tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13675499468878639832024-03-12T18:04:25.233-06:00These Are The Days To RememberJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-78349420538381994932012-06-30T01:48:00.000-06:002012-06-30T01:58:22.712-06:00FORTY, Fabulous and FINALLY Over the Hill!In celebration of my birthday, I thought I'd do something I rarely do. Be in a picture! I'm so much more comfortable behind the camera, not in front of it. I guess it's not too intimidating when you hand the camera to your 11 year old son and direct him how to take your picture. I've always said that my hair is my best feature! Let me show you why!<br />
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Ya see? I knew you'd agree! <br />
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So many things are bashing around in my brain right now that I'm not sure how to organize them enough to write about them. It doesn't help that I'm not an eloquent writer, but there are a few things I want to convey today, on my 40th birthday. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(OK, technically it's over, but I haven't gone to bed yet!)</span><br />
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I've been anticipating this day for a whole year. I wasn't too sure about how I would feel turning 40, but I've spent a lot of time contemplating about the things I've accomplished, the trials and bumps in the road that have set me back a bit and the person I've become in the last 4 decades. While doing so, a high school friend of mine, posted <a href="http://tofw.com/story/423-what-the-bible-says-about-turning-40" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">this article</span></a> on her Facebook page. I read it and it just made perfect sense to me! It really summed up my feelings and attitude about my upcoming 40th birthday. I LOVE how, at the end, she says, <br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">"It is simply because, through the marvelous gift and power of prayer, I am discovering I have been prepared to be EXACTLY where the Lord knew I'd be... </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">...because He's been preparing me, for forty years, to be right where I am. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">And I believe He's been preparing me for the fulfillment of promises. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">His Promises. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">How could I possibly ask for anything more?"</span><br />
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Really, could that be any more PERFECT? Not for me!<br />
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I've had a rough patch these last 7 years with my health. That's a looooong time to feel so rotten. In the end, it was nothing super serious, but it was life altering. It took me from a very active lifestyle, healthy in every way, to a very sedintary, only-do-what-you-abosolutely-have-to-do-to-get-by life style. It was SO HARD. Incredibly challenging; physically, mentally and emotionally. I had 4 babies and a husband to take care of on a daily basis. I was running a full time daycare out of my home for wonderful families who I grew to love like my own family. I had things to do. I didn't have time to hurt and be sick. <br />
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I've blogged a little about the dibilitating headaches and dizzy spells that I lived with on a constant basis. No relief EVER. Dealt with it 24/7 for 7 years! Had test after test after test done, only to be told that everything looked healthy and normal. WHY then, was I feeling like CRAP? As I stared and cried at myself in the mirror, 80 lbs heavier than I've ever been and high blood pressure, I just resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to live with this chronic pain for the rest of my life. What more could I do? I felt like I had done my part to find the problem. But nothing ever came of it. I felt so hopeless so much of the time. And then, out of the blue, because of my daughters first bout with her genetically inherited back pain, a miracle happened! A miracle long prayed for and probably not so patiently waited for. I refused to let her deal with her back pain like Meister has his whole life. I wanted to know what was going on and what was causing it. I did not want her suffering chronic pain like I was having to endure. Like her daddy has had to endure. I trusted my instinct and took her to our bishop, who is a chiropractor. As I listened to him tell me exactly what was wrong with her and that it could be fixed, I was so incredibly grateful. As we began her therapy with him and as I went to appointment after appointment, I began to realize that my very own body had been SCREAMING at me for a long while. I had all kinds of aches and pains that I never paid much attention to until then. I suddenly realized that so much of what I was dealing with could be aleviated through chiropractic care. I dove into that treatment as fast I could! As we looked at x-rays togehter, I was told that a childhood injury to my neck, resulting in torn ligaments and jammed vertabrae, was likely the cause of my headaches and dizzy spells. I left his office that day, after one adjustment, and had never felt lighter! I joked with him at my second appointment about how I felt like he had decapitated me! THE PAIN WAS GONE! For the first time in 7 years!!! I really didn't know what to do with myself. I cried. That's what I always do. All I needed all this time was a simple adjustment???! WOW! WHY didn't any of my doctor's suggest a visit to the chiropractor? Needless to say, I've become a huge advocate. I try to share my experience with others so that they don't have to suffer as long as I did. <br />
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Now here I am, 6 months into chiropractic therapy, feeling better than I have in a long time! Being able to be active again has been so liberating! It feels great. But I still have my moments when I look at myself in the mirror and all the weight I gained from being so sedintary. From when I could hardly stand to make my family dinner or put laundry in the washer and dryer. Sometimes I think that I'm just meant to be obese forever and that I'm never going to get it all off. <br />
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On one of those really bad days, feeling so down and frustrated, I was once again inspired by my high school friend. She posted another article on Facebook, meant just for me on that day. You've got to read it! Hurry, click <a href="http://powerofmoms.com/2011/06/mastering-the-art-of-starting-over/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">here</span></a>! It was just what I needed to hear. The motivation to keep doing what I'm doing and to ease back into physical activity. It took 7 years to put on and it just might take that long to take off, but here I am! Ready and willing to master the art of starting over! <br />
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I know that I have been been prepared to be right where I am today! I am so happy to be 40 and on my way to the best years of my life! What a wonderful birthday it's been! That hill was a dang hard one to climb! I'm so glad to FINALLY be over it!<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-8959073966387785642012-04-08T18:33:00.004-06:002012-04-08T18:40:45.972-06:00Easter WeekendGrandma and Grandpa's easter egg hunt was a success and fun was had by all!<br />
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The itty bitty's had plenty of eggs to fill their baskets.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had two birthdays that we were also celebrating. Aunt Vee, just turned a ripe 29. I guess the "5" and the "0" candles were all grandma had in her cupboard!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmsDZDBW-Kc/T4ImB8gPubI/AAAAAAAABpc/lKSHB2z8VWg/s1600/IMG_8700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmsDZDBW-Kc/T4ImB8gPubI/AAAAAAAABpc/lKSHB2z8VWg/s400/IMG_8700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And little Elsie Bean turned 2. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mE1lZkMu1o0/T4ImbQfXz7I/AAAAAAAABpk/-Nu8QeAC-Yo/s1600/IMG_8805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mE1lZkMu1o0/T4ImbQfXz7I/AAAAAAAABpk/-Nu8QeAC-Yo/s400/IMG_8805.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a perfect day! The weather was BEAUTIFUL (for once) and we enjoyed the entire afternoon in the glorious sunshine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jqsiEriVjM/T4InZ4Z2e7I/AAAAAAAABp0/Awh2jdWbTZ8/s1600/IMG_8772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jqsiEriVjM/T4InZ4Z2e7I/AAAAAAAABp0/Awh2jdWbTZ8/s400/IMG_8772.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81oMNHVxhA0/T4IpJkGGdwI/AAAAAAAABqM/_DpxQJ2tlss/s1600/IMG_8788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81oMNHVxhA0/T4IpJkGGdwI/AAAAAAAABqM/_DpxQJ2tlss/s400/IMG_8788.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xN8Tq_m11_c/T4IpcaP_NHI/AAAAAAAABqU/FnHt471yHgM/s1600/IMG_8850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xN8Tq_m11_c/T4IpcaP_NHI/AAAAAAAABqU/FnHt471yHgM/s400/IMG_8850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emily decided it would be funny to tease Austin and Todd and steal their stuff, but they were in hot pursuit to get it back!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azAne1P23RA/T4InEIYHo9I/AAAAAAAABps/l0IRK2-s76E/s1600/IMG_8656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azAne1P23RA/T4InEIYHo9I/AAAAAAAABps/l0IRK2-s76E/s400/IMG_8656.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grandpa's GARGANTOUS <span style="font-size: x-small;">(i DO use that word a lot)</span> garden has it's first peas sprouts already! Oh, the deliciousness that comes from this dirt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EmYa4X17klE/T4IqpFfV8cI/AAAAAAAABqk/Em2oOilPiX4/s1600/IMG_8789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EmYa4X17klE/T4IqpFfV8cI/AAAAAAAABqk/Em2oOilPiX4/s400/IMG_8789.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks, grandma and grandpa for another fun day! We LOVE you lots!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3zF7doF9ww/T4IrNvgVAaI/AAAAAAAABqs/ZODJ3O8eu6U/s1600/IMG_8775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3zF7doF9ww/T4IrNvgVAaI/AAAAAAAABqs/ZODJ3O8eu6U/s400/IMG_8775.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After church this morning, I took the kids for a stroll at Daybreak Lake. Another GORGEOUS day to enjoy the warmth of the sun and the beauty that surrounds me. I love to reflect on how blessed my life is when I find myself marveling at the wind blowing my hair, the beautiful flowers and all their color, the sound of seagulls flying nearby and trickling water through the creek. I truly have been given much! I know that my Savior lives, that he knows me and that he loves me. It's been a good day. A GOOD, GOOD day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are 4 of my GREATEST BLESSINGS.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rFwcmdh8Iv4/T4ItXHVdBkI/AAAAAAAABq8/--LmPTsa8Fs/s1600/IMG_8964a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rFwcmdh8Iv4/T4ItXHVdBkI/AAAAAAAABq8/--LmPTsa8Fs/s400/IMG_8964a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x9FfT9eV00/T4IuEetGqcI/AAAAAAAABrU/JaFdP9fSLJc/s1600/IMG_8973a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x9FfT9eV00/T4IuEetGqcI/AAAAAAAABrU/JaFdP9fSLJc/s400/IMG_8973a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSCg7ItRHac/T4ItnGCYtPI/AAAAAAAABrE/HdN3WYZ86n8/s1600/IMG_9020a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSCg7ItRHac/T4ItnGCYtPI/AAAAAAAABrE/HdN3WYZ86n8/s400/IMG_9020a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HAPPY EASTER! I hope your day has been as wonderful as mine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-48481904337508870192012-04-07T00:27:00.002-06:002012-04-07T00:36:10.264-06:00Rice Krispie CarrotsJust gettin' ready for Grandma and Grandpa Myrick's annual easter egg hunt tomorrow and thought I'd make all the little bunny rabbits that will be there a fun little treat.<br />
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First you make a GARGANTUOUS <span style="font-size: x-small;">(yes, that's a real word in my house)</span> bowl of rice krispie treats. But make sure you add orange food coloring to the melted marshmallows before you dump them in the rice krispies. Oh, and you have to make sure you have some of these awesome Wilton decorating bags, too.<br />
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Then you take a butter knife and jam a tiny amount down into the very tip of the bag, as far down as you can get it to go. Continue to spoon rice krispies into the bag, forming and compressing it as you go. I actually found that it was much easier to use the knife, than the spoon, to put it in the bag. It was easier to get it in that way. The spoon held onto the sticky mixture too well.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then you tie your bag off with some green curly ribbon and VIOLA! You're done and have a bunch of cute, sweet, crunchy, ooey, gooey carrots! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0DPCJXZYQ0/T3_dv849XfI/AAAAAAAABos/A7DZffi7HBo/s1600/IMG_8601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0DPCJXZYQ0/T3_dv849XfI/AAAAAAAABos/A7DZffi7HBo/s400/IMG_8601.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">P.S. If you really want to make these but don't have the time (or patience) for this sticky mess, you can fill the bags with cheetos. Crunchy ones work best because they're smaller than the puffs.</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-88956723524459402622012-03-22T08:27:00.000-06:002012-03-22T08:27:03.120-06:00Happy SpringWell hello there! It's been a long few months since I made a post. For a couple of reasons. #1) My life really isn't that exciting. #2) I got bored with my blog and decided to ignore it for a while. That's it. Nothing major happend. I just got bored.<br />
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I just have to say that I'm so HAPPY it's SPRING!!! I'm really looking forward to warmer temps and the happy sunshine! I really can't complain about this past winter though. It was a very mild one. I'm just ready to be outside.<br />
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As usual, the weather here is what I like to call bi-polar. This is what our first day of spring looked like. I was 70 degrees the day before, and now, two days later, we're back up to 70. Guess Jack Frost just needed to shake things up a little.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITicauWd7bM/T2s2QUW1S6I/AAAAAAAABoU/XtSK7-zFSrU/s1600/IMG_8498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITicauWd7bM/T2s2QUW1S6I/AAAAAAAABoU/XtSK7-zFSrU/s400/IMG_8498.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-56137471789297153472011-11-18T02:12:00.001-07:002011-11-18T02:15:47.324-07:00I'll Conquer The BeastThis is how the evening started off. Happy, positive, excited, with christmas music playing on the stereo, I was ready to conquer the skinny pencil tree. The bottom half was done; the fattest part. How hard could the rest be right?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It wasn't so bad. Am I mad that I have to restring this tree? Eh, not really. I knew this one had to be done. I was prepared mentally! And then.....just as I was falling into my groove, half of the brand new freakin' string that I had just put on the tree, went out! LIVID! I was LIVID! Sitting and staring at them didn't make them come back on. So I sat and fretted for a long while instead. I think those furrows in my forhead are going to be permanant. Dangit! So much for the compliment I was paid today. Whilst at the ENT, I was told that I don't look like I could have a 15 year old! That audiologist made my day! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Maybe she needs her eyes checked)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0SfqoxBE1I/TsYbvoonjwI/AAAAAAAABns/_wOb5_rV1gc/s1600/IMG_6072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0SfqoxBE1I/TsYbvoonjwI/AAAAAAAABns/_wOb5_rV1gc/s400/IMG_6072.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tore that string off and perservered, and alas, I did CONQUER the beast!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jXswmQ_f7Vo/TsYdZna1ckI/AAAAAAAABn0/y_Vzu9-Biw0/s1600/IMG_6076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jXswmQ_f7Vo/TsYdZna1ckI/AAAAAAAABn0/y_Vzu9-Biw0/s400/IMG_6076.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, shut up! I see the branch RIGHT OUT IN FRONT that I missed. Don't take the wind out of my sails. I'll cover it up when I decorate it! FLIP! It's always somethin'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can't wait to decorate it in the morning! I'm tired. It's 1:57 in the blessed A.M. I'm going to bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-hXld_qTDE/TsYg_XbbBiI/AAAAAAAABoE/5mJdFX944rQ/s1600/IMG_6088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-hXld_qTDE/TsYg_XbbBiI/AAAAAAAABoE/5mJdFX944rQ/s400/IMG_6088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-88038047399584230162011-11-17T14:47:00.001-07:002011-11-17T15:53:57.120-07:00Christmas HATES Me This YearYou see people, THIS is why I start decorating the second week of November.<br />
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A <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2 year old pre-lit)</span> tree that won't light on one side. Oh wait, IT DOESN'T LIGHT AT ALL!<br />
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Banister garland that's only half lit. Entryway garland that's only HALF lit. ANOTHER tree that's only freaking half lit!!!! C'MON! <em>WHATARETHEODDS</em>??!??!?!! This is not funny.<br />
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THANK HEAVEN for a VERY patient, sweet Meister that is going through LIGHT by freaking LIGHT with his meter to fix them for me. So far, he's come to the conclusion that the copper wire has tarnished and it's breaking the electrical circuit. Lovely. But that doesn't mean that all of the lights are bad. It could only be one or two. But give up and buy new? Oh, NEVER! That's not Meister's style. He'll fix it before he forks out money to buy a new one. He made a little probe that allows him to quickly (relatively, anyway) check to see if the light is still good. When he finds a bad one, he sands the wires with fine sandpaper to make the wire shiny and new! He's the epitome of fix it up, wear it out, make it work or do without!! We save SO MUCH MONEY because of him. I sure do love eem.<br />
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I have headache. HMPF. Maybe I won't be decorated before Thanksgiving afterall.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-30812536012772847302011-11-07T09:58:00.005-07:002011-11-07T10:13:38.810-07:00You Are Go For TLITrans Lunar Injection, to be exact.<br />
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Many, many months ago (April, to be exact), Meister embarked on a mission to build the boys a "basic" spaceship to play in, in the backyard. HA!! Basic, my big, fat, cottage cheese butt. ;) Meister doesn't do "basic". I knew the second he started cutting wood that it wouldn't be basic. Let me show you what I mean. <br />
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Starting with plywood, recycled from the playhouse he built for the kids when they were little, he cut and put together his basic shape of the descent stage of the Lunar Module, used during the Apollo space era that took men to the moon. Yes, my boys are obsessed!! But you already know that. ;)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there, he was just going to do an easy, boxy top, aka ascent stage. You know, just something to put on top that they could stand inside of. But Meister being the perfectionist he is just couldn't settle for something boxy. I honestly have no idea what that "boxy" top even looked like in his head because he completely abandoned that idea before he ever tried to build it. Instead, he came up with this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf5FB-geq1U/TrgBojTLlUI/AAAAAAAABjg/oWozANxgLAY/s1600/LM+collage+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf5FB-geq1U/TrgBojTLlUI/AAAAAAAABjg/oWozANxgLAY/s400/LM+collage+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTwYx1u9J9k/Trf68l-80HI/AAAAAAAABjQ/3yk43NfFk94/s1600/IMG_0284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTwYx1u9J9k/Trf68l-80HI/AAAAAAAABjQ/3yk43NfFk94/s400/IMG_0284.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izgawYQbaJI/Trf-rid6FNI/AAAAAAAABjY/LU9CAMwqqLc/s1600/LM+collage+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izgawYQbaJI/Trf-rid6FNI/AAAAAAAABjY/LU9CAMwqqLc/s400/LM+collage+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basic? What's basic about this? I was blown away! But alas, the boys had their "basic", as defined by daddy, spaceship. They were so excited to play on it. But WAIT! (Insert sounds of a screeching halt here) Meister said he wanted to make just a few changes and add a little detail that would only take a little bit of time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He completely disassembled it and spent endless hour upon hour tweaking and adding to this amazing space craft.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg5jK2cTChY/TrgEIpMS6WI/AAAAAAAABjo/-HcjEzEeJpM/s1600/LM+collage+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg5jK2cTChY/TrgEIpMS6WI/AAAAAAAABjo/-HcjEzEeJpM/s400/LM+collage+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ2tn_UXUZI/TrgEqoohr5I/AAAAAAAABjw/zzcfDNQRKCo/s1600/IMG_9749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ2tn_UXUZI/TrgEqoohr5I/AAAAAAAABjw/zzcfDNQRKCo/s400/IMG_9749.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jr8oN4JX1c0/TrgGeQOR3lI/AAAAAAAABj4/EQDEfnanwrc/s1600/LM+collage+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jr8oN4JX1c0/TrgGeQOR3lI/AAAAAAAABj4/EQDEfnanwrc/s400/LM+collage+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zku-SFohTLk/TrgHWjXj2pI/AAAAAAAABkA/s0LHrNBZAj8/s1600/IMG_5085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zku-SFohTLk/TrgHWjXj2pI/AAAAAAAABkA/s0LHrNBZAj8/s400/IMG_5085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't even begin to add up how many hours and sleepless nights Meister spent on this little project of his. SO much love and excitement went in to building this Lunar Module for the boys. This is most definitely his magnum opus! Watching him watch the boys makes my heart swell and brings tears to my eyes. He is such a great daddy! He loves us so much and it shows in all things he does for us on a daily basis. I LOVE you, Meister. Thank you for being such a great daddy and wonderful husband.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17LSy4pNXGs/TrgJCePllmI/AAAAAAAABkI/_IC9wM4bv5A/s1600/IMG_5752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17LSy4pNXGs/TrgJCePllmI/AAAAAAAABkI/_IC9wM4bv5A/s400/IMG_5752.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrOUd4bfkCo/TrgQFL4M01I/AAAAAAAABlA/x92arhP9iiI/s1600/IMG_5756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrOUd4bfkCo/TrgQFL4M01I/AAAAAAAABlA/x92arhP9iiI/s400/IMG_5756.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BFM5fgow4Ro/TrgJZpZhSxI/AAAAAAAABkY/zOKqhA7gZ54/s1600/IMG_5767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BFM5fgow4Ro/TrgJZpZhSxI/AAAAAAAABkY/zOKqhA7gZ54/s400/IMG_5767.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWqoGpZqROQ/TrgQV8K5PJI/AAAAAAAABlI/93sTfQHeVcs/s1600/IMG_5768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWqoGpZqROQ/TrgQV8K5PJI/AAAAAAAABlI/93sTfQHeVcs/s400/IMG_5768.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFzTHU2zND0/TrgQbIxpQSI/AAAAAAAABlQ/mvbJ73RTQ2Q/s1600/IMG_5769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFzTHU2zND0/TrgQbIxpQSI/AAAAAAAABlQ/mvbJ73RTQ2Q/s400/IMG_5769.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfoYVq0ByoE/TrgQoswEqVI/AAAAAAAABlY/zsaEYCQNpe4/s1600/IMG_5777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfoYVq0ByoE/TrgQoswEqVI/AAAAAAAABlY/zsaEYCQNpe4/s400/IMG_5777.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Although he still has a few antenna dishes and thrusters to add, I'd say his replica is pretty dang AWESOME!! My jaw still drops in awe of this fun spacecraft he built with so much LOVE!<br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-36546928035279033312011-11-06T19:32:00.001-07:002011-11-06T19:38:20.240-07:00Special WeekendAnother milestone has been hit by my baby boy. Every time this happens, I cry a little. OK, maybe a lot. He turned 8 on Friday and was baptized on Saturday. He's growing at a very rapid rate and has lost his little boy look all of a sudden. How is this possible? He's a good sport about being called my baby and indulges my want to cuddle with him. He'll even let me sing Rock A Bye Baby to him every now and again....even still. And when I do, my heart sings. Most of the time, tears flood my eyes and my emotions betray me. <br />
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From the time he was a newborn until he hit about 4 1/2, it was part of my night time ritual to hold him tight, by his bed, and sing that song to him. Without fail, his eyes would get heavy and he'd drift off to sleep to the sound of my lullaby in his ear. As he got a little older and began to fight nap time, despite being obviously tired, I'd hold him and start singing. He'd try soooo hard to keep his eyes open, but to no avail. I was able to lull him to sleep every time!!! I LOVE that memory of him. It so fun to think back to those days.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Daddy baptized him</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QYVZZ78g_sw/TrdBH832BFI/AAAAAAAABiw/BSn-vlBZ1LM/s1600/IMG_5809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QYVZZ78g_sw/TrdBH832BFI/AAAAAAAABiw/BSn-vlBZ1LM/s400/IMG_5809.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Landon's one request for his baptism was that his big brother confirm him. I have no idea where he got the idea from, but it's something he really wanted and was very important to him. We're so grateful that he was able to take time from his busy class schedule from BYU-I to come down and make Landon's day extra special.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_7--0I02ahw/TrdBohCeMNI/AAAAAAAABi4/LL5h6YLYaPM/s1600/IMG_5810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_7--0I02ahw/TrdBohCeMNI/AAAAAAAABi4/LL5h6YLYaPM/s400/IMG_5810.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Landon's Great Grandma was also able to here. She's lived far away, in Alaska, for a long time and when she finally moved back, she decided to go on a mission. She recently returned from her mission in Las Vegas and was over joyed to be able to attend such an awesome family event. We love her very much and are grateful she's finally home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She was so sweet to accept my request to give the Holy Ghost talk during the baptism. One of our favorite memories is that she kept calling Landon, Dylan, during her talk. No matter how many times we corrected her or how hard she tried to remember, she kept calling him by the wrong name. She told me that she was picturing the right little boy in her head, but his name kept coming out wrong. We got some good laughs. She's our very special GRANDMA GREAT!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LkM66eaJvA/TrdC2JXXh9I/AAAAAAAABjA/70pc2nd4bgs/s1600/IMG_5815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LkM66eaJvA/TrdC2JXXh9I/AAAAAAAABjA/70pc2nd4bgs/s400/IMG_5815.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you so much to all our family and friends that came out to support Landon on his special day! Even those of you who couldn't make it and were there in spirit! We love you all very much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-55840343283457496252011-11-03T11:00:00.002-06:002011-11-03T11:07:22.989-06:00Fondant TutorialMy brain is having a hard time wrapping around the fact that Halloween has come and gone and Thanksgiving is on it's way. Nonetheless, it's that time of year again. Time to make fondant for our hand dipped chocolates. This has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember. My mom's whole family would congregate at our house and make fondant and dip chocolates all together. I will never forget how exciting and fun it was. I remember the atmosphere of Christmas and the smell of the cooking fondant. Such fun, fond memories! Now, as my sisters and I carry on the tradition with our own children, I hear them talk about how much they love candy making time! They gather round for their chance at eating the candy off the wooden spoon and spatulas! I have no doubt that their memories will be just as fond as mine are when they get older. That makes my heart so happy.<br />
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I have a very sweet, loving, PATIENT aunt, who lives far away in Washington, and can't be here to make fondant with us. She has been asking me for 2 years now for my recipe and every year I get busy and forget to send it to her. Not this year baby! Not only is she getting the recipe, she's getting a full blown tutorial. I hope this makes it easy for you to follow, Ronna. And anyone else who wants to give it a whirl. ;)<br />
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Before you get started, make sure your kitchen is cool. I keep mine around 65-70 degrees. If you need to, crack a window.<br />
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Here's what you'll need to start:<br />
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Sugar, milk, HEAVY whipping cream, light corn syrup, butter (NOT margarine), a decent candy thermometer, and not pictured, a heavy pan. I'm so sorry, but have no idea what a "heavy" pan is made of, but to put it in simple terms, use a pressure cooker pan without the lid. You can't use a cheap aluminum, non-stick or stainless steel. The outcome of the fondant never works. I don't know why. If you don't have one, go to your local thrift store (DI, Goodwill) and see if you can find one. That's what I did. It was only $3. You'll also need, that I didn't take a picture of, 2 wooden spoons, measuring spoons and a flat ended spatula. (Man, you can tell I'm not a good tutorial maker) <br />
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Flavor extracts of your choice, crushed maraschino cherries and coconut are optional, but highly recommended.<br />
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For those of you thinking, "EW. Maraschino cherries!!?!!?", they're mostly for color and texture in the fondant. IF you are using them, you need to prepare them days in advance. You can buy them I have, already minced into tiny pieces, but if you can't find them like that, just buy a bottle from the grocery store and chop them in a food processor. I have a little tiny one that I use. Or you can do it with a food chopper or knife. Just make sure they're very chopped. You'll need one bottle or 1/4 cup out of a big jar like mine, for one batch of fondant. I'm sorry I don't have pictures of this part, but I haven't done my cherry fondant yet. Put a doubled paper towel on a plate and spread the minced cherries out on it. Take paper towels and put over the top of the cherries, sopping up all the liquid that you can. This takes several paper towels. I apply pressure with my hands to get every little bit of juice out that I possibly can. Then I leave them out on the counter for 2 or 3 days to dry. I'm not sure how humidity will affect this process. Just make sure they're dry as possible. I think a little bit of moisture in them would be OK, but you really don't want any as it will alter the consistency of the fondant and will make it hard to roll into balls and dip in chocolate.<br />
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Parchment paper and foil<br />
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OK, now that you have your ingredients, here's the recipe.<br />
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3 c. sugar<br />
1 c. heavy whipping cream (Make sure it's HEAVY)<br />
1/4 c. milk (at least 2 %)<br />
2 T. butter<br />
2 T. corn syrup<br />
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Put the heavy cream, milk, butter and sugar in your pan. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turn your burner on to medium heat. Stir to combine and put the thermometer in the pan, making sure that the bulb of the thermometer is not touching the bottom of the pan. You want the temp of the candy, not the temp of the pan! Over or under cooking this is not an option! Pull up a stool, you are going to stir this CONSTANTLY until it comes to a boil. Make sure you DO NOT scrape the sides of the pan. Doing so will make the fondant crystallize. Just stir, stir, stir in the middle of the pan. It's tedious, but necessary.</div><br />
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When the fondant starts to boil, stop stirring and take the spoon out. Add 2 T. of corn syrup. Don't stir it in, just let the boil action do it for you.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Now it's just a waiting game. Watch your thermometer closely and cook the fondant to 226 degrees. No more, no less!! When it reaches temp, turn your heat off and take your pan to the marble slab.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQlZVGvR6GA/TrKtDaZFe_I/AAAAAAAABco/kJv3HXIxVH4/s1600/IMG_5609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQlZVGvR6GA/TrKtDaZFe_I/AAAAAAAABco/kJv3HXIxVH4/s400/IMG_5609.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">VEEEEERY slowly pour the hot contents of your pan onto the cool marble slab. The slower you pour, the better. You DO NOT want it to run over the sides of the slab.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQfVfk9NTjo/TrKvV2_iZ7I/AAAAAAAABc4/mWbO6fNvRy8/s1600/IMG_5613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dQfVfk9NTjo/TrKvV2_iZ7I/AAAAAAAABc4/mWbO6fNvRy8/s400/IMG_5613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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IF you pour a little to quickly, be ready with your flat ended spatula and scrape it back as much as you need to until it quits running. Although there are two people in this picture, it really isn't a two person job. We were just teaching our AWESOME sister-in-law how to make it. It was her first time and she was a little nervous.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now your fondant has to cool. Another wait time. Don't go too far though. You don't want it to get cold. To see if your fondant is ready to stir, poke it a few times, in the center, with your finger. If the fingerprint fills in, it's still to warm. If the finger print holds (it my fill in a little bit, but not all the way), it's time to start stirring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UliV5vdZ6X8/TrKy0ddRRlI/AAAAAAAABdg/bmGaacgl-z4/s1600/IMG_5618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UliV5vdZ6X8/TrKy0ddRRlI/AAAAAAAABdg/bmGaacgl-z4/s400/IMG_5618.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXta8Idu2Sg/TrKy7qu7qgI/AAAAAAAABdo/jhHjodQNzHg/s1600/IMG_5619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXta8Idu2Sg/TrKy7qu7qgI/AAAAAAAABdo/jhHjodQNzHg/s400/IMG_5619.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before you stir it, scrape the fondant into the middle of the slab with your spatula. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQiU5TqoaMs/TrKzWqayN4I/AAAAAAAABdw/sa0oghL5Q9M/s1600/IMG_5620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQiU5TqoaMs/TrKzWqayN4I/AAAAAAAABdw/sa0oghL5Q9M/s320/IMG_5620.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Take your second wooden spoon and scrape the fondant off the spatula.<br />
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Once it's all gathered, start stirring! You'll want to hear air bubbles popping as you stir to cool if down. It won't always pop, just at the beginning.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Keep stirring.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9cbZ-xicjDo/TrK0omWs9WI/AAAAAAAABeQ/k8vWZhXdwI8/s1600/IMG_5626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9cbZ-xicjDo/TrK0omWs9WI/AAAAAAAABeQ/k8vWZhXdwI8/s320/IMG_5626.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and stirring. As you stir, it will spread out again. Gather it with the spatula into the center of the slab again and keep stirring. You'll have to stir, gather; stir, gather; stir, gather quite a bit. Stirring takes a while. At this stage, I've had the butter start to separate. Typically, you don't want that to happen, but if it does, it's not necessarily a lost cause, but it MIGHT be. Just keep stirring and see if it comes back together. If you can't get it back together, throw it away and start over. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1gADNtK3H0/TrK0tYxfvWI/AAAAAAAABeY/k-CNicIR95I/s1600/IMG_5627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1gADNtK3H0/TrK0tYxfvWI/AAAAAAAABeY/k-CNicIR95I/s320/IMG_5627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you're stirring, watch the fondant closely. When it starts turning opaque and begins to lose it's shine, stop stirring and add 2 cap fulls of the flavor you choose. If you're doing vanilla or coconut, don't add food coloring. Any other flavor, add the appropriate food color. You will also add any other ingredients at this point; cherries, coconut, chopped almonds, walnuts. pecans or whatever else you may want to add. You'll want to work fast because it's going to set up as you stir. Sometimes it happens really fast and other times you have to stir for a bit longer. I really have no idea what makes the difference.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OiVnMyhnO6w/TrK87ejEyQI/AAAAAAAABeg/HOvXNRalVp0/s1600/IMG_5630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OiVnMyhnO6w/TrK87ejEyQI/AAAAAAAABeg/HOvXNRalVp0/s400/IMG_5630.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCid4t4BSKg/TrK9DGBxfcI/AAAAAAAABeo/deOyYqgesc4/s1600/IMG_5633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCid4t4BSKg/TrK9DGBxfcI/AAAAAAAABeo/deOyYqgesc4/s400/IMG_5633.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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This is what it should look like when it's done. It will be thick and creamy and will hold it's form. IF it happens to be crumbly, it will still work. Just mash it together in a ball.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take a sheet of parchment paper and transfer the fondant from the slab to the paper. If you're doing vanilla for cashew logs, your steps will be different at this point. Skip down a little ways to see those instructions, labeled LOGS. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_uBdqIfjkg/TrK-VOrWRaI/AAAAAAAABe4/LHAjU4gyQv0/s1600/IMG_5636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_uBdqIfjkg/TrK-VOrWRaI/AAAAAAAABe4/LHAjU4gyQv0/s400/IMG_5636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CYooRatXXiY/TrK-ZmyNYWI/AAAAAAAABfA/3m-wVFoyIdM/s1600/IMG_5637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CYooRatXXiY/TrK-ZmyNYWI/AAAAAAAABfA/3m-wVFoyIdM/s400/IMG_5637.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wrap the fondant in the parchment paper. You can leave it in a mound, but I like to flatten it. It makes it easier to cut when you roll it into balls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIRKlbsaEVQ/TrK_Eeqy2qI/AAAAAAAABfI/KJns-k4zJCU/s1600/IMG_5638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIRKlbsaEVQ/TrK_Eeqy2qI/AAAAAAAABfI/KJns-k4zJCU/s400/IMG_5638.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pw0_-nwkFrA/TrK_JzEGa4I/AAAAAAAABfQ/E_rTVA4ZYKw/s1600/IMG_5639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pw0_-nwkFrA/TrK_JzEGa4I/AAAAAAAABfQ/E_rTVA4ZYKw/s320/IMG_5639.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, wrap it in a sheet of foil, label it with it's flavor (and your name if more than one of you is making fondant) and put it in the freezer until you're ready to roll it and dip it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xk9vYbTIPXA/TrK_iQlD2AI/AAAAAAAABfY/hZkgmlalMKA/s1600/IMG_5640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xk9vYbTIPXA/TrK_iQlD2AI/AAAAAAAABfY/hZkgmlalMKA/s400/IMG_5640.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lshs0Iv2-8E/TrK_ncVkPNI/AAAAAAAABfg/YCzQzS8iBq4/s1600/IMG_5641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lshs0Iv2-8E/TrK_ncVkPNI/AAAAAAAABfg/YCzQzS8iBq4/s400/IMG_5641.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And probably the most important part of the process, TASTE the perfection!! YUM! You'll seriously want to just eat it plain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jGXK33ibjBA/TrLAumVj_sI/AAAAAAAABfo/UaZp9A2uEHo/s1600/IMG_5642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jGXK33ibjBA/TrLAumVj_sI/AAAAAAAABfo/UaZp9A2uEHo/s320/IMG_5642.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you plan on doing several batches of fondant, one after another, make sure you wash all your utensils, the pan, thermometer and slab thoroughly with hot water and soap before starting a new batch. If you don't, the sugar in your next batch will crystallize and it won't set up right. You also need to make sure that your marble slab cools down. I usually rub a few ice cubes over it after I wash it to help it along. Just make sure you dry it thoroughly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you buy your flavors, buy this clear vanilla extract. If the store doesn't have it, just buy the regular stuff. It will just discolor the fondant a little.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTUSOes_1Ig/TrLCOf_ilXI/AAAAAAAABgA/KNqPoTVrfQk/s1600/IMG_5643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTUSOes_1Ig/TrLCOf_ilXI/AAAAAAAABgA/KNqPoTVrfQk/s400/IMG_5643.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once you get your fondant to the point of being set up on the slab, instead of transferring it to parchment paper, flatten it on the slab and evenly divide it with a knife. You can divide it as much or as little as you want, depending on how many logs you want to make. I would recommend to divide it into at least 10. Anything less than that will make HUGE logs. I generally like to divide it into 16. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rn0TlX7yeQQ/TrLCTBdxc8I/AAAAAAAABgI/E0VbYRQwtKE/s1600/IMG_5644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rn0TlX7yeQQ/TrLCTBdxc8I/AAAAAAAABgI/E0VbYRQwtKE/s400/IMG_5644.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7vBGTghGe0s/TrLCX_ztn6I/AAAAAAAABgQ/i6JBdh7uCS0/s1600/IMG_5645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7vBGTghGe0s/TrLCX_ztn6I/AAAAAAAABgQ/i6JBdh7uCS0/s400/IMG_5645.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take each section of fondant and roll it into a log. Don't worry about making it look perfect. It won't stay that way. Once you cover it with caramel and cashews, you'll never know it didn't look perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiYQPPPONJo/TrLED8u1S1I/AAAAAAAABgg/5T6CUQKFCJw/s1600/IMG_5647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiYQPPPONJo/TrLED8u1S1I/AAAAAAAABgg/5T6CUQKFCJw/s400/IMG_5647.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Individually wrap each log in parchment and then foil, then put them in the freezer to freeze.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dw-MQQaMe1A/TrLEwQw971I/AAAAAAAABgo/EvQVvTszgfI/s1600/IMG_5648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dw-MQQaMe1A/TrLEwQw971I/AAAAAAAABgo/EvQVvTszgfI/s400/IMG_5648.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll be posting a tutorial for the rest of the process for the cashew logs later, when I finish making them. These are to die for! You've gotta try them. Here's a picture of what they look like all done:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RWgGNeaHbHo/TrLGAZXoRAI/AAAAAAAABgw/2Sk8HVU7LM8/s1600/IMG_8055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RWgGNeaHbHo/TrLGAZXoRAI/AAAAAAAABgw/2Sk8HVU7LM8/s400/IMG_8055.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-43728427998461822342011-11-02T13:02:00.004-06:002011-11-02T13:27:17.835-06:00Happy HalloweenWe had the most perfect 68 degree weather for halloween this year. No jackets needed.<br />
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Costumes were on the mega cheap this year, but I think we pulled things off pretty great! <br />
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Dwight: shirt; $3, tie; $2, pants; $6, glasses; $1<br />
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Nerd: shirt; $1, pants; $2, suspenders; $4, glasses; (a splurge at Claires) $10<br />
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Mad Scientist: Hair color spray; $2, safety goggles; dad's tool box $0, lab coat and props; halloween tote of costumes $0 (I'm so glad I save every costume to reuse later!)<br />
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Buzz Aldrin: helmet; <a href="http://ourfavoriteplacetobe.blogspot.com/2010/06/finally-moved-in.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Landon's cool space room</span></a> $0, backpack; same place $0 (they were originally purchased <a href="http://www.thespacestore.com/?gclid=CMCDxaPUmKwCFQxihwodJyU_Qw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></a> by Santa), space suit; Landon's dresser $0!! The patches were also purchased at the same place as the helmet and backpack and I sewed them on some cheap-o sweats from Wal-Mart.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Total costume expense for 4 kids, $19!!!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A little too much sugar made for some fun brotherly entertainment! We had a fun night. Hope you did too.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EDBPWhDSkVg/TrGTQwK2ZtI/AAAAAAAABcA/7XjPjYMZtrA/s1600/IMG_5718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EDBPWhDSkVg/TrGTQwK2ZtI/AAAAAAAABcA/7XjPjYMZtrA/s400/IMG_5718.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-46598648665794553282011-10-21T00:22:00.001-06:002011-10-25T11:58:55.825-06:00Beautiful BeansEvery year, when it comes time for school pictures, I fork out way too much mula for the bland, blah, ordinary pictures because I've always wanted my kids to have school pictures to look back on. Knowing that I could do much better myself, for practically pennies on the dollar, I always cringed when I'd write that check and send it to school with them. Not this year. NOPE! I FINALLY boycotted those crappy Lifetounch pictures and did my own. Without further ado, here are my 4 beautiful babies in the fall of 2011.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Words just cannot describe how much I love these <strike>not so little</strike> beans, the squeedunks, the doofenshmurts, the knucklheads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I AM SO BLESSED!</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-70650863984241972312011-10-12T17:52:00.004-06:002011-10-12T21:31:58.269-06:00Pantry MakeoverI am trying really hard to change one of my most annoying character flaws. I tend to have this out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality. If I can close the door on a mess, I can pretend for a moment that it doesn't exist. Well, my pantry was no different. I have never really tried to make rhyme or reason with it. Up until last Friday, it was simply a closet that holds our food. It's still just a closet that holds our food, but it was so out of control that I could never find anything. I had finally had enough. I'd be in the middle of cooking dinner and I'd go to get a certain ingredient that I was positive I had bought at the store, but couldn't find. UGH. I frustrated myself so bad sometimes. In my defense though, it wasn't because I was just thoughtlessly threw stuff in the pantry. It was more like someone else stuffing the bread or the cereal in the most convenient space available or someone moving things around to create room for something else. Most of the time things would end up falling off the shelf and on to the floor. So, Friday morning, after finally getting disgusted to the point of being embarrassed with myself for letting it get so gross, I decided it was time to clean the pantry. I didn't originally set out to give the pantry a makeover, but once it was empty, I said, "Self, why not redo the pantry while it's empty? You've been admiring <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/07/pantry-remix.html"><span style="color: #990000;">Shelley's TOTALLY AWESOME pantry</span></a> for a loooong time now. You've even been collecting baskets from DI in hopes of someday organizing things in there." So I went for it! <br />
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I knew I had some red paint left over from the beadboard backsplash that we did several years ago, and of course it needed to match, so that was a cinch. I knew I wanted something on the back wall, but wasn't really sure what. My knee jerk reaction was to think beadboard, but I wasn't really excited about cutting it and making a yucky mess. I remembered that I had seen someone use some paintable beadboard wallpaper on their island, so I went to Lowe's to check it out. I wasn't really liking it. I realized I didn't really want to do the beadboard look again. All of my problems were solved when I saw the paintable ceiling tile wallpaper! I've always loved the look of the tin ceiling tiles, so this was really a no brainer! I grabbed a roll and was on my way.<br />
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Ya wanna see it? Huh? Do ya? I am TOTALLY and COMPLETELY humiliating myself by showing you the before picture, but you need an idea of how bad it was. Don't say I didn't warn ya! And PUUUH-LEASE.....don't judge.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is everything I took of those two top shelves. There was stuff buried in there that I had forgotten all about. See the dust? Yea.....I'm so embarrassed! By the time I was done gutting the entire pantry, every counter top, the stove top and the entire table top was FULL of CRAP just like this picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll jump to the final result and then break everything down. Drum roll please........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whattaya think? I'll tell ya what I think. I LOVE it!!!! Meister thinks I'm NUTS for spending so much time on something that will never be seen by anyone. He must not know me very well. ;) I'm showing it to EVERYONE!!! But even if no one else ever saw it, <strong>I</strong> do. Therefore, it's worth every single minute of hard work that went into it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, let me show you what I did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because I was painting red, I knew I needed a good coat of primer first. It's an extra step, but it's a MUST. You get better paint coverage and color if you take the time to prime. When you do dark, bold colors, gray works best. After the gray, I did a coat of white primer on the back, as per instruction for the wallpaper. Then I taped it off, like you see in this picture, so I could do the red.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LOVE this paint. It's the perfect red, but it's name escapes me at the moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sure you can imagine my extreme frustration when I peeled the tape off and everything, down to the drywall came off with the tape. UGH! I didn't fix it. I figured the wallpaper would cover it up. But I was still livid. Painter's tape isn't supposed to do that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next came the wallpaper. It wasn't too bad to work with, but I would NEVER use it on a bigger scale that this! I couldn't take a picture while I was putting it on because the back was all pasty and I didn't want to drop it and have it fold over on itself. This next picture is after I masked off the red so that I could spray paint the wallpaper with my metallic tin color. That plastic was a pain in the boo-tay and didn't go on very good at all. It was way too hard to work with. If you look real close, you can see that I have the wallpaper on there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MnbPpo-ir0Y/TpYduDLf3yI/AAAAAAAABYw/MdemBlUZ5-g/s1600/IMG_4352a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MnbPpo-ir0Y/TpYduDLf3yI/AAAAAAAABYw/MdemBlUZ5-g/s400/IMG_4352a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I took my trusty can of Valspar metallic and went to town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7SMvFgeXlE/TpYeFlv4KjI/AAAAAAAABY4/8HiU-1QuN3A/s1600/IMG_4357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7SMvFgeXlE/TpYeFlv4KjI/AAAAAAAABY4/8HiU-1QuN3A/s400/IMG_4357.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Viola! Now you can see the cute detail of the wallpaper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xQAgWxRE2c/TpYec_OmBiI/AAAAAAAABZA/bNtCfbfVajM/s1600/IMG_4354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xQAgWxRE2c/TpYec_OmBiI/AAAAAAAABZA/bNtCfbfVajM/s320/IMG_4354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On to the next shelf. The newspaper was so much easier to mask with. The straight edges were a dream! And the best part was that I could just move it from one shelf to the next with ease.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqZNR52i_28/TpYe-IeSXMI/AAAAAAAABZI/J7fnNEybPbY/s1600/IMG_4355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqZNR52i_28/TpYe-IeSXMI/AAAAAAAABZI/J7fnNEybPbY/s400/IMG_4355.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once all of the wallpaper was spray painted, it was time to glaze it and make that awesome texture pop! I took Americana's Lamp Black and their Antiquing medium and mixed them together at a 1:1 ratio. I glaze a lot of stuff, but I've always used Behr glaze, so this was a first for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJs7yhCiKFY/TpYgCvfx-2I/AAAAAAAABZY/4G9942XIO7A/s1600/IMG_4384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJs7yhCiKFY/TpYgCvfx-2I/AAAAAAAABZY/4G9942XIO7A/s400/IMG_4384.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I put that first stroke of paint on, I almost panicked because it went on pretty thick. I found that dipping the tip of the foam brush into water first helped it go on much easier. Glaze is very forgiving and isn't meant to look perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrzhBZJV89w/TpYhh3Vyu4I/AAAAAAAABZg/bQxH6TH68iY/s1600/IMG_4366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrzhBZJV89w/TpYhh3Vyu4I/AAAAAAAABZg/bQxH6TH68iY/s400/IMG_4366.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At first, I just tried wiping it with a damp cloth, but it wasn't filling in the low spots like I wanted it to, so I took a dry toothbrush to it to spread the glaze all over the texture. This was a lot of work, but it was necessary to achieve the look I was after. The foam brush just wasn't getting down into the grooves. Can you see the difference of where I've brushed it with the toothbrush?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRIHyzaA9ms/TpYiN2l3mxI/AAAAAAAABZo/H7N-okW-KX0/s1600/IMG_4367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRIHyzaA9ms/TpYiN2l3mxI/AAAAAAAABZo/H7N-okW-KX0/s400/IMG_4367.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After that, I took the damp cloth to it and wiped away until I had the look I wanted. There were a few times I took too much off, so I simply added more. I love that you have a good amount of time to work with the glaze and don't have to worry about it being precise and uniform. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4rMm8XrQ6I/TpYjxpV9wuI/AAAAAAAABZ4/QqKQFkLkejo/s1600/IMG_4370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4rMm8XrQ6I/TpYjxpV9wuI/AAAAAAAABZ4/QqKQFkLkejo/s400/IMG_4370.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This wallpaper is super impressive! I was afraid that I'd ruin the texture by brushing and wiping it so much, but it wasn't damaged at all. It comes prepasted, so all you have to do is get it wet, wait 5 minutes and put it on. The price was right, too. I paid $18 for a roll and I only used about half the roll on this project. I could have done maybe 2 shelves if I had bought actual tin tiles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYtjKyPxYew/TpYlHv_0cEI/AAAAAAAABaA/kNHnCAkChnQ/s1600/IMG_4382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYtjKyPxYew/TpYlHv_0cEI/AAAAAAAABaA/kNHnCAkChnQ/s400/IMG_4382.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Glazing the wallpaper was pretty messy, so rather than tape it all off again, I decided to glaze part of the shelves to give it a distressed look. I love how the glaze fills in all of the pits and imperfections that I purposely didn't fix.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MaRDW1PeXJU/TpYmPIoEYpI/AAAAAAAABaI/vHS0Gam9Gyg/s1600/IMG_4383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MaRDW1PeXJU/TpYmPIoEYpI/AAAAAAAABaI/vHS0Gam9Gyg/s400/IMG_4383.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlrp2byJEBU/TpYnPavUKYI/AAAAAAAABaY/2yNIWwxY5iU/s1600/IMG_4372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlrp2byJEBU/TpYnPavUKYI/AAAAAAAABaY/2yNIWwxY5iU/s400/IMG_4372.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I just need to do something with the door, but that's for another day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-7710697148540467632011-09-11T19:34:00.000-06:002011-09-11T19:34:02.708-06:00We Will Never Forget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk5VQrW3iKo/Tm0yZStyGpI/AAAAAAAABXY/twqHxM9rEKs/s1600/groundzero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk5VQrW3iKo/Tm0yZStyGpI/AAAAAAAABXY/twqHxM9rEKs/s400/groundzero.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining." -President George W. Bush September 11, 2001<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DftSCZqCrYs/Tm1hMYbejjI/AAAAAAAABXc/aV6cXG5XIBQ/s1600/Dilly+Bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DftSCZqCrYs/Tm1hMYbejjI/AAAAAAAABXc/aV6cXG5XIBQ/s400/Dilly+Bean.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>My little Dilly Bean was just barely 3 months old when the world stop turning 10 years ago. Today, he unfurled the banner of freedom in remembrance of those who lost their innocent lives that day. Our world changed forever that day. Thank you to all who serve in uniform to defend our beautiful country; the land of the free and the home of the brave. I am truly grateful for all you do.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-65214398130109157202011-09-07T12:59:00.001-06:002011-09-07T18:33:20.351-06:00Not All Illusions Are Mind Blowing<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, maybe they are... in an abnormal way. OK, so this isn't something I hold near and dear to my heart, and I don't mean any malice by posting it, but it was sent to me via email and made me laugh so hard. Although, I'm a bit slow and it took me a minute to figure this picture out. I was just so shocked by what I was looking at! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljUnC5sQSEE/Tme-eC6kY8I/AAAAAAAABXU/UzGPQKL6y0A/s1600/Naked+Jeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljUnC5sQSEE/Tme-eC6kY8I/AAAAAAAABXU/UzGPQKL6y0A/s400/Naked+Jeans.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-32986657845802599722011-09-02T16:39:00.003-06:002011-09-06T10:09:04.173-06:00It's In The BagWhile my two youngest kidlets have been in school for three weeks now, the two oldest just started this past Monday. Heaven knows that I was anxious for them to go back so I could regain my sanity and reestablish a normal schedule around here. But for the first time in my life, I am mourning the end of summer. It was a great one. Not just with all the fun stuff we did, but the weather was perfect! We didn't have blistering hot, unbearable temps this year. We also got lots of summer rain! There's nothing like watching and listening to a lightning/thunder storm. I love the sound of the pouring rain. Meister thinks I'm nuts because I love the rain so much. He finds it gloomy and depressing. I think he's the weird one. I think my mourning all comes down to the fact that we had a super late start to summer. Winter just did not want to go away, so it wasn't until the beginning of July that it actually felt like summer. By then, Hobby Lobby was stocking all of their Christmas crap. That was the last thing I wanted to see! <br />
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Here's a quick look at some of the fun we had this summer:<br />
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I bought Seven Peaks passes for all of us. They were worth EVERY penny I spent on them. I'd say $40 was a pretty sweet deal for the entire summer!! They paid for themselves in only 2 visits. I think I will definitely buy them again next summer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FanJDB_CCk/TmEr47p08lI/AAAAAAAABV4/ACRcaNJ78ic/s1600/IMG_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FanJDB_CCk/TmEr47p08lI/AAAAAAAABV4/ACRcaNJ78ic/s400/IMG_0310.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YF5wBsETg4/TmEsNhmybPI/AAAAAAAABV8/dbagdV8MXhI/s1600/IMG_0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YF5wBsETg4/TmEsNhmybPI/AAAAAAAABV8/dbagdV8MXhI/s400/IMG_0313.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Talk about purple mountains majesty and amber waves of grain! This is right after one of the many cloud bursts we had . Isn't it beautiful?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rO-7jAOM44/TmE1XrqSraI/AAAAAAAABWM/k8GPedhNSns/s1600/IMG_3137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rO-7jAOM44/TmE1XrqSraI/AAAAAAAABWM/k8GPedhNSns/s400/IMG_3137.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not all of our summer has been fun. We had just come home from a loooong day at Seven Peaks when the radiator blew! We had steam and antifreeze spewing out of the hood of the van and all the way down the driveway. It totally killed the edge of my lawn. UGH. It really pays to have a handy man who can fix it all. He saves us soooo much money. His willingness and effort to maintain our vehicles allows us to drive the ones that we have into the ground. I love not having to pay a mechanic, but what I love even more is not having a car payment! Unfortunately, I think this ugly, "Moldy Pickle II" is on her last leg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrqB3GLHl6E/TmE1vEYy9QI/AAAAAAAABWQ/A3ED8KasaDs/s1600/IMG_3149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrqB3GLHl6E/TmE1vEYy9QI/AAAAAAAABWQ/A3ED8KasaDs/s400/IMG_3149.jpg" width="266" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div> Here we have Dylan, the mad, mad, mad scientist! This kid is a sponge, thirsty for knowledge. He is just like his daddy. He reads and soaks everything he reads in. He had LOTS of fun with some science experiments this summer. We had to put the kibosh on his water bombs though. We had a close call with some projectile hazards with one of them and decided it wasn't worth the risk anymore. He moped around the house for a week. Poor kid.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After the explosion, that water bottle skimmed right past Dylan's leg and scratched him pretty bad. Too close for comfort!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zW1Ih9iFGt8/TmE4V9m3YkI/AAAAAAAABWc/QyhtI6OQ4BA/s1600/IMG_3177a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zW1Ih9iFGt8/TmE4V9m3YkI/AAAAAAAABWc/QyhtI6OQ4BA/s400/IMG_3177a.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> 4th of July sparkler fun! It was such a pleasant evening. Not too hot and we had great fireworks going off all around us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WiRaMA3gCks/TmE19Z5vQhI/AAAAAAAABWY/1LBy27crU4I/s1600/IMG_3194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WiRaMA3gCks/TmE19Z5vQhI/AAAAAAAABWY/1LBy27crU4I/s400/IMG_3194.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I already blogged about our camp out with the Morgan side. We went again with my side, two weeks later. We LOVE to camp. It's a ton of work, but so worth it. Meister and I started this tradition with our kids because we were too poor at the time to take them on a real vacation, not realizing the impact it would have on them. They have such a love for nature and vow that when they are grown up with their own families that they will carry on the tradition. This is the traditional cousin pic that we take every year. They're in order from youngest to oldest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqUiIEXDzSw/TmE5JL8n-ZI/AAAAAAAABWg/odkB-az7kQA/s1600/IMG_3429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqUiIEXDzSw/TmE5JL8n-ZI/AAAAAAAABWg/odkB-az7kQA/s400/IMG_3429.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love it when the wildlife walks right through our campsite! They're so majestic and beautiful! I just don't ever want to see a bear! It's never happened in all 13 years we've been camping and I hope it never does! That is an experience in life I DO NOT need! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9JdkUzyGoeY/TmE6Jbimi2I/AAAAAAAABWk/d38fJGa_tKE/s1600/IMG_3454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9JdkUzyGoeY/TmE6Jbimi2I/AAAAAAAABWk/d38fJGa_tKE/s400/IMG_3454.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Landon and his friends racing wood chips down the raging gutter in the pouring rain. Oh to be a kid again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62tvdGxaNHU/TmE7BWmvFSI/AAAAAAAABWo/CUhDyDDBs5U/s1600/IMG_3477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62tvdGxaNHU/TmE7BWmvFSI/AAAAAAAABWo/CUhDyDDBs5U/s400/IMG_3477.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took a couple trips to the Living Planet Aquarium. Although it was nothing like the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay in Vegas, the kids LOVED it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rK6eRtMQKIc/TmE7bQEQttI/AAAAAAAABWs/lKzhC5VGVk0/s1600/IMG_3489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rK6eRtMQKIc/TmE7bQEQttI/AAAAAAAABWs/lKzhC5VGVk0/s400/IMG_3489.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We happened to catch the octopus for feeding time. I was so cool to watch. The lady told everyone not to use flash photography because it could blind the octopus, who is used to the deep, dark depths of the ocean. I was so caught up in watching this octopus and her relationship with her handler, that I just had to get some pictures. My strobe totally went off. Can you say HUMILIATION!!!! I could not believe it. I hardly ever shoot with my flash, so I didn't even think to look at the setting my camera was on. But yea, one of the kids had taken a picture or two and switched it to auto. I felt my face turn 10 shades of red. UGH.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ko27bVQzZeo/TmE7kKWol1I/AAAAAAAABWw/c2Z-JzY4VPE/s1600/IMG_3554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ko27bVQzZeo/TmE7kKWol1I/AAAAAAAABWw/c2Z-JzY4VPE/s400/IMG_3554.jpg" width="266" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids had a great time at Hollywood Connection. It was pretty dead when we went, so the kids were able to ride the bumper cars several times in a row with no one else on the floor. There were some fun little kiddie rides as well.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2IP8VNdfgw/TmE9GY4OzzI/AAAAAAAABW0/WS13PXbHLPQ/s1600/IMG_3642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2IP8VNdfgw/TmE9GY4OzzI/AAAAAAAABW0/WS13PXbHLPQ/s400/IMG_3642.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Watching them play miniature gold was a hoot! My poor kids SUCK when it comes to golf, but boy did we have some great laughs!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KFguhzYZaPU/TmE9PUKkmkI/AAAAAAAABW4/Evf32-EefbQ/s1600/IMG_3614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KFguhzYZaPU/TmE9PUKkmkI/AAAAAAAABW4/Evf32-EefbQ/s400/IMG_3614.jpg" width="266" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's not forget mom's passion! My flowers bloomed so beautifully this year! It seems like every year, I always have at least one variety of flower who's growth is stunted, for whatever reason. I've never quite figured out why that happens, but this year it was the marigolds. You can see little specks of yellow peeking out from beside the petunias, but they're pretty pathetic. Last year, it was the petunias. I don't get it, but oh well. My beds still look AWESOME!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBGHagC3vOc/TmE-J2-x81I/AAAAAAAABW8/_B7EfrbKxkA/s1600/IMG_3690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBGHagC3vOc/TmE-J2-x81I/AAAAAAAABW8/_B7EfrbKxkA/s400/IMG_3690.jpg" width="266" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To summer: I love you and will dearly miss you! I feel weird mourning your passing, as I'm usually saying "GOOD RIDDANCE!" to your unbearably hot weather! Until next year, with a tear in my eye, I bid you farewell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On to first day of school pictures:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><u>Todd</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first born isn't a baby anymore. NOPE. He's a Freshman, a 9th grader, Fresh Meat, how ever you wanna put it. I'm freaking out a little. He's officially earning high school credits. WHAT.THE.HECK??? He's nearly 15 and is developing into a fine young man. He is sensitive and loving (and a pretty big tease to his younger siblings) and has developed a love for serving others. He spent his summer helping my parents with their humanitarian mission to send clothes, shoes and school supplies to needy, third world countries. Hearing him play his beloved guitar and the cello make my heart sing. Before I know it, he's going to be off on a mission of his own! It seems like yesterday we were the center of attention in a land far, far away, where blond hair and blue eyes were not very common, but very much loved and paid attention to. Korea, the land of his birth, where I became Mommy for the first time, is a distant, fleeting memory. Where has time gone?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rv79aGbzpZk/TmFH75V2uUI/AAAAAAAABXE/bz3fxUdpg2Y/s1600/IMG_3772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rv79aGbzpZk/TmFH75V2uUI/AAAAAAAABXE/bz3fxUdpg2Y/s400/IMG_3772.jpg" width="266" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><u>Emily</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My lone princess. The once shy, timid little girl, attached to her mommy's hip, is now a social butterfly that I cannot tame, fluttering around the halls of middle school, in 7th grade. She has a heart of gold and wants to embrace those who are less fortunate. She told me that on her first day, she and her friend, also named Emily, saw a girl sitting all alone at lunch. She said she looked sad, with her head down, as she ate her lunch. Instead of turning the other way and walking off to their own table, they went and sat down by her and befriended her. Can you say PROUD MOMMY MOMENT? My eyes fill with tears just thinking about it. Who knows how Emily and Emily may have cheered up this poor girl, all alone and probably scared to death on her first day of 7th grade. Always remember this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure, but scattered along the life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable." -author unknown</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj3kE4V9jTI/TmFO_N5nT7I/AAAAAAAABXI/m0oOOUFmBt8/s1600/IMG_3774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj3kE4V9jTI/TmFO_N5nT7I/AAAAAAAABXI/m0oOOUFmBt8/s400/IMG_3774.jpg" width="266" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><u>Dylan</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A chip off the same block, made from the same mold, spittin' image of his daddy. Anyway you put it, he is the most like Meister of our 4 kids. As mentioned before, this kid is a sponge. He's a vat full of knowledge beyond his 5th grade years! He has an amazing ability to read and retain knowledge like no other 10 year old I know. I think he knows more about Space, NASA's Apollo program, WWII, the Holocaust and Vietnam than most adults do. How many 10 year olds do you know that watch documentaries on such subjects? Sure he loves the normal kid stuff, but they're not usually his preference. He has a silly, goofy, really funny, but sometimes annoying sense of humor! He LOVES to give people weird, make no sense, nicknames. He is the ONLY one of our children to have expressed an interest in any type of sport. He loves football and is really miffed that I wouldn't let him play tackle this year. I want him to focus on his cello playing for this year and didn't want him to be overloaded with too much extra curricular activity. Depending on how that goes, maybe, just maybe, we can throw football into the mix next year. I think it would be a great outlet for his hyper, spazzy spurts that he goes through. Life without our little Dylan would be awfully dull and boring! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMWQN4I3EmQ/TmFR0Ibo3OI/AAAAAAAABXM/rBX42UYGkM4/s1600/IMG_3684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMWQN4I3EmQ/TmFR0Ibo3OI/AAAAAAAABXM/rBX42UYGkM4/s400/IMG_3684.jpg" width="266" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><u>Landon</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of all 4 children, he is the most independent. The first three were attached to my hip and were shy and timid. But then came Landon. On his first day of kindergarten, he looked at me and said, "Mom, you can leave now!" That made me cry harder than I already was behind my dark sunglasses! When I walked him to his first day of 2nd grade three weeks ago, he told me that I couldn't kiss him in front of his classmates. Being the soft hearted, loving boy he is, he made darn sure to give me big hugs and lots of kisses before we left. I have never had to push him to do his reading and homework. He just does it. I never have to tell him more than once to do his chores or mow the lawn. He just does it. He doesn't mind that I still call him my baby and occasionally sing "Rock-a Bye Baby" in his ear. OK, well, maybe he does care about that last one, but he'll let me do it anyway. It was part of our nightly ritual when he was a newborn for me to hold him close and lull him to sleep with that lullaby. It worked like a charm until he was almost 5! If he was tired, but cranky and wouldn't go to sleep, all I had to do was start singing that to him and his eyes, no matter how hard he tried, could not stay open, and he was asleep in no time at all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I always heard people say that by the time your last child was off to school, you were jumping for joy and rejoicing that they were all out of the house for the day. That has not been my experience at all. I tear up and cry with every new milestone he hits. He's my baby. The very last one. If only they could stay little forever!!! But no, he'll be 8 come November and time is going to keep on ticking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqEjDd-DVyM/TmFTgI9qxtI/AAAAAAAABXQ/zcEyS_lloBg/s1600/IMG_3685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqEjDd-DVyM/TmFTgI9qxtI/AAAAAAAABXQ/zcEyS_lloBg/s400/IMG_3685.jpg" width="266" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My blog is nothing spectacular. I don't write hoping that I'll get lots of followers. I do it for ME! I named my blog what I did because I want to freeze moments in time, preserve my own little family's history. I'm not the greatest at it and I don't have a witty, funny sense of humor or a wonderfully catchy writing style, but I try to highlight the things that I hold dear to my heart. And that's what's most important....to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-3508422726171007922011-07-13T02:01:00.001-06:002011-07-13T02:03:04.042-06:00Home Away From HomeWe had our annual Morgan Campout this past weekend! LOVED every minute of it, standing barefoot in the snow that was still on the ground and running off, raging river to listen to and relax by and fish in, even had a spectacular thunderstorm our last night there. But, the temps were perfect, not too hot, not too cold. We had plenty of wood for some great, rip roarin' fires, good food, great company and crisp, fresh mountain air. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend! What'd you do? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0IZ3kE7r3A/Th1QHduQIpI/AAAAAAAABV0/VcSQQ4yRsH8/s1600/IMG_3120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0IZ3kE7r3A/Th1QHduQIpI/AAAAAAAABV0/VcSQQ4yRsH8/s400/IMG_3120.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-3646602600534647592011-06-24T19:48:00.001-06:002011-06-24T19:54:12.696-06:00The Lazy Days Of SummerI took this picture yesterday evening as I was weeding my flower garden. All I have to say is I LOVE SUMMER.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY WEEKEND!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought I'd share this music video with y'all. I absolutely LOVE this song. This is Utah's own, Carmen Rasmusen, who ranked 6th on the 2nd season of American Idol! Enjoy.</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GND0XwCSjUo" width="425"></iframe>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-41295352606448349802011-06-22T17:43:00.003-06:002011-06-22T17:53:27.687-06:00Poor, Poor Little Jenna<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It had been a while since I'd made a DI run, but I happened to be there to find some little play props for my sons classroom play one night, when I decided I should go see if there was anything worth buying and taking home in the furniture dept. I came across this poor little dresser that had been abused and scratched by a little girl named Jenna. I guess she wanted everyone to know that that dresser was hers. She even inscribed cute little hearts all over it that, I'm guessing, a brother, didn't like and scratched out. Needless to say, I saw so much potential in this beautiful little thing, and knew that it would make the perfect TV stand that my sister has been looking for and hoping to find for MONTHS. And wouldn't ya know....her birthday was that very next day!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-7w5XbtFeI/TgJ4kDvv2VI/AAAAAAAABU0/rEyPtgxPhY4/s1600/IMG_0990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-7w5XbtFeI/TgJ4kDvv2VI/AAAAAAAABU0/rEyPtgxPhY4/s400/IMG_0990.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I was in such a hurry to get 'er done, that I almost forgot to take a before picture. I already had LOTS of wood filler on the big, major scratches and had started to take the old hardware off, when I remembered to take the picture. Why didn't I think to take a picture of Jenna's name and all the hearts? Oh well. At least you get the idea. She was in pretty bad shape.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">BUT, I sanded 'er down, gave 'er sponge bath and painted 'er all nice and pretty. Isn't she absolutely ADORABLE??!?!!! Sorry Jenna (and Jenna's mom) you just didn't know what you were giving away, and now she's mine! Well, Lisa's. And you can't have 'er back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30OFFvUMVLc/TgJ5oEdOB6I/AAAAAAAABU4/2_VBqCo4Cko/s1600/IMG_1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30OFFvUMVLc/TgJ5oEdOB6I/AAAAAAAABU4/2_VBqCo4Cko/s400/IMG_1257.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just love the new accessories I picked out for her. They make such a HUGE difference, don't they? LOVE Hobby Lobby for new hardware.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVapAW72EFc/TgJ6G9xKGlI/AAAAAAAABU8/UfvHrV9qMHM/s1600/IMG_1263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVapAW72EFc/TgJ6G9xKGlI/AAAAAAAABU8/UfvHrV9qMHM/s400/IMG_1263.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, with the help of my little sister, I delivered it to my sister's house while she was at work. I wish I could have stayed to see the look on her face when she walked through the door, but, alas, I'm a busy woman and had prior commitments to fulfill. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--zNAmnOEcZw/TgJ7EIX5BFI/AAAAAAAABVA/ScP0zKBoqAI/s1600/IMG_1266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--zNAmnOEcZw/TgJ7EIX5BFI/AAAAAAAABVA/ScP0zKBoqAI/s400/IMG_1266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lisa!!! You're the BEST big sister EVER! I love you dearly and cherish all the time we get to spend together! And to Heather, my little sister, who helped me carry that sucker up the stairs, a BIG, HUGE THANK YOU!! You are the BEST little sister, EVER!!! I ditto everything I said to Lisa to you, too!!!! I am so blessed to have such great friends in my sisters. I love them both so much and don't know what I'd do without them. You know we must be pretty close to show up to an event all wearing the very same shirt, just different colors! ;) That happens waaay more often than you think it would. It's kinda freaky!!! And just for the record for all of you who are wondering why I'm so blond and they're not.....well, I don't know, but they were as blond as me once upon a time!!!! I guess as they got older, they got darker, like our mom, and I stayed blond, like our dad. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCYP-7-a03A/TgJ8VlyetlI/AAAAAAAABVE/yKBVm34E3tA/s1600/IMG_9929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCYP-7-a03A/TgJ8VlyetlI/AAAAAAAABVE/yKBVm34E3tA/s400/IMG_9929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">L to R: Lisa, Me, Heather</span></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-30869858814589759872011-06-15T22:21:00.000-06:002011-06-15T22:21:41.310-06:00MaJaw'sOnTheGroundI was so anxious to see who <a href="http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/06/nature-photo-winner.html?showComment=1308197499517#c6675672999542413634"><span style="color: #990000;">Tracy</span></a> chose to be the winner of this month's nature photo contest this evening and was completely floored when I saw MY own pictures pop up on her page!!! I can't argue that I live in a very beautiful part of America! She hit that nail right on the head. I'm so flippin' excited! I did get an honorable mention from a previous linky party, but I got <em><span style="color: blue;">THE BLUE RIBBON</span></em> this time!! THANKS from the heart of my bottom, Tracy! Uh....er.....I mean the bottom of my heart. I feel like I did when I won the second grade spelling bee!!!! =)<br />
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<center><a href="http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w136/tracyntx/blueribbon_edited-2.jpg" /></a></center>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-3070715630844423182011-06-15T09:16:00.006-06:002011-06-15T11:13:07.302-06:00Purple Mountains MajestyI want to share a couple of pictures with y'all. One from last night as Meister sat outside with the boys, moon-gazing with the telescope:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNDZoOiOUGc/TfjAaGudrhI/AAAAAAAABTs/XvVOwzQgDjw/s1600/IMG_0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNDZoOiOUGc/TfjAaGudrhI/AAAAAAAABTs/XvVOwzQgDjw/s400/IMG_0964.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and one of the rising sun, filtering through my front window, as I was sitting in the office reading the news this morning:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bgcxt1c0m8/TfjBF_DncII/AAAAAAAABTw/RvGndiWPhIU/s1600/IMG_0970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bgcxt1c0m8/TfjBF_DncII/AAAAAAAABTw/RvGndiWPhIU/s400/IMG_0970.jpg" t8="true" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a well known fact that I am often overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounds me. Mostly while I'm outdoors, but obviously, like this morning, as I look out my window. I've always said that I feel closest to my maker when I'm outside. Whether I'm gardening in my yard:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soVUnubF8hI/TfjCEZVO_vI/AAAAAAAABT0/evC9T_iq7vc/s1600/IMG_9610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soVUnubF8hI/TfjCEZVO_vI/AAAAAAAABT0/evC9T_iq7vc/s400/IMG_9610.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Vl1v-mDpMs/TfjCM2nBxmI/AAAAAAAABT4/I8Asx_vitXU/s1600/IMG_9661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Vl1v-mDpMs/TfjCM2nBxmI/AAAAAAAABT4/I8Asx_vitXU/s400/IMG_9661.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFiK6a0Itp4/TfjCYChE6cI/AAAAAAAABT8/pBUF8Iox6Eo/s1600/IMG_9845_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFiK6a0Itp4/TfjCYChE6cI/AAAAAAAABT8/pBUF8Iox6Eo/s400/IMG_9845_picnik.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or taking a leisurely Sunday walk with my kids through the gully in our neighborhood:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFwu-Wp8ZSM/TfjC3-RoPKI/AAAAAAAABUA/UFAI6yuXa9A/s1600/IMG_9754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFwu-Wp8ZSM/TfjC3-RoPKI/AAAAAAAABUA/UFAI6yuXa9A/s400/IMG_9754.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I LOVE the nature that surrounds me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our very favorite place, in all of Utah, is Albion Basin, just a short 20 minute drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon. We go camping there a lot. Allow me to show you why:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plain and simple, the wildflowers <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(which are at their peak of beauty mid to late July</span>)</span> and mountains are BREATHTAKING!! It's hard not to be at one with nature and Heavenly Father while you're there. It's so calm and serene. You can scarcely take it all in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxTRY07D7-E/TfjEqyt-qQI/AAAAAAAABUE/Vi3ILpBpN7k/s1600/IMG_6816a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxTRY07D7-E/TfjEqyt-qQI/AAAAAAAABUE/Vi3ILpBpN7k/s400/IMG_6816a.jpg" t8="true" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khBqKZajoik/TfjFXShCotI/AAAAAAAABUI/0eQtDI4fksc/s1600/IMG_6822a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khBqKZajoik/TfjFXShCotI/AAAAAAAABUI/0eQtDI4fksc/s400/IMG_6822a.jpg" t8="true" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60T-nyJ6da8/TfjFjpsgZmI/AAAAAAAABUM/xom91AgQyt0/s1600/IMG_6806a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60T-nyJ6da8/TfjFjpsgZmI/AAAAAAAABUM/xom91AgQyt0/s400/IMG_6806a.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QK48hwFJDvc/TfjFt8F-OPI/AAAAAAAABUQ/dbYuBVDr2H4/s1600/IMG_6808a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QK48hwFJDvc/TfjFt8F-OPI/AAAAAAAABUQ/dbYuBVDr2H4/s400/IMG_6808a.jpg" t8="true" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSG42mKlCPw/TfjF6D3MPUI/AAAAAAAABUU/or56fAznRMs/s1600/IMG_6811a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSG42mKlCPw/TfjF6D3MPUI/AAAAAAAABUU/or56fAznRMs/s400/IMG_6811a.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the view of the Salt Lake Valley from the top of the canyon. We are completely surrounded by beautiful, majestic mountains that have so much to offer in the way of FUN!! Including the BEST SNOW ON EARTH in the winter time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMElEvo_8l4/TfjHhEpJIOI/AAAAAAAABUY/EvAtaPcz0Uw/s1600/IMG_6823a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMElEvo_8l4/TfjHhEpJIOI/AAAAAAAABUY/EvAtaPcz0Uw/s400/IMG_6823a.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Camping is an all time favorite family outing. Can you blame us? Not only do we get to be surrounded by the beauty and sounds of nature, we can enjoy a nap in the hammock in all our filth!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z3-Q12u328/TfjJBa2moLI/AAAAAAAABUc/AUQ6BxXABjo/s1600/IMG_1995a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z3-Q12u328/TfjJBa2moLI/AAAAAAAABUc/AUQ6BxXABjo/s400/IMG_1995a.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or......um......on a....ROCK? Whatever!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh to be a kid and have the ability to sleep soundly any <strike>ole</strike> hard place you want!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcsayaY6vEI/TfjJoMCyqtI/AAAAAAAABUg/Mzxg4hQjJpI/s1600/IMG_2080a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcsayaY6vEI/TfjJoMCyqtI/AAAAAAAABUg/Mzxg4hQjJpI/s400/IMG_2080a.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have oodles and gobs of fun with all of your cousins....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(This is a traditional picture we take EVERY year!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2MPsPgXeEg/TfjJ6IjhE1I/AAAAAAAABUk/8NYs9Mqi8IU/s1600/IMG_6721a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2MPsPgXeEg/TfjJ6IjhE1I/AAAAAAAABUk/8NYs9Mqi8IU/s400/IMG_6721a.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or even have a close encounter of the third kind!. =) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tImEcGwK1HI/TfjKOSROYMI/AAAAAAAABUo/q4L3UOCrrvM/s1600/IMG_2853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tImEcGwK1HI/TfjKOSROYMI/AAAAAAAABUo/q4L3UOCrrvM/s400/IMG_2853.jpg" t8="true" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Never seen a bear though...WHEW!!!! Although we have had moose and deer tromp right through our campsite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can see those mountains, that I just gave you a tiny tour of, from my backyard! Aren't they beautiful? <span style="font-size: x-small;">I took this picture a couple weekends ago during my daughter's 12th birthday party.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFxQNl0VHMw/TfjZmxLP6XI/AAAAAAAABUw/leSLQV_LSAY/s1600/019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFxQNl0VHMw/TfjZmxLP6XI/AAAAAAAABUw/leSLQV_LSAY/s400/019.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm linking up to <a href="http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/06/nature-photo-party_13.html"><span style="color: #990000;">Tracy's Nature Photo Party</span></a> so all of those outside of Utah can share in the beauty and maybe make plans to visit us!! You won't be sorry if you do. =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ri7v5Q-InZQ/TfjMa3y9QVI/AAAAAAAABUs/ydwdoK_pdtQ/s1600/nature+button_edited-1_thumb%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ri7v5Q-InZQ/TfjMa3y9QVI/AAAAAAAABUs/ydwdoK_pdtQ/s1600/nature+button_edited-1_thumb%255B2%255D.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-35928206677160319792011-04-15T22:36:00.002-06:002011-04-16T09:57:54.427-06:00What A Tease<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Comparatively speaking, today was an absolutely GORGEOUS day!!! It didn't quite hit 60 degrees, but I don't give a crap! The sun was <span style="color: yellow;">SHINING</span> and the sky was <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">BLUE</span>!!! Can I get a HALLELUJAH?!?!?!!!! Looky what we got to do today! I just LOOOOOVE the sound of lawn mowers on the weekends! I also happen to love the smell of fresh cut grass, despite the fact that I'm very allergic to it. WHY, then was I lying in it to take this picture? I don't know, but I had to be quick because the mower was running, and he was coming straight for me!! Just look at the look on his face. The little turd didn't even slow down. He thought he was pretty funny. =)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UyX6_BDS2o/TakabYIo4FI/AAAAAAAABTQ/XTDeoDq9Rlo/s1600/IMG_8988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UyX6_BDS2o/TakabYIo4FI/AAAAAAAABTQ/XTDeoDq9Rlo/s400/IMG_8988.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I also got to play in the dirt! I fluffed my flower beds and pulled the first of the weeds this season. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to work in my flower gardens. I could sit my butt in the dirt and weed all day long and be completely content. Truth be told, gardening is a spiritual thing for me. I feel closest to my maker when I'm outside soaking in the beauty that surrounds me.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inh29nzYemg/TakbkK9tykI/AAAAAAAABTU/z0bCE1imppk/s1600/IMG_9013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inh29nzYemg/TakbkK9tykI/AAAAAAAABTU/z0bCE1imppk/s400/IMG_9013.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Although we're slated to get lots of rain in the next week, I'm THRILLED that the temps will hover around 60! I can deal with the rain if the temps are a smidge warmer than they have been. And the sun promises to peek through the clouds a day or two. Can you hear me singing? HERE COMES THE SUN!!!! YAAAAY!!!!<br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-36848761466605379022011-04-11T21:28:00.006-06:002011-04-12T22:04:44.508-06:00What's Your Perspective?My blog posts have been far and few between lately. I've been so busy working on 5 things at once that nothings getting finished. BUT, that is a bout to change, I promise!!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Until then, I wanted to link up to another one of Tracy's parties! This time, it's all about angle.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CbqZpphWC8k/TaO7O__2KkI/AAAAAAAABSk/6GaCg3LyboI/s1600/anglebutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CbqZpphWC8k/TaO7O__2KkI/AAAAAAAABSk/6GaCg3LyboI/s1600/anglebutton.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So, much like I've done in the past, I'm using pictures that I've taken in the last little while. I wish that mother nature would take her Prozac in these parts and allow spring to come already. I'm SO OVER winter!! Incidentally, this is what my poor tulips are enduring for the time being. And since I wasn't about to lay down in the snow, because I wasn't appropriately dressed, I just pointed and shot this picture, so it's not the best, but you can see a much better picture right below. This picture and the one below are taken at ground level, looking up, as it is on a slight hill. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Rj0-BtDpoM/TaO9chPuyGI/AAAAAAAABSs/_cHGjJfd8Cs/s1600/IMG_8870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Rj0-BtDpoM/TaO9chPuyGI/AAAAAAAABSs/_cHGjJfd8Cs/s400/IMG_8870.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">THIS is what my flower garden will look like in a couple of weeks. I'm so anxious for the blue sky, warm temps and for these beauties to bloom again!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmDQu8QpHX4/TaO8IW_f2XI/AAAAAAAABSo/sC1krugI2E4/s1600/IMG_5377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmDQu8QpHX4/TaO8IW_f2XI/AAAAAAAABSo/sC1krugI2E4/s400/IMG_5377.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Since I'm still balking about it feeling like winter, I thought I'd throw in a couple of my favorite pictures from about a month ago. We have a place in the mountains we love to go tubing/sledding at. The kids have a ball, as you can see in these fun pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is my youngest son. I laid down on my stomach so that I would be below him as he came off the jump. I wanted to catch his air time! Rather than centering this picture, I composed it so he'd be in the upper corner, not just capturing his launch, but also his landing strip. I think this definitely adds interest to the picture.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp3l7qhoIcY/TaO-ZOGAOSI/AAAAAAAABSw/UzGCIqel4g8/s1600/IMG_7988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp3l7qhoIcY/TaO-ZOGAOSI/AAAAAAAABSw/UzGCIqel4g8/s400/IMG_7988.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My 11 year old daughter had a heck of a time convincing her younger cousin to go down the steep hill with her. Although you can't see how big the hill really is, I think their faces tell it all. If you haven't already, you've got to click on this one and enlarge it to see Kailey's face! She's having fun, yet looks terrified at the same time!</div> <br />
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My son was busy with his Lego's not too long ago, and was so proud to show my his creation. I just had to take a picture. I took this one at ground level. I offset him a little, making sure to get the bucket of Lego's in the picture as well. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RzK88s-sBhw/TaO_jh_qH4I/AAAAAAAABS4/xhXK7slLFxM/s1600/IMG_7847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RzK88s-sBhw/TaO_jh_qH4I/AAAAAAAABS4/xhXK7slLFxM/s400/IMG_7847.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is one of my daughter (in the bottom, right hand corner) and 4 of her neighborhood friends at their dance recital. I thought with all 5 of them in the same dance class, it would be fun to do a little photo shoot with all of them dressed alike. I stood above them for this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlEiEO2TCPM/TaPAi6tRSAI/AAAAAAAABS8/0-lIyWnatiI/s1600/IMG_5747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlEiEO2TCPM/TaPAi6tRSAI/AAAAAAAABS8/0-lIyWnatiI/s400/IMG_5747.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These next two pictures were taken in Moab. We took our kids from Florida to hike one of the beautiful National Parks in Southern Utah. We had a great time and can't wait to go back again. This picture is of our oldest, who appears to be hanging on for dear life over the edge of a wall. Obviously, this one is all about illusion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNqGXuww9U0/TaPBXa6SU0I/AAAAAAAABTA/dUMI-Y_bABY/s1600/IMG_3067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNqGXuww9U0/TaPBXa6SU0I/AAAAAAAABTA/dUMI-Y_bABY/s400/IMG_3067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although there were some death defying cliffs that had my stomach churning, Chris is really just crouching down on this ledge that Chelsea is sitting on in the picture below. Isn't the view breathtaking??!?!?!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xb7ZdqBAMU/TaPB2guC1HI/AAAAAAAABTE/yigZwbPGsXo/s1600/IMG_3066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xb7ZdqBAMU/TaPB2guC1HI/AAAAAAAABTE/yigZwbPGsXo/s400/IMG_3066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh how I long for summer! This picture was taken last summer at the pool that my handsome nephew worked at as a life guard. I really wanted to take his picture, but he wasn't so willing to let me do so, so I had to be sneaky. I simply held my camera at waist height, so he didn't realize I was taking it, pointed and shot. Every time I held the camera up to my eye, he'd turn away or cover his face. I got SO LUCKY with this one and actually got a centered picture! I also love the sun flare. It's seems so appropriate for the time of year!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Zm8fUrWA0A/TaPFC0fBLGI/AAAAAAAABTI/uJUf3Fl8HCw/s1600/100_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Zm8fUrWA0A/TaPFC0fBLGI/AAAAAAAABTI/uJUf3Fl8HCw/s400/100_1200.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I hope you enjoyed my angled pictures! I was really wanting to go somewhere and shoot new pictures, but the weather outside is FRIGHTFUL!!!!! It's just too darn cold. And with that, I leave you with one last picture of the blossoms on my tree getting ready to pop! Hopefully I'll be singing in the sun in the next week or so.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOz_DFodzWU/TaPGF7HCOHI/AAAAAAAABTM/q01X8-hS-Gc/s1600/IMG_8873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOz_DFodzWU/TaPGF7HCOHI/AAAAAAAABTM/q01X8-hS-Gc/s400/IMG_8873.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh! WAIT! Just because I can......I want to include this video of Chris. Not only does he do a great cover of Jack Johnson, I kinda liked his ANGLES in it, too. =) Hope you enjoy it! He played/sang each part seperately and then mixed it together on his laptop. (Please never mind my messy, soon-to-be-finished basement.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ULEiIkwP2LA" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-10902748718927107262011-03-22T17:56:00.003-06:002011-03-22T20:50:15.199-06:00The Boy Has Talent!Our oldest son <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(yes, I do realize he's my stepson, but I don't do labels, they're cheap!),</span> Chris, posted this video on YouTube and I just had to share our button popping pride with everyone! This kid is so musically talented. He started playing the cello at 9 and taught himself how to play the piano, guitar, bass, drums, aaand knows how to sing!<br />
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We are SO PROUD of you, Cecil. Keep up the great work.<br />
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If you're interested in hearing more of his original music, click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Chris-Morgan-music-page/172167339481968?sk=info"><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></a>.<br />
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OH! Did I mention that he's single and available?!??! ;)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZDnhbapDXOw" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-67515961613276135682011-03-16T12:24:00.003-06:002011-03-16T13:05:33.441-06:00Slower Than Molasses In January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The progress of MY bedroom makeover has been SLOWER THAN MOLASSES IN JANUARY!!! I was going to have it done before our trip to Florida last October, but that didn't happen. Then the holidays were upon us and it was totally out of the question. Not to mention the fact that I couldn't sand and paint outside in the snow. So, I put it on the back burner until now. And wouldn't ya know it, just when I get my mojo back, I'm plagued with a 12 day (NO LIE) migraine. It's been varying degrees of pain in those 12 days, but nonetheless, has incapacitated me. I've only functioned as much as I absolutely had to, and spent the rest of the time in bed wishing I could decapitate myself. The headache FINALLY broke 2 days ago, so I went to town on my headboard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It took a lot more work than it should have because I failed to prime it. This is the first time I've painted with white, so I was naive to the fact that the stain would bleed through the paint. I've never had to prime furniture because everything I've painted thus far has been black or red. Perhaps I should ALWAYS prime? I have to give a big shout out to <a href="http://frostedgardner.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">Melanie, at The Frosted Gardener,</span></a> for helping me solve my problem with the bleed through. I never would have thought to use primer - DUH!!!! (In my defense though, the paint already had primer in it). She is such a sweetheart for taking time out of her busy schedule to respond to my dilemma! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After two coats of white paint, 2 coats of primer to cover the bleeding, and two more coats of white paint, here she is! I still need to spray with polyurethane, but I'm going to wait until I can take it outside to do that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">BEFORE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JjS1ynWHSuA/TYD8C4PPQvI/AAAAAAAABSM/_Qvc9LyGqXM/s1600/IMG_4533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JjS1ynWHSuA/TYD8C4PPQvI/AAAAAAAABSM/_Qvc9LyGqXM/s400/IMG_4533.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">AFTER</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6tHz1jSzbKg/TYD8OqVDJSI/AAAAAAAABSQ/r_LgSWq7HAM/s1600/IMG_8620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6tHz1jSzbKg/TYD8OqVDJSI/AAAAAAAABSQ/r_LgSWq7HAM/s400/IMG_8620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9JGsw1Cr6s4/TYD8X1Yi5dI/AAAAAAAABSU/1070__oUzwM/s1600/IMG_8626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9JGsw1Cr6s4/TYD8X1Yi5dI/AAAAAAAABSU/1070__oUzwM/s400/IMG_8626.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OuJjfJt167A/TYD8o77wNQI/AAAAAAAABSY/Ai9v3XVWq-U/s1600/IMG_8627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OuJjfJt167A/TYD8o77wNQI/AAAAAAAABSY/Ai9v3XVWq-U/s400/IMG_8627.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iipbC74oG_Q/TYD8z10tveI/AAAAAAAABSc/9n1YwItfVX0/s1600/IMG_8629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iipbC74oG_Q/TYD8z10tveI/AAAAAAAABSc/9n1YwItfVX0/s400/IMG_8629.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BLeixCtGyOU/TYD8_SVd05I/AAAAAAAABSg/w8DI-jSejmw/s1600/IMG_8632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BLeixCtGyOU/TYD8_SVd05I/AAAAAAAABSg/w8DI-jSejmw/s400/IMG_8632.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm going with a vintage feel in my room. I am so excited about how this turned out!!!! I LOVE to distress furniture and make it look old. I chose not to glaze it though. I didn't like it on the white like I do black and red. I'm so excited to get the nightstands done!! Here's to hoping the migraine stays at bay.</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1367549946887863983.post-34975664436458210842011-02-28T19:14:00.003-07:002011-02-28T19:31:27.653-07:00To Color Or Not To ColorI'm so glad that January and February are behind us! I haven't blogged much because frankly, there's not much going on. I am working on some furniture makeovers, but I'm not going to blog about them until my whole room is done. So, to stay on the band wagon, I've been linking up to <a href="http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">Tracy's blog parties</span></a>. This week she's featuring black and white photos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tXPLPSpymWk/TWxaKvYdT4I/AAAAAAAABSI/m9aXvI4gBYw/s1600/blackandwhitebutton_thumb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tXPLPSpymWk/TWxaKvYdT4I/AAAAAAAABSI/m9aXvI4gBYw/s1600/blackandwhitebutton_thumb2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
While I'm not a huge photo editor, and generally like full color pictures, there are just certain pictures that look really great in black and white. When I do edit black and white, I almost always add a vignette. I don't know why, I just love the effect it has on the picture. Sometimes I adjust the highlights and shadows, but my favorite thing to do is add a red filter. That doesn't work on every picture, but as always, it's fun to just play and experiment to see what looks best. Occasionally, I like to add some grain, too. <br />
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Here are a few of my favorites from the last year:<br />
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I wasn't crazy about this picture in full color, but when I turned it B&W, I totally fell in love with it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RronRftFCZ8/TWxKBngQlxI/AAAAAAAABRo/Wi6p6I1Eu-4/s1600/125b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RronRftFCZ8/TWxKBngQlxI/AAAAAAAABRo/Wi6p6I1Eu-4/s400/125b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one looks great in color, but it's also very dramatic in B&W, too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uQ_USrwk7uc/TWxKMd1NQOI/AAAAAAAABRs/lEu3z_K9kAI/s1600/176a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uQ_USrwk7uc/TWxKMd1NQOI/AAAAAAAABRs/lEu3z_K9kAI/s400/176a.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I LOVE back lit pictures. The sun shining on her hair and their sparkly eyes slay me. Because this picture was so zoomed in, I didn't feel like the color version was as dramatic. I love how the B&W brought out and softened their features. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f5vm_OijRt0/TWxKi_v-R_I/AAAAAAAABRw/T_rhj6MAM54/s1600/093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f5vm_OijRt0/TWxKi_v-R_I/AAAAAAAABRw/T_rhj6MAM54/s400/093.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture has a lot of sun flare, which is a cool effect all alone, but with this picture, I loved how the sun flare, coupled with the B&W, made this picture look. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hLZOsysOwLk/TWxK6iMbE5I/AAAAAAAABR0/ZnNA24xuUd0/s1600/104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hLZOsysOwLk/TWxK6iMbE5I/AAAAAAAABR0/ZnNA24xuUd0/s400/104.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was my niece's Prom last year. I went along on this just-for-fun-photo-shoot with my sister-in-law so that we could capture the night from two different perspectives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-op3dYC2h938/TWxMI-RMw-I/AAAAAAAABR4/wgb9RKhHuMA/s1600/IMG_9358edit01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-op3dYC2h938/TWxMI-RMw-I/AAAAAAAABR4/wgb9RKhHuMA/s400/IMG_9358edit01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love how this picture showcases the back of their dresses. I added a little grain to this one, just for fun. =) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D_h2InND8EI/TWxMReumpNI/AAAAAAAABR8/DXtPsH-ekLE/s1600/IMG_9372edit01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D_h2InND8EI/TWxMReumpNI/AAAAAAAABR8/DXtPsH-ekLE/s400/IMG_9372edit01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THIS picture is a perfect example (to me, anyway) how some pictures just HAVE to be in color!!! It just didn't look great in B&W. I just had to throw this one in because I LOVE how it shows that it's OK to be different. There is SO MUCH personality in this picture! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ddXZUV23Yy0/TWxMccH9W1I/AAAAAAAABSA/dAdL22NvqmI/s1600/IMG_9569edit01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ddXZUV23Yy0/TWxMccH9W1I/AAAAAAAABSA/dAdL22NvqmI/s400/IMG_9569edit01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of my SWEET, DARLING (former) daycare kids. I LOVE this baby girl so much! I asked her parents to allow me to practice with her when I first started learning how to shoot in manual mode. I think I captured her so perfectly in this particular picture. She really is this sweet and innocent! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lTPOSJpXhcw/TWxOeKAefjI/AAAAAAAABSE/wChSO2vrdTU/s1600/024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lTPOSJpXhcw/TWxOeKAefjI/AAAAAAAABSE/wChSO2vrdTU/s400/024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04777990180447862100noreply@blogger.com7