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Saturday, May 10, 2008, by Leigh Anne
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I hope all you mother’s are enjoying a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. When someone asked me what I was doing for Mother’s Day my reply was - “Nothing!” I doubt that will really happen but it is wishful thinking! Jim is cooking dinner but I told him I would make dessert.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish my mom - Mary Anne Best - a Happy Mother’s Day. You see - I do have the Best mom! Thanks mom for being the Best - in more ways than one!
A saying that we would repeat while growing up was:
“Good, Better, Best…..Never let it rest til your good is better and your better is best!”
Thanks mom for teaching me to always be and do my Best!
The picture on the card was taken last month on Prom night. Yes, I am the shortest of all the women in our family! Can you see a family resemblance?
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Thursday, April 24, 2008, by Leigh Anne
No new post today because Jim and I are reacquainting ourselves with the sun - in Marco Island, Florida. Hopefully as you read this we are lounging poolside at our hotel with a group of other top leaders from my company networking and having a wonderful time together - and yes, I will be reading a couple of good books I brought along too!
Check back tomorrow though for a Friday Favorite recipe! It’s a good one.
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Thursday, February 14, 2008, by Leigh Anne
Happy Valentine’s Day - I hope you all have something special planned today, whether it is something with someone special or a special treat for yourself - you deserve it! My sweet husband I will be celebrating with our annual “Beach Babes and their Boys” Valentine dinner. I’ll introduce you to those friends sometime soon. I have to take appetizers and I’m still not sure what I’m taking so I better get busy.
I am excited to announce the winner of the February contest - which was chosen randomly using www.random.org
Yea Cariann! I know you like your chocolate dark and there is some dark chocolate in the package - so enjoy! It will be on it’s way to you tomorrow!!
Thanks to everyone who shared how they like their chocolate - it was so fun to read all the comments and preferences for chocolate!!
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008, by Leigh Anne
As part of the Great Inteview Experiment I had the opportunity to interview Erika of DRY Ink. It was fun to get to know Erika, another blogger. and now to introduce her to you. She shares some great tips on balancing home and work and I even got her to share a recipe with all of you (thought you’d like that) Enjoy Erika! I was interviewed by Courtney over at Malfeasance if you want to check it out!
1.You have been blogging since 2005 -what first attracted you to blogging and any tips for us newbie bloggers?
In early ‘05 my boss sent me a link to Dooce, because she was raised LDS and I am LDS. I looked at the web site and I was hooked! I was so naive, I thought, ‘I can do that!’ But I had NO idea how to get started. A few days later I told my husband about it, and he of course already new all about blogging, (he’s much more computer savvy and on top of new fads than me). He set up a blog on Blogger and started blogging.
I was ticked! That was my idea. So I started a blog on April 14th with a post about how Jeff had done it and I would not be out done. I had no idea what blogs would become back then. I just thought I was spewing my steam of consciousness out into cyber space, I didn’t even under stand how public that was, or how hard it would be to KEEP blogging and keep coming up with stuff to post. With in a few weeks I had a post all about looking for my funny, that I thought I had it when I started the blog, but couldn’t seem to find it any more.
As far as tips, that’s hard to say, everyone blogs for different reason, but I guess my best advice would be to be careful. There are people out there, for whatever reason, that just want to hurt you, either emotionally or physically and it can be really hard to distinguish an internet troll from a real whack job. So don’t put too much information out there. That’s why I no longer use my husband’s or oldest son’s last names.
2. Give us a little background on your blog name - DRY Ink?
DRY is an acronym of my blended family’s last names. I refer to my husband as Jeff DeBlog, because that what he set his blog under, but as I mention, I no longer use his real name, I of course am Rebstock, and my oldest son, Jacob makes up the Y portion of things. The Ink evolved from Inc. because I thought it was funny. I have tendency towards being rigid and controlling and all those other un-nice things, so it’s kinda of joke on me thinking, (delusionally) (yes I make up words too, just another of my many talents) that my word is the last word, you know, the ink dry, so it is so. I don’t know why I find this so funny.
3. You are a wife, mom of 3, have a job and are a blogger, how do it keep it all together?
Not very well, will you come do my laundry?
But honestly, all four are incredibility important to me, so I make time for them, there’s not some magic answer here. I don’t think that I could do one well without the outlet that the others are for me. Each fulfills a different aspect of who I am and nurtures that part of me. So, for me, I make time for each and spend less time on stuff like bathing, so really it all works out.
4. My readers like recipes -do you have a fast, easy dinner recipe you could share?
I have a veggie lasagna that’s usually a hit.
6 lasagna noodles
1 jar of spaghetti sauce, (your fav brand/type)
1 container of cottage or ricotta cheese (around the 16 oz. Size)
1 package of frozen variety frozen veggies (any type your family enjoys, we like broccoli, cauliflower and carrots)
A couple of cups of shredded cheese (any type your family enjoy, I roll with Colby jack)
Some spray oil, and 9 x 13″ pan and some time foil, now were ready to roll
But wait, there’s 2 different ways to prepare this puppy
If you need to feed some peps quick:
Boil the noodles and veggies until tender, lay 3 noodles in the spray coated pan, then layer in veggies, ricotta/cottage cheese, and entire jar of spaghetti sauce, sprinkle in about half the shredded cheese, then layer on the last 3 noodles, and then the sprinkle the last of the shredded cheese. Pop in oven for about 15 - 20 minutes until thoroughly heated. Serve warm and yummy.
Or, if you are pressed with YOUR time, this version takes a little longer to cook, but less prep time:
Spray pan, then cover the bottom with a small amount to spaghetti sauce, (just enough to cover the bottom, then layer the ingredients as listed above, (only raw and/or frozen), seal with the tin foil (make sure it is sealed), and pop in the oven at around 350 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour. (Until the noodles and veggies are tender.)
I hope that makes sense, I’ve never written a recipe before and as you can tell I do this from memory.
5. I see you collect tea pots - how did that interest/collection start and how many do you have and where do you keep them all? Which one is your favorite?
I’m not sure how this started; I can just say that I love the shapes, especially the really round, fat ones. (That sounds so strange.) I currently have 11 tea pots. By far my favorite is a new sliver plated airplane shaped tea pot from Pottery Barn, followed by a couple of polka dotted tea pots. I love me some fat polka dotted tea pots.
6. If you had one day (24 hours) just to yourself, no obligations, no work, no family - just you and the money to do what ever you wanted, what would you do?
I think it would involve a day at a spa, with various treatments, including massages, pedicures and the etc and a really good book, probably a James Patterson, I’m really into him right now.
7. What are you currently reading, watching on TV, listening to on your I-Pod (or car radio!)
I’m reading Running with Scissors, the Book of Mormon, and Jonathan Kellerman’s Rage. I will next start the Twilight series, because everyonekeeps telling me I have to. I’m not watching much outside of HGTV and TruTV thanks to this loverly little writers’ strike, but before I was totally sucked into Grey’s Anatomy. Currently the IPod is sporting the Single’s Ward sound track, Dixie Chicks and of course Barenaked Ladies. I love me some Barenaked Ladies.
8. You have a teenage son and then two younger children. What is one thing you have learned from mothering your older son that you will do differently with the younger two?
AGENCY! He’s got it. No matter what I think, do or pray. I can’t take it way and I’m doing a disservice to him every time I try. It’s been a really hard lesson to learn.
9. My daughter asked the family this question at dinner - so I’ll ask you. If you had to choose one food that would be the only food you would eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I only get one: shrimp, if I can expand: shrimp and broccoli, but don’t forget the diet Dr. Pepper.
10. What 3 words do you hope people will use to describe you?
Tenacious, Insightful and Helpful.
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Monday, February 11, 2008, by Leigh Anne
February is the month of love and chocolate. So how do you like your chocolate?
I prefer my chocolate in either the white or milk chocolate version. I am not a dark chocolate fan and don’t like intense chocolate. In fact I prefer it in combination with something else - my favorite combinations are white chocolate and raspberry (I’ve got a great recipe for this combination for you tomorrow!). Other favorite combinations include chocolate with any of the following - caramel, marshmallow, peanut butter, strawberries or smothered over the top of ice cream. I don’t like my chocolate with nuts, raisins, coconut or orange. One of my favorite ways to get my daily chocolate fix is to keep an open bag of chocolate chips (milk or white) in the door of the freezer - anytime I need that little chocolate fix my stash is ready!
I thought it would be fun to find out how you like your chocolate. It is very simple - just enter your name in the email subscription box above (I need a valid email to notify you if you win! -your email is for contest purposes only and won’t be shared in any form!) Then leave a comment below on how you like to eat your chocolate and you will have a chance to win this amazing assortment of Moonstruck Chocolate. If you have completed the email subscription previously all you need to do is leave a comment.
If you are not from the Portland area and are not familiar with Moonstruck Chocolate you are in for a treat. This Chocolate Gift includes a Mexican chocolate scented candle, a milk chocolate foil heart, Heart and U shaped chocolates, Valentine mint tingles, Cherish dark chocolate letters and a cute little valentine cream and sugar set. (Value: $50.00)
The winner will be selected randomly using www.random.org on February 14th - Valentine’s Day -so leave your comment today!
Let me know how you like your chocolate!
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Friday, February 1, 2008, by Leigh Anne
Pay a visit to The Loopy Ewe (just click) and see who is in the “Loopy Limelight” this week! Recognize anyone?
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Thursday, December 6, 2007, by Leigh Anne
Sometimes the best thing for dinner - is breakfast! Pancakes, omelets, waffles all make for a yummy and quick dinner once in a while. This past weekend I hosted my annual holiday breakfast. It is my favorite team event of the year! I have a few dishes that I serve every year because everyone loves them! One of them is a Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake from the Portland Junior League “Portland’s Palette”. It is one of my favorite cookbooks, not just because it has great recipes but because it is such a pretty cookbook too! You can make this coffee cake the night before and just refrigerate. Be sure to pull it out and bring it to room temperature before serving.
Pastry:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup sugar, divided
3/4 cup butter, chilled
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs, divided
1 tsp. almond extract
Filling:
1 -8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup raspberry jam
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Grease and flour bottom and sides of a 9 inch springform pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour and 3/4 cup sugar. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or fork and work into coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 cup of crumb mixture.
Into remaining crumb mixture, add baking powder, soda, salt, sour cream, 1 egg and almond extract. Blend well.
Spread batter over bottom and 2 inches up sides of pan. Batter should be about 1/4 inch thick on sides.
In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, remaining sugar and 1 egg and blend well. Pour over batter in pan. Carefully spoon preserves evenly over cheese filling.
In a small bowl, combine the 1 cup reserved crumb mixture and sliced almonds. Sprinkle over the top.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-55 minutes or until cream cheese filling is set and crust is golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes. Remove sides of pan. Serve warm or cool, cut into wedges.
Another popular dish at my yearly team breakfast is the sugared bacon - in fact one of my team members says that’s the only reason she comes! (I hope she’s kidding!) This is a recipe I got several years ago from my sister in law and my children call it the “good bacon”. Easy and fast!
Sugared Bacon
Partially cook bacon - about half way. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and place partially cooked bacon on sheet. Mix 1 cup of brown sugar with enough water to make it a paste (you can also add a teaspoon of cinnamon if you like). Using a pastry brush, cover bacon on both sides with the brown sugar paste. In a 350 oven cook the bacon until completely cooked (about 10 minutes depending on thickness of bacon). The bacon is gooey and yummy!
A new recipe I tried this year, that is a keeper, is a Chili Cheese Souffle. Several months ago we had a family from church over for brunch and she asked what she could bring - it was this yummy egg dish. Moral of the story is - when someone asks to bring something - let them! You end up with lots of fun new recipes. Don’t let the word “souffle” scare you though - this is an easy, mix together, quick dish. It would be yummy for dinner too.
10 eggs, beaten
1 Tbsp. baking powder
2 (4 oz.) cans chopped green chilies
4 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1 pint small curd, cottage cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted
Add eggs, flour, baking powder and salt together. Mix well. Add remainder of ingredients. Grease a 9 x 13 glass baking dish and pour mixture in. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serves 8-10
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Wednesday, October 31, 2007, by Leigh Anne
Monday we had a fun “family night” activity. Jim, the girls and I went to the corn maze and Pumpkin Patch out on Sauvie Island. The corn maze covers acres and acres – that’s a lot of corn. As we got ready to go, I questioned whether we should take boots or not – it hasn’t rained here in Portland for a couple of weeks (surprise, surprise) so I didn’t really think we would need them but decided to take them anyway. Well – was I ever wrong and was I ever glad! The maze was muddy – in fact the mud was probably 4 inches deep! I learned some valuable lessons on our visit to the corn maze.
As we made our way through the corn maze we had an aerial photo of what the maze looked like but no specific directions or map. We were on our own. Let me tell you, a maze looks a lot different when you are in the middle of it than it does from up above. This is like starting a home based business. Sometimes things look great from the view above or as you watch others do it but once you get started and are in the middle of the maze (business) it can be a bit disorienting and different. Sometimes you just don’t know where you are, which way to go, or what to do! Have you ever felt that way?
Fortunately for us, while we were in the maze, we met a “Corn Cop”. “Corn Cops” are guys that walk around the maze to help people who just can’t figure out where they are or how to get out! We met a nice one who gave us some helpful hints on which way to go (and which paths to avoid), but first we had to ask – he didn’t just volunteer the information. He wanted us to try and figure it out on our own first. Do you have a “Corn Cop” in your business? – of course you do! You probably have an upline or sideline, networking buddies and a corporate office – all there willing to help – all you have to do is ask for help! When you are feeling lost, disoriented and not sure which way you need to go – JUST ASK!
Did I mention it was muddy!? We discovered as we walked along that we did okay in the mud as long as we kept moving. We had a problem when we stopped – our feet were stuck in the mud! The mud was so thick that it took a lot of tugging, pulling and energy to get our feet out of the mud once they were stuck. This can also happen in your business – and it’s called losing momentum. When you stop and start your business instead of keeping up a steady pace you lose momentum Momentum is driven by consistency. When you lose momentum, starting your business again can be a lot like being stuck in the mud – it takes a lot more tugging, pulling and energy to get going than it does to keep going.
So what can you do when you find yourself “stuck in the mud? As I mentioned before - ask for help. Help can come in the form of an idea from a team meeting, an upline, a pacing partner, a company publication, a conference call or fellow team member. That one idea can be all you need to get “unstuck” and get moving again. Momentum is the force that drives you forward and there is nothing more important to a successful business than a steady, consistent pace. Next week I’ll share some specific tips for creating momentum in your business.
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007, by Leigh Anne
Despite the fact that it is a great “speed tool” and a perfect thing to use on busy days or nights you have a home event - I have never really learned to “embrace” my crockpot. I have friends that use their crockpot on a regular basis - maybe I just haven’t found the right recipes but I have never been thrilled with the things I have cooked in mine.
Last week, my neighbor shared with me a new recipe she had tried in her crockpot so I figured I needed to give it another try. So yesterday was the day - I dug the crockpot out from the back of the closet and dusted it off (it was dusty!) It took me about 5 minutes to load up the crockpot, I plugged it in and away I went! Five hours later (I cooked it on high) dinner was ready - not too bad! And guess what? - it was actually yummy and everyone in the family liked it. So maybe I will give the old crockpot another chance, especially on those days where I am running all day long and don’t have time to cook!
Happy Dinner Time!
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Categories: Dinner Time Helps, Direct Sales, Home Based Business, Recipes, Uncategorized
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