tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413470468047839702024-03-28T05:27:32.592-04:00hotcakesAnn is an illustrator, designer and mom of three. Hotcakes is writing about work, stationery, invitations, parties, cakes, cookies, crafts, sewing, kids and things we love.Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.comBlogger515125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-15763305529110300032018-12-05T13:43:00.000-05:002018-12-05T13:43:17.724-05:00Where to Find Spotgirl These DaysHi Friends! Well, Hotcakes was fun while it lasted, but I have mostly moved over to Instagram these days. Lots of people have emailed me over the last few months asking about downloads. My old server has changed, so the old links are not active. Some downloads have moved over to my <a href="https://www.spotgirldesign.com/" target="_blank">new website</a>, which I hope you will all take a look at. Visit the <a href="https://www.spotgirldesign.com/downloads" target="_blank">Downloads</a> page for lots of printables!<br />
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Feel free to still send an email or leave a comment if there's an old file that you are interested in. There are also lots of new coloring pages and stationery items at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpotgirlDesign" target="_blank">Etsy</a> site ... please come visit!<br />
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<br />Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-6466619444237261022017-09-10T14:52:00.000-04:002017-09-10T14:52:38.394-04:00Baking Monday: Graham Cracker CookiesHello friends! How have you been? I posted a photo of these homemade graham crackers on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/spotgirldesign/" target="_blank">Instagram page</a> and got a request for the recipe. So I'm dusting off my Blogger account to share with you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNuJdVQHO2Ox1F7KGFlxGW1WwgdKSp9tbNDbTLAd0hK31DmZjbknxPXCibPDBTcrHmRTuAT8-OWQBwFrZrBgGcSo55bDp7KMQhODRe4-ygbwjK3-72RsSOPq8WSJ4bZ-sl05u3VnRfqA/s1600/IMG_5739+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNuJdVQHO2Ox1F7KGFlxGW1WwgdKSp9tbNDbTLAd0hK31DmZjbknxPXCibPDBTcrHmRTuAT8-OWQBwFrZrBgGcSo55bDp7KMQhODRe4-ygbwjK3-72RsSOPq8WSJ4bZ-sl05u3VnRfqA/s400/IMG_5739+copy.jpg" title="Homemade Graham Crackers from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="300" /></a></div>
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For the last two summers, we've been hosting a campfire and s'mores in our yard every Friday night during the summer. It is one of the most fun things we've ever done as a family and look forward to it every week! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnayJmsDbTIXPM4XzTBwC4_AHr020m5MKAJy9uPSN1pFneJENMOj3WO_JSZ813sWyJebL5t6sH1mP646Mt6yAzITJ0UwfW5bY5YMEks3sF0pjc7prNjzPzBe4v5JUp5yeTMTf-HjhUfcI/s1600/IMG_5742+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1084" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnayJmsDbTIXPM4XzTBwC4_AHr020m5MKAJy9uPSN1pFneJENMOj3WO_JSZ813sWyJebL5t6sH1mP646Mt6yAzITJ0UwfW5bY5YMEks3sF0pjc7prNjzPzBe4v5JUp5yeTMTf-HjhUfcI/s400/IMG_5742+copy.jpg" title="Homemade Graham Crackers from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="338" /></a></div>
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I have even done some special baking just for Friday S'mores! We have had gourmet s'mores made with peanut butter cookies, chocolate wafer cookies, gingersnaps (my previous favorite), and snickerdoodles. This week I tried homemade graham crackers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcmh3V9aUP0Cx0ciicsmbjO44w0gnWua2G8wY9aYo6ZVuxxwHEduvh4dENzVU8P_EOBIhRnDlAVjc2ZUnUdNH710qt1kXEduMQNoo2ia_eu1PF7pWJHFnxz05NrvW8wmkHmL_8HHfFrg/s1600/IMG_5751+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcmh3V9aUP0Cx0ciicsmbjO44w0gnWua2G8wY9aYo6ZVuxxwHEduvh4dENzVU8P_EOBIhRnDlAVjc2ZUnUdNH710qt1kXEduMQNoo2ia_eu1PF7pWJHFnxz05NrvW8wmkHmL_8HHfFrg/s400/IMG_5751+copy.jpg" title="Homemade Graham Crackers from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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After searching through quite a few recipes online (surprisingly, I couldn't find a single recipe in any of my cookie cookbooks), I ended up going with <a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/graham-cracker-cookies/" target="_blank">this one</a> which was super easy to make in a food processor. The only change made was one tablespoon of vanilla instead of two (that seemed like a LOT of vanilla!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3m1GYsawMhAIY3-GcmOfsc1gBX-v6IrHbDCQ-cznkvWc50AaA0873Vb9OaCYDWFBxEZ39RBvs15c_2-oFHMMmhek9JgnT3nyBynL6SPK_B8Xz-76rhBnjy9nhcKkPq5g99jhOcUv27I/s1600/IMG_5754+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3m1GYsawMhAIY3-GcmOfsc1gBX-v6IrHbDCQ-cznkvWc50AaA0873Vb9OaCYDWFBxEZ39RBvs15c_2-oFHMMmhek9JgnT3nyBynL6SPK_B8Xz-76rhBnjy9nhcKkPq5g99jhOcUv27I/s320/IMG_5754+copy.jpg" title="Homemade Graham Crackers from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="320" /></a></div>
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These had a really great flavor and softened up nicely with toasted marshmallow. Hershey's Special Dark chocolate is my favorite for s'mores! This recipe made 32 cookies with a 2.25" square cutter. I would go even smaller next time, because these cookies puffed up quite a bit. Thumbs up for extra special s'mores! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoLronKXTJym7QDkkwYwvEEtFXVt3j2mSMPZ-A4EEiIpMxHLOtpW37UNg9aMTKkkLOSXT3vXPLuO_z6IFdihGS-Px0sckU6_Bwu3US3uXAEBrhHq1934dxED_2f_H8zuUCIuYKiErYX8/s1600/IMG_0584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoLronKXTJym7QDkkwYwvEEtFXVt3j2mSMPZ-A4EEiIpMxHLOtpW37UNg9aMTKkkLOSXT3vXPLuO_z6IFdihGS-Px0sckU6_Bwu3US3uXAEBrhHq1934dxED_2f_H8zuUCIuYKiErYX8/s400/IMG_0584.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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(How perfect is this garden flag? Gift from Mr. Hotcakes, design by the talented <a href="http://www.elizabethsilver.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Silver</a>.) </div>
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<br />Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-45849912449234800912017-06-20T13:35:00.000-04:002017-06-20T13:50:26.321-04:00Silhouette Portrait Registration Marks Not Detected ... SometimesHello there! I'm coming out of blog retirement to post about an issue that might be helpful to other Silhouette Portrait users. It's specifically with the print and cut feature and why registration marks were only being detected sometimes. (The title of this post features the same words that I was using to search for a solution!)<br />
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As much as I LOVE the Silhouette Portrait, I was having one very specific and frustrating problem. I've been using the print and cut feature to make sticker sheets, and some of them would feed and print with no problem, and others would not register at all ... WHYYYY???<br />
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<b>I've surmised the problem to a printer error: because I am hand feeding sticker sheets into the bypass tray of my color laser printer, the image isn't printing perfectly straight on every page. So, here's my solution!</b><br />
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1. Take a look at the registration marks compared to the top of the page. It's hard to tell, but it looks like the corner mark on the right is just sliiiightly higher than the square on the left.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLQ-GhDzCqnist8W8841UZZg1SNztm18TVhXxJpEPJHyqic-pxQqSOmhFZSBfbszB_3eZDvWSlwGhL8xhu-Q07E_vWjvq6EIuIcRUr07hQeQteyN9cvD3S8IuJMrLa-uQHHMnNmtknk0/s1600/IMG_4319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLQ-GhDzCqnist8W8841UZZg1SNztm18TVhXxJpEPJHyqic-pxQqSOmhFZSBfbszB_3eZDvWSlwGhL8xhu-Q07E_vWjvq6EIuIcRUr07hQeQteyN9cvD3S8IuJMrLa-uQHHMnNmtknk0/s400/IMG_4319.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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2. Try aligning the paper just slightly askew. The top left corner is lined up properly ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJufNmEIweEd-csLGeC2eDF7GFDnBy2NDpkG1oRvb98QwqdFqR0vuuh2o7lEFYdIJubNW8JmIVdIhTRHv8XRTZxMxgd3iQFy91NqC6LwEfsM5Nq8xzBnpLYdScVYONK4FK0dqdEV5Qlo/s1600/IMG_4320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJufNmEIweEd-csLGeC2eDF7GFDnBy2NDpkG1oRvb98QwqdFqR0vuuh2o7lEFYdIJubNW8JmIVdIhTRHv8XRTZxMxgd3iQFy91NqC6LwEfsM5Nq8xzBnpLYdScVYONK4FK0dqdEV5Qlo/s400/IMG_4320.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... but the top right is moved down about 1/8".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAzPJEaOXnREpGCMtwDbY3Yuv6R7hzKvSbaDGLzLlZAHL8Q5C6bnlzKH13tefGypvkFxFpVD08FscTlga3NSYvqf4YiAxxlnE5bpJcwHMY4rUvkuG3_0gOmEiLPOrlpbpAwnQfC_5xZQ/s1600/IMG_4321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAzPJEaOXnREpGCMtwDbY3Yuv6R7hzKvSbaDGLzLlZAHL8Q5C6bnlzKH13tefGypvkFxFpVD08FscTlga3NSYvqf4YiAxxlnE5bpJcwHMY4rUvkuG3_0gOmEiLPOrlpbpAwnQfC_5xZQ/s400/IMG_4321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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3. Instead of placing the edge of the cutting mat at the second guide line as recommended, load the mat so the black square is in line with the blade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9jcVlPG2UOc8hFKt4TtRC215DWbeusGkM6rLQnArAfWptLSDlZDnuSzid_YFeRGC8fdK7jGrTqXGEwYScSZC6oMEVwf_p6cSTUo_HrIfPUDWehYxXAMNExogSXWjO1KmR04RRHW67f0/s1600/IMG_4325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9jcVlPG2UOc8hFKt4TtRC215DWbeusGkM6rLQnArAfWptLSDlZDnuSzid_YFeRGC8fdK7jGrTqXGEwYScSZC6oMEVwf_p6cSTUo_HrIfPUDWehYxXAMNExogSXWjO1KmR04RRHW67f0/s400/IMG_4325.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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4. Use the cutting mat feed button ... and in the Studio software, start Send to Silhouette!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzjXy7xNBgbivzmIgiacE8VtPdfGM3UU5Vp2QFdN7Ce8y7aEKZ5DX4rAa_PtT7-kO_SawQ60rLsJkBfgmElALYlQkLcO3_bkURAR-T8PvaoNzJ5XH-4D9V31FbNFzcUote6E2FQREhFk/s1600/IMG_4324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzjXy7xNBgbivzmIgiacE8VtPdfGM3UU5Vp2QFdN7Ce8y7aEKZ5DX4rAa_PtT7-kO_SawQ60rLsJkBfgmElALYlQkLcO3_bkURAR-T8PvaoNzJ5XH-4D9V31FbNFzcUote6E2FQREhFk/s400/IMG_4324.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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5. If this does not work right away, fans of The IT Club will know what to do:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="264" src="https://giphy.com/embed/F7yLXA5fJ5sLC" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/the-it-crowd-chris-odowd-F7yLXA5fJ5sLC">via GIPHY</a><br />
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(Turn it off and turn it on again!)<br />
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If the machine is still not picking up the registration marks, adjust the angle of the paper and try again. This worked for me almost every time!<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DwsRwMRIVZ6H758K9IxGiYzCdN1WMXW1GDJ0rMg8ZDeP0YUq0VlzCWIZLkuw5QY8ssHlsIpDezXRWyGzqwKNjcVl9j9Kw9refpdJLb4ThKCWMY6pTiiVvsHY5kirTQSoP1HrvInGVwA/s400/IMG_4269.jpg" title="Happy Stickers from www.etsy.com/shop/SpotgirlStationery" width="400" /></div>
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<b>Product Plug!</b> I've listed these sticker sheets in my Etsy shop, take a look! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpotgirlStationery">www.etsy.com/shop/SpotgirlStationery</a><br />
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If you found this solution helpful, please leave a comment! Happy printing and cutting!Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-12200323450935953242016-01-22T17:15:00.001-05:002016-01-22T17:15:40.929-05:00New Markers! (A Spectrum Noir Review)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggllLwzPy-Xc-jcIk9zyfdV7DoqdEhWd8O8Qh646oqJ9YD9pIYtxY2cUJ9V1Ks4r_vxRebuTsZ8o5fwuehs7Q4qwQhSGOYX92TDbNQTVvbK-mqi5QXFCI1zpfB2lwhuJ7Vfy0F4op8N7I/s1600/IMG_7210+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggllLwzPy-Xc-jcIk9zyfdV7DoqdEhWd8O8Qh646oqJ9YD9pIYtxY2cUJ9V1Ks4r_vxRebuTsZ8o5fwuehs7Q4qwQhSGOYX92TDbNQTVvbK-mqi5QXFCI1zpfB2lwhuJ7Vfy0F4op8N7I/s400/IMG_7210+copy.jpg" title="Spectrum Noir markers review from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><div>
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I've been enjoying working with markers so much that I was ready to try a professional grade set with a bigger range of colors that would hopefully be longer lasting. Copic seems to be the brand of choice (about $4 each), with Spectrum Noir being the less expensive option (about $1.80 each). I did a lot of research - both are refillable and have nibs that can be replaced. Both seemed to come in a wide range of colors, though Copic has more. (Copic also has two less expensive options - Sketch and Ciao - which both have brush tips instead of bullet like the Classic.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclvkiVqSHwdIBv0l2XhF2BJ2TZkbSx8k-fv0DDnRtafKCP7RV9VA8UY5z1qTv6sHZGnpVbUK6jfRuqRnUXx3e6gf1YmtMbAOTZIEPIB2eDeb51d95BCAbHYwZBfBW2GFUnPpVlh6au8w/s1600/IMG_7543+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclvkiVqSHwdIBv0l2XhF2BJ2TZkbSx8k-fv0DDnRtafKCP7RV9VA8UY5z1qTv6sHZGnpVbUK6jfRuqRnUXx3e6gf1YmtMbAOTZIEPIB2eDeb51d95BCAbHYwZBfBW2GFUnPpVlh6au8w/s400/IMG_7543+copy.jpg" title="Spectrum Noir markers review from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br /><br />My Bic MarkIts finally started to poop out, so I had to make a decision. In the end, I went with the Spectrum Noir, partly because of the price and partly because they were easier to find. Right away, I love the range of colors and that the many neutral and muted options compared to office store markers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJthASwhDWfdeRVcCNRiSiAvmu5dfgq7PeEUaoglezQikYcj81lG0sCx_yu1qvxwo-8d8JV3IfJZZleDGmPcDjz_TM9hd4FlcHzzZ7A2WjPEBEAE2ZwQTsnMgmYx8uBZkwzvJXMe3SLVg/s1600/IMG_7569+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJthASwhDWfdeRVcCNRiSiAvmu5dfgq7PeEUaoglezQikYcj81lG0sCx_yu1qvxwo-8d8JV3IfJZZleDGmPcDjz_TM9hd4FlcHzzZ7A2WjPEBEAE2ZwQTsnMgmYx8uBZkwzvJXMe3SLVg/s400/IMG_7569+copy.jpg" title="Spectrum Noir markers review from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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The cap color is not very accurate, making the color chart a must! The grey band on each marker makes it quick to find which end is the fine point. There's also a nice light grip strip around each marker.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQwlvR5S0Mqs600Jk7LHji5hzUEL3GBMRjrUxyI8D6HIf0LLUcEsKJ8dp7nTOLf-98cF6NULFO7VEsSvSZJUzA3pDHfQ0sgwDYR_-_HhndTJwl4AZ-5VwPfH4YWGZjU2_KCi9hSMuyJA/s1600/IMG_7668+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQwlvR5S0Mqs600Jk7LHji5hzUEL3GBMRjrUxyI8D6HIf0LLUcEsKJ8dp7nTOLf-98cF6NULFO7VEsSvSZJUzA3pDHfQ0sgwDYR_-_HhndTJwl4AZ-5VwPfH4YWGZjU2_KCi9hSMuyJA/s400/IMG_7668+copy.jpg" title="Spectrum Noir markers review from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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Organizing trays are also a must ... how gorgeous is this set up? I ended up purchasing all twelve of the six-marker sets, plus Lights, Brights, and Pastels (144 in all ... enough to fill two sets of trays). The range of colors is good, but not perfect. I still feel like it's missing a few shades of green, yellow, and orange while including too many similar colors of Turquoise, Dark Red, Coral and Bright Pink. Still, this range will likely suit my purposes very well!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3362ywKLgi_dgaRTLzRvFpHJD1eExdkdPG8AXj08T90Kn19bjoMd3TLbjbLQccbBIMD3tX-J8_NGJDP23yVNXdbe5muPb7OH6zWr2U3pVpF-omUf0dUGOgWLBzMWyUTDLc51N-5uqIU/s1600/IMG_7572+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3362ywKLgi_dgaRTLzRvFpHJD1eExdkdPG8AXj08T90Kn19bjoMd3TLbjbLQccbBIMD3tX-J8_NGJDP23yVNXdbe5muPb7OH6zWr2U3pVpF-omUf0dUGOgWLBzMWyUTDLc51N-5uqIU/s400/IMG_7572+copy.jpg" title="Spectrum Noir markers review from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br /><br /> Blending ... just okay, I need more practice with that. Happily, they do work great with my favorite PaperMate black flair pens ... no bleeding at all!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhBK3WLIr8GJEg42wOnN2oIixQgy4lpAnmTqLTSDRVOuF2v91g52KxF-6J0bFtDPf_sVF6I7yeuVnZrwqbWwajyWiR4vPrlJbYQQhs4dDPRBvw21llx7Q84J6xOi2nAmtC2MXLIa-ltY/s1600/IMG_7601+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhBK3WLIr8GJEg42wOnN2oIixQgy4lpAnmTqLTSDRVOuF2v91g52KxF-6J0bFtDPf_sVF6I7yeuVnZrwqbWwajyWiR4vPrlJbYQQhs4dDPRBvw21llx7Q84J6xOi2nAmtC2MXLIa-ltY/s400/IMG_7601+copy.jpg" title="Spectrum Noir markers review from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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Layering ... works better with some colors than others. I like that it's very subtle and also like the option of using a light grey on top of color for shading. </div>
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Final verdict: I'd still love to try out the Copic, and would pick up a small set if I ever find them available. But the Spectrum Noir brand is perfect for my skill level - reasonably priced and very good quality. and I'm having a great time with all the new colors! </div>
Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-39647616092931308942015-12-23T09:58:00.001-05:002015-12-23T18:46:24.428-05:00Cultivating a New Habit<img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxXC9rGbODjoux7wAoB020nBSZ44NjAxGYgx4toZWhz2LS3ClxXdufx2NOO3k5mLEPxtcYtLee6PQ2J7KTBJWRLcPZO5PKCNZdCeasl5b8hWdi185fc6xn5Tw-ZlvCP2HT97NzAZo5oI/s400/IMG_7443+copy.jpg" title="spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /><br />
So, my job is graphic designer and illustrator, which I love. But I had gotten into a really bad habit of only working when there was work to be done. Somehow over the years, I stopped drawing for fun. Last summer, my daughter brought home a summer art challenge and thought it would be good for me, too. The first thing on the list that caught my attention was <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2014/07/summer-art-challenge-zentangle.html" target="_blank">zentangle</a>, which I just love so much! Doodling with no purpose except to have fun - it seems like such an obvious practice, but I hadn't been doing it!<br />
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That new technique warmed me up to keep going, and over the last few months, I've started drawing every day. Sometimes, I use <a href="http://bydawnnicole.com/category/blogging-business/art-graphic-design/30-day-challenges" target="_blank">prompts</a> ...<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKCzwtfZcjCTIKX-kyLIUAlplVvDR1Lf0S35CiKR3_aPE82HVU-DwmYa87AllbR35YE9R-FxJm4TjVYN4Rf_e57rhk_3Xhu7pbxMSzXz3xvzThu_MQ3Z865f2cvh7c1YgLLv7KOp4Fmo/s400/15_11XOXO.jpg" title="spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /><br />
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Often, I'll use things that happened during the day ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQuCUkHhebcpIFz0yN_2N67JRASmWsBIJeDKYHA682KMBWDUOqAEToT7-bqzffVUTYL5Qf_WccfGAw6kMFDUSkow0vz7nskyWf3631tI2bKkibSIbhMgpUzF-SLsES-2QfeNc016sYmY/s1600/IMG_7267+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQuCUkHhebcpIFz0yN_2N67JRASmWsBIJeDKYHA682KMBWDUOqAEToT7-bqzffVUTYL5Qf_WccfGAw6kMFDUSkow0vz7nskyWf3631tI2bKkibSIbhMgpUzF-SLsES-2QfeNc016sYmY/s400/IMG_7267+copy.jpg" title="spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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Sometimes, a special occasion ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGUhd0FuU9IdQZphu2SARjQW4Ic9FDbgve-IRuelQXqDwC6IFs6Y5MI1hKGfOqC4VBcuBg0cdHsUO5lX5LHu5HfAOGmt5gF9uHT7AbzEvyJxWzaZCCADcxS3pSSs9TISNm1uv7SWDQeM/s1600/IMG_6815+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGUhd0FuU9IdQZphu2SARjQW4Ic9FDbgve-IRuelQXqDwC6IFs6Y5MI1hKGfOqC4VBcuBg0cdHsUO5lX5LHu5HfAOGmt5gF9uHT7AbzEvyJxWzaZCCADcxS3pSSs9TISNm1uv7SWDQeM/s400/IMG_6815+copy.jpg" title="spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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And when my brain is too stuffed up to think straight, zentangle is always a happy no-pressure treat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhJ0yTDb2ifUS6q-djvcYL3PpC-hrYEZBf9j4vDVC5x3mXfNDXhBJkqi9CalaBwiCTHOWhkeGoUtlA3VRaKNhjYFbeLpaaKaUz6esYvwYOpKh5Lp0z5cx9PXrFjgwwoxFkOdGfZJtls4/s1600/IMG_6796+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhJ0yTDb2ifUS6q-djvcYL3PpC-hrYEZBf9j4vDVC5x3mXfNDXhBJkqi9CalaBwiCTHOWhkeGoUtlA3VRaKNhjYFbeLpaaKaUz6esYvwYOpKh5Lp0z5cx9PXrFjgwwoxFkOdGfZJtls4/s400/IMG_6796+copy.jpg" title="spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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I've been uploading artwork regularly to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/spotgirldesign/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and finding a little like-minded virtual community has been delightful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg5R4axOz8QeBpxii6p2YZtKgxAFp9_22HXya1NjHvddvQDJNDd4OtCmqudfkfAK3F4151XjZHBlZTSLAVIZFJgs0afe9e-D4nYF4V6B3wsBPMt0E9bMv5D-1fs2v1_-Luq88_YynR24/s1600/IMG_6569+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg5R4axOz8QeBpxii6p2YZtKgxAFp9_22HXya1NjHvddvQDJNDd4OtCmqudfkfAK3F4151XjZHBlZTSLAVIZFJgs0afe9e-D4nYF4V6B3wsBPMt0E9bMv5D-1fs2v1_-Luq88_YynR24/s400/IMG_6569+copy.jpg" title="spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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Okay, truth: I still don't actually get to draw EVERY day, because, life. But, another truth: I WANT to, and that's the revelation! My current favorite routine is to sit down at my desk with tea around 2:00. It's when my office is about to get the sunniest, I've got half an hour before the big kids get home, and if something really gets me going, I can keep working until elementary school pick up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_EsM2geUUsNAE2cPWLH01nxYFWHHQ8IvHcfq42H-WUv2IlDuqykf8SYBqCbXQeE9kU2qacaKpUWF0ZBpsJgNXCgosnPE9lZXuZvwoWoSzLWsLDdFTyRCz82Px0KvAZZWx0mW3ckn174/s1600/IMG_6609+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_EsM2geUUsNAE2cPWLH01nxYFWHHQ8IvHcfq42H-WUv2IlDuqykf8SYBqCbXQeE9kU2qacaKpUWF0ZBpsJgNXCgosnPE9lZXuZvwoWoSzLWsLDdFTyRCz82Px0KvAZZWx0mW3ckn174/s400/IMG_6609+copy.jpg" title="spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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It's been a year and a half to get to this point, and in that time I've filled a couple sketchbooks, which I haven't done since college. I used to fear sketchbooks, wanting the work that goes inside it to be amazing. I now realize that working in sketchbooks makes me more thoughtful and put a little more time into the work which, guess what? Makes it better. (What a concept, I know!!!) I've also been learning more about supplies and materials and have a new love for markers and am even planning to invest in an artist-grade set (ka-ching, but I can't wait). I now get such a thrill out of the idea that Hey! That page used to be blank, and now is filled with artwork that didn't exist in the world 30 minutes ago ... made only by my hand/mind/heart. It's ridiculously satisfying.Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-30372383964081637842015-11-24T17:26:00.000-05:002015-11-24T17:26:37.004-05:00No Sugar No Vember<img alt="" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1gNFIwrKNuuTrfPSoC-3LkWRB94cnEwjXgNEiUNsEv2PoMLEK17U-6XQIsaknTU2s_9zi-22hI6-22906M4Q0tQsfdqSDsTuGzqDss8Xm_ZsqCliGfFrEh9pMx3WimbRAODWOiwfAs0/s400/NoSugar.jpg" title="No Sugar from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /><br />
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Mr. Hotcakes was gone for a week in October, and it felt like an exceptionally long week around here. The kids and I typically do fine when he's out of town ... schedules run smoothly, we make simple dinners ... but we were really missing Dad! I also happened to have a very junky food week. There were lots of baked goods around and good nutritional choices were not being made. I've had a suspicion for awhile that too much sugar makes me a little hyper-emotional, and on the last day of single parenting, I got in a very stupid showdown with Clark at bedtime after a really great week, which left both of us feeling awful.<br />
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The next day I decided to take a break from the sweet habit. Of special note is the date on which this decision was made: October 30th. Yes, one day before our house was about to be loaded with candy. Not to mention the 200 pieces of candy I already had waiting for trick-or-treaters! (And I bought the good stuff this year ... all chocolate!) But I was fed up with the bad habit and decided there would be no better time to take a break.<br />
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My goal was to go two weeks. The first week was actually surprisingly easy ... every time I walked by the candy dish or came across a donut, I thought to myself "Oh, I don't eat sugar anymore." and that was that! (I am absolutely an <a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2012/10/back-by-popular-demand-are-you-an-abstainer-or-a-moderator/" target="_blank">abstainer</a> rather than a moderator!) I didn't go crazy looking for hidden sugar ingredients, only eliminated the obvious sources: baked goods, candy, chocolate, ice cream.<br />
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By day eight, I shared my challenge with Jeff and indulged in one mini peanut butter cheesecake that I made for a dinner party. (It was awesome!) I also allowed three chocolate cookies from Clark's birthday - one an evening, with a cup of tea, after the kids were in bed. So, not a totally sugar-free month, but drastically reduced ... I went from having several sweet things a day to six very small treats total over what's now been 26 days. And oh, the sweets I passed up! Peanut butter pie! Brownie ice cream sundaes! Halloween candy! I was at <a href="http://www.magnoliabakery.com/" target="_blank">MAGNOLIA</a> and only admired the beautiful desserts! I've been drinking a LOT of tea to fill the snacky void ... and even had FRUIT for dessert on a few occasions. (Who have I become??)<br />
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My mood has definitely improved ... overall I feel more even-tempered. No guarantee I won't be back to the old habits at some point, but my hope is to be more selective about my sweet options, and make sure that the calories are totally worth it!Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-88378400097339744572015-11-03T19:24:00.000-05:002015-11-03T19:24:53.063-05:00It's Popcorn Time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACTuOP10Gk-SDedbbFsCyiKHK9fcpfb9Zx_PlZ0BDbvb-61D4lc9j8tFn-2HmmB3hMFyMojBeTnAPgf7FHgLSYuy3ncCbwMezqryhcfHlVNHL7xkS24-SVcUL_jYIhyHoPkO0sQUGUbQ/s1600/CubScout.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACTuOP10Gk-SDedbbFsCyiKHK9fcpfb9Zx_PlZ0BDbvb-61D4lc9j8tFn-2HmmB3hMFyMojBeTnAPgf7FHgLSYuy3ncCbwMezqryhcfHlVNHL7xkS24-SVcUL_jYIhyHoPkO0sQUGUbQ/s400/CubScout.jpg" title="Cub Scout printable thank you tags from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="310" /></a><br />
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Remember a few years ago when I posted <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2011/03/its-cookie-time.html" target="_blank">Girl Scout thank you tags</a>? Well, now I have a Cub Scout selling popcorn. Clark did a jaw-droppingly great job of going house-to-house in our neighborhood with Dad to do some selling. Amazing! So we'll have lots of popcorn to deliver in a few weeks ... time to make some new tags!<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfP1I-xQ_-grz-sQE-bRHKwIsOrromkxOPTi7wnI3wOTq7aZzaPjhP3CHxLZmYZL3LpmaJW2VrEDqsq2ohE_sxmmSmSqlJap_THJ6iYsCxYlWGAvZbcOz-EAjuBDsg79SmbMYY2on2rI/s1600/CubScoutThankYouTags.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfP1I-xQ_-grz-sQE-bRHKwIsOrromkxOPTi7wnI3wOTq7aZzaPjhP3CHxLZmYZL3LpmaJW2VrEDqsq2ohE_sxmmSmSqlJap_THJ6iYsCxYlWGAvZbcOz-EAjuBDsg79SmbMYY2on2rI/s400/CubScoutThankYouTags.jpg" title="Cub Scout printable thank you tags from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Download Cub Scout thank you tag </span><a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_CubScoutThankYouTags.pdf" style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">And for the visually impaired ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBvwSCkzUdlwjHv0mK2dxKc_sxa5tarx2Lv0d-PFLOebd703MDsypWuFnV-sveECjjkO-cEI7t62zJv3uxRhdiY_tnKYcTX1o8YUj2BUoZKWYL5e46JbSKNtvIbNuCg835prELHOhm_w/s1600/CubScoutThankYouTags_glasses.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBvwSCkzUdlwjHv0mK2dxKc_sxa5tarx2Lv0d-PFLOebd703MDsypWuFnV-sveECjjkO-cEI7t62zJv3uxRhdiY_tnKYcTX1o8YUj2BUoZKWYL5e46JbSKNtvIbNuCg835prELHOhm_w/s400/CubScoutThankYouTags_glasses.jpg" title="Cub Scout printable thank you tags from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">Download Cub Scout with glasses thank you tag </span><a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_CubScoutThankYouTags_glasses.pdf" style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;">For personal use only, please! Hope these are helpful for your scout! </span></div>
Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-35228223145681121922015-09-22T14:42:00.000-04:002015-09-22T14:42:04.684-04:00Daily Sketch – Happy Things<img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhyphenhyphenJbdtB2yfWZWtK_C6p20HV79aqWPnJDTqgq4sbi8CulxycprXCp46JcW8NG7wqdTS7BzmZSTLYKxinAdu7OVlzhKb9jAmbqpY08s7yfaUoRE9JmucoaZbgjES-JtXuLXIYsHKMNVXA/s400/IMG_7747+copy.jpg" title="Happy things from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /><br />
Things that make me happy: rainbows - tea - pencils - peanut butter chocolate chunk ice cream - erasers - heatproof rubber scraper - double chocolate chip sandwich cookies - waffles - silver number pencil cup - permanent markers - souvenir vacation mugs - hearts - Riesen caramels - homemade muffins - brown baking wrappers - Pyrex measuring cups - Cortland apples - individual pots of eyeshadow - low rise bikini panties - sunshine - flat shoes - garden flags - popcorn - mini mouse ornaments - drawings of birds (not actual birds) - sticky circle flowers - rocks<br />
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(Check out <a href="https://instagram.com/spotgirldesign/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for more daily sketches!)Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-20282712826674033032015-08-10T18:21:00.000-04:002015-08-10T18:21:30.147-04:00Baking Monday – Black and White Cookies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrbv0c4fkkiAI4j6VbJRdrrzbnfI7YT8rdeaF8i_sQP-_5ELqh1Y5jQWgOpubOwTnBkW5XWTe8GY9dj5c_uTI-s1OufzYqQSIpXnbug6mdtIeUW8yjoCnyxDGh9ntst3gr-FhuwnBQrE/s1600/IMG_7230+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrbv0c4fkkiAI4j6VbJRdrrzbnfI7YT8rdeaF8i_sQP-_5ELqh1Y5jQWgOpubOwTnBkW5XWTe8GY9dj5c_uTI-s1OufzYqQSIpXnbug6mdtIeUW8yjoCnyxDGh9ntst3gr-FhuwnBQrE/s400/IMG_7230+copy.jpg" title="Black & White Cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br /><br /> Look to the cookie!!!<br /><div>
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I've never tried a black and white cookie before, and in fact had never even heard of one before <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlLPAIrmqvE" target="_blank">Seinfeld</a>. Summer seemed to be a good time to make a batch and give them a try.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HCdOOnC6kWR5Os54AkOBI7-ZI6zyjrAH7VGGK6vsWULKoqX4a56El6YgeiHE4qmminIq29OdgU0dbngz7XOpaVmaMRaH2MqLjvp3OCGKAni0Te-1rCdzhwVGzWM_E80VtDE4knuwnRY/s1600/IMG_7231+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HCdOOnC6kWR5Os54AkOBI7-ZI6zyjrAH7VGGK6vsWULKoqX4a56El6YgeiHE4qmminIq29OdgU0dbngz7XOpaVmaMRaH2MqLjvp3OCGKAni0Te-1rCdzhwVGzWM_E80VtDE4knuwnRY/s400/IMG_7231+copy.jpg" title="Black & White Cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br /><br /> You might find <a href="http://www.thrillist.com/eat/new-york/black-and-white-cookies-the-10-things-you-didn-t-know-thrillist-new-york" target="_blank">these facts about black and white cookies</a> interesting. The observations that were my takeaways are that these are a very soft, cake-like cookie, with a bit of lemon flavoring. <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/black-and-white-cookies-recipe/" target="_blank">This recipe</a> is great, though I should have thinned out the icing more for that nice smooth surface. And even though I used my trusty cookie scoop for these, most turned out a little wonky (these are the best of the bunch).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHkdeAHKg62rMJmzgeHDH-HJHawips7cq_dIpWopRl7X1DLMMFU5-O8NONH_5Foa4R5IFrS7vINgv90m68Cu9INcCQn6SrfcFhx-jqA4wtWsrONLyP5yZnVCVcAUox_Vx3o-ZMAetz28/s1600/IMG_7239+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHkdeAHKg62rMJmzgeHDH-HJHawips7cq_dIpWopRl7X1DLMMFU5-O8NONH_5Foa4R5IFrS7vINgv90m68Cu9INcCQn6SrfcFhx-jqA4wtWsrONLyP5yZnVCVcAUox_Vx3o-ZMAetz28/s400/IMG_7239+copy.jpg" title="Black & White Cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><div>
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They are certainly not the prettiest to look at, but they sure are good. Hopefully they will not result in any Seinfeldian symptoms over here!</div>
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Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-24088092968400838382015-08-07T12:02:00.000-04:002015-08-07T12:02:00.984-04:00Kindness Chart Printable<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7S7oiDEMAORVZUipOzQl8YPPQvNKkpRnfjYNxPO5viMJLVKK1HX9cm2H9oOdjo6cOeCXl1tEGVsS8-z-khfmIE3uedxMVFTgPNyyiNQ-GyGdYzTXqrbhYjzkC_e1kOkhDXgnSNjdA8Q/s1600/HC_KindnessChart.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7S7oiDEMAORVZUipOzQl8YPPQvNKkpRnfjYNxPO5viMJLVKK1HX9cm2H9oOdjo6cOeCXl1tEGVsS8-z-khfmIE3uedxMVFTgPNyyiNQ-GyGdYzTXqrbhYjzkC_e1kOkhDXgnSNjdA8Q/s400/HC_KindnessChart.jpg" title="Printable Kindness Chart from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="310" /></a><div>
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I was going through old files and found this chart from 2011. I must have been feeling particularly frustrated with the niceness levels around the house when this was made. (It was also January, we were likely full of winter doldrums, too.) The chart has symbols for kids and mom, each with four sections to be filled in whenever someone is showing great behavior. Rewards can be issued when all four sections are filled in. Included is a list of positive behaviors that will earn a mark on the chart:</div>
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• Use kind words</div>
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• Be respectful</div>
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• Be a good listener</div>
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• Be supportive and encouraging (still struggling with that amongst the siblings!)</div>
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• Be a helper</div>
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• Keep your hands to yourself</div>
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• Show appreciation: say please and thank you!</div>
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I honestly cannot remember if we actually used it. The act of making the chart alone was probably enough to chill me out of whatever crazy state I was in at the time. It seems like a good one to share!</div>
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Download Kindness Chart <a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_KindnessChart.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-4309271620412912722015-07-20T09:30:00.000-04:002015-07-20T09:30:00.988-04:00Baking Monday – Monkey Cookies!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CgD6U-zcGhC2vir11oqDBFSl3op45wDu1mXxwpYyUfMtEdW0g8zNhXuQm6Go4B4CCZrndcooBfIjIDyJuPiVNejPU_oO4Wnv-QIn90dpGpjhsNxcARz0RzoGfXlR1nLYzHtZvstKrrA/s1600/IMG_6959+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CgD6U-zcGhC2vir11oqDBFSl3op45wDu1mXxwpYyUfMtEdW0g8zNhXuQm6Go4B4CCZrndcooBfIjIDyJuPiVNejPU_oO4Wnv-QIn90dpGpjhsNxcARz0RzoGfXlR1nLYzHtZvstKrrA/s400/IMG_6959+copy.jpg" title="Monkey cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /></a><br />
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Clark spotted this recipe in one of his animal magazines and wanted to make some monkey cookies. They turned out super cute!<br />
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<span id="goog_1800644965"></span><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKebs-rEK1CHfTTD87V4PYXK_dOfWJ2qaswHX433d89FiLPMXscbEXgOCmIxtLh5rEDA5V3ZZI0vPE9amCT0PCEKRQNG4cXMSqOj9UugLLF6vJU0BQRYrJmydNXIsmG9w52NU_vVF7tQ/s400/IMG_4932.jpg" title="Monkey cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /><span id="goog_1800644966"></span><br />
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Clark is my baking buddy. He's the one most likely to ask to make something and offer to help when I'm in the kitchen. He helped mix the dough and shaped four of the monkeys by himself before declaring he "needed a break."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHJ1Kf4_N6xdleJ7cchtqG0ztnszM3mqRWxsNJ914HB8CXmCbZYHvUTIEgXHqFZoiK61HkXOZfZk42pHnr-84yMQlG64CVwF3RpjajHrzMfm1Ymvbc5BF0Hm9P-BHfmGQfppEARgeCJc/s1600/IMG_4934+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHJ1Kf4_N6xdleJ7cchtqG0ztnszM3mqRWxsNJ914HB8CXmCbZYHvUTIEgXHqFZoiK61HkXOZfZk42pHnr-84yMQlG64CVwF3RpjajHrzMfm1Ymvbc5BF0Hm9P-BHfmGQfppEARgeCJc/s400/IMG_4934+copy.jpg" title="Monkey cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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So I got to finish the rest of them. It was kind of fun sculpting cookies instead of using a cutter for a change. The recipe is pretty good ... it uses a lot of butter, so these ended up with more of a firm shortbread texture than a soft sugar cookie. I used <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/hersheys-perfectly-chocolate-chocolate-frosting-448818" target="_blank">Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Frosting</a> to decorate. Mini peanut butter cups filled in for M&M noses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbJXPEMAf7H2F03jHNVBL80JwFqin_Hiiw7LRnax1XN-_6k1E547sUByTOHkdunWUM8PABca7oPJ8Rq6u_xm6e_aInvTU2sV9OddRUtFHp54wGwLwDgl62-pFgSF7yrYGIN3jUXW_uiE/s1600/IMG_6963+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbJXPEMAf7H2F03jHNVBL80JwFqin_Hiiw7LRnax1XN-_6k1E547sUByTOHkdunWUM8PABca7oPJ8Rq6u_xm6e_aInvTU2sV9OddRUtFHp54wGwLwDgl62-pFgSF7yrYGIN3jUXW_uiE/s400/IMG_6963+copy.jpg" title="Monkey cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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Clark also had zero interest in decorating the cookies, but much interest in eating them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0_1OLuqFGBybcP29nKsz8MhOK9VTEnx-NVO2psVEi9_ounBV02dFUGJSfsr_MzZjpgoAaGLn4ZzQtTLxtNvgOLBjpecoL1W7ayw1a0SNVBWrRY95-h2juR18CgjBWpTl5AAoZJAEUsM/s1600/IMG_4958.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0_1OLuqFGBybcP29nKsz8MhOK9VTEnx-NVO2psVEi9_ounBV02dFUGJSfsr_MzZjpgoAaGLn4ZzQtTLxtNvgOLBjpecoL1W7ayw1a0SNVBWrRY95-h2juR18CgjBWpTl5AAoZJAEUsM/s400/IMG_4958.jpg" title="Monkey cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="300" /></a><br />
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He wanted a photo of one of his cookies and requested: "Don't post it on Facebook, but you can put it on Hotcakes." Done! (Also? That was day two of turtle pajamas. We take our summer vacationing very seriously around here.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sI1qn8DPpIgvkmP6SKxa2_i8I7ELeIZuhTf7Esb6YUf16MorCwFLdp2k8bfNY2NUY-ZRpedlArUQxz797o_sx18Mmt4wvVKxQHFT9KyNXUrURrVcbXFSRKI5AmOImVEi2jnIxpM1UyY/s1600/IMG_6969+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sI1qn8DPpIgvkmP6SKxa2_i8I7ELeIZuhTf7Esb6YUf16MorCwFLdp2k8bfNY2NUY-ZRpedlArUQxz797o_sx18Mmt4wvVKxQHFT9KyNXUrURrVcbXFSRKI5AmOImVEi2jnIxpM1UyY/s400/IMG_6969+copy.jpg" title="Monkey cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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Monkey cookies! Yay!Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-41966547686126433992015-07-15T09:30:00.000-04:002015-08-03T22:24:57.555-04:00Printable Wednesday – Emergency Bookmarks!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigE-LSwrlJ7yofLXegekWzTqO2g0-OlHV_6w8xQ-FrUZjakOg_Hr6e8M4ShrcxusUeGglza9hmSOSY65W-oaT02Qfd1Na8wzilvO_nGR_Xs_t4yxFiQXQ2WVTr5ECJeSo9kZ5fcZNdJJM/s1600/IMG_6894+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigE-LSwrlJ7yofLXegekWzTqO2g0-OlHV_6w8xQ-FrUZjakOg_Hr6e8M4ShrcxusUeGglza9hmSOSY65W-oaT02Qfd1Na8wzilvO_nGR_Xs_t4yxFiQXQ2WVTr5ECJeSo9kZ5fcZNdJJM/s400/IMG_6894+copy.jpg" title="Emergency Bookmarks from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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More bookmarks today! As said before, we can never have too many. One to three children always have books in the car when we're out and around. 75% of the time, we get to our destination and hear "I need a bookmark!" from someone. Occasionally I will throw a bunch of extras in the car, but then forget to refill them. This was an idea I had kicking around for awhile ... bookmarks in a tear-off pad for emergencies!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXM9W_NybIC44-d1_CkXxpl86hyphenhyphenUpggr4mb2lHJ0QYsttYYjZRG0odImfGUp8gQx5-PeDnKJgSBD8b6sCp-rvw_X2QRbYyGo_jz3LtD0aMKfXxQK6N66v_XIDA56jYv1pCyezVVgmI2I/s1600/IMG_6901+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXM9W_NybIC44-d1_CkXxpl86hyphenhyphenUpggr4mb2lHJ0QYsttYYjZRG0odImfGUp8gQx5-PeDnKJgSBD8b6sCp-rvw_X2QRbYyGo_jz3LtD0aMKfXxQK6N66v_XIDA56jYv1pCyezVVgmI2I/s400/IMG_6901+copy.jpg" title="Emergency Bookmarks from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /></a><br />
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These were made with the same method as the <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2014/07/upcycled-notebook-paper.html" target="_blank">upcycled notepads</a>. I printed and trimmed three pages of bookmarks on cardstock, for 15 bookmarks total. (Another upcycle ... due to a printing mix-up, I ended up with about 300 extra sheets of blue paper at home recently. Yay for using things up!) The bookmarks were lined up and sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard. The original instructions called for paint sticks, but all ours disappeared during OM season. Clip the stack together with binder clips.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tPChBkfFtyAfododFNYpXgpzMCbEPeii0410u5NWL9T_F2w5BHg7_QlvPXMUas9vH_StA72EyHlluzuO1WdK1laTnMwP6lFLEdbvPrq91c4W-34soogRfM4WfItP78HXFzwAvl61WBE/s1600/IMG_6904+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tPChBkfFtyAfododFNYpXgpzMCbEPeii0410u5NWL9T_F2w5BHg7_QlvPXMUas9vH_StA72EyHlluzuO1WdK1laTnMwP6lFLEdbvPrq91c4W-34soogRfM4WfItP78HXFzwAvl61WBE/s400/IMG_6904+copy.jpg" title="Emergency Bookmarks from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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I spread Mod Podge on one long and one short side of the stack. Don't even bother with a brush, I just used a finger to dab then spread a thick layer of glue along the edge. Move the binder clips to make sure they are holding the stack in place securely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKdvW_WWzt3YYJpK1Y7VFAdDOGr9mubohVArgWvmxVTpx5m5_WHHGd5J0L4BwISxi0DR1IOyuyOSuRi4o-lFUwpBSDYBNoQJLgVLnNwEVMNH0XQnXPVuSowsoC-xFj36PZdGUmCKx68M/s1600/IMG_6922+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKdvW_WWzt3YYJpK1Y7VFAdDOGr9mubohVArgWvmxVTpx5m5_WHHGd5J0L4BwISxi0DR1IOyuyOSuRi4o-lFUwpBSDYBNoQJLgVLnNwEVMNH0XQnXPVuSowsoC-xFj36PZdGUmCKx68M/s400/IMG_6922+copy.jpg" title="Emergency Bookmarks from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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Let dry for about an hour and yay! Bookmarks to go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0zbsUX_W98rrldseUPbbIL99jyfuoCOX8esY6trkw5dJE3nF50A-IKvSnMQILEUP07L-A51GoNhBUzJKu2ihg8y-2lKoYX5MwEBItX2YUU2iQE7pNvpn6XSV4nZQSXU2nsnlxxHhjO8/s1600/HC_EmergencyBookmark.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0zbsUX_W98rrldseUPbbIL99jyfuoCOX8esY6trkw5dJE3nF50A-IKvSnMQILEUP07L-A51GoNhBUzJKu2ihg8y-2lKoYX5MwEBItX2YUU2iQE7pNvpn6XSV4nZQSXU2nsnlxxHhjO8/s640/HC_EmergencyBookmark.jpg" title="Emergency Bookmarks from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="371" /></a></div>
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I had fun making these up using artwork from other projects and not getting too precious about fonts. Here's the printable to make your own! Personal use only, please.</div>
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Download emergency bookmark printable <a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_EmergencyBookmark.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-64840345569683472052015-07-08T10:45:00.000-04:002015-08-03T22:25:10.335-04:00Printable Wednesday – Three Bookmarks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr5lfg5iZqaGr3pqDBhVlVNPBqG5-iyOUxQcmu1gPNEcL4dQVYkv7JyBGiiNF8mUEW5-qLCzG_sE_QxKuGefJR5CFiJdYOSEmDvWJSKk4MLbHFV0_kaqAG8JBuu_7H_NiR9VLy4HQXRw/s1600/IMG_6879+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr5lfg5iZqaGr3pqDBhVlVNPBqG5-iyOUxQcmu1gPNEcL4dQVYkv7JyBGiiNF8mUEW5-qLCzG_sE_QxKuGefJR5CFiJdYOSEmDvWJSKk4MLbHFV0_kaqAG8JBuu_7H_NiR9VLy4HQXRw/s400/IMG_6879+copy.jpg" title="Printable Bookmarks from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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We can never have enough bookmarks in our house, so when I'm thinking of things to doodle, bookmarks are the perfect item. It's a small canvas that can be put to practical use!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfSbGiV9n5aYpXT4VTKC3oBpKh-GzDSpo-JEVpp67T7P0nY8za7bXXjpxNol8x-bM8xFbOsPWUf47rH3CbBnPnXqr0Xxchd-ZyWj0eNabVI4XQjspaWII5yYK9q98RokOpvsNiOWqZug/s1600/IMG_6888+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfSbGiV9n5aYpXT4VTKC3oBpKh-GzDSpo-JEVpp67T7P0nY8za7bXXjpxNol8x-bM8xFbOsPWUf47rH3CbBnPnXqr0Xxchd-ZyWj0eNabVI4XQjspaWII5yYK9q98RokOpvsNiOWqZug/s400/IMG_6888+copy.jpg" title="Printable Bookmarks from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /></a></div>
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There's a color version below and a black & white to CIY. Try color pencil, felt tips, sharpies, or watercolor. After coloring, they can be trimmed and mounted on coordinating card stock. If a bookmark turns out really cool or is going to be a gift, I'll take it to be laminated. But most often I'll do a homemade packing tape coating, which works just as well. See below for links to download. Bookmarks are for personal use only, please!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJ6ssu5PPbbYZnfI_b-O0FwpUhWbX9auspKoB3jDtxSWTdHLVVLUD7MvryHiaB2GTN91oUCE3FVYgVfzAYT8FT4O-a4eYziyAFRbs8vh1yqTsK8tkPHWThthRNDZ0U1O9B-ArnG9yy9Y/s1600/HC_3BookmarksColor.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJ6ssu5PPbbYZnfI_b-O0FwpUhWbX9auspKoB3jDtxSWTdHLVVLUD7MvryHiaB2GTN91oUCE3FVYgVfzAYT8FT4O-a4eYziyAFRbs8vh1yqTsK8tkPHWThthRNDZ0U1O9B-ArnG9yy9Y/s400/HC_3BookmarksColor.jpg" title="Printable Bookmarks from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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Download color bookmarks <a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_3BookmarksColor.pdf" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZa6alTYzaeLO4AEZgNQS04a8XfcOG-UpylGzFpUDipQf0Kk3cKZf2d4BE8-ognUsHeFIhyphenhyphenSwoWgNTKT2gV_xfLjy-nzWY6g-VofpU856XUBQV2tbkfyaSWOTI0vI3JfQYoTdVJExavk/s1600/HC_3BookmarksBW.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZa6alTYzaeLO4AEZgNQS04a8XfcOG-UpylGzFpUDipQf0Kk3cKZf2d4BE8-ognUsHeFIhyphenhyphenSwoWgNTKT2gV_xfLjy-nzWY6g-VofpU856XUBQV2tbkfyaSWOTI0vI3JfQYoTdVJExavk/s400/HC_3BookmarksBW.jpg" title="Printable Bookmarks from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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Download black & white bookmarks <a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_3BookmarksBW.pdf" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-42039851769554851782015-06-26T10:00:00.000-04:002015-08-07T12:08:27.835-04:00More Photo Booth Props!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniQdbo8FMYmbSbpv_yLS49RytYZLcsXQoDkd1QECF9OPopGTK5y_dBA43eqRZLkfUTm4Oxbkw2VUop_KlXuvj9OLLXpjQiiKI3U0-zBeWin1H4R96K7eS-2a1OuzSh5EA7N1yk3G5pms/s1600/PhotoboothPics2B.jpg"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniQdbo8FMYmbSbpv_yLS49RytYZLcsXQoDkd1QECF9OPopGTK5y_dBA43eqRZLkfUTm4Oxbkw2VUop_KlXuvj9OLLXpjQiiKI3U0-zBeWin1H4R96K7eS-2a1OuzSh5EA7N1yk3G5pms/s400/PhotoboothPics2B.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I've added to my <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2012/04/works-for-me-wednesday-photo-booth.html" target="_blank">Photo Booth prop collection</a>! The first batch were for one of Dora's parties and are a bit girly-themed. So before we went on family vacation last year, I made another set for a little more variety. We had a super fun photo session with all the littles ... I was snapping photos for about an hour!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG6mFSmPqf3OYa6kK7S1UHMOJRTWB_WDQI67_fdmOiDoH4957YIUIlJih27Akv7BjNH21esIsFIql7TjgaceHI6521rO0vAstah0l7QcpT_Bs_O3z01oEH46QbULXmmspKDc82K3GhJI/s1600/PhotoboothPics2A.jpg"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG6mFSmPqf3OYa6kK7S1UHMOJRTWB_WDQI67_fdmOiDoH4957YIUIlJih27Akv7BjNH21esIsFIql7TjgaceHI6521rO0vAstah0l7QcpT_Bs_O3z01oEH46QbULXmmspKDc82K3GhJI/s400/PhotoboothPics2A.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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See? The bow works well in the hair or as a neck tie!<br />
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<img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaQLhlX4JWI__W51vhO1FCd_53XBEw0GP9UNEsSdEGt2gPBHowSlEJ5PdFny-nG6wDVNq_kIiJ1WTbfUdH1knyblTgBr1sP2YVVFs8i_Oe-iHn5W-la1_PJup2BSsgCPTSOfW9QWYTRU/s400/PhotoboothPics3.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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They were used again for the second grade class party this week. Super fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwjwY1_q0wUgt7DGeybOKb7c88aPdDK6Ytc6YeaBe6vrKh_SBjsQDTd69enYu21NP83eQUs4hz3ktDk6AFcFYcSpLA41u7ywc5V9t2RIBW4vFaA2i5mcX7xCuapP2qpebboMp1qosLDc/s1600/HC_PhotoboothProps2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwjwY1_q0wUgt7DGeybOKb7c88aPdDK6Ytc6YeaBe6vrKh_SBjsQDTd69enYu21NP83eQUs4hz3ktDk6AFcFYcSpLA41u7ywc5V9t2RIBW4vFaA2i5mcX7xCuapP2qpebboMp1qosLDc/s400/HC_PhotoboothProps2.jpg" title="Photo Booth props from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
Would you like them, too? Here you go! Assembly instructions can be found in the <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2012/04/works-for-me-wednesday-photo-booth.html" target="_blank">original post</a>.</div>
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Download bunny ears <a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_Bunnyears.pdf">here</a></div>
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Download bowtie / toothy grin / alien antennae <a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_PBBowtie_Smile_Alien.pdf">here</a></div>
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Download alien eyes / mask <a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_PBEyes_Mask.pdf">here</a></div>
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Download top hat <a href="http://spotgirl.net/HC_PBTophat.pdf">here</a></div>
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Personal use only, please! </div>
Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-3501066795836075782015-06-25T10:00:00.000-04:002015-06-25T10:00:01.768-04:00Where I've Been!I've still been baking, but the weekly recipes and photo shoots were getting to be more of a chore than a pleasure. And while school life always gets busy this time of year, there were a few extra events throwing our schedule off track, such as ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO13AHFZN10tXpUHxs-44cshDDBKrMCIFIuXHPASqZ9sT6ZeCmAIt7TGiPSgi9HiVk1Wju7VlGq_k_VsA7We10Xc6EOI3Eclu6j-ID9FnvGWAr_jyw0zYir18oFN4vmQuqcAAZt2ziL8/s1600/IMG_6102.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO13AHFZN10tXpUHxs-44cshDDBKrMCIFIuXHPASqZ9sT6ZeCmAIt7TGiPSgi9HiVk1Wju7VlGq_k_VsA7We10Xc6EOI3Eclu6j-ID9FnvGWAr_jyw0zYir18oFN4vmQuqcAAZt2ziL8/s400/IMG_6102.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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The honor of traveling to Michigan State University last month for the <a href="http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/" target="_blank">Odyssey of the Mind</a> World finals! Our middle school team won their regional competition ... then WON states (holy cow, that was so cool) ... which made them eligible to compete against 65 other teams from all over the world. Dora and Theo are both on the team and Mr. Hotcakes is the coach, so we all hopped the bus to MSU! It was an amazing experience, both in what they learned and how much fun they had. I really can't say enough good things about the program, it's incredibly hard work, but also incredibly rewarding.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7boM-GbHZ9waxhTUI5q2faelruzkZ5N1bJlb3uFQIs_pND_35jRm1WfkEeOB3qPtR-siZT6_PQ2finEzlLm8V_vFxgoOAZNG2BqwshmNZRE6WMuD24B7enXYeHv4ChSnv2CQGmGMN7Q/s1600/635643746225449107--LB-0018.JPG"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7boM-GbHZ9waxhTUI5q2faelruzkZ5N1bJlb3uFQIs_pND_35jRm1WfkEeOB3qPtR-siZT6_PQ2finEzlLm8V_vFxgoOAZNG2BqwshmNZRE6WMuD24B7enXYeHv4ChSnv2CQGmGMN7Q/s400/635643746225449107--LB-0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Clark has had a many ups and downs lately. While he did great on our trip to Michigan (for the most part) the last three weeks of school were incredibly challenging. He also celebrated his First Communion (praise the Lord! I was worried all year about whether he'd go through with it.) and bridged to a Bear scout. He continues to be a big thinker and makes me laugh every day. Always trying to understand what's going on in that little walnut of his. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkOgdUrJW0xd1BVkyq6dOwQ2C69tk7lhp7LNTkDUy0WXVHnsBJKBi1B4Cp5UgrOjl_au-lEYNro7BEEzlMoa9EwGz_mcyLF0VRWTV0zgidSXds75eNZU_z64QBdypJvP0asuy41yGVnQ/s1600/IMG_6281.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkOgdUrJW0xd1BVkyq6dOwQ2C69tk7lhp7LNTkDUy0WXVHnsBJKBi1B4Cp5UgrOjl_au-lEYNro7BEEzlMoa9EwGz_mcyLF0VRWTV0zgidSXds75eNZU_z64QBdypJvP0asuy41yGVnQ/s400/IMG_6281.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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(And look! Cookies!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sxGQtxDPxoXW-Ayti1rLksaoL8pccqCJspE9YPenSMmVSQnLK3326_K7YAMZpun01iMJBjI0dbIGGrYgSS76v5qAuS5G85VQAQCuJjDqJeus-mYppa-O8dLCVwYUBMQkgbsg6-aPo6A/s1600/IMG_4448+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sxGQtxDPxoXW-Ayti1rLksaoL8pccqCJspE9YPenSMmVSQnLK3326_K7YAMZpun01iMJBjI0dbIGGrYgSS76v5qAuS5G85VQAQCuJjDqJeus-mYppa-O8dLCVwYUBMQkgbsg6-aPo6A/s400/IMG_4448+copy.jpg" title="Sugar cookies from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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I've also been working quite a bit (yay). Did you know that my updated work can be found <a href="http://spotgirl-gallery.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>? The spotgirl.net website is long overdue for a change, that's also on my long list of projects. I've been having a lot of fun working by hand and have been using <a href="https://instagram.com/spotgirldesign/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://spotgirldesign.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> to post those works in progress. I don't have any of my own materials that I'm currently marketing and am hoping this playtime helps point me in the direction of what to do next. </div>
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Thanks for tuning in. More soon! </div>
Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-85369143528057942252015-06-23T20:21:00.000-04:002015-06-23T22:35:39.022-04:00Baking Monday (on a Tuesday and Really Really Late) – Caramel Toffee Bars<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtwheVXkkbknwQ2tet6ytyjwjZ3dlqnsmIYx0VZQ3HAK2V-hSvX9oPK5ePqozgUROGlx36iGLjFwh9vWAdtOwrUh_I7LV025Iv4FuIP7ayzheYz2VHJiHyGogfWDznOkg6cODwJdTlZ8/s1600/IMG_5911+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtwheVXkkbknwQ2tet6ytyjwjZ3dlqnsmIYx0VZQ3HAK2V-hSvX9oPK5ePqozgUROGlx36iGLjFwh9vWAdtOwrUh_I7LV025Iv4FuIP7ayzheYz2VHJiHyGogfWDznOkg6cODwJdTlZ8/s400/IMG_5911+copy.jpg" title="Caramel Toffee Bars from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /></a><br />
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Special shout out to a good friend who I know will be very excited about this post (hi, Laura!) Yes, I've been gone for awhile. Pool season wrapped up in May, and life got crazy busy. But I do have a small bank of baking pics to post. <a href="http://foodfunlife.blogspot.com/2012/05/caramel-toffee-bars.html" target="_blank">These bars</a> are kind of a cheaty baked good in my opinion, because it uses lots of pre-processed foods vs. whole ingredients, but tasty nonetheless.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUyS9XW8ntq6AL-EvlRUQfKhB9bADx_5XUGT8n9CfFJxlcOxx4RXaOh9b7xCHRTAvaJrgH2HQJZJA44th204QYgJFqj_n934HJrWsw6r3NJ6rtZSdg43-4r9ApnWDOiSfQOF_8vQ0lmY/s400/IMG_4157+copy.jpg" title="Caramel Toffee Bars from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" /><br />
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Replace the coconut (bleck) with white chocolate chips (mmm).<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxvWAJnnTmrL5ep3beLOxyyaxSNM7gMkVHCHY39Np-N9859GrP6WdMgClbQ0DjHL4gJbyUHct-re4dmt_3MD3k5R8U70VLwNf9Wym0WEj2TlU7tmPHt_83bXPoEvIE8HMkCwJ7IKELB4/s400/IMG_4158+copy.jpg" title="Caramel Toffee Bars from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="300" /><br />
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Also line the pan with baking parchment to make removal and cutting stress-free (as long as you wait until they are reeeeally cool to dig in)!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUhpXlhVvIS4l03oZZyWMWeuzv5zKfWq4h2h1x5OEa7XzazIljyVb87LzKez0WC5HbqwD97kuaqGhXO_ScJe-SelsHXmOlRI7V04tvge7TxfL7_IjbMXYWMiGku_hYBMH8bLQI6XTzFo/s1600/IMG_5920+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUhpXlhVvIS4l03oZZyWMWeuzv5zKfWq4h2h1x5OEa7XzazIljyVb87LzKez0WC5HbqwD97kuaqGhXO_ScJe-SelsHXmOlRI7V04tvge7TxfL7_IjbMXYWMiGku_hYBMH8bLQI6XTzFo/s400/IMG_5920+copy.jpg" title="Caramel Toffee Bars from http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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Very easy and very yummy. A hit with the littles in our house!</div>
Spotgirl http://www.blogger.com/profile/09598856508041609952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841347046804783970.post-75498404294678455212015-04-06T09:30:00.000-04:002015-04-06T09:30:01.007-04:00Baking Monday – Almond Sugar Cookies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34fYYBCx19Mz65Uavk4VcjF1ktKUtUEHky6NEG_uF6Ja6xSEE59ta9vqmKAL6NAMmu0Rf0l6uXmjaWsq73sqxbLQyq5JZeEWPuOSjmj1gW3jwoI312OZZbvLOPxfPOagP9CrQW-4xzTU/s1600/IMG_4102+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34fYYBCx19Mz65Uavk4VcjF1ktKUtUEHky6NEG_uF6Ja6xSEE59ta9vqmKAL6NAMmu0Rf0l6uXmjaWsq73sqxbLQyq5JZeEWPuOSjmj1gW3jwoI312OZZbvLOPxfPOagP9CrQW-4xzTU/s1600/IMG_4102+copy.jpg" title="Almond Sugar Cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="300" /></a><br />
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I love almond flavoring in baked goods! Not all the time, but every once in awhile, the idea of almond hits the spot. <a href="http://www.thenovicechefblog.com/2013/03/almond-meltaway-cookies/" target="_blank">These</a> were easy sugar cookies with almond flavoring ... yum!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnttzVKuNIgTREzrEqB_S6vdnKzsHwUqMVrr-5fhw45Uq9Hfpo6rJbVH_9vY5vSqdFwShc5SKIi2d-kjrE2dAhLMZHhjQ6yGafoRWpd-7C2hHtjfyfpI9g0KTZc3hFdfp11SF0V195cUI/s1600/IMG_4103+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnttzVKuNIgTREzrEqB_S6vdnKzsHwUqMVrr-5fhw45Uq9Hfpo6rJbVH_9vY5vSqdFwShc5SKIi2d-kjrE2dAhLMZHhjQ6yGafoRWpd-7C2hHtjfyfpI9g0KTZc3hFdfp11SF0V195cUI/s1600/IMG_4103+copy.jpg" title="Almond Sugar Cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="300" /></a><br />
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Theo and I debated about what color the icing should be ... white would have been fine, but I was in a colorful mood. But so many colors made us think of flavoring (cherry, orange, lemon, mint, chocolate). Theo suggested blue, I ended up with purple. Not sure it was the best choice? Maybe white with some colored sprinkles would have been the way to go. Anyhow, these cookies were very good. Several of the people who tried them swear they tasted cherry. (I've done <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2012/05/baking-monday-cherry-almond-cookies.html" target="_blank">almond-cherry</a> before ... a favorite!) Turns out, there's a <a href="https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130213041619AA0vVez" target="_blank">chemical connection between almond and cherry</a>. Interesting! </div>
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Cupcakes this week for a friend's birthday! Sadly, she was under the weather and couldn't enjoy one until a couple of days later. These cupcakes were inspired by <a href="https://princessinthekitchen.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/emilys-chocolate-birthday-cake/" target="_blank">this chocolate layer cake</a> ... that chocolate cake plus pink icing just looked like the perfect birthday combo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpu_3g0RXpH-d9vzFPGnqQrYb6xLWmFWBI5lHOSSkGG0ypN1zat2TMjesAoc3kzwBa7hmXxy8OInITaFc6fzvpQfi7wKsJzgX_a4Ixaj9gVc_-Z84YV3YpcZ_PIdYUT6TntJXGX4JgLBI/s1600/IMG_5288+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpu_3g0RXpH-d9vzFPGnqQrYb6xLWmFWBI5lHOSSkGG0ypN1zat2TMjesAoc3kzwBa7hmXxy8OInITaFc6fzvpQfi7wKsJzgX_a4Ixaj9gVc_-Z84YV3YpcZ_PIdYUT6TntJXGX4JgLBI/s1600/IMG_5288+copy.jpg" title="Birthday cupcakes from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /></a><br />
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I do have a <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2013/01/baking-monday-girl-scout-cookie-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">go-to chocolate cake recipe</a>, but am always happy to try something new, and this one was great! I wanted to do a gooey, soft icing but didn't have the ingredients for the cream cheese icing in the original post. After flipping through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670847682/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0670847682&linkCode=as2&tag=hotcakes0c-20&linkId=A6IQUORQFQMCDTDT">The Complete Book of Baking</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hotcakes0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0670847682" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, I decided on Seven-Minute icing. It seemed so quaintly old-fashioned, like the kind of icing my grandma would have made. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0BTrS7TCCEZ5el6xveoMi9CiFMrajXAJgEyn1ev2ePNdXQpyJUqLjXhLTFPwg4j2XufnHBgYFPkFZeZ662HznPBlPAPzvoU2e0k8HAv5b3cCImPiqFys92GtoE6uam4NFnS_IYdI-SQ/s1600/IMG_3958+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0BTrS7TCCEZ5el6xveoMi9CiFMrajXAJgEyn1ev2ePNdXQpyJUqLjXhLTFPwg4j2XufnHBgYFPkFZeZ662HznPBlPAPzvoU2e0k8HAv5b3cCImPiqFys92GtoE6uam4NFnS_IYdI-SQ/s1600/IMG_3958+copy.jpg" title="Birthday cupcakes from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="300" /></a><br />
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This icing is more time-consuming than buttercream, but SO satisfying! (BTW, I should clean the hand mixer, maybe?) It's smooth and glossy, and just when it seems like I've been mixing waaaaay too long ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVW5mo4JH4S_fR0MUdmaFfQlYwnZVteDdEkUCrJRRFrc2rGBA4D9W1oxFD1NmXo5oMwMLb7jwuKmvIlrqQF8jRAPXJp7tGyDhJ-p0mllhDTTln61VclQwdcY5WJvY0L0cpo-O0mJX014/s1600/IMG_3959+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVW5mo4JH4S_fR0MUdmaFfQlYwnZVteDdEkUCrJRRFrc2rGBA4D9W1oxFD1NmXo5oMwMLb7jwuKmvIlrqQF8jRAPXJp7tGyDhJ-p0mllhDTTln61VclQwdcY5WJvY0L0cpo-O0mJX014/s1600/IMG_3959+copy.jpg" title="Birthday cupcakes from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="300" /></a><br />
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BAM! Peaks! We've got icing! This icing does look pretty and is very sweet, though not as flavorful as buttercream, and has an interesting bubbly texture. Even though it wasn't exactly the icing I was hoping for, I did enjoy trying something new. (And one recipe made more than enough for 26 cupcakes, so I may have to make another batch this week to use it all up.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlTJEujFCH4nddpFIzLsD6cFm9z1nxcuEWo4GCMftHjpfX9fkNKYXegc-e3uuSDiLxV5jvhjYmKTzUdB9G6CQ6gSFmTPi5TggbPnSVl9J12s9NCSoHtbQ2ZCuk0UAwQ4EJr6CRhc4tLE/s1600/IMG_5262+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlTJEujFCH4nddpFIzLsD6cFm9z1nxcuEWo4GCMftHjpfX9fkNKYXegc-e3uuSDiLxV5jvhjYmKTzUdB9G6CQ6gSFmTPi5TggbPnSVl9J12s9NCSoHtbQ2ZCuk0UAwQ4EJr6CRhc4tLE/s1600/IMG_5262+copy.jpg" title="Birthday cupcakes from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /></a><br />
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Here's the big question ... sprinkles or not? I preferred the look and taste of plain, but the kids voted for sprinkles. We ended up with some of each for everyone. </div>
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Sometimes I plan ahead for Baking Monday and will purchase specific ingredients, sometimes I find a recipe that works with whatever is on hand. My pantry is usually pretty well stocked with the basics, but somehow I ran out of flour (FLOUR!) this week while the kids were home on break. Shocking, right?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHknKViZR9_Y7mTeXcXEdSRPca44dqjNKYoP83m8ztpHb0oqclGZaI-3HYG_5HHOf5rR2r-wmSAZIEPLBPyxDqCCqHFloiUPYjX8zCPSfPi3LDovrdrG2xHezRSI02D9NYIUId5KJnx0/s1600/IMG_4959+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHknKViZR9_Y7mTeXcXEdSRPca44dqjNKYoP83m8ztpHb0oqclGZaI-3HYG_5HHOf5rR2r-wmSAZIEPLBPyxDqCCqHFloiUPYjX8zCPSfPi3LDovrdrG2xHezRSI02D9NYIUId5KJnx0/s1600/IMG_4959+copy.jpg" title="Peanut Butter Toffee Bars from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br /><br />I had bought a bag of toffee chips for <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2015/02/baking-monday-little-bit-of-everything.html" target="_blank">last week's bar cookies</a>, so decided to make this recipe with the leftovers. I assumed there were two cups of chips in the bag (like chocolate chips!) until I went to make these, and realized the bag only contained one and a third cups, one which I used up last week. Whoops, time to go through the baking chip bin (yes, I have a bin of baking chips) and find something else small and crunchy to fill in the gap ... mini M&M's!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtfe8X0s4797zyWF0QA7j6BbPy7_0qNXMq_AwKJYU328EbG5hdBsj1fhYQrssMa7cJmX8u-FkXKmF_4yXXxS_iPP-C22QLauCOhOKOiUfnhZ5fsFJ0RrSAvD10bfz7gz10RbceBoKkOY/s1600/IMG_4964+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtfe8X0s4797zyWF0QA7j6BbPy7_0qNXMq_AwKJYU328EbG5hdBsj1fhYQrssMa7cJmX8u-FkXKmF_4yXXxS_iPP-C22QLauCOhOKOiUfnhZ5fsFJ0RrSAvD10bfz7gz10RbceBoKkOY/s1600/IMG_4964+copy.jpg" title="Peanut Butter Toffee Bars from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><div>
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Which, are admittedly not my favorite, but worked in this case. These bars have a really great peanut butter / shortbread with a little bit of oatmeal crust, spread with a thin layer of chocolate. I didn't measure out how many chocolate chips went on top, but it was way less than the three cups recommended in the recipe, I think that would be way too much. I sprinkled enough just to cover the surface once melted. The rest of the recipe is good as is! Bake in a parchment-lined pan for easier cutting.<br /></div>
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This recipe is super yummy. I made a few alterations to the <a href="http://hugsandcookiesxoxo.com/2014/06/toffee-peanut-butter-caramel-cookie-bars.html" target="_blank">original recipe</a>, including the name, because when the kids and Mr. Hotcakes asked, "What's in these?" I had to say ... a little bit of everything! Peanut butter, oatmeal, two kinds of chips, caramel, toffee in a blondie-like dough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa3y6wsVVdag0EfrGaWP5ByOK98E2n0qLt6woV5LCamoQRLSiLSR5gk2_siu3ZJRhnoW73ja22a1CEQ-Y-F_kCioH2b-hGzOaLADOpk-NvevgwYZOTCFzFH9cQ9OJch0w91ucqPb2wTM/s1600/IMG_4908+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa3y6wsVVdag0EfrGaWP5ByOK98E2n0qLt6woV5LCamoQRLSiLSR5gk2_siu3ZJRhnoW73ja22a1CEQ-Y-F_kCioH2b-hGzOaLADOpk-NvevgwYZOTCFzFH9cQ9OJch0w91ucqPb2wTM/s1600/IMG_4908+copy.jpg" title="Little Bit of Everything Bars from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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Spreading the top layer of dough can be tricky, but I've got several recipes in my usual rotation that involve placing sticky dough on top of gooey fillings! It works well to take little scoops of dough at a time, flatten with your fingers, and lay in place. Keep moving all around the pan and fill in spaces until all the dough is used up ... I find it kind of fun. The dough will puff up, so don't worry about covering every last spot. I also recommend lining the pan with parchment paper, letting it stick up just over the sides. The bars really need to completely cool several hours or even overnight before cutting to avoid a giant mess. Using parchment, the whole bar can be lifted out of the pan and onto a cutting board, using a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SSZ4Q4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000SSZ4Q4&linkCode=as2&tag=hotcakes0c-20&linkId=F563LY5UYSDPOVWP">Stainless Steel Scraper/Chopper</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hotcakes0c-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000SSZ4Q4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
for cutting.</div>
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Very rich and very delicious!<br />
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/spotgirlhotcakesblogspotcom/little-bit-of-everything-bars" target="_blank">Print recipe</a><br /><br />Little Bit of Everything Bars<br /> <br /><b>Brownie Dough</b><br />12 tablespoons butter, softened<br />2 cups brown sugar<br />1/2 cup creamy peanut butter<br />2 eggs<br />1 Tbsp vanilla<br />2 cups flour<br />1 cup oats<br />2 1/2 tsp baking powder<br />1 tsp salt<br />1 cup chocolate chips<br />1 cup Reese's peanut butter chips<br />1 cup Heath toffee bits<br /><br /><b>Caramel Filling</b><br />8-9 oz (about 30) unwrapped caramel squares<br />14 oz sweetened condensed milk<br /><br /><b>Directions</b><br />• Preheat oven to 350 degrees<br />• Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper<br />• Cream sugar with butter and peanut butter in a mixer<br />• Add eggs and vanilla, mix well<br />• Add flour, oats, baking powder, and salt; mix to combine<br />• Stir in chocolate and pb chips and toffee<br />• Melt caramels and milk in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until smooth<br />• Press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of a pan, pour melted caramel over the dough<br />• Flatten out small pieces of remaining dough with fingers and place on top of caramel until mostly covered<br />• Bake about 30 minutes until lightly browned<br />• Cool completely before cutting into bars<br />
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Going through photos this weekend, and I found pictures of these brownies from way back in November, when we still had some Halloween candy to use up. The kids got a whole bunch of Reese pumpkins from Grandpa that needed to leave the house, so I smuggled them out in a brownie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVMS9a6OjZWLCgE9S_Yr5r-9vIvxpEQay5F10399R_6XFBrrYLE7_2tyYLjaf7pXjFvEprypofMtKW6iwxB7mNJCthOGMS3jr5cjfxT-k4CA1hkzXHB2u2Q6VrSDrFbi6GmnnTw2upug/s1600/IMG_3381+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVMS9a6OjZWLCgE9S_Yr5r-9vIvxpEQay5F10399R_6XFBrrYLE7_2tyYLjaf7pXjFvEprypofMtKW6iwxB7mNJCthOGMS3jr5cjfxT-k4CA1hkzXHB2u2Q6VrSDrFbi6GmnnTw2upug/s1600/IMG_3381+copy.jpg" title="Peanut Butter Cup Brownies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /></a><br />
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Arranging the candy on top of the brownie mix was fun. <a href="http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/reeses-brownie-bars/" target="_blank">This recipe</a> is great – super gooey and peanut buttery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEewMWvk7MDNttunFfVtXLckCoPzhutFS_lUFSGT4al8yMY8WXOdqcJTpMXZdWCKO6YwEXX_2DZZEQywsYtq660RSGnJkp_U7BNeEnUW_SFdQivERYv288kPtnO9JRQhq0qvdQGnl5hBU/s1600/IMG_3405+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEewMWvk7MDNttunFfVtXLckCoPzhutFS_lUFSGT4al8yMY8WXOdqcJTpMXZdWCKO6YwEXX_2DZZEQywsYtq660RSGnJkp_U7BNeEnUW_SFdQivERYv288kPtnO9JRQhq0qvdQGnl5hBU/s1600/IMG_3405+copy.jpg" title="Peanut Butter Cup Brownies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br />
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I've done <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2011/11/baking-monday-peanut-butter-cup-truffle.html" target="_blank">peanut butter</a> <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2012/05/baking-monay-peanut-butter-cup-brownies.html" target="_blank">brownies before</a>, but am always up for a new chocolate peanut butter combination! I'm guessing these would be great with any kind of chocolate candy bar surprise inside. </div>
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This is the note that went in Clark's lunch box this morning. One problem ... the party was TODAY. After my walk this morning, I came home to an email from his (wonderful) teacher:</div>
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;">Hi! I just wanted to check in and see how Clark’s morning went… Something seems to be on his mind. When we talked about the party today, he appeared sad, almost teary. I approached him and he wasn’t willing to talk about what was bothering him. Just wanted to let you know. </span></i></div>
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OH NO!!! Of course he was upset. He worked so hard on on his valentines, and I did not send them to school, because I assumed the party would be on Friday. As I was quickly writing back that I'd run them over, this message popped up:<br /><br /><i><span style="color: #e06666;">Hi again! With prompting and some time, Clark was able to share what was on his mind. He is concerned that he doesn’t have his Valentine cards at school and students will be passing them out later today. With assistance and time he did an EXCELLENT job of sharing his thoughts. I observed him working through his frustration without having an outburst or shutting down. We talked about a few solutions to the problem (asking you to bring them in, passing them out tomorrow). He is still thinking about what solution he is most comfortable with. Just wanted to keep you updated! </span></i></div>
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Really, could she be more amazing? She was so committed from the beginning of the year to making a good connection with Clark and figuring out all his quirks. We still have bumps in the road, but she has done such a great job of getting the best out of him and helping him navigate through the day. I was able to catch them right before leaving for lunch. He was SO pleased and relieved to see me. He was able to quickly sign his name to the back of each one and bring them back to the classroom. WHEW!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxo4W9_kTlB66LnyaRv7WxYIcBLhzrlqq66sDYtmNaMGRZIyYx5TJhVi6l_393IwPwb3yechXZYTft6gyapaFdS9oigQUtmp2wgWJcd8tWHUCLSggrfyGwFeKmAYvyXN4KDWTiFTTX8w0/s1600/IMG_3843.jpg"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxo4W9_kTlB66LnyaRv7WxYIcBLhzrlqq66sDYtmNaMGRZIyYx5TJhVi6l_393IwPwb3yechXZYTft6gyapaFdS9oigQUtmp2wgWJcd8tWHUCLSggrfyGwFeKmAYvyXN4KDWTiFTTX8w0/s1600/IMG_3843.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /> Very happy we had the extra time to finish the painting on Wednesday night. They were going to go in red envelopes addressed to each student tonight, but the card itself will do just fine! He wanted to make the same valentines as last year, agreeing to a few modifications after I pestered him about changing them up just a little bit. <a href="http://spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com/2014/02/valentines-2014.html" target="_blank">Last year's experience</a> was quite a challenge for him. Happily, he remembers the positive outcome, so of course he wanted to do them exactly the same.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgPRC5ix9kTtC517c47f57ZYw9_hH0nAiwYBs1o9onoOnhWIAXI5zOyW-xwHN47TlElIDxggF4_1lUOndeH71-VYIHjOW80FXybHdUgIfDyJNwK9l4VF4aI7gw4AngxOeQ_k_CksSr20/s1600/IMG_3848.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgPRC5ix9kTtC517c47f57ZYw9_hH0nAiwYBs1o9onoOnhWIAXI5zOyW-xwHN47TlElIDxggF4_1lUOndeH71-VYIHjOW80FXybHdUgIfDyJNwK9l4VF4aI7gw4AngxOeQ_k_CksSr20/s1600/IMG_3848.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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"Mom. They were SO good last year. Everyone loved them."</div>
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Okay, get ready. Big announcement today!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqP0X1WPznsHyVP59Kbz_ObDgB6WLcEorZqSd-YLoLNlbrferRH9O3vLJgPqiUAibqRYcKe_HbycRw-GXdIrEl4B8jxOSBGCO9-SI34L50-5EZyfo4_WDO5tlls9QMKcxSFgcPBu4aAg/s1600/IMG_4748+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqP0X1WPznsHyVP59Kbz_ObDgB6WLcEorZqSd-YLoLNlbrferRH9O3vLJgPqiUAibqRYcKe_HbycRw-GXdIrEl4B8jxOSBGCO9-SI34L50-5EZyfo4_WDO5tlls9QMKcxSFgcPBu4aAg/s1600/IMG_4748+copy.jpg" title="Double Chocolate Cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a><br /><br />This is THE best chocolate cookie EVER. Seriously. These cookies were SO good that I ate five the day they were baked (plus the equivalent of two more when they were still dough). You must know: chocolate chips are just fine and lovely, but I have a special affection for chocolate chunks. My very favorite ice cream is double chocolate with chocolate chunks, which is not easy to find. (There's only one ice cream stand by us that has it, and it's amazing! Ben & Jerry's New York Superfudge Chunk is also delightful.) I had chocolate chunks on the brain and picked up a bag of at the grocery store, then had to search for just the right chocolatey recipe in which to use them.<br /><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJzqRc1k7P86A97Jm7haPYwEezy98W6IY-lXtHkZNHrsWmh9LB5095yS0J-z-hrR7GIV4yyXODz54YRq6ossEK3xxHqTn-Cm13w484_5SR5pNnh0nt5AsTiZ7O7EYwHZ2X5rjZE7jKEo/s1600/IMG_4749+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJzqRc1k7P86A97Jm7haPYwEezy98W6IY-lXtHkZNHrsWmh9LB5095yS0J-z-hrR7GIV4yyXODz54YRq6ossEK3xxHqTn-Cm13w484_5SR5pNnh0nt5AsTiZ7O7EYwHZ2X5rjZE7jKEo/s1600/IMG_4749+copy.jpg" title="Double Chocolate Cookies from spotgirl-hotcakes.blogspot.com" width="266" /></a></div>
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No unusual ingredients or techniques, but everything came together to make the <a href="http://paynekitchen.blogspot.com/2013/05/chewy-double-chocolate-cookie.html" target="_blank">best cookie</a> I've had in a long time! I cut back slightly on the butter (eliminated the two tablespoons), and of course used chunks instead of chips. Make sure to bake these until set. They turned out soft and shortbread-like with an amazing chocolate flavor. The recipe also makes a bunch ... about five dozen when mini-scooped. These were so good that I made them TWICE in one week. Enjoy!!</div>
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<a href="http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/12/best-peppermint-chocolate-cake.html" target="_blank">This cake</a> made a delightful tea time accompaniment. The topping is Ghirardelli peppermint bark (half-off after Christmas sale!) Easy to make and looks lovely. Stay warm!</div>
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Clark wanted to celebrate his birthday with friends this year, and he wanted it to be a Temple Run party! Temple Run themed party supplies are not easy to find, so we had to get creative.<br /><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTna6APzY_2DsO8PfGzFIDR7ZHNy4-QlaU2fkIulSk8DNJiVLT0L0GbGgz1j3UHtVtexr4-KTaMp4chGH9xT-hzWnM35llYxzT09Q_M_NrVCHY0EdhPPbZvgB0UqesrQcy7tuWM4oR9Qk/s1600/IMG_3180.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTna6APzY_2DsO8PfGzFIDR7ZHNy4-QlaU2fkIulSk8DNJiVLT0L0GbGgz1j3UHtVtexr4-KTaMp4chGH9xT-hzWnM35llYxzT09Q_M_NrVCHY0EdhPPbZvgB0UqesrQcy7tuWM4oR9Qk/s1600/IMG_3180.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I found a tiny selection of luau decor between the party and dollar store, including these cool tiki napkins, table and hanging decorations. I thought it was reminiscent enough of the jungle scenery and idol imagery from the game. Burlap and raffia were used as accents. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Qm4dhJo7CCtGNsvRF_9HMtmaFwRE-Y9FwRmq9-YbGwJEST5zcg0L6tUHk7gRqBYeW_sY2R2soKeXZ3B5wRH96pfRGVCOKCrV47CjmZ4C8anwoTSdAPf69y9QxVAhV0IxMenXW5u_-pI/s1600/IMG_3184.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Qm4dhJo7CCtGNsvRF_9HMtmaFwRE-Y9FwRmq9-YbGwJEST5zcg0L6tUHk7gRqBYeW_sY2R2soKeXZ3B5wRH96pfRGVCOKCrV47CjmZ4C8anwoTSdAPf69y9QxVAhV0IxMenXW5u_-pI/s1600/IMG_3184.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I used half the burlap for a table runner and sewed the other half into goodie bags ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7F2k-UMc3sHKeqB3_ZishhU5IZsNnV3qKTkS9IM_fwGQ8hH_ctmsayLpRTTVjuRxasZLp0hDT7PTfbOjrO8CSk5lVoS0Y-0WTbxwGOMSrBLrD_ZTonmX-bwe-_rMdlh5BAUSvkdc4J8Y/s1600/IMG_3175.jpg"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7F2k-UMc3sHKeqB3_ZishhU5IZsNnV3qKTkS9IM_fwGQ8hH_ctmsayLpRTTVjuRxasZLp0hDT7PTfbOjrO8CSk5lVoS0Y-0WTbxwGOMSrBLrD_ZTonmX-bwe-_rMdlh5BAUSvkdc4J8Y/s1600/IMG_3175.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... which included finger lights, magnets, and of course a treasure bag of gold. (Actually, better than gold ... chocolate!)<br /><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmwk0vF2qaQRMk5B5-CpF1E107JVtOY1Tp4bABgt1gGniE1P6wicDagsisfodrBjmnSoG6qRG7cnU7vlaVuQ2MC4SpknlAIPaoahwi4Milm9E7WGhjQo8QoT4CInRF0N48ImZoeMd6WA/s1600/IMG_3169.jpg"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmwk0vF2qaQRMk5B5-CpF1E107JVtOY1Tp4bABgt1gGniE1P6wicDagsisfodrBjmnSoG6qRG7cnU7vlaVuQ2MC4SpknlAIPaoahwi4Milm9E7WGhjQo8QoT4CInRF0N48ImZoeMd6WA/s1600/IMG_3169.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /> We usually do smaller parties for Clark because he gets so easily overwhelmed, but happily his social circle has been expanding and he wanted to invite a few more kids this year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlKrGW5EKVioxxV-RPbRZCB4cf0AHaVrc98CdwZRGX8D6tcIi1wszdru2ga_bHD9jU6q7fJQi0Hh8LOe61bYhRfAmGBmnepz32IXqMnKF4AiBYrlIunJfhDwGFXouCWov9nhjBz2WFlQ/s1600/IMG_3244.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlKrGW5EKVioxxV-RPbRZCB4cf0AHaVrc98CdwZRGX8D6tcIi1wszdru2ga_bHD9jU6q7fJQi0Hh8LOe61bYhRfAmGBmnepz32IXqMnKF4AiBYrlIunJfhDwGFXouCWov9nhjBz2WFlQ/s1600/IMG_3244.jpg" width="266" /></a><br /><br /> Jeff did another series of backyard games like he did for Theo's party, because they were such a hit! This time, we had cold weather to deal with, though the kids did not seem to mind. The games included throwing different size balls into a bucket, flinging bananas through a spinning hoop, running an obstacle course, and finishing up with taking a bite of a donut on a string!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyp7pXgLFWvJoDIMyzdlvf-fX0wina2O2Y3zgti8yxamk8NxWq3v4smmp07Kw1jdlesX8tabUPqjlKcmbHBi78bvjK3U3_nwpvk5cradBxuWr4707anVO2A90yORDyy_sgs1beDpWslHw/s1600/IMG_3293.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyp7pXgLFWvJoDIMyzdlvf-fX0wina2O2Y3zgti8yxamk8NxWq3v4smmp07Kw1jdlesX8tabUPqjlKcmbHBi78bvjK3U3_nwpvk5cradBxuWr4707anVO2A90yORDyy_sgs1beDpWslHw/s1600/IMG_3293.jpg" width="266" /></a><br /><br /> Clark did GREAT and had a good time. Present opening was a little crazy, and he wasn't thrilled with the volume level of his "Happy Birthday" song, but everything went well and it was a fun way to celebrate!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rrKWXKmdD6BuN8nBUrYguX8VC0kQOdmynIpfktY261ozEuvanBjcvgAY3vf7DXispVFBALCUFalt-Crf2KlJ10fMq0ErMRjj6yfMPWNi1WQOUrN7of5J7UKeYKi2VmH-rkgiciN5ep4/s1600/IMG_3297.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rrKWXKmdD6BuN8nBUrYguX8VC0kQOdmynIpfktY261ozEuvanBjcvgAY3vf7DXispVFBALCUFalt-Crf2KlJ10fMq0ErMRjj6yfMPWNi1WQOUrN7of5J7UKeYKi2VmH-rkgiciN5ep4/s1600/IMG_3297.jpg" width="266" /></a><br /></div>
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