Hey all. This blog sort of hit a wall, mainly because I got a job! I am now a second grade teacher. I am not sure when I will have time to do fun things like being on the internet. Hopefully I will be able to post soon.
Bitten by the Macaron Bug
Yeah that's me, stroking my mustache. What can I say, it was about 2am.
Telling A-manda and I something is difficult or near impossible to do (but requires little or no special equipment) is a sure way to get our fire going. This has been the case with the sweet little diva biscuits known as macarons.
If you are like me the first thing I think of is macar-oo-ns the nasty little coconut hay stacks. They are great, if you like shredded coconut, which I don’t. If there is one thing we know here at with-an-a, one little letter makes all the difference. Macar-o-ns are delicious little cream filled sandwich cookies. The cookie is delicate, moist, and melty!
Posts about are adventures in perfecting our technique should follow soon. My diet is going to suffer…
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Tea Tasting with Pastry
Tea paste filled pastry and eucalyptus green tea.
A-manda, soon to be a featured tea reviewer on With-an-A, spent a fine day sampling pastries from Paris Baguette paired with some of her choice tea blends. The results were superb, and I thought I might share them with you.
I have included photos of our dainty treats, which I edited experimenting with a technique I picked up here. The directions are clear and easy to follow, and produced the fun results you have seen in my last few posts.
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A day at Lick Observatory
While the snow is bad for star viewing, it makes for really cool pictures of the observatory.
This morning looked lovely in San Jose, so I thought, “Hey lets go on an adventure to the Lick Observatory!” I have lived in San Jose for 20 years in total and have never managed to make it up there. So in the car we hopped and up the mountain we drove.
Birthday Log Day 2
Day 2; In which, the Queen of Hearts goes a little mad and has a tea party.
The Birthday Report Part 1
- “It’s a magic place where trash turns to treasure. Every trip here is an adventure.” -Last Chance Website
Ok so I did so many things for my Birthday that I need to tell you about it in 3 installments a week later. Truth is this is more of a digital scrap book for my self, but if you get something out of it well then, bonus!
Day One; In which, we visit the Marina dump and eat soup.
Posted in Adventuring
Tagged adventure, being frugal, birthday, food, friends, fun, shopping
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More Adventures in Felting!
TLDR
Posted in Blog Business, Needle Felting
Tagged commerce, commissions, crafting, needle felt, shameless plug
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Make your own tools!
Felting Needle Holder
I created and instructable on how to make this economic and cheep felting needle holder.
http://www.instructables.com/id/1-Felting-Needle-Holder-1-4-Needles/
Posted in Crafts, Needle Felting, Tutorials
Tagged being frugal, craft, needle felt, tutorial
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Ups and Downs
Su wants to make sure her tea service is perfect!
Every diet has it’s ups and downs. Right now I am on the ups, but I am not too concerned. I have lost a total of 13 pounds, and that has been fairly easy. I think I have reached the point where I need to make some more substantial lifestyle changes to reach and maintain my goals.
I am focusing on stepping up my activity levels, and doing some muscle training to help burn off more fat. I want to reduce my body fat percentage. Now that I am close to my goal weight I think that it is only logical to think more about healthy eating as opposed to just calorie control. This absolutely does not mean I am giving up bacon : P
If your curious about the header pick this post, it is because I am planning a tea party! We also just set up a business relationship with the local tea house to show off my husbands art work. We are super excited, and hope to have an artists reception there so stay tuned!
Oooooooh were half way there!
Baked Ahi Tuna, fresh garden tomatoes, curry rice and grilled asparagus. 370 Calories!
Ok I am actually more than half way there, but I can’t resist witty tittles. ; )
I have been on this diet for a month now, eating like a queen, and completing only minimal levels of exercise. So far I have lost 10.6Lb and I am 5.4Lb from my first goal weight. This was how much I weighed when I got married. I considered this a good first flag of progress.
Honestly when I started this process, I thought it would take me much longer (another 2 months) to reach this point. I have started to seriously wonder what the heck I have been eating up till now? I mean I knew that fast food was bad for me, but as I have stated before I have not been denying myself deserts, cheeses, bacon…any thing. However, I have gotten very picky about the quality of my food, so far burger chains are out.
I don’t really have advice for others interested in this kind of life change. Nothing that you can’t hear from any general practitioner. I am just here to say that it works. Just paying close attention to what passes into your mouth can change your life.
