This summer, I started making my own breakfast almost every day. Apparently I have a high taste for food because I started making myself things like crêpes, waffles, omelets and FRENCH TOAST. I found this French toast recipe online, tweaked it a teeny tiny bit and eat it maybe once a week now.
THE RECIPE
Prep Time: Approximately 2 minutes or less
Cook Time: Maybe 3-5 minutes
Ingredients
⅓ cup of milk
1 eggs
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract (Optional) (I put it in for flavor and once did not have enough, but it was still delicious. I recommend putting the vanilla in)
≈ ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon (Optional) (I put more in and dust the toast while its cooking)
Salt (If you want, I dont put any)
3 pieces of bread
Butter to grease the pan
Step 1
Get all of your ingredients and whisk everything but the bread and butter together in a shallow bowl. (I use a cereal bowl)
Step 2
Butter your pan and heat over high heat
Step 3
Dunk your bread in your milk mixture for 3 seconds on both sides. I also sink the crusts.
Step 4
Move your bread onto your hot pan and lower the temperature to medium heat. Cook until the crusts are golden brown, (like the color of almonds or dulce de leche)
Step 5
EAT YOUR DELICIOUS CREATION. I prefer to top mine with maple syrup and more cinnamon.
I really like this recipe and think that it’s really easy to make while half asleep in the morning. I do recommend it for any people who like sweet breakfasts that don’t require much cooking.
Now, I am going to assume that not everyone knows who Marie Kondo is. Marie Kondo is a Japanese woman who has various TV shows and books about organization. My mother, along with many other moms, has watched one of her shows at one point or another. So when I talk about ¨Marie Kondoing¨ my room, I mean cleaning and organizing my room. Even though, and I will admit, I don’t particularly like cleaning/organizing in my free time, I did when I was super bored one day. The results of my cleaning, I am extremely happy about. So here are the pros of cleaning my room:
Less cluttered. It doesn’t feel suffocating to be in my room.
More space. There is more space for future items, and just space. The space is so nice to have in a room.
Getting rid of stuff. I found so much stuff in my room that I honestly have no idea was there. I found the container of an old marker making machine, a rock, empty paint tubes and a 3D pen. Random stuff.
Finding things that I like. I found a pair of new(ish) shoes from my mother and a coil of LED lights.
Decorating. I used the stuff I found to decorate my closet and my desk
AND FINALLY
It makes me feel more calm and mature. My room feels lighter and it makes me feel less anxious. It makes me feel more chill.
The method I used to clean my room was the Marie Kondo way, which involves feelings. What you do is hold up each item and ask yourself, ¨Does this bring me joy? Does it have a purpose or a reason?¨ Doing this, I realized how much stuff I had that was useless and brought me no joy whatsoever.
My now clean room makes me feel ready for the school year and all the stress that comes with it. I really recommend cleaning your room for a less cluttered mind and a more calm mindset.
Booksby Marie Kondo are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.
Anyone who stays at the DoubleTree knows that the best part is the warm welcoming cookies homemade by the hotel. If you are opposed to making a reservation just for the famous cookies, this recipe is just for you.
Ingredient List:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
▢ 1/2 pound of softened butter (2 sticks)
▢ ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
▢ ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
▢ ¼ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
▢ 2 ¼ cups flour
▢ 1/2 cup rolled oats
▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ A pinch of cinnamon
▢ 1 3/4 cups chopped walnuts (optional)
▢ 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chip
1. Preheat the oven to 300°F
2. Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
3. Add eggs, vanilla, and lemon juice, blending with a mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl.
4. With the mixer on low speed, add flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, blending for about 45 seconds. Make sure not to overmix.
5. Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
6. Portion dough with a scoop (about 3 tablespoons) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart.
7. Optional: Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top of each cookie to create a salty and sweet masterpiece.
8. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is still soft.
9. Remove from the oven and cool on a baking sheet.
Spam musubi is one of my personal favorite snacks to make whenever I have free time. Its a very simple dish to create using only a few ingredients.
Ingredient List:
Spam Musubi
▢ 1.5 cup/310g Rice (uncooked)
▢ 1 tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
▢ 1 Nori seaweed sheet
▢ 1 can of small Spam 7oz(200g)
▢ 2 tsp vegetable oil
Spam Sauce
▢ 1 tbsp soy sauce
▢ 1 tbsp sake
▢ 1 tbsp rice vinegar
▢ 1 tbsp sugar
▢ 2 tsp Katakuriko (potato starch)
▢ 1 tbsp water
1. Cook rice by the instructions listed on your rice cooker.
2. Once the rice been cooked, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds into the rice.
3. Slice the spam ham into 6 even slices.
4. Heat a frying pan over medium heat with vegetable oil
5. Add Spam. Cook and brown each side for about 2-3 min.
6. Set aside the cooked spam slices. Then place all ingredients into the pan and reduce the heat to low.
7. Stir continuously until thick, put the Spam slices back into the frying pan and coat the spam with the sauce. Turn the heat off.
8. Next is to assemble the Spam. I like to use a specific mold for Spam, but if you don’t have one there is a very easy alternative. Line a washed spam tin with cling wrap and put 1/6 of the cooked rice into the tin.
9. Press the rice down with your hand. Add a piece of spam on top and press.
10. Remove the spam and rice, place the nori strip over on the centre of the spam and wrap over the musubi.
Now that summer is here, I find myself picking up my crochet hook again to finish a few projects that I had shelved during the school year. I started crocheting about two years ago, and so I’ve picked up a few stitches through my various projects. Here is a list of my top five:
5. Crocodile Stitch
Crocodile Stitch (The Spruce Crafts)
Now, I am not a huge fan of textured stitches, which is probably why this stitch is #5 on my list. However, this stitch was just so much fun for me. I love how well it layers and how pretty it looks. The first time I encountered this stitch was when I was trying to make a little Christmas tree ornament (which I succeeded in making) and the crocodile stitch was perfect for it.
This stitch is a little confusing though, probably a more advanced-beginner level. Knowledge of how to work post stitches is required. I used Bella Coco’s tutorial to learn it: https://youtu.be/X831BvT42xU
4. Sprig Stitch
Sprig Stitch (Bella Coco)
The Sprig Stitch is another great stitch that I use. It’s really simple and works up quite fast. The only reason it’s not absolutely amazing (for me) is that it’s got a few (make that lots of) holes. I don’t like making blankets that have a ton of holes, mostly because I tend to get things stuck in them, but this stitch is perfect for making cupholders (and sometimes decorative potholders), of which I have quite a few.
Now, “Puff Ripple” is a pretty generic name, so there’s a lot of Google results that are all different, but the photo above is the puff ripple stitch that I learned by Hooked by Robin (tutorial: https://youtu.be/BmtwZ7gTd6c)
This is one of my favorite patterns, mostly because it’s quite simple to hook and it features a wavy shape as you make it. In addition, the puff stitches are super small and quick, so this is definitely a very easy stitch as long as you know how to make puffs.
2. Jasmine Stitch
Jasmine Stitch (Desert Blossom Crafts)
The Jasmine Stitch is another example of a stitch that uses puffs, but it’s also quite a bit more complicated because you have to keep more loops on your hook (I think the max is 13 at a time). Nonetheless, I love this pattern because it’s so pretty and it’s a stitch that I use to make the most beautiful projects with.
Lastly, the trinity stitch is my absolute go-to stitch, because it’s completely solid, with no holes whatsoever. The stitch works up quite quickly and I keep coming up with a myriad of uses for it. Although it’s not as pretty as the Jasmine stitch, it still features a star-type flower pattern. The only drawback is that it’s super dense, so I would not recommend it as a shawl or something else that is supposed to be light and airy.
So, there’s a list of my top five stitches, and if you crochet I hope you find a stitch that you like. If you don’t crochet, maybe it’s time to pick up a hook and a new hobby!
Let me know in the comments what your favorite stitch is 🙂 ~ Kailyn L.
I find in summer that I have a lot more time to sit back and relax, and I spend that time crocheting. I enjoy making blankets, either to be donated or to be used as Christmas presents, so here are my top five favorite patterns.
5. Tesselated Hearts
Tesselated Hearts (Fiber Spider)
This is a very simple tesselated hearts filet pattern that I enjoyed making very much. I chose a gray yarn to make this pattern with, and it’s working up well. The only thing I don’t like about this pattern is that it is worked in rows, not rounds, and I don’t much enjoy working in rows.
The Bavarian Stitch Blanket is a great blanket to make. It involves post stitches, which creates lovely texture. However, it is a bit more challenging than some other blankets.
There are two different star blankets that I’m thinking of, the 5 point star and the 12 point star. Both are worked in-the-round. I made the 12 point star for my baby brother as his own baby blanket, and it turned out really beautiful with a variegated teal yarn. (I used Red Heart Super Saver Ombre in the color Deep Teal) The only downside is that it’s not a round or square blanket, it’s star-shaped.
The first I made the Virus Blanket was for my mom, and I used a really bright variegated yarn pattern (Lion Brand Yarn Cupcakes in the color Clown Car). It turned out absolutely amazing. The only downside is that there are a few holes, but other than that, it’s a great in-the-round blanket.
There are so many different tutorials on this blanket, but the one that I used was Bella Coco’s: https://youtu.be/Rlf7em4OhZc
1. Lotus Blanket
Lotus Blanket (Hooked by Robin)
This is my absolute favorite blanket pattern. Ever. I made this for my aunt for Christmas, and it was so stunning. The only thing is it’s just a bit complicated, but you get rewarded with such a pretty design! Find Hooked by Robin’s tutorial (Part 1) here: https://youtu.be/L–tTTLAi5A
So, there’s a list of my top five blanket patterns, and if you crochet I hope you make an amazing blanket you enjoy. If you don’t crochet, maybe it’s time to pick up a hook and a new hobby! (You’ll definitely never run out of Christmas ideas too!)
Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever made any of these blankets. 🙂 ~ Kailyn L.
This simple skill is important because you can use it on yourself or for others. It’s nice to know how to braid your own hair, or even your future child’s. Whether you are a boy or girl it is a good skill. It has more uses than just a hairstyle. You could use it in baking, for ropes, bracelets etc.
Step 1: Separate hair (or other item) into three equal sections Step 2: Take one of the outer sections and cross it over the center(left or right) Step 3: Take the outer section on the opposite side and cross it over the center as well Step 4: Continue crossing the outer species alternating from each side
There are many second-hand shopping platforms that allow sellers to independently ship items to buyers (the most popular ones are eBay, Depop, Poshmark, and Mercari).
The first step in getting some cash out of your old clothes is to sort out your clothes into piles: keep and sell.
Once you have your sell pile, ideally, you should iron them or wash them if they are wrinkly or dirty so the buyer knows that they will receive an item in wearable condition.
Next, find a solid background with good lighting. It is crucial that you take these pictures when it is sunny outside or with artificial lighting so that they can easily be seen. If you are able to, modeling the clothes is a great option to allow your customers to see what the clothing will fit.
You don’t need to invest in an expensive camera to take pictures– a smartphone camera will do just fine. Make sure that your shadow is not in the frame, and snap a picture with the clothing item centered in the middle. Many platforms show items in a square format, so you should switch your camera setting to square mode if needed. If you are modeling the clothing yourself, you can invest in an auto-take handheld clicker, or use the self-timer.
Finally, post the picture with a detailed description highlighting any flaws, measurements, manufacture date, and size. Set a reasonable price, or purposely set it high and have buyers offer their best price. Keep in mind that many platforms have around a 10% fee.
The final step is to wait! If your item is sold, all you have to do is pack it up and print out the prepaid label that your selling platform may provide.
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Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice 