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Do Tell Tuesday #17

Come Link Up at Do Tell Tuesday!

DIY Homemade Orange Cleaner

Learn how to make this easy and chemical-free cleaner!

Simple Top Challenge Round-up

Check out the latest projects from Stitch Once, Rip Twice!

Red Pepper Spread with Roasted Eggplant and Garlic

Use this delicious, healthy spread on everything from sandwiches to pasta, chicken, veggies, and more!

Preservation Society's Feature and Giveaway!

Check out the latest Shop Small Saturday Showcase feature and enter the giveaway to win your own prize pack!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Black & White Challenge - Final Projects!

The last item that I worked on prior to leaving was the peplum top that I was making for my Black & White challenge.  I have yet to totally resolve the problems involved, but I wanted to share the other group members' progress so far.

Right now, we're deciding on our next challenge topic, so I'll update you as soon as we've picked our next one!




First of all, here is my top!  I'll work out the kinks soon...



Sabrina from Sweet French Toast made these incredible shorts!  Click here for her pattern information and the adjustments she made, for a super cute and modern pair of shorts.  :)


Tiffany of Tiffany's Notions and Knits has a top with a cute piping detail to share right here!





Victoria of Very Blissful made this cute top, but she's going to make some adjustments.  Girl, I feel ya. Read about it here!  :)



Irene of Serger Pepper made a darling tunic complete with a tutorial.  Click here for more!





And now for some bad news...

Poor Kristin of Sew Classic had her sewing machine break, but she made this pretty dress right before it went kaput!



Rachel of Layer, Stitch, Repeat. is moving overseas and had to give away her sewing table and pack, of course!  She did make this great dress for the Mad Men Challenge.  Click here for more!



Great job ladies!  I look forward to conquering our next challenge.  :)



Also, if you'd like to join the group, either e-mail me or follow the link to Stitch Once, Rip Twice and request an invitation.





Monday, April 29, 2013

Favorite Dessert: Ricotta & Fruit Bowls

My favorite desserts of all time would have to be either a tart or cheesecake loaded with ripe, delicious fruit.  I can't imagine baking every day, so this is something that I like to imagine as a deconstructed version of those desserts!

The way that I came to this recipe was when I was moving out of my last apartment and needed to start cleaning out my pantry.  I was working my way through my dried fruit stockpile, and decided to add dried blueberries to some leftover ricotta from a lasagna recipe.

Delicious!!!

Sometimes, I swear that it almost tastes like cheesecake if I concentrate hard enough.  :)  This is going to be a lot like last week's "recipe" of yogurt and fruit cups, and just like that recipe, I eat this almost every day for a quick, light dessert!



Ricotta & Fruit Bowls

Ingredients
Ricotta, whichever fat content you prefer
Sweetener of choice*
Fruit of choice*
"Crust" of choice*
Optional extras that you'd like to mix in (i.e. - Protein powder, Fiber powder, etc.)

*See below for what I like to use!



"Directions"
1. Mix the ricotta with any extras that you would like to use.

2. Mix in the amount of sweetener, to your taste.
* I like using agave nectar or honey.  Other good sweeteners to use are maple syrup, mashed persimmons, date sugar, etc.

 3. Top with your favorite fresh or dried fruit!
*I used fresh peaches, but this works well with strawberries, blueberries, mango, and everything in between.  Even dried fruit works, like my favorite, dried blueberries!

4. Top with your "crust."
*I use fiber cereal most of the time, but feel free to use other cereal, broken graham crackers, or anything to mimic a tart crust!

5. Enjoy!



This is light and simple dessert that satisfies my sweet tooth with a bit of fiber and nutrition thrown in.  It tastes good and it's good for me?  Yes!

I'll promise to stop sounding like an infomercial by next week's recipe.  :)

What is your favorite dessert to make at home?





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