A Rebel's Relics

What have I been up to for 12 months?

2013-03-12T12:20:00.001-07:00

Holy crap, it's been a year since I last posted? But I've done so much since then!

Here are a few little projects I've been able to fit into small breaks from school...they do exist, however few and far between...

Nelson bottles (don't judge me, I've been saving these bottles for months!)

Leftover bottles for the next project, possibly a gift.

Pictures! I hung them up with just 6 months left on our lease...just in time to find out if we're staying or going...

We've been making sure to get a lot of exercise on the weekends by going biking in Downtown Chandler for the Brew's Cruise put together by San Tan Brewery, and a few other fun events.

Rekindling our passion for our relationship whilst enjoying home-grown beverages.

And I learned I REALLY like whiskey. Gotta take it easy though or I'll start sounding like Janis Joplin!

Hanging with my little Marvin man! He cuddles when I have to study so I don't get lonely <
Off I go to work on one of 4 projects due on Monday after ~~spring~~ study break is over with. Sigh. At least the weather is beautiful!

Luscious Lemonade and Candied Lemon Peels

2012-03-15T19:51:00.002-07:00

When life gives you lemons...

I'm a learn by seeing and doing type of personality. I think that by seeing an example of what you're reading, you can better learn how to do what it is you're teaching yourself. While not many people have great skills in the kitchen, I believe that most of us have the capacity to learn anything with a little tutorial every now and then. I encourage you to read the ENTIRE posting before beginning your adventure (as you should read the entire recipe, ingredients and instructions, before making/baking anything, just in case). Nothing worse than wasting food, time, making a mess, and losing money. If you do have any questions while reading this, please contact me so I can help walk you through it and update the blog to be more comprehensive. Have fun, be safe, and make sure you have plenty of ice cubes ready :D

Before beginning this recipe, wash your lemons to remove any chemicals, dirt, etc. Peel 6-8 lemons with a paring knife. Remove the peel without keeping too much of the pith on the rind.

Cut the peels into 1/4 inch strips.

Boil 2 cups of water in a medium sized sauce pan. Simmer the peels for about 8 minutes.

Drain the peels. Do not keep the water.

In medium sized pan, pour two cups of sugar into two cups of boiling water. Stir to help the sugar dissolve in the water. Once dissolved, add the drained peels.

Simmer for 20-30 minutes...if only making the peels, skip the next step. I suggest not though, so you don't waste the lemons you peeled.

Squeeze your lemons through a strainer into a large measuring cup. You may use one hand under the squeezing hand to catch the pulp and seeds but the acid may hurt your skin...I suggest the strainer.

At one cup you are finished squeezing. I used 6 large lemons to reach this point.

Creativity break. Return to your simmering peels.

Peels are done simmering in the simple syrup when they turn clear. Watch closely at this point as it could be 20, 25, or 30 minutes and you don't want to over cook them. To drain the syrup place a Pyrex measuring cup, glass bowl, or pan (anything that won't melt when you dump the hot syrup into it) under the strainer to remove the peels without draining the syrup down the...well..drain. You will need the syrup to make the lemonade :)

You will NOT need this much syrup to make the lemonade. The simple syrup will store for a few days in the fridge and can be used for many recipes and drink concoctions...head to www.allrecipes.com for more ideas!

Keeping the draining peels in the strainer over the pan or measuring cup, allow them to cool for about 10 minutes. When cool, toss them in about 1/8 cup sugar to coat.

Spread on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper to allow to dry for 4-6 hours. Enjoy!

To make your lemonade, use about 3/4 cup of the simple syrup, mix in 1 cup of the lemon juice, add 4 cups of water. If your lemonade is a little on the syrupy side add more lemon juice, stir, and assess. The good thing about having extra syrup and lemon juice is you can adjust the recipe to your own taste until it's correct. Keep in mind, if the lemonade is a little strong do not worry. I recommend adding ice cubes to help perfect the flavor as they melt.

Sliced lemons make for a beautiful presentation.

Keep me posted on yours, send a picture, or post a comment if you have any questions.

2012-03-02T23:02:00.001-08:00

My next project!! Also going to be sewing cushions and pillows for this bad boy :) Stay tuned!

2012-03-02T22:51:00.001-08:00

Found this shadow box sitting in a dark corner in a second hand store in Prescott Valley on our honeymoon last November. It was painted a dark blue and the and back wasn't finished...talk about old, dry, ugly wood. Of course there was a tag on it...$35.00 at Cost Plus World Market. Yeah. I paid $2. And then painted it, lined the box with beautiful scrap book paper, made some paper flowers and tulle flowers, painted a couple of fleur de lis and voila! I really want to keep it for myself but am compelled to sell it since I literally have no more wall space for frames and pictures in our bedroom or living room. *sigh* I'm hoping someone can give this piece a loving home, and store something beautiful and meaningful inside. Krystal

2012-03-02T13:22:00.001-08:00

Chairs! These two have been sitting in my living room for two years waiting for an idea to pop into my head where I had enough time to focus on completing the project. Well, two weeks after quitting a job and spending a few days with my mom-in-law I had an idea...spray paint and hand paint some patterns...a few hours after coming up with the idea I'd collected all of the required products...paint, stencils, brushes, and a bottle of wine to celebrate! Find these on Craigslist here: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/fuo/2881268824.html

Dreams

2012-03-01T23:09:00.000-08:00

Mama Liz is visiting this week while we close on a house for her. While on the hunt for the perfect bedroom set we happened upon an ad on Craigslist.com for a consignment shop in East Mesa. During our wanderings we happened upon a few great items: glass chickens like her mother had (I have now), old furniture, ugly china dolls, lots of old people, two bed side tables, and an old pine bench. Upon one of the nighstands painted handsomely in turquoise, sat a pink "Dream" sign. Both of us HAD to have the sign and decided that it needed to come home with us. Five simple letters spoke to us, got us thinking...dreaming again...how long had it been since that inner child had been embraced and allowed a venture into the adult world of boredom, bills, and business? Well, she was out now! The sign came home. Along with a nightstand, an old dough box, and a pine bench. All in the back of my Focus hatchback. A few cans of spraypaint, fabric, and cushions, and a LOT of sewing later we'll have a beautiful bench for the foot of her bed, nighstands with storage, and a sign to remind us...Dream. Dream big. Dream often. Dream in the day. Sleep well and dream through the night. Dream like a child and wake up with a smile. So cheers to dreaming. Cheers to the next step in life. Cheers to taking the next step towards your dreams coming true. Because without dreams, what do you really have?