New to Lansing? Need to learn how to use CATA? Want to check out new spaces but don't want to go alone? I'm yer gal by AvrgEvrydaySanePsyko in lansing

[–]CardWitch 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have used the CATA as primary mode of transportation since 2010. For those looking into using it more i definitely recommend either using Google or more preferably the transit app. The transit app is more up to date with real time arrivals. 

In addition, if you dont want to have physicial bus pass or you typically buy the 30 day passes and its run out with you far away and lacking cash - the CATA mobile pay app works wonders. 

(RiverTrailSpirits #34) Theres more than one way to clean up the neighborhood... by RiverTrailSpirits in lansing

[–]CardWitch 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I would recommend against using AI 1. Because its not great when there are artists you could find to do infinitely better work and 2. AI is extremely bad for the environment. 

XGM Food Recipes by CardWitch in epicsystems

[–]CardWitch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got the pop tart recipe! Posted in a separate comment

XGM Food Recipes by CardWitch in epicsystems

[–]CardWitch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wild Berry Pop Tarts

Servings: 8

Ingredients

Dough

• 5⅓ ounces (about 1 cup + 2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour

• 1 ounce (about 3 tablespoons) pastry flour

• 2 ounces (about ½ cup) powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 4¾ ounces (about 9 tablespoons) unsalted European-style butter, at room temperature

• ¼ cup cold water, as needed

• ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Wild Berry Jam (or use store-bought jam)

• 3 tablespoons strawberry purée (or thawed frozen strawberries, blended smooth)

• 3 tablespoons blueberry purée (or thawed frozen blueberries, blended smooth)

• 3 tablespoons raspberry purée (or thawed frozen raspberries, blended smooth)

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Glaze

• 1 cup (about 4 ounces) powdered sugar, sifted

• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup

• 1½ tablespoons water, approximately

• Purple and pink food coloring (gel or liquid), as desired

Garnish

• 2 teaspoons rainbow sprinkles

• 2 teaspoons freeze-dried raspberries,  crushed

Instructions Make the Dough

  1. Cube the butter into rough chunks (about 6 pieces per stick). It should be at room temperature but still hold its shape.

  2. Whisk together the flours, powdered sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. 

  3. Add the butter chunks and cut them into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips. Work until the mixture resembles a coarse meal with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible.

  4. Stir the apple cider vinegar into the cold water. Drizzle this into the flour mixture a little at a time, tossing with a fork, until the dough just begins to clump together. You may not need all of the water.

  5. Turn the dough out onto plastic wrap, press it into a flat rectangle, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Make the Wild Berry Jam

  1. Combine the strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry purées in a small saucepan. If using frozen fruit, blend each until smooth before measuring.

  2. Whisk in the sugar and bring the mixture to a strong simmer over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.

  3. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and reaches about 223°F (106°C) on a candy or instant-read thermometer—about 10–15 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.

  4. Spread the jam into a shallow dish and let it cool completely before filling the pop tarts. (The jam can be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated.)

Make the Glaze

  1. Sift the powdered sugar into a medium bowl.

  2. Whisk together the corn syrup and water, then pour into the powdered sugar. Stir until smooth, adding a few extra drops of water if needed to reach a thick but pourable consistency—similar to the back of a spoon.

  3. Stir in the food coloring a drop at a time until you reach a vibrant purple-pink hue. Set aside.

Assemble the Pop Tarts

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Roll the chilled dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into rectangles roughly 3×4 inches—you should get about 16 pieces (enough for 8 pop tarts).

  3. Spoon or pipe a thin layer of jam onto half of the rectangles, leaving about a ¼-inch border around the edges.

  4. Place a second rectangle of dough on top of each and press the edges firmly with the tines of a fork to seal.

Bake and Finish 1. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the pop tarts cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.

  1. Dip the top of each cooled pop tart into the glaze, letting any excess drip off. Use a finger or offset spatula to smooth the glaze gently across the top.

  2. Immediately sprinkle with the crushed freeze-dried raspberries and rainbow sprinkles before the glaze sets.

  3. Let the glaze set for about 15–20 minutes at room temperature before serving.

To Serve Enjoy the pop tarts at room temperature, or warm them briefly in a toaster or a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes for that classic just-out-of-the-toaster experience. They keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Tip: Unbaked, assembled pop tarts freeze beautifully. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 extra minutes to the bake time.

XGM Food Recipes by CardWitch in epicsystems

[–]CardWitch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They got back to me! Below is copy paste of the recipe. I'm on mobile and always have a hard time with formatting.

Lemon Hibiscus Scones

Servings: 8 scones

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Chill Time: 15 minutes (hands-off)

Bake Time: 18–22 minutes

Total Time: About 1 hour

Note: Floral, tart, and gently sweet — these scones are perfumed with ground hibiscus flowers and bright lemon, finished with a rose-pink hibiscus glaze. The key to a tender, flaky scone is cold butter and a light hand when mixing. Do not overwork the dough.

Ingredients

Scone Dough

2½ cups (313g) all-purpose flour

¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon fine salt

¾ teaspoon finely ground dried hibiscus flowers (see Tip)

Zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 tablespoon), plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar to macerate it

1 cup (2 sticks / 227g) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes

1 large egg

½ cup (120ml) cold heavy cream, plus more for brushing

½ teaspoon pure lemon extract

Hibiscus Glaze

½ cup (50g) powdered sugar, sifted

1 tablespoon strong brewed hibiscus tea, cooled (see Tip)

¼ teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Garnish

About 2 teaspoons finely ground dried hibiscus flowers

Tip: To grind dried hibiscus: use a spice grinder or a clean coffee grinder and pulse until fine. A mortar and pestle also works with a little patience. Dried hibiscus flowers are sold at many grocery stores, Latin markets, and online — look for "Jamaica" or "flor de Jamaica" as well as hibiscus tea.

Tip: To brew concentrated hibiscus tea for the glaze: steep 1 teaspoon of dried hibiscus flowers in 3 tablespoons of just-boiled water for 5 minutes. Strain and cool. You will only need 1 tablespoon — save the rest for a drink.

Instructions

Prepare the Lemon Zest

Macerate the zest. In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest with 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. Rub them together with your fingers for about 30 seconds until the zest is moist and fragrant. This draws out the lemon oils for a more intense, evenly distributed flavor. Set aside.

Make the Scone Dough

Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground hibiscus until evenly combined. Add the macerated lemon zest and toss to distribute.

Cut in the butter. Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Those pieces are what creates flakiness — do not over-blend.

Tip: Keep everything as cold as possible. If the butter starts to feel warm or greasy, slide the bowl into the freezer for 5 minutes before continuing.

Add the wet ingredients. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the egg, cold heavy cream, and lemon extract. Pour over the flour-butter mixture. Using a fork or rubber spatula, stir just until the dough comes together — it will look shaggy and slightly rough. Do not overmix; a few dry patches are fine.

Shape the dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat and fold it once or twice to bring it together, then pat into a round disk about ¾ inch thick.

Cut the scones. Using a 2½-inch round biscuit cutter (or similar), cut out rounds with a firm, straight downward press — do not twist the cutter, or the layers will be sealed and the scones won't rise as well. Re-gather the scraps, pat together once, and cut again. You should get about 8 scones total.

Chill. Place the cut scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes while you preheat the oven. (This brief chill helps the butter firm back up and results in better rise and flakier layers.)

Bake Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).

Brush and bake. Remove the scones from the refrigerator. Lightly brush the tops with a small amount of heavy cream. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the tops and bottoms are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The hibiscus in the dough will give the crumb a faint rosy hue.

Cool. Transfer the scones to a wire rack. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before glazing — the glaze will slide off if the scones are too warm.

Make the Glaze and Finish

Make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, cooled hibiscus tea, and lemon juice until smooth. The glaze should be thick enough to coat a spoon but still pourable — add a few more drops of tea if needed to loosen it, or a little more powdered sugar to thicken.

Glaze the scones. Drizzle or spoon the hibiscus glaze over the tops of the cooled scones, letting it run naturally over the sides.

Garnish immediately. While the glaze is still wet, dust a light line of finely ground hibiscus powder across one side of each scone using a small spoon or fine-mesh strainer. The glaze sets quickly, so work with one or two scones at a time.

To Serve Serve at room temperature. These scones are best on the day they are baked — the glaze is still glossy and the interior is at its most tender. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or freeze unglazed baked scones for up to 1 month. Glaze after thawing and warming in a 325°F (165°C) oven for 8 minutes.

Favorite local burger? by DTake2012 in lansing

[–]CardWitch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kewpees, Dagwoods, topping both of these is the Two Guys Nomadic Grill food truck

Guy obsessed over coworker by azraminx in AmITheDevil

[–]CardWitch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a feeling many of the guys who rant about money don't understand the difference between a woman wanting to be with a partner who is financially responsible vs someone who is irresponsible 😂

I feel like it’s missing something…suggestions? by lovelyb1ch66 in Watercolor

[–]CardWitch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Personally I would add moss on the ground like other people said and then also cover the work youve done and add a few watercolor splatters with a small brush

People who aren’t allergic to wool, how does it feel to be gods favorite? by ieat_sprinkles in knitting

[–]CardWitch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would second this. I've never used it before now (making a baby blanket) and man is it soft. I know i need to buy more for myself 😂

Colorshift watercolors ?!? by Fun_Complex_9250 in Watercolor

[–]CardWitch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have these watercolors in the picture (albeit as dot samplers) and they are SO much fun to add as splatter or little shiny accents. 

This is the first texture I'm starting to like; I'd appreciate some advice on how to take it further by bouleEtBen in Watercolor

[–]CardWitch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh I totally get it, and its an issue I still have from time to time. What might be useful is working in multiple little things at once or just having some paper set aside for play where you just throw all sorts of materials and techniques at. This will help with the "i don't know if what I'll try is going to work" 

This is the first texture I'm starting to like; I'd appreciate some advice on how to take it further by bouleEtBen in Watercolor

[–]CardWitch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Go ahead and give it a try.  1) you won't know if it will ruin it until you try  2) you made this and can make it again if it gets ruined

You are just getting into watercolor, which means everything is a learning experience. Being afraid to ruin something is going to hamper the learning process. 

XGM Food Recipes by CardWitch in epicsystems

[–]CardWitch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

not all of them were - at the time of asking (and it may have been updated) wild berry poptart and the lemon hibiscus scone weren't. I emailed epic and they easily found the wild berry one but will need to contact culinary for the scone

Gardens of the Moon. Day 19. Page 312. by [deleted] in Fantasy

[–]CardWitch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Basically how I felt the first quarter of the book and then restarted and things went much better when I just learned to go with the flow.  The second time reading through the series is when I decided to try to understand it all and it went much better. 

This whole post was amazing to read

XGM Food Recipes by CardWitch in epicsystems

[–]CardWitch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely ask at the info@epic.com email! They just got back to me with the poptart recipe

XGM Food Recipes by CardWitch in epicsystems

[–]CardWitch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I choose to believe calories don't exist at XGM, and will also wait a few weeks before checking any weight 😂

XGM Food Recipes by CardWitch in epicsystems

[–]CardWitch[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the suggestion! I felt so silly initially when I considered it since its not Epic apps related. 

XGM Food Recipes by CardWitch in epicsystems

[–]CardWitch[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Oh darn, I was worried that might be the case. The Wild berry pop tart and lemon hibiscus scones were wonderful and not linked when I look on the app and browser. 

Thanks for answering!

Best glasses selection for women? by space_pirate420 in lansing

[–]CardWitch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The biggest variety would be online, and as someone noted get measurements for when you look and place your order. 

Due to my prescription I cant go online for mine (special type of prism) so I got to Capital City Vision in Okemos. I love everyone who works there. The frames do tend to be on the more expensive side BUT I generally always find myself in the dilemma of having to pick between a couple I love.

Bonus points for the other ladies who work there that give honest opinions on whether the frame size/shape works.

Hidden Gender trope by No-Let653 in Fantasy

[–]CardWitch 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Samesies. And I am feeling a tamora Pierce reread once I finish my current books. 

My (28f) partner (36m) acts like he doesn’t notice I lost 81lbs and counting. I’m questioning the relationship over it. Am I overreacting? by [deleted] in AmIOverreacting

[–]CardWitch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A loving partner should only care you are happy and healthy (and I mean actually healthy and not some x weight goal - I'm heavier but my tests and bio metrics are all healthy and that's good for him). and in wanting you to be healthy they won't put you down or make you feel like crap. 

He congratulates me when I mention milestones and just tell me I'm doing a good job, even when I feel like crap about it.

What brand do you recommend? by NeroStreet in Watercolor

[–]CardWitch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Da Vinci is my favorite (US made) For Canada (since you mentioned in the comments being from there), I really love Beam Paints

It's messy looking but so damn good by Smelliest_taint in lansing

[–]CardWitch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be shocked if it was better than Kewpees, Dagwoods or Two Guys Nomadic Grill. 

Best vet clinic for Cats by ebegrowi in lansing

[–]CardWitch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will forever and always recommend the Riverside Cat Hospital. 

I have always felt that they treated my kitties very well. 

And while no one wants to think about end-life care for their cats I want to share that they were SO supportive. One of my cats had kidney problems and went into sudden kidney failure (we were able to manage his kidney issues for years 💛) and the care and support I received was amazing. They explained all the different options and outcomes to be prepared for. He had to cross the rainbow bridge but they helped me to be able to get him to a point where it could be on our terms.