tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69326755723878332792024-03-14T01:24:38.525-04:00Happily Goingthoughts on things and stuff.
eloquent, huh?nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-72512333460079257382012-05-25T21:20:00.001-04:002012-05-25T21:20:17.040-04:00warm weather and a giveaway!Phew - it definitely is starting to feel like summer! I've been able to wear sandals and shorts anytime I'm not at work. That also means that the pool for the apartment complex will open tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to that. I just started reading 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' so maybe I'll be able to read it by the pool. I'm looking forward to swimming some laps, too - it will be a nice variation from the usually running/lifting routine.<br />
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Related to outdoor news - Everything has been coated in yellow pollen the last few days. It's been really gross and I think everyone has been suffering from allergies because of it. I'm looking forward to rain so that we don't have to pay to have the cars washed!<br />
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In other news, <a href="http://thenalongcametheboy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">em </a>has a blog design giveaway <a href="http://www.anasofiaeugenio.com/2012/05/win-one-free-blogger-template.html" target="_blank">here </a>that you should check out! Entries end on May 31 so make sure to get your name in there. :)nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-69719768275179967192012-05-13T16:54:00.002-04:002012-05-13T16:54:55.121-04:00Tulip Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Mr. and I went to the Tulip Festival yesterday. It was definitely worth checking out since we didn't get downtown last year. There were bands playing all day long at two stages, carnival food, some small rides, random entertainment, contests, and an art festival. A tulip queen was chosen along with some other 'festival' type of goings-ons.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--JrU_nF06PU/T7Ab2jBkT5I/AAAAAAAAAz0/W9VdHE_Z7ug/s1600/festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--JrU_nF06PU/T7Ab2jBkT5I/AAAAAAAAAz0/W9VdHE_Z7ug/s640/festival.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The tulips reached their peak a few weeks ago, but luckily a few were still in good enough shape to be the popular focus of many cameras.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rkK1VErwFc/T7Ab4FtiBjI/AAAAAAAAAz8/fyr0DDRkouU/s1600/colorful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rkK1VErwFc/T7Ab4FtiBjI/AAAAAAAAAz8/fyr0DDRkouU/s400/colorful.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't think I've ever seen black tulips before, but these were pretty cool.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0DmLd_4lzQ/T7Ab4x9yt2I/AAAAAAAAA0E/mLmlkrGxln0/s1600/blacktulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0DmLd_4lzQ/T7Ab4x9yt2I/AAAAAAAAA0E/mLmlkrGxln0/s640/blacktulips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aren't they so pretty? I think next year I might have to go to the park a week <i>before</i> the festival so that I can take some tulip pictures without so many people around! We enjoyed our time outside, but it was about 80* out so we were ready to head inside when we were done!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJmrSGiG7go/T7Ab5UgV7bI/AAAAAAAAA0M/wHYuSvuwsvI/s1600/tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJmrSGiG7go/T7Ab5UgV7bI/AAAAAAAAA0M/wHYuSvuwsvI/s640/tulips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope everyone had a great weekend - and Happy Mother's Day, mom!</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-54339802324588283802012-05-04T09:45:00.000-04:002012-05-04T09:45:00.367-04:00Happy Star Wars Day 2012!!<div style="text-align: center;">
May the Fourth be with you!</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/70720656618850369/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/70720656618850369_Ebee7DCX_c.jpg" width="570" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://us.starwars.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Default.aspx?cmp=KAC-Google2012StarWars795&OVMTC=Exact&site=&creative=11151936496&OVKEY=may%20the%20fourth%20be%20with%20you&adpos=1t1&gclid=CJiNrta24q8CFUZN4Aod8ml3Cw" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">us.starwars.lego.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/smhare/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sue</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/91479436151157088/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="700" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/91479436151157088_uFlkJTcP_c.jpg" width="467" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://bit.ly/HKywIF" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bit.ly</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/shornburned317/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Mary</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/184014334744625045/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="667" src="http://media-cache9.pinterest.com/upload/184014334744625045_ncWeWRpw_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://geeks.thedailywh.at/2011/10/12/star-wars-alphabet-of-the-day/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">geeks.thedailywh.at</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/robsowles/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Rob</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/196117758743257908/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="666" src="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/196117758743257908_cdEMdcno_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=28529;sa=showImages" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">craftster.org</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/core_/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">C</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/44824958761417215/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="825" src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/44824958761417215_YUxYFInL_c.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://goo.gl/W290j" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">goo.gl</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/deanelmor/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Gisela</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/27795722670387426/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="461" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/27795722670387426_jBzjt3lK_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://toppics.justfreight.org/pin" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">toppics.justfreight.org</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/wyss673/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jodoin</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/25825397832682384/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/25825397832682384_80ugG0dG_c.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://moviescribes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Star-Wars.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.moviescribes.com/star-wars-crossword-puzzle&usg=__T9NCz5venCx5MQKWYFmKmyXz1-8=&h=425&w=338&sz=53&hl=en&start=0&sig2=2CpWFs5dHe6DqaPmSOePUw&zoom=1&tbnid=Eo0MVeszgkl2oM:&tbnh=136&tbnw=108&ei=IZDPTfHVCon6swOD2umrCw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dstar%2Bwars%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D680%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=226&vpy=184&dur=1987&hovh=252&hovw=200&tx=121&ty=128&page=1&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/granttany/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Brittany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-56328958305806062192012-05-03T20:16:00.003-04:002012-05-03T20:16:59.764-04:00A disappointing blog background, but all is safeHi there.<br />
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My blog background is different because I changed it recently. If anyone tried to visit and saw something about the words 'suspicious' and 'malware' and 'Shabby Blogs', apparently the 'Shabby Blogs' website/backgrounds got hacked. That being said, I previously was using one of their free backgrounds, but I switched to a 'blogger' approved background for the time being. Maybe I'll figure out how to be handy and create something pretty for myself, but for now, this background will do. If you don't like it, then feel free to make me a FREE background that I can use!!! :)<br />
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In other news, I went to an ENT and - surprise! - he looked up my nose and down my throat. Riveting stuff, huh? Actually, now that I think of it, he didn't even look in my ears! It's like he only did 2/3 of the ENT job. har har har. <br />
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Anywhoo, with all of that boring 'blog background' talk and 'ENT' talk, here is something awesome from Pinterest for Star Wars Day tomorrow:<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/186406872046913304/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/186406872046913304_1fmOwPA4_c.jpg" width="359" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://justjennrecipes.com/starwarsday/2011/05/04/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">justjennrecipes.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenniburns/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jenni</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-16545596357911698182012-05-02T09:30:00.000-04:002012-05-02T09:30:04.386-04:00Colors and PINTEREST!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Look what I found! If you go to letschipit.com, you can put in the URL of a picture and it will give you two sets of color chips that match your picture. Kinda cool, huh?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2fNfwKCwwA/T58ZVg1l6GI/AAAAAAAAAxE/sX017FAZ5oo/s1600/flowerpaintchips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2fNfwKCwwA/T58ZVg1l6GI/AAAAAAAAAxE/sX017FAZ5oo/s400/flowerpaintchips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And, here are some awesome, unrelated things I found on Pinterest:</div>
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Greek Nachos - don't these look quick and yummy??</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432885572/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="595" src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/276549233338520353_iVT22rFN_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://iowagirleats.com/2012/04/30/greek-nachos/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IowaGirlEats+%28Iowa+Girl+Eats%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">iowagirleats.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432365210/" style="line-height: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="559" src="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/196821446184701709_eLOWUyQt_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432436963/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="520" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/170714642094846830_ymA54LOl_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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fun planters</td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://www.stonefacecreations.com/SHAREYOURHEAD.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">stonefacecreations.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432297731/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="527" src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/114208540519955015_Bqz2iLrG_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Arrested Development joke</td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://steotch.com/2011/11/17/family-love-sampler/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">steotch.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://iowagirleats.com/2012/04/30/greek-nachos/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IowaGirlEats+%28Iowa+Girl+Eats%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">iowagirleats.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432795359/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/199495458463729219_tuKTDeXR_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.bureauofbetterment.com/blog/salad-in-a-jar/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bureauofbetterment.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-90839923859923890402012-04-29T11:03:00.000-04:002012-04-29T11:04:09.801-04:00Catching up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It seems like I just barely have time to catch up on the weekends from the busy work week, lately. I haven't taken so many 'outside' pictures, or 'action' shots. I DID finally finish my cross stitch that was for my friend's birthday (in late February). It was a <i>litttttttle bit late </i>[and by that, I mean extremely] because I am much slower at cross stitching than I thought I was. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwdcQQUk5Jc/T51RNhjLsII/AAAAAAAAAwA/qMeVF9O1u-g/s1600/crossstitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwdcQQUk5Jc/T51RNhjLsII/AAAAAAAAAwA/qMeVF9O1u-g/s640/crossstitch.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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The Mr. has joined a softball league through his work, so he's been having practice once a week. His first game is tommorrow - I haven't seen them play, yet, so I'll be interested to see how they do. I, on the other hand, have been having allergies like crazy so I haven't spent hours on end outside like I'd want to! I'm not sure why they're so bad this spring, but my guess is that it has to do with the mild winter.</div>
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On another note, we did a spice haul a couple weeks ago, and I snapped this pic right after I opened the shipping box. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxy3FErzMDQ/T51SvoId7ZI/AAAAAAAAAwI/cEFBIvy9dAg/s1600/spices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxy3FErzMDQ/T51SvoId7ZI/AAAAAAAAAwI/cEFBIvy9dAg/s640/spices.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Online, we ordered rosemary, allspice, tamarind, coriander, cloves, basil, grains of paradise, chipotle powder, oregano, cinnamon, spearmint, and chili powder. I'll need to figure out where the spices will live since every brand and jar seems to be shaped just a little bit differently !!</div>
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What else have we been up to.......? Last weekend we helped with 'Adopt a highway' trash pickup. I was surprised to find out how much paperwork we had to go through just to help out. There were three or four pages of forms to sign and training to go through. We also wore hard hats and bright vests, just to look extra cool out there with our trash bags and trash pickers. It was a good time, and I was glad the weather was nice enough that we could help out. I'll be volunteering more often fairly soon - just more paperwork to complete for that!</div>
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Hopefully I'll be posting more often - I'll try to remember at least. I like posting recipes that we cook during the week, so maybe I'll try to do that more often. No promises! This afternoon, I'll be making <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/maple-cookies/" target="_blank">these</a> maple syrup cookies, so I'll have to report back on how those go. I might even use the vanilla sugar I made... (which is also delicious!)</div>
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I hope everyone's been having a good week - and having a relaxing weekend, too!</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-63060437351032211242012-04-14T23:17:00.000-04:002012-04-14T23:18:06.339-04:00Creamy Turmeric Tea<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432342579/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="435" src="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/256564509991401698_CsMHAP8K_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/creamy-turmeric-tea/#more-25162" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">marksdailyapple.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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This creamy turmeric drink is deeeee-licious!!! All you need is almond milk, turmeric, ginger,cayenne, honey, cinnamon, and maybe even a little cardamon. Mix together, heat up, and enjoy!<br />nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-10529565037247882412012-03-28T21:30:00.003-04:002012-04-14T23:17:51.302-04:00I made curtains!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made some curtains. They are lovely and are a nice addition to the mostly white room. They look crazy and bright, but they soften up quite a bit when the sun is shining through them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6bzq5_5Ys0/T3O6Q4ZPaOI/AAAAAAAAAvs/gvafKrt1ghI/s1600/IMG_0331382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6bzq5_5Ys0/T3O6Q4ZPaOI/AAAAAAAAAvs/gvafKrt1ghI/s400/IMG_0331382.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>They aren't the same length because I bought of the sheer fabric was what was left of the kind I liked at the fabric store, but I'm okay with that. I'd probably be ok with just the opaque layer of curtains, but there's some rule at the apartment complex about not having any color besides white in the window, or something like that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HU_BrIOM-cA/T3O6RqTBDDI/AAAAAAAAAv0/o-AzKoVe_dY/s1600/IMG_0332383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HU_BrIOM-cA/T3O6RqTBDDI/AAAAAAAAAv0/o-AzKoVe_dY/s400/IMG_0332383.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not a pro at sewing by any means, but I managed to string these together. They are lovely enough for me! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><br />nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-91407086519903945402012-03-14T20:52:00.000-04:002012-03-14T20:52:04.269-04:00Pi Day Cupcakes!<div style="text-align: center;">
HAPPY PI DAY!</div>
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In honor of pi day (celebrating 3/14), I made cupcakes that look like little pies!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyQ9-PPU9dM/T2E7zVZ1oFI/AAAAAAAAAvc/doCOiPdR2ow/s1600/top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyQ9-PPU9dM/T2E7zVZ1oFI/AAAAAAAAAvc/doCOiPdR2ow/s640/top.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you go <a href="http://www.piday.org/learn.php" target="_blank">here </a>you can learn a little more about pi. The Mr. helped quite a bit, too, since we ended up making FOUR DOZEN!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPCt0AYm8NM/T2E70GYn0LI/AAAAAAAAAvk/EiZgBfAn32Q/s1600/side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPCt0AYm8NM/T2E70GYn0LI/AAAAAAAAAvk/EiZgBfAn32Q/s640/side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I basically just tried to mimic <a href="http://ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com/pie-cupcakes/2010/06/04/" target="_blank">this </a>and <a href="http://www.oprah.com/food/Cupcake-Decorating-Tips/3" target="_blank">this </a>and think we ended up doing a pretty good job, after the learning curve! My biggest tip: Cut off the rounded muffin top so that the 'pie' parts can lay flat- that way the M&Ms won't fall off. We decided that <span style="color: red;"><b>red </b></span>= apple pie, <b><span style="color: orange;">orange </span></b>= pumpkin pie, <b><span style="color: yellow;">yellow </span></b>= lemon meringue, <b><span style="color: #38761d;">green </span></b>= key lime pie, <span style="color: blue;"><b>blue </b></span>= blueberry, and <b><span style="color: #783f04;">brown </span></b>= French silk pie. Boy- they were tasty!!!<br />
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Hope everyone's doing well - take care!</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-82313718348608513222012-03-11T12:35:00.000-04:002012-03-11T12:35:04.550-04:00Moroccon Crispy ChickpeasI just found this fantastic recipe for Moroccan Crispy Chickpeas <a href="http://recipes.americanspice.com/snacks/crispy-chickpeas-moroccan-style/" target="_blank">here </a>and haven't tried it yet. I figured if I posted on the blog then I'll remember to try making it some other time! If anybody tries this before I do, let me know how it turns out. I'm on a spice buying mission, so we'll have to see where I end up buying them from. When I make these, I'd probably use two cans of beans since the video made it seem like there would be plenty of extra spice.<br />
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Makes 3-4 servings</div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><b><u>Ingredients</u></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1 can
chickpeas (garbanzo beans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1 T.
olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/2 t.
California chile powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 t.
ground cumin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/4 t.
cayenne pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/2 t.
sweet paprika<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1 t.
ground coriander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/4 t.
ground allspice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/4 t.
ground ginger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">pinch of
ground cloves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1/4 t.
salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><div id="preparation" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 2px;">
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Preparation:</strong></div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Preheat oven to 350°</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Rinse chickpeas well, then lay on a paper towel and pat dry. Transfer to cookie sheet.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Toss with olive oil until chickpeas are lightly coated.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In a small bowl, combine California chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika, coriander, allspice, ginger, and salt</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sprinkle spice mixture over chickpeas, then toss until evenly coated. Save any leftovers for your next batch!</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Bake for 40-45 minutes.</li>
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</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-16052926164909454132012-02-27T20:08:00.001-05:002012-02-27T20:08:57.624-05:00Back from Hawaii!<div style="text-align: center;">
Gosh - Maui was nice and relaxing! On our weeklong trip, we:</div>
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<ul>
<li>went kayaking and saw humpback whales (one time, they were as close as 25 yards away!)</li>
<li>snorkeled and saw some sea turtles</li>
<li>got salt water in our snorkels when we tried to backfloat (just kidding - that was only me!!!)</li>
<li>went hiking in a jungle and learned what jungle plants we could and shouldn't eat</li>
<li>took a sunset sail on a catamaran</li>
<li>whale watched from a pretty fast raft-boat</li>
<li>relaxed on the beach</li>
<li>played in the sand</li>
<li>walked along the shore</li>
<li>tried to "catch a wave" on a body board</li>
<li>enjoyed a luau with great food and lots of hula-ing</li>
<li>saw lots of aquatic life in an aquarium</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2b27jeiKkw/T0wonXAPtmI/AAAAAAAAAvU/s0HbOFX4w78/s1600/10+-+redhibiscus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2b27jeiKkw/T0wonXAPtmI/AAAAAAAAAvU/s0HbOFX4w78/s640/10+-+redhibiscus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are PLENTY of pictures to come, mostly of flowers. I didn't want my camera to get wet!</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-39068323282917388542012-02-09T21:21:00.001-05:002012-02-09T21:38:19.397-05:00Bread con queso! and some facts.Hola!<br />
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So, Superbowl Sunday has passed and the Mr. has had a birthday since I've last posted. (Lots of food, but we're trying to stay in shape by running a little more than usual!) I made the bread pictured below, and have also found out that <a href="http://www.picnik.com/">picnik.com</a> (my favorite photo editing site) will be closing in a few months, which is sad. However, the "premium" features are now available to everyone, so I edited the same picture a few different ways to mess around and see what I liked.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MWL0CIWAMyY/TzRzKQ95e1I/AAAAAAAAAus/AvvE0swgLNg/s1600/bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MWL0CIWAMyY/TzRzKQ95e1I/AAAAAAAAAus/AvvE0swgLNg/s640/bread.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a recipe for the <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cheesy_jalapeno_pull_bread/">Cheesy Jalopeno Pull Bread </a>recipe - it's very easy, and very yummy.</div>
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And remember if you make this: the more places you cut the bread loaf, the more places there are to stuff cheese!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bruSex-Gm3w/TzRzMOIRGuI/AAAAAAAAAu0/Y6Lgbc5TJBQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bruSex-Gm3w/TzRzMOIRGuI/AAAAAAAAAu0/Y6Lgbc5TJBQ/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">postage stamp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I saw that em at<a href="http://thenalongcametheboy.blogspot.com/"> then along came the boy</a> tagged me in a game!<br />
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<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><u>Here are the rules:</u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">1. You must post the rules.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the post.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">5. Let them know you've tagged them.</span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-doyxLiasYD0/TzRzNIr8DXI/AAAAAAAAAu8/taOlfP4yCJk/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-doyxLiasYD0/TzRzNIr8DXI/AAAAAAAAAu8/taOlfP4yCJk/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reflection frame</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u> 11 Fun Facts About ME!</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;">Green has always been and always will be my favorite color. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I like rollerblading, but hate finding sidewalks/streets that aren't covered in gravel.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Horror movies are SO not for me.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Some of my favorite TV shows right now are 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Arrested Development, and It's Always Sunny.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I like pea coats and wouldn't mind having one in every color. So far I have green, yellow, and black.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I know how to play the cello and piano and would like to play more often than I do now.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">(I asked the Mr. for one fact) He said I am "straightforward".</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Crafts are fun in my downtime: cross stitching, sewing, crocheting, jewelry, making cards.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Cooking is<i> </i>generally fun and relaxing for me. My baking skills are improving, but cooking still wins.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Caterpillars are GROSS.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I lose my cell phone quite often, especially when it's on silent.</li>
</ol>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEcblBdQIzc/TzRzNz5Pm8I/AAAAAAAAAvE/6PZHdmxiSIY/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEcblBdQIzc/TzRzNz5Pm8I/AAAAAAAAAvE/6PZHdmxiSIY/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">squares</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u style="text-align: left;">Questions from em to answer:</u></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1. What is your favorite vacation destination and why? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Of places I have visited: Hawaii. Per degree of weather, it is the warmest place I have ever been with the least amount of bugs. That's a winning ratio in my book. :)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">2. What is your favorite color? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Green!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">3. Cats or Dogs? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Dogs, definitely.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">4. What is the one consumable item you cannot live without and why? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Vitamins? or water!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">5. Do you know multiple languages? If so what are they? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Just English. I have dabbled in Spanish and German, but nothing fluent.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">6. What is your favorite hobby? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Cooking</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">7. Who is your favorite singer/band? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">I really have a hard time picking favorites...</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">8. Who is your favorite author? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Um... Clive Barker? or Stephen King? I like a variety of authors.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">9. If you could have one do-over in your life, what would you do-over? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">I've previously thought I'd re-pick my college major, but I actually like the experiences I've had along the way because of it, so I don't think I'd do that over. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">10. Do you like to bake or cook, or both? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Seriously, I did <i>not</i> read these questions before I listed my 11 facts about myself. COOKING, yo.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">11. What type of footwear do you have on right now?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> No footwear, just socks. My feet are covered- don't worry!</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrbrsXl3ElM/TzRzO0B3IEI/AAAAAAAAAvM/HYjVzd8CR1Y/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrbrsXl3ElM/TzRzO0B3IEI/AAAAAAAAAvM/HYjVzd8CR1Y/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">newspaper print</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feel free to participate- I won't be offended if you don't.<br />
<u>People I tag</u><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Tadoette! - <a href="http://gielev.blogspot.com/">Tadoette</a></li>
<li>Joy! - <a href="http://christmasspiritallyearlong.blogspot.com/">Christmas Spirit All Year Long</a></li>
<li>Melanie! - <a href="http://happyjax-melanie.blogspot.com/">Happy Jax</a></li>
<li>Ana! - <a href="http://staringthebirds.blogspot.com/">Sixty-Two</a></li>
<li>Patty! - <a href="http://www.findingserendipity.com/">Finding Serendipity</a></li>
<li>Megan! - <a href="http://www.lovingthelittlethings.com/">Loving the Little Things</a></li>
<li>Nancy! - <a href="http://www.aruraljournal.com/">A Rural Journal</a></li>
<li>Mountain Mama! - <a href="http://mountainmamablog.blogspot.com/">Mountain Mama</a></li>
<li>Jaymi! - <a href="http://jaymiblog.blogspot.com/">Live, Love, Travel</a></li>
<li>Jodi! - <a href="http://sweetsandshutterclicks.blogspot.com/">Sweets and Shutterclicks</a></li>
<li>Jennifer! - <a href="http://www.mommy-y.com/">Mommy Y</a></li>
</ol>
<div>
<u>Questions for the people I tag</u><br />
<ol>
<li>What is your favorite TV show?</li>
<li>What character is most similar to yourself from #1?</li>
<li>What do your like to do to celebrate your birthday?</li>
<li>Are you a tea or coffee drinker?</li>
<li>How many pairs of shoes/boots/sandals do you own?</li>
<li>Do you wear a watch?</li>
<li>What is the worst food you have ever eaten?</li>
<li>Do you believe in ghosts?</li>
<li>What does your hair look like right now (style/cut/color)?</li>
<li>Aside from paying bills, do you ever send snail mail?</li>
<li>Do you prefer mittens or gloves?</li>
</ol>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">BTW- What was your favorite bread photo edit? Just curious!!</span><br />
<br />nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-10351975206774009262012-02-01T22:03:00.001-05:002012-02-01T22:04:06.141-05:00PokeMonopoly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I played Pokemon Monopoly tonight with the Mr. and another friend. </div>
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Guess what?</div>
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I won!! That's right.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-868SdXtDBq8/Tyn7jSUfACI/AAAAAAAAAuk/IzsPLrW4r_U/s1600/PokeMonopoly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-868SdXtDBq8/Tyn7jSUfACI/AAAAAAAAAuk/IzsPLrW4r_U/s640/PokeMonopoly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center><a href="http://andthen-shesnapped.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="and
then, she {snapped}" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j52/drexgal/and%20then%20she%20snapped/word2s.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.supermomalysha.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Wordish Wednesday" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/alyshadavila/wordishwednesday.jpg" /></a> a<a href="http://www.projectalicia.com/" target="”_blank”"><img src="http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/iowalish/button200x200.jpg" /></a>bcd</center><center><br /></center><center>*********************************************************************</center><center><br /></center><center>In other, non-Monopoly related news, check out Em's giveaway post <a href="http://thenalongcametheboy.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-memories-digital-suite-giveaway.html">here</a>!</center><br />
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I hope everyone is having a good week so far...it's getting closer to the weekend. :)</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-57170419921081593022012-01-24T19:30:00.000-05:002012-01-24T19:30:53.504-05:00Berry Muffin Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Don't these look tasty? I've made these a <span style="font-size: large;">ton </span>of times... sometimes I add cocoa or change the flavor of the yogurt. I've made them in regular 'muffin' sizes, but I am really enjoying eating the mini-muffin size. :) They are great with coffee, tea, or water...it's a fact! The recipe is below...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4hCGf9gfxI/Tx87a3MX8pI/AAAAAAAAAuI/ASBUMmbabYo/s1600/DSC03923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4hCGf9gfxI/Tx87a3MX8pI/AAAAAAAAAuI/ASBUMmbabYo/s640/DSC03923.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<u>Ingredients</u><br />
1 3/4 cup flour<br />
1/4 cup flax<br />
1/3 cup sugar<br />
1 tsp. baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp. salt<br />
6 oz. berry flavored yogurt (raspberry, mixed, blueberry, blackberry all work)<br />
1/2 cup canola or olive oil<br />
1 egg<br />
1 cup frozen berries (rasberries, mixed, blueberry, blackberry work- whatever you want, really!)<br />
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How to do it:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Preheat the oven to 375* F.</li>
<li>Mix all of the dry ingredients together (flour, flax, sugar, baking poweder, baking soda, salt)</li>
<li>Mix all of the wet ingredients together (yogurt, oil, egg).</li>
<li>Mix all of the dry and wet ingredients, but do not overmix.</li>
<li>Mix in the berries, do not overmix.</li>
<li>Either use oil spray or liners to prepare the muffin pan.</li>
<li>Fill the cups about 2/3 full for 'regular' sized muffins and about 1/2 full for 'mini' muffins.</li>
<li>Bake 15-18 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Small muffins take less time than big muffins.</li>
</ol>
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While they are baking, I prepare a glaze for the top mixing together lemon juice, powdered sugar, a dash of vanilla flavoring, and sometimes a little flax. There you have it! It makes slightly more than a dozen regular sized muffins and about 18 mini-muffins. Let me know if you try it....they're really tasty!</div>
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<br />nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-6559611999438471532012-01-18T19:00:00.001-05:002012-01-18T19:00:43.291-05:00wintertime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Hi there!</b></span></div>
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How are you? It's been awhile, hasn't it??</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ99qHvpiPw/Txdb-ciNqnI/AAAAAAAAAuA/QrTd1odrCJg/s1600/DSC03976edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ99qHvpiPw/Txdb-ciNqnI/AAAAAAAAAuA/QrTd1odrCJg/s640/DSC03976edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went for a winter hike. It was cold and pretty out, but I'm not sure if I like being outside when it's below freezing!!</td></tr>
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This is my first post of 2012 - so it certainly has been awhile. The holidays kept us busy and I'm still getting into the routine of working full time. I haven't even been done with school for a whole month and it seems like a LONG TIME! <br />
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Hopefully I can get back into a routine - I still need to post the Donutmisu recipe and I have a berry muffin recipe I've really been enjoying. Also next up on my "craft" agenda is some curtains and some Valentine's Day crafts.<br />
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I hope everyone is doing well and don't forget to check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thecraftybees?ref=ss_profile">the crafty bees</a>!!</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-35498454894664804232011-12-27T20:56:00.001-05:002011-12-27T20:57:03.145-05:00Merry Christmas! (a little late!!!!!!!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a few days late, but here is a belated, virtual "Merry Christmas!" I was hoping for a little snow, but it just ended up being rain. Hopefully we get some accumulation soon!</div>
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The Mr. and I had a relaxing four day weekend. Here are some pictures of our tree and presents...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvhqNfszgs8/Tvp0YwCRkSI/AAAAAAAAAtA/XSMjOGkBCe0/s1600/DSC05661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvhqNfszgs8/Tvp0YwCRkSI/AAAAAAAAAtA/XSMjOGkBCe0/s640/DSC05661.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgVT07i4unM/Tvp0fD7ZQgI/AAAAAAAAAtI/vaT29qM-gMY/s1600/DSC05663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgVT07i4unM/Tvp0fD7ZQgI/AAAAAAAAAtI/vaT29qM-gMY/s640/DSC05663.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made mosaic cookies, which turned out surprisingly well for my first time making them.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bjvYqIWzU5I/Tvp0l0h4cQI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/fmcBVhuU6O8/s1600/DSC05677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bjvYqIWzU5I/Tvp0l0h4cQI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/fmcBVhuU6O8/s640/DSC05677.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Mr. helped me make pretzel/Hershey/M&M candies. We used Hugs for this batch...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OGpX1DEtQs/Tvp0s-jG8GI/AAAAAAAAAtY/qz9FFHQmDkw/s1600/DSC05683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OGpX1DEtQs/Tvp0s-jG8GI/AAAAAAAAAtY/qz9FFHQmDkw/s640/DSC05683.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and Kisses for this batch.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4VhEQYszoM/Tvp0zydrP2I/AAAAAAAAAtg/VULZXgB-2K0/s1600/DSC05684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4VhEQYszoM/Tvp0zydrP2I/AAAAAAAAAtg/VULZXgB-2K0/s640/DSC05684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We also played some Yahtzee and made mint cut-out cookies. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NlKhugCug8/Tvp06r3Q5sI/AAAAAAAAAto/BfBsU0h08Is/s1600/DSC05685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NlKhugCug8/Tvp06r3Q5sI/AAAAAAAAAto/BfBsU0h08Is/s640/DSC05685.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We did a 500 piece puzzle during the course of a movie ('Into the Wild') and during lunch the next day. (Btw, the book is WAY better than the movie!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PczqOly8whU/Tvp1BO3PZTI/AAAAAAAAAtw/vIQYBvSwRIE/s1600/DSC05687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PczqOly8whU/Tvp1BO3PZTI/AAAAAAAAAtw/vIQYBvSwRIE/s640/DSC05687.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymAWrXoTl2M/Tvp1HtLsAjI/AAAAAAAAAt4/K7QiJ-_fkcQ/s1600/DSC05688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymAWrXoTl2M/Tvp1HtLsAjI/AAAAAAAAAt4/K7QiJ-_fkcQ/s640/DSC05688.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I would have formatted the pictures, but I decided to keep things moving along this evening. </div>
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Hope everyone is doing well!</div>
<br />nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-69453354392244255132011-12-20T21:43:00.002-05:002011-12-20T21:44:07.084-05:00Christmas Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The theme for Earth Wonder's this week is "Christmas Tree". So, here's a picture of our little Christmas tree and there will be more updates to come soon. I'm just finally getting used to what the week is like without classes and studying...it certainly is weird!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3whFlNPOCw/TvFGA2Zp6zI/AAAAAAAAAs0/T-BvdhOWQK0/s1600/christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3whFlNPOCw/TvFGA2Zp6zI/AAAAAAAAAs0/T-BvdhOWQK0/s640/christmas.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.anasofiaeugenio.com/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQn87mi2x2w/TlF24eOL15I/AAAAAAAAAhM/05UqhOpBTSA/s1600/EARTH_WONDERS.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-15647371428884562752011-12-11T21:27:00.001-05:002011-12-11T21:37:36.760-05:00Decorated with Christmas lightsLately, I start almost every post on here with "it's been busy around here", but it's the truth! Again, the days have been flying by, it seems. We have decorated the apartment for Christmas, and even have all the presents under our little tree!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDHksWvZM8M/TuVnY4s1fqI/AAAAAAAAAss/jxEf-NKCE9s/s1600/brightlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDHksWvZM8M/TuVnY4s1fqI/AAAAAAAAAss/jxEf-NKCE9s/s640/brightlights.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This past week included one final exam, a company Christmas party, a housewarming, a BBQ, some games with friends, and a little shopping. So, tonight, it's Sunday night, and it feels like I'm just sitting down for the first time this weekend!<br />
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ALSO, we are offering 25% off of everything at<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thecraftybees"> The Crafty Bees </a>with coupon code 25OFF<br />
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I hope everyone has a great start to their week!</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-24920896707076292552011-12-06T13:40:00.001-05:002011-12-06T13:58:02.629-05:00Thanks!<div>
Today I like lists, since I can't find the camera and don't have a picture to post:</div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: yellow;">THANKS!</b></span> I just wanted to give a quick THANKS! to the folks who wished me a happy birthday a few days ago! It's been a pretty busy week and I had a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">lovely </span>birthday spent with the Mr. and some friends. The Mr. gave me a fuzzy hat with ear flaps and purple scarf <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(which I pointed at everytime we went in the store)</span> so he knew <i>exactly</i> what I wanted! I always enjoy getting mail, but birthday cards in the mail are the best! So those will be sitting out to be enjoyed for awhile longer, too. :)</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Final exams</b></span> </span>are this Friday and next Friday, for me. So my work schedule is a bit wonky, but it'll work out. I have lots of studying to do!</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Snow:</b></span> It hasn't snowed here yet - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">JUST RAIN</span>! It is about 60*F and raining outside, so I wore my birthday rainboots outside instead of choosing snowboots. This is crazy! Normally there's about a foot of snow outside in early December.</li>
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So that's my update- I hope everyone's having a good week so far! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Hopefully I can find my camera, wherever it's hiding!!!!!)</span></div>
</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-21835677200528565462011-11-29T13:42:00.001-05:002011-11-29T13:57:58.053-05:00Hot Cocoa / ChocolatlThe weather has turned chilly, and, in turn, I have begun drinking warm chocolate beverages. :) We have giant marshmallows left over from <a href="http://happilygoing.blogspot.com/2011/10/camping-out-and-hiking-at-thatcher-park.html">this</a>, plenty of hot chocolate mix, and giant cups. All set!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Veg5ORIplYg/TtUnfW9skpI/AAAAAAAAAsc/rN-OfSIYWPY/s1600/HotCocoabw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Veg5ORIplYg/TtUnfW9skpI/AAAAAAAAAsc/rN-OfSIYWPY/s640/HotCocoabw.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<a href="http://scatteredhorizons.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_self"><img alt="Scattered Horizons" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oheKkR_BFoQ/ToqWTprynwI/AAAAAAAAAJE/eQ5mj0lgqx4/s1600/tonesontuesday2.jpg" /></a></div>
For some spice, sometimes the Mr. and I add <strike><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">one or two</span></strike> several dashes of cayenne to our hot cocoa. I think we're probably mutilating a recipe here, but we had this at a restaurant recently and they called it chocolatl. It's supposed to be warming in <b>temperature </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and </span><b>spice</b>. It is yummy and I would definitely recommend trying it. YUM!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJpGJFpRhzY/TtUngY4ucTI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Zb1N75sgg4g/s1600/HotCocoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJpGJFpRhzY/TtUngY4ucTI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Zb1N75sgg4g/s640/HotCocoa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://my3boybarians.com/category/photography/sweet-shot-day/"><img alt="Sweet Shot Day" border="0" height="125" outline="0" src="http://my3boybarians.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sweetshotbutton.png" title="Add your photo to Sweet Shot Day @ m3b" width="125" /></a><a href="http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/search/label/Weekly%20Kodachrome/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c7qmY-TlXUY/Tks7YC4Bx2I/AAAAAAAAGvM/-MrtULNMQy8/s800/Weekly%252520Kodachrome.png" /></a><br />
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This week is a standard week of school and work for me, so I've just got some studying to catch up on from the weekend. It was a relaxing four day weekend, and I think I caught up on most of my important/"should-do" things list. Christmas shopping is (almost) all done, I think. Time to prepare for final exams next week!<br />
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<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Don't forget: </span></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We, at </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thecraftybees?ref=ss_profile" style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The Crafty Bees</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, are offering FREE SHIPPING on all card orders to US and Canada until December 1st!! Just enter coupon code </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">FREE11</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> at checkout. Just look at all that awesome, crafty goodness!</span></div>
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<br /></div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-25548422974982554902011-11-25T19:43:00.001-05:002011-11-25T19:45:31.771-05:00Pretty sunset sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Mr. and I went for a lovely walk this evening, and we saw this sunset. I took the picture with my phone and didn't even edit it. Just thought I'd share the pretty view!</div>
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I hope everyone's having a nice, long weekend. :)</div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-41775109051971994342011-11-23T07:00:00.000-05:002011-11-23T07:00:14.372-05:00A few Pinterest picks<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;">If you didn't already notice my fancy Pinterest button at the top, you can find me on Pinterest <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/">here</a>. These are just a few random pins I picked out to share.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">HUMOR</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432160487/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="435" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/69946600432160487_D8JHwtNX_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes that's how exam questions seem...</td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://frenchbydesign.blogspot.com/search/label/typography" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">frenchbydesign.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://imgur.com/gallery/YL8VD" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">imgur.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/shannyb926/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shannon</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.happyplace.com/4286/brilliantly-sarcastic-responses-to-completely-well-meaning-signs" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">happyplace.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/shannyb926/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shannon</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">FOOD</span></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432221778/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="698" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/69946600432221778_39FlFcds_c.jpg" width="465" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.bakersroyale.com/cakes/chocolate-peppermin-roll/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bakersroyale.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432207393/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/69946600432207393_VBXz5peN_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/2011/10/easy-bite-size-apple-pie-recipe.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FmRoaH+%28Six+Sisters%27+Stuff%29" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69946600432161669/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/69946600432161669_IPATcjWu_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://gordongossip.blogspot.com/2010/11/peppermint-stick-marshmallows.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">gordongossip.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happilygoing/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">happily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<b>Now I'm hungry. I need to go make something now!</b></div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-16456403875238728112011-11-22T07:05:00.000-05:002011-11-22T15:51:02.305-05:00New wheels, winning crepes, and free shipping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
The whole time I've had Happily Going, I thought I was showing my pictures as big as Blogger would allow. It turns out, my pictures were practically tiny. I apologize, and am excited to have larger pictures now, without ruining the bloggy format. Three things on the agenda:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">#1:</span> </span>The past few weeks we have busy with the car business of selling and buying, and here is our new purchase! It's a blue Prius and I really like driving it- it's very smooth on the road and has a much tighter turning radius than I'm used to. The Mr. loves watching the fuel economy. We are exciting like that.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYFEbkpZIE8/TsuP4wZK7QI/AAAAAAAAAsA/kPyF5e1oRe4/s1600/car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYFEbkpZIE8/TsuP4wZK7QI/AAAAAAAAAsA/kPyF5e1oRe4/s640/car.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">#2: </span>I <i>n-e-v-e-r</i> win raffles or drawings, so I was super excited when I checked my e-mail this morning and found that I won a gift certificate to a restaurant! The restaurant is called <a href="http://www.ravenouscrepes.com/">Ravenous </a>and they make some pretty fantastic crepes and pommes frittes (Belgian French fries). The last time we were there, the Mr. had the Blueberry Zeppelin (blueberries) and I had the French Kiss (chocolate-hazlenut). Their other specialty is pommes frittes which we chose to eat with aioli and a horseradish sauce. YUM!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">#3: </span>We, at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thecraftybees?ref=ss_profile">The Crafty Bees</a>, are offering FREE SHIPPING on all card orders to US and Canada until December 1st!! Just enter coupon code <b>FREE11</b> at checkout.Just look at all that awesome, crafty goodness!</div>
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Does anyone have any suggestions for which kind of crepe I should try next? You can find Ravenous' menu <a href="http://www.ravenouscrepes.com/Ravenous-menu.asp">here</a>. I hope everyone is having a great start to their Thanksgiving week! </div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-61849238854204372322011-11-17T13:55:00.001-05:002011-11-17T15:02:42.633-05:00Library, Christmas survey, and catching upRecently, I've been under the weather a bit so it seems like everything is taking a little longer. The Mr. and I recently sold a car and we'll hopefully be bringing a new one this weekend.<br />
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I also had a pretty big<b> exam</b> this morning so I've been at the library quite a bit, and the Mr. went on a <i>work trip</i> this week and was gone from Sunday till Tuesday. I swear we haven't had a normal, non-busy week in a long time. I <i>REALLY </i>am looking forward to a Thanksgiving break next week.<br />
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Unrelated to either of those, I stepped on a piece of glass yesterday in the kitchen. It was very unexpected. It bled a surprising amount, but my foot is just fine. <b><u><i>Lesson learned</i></u></b>: sweep the kitchen a little better!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">ALSO! </span>I'm doing a <b><span style="color: red;">C</span><span style="color: #38761d;">h</span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: #38761d;">i</span><span style="color: red;">s</span><span style="color: #274e13;">t</span><span style="color: red;">m</span><span style="color: #38761d;">a</span><span style="color: red;">s</span></b> Survey! I copied it Em at <a href="http://thenalongcametheboy.blogspot.com/">Then Along Came the Boy</a>. You should check her blog out!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #cc0000; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Hot chocolate, with marshmallows!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Wraps them.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #cc0000; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Colored lights are the way to go. White lights are only for ceilings!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">4. Do you hang mistletoe? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Nope.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">5. When do you put your decorations up?</span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Any time after Thanksgiving is acceptable. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">colorful books at the library!</td></tr>
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<center><a href="http://andthen-shesnapped.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="and then, she {snapped}" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j52/drexgal/and%20then%20she%20snapped/showoffbutton.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.debduty.com/" target="_blank"><img height="200" src="http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g404/dkaym/thisorthat200.jpg" width="200" /></a></center><br />
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">6. What is your favorite holiday dish? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Homemade fudge! Also those molassess cookies and the crinkle cookies. I’d have to agree with em here: Mom makes them all the best! I also like roasted yams with marshmallows. Yum.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?</span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Getting a real puppy, after two years of “stuffed animal” puppies! (It was difficult to convince me that a stuffed animal “counted” as a “real dog”. )</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">What are you trying to say???</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?</span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #222222; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Yes.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Right now I only have a handful of ornaments, but I’d prefer to have lights, garland, beads, and anything pretty.</span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Love it on the weekends, hate it when I have to travel somewhere far in a blizzard.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">12. Can you ice skate? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Yep; it’s been awhile though!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">13. Do you remember your favorite gift?</span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Oh gosh- Well, it’s pretty hard to have a better present than a puppy! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my second edit on those BRIGHT books. :)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://rubsomedirtblog.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://rubsomedirtblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Blog-Hop-Button1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://anasofiaeugenio.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="EARTH WONDERS by anaeugenio" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQn87mi2x2w/TlF24eOL15I/AAAAAAAAAhM/05UqhOpBTSA/s1600/EARTH_WONDERS.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Relaxing with family/friends, taking a break from the usual daily “hustle and bustle”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> See the answer to #6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">16. What is your favorite Holiday tradition? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Eating the answers to #6. :) </span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">17. What tops your tree? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">I have nothing for the top of the tree, right now. A star is usually nice, though.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Giving. This year I seem to be behind in that realm! </span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">19. Candy Canes: Yum or Yuck?</span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Yum! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">20. Favorite Christmas show? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">A Christmas Story</span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: red; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">21. Saddest Christmas Song? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> No time for sad Christmas songs!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #00b050; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">22. What is your favorite Christmas song? </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-family: "Birth of a Hero","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Carol of the Bells, on the piano</span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932675572387833279.post-73681412297337736582011-11-10T07:02:00.003-05:002011-11-10T14:26:17.174-05:00Three Pillows!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been really busy and meaning to post the pictures of the pillows I've made so far! I have three done, and three more to go. They're fun to make, and I like sifting through my own ideas to make them unique.</div>
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Here's a picture of my first pillow. (It even has it's own blog post, <a href="http://happilygoing.blogspot.com/2011/05/pillow-1.html">here</a>!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjNwP76Xi_g/Tru6UfKO6qI/AAAAAAAAAq4/KXEXrY3Gx4w/s1600/DSC05601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjNwP76Xi_g/Tru6UfKO6qI/AAAAAAAAAq4/KXEXrY3Gx4w/s320/DSC05601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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second pillow- with a bow! (I think it would be cute to wrap a present like this.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXesT8wPxeM/Tru6gnjVXXI/AAAAAAAAArQ/zxZKLhkj62c/s1600/DSC05603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXesT8wPxeM/Tru6gnjVXXI/AAAAAAAAArQ/zxZKLhkj62c/s320/DSC05603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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detail of the second pillow (my camera doesn't seem to like working in macro...)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RuoHWdeRlyM/Tru6nUnaY8I/AAAAAAAAArY/iNJwYVWfmvM/s1600/DSC05607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RuoHWdeRlyM/Tru6nUnaY8I/AAAAAAAAArY/iNJwYVWfmvM/s320/DSC05607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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third pillow</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcpIOUKDwf8/Tru6Xhf8CpI/AAAAAAAAArA/DaD7Jsc4RB8/s1600/DSC05602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcpIOUKDwf8/Tru6Xhf8CpI/AAAAAAAAArA/DaD7Jsc4RB8/s320/DSC05602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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detail of the third pillow (notice that the purple looks nothing like it "actually" should, but I don't have time to mess with color editing right now)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YesDumcuOJA/Tru6eFVNBxI/AAAAAAAAArI/FG8ihE3cNfI/s1600/DSC05605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YesDumcuOJA/Tru6eFVNBxI/AAAAAAAAArI/FG8ihE3cNfI/s320/DSC05605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three happy pillows, hanging out on the yellow chair! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8lME9U33cg/Tru6uNlYq5I/AAAAAAAAArg/0JIer8Y6ItQ/s1600/DSC05608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8lME9U33cg/Tru6uNlYq5I/AAAAAAAAArg/0JIer8Y6ItQ/s320/DSC05608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks to my mom being able to fix the sewing machine while my parents were visiting, I was able to finish the third pillow. It had been out of commission for longer than I had liked, and was starting to get worried it wouldn't get finished! THANKS MOM!</div>
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I also figured out that an envelope back(which I did on the second and third pillows) was much less time consuming than the "other" way I managed to close the first pillows. Good thing I learn fast!</div>
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I'm also linking up with the Earth Wonders Photo Challenge! This week's theme is 'clouds'. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZFH_RzBlJk/Trwk57zH-jI/AAAAAAAAAro/2-ojvZbpFJs/s1600/DSC05365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZFH_RzBlJk/Trwk57zH-jI/AAAAAAAAAro/2-ojvZbpFJs/s400/DSC05365.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Do you see the foot shaped cloud? </span></i></div>
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<a href="http://anasofiaeugenio.com/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQn87mi2x2w/TlF24eOL15I/AAAAAAAAAhM/05UqhOpBTSA/s1600/EARTH_WONDERS.jpg" /></a></div>
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Next week I have a pharmacology exam- this weekend I must study, study, study. Hope everyone's hanging in there this week- it's almost Friday!!</div>
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<br /></div>nathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150847170733631595noreply@blogger.com3