kked156ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOD3mmHgqWNVjLvxkg1FWrZrmj4VQmjHYmEdTAKmYsPsMjhSr1aZOKcy-nJrTWMvdUiuwZOefv4matRxbdGT93G0xEZ8WI5s5KKMtyQvekiit8-SiIj0xeA2scd1XMJCxtv2q6ICdlKwg/s640/kked156ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-size: x-small;">Textures used: Serendipity & Reverie</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspGLtinHA4CWQmJ4N_koJaiSOhg-TAB3mdmifhGEGTBL7cF6bGMZ0hdpyupe2vK_AuojGlDfI-hMNrA8rhaq4WC_cHZAHwmqr2Hl87_YCVS41ninMe029FAUwaIDA7XesGrhXOYwR_Lw/s1600/kk+ed190kkSerenRev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspGLtinHA4CWQmJ4N_koJaiSOhg-TAB3mdmifhGEGTBL7cF6bGMZ0hdpyupe2vK_AuojGlDfI-hMNrA8rhaq4WC_cHZAHwmqr2Hl87_YCVS41ninMe029FAUwaIDA7XesGrhXOYwR_Lw/s640/kk+ed190kkSerenRev.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Textures used: Serendipity & Reverie</span></div>
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I got to Mt. Diablo early in the morning, and the birds were quite active. They sounded so beautiful, I had to capture the sound on a video. This video was captured on one of my old Kodak cameras, it only has 6 mps, so the visual quality isn't so great, but the sound of the birds is pretty amazing, it is just a quick sample of what I heard at one of my favorite places on Mt. Diablo. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzjpcCAGGKl212OHuEXa4VEx0ecee8wKbKq56gpDjHm6XMeeFKubcPnWQSTdMKrWw_QxCasjYhdkSCo1bIQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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On the way out of the park, I saw this tree and grazing horses. I couldn't resist getting a few more shots before I left for home.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpHpXXBNWGkvTjD_4zjQ6S9TfDCL9Y6GWt6geZFcPJ1FIdhDwB5dfAgWLqZC6w5GaXlMlny2bI9zOWY6_dHxtj-ZY1AOyPZhMT6CVECB1ttUJtc0ugv6XLgL9qmGk1C6ZkIOJ5DjhVEc/s1600/ed441bbbbcccPkMk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpHpXXBNWGkvTjD_4zjQ6S9TfDCL9Y6GWt6geZFcPJ1FIdhDwB5dfAgWLqZC6w5GaXlMlny2bI9zOWY6_dHxtj-ZY1AOyPZhMT6CVECB1ttUJtc0ugv6XLgL9qmGk1C6ZkIOJ5DjhVEc/s640/ed441bbbbcccPkMk2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIvKixSDeQ8GF-3Iz1iavRAJnWXuopjX8ZdoxSMZ91oj8GGbvzCvtGq6-thFmT2G4pUzQVe8kfe_zYXaPfILQwoe6n9IZPCH6yJkTLDCAyqomWssoLDslc2Y-IKjDTOQXJr-hLz6bHoA/s1600/ed425bbbcln2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIvKixSDeQ8GF-3Iz1iavRAJnWXuopjX8ZdoxSMZ91oj8GGbvzCvtGq6-thFmT2G4pUzQVe8kfe_zYXaPfILQwoe6n9IZPCH6yJkTLDCAyqomWssoLDslc2Y-IKjDTOQXJr-hLz6bHoA/s640/ed425bbbcln2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well, that was my visit to Mt. Diablo in a nutshell : )</div>
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Now it's time to go over and see what everyone else has posted at...</div>
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<center><a href="http://kimklassen.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="kimklassendotcom" src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/graphics/kk_ttbuton.jpg" /></a></center>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-31213982901105544242012-06-19T11:05:00.000-07:002012-06-19T11:05:56.062-07:00Texture Tuesday ~ free and easy eDition<br />
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<center><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass, </span></center><center><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
</span></center><center><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Henry Miller</span></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4aLK7zFBagDxccivo9J1BM3PjLoWKAYqC05XEwsqAS4zaasHGEZs8XCNtTgXRdOdDQ580-czPv2w1WL63JgmcTDgA1qct2amUP7d54XesMFksSl_tKftS8jVTjEEoLZSZ0k-I2t-rnE/s1600/111kkHappyHeart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4aLK7zFBagDxccivo9J1BM3PjLoWKAYqC05XEwsqAS4zaasHGEZs8XCNtTgXRdOdDQ580-czPv2w1WL63JgmcTDgA1qct2amUP7d54XesMFksSl_tKftS8jVTjEEoLZSZ0k-I2t-rnE/s640/111kkHappyHeart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Edited with Kim Klassen's Happy Heart texture.</span></div>
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<center>Time to post over at...</center>
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<center><a href="http://kimklassencafe.com/" mce_href="http://kimklassencafe.com" target="_blank"><img alt="kimklassencafe" mce_src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/button150.png" src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/button150.png" /></a></center>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-15505512431600377852012-06-15T16:46:00.000-07:002012-06-16T07:58:08.753-07:00Edit Me 2012 Challenge - Week 24<br />
<center>This week's photo was provided by our guest judge Jaymi from</center>
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<center><a href="http://jaymiblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Live, Love, TRAVEL" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7108249689_b235464963_o.jpg" /></a></center>
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When I saw this picture I wanted to add a warm sunkissed look to her delicate features. I used PSE 9, RadLab, and PicMonkey to achieve the look.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg1hA9n7UrGV4o5ZomKH0qmFJaXs9uf5v3OFvXv4Prsndndi301ngb06AOSy2wXZ6QP13x4Qana9X9JDyrhK1Phlkv0C6y6ou2DXfMLFqDwksyyKxj1uOGs7_kAjbXQLGWmNpdfUJrzU/s1600/editmewk24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg1hA9n7UrGV4o5ZomKH0qmFJaXs9uf5v3OFvXv4Prsndndi301ngb06AOSy2wXZ6QP13x4Qana9X9JDyrhK1Phlkv0C6y6ou2DXfMLFqDwksyyKxj1uOGs7_kAjbXQLGWmNpdfUJrzU/s640/editmewk24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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~ In PSE I sharpened the photo and gave it a levels boost.<br />
~ In RadLab I added the stylets, Prettizer and Cinnamon Toast to give it a soft warm look.<br />
~ In Pic Monkey I cloned out the wheat heads and stems and filled in the areas affected. I replaced the rocks behind her with soft flowers. Then to give her a warm summer glow, I ran the airbrush over her skin at the default setting. Finally I cropped it square, and that was that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pAfR9rOGa8cqvL0nSMl_a_b301WTiwxBMAQ4DXcobzMaSEN05v9vxskKC_4jUsYl-qpoqh_yoTU9czmq980JZLQjnKPZGpbygF85IVg0lgitMWVOj72LicznyrfS33QP1UW_0ALaCg4/s1600/editmewk24final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pAfR9rOGa8cqvL0nSMl_a_b301WTiwxBMAQ4DXcobzMaSEN05v9vxskKC_4jUsYl-qpoqh_yoTU9czmq980JZLQjnKPZGpbygF85IVg0lgitMWVOj72LicznyrfS33QP1UW_0ALaCg4/s640/editmewk24final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<center>I really enjoyed editing this photo. She looks so comfortable and natural in this summer field setting. <br />
Thanks for the photo challenge this week Jaymi!</center>
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<center>Time to post over at...</center>
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<center><a href="http://editmechallenge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Edit Me" border="0" src="http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb414/stephaniesclark/editbutton200x200-3.jpg" /></a></center>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702123637995323609.post-11185573614051693992012-06-04T19:36:00.000-07:002012-06-04T19:36:45.246-07:00Texture Tuesday...A Quote and A TextureI was too busy to take pictures this week for Kim Klassen's <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday" rel="nofollow">Texture Tuesday</a> quote-eDition, so I had to search my archives for a photo. I was looking for something simple and minimal, and came across this picture I had taken at <a href="http://www.ebparks.org/parks/pt_isabel" rel="nofollow">Pt. Isabel</a> last year. I wanted to pair it up with a quote I found over at <a href="http://dontrainonmondays.blogspot.com/2012/05/wings.html" rel="nofollow">don't rain on mondays</a> (the quote is above the comment box). I found it to be inspirational and thought perhaps you would too : ) I added <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/" rel="nofollow">Kim Klassen's</a> Serious Magic texture to the picture and added the quote in <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" rel="nofollow">PicMonkey</a>, and here is what I came up with...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaII40NKgPKNBlxi6g3wfR5dcHsAQUQW-yi9tpL1LvHTSdRgpKYEEuX8yveJNzjwFcZfFQg2jbrmGyte4vJVCOSj9WY9l-rUOElPe-cKqYm7MG5hjHwe7FVERLsgGz0n2scZ6005zxD0o/s1600/Trojan+Horse+cp3232bSerMagWds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaII40NKgPKNBlxi6g3wfR5dcHsAQUQW-yi9tpL1LvHTSdRgpKYEEuX8yveJNzjwFcZfFQg2jbrmGyte4vJVCOSj9WY9l-rUOElPe-cKqYm7MG5hjHwe7FVERLsgGz0n2scZ6005zxD0o/s640/Trojan+Horse+cp3232bSerMagWds.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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After previewing, I realized the wording wasn't so clear, so here is the quote again.
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">To practice any art,
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">no matter how well or badly,
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">is a way to make your soul grow.
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">So do it.</span></b>
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~Kurt Vonnegut
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<center>I'm joining up with Texture Tuesday over at...</center><center> </center>
<center><a href="http://kimklassencafe.com/" mce_href="http://kimklassencafe.com" target="_blank"><img alt="kimklassencafe" mce_src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/button150.png" src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/button150.png" /></a></center><center> </center>
<center>Hope to see you there!</center>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120645265907870606noreply@blogger.com8