tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41845587908846176692024-03-13T12:12:11.953-03:00GETTING BACK TO BASICSMarisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-82260484852195567032015-04-22T17:55:00.001-03:002015-04-22T17:56:04.401-03:00Cookies Anyone<div style="text-align: center;">
As a child, two of my favorite cookies were my mother's "Dad's Cookies" and my grandmother's "Soft Molasses Cookies". While I have made my mother's cookie recipe numerous times over the years with great success, I could never turn out a molasses cookie to measure up to my memory Grammie Wile's Soft Molasses Cookies. I think I am missing an important ingredient</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...the wood stove!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My mother's recipe: </i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xB4jP70hpv4/VTf8xdIW17I/AAAAAAAAXTs/8vSmu2abi_U/s1600/Dad%27s%2BCookies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xB4jP70hpv4/VTf8xdIW17I/AAAAAAAAXTs/8vSmu2abi_U/s1600/Dad's%2BCookies.jpg" height="170" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>...but not my mother's Dad's Cookie!</i></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5VrwhGgudU/VTf-cPTXi2I/AAAAAAAAXUA/0bE12l4WZQw/s1600/2015-04-22%2B16.00.41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5VrwhGgudU/VTf-cPTXi2I/AAAAAAAAXUA/0bE12l4WZQw/s1600/2015-04-22%2B16.00.41.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Expanding waistlines have necessitated some revisions to the basic recipe...we could just resist eating cookies period, but what's the fun in that...so I made some changes to cut down a little on the fat and sugar, making them a little healthier. </div>
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<br /></div>
<b>Dad's Cookies</b><br />
1/4 c. butter or margarine<br />
1/4 c. applesauce<br />
1 c. brown sugar <br />
1 c. sugar replacement (I used Compliments) ***<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
2 c. flour<br />
1\2 tsp. salt<br />
1\2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1 tsp. baking powder <br />
1 c. coconut<br />
2 c. rolled oats (I used the old fashion kind)<br />
2 Tbsp.ground flax seed<br />
1/2 c. dried cranberries<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.<br />
Cream the butter, brown sugar, and sugar replacement. Add eggs, apple sauce and vanilla and mix together. In a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until combined. Roll dough into balls, place on a cookie sheet and flatten balls with a fork dipped in milk. Or...you can be lazy like me and just drop the dough from a spoon onto the cookie sheet and press down with a fork. Bake for 12 minutes or until slightly browned. Remove from cookie sheet a cool onto a rack.<br />
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*** You are supposed to be able to replace sugar measure for measure using this product but don't. I find it leaves an after taste but using it to replace half the sugar called for in a recipe works fine.<br />
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<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-83306500981157956362015-01-06T12:58:00.000-04:002015-01-07T11:29:20.185-04:00Never Too Old<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-viwwtAfflwE/VKwSUJZKCNI/AAAAAAAAW-A/kWMIrjkFlrw/s1600/Snowshoeing%2Btrip%2Bthrough%2Borchard%2B018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-viwwtAfflwE/VKwSUJZKCNI/AAAAAAAAW-A/kWMIrjkFlrw/s1600/Snowshoeing%2Btrip%2Bthrough%2Borchard%2B018.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Posting on this blog has ranged from sporadic to almost never in the past year or two and it's been about six months since I've even bothered to check in. Imagine my surprise when I finally do, I discover a lot of my photos have gone missing. After checking back through old post I have come to the realization that my big mistake was uploading photos directly from my Dropbox photo file. When I later deleted photos from my Dropbox folder, I inadvertently deleted all traces of them from anywhere I had posted them on the web, my blogs, Pinterest and perhaps even Facebook. For someone who loves photos, this was an important lesson for me as in this day and age everyone including me relies too heavily on saving everything in the "cloud." But photo sites are not forever, and just because you may have uploaded photos to other places online does not guarantee you will always have them. <br />
<br />
I do save all my special photos, especially of family, to my hard drive as well as to those little UBS thingies as a backup, and I still get a lot of my photos printed because nothing will ever replace the feeling of having a physical picture in your hand, but I will from now on, make sure I save any photo I post to FB, Pinterest or my blogs to folders on my hard drive before uploading them so they don't disappear at a later date.<br />
<br />
I have learned a valuable lesson, proving old dogs do learn new tricks, and would like to pass on some advice, especially for young parents today. The digital age is wonderful! It never ceases to amaze me what we can do with a camera, the thousands of images we can take and edit online so we do not have to waste money on imperfect images, and the wonderful overlays and backgrounds we can add to make them even more special, especially as memorials to those who are no longer with us. But, unless you are saving them to your hard drive, backing them up or having them printed off, you risk loosing them as soon as the the editing site you are using goes belly up. I have shelves lined with photo albums filled with pictures of my kids that I consider some of my most valued processions and cannot imagine not having them. Take the time, save your special photos, and print them off so you will have them to enjoy later.Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-71587237978987378942014-08-05T00:30:00.000-03:002017-10-13T19:36:42.112-03:00"You Are On The Right Path!"<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this quote about gardening...</div>
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<a href="http://twowomenandahoe.com/our-definition-of-gardening/"><img alt="http://twowomenandahoe.com/our-definition-of-gardening/" border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpHpp3jvUyc/U91XH4xp3AI/AAAAAAAAUpQ/WOzOrqorb4E/s1600/fine-art.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://twowomenandahoe.com/our-definition-of-gardening/">From Two Women and a Hoe</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
but this quote is more </div>
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indicative of the reality of gardening.</div>
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(though, if you were to quote me,</div>
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there would be some extra choice words inserted</div>
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between </div>
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"but" and "weeds!")</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aJlV4BQMhx4/U94ib5qa4-I/AAAAAAAAUrE/2lHph6P30Z0/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aJlV4BQMhx4/U94ib5qa4-I/AAAAAAAAUrE/2lHph6P30Z0/s1600/garden.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
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A slow start hitting the gardens this year resulted in a rampant </div>
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overgrowth of weeds, </div>
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shrubs needing pruning and </div>
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plants needing dividing.</div>
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August is normally a month that I give gardening a rest</div>
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...it's just too damn hot, but I am still out there</div>
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slowly tackling one garden at a time.</div>
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We spent too much time, effort and $$$</div>
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over the years to have our park like </div>
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gardens go wild.<br />
I'm just not ready to abandon them now,<br />
but life would be a lot easier if<br />
the hubby could help with<br />
the "grunt" work.<br />
<br />
...oh well...one day at a time!<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Aside from the grunt work,<br />
I am having fun making some new additions to the gardens,<br />
like this old watering can<br />
I picked up at a yard sale for 50 cents.<br />
...love cheap!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmAaQwUfSyk/U9qWTqm1yCI/AAAAAAAAUXs/ttLDRcne_Yw/s1600/2014-07-31+15.51.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmAaQwUfSyk/U9qWTqm1yCI/AAAAAAAAUXs/ttLDRcne_Yw/s1600/2014-07-31+15.51.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made three stump gardens today.</div>
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This one is my favorite.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQOWYny5wSo/U9_wTwlPJ5I/AAAAAAAAUsk/PEqUhSITiqM/s1600/2014-08-04+16.16.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQOWYny5wSo/U9_wTwlPJ5I/AAAAAAAAUsk/PEqUhSITiqM/s1600/2014-08-04+16.16.51.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Using rocks I already had scattered around the gardens, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I cobbled together my own little inuksuk<br />
for my road side garden.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Inukshuk, the singular of inuksuit, means </i><br />
<i>"in
the likeness of a human"</i><br />
<i> in the Inuit language.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
T<i>he traditional meaning of the inukshuk is</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> "Someone was here" </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>or</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> "You
are on the right path."</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl64BZg1DR4/U9qXmbaSFYI/AAAAAAAAUYA/luWiMmIAISQ/s1600/2014-07-31+15.52.38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl64BZg1DR4/U9qXmbaSFYI/AAAAAAAAUYA/luWiMmIAISQ/s1600/2014-07-31+15.52.38.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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A closer up view...and I know what you are thinking but I assure you<br />
...it was totally unintentional! <br />
Actually,<br />
it shows up in the picture more than when you<br />
are looking at the figure itself.<br />
I am giving my inuksuk a name,<br />
"Mellors"<br />
after the games keeper, Oliver Mellors from the book,<br />
"Lady Chatterley's Lover."</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKnu0974Z38/U9qXUp0RZ5I/AAAAAAAAUX4/lrqCSXZvoo0/s1600/2014-07-31+15.53.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKnu0974Z38/U9qXUp0RZ5I/AAAAAAAAUX4/lrqCSXZvoo0/s1600/2014-07-31+15.53.58.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
As for that "stone",</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I may just keep my eyes open for a more realistic looking one </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to replace it with.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After all, if the Louvre in Paris, France can exhibit "theirs"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and call them works are art...</div>
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I should be able to display mine!</div>
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<img height="640" id="irc_mi" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339475-1A43E58F000005DC-593_634x799.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="508" /></div>
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<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-79985014004417453532014-05-08T09:28:00.000-03:002014-05-08T09:28:12.030-03:00Dad and Goliath<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Paul Merril Hiltz</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Nov. 28th, 1926 - May 8th, 1997 </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My dad was many things, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and while he was not always the father</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>he could have been,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> he had a kind and loving heart, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a keen and witty mind, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>an uncanny ability to tell a great story.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i>
</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLkHtrCTZBk/U2pxiXDKYoI/AAAAAAAACrI/EWhbgtPhG9I/s1600/Dad+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLkHtrCTZBk/U2pxiXDKYoI/AAAAAAAACrI/EWhbgtPhG9I/s1600/Dad+2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Dad and Goliath</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A slingshot,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>my father's constant companion,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>lovingly whittled from forked branch,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>traveled in his pocket</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from youth throughout manhood.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>...a witness to his life,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the loss of an eye,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a brother-in-law's death</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>delivered by my father's hand,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and rejection by army recruiters</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>who had no use</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>for a one eyed soldier.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Carried in his pocket</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>during vows softly spoken,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the birth of eight children,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>at bootlegger's </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and Legion Halls,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and on the job,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>one night in Cape Breton,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>in a boarding house room</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>cold enough to freeze</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> piss in a bucket.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Men hastily stripped down to </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>long-johned bodies</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>rushed under blankets of wool,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>only to realize</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>no one had turned out the light!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>None brave enough to venture</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>back out into the cold,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>my one eyed father</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> faced Goliath that night.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>With a button ripped from his chest</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>he loaded up his sling...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and eye to glowing eye</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>took aim...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"PING"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>turned out the light. </i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i></div>
Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-2186653246076523282014-04-15T10:03:00.002-03:002014-04-15T10:03:45.183-03:00From Where I Stood
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As you can see, from where I stood in Nova Scotia, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the
lunar eclipse was pretty unspectacular</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...I caught only glimpses before the
clouds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
totally obscured it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What was remarkable about the eclipse of April 15, 2014 was:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got up at 3:30 to watch it, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was able to stand for 45 minutes out on my back deck...in my bare
feet!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dr_nyjQOpi8/U00pUYoVQWI/AAAAAAAACqo/0Vf1K_CSfdU/s1600/2014-04-15+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dr_nyjQOpi8/U00pUYoVQWI/AAAAAAAACqo/0Vf1K_CSfdU/s1600/2014-04-15+03.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-64609949690365449822014-04-14T15:58:00.001-03:002014-04-14T15:58:47.052-03:00A True Optimist <br />
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<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-69274478789818946452014-04-05T13:09:00.000-03:002014-04-05T13:09:34.829-03:00Storage Bin MakeoverComing from homes where we didn't have much and knowing how hard it was for our parents to get one step ahead, my hubby and I both shared the attitude that when we got something new we would take care of it to make it last. Hanging on to a TV for twenty five years before replacing it and still using furniture we've had since we got married thirty seven years ago is a testament not only to how well things were made back then but also to the care we took...perhaps not much fun for the girls to grow up with fussy parents, but they survived and along the way learned how to respect their own belongings as well. Some things do wear out and need replacing, like the fifty year old couch we bought second hand and used downstairs for my daycare kiddies. When I retired, the old furniture in the basement took a trip, not to the dump, but to a new home, and the furniture upstairs migrated downstairs to make room for new... all but a gigantic coffee table and two end tables.<br />
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So, while we saved money over the years, here is the downside of taking too good of care of your stuff:</div>
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1. You end up with a coffee table twenty five years later that is too big and out of style.</div>
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2. You can't get rid of it because it's in excellent condition, not a scratch or mark on it, and in the hubby's mind...why would you even consider it!</div>
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3. Forget about touching it with a paint brush or distressing it... the hubby would slit your throat first.</div>
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4. Even if I could convince the hubby to replace it...no go... the coffee table has been sitting in the same spot since we bought it, and moving it would reveal indentations in the carpet that no amount of steaming or brushing would remove...<br />
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Which leaves us only one option...replace the carpeting</div>
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..."the original 27 year old carpets"...</div>
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but wait...we've taken such good care of the carpets, they're still in perfect condition!<br />
...and so stays the carpet,<br />
...and so stays the coffee table. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwPPV-cFq3o/UzyZQwH-fvI/AAAAAAAACp8/B_NRRRwhfIQ/s1600/2013-12-07+17.34.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwPPV-cFq3o/UzyZQwH-fvI/AAAAAAAACp8/B_NRRRwhfIQ/s1600/2013-12-07+17.34.11.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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What I really had in mind was replacing the coffee table with a smaller, more modern</div>
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looking storage ottoman, something to add some color to the room and </div>
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something you could actually put your feet on... and it would be OK! :) </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pNXBkxm06c/UzxlMD0JPeI/AAAAAAAACog/8X_LVKhzzxs/s1600/2014-03-27+15.50.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pNXBkxm06c/UzxlMD0JPeI/AAAAAAAACog/8X_LVKhzzxs/s1600/2014-03-27+15.50.13.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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While I've accepted that the coffee table has to stay, </div>
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I still wanted to make some changes, </div>
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especially to the wasted space at both ends of the table. </div>
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Not able to find something in the store that suited me, </div>
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I had made up my mind that I would have to make my own bins by covering boxes with fabric </div>
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then I found these boxes with covers marked way down at Superstore</div>
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right price...right color but too plain... </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HhovWpRynVI/UzxlxCEWEWI/AAAAAAAACo4/aPEIgNnr8eU/s1600/2014-03-27+15.52.41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HhovWpRynVI/UzxlxCEWEWI/AAAAAAAACo4/aPEIgNnr8eU/s1600/2014-03-27+15.52.41.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have a "love anything burlap" thingy going on right now</div>
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so used 5" burlap ribbon the,</div>
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turned one edge under 1/4 of an inch, pressed and stitched along the edge.</div>
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Next, I used dark blue yarn to make two rows of running stitch.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dEmzjIeOzv0/UzxlVzLfsxI/AAAAAAAACoo/Ef6sMzBeOA8/s1600/2014-03-27+15.50.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dEmzjIeOzv0/UzxlVzLfsxI/AAAAAAAACoo/Ef6sMzBeOA8/s1600/2014-03-27+15.50.55.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I folded the other edge down and pressed it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u6MGXAvmQWg/Uzxl0-KCYTI/AAAAAAAACpA/aj9nK4Zg0us/s1600/2014-03-27+17.05.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u6MGXAvmQWg/Uzxl0-KCYTI/AAAAAAAACpA/aj9nK4Zg0us/s1600/2014-03-27+17.05.33.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I allowed for three inches to show on the outside of the box, </div>
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and measuring carefully as I went, I hot glued </div>
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the folded edge inside the box.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TeFWPvkDL5c/UzxmAbG0kGI/AAAAAAAACpI/kXBfR7IlmE4/s1600/2014-03-28+13.42.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TeFWPvkDL5c/UzxmAbG0kGI/AAAAAAAACpI/kXBfR7IlmE4/s1600/2014-03-28+13.42.09.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1LGTmkTs34/UzxmwXoouqI/AAAAAAAACpU/1le1vWkXiUk/s1600/2014-03-28+13.47.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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I used the back of a spoon to press the folded edge into the hot glue.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1LGTmkTs34/UzxmwXoouqI/AAAAAAAACpU/1le1vWkXiUk/s1600/2014-03-28+13.47.23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1LGTmkTs34/UzxmwXoouqI/AAAAAAAACpU/1le1vWkXiUk/s1600/2014-03-28+13.47.23.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1LGTmkTs34/UzxmwXoouqI/AAAAAAAACpU/1le1vWkXiUk/s1600/2014-03-28+13.47.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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...glued on some snazzy buttons and </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Haz6hnDV13w/Uzxm7N5SP4I/AAAAAAAACpk/Dt3iuFk6Py4/s1600/2014-03-28+14.15.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Haz6hnDV13w/Uzxm7N5SP4I/AAAAAAAACpk/Dt3iuFk6Py4/s1600/2014-03-28+14.15.44.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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...ta...ta...I had the boxes I wanted.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYaqDwqdrT8/Uzxm39aNQHI/AAAAAAAACpc/3eOZ7wgpekE/s1600/2014-03-28+14.17.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYaqDwqdrT8/Uzxm39aNQHI/AAAAAAAACpc/3eOZ7wgpekE/s1600/2014-03-28+14.17.11.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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...one for magazines,</div>
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the other, </div>
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a place to throw the mending </div>
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...out of sight</div>
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...and out of mind! :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDXmDg0osFo/UzxnHo4InZI/AAAAAAAACps/vgop149K46s/s1600/2014-03-28+14.18.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDXmDg0osFo/UzxnHo4InZI/AAAAAAAACps/vgop149K46s/s1600/2014-03-28+14.18.36.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now...to come up with something for the top of the table!</div>
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...and wait for the late 80's-early 90's style fads to come around again.</div>
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Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-90641680406086227692014-03-30T14:42:00.002-03:002014-03-30T14:42:18.229-03:00FROM LAMPSHADE TO BASKET<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Although I haven't posted on this blog in almost a year,
I have been reluctant to shut it all down, believing I would perhaps
get back to it when I had more time. It's taken me almost eight months of retirement to finally find my way back</div>
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...but better late than never!</div>
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I love being off, </div>
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partly because I don't have to get up before the crack of 9:00</div>
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...well sometimes 10:00</div>
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...but mostly, </div>
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because I am free to do some of the things I used to do</div>
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but never seemed to have time while working.</div>
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The first few months were busy clearing all my daycare supplies and furniture from basement, getting rid of stuff we no longer needed and rearranging everything so the basement looked more like a family room than a preschool classroom. I've set up a sewing/craft area and spread out my exercise equipment thinking that I would use it if it was easier to get at it...hasn't happened yet buy there's still hope :).</div>
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I also painted the spare bedroom and redid the furniture to give the room an entirely new look which I love.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Before </i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDsM9el2MxQ/UzdXO8-mK-I/AAAAAAAACoA/JBdN8q-cLDI/s1600/IMG_7809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDsM9el2MxQ/UzdXO8-mK-I/AAAAAAAACoA/JBdN8q-cLDI/s1600/IMG_7809.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>After </i></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bqJJ71AkAx4/UzdX45J82UI/AAAAAAAACoI/qOW1oCmSO90/s1600/2013-12-07+17.23.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bqJJ71AkAx4/UzdX45J82UI/AAAAAAAACoI/qOW1oCmSO90/s1600/2013-12-07+17.23.44.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSaPUXfsmfk/UzdYQfM3RaI/AAAAAAAACoQ/Wo2RnWeAoGY/s1600/2013-12-01+12.08.33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSaPUXfsmfk/UzdYQfM3RaI/AAAAAAAACoQ/Wo2RnWeAoGY/s1600/2013-12-01+12.08.33.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Throw in a little personal tweaking, a six week recuperating period plus endless time spent on Pinterest, I am finally ready to put that craft area to use.</div>
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My first project was changing an old lampshade from a dust collector into something useful, either a planter or a basket...depending how the finished product turned out.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--KOyE50ccmc/UzdMQg8ySFI/AAAAAAAAClg/OLS1Q4cNViU/s1600/2014-03-26+14.16.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--KOyE50ccmc/UzdMQg8ySFI/AAAAAAAAClg/OLS1Q4cNViU/s1600/2014-03-26+14.16.18.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is no pattern to post. </div>
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All I did was crochet a chain using jute twine and some bulky variegated yarn so it would fit the smallest end of the shade and continued round using single crochet. Every third round I increased the number of stitches by 4 stitches evenly spaced in the round.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4SiWJwLcONg/UzdMllTfEXI/AAAAAAAAClo/NV1pYX6GWxg/s1600/2014-03-26+14.18.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4SiWJwLcONg/UzdMllTfEXI/AAAAAAAAClo/NV1pYX6GWxg/s1600/2014-03-26+14.18.13.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I continued until it was large enough to stretch over the lampshade,</div>
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then ended off.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quEy8Bg3dk4/UzdNLmdxxbI/AAAAAAAACl8/EyR7Cmp5koc/s1600/2014-03-26+15.37.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quEy8Bg3dk4/UzdNLmdxxbI/AAAAAAAACl8/EyR7Cmp5koc/s1600/2014-03-26+15.37.19.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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To line the inside I recycled an unbleached SMU bag my daughter got for Frosh Week at Saint Mary's</div>
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(figured fourteen years after graduating she would't miss it) to line the inside of the shade. As the finished project was either going to be filled with yarn or dirt, I didn't do any fancy measuring, just draped it and hot glued it into place. I trimmed the outer edge and glued in place. Next, I slipped the outer crochet cover on an glued around the edge.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kGM5702Rb20/UzdNLUf8rjI/AAAAAAAACl4/ObuHuSk2ak8/s1600/2014-03-26+16.00.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kGM5702Rb20/UzdNLUf8rjI/AAAAAAAACl4/ObuHuSk2ak8/s1600/2014-03-26+16.00.29.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Pleased with the way it turned out, I decided it would be a yarn basket which needed a handle. To do this I used a coat hanger, did a single crochet stitch around the hanger, poked holes on each side of the basket and attached the handle. I wanted a little twist to my basket so I bent the wire shape to it and</div>
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...ta ta...I now have a new yarn basket in my living room. :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghu5lAjpY-k/UzdPBbo0txI/AAAAAAAACmM/GAFbKq8GDO8/s1600/2014-03-26+17.05.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghu5lAjpY-k/UzdPBbo0txI/AAAAAAAACmM/GAFbKq8GDO8/s1600/2014-03-26+17.05.16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghu5lAjpY-k/UzdPBbo0txI/AAAAAAAACmM/GAFbKq8GDO8/s1600/2014-03-26+17.05.16.jpg" height="640" width="610" /></a></div>
<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-35100904763700040512013-06-11T19:31:00.000-03:002013-06-11T19:31:55.743-03:00Don't Sweat The Small Stuff <div style="text-align: center;">
I've always found this to be a great mantra</div>
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to follow from day to day to help </div>
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keep everything in perspective</div>
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...because, </div>
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no matter how overwhelming things seem</div>
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...there's always </div>
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bigger shit around the corner.</div>
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So, instead of letting the little stuff get to you, </div>
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it's best to conserve your energy for </div>
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the big one!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwsUxSGPIs4/UbeNJrycILI/AAAAAAAACfc/aky0V_ibAQU/s1600/Don%27t+sweat+the+small+stuff!+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwsUxSGPIs4/UbeNJrycILI/AAAAAAAACfc/aky0V_ibAQU/s640/Don%27t+sweat+the+small+stuff!+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I've had to apply this to my gardening as well.</div>
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I have too many and not enough time to</div>
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stay on top of things to keep </div>
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them looking good.</div>
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We gave the gardens a good pruning,weeding and edging</div>
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in the early spring, but already, things are out growing their space</div>
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...and the weeds!!! </div>
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I spent a couple of hours last night weeding some of the gardens, </div>
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pulling only the weeds six inches or taller, </div>
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not worrying about getting the little ones</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...they can wait for another day.<br />
<br />
<i>Some garden photos</i><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvDPUx-v_sU/UbeReEyBYdI/AAAAAAAACfs/Fc_JvjKJ5Cw/s1600/IMG_9076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvDPUx-v_sU/UbeReEyBYdI/AAAAAAAACfs/Fc_JvjKJ5Cw/s640/IMG_9076.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnUK1DnBBH0/UbeS9HoR4MI/AAAAAAAACgQ/25rliNdzLWc/s1600/Ladies+Mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnUK1DnBBH0/UbeS9HoR4MI/AAAAAAAACgQ/25rliNdzLWc/s640/Ladies+Mantle.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-61970289636652630072013-05-20T11:37:00.001-03:002013-05-20T11:41:15.192-03:00Peanut Butter Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTfyyZUI1p8/UZoq7pZZOpI/AAAAAAAACc4/0GnyFRMO2qg/s1600/Peanut+Butter+Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTfyyZUI1p8/UZoq7pZZOpI/AAAAAAAACc4/0GnyFRMO2qg/s640/Peanut+Butter+Pie.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Peanut Butter Pie</span></b></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">1 store bought graham cracker pie crust or make your own.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">( I find bought crust are too small...usually 8 in... for my liking. The recipe below will make a 10 in. pie.) </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">(About 9
full/long crackers — just throw them in a gallon bag, zip, and crush with a
rolling pin.)</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5 tbsp butter, melted</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Filling </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">8 oz. cream
cheese<br />1 c. smooth peanut butter </span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">½ c. granulated sugar<br />1 tsp. pure vanilla extract<br />8
oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed (I added a little extra to mine)<br />whipped cream for topping...or use frozen whipped topping, chocolate syrup, and grated
chocolate; optional garnishes.<br /> </span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Directions:</span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Preheat oven to 375.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In a small bowl, mix together graham cracker
crumbs and melted butter until a crumbly, moist mixture forms.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Gently but firmly press the graham cracker
mixture into the bottom/sides of a pie dish.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool
completely.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">With an electric mixer,
beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Blend in peanut butter and vanilla.
Fold in whipped topping. Spoon mixture into prepared pie crust. Refrigerate for
at least 4 hours. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, with a
sprinkling of grated chocolate. Keep refrigerated.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Note: I used frozen topping for the filling and whipped my own cream with a little sugar for the topping. When I make this again I will not bother with the frozen topping. A 1\2 liter size container of whipping cream will make enough whipped cream to use for the filling as well as the topping. Chill the whipping cream, bowl and beaters before beating...beat while adding </span></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">adding 1/4 c. of sugar </span></span>until cream firms up. Do not over beat.</span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri'; font-size: 12pt;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Enjoy...I know we did! </span></span></div>
Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-44727872657417284472013-05-04T20:54:00.000-03:002013-05-04T20:54:43.754-03:00Why Do I Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5zpJEu9Ht_8/UYWU5VlvBaI/AAAAAAAACbA/4HtWn9Fyvus/s1600/Garden+Quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5zpJEu9Ht_8/UYWU5VlvBaI/AAAAAAAACbA/4HtWn9Fyvus/s640/Garden+Quote.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...it keeps me grounded</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...it's good exercise </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...while gardening is a lot of work, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>it slows me down and mostly, I find it meditative </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...I like the quite and solitude, even when gardening side by side</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>with hubby, we are deep in our own thoughts and</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>don't have to listen to each others yakking</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...it's the only time I get to wear the same sweaty, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>soiled clothes two days in a row </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>without feeling crappy</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...it's the only time I wear perfume... "eau de OFF"</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...the palette is constantly changing</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...it's cheaper than therapy</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...it's less depressing than religion</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...gardening keeps me healthy, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>not only because of the exercise benefit,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>but because digging in the earth and getting my hands dirty is good for me. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>It exposes me to lots of micro-organisms that </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>keep my immune system strong.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...and yes Mr. Kipling, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>it does take time and sweat to keep one's gardens</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> looking beautiful, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>and perhaps there is less time for sitting in the shade</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...but all that hard work </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>just makes the sitting more</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> enjoyable. </i></span></div>
Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-47212076030613685212013-04-09T19:48:00.001-03:002013-04-09T23:11:47.707-03:00Lunch Is On Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzfvdS63oJczSA3ENXQs__GZ19yCzilUUCzDTQJxfkfnTA_9XY924grYmqRpHzoprF5jNaIQ4T7GGo0wypMkA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
After a long hiatus from feeding the birds in our back yard due to the unwelcome nightly visits and damage done by racoons, I decided to put my feeders back out this winter to give "birding" another try. They were slow to come but come they did, juncos, black capped chickadees, gold finches, common redpolls, sparrows and white breasted nuthatches...but nary a raccoon. So far so good. <br />
<br />
We do however, have a pesty little squirrel eating our seed up and wrecking havoc with our feeders. Yesterday, after discovering yet another feeder destroyed, war was declared. That little bugger had to go!<br />
<br />
While there are many ways to eliminate squirrels from your property, we opted for the humane way and forked over forty bucks for a "live" trap. We baited it with seed and waited. It wasn't long before we spotted our squirrel scampering into the cage, nabbing some seed and running back out to enjoy his snack before running back in for more. We had just about given up on the trap as garbage when the squirrel's luck ran out...we had him.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, we made the mistake of leaving our captive in the back yard until hubby was ready to take him on a road trip. When we looked out the window a short time later we found a large black cat we'd never seen before crouched about ten feet from the cage. By the time hubby made it to the cage the cat had already made its' move, the cage doors were open and neither the cat or the squirrel was in sight.<br />
<br />
We reset the cage but there has been no sign of the squirrel. Perhaps he was so traumatized that he won't be back, but I expect that he was probably an easy meal for the cat...forty bucks for the trap...I guess you could say...lunch was on us!<br />
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<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-46596054203034054542013-04-05T14:10:00.002-03:002013-04-05T14:10:28.185-03:00 SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE...as wholesome as apple pie...not!While sweet potatoes themselves, in their pure form, are considered healthy, it would require a long stretch of the imagination to ever wrap your mind around this dish as being good for you...sort of like believing apple pie is healthy because it's made with apples. Although the bulk of it is sweet potato with a pecan topping, it has added sugar, coconut and butter/margarine that makes it sooooo tasty. Even those who turn up their noses at sweet potato love this dish, which is why I make it for every holiday meal. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZ406NWR3E8/UV8Ak55SNaI/AAAAAAAACas/VmgRh7tUG74/s1600/IMG_7975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZ406NWR3E8/UV8Ak55SNaI/AAAAAAAACas/VmgRh7tUG74/s640/IMG_7975.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE (I always double this recipe in order to have leftovers...hopefully)<br /><br />1 ½ c. sweet potato-cooked, mashed and warm<br />½ c. sugar<br />4 T. margarine<br />1 egg-slightly beaten<br />½ c. coconut <br />1/3 c. milk<br />½ tsp. Vanilla<br /><br />TOPPING<br />½ c. brown sugar<br />½ c. chopped pecans<br />¼ c. flour<br />4 T. margarine-melted<br />Dash of salt<br /><br />Combine first 7 ingredients and mix well. Pour into a buttered casserole dish. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over top of potato mixture. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20-30 min.<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-50496372957719307132013-03-22T14:22:00.002-03:002013-03-22T14:24:57.629-03:00Shaving Cream PaintingAfter many, many years of caring for children, one finds oneself in danger of repeating the same old crafts and themes. Luckily, there is a turn around of kiddies, usually a four year rotation from the time they start daycare at one until they leave to start school at five, so as long as I can come up with original ideas for a four year period I can generally start repeating but, although they are not getting the same old...same old, it can get a little boring for me. It's had to come up with new ideas especially for seasonal themes, but since I joined Pinterest I've been able to try lots of new ideas on the kiddies, like "shaving cream Easter eggs." <br />
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<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/11751649000217828/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="501" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/736x/b5/47/57/b5475757acd7c6cf713811bf10184d9b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://littlewondersdays.blogspot.ca/search/label/Shaving%20Cream%20Painting" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">littlewondersdays.blogspot.ca</a> via<a href="http://pinterest.com/marisajbez" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Marisa</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is our the first try shaving at cream painting. I won't go into detail on how it's done but you can click on the above Pinterest link from Little Wonders' Days to check it out. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Looks yummy...but don't eat it!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSTY_kjvcz0/UUyNf6H51VI/AAAAAAAACZ0/BMyAma91TA0/s1600/IMG_7885.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSTY_kjvcz0/UUyNf6H51VI/AAAAAAAACZ0/BMyAma91TA0/s400/IMG_7885.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSTY_kjvcz0/UUyNf6H51VI/AAAAAAAACZ0/BMyAma91TA0/s1600/IMG_7885.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This shows that is is wise to test a new craft ahead of time...had I done that I would have realized that shaving cream painting works better using dark colors instead of pastels.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Snj5MWVLHf4/UUyNzIlJK3I/AAAAAAAACak/3iKCsfJ7MTg/s1600/IMG_7898.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Snj5MWVLHf4/UUyNzIlJK3I/AAAAAAAACak/3iKCsfJ7MTg/s400/IMG_7898.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSTY_kjvcz0/UUyNf6H51VI/AAAAAAAACZ0/BMyAma91TA0/s1600/IMG_7885.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The most fun came when we were finished making our eggs and the kiddies got to "dig in!"</div>
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As with most messy crafts, there will be those that really enjoy it...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cOMR1zBwTk/UUyNwQeZjvI/AAAAAAAACac/iZoxQrPeHDU/s1600/IMG_7897.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cOMR1zBwTk/UUyNwQeZjvI/AAAAAAAACac/iZoxQrPeHDU/s640/IMG_7897.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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those who will be up to their elbows in it before they are done...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7FOgWbJlt0/UUyNomzoJ6I/AAAAAAAACaE/9oj02R6Zeec/s1600/IMG_7894.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7FOgWbJlt0/UUyNomzoJ6I/AAAAAAAACaE/9oj02R6Zeec/s640/IMG_7894.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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those who won't even touch it...</div>
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and those who go into it tentatively...<br />
and can get really upset when you try to take their picture. :)</div>
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Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-25952517716998663302013-02-03T16:37:00.000-04:002013-02-03T19:23:18.736-04:00Gluten Free PizzaThere's nothing like a good bout with the flu to get me rethinking what I put into my body. After a day of not being able to eat at all followed by two that I could only muster yogurt and bananas, gradually reintroducing foods I typically eat is proving to be a slow and gradual process and perhaps a chance to clean up my act. I certainly know I will take a long pause before I wolf down a another hot dog loaded with fried onions, my last meal before getting sick. One of the good side effects of being sick is that I've gone 3 1/2 days without coffee so hopefully I slept through my caffeine withdraw. I've been reading a lot about the gluten free diet and have often thought about giving it a try but...I do love my bread and it's pretty hard to find anything that doesn't contain wheat... but if I'm gonna try it, now would be as good a time as any.<br />
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I had some veggies and leftovers in the refrigerator that needed to be use up so I decided to make pizza's. I used the thin crust recipe I normally use for two...a man pizza for the hubby,and a scaled down pizza for my daycare kiddies but for me, I made a mamma pizza...gluten free...less meat, extra veggies and nooooo hotdogs. Instead of a wheat crust I made a brown rice crust that I have been using for my quiches ever since I found this recipe for a lighter, healthier quiche on Pinterest. For my pizza crust, I added an extra egg.<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/11751648999518863/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550/1d/5a/c6/1d5ac670a1b7c05621eecb05ceebca14.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.crunchyrock.com/2011/10/broccoli-and-cheddar-quiche-with-brown.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">crunchyrock.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/marisajbez/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Marisa</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<br />
Brown Rice Crust for Pizza<br />
2 c. cooked brown rice<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 c. cheddar cheese<br />
Mix together in a bowl, spread onto a greased cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees for about 8 min.<br />
Top with pizza sauce and sprinkle on a couple handfuls of cheese, I used a mix of Mozzarella and Cheddar, add your favorite toppings and seasonings and a little more cheese then pop back it in the oven for 15 to 20 min.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJMS0w81B7s/UQ680FzxhgI/AAAAAAAACVQ/mKu5IvA_o50/s1600/IMG_7420.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJMS0w81B7s/UQ680FzxhgI/AAAAAAAACVQ/mKu5IvA_o50/s640/IMG_7420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmVvxbqVgIo/UQ686cOsIpI/AAAAAAAACVc/cvytJPOukiQ/s1600/IMG_7421.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
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I added lots of onion, a small amount of hamburger and bacon, green peppers and chopped tomato.<br />
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Mamma, Man and Kiddie Pizza's</div>
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I have to say I prefer the Brown Rice crust over the regular crust pizza, and the hubby agrees.</div>
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Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-88210243162611349962013-01-24T14:22:00.000-04:002013-01-24T14:22:17.515-04:00On The Cheap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The recent changes we just made to our kitchen from blue to earth tones of browns and greens meant some of our old wall pictures no longer worked. A lot had to go, but we had some photos taken by our daughter when she was a teenager that we wanted to keep but the antique rose mats wasn't doing it for me. Before buying new mats for the frames I decided to give painting them a try. I was amazed at how well they turned out. </div>
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Using a sponge and some acrylic paint I had left over </div>
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from the "tole painting" phase in my life </div>
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I went at them.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CKFHEbXJilM/UP17-Z8k8sI/AAAAAAAACTw/VOnxymWpw7A/s1600/IMG_7203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CKFHEbXJilM/UP17-Z8k8sI/AAAAAAAACTw/VOnxymWpw7A/s320/IMG_7203.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Starting at the inside edge, </div>
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I just kept dabbing the paint on. </div>
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I don't think using a brush would have worked as well.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVXZtO6NwuA/UP17--aJftI/AAAAAAAACT0/rxYz2EqdUYU/s1600/IMG_7204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVXZtO6NwuA/UP17--aJftI/AAAAAAAACT0/rxYz2EqdUYU/s320/IMG_7204.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I used Autumn Brown paint because I love the color, </div>
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and even though it was a lighter shade than the frames, </div>
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when assembled, the mats just blended into the frames.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZj-0zLQuvc/UP18CFbUf6I/AAAAAAAACUA/Yz5MuFG1xLY/s1600/IMG_7207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZj-0zLQuvc/UP18CFbUf6I/AAAAAAAACUA/Yz5MuFG1xLY/s320/IMG_7207.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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...see</div>
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~back to the drawing board~</div>
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I wasn't sure if It would be possible to add more coats of paint, </div>
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but after three coats of Antique White</div>
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...ta ta...</div>
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new mats for my frames.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHOKL3VQ888/UQF0d9AGDqI/AAAAAAAACUs/6qXMBzAeVZ4/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHOKL3VQ888/UQF0d9AGDqI/AAAAAAAACUs/6qXMBzAeVZ4/s640/IMG_7220.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I'm happy with the results!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKIcvIOVzDg/UQF0d0WSo3I/AAAAAAAACUo/dUkhxtb7XfU/s1600/IMG_7236.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKIcvIOVzDg/UQF0d0WSo3I/AAAAAAAACUo/dUkhxtb7XfU/s640/IMG_7236.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
ll
Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-17860796900882002202012-07-28T19:37:00.000-03:002012-07-28T19:37:32.662-03:00Coming Home<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVNx79fR4aU/UBRluRItMBI/AAAAAAAACOo/rec-jdOIDeU/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVNx79fR4aU/UBRluRItMBI/AAAAAAAACOo/rec-jdOIDeU/s640/beach.jpg" width="549" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>No vacation goes unpunished.</i></span></div>
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<i> ~Karl Hakkarainen </i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EON1d81lGA/UBRlpYbVyHI/AAAAAAAACOg/wrO8QLfp2Og/s1600/beach+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EON1d81lGA/UBRlpYbVyHI/AAAAAAAACOg/wrO8QLfp2Og/s640/beach+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...because, </div>
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after all the fun and relaxation you have to come home </div>
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and find that just because you were on vacation</div>
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...the garden was not!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzCuM9KTH-E/UBRpGQb_NWI/AAAAAAAACPI/K_5UF26tRsQ/s1600/IMG_6156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzCuM9KTH-E/UBRpGQb_NWI/AAAAAAAACPI/K_5UF26tRsQ/s640/IMG_6156.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-37395243137713992442012-07-17T13:31:00.001-03:002012-07-17T20:46:19.019-03:00Serendipity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K-84j-02R2A/UAVYF1UtjII/AAAAAAAACNI/XSqBTaj0oJQ/s1600/IMG_6092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K-84j-02R2A/UAVYF1UtjII/AAAAAAAACNI/XSqBTaj0oJQ/s640/IMG_6092.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Chive seed head loaded with seeds</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I got a kick out of the Food For Thought in today's</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Chronicle Herald...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR TODAY</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">"In reality, serendipity accounts for one per cent of the blessings </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">we
receive in life, work and love. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">The
other 99 per cent is due to our efforts."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">~Peter McWilliams</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">or, </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">as my father used to say...</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">"Wish in one hand, shit in the other</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">...see which one gets full
first!"</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN">~Paul Hiltz </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN"> ~a simple man who told it like it was.</span></i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></span></i></div>Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-27166188202899990372012-07-08T21:12:00.001-03:002012-07-08T21:12:21.507-03:00A Great Day For The Lake<div style="text-align: center;">
Today turned out to be a refreshing change from the heat of the past week</div>
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...a great day for either a bike ride along the trails,</div>
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or a trip to the lake for some kayaking</div>
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...and kayaking won out...hands down. </div>
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We packed a picnic lunch and headed to </div>
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where no one else goes.</div>
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</div>
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...at least not today</div>
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...but the evidence was clear that others</div>
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were there before us.</div>
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But for today we had our own little private island</div>
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for swimming and a picnic.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a great afternoon on the water although</div>
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the water was choppy and a little scary when the waves hit the side of the kayak</div>
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...but we were safe</div>
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...we had on our life jackets. </div>
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I don't think I would ever be brave enough to try deep sea kayaking!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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The real hazard was not the choppy water,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but hauling a kayak up a rocky embankment </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while wearing wet water shoes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One should know better, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but apparently,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
age and wisdom do not always go hand in hand. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As luck would have it, my foot slipped on the rocks and I lost my balance, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the weight of the kayak pulling me backwards onto these rocks below.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Luckily, I landed on my side and my head didn't hit,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or it could have been a trip to the hospital.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--dthsgQmxXs/T_oB6wYBoYI/AAAAAAAACMQ/aMuZabqrpQ0/s1600/IMG_5956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--dthsgQmxXs/T_oB6wYBoYI/AAAAAAAACMQ/aMuZabqrpQ0/s640/IMG_5956.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I fared rather well, just a few scrapes and bruises, and a sore shoulder, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
although I expect I'll be feeling more pain tomorrow.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really need to smarten the **** up! </div>Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-37868811031328726892012-07-04T21:51:00.000-03:002012-07-04T21:51:08.245-03:00Lazy Hazy Days Of Summer<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ah...the hot summer sun... </i><br />
<br />
<i>Butterflies love it,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Zj-CXYHBj0/T_Tbx8GdDFI/AAAAAAAACKg/gjuSvpftNNE/s1600/IMG_5601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Zj-CXYHBj0/T_Tbx8GdDFI/AAAAAAAACKg/gjuSvpftNNE/s640/IMG_5601.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>as do the fields of wheat,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbljKZKbMs8/T_TdG8qRPaI/AAAAAAAACLY/qHS3OvOqP5k/s1600/IMG_5657.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbljKZKbMs8/T_TdG8qRPaI/AAAAAAAACLY/qHS3OvOqP5k/s640/IMG_5657.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>...and the flowers,</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0rfAEYgng4/T_TcOagreVI/AAAAAAAACK4/A5TXfXUCwmY/s1600/IMG_5881.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0rfAEYgng4/T_TcOagreVI/AAAAAAAACK4/A5TXfXUCwmY/s640/IMG_5881.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The little ones can't wait to get</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i> down and dirty</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph-KpyUCQVc/T_TcHnA63uI/AAAAAAAACKw/bFK7pW7QtHE/s1600/IMG_5847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w49vsVk2FHk/T_Tcise-V9I/AAAAAAAACLI/AEQn19-OYBg/s1600/IMG_5517.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w49vsVk2FHk/T_Tcise-V9I/AAAAAAAACLI/AEQn19-OYBg/s640/IMG_5517.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>...and splash</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> and </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>play.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph-KpyUCQVc/T_TcHnA63uI/AAAAAAAACKw/bFK7pW7QtHE/s1600/IMG_5847.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph-KpyUCQVc/T_TcHnA63uI/AAAAAAAACKw/bFK7pW7QtHE/s640/IMG_5847.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>...but me... </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> I'll take the cool morning breeze </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>over the hot summer </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>sun.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zoUdtOt8N9Q/T_Tcypq-F6I/AAAAAAAACLQ/fDONLjIAyQs/s1600/IMG_5564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zoUdtOt8N9Q/T_Tcypq-F6I/AAAAAAAACLQ/fDONLjIAyQs/s640/IMG_5564.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-23019661877206153122012-06-14T18:26:00.000-03:002012-06-14T18:26:15.698-03:00No Vacancy<div style="text-align: center;">
For the past two years this "Birdy Condo"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
has been home to a family of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tree Swallows.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57766566@N05/7180627077/" title="IMG_5408 by Marisa J B, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5408" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7180627077_c0ea43c366_b.jpg" width="768" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mommy Swallow nurturing her eggs or fledglings</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... although I have yet to hear any chirping</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so I suspect they are still eggs.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-70jxc7nTs/T9pRJo-2aGI/AAAAAAAACIs/hMM9WGPZprI/s640/IMG_5476.JPG" width="640" /></div>
</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-70jxc7nTs/T9pRJo-2aGI/AAAAAAAACIs/hMM9WGPZprI/s1600/IMG_5476.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dad is keeping a watchful eye in </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
case anyone tries to</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
mess with his family!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLP5kRvHL_E/T9pRGhugSJI/AAAAAAAACIk/kw1c7K4vaBg/s1600/IMG_5445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLP5kRvHL_E/T9pRGhugSJI/AAAAAAAACIk/kw1c7K4vaBg/s640/IMG_5445.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep! He's not missing anything.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpgfKRVzI3U/T9pRL1QKFRI/AAAAAAAACI0/JocksHEYuyo/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpgfKRVzI3U/T9pRL1QKFRI/AAAAAAAACI0/JocksHEYuyo/s640/IMG_5478.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
How does a family happen?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This photo from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_Swallow">Wikipedia</a> shows how they get the job done.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey...I'm branching out from flower and insect porn to birdie porn.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="thumbimage" height="640" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Tree_Swallow-27527-4c.jpg/220px-Tree_Swallow-27527-4c.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_Swallow-27527-4c.jpg">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_Swallow-27527-4c.jpg</a></div>Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-61425261440059305312012-06-10T20:36:00.002-03:002012-06-10T20:36:27.200-03:00A Wise Woman Knows When To Keep Her Mouth Shut!I had just put on a pot of coffee and taken these scrumptious looking muffins...a new recipe... out of the oven and went in search of hubby so he could sample them while they were still warm from the oven. After checking the garage and out back, I found him weeding my front flower garden, but instead of calling out to him, I quietly turned around and went back into the house leaving him to his weeding.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Peanut Butter Muffins and Mincemeat Muffins </i></div>
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTSl2kRocb4/T9TVK2lVdAI/AAAAAAAACGE/Bb6WBQvq1S4/s1600/IMG_5387.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTSl2kRocb4/T9TVK2lVdAI/AAAAAAAACGE/Bb6WBQvq1S4/s640/IMG_5387.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I have learned in 35 years of marriage </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">not to disturb a man </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">when he's weeding</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">...he may not get back to it.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Muffins, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">after all, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">can easily be </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">reheated. </span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JM00fH-AiFQ/T9TU8ABz4II/AAAAAAAACF8/bXEmSAWET9o/s1600/IMG_5406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JM00fH-AiFQ/T9TU8ABz4II/AAAAAAAACF8/bXEmSAWET9o/s640/IMG_5406.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTSl2kRocb4/T9TVK2lVdAI/AAAAAAAACGE/Bb6WBQvq1S4/s1600/IMG_5387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-80377870234855918302012-06-07T19:55:00.000-03:002012-06-07T19:55:26.439-03:00Poppy Love<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This tiny spider certainly has</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> "Poppy Love." </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBWJJQKb_ys/T9EuxhXMo-I/AAAAAAAACDA/6ZZ2fQhhMCQ/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBWJJQKb_ys/T9EuxhXMo-I/AAAAAAAACDA/6ZZ2fQhhMCQ/s640/IMG_5299.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The inside of a poppy flower is </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>like another world!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pV-VjMlGoU/T9Eu2DT7zRI/AAAAAAAACDI/OMvUUdE4fWM/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pV-VjMlGoU/T9Eu2DT7zRI/AAAAAAAACDI/OMvUUdE4fWM/s640/IMG_5300.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> ...radiant!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6UJ6Rf-3_E/T9Eu66HxSII/AAAAAAAACDQ/l3A_BKQzfPo/s1600/IMG_5301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6UJ6Rf-3_E/T9Eu66HxSII/AAAAAAAACDQ/l3A_BKQzfPo/s640/IMG_5301.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>...amazing!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmLwsrbLGDE/T9EvHmsJA3I/AAAAAAAACDo/kFcjnbpjz0w/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmLwsrbLGDE/T9EvHmsJA3I/AAAAAAAACDo/kFcjnbpjz0w/s640/IMG_5305.JPG" width="640" /></a><i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>...even the unopened flower bud</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> is pretty spectacular!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0p5uIXhXo8Q/T9EvBbq9DWI/AAAAAAAACDg/fqkz5iexUwA/s1600/IMG_5304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0p5uIXhXo8Q/T9EvBbq9DWI/AAAAAAAACDg/fqkz5iexUwA/s640/IMG_5304.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmLwsrbLGDE/T9EvHmsJA3I/AAAAAAAACDo/kFcjnbpjz0w/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-43536426910888812232012-05-31T20:57:00.000-03:002012-06-15T07:40:25.238-03:00Wonders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://jenikaslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dandelions-fulghum-quote.jpg"><img alt="http://jenikaslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dandelions-fulghum-quote.jpg" height="424" src="http://jenikaslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dandelions-fulghum-quote.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>...and I agree...they are flowers.</i><br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HD2FeVJ0AM/T8gCFt_pY-I/AAAAAAAACCA/wLa9fA7GyFg/s1600/IMG_4864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HD2FeVJ0AM/T8gCFt_pY-I/AAAAAAAACCA/wLa9fA7GyFg/s640/IMG_4864.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Dandelion Oh, hardy flower, disdained as weed, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Despised for head of
feathery seed, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Your unsung virtues rate a ballad,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Choice roots for wine,
crisp leaves for salad."<br />
-Betty Gay</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSZb_sSCMoI/T8gBWOgmIJI/AAAAAAAACB4/Fo3PDHPfAj0/s1600/IMG_5174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSZb_sSCMoI/T8gBWOgmIJI/AAAAAAAACB4/Fo3PDHPfAj0/s640/IMG_5174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184558790884617669.post-83909755595172701142012-03-05T13:42:00.000-04:002012-03-05T13:42:46.210-04:00Something New<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I just discovered a new site that lets you do interesting things with your photos, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so I've been playing around a little. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>My first creative attempt is this side show of some of the pictures</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> I took this morning on my walk. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It was truly a Winter Wonderland!</i></div><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr align="center"><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d7a41304d4455784e7a453d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" height="330" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d7a41304d4455784e7a453d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="420" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=google&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" height="46" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif" style="border: medium none;" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center">Make a <a href="http://www.smilebox.com/anytime-slideshows.html" target="_blank">free slideshow</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452957979065342811noreply@blogger.com4