Dawn
It seems like it's been forever since I put together any type of tutorial.  I miss having time to do things that are fun, just for myself.  I gave the time up for a good reason though.  I went back to college at the beginning of the year, and I'm already through my entire semester of credits.  Now, I'm working ahead.  Hence the busy and no time for myself thing.

Last weekend the King and I (not the musical) took the minions out for a day of photographic funtimes.  We had a blast while we were out, but as minions often do, they were starved by the time we got home.  The meal plan for that day called for sushi, so home we went to become master sushi chefs.

I won't lie, I feared the sushi process.  I was sure it was going to be a disaster.  Probably a disaster of epic proportions.  I mean who takes sheets of seaweed and ends up with something good?  Turns out - me!  I'm more than betting it can be you, too!

Things you need:

  • Bamboo rolling mat
  • Nori
  • Sushi rice
  • Avocado (or other yummy things to put in your sushi)
  • Sushi vinegar
  • Sharp knife (wet)
  • Sesame seeds (optional)
  • Wasabi paste, pickled ginger and soy sauce (all optional)



The first steps are rather boring, so I didn't photo them.
Boil rice until done.
Rinse it lightly and drain.
Add some sushi vinegar (to taste) to your rice and mix it.
I added some black sesame seeds as well.  A healthy shake, maybe two, just for color and interest.
Let the rice cool, and chill it slightly.
Once the rice is cool, you're ready to start.
Lay out the bamboo mat.
Lay down a sheet of nori.
Add  rice to the sheet and gently spread it around.  It doesn't have to be perfect, but you want the rice thin and even.
Make a small valley in your rice to add your veggies or whatever you're adding.

Spread rice to edges on sides, but not top or bottom!

Add your veg.  I used avocado, thinly and evenly sliced.

Fill the valley of rice with your veg or other toppings.

Then, once you've filled the valley, you're ready to roll!
Roll the bamboo mat up and over the avocado until the nori is wrapped over the avocado.  
Squeeze the bamboo mat towards you and down, like you're wrapping a burrito.
Pick up just the bamboo mat, and roll it a bit more, away from you.  Again, pull it towards you keeping the wrap tight.
Continue until you're at the end of the roll.

Letting the sushi sit a bit before cutting gets the nori damp and pliable.

The nori I purchased comes five sheets to a package, and I had enough rice to make all five rolls.  I started with a cup of dry sushi rice.
Your ends won't be perfect, either cut them, or deal. 
Get yourself a good, sharp knife and keep it wet as well as free from rice residue as you're cutting.

Cut, cut, wet knife.  Repeat!

Make your pieces as even as you can, or if your nori has cut lines, and you can actually see them, cut on the lines.
Be sure to keep your knife wet as you're cutting.  It makes things much easier.

Tray of yumminess!

When you're done you should end up with something that looks like the above.
Serve with wasabi paste and pickled ginger if you have it.  Some people like soy sauce.  If you're GF, tamari is a nice substitute.  If you're GF/SF just add more wasabi ;)
We picked up a few sets of chopsticks recently.  It's made a huge difference in the minions willingness to try new things.  If I'd have know that was a factor I would have gotten chopsticks ten years ago.  The bonus is they're fun.  It takes a bit longer to eat, which gives you more time to talk to your kids.


Enjoy!
Dawn
Last week I gave you 15 pieces for 30 days worth of outfits.  Using just what I had in my closet, I picked out what I could easily use to transition to spring. If you've been stuck in a rut where you're just wearing the same things over and over again, I hope this will inspire you to try some of your 'old things' in new ways.
Here are the first week's outfits - enjoy!

Spring Wardrobe Week 1!
Dawn
In an effort to get the minions to use their cameras more effectively and understand composition, we are spending the day taking photos.  Not just any photos, either.  We have an entire list of things to take photos of, a photo scavenger hunt.
Some of what I take today I'll be posting to instagram.  If you'd like to join in on the scavenger hunt, tag your photos with #datdscavengerhunt or stop by my facebook site and share them there.
Now then, there needs to be a list for the event so here are a few to get you started!


1.       Animal tracks
2.       Railroad tracks
3.       Sailboat
4.       Mimic a statue.
5.       Someone smelling a flower.
6.       A restaurant menu.
7.       A kiss
8.       Hay bale
9.       Do exactly what the sign says (any sign will work).
10.   Capture your reflections in an unusual place (no mirrors!).
11.   Make yourself appear really small.
12.   Can you find it? Photo (think iSpy).
13.   Firetruck
14.   One photo with all these colors in it:  red, green, blue, yellow
15.   Picture with an animal (the more unusual the better).
16.   A historical marker
17.   A pinball machine
18.   A Flag
19.   A butterfly or other interesting and colorful insect
20.   A cloud that looks like an animal
21.   Your significant other in mid-air
22.   A picture of 5 different types of things that are green.
23.   Something filled with water.
24.   Clock Tower
25.   Fire Hydrant
26.   Coins in a fountain
27.   Your name spelled with things other than letters! (use picstitch or something to put it together.)
28.   An interesting tombstone
29.   Wooden bridge (covered if you can find one)
30.   A person of Walmart
31.   Street art
32.   Bathroom graffiti
33.   Amusing vanity plate
34.   An Angel
35.   Shoes hanging over a power line

Hope to see a few great photos from everyone!

P.S. I'll be posting this week's outfits based on last week's post later this evening, so stay tuned!
Dawn
The last few months have been rather hectic with the whole real job thing.  Most days I'm busy with just running a business.  It's not helped matters that I went back to college and have two minions either.   The good news is, I've managed to get through 2 classes, and I'm working on the 3rd one now.  I just got my first paper back and got an A.  Not too shabby for not doing the college thing for, yeah, we're not going to talk about how long it's been.  So if any of you ladies are thinking about going back to get a degree or finish one, do it.  It can be done.  Choose your college and degree wisely though.

Now, to the point of this post.  As if there ever is a true point to any of these posts...
Spring is just around the corner, and already sprung for those of your in the warmer climates.  It will start warming here over the next month or two so I've put together an entire month of outfits, based on 15 standard items from my closet.  Each week I'll post a weeks worth of outfits  from what I have pictured below, including weekend wear.
Yes, I know I have more than 15 here, shoes, bags, accessories and undies don't count, or we'd all be walking around half naked.

Spring Wardrobe for 30 Days of Outfits!

If you'd like to play along, clean out your closet, and find some things that can sub in for what I have pictured.  Not every body looks good in the same colors and styles, so use what works for you!

I'll see you all next week with outfits - Week 1!