tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76451736826881207472024-02-07T04:18:09.746-07:00A Homemaker's JournalChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.comBlogger805125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-84690034682285731672014-03-25T15:45:00.000-06:002014-03-25T15:45:07.065-06:00change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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change is weird.</div>
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and usually uncomfortable.</div>
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but it can be exciting too!</div>
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<br /></div>
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for quite a while I have been feeling the need</div>
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to stretch my artistic wings,</div>
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to separate the professional from the personal</div>
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in order to build a strong foundation</div>
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on which an art business could grow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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so I started an art blog,</div>
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an exciting change.</div>
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it's called <a href="http://theladylyn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">LadyLyn, creative adventuring</a>.</div>
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I also have a brand new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/LadyLyn/516290398482413?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook artist page</a>.</div>
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and I've revamped<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ladylyn?ref=pr_shop_more" target="_blank"> my shop</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love this space.</div>
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and value the friendships I've made here</div>
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more than I could express.</div>
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I plan on keeping up</div>
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on the more personal side of blogging here.</div>
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but I will probably be more active in my new space.</div>
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I would be so honored if you choose to follow me there as well.</div>
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-28590746697959422132013-12-09T10:33:00.002-07:002013-12-09T10:34:06.249-07:00monday menu<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I really like planning nutritious, exciting menus for my family. I love searching for tantalizing recipes and organizing them into weeks of delicious meals. I like trying new recipes and remaking old favorites. And I really like how planning our dinners ahead of time saves me time, money, and sanity during the week. However, my life is a little bit like living in a three ring circus on a merry-go-round right now, and menu planning was falling through the cracks. I found myself making more emergency trips to the grocery store and takeout restaurants, stressed at the end of the day because I had no meat thawed, scrambling to create a back-up plan on the go.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Enter <a href="http://mandrillapp.com/track/click.php?u=3007994&id=6c08d08159a9495bb536adab17970ae4&url=http%3A%2F%2Femeals.com%2Frefer&url_id=57bd0ad10bba0b4f11294c91da115fc1e06d3231" target="_blank">emeals</a>. *cue trumpet fanfare*</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I was skeptical when I first heard of <a href="http://mandrillapp.com/track/click.php?u=3007994&id=6c08d08159a9495bb536adab17970ae4&url=http%3A%2F%2Femeals.com%2Frefer&url_id=57bd0ad10bba0b4f11294c91da115fc1e06d3231" target="_blank">emeals</a>, but after hearing glowing reports from multiple friends, I decided to give it a try. I've been using it for about a month now, and I'm happy to report that while it's not a perfect solution (I have to do a fair amount of tweaking to make the meal plans work with the produce we get in our <a href="http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/" target="_blank">Bountiful Basket</a>, and some weeks they go overboard on the cumin love) it has dramatically reduced my stress and our eating out.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br />We are using the clean eating plan, but there are 13 different plans (plus breakfast, lunch, and dessert add-on plans) to accommodate a wide variety of eating habits. Every week I receive an email containing that week's menu. The recipes are simple, quick, and tasty (even my picky tw0-year-old has been asking for seconds!). I love how the recipes are clearly labeled by category (slow cooker, marinate ahead, super-fast, etc.) to make planning the week even simpler, and they even include a shopping list of the weeks' ingredients! <a href="http://mandrillapp.com/track/click.php?u=3007994&id=6c08d08159a9495bb536adab17970ae4&url=http%3A%2F%2Femeals.com%2Frefer&url_id=57bd0ad10bba0b4f11294c91da115fc1e06d3231" target="_blank">Emeals</a> has a simple, well planned system that is making my life a lot easier. I would heartily recommend their service.<br /><br />(And just so you know, <a href="http://www.groupon.com/" target="_blank">Groupon</a> is offering a voucher for a 12 month <a href="http://mandrillapp.com/track/click.php?u=3007994&id=6c08d08159a9495bb536adab17970ae4&url=http%3A%2F%2Femeals.com%2Frefer&url_id=57bd0ad10bba0b4f11294c91da115fc1e06d3231" target="_blank">emeals</a> subscription for $29 instead of the usual $58--that's 50% off!)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: If you sign up for emeals using one of the links above, I will receive an extra month of meal plans for free. (YAY! If you do decide to go for it, please use one of my links.) Bountiful Baskets and Groupon have no idea who I am and are giving me nothing for mentioning them; I just think their products are great and want to share with you. And of course, the opinions stated in this post are my own. No one is twisting my arm to say untrue nice things about them.</span></span></span></span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-39147204095227776102013-12-08T10:03:00.000-07:002013-12-08T10:03:16.688-07:00knit. drink tea. repeat.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ-nE-bPX9EvsYQFJhEbXA_33hEGt2bgAdJB4S7DnRDxERWQD3LMOfeAdt2Mvhx2cRRgskoWzIdKG_Rsq4JbOO5EU2P1uXO-ZL9CwlfOd4Go_XsHfO3pZ8oofhAKXfz9mVQCkmHWs_GE/s1600/IMG_5652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ-nE-bPX9EvsYQFJhEbXA_33hEGt2bgAdJB4S7DnRDxERWQD3LMOfeAdt2Mvhx2cRRgskoWzIdKG_Rsq4JbOO5EU2P1uXO-ZL9CwlfOd4Go_XsHfO3pZ8oofhAKXfz9mVQCkmHWs_GE/s400/IMG_5652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the beginning of October I had a surgery.</div>
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It wasn't really major, but the recovery was still long and painful.</div>
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I entertained myself by working on a couple of e-courses,</div>
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filling up an art journal, and kitting.<br /><br />And now, even though I've healed,</div>
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the ridiculous cold temperatures lend themselves</div>
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to cozy curling on the couch with some yarn and a cup of hot tea,</div>
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so I've continued knitting.</div>
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These are the projects I've completed in the past few months:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr6cvxkAcn2LmbJ24fzdRu2D8_9ya3S6PjKQ-R7BtniRU-YkplpHxbqL_srPY72D2fpRH6Q_ymDgAwULwmIPzgu6MGUiPJGvLgI1ZulJr3lehvXF0H0I5K5lUiGK7eEL-74nT0ROOsL4/s1600/IMG_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr6cvxkAcn2LmbJ24fzdRu2D8_9ya3S6PjKQ-R7BtniRU-YkplpHxbqL_srPY72D2fpRH6Q_ymDgAwULwmIPzgu6MGUiPJGvLgI1ZulJr3lehvXF0H0I5K5lUiGK7eEL-74nT0ROOsL4/s400/IMG_4624.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7iPNRuZUw-8PWbD7qJz1Diuhpn_h9hs8P818bV8in3n8QVo5JdRwiqRjtYPRGHanz1fBxYGUhC11jzEeNoJvV1ZrFP1Is1sJeJLkwRxKj10gYAXvIr2UafefK-FzTPJx0ayVyMBdvdw/s1600/IMG_4621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7iPNRuZUw-8PWbD7qJz1Diuhpn_h9hs8P818bV8in3n8QVo5JdRwiqRjtYPRGHanz1fBxYGUhC11jzEeNoJvV1ZrFP1Is1sJeJLkwRxKj10gYAXvIr2UafefK-FzTPJx0ayVyMBdvdw/s400/IMG_4621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lucy-hat-2" target="_blank">Lucy Hat</a></div>
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A beautiful, elegant pattern.</div>
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(I learned how to make short rows!)<br />This hat was an instant favorite,</div>
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well-worth the price for the pattern.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs22gQTjVPr7cqOS7FB55fef32O-jVMqqOlNf5T30GkrlrjAhyYr86K_eMpJszC9q5V6Srk2urv-rQapZhIlHiuwP3ZFEs13kLRMzEpz85XFSsq5s2uv4ZfUpJDc5yirhc1zdDXgPB7oo/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs22gQTjVPr7cqOS7FB55fef32O-jVMqqOlNf5T30GkrlrjAhyYr86K_eMpJszC9q5V6Srk2urv-rQapZhIlHiuwP3ZFEs13kLRMzEpz85XFSsq5s2uv4ZfUpJDc5yirhc1zdDXgPB7oo/s400/IMG_4602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sweet-life" target="_blank">Sweet Life</a> fingerless gloves</div>
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I was using up leftover yarn from the Lucy hat,</div>
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so these are shorter than the pattern recommends.<br />This was a fun pattern;</div>
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I enjoyed learning the mock honey comb stitch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArMqDZX0BFJexRacgkTa-DgQzm7tFPmiBPItLnZzY3EyZnOumBBCbz7cZ4-4A9WxjiESEjG9evJ90tRZCyrzRU_xVJCJpcW1tEWbhnDlC_UPlXdGhMpyDJvjQsgI0Eto9-rLMtOf7nXc/s1600/IMG_4605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArMqDZX0BFJexRacgkTa-DgQzm7tFPmiBPItLnZzY3EyZnOumBBCbz7cZ4-4A9WxjiESEjG9evJ90tRZCyrzRU_xVJCJpcW1tEWbhnDlC_UPlXdGhMpyDJvjQsgI0Eto9-rLMtOf7nXc/s400/IMG_4605.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/irish-hiking-mitts" target="_blank">Irish Hiking Mitts</a></div>
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Once again, these are short (and have funky colorblocked thumbs)</div>
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because I was using up scraps of yarn.</div>
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The mitts are stretchy and comfortable.</div>
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I gave them to my Mum for her to wear at work</div>
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because her office is quite chilly in the winter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwkAepCDMNAX6IcnUPAHmr0uazyzTahqhTzpn35csuHcFl1437G3UcDq8hY_AzARpYxPbvK9Lo-lwn198Jxe94bBKap40kIByi2Ev7bjmzoEK61jkaM9928GRJMm_Aub-kSV9e2ZJKgY/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwkAepCDMNAX6IcnUPAHmr0uazyzTahqhTzpn35csuHcFl1437G3UcDq8hY_AzARpYxPbvK9Lo-lwn198Jxe94bBKap40kIByi2Ev7bjmzoEK61jkaM9928GRJMm_Aub-kSV9e2ZJKgY/s400/IMG_4660.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lotus-hat" target="_blank">Lotus Hat</a></div>
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This is not really a complicated pattern,</div>
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but I had the hardest time not messing up my counting.</div>
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So much unraveling...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPEwgzT-dFi_GlwQElYTsZGBVmlsBrpXlJ6yq_55JqcYFxZTfhPU68emvaNq7KfW6anib_oPgyEptpR9VfgP4OClyRlcivc7ATIWRhiXjKXy58dwypqD6sDvRTBYajzLu8Zc6IyyhCCQ/s1600/IMG_4670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPEwgzT-dFi_GlwQElYTsZGBVmlsBrpXlJ6yq_55JqcYFxZTfhPU68emvaNq7KfW6anib_oPgyEptpR9VfgP4OClyRlcivc7ATIWRhiXjKXy58dwypqD6sDvRTBYajzLu8Zc6IyyhCCQ/s400/IMG_4670.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lizzy-lid" target="_blank">Lizzy Lid</a><br />This was really not the yarn to use for this pattern;</div>
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neither the lovely stitch patterns nor the striping in the yarn</div>
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is showcased in this combination.</div>
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Live and learn...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhOfLATo6KEtke7Ly9PAnOffZqvse5hpPJbJFqI_4f7EiKDEZSsWOlahZ_dCxxMoqOjQy1IYkzwe8WFWJzoiCD4fBkLA9XW66nwYagVoC9CRPXyTc2cwy0_TToChhYWLhWr-hKM6YuWo/s1600/IMG_4822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhOfLATo6KEtke7Ly9PAnOffZqvse5hpPJbJFqI_4f7EiKDEZSsWOlahZ_dCxxMoqOjQy1IYkzwe8WFWJzoiCD4fBkLA9XW66nwYagVoC9CRPXyTc2cwy0_TToChhYWLhWr-hKM6YuWo/s400/IMG_4822.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASorn2U2a6cVfmtM0mADajjPzjKGcI6AUCM40ahE8a_wBUsnqReohW6LKD0Brsb9604ZRZb0zX7tyNf2_Qmq2Q8JA7FXsxY75PqyPCIdDwhzQVmC8DFvTevpT6830tzZbBAgUkiIlUc8/s1600/IMG_4820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASorn2U2a6cVfmtM0mADajjPzjKGcI6AUCM40ahE8a_wBUsnqReohW6LKD0Brsb9604ZRZb0zX7tyNf2_Qmq2Q8JA7FXsxY75PqyPCIdDwhzQVmC8DFvTevpT6830tzZbBAgUkiIlUc8/s400/IMG_4820.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-baby-2" target="_blank">cable baby</a></div>
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This darling baby hat is very stretchy to grow with baby</div>
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and makes the perfect little gift.</div>
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I'll definitely be making more of these.<br /><br />I am always amazed at the variety and quality</div>
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of free knitting patterns available.<br />Thank you, you lovely people</div>
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who share your patterns with such generosity!</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-6598116879814013322013-11-28T21:35:00.001-07:002013-11-28T21:35:42.673-07:00happy thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuU_q6OdiWJuMG__nWgr5M97kGNbVuRfL9vEM5lnqNkPG_g6Lk0-j3IOeA7uX4r7T2uMJ2NCfXM2vjodLBFlxzBNWcDBZKyv0rRF_OR_EoG1wb08gjxmwTyTYfjov7rgHtvp23MSJcAO0/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuU_q6OdiWJuMG__nWgr5M97kGNbVuRfL9vEM5lnqNkPG_g6Lk0-j3IOeA7uX4r7T2uMJ2NCfXM2vjodLBFlxzBNWcDBZKyv0rRF_OR_EoG1wb08gjxmwTyTYfjov7rgHtvp23MSJcAO0/s400/IMG_4899.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I hope you've had a peaceful holiday</div>
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and that the rest of your weekend is excellent as well!</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-74640947338949825842013-11-20T13:18:00.000-07:002013-11-20T13:18:23.899-07:00art retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last September we went to the Oregon coast</div>
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for a quiet family vacation.</div>
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(More on that later.)<br />
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While we were there,</div>
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my sweet husband gifted me</div>
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the opportunity to attend one of <a href="http://www.shopalisaburke.com/collections/retreats-and-classes" target="_blank">Alisa Burke's art retreats</a>.</div>
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I can't think of a better word than <i>amazing</i></div>
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to describe my experience.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOuB87vYM-29kvov3JZ9HV8kdSdkqBTo0vtEKsDGQzRX72izLXSG2ptPq8KfhyATf0vyWRBjExYr08FlWT8otRUCHL77CpEVinx8SFAya7SqclIWgRvZQgp6g0yYC_qrZ-cLjrCH9jF8/s1600/art+retreat+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOuB87vYM-29kvov3JZ9HV8kdSdkqBTo0vtEKsDGQzRX72izLXSG2ptPq8KfhyATf0vyWRBjExYr08FlWT8otRUCHL77CpEVinx8SFAya7SqclIWgRvZQgp6g0yYC_qrZ-cLjrCH9jF8/s400/art+retreat+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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Alisa welcomed twelve artists of all skill levels</div>
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into her beautiful studio.</div>
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We were greeted on the first day with</div>
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carefully arranged pails of art supplies,</div>
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fresh flowers at our work spaces,</div>
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and delicious scones from a local bakery.<br />
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After some preliminary instruction on sketching,</div>
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we headed out to dodge a storm</div>
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and sketch on the beach.</div>
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We drew and painted and made new friends<br />
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for two and a half blissful days,</div>
taking breaks to do some crafting (like stamp making!)<br />
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and eat amazing local food.</div>
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It was...<i>wonderful.</i></div>
I'm already trying to figure out how to make it happen again. :)<br />
<br />
[photos 1, 9, 10, 13, 14, and 16 by <a href="http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alisa Burke</a>]Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-43346402775759018812013-11-07T20:26:00.000-07:002013-11-07T20:26:24.733-07:00today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpvh6IOpfAVBeJCQ53loSKFIAv2p3G6YENRRv58cO2IrL-neFLLAB1VbtrLxhvjX39rKTZtcZOHy3iONZ5Wp-ftYkgBn63lD_WfasTIsIdw_B5LzPNOI9_xwGyqtYuTrSNjeJaC2Tajc/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpvh6IOpfAVBeJCQ53loSKFIAv2p3G6YENRRv58cO2IrL-neFLLAB1VbtrLxhvjX39rKTZtcZOHy3iONZ5Wp-ftYkgBn63lD_WfasTIsIdw_B5LzPNOI9_xwGyqtYuTrSNjeJaC2Tajc/s400/IMG_5247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This morning I woke up inexplicably depressed.<br />Like, you-are-my-child-and-I-love-you-more-than-life-itself-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and-so-I-will-get-up-and-feed-you-breakfast-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but-then-I'm-going-to-go-back-to-bed-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and-pull-the-covers-over-my-head depressed.<br /><br />And then late morning there was a knock on my door.<br />Apparently the local fruit stand guy has had to resort</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to peddling his wares door to door.<br />He had some apples that were deeply discounted</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because he'd had them for over a week.<br /><br />Suddenly I realized that the sun was shining</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and that at that moment more than anything else in the world</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted to make apple butter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I bought a quarter of a bushel of apples,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ignored the laundry and dishes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and made apple butter with Brother instead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was perfect.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-9829395038484326852013-11-04T10:52:00.002-07:002013-11-04T10:52:45.271-07:00no preamble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94i29LBabfH3zstWmxcpXg4UBopo7fAP6ApijkFqceRzfMSdsXQelahFqjRIV8aXquaa-w8_zOyJ2Xrljvbdn78WtYPtY_QNyss0qBU8FYg8N80oscOhvqcqIum3s8p5FVfR7wyEHHw0/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94i29LBabfH3zstWmxcpXg4UBopo7fAP6ApijkFqceRzfMSdsXQelahFqjRIV8aXquaa-w8_zOyJ2Xrljvbdn78WtYPtY_QNyss0qBU8FYg8N80oscOhvqcqIum3s8p5FVfR7wyEHHw0/s400/IMG_4899.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm back!<br />My blogging hiatus has been good and necessary,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I'm feeling ready to jump back in.<br />I've missed this space.<br />And I've missed <i>you</i>, my lovely readers.<br />I can't wait to reconnect.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-76591925199241813452013-08-10T17:08:00.001-06:002013-08-10T17:08:29.630-06:00drained<div style="text-align: center;">
My life is crazy right now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of hard things. Lots of good things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then more hard things on top.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel like my strength is being tested to its very limits.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have tons of stuff that I could blog about.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have even been able to complete several projects.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But when I sit down to work on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the calligraphies I have been commissioned to make,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the contribution I am making to Made,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the posts I have planned to write here,<br />
or even to play in my art journal,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel drained.<br />
Paralyzed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Completely used up and exhausted.<br />
Like my life has crashed down around my ears<br />
and my will is seeping out through the cracks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am trying to be gentle with myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tell myself:<br />
everything that <i>needs </i>to get done<br />
<i>will</i> happen in good time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it's hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hard.</i></div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-10191350011806701552013-07-30T07:58:00.000-06:002013-07-30T07:58:00.141-06:00dawn<div style="text-align: center;">
the sky is the color of deep indigo ink.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the chilly is air heavy with the scent of vegetation,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wet with the dew of the night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the earth is reverently hushed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then the sky is paler blue,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the mountains show in dark silhouette.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the green of the valley becomes more intense.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a glow of pink blooms in the east.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the dark water ripples,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ethereal mist rises and blows in my face.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the silence is shattered: ho-onk? asks a goose.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his fellows answer, rising on powerful wings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the birdsong crescendos, the breeze lifts my hair.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
colors become more distinct.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i can almost pinpoint the moment</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sky changes to blue from its pearly pre-dawn hue.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
suddenly the sun leaps above the mountains,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pulsing in the glory of fiery coral sunrise.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it continues to climb, reaching down to the earth,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
offering warmth and pure gold light.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and so, another day begins.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-5742224311674590722013-07-29T06:00:00.000-06:002013-07-29T06:00:07.670-06:00monday (lack of) menu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQi2gw2VJo2GlHMNj9rz23P-6Hd6VCdT-FYVeqY5PYOohuOfnUtJLRyukl6Ey8B3ov9vwmihzVuipTXEReycf83pEfq0Ld5ynTjVsGkmtNCUV6qQQeX6tIIPq4O5VaoUVKHKP5fg1TOju/s1600/IMG_5432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQi2gw2VJo2GlHMNj9rz23P-6Hd6VCdT-FYVeqY5PYOohuOfnUtJLRyukl6Ey8B3ov9vwmihzVuipTXEReycf83pEfq0Ld5ynTjVsGkmtNCUV6qQQeX6tIIPq4O5VaoUVKHKP5fg1TOju/s400/IMG_5432.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
[uncooked pink rice]</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been having something of a menu crisis lately</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because I pretty much hate cooking<br />
during these hot summer months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What are your favorite hot-weather meal solutions?</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-66641020609111332862013-07-27T06:00:00.000-06:002013-07-27T06:00:00.587-06:00guitar string bangles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My sweetie has been away for work this week,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
so I've been wiling away the long and lonely evening hours</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
by listening to an audio book</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and indulging my latest crafty crush:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
making bangles made from upcycled guitar strings.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqTkpU3HgPeth5J5LI8a4xWJgQVYkrDs5On8HIWmpaFI1uFik9jOkfoKy5OQ1uMkcLg_UYI3UV19JB6c-8rTPoAHNG0LtlIqpGdcNaWbKonJYgZJde7_7WHFsJNBmoQgJjIhjdVOTYZE/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqTkpU3HgPeth5J5LI8a4xWJgQVYkrDs5On8HIWmpaFI1uFik9jOkfoKy5OQ1uMkcLg_UYI3UV19JB6c-8rTPoAHNG0LtlIqpGdcNaWbKonJYgZJde7_7WHFsJNBmoQgJjIhjdVOTYZE/s400/IMG_1220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcBFQLaisWoAaayGIIQbEWH1mkuIK8oeTuKf8UzLYAodfDfw4upjtkvXVKn1wJZAUgIfnY-AJ4npwUsxQYnOUHWbgYHnjRcyW2wR8rMmUfA_ahTqgMmsJ94QakapTqqVreunbLCRM154/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcBFQLaisWoAaayGIIQbEWH1mkuIK8oeTuKf8UzLYAodfDfw4upjtkvXVKn1wJZAUgIfnY-AJ4npwUsxQYnOUHWbgYHnjRcyW2wR8rMmUfA_ahTqgMmsJ94QakapTqqVreunbLCRM154/s400/IMG_1229.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have been saving Benjamin's old guitar strings for years</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
because I just <i>knew </i>that someday</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I would be able make good use of them!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been having <i>so</i> much fun</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
combining them with pretty beads and wire wrapping</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and learning to use Benjamin's soldering iron.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-36026668655480894062013-07-26T19:37:00.000-06:002013-07-26T19:37:00.346-06:00and in the summer we are fruitivores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think I've mentioned before</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
how much I love being able to get <a href="http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/" target="_blank">Bountiful Baskets</a>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I appreciate how it pushes me to try new vegetables</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(grilled eggplant, or sauteed kale anyone?),</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but my favorite is the variety of fruit we receive.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are a couple o fun fruity things I have made recently.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Taste the rainbow--nutritiously.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqM_eflzua-Y7i-X2V5s_mCS-i0ZmrKhKFTXUi9isK434gIT5nT4tjMnE1yWM0hL2UabGxD-bDRcsmYGLpHq4_uBiUVPxPrOoPX4Zk2u5nxTSbA8as_f-4riyKz4NA_zagCYCdNRl4rM/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqM_eflzua-Y7i-X2V5s_mCS-i0ZmrKhKFTXUi9isK434gIT5nT4tjMnE1yWM0hL2UabGxD-bDRcsmYGLpHq4_uBiUVPxPrOoPX4Zk2u5nxTSbA8as_f-4riyKz4NA_zagCYCdNRl4rM/s400/IMG_0818.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Top to bottom:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
honeydew, blueberries, and plums.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Yes, I <i>know</i> that there is an indigo stripe in there too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But tell me what kind of fruit is indigo.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWf2dgrtzNjamt5ICqFXlI_cEcMTrjtBllqn-ZVcWDrH4DS6FOChEfNM746AHusjITf5vILGyaQgop2bUw0vGJuLmaA41fAYrQll0v3P-PklIxAqsZ2MW6WLqnJf6hlty0CgHMdOhsYw/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWf2dgrtzNjamt5ICqFXlI_cEcMTrjtBllqn-ZVcWDrH4DS6FOChEfNM746AHusjITf5vILGyaQgop2bUw0vGJuLmaA41fAYrQll0v3P-PklIxAqsZ2MW6WLqnJf6hlty0CgHMdOhsYw/s400/IMG_0820.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaymAy9tLSfJuiqBNhmkueN2BsMLRvCjPt12_a_ixH6jiifpY0tfas8h-2tWUB1n45AEeOLzV623K6XmRwD0lhSVMshKL-2JFk0UaNWn82mkeZ21bIsQJ0hyphenhyphenSD8ANVx4bpbkxa0TeWSi4/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaymAy9tLSfJuiqBNhmkueN2BsMLRvCjPt12_a_ixH6jiifpY0tfas8h-2tWUB1n45AEeOLzV623K6XmRwD0lhSVMshKL-2JFk0UaNWn82mkeZ21bIsQJ0hyphenhyphenSD8ANVx4bpbkxa0TeWSi4/s400/IMG_0829.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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It really was a big hit</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
even though they look less than enthusiastic. :)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And of course there have been more popsicles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEybca9yNuzuyinEJw-oQcNa8Eez3qSFidMcGZtWePtOIV0jYL9SFR7xdtTwmRgccPgUp0cKzAJ9E9LvUjw0CYAcoFayVTsN75TljSFljewmMCE9vxLy33IyqyCFjHcOVUGLEGDzSQb3A/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEybca9yNuzuyinEJw-oQcNa8Eez3qSFidMcGZtWePtOIV0jYL9SFR7xdtTwmRgccPgUp0cKzAJ9E9LvUjw0CYAcoFayVTsN75TljSFljewmMCE9vxLy33IyqyCFjHcOVUGLEGDzSQb3A/s400/IMG_0836.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
left to right:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tropical smoothie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(banana, mango, pineapple, coconut milk)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
red, white, and blueberry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(strawberry puree, vanilla yogurt, whole blueberries)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
melon-berry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(honeydew and cantaloupe with whole blueberries)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsLQlLvuRxqytQFRUN_zQZNkHB8mg71xUw9oGw7YooeEb1WtvdEVM_v1V6lFrb2cpbIHrFz8cZu78zCY8caU9PHvE7thPsNX9llce_u7kGnYFUqrBiK1sgJqJ1YVsHBqSXHGOBGzcjYU/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsLQlLvuRxqytQFRUN_zQZNkHB8mg71xUw9oGw7YooeEb1WtvdEVM_v1V6lFrb2cpbIHrFz8cZu78zCY8caU9PHvE7thPsNX9llce_u7kGnYFUqrBiK1sgJqJ1YVsHBqSXHGOBGzcjYU/s400/IMG_0884.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
left to right:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mango peach</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
kiwi slice and whole blueberries in apple juice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
apple plum</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This week we also enjoyed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
skewers of deliciously sweet frozen grapes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but those disappeared too quickly for photos.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-37759584644337876082013-07-25T19:16:00.003-06:002013-07-25T19:16:44.485-06:00camping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Earlier this month we went camping</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
at a gorgeous, pristine location</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that is only about an hour away from our home!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was amazing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are a few of my favorite photos.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOEx3CeCWWQN3aDtX1ulWDXMJf5XGEoB4APFIUyDgwTRUE6PwpakbXGmF0wnVk_NNIPU5oAiPHWlO5b5hHxqX_trL1N9d6-Moi54qUsssAd4KMjDGjvEbbUZ6g42GLFTbrLUS-3NM8Lw/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOEx3CeCWWQN3aDtX1ulWDXMJf5XGEoB4APFIUyDgwTRUE6PwpakbXGmF0wnVk_NNIPU5oAiPHWlO5b5hHxqX_trL1N9d6-Moi54qUsssAd4KMjDGjvEbbUZ6g42GLFTbrLUS-3NM8Lw/s400/IMG_0434.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Big Sky Country</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc3pOewHKlMgp76RZX6cXcSgOCDlWTfXgI-oVIaoRE2Q_qsdYKdohLvnxWCfu5FoMq7IAP3r9LUplZNEabrjuFmdMBOCZVlYe7ghRiNpCd3Xwz6Y8WSQu4rBhS5_Q4Dhut8yGdlgw6s8/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc3pOewHKlMgp76RZX6cXcSgOCDlWTfXgI-oVIaoRE2Q_qsdYKdohLvnxWCfu5FoMq7IAP3r9LUplZNEabrjuFmdMBOCZVlYe7ghRiNpCd3Xwz6Y8WSQu4rBhS5_Q4Dhut8yGdlgw6s8/s400/IMG_0518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our brand new tent fits the six of us</div>
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<i>much</i> more comfortably than the old one did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuSyEM-oxoVlwhVL1CUPhq4rw-uD095N3dtqyATTmpei6FGayk0g8CioAZspD9mOhSNSG1Yj5bmnVRER_GAfwHIn5eVbZBFeBNN8CHC4zOqFIKVK2JiyvVWDcEUFrHzhkL9bW1hT1Z1I/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuSyEM-oxoVlwhVL1CUPhq4rw-uD095N3dtqyATTmpei6FGayk0g8CioAZspD9mOhSNSG1Yj5bmnVRER_GAfwHIn5eVbZBFeBNN8CHC4zOqFIKVK2JiyvVWDcEUFrHzhkL9bW1hT1Z1I/s400/IMG_0462.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b7HIwwyz53__mqyTnT_8KY5mFpVtr2HdWfhcITtIX9QOivxL7ms5cqY8d3OjQU8NUqUch2mpFkghwIPrsEtCDJQiFuqRWLFcSlU6dPY6Zvtknp1J8jh0EBQOj-vjOT0UVLY4EhPf75k/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b7HIwwyz53__mqyTnT_8KY5mFpVtr2HdWfhcITtIX9QOivxL7ms5cqY8d3OjQU8NUqUch2mpFkghwIPrsEtCDJQiFuqRWLFcSlU6dPY6Zvtknp1J8jh0EBQOj-vjOT0UVLY4EhPf75k/s400/IMG_0467.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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little explorers</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivszR5pEYM4H324IBCMUvUv7Q5XZMph0sag14ymEX7-VPi-GUtCzJTyvPvSvfvC2lQAphyphenhyphenI_AUPIoSdH3fREYGdSB3xl3YJz4NLqMGAOFKMeHBd2Pw6yrdyfv7bFzNgunj_K5OQqzyYs/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivszR5pEYM4H324IBCMUvUv7Q5XZMph0sag14ymEX7-VPi-GUtCzJTyvPvSvfvC2lQAphyphenhyphenI_AUPIoSdH3fREYGdSB3xl3YJz4NLqMGAOFKMeHBd2Pw6yrdyfv7bFzNgunj_K5OQqzyYs/s400/IMG_0457.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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wildflowers</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuedczxyIiVUysr0p_lN1VtDoUVIImm0eHiw5rnoVFWhcx1eogFT1Qxl2kVpWbISYDqaDhmr6-5W5umMVXxI5szuv6ZOZVp1cJrhUXD0D_BiJrzoclKviVsAcIzPFqICSU23jvNR3ckYA/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuedczxyIiVUysr0p_lN1VtDoUVIImm0eHiw5rnoVFWhcx1eogFT1Qxl2kVpWbISYDqaDhmr6-5W5umMVXxI5szuv6ZOZVp1cJrhUXD0D_BiJrzoclKviVsAcIzPFqICSU23jvNR3ckYA/s400/IMG_0471.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CJnSPynmbuDOWkRqqo4wEZvBkO1BSVoF9tVXLsIvaVXkyqj2iAv5WFW9p2-u8Cj5ZR-WmaM2bTsfF5Ae8aLxjmtFJoX69YYg7PpzlF8xIBKGOfZvwwZ0rdpgTsrADAPsQLtWWsRwDzk/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CJnSPynmbuDOWkRqqo4wEZvBkO1BSVoF9tVXLsIvaVXkyqj2iAv5WFW9p2-u8Cj5ZR-WmaM2bTsfF5Ae8aLxjmtFJoX69YYg7PpzlF8xIBKGOfZvwwZ0rdpgTsrADAPsQLtWWsRwDzk/s400/IMG_0472.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4-y1_fhsFIQBYPoWYf9opuebu-FUBkE-OBn4BAoiB45SJ847fZmX3htiJbYAeuvFebOuIbGPWTcQ9MMK5CMc4EqhEXVLk2yhsQSX7PG9dJijGZex6y-YISUuF7RVCkC1qQ4mMl_y9nE/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4-y1_fhsFIQBYPoWYf9opuebu-FUBkE-OBn4BAoiB45SJ847fZmX3htiJbYAeuvFebOuIbGPWTcQ9MMK5CMc4EqhEXVLk2yhsQSX7PG9dJijGZex6y-YISUuF7RVCkC1qQ4mMl_y9nE/s400/IMG_0475.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaHze5Y8ihtEhfUkd4HKTTpL0tZO29FHoLNox8Yc5RVUPkLKVRYhtjaLkjTD6znkJOiI6_5OrGKxJTJS2u-AsLofEOKS87jr4t7xXPlDhQ40I9nzKz4FooZX22Ve_ojYYe111gtjpVsU/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaHze5Y8ihtEhfUkd4HKTTpL0tZO29FHoLNox8Yc5RVUPkLKVRYhtjaLkjTD6znkJOiI6_5OrGKxJTJS2u-AsLofEOKS87jr4t7xXPlDhQ40I9nzKz4FooZX22Ve_ojYYe111gtjpVsU/s400/IMG_0479.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmcnw2v4m8ihR-QVdkhLkHVD8jWdI4jbc0FpohqnedQB1GPFFf7Zv3wI6gBXti5NWKb02f987F4_cIL-98gL1-9kKsb4zS0-Tq-jmKSJ5MsPRf_0v4RKd0IcCpNIGEwAv6XMRDt_oIBo/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmcnw2v4m8ihR-QVdkhLkHVD8jWdI4jbc0FpohqnedQB1GPFFf7Zv3wI6gBXti5NWKb02f987F4_cIL-98gL1-9kKsb4zS0-Tq-jmKSJ5MsPRf_0v4RKd0IcCpNIGEwAv6XMRDt_oIBo/s400/IMG_0652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLqQs1HUkB08ldnu7IMEJ5DkQRdf7P-cehL3oWCloSqKm7hdhEAJKylvVGnn9yJCoiYRKPGzxoF_Qi9KRiQeH-bRgY0WJ9T8-pFkMR6b1iJ5lAY8jwRCAPIm4CDPY2xq_d3gzsOtH89I/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLqQs1HUkB08ldnu7IMEJ5DkQRdf7P-cehL3oWCloSqKm7hdhEAJKylvVGnn9yJCoiYRKPGzxoF_Qi9KRiQeH-bRgY0WJ9T8-pFkMR6b1iJ5lAY8jwRCAPIm4CDPY2xq_d3gzsOtH89I/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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There was a tiny stream a short walk from our campsite.</div>
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It was a magical place for the boys to play:</div>
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shallow enough to be quite safe,</div>
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yet extraordinarily exciting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXgQHqFesnhjelu5jgeh2up-uXZlj_loRq1fjzOywIJh5nT-olxqADu6kqGE5PdVCw3U898mogg1yLbF-z0xOo4HTG6KCGdc_Bjxp6uuiKCVLaKCdPduCSZaFJYo8Wz0Sg-niM2Z0l5U/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXgQHqFesnhjelu5jgeh2up-uXZlj_loRq1fjzOywIJh5nT-olxqADu6kqGE5PdVCw3U898mogg1yLbF-z0xOo4HTG6KCGdc_Bjxp6uuiKCVLaKCdPduCSZaFJYo8Wz0Sg-niM2Z0l5U/s400/IMG_0524.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jzh96hhydzDDn8-HR7Na9kCiijL2dpso4JJDogKwYkhhFwKY4bLzTUX_FSSVY0hsjKCRzRrCQE19YakV1_5qzsdDg6Qm_t0SV1mZFT2gIAJmUhbteO7lb73c1p3GmnvqcaYodZHyEhE/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jzh96hhydzDDn8-HR7Na9kCiijL2dpso4JJDogKwYkhhFwKY4bLzTUX_FSSVY0hsjKCRzRrCQE19YakV1_5qzsdDg6Qm_t0SV1mZFT2gIAJmUhbteO7lb73c1p3GmnvqcaYodZHyEhE/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love the quiet woods.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDY6DRWofN4Gw_mZpfkGOJlzo0QAupkMDUQxsDwtJQUI-GrQDwjsZhk-ayW8LOYN6p2Zlg5xNDx7-5SQi6aDOpyWg_UYfkmuCCLXl9MrMElUw6oPffk3XHx-04ZOiEpdoBhbHlQAjMSc/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDY6DRWofN4Gw_mZpfkGOJlzo0QAupkMDUQxsDwtJQUI-GrQDwjsZhk-ayW8LOYN6p2Zlg5xNDx7-5SQi6aDOpyWg_UYfkmuCCLXl9MrMElUw6oPffk3XHx-04ZOiEpdoBhbHlQAjMSc/s400/IMG_0517.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR_OlAPQN43TisxVBSmo-LoFv0mSqHEN4npTeDnRaK_4cPflS-ebC2Xvtaeop3MuLJkFbC1WUDm-F1NLg7tqepH8yMGhqLXzWWYB88C8zn7691zP9o-cApYu18IH0FOyx2ehFEtMPE6w/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR_OlAPQN43TisxVBSmo-LoFv0mSqHEN4npTeDnRaK_4cPflS-ebC2Xvtaeop3MuLJkFbC1WUDm-F1NLg7tqepH8yMGhqLXzWWYB88C8zn7691zP9o-cApYu18IH0FOyx2ehFEtMPE6w/s400/IMG_0552.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am quite good at building fires.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5WGbwVxVRdKYZjjKWld-BYbTeLWzaOGKhe3Ao7sf2RxvKzb6I6Osfb7IbstllLoQNYt6-Fbicb1WQdWZIvUuH-tSJS2IEZ3MBG6H4vVjLQlUQgn16mdQu24kThDbVYmrUHpy-S5XuyQ/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5WGbwVxVRdKYZjjKWld-BYbTeLWzaOGKhe3Ao7sf2RxvKzb6I6Osfb7IbstllLoQNYt6-Fbicb1WQdWZIvUuH-tSJS2IEZ3MBG6H4vVjLQlUQgn16mdQu24kThDbVYmrUHpy-S5XuyQ/s400/IMG_0561.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Well, good morning, handsome!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBDbKrKUPUDnUjnu6Pcy8oYAoTN7a7z39-NthVdtRmZXqS-hc_KkmZDn5XtNlkZHA74Nmj_6D1KhaNnkFn4JWfRNBMAu7RXOgtAKpa7x1WywRMwrIeUhLHKDk_sh-TaeeZCfAVXIiZfI/s1600/IMG_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBDbKrKUPUDnUjnu6Pcy8oYAoTN7a7z39-NthVdtRmZXqS-hc_KkmZDn5XtNlkZHA74Nmj_6D1KhaNnkFn4JWfRNBMAu7RXOgtAKpa7x1WywRMwrIeUhLHKDk_sh-TaeeZCfAVXIiZfI/s400/IMG_0581.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In addition to many butterflies,</div>
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we also saw deer, frogs, fish, and <i>lots</i> of mosquitos,</div>
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but I didn't get any photos of them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN2bwrAPx72-qKwvsfKNyStoXDFHsaby17lNQbptWNwvpSNc0KxFHzccxy6JaydaLQj6mXPvpX4hlfHF_hneJWZ0a4PPvdYat8JgfWawIYGuWk82LXN8mKJRb_GWWZFv-g3riLYudLfw/s1600/IMG_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN2bwrAPx72-qKwvsfKNyStoXDFHsaby17lNQbptWNwvpSNc0KxFHzccxy6JaydaLQj6mXPvpX4hlfHF_hneJWZ0a4PPvdYat8JgfWawIYGuWk82LXN8mKJRb_GWWZFv-g3riLYudLfw/s400/IMG_0589.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4t0Fz5puSbu-D4NRizTaiRFo5cSpfaDV2tasnCob5yOByFUcJin2TRgtKQsO4fKhb-bsrq_k8frd3c2z1BAAegZOqZUJq7AHpSq_7orZMGjO8eEunGEDfvys_Vcyl-zcEZg0xfJFl4sE/s1600/IMG_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4t0Fz5puSbu-D4NRizTaiRFo5cSpfaDV2tasnCob5yOByFUcJin2TRgtKQsO4fKhb-bsrq_k8frd3c2z1BAAegZOqZUJq7AHpSq_7orZMGjO8eEunGEDfvys_Vcyl-zcEZg0xfJFl4sE/s400/IMG_0604.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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gift from Little Man</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygLbHqrxtLTYIm2qhzs_LjKG19HKQeERL45xh-y1TVMSXyDnIB7tq4SgSn-ppPyyyevhgFfGtg7C6CNraZCSy3Uu4qBkIvQTMY-TsiGp5z4jrHfm8ZFMUwh3Hdi_SkozoBUVHzhA2tu4/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygLbHqrxtLTYIm2qhzs_LjKG19HKQeERL45xh-y1TVMSXyDnIB7tq4SgSn-ppPyyyevhgFfGtg7C6CNraZCSy3Uu4qBkIvQTMY-TsiGp5z4jrHfm8ZFMUwh3Hdi_SkozoBUVHzhA2tu4/s400/IMG_0598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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gift from Sweet Pea</div>
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busy girl</div>
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Can it get much better than this?</div>
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field of wildflowers</div>
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hiking to Coolidge, a ghost town</div>
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ruins</div>
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So glad we met these rain clouds were on the drive <i>home</i>!</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-40719118057397437402013-07-24T15:28:00.000-06:002013-07-24T15:28:23.686-06:00mocha floats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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that's</div>
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1/2 cup of espresso</div>
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(orI'll bet strong, cold brewed coffee would work too)</div>
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1 cup of milk</div>
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2 scoops of chocolate ice cream</div>
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caramel syrup to taste</div>
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all combined in a tall glass</div>
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try it.</div>
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it's <i>good.</i></div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-34926936385850450062013-07-16T06:00:00.000-06:002013-07-16T06:00:01.651-06:00knitting works in progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I seem to go through stages in my artsy endeavors. Right now I am <i>not</i> in a knitting stage. However, I have a couple of works in progress that I thought I'd share. If nothing else, this will bring them to my mind one of these days when I'm just sitting around wondering what to do. Ha.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3Xae_6ejNFB9e8i0uBVU0fwWm2TpY6EhF3W1pTaLZFJTDaKGhJaIDuK5y_9IARpvvPmAN44yh6mURVlgrQIesR_oVjlIho9dXfH1HQqs4BNXXik3xEgGAjGAovyWuXEZTZY6wh1KnHcr/s1600/IMG_5471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3Xae_6ejNFB9e8i0uBVU0fwWm2TpY6EhF3W1pTaLZFJTDaKGhJaIDuK5y_9IARpvvPmAN44yh6mURVlgrQIesR_oVjlIho9dXfH1HQqs4BNXXik3xEgGAjGAovyWuXEZTZY6wh1KnHcr/s400/IMG_5471.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Okay, so this scarf is actually done, but I'm working on a grey and black one just like it. (I also have made a green one for myself.) I couldn't help jumping on the absurdly ruffly scarf bandwagon</div>
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even though they're so popular as to be cliche. It's just so fun to see the specialty yarn turn into extravagant ruffles! Plus they knit up so quickly and easily, making for great gifts. This one went to one of my pink-loving girlfriends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAtI7l_5qBbeaafZqDtXnafAUxdKp6M0RgnB6EWCCKt0zpuUvFUMtAU6WDS3wLSUnmrKXdEPoFIs7Ftux_DvweHVRcEFJpT_U06VcovACvDwelvrUMVpu3CgpyCgF4mCf_q5TZHsU9NZh/s1600/IMG_5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAtI7l_5qBbeaafZqDtXnafAUxdKp6M0RgnB6EWCCKt0zpuUvFUMtAU6WDS3wLSUnmrKXdEPoFIs7Ftux_DvweHVRcEFJpT_U06VcovACvDwelvrUMVpu3CgpyCgF4mCf_q5TZHsU9NZh/s400/IMG_5477.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/linda-ks-yummy-mummy-wristwarmers" target="_blank">These fingerless gloves</a> were supposed to be my Mum's Mother's Day gift. I became daunted when Sweet Pea pulled one of the needles out, and I had to pick up the stitches and try to figure how how to fix the pattern, so they're still not done. This is the first time I've used such small needles and sock-weight yarn. I'm loving it, but it's slower going than I'm used to. Maybe I'll finish in time for her birthday. Or maybe Christmas...</div>
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Now I feel like knitting. This is good. :)</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-66740489193994765772013-07-15T06:00:00.000-06:002013-07-15T06:00:02.916-06:00recipe reviews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, boy. This post has been photos-only in draft form for a <i>long</i> time. Let's see if I remember these recipe experiments well enough to talk about them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySVASQdSca-Aw9MpIbMJ65_02DneagHUYK-M7ywjJCsrpaLI7Hxp3LqitsHPjuJXnNJFrwaamIiDndqvAyaL-7ZEPUle8tmEAtQcC2Hr6MPTTQx8bU987B3Ze8zYhZvWDX311OsRoEiuD/s1600/IMG_5297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySVASQdSca-Aw9MpIbMJ65_02DneagHUYK-M7ywjJCsrpaLI7Hxp3LqitsHPjuJXnNJFrwaamIiDndqvAyaL-7ZEPUle8tmEAtQcC2Hr6MPTTQx8bU987B3Ze8zYhZvWDX311OsRoEiuD/s400/IMG_5297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH1-fFRyIFtsP5RwCiVeM1lFnlEfkkWqG48j_Wsus8d9Fr-foE7iUpsfMpWGn-g3PVUDoEAJkxhbsrdEoHBIVUYIqdUTMgQGTP31QhJXrhjMiOPnbTR_erThk_T2R_SkcUxNODLV8YnlY/s1600/IMG_5302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH1-fFRyIFtsP5RwCiVeM1lFnlEfkkWqG48j_Wsus8d9Fr-foE7iUpsfMpWGn-g3PVUDoEAJkxhbsrdEoHBIVUYIqdUTMgQGTP31QhJXrhjMiOPnbTR_erThk_T2R_SkcUxNODLV8YnlY/s400/IMG_5302.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>The recipe: </b><a href="http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/sweetsanddesserts/r/easyflan.htm" target="_blank">Easy Flan Recipe</a>. When I lived in Brazil as a child, flan (called pudim in Brazil) was my very favorite dessert. I decided to try to recreate this childhood memory in celebration of my half birthday (I was so busy on my actual birthday that I didn't get a cake) last April.<br />
<b>The mods:</b> Instead of baking several small flans in remekins, I cooked one big flan in my bundt pan. I increased the cooking time, and it was just fine.<br />
<b>My impression:</b> This recipe was just as easy as its name promised, and it had all of the delicious rich, creamy, caramelly glory that I remembered so fondly. If you need an easy, make-ahead recipe that will wow anyone who eats it, this is your recipe.<br />
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<b>The recipe: </b><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2007/07/rat-a-too-ee-for-you-ee/" target="_blank">Ratatouille's Ratatouille</a> over pink rice<br /><b>The mods:</b> As I recall, I followed this recipe fairly closely except that I didn't serve it with goat cheese, and I think the fresh herb I had was marjoram and not thyme.<br /><b>My impression:</b> Eggplant makes my mouth and throat tingle painfully. I don't know why I keep trying to eat it. Still, I truly enjoyed this recipe and may even make it again. Next time I think I'll use a small pasta instead of rice.</div>
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<b>The recipe: </b><a href="http://www.elsiemarley.com/sweet-potato-salmon-cakes.html" target="_blank">Sweet Potato Salmon Cakes</a><br />
<b>The mods: </b>I used three five-ounce cans of the salmon that is more like tuna instead of the single 14 ounce can that has skin and bones in it as well. I'm also not a mayo fan, so I skipped making the mayo.<br /><b>My impression:</b> I really wanted to like this recipe, but I was disappointed. My kids did <i>not </i>like these at all, and I ate them because I was hungry but didn't love them. They were a little dry (which was probably my fault for not making the mayo), and I didn't find the sweet fish taste amazing. Next time I'll probably stick to my normal salmon patty recipe and serve sweet potatoes on the side.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-51263295181938867372013-07-14T15:51:00.000-06:002013-07-14T15:51:02.820-06:00six months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Baby Boy is six months old!</div>
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(And has been for a while.)</div>
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This month he...</div>
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<b>eats</b></div>
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mama milk</div>
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sweet potato and squash puree</div>
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all sorts of interesting stuff he gleans off of the floor</div>
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cheerios and tiny pieces of blueberry</div>
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(I figure if he can pick up and eat tiny things off the floor,</div>
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it's a good idea to channel his interest in a healthier way.)</div>
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any cord he can get his hands on</div>
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(keeps me on my toes)</div>
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<b>sleeps</b></div>
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in a pack-n-play now</div>
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(his crib was not sturdy enough for how busy he's becoming)</div>
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inconsistently at night</div>
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usually three naps every day</div>
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<b>says</b></div>
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"mama"</div>
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(It's very distinct, and he's definitely referring to me!)</div>
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babbles long strings of syllables</div>
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has the jolliest laugh</div>
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still likes to sing himself to sleep</div>
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<b>does</b></div>
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lights up the room with his smile</div>
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scoots all over on his belly</div>
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crawls on his hands and knees a little</div>
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gets up on his hands and feet and "jumps" with his feet</div>
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gets all excited when he sees me</div>
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scoots as fast as possible to get to me</div>
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tries to grab my leg when I walk past him</div>
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can already get himself out of the Bumbo chair</div>
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sits up by himself</div>
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bounces for long stretches of time in his johnny-jump-up</div>
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takes tiny steps while holding onto an adult's fingers</div>
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loves scratching on all the different surfaces he finds</div>
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clings to whoever is carrying him around</div>
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tries to get in the middle of what his siblings are doing</div>
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<b>likes</b></div>
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being able to move around on his own</div>
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exploring new rooms</div>
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being the center of attention</div>
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making eye contact and "talking"</div>
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<b>dislikes</b></div>
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pretty much the same as before</div>
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-24857815713871713222013-07-11T13:51:00.001-06:002013-07-11T13:51:12.062-06:00to a wild rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wish you could smell them</div>
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right through your computer screen.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-18779750539368889212013-07-06T06:00:00.000-06:002013-07-06T06:00:04.862-06:00birthday in a bottle 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today is my sister-in-law's birthday.</div>
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(How fantastic is it that we were friends</div>
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long before Ben and I were together!)</div>
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I thought she needed a little bit of birthday hullabaloo,</div>
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so I sent her some happy mail.</div>
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happy birthday balloon</div>
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bright pink nail polish</div>
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girly post-it notes (see the shoes?)</div>
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two pairs of earrings</div>
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tic tacs (because a cupcake would't mail well)</div>
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curly ribbon (not pictured above)</div>
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and a generous sprinkling of star confetti</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpSfhfuIAwy8DtPqDS8LkHt8xvVjbjQzkRcY2eVNYHFru5F55adLo92mbr1d2cwiA_q43L09BdQqttsNEiS1JWXzMgIzEuoHTmUBpc7isYWGCTyauUUlSX4xONB-V1tKDGTN-M8_k0-c/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpSfhfuIAwy8DtPqDS8LkHt8xvVjbjQzkRcY2eVNYHFru5F55adLo92mbr1d2cwiA_q43L09BdQqttsNEiS1JWXzMgIzEuoHTmUBpc7isYWGCTyauUUlSX4xONB-V1tKDGTN-M8_k0-c/s400/IMG_0411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IozHYY4RGrEyQhvprG9n4ixnkyiS_2jc54jtbMyOoWxyONEmvXD49Qro22wPLBNck-etxrEkq6lj2mbNVB3XC4ojAj76m9uTLjVP771jK8fJA6TEgEs8vHHwZpZlkXcCHngReGjhGG8/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IozHYY4RGrEyQhvprG9n4ixnkyiS_2jc54jtbMyOoWxyONEmvXD49Qro22wPLBNck-etxrEkq6lj2mbNVB3XC4ojAj76m9uTLjVP771jK8fJA6TEgEs8vHHwZpZlkXcCHngReGjhGG8/s400/IMG_0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I cut open a bottle, put all the goodies inside,</div>
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then finished the package with a sparkly pink paper band,</div>
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address labels, and tape.</div>
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Lots of tape.</div>
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Then I weighed it and stamped it</div>
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and stuck it in the mail.</div>
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Here's hoping it brings a smile to her face.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-19725525037178147632013-07-03T15:59:00.002-06:002013-07-03T16:02:53.292-06:00little tag blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
None of our oldest three were enchanted with tags,</div>
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so I thought that those toys/blankets</div>
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with little tags sticking out all over were kinda cute</div>
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but pretty much useless.</div>
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Then Baby Boy came along.</div>
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He <i>loves</i> tags.</div>
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If a toy has a tag, that's what he goes for.</div>
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He feels them, chews on them, sucks on them...</div>
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He even discovered the long tags on the bumper in his crib,</div>
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pulled them into his bed,</div>
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and chewed on them until he gagged.</div>
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I felt like such a spoil-sport when I cut them off</div>
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that I decided to make a special little tag blanket for him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE1628yZ6iGiw_ZAtOA7H9ytlpPIo9wufso6KvV4Zey2CfLHyAPKvMYBDQXkjd-b4r9cflXF8DfPcrij_etdGQZz7M1UFm3jZ07QCbOZQ7yxhX2WDpQdLjnXPoieynM-OoRSqomUq0UI/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE1628yZ6iGiw_ZAtOA7H9ytlpPIo9wufso6KvV4Zey2CfLHyAPKvMYBDQXkjd-b4r9cflXF8DfPcrij_etdGQZz7M1UFm3jZ07QCbOZQ7yxhX2WDpQdLjnXPoieynM-OoRSqomUq0UI/s400/IMG_0069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is about 6 1/2 inches square and is bristling with tags!</div>
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One side it's soft, blue flannel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6trXEa6CEIss8ek6Xzwue9-W6oTbdQsbBvZ0UhoObfyzTFLsazp_WAc-kNwribPeBU0auHqexvfowTSZEdjpVruv6M0sfEqt_SJeP4R2AT7YD8cG8QX34j2wz6nBL797lr_jdiNYao4E/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6trXEa6CEIss8ek6Xzwue9-W6oTbdQsbBvZ0UhoObfyzTFLsazp_WAc-kNwribPeBU0auHqexvfowTSZEdjpVruv6M0sfEqt_SJeP4R2AT7YD8cG8QX34j2wz6nBL797lr_jdiNYao4E/s400/IMG_0075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the other is brown waffle-knit</div>
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that I upcycled from an old t-shirt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjeqcv27Rx_oz4u9zfS_bSM8S-traxKeC7FVGf2It_rf38j5iOy1KKqHCMi3DE8LwXTH-FOjo-O-kHLVKFUYtykwmy9r80FJi9vS-YNiZF7LLSzpVBIadxHas8NjgV_gVRAISKAFFDac/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjeqcv27Rx_oz4u9zfS_bSM8S-traxKeC7FVGf2It_rf38j5iOy1KKqHCMi3DE8LwXTH-FOjo-O-kHLVKFUYtykwmy9r80FJi9vS-YNiZF7LLSzpVBIadxHas8NjgV_gVRAISKAFFDac/s400/IMG_0081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzk4qOh_grNiaizTSgBMenom6SPh7kgwesRUnRWBSfreenFVens7YObfzyfHScd6YUxFHwzG1RZfHk2v91CGY3MHaA7pgW4f3rsQNKibla5NV0Sdixv89N0SP_uUm88Pmd4aXjpNESWr8/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzk4qOh_grNiaizTSgBMenom6SPh7kgwesRUnRWBSfreenFVens7YObfzyfHScd6YUxFHwzG1RZfHk2v91CGY3MHaA7pgW4f3rsQNKibla5NV0Sdixv89N0SP_uUm88Pmd4aXjpNESWr8/s400/IMG_0099.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU_CleK9QBwcjCbOdSgaihyphenhyphenbUfRpjYApQpP_qQxSKFF8DIpqJaQDR1bugY537Nx1b4dzIHK7Jq6dcDW0_MuwnAUBY0iORoReq8tV1UOiKmFzmpntpSxrR_Ggl7cAJLxycK-1PLv3fBck/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU_CleK9QBwcjCbOdSgaihyphenhyphenbUfRpjYApQpP_qQxSKFF8DIpqJaQDR1bugY537Nx1b4dzIHK7Jq6dcDW0_MuwnAUBY0iORoReq8tV1UOiKmFzmpntpSxrR_Ggl7cAJLxycK-1PLv3fBck/s400/IMG_0107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's always gratifying when your handiwork</div>
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is just as much of a hit as you hoped it would be.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV2WiVMCmLxgP3-qajY8n-HhGKywEWBv_1SoYWVseOWnJtwA6wfJhkCWy6zlDObal0AVrzoIwD1rBkKbEacEiV9j7bsLo9EwtTmTVBRcaXr2KSrUeZw0fR_y1viNMKDR7GyLw-ILAgjw/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV2WiVMCmLxgP3-qajY8n-HhGKywEWBv_1SoYWVseOWnJtwA6wfJhkCWy6zlDObal0AVrzoIwD1rBkKbEacEiV9j7bsLo9EwtTmTVBRcaXr2KSrUeZw0fR_y1viNMKDR7GyLw-ILAgjw/s400/IMG_0070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A quick note about the variety of ribbons I had in my stash to use: Bits of ribbon pop up all over, sometimes in surprising places. Keep your eyes open for them and don't sneeze at small pieces; they can come in handy. To illustrate I numbered the ribbons and will tell you where I got each piece.<br />
1. This used to be a useless drawstring on a pair of my shorts. I pulled it out because it was annoying me and added it to my stash because it is cotton and has a cool texture.<br />
2. Came in a "goodie bag" of notions I picked up for a few cents at a local thrift store. It was only about 8 inches long and was wired. I had plenty of it for this project, though. (And I pulled the wires out.)<br />
3. I think I actually bought this one at Joann's for <a href="http://christinahomemaker.blogspot.com/2011/07/nursery-nook-complete.html" target="_blank">Sweet Pea's nursery</a>. This project used up the last little bit I had of it.<br />
4. Left over from <a href="http://christinahomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/12/handmade-christmas-2012_30.html" target="_blank">Ben's coworkers' Christmas gifts</a>.<br />
5. One of the popular baby gifts here in the United States are these little outfits packaged into gift sets by the company that makes them. They often use see-through bags tied with real fabric ribbon with nice prints or textures to finish off the look. I save these ribbons and use them for projects like this.<br />
6. More baby gift set packaging.<br />
7. Partial spool of ribbon I picked up at the thrift store.<br />
8. Found in the bargain section of a local store. ($0.13 for a mini-spool of ribbon? Yes, please!)<br />
9. Huh. There is no #9 on the picture. Ooops. I guess my brain leaped to a nice, round number. :)<br />
10. Very cool train ribbon that came as part of the packaging for scrapbook supplies.<br />
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Disclaimer: I AM NOT ADVOCATING HOARDING! Please, don't just compulsively keep random bits of supplies you'll never use. If you cannot honestly project using, say, the ribbons that came on your baby gifts within the next six months don't keep them. However, DO look for supplies and inspiration in unlikely places. You might be surprised at what you find.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-11468834168862846022013-07-01T16:49:00.000-06:002013-07-01T16:49:46.273-06:00anniversary quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been holding off on posting about this</div>
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on the off-chance my in-laws randomly looked at my blog.</div>
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It's being given to them today, though,</div>
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so I think I'm finally good to talk!</div>
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Last month my sister-in-law and I</div>
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spent an intense four days making this quilt</div>
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for Ben's parents' anniversary.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilshnAjhenuH4L4VNaI5q5Kc5hK-w0mnEjSE_gDy5wUglHD7Q6U5bnIMsOINHq9EJIURqnZ2jRoaDZXLPZwoUXR_BeltWNLRwcsJikKVhfGNnT3lytJA4hOCvhDk5tqnON-6p3XA-ROIpk/s1600/IMG_6066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilshnAjhenuH4L4VNaI5q5Kc5hK-w0mnEjSE_gDy5wUglHD7Q6U5bnIMsOINHq9EJIURqnZ2jRoaDZXLPZwoUXR_BeltWNLRwcsJikKVhfGNnT3lytJA4hOCvhDk5tqnON-6p3XA-ROIpk/s400/IMG_6066.JPG" width="386" /></a></div>
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She collected family photos and notes from the four kids,</div>
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artwork and hand prints from all the grandkids,</div>
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the family crest, and a favorite verse.</div>
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We printed all of these treasures onto fabric,</div>
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and incorporated them into a pretty awesome quilt.</div>
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(Even if I do say so myself.)</div>
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We are <i>so</i> proud of our accomplishment.</div>
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I can't wait to see the video</div>
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of my in-laws' reaction</div>
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when they open it!</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-8311266350674940852013-06-25T13:12:00.004-06:002013-06-25T13:12:54.125-06:00weekend art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I ended up having a very artsy weekend.</div>
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It was lovely, and I now I want to share what we made.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2nDuKLpcUO3sheyGKAReMJkd0wEWUHPZB8BbqHUYEodivJKWHoPcg-IfIW06YJ4yVoKLZtdDDKVGRKni2pI5UkTpe4w5RPfOYbgOv0juU92jztC4KHyfrHYJWe1QMZMf2_nEb8boUKQ/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2nDuKLpcUO3sheyGKAReMJkd0wEWUHPZB8BbqHUYEodivJKWHoPcg-IfIW06YJ4yVoKLZtdDDKVGRKni2pI5UkTpe4w5RPfOYbgOv0juU92jztC4KHyfrHYJWe1QMZMf2_nEb8boUKQ/s400/IMG_0022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A very stereotypical "Christina" piece</div>
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for my art teacher friend</div>
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who requested a larger version</div>
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of my little quotation</div>
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for hanging in her classroom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyakUQqzWKdS3s2nxJKEf7dwJOzcHeWapJDyQfmoq9qsmsVlAG1q-PbutE5oSRxVmrvpZoOTvABNxRnC_YuS1NTKJHJ56jUYOGRcPrYkePgTvpFtTU7oNWlIMhETL8NLYlFkY-0ud9pw/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyakUQqzWKdS3s2nxJKEf7dwJOzcHeWapJDyQfmoq9qsmsVlAG1q-PbutE5oSRxVmrvpZoOTvABNxRnC_YuS1NTKJHJ56jUYOGRcPrYkePgTvpFtTU7oNWlIMhETL8NLYlFkY-0ud9pw/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This little piece is also a gift.</div>
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This one's going to a fellow <a href="http://notknowingwhere.com/" target="_blank">blogger/contributor to Made</a>.</div>
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The quotation is hers,</div>
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and the rendition of Montana dusk is all mine.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifftl2_nKyQulKpgr0vRMyBP6gb5wgrXNmAO00GBdOLnFOah85UieBFmsUwnRlau3Tq5TWeNs7Jw4Vn-s6U7Ut3QBwgLx_afsXh_5bV2qDiKsv6ZilJH4COFDir6dxRm9cJdEqhHfG16c/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifftl2_nKyQulKpgr0vRMyBP6gb5wgrXNmAO00GBdOLnFOah85UieBFmsUwnRlau3Tq5TWeNs7Jw4Vn-s6U7Ut3QBwgLx_afsXh_5bV2qDiKsv6ZilJH4COFDir6dxRm9cJdEqhHfG16c/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The next few pieces were inspired</div>
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by the beautiful <a href="http://www.bethmorey.com/" target="_blank">Beth</a>'s (creator of Made)</div>
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challenge to make messy art.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTHoq2MgA_5K16sxjIy4qRT8I1t79IbogFqfylZDAVpbIaDm0qO8Eg6YAMAQI5bzPWikRtiWORJaHnULX5TNq-0-6vMn8qa6JfSh_4YGQqJHDe4yKiaUq4y8t9PZkIVhI1aREkQSF9is/s1600/pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTHoq2MgA_5K16sxjIy4qRT8I1t79IbogFqfylZDAVpbIaDm0qO8Eg6YAMAQI5bzPWikRtiWORJaHnULX5TNq-0-6vMn8qa6JfSh_4YGQqJHDe4yKiaUq4y8t9PZkIVhI1aREkQSF9is/s400/pics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"unfinished" set of two coordinating art journal pages</div>
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I had some fun using up the paint leftover from my dusky art</div>
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to make these two wild pages.</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_t8APTdoWUMpgEsBkETmk6C-zrMH9CHP4f6sM5w6pVDvsFeLAWx9R6PMkUwUWz47sQJfr7cvBw5jyATTIXJmYEWXO6ksARwzd21mIYXm-BUrCq2kFzQtLz1Kt8bVO5r4sZuYCZdqmIA0/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_t8APTdoWUMpgEsBkETmk6C-zrMH9CHP4f6sM5w6pVDvsFeLAWx9R6PMkUwUWz47sQJfr7cvBw5jyATTIXJmYEWXO6ksARwzd21mIYXm-BUrCq2kFzQtLz1Kt8bVO5r4sZuYCZdqmIA0/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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This piece was inspired by the paint left over</div>
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from Brother's messy art (see below).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJn_PU3jCeUh9G0j55V5-mEIo1917iT_l2upPTlt7oBC5gBxcwzrx8YLdNrFtozOIkdKfMYQ2e0lvTOYICDAcHy_WgHYWuJ7U8T32ReRpszBU_nAf9I6xL9UNMgLrkc2dzCXbNXKrZDM/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJn_PU3jCeUh9G0j55V5-mEIo1917iT_l2upPTlt7oBC5gBxcwzrx8YLdNrFtozOIkdKfMYQ2e0lvTOYICDAcHy_WgHYWuJ7U8T32ReRpszBU_nAf9I6xL9UNMgLrkc2dzCXbNXKrZDM/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course my children had to get in on the painty fun too.</div>
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They loved my idea of making paint blobs</div>
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and blowing on them through straws to make them spread out.</div>
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I really like Little Man's autumnal color scheme here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhJCRGajfZ67L46mlQA5YxOpeCHN-LA01KDrrVUll5QQbUIvHhEzsUgPjzy4h34ZMteGMvSHSdk5riG3We4le5-RuO8kOuvM9iH2iZeJwr_FvdbyThGoEqpSR0lQ1YI4W5fG77D3WKL8/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhJCRGajfZ67L46mlQA5YxOpeCHN-LA01KDrrVUll5QQbUIvHhEzsUgPjzy4h34ZMteGMvSHSdk5riG3We4le5-RuO8kOuvM9iH2iZeJwr_FvdbyThGoEqpSR0lQ1YI4W5fG77D3WKL8/s400/IMG_0038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Brother tried straw-blown paint blobs</div>
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<i>and</i> splatter painting.</div>
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Too fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYRM0aGoDv-R-C-bjpRMclKRDInDeaHIqKjDiqu_e9Ld_M9rOGVlIdPBxgnZVnxadd0cgKvcWcxWaqBSO9v4opAdKfXLZudOBTJQCv43bjeJECIiHGFTnV_ukD50ydrVgZBJzIE3WauU/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYRM0aGoDv-R-C-bjpRMclKRDInDeaHIqKjDiqu_e9Ld_M9rOGVlIdPBxgnZVnxadd0cgKvcWcxWaqBSO9v4opAdKfXLZudOBTJQCv43bjeJECIiHGFTnV_ukD50ydrVgZBJzIE3WauU/s400/IMG_0040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sweet Pea enthusiastically did her own thing</div>
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with what appears to be her favorite color: purple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHUKYNabuQ_IIzN_7mhU4-4uUVLPq704KYhHmNAfthBVC6tzeb8WMEdFh7cZqCht3yK7vSBTx32U_fm1Khnuov8MqWE651O4wa9iIO5nYCok48FrIj5BnqFuH0YPUR3tjhWdJBkXnTxA/s1600/IMG_6631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHUKYNabuQ_IIzN_7mhU4-4uUVLPq704KYhHmNAfthBVC6tzeb8WMEdFh7cZqCht3yK7vSBTx32U_fm1Khnuov8MqWE651O4wa9iIO5nYCok48FrIj5BnqFuH0YPUR3tjhWdJBkXnTxA/s400/IMG_6631.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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Benjamin abstained from the messy paint art,</div>
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but he did make lots of beautiful music.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS1mNDd3WSsANvWDqRZ9d0TSlvsO5dL7p5HOecb0wE6jXliHvutaW1UTSQXZjcnbSebCytwIo8tjXdvgdfsGZKyM3PRkc18dnRT4xAMZly6TI4txnUVyMNoIbe6B3XbQTvPaM2QTjiy0/s1600/made-sidebar-button-150x1501.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS1mNDd3WSsANvWDqRZ9d0TSlvsO5dL7p5HOecb0wE6jXliHvutaW1UTSQXZjcnbSebCytwIo8tjXdvgdfsGZKyM3PRkc18dnRT4xAMZly6TI4txnUVyMNoIbe6B3XbQTvPaM2QTjiy0/s1600/made-sidebar-button-150x1501.png" /></a></div>
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This post has been full of Made references<br />(you'll have to bear with my enthusiasm).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=168836&c=ib&aff=250450" target="ejejcsingle">Click here to get the full scoop on Made</a>.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-5690865908708483042013-06-21T06:00:00.000-06:002013-06-21T15:26:42.590-06:00art journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the things I love about my art journal</div>
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is that its pages are small (about 6"x6").</div>
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These small pages make it easier</div>
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to fit small sessions of art-making into short amounts of time.</div>
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They also make it easier to let go of my uptight perfectionism</div>
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and boldly try new things.</div>
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(For some reason it's much harder for me to let go</div>
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when I'm staring down a <i>big</i>, blank space.)</div>
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In short, it's a little safe haven</div>
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were I am brave and just have fun</div>
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with my art.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the ways I do this is by incorporating</div>
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whatever art supplies my kids have out.</div>
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The following two pages are experiments in wax resist</div>
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that were made on a rainy day</div>
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when they had their crayons and coloring books at the table.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAtcnMZUfyvHBYULIEIwXK8WmQsHUngqgIYFBtduLK6VdbaaxrJb3EmdqfQmIZ_Yt0AeoJxENWPPmo_IuTMIDytRVfQ1Esqqp_SypAt1BZ6Z12r5xrVePpf3BWNQoeHmsV5zLKPzkIrSw/s1600/IMG_5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAtcnMZUfyvHBYULIEIwXK8WmQsHUngqgIYFBtduLK6VdbaaxrJb3EmdqfQmIZ_Yt0AeoJxENWPPmo_IuTMIDytRVfQ1Esqqp_SypAt1BZ6Z12r5xrVePpf3BWNQoeHmsV5zLKPzkIrSw/s400/IMG_5968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaU8hzbt1CqAlC33buBQ17NatLqDscYk31AuMre5QWOoCgiJtOLC_xYC7XY7zz4piLlrGG19BiKi5S9GZld6D49jFdiw0lM404DYjCZoo9Lxl4UjbIe_rHmOyQOcYuu2oHicuAZ-_kOLY/s1600/IMG_5974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaU8hzbt1CqAlC33buBQ17NatLqDscYk31AuMre5QWOoCgiJtOLC_xYC7XY7zz4piLlrGG19BiKi5S9GZld6D49jFdiw0lM404DYjCZoo9Lxl4UjbIe_rHmOyQOcYuu2oHicuAZ-_kOLY/s400/IMG_5974.JPG" width="291" /></a></div>
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I've been a little slow jumping on the washi tape bandwagon</div>
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simply because it seems like such an extravagance.</div>
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(No local stores sell it, so I have to pay shipping too.)</div>
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Last week I finally got some, though.</div>
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Well, Benjamin got it for me.</div>
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'Cause he's sweet like that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9155tkokOTe1xZEySo3znfIbDg6vquw99xBrRN8-VTvayHk6xV9pXycUklGwLdzkDjM6A9ZVYsRyo19qnKTISQd5Pmv4PsyqOyiNg4T8sArUsyzUaCSFvZwpYq2vH6QaHzPhQ5XeqqY/s1600/IMG_6361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9155tkokOTe1xZEySo3znfIbDg6vquw99xBrRN8-VTvayHk6xV9pXycUklGwLdzkDjM6A9ZVYsRyo19qnKTISQd5Pmv4PsyqOyiNg4T8sArUsyzUaCSFvZwpYq2vH6QaHzPhQ5XeqqY/s400/IMG_6361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Zn7stih23_7nf1OmLre3tuC4Qn8XVdCDfao_Q0-tV2mW2ycSZxRiPJAz4h1rNiaSSCZf36hB251aL50R-2yba6wLrdSrerBPkqgjEn9WeJDw5qL_WF_mamobt4pZhKY6SIcJ-aj6pE/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Zn7stih23_7nf1OmLre3tuC4Qn8XVdCDfao_Q0-tV2mW2ycSZxRiPJAz4h1rNiaSSCZf36hB251aL50R-2yba6wLrdSrerBPkqgjEn9WeJDw5qL_WF_mamobt4pZhKY6SIcJ-aj6pE/s400/IMG_6388.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love it just as much as I thought I would!</div>
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I think it would make great a great stocking stuffer.<br />
Just sayin'...</div>
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While I was melting the boys' crayon nubbins</div>
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to make <a href="http://christinahomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/01/upcycled-heart-crayons.html" target="_blank">new heart crayons</a> last week,</div>
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I decided to try some encaustic painting.</div>
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Okay, so technically encaustic painting uses</div>
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<i>bees wax</i> and <i>powdered pigment</i>,</div>
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but I figured that melted crayon wax</div>
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would make a fine substitute this time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJHG98vE0MZXHSxF4ic5c3dGrhrLARk6Ee9t0KzVSrIIBrHpV4Y1RZYtYI5eDoICVD0s3wDsdeSYgMrrlPhJ5I0s4J3TaSELY1C-TldV_hmPdX1lv31dbAQArjCT3Ict0db_Y-6fU51s/s1600/IMG_6519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJHG98vE0MZXHSxF4ic5c3dGrhrLARk6Ee9t0KzVSrIIBrHpV4Y1RZYtYI5eDoICVD0s3wDsdeSYgMrrlPhJ5I0s4J3TaSELY1C-TldV_hmPdX1lv31dbAQArjCT3Ict0db_Y-6fU51s/s400/IMG_6519.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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My first try turned out pretty cool!</div>
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Melted crayon wax is hard to work with,</div>
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but the texture is amazing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ngeG1siJv0radaHrQTEqjcCWEwcX6Ru2fgcclu-7tU7M9GYiOTFssSfGzfhQmewUJDaEu-w1ge1-cT7q1leIE9GXi0uVNUzMnynaN8_UE4H3rnPvcshyjUuQx4Q0VqlGX_zoLM3DOlQ/s1600/IMG_6525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ngeG1siJv0radaHrQTEqjcCWEwcX6Ru2fgcclu-7tU7M9GYiOTFssSfGzfhQmewUJDaEu-w1ge1-cT7q1leIE9GXi0uVNUzMnynaN8_UE4H3rnPvcshyjUuQx4Q0VqlGX_zoLM3DOlQ/s400/IMG_6525.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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My second try, well, lets just keep the </div>
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<i>brave</i> and<i> fun</i> concepts in mind</div>
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because it's sure not great art.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTndbWXv48lnuA62-cPAo-kist9uDTt7Rp-5qaIECqPpmasTerkPw0uDVvj4PpowsOpuU2W7pICtTPo_cks8tM96a18HJkndK-uWjmCwPUcVQbDvm-Yd6FwMVJh9cTPD3CXfv5whXGFw/s1600/IMG_6537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTndbWXv48lnuA62-cPAo-kist9uDTt7Rp-5qaIECqPpmasTerkPw0uDVvj4PpowsOpuU2W7pICtTPo_cks8tM96a18HJkndK-uWjmCwPUcVQbDvm-Yd6FwMVJh9cTPD3CXfv5whXGFw/s400/IMG_6537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For my third attempt I got a different paintbrush,</div>
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and it turned out pretty cool too.</div>
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And then there's this thing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjhsm3WucGj1UKhyphenhyphenKYoBWdYPgbWfbhz3IaZEn0XpfLoL7Tm2STRgXFXXC44MyzIgnrFvSrXeqfmvZcTbSen_M8jcnGTWy8Z-VS14NQdWI1uJwMbdxe6AQ7U7J4ZyM_wfTmXXeHyZV7oM/s1600/IMG_6551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjhsm3WucGj1UKhyphenhyphenKYoBWdYPgbWfbhz3IaZEn0XpfLoL7Tm2STRgXFXXC44MyzIgnrFvSrXeqfmvZcTbSen_M8jcnGTWy8Z-VS14NQdWI1uJwMbdxe6AQ7U7J4ZyM_wfTmXXeHyZV7oM/s400/IMG_6551.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I sat down with my pens to make a</div>
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"one thing at a time" doodle</div>
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while focusing and organizing my thoughts.</div>
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But <i>OF COURSE,</i></div>
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I didn't listen to my own advice</div>
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and jumped up to do something else.</div>
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When I came back, I discovered that my little Sweet Pea</div>
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had decided to edit my art.</div>
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Too funny.</div>
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I finished the words</div>
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and then added some of my own embellishments</div>
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around hers.<br />
<br />
linking up with Jen's <a href="http://jeremynjenprice.blogspot.com/2013/06/in-studio-yarn-balls.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Jeremynjenprice+%28jeremynjenprice%29" target="_blank">In the Studio</a> again today</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-50041256030661053902013-06-19T14:35:00.001-06:002013-06-19T17:32:55.304-06:00summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't really like summer.</div>
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Sure, there are <i>aspects</i> of summer that I love,</div>
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but the heat just sucks my life out.</div>
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Plus I have seasonal allergies,</div>
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and I never know what to cook when it's hot.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm trying to stay focused on the good things, though,</div>
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because life is so much nicer when you're not whining.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are some of the fun things we've been up to:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAP8KZdoydNGuEEnli2gayS8l3ebJxJ6za4vTRJIWPzy7xO_10xwYmQxhABG2-UNoIXjXpk8SMZ3EJeSWxqlx4fgAUJUJNcyMHUhYI9dQfSYxJdUrY9_Lkm1bKrYMlh6zkW0zdVXCR6E/s1600/IMG_6031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAP8KZdoydNGuEEnli2gayS8l3ebJxJ6za4vTRJIWPzy7xO_10xwYmQxhABG2-UNoIXjXpk8SMZ3EJeSWxqlx4fgAUJUJNcyMHUhYI9dQfSYxJdUrY9_Lkm1bKrYMlh6zkW0zdVXCR6E/s400/IMG_6031.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Little Man saved up his money and bought himself a new bike!</div>
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We're working on learning to ride without training wheels now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpuPpLaYS6gyv4VYNi_4PhNVnmIQ1D6cbgJCTudqgrAKWVD-R9yTon7t4xCio8w06xl1bpY2Ait4AsSWwDtBbPYd0f4Qdn4EbBUa9GmoT2HRggw2IDxWoyUlrzXZmjuELNkusA-XiZsQ/s1600/IMG_6099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpuPpLaYS6gyv4VYNi_4PhNVnmIQ1D6cbgJCTudqgrAKWVD-R9yTon7t4xCio8w06xl1bpY2Ait4AsSWwDtBbPYd0f4Qdn4EbBUa9GmoT2HRggw2IDxWoyUlrzXZmjuELNkusA-XiZsQ/s400/IMG_6099.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Their enjoyment of the kiddie pool is infectious!</div>
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The sprinkler is great too.</div>
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I take my turn running through it,</div>
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but there's no photographic evidence. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFc2HBLJTlIFhg6nrQs3qQg3Dzo6l5qVq-7XF5I4b3CtzkhOdEzIyRSYPu6AH6v6fu3V0170xiq-OMOv9XxsxlXY9mbZbrdLm_rq0Htuqbg_L9VVPt6FIW0aqcMFNnpbaFQ6oBU-apkI/s1600/IMG_6040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFc2HBLJTlIFhg6nrQs3qQg3Dzo6l5qVq-7XF5I4b3CtzkhOdEzIyRSYPu6AH6v6fu3V0170xiq-OMOv9XxsxlXY9mbZbrdLm_rq0Htuqbg_L9VVPt6FIW0aqcMFNnpbaFQ6oBU-apkI/s400/IMG_6040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our <a href="http://christinahomemaker.blogspot.com/2013/05/its-finally-getting-warm-in-montana.html" target="_blank">popsicle love</a> is still going strong.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfunJlNDZwst6K_OtnepMH0FBnoRZEGNln5WWIpQISZyBV_ocO7FirCPACAecnmaNoEPiPpq984bMpguHmX9mzoJMLKSHjMi-ZTRoc1v9mmYqzzubs1dJJ2KOu5h3smpZQ7zCmDBrxyM/s1600/IMG_6176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfunJlNDZwst6K_OtnepMH0FBnoRZEGNln5WWIpQISZyBV_ocO7FirCPACAecnmaNoEPiPpq984bMpguHmX9mzoJMLKSHjMi-ZTRoc1v9mmYqzzubs1dJJ2KOu5h3smpZQ7zCmDBrxyM/s400/IMG_6176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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left to right:</div>
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cherry lemonade</div>
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tropical trio (banana, pineapple, and coconut milk)</div>
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fruit-salad-sicles (bits of melon and strawberry in pineapple juice)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfvM9yLUznfo10txyQOfIaivgAXnLKso6IxCIlJqFQjymxVBIJSQYC_4DDECdJS6XPFGJk4CIm1vvsGhpRqHqMvYts2GbDS4SfWG1Ch0zK4RlzSAd61P1bJyO8igapCA0OFUUGGRJz0E/s1600/IMG_5948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfvM9yLUznfo10txyQOfIaivgAXnLKso6IxCIlJqFQjymxVBIJSQYC_4DDECdJS6XPFGJk4CIm1vvsGhpRqHqMvYts2GbDS4SfWG1Ch0zK4RlzSAd61P1bJyO8igapCA0OFUUGGRJz0E/s400/IMG_5948.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm having so much fun</div>
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learning as much as I can as fast as possible</div>
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about jewelry making.<br />
Now I just have to figure out how to take better pictures</div>
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of the stuff I make.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML0ne2Fr2tZX3CZAGZSX7CerfywXbiPJiEmP8_MihZB5bf6nEhpwQUgelmhPROpnsf1FTMn-1nO2cnwNusYWPtWwpuYfknaXA2qc3NQoFpgB_jXq9BdNtZvIoE_5eksCMFg44k4LZ0_Y/s1600/IMG_6373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML0ne2Fr2tZX3CZAGZSX7CerfywXbiPJiEmP8_MihZB5bf6nEhpwQUgelmhPROpnsf1FTMn-1nO2cnwNusYWPtWwpuYfknaXA2qc3NQoFpgB_jXq9BdNtZvIoE_5eksCMFg44k4LZ0_Y/s400/IMG_6373.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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sweet tea</div>
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(Who says mugs have to be reserved for the hot liquids.</div>
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I heart my mug collection all year long.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn3tjroybVerqnR1McgupcGl2IEUNuUjw7zEZQXvWwuxKbmnNXxZNnT1btHk5wI_aqQT4agyNXhTxU41oHYij24VAyLI4eR0KmgXkRT_Eo9gtEw5hIhycMROhRYFmilMntt_3IH0ikTA/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn3tjroybVerqnR1McgupcGl2IEUNuUjw7zEZQXvWwuxKbmnNXxZNnT1btHk5wI_aqQT4agyNXhTxU41oHYij24VAyLI4eR0KmgXkRT_Eo9gtEw5hIhycMROhRYFmilMntt_3IH0ikTA/s400/IMG_6391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We're seeing how far we can get through the Little House series</div>
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for the summer library reading program.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B0tYiujXNfu7aHQS4hlzjm9LAX90kXIiNYIglQIyuQLlfjI7i2FXEe4-E4Jo-ZFAeWtIiQYe_UyMzGD8ssV0Y54HcKQUWSgTycAx704Cj6IdWY21iLaUBTj8lTdkXycnRZIDdvBM4FQ/s1600/IMG_6540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B0tYiujXNfu7aHQS4hlzjm9LAX90kXIiNYIglQIyuQLlfjI7i2FXEe4-E4Jo-ZFAeWtIiQYe_UyMzGD8ssV0Y54HcKQUWSgTycAx704Cj6IdWY21iLaUBTj8lTdkXycnRZIDdvBM4FQ/s400/IMG_6540.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was that time again.</div>
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Time to upcycle the dirty, broken crayon bits</div>
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into bright, fresh <a href="http://christinahomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/01/upcycled-heart-crayons.html" target="_blank">heart crayons</a>.</div>
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Not pictured:</div>
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Planting flowers</div>
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Date nights with Ben</div>
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(Motorcycle ride and a picnic with a view! Also Star Trek.)</div>
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Dairy Queen</div>
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Vanquishing organizing projects</div>
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and completely rethinking my laundry system.</div>
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(Both much more fun after the fact.)</div>
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Road trip to Washington with Mum and the kids.</div>
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Enrolling Little Man in school</div>
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Autumn vacation planning</div>
<!--3-->Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645173682688120747.post-46125797556195979182013-06-14T15:02:00.002-06:002013-06-14T15:04:19.582-06:00Father's Day art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Backstory:</div>
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A couple of years ago</div>
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my dad was driving home late at night</div>
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when he plowed into a full-grown moose at 70 miles per hour.</div>
Miraculously, he walked away from the wreckage.<br />
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Since then we have had some fun</div>
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giving him all sorts of moose themed gifts.</div>
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It's part joke, but deeper down it's a reminder</div>
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that life is short and God is good</div>
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and that we should make the most of the time we have.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here and now:</div>
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Last Tuesday</div>
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I randomly flipped through a vintage book</div>
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that I had stashed for future projects,</div>
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and I found a section about moose</div>
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which even included a cool moose picture.</div>
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Inspiration struck,</div>
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and in no time I found myself making the some father's day art</div>
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instead of working on laundry. : )</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGviu-J_nDFxmhiDM8LmsUxw7Qp_bNjkRFMfmxYtdtwadHUh5RtMhEKbcV3JTvTNTxGWElzhPYKszOE5G3puGRfVsEaEQnocGv_N21NB8rBwcOfi6scK2EKB_BT4MP0iFOvfptI_o7qI/s1600/IMG_6179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGviu-J_nDFxmhiDM8LmsUxw7Qp_bNjkRFMfmxYtdtwadHUh5RtMhEKbcV3JTvTNTxGWElzhPYKszOE5G3puGRfVsEaEQnocGv_N21NB8rBwcOfi6scK2EKB_BT4MP0iFOvfptI_o7qI/s400/IMG_6179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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made from layers of</div>
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scrapbook papers, vintage book page and moose illustration,</div>
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watercolors, my own calligraphy, and thread.</div>
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It's not a traditional card,</div>
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just a flat piece of art with a not written on the back.</div>
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He'll love it, though.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Linking up with the fabulous <a href="http://jeremynjenprice.blogspot.com/2013/06/in-studio-homemade-cream-sodas.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Jeremynjenprice+%28jeremynjenprice%29" target="_blank">in the studio</a> group</div>
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for the first time in <i>way</i> too long.</div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06387755027721718430noreply@blogger.com4