tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54846163834843676672024-02-19T18:25:13.117-08:00Agog in PragueLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-67076148865390938352014-01-01T06:26:00.001-08:002014-01-01T06:26:14.169-08:00Once again, looking in both directions<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before getting to what I hope 2014 will bring, let's take a looksie at how I did in accomplishing last year's goals:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- mail actual birthday cards. Mapping out calendar reminders tomorrow. Ability of recipients to understand said birthday cards highly questionable. Ability of myself to even recognize that said cards are in fact meant for birthdays also dubious. <b>I think I did quite well on getting birthday cards out, just not so well on the timing. Will try much harder in 2014 to get you all your cards on or before your actual big day.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- put that sewing machine to good use. One new craft a month, documented. <b>I did use it quite a bit, especially in the beginning of the year. We also have about 138973 new cushions to show for it. It's taken a bit of a hiatus lately, but I've just started tackling a Christmas quilt (so at this rate I'm <i>pretty </i>certain it will be done in time for the 2014 holiday season) so it will get a workout. However, one new craft a month? Definitely not.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- learn some more basic Czech. Be able to have a conversation with Donut's parents. <b>I finally started taking Czech lessons, although the progress is incredibly slow. Still unable to have a conversation with Donut's parents in Czech, though am sad (for me and my abilities) to say that their English is progressing much better than my Czech. :) </b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- find a new job. Stop being lazy and get on it. Preferably one with things like benefits and a salary that puts me above the poverty line. <b>I did! This is 1000000% a win as I absolutely love my job, my colleagues, and being able to afford food other than Ramen. </b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- expand circle if friends here. Our group has shrunk considerably in the last six months, and it can be quite lonely with the Jersey three holding things down. Reminds me, must email dinner party group and tell them will host. Now, what typical American food can I make without a grill? <b>Mets tons and tons of new people this year from work, yay! </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- be a better blogger. This is mainly an outlet for me to fill in family and friends about what's going on, but I enjoy it a lot and want to push myself to be more diligent about keeping up with it. So hold me accountable. <b>Ooph - this did not go well, did it? My bad.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- be happy and healthy and blah blah blah. <b>There's room for improvement, particularly on the latter. </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My plans for 2014 can be found <a href="http://tootsweetlh.blogspot.cz/p/i-resolve.html" target="_blank">here.</a> I hope that you all have successful, happy and exciting years ahead, so update me when you've gotten back from your annual visit to the gym. :)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-91518550540327374772014-01-01T05:57:00.002-08:002014-01-01T05:57:57.962-08:00It's been a Long DecemberDecember was excellent. Donut and I headed to the UK for ten days to see family and catch up with old friends in London. We had such an excellent time seeing Tara & Andrew in the coolest neighbourhood in London (Angel), catching up over pints before stopping for a last pivo at a pub called Prague (with two Italian bartenders where we paid about 5GBP, or a gazillion crowns, for a Staropromen...), and then took in the views from the top of Centre Point and noshed on thai with Gemma & Stof. We did far too much shopping, toured around Oxford, Bath and the Cotswolds, gorged on cheddar and real English bacon and English muffins and scones and drank roughly 18 gallons of tea a day and enjoyed tv where I can actually understand things - it was excellent! There are so many fantastically amazing places to go in Europe that I haven't seen yet, but somehow I still just want to explore every little bit of England, but who can blame me when it's so gosh darn pretty:<br />
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When we got back, it was already December 15th and we had to rush rush rush to get ready for Christmas, which probably explains why I didn't really get the holiday spirit this year (or maybe it was the carp bashing?). This also explains why everyone's Christmas cards are sitting in a little pile on my desk, still unsent. You will enjoy them sometime around the end of January. However, we did manage to get our tree up before the big day, and we had a lovely evening on Christmas Eve with Donut's parents, where we feasted on potato salad and carp (I tried it! Not so bad!) and, in my case, chicken schnitzel. On Christmas Day, we had an expat friend over for a more familiar-tasting Christmas dinner and about 8 dozen cookies.<br />
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New Year's Eve, and Donut's birthday, were spent with his friends in Kbely, drinking beer and roasting a pig (of course). And now here we are, January 1st. I hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year and are excited about everything that 2014 has to offer!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-87444240375180503982013-12-25T03:27:00.001-08:002013-12-25T03:27:14.101-08:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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More to come later this week, but for now, Donut and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Vesele Vanoce!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-67419681028778768992013-11-25T12:28:00.001-08:002013-11-25T12:29:15.302-08:00Nomnomnomnomnom<div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #573000; font-family: inherit;">In honour of all those Czechies who claim to hate peanut butter (until they've sampled a Reeses' after someone's business trip), I've been whipping these up for lucky coworkers...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #573000; font-family: inherit;">Peanut Butter Bits</span></div>
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<span style="color: #573000; font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #573000;">125g unsalted butter</span><span style="color: #573000;"><br />123g powdered sugar</span><span style="color: #573000;"><br />180g smooth peanut butter (use Skippy, it’s the yummiest annnnnd you can even buy it in Albert!)</span><span style="color: #573000;"><br />60g unsalted butter</span><span style="color: #573000;"><br />90-100g chopped chocolate (go crazy)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #573000; font-family: inherit;">Directions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #573000;">1.</span><span style="color: #573000;"> </span><span style="color: #573000;">Line an 20x20cm square pan with foil, leaving enough to hang over the sides, then butter the foil. Set aside.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #573000;">a.</span><span style="color: #573000;"> </span><span style="color: #573000;">If they do not make 20x20cm pans, then I don’t know what to tell you. I’m converting everything from our ridiculous imperial system. Just use common sense. Also, I forgot to butter the foil, but it’s nonstick anyway, so I feel like this is just unnecessary. Don’t bother with it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #573000;">2.</span><span style="color: #573000;"> </span><span style="color: #573000;">In a medium saucepan, melt the 125g of butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter until completely combined and smooth. Spread the peanut butter mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Lick the spoon. And maybe the pot, as it needs to be cleaned out anyway.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #573000;">3.</span><span style="color: #573000;"> </span><span style="color: #573000;">In the now-empty saucepan (because you licked it clean), melt the 60g unsalted butter over VERY LOW heat. Add the chocolate and stir until almost completely melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until completely melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and smooth into an even layer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #573000;">4.</span><span style="color: #573000;"> </span><span style="color: #573000;">Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set. Remove from the pan using the foil overhangs and place on a cutting board. Use a pizza cutter to slice into 16 bars. If you don’t have a pizza cutter, I’m pretty sure you’ll still be able to manage. If not, I think we have bigger issues to tackle than your cooking skills. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Or just eat it all, then you don’t have to worry about storing anything.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #573000; font-family: inherit;">Please note that I accept no responsibility for weight gain or dentist’s bills. Dobrou chut!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #573000; font-family: inherit;">Everything in moderation, including moderation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #573000; font-family: inherit;"> -Julia Child</span></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-90701428745849248222013-11-12T13:25:00.000-08:002013-11-12T13:25:54.090-08:00Tuesdays are just the worst, aren't they?<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Listening:</b> Inexplicably, I have Coco Jamboo stuck in my head. Now you will too.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">You're welcome.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Eating:</b> For dinner, I had italian breaded chicken strips and, as a side, a plate of cheese. My diet is deplorable, I'm aware. (I had a salad for lunch though, so back off.)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Feeling:</b> Confused - reading Mad About the Boy and cannot fathom how Bridget Jones is in her fifties, as book must surely be written in some time warp as not that much time has passed since I first began my obsession. Oh god, it has. Very soon will go less from image of BJ as typical adult to more like being her - pudgy, questionable hair and counting alcohol units. <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/watching-bridget-jones-diary-as-a-teenager-vs-as-a-twentysom" target="_blank">Sums it up about right.</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Loving:</b> It's Peej's birthday!!! This gorge <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4dn3lb2qed3TcAfY3L-867JYoe2m_flhbK6Fgum50HfgfHckIDwKoxHcqmq1e_2jcnitCxVfRWDZjn6Oc9QDZZF2-jAfhLBSYwYGRbHZj16gTM7wHp3Xx52QSg7hkBjdoAS38pdoqeNT/s1600/dot.png" target="_blank">Lilly Pulitzer print.</a> Mail from Steph! Living room furniture comes tomorrow! Super easy peanut butter fudge - recipe coming!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Hating: </b>It is very, very cold. (This will be my stock answer for, ohhhh, the next six months.)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Wanting:</b> slinky, super tall black suede boots... still. Really, any lovely black boots.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Needing:</b> Hmmm... I wouldn't say no to another cup of tea. Donut, if you'd be so kind?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Thinking:</b> I should really dye my hair this weekend. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b style="color: #323232;">Planning: </b><span style="color: #323232;">This week is all about the birthday celebrations and parties! And Tin Mouth, the annual chilli eating competition, so fingers crossed for no repeats from last year. Yowza!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #323232;">As we're halfway through Movember, it's high time I share the link for our work Movember team. Donate what you can (your dollars go far here!) and help safeguard futures - men, so you don't get sick, and ladies, so we don't have to take care of them. <a href="http://cz.movember.com/en/mospace/7033661" target="_blank">Help a Mo Sista Out!</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-38163653059457147752013-11-10T10:45:00.001-08:002013-11-10T10:48:42.665-08:00Wine SnobSvatemarintsko... The Czech version of Beaujolais. Having been here for this time of the year for my 3rd time (what?!? How?!?), I finally partook in some festivities... A wine tasting at Noelko. Ten wines, approved and certified by some fancy Czech wine board, agreed that these bottles fit the bill. They certainly fit my bill for a cold and gloomy Tuesday.<br />
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Surrounded by one Serbian and eight Czechs, I nodded along, feigning comprehension as the connoisseur described each bottle in detail (would I have understood much more in English? Probably not), happily guzzling away and munching on cheese that tasted alarmingly like broccoli (didn't stop me). </div>
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I wanted to screenshot for you my notes, so that you could also enjoy my slide from "if it tastes good, I drink it" to pseudo-wine snob asshole. However, and this may not surprise you, I lost them. Generally, they started out with just stars and emoticons next to the ones i liked and finished up with things like "Burnt umber coloring", "a hint of plum in the nose", and "I do detect a whiskey undertone?" Told you. Insufferable. Luckily, I wrote these all very messily so no one could understand and mock me for it. </div>
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Looking forward to picking up my bottles this week, so I can as our that whiskey finish from the comfort of my own home.</div>
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For those of you lucky enough to be in Prague, ask for Olda at Noelka.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;">Vinotéka </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;">Noelka</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;">, Slavíkova 3, </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;">Praha</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;"> 2, </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;">Prague</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.545454025268555px;"> 120 00</span></span></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-74614851616902371252013-10-27T03:45:00.001-07:002013-10-27T03:45:15.524-07:00I'm baaaaaaaackI'm not even going to bother with excuses. I have none.<br />
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Just a quick post as am clearly out of practice and need to ease into things slowly.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Listening:</b> I just rediscovered GrooveShark, my local answer to Pandora. Thank goodness, although I'm not entirely sure what I was listening to last as all of my recommendations seems to be ABBA, Disney and EDM. This is a strange combination, indeed.</span><br style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Eating:</b> Donut made tuna salad for breakfast. Is this normal breakfast food? I think not. But I am hardly about to complain when I get to sleep in and wake up to a ready made meal and hot cup of tea, am I? (Well. Normally, I might complain a little. But I didn't today.)</span><br style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Feeling:</b> That awful feeling when you have a lovely 3 day weekend, you know you should be out taking advantage of what's very likely to be the last bit of sunshine you see for months and months, but all you really want to do is lounge on the couch in your bathrobe, drinking tea, eating your way through a tin of Quality Street, catching up on Downton Abbey and scrolling through Pinterest. </span><br style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Loving:</b> We are in the final countdown to Centrum Krakov opening down the street, which I thoroughly expect to completely change my life, to say little of my bank account. That vacation is booked. Lovely watercolors from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElizabethCaddArt">Elizabeth Cadd</a>. My very Joan Holloway (nee Harris) new dress for work. </span><br style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Hating: </b>Winter is coming. (Semi-related, it's absolutely ages until Game of Thrones starts up again.)</span><br style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Wanting:</b> slinky, super tall black suede boots. I realize they will last approximately one day before they're covered in slush and look totally beat up, but what a glorious day it will be. </span><br style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Needing:</b> a personal trainer. I will kill Donut if he keeps trying to be one for me. And a mixer - it's almost Christmas cookie season! Looked yesterday as found the most perfect green KitchenAid, but if you think that they're expensive in the states, think again. They will run you about $1000 here. So..... no. Will just mix all my cookie dough by hand, possibly erasing need for personal trainer (until have eaten all of said cookies). </span><br style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Thinking:</b> What can I possibly put on this canvas? How necessary is it that I clear off all the clutter that has become a mountain of books, papers, chocolate wrappers (damn you Quality Street) and papier-mache pigs on my desk? <strike>How can I get Donut to stop flying his toy helicopter so near my head short of cramming it...</strike></span><br style="background-color: #c1dfdb; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Planning: </b><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Living room re-do as we've completely rearranged the apartment, how to stay in London for two days without spending more on a single room with twin bed and shared toilet down the hall that I did on a week in Croatia, my next masterpiece, to be less of a blogging delinquent.</span></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-48795143249056892172013-05-08T00:36:00.001-07:002013-05-08T00:36:12.401-07:00A Functioning AdultA month of silence is not so bad. I've probably been much worse in the past. It's just that guys, real life is <i>busy</i>.<br />
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A year and a half of teaching, with crazy hours and long midmorning breaks meant I had a lot more time to <strike>be productive</strike> watch tv. Now that I'm back in a regular office job, the days fly by so quickly and by the time I get home, I feel like it's almost time for bed and to start again. Or take advantage of the nice weather and go have a beer. That seems much better than coming home and banging out a blog post. So that's what I've been doing.<br />
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It's an adjustment phase. I fully plan to not be so useless fairly soon. It's just that being productive means tackling the massive (and growing!) pile of ironing, which, quite frankly, seems duller than dirt. Oh, how I miss the days of jeans and leggings.<br />
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But it hasn't been all just work and bumming around. Donut and I (well, mostly Donut) spent the weekend repainting the apartment, changing it from the manic bachelor pad red that was on the walls to a nice, calm blue-grey (it turns out, not entirely surprisingly, that I'm pretty crap with a paint roller). My desk is finally all set up and organized (contained!) so my crafty things aren't in an overflowing mess in the corner. We made some adorable little Sharpie mugs (but really, who hasn't?) and I'm currently staring at a blank canvas that will eventually go on our blank wall and filled with terror at actually doing anything to it. I've been busy supporting the local businesses via manicures and haircuts (and beer. and schnitzel.) and we got our season pass to the zoo (baby elephant, squeeeeeeeee!).<br />
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Now we're trying to figure out what to do with our bank holiday Wednesday (rather unsuccessfully, tbh), and my motivation level is matching the weather (read: mehhhhhh), so I better go put my thinking cap on. Will try harder in future, promise. xx<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-67438735898961410182013-04-09T11:45:00.001-07:002013-04-09T11:45:54.701-07:00Big ChangesMassive delinquency... but it's been a busy couple of weeks. I found out the day before flying to the UK that I got a new (excellent!) job, which was fantastic (albeit rather unbelievable) news. Week in England spent shopping for new professional wardrobe and all of those essentials that can't be found in Prague (although I feel Donut perhaps would not say that my mugs or giant spice rack constitute essentials, though they've been very heavily used since my return). Returned home to begin final moving phase - aka, pack up everything, massive scrubdowns of apartments, and frantic list-making, all while Donut sipped wine and ate cheese and enjoyed the sunshine of the lovely French Alps. Then moving, transformation of flats into makeshift IKEA warehouses, part-time carpentry gigs, running around with last minute errands before real life begins again anddddddddd here we are. New job starting on Monday, things finally starting to look a bit less chaotic, and still not enough hours in the day. Have lots of little bits to share with you, but can't manage to find the time. Hopefully things will settle down slightly and I can clue you in on what's been going on. Phewwwww...Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-44710611610168641262013-03-14T02:19:00.001-07:002013-03-14T02:19:22.946-07:00Back to the MotherlandI know I have been delinquent again, but I promise, I've had lots and lots of ideas to write about... I just haven't actually gotten around to doing them. I'm off to jolly old England tomorrow so will probably continue to be MIA, but have lots of fun things geared up for when I get back!<br />
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xxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-55642491628924393262013-03-02T02:05:00.002-08:002013-03-02T02:05:58.393-08:00Moving BlowsI've lived on Stross for longer than anywhere since leaving college (I should be a pro at moving by now), and I absolutely adore our apartment. Not only is it big and bright and sunny (well, now that the sun has finally made its reappearance - yay March! Good start!), but it's packed full of memories of fantastic times with unforgettable people.<br />
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I'm in the middle of packing up all of my stuff (aka being covered in dust - one thing I won't miss from this place) and thought I'd give myself a well deserved break. Since I'm getting all the non-essentials rounded up, I figured this is a good time to snap some pics of the products of our lazy art Sundays. So here goes (I think you'll notice a theme quite quickly...):<br />
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Obviously, I like word art. Mostly because I can write, but not so much with the pictures.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-85221500333186101192013-03-01T07:28:00.005-08:002013-03-01T07:31:48.947-08:00Láska<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The thing about short months is that they're over before you know it. So that's why you're getting your final February post... in March. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">19. </span>Domažlicka Jizba, located on Strossmayerovo Namesti, is a smokey pub full of grouchy looking old men and guys with ponytails watching football matches. Not really my key demographic, but I love their fried mushrooms and their potato pancakes with "Balkan Meat Mix" (read: Sloppy Joes with salty cheese), and in the summer their big covered outside dining area is a great place to grab a Pilsner, especially as it's steps from our front door (though not for long!). Are you sensing the trend here, that most of my favorite places are located outside, in Letna, and have adult beverages? Hmmm...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">20. </span>I used to teach in at the Budejovicka metro stop a few mornings a week, and while I abhor morning classes, especially those that are so far away, there was one bright spot. On the floor of the shopping center with the Billa is a little bakery, and they make Anglicky Rohlik. Big deal, English roll, so what? So what? These were the perfect little breakfast bite - soft chewy dough with sharp cheese and bacon. Yum. Such a good way to start the day (though not enough to make me go over there now that I don't have to). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">21. </span>Lots of guidebooks say to get up early and hit Charles Bridge at sunrise. Mehhhhhh, why? Sure, there aren't approximately 275 people waiting to all rub the same statue and you won't be doing the awkward dance of a person trying not to be in everyone else's vacation photos, but really. This is the city of beer! Surely if you're touristing here, you've spent the evening out imbibing some of the Czech Republic's famous brews, or washing down your dumplings with a healthy dose or two of Slivovice. So sleep in, enjoy your morning (Anglicky rohlik perhaps?) and save the bridge and the Castle for late at night. The castle complex is open until 11pm (midnight April through October) and is about a thousand times more romantic and beautiful when you aren't fighting school groups to get around, and a nice stroll through Malostranska and across the bridge is a great way to finish off a day of sightseeing. Much, much better in my book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">22. </span>This one is going to sound pretty stupid, but one thing that I really love about Prague is the cinemas here. Having grown up going to a cinema older than I was (and not in a cute, kitschy, retro way... in a run-down, sticky, unimpressive sort of way), it is so nice going to new ones. The seats are huge, there's tons of leg room, everything's clean and comfy, and also, I really enjoy the experience of watching movies with Czech subtitles. Not only is it a good way to start recognizing language, but it's also really funny to see who picks up on jokes first, those reading or those listening. (Unless you're me, in which case you just get the joke last.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">23. </span>Head down from the Vltavska metro stop a bit and you will hit the Hole<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">šovice markets (also known to many by a horrendously outdated and racist knickname). The markets are nothing special - junk mostly, with promises of Louis Vuitton and Prada whispered as you walk by, but in the markets you can also find the Farm Shop. Peej and I discovered this last year when we were on our vegetarian kick (a solid week, thank you very much) and thank goodness. The produce here is better, there's a much greater selection that what you'll find in your local Billa/Albert/Potraviny, and the prices are good. I like the mushroom lady. While I'm sure that's not actually her name, who cares, Portobellos! You can also pick up cheeses, spices, flowers, honey and all types of other farmy goodness. So for anyone who's ever stared at an orange tomato or dug through entire boxes of apples looking for a fresh one, here is your next stop.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">24. </span>Since <strike>I</strike> Donut hauled that massive sewing machine back from the States and I've become obsessed with being more crafy, <a href="http://www.dumlatek.cz/">Dum Latek</a> has become one of my best resources. This is a great little fabric shop only a few blocks away from Stross that has a nice selection of all different types of fabrics, plus trimmings, tools, and essentials. They also have a really friendly staff (some of whom speak English, yay!) who have been able to help me figure out what I need and don't seem to mind when I lurk around staring at things while trying to remember what exactly it was I was doing in there in the first place. And even better? There's a discount fabric store right around the corner that also has discounted yarns, so I can pretend to be crafty to my heart's content (speaking of, crochet gives me a headache).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">25. </span>Who doesn't love a few festive good vibes? (Okay, aside from Scrooge) One of the things I love about this city is the number of markets that pop up around holidays and seasons to celebrate - Christmas, Easter, Bur</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">čak, whatever. Whether it's hot wine they're selling, or birch sticks to whip the women, the markets create that Euro cultural flair that's half the reason we came here in the first place. They're just charming. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">26. </span>The dogs! Everywhere! This city is dog mad! In the trams, in the pubs, in the parks, on the metro, coming up to say hello in the wine bar, they're everywhere. And so well behaved. Makes me miss Tuck, though I feel he's no where near well-behaved enough for these Prague pooches. (Although I see he's <strike>been learning some new tricks</strike> been driven mad by my sister.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">27. </span>The Vltava. Having a river smack dab in the middle of your city is pretty darn cool. In the winter you can judge just how freezing it's gotten by how much ice is forming, and wince in pain as you watch the masochistic old men still dive in anyway, and in the summer you can grab a beer at one of the many riverside beer gardens or spend an afternoon floating around in a paddleboat and taking in the city from a different perspective. A little further afield gives you a great rafting trip down the river through the darling Cesky Krumlov. And if there was no Vltava, there'd be no Charles Bridge, and then where would all the tourists go?!?!</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">28. </span>Hands down, the best thing about this city are the people in it. Prague is a young, vibrant and eclectic city that manages to be full of both history and rather modern at the same time. Its population reflects that. With the odd exception here and there, everyone I've met has been helpful, friendly and interesting, whether Czech or expat. So the thing about Prague that I love the most are my nearest and dearest in it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Phew. Reeeeeeally must try to stop leaving half a month's worth of posts to bang out in one day. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, back to packing...</span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-82950362582741373032013-02-26T10:01:00.000-08:002013-02-26T11:01:51.370-08:00Une Nuit à ParisIn Part Deux of our 12 Dates in 12 Months schtick, Donut and I "went" to Paris for Valentine's Day. Well, I knew we were going for Valentine's Day. Donut, in his Czechy practicality, doesn't appreciate VDay like us Americans, so for him this was just Thursday. With dinner. And a theme.<br />
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I picked up some macaroons from <a href="http://www.paul.fr/">Paul</a> for dessert as I feared French pastries were a bit beyond my means.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>However, this totally inspired me to flip through my Art of French Baking cookbook that Tandrew got me for a Christmas pressie last year, and it doesn't look so bad. You can expect a horrible picture of those attempts at some point in the future.<br />
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We drank some French wine, listened to some French music, watched Les Mis, and enjoyed a big plate of Crock Pot Coq au Vin. I did a bit of digging around online for a recipe, got a feel for the basics (Rooster?! Where am I going to find a rooster?! Will they have one at Tesco?!) then just kind of put together what I thought would taste best, and this came out pretty tasty.<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
2 big carrots, peeled and cut into chunks<br />
2 celery sticks, cut into chunks<br />
10 oz. of shallots, peeled<br />
1/4 lb. of thick cut bacon (English or Canadian, my slab was approximately 1" thick), cut into 1/4" slices<br />
flour<br />
S&P<br />
4 whole chicken legs (you could be authentic and try for rooster, but I don't know what that is in Czech)<br />
2 dried bay leaves<br />
Sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary<br />
4 cloves garlic, pressed<br />
1/4 cup tomato puree<br />
1/2 bottle of red wine (Merlot, Cab Sauv, etc.)<br />
1/2 cup chicken stock<br />
1/2 lb. mushrooms, cut into slices<br />
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<li>Throw carrots, celery and shallots in your Crock Pot and add some S&P. </li>
<li>Fry your bacon (slowly!) in a big pan so that you get most of the grease out. Pull out the bacon bits and set aside (and maybe snack on one or two), but leave the fat in the pan. </li>
<li>Meanwhile, put some flour and S&P in a bowl or a ziplock bag (I used a bowl simply because ziplocks do not exist here except in boxes specifically marked for airline travel...) and coat your chicken legs. Put the chicken in the pan with the fat and brown the outsides. You don't need to cook all the way through as they'll be sitting in a bath of goodness for a <i>lonnnnnng</i> time in the Crock Pot anyway. Put them on top of your veggies. Stick your bacon and herbs on top.</li>
<li>Turn the heat down on your pan and add the garlic, tomato puree, and wine. Taste test wine liberally to ensure top quality. Boil for a minute, then add your stock and boil again. Let it simmer for a few minutes. Pour this on top of everything in the Crock Pot.</li>
<li>Set your Crock Pot to low and cook for 5.5/6 hours. Enjoy delicious scents wafting through your abode for the rest of the day. </li>
<li>When you're ready to eat, saute your mushrooms. Plate your coq au vin and top with mushrooms, and serve with a big slice of bagette to sop up all the yummy juices. </li>
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By the time the meal was done in the Crock Pot, the meat was literally sliding off the bones. It was total comfort food, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I ate the leftovers for breakfast. This French cooking, it's not so tough. </div>
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Bon appétit!<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-57217855958648131542013-02-18T11:12:00.001-08:002013-02-26T11:01:31.133-08:00Be still my heart<span style="font-size: x-large;">18. </span>Today's post is an easy one. Sorry Donut, but another man has stolen my heart. 100% of my Prague love today goes to the little grandpa at the insurance company who saw me staring dumbfounded at the electronic entrance machine, smiled through my awful attempts at Czech, explained to the women behind the desk what I needed help with and got me in and out in half an hour. The bureaucracy here can be a <i>bitch</i> (hence tear-filled breakdown at the foreign ministry last week), so anyone who is ready with a smile behind a counter is automatically a winner in my book. Also, similar snaps to the man at the post office (I swear, we have the loveliest staff at our branch, nah nah). Lots of tourist guides paint Czechs as a surly lot who lack even the most basic of customer service skills, and to that I say... perhaps the problem lies with you.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-59624299997653508872013-02-17T09:31:00.005-08:002013-02-17T10:29:30.230-08:00DIY Painted Pots<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I finally admitted defeat and my poor little houseplants are now where they belong... in the trash. However, this freed up a few little pots and I knew that I could easily make them cuter than they already were. So here goes...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ViArR7q7VPWVabYMc-k1g9O4s8myQ3FHf8Xy8orGEeEJpFbdNE5HFGOIiQV90okCUcf40CUSovyEn1E4XhPm_q7ZGFhJE114GM8wZvXiCfmFehPXcmNy-M9RN68CdVXFPuTqaJR3_U8/s1600/2013-02-12+20.32.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ViArR7q7VPWVabYMc-k1g9O4s8myQ3FHf8Xy8orGEeEJpFbdNE5HFGOIiQV90okCUcf40CUSovyEn1E4XhPm_q7ZGFhJE114GM8wZvXiCfmFehPXcmNy-M9RN68CdVXFPuTqaJR3_U8/s640/2013-02-12+20.32.42.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Super easy and super fast craft, which is excellent because as I'm sure you're aware, I lack any type of patience. Instant gratification is the name of this game.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHEwvWVxbKz6qcvR4_Dl0YKWflZy0jsxlfBmb-XEAXzwaWKhL5bEXpH1zfBPwUlfDed5VPofHwnOQd1ZxssvAkGUMZsuSLyz6GFT16loKKoASaV2jtvr9ep7AOStf6kEyErv8_0fGdjc/s1600/2013-02-12+18.57.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHEwvWVxbKz6qcvR4_Dl0YKWflZy0jsxlfBmb-XEAXzwaWKhL5bEXpH1zfBPwUlfDed5VPofHwnOQd1ZxssvAkGUMZsuSLyz6GFT16loKKoASaV2jtvr9ep7AOStf6kEyErv8_0fGdjc/s320/2013-02-12+18.57.44.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I started with some (newly) empty little flower pots, some pencils, and some metallic Pentel Paint Markers in varying bullet sizes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqo53swojgodPojOD2VLIeD1bK8bulegu9y6BF-Ba2_TYGJbQQplrlUOzSdhjFprhX5_PvAd_Rq0rD24FrWx27421v6hPDSEUWPF4XFhIimQxlfx2lBRPCjZRJL1yFpIumLDSpZ5r9jU/s1600/2013-02-12+19.11.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqo53swojgodPojOD2VLIeD1bK8bulegu9y6BF-Ba2_TYGJbQQplrlUOzSdhjFprhX5_PvAd_Rq0rD24FrWx27421v6hPDSEUWPF4XFhIimQxlfx2lBRPCjZRJL1yFpIumLDSpZ5r9jU/s320/2013-02-12+19.11.44.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wash and dry your pots. Then, using a pencil, map out what you want your design to be. I used a quote from Kate Spade. If you eff it up (as I did), you can just rub and the pencil will come right off.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA1i0RD9k5AREWTC1axtlyo81qPm89oqSwxkrkvsIhNFzmHoKLF0Ku76ICbV2xcVESBLtuvMxeCscoKtrguoXkYCO3NdwBvpVWYtQU1YJBwL9iAkt5i5qbWAU4AIBUj69dqGd4t2SKl4/s1600/2013-02-12+19.16.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA1i0RD9k5AREWTC1axtlyo81qPm89oqSwxkrkvsIhNFzmHoKLF0Ku76ICbV2xcVESBLtuvMxeCscoKtrguoXkYCO3NdwBvpVWYtQU1YJBwL9iAkt5i5qbWAU4AIBUj69dqGd4t2SKl4/s320/2013-02-12+19.16.38.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I took a medium sized pen and copied over what I'd written out. Let it dry (which is super fast - yay! Instant Gratification!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfNFIkAX9vskySJTYdHDL32HaTuJ8eDkphiPqmo0OgNlLjU_8A1JoQ2S7BqgkpKWjB-MsWHHeyA9dpgSVizW59awoKDZBAt1guQ8OgdNVkStr_lYh7oQptZApQM6fTkssYD3KjuEEAf4/s1600/2013-02-12+19.38.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfNFIkAX9vskySJTYdHDL32HaTuJ8eDkphiPqmo0OgNlLjU_8A1JoQ2S7BqgkpKWjB-MsWHHeyA9dpgSVizW59awoKDZBAt1guQ8OgdNVkStr_lYh7oQptZApQM6fTkssYD3KjuEEAf4/s320/2013-02-12+19.38.59.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2yPjlYAs17M2tvKGKE16CMdNb7mJ-oSX8iZie1poPfBExw8s2o8m483JD2eD3ymTdrex9G4caIBFBmKJ4oj4AIMqs-OM2qk9_WaQv3DXGJ0FjZQUJP-10LztX-JnoW4OJwCbP_VGcQk/s1600/2013-02-12+19.39.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2yPjlYAs17M2tvKGKE16CMdNb7mJ-oSX8iZie1poPfBExw8s2o8m483JD2eD3ymTdrex9G4caIBFBmKJ4oj4AIMqs-OM2qk9_WaQv3DXGJ0FjZQUJP-10LztX-JnoW4OJwCbP_VGcQk/s320/2013-02-12+19.39.12.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I went back over everything, filling out and thickening what I wanted to, and making it look nice. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie08ErAZ36TnMJfW_DEFES6kc0kEIuvjzzVbZxY2QUe0BH_ysWYzA7c_OCXpbG_ccgplWqUEaHw4EAmWaqGd1MrBPq402ysVAREz3S-P0rA22PUaFQzcuI2BkuBiJZqEG9oE8_FuZoyfo/s1600/2013-02-12+19.40.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie08ErAZ36TnMJfW_DEFES6kc0kEIuvjzzVbZxY2QUe0BH_ysWYzA7c_OCXpbG_ccgplWqUEaHw4EAmWaqGd1MrBPq402ysVAREz3S-P0rA22PUaFQzcuI2BkuBiJZqEG9oE8_FuZoyfo/s320/2013-02-12+19.40.36.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because I wanted this one to hold my makeup brushes, I put some little decorative pebbles in it, and shoved those brushes in. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyNYpqGlyVKPcfdXQalHeuQi6FSH0l2AgXKsTJavIetyBd9a7Mb7rx830EAcIKNLAkdsGUkxqoJ40zbHuog4zZ7emc6Ee8Nf0vVVp7XOOVsgGlsGSfu0nDlt6E5PLNHafCweVCzOi9ug/s1600/2013-02-12+19.40.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyNYpqGlyVKPcfdXQalHeuQi6FSH0l2AgXKsTJavIetyBd9a7Mb7rx830EAcIKNLAkdsGUkxqoJ40zbHuog4zZ7emc6Ee8Nf0vVVp7XOOVsgGlsGSfu0nDlt6E5PLNHafCweVCzOi9ug/s320/2013-02-12+19.40.24.jpg" width="250" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Voila! Easy as can be!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP11jA1JJFbqnE3wYn7SctFPiTGhSbNaIwGod3lwhfA3rwA9BZPvNKzJ0YqYTztILTlU-jMdaNCoL9baqybRZpcE2tGe16hkDfD38CqlI8IglwHX1nmNc55ZVL07DUfJY5fhQPSgpWwyk/s1600/2013-02-12+19.54.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP11jA1JJFbqnE3wYn7SctFPiTGhSbNaIwGod3lwhfA3rwA9BZPvNKzJ0YqYTztILTlU-jMdaNCoL9baqybRZpcE2tGe16hkDfD38CqlI8IglwHX1nmNc55ZVL07DUfJY5fhQPSgpWwyk/s320/2013-02-12+19.54.59.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRyo-MBmNwIiCIFDnc_-Qds1L72Rv5mI-jnoBVISQNy6NhlpxqK1xCtwojtHsqu9Um-HMAzcjUrxw0MVJNzCWF_AGtvThjn9urwufsJIU4JmOwCBmKuOh-RIVYrH6JW33WlyMqWAyl3E/s1600/2013-02-12+20.32.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRyo-MBmNwIiCIFDnc_-Qds1L72Rv5mI-jnoBVISQNy6NhlpxqK1xCtwojtHsqu9Um-HMAzcjUrxw0MVJNzCWF_AGtvThjn9urwufsJIU4JmOwCBmKuOh-RIVYrH6JW33WlyMqWAyl3E/s320/2013-02-12+20.32.33.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I played around with the others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Making a dandelion is as easy as drawing some lines and putting some dots on the end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-21261392331433822502013-02-17T08:00:00.001-08:002013-02-17T08:00:54.620-08:00Credit Where Credit is Due<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you can see, there's been some changes here at Agog. While my laptop has nearly suffered the consequences of technically induced rage, I could not have figured out how to do this without the help of the following...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://beautifuldawndesigns.net/tutorial-add-social-media-icons-to-blogger-step-by-step/">How to Add Social Media Icons by Beautiful Dawn Designs</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.cz/2012/01/faq-blog-design-101-tutorial.html">Sweet Verbena's Blog Design 101</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.carrieloves.com/2012/03/free-social-media-icons-for-bloggers/">Carrie Love's Free Social Media Icons for Bloggers</a></div>
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Lifesavers. Computersavers. <3</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-28678665496185075492013-02-17T07:34:00.000-08:002013-02-17T07:34:27.330-08:00<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3623555/?claim=eqhme7vuegh">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-62313942408942671902013-02-17T06:03:00.000-08:002013-02-17T10:30:03.013-08:00You gotta give a little love<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">10.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> There are lots of spots in Prague that are designated expat hangouts. There are also lots and lots of pretentious expats who will vilify these places, spouting off lines such as "You'll never get a true Prague experience if you only hang out with other Americans," or "Well <i>I</i> only go to truly Czech places because <i>I</i> like to immerse myself in the culture." Well, <i>bravo</i> for you. <i>I</i> like to go to places where I can get a damn good cheeseburger. <a href="http://www.fraktalbar.cz/">Fraktal</a>'s one of them. It's super close, modestly priced and has a friendly staff. And even though their menu changes have taken my beloved Fraktal BLT and turned it into something no where near as good (bring back the English bacon!!!), there are still lots of yummy new things, so one can't get too mad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">11. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will let you in on a little secret... Czech is a harrrrrrrrd language to learn. Well, I think. I haven't exactly been the most dedicated of students (my textbooks are gathering dust in the living room), and my measly teaching salary means I can't really afford classes (and my charming employers do <i>nic </i>to help us out with this, despite being a<i> language school</i>). A language swap would be fantastic, but unfortunately, once I get past ordering I'm pretty much out of vocabulary, so it wouldn't be very exciting for them. However, Shan introduced me to a Prague secret - cheapy drop in Czech class. Offered by the Centre for the Integration of Foreigners, you can "czech" out a drop in class for 50-Kc on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 - 7:30pm at the library at the Municipal Library (find out more <a href="http://www.cicpraha.org/en/cestina-pro-cizince/kurzy-cestiny1.html#Prague 1">here</a>) where two instructors will drag you right into vocab, basic grammar structures and all types of useful stuff. It was a lot of fun, albeit a tad confusing in the beginning, and a great way to meet other people from all over who've also somehow wound up in our little corner of the world. Last week's lesson was on apartments and furniture, and I had an excellent time at IKEA on Tuesday walking around labeling things (although Donut was probably rather embarrassed). Plus, as an added bonus you can check out the tower of books at the library, which is pretty effin' cool. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">12. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.madalbal.cz/cs/prodejny/">Madal Bal</a> is a great little stop for a quick pick-me-up. It's a tiny little shop packed full of gifts and candles and oils but most importantly for me, cheapy cheapy canvases. Right across the street, I can pop in whenever I feel the urge to recreate a Pinterest find without having to worry about the seriousness of an actual art shop (though I will say that for brushes, a legit art store is a much better bet). Our apartment is lovingly decorated with our creations a la Madal Bal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">13. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prague is certainly good for the views. We've already talked about the vineyards in the Botanical Gardens, but another favorite spot for sipping is definitely the Metronome. The Metronome is massive and takes up the spot where a giant Stalin statue stood (read more about it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalin_Monument_%28Prague%29">here</a>). It's completely functional, and perched high enough up so that you can take in views of the east side of the city. Pick up some wine from your favorite local vinoteka, hike up there and grab a spot among everyone else doing the same. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">14. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my favorite ways to wrap up a weekend is the Sunday night movie at the <a href="http://www.globebookstore.cz/">Globe Bookstore and Cafe</a>. A couple beers, a good meal, and a nice flick. Last weekend we watched Breakfast at Tiffany's, but they play movies from all different countries and genres. In March they'll be running a New Wave Czech Film Festival featuring movies from the '60's that start taking a look at the ridiculousness of Communism. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">15. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is it about the novelty of beer tap that we love? Do we all have some inner part of us longing to be bartenders? Must be, because <a href="http://www.thepub.cz/">The Pub</a> does pretty good business and I'm inclined to say it's largely due to the beer taps on each table. With locations around the city, the rest of the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria, The Pub is one big beer drinking competition, where each table and pub competes against the others in a battle to down the most of the Czech's beloved Pilsner. We love bringing our visitors here, though we have yet to win... challenge?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">16. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All good Sundays should start with brunch, obvi. And any decent brunch should clearly include a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa, and lots and lots of good coffee. <a href="http://www.bohemiabagel.cz/home.php">Bohemia Bagel</a> can do that for you. They've got an extensive brunch menu, and yummy burgers (No. 3 on Brewsta's annual roundup of <a href="http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/restaurant-reviews/brewstas-burgers-2012/">Prague's Best Burgers</a>). What a wonderful way to start the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">17. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Any true list of my favorite things in Prague would be completely wrong if I failed to include the Letna Beer Gardens. Lots of people absolutely love Riegrovy Sady, but I think it's got nothing on Letna. It is the perfect place to go after work in the summer for a few drinks with friends. Tons of picnic tables to sit at with great views of the city, lots of puppies to play with, a totally casual atmosphere, and every once in a while you'll get glimpses of a wedding taking place in </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.625px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Letenský Zámeček. Ahhhhh, please make it be summer already!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.625px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-48859159236128575302013-02-09T05:27:00.004-08:002013-02-17T11:55:00.311-08:00Showing Some Love<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5. </span>Most of what decorates my apartment is from home, IKEA, or the product of a Sunday afternoon spent covered in paint. This is because a) I'm sentimental, b) IKEA is my happy place, c) art Sundays are therapeutic and lovely, and d) I'm poor. However, one day I hope not to be, and when that day comes my apartment will be full of charming little tchotchkes from <a href="http://www.apropos-shop.cz/">Apropos.</a> I love the cheerfulness of their stock from <a href="http://www.apropos-shop.cz/green-gate/">Green Gate</a> and obviously, I will be going and buying this thermos from PaperProducts Design, because I love it and my one and only coffee mug has seen better days:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6. </span>Lazy picnics in Stromovka, Prague's biggest park, are one of my favorite things about summer. Grab a big blanket, some wine and snacks, and a deck of cards. Commence tanning, napping, chatting and generally having a gloriously lazy day in the sunshine. Play with puppies. Glare menacingly at the small children interrupting your repose. Wonder how long you'll have to live in Europe before being comfortable sunbathing topless in the park. The park is so big that you can always find your own little haven - ours just happens to be under the big tree by the pond. Don't steal our spot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7. </span><a href="http://www.modryzub.com/noodle-bar/menu">Modrý Zub</a> has become our go to place for birthday celebrations, which is fine by me because I think it's delicious. Blue Tooth (in English... obviously) has all types of yummy Thai dishes, though my favorite thing is definitely their Tom Kha Kai because it's the perfect mix of spicy and sweet. Lots and lots of spicy things, right in the city center (five seconds from Wenceslas), and gahhhh. I'm starving. I think writing this now is a terrible idea, as clearly must now go get myself some blue noodles (yes, you can get those too!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8. </span>Okay, let's get away from food before I lose my mind. Aha! Wine. Much better.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.botanicka.cz/hlavni-stranka/pro-navstevniky/navstevnicke-okruhy/vinice-sv.-klary/vinoteka-sv.-klary.html?page_id=607" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.90625px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vinotéka sv. Kláry</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 1.6em; line-height: 17.90625px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; line-height: 17.90625px;">is absolutely my favorite place in the city to drink wine. In the summer, getting a bottle of delicious white wine, sitting at one of the little metal tables and just enjoying the view is one of the absolute best things about Prague. Views of the city from the vineyard in the Botanical Gardens are stunning - you are right above Troja palace and can see the entire city. Am incredibly excited that we'll be moving directly across the street from the botanical gardens so that we can indulge any time our hearts desire. Also, the Botanical Gardens in general are fantastic. 200Kc will get you a season pass on your Opencard, or 50Kc for the day, and they're beautiful. It's a fantastic place to walk, learn or just grab a book and one of the lawn chairs and have a quiet afternoon. Can you tell that I'm getting very anxious for some warmer weather?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 17.90625px;">9. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.90625px;">This one has been on my Prague Bucket List for over a year, and last Tuesday Donut and I finally went in. It's </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.90625px;">V</span><span style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">etešnictví at Ujezd, which translates to junk shop. I have no idea why it took me so long to get in there, especially because I pass the Ujezd tram stop approximately 2,103,948 times a week, but now that I've gone once, I know I'll be heading back again. This junk shop is literally packed to the rafters with anything old you could possibly imagine - movie posters, postcards, books, paintings, military helmets, coffee cans, Quality Street chocolate tins, suitcases, letters and postmarked envelopes, vases, figurines, typewriters, everything. I stepped foot inside the door and immediately knew that I could easily spend hours in this verrrrrrrrry tiny, verrrrrrrrry cramped little shop because there is just so.much.to look.at. The Pinterest addict in me was mentally calculating what I could turn everything into and how many suitcases-turned-coffee tables we could fit in our apartment. The hoarder in me was delighted - so much stuff! The container freak in me was dying over the vintage tins and trying to convince Donut of the necessity of the rusty blue Kava and Cukr jars (he was significantly less enthused than I was). Now that I know, I will definitely be taking a long afternoon to poke around more carefully and will probably return dust covered but delighted with my haul. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday, I finally busted out my sewing machine again as I was getting really sick of looking at the growing pile of projects taking over my desk. Firstly, I took my two crappy IKEA throw pillows, stuffed them inside some old sweaters, cut off the excess and stitched 'em up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmhiGFagU9Ltha1OrVnarufJuIncoOqjRNHXIzFSoPgD2WfvHLbqfK4lSHJSSFnynn0wYU_DNTmYmUZDrTEXi3H5fsQBK9XRSl2E5EVbofw6k9uM484bY_6457SCvpA0ydgH2ydmdYlI/s1600/2013-02-08+20.53.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmhiGFagU9Ltha1OrVnarufJuIncoOqjRNHXIzFSoPgD2WfvHLbqfK4lSHJSSFnynn0wYU_DNTmYmUZDrTEXi3H5fsQBK9XRSl2E5EVbofw6k9uM484bY_6457SCvpA0ydgH2ydmdYlI/s320/2013-02-08+20.53.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The yellow one is a bit lumpy because I pulled the stuffing out of the IKEA pillow only to realize that it was all little balls and lumps of stuffing. However, I didn't feel like going out and running up to the fabric store so I just went with it. The green one is lovely and squishy though. </div>
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Then I took <a href="http://tootsweetlh.blogspot.cz/2013/01/patters-pssssshhhht.html">this mess</a> and, continuing in my disdain for following patterns (impatience is what it is), I just kind of winged the completion of my Kindle cover, and two broken needles and quite a bit of head scratching later, this is what I ended up with:</div>
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I think it came out quite sweet, all things considered. The ribbon was a bit of an afterthought, as once I'd finished sewing everything I realized I'd forgotten to include some means of holding it all together, but I think it's cute. Not too bad, though I'd never be able to repeat it! </div>
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My other project is way more OCD. I saw this <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.cz/2012/03/you-asked-organizing-cords.html">cord organizer</a> on IHeartOrganizing and thought that it looked like a much better system than what I currently have, which is all of my stuff shoved in a really big clutch. So off I went, armed with my little IKEA box... </div>
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Please ignore how dusty it is.</div>
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Then I cut out my cardboard bits. </div>
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Then I stuck 'em together. </div>
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Then I stuck them all in the box to make sure I hadn't completely screwed up my measuring. I had.</div>
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Made adjustments as necessary.</div>
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Decided that while Jen's box looked super adorable when covered in scrapbook paper, I'd pushed my luck with cutting enough as it was. Decided to paint it instead, so hauled out my easel box (thank you Donut!) and got to work.</div>
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Also don't have a label maker (is sitting somewhere in NJ. Why didn't I bring it back?! Agh!?!) so have silly handwritten labels instead. However, basic point of the project was achieved, everything's nice and organized and off my bedside table, and my obsessive need for things to be put in the correct places was satisfied. Temporarily. </div>
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Have had a lovely, relaxing morning of scrolling through Pinterest picking out my next projects, digging through my closets trying to find stuff to either fix or donate (I have found two shirts to give away, and "rediscovered" lots of other clothes. This is not successful. The point is to downsize.), and trying to figure out a blog redesign. Think I shall have a cup of tea and do more of the same. </div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-13644899080020694602013-02-04T14:25:00.003-08:002013-02-17T10:30:44.566-08:00How Do I Love Thee?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since February is the month of love (and also of Black history, LGBT history, bird feeding [skipping that one], the Super Bowl, when the US eagerly watches a groundhog in hopes of spring, when Sri Lanka and St. Lucia celebrate their independence, when Argentinians praise the sun, where Brits and Yanks wear red and when the whole world celebrates their mother tongue [no English lessons on February 21st?]), I decided to have a little list of all of the things I love about my city. A round up of my favorite places and spaces. A review of all that's <strike>hot, hip and happening</strike> cheap, convenient, and delicious, in no particular order. So let's have at it, shall we?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. </span>The first thing on my list is quite a newcomer. It's <a href="http://www.kavaruzova.cz/">Kava Růžová</a>, which is a really tiny, no frills, bare bones little coffee shop. They've got beans that you can buy, some fancy coffee accoutrements, a counter with an espresso machine, and one little table with some stirrers and sugar packets on it. Its white and clean and not much to look at, but my <i>god</i>. I picked up a latte on my way to school, got to the library, took a sip and literally said out loud "Oh my gosh, that is a <i>good </i>coffee." (Which I'm pretty sure I have not said, or even thought, once since I got to the Czech Republic.) It was just heavenly. No bitterness, no frills, just perfect coffee. Ahhhhh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. </span>There are many things I miss from home, but very near the top of the list has got to be our weekend <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=far+east+feast">Far East Feasts</a>. Where are my crab rangoons, my pork lo mein, my fortune cookies?! Not here. But Binh Minh, aka Asia Fast Food, found at Dukelských hrdin<span style="line-height: 115%;">ů 27, will do until I can get back home. Mind you, nothing I order is similar to what I get from my beloved Sun Far, but my standard order of #3 (Tom Kha Gai, 49,-) and #M3 (8 pieces avocado roll, 4 salmon and 4 crab, 159,-) is still delicious. And in a landlocked city where seafood isn't as prevalent, it's pretty darn good sushi. Fresh fish, nice rolls, good prices and friendly staff. And it doesn't hurt that it's across the street (although so is another Chinese food place, and I avoid that one like the plague, as every time we've gone either Peej or I has ended up with this awful mystery sauce that tastes like licorice and grossness, so proximity isn't my only criteria). </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.18181800842285px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. </span>It's not the first time, and will probably not be the last, that I mention my love of <a href="http://www.hemingwaybar.cz/bar-prague/">Hemingways</a>. It's swanky and cool and the bartenders are not only super skilled, but they're also really helpful and always ready with a suggestion. My favorites are definitely the old fashioned, the Basil and Pineapple Martini, the Desmond Smash and the Lavender Fizz, but I will happily continue to investigate and compare/contrast. In the great land of beer, it's a nice break to have something that comes served in a fancy glass (or even in a book!). </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.18181800842285px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">4. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also making the cut largely due to proximity is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pizza.fabbricia">Fabbricia</a>. Their pizza is nothing to write home about, but the reason that I love them so very much is that when I roll out of bed on the weekend and am absolutely starved but too lazy or too lacking in ingredients to make pancakes and too uninterested to eat the fruit I have, I continue rolling out the front door, down the stairs and across the street, where I gleefully pick out a number of scrumptious little pastries. I'm fairly sure none of them are actually baked there, but I don't care where they come from, as long as they make it into my belly. Rolka pudinkova, fricadella, quiche, strudels and cheese twists and doughnuts and oh my. Needless to say, since discovering that all of these buttery morsels are a stone's throw from my front door, my jeans are a bit snugger, but what's life without a little enjoyment? They're also good for grabbing a nice loaf of Italian bread or ciabatta when I don't feel like searching somewhere else, or eating the dreaded dark Czech loaf that I just cannot get down with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.18181800842285px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So there you have it, the first four things on my list. Enjoy, and know that when you come to visit, these are the places we'll be going. </span></span><br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-31214468803007356362013-01-31T11:43:00.001-08:002013-02-17T10:29:10.680-08:00Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning JapaneseWorst. Follow-through. Ever. <br />
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Mehhh. <br />
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I'd like to say its because I don't want to fill your inbox with inane rumblings about nothing and lackluster attempts at "projects" (my kindle cover is still sitting in tatters on my coffee table), but really I just kind of forgot. Because I was finally busy doing things.<br />
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Donut and I spent a very chilly Saturday afternoon at the Museum of Decorative Arts, where there is quite an impressive collection of Czech glass and pottery, watches, clocks, jewelry and clothes. I had been meaning to go for ages, hoping it would be similar to the Victoria and Albert in London. Not quite, but still nice. I liked the clothes and the jewelry, but lets be honest... Those are usually the best bits anyway. There was also a big Matchbox car exhibit, which made Donut feel old, as now his "childhood toys are in a museum". I like to think that this is the universe saying, "Oye, that's for calling Laur fluffy."<br />
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That night, we headed to Malá Strana with Peej and Shan to see an improv show by<a href="http://www.blrtheatre.com/"> Blood, Love and Rhetoric</a>. It was alright - not the funniest thing I've seen but definitely a fun night out and something different than spending the night in a pub... Which is of course what we did immediately after. We went to a Pilsner bar where we witnessed the best dramatic display of all time featuring a drunk woman who fell of her stool two separate times and spilled beer all over her companions, a considerably more sober woman and a man who looked like the chipmunk in Enchanted who was screaming at her that she was disgusting or something. Donut obviously had to translate. From there, we headed to Blue Light, which was a dark, funky, tiny little bar with overpriced drinks but a fun, relaxed vibe. Coincidentally, expats.com did a write up of Blue Light this week, which you can check out <a href="http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/bar-reviews/blue-light/">here</a>. We didn't spot any film crews or famous people (although we probably wouldn't know if we did), but we did run into a few people that I had interviewed with earlier in the week, and the crazies from the previous bar. Small city. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Update: Just remembered we did indeed run into one "famous" person... some Czech guy who is in all the T-Mobile commercials and who every time we pass a billboard on the highway causes me to yell "Auggggghhhh." Obviously, this is who I got hit on by. Typical.</span><br />
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Mean man at bar... aka, Nathaniel from Enchanted.</td></tr>
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After we had our fill of how the other half lives, it was back to our neighborhood for some final drinks at our local, sketchy sports bar. Then poof! Before you know it, it's five a.m., you're cursing the lack of all night fast food establishments, and crawling into bed wishing you we're 22 again so that when you wake up you won't feel like complete death. Wishful thinking. Luckily, it was so bitterly cold on Sunday that I couldn't see any reason to get out of bed anyway, so it all worked out for the best. <br />
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Darting between these tundra- like temperatures and the forced air heating completely did a number on my sinuses, so on Monday, after a week of clutching a hot water bottle to the side of my face and contemplating various ways to extract my cheekbone without the assistance of a doctor, I finally went and bought myself a humidifier. It's like my life as changed. Ahhhhh. <br />
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Tuesday night was Donut and my first date night of our twelve countries in twelve dates in twelve months of 2013 (this would have sounded much nicer last year)... albeit somewhat delayed. We were headed to Japan, so Donut busted out his birthday sushi knives to work on some salmon rolls as I unloaded my goodies from the <a href="http://www.japafoods.cz/">Japanese shop</a>. Luckily, I have an awesomely adorable Japanese student who pointed me in the right direction in terms of recipes, and she sent me this super simple recipe for <a href="http://allrecipes.com/video/1368/miso-soup/detail.aspx?e11=miso%20soup&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&event8=1&prop24=SR_Showcase">miso soup</a>. So good, so easy. We made it with mushrooms instead of tofu, and it was perfect. You can tell from the pictures that Donut was having a lot of fun playing artiste with the wasabi.<br />
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Donut has yet to eat the seaweed lollipop I was so thoughtful to get him. Rude.</div>
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Dessert was less of a success. We had Japanese pancakes stuffed with "red beans", which I foolishly assumed was just a translation problem. It was not. My first and only bite was promptly spit out as it tasted like dog food... And I am just about the least picky eater ever. Couldn't do it. Could. Not. Do it. Blehhhhh. I felt similarly about the green tea ice cream, which I generally don't mind. This was just toooooooo green tea. Tasted like a compost heap. Quickly chased it down with some vanilla ice cream and all was right in the world. <br />
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We also watched Memoirs of a Geisha, I wrote Donut (or Aresu, in Japanese) a note (while thanking my lucky stars I didn't have to always write in Japanese characters or this post would have taken about three weeks), and we tried, and then failed, at making origami cranes. See evidence below. All in all, a fun (and educational!) night. Next up, France. <br />
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With artistic paper lamp background.</div>
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Reality.</div>
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I will clan this post up a bit when I am in front of a computer but I wanted to squeeze it in right under the wire on the last day of January which is why I'm doing it on my iPad from the back room of the I.P. Pavlova Paul branch as I sip a latte and enjoy an angličanka s jablky... Which is a fancy Czech name for delicious apple cake that I should not eat since have to be in a swimsuit tonight at the sauna but don't care bc have finally gotten back to pre-US weight so can indulge. Look it up, I swear.<br />
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Yours truly, <br />
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Raura (ohhhhh Japan)<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-84691555220837484052013-01-24T10:16:00.000-08:002013-02-17T10:30:22.821-08:00OopsThree solid weeks without sunshine, freezing temperatures, snow, and awful dry heat has finally caught up with me and have had a nasty sinus headache for three days, which is why I was such a delinquent poster.<br />
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As such, I have not been super productive, but I did start working on a little project to keep me busy (tho my Kindle cover revamp is on hold until I feel clearheaded enough to tackle math again). Months and months ago, I asked my mom to mail me my recipe box, but thanks to the ever-reliable Czech postal system, that recipe box, full of family recipes and ones that I had collected over the years, is now probably sitting in someone's Bohemian kitchen as they ponder the meaning of "sweet milk". So when I was home for Christmas, I went through my cookbooks and mom's and photographed all of the recipes I wanted into my iPad. I thought that would be a nice, easy and convenient way to store them.<br />
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However, I soon realized that I do not trust myself to not spill olive oil all over my beloved tech tool, so thought it best to go back to old school written recipe cards. Months of searching around Prague told me I'd need to improvise somehow, so I've been making do with a tiny little notebook and scraps of paper stuffed around the kitchen and my bedroom. It was time to tame the beast.<br />
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I saw <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.cz/2011/05/reader-space-rad-recipe-binder-and.html">this woman's approach to organizing her recipes</a> on <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.cz/">iheartorganizing</a> and thought it was the most effective way I've seen, so I headed out in search of materials to make it happen. A binder is no problem, it's what's between the covers that caused a bit of trouble. I finally found some photo pockets, but there are no index cards that correspond to the correct size, so I need to cut the bottom row off every card. There are dividers, but not with pockets, so I stuck a plastic sheet protector behind each divider to hold clippings. My hand is beginning to cramp up into what I fear will be an irreversible claw, but there's nothing that can be done about that.<br />
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Here are the headings that I went with, as they make the most sense to me:<br />
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<ul>
<li>appetizers</li>
<li>breakfast</li>
<li>soups</li>
<li>veggies</li>
<li>pasta</li>
<li>meat</li>
<li>seafood</li>
<li>sauces/misc.</li>
<li>drinks</li>
<li>desserts</li>
<li>breads</li>
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I was going to break down desserts, but thought it would quickly get out of hand. So there you have it. This incredibly boring post details for you the incredibly boring past few days of what is an incredibly boring month. Am absolutely losing my mind with this weather. Suffering massive SADD and constantly questioning why it is that I don't teach English in somewhere warm, like Thailand... where they actually pay... and they make my favorite food... dammit. It's a slippery slope. If I keep this up, Agog in Prague will become On Lock in Bangkok or All Set in Phuket. But, I mean, really...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phukettourguides.com/phukettourguidesblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/12390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://phukettourguides.com/phukettourguidesblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/12390.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phukettourguides.com/phukettourguidesblog/tag/phuket-local-tour-guide/">Phuket Tour Guides</a></td></tr>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-32960960505106143292013-01-21T13:22:00.001-08:002013-02-17T10:31:13.613-08:00Patterns, pssssshhhht.Blender is back where it belongs, and soup has been pureed into a smooth, velvety, veggie goodness:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGWiw6xA1Ibiba7hAf1027YAzyHq0AKxMbKmB8opBFGyOnB2r0t5GbmUO2CIzMvF-lYKzv5QbjzzyVk94Fk9no8g-_jVh8z2rg72MyvxpP7P96F2EXseuY1nPdVtkfMu_CFnmCuoqT4I/s1600/2013-01-21+02.29.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGWiw6xA1Ibiba7hAf1027YAzyHq0AKxMbKmB8opBFGyOnB2r0t5GbmUO2CIzMvF-lYKzv5QbjzzyVk94Fk9no8g-_jVh8z2rg72MyvxpP7P96F2EXseuY1nPdVtkfMu_CFnmCuoqT4I/s320/2013-01-21+02.29.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I added a dollop of greek yogurt for some actual creaminess, and some red pepper because, well, I put it on everything. It was good, but I won't lie to you... it really would have benefited from some bacon (really though, wouldn't everything?).<br />
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Then it was on to my next project. Yesterday, while sitting on the bus staring at my dilapidated Kindle cover that has served me for four glorious years, I realized I could just rip it apart and use the insides to make a new one. I got to Donuts, grabbed a piece of paper, and started scribbling out plans.<br />
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Since I was kicking butt today on being productive (Exercise! Lessons planned! Real people food!), I decided to get started tonight. Out came the materials:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIboLHp_oLpdmlNaKddurdTzZm82J2AHAapKkHTw0Gsq5vXF8lPW-TV2a8nzNxPx2xDs1uaDSb13m7s6IrbRFIJX8VTyIldTf6awyOM_VpUh1sH6JIftwVNwzSvunqyesymphGlqRNoQ/s1600/2013-01-21+03.57.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIboLHp_oLpdmlNaKddurdTzZm82J2AHAapKkHTw0Gsq5vXF8lPW-TV2a8nzNxPx2xDs1uaDSb13m7s6IrbRFIJX8VTyIldTf6awyOM_VpUh1sH6JIftwVNwzSvunqyesymphGlqRNoQ/s320/2013-01-21+03.57.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then I promptly decided I didn't need yesterday's plan because it wouldn't work anyway. Did I look online for a pattern? No. Patterns are for pansies. How hard can it be, right?<br />
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Approximately three minutes later, here's where I was at:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8-4gZ5_nc8RT0Xbpg4WWa3hkZp1R43oIqSTWMq0lmDkbv6X8-kdWkqCnsWebvEy9vKZ_9gW36sdGWaRk6zh9-QPawc7fMfOM3tOPQ-NVyfa7zhzBZr5Erj2IezRVb2_-7dob2CFRAYw/s1600/2013-01-21+04.05.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8-4gZ5_nc8RT0Xbpg4WWa3hkZp1R43oIqSTWMq0lmDkbv6X8-kdWkqCnsWebvEy9vKZ_9gW36sdGWaRk6zh9-QPawc7fMfOM3tOPQ-NVyfa7zhzBZr5Erj2IezRVb2_-7dob2CFRAYw/s320/2013-01-21+04.05.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hmmm... time for a new plan. The cardboard that I wanted from the inside of my old cover was <i>reeeeeeeeally</i> glued and sewn in there. Better abandon that plan. Then I remembered what I found in my room the other day, left over from a Christmas fairy, or Shannon. Either one.<br />
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It's a "vintage" Czech Camel ad on very sturdy foam core. I have no idea whose it is or where it came from, but finders keepers.<br />
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I traced out my Kindle on it and added a bit around the edges. Then I traced it onto batting, plus half an inch on each side. Then I realized that when I folded the whole thing together, it was too small. Measure twice, cut once is not something I generally adhere to. So I tried again and finally figured out what I hope will be the right sizes. Then I realized that I have nothing to hold my Kindle in it when it's done, my brain hurt from all the math involved in measuring things, and that I really just wanted to go to sleep. So I'm calling it a night. Will reassess tomorrow following caffeine and perhaps a trip to the fabric store for some elastic or something.<br />
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Also, did you know that according to "science", today is the most depressing day of the year... <a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/489012/blue-monday-2013-the-most-depressing-day-of-the-year-falls-on-january-21/">Blue Monday</a>. So if you got through today in one piece, you should be okay for the rest of 2013!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-4516600076379674952013-01-20T08:13:00.000-08:002013-02-17T10:31:38.083-08:00The best laid plans...It's taken me until this weekend, more than halfway through January, to really get into the new year spirit. I finally feel like big things are gonna happen, it's time to turn over a new leaf, and all of the other things that one is generally supposed to feel the first two or three days of the month, not in the second half of it. This explains why my Pinterest is full of new pins on exercise routines and healthy meals, week one of a C25K podcast is downloaded and going on my iPod (to be busted out when the snow goes away), there is a bowl of big juicy grapes next to my bed where the chocolate bars usually live, green tea in my coffee mug (mehhhh...) and my lesson stuff has been reorganized into individual folders in a lovely shade of aqua (there is no point being organized if it doesn't look nice). This may have something to do with the fact that I can no longer continue to blame Mom's fancy American dryer for shrinking my clothes and will just have to face facts that I'm getting pudgier than I care to be. Donut keeps quoting Despicable Me:<br />
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His days are numbered.<br />
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In keeping with this theme, I finally finished up a painting that has been sitting half-done in our living room for about two months. Well, mostly finished. Have one final step before I'm happy with it, and then you can see.<br />
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Also in keeping with this new enthusiasm, I decided today was going to be Soup Day. It's been very cold and snowy and grey for weeks and weeks here, so all I want to eat is yummy, hot, comfy foods, which soup is obviously the king of. So I decided I was going to whip up a big pot of something creamy and delicious, but make it healthy. And everyone knows if you want to make something creamy without actually using cream, you throw some cauliflower in that sh*t and magic. (Well, that's what they say. I'm not 100% sold on this.)<br />
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So I pulled out my ingredients and off I went. Now, unless it's baking, I generally just approximate measurements and kind of throw in whatever looks/smells like it would work, so here's what I did, should you care to recreate:<br />
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I took two of the most tear-inducing small onions on the planet and rough chopped them, and threw them in a big pot with some EVOO and let them sweat until soft. Then I added in a ziplock bag's worth of turkey stock that was left over after Thanksgiving. Now, because I didn't really think this through before jumping into this culinary adventure, my turkey stock was still a frozen block that had to be cut out of the bag, so in that big ice block went. It was at this point that I realized we are also completely out of garlic (basically unheard of in this house), so in went a generous amount of granulated garlic instead. And some salt.<br />
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Meanwhile, I hacked a big head of cauliflower into pretty little florets and when that stock block finally melted, I added it to the pot. Then I realized I would need more liquid, so added in enough water to almost cover the veg. Then realized this probably diluted the stock, so added in a bouillion cube. I put two bay leaves in, some white wine (why not), and brought it to a boil, then simmered until the cauliflower was tender, which was about 15 - 20 minutes.<br />
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It was at this point that I started looked for our blender so that I could puree the whole thing and have deliciously creamy soup, only to discover that our blender has grown legs and scampered away. A complete search of the apartment, a few foot stomps, and a scream later, I gave up. So now I have a huge pot of poultry flavored liquid with some cauliflower floating in it sitting on the stove. I'll tell you what though, it smells glorious. So there you have it. Cooking with Laur. Throw some crap in a pot, keep adding until it's good. When in doubt, add wine. And when the whole thing falls apart due to a key missing kitchen appliance, do what anyone in your situation would do, and have a bowl of ice cream instead.<br />
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Bon appetit! </div>
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Dobrou chut'!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484616383484367667.post-36406875732640692892013-01-17T09:54:00.001-08:002013-01-17T09:54:18.601-08:00Forever 21?<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/21-ways-you-should-take-advantage-of-your-20s/">21 Ways You Should Take Advantage of Your Twenties</a></div>
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While I absolutely agree with a number of these (largely 1 - 5, 8, 9 and 10 and obviously 21), I'm not sure I'm quite willing to forgo things like a duvet cover (even if putting it on is one of my nemesis chores... along with vacuuming), and I'm pretttttttty sure if my hangovers are any worse than they currently are in my twenties, I shall never drink again (ehmm...). Regardless, I'm certainly not savoring those post-wine mornings, that's for sure. </div>
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I know, I know, another lazy post. Think I'll take a day off tomorrow and hit you with something good on Saturday. Or, you know, just something on Saturday. </div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320727905747707130noreply@blogger.com0