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14 Oct 15:00

LEGO Announces Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’ Set With Fantastic Minifigs

by Ben Paddon

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2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the recording and release of the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine”, and the 48th anniversary of the film that was based on it. So it was the perfect time for LEGO to reveal their 550+ piece Yellow Submarine themed play set, complete with awesome minifigs of John, Paul, George and Ringo, as well as… y’know… that one thing. The thing. Whatever it’s called. It’s the culmination of a successful Lego Ideas project launched by Kevin Szeto last year.

Not only that, but they released a wonderfully-animated short to promote the set that’s just a joy to watch.

The set drops on November 1st, and will retail for $59.99. Check out some photos of the set along with the video below.

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(via The Brothers Brick)

14 Oct 04:18

Affiliation by Specialty

by Fizzy
I was recently reading a NYT article about political affiliation by specialty.  It broke things down as below:



I think it's interesting that the ROAD specialties as well as Surgery are more red, whereas medical specialties are more blue.  I suppose it correlates very well with income.  It also seems to correlate well with more female-oriented specialties.

Some things don't entirely make sense to me though.  Why are ID docs so liberal?  And why are Family Med docs more red than blue?

---

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12 Oct 03:24

Ear Wax Cupcakes

by Kristan

These Ear Wax Cupcakes might look horribly disgusting, but kids LOVE them! They’re the perfect addition to any Halloween party!

Ear Wax Cupcakes Picture

Listen, Lindas. I know that these cupcakes are super disgusting. I got the hint when my husband walked by them and gagged for the 357th time.

But my kiddos…were completely obsessed with them. Why? Because kids are disgusting and we all know it. My son actually licked a piece of raw bacon the other morning when I was making breakfast. And when I yelped and asked “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!?!?!?!?!” he actually looked at me like I was the crazy one.

Ear Wax Cupcakes Pic

Please tell me that your kids do that, too. It’s the most maddening thing in the world. There have been times that I legitimately thought I was losing my mind because my children managed to give me their confused stares with such conviction.

It’s kind of disappointing because I feel like I’ve spent a lot of time, energy, and money into making sure they know about life and are prepared for the world. And then I catch my 12 year old licking raw bacon and find myself questioning my entire life purpose.

I mean, why lick bacon when you have perfectly good ear wax cupcakes sitting around waiting to be eaten? That’s what I’d like to know.

I’ve seen fake Q-Tip treats all over Pinterest and I’ve been dying to try them. The only problem is, two tiny marshmallows isn’t enough to sustain anyone. Does that even have calories? Aren’t marshmallows just sweetened air? So I decided to plunk them on top of cupcakes topped with homemade buttercream and pretend ear wax.

Ear Wax Cupcakes Image

I’m sorry that you’re friends with me. I’m so inappropriate. And also, the pretend ear wax is peanut butter ganache and it’s delicious. Not even sorry.

Ear Wax Cupcakes

Prep Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 24 cupcakes, baked and cooled
  • Ear Wax (peanut butter glaze)
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • Frosting:
  • 2 sticks salted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 Teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • Used Q-Tips:
  • 24 (4 inch) lollipop sticks
  • 48 mini marshmallows
  • Roughly 1/4 cup chocolate melting wafers
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions

  1. Prepare peanut butter glaze: In a small saucepan, combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, corn syrup, and heavy cream. Stir over medium heat until smooth and combined. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, prepare frosting.
  2. Prepare frosting: In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, heavy cream, and vanilla extract on medium-low speed until combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add the powdered sugar. Increase mixer speed to high and beat for one minute, until light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes and set aside.
  3. Top each cupcake with a spoonful of peanut butter glaze. Prepare Q-Tips.
  4. Used Q-Tips: Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Press a mini marshmallow into each end of the lollipop stick. Melt almond bark according to directions and lightly dip part of each marshmallow in the candy, allowing excess to drip off. Place on wax paper until candy is set, then dip each end in peanut butter. Top cupcakes with "used Q-Tips."
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Trust me when I say that this will get a MAJOR reaction out of your kids. It’s hilarious!

Enjoy and have a great day!

The post Ear Wax Cupcakes appeared first on Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.

01 Oct 00:54

Rain barrels on sale at shredding event

Rain barrel

Residents can pre-order rain barrels by April 28 for pick up at the upcoming shredding event.

01 Oct 00:40

Link AKC Smart Collar

by Capree Kimball

Link AKC Smart Collar

The American Kennel Club is joining the pet technology industry with the introduction of the Link smart collar this week. Like similar pet wearables, the Link allows you to track your dog’s activity levels and GPS location from your phone. What sets this smart collar apart from the rest, however, is everything else.

Link AKC Smart Collar

From consolidating vet records and healthcare reminders, to a built-in LED light, to temperature alerts that let you know when your dog may be in an environment that’s too hot or cold, the Link has some pretty outstanding bells and whistles.

Link AKC Smart Collar

While its list of “smart” features is impressive, the Link itself is one good-looking collar! Made from Latigo leather, it’s designed to withstand whatever adventures you and your dog might undertake (it’s even water resistant up to 3 feet). The tracking unit is also removable and designed to fit any standard size collar, which is a pretty awesome bonus if you ask me. Speaking of size, the Link is available in a wide range of sizes, accommodating dogs with neck sizes of 9 inches all the way up to 25 inches!

Link AKC Smart Collar

You can pre-order the Link AKC Smart Collar beginning this week, with an estimated ship date in late December. Learn more and reserve one for your pup at www.linkakc.com.

Thanks to David for the heads up!


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© 2016 Dog Milk | Posted by capree in Collars + Leads | Permalink | 2 comments
27 Sep 00:34

No-Bake Chocolate Nutter Butter Mousse Pie

by Beyond Frosting

This peanut butter chocolate pie is amazing. Layers of chocolate mousse, and a Nutter Butter Cookies mousse on top all in a peanut butter cookie crust. This no-bake pie will have your taste buds asking for more.This No-Bake Chocolate Nutter Butter Mousse Pie is a Nutter Butter cookie crust with a thick layer of chocolate mousse, a layer of peanut butter cookie mousse and topped with whipped cream and more peanut butter.  PIN It Some magical happened this weekend. I fell totally in love with San Francisco. I’ll be the first […]

The post No-Bake Chocolate Nutter Butter Mousse Pie appeared first on Beyond Frosting.

26 Sep 00:15

If Tim Burton Drew All The Superheroes

by Stefan A. Slater

tim-burton-superheroes

If Tim Burton illustrated some of Marvel and DC’s most popular superheroes, what would they look like? Well, they’d probably look something like these illustrations from artist Andrew Tarusov, who you may recall from the Tim Burton treatment he gave to Disney characters earlier this year. Check out more of his Tim Burton-style superhero art below.

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thor-big-57e0b6ad6dc05__700

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(via Bored Panda)

25 Sep 23:54

baked alaska + smitten kitchen turns 10!

by deb
baked-alaska

Over the summer, my husband and I took turns taking our son out for dinner one a week night to give him a break from (I mean, not to point fingers or anything) the occasional yelling/food-flinging dinnertime antics of The Interloper, a.k.a. his younger sister. On one of my evenings, he pointed to the top of one of the many mirror-covered walls at the restaurant with the menu scrawled over it and said “What’s a Baked Alaska?”

Read more »

25 Sep 23:27

Dog Art: Dog Sculptures in Australia

by Grace Sydney
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Aristotle once wrote that “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” Over the years Australian artists have unleashed their skills through the medium of sculpture to express the significance of dogs in our lives. In the second installment of DogTipper’s series of articles that shine a light on fine art and our furry friends, we look at a few of the many sculpted depictions of dogs in The Land Down Under.

“Stop me not, but let me jog/For I am Bob, the drivers dog.” A catchy couplet engraved on his collar let everyone know that the German Coolie/Smithfield mix known as Terowie Bob was a tail-wagger with a passion for travel. The cuddly canine, who kept railwaymen company as they chugged along the tracks in the late 1800s, is remembered today by people who pass by Main Street in the Australian city of Peterborough thanks to a statue which was erected in the dog’s honor in 2009. (Fans of Fidos can find out more about this roaming Rover by reading The Railway Dog: The True Story of an Outback Dog by Olwyn M. Parker.)

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By Sulzer55 – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14918717

Dr. Arnold Cook, who lost his sight as a teenager, brought his vision of Australia’s first guide dog training center to Perth in 1951. A leader of the country’s Guide Dog Movement, Cook and his canine companion Dreena have been immortalized in a bronze statue which stands outside the Association of the Blind in Victoria Park.

640px-Public_art_-_Arnold_Cook,_Blind_Association,_Vic_Park,_Perth

By Moondyne – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12888837

The memory of Red Dog, a nomadic Kelpie/cattle dog whose paws promenaded through Western Australia’s Pilbara region in the 1970s, lives on in the mining town of Dampier. A beloved part of the community, in life Red Dog was made a member of the Dampier Salts Sport and Social Club, the Transport Workers’ Union, and was even gifted with his very own bank account at the Bank of New South Wales. After his passing in 1979, the community commissioned sculptor Meri Forrest to create a monument which today greets visitors of Dampier. (Fans of films about Fidos can find out more about the dog dubbed the ‘Pilbara Walker’ by watching the 2011 movie Red Dog.)

Red_Dog_Statue_Front_View

By Anthony b Loveridge – Red Dog website – reddogwa.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17854821

The statue of a Skye Terrier named Islay, who once won the heart of England’s monarch, wins the admiration of every dog lover who passes by the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney.  In a permanent begging pose, the depiction of Queen Victoria’s canine companion speaks to sightseers in a human voice, and thanks all who toss a coin for a children’s charity into the fountain he guards.

Inspired by a popular poem about a loyal canine who diligently watches over his human’s lunchbox, the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue offers visitors a feast for the eyes.  A creation of sculptor Frank Rusconi, the stouthearted Spot made its debut in 1932, and can be found standing watching over coins placed in the monument’s wishing well outside of the Dog on the Tuckerbox Tourist Centre in Snake Gully, near Gundagai, New South Wales.

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By AYArktos – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=406506

A touching tribute to the strong bond between soldiers and the loyal canines who serve by their side, sculptor Ewen Coates created Elevation of the Senses.  The portrayal of an Explosive Detection Dog and handler can be seen at the Australian War Memorial Museum.

Statues of Dogman and Rabbitgirl can be seen around the globe, and sightseers in Paddington, Sydney can spot the unique pair of lovebirds as they enjoy the beauty of the city from their moped!  Located at the intersection of Glenmore Road and Cascade Street, the whimsical work It Takes Two was created by the husband and wife team of Gillie and Marc.

In the 1950s tartan-wearing tail-wagger Puppy promenaded through the streets during the annual Carnival of Flowers parade as the mascot of the Toowoomba Thistle Pipe Band. Sadly, the dog lost his life during the 1958 parade when he was struck down by a car. In loving memory of the canine who had brought so much joy to the community, a statue of Puppy— which was erected the year after his passing– today brings a smile to the faces of visitors of Picnic Point, part of a reserve in Rangeville, Queensland.

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By Shiftchange – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36685714

On December 3, 1854 Wee Jock guarded his human as he lay dying on the battlefield during the Eureka Stockade Rebellion. Today a bronze depiction of the faithful Irish terrier stands as a silent sentinel forever protecting 22 gold posts– one for each of the gold diggers who lost their lives in the skirmish, including the man who cared for the canine now known as The Pikeman’s Dog.

Written in 1904, a segment of a letter offers a poignant portrait both of the battle’s devastation and the personal loss felt by one fallen’s faithful friend, who was determined to stay beside his buddy even when they took his body away. “No human being could have lamented more at the loss of their dearest relative or friend than that affectionate and faithful dog be wailed the loss of his master.”

The monument’s artists explain the symbolism behind their work during the 160th anniversary of the rebellion in 2014:

22 Sep 18:43

Bachelor Party Skips The Strippers For A Giant Game Of Catan

by Geek Girl Diva

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Instead of having strippers or a raucous weekend in Vegas, Redditor Ben Brophy aka bentrophy decided to invite his friends over to build and play a giant game of Catan.

It may not be your usual bachelor party, but we like where their heads are at. See the game come together in the gallery below.

Giant Catan

(via Geek & Sundry)

22 Sep 18:42

Balloon Dog Bookends at Land of Nod

by Katherine Becker

Balloon Dog Bookends at Land of Nod

If you’re someone who celebrates gift-giving holidays in December, you probably know it’s never too early to start shopping. (Yes, it’s only September, and yes, I am going there.) If you’ve got dog lovers on your list, you might be stoked to know that Land of Nod now has always-classic dog balloon bookends available in vibrant orange, pink, and blue. Snatch them up for someone special for the holidays, or gift them to yourself. You totally deserve it. Order from Land of Nod.

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© 2016 Dog Milk | Posted by Katherine in For Humans, Other | Permalink | 1 comment
15 Sep 18:26

Classifieds: September 14, 2016

by Classifieds

Vintage Wedding Decor for Sale

DaphneDescends is selling a lot of vintage wedding decor, including an ornate gold framed chalkboard. She is asking $150 for the chalkboard. See her listing for more.

vintage wedding decor

Have a wedding item for sale? Post it with pictures in the Weddingbee Classifieds, and you might see it featured on the blog!

Other great items for sale:

Brand new Mon Cheri ivory lace wedding gown, make an offer

Reva Mivasagar Silk Sheath wedding gown, size 4, asking $600

Forest green Vera Wang David’s Bridal wedding gown, size 8, asking $100

Maggie Sottero lace wedding gown, size 6, asking $600

Tags:
Classifieds
BLOGGER

Classifieds

The post Classifieds: September 14, 2016 appeared first on Weddingbee.

15 Sep 17:59

chocolate pavlova

by deb
chocolate-pavlova

Look, no one is ever going to marry me for my pavlova. (I mean, talking about dodging a bullet…) This one was particularly underachieving. First, I thought I’d be clever and try to add the cocoa at the start, mixed with the sugar, so that it would mix the best. Nope! It never fully whipped. With this in the trash, I began my next one, breaking an egg yolk right into the white. I can usually get it all out (tip! use the empty shell as a scooper/skimmer) but not this time. I started a new bowl and, yup, did it again. Finally, with six uncompromised egg whites and cocoa stirred in only at the very end, ensuring a respectably thick, shiny plume of meringue, I began piling my chocolate plumes on a 9-inch round parchment circle, only to realize this wasn’t very bright, as the meringue would spread. I cut a new, larger square of parchment and used the old one as a sling/tube-of-a-pastry bag to land the new one in a great, elegant swirl and then fell over laughing (and texting everyone I know with the picture because: all grownup here!) because it looked precisely like everyone’s favorite emoji. Smoothed into more of a mound, I baked it at the wrong temperature and it got too crispy and riddled with cracks. Anyone left reading from New Zealand just is doing this right now. (Don’t worry, I retested it — woe is me — to confirm that the correct temperature and times are indeed correct.)

Read more »

15 Sep 17:56

Moon Escapes, Becomes An Unstoppable Menace [Video]

by Sean Fallon

runaway-moon

Apparently, global warming was just a distraction for the real environmental menace to civilization—typhoons that throw tiny versions of the moon at pedestrians. The city of Fuzhou in eastern China was first to taste its wrath. Prepare yourself by watching the video below.

(via The Verge)

14 Sep 01:57

Greek Potroast (Pressure Cooker & Slowcooker Friendly)

by sara wells
Greek Potroast (Pressure Cooker & Slowcooker Friendly)

We’ve had a lot of treats around here like Apple Streusel Bars, Funnel Cake and Fried Peaches (!!) So I figured I should be a responsible adult and provide you with something a little more substantial and meal-like  (not saying fried peaches don’t make a darn good meal.  That was most definitely dinner that day.)  I’ve... Read Post

The post Greek Potroast (Pressure Cooker & Slowcooker Friendly) appeared first on Our Best Bites.

01 Sep 17:50

{BestBullySticks} bacon chicken liver paté

by DoggyDessertChef

BestBullySticks sent me some beef trachea dog treats to inspire and use in this recipe.
{BestBullySticks} (wheat, gluten and grain-free) bacon chicken liver paté dog treat recipe

{BestBullySticks} (wheat, gluten and grain-free) bacon chicken liver paté dog treat recipe

Ingredients
2 slices Bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1 pound Chicken Liver
2 ounces Cream Cheese
reserved Water

Directions
1. In a large sauce pan poach chicken livers in water until completely cooked.
2. Reserving some of the water and allow to cool.
3. Once cooled place livers, bacon and cream cheese in a food processor or blender.
4. Blend until smooth, using reserved water to thin when necessary.
5. Cover the bottoms of the BestBullySticks beef trachea* with plastic wrap and spoon in the liver paté.
6. Freeze over night and serve.

{BestBullySticks} (wheat, gluten and grain-free) bacon chicken liver paté dog treat recipe

{BestBullySticks} (wheat, gluten and grain-free) bacon chicken liver paté dog treat recipe

* No Best Bully Sticks trachea dog chews? Grab some here and while your waiting for them this recipe used to fill kongs and kong type toys as well as bones.

http://doggydessertchef.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BestBullySticks-Trachea-Dog-Chews-Rose.mp4

grain, wheat and gluten free
25 Aug 18:46

Stephen Lang Brings Stephen King’s ‘Batman’ Story To Life [Audio]

by Ben Paddon

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Alright, calling this “Stephen King’s Batman story” might be a misnomer – the story, entitled “Batman and Robin Have an Altercation”, is less about the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder sidekick and more about the relationship between a man and his aging father who is suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease.

But it is, at its core, about heroes. It’s about love, and loss, and family. A beautiful, strange, poignant piece that’s also more than slightly shocking. It was recently read by actor Stephen Lang (Colonel Miles Quaritch in Avatar) for NPR’s Selected Shorts podcast, and it’s a powerful listen. You’ll want to check it out even if you’ve read the story before.

You can experience it for yourself in the player below. The story itself starts at around the 5:30 mark.

(via CBR)

25 Aug 18:44

watermelon and mint agua fresca

by michelle lopez

As I write this post, the National Weather Service has issued an "Excessive Heat Warning" for New York state. It's 93 degrees in city. With the humidity, the weather reports tell me that it "feels like 106 degrees" outside. I can't tell you personally, because the last time I left the apartment was at around 8:00 AM (when it was still a balmy 88 degrees, ha) to dart around the corner to grab this watermelon and an onion bagel with scallion cream cheese from The Best Bagel Place in the Entire City.

I don't know what it's been like in other parts of the country, but if it's anything as hot as New York, I wouldn't be surprised if everybody's been avoiding their oven like the plague. What have you guys been doing to cool off? I've been eating bowls of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and drinking beverages like this watermelon and mint agua fresca:


I first discovered agua frescas at a Venezuelan restaurant specializing in arepas in my old neighborhood in Portland. However, agua frescas are actually Mexican in origin, and are basically fruit juices mixed with water and sugar (though you can also get a horchata flavored one made from a variety of rice, nuts, or other crazy things).

My favorite flavor has always been a pineapple and lime variation, but since watermelon is in season, I decided to make a watermelon one instead:


And real talk — there is no fruit more quintessentially summer than watermelon. This drink is basically all the good things about summer in a glass! Light, refreshing, and a wonderful vibrant pinkish-red (Seriously, what is that color?! Is that marsala?! It's a touch too red, no?), I'm proud to contribute this recipe to Sherrie's annual #drinkthesummer virtual cocktail party. Check out her blog and the hashtag for more summer recipe ideas!


featured:

Some maker's notes:
  • The amount of simple syrup you use will depend on how sweet your watermelon is and how sweet you like your drinks, which is why I've given a range for the amount of simple syrup used in the recipe. Be sure to taste as you go, adding simple syrup in small increments until you find your ideal level of sweetness.

  • So I made mine booze-free, but you can totally spike the shiz out of it like a cool kid. I recommend using it as a mix-in for a relatively mildly flavored booze like vodka, a non-hoppy pilsner, or even champagne.
get the recipe »
25 Aug 18:43

Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad

by Beth M

A few weeks ago my friend Jenni sent me a link to this recipe for Tzatziki Pasta Salad with the comment that, “it isn’t too Budget Bytes friendly (too many splurgy ingredients), but it’s really good!” I looked over the recipe and quickly decided that A) I needed to make it because it DID look really good, and B) I needed to budgetize it! My version, which I’m just calling Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad, is a little less splurgy, but still awesomely delicious! So good, in fact, that I almost ate a few forkfuls for breakfast this morning! 😜

So how did I make this pasta salad more budget friendly? First I had to identify the budget breaking ingredients, and there are a lot of them. Kalamata olives, sun dried tomatoes, feta, red onion, Greek yogurt, artichoke hearts, and fresh dill all tend to be on the pricy side, so I had to either cut back or substitute where I could while maintaining the “feel” of the recipe. I reduced the amount of feta in the salad to just 2oz. because feta is pretty potent, so I knew I could get away with using less. I used dried dill in place of fresh, and fresh tomatoes in place of sun dried (funny how one ingredient can be less expensive dried than fresh, but vice versa for a different ingredient).  While I would have loved to have just reduced the amount of kalamata olives, I couldn’t find a good deal on them on this particular day, so they went on the cut list. Since I cut the olives, I kept the artichoke hearts. Nixing both would have deviated a little too far from that Greek salad feel I was going for. I also kept the red onion, but vowed to make use of the leftovers either in another recipe or by pickling them. I also kept the Greek yogurt because that’s the cornerstone of the flavor profile, but made sure to buy one of the little cups that were on sale.

The resulting Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad might be a little more expensive than most pasta salads, but at $1.73 per large servings (1.5 cups each, give or take some) it’s still a bargain and is enough to make a nice light lunch.

Oh, one more thing! I know dried dill is not that common of an ingredient, so if you can’t get it or don’t want to buy it just for this recipe, oregano also goes great with these flavors. It will make a dressing very similar to the marinade for my Greek Marinated Chicken.

Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad

Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad is packed with bold flavors and fresh vegetables, making it a delicious light lunch. BudgetBytes.com

4.6 from 8 reviews
Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author: Adapted from Spicy Southern Kitchen
Total Cost: $10.40
Cost Per Serving: $1.73
Serves: 6 (about 1.5 cups each)
Ingredients
CREAMY LEMON DILL DRESSING
  • 5oz. container plain Greek yogurt $1.00
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise $0.28
  • 1 clove garlic, minced $0.08
  • 1 fresh lemon $0.67
  • ¼ tsp salt $0.01
  • ¼ tsp dried dill $0.05
  • Freshly cracked pepper $0.05
PASTA SALAD
  • 1 lb. penne $1.29
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes $1.25
  • 1 cucumber (about 2 cups chopped) $1.69
  • 15oz. can quartered artichoke hearts $2.59
  • ¼ red onion $0.34
  • 2oz. feta $1.12
Instructions
  1. Prepare the dressing first so the flavors have time to blend. Use a zester or small-holed cheese grater to remove the zest from the lemon. In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, 1 Tbsp of the lemon juice, ½ tsp of the lemon zest, salt, dill, and some freshly cracked pepper (about 10-15 cranks of a pepper mill). Refrigerate the dressing until ready to use.
  2. Cook the pasta, in lightly salted water, according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly with cool water to bring the temperature down. Let the pasta drain until it's slightly dry and tacky on the surface.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, slice the cucumber, then cut the slices into quarter rounds. Slice the grape tomatoes in half. Finely dice the red onion. Drain the artichoke hearts, then roughly chop them. Crumble the feta cheese.
  4. Once the pasta is cooled and drained, Place it in a large bowl and combine with the cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, artichoke hearts, feta, and creamy lemon dill dressing. Stir to coat. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.
3.5.3208

Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad is packed with bold flavors and fresh vegetables, making it a delicious light lunch. BudgetBytes.comCreamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad is packed with bold flavors and fresh vegetables, making it a delicious light lunch. BudgetBytes.com

Step  by Step Photos

Lemon ZestBegin by removing the zest from one lemon. You’ll need about 1/2 tsp of the zest for the dressing, but you can keep the rest to use as a garnish.

Lemon Dill Yogurt DressingPrepare the dressing first, so the flavors have time to infuse into the yogurt. In a small bowl, stir together one 5oz. container of Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1/2 tsp of the lemon zest, 1 Tbsp of the lemon’s juice, 1/4 tsp dried dill, 1/4 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper. If you can’t find a single-serving container of Greek yogurt that is exactly 5oz, no worries. That part is flexible. It seems like every brand is a different size, but anywhere between 5-7oz. will be okay.

Finished DressingRefrigerate the dressing until you’re ready to use it.

Cook PastaCook one pound of penne pasta in lightly salted water, according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to bring the temperature down. Let the pasta drain until it’s slightly tacky or sticky on the surface. This will allow it to grip the dressing better than really wet pasta.

Chopped VegetablesWhile the pasta is cooking, prepare the rest of the salad ingredients. Slice about 1 cup of grape tomatoes in half, cut one cucumber into quarter rounds (about 2 cups), dice 1/4 red onion, drain and roughly chop one 15oz. can of quartered artichoke hearts, and crumble 2oz. of feta.

Combine Pasta and VegetablesCombine the drained pasta, the vegetables, and feta in a large bowl.

Pour on DressingPour the creamy lemon dill dressing on top, then stir to coat.

Stir to Coat in DressingAnd you’re done! You can garnish with any extra lemon zest or a light sprinkle of dried dill.

Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad is packed with bold flavors and fresh vegetables, making it a delicious light lunch. BudgetBytes.comFast, easy, delicious, and a little more budget friendly. ;)

…and I DID end up having a bowl of this Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad for breakfast as I wrote this post. LOL. What can I say? The photos got to me. :)

Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad is packed with bold flavors and fresh vegetables, making it a delicious light lunch. BudgetBytes.com

The post Creamy Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad appeared first on Budget Bytes.

18 Aug 05:09

Peanut Butter Chunky Chocolate Cookies

by Bakerella

Peanut Butter Chunky Chocolate Cookies

These jumbo cookies delight with big chunks of chocolate in every bite. They’re simple but oh so good.

Peanut Butter

The cookie dough is kissed with creamy peanut butter …

Chocolate Wafers

…and hugged by giant chocolate wafers. Oh my… thighs.

Cookie Dough

I want to go just dive in.

Cookie Dough Scoop

I used a big scoop for these cookies. ?? inches wide that yields 12-13 cookies from the dough. But feel free to use a smaller scoop for more cookies.

Scooped Dough

Look at these great big balls of cookie dough though.

Cookie Scoops

Before baking sprinkle a little sea salt on top to make them taste extra special.

 

Cookies

Oh my … so much melty chocolate.

 

Melty Chocolate

Speaking of melty. If you can’t wait for these to cool like a certain sweets-loving person I know, then be prepared to enjoy puddles of warm chocolate with a tall glass of cold milk.

Peanut Butter Chunky Chocolate Cookies

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
12-18 oz semisweet chocolate baking wafers (I used these.)
sea salt

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • Using a mixer, cream butter, peanut butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs one at a time, mixing until incorporated. Add vanilla.
  • Add flour mixture and slowly mix until combined. Stir in chocolate wafers.
  • Scoop dough using a large 2-1/2 inch scoop (yields 12-13 cookies) a few inches apart onto a parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle the tops lightly with sea salt. Bake 14-16 minutes and let cool.
    Note: For more cookies, use a smaller scoop and bake for a little less time.

Enjoy!!!

25 Jul 23:23

HAIRY Photo Series from Grace Chon

by Capree Kimball

HAIRY Photo Series from Grace Chon

I’m a sucker for a good “before and after”, especially when it comes to style makeovers. So, when I saw photographer Grace Chon‘s most recent series HAIRY, I nearly fell out of my chair from delight! HAIRY showcases doggy makeovers, but not in the “breed standard” cuts many are familiar with here in the United States.

HAIRY Photo Series from Grace Chon

Model: Lana \\\ Groomer: Koko Fukaya

HAIRY Photo Series from Grace Chon

Model: Raider \\\ Groomer: Koko Fukaya

HAIRY Photo Series from Grace Chon

Model: Herman \\\ Groomer: Cindy Reyes

Grace explains:

I’ve always found before and after photos from dog grooming to be really funny. Usually it doesn’t even look like it’s the same dog in each photo! I had the idea of shooting a photo series that highlighted this extreme transformation. Each dog went way beyond their normal grooming schedule to grow their hair long and shaggy for the shoot. There’s something so funny to me about seeing a dog so scruffy that they can’t even see! I wanted the after photos to be really extreme by showing a type of cut that’s uncommon to most of us here in the United States.

All the dogs have been groomed in a Japanese grooming style, which doesn’t follow the usual breed standard cuts and rules for grooming that we’re used to seeing. Rather, the emphasis is on making the dog look as adorable as possible — cute on steroids — by highlighting the unique characteristics of each dog. These cuts are works of art; each haircut takes hours as the majority of the styling is all done with hand scissoring. All the dogs in the series were groomed by the incredibly talented groomers from Healthy Spot in Los Angeles, CA. Many of the groomers there specialize in this style of cut and have been trained by masters from Japan.

HAIRY Photo Series from Grace Chon

Model: Teddy \\\ Groomer: Donna Owens

HAIRY Photo Series from Grace Chon

Model: Yuki \\\ Groomer: Alyson Ogimachi

HAIRY Photo Series from Grace Chon

Model: Rocco \\\ Groomer: Patricia Sugihara

See more images from this ongoing series by following Grace on Instagram. Also check out more of her awesome animal photography at www.gracechon.com.


Share This: Twitter | Facebook | Don't forget that you can follow Dog Milk on Twitter and Facebook.
© 2016 Dog Milk | Posted by capree in Grooming + Hygiene, Other | Permalink | No comments
23 Jul 17:26

The First ‘Wonder Woman’ Poster Is Wonderfully Colorful

by Sean Fallon

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If you weren’t thrilled with Wonder Woman’s muted color scheme in BvS, you’ll love this new poster for her upcoming film. The tagline isn’t bad either. Check out the full poster below.

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09 Jul 18:46

Single Serving Size Chocolate Chip Cookies

by Amanda
Single Serving Size Chocolate Chip Cookies

These XL bakery style chocolate chip cookies make a single serving batch for when you only want 2-3 cookies. They are extra chocolatey, chewy, and so quick to make!

See it HERE!

Single Serving Size Chocolate Chip Cookies submitted by Chelsea’s Messy Apron

The post Single Serving Size Chocolate Chip Cookies appeared first on i am baker.

09 Jul 18:25

31 Garage Organization Ideas…to whip yours into SHAPE!!

by Ashley
31 Garage Organization Ideas...to whip yours into SHAPE!! | via www.makeit-loveit.com

As much as we try, our garage is always a mess.

It’s a 3-car garage but we only have 2 cars, so the 3rd bay is used for tools and lawn stuff and DIY projects!  We tend to accumulate more than we have the storage space for in that 3rd bay and once we get excited about working on a project, we tend to overlook the mess from the last project.  We have been needing to get creative with our garage space for some time now……because there is DEFINITELY a better way than what we have going on. Ack! But I feel like everything just needs a designated spot…..and then everyone will know where that item goes, instead of dumping it on the tool bench.  Or the garage floor.  Or even worse, leaving it on the step by the garage door, hoping someone else will put it away.  Agggghhh….drives me nuts!  But I’m pretty excited just looking at all of these garage organization ideas, because I’m ready to whip our garage into shape!

Do you have some tips that you love??  Please do share them below! :)

31 Garage Organization Ideas...to whip yours into SHAPE!! | via www.makeit-loveit.com

 

Hook and Chain Cord Hanger via Family Handyman

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PVC pipe holders via Newly Woodwards

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Amazing bin system via A Bowl Full of Lemons

Garage organize 2

Lifting garage storage via Amazon

Garage organize 18

Multipanel Pegboard Storage via Woodsmith Tips

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Wall panel with hooks and hanging bins via A Beautiful Mess

Garage organize 3

 

Magnetic Tool Storage via Amazon

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Garage Ceiling Storage System via Family Handyman

garage-organize

 

Bike storage via I Heart Organizing

Garage organize 4

Sports accessories storage via Amazon

Garage organize 14

 

Hooks and bench via Sypsie

SAMSUNG CSC

 

Cord Hangers from Plastic Pipe via Family Handyman

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Pallet shoe shelf via Hometalk

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Pallet rake storage via Fix Lovely

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Stowaway Work Bench via Build Something

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Scooter storage via Digs Digs

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PVP Pipe Storage Rack via Family Handyman

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Fishing pole storage via Photobucket

Garage organize 9

Fishing pole pool noodle storage via Pinterest

Garage organize 10

Garage build in lockers via Dixie Delights

Garage organize 11

Ladder Hooks (to hang from garage door hardware) via Amazon

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School lockers garage organization via Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss

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DIY garage shelves via Ana White

Garage organize 13

DIY ball storage via Family Handyman

Garage organize 15

Soda bottle storage via Popular Woodworking

Garage organize 16

Kids’ toys storage via Domestic Charm

Garage organize 17

Garage multi-organizer via Amazon

Garage organize 19

Basket organization via Make It & Love It

Garage organize 20

 

Rain Gutter Shelving via Flickr

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Steel Pegboard via Amazon

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DIY Jumbo Tape Dispenser via Popular Woodworking

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. . . . .

Looking for a few more ways to spruce up your home?? 

Check out these great ideas!

20 Cheap Way to Improve Curb Appeal

20 Cheap ways to IMPROVE CURB APPEAL...(whether you're selling or not) | via Make It and Love It

38 Inspiring Ideas to Organize and Declutter Your Home

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The post 31 Garage Organization Ideas…to whip yours into SHAPE!! appeared first on Make It and Love It.

04 Jul 23:07

Happy 4th of July!



Happy 4th of July!

04 Jul 17:53

Garlic Lovers’ Spaghetti

by Ali

This Garlic Lovers’ Spaghetti is quick and easy to make, it’s packed with simple and ultra-garlicky Italian flavors, and it’s absolutely delicious.

This Garlic Lovers' Spaghetti is quick and easy to make, packed with ultra-garlicky buttery Italian flavors, and SO delicious!! | gimmesomeoven.com

Ok, after sharing my favorite chicken parmesan recipe with you on Monday, I couldn’t resist following it up with my all-time favorite spaghetti recipe.  ♥

Guys, I’ve got to be honest with you.  I know pasta seems to get a bad rap nowadays, and I try to make veggies and salads and whole-grain-y foods the star of my meals most of the time.  But I’ve made my (happy) peace with the fact that pasta will forever and always be my favorite comfort food.  And when the craving strikes, this is my tried-and-true recipe that I always turn to.

It’s quick and easy to make.  It’s made with ingredients that I literally always have on hand.  It’s ready to go in the time it takes to boil your pasta water and cook the spaghetti.  It pairs well with just about any protein or veggies on the side.  It is wonderfully chocked full of SO MUCH GARLIC.  And it is simply my favorite.

So grab some peppermints for afterwards, and let’s make some!

(more…)

01 Jul 19:40

Andrew’s Star Wars Birthday Party

by Annie

A couple of months ago we were talking and Andrew mentioned that he would be eight on his next birthday. I laughed SO hard, truly believing it was a joke because there was no way that my baby would be eight soon. But then, stunned, I realized he was right!

Initially he was set on the idea of having a laser tag party and to be honest, I was all for it.  I baked my brother’s wedding cake and cupcakes and our whole family was in the wedding the week before Andrew’s party so I knew I would be exhausted. But right before I finalized the date, location and invitations, he decided he would rather have a Star Wars party at home. So be it. Thankfully the force was with me and I was able to pull a party together pretty quickly.

For the cake, Andrew requested chocolate raspberry. I ended up making my favorite chocolate cake recipe for the cake layers, filled them with fresh whipped cream folded with fresh raspberries, and frosted with my favorite chocolate frosting. The combination was so, so delicious! Because of the extreme softness of both the cake and the filling, the cake settled overnight and left the fondant slightly wrinkled but it was okay. It still tasted fabulous!

You know I couldn’t resist the opportunity to make some Star Wars sugar cookies with royal icing for the occasion! Even though I know next to nothing about Star Wars, these are still some of my favorite cookies to make.

The Death Star watermelon was a veeeerrrry last minute detail (as in, I made it minutes before the party started) but it was such a hit! I must admit even I love it, and I don’t even know what the Death Star is. (Don’t judge!)

This light saber snack mix was fun and easy to make, although a bit tedious. I made the little sabers by dipping pretzel rods into red, blue and green candy melts. The kids loved it!

These forks were clearly a party essential.

Isn’t this free printable banner adorable? I love it so much.

Since planning this was SO last minute, I didn’t have a lot together in the way of activities. I was confident that a bunch of seven- and eight-year-olds would be able to entertain themselves pretty well with a few props. We made light sabers from pool noodles and duct tape and they had a BLAST with those running around and battling. We also had them draw on balloons to make storm troopers or whatever they wanted, taped them to the wall and then let them shoot nerf darts at them.

I also had a couple sets of these masks around which made for extra fun for kids and grown ups alike. This is me with my best friend since kindergarten, because real best friends take Chewbacca selfies.

I simply couldn’t resist the tank top. Also can we just talk about how awesome the storm trooper balloons are for a minute? SO AWESOME. The guy at the party store didn’t think so, since each part is filled individually. HA!

Happy birthday, my amazing Andrew!

 

Resources/Vendors:

30 Jun 03:22

Interact With A ‘Calvin And Hobbes’ Strip In 3D

by Sean Fallon

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I’ve never seen anything like this, but now I want all my comic strips to be in interactive 3D.

This Calvin and Hobbes strip was reimagined using Blender by artist Gabriel de Laubier.

Experience C&H in a whole new way in the widget below. You can even view it in Google Cardboard.

(Prosthetic Knowledge via The Verge)

28 Jun 03:33

Maple Bacon Cake

by Kristan

This maple bacon cake is perfect for sweet and salty lovers! Enjoy it for dessert, or breakfast — I’m not judging!

Maple Bacon Cake PictureLast week it ended up that I had two work-related phone calls scheduled for the same day.

I had to schedule them back-to-back, because Lucy’s nap time is my only good window of time to talk to a human being in peace. Obviously I’m just sitting at home in my pajamas, but when I talk to brands about doing work for them I try to pretend that I’m a real professional who works in an office and most likely wears pantyhose. And unfortunately, my child screaming, “I got a little bit of poop in my pants!!” is not at all conducive to that whole illusion.

Needless to say, these phone calls loomed over me all day. Honestly, I never understand why people need to talk with real voices when email is a perfectly acceptable form of communication. I mean, this isn’t a break-up or a death in the family. It’s cupcakes. Please just let me type my words.

maple bacon layer cake image

The worst thing about phone calls is that the people who request them do so with such nonchalance. “Let’s hop on a call,” they say.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HOPPING ON A CALL. What there IS such a thing as is me dying a slow and painful death while I treat my red-hot burning ear (why do phones make my ear so hot?) and cringe while I replay every inappropriate thing I accidentally blurted out during our call.

“I’d LOVE to make cookies using your product!! In fact, I make cookies using your product ALL THE TIME!! I should be paying YOU, if we are being honest! I mean, here — just give me your address. I’m popping a check in the mail now.” <—insert awkward silences, forced laughter, and references to wine, tequila, or some inappropriate combination of the two.

I’m so sorry, world.

Maple Bacon Layer Cake Pic

I have learned to just stick with what I am good at — baking in my house, with walls that separate me from the rest of the world. I have been loving the maple bacon combo I’ve been seeing everywhere, and I decided that it definitely needed to be a layer cake.

Layers of dense, velvety maple cake, maple buttercream, crispy bacon, and a sweet maple glaze — it’s giving me life and I’m not sorry.

Maple bacon layer cake, anyone? I saved you a slice!

Maple Bacon Cake

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Yield: 20 slices

Ingredients

  • Maple Cake:
  • 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/3 cups water
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 teaspoons maple extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • Maple Buttercream:
  • 3 sticks salted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons maple extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons maple syrup
  • 12 slices of bacon, cooked, cooled, and blotted of grease
  • Maple Glaze:
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons hot water
  • 1 teaspoon maple extract
  • 2 Tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour 3 (8 inch) cake pans.
  2. In the bowl of your mixer, combine the cake mix, flour, sugar, and salt. Pour in the water, sour cream, vegetable oil, maple extract, and eggs, and beat with your electric mixer on low until all the ingredients are mixed and moistened but some lumps still remain, 4 minutes.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans and bake until tops are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
  4. Prepare buttercream: In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, cream, and maple extract on medium speed until smooth. With the mixer on low, slowly add powdered sugar until combined. Add maple syrup. Increase mixer speed to high and beat for one minute. Using a serrated knife, level cooled cake layers, then stack and fill and frost the outside.
  5. Cut bacon slices in half and press into the outside of the cake, reserving two halves for the top. Chill cake for one hour.
  6. Prepare glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, water, extract, and syrup until smooth. Pour over the top of the cake, spreading to the edges so that it drips down the cake.

Notes

**cake batter heavily adapted from Allrecipes almond wedding cake

3.1

Enjoy, friends! Have a great day!

The post Maple Bacon Cake appeared first on Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.

24 Jun 23:59

Impractical Bookshelves For Superheroes

by Ben Paddon

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Like books? Like shelves? Like putting books on shelves?

You would? Weirdo.

Alright then, how about shelves that look like the logos for your favorite comic book characters? What a coincidence! Istanbul-based designer Burak Dogan has created that exact thing.

Clearly, superheroes value style over functionality when it comes to storage.

Sadly, these are only artist renderings at the moment. Impractical or not, they do look pretty cool.

Check out more designs below.

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(On The Bookshelf via Neatorama)