Seeing how that was a huge success (and also while I was still unable to flip away from the “Fish and Seafood Soups” chapter in the book!), I made the decision to take another stab at a different seafood soup recipe.

When I was shopping for ingredients for the Bouillabaisse recipe, I had picked up a few packages of frozen lobster claw meat at a local Asian grocery store that were on sale. (Note: For those of you who aren’t aware… here in Toronto, large-scale Asian grocery store chains are incredibly good sources for seafood! And I’m talking endless varieties of every type of fish & shellfish imaginable, not to mention endless sizes of frozen shrimp to choose from.). So I had decided to take the remaining, unused lobster claws that were leftover and use the meat to create a lobster bisque soup.

In particular, I was trying to cook the one that’s simply titled “Lobster Bisque” from The Ultimate Soup Cookbook… not to be confused with the more complex (and what appears to be the more time-consuming) version of the soup from the same Reader’s Digest cookbook, aptly named “Classic Lobster Bisque.” I do intend to give that version a whirl at a later point in time, but for now we’re focusing on this simpler version.

A few notes, based on my experience with cooking this soup. In the recipe, the bisque calls for the use of either 8 ounces of “coarsely flaked lobster” or 1 package (8 ounces) of “frozen lobster-flavored, chunk-style fish that’s thawed.” First of all, I decided to double the recipe when making it (I had double of everything that was in the ingredients list, so I figured… why not make twice the amount while cooking it in one go?). I also decided to take a few liberties. In particular, I made the decision to use both 8 ounces of real lobster meat (taken from those frozen lobster claws I had mentioned earlier), mixed in with 8 ounces of “fake” lobster-flavored chunk-style fish.

So even though I did incorporate some real lobster meat in the recipe… I gotta say, it’s definitely not the most legit version of lobster bisque ever created. But hey, it was a good start!

One last thing. The end result after following this recipe is a very creamy, chowder-esque kind of lobster bisque.

If you were to ask me on my thoughts of what an ideal lobster bisque should be like, I’d probably describe for you a soup that’s not so much creamy and chowder-esque, but something that’s rather more dense, darker in color, and definitely heavily seasoned with a lot of herbs and spices. I’m hoping the next lobster bisque recipe that I try will result in a soup that more closely resembles this description. Stay tuned to find out!

Until then, here is the recipe that I did try out. You’ll find below a list of ingredients and directions for the recipe, as well as my photographs that I took while going through the entire cooking process. Hopefully the pictures will help you visualize the steps needed to successfully make this “Lobster Bisque” soup. Enjoy!

Partially thawing frozen lobster claws (to be used in Lobster Bisque recipe)

Semi-cooking the partially thawed lobster claw meat in a pot of hot water. The partly cooked lobster claws are then placed in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

Ingredients for cooking the broth (keep in mind I doubled everything): 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 large yellow onions (finely chopped) & 2 celery stalks (finely chopped)

Cooking the broth by combining the veggies (onion & celery) + chicken broth + milk

Whisking together half-and-half, flour, salt, ground mace & pepper in a small bowl

8 ounces flaked lobster-flavored, chunk-style fish used in Lobster Bisque recipe

The end result: 2 bowls of Lobster Bisque soup!

Collage image of a bowl of Lobster Bisque chowder, seen at different angles

Image Source: Lobster comics courtesy of MordantOrange.com, ThreeWordPhrase.com & Gloomies.com. All photographs by Karina and ©2012 Knitting & Purling.

It's true! If you've ever seen a one in person at a zoo, you'll know that all pandas do is eat and sleep. And all they eat is bamboo. No wonder they're endangered!

Initially, I was so desperate to get away I even tried to get my hands on some sort of panda deterrent (if such a thing even existed!). Well, I’ve since had a change of heart. I’ve decided to embrace my panda curse.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Which is why I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my newfound love for everyone’s favorite black & white bear (and by “everyone,” I mean anyone who isn’t currently employed in the SEO industry, and anyone whose livelihood doesn’t depend on Google’s search engine!) than expressing it in picture form.

Initially, the Google Panda algorithm update targeted thin-content sites, a.k.a. "content farms"

I’ve put together a massive collage image of every custom Google Panda logo, illustration and drawing ever created.

And I wasn’t kidding when I said “massive.” There are a total of 32 Google Panda images included in this collage! Technically, I could’ve continued compiling and adding since there are so many custom-created Google Panda images out there… (you have no idea). But there came a point when I got to 32 and said, that’s enough.

Anyway, enjoy! XOXO, Karina

Just a brief note: I’ve done my best to credit all 32 original bloggers or webmasters who created the original illustrations used in my Google Panda algorithm update collage image (see below). So on the other end of the spectrum, I would truly appreciate it if you give credit to this site (the Knitting & Purling Blog at http://www.knittingandpurling.com) if you were to feature my collage image on your blog or website. And if you do, I would love for you to let me know by emailing me (Karina) at info@knittingandpurling.com or contacting me via Twitter @GeeksLoveToKnit. I’ll become your best friend forever if you give my lil’ ol’ site some credit and link love. Cheers and many thanks in advance!

Here it is... the ultimate Google Panda algorithm update collage image! Brought to you exclusively by the Knitting & Purling blog @ http://www.knittingandpurling.com

Image Sources: Panda “eating & sleeping” comic image courtesy of AdamDince.com. Google Panda content farmer comic image courtesy of JohnRobbertson.com. Google Panda “in charge of ranking websites” comic image courtesy of Back40Design.com.

Collage image compiled by Karina and ©2012 Knitting & Purling. Individual Google Panda logos, illustrations & drawings featured in the collage image courtesy of…

Dear Google: Aw shucks, thanks for making A CUDDLY PANDA be the mascot of your deadly algorithm update. Makes it hard to get mad at ya!

1. Paperblog.com
2. TechWyse.com
3. Blog.HubSpot.com
4. SearchEngineOptimizationPortland.com
5. GP2B.com
6. MerchantCircle.com
7. bizzbeginnings.com
8. EntrepreneurRookie.com
9. Houstin.info
10. SEOBook.com
11. YourContentNotes.com
12. RicherOrNot.com
13. AnthonyMogilin.com
14. JK-Referencement.com
15. Prav-Talks.com
16. ESDS.co.in
17. Business2Community.com
18. SmashingHub.com
19. WorkWithFawaad.comM/a>
20. SEO-Hacker.com
21. Fredzone.org
22. NicheChick.net
23. SixRevisions.com
24. SEOmoz.org
25. WebCoursesBangkok.com
26. SilverbackMarketing.com
27. Micrositez-seo.us
28. RobertMStanley.com
29. MichielGaasterland.com
30. Blog.HubSpot.com
31. SEO-Guys.net
32. SheikhAbdulBasit.com

Hey, Zappos does claim to offer the biggest and best selection of shoes available!

In fact, I can pretty much come right out and admit to being a shoeaholic, through and through.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m such a huge shopaholic when it comes to fashion and apparel that I decided to transform our smallest bedroom into a gigantic walk-in-closet. I’m talking rows and rows of shelving across one wall of the room devoted entirely to storing my footwear!

So as someone who has purchased her fair share of shoes and boots in the past, I would like to think of myself as a connoisseur of sorts on what footwear is hot and what shoe brand is to die for.

Mmm... I now appreciate Kenneth Cole footwear, especially if it's on sale!

Which is why a month ago, I couldn’t resist hopping into my neighborhood Town Shoes right before Christmas break, when they still had a pretty good selection of shoes available (because by Boxing Day the whole store would be wiped clean in a matter of hours, I know… I’ve witnessed it first hand in years past!) and they were available at discount prices.

All Kenneth Cole New York women's shoes now feature Exclusive 925 Technology!

When it comes to dress shoes, I’m a complete sucker for high heels and pumps. Nothing beats the silhouette of a classic pump shoe with a 2″ or 3″ stiletto heel. I can do round toe or pointed toe pumps, and I’m good with matte leather, patent leather or suede. I’m also huge into color, so give me a dress pump in every bright color of the rainbow and I’ll be a happy camper.

So as you can see, I’m not selective in the least when it comes to buying heels. The only problem? They have to be comfortable to wear. Now there’s the rub… because 9 times out of 10, shoes that look nice aren’t necessarily the pain-free variety!

And that’s why I knew immediately after trying my first pair of Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology women’s heels that I had struck footwear goldmine.

What is Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology?

“This groundbreaking, patented, cushioning system has been four years in the making and is revolutionizing the shoe industry to create ‘the most comfortable shoes a woman has ever looked good in.’” -KennethCole.com

You won't find more comfort in a dress pump than with Kenneth Cole New York Silver Edition Exclusive 925 Technology high heel shoes!

As you can see in the diagram above, 925 Exclusive Technology footwear offers supreme comfort thanks to its patented cushioning multilayer foot bed system:

1. 3mm thick Poron memory foam foot beds provide that extra level of comfort to every step
2. Cradling & supportive pillow arch molds made of natural flaxseeds constantly shift to conform to the contours & shape of your feet (and won’t break down like with synthetic alternatives!)
3. Supple sheepskin lined insoles allow your feet to breathe & prevent them from slipping
4. Additional 2mm thick Poron foam midsoles act as shock absorbers under the balls of the forefeet
5. Impact resistant nylon heel lifts offer optimal balance & stability to reduce the risk of twisted ankles
6. Flexible & durable rubber outsoles provide the extra traction needed to tackle any climate conditions
7. Extra cushioning embedded cork layer made of bonded cellulose help reduce sensitivity to painful small objects (such as small stones) at front half of outsoles

Watch the Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology footwear launch day video!

Then see the excitement for yourself by watching this launch day video!

Check out these photographs of the two pairs of Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology high heel shoes I had purchased at Town Shoes last December.

Haven’t had the chance to break them in yet since it’s still the winter, and I’ve been obsessively wearing my new pair of coveted Dr Martens knee-high buckle boots (more on those in Part 2 of my “Search for the Treasure Map to Footwear Perfection” blog series, coming soon!). But don’t you worry… the second spring arrives I’ll be wearing them everywhere!

Personal Photos of My Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology Shoes

First up, let’s start with the unboxing…

Pretty black Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology shoe boxes with silver writing (black and silver being the signature colors for 925 Technology footwear)

Proof I purchased my Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology high heels from Town Shoes!

Here's a tip: I'm normally a women's shoe size 7, but I was able to fit comfortably in size 6.5 for both pairs of newly purchased Kenneth Cole New York shoes (i.e. be prepared to order a half size down)

Next up? Introducing my new Sugar MIA penny loafer pump shoes, featuring Kenneth Cole New York’s Exclusive 925 Technology!

These shoes are one-part pump, one-part penny loafer, but 100% office-chic! A must-have for any professional skirt-and-blazer combo.

Those Sugar MIA penny loafer-style high heel pumps would perfectly complement this dream charcoal wool fabric fitted trench jacket that's currently at the top of my wishlist!

Time to reveal my charcoal color, wool fabric Sugar MIA penny loafer pump-style high heel shoes

Take a peek inside these Sugar MIA penny loafer pumps... now don't those insoles look super comfy?

It's fitting that I took these photos of my Sugar MIA heels on my cushy white leather ottoman... because walking in these 925 Technology shoes is like walking on pillowy clouds of supple white leather!

Close-up view of the Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology patented cushioning foot bed system in action!

Closer look at the dark gray wool fabric vamp, featuring a horizontal accent strip of black leather across each toe cap (making these shoes the perfect complement to any smart, fitted women's charcoal wool blazer!)

View of the 3.75" chunky heels and bottom outsoles of these Sugar MIA shoes (featuring metal charms of the signature KC logo attached to the bottom of the outer soles)

Lastly, Check Out These Conservative (Yet Sexy!) Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology Clay-Colored Matte Leather Pumps

Unboxing my new Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology classic leather pump high heels

The thing I love about these pumps? They have such a classic silhouette, with all proportions being perfectly in balance (from the length of the pointed toe to the height of the stiletto!).

See the insoles? You're looking at 7 layers of foot beds at work to make these pumps the most comfortable high heels you'll ever wear.

Closer peek at the shoe's insole, which is emblazoned with the Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology logo

The 3mm Poron memory foam foot bed means walking in these high heels is like walking on a cloud. Mmm...

Close-up of the pump's outsole (with view of Kenneth Cole's signature "KC" silver charm located on the bottom of the shoe)

A signature feature of Kenneth Cole New York Exclusive 925 Technology footwear? Shiny silver reflective stiletto heels! So hot.

Image Sources: Zappos comic image courtesy of NatalieDee.com. Kenneth Cole shoe shopping banner ad image, plus Exclusive 925 Technology footwear quote, shoe diagram & launch day video images courtesy of KennethCole.com. All photographs by Karina and ©2012 Knitting & Purling.

Humorous comic on how God made panda bears

I’ve always been in love with giant pandas. Part of it I’m sure can be attributed to the Asian in me.

But you have to admit, there’s just something about pandas and how utterly cute they look that make everyone go “Awwww!” Especially when they’re babies! Have you seen the YouTube videos? Holy cow, talk about adorable.

Anyway, back in November 2010 I had blogged about how Canada was in the process of inking a deal to bring pandas from China for display at several zoos nationwide. Nothing was ever confirmed since then, so that news story sort of died for a year.

However, while talks of pandas coming to Canada may have died since end of 2010… that didn’t mean I was able to escape any and all references to this black and white faux bear! In fact, quite the opposite occurred. I was utterly surrounded by talks of pandas every minute of every day for all of 2011 with the exception of 1 month and 24 days!

Why? Because as anyone who’s in the SEO or Internet industry may know, 2011 became the year of the big bad Google Panda algorithm update, which first made its roar back in February 24, 2011 (dun dun dunnnnn!).

Back in 1985, visiting giant pandas Qing Qing and Quan Quan drew quite the crowd to the Toronto Zoo!

As a current seasonal member (and one for multiple consecutive years in the past) of The Toronto Zoo, I’m beyond thrilled… as I’m sure my husband is, as well. It should be noted that one of his most treasured childhood bears (which now belongs to me, of course) still wears a Toronto Zoo Qing Qing panda shirt (back when both Qing Qing and Quan Quan giant pandas were visiting Toronto in 1985).

Anyway, to conclude… it’s official. I might as well admit there’s no possible way for me to escape. I will forever be followed in life by these pesky (yet admittedly adorable) bamboo-chewing black and white cuddly beasts!!!

(Anyone have anything that can successfully act as a panda deterrent?)

Image Source: Panda comic image courtesy of Mindskin.com. Image of Qing Qing and Quan Quan giant pandas at the Toronto Zoo courtesy of The Toronto Star.

Well to continue with that line of thought, just wanted to write a second blog post thanking yet another awesome Etsy-er (“Etsy-er?” Is that even a word?) for choosing an item from my KnittingNPurling Etsy store to be a part of another Etsy treasury list!

So here’s a great, big thank you to the fabulous Elyse Hutchinson of The Re-Giftables for featuring my Bracket Computer Keyboard Key Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings in her “I Heart Tech, Old and New!” Etsy treasury list.

'I Heart Tech, Old and New!' Etsy treasury list featuring my Bracket Computer Key Lampwork Bead Earrings!

Also wanted to send a big thank you to Silver Dawn Jewels for creating the gorgeous lampwork glass beads that I used in creating these earrings.

And here’s more info on the earrings in question…

Bracket Computer Keyboard Key Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings

(Available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store)

Different views of my handmade Bracket Computer Keyboard Key Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings, available for sale at the KnittingNPurling Etsy store!

Left Brace { or Left Square Bracket [ Key (Definition)

• A punctuation alphanumeric keyboard key used to enter one of the following symbols in a word processing program (or text editor, data spreadsheet, etc.), depending on whether the Shift key is depressed:
  • The left square bracket [ sign, if the key is used on its own
  • The left brace { sign , if the key is used with the Shift button

Right Brace } OR Right Square Bracket ] Key (Definition)

• A punctuation alphanumeric keyboard key used to enter one of the following symbols in a word processing program (or text editor, data spreadsheet, etc.), depending on whether the Shift key is depressed:
  • The right square bracket ] sign, if the key is used on its own
  • The right brace } sign , if the key is used with the Shift button

Highlights:

• What is it? Handmade geeky earrings made out of punctuation alphanumeric keys from a computer keyboard, and lampwork glass beads in different colors, shapes & textures
• Which shop section? Part of the Computer Key Earrings Jewelry collection
• Featured materials?
  • 4x new flat white computer keyboard keys: 2x left bracket & 2x right bracket keys, with each pair glued together (front & back)
  • 2x blue rondelle lampwork glass beads in a solid gloss finish (approx. 0.6″ flat diameter x 0.3″ height)
  • 2x pale green rondelle lampwork glass beads in a matte finish (approx. 0.7″ flat diameter x 0.4″ height)
  • 2x orange transparent bumpy lampwork glass beads in a matte finish (approx. 0.7″ flat diameter x 0.4″ height)
  • Nickel free 925 sterling silver jewelry findings (including sterling silver fish hook ear wires & silver eye pins)
  • 2x rubber earring backs

Image Sources: With the exception of the images in the Etsy treasury screenshot image, all photographs included in post by Karina and ©2010-2012 Knitting & Purling.