Berry Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: Jurvetson

My favorite berry to do this with is blackberries, with raspberries running a close second.

Bonus? This is super easy to make. Here’s what you need: 

One half cup of cider vinegar, 1 cup olive oil, 1 clove of minced garlic, 2 tbsp of berries (you choose).

Whip up everything in a blender to break down, mix up and aerate. Great with a fresh green salad.

Boat Dock Garden Update

Yes, I know it’s the dead of winter. But several people have been asking for this post for months in order to see how the project finally came out. In all honesty, I have to say, not bad! As far as the squash on the wagon wheel thing, we got started a bit late. But we did manage to do great with the rosemary, produce a few peppers and enjoy some basil and chives. Not bad for such a late start. This coming spring, we’d like to get some tomatoes started and possibly some strawberries. Hope you enjoy the pictures! The one below is after disassembly, but before soil delivery and planting. To see other pre-project pictures, check out the original boat dock garden post in our going green section.

Photos by Myscha Theriault

Finding Legal Images

Photo Credit: Nasa

Let’s face it. Not every post or article is on a topic we have home photos kicking around for. While using your own is great if you have them, other options are out there to get the ball rolling, and since many of them involve helping bring awareness to other artists and sources out there, this process can be very much a win-win scenario. Following are some strategies and sources work from home writers have available.

1. Affiliate link programs, company sites, and PR firms.  While Amazon is the mega giant for this strategy, publishers’ sites are also great for book cover images as well. Sometimes Amazon has the adapted “peek inside” graphics that look great for their purposes, but not for yours. Whenever I have requested a review book from a publisher, they are more than open to sharing the book cover image from their site. Product reviews done at the request of the company also require images. In my experience, these have frequently been emailed to me via the company or its PR firm. Remember, these entities want the press for their products. It’s in their best interest to be cooperative. Just remember to give proper photo credit, and to include a link for online publications.
2. Online image exchanges. There are several sources online where individuals have databased images they are willing to share in exchange for a photo credit and link back to their photo main page. Here’s one section from Flickr where people allow use for reciprocated exposure, and you can search the database by key phrase. HUGE time saver and resource. Saudi Aramco has an enormous online photo archive they are very generous with for people needing images. Other sources include StockXchng and the Morgue File Archive.
3. Give ‘em a call. Seriously, give them a call. If you find a to-die-for-image from an independent artist who hasn’t released it for public use, contact them via phone or email to see about featuring their work in a post with a link back to their online site. They may be thrilled for the exposure. Of course, the better your traffic numbers, the more leverage you’ll have.
4. Purchase royalty free image libraries. Actually, the two extensive CD image libraries I own, I got free after rebate from Office Max. They were both from the Art Explosions company, and retailed at the time for about 60 bucks a set. The ones I have are categorized by topic. However, the images aren’t titled and there is obviously no search function. So this can slow things down a bit. There is an interesting mix of photos and cartoon images, though. 
5. Government images. Here in the states, anything produced by the government is considered public domain. Common courtesy dictates an acknowledgement credit, but sources abound here. For historical as well as kick butt storm photos, marine photos and more, check out the photo archive from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Clicking the tab at the top of the page that says “collections” is a quick and simple way to navigate between various photo topic areas. My personal favorite? The storms section. Wow! Looking for various still shots of animals? Don’t forget to the check out the image archive from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Polar bears, seals and more are photographed by people whose job it is to be out in the wild with the animals themselves. While not necessarily as glossy and sexy as some of the images from N.O.A.A and other sources, there are still some decent images here. Helpful for the blogger needing wildlife images.  For historical and artistic images of countless topics, the National Archives is the place to go. Quite a bit of research will be necessary (this is NOT a wimpy archive), but if you need something specific, chances are you’ll find it here.  Finally, for the Cadillac of space imagery, check out NASA’s collection. Loads of stuff here from space program moments to slammin’ Hubble shots. Really some nice stuff if you’re needing images relating to what NASA does.
6. Be a budding photographer. If you have an interest, get out the digital camera and start clicking and experimenting. You might be surprised at the quality of photos you are able to produce. Bonus? You’ll own them, and have the ability to photo something exactly the way you want it.

These are the sources I see as providing the greatest flexibility and access for the at home writer / blogger. If you know of others, please feel free to post about them in the comments section. Thanks for tuning in!

Decorating With Pumpkins

Flickr Photo Credit: Sister 72

Recently, I was poking around the web looking for pumpkin decorating ideas that were a little classier than the basic pile o’ gourds. Here’s what I found:

• This one shows a white pumpkin used as a vase to hold red flowers and candles. Very Christmasy.
• Here’s an idea, courtesy of Martha Stewart, that shows how to use miniature white (or any color) pumpkins to create candle holders and fall centerpieces. A fun idea with room for moderation.
• MarthaStewart.Com is also the inspiration for this fun tea light and miniature pumpkin chandelier fashioned on a grape vine wreath. Very cute, and perfect for a porch side gathering.
• This very elegant centerpiece idea, suitable for an autumn wedding, is compliments of Better Homes and Gardens. It involves using white pumpkins, silver display pedestals or urns, and lots of ivy and white flowers.

I’ve seen other fun ideas of this sort on the web as well. Using gold spray paint and silk plant garlands, pumpkins can be used for all sorts of harvest displays with a bit of formal flair. Know of any I haven’t linked to? Post away!

Great Link for Hot Beverages

Flickr Photo Credit: Justin Russell

A friend just sent this link for great crockpot beverage recipes. It has some really fun ideas for hot drinks. Great for the holidays, or any cold weather event. Since we use the crockpot so often at our house, I’m always on the lookout for new ideas. We especially like to use it for having yummy things on the ready for drop by company and “serve yourself” types of treats. Feel free to post any other hot drink recipes you feel are noteworthy.

Southwestern Pumpkin Soup

Flickr Photo Credit: Johnny Hunter

Sabrina sent us this one recently, to add to our “pumpkin archives”. The chipotle is what gives it the flavor of the old Southwest.

Southwestern Pumpkin Soup

Bring to a slow boil: 3 cups chicken stock, 1 cup half and half (you can substitute up or down by using either heavy cream, light cream, or evaporated skim milk)

Reduce heat to medium low and add: 1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree, 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper

Stir until smooth, heat through and serve. Garnish with shredded cheddar or chopped cilantro, if desired.

Make Your Own Marshmallow Creme

Flickr Photo Credit: Aidantmorgan

I got this one at a recipe swap I hosted a few years back, and admit to not having had a chance to try it out yet. However, I wanted to have it up on the blog and documented so I could access it while away from home if I wanted to (travel, family visits). I’ve seen some great fruit dips done over the years with marshmallow creme as one of the main ingredients, and am in hopes to try this one out soon. If anyone out there has any input or the inside scoop on a super slammin’ marshmallow creme recipe, by all means, post away so the rest of us can benefit.

3 egg white, 2 cups light corn syrup, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, 1 tbsp vanilla extract. In a large mixing bowl, put the egg whites, salt and corn syrup. Beat until thick or for about 10 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar at low speed. Then add vanilla extract and continue to beat until well blended. The recipe states that this should make about 2 quarts. From everything I’ve read and heard over the years, homemade marshmallow creme needs to be kept in the fridge. If anyone knows anything additional or different, I’d love to hear about it.

Apple Brown Betty in the Crock Pot

Flickr Photo Credit: Way Tru

5 slices of bread in half-inch pieces, 1/2 cup margarine or butter (melted), 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp salt, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 4 medium cooking apples (peeled, cored and chopped).

Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Mix all ingredients together inside the crock, cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours or until apples are tender. Serve warm. Add whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

This is a good cheap yummy treat for fall if you have last minute company with at least a bit of warning. You can also reduce the sugar for extra calorie savings.

Raisin Peanut Clusters

Flickr Photo Credit: Zana Stardust

Affordable, easy, and made with only three ingredients. This one is on my list for homemade holiday gifts this year.

1 twelve-ounce package of chocolate bits, 1/2 cup of raisins, 1/2 cup of peanuts.

Melt chocolate in saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in raisins and nuts. Drop on wax paper covered cookie sheet and refrigerate until firm.

Gift Recipes: Cornbread Mix in a Jar

Flickr Photo Credit: Carol 329

I recommend using a wide mouth, quart-sized canning jar for this recipe. It’s much easier to ladle in the mix that way.

3 cups sifted flour, 3 cups yellow cornmeal, 1 1/2 cups instant nonfat powdered milk, 3 1/2 tbsp baking powder, 2 1/2 tsp salt, 3 tbsp sugar. Mix all of these items together and put in the clear glass jar. Add a decorative gift tag and a label with the following directions:

Combine 2 1/2 cups of the mix with 3/4 cup vegetable shortening, 3 lightly beaten eggs, 1 cup water. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Put dry ingredients in a bowl and cut in the shortening. Add eggs and water and mix well. Bake in an 8″ x 8″ x 2″ greased pan for 15-20 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.